Abbott, Fiori change positions one month after supporting
The Worcester County Commissioners opted not to add public comments to their meetings this week.
Though they instructed staff to find a vehicle for public comment at meetings last month, the majority of the commissioners this week voted against a motion that would’ve approved the measure. A motion to adopt staff’s recommendation to give speakers three minutes each at the end of commissioner meetings failed with Commissioners Joe Mitrecic, Diana Purnell and Ted Elder in support.
“It’s a dead issue, which is certainly a loss for the citizens of Worcester County, not being able to voice their issues with the full board of commissioners,” Mitrecic said after the meeting.
It was Mitrecic last month who made a motion to have staff find a way to work public comment into the commissioners’ meetings. Chief Administrative Officer Weston Young presented the recommendation this week to hold a public comment section at the end of meetings that would give speakers three minutes to address the commissioners.
The memo Young provided to the commissioners stated that speakers would have to follow rules, which he pointed out in most jurisdictions included identifying their names and addresses, refraining from remarks unrelated to the business of the county, refraining from conduct that’s not civil, and understanding that the public comment period was “not a question-and-answer time.”
“As it is handled now, the emailing of questions and comments ahead of the meeting is always encouraged,” the memo reads. “The commissioners@co.worcester.md.us email address goes to all the commissioners.”
Mitrecic said he’d read the memo.
Well, so much for Abbott being a voice for her constituents like she claimed when she was campaigning for commissioner. Voted for her then but won’t vote for her again
I wouldn’t worry about. Worcester commissioners aren’t qualified to run a 4H club, let alone a county. But you all will keep voting them in. So this is good enough for ya.
Remember panel members, voted in by the people, can be voted out too.
Last i checked, the USA is still a democracy which follows the constitution. Governments (federal, state AND local) must adhere to them. Anyone recall the 1st Amendment? Worcester County is not a private industry business, you are government. Act like it and find a way to include YOUR peoples voice.