Local officials this week tasked Maryland’s new rural economic strategy director with communicating Worcester County’s concerns regarding wind and solar initiatives and the impacts they could have on agriculture and tourism.
On Tuesday, former Republican delegate Carl Anderton came before the Worcester County Commissioners in his new role as the director of rural economic strategy for the state of Maryland. Appointed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore’s administration to advise on economic growth opportunities in rural communities, Anderton said he will be working with local governments to voice concerns and share ideas.
“The governor wants to know what’s going on in these areas of the state,” he told the commissioners. “He wants a centralized focus solely on the rural parts of the state to find out what the state is doing well, what we can do better, and how the state can get out of the way. So my goal was to take ideas from you … and take those to the governor and see what we can do to help economies thrive in all parts of the state.”
Commissioner Chip Bertino kicked off Tuesday’s discussion by welcoming Anderton in his new capacity. He said he believed that rural counties such as Worcester were often overlooked and questioned how Anderton would advocate for local communities.
“My impression is that the rural counties are often ignored by the state and by the governor and by the legislature. The needs that we have, the concerns that we have, often fall on deaf ears when it comes to solar, when it certainly comes to windmills off the coast,” he said. “What is your expectation for success in articulating the needs and concerns of the rural counties, and that you’ll find a receptive ear, not just one that listens but one that actually acts?”
Anderton said it was something they would find out together. However, he said his years as a state delegate, working across party lines to support his constituents, would serve him well in his new role.
“The governor wants a direct line of communication – I guess through me – and so we’re going to do that,” he replied. “We’re going to take ideas up there, concerns about offshore wind, solar, whatever the concerns are.”
Ha! I bet he’s somebody’s nephew.
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