Charles County Commissioner Vice President Reuben Collins (D) stood his ground on the passage of Resolution 2012-18, again saying it does not hinder the role of the Commissioner President and prevents possible abuses of power during a town hall meeting in Waldorf on Monday night. Collins also heard from frustrated residents about redistricting.

“It has done absolutely nothing to limit her authorities,” Collins said to one resident’s questions about exactly how it limits her authorities. I appreciate citizens like you, believe it or not. You ask questions directly. You’re not going on Facebook or going behind my back trashing me directly. I want to continue to operate government. There’s no interest in a power grab or for somebody to try to take her position.”

In regards to a proposal to build a juvenile detention center in Waldorf, Collins said the plans will move forward if a decision is not made soon. Collins also said the portion of Waldorf the detention center would be in would be in a different district.

“That slither of Waldorf will be part of a new district represented by the Senate President,” Collins said. There’s not the same kind of political interest that Middleton would have that Miller would have. That redistricting provision could remove it but it may come back.”

Collins also said that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D: 29th District) may not have the same political interests in stopping the detention center as others would because that portion of Waldorf would be a minority of his voting district.

Residents expressed frustration about growth and developments continuing to spring up while schools are not. Collins said the redistricting efforts lie with the Charles County Board of Education but said the passage of the State Rated Capacity (SRC) Amendment to the Adequate Public Facilities ordinance, which Collins voted against, would alleviate future problems as it creates fewer seats in the schools. At a town hall meeting on April 12th, Commissioner Debra Davis (D: 2nd), who also voted against SRC, praised the measure after she heard many of the same complaints from residents who would be seeing their students sent to different schools, some for the third or fourth time.

At times, the discussion over redistricting got very heated. Collins, in the end of the discussion, said the school board could have done more to respond to redistricting.

Howard Dent of La Plata expressed his concern that the Planning Commission was ignoring citizen input in the Comprehensive Plan process, a sentiment which was echoed by others in the audience.

“There were numerous public input scenarios,” Dent said. “The planning board is ignoring it. How do you as a commissioner restore our faith in the comprehensive plan process?”

“I participated in the planning process in 1997,” Collins said. “That process is totally different. In no way did it allow public input during the process. In prior years, there was concern that land preservation peoples’ views were never heard. You responded in terms of how I would look at it. I don’t know to what extent we can impact the decisions made by the planning commission. So much of this is political.”

“I would like to see some changes in the planning commission itself,” another resident said. “I feel powerless.”

“I thought the planning commission was open to dialogue and testimony,” Collins said. “I can assure you, it has to go through the commissioners, and you start seeing people moving around because they recognize people have this on the radar.”

“If the teacher pension issue does not go beyond what we anticipate, we should be able to easily balance our budget,” Collins said, addressing the concerns of the doomsday budget if a special session is not called for the Maryland State Legislature in Annapolis. “If this doomsday comes out, I don’t know where we’re going to get the resources to balance our budget.”

Collins also heard a young teemager's story about a relative being killed on Gallant Green Road and MD-5 in Hughesville, saying it was a dangerous intersection.

“I will follow up with Planning and Growth Management,” Collins said. “Since it is a state road, it may require contact with the state.”