WALDORF, Md. – In reviewing the proposed Charter, the Charles County Volunteer Fire and EMS Associations decided to mirror the unbiased, bi-partisan approaches taken by other local public service organizations before we arrived at a formal decision on whether to support or oppose this initiative.
That being said, we didn’t just listen to ourselves. This dedication to an unemotional analysis led us to bring in outside voices so we could say to our members and the public we serve that we looked at this from all angles. In the end, we have decided to formally OPPOSE the proposed charter.
Our association’s sole purpose is to serve the citizens of Charles County. Our deep sense of service has run through our wonderfully diverse population for more than 95 years. We believe an extension of that service is keeping the citizens of our county informed on any topics that could impact their public safety systems. Charter vests too much authority in one person; the County Executive. The overall document contains too many “pass it before you know it” or “pass it before we know how much it costs” risks to each and every one of us.
We ask our citizens to support your volunteers by voting NO to Charter on November 5, 2024.
Respectfully,
Your Volunteer Fire and EMS Citizens
you’re not the only 1!
we’re going to have a state ballot question + a county ballot question. It is easier to push 2 no’s, so you won’t have voters trying to remember which to say yes + which to say no to. (Maybe more than 2, depending on the county).
its ok to feel like 5 commissioners is not enough. The county can add Commissioners + a robust discussion about doing this.
Five commissioners are enough; it’s not the number, it’s how ethical and honest those 5 are. Considering 3 are trying to turn CC from a Code Home Rule County to a Charter County says a lot about their own personal agendas. CC now has in-district only voting (a good thing); under CHR an Inspector General can be hired, and under CHR a removal clause for a commissioner can be added. What’s not to like about CHR and why change to Charter with higher taxes? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
are they going to take a position on the state ballot question, too? They should take a position on the state ballot question. So many unanswered questions about it.