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| The Bay Net Photo by Daniel Gross |
On Tuesday evening, January 23rd, the St. Mary’s County Commissioners held a public forum at the Governmental Center to allow local residents a chance to address concerning issues they feel are important.
The County Commissioners, including Dan Raley, Larry Jarboe, Tom Mattingly, Ken Dement, and President Jack Russell, welcomed the locals’ statements. “We always value and appreciate recommendations,” Raley told The Bay Net.
The meeting began at 6:30 pm in which, after a short introduction, many SMC residents approached the podium to speak in front of the board of commissioners. Concerns and ideas shared with the commissioners at this month’s meeting ranged from road conditions to safety during hunting season, and ideas for community leisure facilities.
Cindy Thomas, a local resident, commented on a lease agreement not being followed, and concern that public land is being taken over. According to Thomas, hunters are being able to hunt in areas too close to school zones. Commissioner Dement said, “I wish we would have known of this sooner.”
Another resident, Tim Tucker, explained the need for a paintball facility to be put in the local area. “There’s not much to do in the county that is geared towards middle and high school kids,” said Tucker. He explained how he believes such a facility could be set up without difficulty.
Residents of St. Mary’s care deeply about issues in their community, as is abundantly clear from the monthly public meetings where so many turn out to voice their concerns, share ideas, and take a part in civic life. On Tuesday residents attending even included the younger members of the county, such as Leonardtown High School senior, Brian Wilson. According to commissioners, Tuesday, it was nice to hear what the public had to say because many of the issues presented were previously unnoticed.