St. Mary’s Commissioners Recognize National County Government Month, Honor Local Workforce

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — With a room full of department leaders gathered at the front, the St. Mary’s County Commissioners took a moment at their April 21 meeting to shine a light on the people who keep local government running — often without recognition.

“What’s really important here is that, uh, I’ve been here almost 12 years now. And believe me, this kind of government goes very well when you got a great team of directors, number one, and all the other staff under them that have done such a great job, and I appreciate every one of you,” said Commissioners President Randy Guy.

The remarks came as part of a formal proclamation recognizing April as National County Government Month, an annual observance that highlights the role counties play in delivering essential services and supporting communities nationwide.

Guy emphasized that the work of county government extends far beyond elected officials.

“That venture’s a good job for county government, not only to provide for, not for me, you’re providing for the citizens of St. Mary’s County, and I do appreciate that,” he said.

Recognizing The Role Of County Government

The proclamation outlined the broad responsibilities carried out at the county level, noting that local governments “play a vital role in shaping the lives of residents and fostering the growth and prosperity of communities across the nation.”

It also recognized that counties are “at the forefront of providing central services and programs,” including public safety, infrastructure, health and human services, environmental protection and economic development.

“Now, therefore, we Commissioners of St. Mary’s County do hereby recognize and celebrate April as county government month, and extend our sincere appreciation to all county government employees, with their unwavering commitment to public service and dedication to making St. Mary’s County a great place to live, work and thrive,” Guy read from the proclamation, dated April 21, 2026.

‘The Heartbeat Of This Community’

Following the proclamation, County Administrator David Weiskopf shifted the focus squarely onto county employees, describing the often unseen work that keeps daily operations moving.

“Often the best work in local government is what happens behind the scenes,” Weiskopf said.

He pointed to a wide range of roles — from public works crews working overnight during storms to staff coordinating services for vulnerable residents.

“It’s the public works group, plowing snow and spreading salt at 3:00 a.m. It’s planning and coordinating home-delivered meals for our elders. The front-line staff managing the parks, the ones answering the phones, and the EOC 24/7 and the clerks making complex processes easy for our citizens and directors,” he said.

Weiskopf underscored the dedication behind those efforts.

“These individuals don’t just work here. They care here. They are driven by a commitment to service, often going above and beyond to ensure our county is safe, welcoming and vibrant,” he said.

“To all our coworkers, your efforts make a lasting impact on the lives of our residents. You are the heartbeat of this community. Thank you for your passion, your resilience and your dedication to serving the people of St. Mary’s County. I am proud to work alongside you,” he added.

Officials And Department Leaders Recognized

During the proclamation, county leadership also recognized a group of department heads and administrators representing the wide range of services provided to residents across St. Mary’s County.

Together, the group represents departments responsible for delivering essential services across the county — from infrastructure and emergency response to economic development and human services.

You can watch the full proclamation below at 10:23.

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