Community meetings continue; go and ask questions

     It's encouraging to see that some of the new board of commissioners will continue the community meetings that were started by former commissioner Julia Gouge.
     In a press release, Commissioner Doug Howard announced he would be addressing the first 100 days of the new administration at a 7:30 p.m. meeting at the Finksburg branch of the county public library. He should expect a good turnout, because the Freedom Area Citizens' Council has been diligent in addressing issues of importance to them. He will give the same speech at the South Carroll Senior Center at noon on Monday, March 21.
     According to the press release, he will be talking about how this board has reduced the size of government and saved $427,000. I hope those in attendance will ask him specifically where those savings were made, since the costs of directors whose contracts had been closed out, with the exception of the Human Resources Director, were cut before he and his colleagues took office.
     Perhaps someone will ask what is the difference in salaries between that paid former directors and that paid now to the "bureau chiefs" who took their place. Someone has to run the department. What's the real cost savings, not the numbers shift?
     Also, perhaps he will explain how the county's withdrawal from an agreement to join with other states, counties and towns across the country and the world to pay attention to ways we can preserve the environment -- including the quality of water in reservoirs serving our own citizens, benefits the people of Carroll County.
     Will he explain how having a super majority to raise taxes will work when no such restraint exists on all the costs that the county can expect to face in the future? What about meeting obligations for maintenance of effort in schools, courts and public safety as the state continues to reduce the share it passes down to the county? Where will the money come from if four of five have to agree?
     What's the point in having five commissioners by district if three votes do not count?
     The county has had a policy of hiring contractors only if they agree to use legal workers. How is the "E-verify" system better, and is it business friendly, or is it just window-dressing to appease an anti-immigrant constituency?
     Did he direct that the five people assigned as coordinators for the five commissioners be assigned to Steve Powell, chief of staff, because he did not want to admit that the commissioners who ran on a promise to get rid of special assistants had changed their minds?
     What are the duties and salaries of the coordinators, and how much real savings is their with the new titles?
     Will the new commissioners stick by their "Fighting 59th" slogan and their intent to push back against the state's regulations even if it costs local taxpayers state funds and programs to which we would be entitled?  Why?
     In fact, the question, "Why?" should be asked often, and no spin should be tolerated.