Residents press Montgomery County on immigration enforcement, public-defender spending and civility; commissioners defend investments
October 10, 2025 | Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
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Public comment at the Oct. 9 Montgomery County commissioners meeting included several residents pressing the board on immigration enforcement, criminal justice spending, meeting scheduling and tone.
Marybeth Smith, who identified herself as a county resident, criticized the timing of weekday meetings and said she had taken time off work to attend. She also accused commissioners of dismissing speakers who raised concerns about immigration enforcement and said commissioners’ behavior during questions had been "antagonistic, dismissive, unprofessional, and rude." Smith urged greater transparency on county finances and asked for a financial report before the election.
Other speakers pressed the county on criminal justice spending. Rose Gannon cited a county press release about investments in the public-defender office and presented figures she said showed year-to-year increases in spending for prosecution, defense and corrections. A retired law-enforcement speaker (Ed Moy) and other commenters criticized the county’s stance on immigration enforcement and expressed concern about public safety.
In response, a commissioner said the county’s investment in the public-defender office "was an investment in ensuring the constitutional right to counsel," referencing a University of Pennsylvania review that had prompted the county to adjust funding and staffing. The commissioner said the county had also made salary adjustments after negotiations with unions and that investments were aimed at ensuring the overall justice system functions properly.
Commissioners also addressed tone in the meeting room: one commissioner apologized for a personal outburst related to a recent family loss and said the county seeks civil discourse. Another public commenter, Carmina Taylor, urged the board to pursue "the middle way approach" — a method of finding compromise — and asked the commissioners to convene community conversations to improve civility.
The meeting included no formal new policy on immigration. The public-comment period elicited a mix of requests for financial transparency, debate over public-safety priorities and calls for improved decorum at public meetings.
Marybeth Smith, who identified herself as a county resident, criticized the timing of weekday meetings and said she had taken time off work to attend. She also accused commissioners of dismissing speakers who raised concerns about immigration enforcement and said commissioners’ behavior during questions had been "antagonistic, dismissive, unprofessional, and rude." Smith urged greater transparency on county finances and asked for a financial report before the election.
Other speakers pressed the county on criminal justice spending. Rose Gannon cited a county press release about investments in the public-defender office and presented figures she said showed year-to-year increases in spending for prosecution, defense and corrections. A retired law-enforcement speaker (Ed Moy) and other commenters criticized the county’s stance on immigration enforcement and expressed concern about public safety.
In response, a commissioner said the county’s investment in the public-defender office "was an investment in ensuring the constitutional right to counsel," referencing a University of Pennsylvania review that had prompted the county to adjust funding and staffing. The commissioner said the county had also made salary adjustments after negotiations with unions and that investments were aimed at ensuring the overall justice system functions properly.
Commissioners also addressed tone in the meeting room: one commissioner apologized for a personal outburst related to a recent family loss and said the county seeks civil discourse. Another public commenter, Carmina Taylor, urged the board to pursue "the middle way approach" — a method of finding compromise — and asked the commissioners to convene community conversations to improve civility.
The meeting included no formal new policy on immigration. The public-comment period elicited a mix of requests for financial transparency, debate over public-safety priorities and calls for improved decorum at public meetings.
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