St. Mary's County commissioner says Paschal Group seeking new site after location backlash; calls for better interagency communication

At a recent St. Mary's County meeting, a commissioner said the Paschal Group is looking for a new site for a proposed center after criticism of the original location and urged improved communication among government departments.

The commissioner (unnamed) said, "We did get news yesterday afternoon that the Paschal Group would be looking for, another area," adding that a realtor "volunteered his services allegedly to help them find some property so they can get this place built because he is a strong believer in it." The commissioner described the episode as showing "an egregious lack of communication between all levels of government and different departments."

The remarks came as an update from the commissioner about recent public reaction to the project and follow-up contacts he said he has made with residents who reached out to his office. He said he and others would "be paying more attention to this." The speaker did not identify any formal actions, deadlines or approvals tied to the Paschal Group's search for a new site.

On county business, the commissioner also said the current budget cycle has been unusually long, calling it "the longest 42 years of my life," and said he looked forward to completing the process. He noted that the board conducted a stroke-awareness proclamation earlier in the day.

No motions, votes or formal directives related to the Paschal Group or a site search were recorded in the speaker's remarks in the provided transcript. The comments were delivered as an update and personal observations rather than a staff report or adopted county action.