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St. Mary's County commissioner urges calm amid rumors of federal job cuts at Pax River
Summary
A St. Mary's County commissioner told residents not to trust social media rumors about job cuts at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, saying no reductions have occurred and that county officials are meeting regularly with base leadership to monitor the situation.
A St. Mary's County commissioner told residents during a county meeting that no reductions in force have taken place at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and urged people not to share unverified reports.
The commissioner said the county is in regular contact with base leadership and is coordinating on traffic and gate procedures. "Don't believe everything you're hearing on social media," the commissioner said, adding that while cuts "are coming? Probably. Possibly," the timeline remains uncertain and county officials are monitoring developments.
Why it matters: Naval Air Station Patuxent River, commonly called Pax River, is a major local employer and changes to the federal workforce there could affect families, local businesses and commuting patterns. The commissioner said she meets with base leadership frequently to stay updated and to help the county respond if staffing changes occur.
At the meeting the commissioner said residents have been contacting her with concerns after hearing reports about "rifts" at the base. "I've had people reach out to me this morning and and and all last week concerned because they have heard that rifts are taking place and people are out of work," the commissioner said. She added, "Please make sure you get the facts. It is a very stressful time. I totally get that." The commissioner said she has been meeting with base leadership "pretty much weekly" and later described the frequency as "at least a couple of times a week." She also said the county is discussing gate times and procedures and had another meeting scheduled on that topic.
The remarks were part of the commissioner’s general announcements; there was no vote, formal directive or policy change recorded on the issue during the meeting. The county representative encouraged residents to contact county officials or base leadership for verified information rather than relying on social media.
The commissioner also noted community events in St. Mary's County, including Read Across America Week and a planned visit to Town Creek Elementary to read to a third-grade class, and encouraged residents to attend local farmers markets such as the Red Barns in Lexington Park.
No formal actions or decisions about county policy or direct interventions at the base were taken during the meeting, according to the transcript.
