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Commissioner urges residents to attend hearings, defends planning commission and highlights local services
Summary
A county commissioner opened the St. Mary's County meeting with community updates — praising the YMCA, reporting on senior-center activity, expressing surprise at a Planning Commission vote, denying social-media corruption claims, and urging residents to attend public hearings and follow heat-safety guidance.
A county commissioner opened the meeting with a series of community updates and appeals for public involvement in St. Mary's County affairs.
The commissioner recounted recent local engagements, saying they had attended a Circles nonprofit meeting of about 40–45 people and a July 9 YMCA session that attracted strong public interest. "They do have over 1,200 members now," the commissioner said, praising the YMCA's staff and its readiness to address safety concerns raised by residents.
The commissioner said they and Commissioner Hewitt were completing YMCA applications and planned to sign up grandchildren for programs, and described attending the Loffler Senior Center appreciation day on July 10, where they signed up as a member.
On local government business, the commissioner said they were surprised by the outcome of a recent Planning Commission vote — noting public opinion had been "very, very clearly" expressed — and reminded listeners that the Planning Commission will meet again and that the matter must still come before the Commissioners of St. Mary's County.
Addressing allegations circulating on social media that elected officials had accepted cash, the commissioner pushed back directly: "I've never seen envelopes full of money coming into my pockets," they said, adding the panel takes its responsibilities seriously and would not entertain such behavior.
The commissioner urged residents to attend the evening's public hearings, noting that when the public turns out in large numbers it shapes the decisions officials make. They highlighted that the agenda included items related to CRF funds and other locally important topics and encouraged people to speak while the hearings were open.
With hot weather ahead, the commissioner delivered practical safety reminders: check on pets and senior neighbors, and "please make sure when you're driving around... that you don't leave your children in the car," noting that such precautions could prevent tragedy.
The remarks closed with a push to support local businesses and farmers markets: the commissioner encouraged residents to take part in a "Buy St. Mary's County" challenge that weekend.
The meeting proceeded with the agenda after the opening remarks; no motions or votes were taken in that opening sequence.
