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Fort Meade names Markeshia Smith interim city attorney after firm resigns
Summary
The Fort Meade City Commission unanimously appointed Markeshia Smith as interim city attorney at a special Oct. 28 meeting after the previous legal firm resigned; commissioners and city staff said Smith has a strong legal background and will bridge the transition.
The Fort Meade City Commission voted unanimously Oct. 28 to appoint attorney Markeshia Smith as interim city attorney. The motion, moved by Commissioner James Possum Schaill and seconded by Vice Mayor Samuel Berrien, passed 5-0 during a special meeting at Commission Chambers and via Zoom.
Mayor Petrina McCutchen told the commission the prior legal firm "chose to resign, it was not a city choice," describing the appointment as part of an effort "to bridge the divide, to find a resolve." City Attorney Shirlyon McWhorter read the title of Resolution R2024-82 before Smith gave a brief overview of her legal experience.
Commissioners offered welcome remarks after the vote. Commissioner James Watts congratulated Smith on her appointment, and Commissioner Jaret Williams thanked the previous legal firm for their decorum and commitment while welcoming Smith. City Manager Edward Dean described Smith's legal biography as "impressive" and reiterated an open-door policy as staff assist with the transition.
The appointment was recorded as Resolution R2024-82 and was adopted by a unanimous vote of the five commissioners present. The commission did not set an effective end date for the interim appointment during the meeting; no amendment or additional timeline was stated on the record.
