The Conservative Breakfast Group (CBG) will be discussing proposals for reform of the Kent County Government at their meeting on Thursday, December 13. There are currently three County Commissioners who serve both a legislative and also an executive roll in county government. Many people believe the County would be better served with five or more Commissioners. The CBG will address the advantages and disadvantages of these proposals.
The CBG meets every Thursday at 7:30AM at the Holiday Inn Express in Chestertown.
Kent County is one of six counties in Maryland with home rule. Of these, only Kent, Caroline and Allegany have only three commissioners. These three commissioners are responsible for both making laws and enforcing them. This means that it takes only two commissioners to agree to enter into contracts or raise taxes.
Further, there are 23 boards and committees in addition to the county government officials that report to the three Commissioners. It would seem important that at least one of the commissioners attend the meetings of each of the boards and committees, and be available to meet with the department heads of county government. This would seem to be an almost impossible task if the commissioners were working full time, but they only work part time. More commissioners would help alleviate this problem and make the county government more accessible to the county residents.
Under the present form of county government, all three commissioners are elected at large. This means that all of the commissioners often come from Chestertown where they are better known. Whether true or not, many of those living outside of Chestertown feel they are short changed when it comes from decisions about employment by the county, location of county facilities and the like. Dividing the County into wards so that each geographical section of the county was represented would help to alleviate these concerns.
Queen Anne’s County recently addressed these issues and changed from three commissioners to five. Isn’t it time for Kent County to join them?
Stuart Godwin says
Expanding to five might be okay, but requiring a commissioner to attend the meetings of the 23 boards and committees would be like requiring the president of the U.S. to attend the executive meetings of each of the cabinet departments — in a word, stupid. That’s why we we require the various entities to report to the commission.
Fletcher R. Hall says
While the merit of the idea of county “government reform” may be advisable, the concept must be undertaken with planning and forethought.
Increasing the cost of government is not a good idea, especially in the currebt economic atmosphere. Perhaps the county executive form of government might be examined as it is used in several other jurisdictions in Maryland.
Consolidation of boards and commissions, as well as the potential elimination of dome of these entities make sense. It appears, for the size of the county, there are too manyn that may be duplicative and overlapping.
As former G.E. Chairman Jack Welch says, “Change before you have to”. But do not do it in haste prior to having a wlll thought out plan and analysis.
Gren Whitman says
Just blather at this point…
Perhaps one of CBGers can write so there’ll be something tangible for the rest of us to consider.
Win Trice says
While QA has 5 commissioners, with 4 representing different districts and 1 at large, they are all voted on by all voters throughout the County.
If Kent goes in that direction, it should not make that mistake. Voters in a Rock Hall district should be the only voters for their representative.
In QA, commissioners can win a majority of votes in their district, but lose the election due to votes outside of their district. This happens, and it isn’t right.
Bob Kramer says
Too bad more folks didn’t attend this a.m.’s b’fast meeting. Lots of valuable information was provided… which led to a lot of constructive discussions. Thanks to Delegate Smiegel and Tim Lloyd for putting this meeting together. Everyone in CofK should interested AND involved in this process.
John Sirna says
Thank you C B G, Delegate Smiegel, League of Women Voters, Democratic Central Committee and Tim Lloyd for a non partisian effort to spearhead good local government. I was among a group of brilliant , dedicated citizens this morning. Also thanks to Peter Metcalf who wrote the meeting notice above.
Timothy Lloyd says
I want to thank everyone who attended this mornings breakfast meeting, the Kent Conservative Breakfast Group is a none partisan local group that is respectfully asking a question. We are on a fact finding mission so the citizens of the great Kent County, Maryland can have a fair and open discussion on this important matter.
Sincerely,
Timothy J. Lloyd Jr.
Chair
Kent Conservative Breakfast Group (CBG)