Commissioners' Comment, September 2008 #1 The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer meeting brought local government officials up to date on what's on the horizon with government at the state level. Washington County Commissioner Jim Kercheval talks about hot topics at the summer conference, key issues in other counties and how solutions to those problems may benefit Washington County citizens. Plus a tribute to our youth baseball champs, Federal Little League 11-12 year-old All Stars and PONY League 14 year-old All Stars, for reaching their respective World Series' play. 14:48 LESS

Commissioners' Comment, August 2008 #1 Washington County Commissioner Kristin Aleshire is young, outspoken and dedicated to local government. Aleshire talks about getting information about government to the people, and combatting misinformation and disinformation about the Board and its intentions. Aleshire discusses the Funkstown Bridge repair project, the PATH project--a massive power grid upgrade that will impact ciounties in West Virginia and Maryland, and the County's role in current zoning, annexation and development. Aleshire says that having served as Town Planner for both Middletown and Myersville in Frederick County, then 6 years as a Hagerstown City Councilman and now as both Town Manager for Myersville and a County Commissioner, provides a different perspective to the job of governing Washington County. 14:50 LESS

Commissioners' Comment, July 2008 #1 What is ther HEPMPO and why should you care? Robert Goprdon, Directopr of rthe Hagerstpown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization talks about transportation planning needs in Washington Couynty MD, Berkeley County and Jefferson County WV. HEPMPO assesses transportation needs and conducts planning in order that federal and state funds are available to improve interstate, federal and state roads in the region. 13:21 LESS

Commissioners' Comment, June 2008 #2 Kevin Lewis was named Director of the Washington County Division of Fire and Emergency Services on June 10th, by the Board of County Commissioners. Lewis, who served in the Acting Director Capacity for the past 6 months, was called on to manage two of the larger emergency incidents in recent years, the Boone Hotel Fire in February, and the severe wind storms of June 4th. Lewis talks about the two incidents, response from Fire and EMS companies, the Emergency Operations Center and interaction with state agencies. Lewis also oversees implementation of the County's Emergency Medical Services Master Plan. That plan is underway and Phase I is nearing completion, Lewis says. 14:28 LESS

Commissioners' Comment By Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer-Washington County, Maryland May 2008 #1 Washington County Administrator Greg Murray presented the County budget, balanced at 338.4 million dollars to the annual Public Hearing held on May 13th at the Kepler Theater on the Hagerstown Community College campus. Murray explains factors driving budget increases: Public Safety, Education, highway infrastructure and environmental mandates. Murray describes strategies the Commissioners and staff used to minimize increases to County citizens in a time of economic downturn. 14:50 LESS

Commissioners' Comment By Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer-Washington County, Maryland April 2008 #2 Washington County's economic forecast remains stable, says Hagerstown/Washington County Economic Development Commission office Executive Director Tim Troxell even though the national economy is in a downturn,. In excerpts from an "Eggs and Issues" address to the Chamber of Commerce, Troxell talks about opportunities for economic development in biotechnology, manufacturing and government support that have taken place in the County over the past year, and what they will mean for the local and area economy. Audio courtesy CofC. 14:50 LESS

Commissioners' Comment By Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer-Washington County, Maryland March-April 2008 Spring is here, and that means the start of County construction season. Division of Public Works Director Joe Kroboth talks about the $5 million pavement maintenance program, paving strategies and outcomes. Several major road projects will get underway, including realignment of the U.S. 40/Mount Aetna Drive intersection. Maugans Avenue will be finished this year, and bridge projects will keep County contractors busy as well. In light of a Commissioner's Goal to make County Government more efficient and cost-effective, Kroboth talks about why and how the Engineering Department was recently split into two new departments. 14:10 LESS

Commissioners' Comment By Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer-Washington County, Maryland March 2008 #1 Communications Maintenance Manager Pete Loewenheim talks about the purpose and progress on Washington County's $20 million Public Safety Communications System. Construction of facilities to house the communications equipment, which will allow all police, fire and government services in the County to communicate with each other using a single system, is underway. A public information meeting is set for March 26th at Pleasant Valley Elementary School in the southern Washington County. Loewenheim explains the purpose of that meeting. 14:00 LESS

http://www.washco-md.net/podcasts/commiss_comments/08feb1.mp3Commissioners' Comment By Norman Bassett, Public Information Officer-Washington County, Maryland February 2008 #1 The State of the County Address 2008. County Commissioners' President John Barr delivers the 2008 address before 200+ at the Sheraton 4-Points Hotel in Hagerstown, MD on February 5th. Theme-Where we were, where we are and where we are going. Barr talks about the first year of the current Board's term, goals accomplished, ongoing projects and projections for the future. 34:09 LESS

The 2008 Sheriff's Citizens' Law Enforcement Awareness Program will begin March 18th. Listen to the podcast for all the details. Podcast LESS