Catching One's Breath

I recently received a note from someone who promised during the campaign to "keep me on my toes". This reminder was welcomed as I instinctively knew I should be keeping individuals aware as to what I was doing now that I was elected and serving in office. I've been remissed not updating a newsletter that I was using. Frankly, we've been so busy, some things simply fell through the cracks.

I believe the most efficient means to update you is through this Blog site instead of the newsletters or the web site.

As a board, we've been primarily doing orientation which included 3 days on the eastern shore with an organization called Maryland Association of Counties MACo). Included in that effort is an educational credit program covering many topics that local officials face to include ethics, budget, local constraints (difference between state and local). Additionally, we've begun understanding the county government organizational structure (needed so we can work to identify the specific areas needing improvements; the improvements will take some time to implement).

Another aspect of MACo includes visiting Annapolis every Wednesday to understand and weigh-in on the various items under consideration by the state legislature. This is not a complaint, just an appreciation that time management is a challenge.

Besides the above, we've dealt with some topics such as the issue regarding spending money or not appropriately with the county-owned golf course (see another Blog entry that provides more details). We've begun to get into the nuts and bolts of the zoning ordinance which will be quite time consuming and will hopefully have much input from citizens.

We've begun meeting with the Board of Education (BOE) as education comprises about half of the county budget. This is important as we are now beginning to construct the planned budget for the next fiscal year (which begins 1 July).

We've also been attending a host of events as the Board of County Commissioners receive about 20 - 30 invites a week to attend various events and meet with various individuals and groups.

Having said the above, I have not forgotten to push for Ethics Reform (look to see that emerge before summer). We are also beginning to focus upon the various process management tools I spoke about during the campaign. One of the reasons for that is to begin an objective look at the county government structure and to make streamlined improvements there.

I will try to improve my status reports besides those that I present during our regularly scheduled televised board meetings on Tuesdays (also viewable online at:
http://ccg.mavenspire.net/.

Take care, Evan