Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Commissioners Comment, December 2008 #1

Commissioners Comment December 2008 #1.

In this edition of Commissioners’ Comment, Washington County Public Works Director Joe Kroboth talks about the infrastructure improvements and repairs the County made during calendar year 2008. Bridge projects included the Funkstown stone arch bridge, scheduled to open December 15th, one month before the project completion was projected. The major road accomplishment, Maugans Avenue and U.S. Route 11 intersection, was completed on time and is open to traffic. Kroboth talks about projects coming up in 2009, including more bridge rehabilitation projects and the re-working of the Halfway Boulevard/Massey Boulevard intersection at Valley Mall.

13:30

Monday, November 17, 2008

Commissioners Comment, November 2008 #1

Commissioneers Comment November 2008 #1

1. Georgene Charles, Chair of the Antietam Illumination Committee discusses the forthcoming 20th annual Illumination event. 23,000 candles are lit in luminaries along roadways within Antietam National Battlefield at Sharpsburg, commemorating each casualty of that Civil War battle in 1862.
2. Hal Lucas, Director of the Sierra Nevada Corporation’s Integrated Missions Systems location at Hagerstown Regional Airport talks about his company’s $70 million contribution to the Washington County economy. Lucas cites Washington County Government’s pro-business stance as a prime reason for his company’s growth, from 35 employees to 424 employees, and one hangar site to 5 corporate sites on the airfield, over the past few years.

14:30

Friday, October 17, 2008

Commissioners' Comment,October 2008 #1

Commissioners' Comment, October 2008 #1

October is Disabilities Awareness Month nationwide -- The Washington County Disabilities Advisory Committee to the Board of County Commissioners assesses needs of citizens and makes information on those needs available to the public and the Comissioners. On October 8th, Michael Dalto, project Director for the Employed Individuals with Disabilities Program (EID) of the Maryland Department of Disabilities spoke at this year's forum on Health Care and Disabilities, and outlined the basics of EID--which helps folks with disabilities retain Medicaid health benefits while working.

14:48

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Commissioners' Comment, September 2008 #1

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

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Commissioners' Comment, August 2008 #1

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

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Commissioners' Comment, July 2008 #1

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

Monday, June 16, 2008

Commissioners' Comment, June 2008 #2

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

Monday, May 19, 2008

Commissioners Comment, May #1

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

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Commissioners Comment, April 2008 #2

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

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Commissioners Comment, March-April 2008

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

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Commissioners Comment, March 2008 #1

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

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Commissioners' Comment February 2008#1

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

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Sheriff's Citizen Academy 2008

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

Podcast

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Commissioners' Comment January 2008

Commissioners' Comment
By Norman Bassett,
Public Information Officer-Washington County, Maryland
January 2008
One of 4 Maryland Access Points (MAP) opens in Washington County. State Secretary of Aging Gloria Lawlah talks about how the site will help persons over 50 and adults with disabilities.
The Maryland Legislature is in session. Commissioner Jim Kercheval, a member of the Maryland Association of Counties' legislative committee talks about what the session may have in store and how is could affect County citizens.
Washington County's Gaming Revenue, taxes on gambling used to fund charities and Emergency Services, continue to be a topic of interest in the legislature. Gaming Director Jim Hovis explains how that revenue benefits the County.
14:29