INDIAN HEAD, Md. — Charles County Commissioner Thomasina Coates attended the Voice of Bryans Road Community meeting at the Potomac Branch Library on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 3, 2024.
The District 2 commissioner was originally scheduled to appear from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., but extended her stay to ensure all questions from the approximately 20 in-person attendees were thoroughly addressed. Coates remained nearly an hour longer, continuing conversations with citizens in the hallway and outside the library on a warm afternoon.
The attendees’ questions largely focused on issues with HOA management and complaint resolution, the need for more training for citizen members of HOA and county government boards, and concerns about economic development, particularly the desire for better shopping options in the western part of the county. The challenges of attracting more businesses to the area were also discussed.
The civility of the conversation was notable. Commissioner Coates, who has held Q&A sessions with this group in the past, fosters an environment of open and respectful dialogue. To engage a broader audience, the event was live-streamed via Zoom and broadcast on the Voices of Bryans Road Facebook page with Coates’ cooperation and approval.
In response to a question about a proposal concerning HOAs, Coates emphasized the importance of citizens understanding the legislative process in Maryland, particularly the August 19 deadline for submitting proposals to the State Assembly.
She explained that while the county takes reports on local road issues, numbered roads (e.g., Route 228) are state-maintained. However, the county does refer these reports to the state for action or review.
Most questions centered on quality of life, crime, and economic issues in the western part of the county. However, one notable attendee, Joseph Mank, a former candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court from Waldorf, raised broader concerns about the centralization of economic development in Waldorf.
This led to a discussion on the impact of the Water Conservation District on development and the potential use of tax abatements to attract businesses to underserved areas like Bryans Road.
Coates acknowledged the allure of tax abatements but cautioned about the financial trade-offs, stating, “Everybody loves tax abatements, but the challenge is, what do we replace it with? I’m not saying it’s impossible, but the challenge is finding out what will replace the taxes…who’s going to pay for it?”
Mank also questioned the policy that ended the previous practice of board members responding to citizen comments during public meetings. Coates explained, “Listening is good, and a lot of times you may not want to have us bark back at you… it’s my belief that we should process the information and then come back with a response.” Mank expressed concerns that citizens sometimes feel they never receive a response.
He suggested that board members should at least acknowledge when they choose not to respond, stating, “Just say ‘Hey, I’m not going to address that.’ That in itself shows a sign of respect to the community.” Mank also called for the civility demonstrated at this meeting to be standard in all public county gatherings.
Following Commissioner Coates’ Q&A session, Dr. Carl B. Mack gave a presentation on the significance of Black History Month and the legacy behind its establishment. This was in preparation for another event on Aug. 7, where the group will host a discussion on a proposal to rename Black History Month to African American Heritage Month, a request put forward by Commissioner Vice President Ralph Patterson on March 5, 2024.
The Voices of Bryans Road citizens maintain a Facebook page where local residents are encouraged to stay informed and discuss issues affecting the western portion of Charles County.
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