March 2011 – The Observer

In January and February of this year, the County Commission dealt with legislation in all three categories. Here is a sampling from each:
 
The “good” category includes a strategic plan to address fire and emergency medical services in the county. This is a very big issue. There are 7 volunteer fire companies in Jefferson County but dedicated volunteers are becoming harder and harder to find. The training courses for becoming a volunteer firefighter are time consuming and expensive. People work outside the county so they cannot respond to calls during the day. The lack of volunteers sometimes makes it difficult for fire companies to respond quickly. The strategic plan, prepared under the auspices of the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency with input from the fire companies, recommends an action plan to maintain a high standard of service. It is an invaluable document. Be forewarned: there are no cheap solutions. Which recommendations to fund will be a major topic of debate during budget sessions in March.
 
The “bad” category includes findings from a technology assessment study of the Jefferson County Commission computer network. I can’t tell a gigabyte from a megabyte, but I know it’s bad when a consultant concludes the entire network has become cumbersome and difficult. I strongly support e-government because the Courthouse should only be a click away. This cannot happen until we address the fragmented approach to information technology that is plaguing the County Commission.
 
The “ugly” comes from the proposed dissolution of one of the county’s most effective and energetic citizen’s advisory groups: the Water Advisory Committee (WAC). The committee is appointed by the County Commission. Their successes include obtaining a grant for recycling electronic equipment, collecting unused and outdated prescription drugs for safe disposal; installing stream gauges to track water quality; keeping informed about the requirements of Chesapeake Bay legislation; obtaining a grant for watershed education signs in the county and sponsoring the first ever county wide forum of environmental groups.
 
What is their reward? As they say, no good deed goes unpunished Members of the Jefferson County Commission want to discuss disbanding them for going too far in advocating for clean water.
 
We need more input on environmental issues in this County, not less. The Water Advisory Committee needs to continue.
 
In terms of legislation being considered at the State level, let me highlight some good news. Our senators and delegates from Jefferson County are sponsoring legislation to provide state funds to help upgrade sewage treatment plants for counties (like Jefferson) in the Chesapeake Bay drainage area. Legislation has also been introduced to make brownfield development applications subject to local planning and zoning. Unfortunately, the legislation will not affect Old Standard Quarry near Harpers Ferry, approved by the state Department of Commerce without consulting local officials.
 
In the movie “ The Good, the Bad and the Ugly “ , three gunslingers endure gunfights, hangings, battles and prison camps in their search for buried Confederate gold. As a Jefferson County Commissioner, I am pleased to report my search for legislation and programs to make our County a better place to live is a little less scary.