Representatives of St. Mary's County will join their local government counterparts from throughout the State at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Annual Summer Conference August 17-20, 2005, in Ocean City, Maryland.
The conference theme is "Putting Our Best Foot Forward." At the conference, more than 80 speakers will participate in nearly 20 sessions. Topics will include Promoting County Government to the Public, Mastering the Media, safe Schools for Successful Students, Vanishing Work Force: Drafting Seniors to Fill the Need, Battling the Obesity Epidemic, APFOs, Water Capacity and Growth Challenges, Bridge: Lessons Learned, Upgrading Septic Systems: The Bay Restoration Fund, the Benefits of Parks and recreation in Communities, Development Capacity and Building Lot Inventories, School Board Relations, Ethics, Tourism and Economic Development Partnerships, Preparing for a Prison Escape, Cutting Costs for Medical Care, and the Local Management Boards Reorganization.
Conference speakers include Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich who will deliver the closing address. Other confirmed speakers include prominent public and private sector leaders such as U.S. Congressman Benjamin L. Cardin, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mac Middleton, Senator E.J. Pipkin, Delegate George Edwards, Delegate John Bohanan, Colleen Landkamer, President Elect, National Association of Counties, MDE Secretary Kendl Philbrick, MOP Secretary Audrey Scott, MDOT Secretary Robert Flanagan, Martin Madden, Critical Area Commission, Suzanne Fox, State Ethics Commission, Linda Lamone, MD State Elections Board, Frazer Smith, News Director, WYRP radio, retired Col. Jennifer Cassidy, Tom Kunkel, Dean, University of Maryland School of Journalism, Eric Smith, Anne Arundel County Schools Superintendent, David Gamsee, Jewish Council for the Aging, Kathy Spangler, National Recreation and Parks Association, Linda Bonner, MD Onsite Wastewater Prof. Assn., Tom Wilkey, Federal Elections Assistance Commission, John Kordecamp, MD Homebuilders Association, and many others.
Ten organizations are affiliated with MACo. These affiliate organizations each reflect a specific area of expertise and responsibility such as human services, health, and engineering. The organizations provide educational sessions during the conference for county officials, focusing on issues of interest to the specific affiliate organization.
County Commissioners Thomas F. McKay and Thomas A. Mattingly, Sr. will be attending the meeting. They are members of the MACo Legislative Committee. In addition to these elected officials, several staff members also will be participants at the meeting.
The goal of the MACo Summer Conference is to provide county elected and appointed officials and other participants with a clearer perspective on the challenges facing counties and, most important, to provide strategies for addressing these challenges. The ultimate result of attendance is more effective and efficient county government.
MACo and its predecessor organizations have been in existence since at least the early 1950's. Among other things, MACo represents the interests of county government before the State and Federal governments. MACo's members are the elected officials of the 23 counties' and Baltimore City. A 15-member Board of Directors governs the Association, with legislative priorities and positions determined by a Committee composed of representatives of all member subdivisions.
Further information on the program can be found at MACo's website, http://www.mdcounties.org.