The Charles County Commissioners will join their counterparts from throughout the State at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Annual Summer Conference August 16-19, 2006 in Ocean City, Maryland at the Roland Powell Convention Center.
The conference theme is "The Changing Face of MD." Topics will include Open Meetings, County Financial Management, Adult Education in Maryland, Maryland’s New Look Workforce, Changing Demographics in Maryland and the Nation, Utility Relocation, Environmental Health Response to Changes in Maryland Agriculture, Access to Quality Health Care, Combating Family Violence, Service Delivery to Diverse Population, Getting Health Info out to Non English Speaking Population, The Business of Addiction, Cable/ Telecommunications Update, The Trouble with Gangs in Local Corrections Facilities, When the Well Runs Dry: Water Resources Master Plan, The Impact of Growth on Parks and Recreation, This Isn’t Your Parents’ Pension System, Justice for All: Environmental Justice and Land Planning, and Artificial Turf: Changing the Way We Think about Athletic Fields.
MACo affiliate meetings scheduled during the conference include meetings of the County Human Services Directors, Parks and Recreation Directors, Administrators, Human Resources, and Attorneys. Other events scheduled include an Open Forum with Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Ken Philbrick, Upper Shore Regional Council Executive Board Meeting, YMCA Board Meeting, Maryland Economic Development Association Board Meeting, Critical Areas Briefing, Homeland Security Briefing, Forum with Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Audrey Scott and Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Philbrick, and other MACo committee and Board meetings and a County Elected Officials Breakfast.
Conference speakers include Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich who will deliver the closing address. Other prominent public and private sector leaders include Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, U.S. Congressman Ben Cardin, Maryland Speaker of the House Mike Busch, House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell, Delegate Murray Levy, Delegate Rick Weldon, Delegate Kathleen Dumais, Delegate Derek Davis, Delegate John Bohanan, Delegate Peter Hammen, Senator P.J. Hogan, Senator Edward Kasemeyer, NACo First Vice President and Michigan Commissioner Eric Coleman, Maryland Department of Economic Development Secretary Aris Mellissantros, Susan Aldridge, President, University of Maryland University College, Harold Hodgkinson, Director, Center for Demographic Policy, Wyatt Coleman, President, Army Alliance, and Maryland Assistant Attorney General Bill Varga.
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.
RELATED INFORMATION:
Maryland Association of Counties (MACo)
http://www.mdcounties.org/