Commissioner Thomasina “Sina” Coates (D) hosted a town hall on April 29 at a church to give updates to District 2 on growth, economic development and the charter.
Her last town hall was held nearly a year ago on May 19, 2023, according to Charles government’s calendar. Each county commissioner individually hosts their own town halls periodically, some as often as monthly.
Coates opened the meeting on Monday by explaining the significance of the venue — the Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Indian Head — to her, saying that it has been a home to her family and herself.
“As a commissioner, I strive to make all of District 2 a livable community,” Coates said.
She was joined by a considerable number of panelists and speakers that consisted of members from the county’s planning and growth management, economic development, recreation and parks departments as well as the charter board and members of the Southern Maryland delegation.
Coates turned it over to the speakers for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to share updates on departmental undertakings.
Amy Blessinger, an urban planner for Charles government, made residents in attendance aware of the various resources available online that pertain to the development of Bryans Road to add new housing, commercial activity and community facilities.
Michelle Frye, economic development deputy director, addressed the countywide desire to see high-end grocers come to the area.
Frye said that there are constant ongoing and active conversations with commercial developers, but finding grocer commercial tenants is harder today than before the pandemic.
She shared a list of criteria that the grocers use to determine where to establish new stores which includes population density, income, age, quality of location, traffic counts and sales volume of competitors.
Frye advised Charles residents to shop locally and contact desired retailers to show that they are wanted in the community.
Dottery Butler-Washington, a charter board and board of education member, spoke about the ongoing process to develop a document outlining how a charter form of government would work in Charles if the change in the form of local government is approved by voters in November.
“Make sure your voice counts and is included in this charter,” Butler-Washington said.
She assured attendees that if the charter were to come to pass, there would be no debates if governing bodies should do away with public comments, saying that they would be mandatory. She also mentioned that the charter seeks to establish attendance guidelines for elected officials.
“There are 11 charters in the state, not one converted back to home rule,” Butler-Washington said.
Later in the evening, Charter Board Chairman Greg Waring said that residents could go online and see all sections of the draft charter and highlighted that the document would establish an independent inspector general — a position that would have oversight to review the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and operations of county departments and prevent and detect fraud.
Waring informed attendees of a con of the charter, saying that it would be a lengthy process to bring a change to the document once ratified.
The town hall did not include live questions and required those in attendance to submit a card with their question on it to be read by an assistant.
In response to a question, Coates briefly touched on her attendance at commissioner meetings.
She had not attended a regular commissioners’ meeting in person this year until the following day, April 30, nor did she attend most meetings in person the previous year. She was in person at last week’s public budget hearing.
“Yes, I am virtual. I had a family matter I had to take care of. I’m going to leave it there,” Coates said.
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