Worcester Commissioners Reflect On Last Meeting

Worcester Commissioners Reflect On Last Meeting
Worcester Commissioners

BERLIN – Four longtime county representatives said their goodbyes Tuesday at their last meeting as Worcester County Commissioners.

Several citizens took the opportunity to thank the departing commissioners — Virgil Shockley, Judy Boggs, Jim Purnell and Louise Gulyas — for their years of service to the county.

“We appreciate what you’ve done for us and the region,” said Mike Pennington, executive director of the Tri-County Council.

Local attorney Mark Cropper offered similar comments. He said he has been working with the commissioners for much of the 25 years he has been practicing law.

“You have endured me,” he said. “You have put up with me. You’ve always been receptive. I’ve always appreciated your professionalism. You will be missed.”

Boggs said it had been an honor and a pleasure to serve her Ocean Pines community for 12 years. She said she has been inspired by Worcester County’s staff members and how well they worked together, something she considered a rarity in government.

“All of the departments realize that all of the people in Worcester County are their constituents,” she said.

Purnell agreed.

“We have some of the best people to help us run this county,” he said. “With their help we’ll be able to keep this county out of the red.”

Purnell said no matter how bad the financial outlook was every year the commissioners, with the help of county staff, had been able to balance the budget. He said he was proud to have seen several county schools renovated during his time in office.

“As I leave here today, my heart’s still here,” he said. “I love what I’ve done.”

Gulyas, too, said she had a wonderful time working as a county commissioner since 1998.

“Looking back on my life it’s been one of the most rewarding aspects,” she said, “second only to raising a family.”

She said she hoped the incoming commissioners would look at the county as a whole when they made their decisions to ensure that smart growth continued.

While Shockley said it had been a pleasure to spend 16 years as a Worcester County Commissioner, he offered more cautionary comments than fond farewells.

Shockley said more had to be done to engage the county’s voters and suggested that the commissioners videotape future meetings and make those recordings available on the county’s website. He also recommended replacing the thick paper-filled binders commissioners received before each meeting with tablets.

“It’s a heck of a lot simpler,” he said.

Not surprisingly he also pushed the importance of broadband Internet access, something he has spent much of his time as a commissioner advocating for.

“There’s no reason in the world we shouldn’t be able to flip up a laptop and get access anywhere in the county,” he said.

Shockley’s other concerns included the Route 50 corridor plan, which he believes needs to be addressed before major businesses will come to the area, and fire department funding, which he says is critical for public safety.

Shockley also stressed the importance of agriculture to Worcester County. With 10 million chickens in District 4 alone, he says agriculture, like tourism, is a vital part of the local economy.

“Yes we need something else,” he said, “but right now, today, that’s it. We need to protect it at all costs no matter who it makes mad.”