It was a meeting that drew a sparse crowd and that fact did not sit well with at least one of the attendees. The Tuesday evening, Dec. 3 meeting between the Calvert County Commissioners and the county’s delegation to Annapolis was held at Calvert Pines Senior Center. Delegate Anthony J. “Tony” O’Donnell [R-District 29C] recalled days when the discussion of legislative package for the upcoming session of the Maryland General Assembly would draw a huge crowd.
O’Donnell’s tirade reached its peak when the second item of the package, a request from Calvert County Health Officer Dr. Laurence Polsky for authority “to retain collected fees for provided services under certain circumstances” was read into the record by County Attorney John Norris. O’Donnell demanded to know why Polsky was not at the meeting. “I think the health officer should have been here to answer questions,” O’Donnell retorted.
“I don’t think the commissioners hold the responsibility to hold everybody’s hand to get them here,” said Commissioners’ President Pat Nutter [R].
It was further noted that Polsky was in Baltimore at a training session.
Most of the Calvert County Liquor Board’s legislative proposals were not warmly received by either O’Donnell or Delegate Mark Fisher [R-District 27B].
Two of the panel’s proposals would amend state law giving the local liquor board authority to issue special liquor licenses to existing licensees holding special events that would attract a minimum of 500 patrons and to organizations or “group of individuals sponsoring a benefit for an individual or organizations in dire need of financial assistance.”
Fisher contended that the liquor board was seeking authority to levy a license fee on large parties at private residences, a notion Liquor Board Chair Beth Swoap claimed was untrue.
“That’s never been our intent,” said Swoap. “We’re talking public safety here.” Swoap said the proposal would affect businesses that set up additional alcohol serving areas during special events.
O’Donnell stated he has never seen such a hefty legislative list from the liquor board in his 20 years as a legislator. “Some of these may not survive the legislative process,” O’Donnell told Swoap. “This looks like a
