Nina Roesch and three colleagues were on the Square Corner in Frederick at noon Saturday, trying to drum up support for marriage equality in Maryland by asking passers-by to sign cards to be sent to state legislators.
The foursome, however, was quickly dwarfed by a group of about 60 people protesting decisions by the Frederick County Commissioners to cut funding for various programs. The foursome did get some signatures from that group, as well as from passers-by.
“The commissioners just don’t understand any industry other than the building industry,” said Susan Jesse, who said she was especially upset about the commissioners’ decision to end the excise tax on construction.
“My father put that in to help the county,” said Jesse, referring to former Commissioner Bruce Reeder.
Jesse, who formerly worked with the city’s economic development department, said she is “compassionate and cares about the future of the county.”
Hillal Albertson, who teaches English as a second language, was also unhappy about the loss of $925,000 in excise tax revenue. “It could have been used to fund roads and bridges. It shows the state the lack of support the county commissioners have for such projects.”
Agnes Ann Danehey criticized the commissioners’ decision to privatize Head Start and other programs. Her husband and three children were also at the protest, holding signs about the loss of educational programs.
“What Blaine is doing is ideology masquerading as austerity,” said Bob Lewis, referring to Commissioners President Blaine Young.
The commissioners are destroying the quality of life in Frederick County, Lewis said.
“They are attempting to privatize the internal audit division that guarantees against fraud and abuse,” Lewis said. The commissioners are running the county in a way no business would operate, he said.
The protesters held up signs urging drivers to “Honk for Recall,” as well as “Don’t Disassemble Frederick County” and “Outsource Blaine.” There were frequent honks as cars passed on Market and Patrick streets.
Jesse and others said the demonstrators were friends and those who heard about the idea at PTA meetings. There was no organized group, Jesse said, just people who decided to gather at the Square Corner after talking or communicating via email.
“You have this group (of commissioners) working part time for $45,000 a year, cutting all these programs and we, the taxpayers, will end up paying,” Danehey said.
“They say they don’t want the government to do it, but we are the government, and it reflects on us how we treat the poor. They are trying to change the social agenda.”
Reached at his home Saturday evening, Young took the protests in stride.
“That is what makes this country special, the right to protest under the Constitution,” he said. “You see a lot of people upset at Obamacare and other programs in Washington.”
Young said he and the county commissioners are doing what they said they would do if they were elected.
“I encourage these people to be involved,” he said of the protesters, “and be sure to vote.”
Copyright 2011 The Frederick News-Post. All rights reserved.
