[CGC] From the 5/11 Record-Observer

[Administrator]

Centreville Council sounds off about proposed environmental committee
Ted Bond
Staff Writer

CENTREVILLE - The Centreville Town Council members responded unfavorably at 
their May 3 meeting to a recent proposal by Watershed Manager Chris Clark to 
form an environmental advisory committee.

The committee would be made up of town residents who are knowledgeable about 
environmental issues.

"I see so many special interest (environmental) groups now ... I just get 
tired of how many more are we going to answer to," Pinder said.

Council Member Frank Ogens said that since citizens already provide input on 
such issues, a committee is not necessary.

The issue, however, was left open for discussion until a later date at which 
a vote will be cast.

The committee would be part an attempt to meet the public outreach aspect of 
a grant provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and Maryland 
Department of the Environment to help Centreville clean up its sector of the 
Corsica River Watershed.

Town Manager Bob McGrory said it would be a good idea to involve the public 
because if only town staff members were to make environmental policy and the 
townspeople were to object to the town's actions, it would look bad because 
of a lack of public outreach.

Town resident Mary Margaret Goodwin said during the public comment period 
that the committee would be strictly an advisory committee, not a special 
interest group.

"You are going to be faced with environmental issues over the next five to 
10 years, and you need backing from people who know what they're doing," she 
said.