Faced with scheduling conflicts, the Howard County delegation had planned on holding its public hearing on statewide issues and two late-filed local bills in Annapolis rather than in Howard County this year — a move that upset a few county residents.
But County Council Chairwoman Mary Kay Sigaty came to the rescue, offering to move the council public hearing scheduled for Feb. 21 to an earlier time so the delegation could hold its hearing in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building in Ellicott City. The delegation hearing will be held immediately following the council hearing.
"I want to thank the council, particularly Mary Kay for coming up with this idea and accommodating the delegation," delegation co-chairman Del. Guy Guzzone said.
The delegation's plans to hold the hearing in Annapolis had drawn criticism from the county's League of Women Voters, as well as local bloggers.
"We're very excited that the delegation was able to find a time to get into the Banneker Room and very appreciative to them and the County Council for being willing to move their hearing forward to accommodate the delegation," League of Women Voters of Howard County co-president Alice Giles said.
The Feb. 21 council hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and the delegation hearing at 7:30 p.m.
Before learning of the change, District 9 Sen. Allan Kittleman and Del. Gail Bates, both West Friendship Republicans, had planned to hold a town hall meeting in Howard County on Feb. 23. The town hall was mean to provide an alternative for citizens who wanted to testify but could not travel to Annapolis.
Kittleman said he and Bates have canceled the town hall meeting now that citizens will have to opportunity to testify before the delegation in Howard County.
"We're thankful the delegation has decided to come back to Howard County, which I think is the appropriate place to be," Kittleman said.