Citizens Encouraged to Attend Upcoming Listening Sessions or Participate Online
Download a PDF version of this Press release.
BALTIMORE, MD (January 5, 2018) - The Maryland
Department of Planning is currently engaging local officials, staff, and
residents in the new State Development planning process, A
Better Maryland. Planning kicked off
the effort in early November with a listening session in Garrett County followed
by meetings in St. Mary’s, Wicomico, Somerset, Allegany and Worcester counties.
The purpose
of the listening sessions and the larger statewide dialogue is to connect with
stakeholders and solicit feedback about the A Better Maryland plan and how it can help local governments and state
agencies better meet local planning needs.
“The initial
six listening sessions have been well received and we look forward to hearing
from all Marylanders, local planning staff and our elected officials at the
future meetings,” said Special Secretary of Smart Growth, Wendi Peters. “It is critical for the State to listen to
local needs and view issues from their perspective; only then can we provide
the most valuable assistance.”
At the listening sessions, attendees view a
short presentation and interact with planning staff and other stakeholders
using an instant polling exercise and discussion questions.
The overall effort consists of a series of 24 outreach
events in every Maryland county and Baltimore City through spring 2018.
As part of
this initiative, a new website was launched – ABetter.Maryland.gov, where stakeholders can
review the project purpose and
methodology, find out about upcoming listening sessions, read summaries of
session input, and complete a survey to participate
in the A Better Maryland plan.
The survey will remain open throughout the
listening session period and is an excellent way for citizens to become
involved if they cannot attend a listening session or they want to provide an
online comment. The outreach is
designed to provide convenient and frequent access to make engagement meaningful
and consistent.
“We are excited about the next series of
meetings so we can continue to hear local issues that impact every corner of
the state,” said Acting Secretary of Planning, Rob McCord.
The next listening sessions include Montgomery
County on January 8, Washington County on January 9 and Kent County on January
30.
For
additional information, including meeting times and locations, please visit www.abetter.maryland.gov. The website
also includes notes and discussions from the prior listening sessions.
A Better Maryland is a two-year project which was initiated by Governor
Hogan’s Executive Order 01.01.2017.18
this past summer, with an anticipated completion date in July 2019. Planning is working closely with the public,
local governments, state agencies and other stakeholders, the Maryland
Sustainable Growth Commission, the Maryland Municipal League, and the Maryland Association of Counties to develop and maintain a productive dialogue
throughout the effort.
For questions about A Better Maryland or to find out when Planning is visiting your
community, please contact Chuck Boyd, Director of Planning Coordination, (chuck.boyd@maryland.gov)
at 410-767-1401.
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