By Ahmar Khan
ST. MARY'S TODAY
LEONARDTOWN --- An
item that does not
belong to executive
sessions appeared to
have been decided
behind closed doors
in contravention of
St. Mary's Open
Meetings Act.
County Administrator
George Forrest has
said he could in no
way be held
responsible for
blackout of the
budget work
sessions, as he only
implements the
decision that St.
Mary�s Board of
County Commissioners
make.
"They are the
executive and
legislative branch
of the government,"
Forrest said at his
office Monday
afternoon.
Forrest insisted he
didn't think any
commissioner would
have passed the buck
on him. He said he
did not believe a
commissioner would
go public with what
went on at that
executive session.
When repeatedly
asked if he did
recommend blackout
of the budget work
sessions, the
retired army colonel
said, "I am not at
liberty to discuss
that."
Forrest reiterated,
"The county
administrator does
not make policy. I
am only implementer
of policy."
Forrest later
buckled down and
said that his
recommendations should
be
deemed immaterial,
as the onus of
decision making
wrests with the
commissioners.
