Lawmakers objected Friday to being denied access to meetings of a key BRAC group headed by Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.
Most significant decisions concerning Base Realignment and Closure are made behind closed doors without their knowledge, the lawmakers said.
Brown heads the BRAC subcabinet of state officials that meets regularly in Annapolis and travels to meet in counties affected by the realignment. Friday?s meeting was the second in Harford, so the county could brief Brown and the rest of the subcabinet on progress working with other counties and states to prepare for BRAC .
“There are a number of us who have spoken about this and would like to be included at least on an informational level at the meetings after this one because, after all, we are ground zero,” said Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-Harford and Cecil counties.
Jacobs addressed Brown after Harford County Councilman Dion Guthrie, representing Edgewood, asked for more transparency because an international training base of about 1 million square feet planned near his district has increased interest of some residents and officials.
Brown, however, said the BRAC session did not concern Harford issues.
County Executive David Craig said through spokesman Tom Foster that he understood Brown?s reasoning for keeping the session closed.
“I guess the reason it was closed is they want it as a regular staff meeting …because it dealt with stuff other than BRAC,” Craig spokesman Tom Foster said. Craig and Foster attended the meeting.
Brown did say a letter was sent out yesterday to convene local subcommittees on BRAC planning, but Jacobs said no subcabinet members are included.
“You?re talking about a lot of people who don?t know this area,” Jacobs said of subcabinet members. “How can these people know what?s best for Harford County?”
