HAGERSTOWN – Concerns about freedom of speech surfaced this week after residents criticized the Washington County Board of Commissioners for eliminating public comment from its meetings.
During the Sept. 30 Hagerstown City Council meeting, resident Levi Trumbull said the county’s decision to cut off comment periods has silenced community voices on key issues, including tax revenue and public accountability.
“It’s nice to be speaking in front of a board that does not outlaw free speech like the Washington County Commissioners,” Trumbull told the mayor and council. He alleged the commissioners no longer allow citizens to address them directly, a move he characterized as “a violation of the public’s right to be heard”.
What changed
Washington County Commissioners traditionally offered time for citizen comment at their weekly sessions, but recent changes to meeting procedures have either limited or removed that practice. While commissioners have not provided a detailed public explanation, critics argue the move reduces transparency at a time when residents are seeking more accountability.
Trumbull and others argue that removing comment periods leaves constituents with few direct channels to voice concerns.
Broader implications
The issue has sparked debate across Washington County, where residents have long relied on commissioners’ meetings as a venue to share input. Local leaders and advocacy groups note that while written correspondence remains an option, it lacks the immediacy and accountability of live testimony.
Looking ahead
Commissioners have not announced whether the decision is permanent or temporary. Meanwhile, residents who spoke at the Hagerstown City Council meeting say they will continue to press for the restoration of open comment sessions.
