Lobbyist decision could come this week from county

Two more names in running to represent western counties in Annapolis

Matthew Bieniek Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — A Western Maryland lobbyist could be named by the end of this week and at least two names are in the mix for the job: Bruce Bereano and William Miles, said Allegany County Commissioner Michael McKay.

“I expect an announcement Thursday,” McKay said.

It’s possible both men will be hired, said Frederick County Commission President Blaine R. Young. That’s because the budget for the lobbyist would cover a joint hiring, Young said. Each of four Western Maryland counties, Carroll, Frederick, Washington and Allegany, is contributing $5,000 to pay the lobbyist. Garrett County has opted out of joining the plan.

McKay said he suggested Miles after being introduced to him by Delegate Wendell Beitzel.

Bereano, a powerful lobbyist for many years, is still fighting to overturn a mid-1990s conviction for mail fraud, a conviction that cost him his law license but had little impact on his successful lobbying career.

Miles boasts a long career working in the Maryland General Assembly, including time as the legislative assistant to the speaker from 1993-95. Miles has lobbied since 1995 and has represented various clients including the horse racing industry. His current clients include FirstEnergy and the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation.

Hiring a lobbyist is an act of political realism, said Young.

“The fact is, do I like going this route? No. But I am a realist; we’re under a bombardment not only in terms of the votes and number of delegates ... but the amount the big seven (counties) spend on lobbying,” Young said.

“Doing it the way we’ve been doing it ... is not working,” he said. Young pointed out that the seven largest counties have full-time county executives who often spend a lot of time lobbying during the legislative session in addition to paid lobbyists. Rural county commissioners serve part time and most have jobs or businesses.

With a hearing on PlanMaryland coming up next week, “the sooner we can get going, the better,” Young said. The lobbyist, or lobbyists, will focus on three areas of mutual concern: PlanMaryland, laws relating to septic systems and watershed implementation plans for the Clean Water Act. These issues are where “all the counties agreed we had a community of interest,” Young said. The lobbyists will report back to each board of commissioners each week, Young said. They will be “eyes and ears” for the Western Maryland counties.

“We’re fighting to make sure we get fair and equal representation for our citizens,” Young said.

Young said the lobbyists will only speak for the counties in relation to these issues.

“Each county maintains its own voice,” he said, but “we have to band together to have a stronger voice,” Young said. McKay said he is planning to attend a rally to be led by Sen. E.J. Pipkin on Monday which is dubbed a PlanMaryland briefing and rally. “ While the panel of both sides will be limited to the number of speakers, a presence of local officials will signify to the committee that there are real concerns regarding the plan. The presence of county officials, farmers and landowners will show strength in our numbers,” Pipkin wrote in an email to Allegany County commissioners.

“Before the briefing there will be a rally on Lawyer’s Mall here in Annapolis to protest PlanMaryland. Because not everyone will be able to speak at the briefing, this will provide a forum for speakers to express their concerns publicly. Press will be in attendance, so a strong showing will impress,” Pipkin wrote.

In the past, Allegany County has at times hired a lobbyist, the most recent being former House Speaker Casper Taylor Jr., although the contract was with the firm Taylor works for, Alexander and Cleaver.

The firm was paid $17,000 a year and expenses, according to past Times-News reports. That contract began in 2008 and has subsequently expired.

Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com.

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