BRAC -- official version

Here's the press release version of what happened at the BRAC meeting on Monday. The video isn't up yet to watch it unedited, but check back later.


BRAC TOWN HALL MEETING DRAWS LARGE AUDIENCE
(Bel Air, MD – March 11, 2008) - - A near capacity crowd of 400 attended the third BRAC Town Hall meeting Monday evening at the Aberdeen High School. The event was hosted by County Executive David R. Craig and James Richardson, Director of the Office of Economic Development for Harford County.
Among the officials participating in the community meeting were Colonel Jeffrey Weissman, Aberdeen Proving Ground Garrison Commander, Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett, Sheriff L. Jesse Bane, Marlene Lieb, Associate Vice President, Harford Community College, David Volrath, Executive Director of Secondary Education, Harford County Public Schools, Bob Cooper, Director, Harford County Department of Public Works, James Richardson, Director, Office of Economic Development and County Executive Craig.
“We are extremely pleased with the attendance at the BRAC Town Hall meeting,” said County Executive Craig. “Clearly the citizens of Harford County and the surrounding communities have a keen interest in BRAC and the positive impact it will have on our county,” Craig remarked.
The Harford County Office of Economic Development, the lead department for Harford County with BRAC issues, served as coordinator for the event. A fourth BRAC Town Hall meeting will be held later this year in Havre de Grace at a date and time to be determined.
The panel of officials responded to 40 questions posed by those in attendance. A concern of many of those who attended was transportation and the ability of the state, county and federal government to fund the necessary infrastructure improvements necessary to meet the needs of the BRAC.
“We will continue to work with our federal, state and local government partners to meet the challenges and opportunities that BRAC presents,” stated James Richardson, Director of the Office of Economic Development. “BRAC is a reality. Jobs are coming to Harford County and that means we must be ready to address the needs of the people who move to Harford County as well,” Richardson stated.
The BRAC Town Hall meetings are part of the county executive’s “Open Government” initiative, sharing information with citizens and those interested in BRAC and the impact to Harford County. The Town Meeting can be viewed on the Harford County Government website. For more information regarding BRAC visit www.harfordcountymd.gov or the Office of Economic Development website at www.harfordbusiness.org