To be sure, there's a lot to like about living in AACo, but everyone has complaints. Too much traffic, expensive rents, school crowding, noisy neighbors, storm water, etc etc. There is too much of many things, but there is not enough of one important thing: opportunity to address these issues, be heard, and speak to the County Council.
Almost all of our surrounding jurisdictions invite and encourage participation from people who aren't able to attend in person. The AACo Council does not. That excludes almost all parents with small children, people working second shift, those who can't drive at night, and anyone needing public transportation, especially in a county where it can take over an hour each way just to speak for 2 minutes.
Write to your Council person https://www.growthaction.net/council and tell them there is too much of too many things, and not enough ways to speak up. Insist that they open up government to ALL citizens of the county.
You could also nudge County Executive Pittman countyexecutive@aacounty.org to insist that all open meetings in the County be in hybrid format. Most already are, but this should be standard practice for all AACo meetings in the 21st century. countyexecutive@aacounty.org
For more, see this Growth Action Network op ed in the Capital-Gazette: https://www.capitalgazette.com/2024/12/16/matt-minahan-it-should-be-easier-to-participate-in-council-meetings-commentary/