Judy, Judy, Judy!
Commentary by Joe Reynolds

County Commissioner Judy Boggs held a Town Meeting on 2/12/2005 at the Ocean Pines Library. The first item of business was a vote of those present about whether this commentator should be allowed to video her meetings. She asked each person to write YES or NO on a "mystery card."

At the conclusion of the meeting she announced the results. The vote was 35 NO, 28 YES. On that basis she said video would not be allowed at any of her future meetings. This commentator did not vote.

Actually, the vote was much closer than might have been anticipated, considering a fair number of the people attending any Judy Boggs Town Meeting are likely strong Boggs supporters, and she had already made known her personal negativity on the issue.

Unfortunately Boggs was not totally honest with those attending. She said her concern about video was it might make those in the audience feel uncomfortable asking questions or making comments. However, her stated initial opposition was based on her fear something she said “off the record” at a public meeting could be used against her in future elections. Off-the-record at a public meeting with the press invited? Naturally her current single expressed concern is politically safer. Now she can say she is following the will of the people – all 35 of them.

If Boggs wanted a true democratic vote she would take a vote prior to each meeting and allow or not allow video at any meeting based on the vote. After the meeting she said that would not happen.

In her opening remarks Boggs said current library policy allowed her to decide about video. The policy of the Worcester County Library Board of Trustees currently states the individual reserving the room may ban video, if such a ban would not violate any county, state, or federal laws. Boggs did not mention the latter wording to those attending the meeting. The Board of Trustees does not say what library official would make a legal determination.

If the video ban did violate any law, the vote Boggs took was meaningless. One law her ban might violate is the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Consider that Commissioner Boggs is an elected official, holding a public meeting in a public library, with everyone invited, including the press. Should any video media show up and claim First Amendment rights while Boggs stands blocking the library doors to cameras, will the librarian be called upon to make a legal decision on the spot? Ultimately only a court can decide the legal issue.

Library policy also apparently prevents use of the facility for partisan political purposes; witness the ban on the showing of the film about Iraq during the past presidential election. Surely no one believes one of Commissioner Boggs' purposes in holding these meetings is not partisan political gain. Is Commissioner Boggs being granted special privilege because she is a commissioner, privileges not granted to a county citizen in the last election?

Interestingly, in her opening remarks Commissioner Boggs referred to this commentator as an "entrepreneur," not a member of the media. This was no slip of the tongue, and not the first time she has done so.

Boggs has stated on other occasions she does not consider this correspondent a member of the media, just an entrepreneur. If making money precludes someone from being a member of the media, one can only wonder whom Boggs considers media. Is the Ocean Pines Independent or the New York Times non-profit, or are these businesses operated by entrepreneurs looking to make a profit? Maybe Boggs doesn't consider the Independent or the Times media.

After the Boggs meeting in the morning, this commentator attended and videoed the Manklin Creek Group meeting in the same room at the library – with their permission. The turnout was larger than anticipated, over 40 in attendance.

Here's the comparison for audience participation:

• Boggs - 60+ people, NO to video, about 8 people asked questions or made comments.
• Manklin Creek Group - 40+ people, YES to video, over 20 people asked questions or made comments.

Both the Worcester Democratic Club and Democrat Commissioner Virgil Shockley were happy to have his talk about the county budget videoed at the Ocean Pines Community Hall. Nor did there seem any reluctance on the part of Democrats present to ask questions and make comments. The Democrats also extended an invitation to video a talk by Vietnam veteran John Pinney last year.

Surely there is no hidden Republican Party agenda to limit television or other video coverage by media of public events conducted by elected officials in public, tax-payer paid-for facilities. Registered Republicans cannot be more fearful of making comments when a camera is present than are registered Democrats.

Several Boggs supporters have said they believe Boggs made a mistake initially and now does not want to be seen as backing down.

One final absurdity – Commissioner Boggs did not object to recording the audio of the meeting with a cap on the lens.

Now might be a good spot to quote Carey Grant, but Carey Grant never said, "Judy, Judy, Judy!"