How many task force entries do we really need around here? Do we need ANOTHER one to study the combined sewer overflow problem that dumps sewage in Potomac periodically?
 
 We think not. First of all, while the EPA and the state of Maryland may think that we - that’s “we” as in Allegany County - need to fix this problem, they need to understand that we have no money.
 
 We can’t fix this - it’s way too big. Millions and millions and millions that we don’t have. So. Instead of our elected officials forming another task force - a silly idea given the track record of our current task force entries - why not look to our elected officials to deal with the problem?
 
 Isn’t that why these people are elected? To address such issues?
 
 So, in the spirit of helping our County Commissioners deal with what could be an overwhelming problem, we have a few suggestions.
 
 First off, gather together every elected official from every municipality in the county. Get together with the Delegation, and as a body go to our federal representatives. Convene a meeting with Senator Paul Sarbanes, Senator Barbara Mikulski, and Rep. Roscoe Bartlett and explain the situation. Point out to them that you can’t get blood out of a turnip. And then tell them if the feds want this fixed, they can pay for it.
 
 Do the same with the state of Maryland. Our little band of representatives can go to the state and say the same thing. Make sure all the meetings are very public - get the press there, make a big stink, and wait and see what the state and feds do.
 
 We kind of like the idea of banding together and saying, “Guess what? We don’t have the money to fix this, so you either ante-up or quit bugging us.” It works for West Virginia - they dump sewage into the Potomac all the time, and no one’s picking on them.
 
 It could work.