Feb. 26, 2002
 
 Ok. This is about the scariest news we’ve heard coming from the ranks of the Western Maryland Delegation. And that says something.
 
 At a supposed public meeting with the County Commissioners Feb. 23 that 99% of the public didn’t know about, our Delegation announced that they haven’t read the bill currently in the House of Delegates in Annapolis that could put slot machines in Allegany County.
 
 At least two of the four members of the Western Maryland Delegation are actively supporting that bill - they being Cas Taylor and Kevin Kelly. And one of those two - that being Kevin Kelly - is actually SPONSORING it. So Mr. Taylor and Mr. Kelly are supporting/sponsoring a bill that neither of them has actually read.
 
 God help us.
 
 The fiasco at Saturday’s meeting was made all the sillier by the fact that lots of people in Allegany County not only have read the bill, but have copies of it. We have a copy of that bill. We picked up a copy of that bill - with Kevin Kelly listed as a sponsor - at the gambling forum held at Centre Street United Methodist Church on February 21.
 
 Everyone at the forum got one. Too bad our elected officials didn’t bother to attend, even though they were invited. If they’d shown up, they’d know what the bill says, that bill that at least two of them are supporting and one is sponsoring.
 
 You know, we don’t want to sound demanding, but we would really feel a whole lot better about our representation in Annapolis if we had delegates who actually paid attention to what’s going on, and willingly relayed what’s going on to us, their constituents. Or bosses, if you want to get technical.
 
 Is that too much to ask? We doubt that many state delegates would tell their constituents that they’re supporting and/or sponsoring a bill they haven’t read, especially a bill that would have such a profound impact on their community.
 
 In most places, a delegate like that would be voted out of office.
 
 Hmmm. Maybe we should be like most places.