Washington County Circuit Judge Fred Wright has apparently had second thoughts about the timing of his statement urging the County Commissioners to govern in the spirit of cooperation instead of blame.
Unfortunately, some members of the county board now seem to have concluded that the judge is sorry he said anything at all. If so, they're mistaking his good manners for a lack of conviction.
On Dec. 3, a day after the outgoing board of commissioners filed a $2.5 million sewer-policy suit against the City of Hagerstown, the new board was sworn in. Immediately afterward, the judge noted that although Washington County's population is 10th largest in the state, its juvenile and civil court caseload is seventh in the state.
Judge Wright said that Washington County is a "self-gratifying" and a "blame someone else, take you to court" county. Perhaps the tone of local leadership and their relationships with each other affects citizens' attitudes, he said.