Government

The question posted Monday on The Herald-Mail's Web site was: Do you trust the federal government? Poll results: Always: 24 votes (2 percent) Almost always: 27 votes (2 percent) Most of the time: 134 votes (11 percent) Some of the time: 388 votes (33 percent) Never: 608 votes (52 percent) "Less and less with each passing day. I have much less trust with Democrats in control than with Republicans at the helm, but I couldn't put full trust in either.

What is socialism? To the editor: Those who are crying "socialism" in government apparently do not know its definition. Socialism is when a government takes over an industry and eliminates private ownership. Our population seems to be unforgivably ignorant of history and economics. I know one otherwise talented CEO who sneeringly says "ancient history" when examples of the past are quoted. He has never learned that history repeats itself and that we can learn from the past.

By GUY FLETCHER Staff Writer A Hagerstown-area manufacturer of electronic parts will pay the United States government $1.89 million to resolve allegations that the company performed fraudulent quality tests on electronic resistors sold for military and other government use. Angstrohm Precision Inc., located north of the city at 18400 Precision Place, has denied the allegations and admitted no wrongdoing in settling the civil matter, U.S....

Eleven county employees were honored Tuesday for completing development courses in government management and support. Receiving government supervisory management certificates were Rocky Bishop and Mark Bradshaw of the Department of Water Quality; Bernard Canfield from the Highway Department; Rick Curry of the Purchasing Department; Randy Edwards of the Engineering Department; Angie Loewenheim of the Budget and Finance Department; Kenny Rickett of...

Labor Day traditionally marks the beginning of the fall political campaign season, and so with the holiday behind us, the chamber has focused on Election 2006. This year, with so many races and with a mid-September primary, candidates will ask us to make several decisions seemingly all at once. In making these decisions, we will decide more than individual races. We will decide the future of Washington County. Government plays an enormous role in shaping our future. Candidates asking for our votes owe us in return their vision of the role of government.

Washington County recently was named No. 1 in government mobility implementation at Accela Wireless Technology's annual user convention in San Diego. The employee team that made the award possible by getting the system up and running in record time was honored at Tuesday's Washington County Commissioners meeting, according to a county press release. Dan DiVito, director of permits and inspections, commended Deputy Director Angela Smith and 16 staff members from three departments for the effort in making the system a reality and in being named Leader of the Year in Implementing Mobile Government Solutions by Accela.

All services and programs of Washington County government, except for County Commuter transportation services, will be closed Friday for the Good Friday holiday observance. All locations of the Washington County solid waste department, including the Forty West Landfill and all transfer stations, will reopen for normal business hours Saturday.

The Maryland Municipal League (MML) has presented the Town of Williamsport with the prestigious Banner City award for excellence in government. The Banner City program recognizes local officials who go beyond the call of duty to better serve their citizens.