John "Lennie" Thompson

To an audience of five residents and three members of the local media, Thompson (R) spent three hours Tuesday discussing the importance of open government, the need for lobbying reform in the county and legislation that would require disclosure of one-on-one, behind-the-door discussions between commissioners and applicants requesting land-use changes.

As Thompson lectured in the large first-floor hearing room in Winchester Hall, Commission President David Gray (R) and Commissioners Jan Gardner (D) and Terre Rhoderick (R) were upstairs in a closed executive session discussing the fiscal year 2003 strategic plan for the county. The strategic plan outlines the objectives and priorities that commissioners want to accomplish during their last year in office.

Commissioner Rick Weldon (R) chose at the last minute to attend the closed-door meeting.

Thompson held his seminar to protest the private meeting that he wanted to be open to the public.

"We're here today because I don't think my colleagues thought of the ramifications of having a meeting to talk about where the county is going in closed session," Thompson said. "I think it was unwise."

An attorney by profession, Thompson explained that there are certain situations that warrant a closed-door meeting. For example, a personnel matter, acquisition of property, a relocation of a business, legal advice, potential litigation and public security can all be discussed in closed session, Thompson said.

"The Open Meetings Act does not provide the public the right to participate in all open meetings," he said.

Audience members supported the commissioner's call for more open government.

"I came because I wanted to be updated on the laws of open government," said John O'Neill, of Frederick. "I'm in favor of open meetings. It doesn't serve the interest of the public to be closed."

Thompson also took the opportunity to introduce his new proposal to broaden the disclosure of lobbyist activities. The Frederick County Code requires the registration and reporting of lobbying activities if the lobbyist spends more than $500 on food, entertainment or gifts for the purpose of influencing county officials.

Thompson's proposal would require more disclosure of compensation received from lobbying activities, bringing the county's requirements more in line with the State Ethics Board.

"We ain't small anymore," he said. "Our lobbying regulations should resemble local ethics law of larger counties. It helps level the playing field between wealthy special interests and ordinary concerned citizens."

Thompson has been working on his lobbying reform proposal since he was the burgess of Walkersville in 1997. He has yet to introduce the idea to the county commissioners.

"I'd like to at least broach it this year, before my term ends," he said. "This was the last thing on my list."