A proposed usage policy for the Captain Walter Francis Duke Terminal Building and its outdoor pergola at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport drew pushback from at least one county commissioner during a public hearing Monday.
Commissioner Eric S. Colvin said he used his time during the hearing to raise concerns about the draft policy, saying he hopes a “more user-friendly” version can be developed before it’s finalized. Only one member of the public spoke during the hearing, according to Colvin’s account of the meeting; neither the speaker’s identity nor the substance of their testimony was detailed.
The terminal building, dedicated in 2006 to Capt. Walter Francis Duke, sits at the county-owned St. Mary’s County Regional Airport in California and includes conference rooms and office space; the county’s own airport materials note the building can be rented out for special events. The airport grounds, including the pergola area outside the terminal, have also hosted community events such as the annual Taste of St. Mary’s food festival.
No vote was taken on the policy during Monday’s hearing. County commissioners did not indicate a timeline for when a revised policy might return for consideration.
The hearing came during a busy Sept. 15 meeting for the Board of County Commissioners, which also included approval of a resolution establishing gaming device permit regulations for local nonprofits and a Consent Agenda item authorizing the county to join a proposed opioid settlement with Indivior.
