Md. Code, Local Government § 9–502

It is the policy of St. Mary’s County that:

(1) public officials shall engage in official action in an open and public

manner so that voters are advised of the performance of public officials and of

decisions made in forming public policy;

(2) public agencies exist to aid in conducting the people’s business;

(3) the people of the county, in delegating authority, do not yield their

sovereignty or give public agencies the right to decide what is good for the people to

know and what is not good for them to know; and

(4) the right of the people to remain informed is protected so that

they may retain control over the instruments they create.