About that judicial conference...

I read with great interest The Baltimore Sun’s summation of the recently held judicial conference at the Hyatt in Cambridge (“Crab cakes, cookies and steak: Taxpayers paid $260K for Maryland judges’ annual conference on Eastern Shore,” Aug. 24). Far be it from me to cast aspersions on these jurists for having a conference to discuss pressing issues facing the Maryland judiciary, however, they used taxpayer funds. Surely, they believe in the transparency of how these funds are disbursed because I have some questions the conferees should answer.

Was an agenda issued for public comment? A list of speakers and attendees? Finally, why is the state’s Request For Proposal (RFP) for future conferences limiting the location to venues on the Eastern Shore? Is it a balance issue — so many times East vs. West? If not, than why are venues in Allegany, Garrett or Prince George’s counties and Baltimore City not allowed to compete for this plum conference? The electorate rarely gets to weigh in on who dons the robes. All the more reason this branch of government should err on the side of more public disclosure.