January 2, 2026

Allegany County forms 2026 government

See legislative committee assignments, legislator contacts

By Andrew Harris,

Perhaps the greatest power that comes with the role of Chairman of the Allegany County Legislature is to decide the composition of the committee system. That system is how our democratic system works on the local, county, state, and federal level. The committees are specific to the sector of government or the legislative process.

All government matters, legislation, fund allocations, hiring, firing, and more must go through the committee process before the full legislative body considers making a decision via floor vote. For example, if Sheriff Cicirello wants to enter into a new contract with a vendor for the jail, he makes a request of the Public Safety Committee. The chair of that committee has the power to further the request to the committee or, not. That committee debates the merits of the request and agrees to either send the request to the Ways and Means committee or table the request for a future meeting. If approved, the Ways and Means committee decides if the measure is funded and ready for a full vote of the legislature. If approved, the Sheriff’s request is placed on the legislative agenda, presented, discussed, and either voted upon, tabled, or sent back to the Public Safety committee.

To summarize, the committee decides which matters presented make it to the full legislature, making these appointments a big decision by current County Chairman W. Brooke Harris. Highlights of this years appointments:

District 2 Legislator Gretchen Hanchett, with a long history in the Allegany County economic development realm was chosen to replace outgoing legislator Deb Root in the Planning and Economic Development chair seat. Newly elected District 3 legislator Charles Bessette will bring his management experience to the chair of the very busy Personnel committee. Former Allegany County Sheriff and now District 3 Legislator Rick Whitney was placed in the Vice-Chair role of the Public Safety committee, a unique dynamic that may be a first for Allegany County. District 5 Legislator and once Vice-Chairman of Allegany County Kevin LaForge will serve as Vice-Chair of the Public Works committee, bringing his decades of construction management experience back to the legislature.

Below is the full list of 2026 committee assignments and list of all legislators with contact information:

2026 ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS

STANDING COMMITTEES