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Chris Keane

@christopher.m.keane

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Civic Innovator | Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Leaders Program Alum - DSCI - | Campaign Consultant | Democratic Strategist | Opinions are my own

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Glimpse of summer🫧🌸🌻

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Washington County Comes Together for National Night Out 2026

By Chris Keane - Speak Up Community News Youth Contributor

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign held nationwide on the first Tuesday in August. The initiative is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs, and promote police-community partnerships. Most importantly, it fosters a true sense of neighborhood camaraderie, bringing residents, community organizations, local emergency responders, and government entities together under positive circumstances.

On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, that spirit of community was on full display across Washington County.

In Hagerstown, the community gathered at the Fairgrounds Park north pavilion. Boonsboro residents filled Shafer Park, while Williamsport hosted its evening festivities at Byron Memorial Park. The celebrations extended to all corners of the county, with Smithsburg coming together at Veterans Park and Hancock residents gathering at Widmeyer Park.

Across these locations, the evening featured a wide array of family-friendly fun. Children were treated to balloon animals and face painting, while local fire departments provided exciting water activities to help beat the summer heat. K-9 demonstrations thrilled the crowds, highlighting the incredible skill and dedication of our four-legged officers. Some locations added their own local flavor to the national tradition; Hagerstown’s event, for example, featured drone demonstrations and backpack giveaways for the upcoming school year.

Beyond the food and entertainment, National Night Out 2026 achieved its core mission. It provided a valuable opportunity for Washington County residents to connect face-to-face with the local law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, and public officials who serve them every day, strengthening the partnerships that keep our communities safe.

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And a good time was had by all… Special thanks to Washington County Democrats for Action

We held our second meeting; we had food, a farm tour, and fun. We are planning our next outing, a float trip, in early August! Stay tuned!

We have a new group chat for Young Dem members. DM or drop a comment if you want to be added, especially to join the upcoming float trip.

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Thank you to @wmar2news for highlighting the passing of the Maryland Seal of Civic Excellence💛

@mdcivicedu has been working so hard to pass this bill! I’m glad I got to be apart of this years long journey that will truly change how civics is taught and the role it plays in the lives of students for generations in Maryland🫶🏽✨

@christopher.m.keane it was so much fun doing this with you!
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#missmarylandsteen #wmar2news #marylandnews #civicengagement

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Youth Coalition Drives Primary Dialogue at Hagerstown Candidate Forum

By Chris Keane - Youth News Contributor

HAGERSTOWN, MD — Amid the vibrant atmosphere of Hagerstown Pride weekend, a historic collaboration of young civic leaders shifted the political spotlight to the next generation of voters. The newly established Washington County Young Democrats, partnering with chapters from Mountain Maryland, Frederick County, and Montgomery County, hosted a primary candidate forum at the Washington County Free Library in downtown Hagerstown to press congressional hopefuls on the issues defining the future of Maryland’s 6th Congressional District.

The event marked a significant milestone for Western Maryland’s political landscape. For the first time, all Young Democrats chapters within MD-06 united to anchor a major public forum in Washington County, signaling a growing, organized youth movement outside the state’s traditional metropolitan hubs.

The forum drew several candidates vying for the open seat in the upcoming Democratic primary. Candidates Ethan Wechtaluk, George Gluck, Alexis Goldstein, and Mark Wilks were present, taking the stage to answer questions directly from young constituents. Incumbent Representative April McClain Delaney and candidate Daniel Krakower did not attend the event. Former Representative David Trone, who had intended to participate, was ultimately unable to attend due to a urgent family matter.

The discussion covered a broad range of high-stakes issues impacting young families and workers in the district, including the rising cost of living, healthcare accessibility, childcare costs, and the burden of student debt.
A central point of friction during the evening was the regional boom in technology infrastructure. Candidates engaged in a rigorous debate regarding the local impact of artificial intelligence infrastructure, specifically debating whether to implement a ban or a moratorium on new AI data centers due to concerns over energy consumption, utility costs, and land use.

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🦀 1 Session. 4 Bills. 📜

This year, I had the opportunity to work on, amend, and even help create legislation that made a real impact for Maryland and Howard County students!

📚 HB575 – Requires schools to provide excused absences for students participating in the legislative process

⛑️ HB326 – Ensures every LEA (Local Education Agency) has an anonymous reporting system for school safety concerns

📰 HB57/SB204 – Creates the Maryland Civic Seal of Excellence Program to recognize and reward student civic engagement

🗳️ HB1171 – Expanded Howard County SMOB voting rights, making our SMOB the 3rd most powerful in the nation (not pictured)

Grateful for everyone who made this possible and excited to see the bills I will be working on next session!

#md #legislation #students #advocacy #civics

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Please join us at the Library, 100 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, Maryland, for a candidate forum. To connect youth across the 6th congressional district with all candidates. This is a collaboration between all Young Democrats chapters in the 6th district. We are so grateful to be able to host in our great county, the center of contentious debate, with a planned ICE detention center that local republican leaders welcomed. This is truly a unique opportunity and shows the power of young people to be listened to, but now we must show up.

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HAGERSTOWN’S NO KINGS PROTEST: A TIME FOR CHANGE

by Jacob Stoner, Speak Up Community News Journalist/Photographer

It is a cold and windy day in Hagerstown, but that didn’t stop demonstrators from filling the Downtown Square for another No King’s protest. Roughly 1,500 demonstrators gathered with varying ages, races, creeds, and ethnicities. The majority of the crowd was aged 45-75, similar to the last No King’s protest. Demonstrations officially started at 1pm until 3pm with some staying longer to further spread their message.

Citizens of Hagerstown shared grievances they had for the community such as Dave, a Hagerstown resident of five years, “We’re spending money on the wrong things. If we’re going to spend the money, let’s spend the money on our people on fixing things. The problems are easily fixed if we sit down and work on them instead of talking about them.” Another Hagerstown native, who chose to remain nameless, stated similar concerns adding, “I believe that we are smart enough as a country”.

For those out there wanting to get your voice heard, Melissa from West Virginia offered this advice, “...call your representatives and make sure they know exactly how you feel about things. Sometimes it takes time, and often you just get an answering machine...just make sure they know because they’re supposed to be dealing with this. We shouldn’t have to be out in the street every couple of months, but we’re willing to do it if that’s what it takes.”

Demonstrators held signs regarding the new U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Williamsport, calls to defund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), wanting Donald Trump gone, and calling for federal economic reform.

Even though some individuals were upset and emotional, it was an extremely peaceful demonstration. Trish from Smithsburg added, “If you can try to find something right that you [Democrats and Republicans] both can agree on...I think it is more the billionaires against the normal regular people. It’s top to bottom, not right to left.”

In this polarized time, it’s more important than ever to love thy neighbor. Listen to what other people have to say.

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Speak Up Community News: Third No Kings March in Downtown Hagerstown

Chris Keane, Youth News Contributor / Project Manager

Today, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, an estimated 1,500 people gathered in downtown Hagerstown for the third No Kings Rally. The massive turnout followed a series of morning precursor events in Clear Spring, Smithsburg, and Boonsboro. Protesters took to the streets to voice their opposition to current immigration policies and the proposed ICE facility in Williamsport. Demonstrators cited constitutional and civil rights violations, alongside other shared grievances with the current administration. This footage provides a brief look at today’s events on the ground. Stay tuned for a full, in-depth article written by our youth contributor, which will be published shortly.

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Washington County Commissioner Derek Harvey Steps Down

By Chris Keane - Speak Up Community News Youth Contributor

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD — Washington County Commissioner Derek Harvey has officially resigned from the Board of County Commissioners, with his departure taking effect on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Elected to a four-year term in 2022, Harvey stated in his resignation letter that he is stepping down to pursue new business opportunities. He noted that these ventures better align with his long-term professional goals and the needs of his family. He currently resides in Smithsburg with his wife and three children.

Before his time serving Washington County locally, Harvey built a distinguished career in the military and the federal government. As a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer, he earned numerous commendations, including the Bronze Star and multiple Meritorious Service Medals. Following his military service, he transitioned to a role as a Senior Intelligence Executive. His extensive federal experience also includes serving on Capitol Hill as Lead Investigator and Senior Advisor to the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee, as well as serving on the White House National Security Council under President Donald J. Trump.

In response to his departure, the Board of County Commissioners extended its sincere appreciation to Commissioner Harvey for his dedicated service, wishing him continued success in his future endeavors. Looking ahead, the County Attorney has officially notified the Washington County Republican Central Committee of the vacancy. The Committee is now tasked with selecting a candidate to recommend to Governor Wes Moore, who will make the official appointment to fill the remainder of Harvey’s term.

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Free Speech and Accountability Protests Meet Funkstown Town Council Business

By Chris Keane - Speak Up Community News Youth Contributor

HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND - On Tuesday evening, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners met with the Funkstown Town Council. Normally, this routine municipal business draws almost no audience. However, a small crowd inside and a handful of protesters outside completely changed the dynamic, overshadowing the agenda with calls for governmental accountability.

The tension peaked just as the commissioners motioned to adjourn. As the session ended and attendees filed out, county commissioner candidate Curtis Reigh stood his ground, yelling at the commissioners to bring back free speech and public comment.

The loss of public comment sessions remains a major community issue. Demonstrators gathered to demand transparency, though they had different focuses. Some fought for the return of public comment, while others outside protested the county’s recent ICE facility resolutions.

The outside protest was very peaceful. Volunteers provided snacks and water, and the Washington County Sheriffs Office successfully helped maintain public safety. This was a sharp contrast to the morning session, where commissioners strictly enforced a new one sign rule, ejecting community member Sean Porter for holding two signs and forcing out a small gathering of protesters.

In political news, Commissioner Derek Harvey was absent again. With the campaign registration season finished, it is confirmed he will not seek reelection.

For town business, Funkstown requested a 1000 foot sidewalk extension, already in Year 4 of the county Capital Improvement Plan, to connect directly into town. They also sought funding to support recreation, fireworks, and the upcoming Maryland 250 celebration to offset inflation and public safety costs.

The evening ended on a collaborative note regarding county hotel tax money, a vital revenue stream that allows small towns to afford community events without burdening local taxpayers.

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Bridging the Divide: ‘Ages of Activism’ Brings Generations Together
By Chris Keane - Speak Up Community News Youth Contributor
Hagerstown,MD - Earlier today, community members of all ages gathered at Eliza’s house in Washington County for “Ages of Activism.” Hosted by Washington County Indivisible, the event comes on the heels of recent news out of Hagerstown, providing a timely space to tackle a common challenge in local organizing: the communication gap between younger and older generations.

The afternoon was dedicated to sharing experiences, wisdom, and fresh perspectives to turn shared values into positive action. Through collaborative group activities, attendees explored different communication styles and learned how to work together more effectively.

One standout moment perfectly highlighted these generational differences. During a group exercise, younger participants stepped up to help older attendees decode and understand emojis. It was a lighthearted but practical example of how relying on each other’s unique skills can solve problems and build mutual understanding.

Ultimately, the event succeeded in its primary goal: bringing the community closer together. By working side-by-side and learning how to communicate across age groups, attendees took a meaningful step toward breaking down barriers and proving that Washington County is better together.

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