The mayor withdrew his plan Monday to host a TV show on Channel 99, the Comcast station that broadcasts municipal meetings and town events, after town council members said the show might create a precedent for officials or private citizens who might want TV time.

Hoover said the show would be similar to his weekly radio show, which airs on WMTB 89.9 FM, the Mount St. Mary's University station. Hoover said the show would feature interviews with town staff, community leaders and local residents, and would showcase positive aspects of the Emmitsburg community.

He said he would use privately owned cameras and production equipment, and that the show's topics would not venture into "anything argumentative."

Town commissioners said allowing the mayor to have his own show could spawn a slew of requests from residents for their own TV spots, and might give the mayor an unfair advantage in next year's election.

Comcast owns Channel 99, but the town has administrative authority over it and can use the station in any way it sees fit, as long as it is for local government purposes, said town attorney John R. Clapp in a letter to the town.

The town can reserve access to the station for government officials; however, if town officials begin to use the station as their "soapbox" for election campaigns or to promote political agendas, the public may have the right to demand equal time in the same forum, Clapp said.

The issue "would be better addressed when, and if, it arises," he said.

For town commissioners, that answer wasn't good enough.

"It makes me uncomfortable," said Commissioner Glenn Blanchard. "We could be setting ourselves up for a whole new issue that we could just as well avoid."

Town manager Dave Haller said town commissioners meetings, and planning and zoning meetings are the only programs the board has ever approved for the station.

Commissioners did not formally vote on the proposal, but Hoover said he'd take the board's attitude as a "no."

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for Monday. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.