Montgomery County Maryland Moonlighting as AC Content Producer

In a startling development Thursday February 7, 2008, Montgomery County Maryland signed up to write articles for Associated Content (AC). Check out its Content Producer page here. Why is this suburban Washington, D.C. county setting itself up to moonlight in cyberspace? Questions abound:

Is Montgomery County Maryland on the Verge of Bankruptcy?

Looking at Montgomery County Maryland's balance sheet wouldn't cause a financially savvy person to fear for the county's fiscal health, yet... something is amiss. What would cause this huge county to take on a cyberwriting gig for Associated Content at minimal pay?

Seasoned Content Producers often use Associated Content as a secondary market. Has Montgomery County Maryland surreptitiously cracked any primary writing markets prior to this? Or is AC its first cyberwriting gig? If financial solvency is an issue, Montgomery County Maryland might want to reconsider its cyberwriting marketing strategy.

Is It Legal for Montgomery County Maryland to Work as an Independent Contractor for a Private Company?

It is relatively common for a private company to seek contractual work with public entities such as county government. But, in a strange twist on public-private partnerships, Montgomery County Maryland has laid the groundwork for a public governmental entity to serve as an independent contractor cyberwriting for a private company. Is this even legal?

Is Montgomery County Maryland Moving to Denver?

Associated Content is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Is Montgomery County Maryland's alliance with a Denver-based company happenstance? Or is Montgomery County Maryland plotting to mimic the Baltimore Colts 1984 stunt and sneak off to Denver under the cover of darkness? Should alert Montgomery County Maryland residents be alarmed at the implicit message in their county's sudden emergence as an independent contractor for a Denver company?