http://www.examiner.com/a-1011254~Delegation_backs_map_for_Carroll_commission.html

Delegation backs map for Carroll commission

Mike Silvestri, The Baltimore Examiner

October 26, 2007

Carroll would be divided into four districts represented by five commissioners under a compromise plan that received backing from almost all of Carroll's state delegation.

The map proposed by Del. Donald Elliott, R-District 4B, traces state legislative districts in an attempt to pass the layout through the General Assembly after partisanship struck down Republicans' map last year, lawmakers said.

"He's done a fine job of kind of compromising to get through the legislature," said Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-District 9. "It seems like it's a good proposal and a good step forward."

The map keeps Sykesville and nearby Eldersburg in the same district and puts Hampstead and Manchester in a separate district.

Elliott's map also provides for one at-large commissioner to be president, elected by the entire county, and for a nearly equal ratio of Republicans to Democrats in each district, he said.

Only Sen. Larry Haines, R-District 5, a proponent of at-large commissioners to represent the entire county, opposed Elliott's map.

Carroll has been trying since 2004 to follow up on a referendum vote to expand the county commission from three to five members. Democrats ignored "local courtesy" last year and had a map Carroll Republicans proposed killed by allowing it to languish in committees, Kittleman said.

Garrett County is the only other in Maryland with a three-commissioner form of government.

"It's time to make a change with an increase of two," Elliott said. "It gives greater influence and greater intellect" to deal with an exploding population, water shortages and the creation of a new police force.

A public hearing should be held by the end of the year.

The bill will then be sent to the General Assembly.