George Wenschhof
Frederick
County, Maryland voters decided on a change to charter government by referendum
in the 2012 election, but the issues remain the same.
Yes, power
structure will change with the election of a strong county executive and
council in the 2014 election versus the current five member board of county
commissioners. But, the pivotal issues
will remain the same and one of two distinctly different philosophies on how to
manage growth will prevail come November.
The twenty
year plus pendulum swing between county commissioners labeled as favoring a
more balanced and sustainable approach to growth versus those labeled who favor
development is once again poised to take place in the 2014 election.
Connected
by their views on growth and not political party affiliation, they view each
other in a detestable manner with a mutual lack of respect. They mirror the
current repugnant manner displayed in the U.S. Congress between far right
conservative Republicans and more progressive Democrats.
Unfortunately,
the current Congress illustrates that the combative nature of these types of relationships
often results in dysfunctional government.
Locally, as
suspected, Democratic former president of the board and three term county
commissioner Jan Gardner is running for county executive and her opponent is
likely to be Republican board of county commissioners President Blaine Young. Both Young and Gardner serve as lightening
rods for opposing views on growth management.
If Young
begs off a run for county executive, Republican county commissioner Billy
Shreve is likely to run for the newly created position.
A name,
not previously mentioned, who may run is former Frederick County state’s
attorney Scott Rolle (R). A mostly mum Rolle
told me recently he is seriously considering a run for office. In addition to county executive, possibilities
include state delegate in district 3-A or Judge of the circuit court. The latter, appearing to more closely reflect
his past experience. Interestingly, he almost won election to state delegate in
2010 after his withdrawal came too late to remove his name from the ballot. He
said he will make his intentions known next week.
Republican
county commissioner David Gray is also running.
But, as an ally of Jan Gardner and one who already gave up the gavel to
her in the 2006 election, do not look to see him face Gardner in the general
election. His candidacy is only meant to
be a distraction for Young, should he run for county executive.
The filing
deadline for candidates in the 2014 election is February 25.
Behind the
scenes, much work has been underway by both groups to recruit sympathetic
candidates to run for the seven member hybrid county council. Five of the members are elected by districts
and two at large.
In the
2006 election it was the self named “Dream Team” consisting of two Republicans;
David Gray and John “Lennie” Thompson and two Democrats; Jan Gardner and Kai
Hagen who won election.
They
followed their election with pursuing actions, including an update of the
county comprehensive plan and down zoning of properties to reflect their vision
of how growth should take place in Frederick County.
However,
it was actions that took place during their term that spawned the revitalization
of “pro-growth” candidates led by Republican Blaine Young.
Blaine
Young and company trounced the 2010 version of the “Dream Team” led by Democrat
Kai Hagen and have followed their election by rezoning properties that had been
down zoned by the previous board and proclaiming “Frederick County Open for
Business”.
Young and
Company have spent the next three plus years implementing destructive and
reckless policies centered on the privatization of government services and
reducing the size of government.
This has
led to the return of Jan Gardner to the local political scene and the
resurrection of the “Dream Team” faction.
Leading to
yet another confrontational county election, focused once again on growth
policies.
Voters
deserve choices and a change from the current Blaine and Company regime is
called for and needed.
However, Gardner
if elected will need to be mindful of the actions taken by the previous board
she presided over that led to the election of Young and Company and the
irresponsible actions taken by a brash Blaine Young who has often stated “I am
doing what I told the voters I would do when I ran for election”.
Should she
repeat these same actions, it will merely perpetuate the pendulum swing.
What is
needed in Frederick County and the country is a more pragmatic approach to
governing that focuses on bringing people together to obtain desired results
that will endure sure to come changes in elected officials.
Volatile
rhetoric and campaign tactics used to divide the community and unite enough
voters just to win election is not what is needed and is a strategy that voters
are tiring of.
Reflecting
this sentiment, the fastest growing group of voters across the country is those
who are unaffiliated with a political party, clearly signaling dissatisfaction
with politics as usual.
Having
seen many different representative democracy systems in place at the local
level across the country, I am convinced it is not the system that guarantees
effective government.
The change
to charter government alone will not be the savior or answer to more effective
government for Frederick County residents.
Instead, it
is the people who are elected and increased involvement by the people they
represent, that will make the difference between good and bad government.
The focus
by the county executive should be on bringing people together and implementing
effective government services to reach a shared vision for the community.
Also
needed is meaningful campaign finance reform to ensure fairness and that one
vote is not worth more than another vote.
Frederick
County voters deserve reasonable, fair and effective government. When choosing
who to support for county executive and county council, voters should look past
rhetoric and focus on those candidates dedicated to working together with other
elected officials and with the residents they represent to implement a shared
vision.
Together,
Frederick County can become the community that everyone desires.
Stay
tuned.
