George
Wenschhof
The charter writing board, appointed by Frederick Board
of County Commissioners (BOCC), has spent considerable time receiving input
from experts and the public. They are now wrapping up their work composing the
governing document which voters will weigh in on when they go to the polls on
November 6.
The long awaited change to a charter form of government
for the county is similar to what has been in use in The City of Frederick,
where voters elect the Mayor as the administrator and the board of aldermen as
the legislature.
There are many important decisions on various components
of the document for the charter writing board to consider, including the level
of authority vested with the county executive and the appropriate balance of
power specified for the county council.
Determining how the council is elected, is an area where
differences of opinion are expected, as different options exist. In addition to
the number of council members, options include a council made up of
representatives elected by; districts, all at-large, or a hybrid of districts
and at-large.
The hybrid option of a combination of council members
elected by districts and several elected at-large is often the path chosen as
it is an intended compromise.
Electing a council member by district has appeal as it
would seemingly guarantee geographical areas would be represented on the
council.
However, a council elected by districts leads some to
express concern the overall interests of the county would not be represented.
Hence, the formation of the hybrid council of members
elected by districts and several elected at-large is often the result.
Unfortunately, a hybrid council can create more problems
than it solves.
Council members required to run different
"type" of races at substantially different levels of expense, along with a council member being
able to say he/she represents the whole county versus a council member who
represents one district could divide council members and not provide the
balance one would expect to result.
Election by district also opens up the messy discussion
on how they would be drawn (equity in party registration), by whom and how
often they will be updated.
In regard to the election of the council and to help
ensure a smooth transition from the current BOCC, the charter writing board
should keep it simple, smart; with all council members elected at large.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
"At-Large" Council Best Option For Charter
Daily Political Wire
George Wenschhof
Barrett To Face Walker in Wisconsin Recall Election - Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett won the Democratic primary yesterday and will face Republican Governor Scott Walker in the June 5 recall election. Barrett defeated Kathleen Falk, who had backing from major unions. Politico.com has more here.
---
Lugar Thumped By Mourdock - the Indiana U.S. Senator lost by nearly 20 points and had nothing kind to say about Richard Mourdock last night. Democrat Rep. Joe Donnelly, who will face Mourdock in November, is set up to benefit from the fall out among Republicans. TPM.com has more here.
---
N. Carolina Bans Gay Marriage - they become the latest state to pass a constitutional amendement banning same sex marriage. The California ban is already headed to the Supreme Court, so look to see this issue ultimately decided by them. The Washington Post has more here.
---
Republicans Vote to Block Student Loan Extension - the 52-45 partisan vote in the Senate yesterday blocked the bill from proceeding forward to discussion and a full up or down vote. The Huffington Post has more here.
---
Greece Struggles To Form Coalition Government - following the parliamentary election which defeated many members of the mainstream political parties. World financial markets reacted in a downward trend to the results of the elections in France and Greece. Reuters.com has more here.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Daily Political Wire
George Wenschhof
50% Americans Believe in Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage - in the latest Gallup poll. This comes following recent statements by Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan supporting same sex sex marriage. Gallup.com has more here.
---
N. Carolina Votes Today on Definition of Marriage - Amendment One has drawn a lot of attention in the state, including from former President Bill Clinton who recorded a robo-call to voters encouraging them to vote against it. The bill would define marriage between a man and woman. You can read more here.
---
Senate Vote Expected Today on Student Loan Interest Rate - a divided Congress is once again displaying it's dysfunctionalism as Republicans and Democrats agree on the extension of the 3.4% interest rate but disagree on how to pay for it. The low rates are set to expire on July 1. You can read more here.
---
Santorum Endorses Romney - Rick Santorum, in an email to spporters last night, finally endorsed bitter rival Mitt Romney. "Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime," he said in the statement, which was emailed to supporters. Reuters.com has more here.
---
Will Dick Lugar Lose Today? - The 36 year Republican U.S. Senator from Indiana is expected to lose today to tea party backed candidate Richard Mourdock. Speculation is a victory by Mourdock may well provide the opportunity for Democrats to pick up this Senate seat. Representative Joe Donnelly is the presumptive Democratic nominee. The Fix has more here.
---
Wisconsin Democrats Choose Candidate Today To Face Walker - in the recall Governor election. Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett is expected to win against Kathleen Falk. The winner will face Republican Governor Scott Walker. Politico.com has more here.
---
Will Anti-Austerity European Votes Impact U.S. Election? - Republicans, who are calling for more austerity measures may well be on the losing end in November elections. TheHill.com has more here.
---
Netanyahu Solidifies Government, Cancels Election - in a surprise announcement, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the leader of the opposition party Kadima agreed to form a unity government. Kadima Party leader Shaul Mofaz had disagreed with Netanyahu's hard line approach to Iran so it will be interested to watch how this unity government moves forward. The Washington Post has more here.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Daily Political Wire
George Wenschhof
Austerity Backlash Impacts France and Greece Elections - watch how world markets react to the results of these elections.
In France, it was Francois Hollande who defeated incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy and in Greece, angry voters threw out incumbents as their future remains in turmoil as a coalition government has yet to be determined.
You can read more on the France election here. The Wall Street Journal has their report of the election in Greece, here.
Economist Paul Krugman adds his thoughts here.
---
Syria Holds Parliamentary Elections - amid a fragile cease fire between rebels and the Assad led government. Rebels dismiss the election, calling it a farce and calling the parliament a rubber stamp for Assad. The NY Times has more here.
---
Obama Leads Romney in Swing States - the latest Gallup/USA Today poll has President Obama leading Mitt Romney 47%-45% in the 12 battleground states, likely to dterminer the winner in November. TheHill.com has more here.
---
Keep an Eye on Ally Financial - formally GMAC, which received $17 Billion from the government is set to declare bankruptcy. The government is still owed $12 billion. If, Ally Financial fails, llok to see Republicans, and in particular, the Romney campaign attempt to capitalize on the failure. Reuters.com has more here.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
