The issue of code home rule, a form of government that would allow commissioners to pass local legislation without the General Assembly?s approval, will appear on the November ballot.
Code home rule will give voters the power to petition local legislation to referendum.
The current form of commissioner government requires that local bills ? including one that determines the number of commissioners ? go to Annapolis.
Should Carroll?s form of government change?
Dennis Beard: “… [The current] system may have been the most functional in the past, but I do think it is time for a change. Our citizens need to have a government … responsive to them in a timely manner. …”
C. Eric Bouchat: “Yes, the system of government must and will change, but not via code home rule. We need to pass a charter government referendum in 2008. Code home rule does not separate executive and legislative authority.”
Vincent DiPietro: “Code home rule is a positive step forward, but [Carroll] should adopt a charter form [with one executive and delegates from each county district] … . The commissioner form imposes [a] burden on the state delegation.”
Julia Walsh Gouge: “The voters of Carroll County will decide by voting in November. Yes, they want code home rule or no, they won?t. Information is on our Web page or in our libraries.”
Dave Greenwalt: “Eventually we will need to change to charter, but I oppose code home rule, viewing it as a stumbling block.”
Doug Howard: “Voters will decide, but we should first enact ?five by District,? then consider it.
“Candidates should indicate positions on districts and the transfer tax before code home rule is decided.”
Perry Jones Jr.: “Yes. When the … people … decided they wanted five commissioners and that didn?t happen, from that point on, the public [said] they wanted to change the government, so decisions could be made locally.”
Mary Kowalski: “Code home rule would give the commissioners? power to enact new taxes and fees on the people of Carroll County, including a transfer tax. I oppose code home rule.”
Dean Minnich: “… I prefer commissioner home rule to charter, at least at this time. But if the voters decide to keep the current … form of government, we can … serve the entire county if the right people are elected. …”
Doug Myers: “I don?t think so at this time. We need to get the issue of districts straightened out first, before changing Carroll?s form of government. Commissioner form has been working just fine.”
Michael Zimmer: “Changing our form of government is a matter for the people to decide. Two years [ago] we voted for an expansion [of] our board to five with districts. Let?s do that first.”
Richard Solomon and Wade Miracle did not respond.
Commission series
» Today is the third story in a series that features the opinions of Carroll County commissioner candidates on issues that were determined by The Examiner. On Friday, the candidates will discuss whether funding should be increased for fire departments as the county?s population grows.
