Democrats are again blocking a bill that would expand the Carroll board of commissioners from three to five, GOP lawmakers say.
In a 2004 referendum, voters supported expanding the board to five commissioners, elected by district. But Republicans and Democrats have squabbled in Annapolis for years over how to divide the districts.
Carroll?s General Assembly delegation has introduced a bill for the second time in four years calling for a map known as option 1, which would create district lines splitting the towns of Manchester and Hampstead.
But municipalities and a redistricting committee supported a map known as option 2, which puts the towns in the same district, but splits Finksburg. The Senate version of the bill has been stuck in committee for about three weeks, frustrating Republicans.
Sen. David Brinkley, R-District 4, the bill?s co-sponsor, blamed Martin Radinsky, Carroll Democratic Central Committee chairman. Brinkley labeled as false Radinsky?s assertion that option 2 gives Democrats a better chance to win an election.
“Marty Radinsky?s working behind the scenes trying to sabotage things,” Brinkley said. “It?s pretty pathetic, actually.”
But Radinsky argues that the delegation?s map, which passed the House floor Wednesday, runs counter to what residents want.
“We believe option 2 has the best opportunity for a Democrat to have a fair opportunity to be elected within the county,” Radinsky said. “You have every town and municipality in favor of option 2, and then you have the delegation for the second time going in another direction.”
With about two weeks remaining in the General Assembly?s session, both sides agreed plenty of time remains for passage of a bill that would expand the number of commissioners.
“We should be able to get something through,” Brinkley said. “I?m still optimistic.”
