Bel Air Mayor Terrence Hanley fears he may have alienated too many people before his re-election last week, potentially endangering his return to the town?s top seat.
The five-member Board of Town Commissioners is to choose its chairman, who acts as the town?s mayor.
Hanley, who has been mayor for the last two years, says he?d like to return to the post but acknowledges that his opposition to a potential $5 million expansion of Town Hall and the attached police department put him at odds with most of the board.
“The political winds have changed a little bit,” Hanley said.
He and newcomer Edward Hopkins, who also said he opposed the expansion, received the largest percentages of votes in last week?s election. “I think that was heavily on voters? minds,” Hanley said.
But Hanley?s opposition to the expansion is not the only issue, said Commissioner Robert Preston, another possible nominee for mayor.
“I don?t think it has anything to do with the Town Hall expansion,” Preston said. “Therehave been some issues over the representation of the board.
“A lot of times, Terry comes out with opinions that don?t represent the opinion of the board. It may be what he?s thinking, but it?s not our consensus.”
Preston refused to discuss any examples but said Hanley had misrepresented the proposed expansion during his campaign.
Backers said they wanted to expand Town Hall mainly to improve the police station, which Bel Air Police Association President Christian Rider has called “deplorable.”
“Once we determine the needs, then we can talk about square footage,” Preston said. “Once we talk about square footage, then we can talk about a price tag on it.”
He said the board may not get to discuss Hanley?s re-election or successor during today?s work session because Commissioner David Carey may be out of town this afternoon.
