20060602 KDDC Sun reports Court rejects Carroll Co. district settlement

Court rejects Carroll Co. district settlement
Decision maintains status quo on election of 3 commissioners

By A Sun Reporter
Originally published June 2, 2006, 12:30 PM EDT

~Please Note: Both maps above belong to the Baltimore Sun.

"The state's high court rejected this morning a negotiated settlement in the dispute over how to draw boundaries for the Carroll County commissioners and ordered that the county government remain structured the way it is now, with three commissioners elected at large.

"The decision, which the court said it would explain more fully in a later opinion, says only the state legislature can establish the boundaries of the five districts called for in a referendum voters passed in 2004. That referendum called for replacing the three at-large representatives with five commissioners representing five districts. Efforts to draw up a map of districts have bogged down in legal and political squabbling, and the legislature failed to approve a map before adjourning in April.

"The Court of Appeals mandated that the current form of government for the county will continue until the legislature approves a map. The General Assembly is not scheduled to meet again until January, barring a special session being called.

"County commissioners -- who perform the duties of both the legislative and executive branch in the county's government -- are to be elected this fall and candidates must file by July 3 to appear on the ballot."

Hat Tip: Mrs. Owl - Thanks