Herman's loss in Sykesville is a blow to countywide economics
Culleton on Carroll - By John Culleton Posted on www.explorecarroll.com 5/18/09
Sykesville has lost two of its best elected officials. We learned earlier that Jeannie Nichols had declined to run again for the Town Council.
Now, in a surprising development, Jonathan Herman was defeated for mayor. These two were among the most able elected officials I have had the privilege to see in action. I wish their successors well, but undoubtedly Sykesville will be poorer for their absence.
Carroll County has had a persistent and serious problem. The industrial tax base is too small. With residential values falling and hence future residential taxes to decline as well, the county will find itself in a fiscal bind.
The one bright spot in our largely unsuccessful effort to attract industrial taxpayers has been the Warfield Commerce and Cultural Center, which takes a piece of non-taxable, state-owned property and converts it to corporate campus-type facilities.
Mayor Herman was the prime mover in this project. His experience in contracting and construction gave him special skills to handle the details.
He was also well connected with the Democratic committee chairs in the General Assembly. Annapolis is a partisan town, and as a leading Democratic voice in Carroll County, Herman had access other officials lacked.
The election itself is a puzzler. Only 560 voters showed up at the polls?
The population of Sykesville in July 2007 was estimated at 4,417. The median household income was estimated at $91,467.
The vote tally was 294 for Miller, 266 for Herman.
I can only speculate that between his day job and his duties as mayor, Herman devoted insufficient time to campaign. But a turnout of 560 voters is embarrassing.
Those who run for office in towns such as Sykesville are essentially volunteers; the stipend of $200 per meeting for the mayor doesn't cover much. Even our county commissioners, who receive $45,000 per year, must have other sources of income.
All our public officials, commissioners, mayors, council members and elected members of the school board are seriously underpaid.
Volunteerism is all very well, but those salaries are ridiculous.
Read Mr. Culleton’s entire column here: Herman's loss in Sykesville is a blow to countywide economics
http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2910/hermans-loss-sykesville-blow-countywide-economics/
For more information please see: Miller upsets Herman in Sykesville mayoral race By Charles Schelle on “Soundtrack.”
Charles Schelle’s article may found here: Miller upsets Herman in Sykesville mayoral race By Charles Schelle
The election results may be found here: Sykesville, Carroll County Maryland May 5 2009 municipal election results
20090518 Hermans loss in Sykesville by John Culleton
Culleton on Carroll - By John Culleton Posted on www.explorecarroll.com 5/18/09
Sykesville has lost two of its best elected officials. We learned earlier that Jeannie Nichols had declined to run again for the Town Council.
Now, in a surprising development, Jonathan Herman was defeated for mayor. These two were among the most able elected officials I have had the privilege to see in action. I wish their successors well, but undoubtedly Sykesville will be poorer for their absence.
Carroll County has had a persistent and serious problem. The industrial tax base is too small. With residential values falling and hence future residential taxes to decline as well, the county will find itself in a fiscal bind.
The one bright spot in our largely unsuccessful effort to attract industrial taxpayers has been the Warfield Commerce and Cultural Center, which takes a piece of non-taxable, state-owned property and converts it to corporate campus-type facilities.
Mayor Herman was the prime mover in this project. His experience in contracting and construction gave him special skills to handle the details.
He was also well connected with the Democratic committee chairs in the General Assembly. Annapolis is a partisan town, and as a leading Democratic voice in Carroll County, Herman had access other officials lacked.
The election itself is a puzzler. Only 560 voters showed up at the polls?
The population of Sykesville in July 2007 was estimated at 4,417. The median household income was estimated at $91,467.
The vote tally was 294 for Miller, 266 for Herman.
I can only speculate that between his day job and his duties as mayor, Herman devoted insufficient time to campaign. But a turnout of 560 voters is embarrassing.
Those who run for office in towns such as Sykesville are essentially volunteers; the stipend of $200 per meeting for the mayor doesn't cover much. Even our county commissioners, who receive $45,000 per year, must have other sources of income.
All our public officials, commissioners, mayors, council members and elected members of the school board are seriously underpaid.
Volunteerism is all very well, but those salaries are ridiculous.
Read Mr. Culleton’s entire column here: Herman's loss in Sykesville is a blow to countywide economics
http://explorecarroll.com/opinion/2910/hermans-loss-sykesville-blow-countywide-economics/
For more information please see: Miller upsets Herman in Sykesville mayoral race By Charles Schelle on “Soundtrack.”
Charles Schelle’s article may found here: Miller upsets Herman in Sykesville mayoral race By Charles Schelle
The election results may be found here: Sykesville, Carroll County Maryland May 5 2009 municipal election results
20090518 Hermans loss in Sykesville by John Culleton
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