Carroll County's new board of commissioners got off to a quick start by expeditiously handling a number of housekeeping chores that had the potential of generating a great deal of ill will.
It was refreshing to see that the threesome -- W. Benjamin Brown, Donald I. Dell and Richard T. Yates -- could settle the question of assignments to various committees and boards without acrimony.
In the past, for example, commissioners have had some bruised feelings over which of them was designated president, vice president and secretary. Some commissioners who have sat on Carroll's 54 previous boards, dating back to the county's founding in 1837, attached a disproportionate amount of importance to these positions. Apparently, this set of commissioners chose not to overinflate these titles.
The commissioners allocated the responsibilities and positions based on the share of votes they garnered in the general election a month ago.
Actually, it was Mr. Dell who four years ago promoted this method for designating the board president -- after he had received the most votes. As a result of getting the least votes this time around, Mr. Dell suffered what some might see as a demotion. Instead of holding the title of president, Mr. Dell is now secretary. He also relinquished his seat on the planning and zoning commission. He will now have a less influential, non-voting seat on the school board.
Meanwhile, Mr. Yates, the political neophyte, has garnered the supposedly powerful position of board president and the plum assignment on the planning commission in a county where land use is a key issue. He will be responsible for running the commissioners' meetings, and his signature will be the first on official documents.
The real exercise of power will take place when these commissioners begin deciding policy.
In his former capacity as mayor of Westminster, Mr. Brown never let titles interfere with his desire to get involved. Mr. Brown likely will delve into every aspect of county government.
Mr. Dell is not likely to become a shrinking violet, either. During his first term, he was assertive in his positions and often prevailed over his fellow commissioners.
Given the strong personalities on this board, we suspect the politics are not likely to remain as tranquil as they were during the first week of business.