With the expansion of the planning commission in Carroll County from five to seven members, we have a glimpse of the political style of the county's new board of commissioners. Its members seem to work quickly, prefer to make decisions behind closed doors and settle their differences without public rancor and backbiting.
Increasing the size of the planning panel was just part of a larger strategy of two new commissioners -- W. Benjamin Brown and Richard T. Yates. They want to get on top of the county's development process so they can follow up on campaign promises to manage Carroll's explosive residential growth.
The first part of that strategy was to install Mr. Yates on the planning commission. He replaced Donald I. Dell, the lone re-elected incumbent who had represented the previous board on the planning commission.
The second part of the strategy was to develop a way for Mr. Brown and Mr. Yates to exert their influence on the planning commission more effectively. To dilute Mr. Dell's impact, their quickest remedy was to expand the board to seven members, as large as state law allows.
Although Mr. Dell had appointed only two commission members during the past four years -- Westminster attorney Robert H. Lennon and Westminster housewife and former bank officer Robin B. Frazier (also Mr. Dell's campaign treasurer) -- it was perceived that the commission was sympathetic to Mr. Dell's goals of approving most development projects.
It would appear that in return for allowing Mr. Yates to occupy the visible position on the planning commission, Mr. Brown got Mr. Yates to agree to go along with his plan to add two more members. Although in the past the three commissioners rotated appointments to the planning commission, this board may no longer follow that practice. Instead, it appears that the next two members will be appointed and approved by Mr. Brown and Mr. Yates.
Unlike the previous board, which spent considerable time procrastinating over issues great and small, Mr. Brown and Mr. Yates have made an alliance that allows them to move with speed and efficiency on organizational issues. The real test of the new board will be making the tough policy decisions.