In spite of the earlier dust up over the political make-up of the redistricting commission, only one person spoke at the Harford County Council's hearing on the once-a-decade redistricting process Tuesday night.
Scott DeLong, of the county's Republican Central Committee, was the lone speaker.
Referring to the criticism of the only three members on the commission, all Republicans, he said he thought the council displayed "a great deal of courage" in following the charter.
"It's obvious the redistricting commission worked very hard on the process," he said, adding the process and recommendations were clearly fair.
DeLong asked for the commission's recommendation to move forward, saying he thinks it keeps the most compact communities together despite rearranging 21 districts.
"The efforts of the redistricting commission are certainly fair in the letter and spirit of the law," he said.
The proposed realignment from the commission would still keep three districts that are dominated by the municipalities of Havre de Grace,Aberdeen andBel Air and three others dominated by the northern tier, greater Fallston and the Joppatowne-Edgewood area. Once again, the Abingdon area will be split among other districts, rather than having a single district of its own.
Commission members said the best alternative would combine precincts in Havre de Grace, Level, Darlington and Churchville into District F, and precincts in the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Perryman, Aberdeen and Riverside areas into District E.
The recommended plan would greatly shrink the current District D, representing the county's northern swath, and would ultimately move 21 voting precincts around the county into different districts from where they are.
DeLong also asked, if the council were to publish its own map, that it be made available to the public.
The absence of speakers left some council members surprised.
Councilman Dion Guthrie noted the process only takes place once every 10 years.
"That hearing lasted maybe two minutes," he said. "Is that all the interest our citizens have in something as important as redistricting? I was shocked more than surprised, but it is what it is."
Councilman Jim McMahan agreed, lamenting the "complacency."
"Seems like any more that unless things actually affect somebody at their front door, it just doesn't seem to have that intensity and care," he said. "I still love this country and I know you do, too."
Councilman Dick Slutzky touched on the issue as well.
"I echo the concerns of Mr. Guthrie and Mr. McMahan in the lack of concern in the redistricting process," he said.
The council did not take any action on the redistricting Tuesday.
The council has until Nov. 22 to choose a final legislative map, according to the county charter. If one is not selected by the council, the plan as submitted by the commission becomes law.