December 14, 2011|By Jessica Anderson, The Baltimore Sun
He said he would support an at-large elected council because a council elected by district — though beneficial because residents are represented by those who live in their district — can lead to gerrymandering. A district system also confines a council member to one district and that representatives could become "less responsive," he said.
He said his argument applies to a recent debate about the school board, now elected at large, possibly going to a by-district system. Over the summer, County Executive Ken Ulman selected a commission to study the makeup of the school board to help create geographic and racial diversity.
A bill recommending changing the makeup of the school board was ultimately withdrawn.
While the school board has no African-American members, Hecker said he thought racial diversity in an at-large system can be achieved, noting that C. Vernon Gray, who is black and served five terms on the County Council, won his first council race in 1982 when the members were elected countywide.
Despite his arguments for a countywide election, Hecker said he's not expecting a major change in the council districts.
His book has sold eight copies. He said he didn't produce it for profit and decided to donate any proceeds to the local charity Voices for Children, which helps abused children in Howard County.
After a redistricting map is approved, he plans to continue to blog about local political affairs, depending on what interests him. He also encourages other local bloggers to write an eBook because they don't cost anything to produce and can be a valuable resource.
"It's a great way to preserve the history of the county and make it accessible," he said.
jkanderson@baltsun.com
