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New Five District Map For 2010 Election
County Website

6/20/10 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES

Support offered for candidate Jim Rutledge

Since 2008 voters in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts have expressed their displeasure with the policies of President Barack Obama.

Will this be the year for similar voter anger to be displayed in Maryland?

Washington-based policies seem to be oriented to ever-increasing spending and deficits. It is time to send a Senator to Washington who retains a love for freedom and a respect for constitutionally limited government and spending.

We have a choice this year to elect a new U.S. Senator. I'm backing Jim Rutledge for this task. In fact, he's asked me to serve as his honorary chair of his Carroll County campaign.

Rutledge has an impressive background professionally as a former criminal prosecutor, but what is really impressive is when you listen to him speak. He conveys a true passion returning our state and nation to our founding principles in the Constitution.

There are a number of Republicans running for U.S. Senate this year. Undecided voters should give each a thorough review.

If you are concerned about out of control federal spending and deficits, I believe Rutledge shares your concern. If you are worried about job creation based on the free enterprise system, I believe Rutledge matches your concern.

If you seek an alternative to the current majority in Washington that just seems out of touch with the needs of ordinary citizens, there is a clear alternative. Vote for change not for change sake. Vote for changed based on common sense conservative principles.

That is exactly the kind of a leader I've found in Rutledge. Please review his record for yourself and compare him to the other alternatives in the Republican primary this September.

Michael D. Zimmer

5/19/10 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES

Planning to vote against budget

Commissioners Julia Gouge and Dean Minnich have indicated will be voting for the fiscal year 2011 budget. I will not.

Staff presented us a reasonable proposal in the recommended budget relating to the structure of law enforcement. Their suggestion was to shift nine resident troopers for nine sheriff deputies. They calculated a savings to taxpayers of $45,000 per year per position shifted. This concept enjoyed the support of two commissioners in finalizing the commissioners' proposed budget.

The proposed budget is not the end of the process. On May 5 the board held a public hearing. Two people testified at the hearing. Their comments centered on education.

After the public hearing, Maryland State Police offered a suggestion that had the effect of saving the nine resident trooper positions and savings of $400,000 in fiscal year 2011. However, staff calculated cost of $1.5 million over the course of our five year operating plan with this concept.

Historically, this board of commissioners has paid close attention not only to the next budget year in question, but also to the five years following. For example, we have made cuts to the nearest fiscal year in programs to prevent the out years from going into a negative balance. The fiscal year 2011 process will depart from this practice.

According to the calculations of staff, fiscal year 2015 will now show a negative balance. There is no good reason to take this course. There are 1.5 million reasons not to accept it.

Both troopers and deputies are highly effective, highly motivated and completely professional in how they protect and serve our county. However, the administrative costs associated with the state resident trooper program have escalated beyond what we can endure.

The rational for both sides of this decision can be reviewed in context in the video directory of the county Web site. The two dates in question would be the afternoon sessions on May 11 and May 13. You watch, and you decide which approach makes the most sense.

Michael D. Zimmer

1/17/10 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES

Eliminate use of speed cameras

Editor:

The Associated Press ran a story recently regarding speed cameras in Arizona. The headline was “Arizona may abandon speed cameras on highways.”

According to the report, there are multiple threats to the program.

The story related that “profits are far below expectations.” Since when is it appropriate for a government program to turn a profit?

There is also an active citizen effort to ban the cameras. The group known as “Citizens Against Photo Radar” is seeking a ballot question to stop the program.

I salute the people of Arizona and their love of liberty. When will this same spirit come to Maryland? When will it come to Carroll County?

Michael D. Zimmer

Eldersburg

OCTOBER 2009 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES

Opposed to Cool Counties effort

Editor:

An honest to goodness public discussion has broken out in the Times on the topic of global warming. That is a step in the right direction. One should be skeptical of those who claim something like science is all settled and we just have to reorder our entire economy as a result.

I’m not a scientist, but I’ve enjoyed reading about what various policy makers and scientist have shared on this topic. One such scientist is Dr. Ian Plimer, a professor at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

He’s written a book titled “Heaven and Earth: Global Warming and the Missing Science.” He’s the two time winner of the Eureka Prize, the highest scientific honor in Australia. He’s published several books and more than 120 scientific papers.

According to Plimer “We live in a time when the methodology of science is suspended.” He further asserts that reactions to the notion that humans have caused global warming could be extremely costly and distort energy policy. He observes that the “correct solution to the non-problem of carbon dioxide is to have the courage to thoughtfully do nothing.”

Dr. Freeman Dyson, otherwise known as the “eminent physicist,” spoke about his theory of climate change at the Fredercik S. Pardee Center for the Study of Longer-Range Future at Boston University. Dyson stated, “all the fuss about global warming is grossly exaggerated.” As reported in The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Dyson proposes, “Whatever inflammations the climate was experiencing might be a good thing because carbon dioxide helps plants of all kinds grow.”

In 2007, former President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic shared similar thoughts to the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. In his testimony, he stated, “It is impossible to control natural factors causing climate change. The negative impact of the proposed regulation on economic growth is to the detriment of all other possible risks, including environmental ones.” Klaus continued by noting, “Responsible politics should take into account the opportunity costs of such [global warming] proposals and be aware of the fact that the wasteful environmental policies are adopted to the detriment of other policies, thus neglecting many other important needs of millions of people all over the world.”

One might think the policy implications of global warming exist only on the national level. That would be incorrect. Over my negative vote, County Commissioners Julia Gouge and Dean Minnich approved Carroll County joining what is known as the “Cool Counties” movement. Certain spending proposals also relate back to the notion that human activity causes global warming. I wonder what percentage of taxpayers favor such an approach given the tight budget situation we face.

Mike Zimmer

Eldersburg

The writer is a member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners.

MARCH 2009 - LETTER TO THE EDITOR, THE EAGLE

Dear Editor,

   It would not surprise me to learn that your columnist John Culleton believed in Bigfoot. In his most recent effort he attempted to perpetuate the myth that there is a pro-residential growth wing of the Republican Party here in Carroll County.

   As a former member of the Republican Central Committee and a member and former officer of the South Carroll Republican Club I can assure Mr. Culleton that this subject does not come up at meetings of either group. There is a topic that has come up in the past and I'm sure will again in the future. That subject is taxes.

    During the term of the 2002 to 2006 Board of Commissioners that Board voted to raise the recordation tax rate. They also voted to ask the Senators and Delegates representing Carroll County in Annapolis for the authority to impose a brand new tax on real estate transfers. This is known as a transfer tax.

     The GOP Central Committee and the South Carroll Republican Club both voted to oppose the prior Board's effort to raise taxes. I'm proud that two groups with which I was associated chose to stand on the side of the people not to be overly burdened with new taxes.

      When I decided to run for Commissioner opposition to the transfer tax and support for tax relief were foundational elements of my campaign. Elections have profound consequences. Neither of my colleagues have embraced my call for tax relief or significant budget savings.

       In the budget process for fiscal year 2009 I asked my fellow Commissioners to consider either reducing the cap on the Homestead Tax Credit or reducing the rate of the real property tax. Neither suggestion was supported.

       In that same budget process I asked my fellow Board members to embrace five different budget savings measures. Only one of my proposals enjoyed support.

        Mr. Culleton may be right about there being two different wings of the GOP locally. However, I would say he's missed the categories by a dozen country miles. It seems to me that the factions would be the tax raising group and the tax relief group.

        It will be interesting to see which element gains ascendancy under a district system of electing Commissioners as opposed to a county wide system.

     Michael D. Zimmer

    PS Jim,

          Since this letter deals with primarily political issues, I determined to write it from home and not use government resources in this effort. I wanted you to be aware of my thinking on that subject in case anyone were to inquire about that question. Thanks for your willingness to promote lively discussion in your pages.

       Mike Zimmer
 

MICHAEL D. ZIMMER
"A Leader Who Listens"