Kelo is Nothing Compared to This

Unless they reverse themselves and give approval to a huge new residential development, the entire Carroll County, Maryland, Zoning Commission is going to jail. The developers involved went to court and a judge agreed, ordering the Commissioners to act or face jail.

Benjamin Rosenberg, attorney for the developer, the Carrolltowne Development Partnership, said he would demand that planning commission members -- including Julia Walsh Gouge, president of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners -- be jailed if they refuse to comply with the order.

Area schools are surrounded by portable classrooms. The roads are congested and the water supply is so stretched that the commissioners have curtailed development until new supplies can be tapped.

Rosenberg contends the inadequacies should have no bearing on the Carrolltowne development.

"They will find water for this project," Rosenberg said. "The county should have reserved water for this project in 1995. If need be, it will have to take water allocated to another project."

The South Carroll area, which includes Eldersburg and Sykesville, has endured seasonal water shortages for several years.

As one of the Commissioners belatedly notes:

What is the point of having commissioners if the county is going to be run by lawyers and judges?

Indeed.