Evening star., 1950-11-12


redistricting petition If he did not
believe that redistricting was In
the interest Of the county.
There Is little doubt in minds
Of most Fairfax County residents
that a petition for redistricting
which represented the undenied
will of the people would receive
prompt action by the Judge. It
is unlikely, however. that redis-
tricting could be accomplished in
time for the November election
next year when members Of the
Board Of Supervisors will be
elected to take Office the following
January /. when the county execu-
tive form of government becomes
effective.
Most observers in the county be-
lieve that Circuit Court Judge
Paul E. Brown would insist on a
careful study being made Of re-
districting before final action was
taken.
Group to Study Problems
It is thought that probably a
commission would be appointed to
make a survey and to provide a
plan for reshufding the present
magisterial districts. This would
require time.
Meanwhile. post election indica-
tions point to harmony between
members of the opposing manager
and executive groups in working
out the problems Of transition
from the present to the executive
form.
Omer L. Hirst, one of the
leaders Of the manager group, and
David Lawrence. Washington news
writer who campaigned for the
victorious executive form, both
have pledged the support Of their
groups in working toward better
county government.
And the Board Of Supervisors,
as a suggestion from Mr.. Law
renee. has agreed to appoint q
seven-member citizens committee
to begin a study Of transition
problems.
Mr.. Lawrence said the purpose
of such a committee will be to
provide information and advice
on the many technical problems
to be solved in making the change
IA months hence. He said the
committee should make special
reference to the possibilities of
establishing a merit system, a
pension and retirement plan and
a procedure for setting up the
different administrative depart
ments under the new government
plan.
Mr.. Lawrence advised that the
board appoint to the committee
representatives of the county
executive group. the county man
ager group and from the group
which sponsored the present gov
ernment form. The object of the
committee, he said. would be to
assemble information fer the use
of the present board and for the
members of the board who may be
elected next November.
Jobs Not Jeopardized
The problems of setting up a
new form of government which
differs so widely from the present
system will be many.
First, a qualified county execu-
tive, or administrator, must be
found and personnel to fill the
various governmental departments
under the administrator must be
lined up.
The new government system will
do away with the present treasurer
and commissioner of revenue, COM
bining their Offices under a single
county finance department.
The new system also will place
the School Board under the Board
OF Supervisors, which will appoint
the School Board members. The
board also will appoint the heads
of other departments, including
the police chief now appointed by
the Circuit Court judge.
It was pointed out during the
election campaign by advocates of
both reform plans that the adop-
ton of either does not necessarily
mean that present qualified county
employees will be out of jobs when
the new form becomes effective.
It is likely that a good admins
traitor would keep in the various
departments under him members
Of the present government who
have spent years in learning and
perfecting their administrative
capabilities.
1t is likely, too, that if full ad-
vantage is taken of the months
remaining before the change be-
comes effective, that government
transition will be made with few
difficulties