Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-11-27

government, however. has rot
grown as RAPIDLY in efficiency, the
Governor stated.
Local Government
The Governor pointed out also
that "just as municipalities bene-
fit from an efficiently functioning
state government, so the state
Benefits from a strono system of
local government" He said the
principle involved in home rule for
municipalities is similar to that
which causes us to urge that the
functions of the federal and state
governments be kept distinct, and
!. that what the States can do for
: themselves thew should not expect
or wish the United States Govern
ment to do for them" Strong and
vigorous government 1T the munic-
ipal level is "a necessity for effiri-
ent. democratic government at the
state and nntional levels,'' the
Governor added.
in discussing the rev tsxirp
policy recommended by the Sohe'off
Commission, Governor McKel1in
said. at does not propose taking
away any of the money local gov
ernments now receive from tha
state. On the contrary" he added.
act does propose that Municipalities
should make q certain minimum
effort to provide local financing for
local projects"
Useless municipalities
This precaution would discour-
age the incorporation Of useless
MUNICIPALITIES that would then have
a legal right to share in the reva-
nues now allotted" to the communi-
ties.
The Governor pointed out that
fhe Sobeloff COMMISSIONS report
further urges chat the State WORT
toward the eventual abolition Of
the State property tax, in order
that local governments nov have
exclusive use Of this excellent ra-
venue producer without competi-
ton from the State"
In other matters taken IN hv the
Municipal League during its three
dav session, seminars and discus
sions were held on conduct of Coun-
Gil meetings, municipal finance,
municipal law and public works.
Also up for discussion by the
city officials were garbage and
trash collections and disposai;
planning and coming problems
which confront the municipalities.
Master Planning
Jack MARYLAND, planning eneine-
err for Rockville, addressed the Lea
que Thursday afternoon. In a
direct and Commemorative discus
sion, Mr.. MARYLAND pointed out
that all communities interested in
planning should have master plan.
He emphasized, however, that such
plan should be flexible and should
serve only as a guide to future
: growth. j,
He said, for the most part, in
smaller communities the MAYORS
and councilmen themselves will be
planners and that the requisites of
sound planning were a knowledge
Of the needs of the community and
applied common sense" He said
such planners should not contem-
plate disturbances of long time
business establishments in order to
fit them into far-reaching plans for
development.
Mr.. MARYLAND pointed out, also,
that planners make a mistake in
their communities when they re-
fuse to allow large older homes
to be rezoned for multiple family
dwellings. He said failure to pro-
vide for this by adequate coming
ordinances frequently causes these
homes to run down and not serve
as an asset to the community. He
advocated public hearings for all
planning and said that coming is
a precise instrument in all master
planning for cities.
. The group heard also an address
by State Senator Robert B. Kimble
of Allegany County on Industrial
Attraction by Municipalities" and a
similar discussion by Robert T.
Borth of the General Electric Com
pany.
In the wind-up meeting Satur-
day, the League installed Mayor
Herbert w. Reichelt of Mount
Rainier as its new president.
Rockvillians who attended the
meeting were Mayor Daniel P.
Weddle and his daughter, Virginia;
Council member Warren Miller and
Mrs. Milor; City Manager John
Mcdonald and Mrs. Mcdonald:
Council member Warren Milor and
former Mayor G. Lamar Kelly, jr.,
past president of the League; Mrs.
Sara Mortimer, City Clerk; Mr..
and Mrs. Jack MARYLAND, and Mrs.
Lila Thomson, editor of the SEN
tinel.