Council to take Action!

Is the Montgomery County Council going to require Superintendent Jerry Weast to bring funds received from outside sources to the Council for appropriation? No.

Is the Montgomery County Council going to require MCPS to follow state law and put out procurements over $25,000 for competitive bids? No.

Is the Montgomery County Council going to investigate how many contracts/leases have been signed by MCPS staff instead of by the Board President? No. (Of course, not. One of the Board Presidents' that didn't sign contracts/leases is now on the County Council.)

Is the Montgomery County Council going to rein in the unmonitored credit card use of MCPS staff? No.

But, according to the Washington Post the Montgomery County Council is going to overthrow their long standing tradition for electing a President. Whoa!

Will this "coup" create a County Council that actually exerts oversight over the MCPS $2.1 billion budget? Don't hold your breath.

...The real root of this unsightly feud is the cliquishness and toxic personal chemistry on the council, whose balance of power shifted last year after an incumbent's death triggered a special election to fill his vacancy. That shift tempted the new majority to throw out precedent on succession just because it can -- not because it's good governance, nor because it will benefit the county, nor because Ms. Floreen would make a better president than Mr. Berliner.

Well, all right. But here's a word of caution for the coup plotters: Beware of voters who, rightly annoyed with political machinations, may well decide to throw the rascals out -- just because they can.