It's nice that Delegate Turner listened to the testimony at the hearing. I have mixed feelings, however, about withdrawing the bill. He should have let the delegation vote on it first. I thought it was a great bill and deserved a chance. If it got voted down in the General Assembly, then so be it. What next? Two elected at-large candidates? That's still better than current all at-large system...

Now THIS is a sign of how democracy and the power of the people truly work. The overwhelming majority was heard at the public hearing and Del. Turner realized what they were saying. I refuse to say WHY he made this decision, but it is heartening to see it regardless. Now, will those same voices speak as loudly at the polls in the future?

"Now back to my regularly scheduled task of raising your taxes." - Delegate Frank Turner

Frank Turner did the right thing. He recognized the futility of beating a dead horse. It was obvious that the measure was not popular with a large majority of Howard Co. citizens, and that it would not pass a board vote

Good to see the legislation pulled. It was just wrong to pander to a few loud and misguided voices. That special interest group was moving to advance their agenda at the expense of the larger community.

I appreciate that Del. Turner pulled this, as it was clearly "not ready for prime time." That being said, his stated concerns behind the bill (underperforming schools feeling like they're being left out, disparities in student achievement, etc.) clearly need some constructive action by the community. I'm not sure that legislation around methods of selecting the school board is the answer to that. Let's all turn our attention to that now, as that is clearly one of the challenges our local public schools face.

John Hannay, Columbia, MD

The government can't solve the socio-economic problems that result in under-performing students. The government can however create socio-economic problems through dependency and entitlement public policy.

This is Democracy at work too plz mk a difference free the Innocent esp he was a Columbia resident...my son ARMISTEAD MYERS aquitted in howard co state court due to no evidence , so why convicted wrongfully in federal courts lets stop the maddness b4 u or urz are next a story from his lil sister-grown.....REF THIS WRONGFULL CONVICTIONS PETITION A STORY FROM ARMISTEAD'S LIL SISTER-GROWN.......How important is the number ONE? Let’s just imagine that there is ONE courtroom, ONE witness, ONE Judge, NO physical evidence, at the end of the trial the Judge yells out 25 TO LIFE! YOU’RE the defendant…or maybe the defendant is your mom, dad, sister, brother, child, friend, or anyONE in the WORLD. In Federal courts and some State courts no physical evidence is needed to convict a person; WE can change that. Your ONE signature can help this petition to become a law (no conviction without physical evidence/wrongful conviction). Immediately we need 150 signatures to help this petition go public; overall we need 5000 signatures by October 22, 2011 (7more days) for the White House to review and/or implement it. Now, think about it; answer the question, how important is the number ONE? Please register, sign, repost/encourage others to do the same if you haven't already, thanks
I THANK ALL WHO SIGN ARMISTEAD TOO BLESS U AND URZ WHO I PRAY ARE FREE AND STAY FREE ...THIS IS ABOUT JUSTICE OR IS IT ABOUT JUST-US? AGAIN PLZ GO NOW TO www.wh.gov/gXe 3 DAYS LEFT NOW TILL SAT OCT 22