Whether it favors traditional government or not, Commissioner Paul Smith's memo cautioning his colleagues to thoroughly analyze any move toward privatizing government contains some wise advice.
As it considers privatizing certain services,Frederick County is treading into dark territory, a domain of so many unknowns that the kind of incremental steps Smith flags as necessary make solid sense, using "facts and sound reasons," as Smith terms it.
The county, should it take this course, could well be the first established government to create public-private partnerships. So far, this type of government-by-corporation has been adopted by communities being established, not those with hundreds of years of history.
Since their election last year, the commissioners have been moving at a hectic pace to cut spending and enact a slate of measures (and treading dangerously close to ignoring public involvement in the process).
While we do not fully agree with this op-ed, we feel that any proponent of privatizing segments of state and local government should examine these arguments in addition to the arguments FOR privatization – Ed.
1 comment:
Privatization of services is a luxury. Why do you think the State of Maryland is doing more in house. Private is in it for a profit, and will cut corners wherever they can. I have seen it. Just look at all of the subdivisions that were built by private with all the repairs that are needed to the infrastructure. Courtesy of private, cutting corners. Now the taxpayers can pay to fix it.
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