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Richard Rothschild (R) has never considered himself a politician, but the Mount Airy resident said recent events have him convinced that he should try for a Carroll County commissioner seat in the upcoming election.

Rothschild, who lives in the Taylorsville area, said the county's rezoning efforts with the Pathways Plan last summer was a catalyst for his decision to run for office. The plan, which involved rezoning of 1,700 acres in the Taylorsville area, was shelved last fall after significant outcry from residents, including Rothschild.

Rothschild filed paperwork with the Carroll County Board of Elections on April 9.

Under the county's new election plan, he is running in District 4, which includes New Windsor, Taylorsville, Union Bridge and Mount Airy. The plan, which takes effect in this year's election, expands the three-member board of county commissioners elected at-large to a five-member board elected by district.

He said everyone wants to preserve Carroll County, but the plan as written would have accelerated the urbanization of the county.

"It falls in the category of ‘Bad policies that sound good are still bad policies,'" he said. "I had trouble believing I was living in America ... I literally saw neighbors cry."

Rothschild, who grew up in Baltimore, said he highly values the reasons many in Carroll County live there, including the escape of the congestion and stress of more eastern and southern counties.

"We have our own form of diversity," he said. "It's rural agricultural diversity."

There is a way to make change in the right direction, while preserving rural agricultural heritage and also respecting the constitution and private property rights of residents, he said.

"Last time I checked the Constitution was still in effect," he said, emphasizing that the government should listen to and serve the people, not order them.

He thinks the rezoning issues for the county will pop up again, due to state and federal pressure.

"I think that I've got the hard business skills and the determination that are more likely to be effective in stopping this plan," said the self-employed businessman who works in realty.

Rothschild said the county needs people that have proved their ability to manage, through private-sector companies, bringing their knowledge to the position.

"I can do in a dollar what some people need 10 dollars for," he said. "It takes creativity and ingenuity to do things on a shoestring budget."

He said another top issue for the county in the next few years would be waste disposal, especially the partnership with Frederick County to build an incinerator.

"There are other solutions out there," he said, listing new technologies. He said he thinks something has to be done, but is cautious about the way the county is going about its decisions, basing everything on the best case, which he finds unrealistic.

"Prudent businessmen and businesswomen don't make decisions on speculation... we've got to reel that in. The smoke and mirror financial decisions have got to stop," he said.

Jim Mingle, who has worked with Rothschild in a professional capacity for many years, said he thinks Rothschild would bring a balanced and residen- based perspective to the commission.

"I think Rich does his background work on everything ... he's very fact-based. But in the same vein, he's very compassionate with the people he deals with," he said. "He's not averse to seeking out other people's opinions."

Rothschild is a founding member of Greater Taylorsville Area Citizens' Council, is a member of the National Association of Realtors, vice chair of a charity project through the Community Foundation of Carroll County and has attended a number of Tea Party events. In his spare time he enjoys cross country touring on his motorcycle.

Rothschild joins Republican candidates Christopher Eric Bouchat, David Jones and Perry Leroy Jones Jr., and Democratic candidates George E. Maloney and Michele W. Johnson in the District 4 race.

E-mail Angie Cochrun at acochrun@gazette.net.

Party: Republican

Residence: Mount Airy

Age: 54

Occupation: Self-employed in real estate

Family: Married with two children

E-mail: teamrothschild@aol.com

Web site: www.richardrothschild.org

The 2010 Carroll Board of County Commissioners' race

-Last day for candidates to file: July 6

-Last day to register to vote before the primary election: Aug. 24

-Primary election: Sept. 14

-Last day to register to vote before the general: Oct. 12

-General election: Nov. 2