MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                       3131

part of but one segment of the local community. Of the
26 schools in Charles County, only 14 have a
parent—teacher association; and of these 14, less than
half actively participate in Council activities. To
permit such an organization, one so wholly
unrepresentative of the entire interested community,
effectively to control the appointment of interim members
to the County Board of Education would, I believe,
establish an unfortunate precedent. It would constitute
a grossly improper delegation of authority, as well as
result in a serious dilution of the purposes sought to be
established by an elected board responsive to the general
public.

Furthermore, the bill only provides for one
additional list of names to be submitted to the Board in
the event of a deadlock as to the initial nominees.
Should an impasse be reached over these additional names
as well, the Board, unable to fill the vacancy, would be
severely hampered in its ability to function properly.

For these reasons, among others, the Superintendent
of Schools for Charles County and the President of the
Charles County Board of Education have each urged that I
veto House Bill 730. The attached copies of their
respective letters are to be considered a part of this
message.

In view of the foregoing, although I recognize the
desirability of providing Board members with adequate
compensation for their services, I believe that House
Bill 730 should be vetoed.

Sincerely,

/s/ Marvin Mandel

Governor

March 4, 1974.

Honorable Marvin Mandel
Governor of Maryland
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21404

Dear Governor Mandel:

This letter is a request that you veto HB—730
pertaining to the method of filling vacancies on the
Charles County Board of Education.

I identify several points in the bill which cause me
to make this recommendation. Under its provisions, the