Perez acknowledges county's bad reputation statewide

Montgomery County is disliked by other Marylanders and would not help its cause by making its state school funding positions known, says a top county legislator.

Most county leaders, including County Executive Doug Duncan, oppose Gov. Bob Ehrlich's idea of state-sponsored slots gambling to fund the state's schools. While Duncan and Councilman Steve Silverman have been vocal to their opposition, other of their partisans recognize that most Marylanders dislike Montgomery County.

"The perception of Montgomery County outside of Montgomery County is relevant," Council President Thomas E. Perez told the Gazette. "If you really care about making sure slots for school construction don't happen, it doesn't help to have Montgomery County on record."