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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Because then we'd have to pay more taxes.[/quote]
100%. Maryland is step up to have  strong counties and weak cities. There is no significant advantage to incorporating because it does not confer any power over anything of substantive importance, aside from allowing the municipality to form its own police force. So no jurisdiction [b]over parks (unless you create your own), land use/zoning (unless the assembly grants it to you)[/b], or schools. It would, however, create another layer of government and more taxes.

In the long run, if more communities in Montgomery County incorporated, there would be political pressure to reduce county taxes (and services). But the immediate hit would be politically untenable.

It would also be someone politically untenable, because an effort to incorporate Bethesda would certainly by accused of being racist by the usual clowns. [/quote]

I'm part of a small town gov't body in MoCo.  We have total control over parks and trails within town limits. We have total control over land use and zoning, and have used it so that our small town isn't over ran with developers and high density housing.  We have town trash/recycling, snow removal, and lighting, all of which I find to be more efficient than when I lived in an unincorporated area of MoCo.  Our gov't officials are not paid, it's completely a volunteer, elected body, and it creates less corruption and more of a community feel.  You will need man power and a really involved, active community, but it can absolutely be worthwhile. [/quote]

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