Kumar Dominoes: Rockville Official Retires, Seeks TBA Future Office?

UPDATE: Rockville City Council candidate Tom Moore provides some updated information:

"I read with interest your posting about John Britton's possible political plans, and wanted to point you to some slightly better information: This newer Patch posting notes that there are now four candidates qualified for the ballot (rats!), the addition being Virginia Onley. Also, current councilmember Mark Pierzchala is running for real and is almost certainly going to get on the ballot."

The Gazette today reported that Rockville City Councilmember John Britton announced his retirement from office:

"John Britton, 56, will end a decade-long history of involvement in city activism and a four-year stint on the council."

The article also noted that Britton was contemplating a future run for public office:

“Just nothing in the short-term,” he said.

When Maryland House Majority Leader Kumar Barve announced he was "all-in" for Comptroller, Maryland Juice started pondering:

"...what will become of Barve's District 17 House seat? Though the district will obviously have new boundaries in the next election, its delegation has a combination of folks likely retiring before the next race."

It turns out Mr. Britton lives in... (drumroll) District 17! He's also a Democrat -- and 2014 would not be in the "short-term." Coincidence?

Britton's announcement comes ahead of Rockville's upcoming nonpartisan municipal elections, scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, 2011. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 pm (voting information here).

City of Rockville elections are held every two years, at which time the mayor and four council seats are up for election.

As the Rockville Patch's Sean Sedam reported:

Three candidates for the four seats on the City Council are certified to appear on the ballot:

• John Hall, a councilman from 2001 to 2005.
• Tom Moore, chairman of the city’s Compensation Commission and a 2009 council candidate.
• Councilwoman Bridget Donnell Newton.

Councilman Mark Pierzchala and city Planning Commissioner Dion Trahan have declared as candidates for the council, but are not yet certified to appear on the ballot.

Stay tuned for more on the Rockville races!