Carrier gets backing for Montgomery board

Francoise Carrier, head of Montgomery County's hearing examiner's office, appeared Wednesday to have won backing from a majority of the County Council in her bid for planning board chairman.

"I think it will be unanimous and by acclamation," said Council member Valerie Ervin (D-Silver Spring), who added that Carrier had impressed the council during her interview Wednesday.

Council members Phil Andrews (D-Gaithersburg, Rockville); Roger Berliner (D-Potomac, Bethesda); Marc Elrich (D-At Large) and Nancy Navarro (D-Eastern County) said they are backing Carrier. The vote is set for Tuesday.

Carrier would replace Royce Hanson, whose term as head of the five-member board expires in June. He did not seek reappointment.

The post pays between $160,000 and $180,000. The planning board oversees land use and parks in Montgomery.

-- Miranda S. Spivack