By Mike Sarzo

"Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends..."

E merson, Lake and Palmer sang that line back in 1973 on their album Brain Salad Surgery. It was part of the marathon-long track "Karn Evil 9: First Impression, Part 2."

Little did anyone know how much the lines of a composition from 35 years ago could ring true today when discussing the seemingly constant Prince George's County election cycle.

With any luck, Prince Georgians in County Council District 5 will finally have cast their votes on a replacement for state Sen. David Harrington (D-Dist. 47) on the council. Whether it's Democrat Andrea Fletcher Harrison as expected or it's Republican Steven Johnson in an upset, the residents will once again have someone on the council representing them.

After a rancorous Democratic primary that saw a war of accusation between Kenmoor Middle School teacher and civic activist Theresa Dudley and Edmonston Mayor Adam Ortiz, the run up to Tuesday's special general election between Harrison and Johnson has been much calmer.

I'm not sure what conclusions Prince Georgians can or should draw from that lack of partisan battling. One thing is perfectly clear, however. In our county and in our state, Democrats are often their own worst enemies. Comptroller Peter Franchot sounded off at what he described as political attacks from Gov. Martin O'Malley as the two have vehemently disagreed about slot machine gambling legislation.

Disagreements between Government House and state officials weren't much of a surprise when Robert Ehrlich, Jr. occupied the governor's mansion, but both Franchot and O'Malley are Democrats. I would expect the kind of hostility Franchot complained about if the two were running against each other for statewide office, not while the two are occupying positions on the Board of Public Works together.

Regardless of whether Johnson wins a seat as a county councilman or Harrison follows in her father James Fletcher's footsteps and becomes a county councilwoman, the lengthy process of putting the state's and the county's governments completely together will hopefully be finished.

Whoever wins the race will have a lot of work to do. The county faces challenges ranging from the foreclosure crisis to establishing infrastructure around National Harbor to ensuring the Prince George's County Public Schools system serves its students, parents and teachers.

The slew of special elections and appointments started shortly after the death of Sen. Gwendolyn Britt (D-Dist. 47) of heart failure Jan. 12. Nearly five months later, the effects of Britt's loss are still being felt in the county. Unfortunately, they are only a precursor to the latest special election – on June 17 when House District 4 voters decide who will replace Rep. Albert Wynn, a Democrat, for the final six-plus months of his term.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer later sang the line "rest assured you'll get your money's worth" during "Karn Evil 9." Maybe they didn't get it all right.