20070507 News Clips

News Clips May 7^th, 2007

State News

Selling higher taxes puts O'Malley to the test by C. Frazier Smith

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.fraser06may06,1,4803961.column

As it attempts to erase a $1.5 billion difference between spending commitments and income, the O'Malley administration faces a classic test of political leadership.

During the recent General Assembly session, Gov. Martin O'Malley and the legislative leaders agreed to lead - next year. They put off the $1.5 billion problem for another day. But that day is near.

By late fall, the O'Malley administration must have clear outlines of a solution in hand. It will have to assume that additional revenue will be available to balance the books.

O'Malley Fills Cabinet Post; Signs Bills This Week

http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=57427

Governor Martin O'Malley is expected to fill at least once vacancy in his cabinet today.

O'Malley's spokesman couldn't be reached for comment to confirm this, but The Sun reported Sunday that the governor will name James Adkins, as the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, in a ceremony set for 11 this morning , in Annapolis.

Adkins has previously served as a deputy secretary of the department.

Md. veterans chief to be named

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.appoint06may06,1,1911021.story

Gov. Martin O'Malley will announce tomorrow that James A. Adkins, a veteran of the Army and National Guard, will serve as secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, according to sources close to the administration.

"While I'm honored to serve Maryland veterans, I'm also fully aware of the responsibility that comes with the job," said Adkins, who worked previously as the department's deputy secretary.

O’Malley to tap new veterans affairs chief

http://www.gazette.net/stories/050607/polinew191649_32336.shtml

Gov. Martin O’Malley will name James A. Adkins as secretary of veterans affairs at a Monday morning news conference.

Adkins, a former deputy veterans affairs secretary, will replace George W. Owings III, a former Calvert County delegate who was appointed by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) in 2004.

Owings departure is “a mutual decision,” said Rick Abbruzzese, O’Malley’s press secretary. Owings was one of three Ehrlich appointees - State Police Superintendent Thomas E. “Tim” Hutchins and Adjutant General Bruce F. Tuxill are the others - carried over during O’Malley’s first months in office.

Ehrlich is keeping his options open

http://www.wcbcradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7295&Itemid=35

Former Governor Robert Ehrlich is keeping his options open for a possible return to elective office. While at the Washington County Republican dinner last week, he told The (Hagerstown) Herald-Mail that he's eyeing the political environment to see if last year's Democratic gains were an aberration or a new standard. And he said it's possible he would run for governor again in the right political climate. Ehrlich told WBAL that he did not say anything new or different Thursday night than he said the day after he lost the election to Martin O'Malley.

ICC poses challenge to O'Malley's green record

His support for highway upsets environmentalists

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.icc06may06,1,7543554.story

Gov. Martin O'Malley fully funded open space programs, pushed for stricter emissions controls for cars, joined a regional initiative to cut down on greenhouse gases and backed new fees to clean up the Chesapeake Bay. But amid their jubilation, many Maryland environmentalists still find they have an 18.8-mile thorn in their sides: the Inter-County Connector.

The League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, the Audubon Naturalist Society, 1,000 Friends of Maryland and other groups have called for O'Malley to rethink his support for the $2.4 billion toll road that would run through Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

Bill seeks to regulate crime labs in state

http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20070505-112209-2340r.htm

Forensics and legal analysts say a sweeping crime lab oversight measure passed by Maryland lawmakers after a discredited state police ballistics specialist committed suicide takes innovative steps to safeguard the integrity of forensic labs.

The General Assembly unanimously passed the bill, which was introduced before the suicide of Joseph Kopera. It directs the state health department to create Maryland's first regulations for licensing state, county and municipal crime labs. The secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene would be able to suspend or revoke licenses. Gov. Martin O'Malley is considering whether to sign the bill, passed in the legislative session that ended last month.

Uneasy goodbye to 'The Cut'

Officers, families tour the closed House of Correction

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-md.prison06may06,0,1858389.story?coll=bal-local-arundel

Sharon James can hear the echoes of inmates' voices when she passes the vacant cells at the shuttered Maryland House of Correction in Jessup.

Her visit yesterday to the prison hit close to home: Two prisoners wielding homemade knives fatally stabbed her colleague, David McGuinn, last July. James tearfully eulogized McGuinn at a ceremony yesterday during which House of Correction Road was renamed in honor of the slain officer.

Budget reflects Leopold's philosophy

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/05_06-73/GOV

If the county's new spending plan had a personality, it would look familiar to voters.

The $1.22 billion document reflects the man who authored it.

County Executive John R. Leopold promised during the campaign to slash government waste and assured voters he was beholden to no one.

Charter school faces more probation

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/05_06-59/TOP

The county Board of Education last week took its closest step yet to closing a charter school that has frustrated administrators with persistent management problems.

A 2-6 vote to close the Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School in Hanover ultimately failed at the school board's Wednesday meeting, but it surprised parents who didn't expect officials to go that far.

History of gun points to tracking problems

Weapon used to kill city officer had been in police hands

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.ci.chesley07may07,0,953484.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

The investigation into who killed Detective Troy Chesley moved quickly. Within hours of his death, police found a suspect, witnesses and the weapon used in the killing - a Sig Sauer handgun customized with a laser targeting system.

The serial number: U540876.

At a news conference held the day Chesley died, police commanders angrily complained that the suspect, Brandon Grimes, had been arrested 17 times - twice for handgun possession - yet was still on the street.

But police later learned some disturbing news: The gun used to kill Chesley in January had slipped through their hands - twice.

She heart's suburban life by Laura Vozzella

You have the right to run for mayor

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella06may06,0,5291309.column?coll=bal-local-columnists

Running (maybe) for Baltimore mayor: Ed Norris.

I wrote the other day that the way seemed clear for the ex-con/ex-commish to run now that Maryland had restored voting rights to felons. Norris responded by e-mail:

“I am seriously exploring the possibility of running."

National News

In His Weekly Radio Address, President Bush Calls On Congress To "Quickly Craft A Responsible War Spending Bill." "US President George W. Bush urged Congress Saturday to approve a new and 'responsible' funding bill for the Iraq war, warning of new violence if the money fails to materialize quickly. 'I call on Congress to work with my administration and quickly craft a responsible war spending bill,' Bush said in his weekly radio address. 'By working together, I believe we can pass a good bill quickly and give our troops the resources and flexibility they need.' ... He has appointed a high-level team led by his chief of staff, Josh Bolten, to negotiate with Congress a new version of the measure." ("Bush Asks Congress To Swiftly Fill Iraq War Chest," Agence France-Presse, 5/5/07)

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) Says "We Must Give [Today's War Plan] Time To See If It Works." "The fact is we have a new strategy in Iraq led by Gen. David Petraeus. Today's war plan is different than it was a year ago or even a few months ago. We are increasing American and Iraqi troop strength in Baghdad and surrounding hotbeds of insurgent activity. And we must give it time to see if it works. We should send President Bush a clean emergency war supplemental bill that will fund the troops to complete their mission instead of setting arbitrary withdrawal deadlines like the bill Bush vetoed. A pullout and loss in Iraq will likely result in terrorists following us home. Most Americans would rather us stay and build a stable Iraq now than send American forces back to a terrorist haven a few years down the road." (Sen. Jim Bunning, Op-Ed, "Iraq War Is Not Lost," Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/5/07)

Military Service Members Collect Signatures To Support Completing The Mission In Iraq. "A couple of military guys in Iraq have found a way to speak up for completing the mission there without getting into any trouble. Navy Lt. Jason Nichols and Staff Sgt. David Thul from the Minnesota Army Natio nal Guard have rolled out an Internet petition to finish the job. Nichols tells us that his colleagues 'think the war is worth fighting but there wasn't a way for us to express that fact.' Then they discovered that they could file a grievance with Congress, which in this case asks them to back the war. With appealforcourage.org, they've collected nearly 3,000 signatures and will deliver them to Congress this week. 'I ... think we're winning the fight in Iraq on the ground,' says Nichols, but frets over losing the political battle in Washington." (Paul Bedard, "The Troops Petition: Let's Finish The Job," U.S. News & World Report , 5/6/07)

Bill intended to help us stay on course in Iraq By Congressman Wayne Gilchrest

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/05_06-52/OPN

The last time this country was embroiled in a lengthy war, I was a young Marine serving in South Vietnam. I gave little thought to the impact the war was having back home. My thoughts were on my comrades and the men in my platoon, and our desire to make sure we all got home safely. We assumed our military and political leaders were competent and informed, and would lead us to successful resolution of the conflict.

This time I'm a policymaker. My actions today have consequences for the lives of soldiers on the front lines. I take that job seriously.

City Notes - Thanks for the jobs. Now, about this road ...

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/reporters_notebooks_display.htm?StoryID=59847

That's the pitch Alderman David Koontz made at Thursday night's meeting, when he asked city residents to phone Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-6th, and speak in favor of federal funding for some local road projects.

At issue is Fort Detrick, and roughly 1,400 jobs coming to the installation under the Base Realignment and Closure process.

Hoyer's First Telephone Town Hall Meeting Draws More Than 2,000 Participants

http://somd.com/news/headlines/2007/5859.shtml

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) reported that his first telephone town hall meeting, which he conducted on the evening of Tuesday, May 1, fulfilled his hope of providing an additional forum to communicate directly with his 5th district constituents and allow citizens an opportunity to voice their views and questions about issues important to them. More than 2,000 participants from across Southern Maryland joined the telephone town hall at some point during the 45-minute call to hear Rep. Hoyer address a range of topics and take part in an interactive question and answer session.

"It is my duty and obligation to be accessible and responsive to those who I represent," stated Rep. Hoyer in a released statement. "By all measures, I would say the telephone town hall provides one of the most effective means to reach out to thousands of people and provide them with a convenient forum to participate in our representative democracy."

Pastors in Md. Stage Rally For Path to Legal Residency

Group Seeks Meeting With Hoyer on Immigration

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/04/AR2007050401985.html

Frustrated by the lack of congressional action to change immigration laws, a coalition of Maryland pastors rallied hundreds of Hispanics and others at a Brandywine church this week to push for legislation that would create a path to legal residency or citizenship.

Union Bethel AME Church was filled Tuesday night with prayers and personal testimonies of people slipping into the country. The event attracted several hundred people, including many who are undocumented immigrants.

The Rev. Kathy Hlatshwayo, president of PRISCM and pastor of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Forestville, complained that Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), the House majority leader, did not immediately schedule a meeting with the groups despite repeated calls.

Hlatshwayo said a group of the religious leaders and immigration activists met with Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) Wednesday on Capitol Hill to discuss immigration legislation.

Mail Staying Put

http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_125215806.html

What's mailed in Cumberland stays in Cumberland, at least for outgoing processing on a weekday.

On Friday, the U.S. Postal Service officially announced it was ending the Area Mail Processing study of the Cumberland Post Office. The study examined whe-ther it would be more efficient to move all of Cumberland's processing to Frederick.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski first alerted the Times-News through e-mail Friday morning. The senator had mailed a letter to U.S. Postmaster General and CEO John Potter in February expressing her opposition to the consolidation and has been widely credited with helping to save the current operation.

Letters to the Editor

GOP fought gamely against takeover of left

by John Dunlap, Washington County Republican Central Committee Chairman

http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=164846&format=html

The 2007 General Assembly session proved that the far left has taken over in Maryland. In just 90 days, not only did the Democratic leadership of the General Assembly squander a $2.3 billion surplus inherited from Gov. Bob Ehrlich's administration, but has enacted some of the most left-wing legislation that Maryland has ever seen.

Career violent criminals who rejected the laws of our society will now have the opportunity to vote after Gov. Martin O'Malley signed legislation that extends the voting franchise to felons.

This means that convicted burglars, rapists, and even murderers will now be able to walk out of prison and vote against the sheriffs who arrested them and the state's attorneys who prosecuted them.