20070813 News Clips

News Clips

Aug. 13, 2007

STATE NEWS

O'Malley Encouraging Utilities Commission To Assert Its Powers
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/12/AR2007081201065.html
The hearing on the 16th floor of the state government building in Baltimore was as charged as a cross-examination. Two Verizon officials were called to appear before Maryland's utility regulators to explain a 50 percent increase in customer complaints about their phone service. And from the first moment, it was clear a grilling was in order. Officially, the five-member panel that regulates gas, electric, telephone, water and sewage disposal services in Maryland is a lot less prominent than Cabinet agencies with larger staffs, budgets and portfolios. The new commission faces soaring energy costs, increasing demand for electric ity and pressure to increase power from renewable sources such as solar and wind. Although state lawmakers delayed the BGE hike, rates jumped 50 percent July 1 after a 15 percent increase last summer. Many blame deregulation of Maryland's electricity markets, which has failed to create competition. Instead, it brought a backlash from consumers and a potential political problem for O'Malley.The governor has acknowledged that his administration could find no legal basis to roll back the recent rate increase, a political setback the commission has no power to address.

Counties Envision Cutbacks in State Funding
Governments 'Have to Be a Part of the Solution' as Md. Confronts $1.5 Billion Shortfall, Delegate Says
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/11/AR2007081101027.html
Hu ndreds of county officials from across Maryland are convening this week in Ocean City for an annual conference typically remembered as much for its golf tournament, crab feast and late-night outings to watering holes as for its panel discussions.
But belying this year's merriment is a growing concern that county governments could take it on the chin as state lawmakers confront a $1.5 billion shortfall in the budget they must balance next year. Lawmakers are also mindful that in recent years many county employees have enjoyed raises more generous than their state-level counterparts' and that many jurisdictions are sitting on far healthier reserve funds than the state's. Republican leaders in Annapolis have yet to offer a long-term budget fix but say that in coming weeks they will present options that do not require tax increases on the state level.

Operation Welcome Home draws a crowd
http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/vault/cgi-bin/gazette/view/2007G/08/11-30.HTM
Crowds of local volunteers have been welcoming homeward-bound troops at BWI Thurgood Marshall airport since March, but this week they were joined by a throng of TV news crews and reporters. Though several groups have been organizing the events - flag-waving volunteers greet debarking troops with thunderous cheers, bags of snacks and bottles of water - Wednesday's crowd assembled under the aegis of a newly formed nonprofit, Operation Welcome Home. w"We want, over time, to really grow this group so all our troops can get the welcome they deserve," said John Flynn, who started the group with Navy Capt. Kathy Thorp of Annapolis.He rejected the idea that Operation Welcome Home was an attempt to improve the GOP's image. "This is not something I'm doing in my professiona l capacity," Mr. Flynn said. "I've been involved in volunteer service all my life. This has nothing to do with the Republican Party." Capt. Thorp emphasized the group's grass-roots nature.

State GOP is almost broke
Treasurer's report shows $4,615 in cash and $50,500 in debt
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.gop11aug11,0,3472461.story
The Maryland Republican Party, reeling from the loss of the governor's mansion, is nearly broke, according to a copy of its financial statement obtained by The Sun."It's no secret that the Maryland Republican Party is having financial problems" in the wake of Ehrlich's loss, said state GOP Chairman Jim Pelura. "Why do big donors give a lot of money? It's for access. I'd be the first to admit that access is limited right now, but that will change. With every piece of lousy legislation that comes out of the General Assembly, our position will strengthen."

County Leaders to Meet This Week at Annual Conference
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0807/447031.html
Leaders of Maryland's counties will meet for a conference later this week in Ocean City. The annual summer conference of the Maryland Association of Counties will be held Wednesday through Saturday at convention center. The featured speakers include Governor Martin O'Malley, Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger and Attorney General Doug Gansler.

Baltimore schools touted for BRAC influx
http://www.washingtontimes.com/ apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070811/METRO/108110039/1004/Metro
City public schools should be an option for families moving to the state as a result of the military's base reorganization plan, schools Chief Executive Officer Andres Alonso said yesterday. "There are existing and unused opportunities in the city schools for families who might want to move into the city," Mr. Alonso said at a meeting of the military Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) subcommittee, led by Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown. "We have some of the best magnet high schools in the state. There is an opportunity to expand on what those high schools already offer."

CSX, city plan to repair 5 bridges
Two sides to decide in a month which will pay for them
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.bridges11aug11,0 ,5211010.story
The Baltimore Department of Transportation and railroad conglomerate CSX agreed yesterday to a one-month deadline to decide which entity will pay for improvements needed on five "structurally deficient" bridges in the city.
"We've essentially agreed to agree," said Jason T. French, a spokesman for CSX Transportation. "We today are committed to working with the city of Baltimore, despite what has happened in the past." The effort toward cooperation between CSX and the city comes shortly after the conclusion of a 4 1/2 -year dispute, in which the two entities argued about which was responsible for a train derailment and fire in the Howard Street tunnel. The dispute ended with CSX paying $2 million of the city's costs resulting from the accident, and neither side admitting responsibility.

Leopold appointee resigns to seek elected office
During 8-month tenure, Taylor oversaw county services for seniors, disabled
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-taylor0810,0,5734082.story
A member of County Executive John R. Leopold's Cabinet abruptly resigned this morning after eight months at his post, saying that he wants to pursue elected office. Wayne M. Taylor who was publicly reprimanded four months ago for announcing a nonexistent policy decision, stepped down as director of the Department of Aging and Disabilities. Leopold said in a prepared statement: "As an elected official for over 30 years, I can fully appreciate Mr. Taylor's desire to resume a career as an elected official."

Manchester: Residents question charter
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/08/07/news/local_news/newsstory3.txt
The recent dismissal of Police Chief Charles Lewis is causing some Manchester residents to question the town's charter.
Town charters include the duties of elected officials, but most don't include what happens when those duties aren't being met or when the town is no longer happy with the decisions of an official.
On July 23, Manchester Mayor Chris D'Amario requested Lewis' resignation for the second time without the consent of the Town Council. According to the Manchester town charter, the police chief works at the pleasure of the mayor, so this is within D'Amario's rights. Though the request for resignation was legal, it is not sitting well with some Manchester residents who want to see the mayor dismissed for his actions.

Dems question suspect's political donations
http://www.examiner.com/a-878248~Dems_question_suspect_s_political_donations.html
Maryland Democrats are questioning tens of thousands of dollars donated to Republican candidates by Maryland businessman Alan Fabian, who was indicted last week in a $32 million fraud case. Fabian, who served as former Lt. Gov. Michael Steele's finance director during his 2006 bid for U.S. Senate, has donated more than $44,000 to the state's Republican Central Committee and various GOP candidates since 2001, the year federal prosecutors say he began one of the largest fraud schemes in Maryland history.

Harford water inadequate for BRAC
http://www.examiner.com/a-876106~State__Harford_water_inadequate_for_BRAC.html
Harford and Cecil count ies must expand their water supplies to accommodate growth surrounding Aberdeen Proving Ground, state officials said Friday. Harford has a "limited" supply of drinkable water, while Cecil's supply is "inadequate" for the residential growth projected through 2015 as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure, said Stephen Pattison, MDE assistant secretary for the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Lawmaker expenses add to cost of session
Some county legislators rent rooms instead of driving home
http://www.capitalonline.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_12-115/GOV
Lawmakers representing Anne Arundel County filed for more than $134,000 in expenses during this year's legislative session, according to an examination of state financial records. From meals to mileage, from Maryland flags to nights at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, the expens e reports provide a glimpse into the smaller ticket items that contribute to how much the General Assembly costs taxpayers. Some of the delegation, however, spent far less or didn't even apply for eligible expenses. The bottom five all live close to or in Annapolis: Sen. Janet Greenip, R-Crofton; Del. Ron George, R-Arnold; Sen. John Astle, D-Annapolis; Sen. Ed DeGrange, Sr., D-Glen Burnie, and House Speaker Michael E. Busch, D-Annapolis, who only filed for $314.01 worth of expenses. Mr. George spent the least out of the county's eight freshmen, filing for $3,234.70, and said it is result of his fiscally conservative beliefs. "It's just a principle thing," he said. "You have got to live by what you preach."

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Time for a national primary
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/08/13/news/opinion/editorial/editorial926.txt
The oneupsmanship that some states are displaying in order to hold the "first" presidential primary or caucus is getting out of hand, and the time has come to set a national Primary Election day. Many states in recent years have been moving their primaries earlier and earlier. The moves are a direct response to presidential elections in which the party candidates are essentially chosen early on by a few states which may or may not reflect the thinking of the entire party. The political process is out of control, and states jockeying to try and be the first to hold a primary is just one of the problems that needs immediate fixing.

Early primaries lead to fatigue
The first 2008 primaries could happen this December
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070813/OPINION01/708130328
At one time the two major political parties had a cadre of elder statesmen -- wise old veterans removed from the daily battle who could step in when the overly zealous began to run off the rails. Such adult supervision is badly needed at the moment.
In a race for attention and importance, the states have been moving their primaries and caucuses earlier and earlier in the year, and thanks to the latest escalation, there's a possibility the Iowa caucuses could be held before Christmas -- this Christmas. There's the problem of candidate fatigue, but an even greater problem of voter fatigue, people becoming so numb to the nonstop campaign that they tune it out.

NATIONAL NEWS

Cardin puts partisanship aside to back Schrader
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-ho.politics12aug12,0,7809497.story
It seems that the partisan bickering that Washington is infamous for does not apply in every situation, as Howard County Republican Dennis R. Schrader, learned on his way to a new high-ranking federal job. Schrader, a former county councilman and Maryland's homeland security director under Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., was confirmed by the U.S. Senate last week to be deputy administrator for national preparedness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency - with a big boost from a Maryland Democrat, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin.

Dividends being realized
Solar energy system receives praise from FSU professors
http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_224105426.html
Frostburg State University Professors Oguz and Hilkat Soysal are pleased by the efficiency of the solar array system installed atop the FSU Fuller House on Braddock Road.
"The solar array is producing more than we were expecting - the efficiency of the system is excellent," Hilkat Soysal said of the 2-kilowatt solar panels that began to generate electricity June 8. Community members are invited to attend a renewable energy symposium and expo Sept. 14 and 15 at FSU's Compton Science Center. During the event, renewable energy papers will be discussed and presented, a variety of products and projects will be displayed, and the FSU renewable energy system will be viewed. "The symposium attracted big interest. Keynote and invited speakers include Gibralter, Rep. Roscoe Bartlett and Chancellor of the University System of Maryland William Kirwan - they are activel y working on renewable energy climate and greenhouse mitigation issues," said Hilkat Soysal.