Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label MD Baltimore City Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MD Baltimore City Issues. Show all posts

Friday, March 26, 2010

Recent stories by Hassan Giordano in the Baltimore Independent Examiner

  1. Recent stories by Hassan Giordano in the Baltimore Independent Examiner

Velvet Rope gets saddled with hefty fine then protests for justice (Slideshow)

Protest outside Downtown Partnership
Protest outside Downtown Partnership
GCOMM Media photo

Today, Velvet Rope nightclub got hit with some very disturbing news, they must pay a hefty fine of $3,500. Yet two hours later, supporters of the establishment protested outside the Downtown Partnership in search of fairness, justice and business equality!

Having to appear earlier in the afternoon before the (3)-member Baltimore City Liquor Board, in regards to multiple violations stemming from previous incidents at the establishment; Tracye Stafford, represented by attorney Paul Gardner, received a tremendously severe fine by the Board while escaping a suspension of their liquor license. The isolated and separate incidents garnered mass media attention which revealed an apparent targeting of this establishment by the Baltimore City Police Department, Downtown Partnership and near-by neighboring hotels.

Read the rest of the story here: http://www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2010m3d25-Velvet-Rope-gets-saddled-with-hefty-fine-then-protests-for-justice-Slideshow
  1. Baltimore Independent Examiner

    Hassan Giordano, political insider and campaign consultant, is the Host of the Reporters' Roundtable at www.reportersroundtable.com .
    www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner
  2. Session '09: The General Assembly begins with the same old ...

    Session '09: The General Assembly begins with the same old Democratic dominance. January 14, 10:28 AM Baltimore Independent Examiner Hassan Giordano ...
    www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2009m1d14-Session-09-The-General-Assembly-begins-with-the-same-old-Democratic-...
  3. 2010 Election Examiner Series: Prince George's County State's Attorney

    2010 Election Examiner Series: Prince George's County State's Attorney. September 8, 8:07 AM Baltimore Independent Examiner Hassan Giordano ...
    www.examiner.com/.../x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2009m9d8-2010-Election-Examiner-Series-Prince-Georges-...
  4. Will City Hall become the Mayor's Office or Law Office of ...

    Will City Hall become the Mayor's Office or Law Office of Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. February 4, 11:43 AM Baltimore Independent Examiner Hassan Giordano ...
    www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2010m2d4-Will-City-Hall-become-the-Mayors-Office-or-Law-Office-of-Stephanie-...
  5. Ehrlich for Governor 2010: Yet it may not be the one you think?

    Ehrlich for Governor 2010: Yet it may not be the one you think? January 4, 8:15 AM Baltimore Independent Examiner Hassan Giordano ...
    www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2010m1d4-Ehrlich-for-Governor-2010-Yet-it-may-not-be-the-one-you-think
  6. City Council Watch 2010: Councilman Young hi-Jacks the votes for ...

    Jan 11, 2010 ... Hassan Giordano References. Giordano and Associates · Reporters' Roundtable · Facebook: Profile · MySpace: Profile · Baltimore Sun: Death ...
    www.examiner.com/...-/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2010m1d12-City-Council-Watch-2010-Councilman-Young-...
  7. Council Watch 2010: The politics of a NEW presidency

    Council Watch 2010: The politics of a NEW presidency. February 3, 11:23 AM Baltimore Independent Examiner Hassan Giordano. Previous Next. Comment Subscribe ...
    www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2010m2d3-Council-Watch-2010-The-politics-of-a-NEW-presidency
  8. Bernard 'Jack' Young sworn in as Baltimore City Council President

    Bernard 'Jack' Young sworn in as Baltimore City Council President. February 9, 8:05 AM Baltimore Independent Examiner Hassan Giordano ...
    www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2010m2d9-Bernard-Jack-Young-sworn-in-as-Baltimore-City-Council-President
  9. Baltimore Elections 2010 Examiner

    Hassan Giordano, political insider and campaign consultant, is the host of the Reporters' Roundtable at www.reportersroundtable.com .
    www.examiner.com/x-34863-Baltimore-Elections-2010-Examiner~topic701865-Campaign-Strategy?...
  10. Education Watch: City officials kill attempt at a partially ...

    Education Watch: City officials kill attempt at a partially elected school board. March 12, 10:32 PM Baltimore Independent Examiner Hassan Giordano ...
    www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner~y2010m3d12-Education-Watch-City-officials-kill-attempt-at-a-partially-elected-school-...

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http://www.examiner.com/x-1899-Baltimore-Independent-Examiner

Baltimore(MD) 2010 Elections Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/x-34863-Baltimore-Elections-2010-Examiner

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Monday, June 29, 2009

MTA officer charged with raping 15 year old Elkridge girl

MTA officer charged with raping 15 year old Elkridge girl

June 29, 2009

From Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff earlier today...

baltimoresunMTA officer charged with raping 15-year-old Elkridge girl who asked him for help finding her way home on the light rail. http://tr.im/qdM4

Can someone please explain to me why anyone uses the Baltimore public transportation system?

I’m just asking…

It seems that there is no end to the parade of stories about violence and crime on Baltimore public transportation…

Believe – it; it’s unbelievable.

How much more will Baltimore deteriorate before something is done? The city’s reputation for crime, violence, corruption, and ineptitude is no longer national – anecdotal accounts indicate that it may be global.

And it is sad. I used to love to go to Baltimore for its restaurants, museums, theater, movies and historic places… And I miss visiting Baltimore…

Related:

20090601 Baltimore police try to quell violence downtown

20090615 Dispatch from Bodymore Murderland by Gregory Kane

20090109 WBAL Baltimore Mayor Dixon Indicted

MD Baltimore, MD Baltimore City Issues, Politics corruption Baltimore crime, Law Order, MD Baltimore quality of life

20090629 sdosm MTA officer charged with raping 15 year old Elkridge girl

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Dispatch from Bodymore, Murderland By: Gregory Kane

Related: 20090601 Baltimore police try to quell violence downtown

Dispatch from Bodymore, Murderland By: Gregory Kane

Examiner Columnist 6/15/09

Whitey, don’t let the sun set on you in Bodymore, Murderland. That’s neither an official or unofficial slogan for Baltimore yet, but it’s not because some of our more dysfunctional citizens aren’t trying to make it so.

Bodymore, Murderland IS the unofficial city nickname. It comes to us courtesy of those who appeared in the first “Stop Snitching” DVD, and they should know: They’re responsible for many of the dead bodies and the murders.

The overwhelming majority of those bodies are black ones, dispatched by black perps. But the few white bodies may end up giving Baltimore a notorious reputation as a city where whites just aren’t safe.

Some of those white bodies are still alive, no thanks to their attackers. George Williams, a police officer from Brick Township, N.J., is a white guy who survived after a group of black teens kicked his head “back and forth like a soccer ball” he said in one news story during a late-May incident in downtown Baltimore. Williams said the teens accused him of uttering a racial slur to justify the attack, but he denies making any derogatory racial remarks.

Williams’ case sounds similar to that of Sarah Kreager and Troy Ennis, a white couple who were assaulted on a Baltimore transit bus in late 2007. A group of middle-school teens were the culprits in that case, who accused Ennis of using the racial slur and Kreager of spitting on one of the students.

[…]

How do we account for black teens in this day and age, who’ve seen little to none of the racism and segregation that their elders have seen, harboring such a sense of racial grievance and dudgeon? Might it be black leadership? (Although I’m fond of calling it “black misleadership.”)

Bad as the cases of Williams, Kreager and Ennis were, they pale in comparison to the ones of Zachary Sowers, Jennifer Morelock and David Woycio. Three black teens robbed Sowers; one beat him so badly that it left him comatose for nearly a year before his wife, Anna Sowers, had his doctors remove him from life support.

Morelock and Woycio were a white couple from Carroll County who ventured into the western section of Baltimore in the spring of 2006. Both were shot dead. A police officer, acting on a tip, stopped then-17-year-old Davon David Temple to question him as a possible suspect.

According to the cop, Temple agreed to a search of his cell phone’s contents. The officer found this text message in the cell phone’s inbox: “I shot 2 white people around my way 2day and one of them was a woman.”

[…]

In three years, not one Baltimore elected official has protested the disgrace of a guy who might be a confessed murderer walking the streets. Not the current mayor, Sheila Dixon. Not Gov. Martin O’Malley, who was Baltimore’s mayor when this shameful incident happened and who criticized Baltimore State’s Attorney Patricia Jessamy for everything BUT this one decision.


Read the entire column here: Dispatch from Bodymore, Murderland By: Gregory Kane

And be sure to follow all Gregory Kane’s columns in the Washington Examiner. He tells it like it is.

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/gregory-kane/Dispatch-from-Bodymore-Murderland-48061142.html

20090615 Dispatch from Bodymore Murderland by Gregory Kane

Meanwhile in other news from the Examiner:

Gerald Walpin speaks: The inside story of the AmeriCorps firing

What's behind Obama's sudden attempt to fire the AmeriCorps inspector general?

First lady extends her reach at the White House

Gangster government's grip on the AmeriCorps

Krispy Kreme fires back; suit moved to federal court

Raising taxes by the mile

Tysons Corner ad shocks Vietnam vets

Dispatch from Bodymore, Murderland

NASCAR Mexico driver Carlos Pardo killed in crash at race in Puebla

The RAT hiding deep inside the stimulus bill

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Baltimore Sun: Text of statement from Brian D. Morris

Baltimore Sun: Text of statement from Brian D. Morris

3:37 PM EDT, June 13, 2009

This morning I notified Dr. Alonso that I have rescinded my acceptance of the position of Deputy CEO for Operations. I encouraged him to do a thorough search and identify another highly qualified person to perform this important role. I have spent six years working to improve the integrity and quality of the school system for our children and I believe we have taken great strides toward achieving that goal.

It disturbs me greatly that this matter has become a distraction to the public's appreciation for the enormous progress our school system has made under my tenure. I am very proud of my service on behalf of Baltimore's children, and I feel a sense of pride knowing how far we have come over the last six years. I will continue to be an advocate for our children as my record of service indicates. I look forward to determining the ways in which I can continue to serve the youth of this city.

I have been happy to provide the weekly 30-40 hours of volunteer service I invested over long periods of time. But while the price for progress was high; the advances being made by our children in the Baltimore City Schools is real, sustained and escalating. It is my hope that the public will appreciate that fact.

There is no more important work than the adults of this community loving, nurturing and preparing the youth of this community to be productive citizens of the world. The success of our children depends on the system being able to attract talented and committed people to continue the system's progress and it is my sincere hope that this continues to happen.

As a dedicated father who lives everyday to help my children reach their potential, I wish the system nothing but the best in delivering on its promise to our children.


Related links

Morris resigns from city schools job

Board discusses Morris job

Morris has troubled financial past

List of accusations, claims against Morris

Morris' ties to O'Malley, Alonso helped city schools — and now they're helping him

Talk about it: Brian Morris' troubled financial past

Second Opinion: Alonso taking inexusable risk

Morris gets cautious backing

Ex-school board head takes system job

They don't get it

Most e-mailed Baltimore Sun stories:

Morris resigns from city schools job

Prairie dogs return to Md. Zoo

Mike Preston: Ravens might have unearthed another gem

A slice of Hampden

Board discusses Morris job

Most viewed Baltimore Sun stories

O's getting serious about 16-year-old shortstop

Orioles break through vs. Braves

Morris resigns

Man dies in custody at Harford detention center

Crime by the (police) numbers

20090613 SDOSM Text of statement from Brian D Morris

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Baltimore police try to quell violence downtown

STATE: Baltimore police try to quell violence downtown

By The Associated Press Monday, June 01, 2009

BALTIMORE — A string of random attacks in downtown Baltimore has prompted police to beef up patrols around the Inner Harbor and other tourist-friendly areas.

In several incidents, tourists and city residents have been beaten by roving groups of young people who say little and take nothing from their victims.

The victims include an off-duty police officer from New Jersey and his girlfriend, who said they were beaten by a group of young men and women. The officer, George Williams, wrote a letter to Mayor Sheila Dixon saying that they now feel unsafe in Baltimore.

[…]


20090601 Baltimore police try to quell violence downtown

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2009/06/01/news/breaking_news/99baltimore.txt

Saturday, March 21, 2009

mBUSHed Jenna Bush Secret Service vehicle towed


Hat Tip: Bryan Sears

(When I was young and idealistic, I lived in Charles Village for a year. Although I do not recall ever getting a parking ticket - parking and worry over parking enforcement are not my fonder memories. However, I will always remember my truck being towed once. To this day I never saw the sign… and I have never thoroughly understood why it was towed. If was an off-the-scale unpleasant experience. It re-wired my entire outlook on going to Baltimore for anything. In other major cities – I use public transportation – which is beyond horrid in Baltimore. Kevin Dayhoff)

Not even the U.S. Secret Service is immune from the wrath of Baltimore parking agents.

Baltimore parking authority officials confirmed today that Jenna Bush's Secret Service vehicle was towed for several unpaid parking tickets.

The Secret Service vehicle was towed from in front of Bush's South Baltimore home, a source told Investigative Voice. Vehicles are booted and towed for three or more unpaid parking tickets.


More: amBUSHed - Jenna Bush Secret Service vehicle towed for unpaid parking tickets

20090320 amBUSHed Jenna Bush Secret Service vehicle towed
Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Friday, January 09, 2009

WBAL: Baltimore Mayor Dixon Indicted

WBAL: Baltimore Mayor Dixon Indicted

As the list of indicted elected officials grows longer, and longer and longer…

I just put it up on Twitter and notice that Tom LoBianco and Jamie Kelly are also on top of it…

tomlobianco Batimore Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted http://is.gd/f1Mt

jamietie RT @baltimoresun: BREAKING: Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has been indicted by a grand jury. (bad time to be a politician)

Friday, January 09, 2009 WBAL Radio

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon has been indicted on public corruption charges.

The 31-page, 12-count indictment includes charges of perjury, theft, and misconduct in office.

The indictment follows a three-year long investigation by the state prosecutor's office into City Hall finances.

[…]

Dixon became the city's 48th mayor in January 2007, succeeding Martin O'Malley. She served on the City Council for 12 years.

Councilwoman Helen Holton and Lipscomb were indicted Wednesday on charges of bribery.

Read the rest of WBAL’s new report here: WBAL: Baltimore Mayor Dixon Indicted

http://wbal.com/apps/news/templates/story.aspx?articleid=19396&zoneid=40

20090109 WBAL Baltimore Mayor Dixon Indicted

Kevin Dayhoff E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org His columns appear in The Tentacle, www.thetentacle.com; The Westminster Eagle /Eldersburg Eagle The Sunday Carroll Eagle - Opinion: http://explorecarroll.com/opinion-talk/ www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 http://picasaweb.google.com/kevindayhoff

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Dixon and City Democrats Get Raises While Contemplating Layoffs


Public officials accepted a pay raise in this economic climate is beyond bizarre…

December 10, 2008

Dixon and City Democrats Get Raises While Contemplating Layoffs


ANNAPOLIS—On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Mayor Sheila Dixon, City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City Comptroller Joan Pratt and the 13 other City Council members had pay raises approved by the Baltimore City Board of Estimates, which all three of them sit on. The move was done without identifying the titles or names of those receiving a raise. This comes at a time when Mayor Dixon has not ruled out layoffs for city workers and revoked cost of living raises for middle managers.

“Once again, this is an example of Maryland Democrat leaders operating under a different set of rules than the rest of us,” said MDGOP Chairman Jim Pelura. “These raises amount to $26,250 which is a substantial amount of money to anyone who is not a big-government politician. Mayor Dixon is talking about laying off lower level city workers. I certainly think that $26,250 might save at least one job. Do as I say, not as I do is becoming a common stance in Baltimore City and the state of Maryland.”

“We need new leadership for Maryland that puts taxpayers, small businesses, and working families first. There are several leaders who have volunteered to take part in the furloughs for state employees. Mayor Dixon, Council President Rawlings-Blake, and Comptroller Pratt should follow suit and reject these pay raises,” concluded Pelura.

###

To members of Maryland Republican Party FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Justin Ready 410-263-2125

Sunday, December 30, 2007

NPR: 'The Wire' to Focus on Baltimore Newspaper

NPR: 'The Wire' to Focus on Baltimore Newspaper

by David Folkenflik

Listen Now [7 min 19 sec] add to playlist

Morning Edition, December 28, 2007 · The final season of the HBO series The Wire, which dramatizes how real-world institutions and leaders repeatedly failed the people of Baltimore, gets under way Jan. 6. Creator David Simon is turning his critical eye on journalism, namely The Baltimore Sun and the role that paper plays on a dysfunctional urban stage. The past four seasons have scrutinized the police department, City Hall, and the school system.

Related NPR Stories
Dec. 24, 2007
The Best Television Programs of 2007
Nov. 30, 2007
Down to 'The Wire' for Crime Drama
Sep. 10, 2007
HBO Drama Portrays the 'Other' Baltimore
Nov. 22, 2006
Ed Burns on Creating 'The Wire'
Feb. 25, 2005
'The Wire: Complete Second Season'
Sep. 23, 2004
'The Wire's' David Simon and George Pelecanos

20071207 NPR The Wire to Focus on The Baltimore Sun

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

20071113 WBAL: Goodwin Gone As Baltimore Fire Chief

WBAL: Goodwin Gone As Baltimore Fire Chief

Goodwin Gone As Baltimore Fire Chief

BALTIMORE FIRE CHIEF WILLIAM GOODWIN RESIGNS. LISTEN TO WBAL RADIO FOR CONTINUING DEVELOPMENTS. UPDATES AVAILABLE ON DEMAND AT http://wbal.com

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

WBAL Radio

Baltimore's Fire Chief William Goodwin Jr. will step down December 31, bookending a tough year that included the death of a fire department recruit during a training exercise.

Goodwin, a 32-year veteran of the department who has been fire chief since February 2002, submitted his resignation to Mayor Dixon during a meeting Tuesday, said the mayor's spokesman, Anthony McCarthy.

Dixon did not ask Goodwin to step down, but "the mayor was not surprised that the chief decided to retire," McCarthy said.

[…]

The mayor will conduct a national search for his successor, McCarthy said.

[…]

Dixon had expressed lukewarm support for Goodwin since the February training exercise that killed recruit Racheal Wilson, 29, whose foot became trapped during a live burn in a vacant rowhouse.

Dixon fired the head of the department's training academy and suspended two lieutenants after Wilson's death. A state agency cited the department for "intentionally" and "knowingly" violating safety rules, and an independent investigation concluded that 50 safety standards were violated, including setting several fires when only one was allowed.

The two unions that represent city firefighters had called for Goodwin to resign, accusing him of failing to accept responsibility for Wilson's death and hurting department morale.

"We're elated," said Richard G. Schluderberg, president of the union…

[…]

Said Stephen Fugate, president of the fire officers' union…

[…]

Mayor Dixon Accepts Resignation of Fire Chief William Goodwin

Baltimore, MD (November 13, 2007) – Mayor Sheila Dixon has accepted the resignation of Baltimore City Fire Chief William Goodwin. Chief Goodwin informed the Mayor in a meeting this afternoon of his decision to retire in late-December after 32 years with the department. Goodwin became Chief of the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2002 after having served in every rank in the department.

"Chief Goodwin has served the City of Baltimore and the Fire Department with distinction. On behalf of the citizens I want to thank him for his years of sacrifice and commitment over an extraordinarily long and successful career," said Mayor Dixon. "The last year has been difficult for the department and Chief Goodwin has provided the steady and consistent hand that was needed."

Mayor Dixon will immediately begin a national search for a new chief.

To read the entire WBAL article click here: Goodwin Gone As Baltimore Fire Chief

LISTEN TO WBAL RADIO FOR CONTINUING DEVELOPMENTS. UPDATES AVAILABLE ON DEMAND AT http://wbal.com

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

20071105 Best of luck to Mark Newgent - Dist 14 Baltimore City Council candidate Nov 6 2007

Best of luck to Mark Newgent - Dist 14 Baltimore City Council candidate Nov 6 2007

Mark Newgent, who writes over at “The Main Adversary” is running for the Baltimore City Council seat from the 14th District in the November 6, 2007 Baltimore City general election. He deserves our support and Baltimore deserves someone of the caliber of Mr. Newgent. Please join me in wishing him well.

Please consider pasting the “Mark Newgent Republican for City Council” photo which appears above, on your blog for a show of support.

Thanks.

Kevin Dayhoff

Friday, June 22, 2007

20070620 News Clips


News Clips

June 20, 2007

STATE ARTICLES

Thousands turn out to greet Ripken
Harford names a day in former Oriole's honor, preceding his Hall of Fame induction

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/ripken/bal-md.ha.parade20jun20,0,1118978.story
The Iron Man hobbled up the stage showing a bit of rust.
A knee injury during a recent pickup basketball game was responsible for Cal Ripken Jr.'s slight limp. But the former Oriole great knows a little about playing with pain.
"I did have nagging injuries when I played. And in the same spirit, there was no way I was going to miss coming out here today," Ripken told a cheering crowd of thousands in Bel Air yesterday after a parade in his honor down Main Street.
It was Cal Ripken Jr. Day in Harford County, and the Aberdeen native returned t o his roots for an event put on by the county government to celebrate Ripken's coming induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame and mark opening day for his minor league team, the Aberdeen IronBirds.


A drug-war setback
Red tape, doctors say, cuts buprenorphine prescriptions

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-md.bupe20jun20,0,3588367.story?coll=bal-home-headlines
Faced with Medicaid's low payments and bureaucratic red tape, some Maryland doctors are reluctant to prescribe buprenorphine for heroin addicts, even though the drug has been promoted as a potential magic bullet in the war against addiction, according to a survey set for release today.
The survey, commissioned by the Center for a Healthy Maryland Inc., found that doctors were not always sufficiently reimbursed for their time and services and that there were other "hassles," including medication preauthorization, a process that in some cases can take 48 hours, and varying and confusing protocols among Medicaid providers.
The report comes as state officials are deciding how to spend an extra $3 million earmarked for buprenorphine treatment in the budget year that starts July 1.


Mayor seeks spending changes
Charter amendments would lessen power of council and public oversight of funds

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.ci.dixon20jun20,0,6488318.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon wants to make several changes to the city charter that would make it easier for the city to buy goods and services - but that also would lessen City Council and public oversi ght of how taxpayer money is spent.
Two charter amendments Dixon introduced in the City Council would reduce public notice requirements for purchases over $25,000, allow the city to adjust spending controls more freely and make it easier for the administration to win approval for over-budget spending.
The legislation comes a year after Dixon faced criticism for her spending practices as City Council president.


Dixon, police meet over crime plan
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.ci.police20jun20,0,3271376.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines
Facing increases in homicides and shootings and a dip in police morale, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon outlined yesterday her plan to reduce violence in a closed-door presentation before roughly 500 city officers who were ordered to attend.
"You hear rumors that people don't understand the [crime] plan," she said in a briefing to reporters after her 30-minute meeting with officers at the downtown police headquarters. "I just wanted to make it very clear what the plan is. ... Communicate the mission. Sometimes there's a breakdown."
The meeting, however, drew criticism from union officials who dismissed the mayor's plan as a "PowerPoint presentation," a political opponent who charged the meeting was a publicity stunt and former police chief Edward T. Norris, who introduced his own crime plan on his talk radio program.


Dixon Tells Police Her Crime Plan; Critics Blast It
http://wbal.com/news/story.asp?articleid=59517
During a half-hour, closed door meeting with some 500 police officers who were required to attend, Mayor Sheila Dixon described her plan to cut violence in a city dealing with increasing homicides and shootings.
The meeting was criticized by a union official, who called Dixon's plan little more than a PowerPoint presentation. And a political opponent said the meeting was a publicity stunt.


It's Ed Norris, armchair commissioner by Laura Vozzella
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella20jun20,1,5163921,print.column?coll=bal-home-columnists&ctrack=3&cset=true
In Baltimore, even the felons have crime plans.
And if the felon also happens to be the only guy in memory to knock down the city's horrific homicide numbers, Baltimore apparently is willing to listen.
Ex-commish/ex-con Ed Norris unfurled his prescription for a safer city on his radio show yesterday, and no fewer than seven reporters and four TV camera guys flocked to the WHFS studios for the occasion, The Sun's Julie Bykowicz reports.


Lawyer tries to exclude tapes
Bromwell attorney says FBI recordings won't allow fair trial

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.bromwell20jun20,0,1321438.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines
A new lawyer appointed to represent indicted former state Sen. Thomas L. Bromwell Sr. says that hours of secret FBI tapes peppered with the politician's racial and sexist epithets are irrelevant and should be excluded from his trial because they could impair a jury's ability to reach a fair verdict.
"The vast majority of the recordings simply have nothing to do with the core issues in the case," said Barry J. Po llack, repeating arguments that he made in recent court filings in the case.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, whose office is handling the prosecution, countered that the tapes of phone conversations and dinner chatter are vital to prove the bribery accusations lodged against Bromwell, a Baltimore County Democrat who served in the General Assembly for more than two decades.


Plan for expanded MARC urged
Metro leaders call on governor to develop strategic study on train service

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.marc20jun20,0,3040189.story?coll=bal-mdpolitics-headlines
Top elected leaders from the Baltimore region have called on Gov. Martin O'Malley to begin developing a strategic plan for the expansion of MARC train service to prepare for growth expected from military base realignment.

State fees for assisted living may increase
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_20-26/GOV
Proposed state fee increases for assisted-living facilities could have those businesses paying much more for a license.
Under proposed new regulations for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene published on May 11, license fees for the estimated 1,280 assisted-living facilities in the state could increase by hundreds of dollars. There are 92 such facilities in Anne Arundel County.
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council - made up of Mayor Sheila Dixon and leaders from Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties - wrote the governor asking him to work with them to increase service on the commuter rail system. Among other things, they suggested that Maryland look into the pos sibility of laying additional track to expand the Maryland Rail Commuter system.


Elected school board bid fails
Petition drive for ballot question falls a bit short

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.petition20jun20,0,7870410.story?coll=bal-local-arundel
A grassroots effort to get more say in selecting Anne Arundel County's school board has failed after a petition drive to put the issue on the Nov. 6 general election ballot came up 275 names short.Citizens for an Elected School Board in Anne Arundel County and freshman state Sen. Bryan W. Simonaire collected 6,726 signatures between the end of the legislative session April 9 and May 30, said Mary Cramer Wagner, director of voter registration for the Maryland Board of Elections.
The group was required to submi t 6,264 -- a third of the total required -- by the deadline


County limits emergency aid to schools
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.transfer20jun20,0,4986819.story?coll=bal-local-arundel
Tensions between elected officials and school leaders were aggravated this week when the Anne Arundel County Council approved an $18.9 million budget transfer that fell $3.7 million short of the school system's request and leaves key objectives unfunded.
The emergency legislation backed by County Executive John R. Leopold does not include money for a human-resources computer system, administrative trainees and substitutes for assistant principals. The transfer also does not reimburse the school system $2.6 million for charter schools.
Others concurred with the c ounty executive. Council Chairman Ronald C. Dillon Jr., a Pasadena Republican, said he doesn't want to establish a "use-it-or-lose-it mentality."


Draft transportation plan unveiled for U.S. 1
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.planning20jun20,0,2765467.story?coll=bal-local-howard
With efforts to rejuvenate a long-maligned but potential-laden section of U.S. 1 creeping forward, Howard County officials and the State Highway Administration unveiled a draft transportation plan that calls for adding paths, sidewalks, side roads, bike lanes, bus lanes, car lanes and a median to deal with increased traffic and use as the corridor grows.


Howard County councilman pushes living wage bill
http://www.examiner.com/a-789608~Howard_Cou%20nty_councilman_pushes_living_wage_bill.html
Howard County Council Chairman Calvin Ball is taking steps to require county contractors to pay its workers a sufficient minimum wage - a move he calls "the right to do."
"We should set a higher standard," said Ball, D-District 2.


Commissioners object to power line placement
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=61572
The Frederick County Commissioners will write a letter to the federal government objecting to a designation that could lead to an expedited process for building large power lines.
In a report released in August, the Department of Energy included Frederick County in a draft about the Mid-Atlantic Area National Interest Electric T ransmission Corridor. All of Maryland except Somerset County, and other states in the region, will also be designated in the corridor, according to the draft plan.


Natural Gas Company Seeks to Run 1st Pipeline Under Chesapeake Bay
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/19/AR2007061901909.html
A Delaware natural gas company has proposed building the first pipeline under the Chesapeake Bay, to pump gas from Cove Point in Southern Maryland to Delaware starting in winter 2009, according to a federal official
Eastern Shore Natural Gas's $93 million project is in the early stages of the state and federal approval process, but some environmental groups and a state legislator are raising questions about its environmental effects.


NATIONAL NEWS
Evangelical voters may not help GOP
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.schaller20jun20,0,7390936.column?coll=bal-oped-headlines
Here's a bold prediction: Evangelicals will present few if any obstacles for the Democrats in next year's presidential race, but may prove problematic for the Republican nominee.
I'm not suggesting that a majority of evangelicals will vote Democratic next year. What I am saying is the 2008 presidential race could be a turning point for evangelical politics in America.

Bartlett releases 'earmark' list; Capito and Shuster have not
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=168384&format=html
U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., on Tuesday released his list of fiscal year 2008 pet-project requests - $322.51 million worth - after The Herald-Mail asked for it.
"I am proud of my requests," Bartlett said in the statement. "In previous years, I followed the established procedure and waited until appropriations bills were finalized to distribute news releases with my lists of requests that received funding.
"With greater public interest and the support of Republicans to reform the Congressional budget process, I am releasing the requests for funding that I have submitted."


Progressive Maryland, citizens speak out on Gilchrest voting record
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070620/NEWS01/706200345/1002
Several co mmunity leaders joined a liberal grassroots organization Tuesday to praise and protest Republican Rep. Wayne Gilchrest's voting record across the street from his District 1 office.
Gilchrest signed a letter Monday siding with the president if he vetoes a Democratic-majority version expected to help Maryland with $31 million in Community Development Block Grants, $6.6 million for home heating assistance and $50.8 million for education, including 20 teachers in Gilchrest's district, according to Progressive Maryland's analysis of the unfinished budget proposals


House Primaries Come Early for Three Maryland Incumbents
http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/06/house_primaries_come_early_for.html
In most states, congressional primaries in 2008 will be held from March to as late as mid-September. So even most incumbents who face the possibility of primary challenges next year must view full-scale campaigning as still a quite distant prospect.
That, however, is not as true in Maryland, where next year's congressional primaries - dragged along with the "front-loaded" presidential primary contests - will be held on Feb. 12, the earliest-ever date in the state.
The sped-up process has already produced primary challenges, of varying degrees of risk, to Democrat Albert B. Wynn of the 4th District and two Republicans, Wayne T. Gilchrest of the 1st and Roscoe G. Bartlett of the 6th. At this juncture, eight-term incumbent Wynn faces the most serious threat, in the form of a rematch with a challenger who came close to upsetting him in 2006.

NAACP inauguration hosts top politicians
http://www.hometownglenburnie.com/vault/cgi-bin/gazette/view/2007G/06/16-09.HTM
The gala planned by the county's NAACP branch tonight has drawn RSVP's from the state's top politicians, organizers said.
The inauguration gala celebrating Wayne Jearld's ascendancy to the presidency will be attended by Gov. Martin O'Malley; U.S. Sens. Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin; House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer; Reps. Wayne Gilchrest, Dutch Ruppersberger and John P. Sarbanes; and Maryland Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch, among others.


Cardin still working to close Oak Hill
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_19-10/CWC
In a closed-door meeting Wednesday, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin said he is still working to close the Washington D.C.'s Oak Hill Juvenile Detention Center in Laurel.Mr. Cardin is still pursuing a bill he introduced with Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski in March that would transfer parts of the prison land to Anne Arundel County, the National Park Service and the Army. Part of the county's land would be turned into a park and others could be open to development.


House bill puts border security over immigration
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA062007.1A.Immig.3a158f7.html
Republican leaders bucked President Bush on Tuesday and filed an enforcement-only bill in the House that calls for shoring up the Southwest border before guest worker and earned legalization programs can be offered.
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said he wasn't opposed to breaking up the bill, but signaled difficulties in passing sweeping reform legislation. "I am for a comprehensive bill if we can work out the appropriate provisions in that bill," he said.

Magnet program eyed for Ft. Meade
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_19-26/TOP
Congressional and local officials want to tap into the technical expertise at Fort George G. Meade and create a math and science magnet program at the public schools on post.
Still in the conceptual stages, the magnet program would concentrate on math and science at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The idea is to create standout students who are interested and qualified for the post's civilian jobs, said Heather Moeder Molino, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Baltimore County.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

20070619 The Ed Norris Crime Plan

The Ed Norris Crime Plan

For a bit of additional background go here: “20070615 Some good analysis on the Baltimore mayoral contest.”

WHFS’ ED NORRIS RELEASES HIS PLAN TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE CRIME IN BALTIMORE PRESS CONFERENCE June 19, 2007-12 Noon

The Plan to Drastically Reduce Crime in Baltimore By: Ed Norris

In light of the relentless violence we have experienced in 2007 and after the rising violent crime rates of the last several years, I feel compelled to put forward a plan.

Several candidates running for public office in addition to a myriad of community and religious organizations have put forth their ideas for crime reduction but none has authored a strategic plan; each has merely latched onto ideas that sounds good but will do nothing to stanch the blood flow in our streets.

No one to date has even attempted a comprehensive strategic plan while Baltimoreans are being murdered at a rate almost seven times that of New York City.

The lack of leadership has been stunning in light of all that is taking place.

My intent is not to embarrass but to help stem the violent crime wave that is literally killing our city.

I respectfully recommend the following for everyone's consideration:

Read the rest here: The Ed Norris Crime Plan

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Saturday, June 16, 2007

20070615 some good analysis on the Baltimore Mayoral Contest

If you are looking for some good analysis on the Baltimore Mayoral Contest...

June 15th, 2007

I was watching the news on one of the Baltimore channels this evening, (Channel 11?), and they are now calling crime in Baltimore a “crisis” – and that is exactly the perception.

Increasingly – across the state and across the nation, the perception is growing that crime in Baltimore City is out of control.

Add to this challenge the perception that Baltimore and Maryland are horrifically anti-business and Baltimore City schools are a mess, and you have a recipe for ever-increasing serious problems for attracting jobs and economic development.

Of course let’s stipulate that the loss of life and impediments to succeed are dooming an entire generation of children who are being de facto denied an opportunity to be a part of the American dream and lead productive lives. This tragedy alone should be a call for action.

Of course the individual challenges can be overcome but not everyone can be an Horatio Alger. The statistically probability needs to be changed for the better for young Baltimoreans to have an opportunity to succeed. All of us have benefited from a leg-up at some point in our lives…

Meanwhile, taxes can’t pay for everything and if a business is afraid to locate in Baltimore or Maryland, the employment and tax base future looks bleak.

Now that there is a Democrat in the Statehouse and the Maryland General Assembly is essentially one-party rule – it can no longer be blamed on a Republican governor, not that most folks bought that explanation anyway.

The upcoming elections in Baltimore are critical if the population and tax base flight is to be turned-around. And the state has serious budget problems so that tax-well is looking pretty dry in the foreseeable future.

If you want put the brakes on urban sprawl, the City of Baltimore has to be an attractive place to live, raise a family and hold a job - - and this point the verdict is out as to whether or not things will get better in the foreseeable future.

The health of Baltimore has a direct impact on the rest of us in the state…

One place to begin understanding the byzantine machinations of Baltimore one-party politics is to take a good look at Baltimore Mayoral Race on the Web by: Andrew Kujan.

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Sunday, June 10, 2007

20070610 The Last Train to Clarksville

The Last Train to Clarksville

June 10th, 2007

On June 10th, 2007 Maryland Politics Today had a post titled “The Last Money Train To Clarksville.”

As much as I appreciated P. Kenneth Burns calling to our attention the need of Baltimore mayor Dixon to go outside of the city for support for her re-election campaign, I was particularly intrigued with the reference to the “Last Train to Clarksville.”

And only Mr. Burns knows if he was referring to mayor Dixon’s trip to Howard County in the manner in which the 1966 Monkees’ meant it… Or if he was referring to mayor Dixon and “Betamax” metaphorically or if it is a coincidence…

But what a trip down memory lane that reference causes an aging Baby Boomer such as me. Although, I gotta tell ya, “The Monkees” were a little lame for my taste to put it mildly; it nevertheless brings back a time and place from many years ago.

And it comes on the heels of just writing a Westminster Eagle column on aspects of 1967 last Wednesday, June 6th, 2007: Dwight Dingle, 'Sgt. Pepper' and a bathtub band :

“It was 40 years ago last Saturday, June 2, 1967, when the Beatles released their eighth album, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Although musical taste can be fiercely debated, many music critics and publications consider this album to be one of the most influential of all time. Rolling Sto...”

“The Last Train to Clarksville,” from 1966, may be considered to be a pop song and to be sure, it certainly has a bubblegum feel and sound to it. Nevertheless the song was about a serious dynamic in the lives of young men eligible for military duty.

The song, with its “pop flavor” and seemingly light-hearted approach is forever engrained in my head as a great example of cognitive dissonance…

Listen to the lyrics.[1]

The song is about a man who is trying to arrange one last date with his sweetheart because he has been drafted and he is about to be deployed to Vietnam. Listen for :

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning

And I must see you again

We'll have one more night together

'Til the morning brings my train.

And I must go, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

And the reference to “Betamax players [2] in home” was equally a hoot. Yes, I actually still have content on old “beta” tapes.” And I thought some of the data migration from my old columns and short stories in DOS-based “Word Perfect” was hard…

And I cannot imagine hardly any of our younger readers are aware of whar being “betamaxed” means… (“A superior technology that is overtaken by an inferior one.”)

Anyway, thanks a bunch for memory Mr. Burns…

Meanwhile if you are not reading Mr. Burn’s excellent work at Maryland Politics Today,” there is no better time than now…. Err, after ya watch, “The Last Train to Clarksville” by the Monkees:





Oh what the heck… Let’s hear more. This is a song that I did like:

“Valerie”



I liked this one too:

The Monkees - A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You





####



[1] Last Train to Clarksville

Words and Music by

Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart

Take the last train to Clarksville,

And I'll meet you at the station.

You can be be there by four thirty,

'Cause I made your reservation.

Don't be slow, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

'Cause I'm leavin' in the morning

And I must see you again

We'll have one more night together

'Til the morning brings my train.

And I must go, oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville.

I'll be waiting at the station.

We'll have time for coffee flavored kisses

And a bit of conversation.

Oh... Oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

Take the last train to Clarksville,

Now I must hang up the phone.

I can't hear you in this noisy

Railroad station all alone.

I'm feelin' low. Oh, no, no, no!

Oh, no, no, no!

And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.

Take the last train to Clarksville,

Take the last train to Clarksville,

[repeat and fade]

[2] Betamax:

The first half-inch, analog videocassette recorder (VCR) format, introduced by Sony in 1975 and commonly known as "Beta." The first Betamax cassettes held only one hour of video, but the capacity was subsequently increased to hold an entire movie. Sony later introduced Beta Hi-fi, which improved audio quality, and SuperBeta, which offered a better image.


Beta Vs. VHS


One year after Beta was introduced, the VHS format came out with a slightly larger cassette that held a full movie from the start. VHS began to overtake Beta almost immediately, but for several years, both formats were widely used, and pre-packaged movies were offered in both Beta and VHS. By the late 1980s, Beta had been almost entirely eclipsed by VHS, although Betamax machines were still manufactured by Sony until 2002.


Betamaxed!


The Betamax technology was considered to have superior image quality over VHS, but was hardly noticeable on ordinary home equipment, especially if the recording was done off the air and not from a high-quality master tape. To this day however, "Betamaxed" refers to a superior technology that is overtaken by an inferior one. See VHS, helical scan, Beta/VHS debacle and Betacam.