Quote of the day - affirm your work
Friday, June 20th, 2007
“No one else can tell you what your life's work is, but it's important that you find it. There is a part of you that knows--affirm that part.”
Willis Harman (d. 1997) Scientist and engineer
Thanks TC
Then again – I like the one I noticed on “Studio 60” last night: “Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.”
Hey – it’s Friday.
Have a great weekend.
Linda Lamoned – again and again and once again
June 28th, 2007 by
On Tuesday, June 26th, 2007, Kim Zetter, a journalist working for “Wired,” broke the story on Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator Linda Lamone seemingly “endors(ing) Diebold machines in marketing materials.”
Re-read the previous sentence. It is important.
When you read her piece, “Maryland Election Official Endorses Diebold Machines in Marketing Literature;” one can easily see that she spent a great deal of time on it, used cultivated sources, investigated it thoroughly, knew the issues and she broke the story. A story all of the rest of the vaunted mainstream media missed in
Did you know that she broke the story?
Chances are great that you did not. Everyone is using her work, yet, except for one buried credit, “The use of her statements in the Diebold brochure was first reported Tuesday by wired.com, the Web site for Wired magazine;” the mainstream media and the
And this is wrong.
And the one credit she did get is buried so far in an article that if you did not know the issues, or care, and did not purposefully look for it – you would have easily missed it as the article in question was not overly forthcoming that the writer used Ms. Zetter’s work; almost paragraph by paragraph… - in the beginning as a springboard…
In the article, Ms. Zetter’s name was not mentioned and the “credit” was so off-hand and casual, the almost all readers would not be aware of all her hard work – and that she broke the story.
On another front, the crazier thing of it all is that if the
For other posts about the phenomena of on-line journalists working hard and breaking stories or adding insight to a fast moving story; only to have the main stream media pick it up and not properly attribute the material – click on: Media Commentary MSM Give credit where credit is due.
Now – click on: “Maryland Election Official Endorses Diebold Machines in Marketing Literature” by Kim Zetter and then click on: “Election official criticized over ad” by Melissa Harris – and do a side-by-side comparison. Print them out if you need to. I’ll remain relatively agnostic - - you draw your own conclusions.
To Ms. Harris’s credit, she took the story and ran with it. She did a great job diving-in and bringing forth more information to our attention. But why not give Kim Zetter credit for breaking the story in a prominent manner at the top of the story?
And maybe it is not Ms. Harris’ oversight. For all we know perhaps her original copy did appropriately feature the person who did the original work and an editor messed with it.
Some of the additional depth of Ms. Harris’ coverage piques one’s curiosity… For example, the matter of the YouTube video… But that information has been out there for a while and I, for one, am willing to toss it up to the fact that perhaps Ms. Harris decided to give the matter that extra effort – that has been lacking on the part of the institution for which she works, in the past. Ms. Harris obviously worked hard on her piece… where other reporters were more willing to give Ms. Lamone a pass…
In an e-mail exchange with Ms. Zetter, she was extraordinary gracious and professional.
She wrote, in part:
“I'd much rather they write about the subject and not credit me than that they not write about it at all. And the
“What's more, it was only because a number of reporters started calling
the governor's office that he asked the ethics commission to look into
the matter. I'm not sure my blog post alone would have achieved that.”
Methinks that Ms. Zetter is being a bit humble. That said, her professionalism in this context is to be applauded. Many other journalists have not been so magnanimous…
And again, to emphasize - - with the teamwork of Ms. Harris working the story and Ms. Zetter’s initial hard work - things happened. That is the way it should be.
It also would be important for the mainstream media give “the on-line partner” all the credit they are due. In a side-by-side comparison of Ms. Zetter’s story and Ms. Harris’ story, wouldn’t you think that perhaps a few more attributions were in order?
I guess, we should reward Ms. Harris and the Sun for giving Ms. Zetter the fleeting credit they did give her. It’s progress…
Nice work Ms. Zetter – and Ms. Harris…
Moving on to the Linda Lamone matter itself; this is a train wreck.
During the previous Republican administration, the
In previous coverage of any number of synthetic (and real) problems during the previous Republican administration, the
Now that challenges persist in spite of campaign promises, many of the articles; on say the hiring and firing of state employees, or the electric rates matter, now feature that “Republicans are saying,” or Republicans charge….” Not that the problems have their “own” legitimacy, as in under the previous coverage of the previous administration…
Delving more into the Linda Lamone train wreck, it will curious as to whether or not she will be held responsible for her alleged job performance issues or for that matter, her conduct on the job. After all, she has been taught for four years that she can do whatever she darn well pleases and the Baltimore Sun and the
Click on “Linda Lamone.” Or read my September 20, 2006 Tentacle column, “Lamoned, again.”
The conduct of
[…]
You can bet the farm that if the state elections administrator had been appointed by Gov, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., there would be screaming from the front page to the last, criticizing the governor and calling for the administrator's head.
[…]
The Sun was quick to say in a September 14 article: "Lamone, for her part, said she was "horrified" by the problems that snarled the start of voting on Tuesday but she attributed most of the problems to the largely autonomous local election boards - especially in
But then, in the same article The Sun says: "The state Board of Public Works did not approve the final order for all of the necessary equipment until July 26, a vote that was delayed by questions raised by board members Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., and Comptroller William Donald Schaefer."
Darn it - well, of course. How could we all be so stupid? It was the governor's fault after all.
Remember, Ms Lamone, "appointed by the State Board of Elections with Senate advice and consent," essentially has a job for life as a result of the 2005 Maryland General Assembly's "Linda Lamone - appointment for life legislation." Remember: 2005 SB 444/HB 675: "State Elections Office and State Elections Advisory Committee" sponsored by Sen. Paula Hollinger and
Blair Lee, in a March 3 Gazette column, "Paybacks are hell," puts it into perspective best. He calls to our attention a Sun article of February 21, "Voting-System Debate Colored By Party Politics."
In the article the paper editorializes on a comment by Governor Ehrlich: ''I no longer have confidence in the state Board of Elections' ability to conduct fair and accurate elections in 2006."
The Sun suggests that this "was Ehrlich's shabby attempt at intimidating the board and suppressing voter turnout... and replacing the state elections administrator, Linda H. Lamone, with someone the administration favors."
Mr. Lee writes, "From time immemorial, state law allowed governors to appoint the state elections administrator - the person who oversees state elections. And for decades, Democratic governors appointed loyal Democrats who could be trusted to keep an eye on the party's interests."
"When Ehrlich became governor in 2003, the Democratic legislature changed the rules . now Linda Lamone can only be removed by an 80 percent supermajority of the full elections board and even when removed she keeps her job until her successor is approved (if ever) by the state Senate, controlled by Democrats!
"In other words, at the prospect of a GOP governor the Democrats installed a Democratic elections-administrator for life. Yet, none of this made it into the Sun's story about ''playing politics" with the elections board. Which raises this question: at what point do reporting omissions create an untruth?"
The answer to our problems is to have the United Nations, former President Jimmy Carter - and perhaps representatives from
The Linda Lamone story will no doubt be continued.
Meanwhile, increasingly, Marylanders get their cutting edge and breaking news from the blogosphere. When a journalist picks up a story, most responsible journalists are quick to link and credit the mainstream media covering the story.
We only ask that the courtesy be reciprocated. Is that too much to ask?
####
News Clips
June 28, 2007
(Thanks for the feedback "Axistive.")
STATE NEWS
Maryland Election Official Endorses Diebold Machines in Marketing Literature
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/06/linda_lamone_th.html
By Kim Zetter, June 26, 2007
"Our election judges just love this product, and so do I. We in
Aside from the fact that some voters (and the Maryland State Ethics Commission) might take issue with the idea of a state election official appearing in sales literature to promote a specific voting machine company's product, there's one other detail that stands out about Lamone's endorsement (at right) -- the e-pollbooks she's promoting in the brochure experienced large-scale failure during Maryland's inaugural use of them in the September primary last year. More specifically, the Diebold e-pollbooks used in precincts across the state crashed repeatedly during the election causing long delays in voting at some precincts.
Election official criticized over ad Diebold quotes praise by Lamone
In a glossy brochure for the voter check-in system that Diebold Election Systems debuted in
Several state legislators criticized Lamone's decision to participate in the brochure. "We're not to use public office to endorse a product," said Del. Elizabeth Bobo, a Howard County Democrat and critic of Diebold. "At best, this is an example of extremely poor judgment. And that doesn't even address my concerns with the content of her statements." Sen. Andrew P. Harris, a Baltimore County Republican, agreed. "Our top election official shouldn't be appearing to endorse a vendor's product," he said. "We've always approached procurement decisions in an objective fashion, and a vendor's literature would not be a place necessarily associated with objectivity."
State to pay top dollar for land
Price exceeds appraisals for farm owned by member of O'Malley transition team
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.land28jun28,0,2918368.story?coll=bal-home-headlines
State and local officials have agreed to pay $5 million to buy an Eastern Shore farm from a member of Gov. Martin O'Malley's transition te am - a price nearly $1 million higher than appraisals suggest the land is worth.The three-member state Board of Public Works decided unanimously last week to buy the property, despite reservations expressed by Comptroller Peter Franchot. Franchot, who ultimately voted for the deal, questioned why the purchase price was more than the value listed on two state-approved appraisals - one for $3.6 million and one for $4.6 million. The state often settles on the average of two appraisals, which would be $4.1 million.
KIPP school to stay open
Decision by board of Edgewater facility a stunning reversal
A week after announcing that an Edgewater cha rter school would be shuttered, its divided leadership last night formally voted for the school to remain open in a stunning turnaround. The decision to stay open, which came over the objections of Principal Jallon Brown, appears to keep the
Scaring up 'new revenue
Doomsday budget' shows need for taxes or slots,
In an exercise of political theater intended to set the stage for tax increases and possibly slot machines, legislators got a grim look yesterday at how the state could balance the budget with s pending cuts alone.
'Doomsday' budget scenario forecasts cuts
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=61873
Under
Ehrlich: 'Monopolies' do what they want
http://www.examiner.com/a-803153~Ehrlich___Monopolies__do_what_they_want.html
The "doomsday budget" unveiled to legislators Wednesday and talk of a "comprehensive solution" to a "structural deficit" are simply code words for a tax increase or "a fait accompli," former Gov. Robert Ehrlich told The Examiner in an exclusive interview. "They don't need to make the case" for tax hikes to their constituents; "they have the votes," Ehrlich said at his Linthicum law office Tuesday.
State to help in crime tracking
Local governments to get help implementing Comstat, O'Malley says
Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that he will help municipal and county governments to implement the computerized crime tracking system he used in
White House Tee Ball
Frostburg youngsters launch South Law n tee ball, where everyone wins
http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_179090547.html
It was the night before Audrey Jones' big debut at the White House. But instead of practicing her tee ball skills, she was more interested in playing with the water guns and hopping on the trampoline. Audrey was to play in her last tee ball game of the season and it would be at no other place than the South Lawn of the White House with President Bush as one of the fans. She and 10 of her Allegany County Little League Bobcats took to the South Lawn that had been converted into a Little League field for the afternoon Wednesday. Knowing that the leader of the free world was cheering from the stands didn't bother her any.
NATIONAL NEWS
Illegals bill loses support in Senate
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070628/NATION/106280087/1001
The Senate immigration bill lost supporters yesterday and hangs on by a thread heading into this morning's showdown vote, after lawmakers voted down amendments making illegal aliens show roots to get legal status and cutting off their path to citizenship. This morning's vote is on a parliamentary question about limiting debate, but it boils down to a vote to block the bill. Just two days ago, 64 senators voted to revive the bill, with many saying they wanted to give the Senate a chance to improve the bill through amendments. But after a messy day in the chamber yesterday, with dozens of objections, arguments on the floor and five amendments defeated, at least a half-dozen senators said publicly or privately that their patience has run out.
House Grudgingly Accepts a Pay Raise, as Usual
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/27/AR2007062702790.html
Democrats have for weeks been privately wringing their hands over whether to accept an automatic 2.5 percent pay increase, fretting that the raise may appear inconsistent with their campaign promises.But last night, the House made its peace with it, rejecting a bid to block the automatic cost-of-living raise of about $4,400 on a 244 to 181 vote.Sources say Majority Leader Steny Hoyer supported accepting a bump in the $165,200-per-year salary since the Democrats kept their word by quickly pushing through the first federal minimum-wage increase in nearly a decade after taking power in January.
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=168987&format=html
Site Manager Virginia "Ginny" Weir and Maintenance Manager Richard Loudin were recognized by U.S. Rep Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., and Marlene Elliott, USDA Rural Development State Director, for their work at Hopewell Manor II Apartments on
Taking on the NRA
Through its influence and lobbying in
Steny Hoyer: Senator Hoyer Announces $36.9 Million Federal Investment in
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) today announced the inclusion of $36.9 million for
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110010264
An anti-Republican tide turned out Republican Gov. Bob Ehrlich last year after one term even though
Alabama Mayor Caught Driving Stolen Vehicle
June 27th, 2007 – Posted June 28th, 2007
Hmmm, seems to me that this sort of activity is not on the mayoral behavior recommended list. Where are Andy Taylor and Barney when we need them?
Alabama Mayor Caught Driving Stolen Vehicle
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
By Audrey Bright
Fox News
Lipscomb, Ala., Mayor Simon Speights Sr. was found driving a stolen vehicle last Friday Jefferson
When confronted, Speights reportedly told investigators he had indeed driven the vehicle. The car was originally from
Click here to read the report by MyFOX Birmingham
Read the rest of the Fox News item here: Alabama Mayor Caught Driving Stolen Vehicle
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Our bunnies are in training And I’ll bet they can jump higher than your bunnies…
(The picture to the left is of a bunny in our back yard from earlier today...)
June 28, 2007
Photo credit for jumping rabbit picture at top: Kaninhoppning-king_of_joyride.jpg
English: A rabbit jumping at a Rabbit Show Jumping
Deutsch: Ein Hauskaninchen nimmt ein Hindernis beim Kaninhop.
Svenska: Kanin som hoppar över ett hinder under kaninhoppning.
photo taken by sv:User:Wikkie
first upload: 17:27, March 10, 2005 - sv:Wikipedia by the photographer
Compilation of 5 video clips from http://www.kaninhop.dk of rabbit show jumping events. I saw a couple of clips on YouTube and thought people may appreciate seeing the whole set...
Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit_s...
(Posted for Mrs. Owl… Who has been in a board meeting for much of the day – maybe she’ll sneak a peak at the blog and smile….)
####
20070628 Quote of the Day – Always be readyQuote of the day
June 28th, 2007
“Always be ready for the surprises in life.”
Author and photo - unknown
June 27th, 2007
Unbelievable…
Rosie O'Donnell is at the center of a controversy yet again – this time over a photo on her Web site of her 4-year-old daughter Vivi wearing a toy bullet belt.
####
Four
June 27, 2007
Two promoted research and development (R&D) into alternative and renewable energies.
A third bill updated an Administration database for climate change data management.
The fourth bill studies the potential for carbon capture and storage technologies.
The
Congressman Bartlett said, “The Science and Technology Committee has been extremely active approving energy-related bills. I was very pleased by the cooperation and collaboration by Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX) and Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and their staff who worked with me to make these very good bills better and more comprehensive.”
The following bills were approved by the Committee today by voice vote:
H.R. 2774, the Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007, introduced by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ);
H.R. 2773, the Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement Act, introduced by Energy and Environment Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX);
H.R. 1933, the Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007, introduced by Space and Aeronautics Chairman Mark Udall (D-CO); and
H.R. 906, Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2007, introduced by Chairman Udall and Energy and Environment Ranking Member Bob Inglis (R-SC).
Congressman Bartlett had two amendments approved as part of H.R. 2773, the Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement Act.
One
The
A National Academies of Science (NAS) study released on July 25, 2006, “Environmental, economic, and energetic costs and benefits of biodiesel and ethanol biofuels,” found that if the entire 2005 soybean crop was used to make biodiesel, it would have provided a net energy gain discounted for the fossil fuel input equivalent to just 2.9% of U.S. diesel consumption.
The NAS study is posted at: http://www.pnas.org/cgi/reprint/0604600103v1
Congressman Bartlett joined his colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), in offering a second amendment considering the environment impact and adding the goal of making biofuels production sustainable. It also added a study on the effects of expanded biodiesel production on the food supply for humans and animals.
“This amendment complements the announcement made yesterday by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman that DOE will invest up to $375 million in three new Bioenergy Research Centers intended to accelerate basic as well as applied research in the development of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels,” said Congressman Bartlett.
“The changes in this amendment clarify the intent of Congress that federal government studies of biofuels address the potential food versus fuel trade-offs. It also explicitly addresses the tendency for stove piping that can isolate expertise by and within Departments. Research under this bill should complement rather than duplicate ongoing federal government efforts at the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency.” A separate amendment added consultation with the Department of Transportation.
Congressman Bartlett also had two amendments approved as part of H.R. 2774, the Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007.
One amendment added a section to establish a research, development and demonstration program to promote less costly and more reliable decentralized and distributed solar-powered air conditioning for individuals and businesses.
Congressman Bartlett said, “This amendment is designed to produce renewable energy powered decentralized and distributed electricity, reduce peak load electricity demands and contribute to greater resilience of the grid.”
Congressman Bartlett’s solar air conditioning amendment was supported by:
The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building America Program; National Renewable Energy Laboratory; Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA); Western Renewables Group; Austin Energy; Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and San Diego Gas & Electric.
Congressman Bartlett’s second amendment added a new section on Daylighting Systems and Direct Solar Pipe Technology. “I am grateful to Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI) for alerting me to the opportunity to expand advances in these technologies,” said Congressman Bartlett.
This amendment to help move electricity generation off the grid by establishing a research and demonstration program and commercial application of direct solar renewable energy sources to provide alternatives to traditional power generation for lighting and illumination and to promote greater energy conservation and improved efficiency.
For more information CONTACT: Lisa Wright or Monica DeLong at 202-225-2721
###
Going green is patriotic and profitable
By Reps. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Allison Macfarlane
June 27, 2007
While "going green" is certainly good for the planet and good for the people who live on the planet, there's a case to be made that even the climate change skeptics can believe in: Going green is also good for profits and patriotism.
Bartlett is a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, Udall is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Macfarlane is associate professor of Environmental Science and Policy at
SPECIAL SECTION: Going Green
Senate's work on energy a good start
Buildings for the 21st Century Act would expand tax break for green construction
America's energy future needs to be stable, diverse and affordable
Congress should deliver on its diesel pledge
Going green is patriotic and profitable
####
AMEN!
http://thehill.com/op-eds/going-green-is-patriotic-and-profitable-2007-06-27.html
June 27th, 2007
Library has been at the center of the bookshelf in Westminster history
As noted in Katie Jones' story in The Eagle on June 13, plans were recently announced for the renovation of the 27-year-old
This news prompted some discussions of the history and origins of the library in
Of course, the histor...
War between the states returns to Westminster
If you thought you saw Civil War ghosts roaming the streets of
On Saturday, re-enactors participated in a parade through the city to honor those who fought in the Civil War battle of Corbit's Charge. And throughout the weekend, re-enactors and visitors kept a camp along
Every year, the locally-based Pipe Creek Civil War Roundtable hosts an event commemorating the battle of Corbit's Charge, which took place in
On June 29, 18...
Education took center stage at Monday night's meeting of the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission, as the group approved three school projects and reviewed the
Two of those projects involved the
Celebrating July 4 at Farm Museum
The
The festivities last all day, and culminate with the annual fireworks show organized by the Rotary Clubs of Carroll County at approximately 9:30 p.m.
The celeb...
The Charles County K-9 unit was on the scene and the Carroll County Crisis Response Team pulled out the riot gear.
But the units weren't responding to an incident. The exercises were part of the culminating demonstrations for the
The week-long program for high school students began a decade ago, and has been held at the Sykesville facility for the past three years.
But this was special for local residents -- it was the first year the program has been open to Carroll Count...
Starry Night adds line to serve special dietary needs
With its thick layer of icing and moist texture, the chocolate "vegan" cupcake could easily be confused for one of the many other delicious cupcakes at Starry Night Bakery in
But this cupcake, as well as the vegan muffins and cookies, are completely dairy-free -- with no milk, butter or eggs to be found in its ingredients.
Many of the bakery's selections at Starry Night are also sugar-free, including flavorings for coffee.
"I try to have a little bit of a variety available every day," said Shannon Clarke, owner and pastry chef, of her vegan and sugar-free selec...
Rotary clubs collecting a little green for the red, white and blue
EDITORIAL
Joe Legge of the Rotary Clubs of Carroll County is in his usual pre-Fourth of July frame of mind these days.
That is, he's scrambling to line up the final aspects of the fireworks show that will go off at the
This Independence Day, let's fight for fiscal freedom
What is the biggest issue facing
In times past I would have said the imbalance between residential and industrial tax base, which in turn is caused by the still-continuing residential building boom.
That problem hasn't gone away, and we must be ever vigilant in electing local and...
People with determination needed to combat airport plan
I had a column all written the other day, but when I received a letter from a local reader stating that they disagree with my opinions, I had to stop the presses.
Actually, this person wrote that while they usually disagree with me, they now see that I'm on the right track in opposition to the exp...
ARTS
The family film, "Stuart Little" based on the classic E.B. White book will be screened at the Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster, on Thursday, June 28, 1 p.m. The film is Rated PG and runs 85 minutes. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for CCAC members, seniors 60 and over and ...
The
Just print out this form, or cut and paste it into either a word document or an e-mail. Remember - you are NOT bound to follow this form, it's just designed to give you ideas. Feel free to include more, or less, information.
When you're done, mail it to The
Black and white or color photographs are welcome, and may...
More Headlines
Month of Sundays series returns to City Park
News Clips
June 27, 2007
STATE NEWS
GOP leader to seek 'firing list'
http://www.examiner.com/a-801182~GOP_leader_to_seek__firing_list_.html
Senate Republican leader David Brinkley said he is going to ask the Legislature's nonpartisan staff to assemble a list of state employees fired by the O'Malley administration because he's dissatisfied with the information he was sent Friday by Budget Secretary Eloise Foster.Brinkley was unhappy that Foster would not say how many of 224 resignations and 73 retirements were in lieu of termination. Foster argued that releasing that information by department could violate employee confidentiality.
Ehrlich Skeptical Of O'Malley Firing Numbers; Alleges "Hypocrisy"
http://wbal.com/shows/ehrlic%20hs/story.asp?articleid=59726
Acting on a request from Senate Minority Leader David Brinkley, and the Baltimore Sun, the O'Malley Administration reported that 78 at will employees have been fired since, the governor took office in January. "78 is a phony number. It's all phony coming out of the administration," Ehrlich said on the "Kendel and Bob Show." The Republican says he believes many more workers have been fired.
State police halt, review traffic 'step out'
Agency is the latest to halt 'step outs' after officer's death
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-md.ho.stops27jun27,0,2718318.story?coll=bal-local-headlines
Maryland State Police troopers will no longe r step into the road on interstate highways to stop speeders caught on radar, becoming the third law-enforcement agency in Maryland in the past week to alter traffic-stop procedures and launch a review of the practice known as "stepping out."
2 counties agree to address traffic ills
Easing congestion concerns Arundel, Queen Anne's
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.clogged27jun27,0,2314751.story?coll=bal-local-arundel
Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold suggested a ballot referendum on whether communities on both sides of the
Schools officially appoint CEO
Alonso expected to sign contract to lead city system this week
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/bal-md.ci.schools27jun27,0,2607931.story?coll=bal-local-baltimorecity
Baltimore's school board officially appointed Andres Alonso the new chief executive officer of the city schools last night, but they declined to provide any specifics of his contract, including his salary. The school system spokeswoman said a copy of Alonso's contract will be available after it is signed by both parties, likely by the end of this week.
Fatal fire draws charges
State agency says city fire officials knowingly violated safety rules
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.ci.recruit27jun27,0,4336105.story?coll=bal-local-baltimorecity
A state agency charged the Baltimore City Fire Department yesterday with "intentionally" and "knowingly" violating safety rules resulting in "a substantial probability [of] death or serious physical harm" during a Feb. 9 training exercise that killed a fire cadet. The charging document, obtained by The Sun, marked the first time that an outside agency has rendered judgment on the department's conduct in the incident and provided fresh details of what went wrong.
Promises, promises
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.taxes27jun2%207,0,4965893.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines
We'll say this much: Gov. Martin O'Malley knows how to win over a bunch of mayors and other local government leaders. This week at a meeting of the Maryland Municipal League in
That was then - this is now
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella27jun27,0,1026880.column?coll=bal-home-columnists
The governor and his top officials travel to Salisbury for a Cabinet meeting, and do you think his political foes offer an attaboy for schlepping all that way, for reaching out to the lower Eastern Shore? No, the opposing party calls it a "fake" Cabinet meeting, one that, by wasting taxpayers' money, was actually "defrauding the working families of
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.kane27xjun27,0,4908303.column?coll=bal-home-columnists
"When the pager goes off and I look at the location of [a homicide],"
Energy chief
New state official promotes conservation
http://www.times-news.com/editorials/local_story_177101601.html
The new director of the Maryland Energy Administration has a message for Marylanders and - reading between the lines - the lawmakers who represent them: We need to do a better job conserving energy. One agency goal is to reduce energy costs for
Two named to MontCo planning board
http://www.fredericknewspo%20st.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=61813
A former state delegate and a former county chief administrative officer were appointed Tuesday to four-year terms on the Montgomery County planning board.The county council appointed Jean Cryor, a Republican delegate for 12 years, and Eugene Lynch, a Democrat who worked for former county executive Neal Potter from 1990 to 1994, from among 26 people who applied for seats on the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission's Montgomery board.
Filching parking from the disabled merits higher fines
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_21-53/OPN
After realizing that Anne Arundel County has one of the state's lowest fines for illegally parking in spaces for the disabled, County Executive John R. Leopold had a bill introduced to the County Council that would have increased the cost of a violation from $100 to $200.As Council Chairman Ron Dillon, R-Pasadena, wryly noted last week, the county fines litterbugs as much as $1,000. Surely, stealing legally mandated parking for disabled persons is more egregious than throwing a candy wrapper out of a car window.
Krebs, Sheriff's Office warn residents of scams
http://www.gazette.net/stories/062207/carrnew143145_32391.shtml
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office and Del. Susan W. Krebs are encouraging people to research charities that solicit donations over the phone before agreeing to give them money.Krebs advised people to contact the Charitable Organization Division of the Office of the Secretary of State to see if charities are legitimate. The office maintains a database of charities and handles investigations of charities. Call 800-825-4510 or e-mail ksmith@sos.state.md.us.
Immigrant advocates want MVA to improve services
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MD_MVA_IMMIGRANTS_MDOL-?SITE=MDSAL&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Advocates are calling on the state Motor Vehicle Administration to improve its services to foreign nationals, saying long waiting times and unclear requirements have led to immigrant drivers being exploited.Maryland is one of eight states that gives driver's licenses and identification cards to foreign-born residents, regardless of their immigration status.
Del. Patrick L. McDonough, a Baltimore County Republican, said illegal immigrants from othe r states are flooding to
NATIONAL NEWS
Democrats plan amendment to cut funds for vice president's office
http://www.capitalonline.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_26-46/XXX
Magnet school program needs serious commitment
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/06_24-67/OPN
It's great that Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Baltimore, is supporting north county magnet schools - but is this more political piffle or are he and other Maryland politicians going to find federal money to make it happen?Mr. Ruppersberger has made vague references to financial help from defense contractors, but until there is money on the table, that's just more meaningless talk.
Democrat seeks aid for BRAC counties
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/METRO/106270047/1004
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger says he will attempt to secure $74 million from the fiscal 2008 federal budget to help Maryland prepare for an influx of workers as its military bases expand. Mr. Ruppersberger, Maryland Democrat, will seek $25 million for road improvements and mass transit, $21 million for water and sewer systems and $28 million for infrastructure needs at Aberdeen Proving Ground in
Prez Hopefuls Come Home for Immigration Debate
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitol-briefing/
For only the second day in June every able bodied senator cast a vote, with all six would-be presidents coming off the campaign trail and voting with the 64-senator majority to resume the immigration debate. Those six votes, four from declared Democrats running for president and two from Rep ublicans, were critical to clearing the 60-vote hurdle required to take up the bill after its seeming demise earlier this month.
The so-called "grand bargain" still has a ways to go before passing the Senate -- Democrats hope for a late Friday vote on final passage - and even rockier road to go toward an even grander bargain being struck with the House if it passes a bill next month. But for now, President Bush secured a temporary win in his effort to pass his most important piece of domestic legislation before he leaves office January 2009.
Officials announce more rural broadband funds
http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=aa863399-5d37-4ece-8d95-05fb390b1b2a
Governor Martin O'Malley yesterday announced two (M)million dollars to help build out high-speed Internet service in rural Mar yland. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced another three-point-two (M) million dollars in federal funding through a Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration grant.
Senate Republicans Block Conference on Lobbying Overhaul Legislation
http://www.nytimes.com/cq/2007/06/27/cq_2971.html
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has blocked appointment of Senate conferees on the stalled lobbying bill, casting doubt on the future of the biggest overhaul of ethics and lobbying legislation in a dozen years.Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., tried to name conferees Tuesday afternoon, but Republicans objected at McConnell's request, saying they would allow action on the measure only if promised a vote on a separate bill (S 223) that would require electronic filing of campaign finance reports.One major obstacle in the lobbying bill appears to be "revolving door" rules aimed at preventing members of Congress and senior staff from immediately cashing in on K Street with high-paying lobbying jobs after they leave Capitol Hill.Democrat seeks aid for BRAC counties"This is an important issue, and Democrats are continuing to move forward," said Stacey Farnen Bernards, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md. "We hope Republicans will work with us to move it."
