20070821 News Clips

News Clips

August 21, 2007

STATE NEWS

Army prepares to march on Aberdeen
http://www.examiner.com/a-891558~Army_prepares_to_march_on_Aberdeen.html
The first wave of what will be tens of thousands of military workers and their families relocating to Maryland will begin moving here from Fort Monmouth, N.J., in the next two to three months, Army officials said. "Establishing an early presence at Aberdeen is part of our overarching strategy and is consistent with the BRAC decision to close Fort Monmouth," the Army said in a statement. "The early presence of a stable work force at Aberdeen Proving Ground ensures continuity of new science and technology programs."

Station's Cable Debut Delayed in 2 Counties
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/20/AR2007082001700.html
With great fanfare, Maryland Public Television yesterday launched the state's first public all-Spanish-language channel, featuring an array of educational and entertainment programming. But it could be a while before most Comcast subscribers in Montgomery and Prince George's counties are able to tune in. As the digital station made its debut in the Baltimore region, officials from Comcast, the Washington area's dominant cable provider, hadn't committed to a starting date in the two Maryland jurisdictions with by far the largest Hispanic populations.

Correction to This Article
A headline on an Aug. 16 Metro article inaccurately characterized the Maryland House Republicans' state budget plan. The plan would curtail planned spending on education and other programs, but i t would not cut funds.
GOP Budget Plan Would Cut Education Funds, Allow Slots
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/15/AR2007081502182.html
House Republicans put forward a plan yesterday to solve Maryland's fiscal problems without raising taxes, proposing instead to curtail planned spending on education and other programs and to legalize slot-machine gambling.
House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert) called the plan "a very credible, and in my opinion, very well-thought-out alternative" to proposals from leading Democrats to raise taxes to help close a budget shortfall of nearly $1.5 billion in the state's $15 billion general fund budget next year.

Killings in city hit 200
Pace is key issue as mayoral primary nears
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/crime/bal-md.ci.murder21aug21,0,4655600.story
Two hundred people have been killed in Baltimore this year - a mark reached more than a month earlier than in 2006, police reported yesterday. At this pace, Baltimore could record 313 homicides by Dec. 31, exceeding 300 annual killings for the first time since the 1990s. The spike in homicides has become the most significant issue in this year's Sept. 11 Democratic primary election. Several candidates have offered proposals to deal with the problem, including hiring more police officers, offering salary increases and putting more officers on foot patrols.

Mayor's confidence in fire dept. 'very questionable' after report
Fire commanders violated safety standards at similar live burn, report notes
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-dixon0821,0,4261303.story
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon said this morning that her "confidence level is very questionable" in regards to the fire chief and his command staff and in the decisions that were made by instructors during a live burn training exercise that killed a cadet in February.
It was the first time Dixon commented on the 121-page report that she commissioned about the deadly blaze on South Calverton Road. The details of that report were reported in The Sun today and showed that the fire department failed to prepare recruit Racheal M. Wilson for the conditions that she would face in a live fire, and failed to outfit her with proper gear.

EDITORIALS/OPEDS

Transparency always best policy< /FONT>
http://www.examiner.com/a-891537~Editorial__Transparency_always_best_policy.html
Government transparency must be a top priority for every level of government and for every elected and appointed official.
One of the main reasons it is so important is that we cannot assess the job of those who govern on our behalf if we do not have access to what they do. That's why every legislator in the state should sign the Harbor League's "Oath of Public Official Transparency." The Baltimore City-based Harbor League promotes limited government and free markets, but its oath is something everyone should support.

He talks; officials gulp
'Reds' Wolman preaches respect for water supply
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bay_environment/bal-te.md.wolman20aug20,0,2936828.story?page=1
has been a hot, dry month of Code Reds and cooling centers - just the weather that M. Gordon "Reds" Wolman loves.
The longtime Johns Hopkins University professor is not some sort of glutton for punishment. He just wants Marylanders to think about water - how much we have now and how much we will need later - and he knows the best time to ponder those questions is when the cornfields turn brown and the wells look as if they might run dry. On the surface, it's hard to fathom Maryland running out of water. But much of the state gets its water from underground aquifers, and they're beginning to show strain. Over the past five years, a half-dozen communities in Central and Western Maryland have halted growth plans because of uncertainties about their water supply.
The message is politically unpopular, but it is beginnin g to take hold. Last year, the General Assembly passed a law requiring local governments to file a water resources plan with the state as part of their land-use planning, legislation that Wolman sees as a small first step.

Turning back the tide
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/editorial/bal-ed.immigration20aug20,0,6295278.story
Congress' failure to overhaul immigration policy this year has given new impetus to state and local efforts to discourage or drive out undocumented workers. State legislatures have rushed into the vacuum, enacting 170 immigration-related measures this year dealing with employment, health care, schools and driver's licenses - many aimed at making life tougher for those in the country illegally, some offering protections and sanctuary. Anne Arundel County Executiv e John R. Leopold, who had earlier cut county funds to a nonprofit group that provides services to immigrants, some of them illegal, last week ordered county contractors to sign affidavits swearing that they do not hire undocumented workers, though the practice is already prohibited under federal law - and, thus, by county contracts. Mr. Leopold plans no new enforcement measures.
The criteria for granting residential entry into the United States may well need to be tightened, as it would have been in the Bush proposal. At the same time, temporary-worker visas ought to be expanded to make it easier for seasonal migrants to come and go. But making life so miserable for migrants that they will voluntarily "deport" themselves is a cruel goal unworthy of this nation's better nature. Mr. Bush and his allies in Congress should summon their energies to give humanity another try.

Early vote
http://www.times-news.com/editorials/local_story_231012153.html
We're sure hoping it doesn't snow next Feb. 12.
What's the big deal, you ask? Well, that's the date for Maryland's primary election. And, as tough as it is to get voters to turn out even in fair weather, a snowstorm would be disastrous for Election Day.It's too late to change the February primary election this time around. But when the General Assembly reconvenes in January, a bill should be introduced moving the primary back to a more reasonable time - like May.

Don't look now, but GOP might be embracing moderation
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.shelly21aug21,0,7412729.story
Goodbye, Karl Rove. Hello, Rudy Giuliani.
Freeze this moment. The national Republ ican Party is suddenly looking good to me.These are developments that give faint hope to a Midwesterner who has watched what happens when the grip of the Republican "base" becomes a vise. It squeezes moderate politicians out of the party and turns state legislative sessions into bizarre exercises in which every bill must be scrubbed of the possibility that it might somehow permit abortion or embryonic stem-cell research. If the national party embraces a standard-bearer who occupies the center (albeit the rightward part of it), might the states follow suit?
Recent surveys by the Pew Research Center show an increasing number of voters, especially younger ones, who think government should provide more services. And the number of people who identify as intensely religious has dropped sharply in the last four years.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks to Bartlett for rejecting new energy taxes
http://www.times-news.com/opinion/local_story_232102945.html
want to thank our congressman, Roscoe Bartlett, for his vote against new energy taxes that were contained in legislation passed by the House of Representatives on Aug. 4. Congressman Bartlett understands that these taxes on America's energy producers are simply a "pass through" to consumers who fill their tank with gasoline and heat their homes in the winter. We do a lot of driving in Western Maryland and the increase in gasoline prices has already pinched family budgets.


NATIONAL NEWS

Chicken farmers to protest DHS rules
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8R5DUVG0.htm
Are chicken houses the next battleg round in the war on terror?
Poultry growers are squawking mad over proposed regulations from the Department of Homeland Security that anybody with 7,500 pounds or more of propane gas register with the agency. The threshold is low enough that poultry farmers who use propane to heat chicken houses in the winter may be affected.Maryland's two senators, Democrats Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, along with Democratic Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff requesting the rule not be adopted. The three senators said the propane registry for poultry producers may be a waste of money.
"Given the serious threats that are currently facing our country and the limited resources of the Department of Homeland Security, please explain why this initiative is a good use of federal dollars," the senators wrote earlier this month.
We think it's unnecessary," said Julie DeY oung, a spokeswoman for Salisbury-based Perdue Farms Inc., the nation's third-largest poultry producer. Like other large meat companies, Perdue contracts with chicken farmers and won't be directly affected, but Perdue opposes the propane rule on behalf of the chicken farmers, DeYoung said. on the"It really would be a burden on them to comply with, and it's something that's not that big a threat to homeland security," DeYoung said.

Daniel Baugh Brewster; Served in U.S. House, Senate From Maryland
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/20/AR2007082001813.html
Daniel Baugh Brewster, 83, a decorated Marine Corps veteran and former Democratic U.S. senator from Maryland whose career was shadowed by alcoholism and a charge of accepting an illegal gratu ity, died Aug. 19 of liver cancer at his home in Owings Mills, Md. U.S. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) worked in Mr. Brewster's Senate office from 1962 to 1966, along with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Hoyer called Mr. Brewster "a true gentleman" and a strong supporter of the Democratic Party and its principles.He lost his bid for reelection in 1968 to Charles McC. Mathias, an old friend who portrayed Mr. Brewster as a mouthpiece for the Johnson administration on Vietnam and accused him of vacillating on issues, including the war, to reflect public opinion.

Dem Freshmen Get Fundraising Burst
Newly elected House Dems pulled in nearly double what GOP freshman raised in '07
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=3504284&page=1
Democrats who captured control of the House last year af ter a 12-year hiatus are dominating the first clash of the 2008 elections: the money race. "Our goal is to put our members in the strongest position as possible, as quickly as possible," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "We are right on target."
"Democrats are energized and organized, and that's leading to big fundraising," said Nathan Gonzales of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report.
Ken Spain of the National Republican Congressional Committee downplayed the Democrats' dollars. "If their goal is to scare off Republican challengers, then they have failed miserably," he said.

20070820 Anchorage Mayor Begich 2007 State of the City address

Anchorage Mayor Begich 2007 State of the City address

Mayor Mark Begich remarks
2007 State of City Address
Noon; Aug. 20, 2007; Egan Center

Slide Presentation (5mb pdf)

(Slide 1 – Title)
Thanks, Bill. And thank you to the Chamber for your leadership and cooperation on important issues affecting our community. I appreciate this annual forum, which has become a tradition for mayors to provide an update on our city’s progress.

(Slide 2 - scenic)
I know you’ll be surprised to hear me pronounce the state of our city as excellent. With the most aggressive building boom in a generation, lower property taxes for most, and improvements underway from Eagle River to Girdwood, the vast majority of Anchorage residents believe our city is on the right track.

(Slide 3 – economic growth)
Anchorage’s economy is strong and growing. We’re enjoying our 19th straight year of economic growth, with about 2,000 new jobs already this year.

(Slide 4 - construction)
2006 set a record for the second highest value in building permits ever – topping $801 million. That includes 70 projects valued at more than a million dollars and a dozen exceeding 10 million dollars – quite significant for our community.

(Slide 5 – SOC publication)
Today I want to review the issues we’ve focused on over the past year and provide several updates on important projects and services, especially about the strength of our economy and our continuing efforts to improve public safety.

I hope you had a chance to review the State of the City publication in your Daily News this morning. There are also copies on your tables. This annual report provides useful information about developments over the past year.

After four years as mayor, I continue to be grateful and impressed by how our community generously works together to make Anchorage such a great place to live and visit.

(Slide 6 – downtown construction)
With two years remaining as mayor, I’m focused on completing many of the major developments initiated over the past few years, especially affecting the heart of any great city – our downtown. That doesn’t prevent us from new initiatives, which makes my staff nervous. I’ll touch of some of those today.

We also continue working hard to meet the basic obligation of government - efficiently delivering essential services.

(Slide 7 – budget charts)
We’re succeeding in our efforts to limit the growth in property taxes used to fund city services. Property taxes now comprise about 46 percent of the revenues used to provide city services, compared to 59 percent when I took office. And the property taxes collected for city services this year are 37 million-dollars below the tax cap.

Despite these positive trends, we continue to hear that property taxes are too high and make up too much of the city’s overall revenues. That’s why we worked with the Legislature, governor and Assembly to apply state assistance for property tax relief.

Thanks to $37 million from the state, the average single family homeowner is seeing a property tax savings this year of about $363. For 2007, the majority of Anchorage property owners paid less property tax than in 2006.

(Slide 8 - homes)
Even with these successes, the total property tax revenues to fund both city services and the school district is about 68 percent.

That’s why Assembly Chair Dan Coffey and I recently appointed a task force of business leaders to give us recommendations on ways to diversify Anchorage’s tax structure and reduce the city’s reliance on property taxes.

We’re not sure where this will end up, but I believe an open community discussion about our dependence on property taxes and the need for more diversity in our revenues is long overdue. Thanks to the Chamber for being an active participant in this important effort. We look forward to the recommendations of your work and this tax relief task force.

(Slide 9 – city workers)
We keep looking for other ways to reduce property taxes. That includes asking the Legislature to raise the 20,000-dollar personal property tax exemption, and doing the city’s business smarter. For example, an upgrade by two national bond-rating agencies is saving more than 10 million-dollars over the life of general obligation bonds sold in April.

Since launching an initiative to crack down on delinquent fines and fees, we’ve collected more than 13 million-dollars.

(Slide 10 – convention center)
Of course, the best way to strengthen our economy is through economic development. The city’s role is promoting a positive business climate and providing basic infrastructure.

The cornerstone in Anchorage’s revitalization is the new Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center. It’s now 60 percent complete, with the grand opening set for next September.
The Dena’ina Center will be a great venue for local events and position Anchorage for many lucrative conventions we couldn’t even consider before because we lacked the space. And it couldn’t come at a better time.

(Slide 11 – tourism)
I’m pleased to report just-compiled hotel room tax revenue is up a whopping 10 percent for the first half of this year. The nearly 9 million-dollars in room taxes collected between January and June is the highest ever. And that doesn’t include what’s typically the strongest quarter – July to September.

This is a sure sign of a strong visitor industry, which the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau has been aggressively growing.

This year’s early strong numbers are thanks in part to big conferences like the International Whaling Commission and Ducks Unlimited. They helped put Anchorage on the world’s convention destination map.

Remember we based financing of the Dena’ina Center on a very conservative 1 percent growth rate. Yet we’ve enjoyed 6 to 8 percent growth over the past two years. Thanks to higher than expected revenues, we collected enough in a single quarter at the end of 2006 to cover all of this year’s bond payments.

(Slide 12 – Atwood parking garage)
The new convention center is leading the way for a major revival in downtown, not seen since the Project 80s a generation ago.

The 840-space Linny Pacillo parking garage, which will be available for convention center parking after-hours, is scheduled for completion next September. It will feature a new street-level Alaskan seafood restaurant and ice-free sidewalks.

(Slide 13 – E Street rendering)
Since the Dena’ina and Egan Centers are designed to work together for conventions, we’ve started what will eventually be 3 million-dollars in renovations at the Egan.

Connecting the two is vital, so redevelopment of E and F streets begins next summer, with ice-free sidewalks and state-of-the-art canopies especially designed for our winter city.

(Slide 14 – Museum expansion)
Numerous other downtown improvements also are underway:
• A more inviting Town Square, with better drop-offs for the Performing Arts Center;
• Distinct downtown districts, such as SONO, Historic 4th Avenue and G Street;
• The $100 million expansion of the museum.

All this development has stimulated the creative juices of private developers who are anxious to build new housing, retail and office space in the downtown.

(Slide 15 - port)
One of our most critical developments is the 400 million-dollar expansion of the Port of Anchorage, which serves 80 percent of Alaskans and handles 90 percent of all consumer goods sold north of Cordova, including the Railbelt, western and Arctic Alaska and the Aleutians.

We achieved an important milestone last week when the Army Corps of Engineers issued the Phase II expansion permit. This gives pile-drivers the green light to start building 135 new waterfront acres to accommodate huge new cargo ships which will be arriving here in just three years.

The port expansion is also vital for our military, which has been designated one of just 16 Regional Strategic Ports essential to rapidly moving military equipment to hot-spots around the world.

The Port of Anchorage is a vital transportation link for our entire state, which is why three-quarters of the expansion project is paid by state and federal dollars.

(Slide 16 – Girdwood)
The downtown area isn’t the only part of Anchorage enjoying a revival. From Mountain View to Girdwood, we’re working with private developers to renovate or build new housing, office and retail space:
• Glenn Square in Mountain View;
• Tikahtnu (Tea-KAHT-new) Commons development off Mouldoon;
• A new Girdwood library and community center;
• The list goes on.

(Slide 17 – Eagle River Center)
In Eagle River, we’re working to consolidate the new home of the Chugiak-Eagle River Library, a police substation, one-stop offices for Parks and Rec, Health and Human Services and WIC, and a Community Meeting Room. Our hope is to locate all this in the Valley River Center.

(Slide 18 - roads)
All this economic development continues to put pressure on city services, especially our roads.

To relieve congestion, we’ve stepped up our investment in road, drainage and trails improvements from 30 million-dollars four years ago to 73 million this year.

Thanks to voter support for transportation bonds, we’ve got 150 city projects in the works, creating about 700 jobs. This includes work on high traffic roads like Lake Otis, Strawberry, Raspberry, Northwood, Bayshore, Arctic, the list goes on.

(Slide 19 – Bragaw ground-breaking)
I was especially excited to join Governor Palin and others last month to break ground on the first section of Anchorage’s largest ever road project, connecting the Seward and Glenn highways.

Work is underway now to relieve congestion at the Bragaw-Glenn interchange, which serves 60,000 vehicles a day.

(Slide 20 – cops)
Our other major focus is on public safety – doing all we can to make sure our citizens are safe in their homes and on our streets.

With support from the Assembly, we’re more than half-way through an ambitious effort to transform our law enforcement and public safety operations. The 50 new police officers and 35 new firefighters we have added are preventing crime, arresting more criminals and improving responses to crime and fires.

(Slide 21 – gang summit)
The Anti-Gang and Youth Violence Initiative U.S. Attorney Nelson Cohen and I launched last November has stimulated an unprecedented level of multi-agency cooperation. The focus is on three fronts: prevention, intervention and law enforcement.

While we know the long-term solution to youth violence is a safe and constructive environment, we’ve got zero tolerance for violence and gangs.

Working together, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have brought more than 100 felony and misdemeanor charges related to gangs, guns and drugs.

We clearly have more work to do preventing and fighting crime.

(Slide 22 – Parks)
One place to invest in our youth is Anchorage’s extensive park and recreation system.

Thanks to an 8.3 million-dollar grant from the Rasmuson Foundation and voter approval of this year’s parks bond, we’re improving our parks in a significant way. We’ve built a new skate park in Spenard, and are putting dozens of youth to work through our Youth Employment in Parks program.

(Slide 23 – SART)
Another new initiative I want to highlight focuses on Alaska’s shamefully high incidence of child abuse and sexual assault.

To improve treatment for victims and increase successful prosecution of these terrible crimes, we’re combining forces between Anchorage police, State Troopers, victims’ advocates and medical professionals all under one roof.

This new facility, to open within about 60 days, will be housed near the Alaska Native Medical Center. In partnership with Providence, it will provide comprehensive and timely services in a safe and respectful environment.

(Slide 24 - military)
With thousands of Alaska servicemen and women serving our nation here and abroad, we’re doing everything possible to help ease the stress on soldiers and their families.

At my request, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has created a new Community and Military Relations Task Force to help mayors better serve their military communities across this nation.

Let me also thank my wife, Deborah, for her First Lady Military and Family Support Initiative, which has brought much needed respite to thousands of military families through free family boat cruises and holiday receptions.

And thanks to the Chamber and our entire community for being such good neighbors to our military and veterans who so enrich our city. Please join me in thanking our military servicemen and women who sacrifice so much for us.

(Slide 25 – Big Wild Life)
Residents of Anchorage - Alaska’s headquarters city - are proud of our big wild life – where we live large, dream big and accomplish goals nothing short of extraordinary.

(Slide 26 – city skyline)
Over the past four years, we’ve worked to balance our city’s budget, grow our economy and improve key services, especially public safety and transportation.

Thanks to the enthusiastic participation of residents, we are building a thriving city for today and for tomorrow’s generations.

Thank you for the opportunity to work together to make our city safe and prosperous.

20070818 Police Presence at Eldersburg Demonstration Raises Concern

Police Presence at Eldersburg Demonstration Raises Concern

August 18^th, 2007

Found on:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26039

http://www.carrollcountyprogressives.com/

http://wibspeakout.blogspot.com/2007/08/wib-westminster-in-solidarity-with.html

Police presence at Eldersburg demonstration raises concern...

At approximately 11:45am today during our demonstration four (4) Maryland State Troopers and one (1) Carroll County Sheriff Deputy pulled up at the Exxon gas station at the corner of Rt. 26 & Rt. 32. As Carroll County Sheriff Deputy McMillen approached me standing on the corner, I was surrounded by the State Troopers. They informed me that the sign I was holding was causing motorists to break the law and that I should not have 'Honk' to Impeach on the sign. They were respectful upon first talking to me and then you could feel their tension grow as Trooper Tindell stated, "...you really should not have the work 'honk' on your signs." At that moment I requested to speak to the duty officer for the Carroll County Sheriff's Department. Deputy McMillen stated that he would arrive in about thirty minutes. After the posse of troopers started to back off, we were able to speak to Deputy McMillen regarding why they were there. He then received a statement from Duty Officer Sgt. VanLeuvan over the radio and we were instructed to listen to the communication. Sgt. Vanleuvan asked Deputy McMillen, "Are these people in violation of any laws?" McMillen's response, "No." Sgt. VanLeuvan responded, "That there is nothing we can do."

At that point, I head my sign high above my head to express my freedom of speech about the impeachment of Bush, Cheney and Gonzales. Trooper Tindell continued his discussion with us stating, "We can pull any of these drivers over for unnecessarily honking their horns."

It was now two minutes of noon and we decided to disband anyway. Upon further thought and discussion, I took this a step further and contacted MD State Trooper Corporal Williams at the Westminster State Police Barracks regarding the police involvement. After much difficulty with communicating my concern, I stated that I would stop by the barracks to speak to him directly.

Upon arrival at the Westminster State Police Barracks just after 2:00 PM, I was greeted by Corporal Williams as he was sitting at the desk. He stated, "Before you ask anything, you are in fact breaking the law." He read article 26-101(f) of the Maryland Vehicle Law which pertained to article 22-401(b) of the Maryland Vehicle Law. Therefore, I questioned why the Troopers did not inform me of this article, but instead drove off ignoring the article and not issuing a citation. As you may imagine, I was not given a reason, yet Corporal Williams stated, "...we have a year and a day to file a charge against you." I went on asking why I was not informed of this article on Thursday, August 16, 2007 when I contacted the barracks and spoke to Sgt. Brawning about the upcoming demonstration. Again, I was not provided a reason why I was not informed about a law that I was being threatened with. I asked for an e-mail address for Lt. Richardson as was not provided one, yet I did receive the general e-mail address of westminster@mdsp.org to send any further communication about this incident.

I then drove to the Carroll County Sheriff's Department in Westminster and was greeted by a young US Navy Veteran waiting to go on a ride-along with one of the deputies. We discussed how most of the soldiers hate the war and believe it is all about oil and that most of them cannot wait to get out of Iraq. I thanked him for his service to our country, regardless of the misguided actions he was forced to take while enlisted. He readily agreed and then we were greeted by Sgt. VanLeuvan. I introduced myself and briefly recapped what transpired in Eldersburg earlier that day. I informed him that we were in fact breaking the law, and that I was informed of the article by Corporal Williams of the Maryland State Police. My opinion of his reaction was shock, as he did not seem familiar with the article at all. He went and retrieved the same Maryland Vehicle Law book and looked up the article that I mentioned. He read the entire article to me, something that MSP Corporal Williams refused to do. I then asked for a photocopy of the article so that I may share the information with the Carroll County Progressives to ensure that we did not continue to break that law in the future and he politely read each sub-heading individually to me so that I could write it down on my tablet. I thanked Sgt. VanLeuvan and left the Sheriff's Office.

I must say, I was quite surprised that the following officers and county official did not inform me of this article when I contacted them to ensure that I was not in violation of any laws, prior to the demonstration:

Sergeant Brawning of the Westminster State Police Barracks

Sergeant VanLeuvan of the Carroll County Sheriff's Department

Captain Jay Gribbin III of the Hampstead Police Department

Chief John Williams of the Sykesville Police Department

Chief William Spaulding of the Westminster Police Department

Carroll County Attorney Kim Millender

From this moment forward, the Carroll County Progressives demonstration will not be in violation of this article any further and will change their signage accordingly for future demonstrations. Stay tuned to this web page this week for our next planned demonstration. Much appreciation goes out to everyone that participated during this event.

We will be steadfast in maintaining our right to Freedom of Speech in this county and will still attend the September 15th March in Washington.

This county has not heard the last of us...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26039

http://www.carrollcountyprogressives.com/

http://wibspeakout.blogspot.com/2007/08/wib-westminster-in-solidarity-with.html

Women in Black Westminster

Carroll County Progressives

20070820 News Clips

News Clips

August 20, 2007

STATE NEWS
Counties fret over deficit
They seek to stop state solutions that cut into their budgets
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.cuts20aug20,0,6181328.story
Taking little comfort in Gov. Martin O'Malley's promises not to balance the state budget by shifting costs to cities and counties, local leaders are bracing for a fight to stop "doomsday" proposals that could saddle them with as much as $646 million in cuts. The executives, commissioners and other officials at the Maryland Association of Counties convention here say the prospect that the state will slough off hundreds of millions in costs for teacher pensions on local governments at the same time that it cuts grants for public safety and other ser vices is the No. 1 topic of conversation. O'Malley, a former Baltimore mayor, has been steadfast in his opposition, but the leaders of both chambers in the legislature say otherwise.
Sen. Allan H. Kittleman, a Howard County Republican and the minority whip, who attended the speech, said O'Malley's rhetoric is unrealistic, given that local aid -- primarily education funds -- makes up about 40 percent of the state budget.
"I would have liked to hear him acknowledge that," Kittleman said. "He missed a real opportunity to show some leadership."
Harford County Executive David R. Craig was a legislator in the early 1990s, and he said he understands the current lawmakers' motivations. He was a former mayor then and opposed the cuts, but he said there wasn't much that could be done then, and there won't be much to stop legislators now.
"It doesn't keep me up at night because they're going to do what t hey're going to do," said Craig, a Republican. "I tell people the Harford County government will open the next day, just like it did the day before."

United front on BRAC favored
But counties resist sacrificing top priorities for good of all
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.brac18aug18,0,2979241.story
Local leaders say they favor a coordinated approach to planning for the thousands of military jobs expected to come to Maryland in the next few years -- as long as it doesn't mean giving up too many of their own priorities. Interviews with county executives, who are in Ocean City this weekend for the Maryland Association of Counties meeting, suggest they're willing to play along -- up to a point.
Harford County Executive David R. Craig said his county has taken a regional approach from the start. "We were the locomotive driving the train on that when it came to regional issues," said Craig, a Republican whose county is slated to get thousands of new jobs in and around Aberdeen Proving Ground. But he added, "The reality is when it comes to certain things, though, the jobs are going to be in Harford County. People are going to need to get through Harford County to get to Aberdeen Proving Ground."

Ocean City says slots are threat to town
Beach resort fears gambling would draw money away
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-te.md.slots18aug18,0,3769233.story
Maryland's beach resort is sending a clear message: "No slots in Md. Period."
hen pro-slots Gov. Martin O'Malley and the rest of the state's political elites came to town for the Maryland Association of Counties meeting here this week, they found variations on that theme plastered across hotel marquees up and down the island.
Thursday morning, the city's Chamber of Commerce met with O'Malley and anti-slots Comptroller Peter Franchot, and then voted on the spot to oppose expanded gambling - not just in their town but anywhere in the state.

GOP spat goes public on blog
Central County Briefs
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.central19aug19,0,1982476.story
Less than a year after being elected chairman of the Anne Arundel County Republican Central Committee, Michael Collins is facing a mutiny. The behind-the-scenes campaign is playing out publicly, however, through a steady chorus of statements and leaked memos posted in the blogosphere. Among those leading the charge is Brian Griffiths, a 27-year-old who lost a bid for a Central Committee seat last fall and has been blogging for more than two years at brian griffiths.com. He obtained and posted a letter sent by the Central Committee's vice chairman asking Collins to step down, and later displayed Collins' rebuttal. And he challenged key players to explain themselves on his site, offering to post their responses unedited.
"Something just didn't smell right to me," Griffiths said. "... I wanted to know, 'Why is this happening?' And it's kinda snowballed from there.""It's very important to party members not only who is representing leadership but how they ... are acting in carrying out those duties," Griffiths said.

Seniors granted tax relief
ht tp://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho.seniors19aug19,0,7593277.story
More than 200 older Howard County residents have been granted relief under the county's revised senior property tax credit law, and hundreds more are awaiting word on their applications, according to a county official who said the tax break is likely to cost the county much less than the $1.5 million first thought.
At the same time, two members of a citizens task force that successfully recommended changes to a more generous law passed just before last year's election complained at a meeting last week that the current measure is too complicated for older people -- a contention that county officials disputed.

Franchot presses for scrutiny of park purchases
http://www.examiner.com/a-887853~Franchot_presses_for_scrutiny_of_park_purch ases.html
Comptroller Peter Franchot continued his campaign for closer scrutiny of parkland purchases, telling county parks and recreation officials, "We don't have a bottomless pit of money."
But parks officials from both Baltimore and Howard counties argued with Franchot, saying it was important to buy open space when it became available. The state cannot take land for parks against the owner's wishes. Franchot said he understood "the need to be opportunistic" when land comes on the market, but th"each of these projects is going to have to justify themselves. Are these the best possible deals?"

County focuses on revitalization
http://www.examiner.com/a-889752~County_focuses_on_revitalization.html
Revitalization efforts are gain ing momentum in Anne Arundel County.
The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp.'s (AAEDC) Business Corridor Investment Program, initiated earlier in the year, aims to assist local businesses with renovation and improvement projects.
"This project is intended to spur economic activity, investment and improvement," said Alexis Henderson, spokeswoman for the AAEDC. Revitalization remains crucial to Anne Arundel County, County Executive John R. Leopold said. "This is one of the key pillars in my planning and development of the county," Leopold said. "I continue to support low-interest loans in the revitalization areas."

O'Malley promises transportation funding
http://www.examiner.com/a-888109~O_Malley_promises_transportation_funding.html
Gov. Martin O'Malley promised county officials "we will pass a major transportation funding bill this session," but again gave no specifics on exactly how he would raise revenues for roads and transit projects. A hike in the gasoline tax has been mentioned most often. In the speech that traditionally closes the annual Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) meeting in this beach resort, O'Malley continued to offer few specifics on how he would handle the expected 2009 deficit of $1.5 billion.
"He gave false hope to the counties that they wouldn't be hurt," said Senate Republican Whip Allan Kittleman, a former Howard County Council member at the conference. "All of us know that's not true." Based on a presentation he had heard Saturday morning, Kittleman noted that historically in deficit situations, counties experience some cuts in their state aid.

Pr. George's Hopes Mass Vaccinations Will Pay Off
As Classes Begin, Schools Aim To Avoid Repeat of Fiasco
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/19/AR2007081901591.html
With classes starting today, Prince George's County is conducting a massive effort to ensure that older students have the proper vaccinations, hoping to avoid a repeat of last winter's immunization debacle that left hundreds of students unable to attend school. "It certainly is a big concern because at the end of last year there were about 1,000 kids out of compliance," said John White, spokesman for the Prince George's school system. Although that is less than 1 percent of the county's schoolchildren, "it still is a big number, and kids cannot attend class if their immunization records are not up to date," he said.

Republican club resumes public meetings
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.club19aug19,0,5072910.story
For several months, the Carroll County Republican Club met inconspicuously at a Woodbine residence, while two of its officers faced campaign finance charges. But the club embarked on a significant change of course last week. With the charges thrown out earlier this summer, the club gathered publicly for the first time, undertaking an effort to expand membership and generate support for conservative Republican causes in Carroll and across Maryland. The Carroll County Republican Central Committee has forged ties with the club as it regains its footing. C. David Jones, the committee vice chairman, is an active member. Joseph M. Getty, who was a policy director for former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., also attended Thursday's meeting.

Governor Says Workforce, Sustainability, Security ar e Key Themes for Maryland
http://somd.com/news/headlines/2007/6279.shtml
"As a state, together, we have tremendous opportunities in the challenging times ahead of us," said Governor O'Malley. "And we can make those opportunities ours by advancing simultaneously along three fronts - workforce creation, sustainability, and security integration - greatness lies in our ability to advance along these fronts as One Maryland."
During his remarks, Governor O'Malley stressed the need for the state to protect the most valuable asset of the state - the talent, ingenuity and innovation of the workforce of Maryland. "The Workforce" is the new political mantra uttered across the state by polticians ranging from county officials to Rep. Steny Hoyer to U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski. The need for skilled workers in Maryland has increased greatly as high techno logy, military-related jobs continue to be created in Maryland largely due to BRAC relocations and increased military spending. Anciliary jobs, such as teachers, are also in great demand.

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

GOP budget plan, even with slots, deserves discussion
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_19-39/OPN
Politicians tend to ignore ideas coming from the other party. In the heat of partisan warfare, they often focus not on the merits of proposals, but on who would get the credit for something ingenious or useful. We hope that's not what happens to the Republican proposal for eliminating Maryland's projected $1.5 billion deficit. Even though there are parts of it we disagree with, it deserves a serious discussion by the legislature. The GOP caucus of the House of D elegates says the deficit can be erased by limiting spending growth to 3.5 percent and approving 15,000 slot machines at six undetermined locations. The proposal is significant because it acknowledges that the deficit cannot be eliminated through cuts alone, and it allows for some spending growth.

Sentiment vs. Horse Sense
A specious argument for slot-machine gambling in Maryland
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/19/AR2007081901315.html
THOMAS E. PEREZ, Maryland's secretary of labor, licensing and regulation, has issued a report that buttresses the stated goal of Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration to grant slot-machine gambling licenses to selected racetracks as a means of saving the state's racing industry and preserving the jobs and farmland that depend on it. The report, wh ich is tendentious in the extreme, adds little new information to the argument over slots that has gripped Maryland for most of this decade. It represents a missed opportunity to inject some evenhanded analysis into a policy debate that is expected to divide state lawmakers bitterly when they convene in January. No one is happy with watching the erosion of a storied aspect of Maryland life and history. Jobs and a way of life that have thrived for decades are at stake. But that has been equally true of many other industries that over time have shrunk, disappeared or evolved. If there is a case to be made for using state tax dollars to subsidize the horse industry, Mr. Perez's report has failed to make it.

Living Large:
Large animal veterinarians make sure our four-legged farm friends stay healthy
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/rea d/2007/08_19-13/LIF
The reasons more people don't choose to be large animal veterinarians are complex, but factors include the physical challenges involved in that kind of practice, fewer people growing up on farms, and mounting debt from school. The perception has been that large animal veterinarians earn less than small animal veterinarians, although that's not necessarily the case, the AVMA said. Local large animal veterinarians said they're happy in their field, even though it's hard work and not without risk. Dr. James Pelura's patient list reads like the manifest for Noah's Ark. He's treated just about every animal imaginable, from dogs and cats to elephants and giraffes. Some of his more exotic patients were "house calls," but he gets a pretty good variety at his Davidsonville Veterinary Clinic."If you love veterinary medicine, it shouldn't matter whether you're dealing with a pig, a horse or an elephant," he said with a smile. "It's a very rewarding career. It's a wonderful lifestyle. My wife always says it's not a profession, it's a lifestyle."



NATIONAL NEWS

Views vary on proposed Farm Bill
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/business/display.htm?StoryID=63975
Heated debates on the 2007 Farm Bill saturate the airwaves and the Internet is replete with positions that are as diverse as the proposed five-year, $284 billion bill itself.
Closer to home, positions differ also.
"The Farm Bill is a good bill, but it has one fatal flaw inserted at the last moment by the Democratic leadership," Bartlett said. Bartlett said a provision that would raise taxes on international companies that "insource" jobs to the U.S. would result in a tax hike o n more than 101,100 Maryland workers. But he's hopeful that the Senate version of the bill would strip away the provision.

Port could get increase in security funds
$1.8 million grant is set aside, but it must be applied for
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.ports18aug18,0,171324.story
The port of Baltimore expects to get a significant, unexpected infusion of federal dollars from a pot of homeland security money carved out of the supplemental war spending bill that President Bush signed this year. "Ports are high-threat targets for terrorism," Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski said in a statement. "We need to make sure the port of Baltimore and all ports across America are safe, secure and growing." As part of the new homeland security fundi ng, Maryland also will receive slightly less than $1 million to enhance emergency preparedness.
And the National Capital Region, which includes Montgomery and Prince George's counties, will receive $11.1 million to bolster bus and rail security.

Chicken houses a terrorist target?
Md. senators question Homeland Security regulation
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070820/NEWS01/708200304/1002
Chicken houses across the country are one step away from being named the newest terrorist targets demanding stricter access and regulation, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
As part of the DHS Chemical Security Anti-Terrorism Standards, facilities with more than 7,500 pounds of propane gas -- 1,785 gallons -- could be considered high-risk. To determine if a facility is a security risk, operators must process complete "Top Screen" safety measures including vulnerability assessments, develop site security plans and implement protective measures approved by DHS.
U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Tom Carper, D-Del., have co-authored a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff demanding answers for what they describe as a waste of government time and money.

20070817 News Clips

News Clips

August 17, 2007

STATE NEWS

County officials hope for word on budgets
http://www.examiner.com/a-885767~County_officials_hope_for_word_on_budgets.html
All the top state and county officials have moved the capital and county seats temporarily to this resort town for the annual convention of the Maryland Association of Counties, hoping to get a handle on next year's budgets. Several county leaders were hoping to hear how Gov. Martin O'Malley would resolve the $1.4 billion budget deficit. "They're not going to tell us anything," said Harford County Executive David Craig, a Republican and MACO board member, but he hopes O'Malley and legislative leaders make their decisions early. The governor talked about a combinati on of budget cuts and tax code changes. But he also asked county officials to support their delegates and senators. "In order to close this budget gap, a lot of delegates and senators are going to have to cast difficult votes," he said.

House Republicans unveil alternate budget
Doesn't reveal specific cuts, but calls for slots
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_16-72/GOV
The House Republican Caucus unveiled an alternative budget proposal yesterday that members said would erase Maryland's $1.5 billion deficit with modest spending growth and no tax increases. The plan - in the works since May - would fill the fiscal hole by capping budget growth at 3.5 percent and relying on slot machines for revenue from an up-front auction and their eventual use. "The work behind this . is very substantial," said Del. Stev e Schuh, R-Gibson Island, who presented the proposal. "Those adjustments were reasonable, responsible and absolutely consistent with maintaining the social safety net." "

House GOP Announces Budget Proposal
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2007/08/house_gop_announces_budget_pro.html?nav=rss_blog
House Republicans put forward a plan today to solve Maryland's fiscal problems without raising taxes, proposing instead to curtail planned spending on education and other programs and to legalize slot-machine gambling. House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert) called the plan "a very credible, and in my opinion, very well thought-out alternative" to proposals from leading Democrats to raise taxes to help close a bu dget shortfall next year of nearly $1.5 billion in the state's $15 billion general fund budget.
But the Republican plan drew immediate criticism for Democrats for its lack of details. The plan provides targets for spending reductions in nine broad areas but does not spell out the implications on specific programs.

Notes from MACo O'Malley expecting drought assistance
Slots, taxes and special sessions on the lips of lawmakers
http://www.gazette.net/stories/081707/polinew23603_32357.shtml
Maryland expects to receive federal disaster relief from the drought that has crippled agriculture, Gov. Martin O'Malley said Thursday.O'Malley said he expected official notification from the feds ''very, very shortly."
If O'Malley calls a special session to resolve the budget gap it will likely be before November, he said .
''If we get to a point where we have enough consensus and feel that we can, in a very focused way, get this done before the next session comes up, then we will," he said. ''If we're not able to arrive at that consensus before November, December, what's the point of spending money on a special session when the regular session's right around the corner?"

O'Malley asked to subsidize southern Prince George's hospitals
Operators fear deluge of patients if Dimensions hospitals close, worry about shortage of nurses
http://www.gazette.net/stories/081707/polinew23620_32366.shtml
Two hospitals in southern Prince George's County could see added pressure if Dimensions hospitals in Prince George's County and Washington's Greater Southeast Hospital close, warned Del. James E. Proctor Jr.. Proctor has met with Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to discuss subsidizing Fort Washington Medical Center and Southern Maryland Hospital Center so that they would be ready to handle more patients.
''I wanted to raise the problem and let him know how deep it will go," said Proctor (D-Dist. 27A) of Brandywine. ''I wanted him to see the potential bigger problem."

Frederick le gal status bill is 'dead on arrival,' sponsor says he is warned
Commissioner wants county agencies to check to see if resident getting help is in country legally
http://www.gazette.net/stories/081707/polinew23623_32368.shtml
Frederick County Commissioner Charles A. Jenkins' proposal that would target illegal immigrants has no chance of getting past the Democratic majority in the Maryland General Assembly, predicted one state lawmaker.
''He basically said, 'It's dead on arrival,'" Jenkins (R) said of Del. Richard B. Weldon's warning.
Immigration advocacy groups will use their influence to defeat the bill before it has any chance of being signed into law, said Weldon (R-Dist. 3B) of Brunswick, chairman of the county's delegation.''At least it would get a fair hearing with the Frederick delegation," he said.Jenkins' proposal would require all county-funded agencies to verify that the people they help are in the country legally.

State removes woman from Talbot school board
http://www.examiner.com/a-884085~State_removes_woman_from_Talbot_school_board.html
A Talbot County school board member says politics are to blame for her removal from the board by state education officials.
Maryann Judy, appointed to the board in 2003, was removed from the board after she allegedly tried to submit a negative review of the county's superintendent after a deadline.Judy clashed with superintendent Karen Salmon over remarks made by an assistant superintendent in 2005.That official, John Masone, made comments about "the inadvisability of having right-wing evangelical Christians on the board," according to a ruling made by State Superinte ndent Nancy Grasmick.
Grasmick wrote in her decision that Judy was "a dedicated worker" but that the evaluation attempt was "willful misconduct which disqualifies her from being a board member."

Naval Academy given high ranking
Report notes its selectiveness, places it in top 20 of liberal arts schools
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-md.rankings17aug17,0,731566.story
And you thought it was hard to get into Amherst? Try the U.S. Naval Academy. U.S. News and World Report released today its annual rankings of universities and colleges in America, and it says that the Annapolis institution is tougher to get into than the top colleges. The Naval Academy was ranked 20th among liberal arts colleges in the country, and the U.S. Military Academy in New York came in 22nd. Williams, Amherst an d Swarthmore were the top three. However, according to the report, the Naval Academy's acceptance rate, 14 percent, is lower than Amherst's, which is 19 percent.


EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Fairness for charter schools
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.charters17aug17,0,3323113.story
Maryland's highest court sent a shock wave through the public-education establishment last month by ruling that charter schools are entitled to receive as much funding per pupil as regular public schools.
What a concept - the judges said bureaucrats cannot routinely shortchange public schools of choice just because they offer out-of-the-ordinary curricula and families flock to them. In many urban districts with woefully underperforming public schools, charter schools ar e the most viable alternative for families. A recent survey by scholars from Harvard University and Stanford's Hoover Institution indicated a majority of Americans understand this. Three-fourths of the respondents said charter schools should receive at least as much public funding per child as conventional public schools.
It's simple: The money should follow the child.

Beware aggressive marketing of student loans
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.financialaid17aug17,0,6298648.story
Recently, lawmakers and the media have focused on potentially improper relationships between student financial aid administrators and certain lenders, even going so far as to propose eliminating the position in college student aid offices. These proposed measures could have harmful, unintended consequences for students and paren ts attempting to finance higher learning. Without an objective third party, consumers would be more prone to manipulation by direct-to-consumer marketing by unscrupulous lenders.
To avoid confusion, headaches and compromising their financial futures, student borrowers and their families need unbiased assistance when choosing their loan products.

Study: Marylanders vote 'with their feet' on slots
http://www.herald-mail.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=172608&format=html
Marylanders who want to play slot machines haven't been waiting for the General Assembly to legalize them, according to a new state report. Those residents are going to Delaware and West Virginia, where their play last year accounted for $150 million in tax revenue for those two states - or about 10 percent of Maryland's projected budget d eficit.
It's time for state officials, particularly House Speaker Michael Busch, to get off the dime and legalize slots. As the Pennsylvania experience shows, even if passed tomorrow, slots money would come into state coffers for at least a year.In 2003, Busch told The Washington Post that his caution on the issue was prompted in part by his own father's addictive gambling. At the time, he said there should be a year-long study of the issue. Four years later, action on this issue is long overdue.

Are slots back on the table?
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070817/OPINION01/708170348
Only selected racetracks should be offered opportunityOnce again Maryland's top leaders are talking slots. Faced with a projected deficit of $1.5 billion by 2009, discussion on both sides of the aisle include some incarnation of legalized slots to bolster the state's cash flow. Slots were first mentioned by gubernatorial candidate Robert Ehrlich; in fact, slots were his grand scheme to close the budget deficit. He was elected on that platform, but never managed to get approval for slots in the legislature. Partisan politics are believed by many to have played a major role in that failure. Today we have a Democrat back in the governor's mansion. Gov. Martin O'Malley supports a limited number of slots at some of the state tracks, much like the original proposal called for. While Maryland should not strive to become another Las Vegas or Atlantic City, if slots are ever going to be legalized --on a strictly limited and closely regulated basis, of course -- waiting will not help. Now is the time.

Shake up needed in spending
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/08/17/news/opinion/editorial/editorial922.txt
Republican lawmakers who have unveiled a state budget proposal calling for less government spending might want to consider putting a halt to unfunded mandates and reviewing expansive, and expensive programs that no longer serve their intended purpose, two things they were unable to do under Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich. Republicans are right that we don't need additional taxes. They are also right in their desire to cut government spending. Democrats should model themselves on that philosophy. Some of the spending decisions will be difficult, but before anyone starts talking about cutting the highly visible programs such as education or Medicare - which the Republicans did this week - they should take a deeper look into the budget and weed out high cost programs that are no longer needed or are not producing the desired results.

Report signals that O'Malley will push for slots
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_16-21/OPN
The new report on racetrack slot machines, issued by state Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas Perez, doesn't present any new arguments. It won't change any minds - and probably wasn't intended to.
What's significant is that this report is coming from the O'Malley administration at this time.By having Mr. Perez give the administration's blessing to the customary pro-slots arguments, Mr. O'Malley has signaled that slots will be part of his next budget package as he tries to close an estimated $1.5 billion revenue shortfall. The package is also likely to include higher taxes and cuts in state spending.Given that Senate President Mike Miller is an enthusiastic slots advocate, a nd that some Republicans now talk about an "auction" to ensure that the state gets as much as it can from slots, prospects for a return of the one-armed bandits are excellent.


NATIONAL NEWS

More federal money snared for Port of Baltimore security
http://washington.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2007/08/13/daily37.html
The Port of Baltimore will receive an extra $1.8 million from the federal government for security improvements, Maryland's two U.S. senators said Thursday.
The money comes from an emergency supplemental spending bill Congress passed earlier this year, Melissa Schwartz, spokeswoman for Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) said in an interview. Mikulski and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) fought for it after the port's security budge t was cut by 60 percent this year, Schwartz said.

Sen. Barbara Mikulski: Senate bills aim to make college more affordable
http://www.examiner.com/a-885785~Sen__Barbara_Mikulski__Senate_bills_aim_to_make_college_more_affordable.html
College is part of the American Dream, it shouldn't be part of the American financial nightmare. But college tuition has been skyrocketing in Maryland and around the nation. Our students are graduating with so much debt it's like their first mortgage. American families are stressed and stretched, and students are looking for help.
That's why I'm so proud the Senate passed two important pieces of legislation this July that I have been fighting for to make it easier for all students to have access to higher education - the Higher Education Reconciliation Act and the Higher Education Amendments of 2007.

20070817 State to investigate mysterious stains in area near airport by Kelsey Volkmann

State to investigate mysterious stains in area near airport

(Arianne Starnes/Examiner) “I just want to know what it is,” Westminster resident Nancy Frick says as she points out black stains on the sidewalk in her neighborhood, where she is worried be jets may be dumping fuel.

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner

2007-08-17

WESTMINSTER, Md. –

Residents’ complaints about fuel leaking from corporate jets have prompted a state inspector to investigate the black spots that dot roofs and sidewalks near the airport in Westminster.

[…]

Residents say the black substance has fallen onto eight houses along Sullivan Road, Snowfall Way and Bonfire Court.

But Les Dorr, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said that without tangible evidence planes have leaked fuel, the residents may be “kind of reaching for something that may not be there.”

Pilots dump their fuel only to lighten their loads to make an emergency landing, and when they do, they are instructed to do so in unpopulated areas and at an altitude of at least 2,000 feet, said Arlene Salac, an FAA spokeswoman.

Most of the time, the fuel dissipates in the air, and with the cost of it, pilots wouldn’t dump fuel needlessly, she said.

Airport manager Dean Leister said few of the aircraft that fly into the airport – mostly corporate jets and recreational planes – have the capability to dump fuel.

[…]

Westminster activist Mary Kowalski, an outspoken opponent of a planned runway expansion, contacted the state to request a probe after the Carroll County Health Department determined that the substance probably was not jettisoned fuel.

Kowalski also suggested the spots could be oil residue from jet exhaust. “I think that’s a real concern as well,” she said.

Nancy Frick, a grandmother who lives along Snowfall Way, eagerly awaits results of the state investigation.

Read the entire article here: State to investigate mysterious stains in area near airport

20070817 Andrew Bird - "Imitosis"

Andrew Bird – “Imitosis.”

From the 2007 release "Armchair Apocrypha"

Directed by Britta Johnson

Produced by Xan Aranda

Added: August 16, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnXCzFnkxtY

20070817 Andrew Bird - "Imitosis"