Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Some charter amendments sailed through the polls with a 90 percent approval vote, with the lowest being 61 percent.
Anne Arundel County voters are set to ratify 15 county charter amendments by a landslide, according to early results. All of the county's charter amendments were set to pass as of 10 p.m. Tuesday night—some with as much as 91 percent approval, and as low as 61 percent approval. But the results so far have left no room for middle ground on the issues. Among the charter changes are removing authority from the county executive's veto rights, giving the council the authority to remove a councilman or executive convicted of a felony, and setting the month of August as a legislative recess for the seven-member council. A few of the tighter races are yet to be determined, but Anne Arundel County residents can rest tonight on pretty solid ground …
Friday, November 2, 2012
Some of these items resolve long-standing disputes on the County Council, while others fix newer problems.
When Anne Arundel County voters arrive at the polls, they'll not only be voting on the DREAM Act and same-sex marriage, but also deciding the fate of 15 Anne Arundel County charter amendments—ranging from how convicted county councilmen should be treated to enacting an August recess for the Council. In an attempt to make these 15 items more digestible once you arrive at the polls, I will disassemble the legalese into a more understandable language, and explain context when necessary. Some of these items resolve long-standing disputes on the County Council, while others fix newer problems. Question A—Gives county departments more time to file their budgets. It also moves the start of the 60-day window for budget deliberation by the County …
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Debris is expected to begin showing up along the shorelines of the Chesapeake in the coming weeks.
Dam operators opened four of Conowingo Dam's 53 flood control gates Thursday to relieve pressure from Hurricane Sandy's record-breaking downpour. The gates began to open Tuesday and Wednesday, and more were opened Thursday. When more than 40 of the floodgates were opened in September 2011, following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, the resulting debris was carried from the Susquehanna River in northeast Baltimore down to nearly all areas of the Chesapeake Bay. Environmental groups started cleanup efforts in several regions, including Annapolis and Cape St. Claire. The event also spurred talk of how to handle wastewater runoff in the state after the introduction of the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay pollution diet. …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The president of the Goshen Farm Preservation Society was recognized last week for her work in preserving the historic farm house.
Barbara Morgan received the preservation volunteer award from the Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation, Inc. on Wednesday. Morgan, the president of the Goshen Farm Preservation Society, was recognized for her work, her leadership and her perseverance in restoring Goshen Farm, the “old Radoff house” as she knew it growing up, according to a news release. Board members Stuart and Karen Bailey and Sharon Biondi attended, as well as Barbara’s husband, Jay Morgan, and her mother. Maryland State Sen. John Astle, Anne Arundel County Councilman Dick Ladd, and Janice Hayes-Williams, Legislative aid to County Councilman Chris Trumbauer also attended the ceremony. The Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation also donated $1,000 to the Goshen …
Friday, August 31, 2012
Two Annapolis projects to rebuild shorelines and stop erosion along the bay were among the 16 recipients of grants from the Chesapeake Bay Trust on Thursday.
Politicians, nonprofits and homeowners from around Maryland gathered in Eastport on Thursday for the announcement of 16 recipients of the Chesapeake Bay Trust's 2012 grants to build living shorelines. According to the Chesapeake Bay Trust, living shorelines are a stabilization technique that uses natural habitat elements like rocks—instead of bulkhead or riprap—to protect shorelines from erosion while also providing critical habitat for fish, crabs and other wildlife. The trust partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment to give away more than $800,000—the largest amount awarded to date. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) said he brags about…
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
New legislation seeks to use less toxic pesticides to battle bugs at county parks.
An Anne Arundel County councilman wants parks employees to take a closer look at how they manage pests at public parks. The new legislation, championed by Councilman Chris Trumbauer (D-6th District), enacts an integrated pest management plan for the county's Recreation and Parks Department. “I originally set out to ban herbicides and pesticides altogether,” Trumbauer said. “This approach is more iterative.” The new approach will prioritize types of pesticides used at county parks based on their toxicity to ensure that the least toxic alternative is used whenever possible, he said. Another requirement of the legislation is additional signage for the public when these pesticides are used. Trumbauer said the idea struck him while he was …
Friday, July 6, 2012
It's that time of year again, so watch where you swim—or walk.
Swarms of jellyfish, or sea nettles, have returned in full force to the Chesapeake Bay, according to reports from local environmentalists. The migration of jellyfish throughout the Chesapeake Bay can be seen in a real-time forecasting chart hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This season is expected to spike, but so far the jellyfish projections are on par with previous years, according to Sandy Point State Park Ranger Kenny Hartman. Hartman said the state park which doubles as a popular beach, has just started getting reports and sightings of jellyfish. "It's not bad right now, but it will get worse as the salinity in the water gets higher, especially because of the lack of rain," Hartman said. When it rains, …
Friday, March 16, 2012
Some Anne Arundel County councilmen lay the blame for a split vote on party politics.
Many Anne Arundel County councilmen claim a political game is being played over the vacant District 1 seat at the expense of the district's constituents. Patch editors interviewed each of the six councilmen to gauge their position in the division over who should fill the District 1 seat. The final candidates are Peter Smith and Mike Wagner. The councilmen who have supported Wagner include Derek Fink (R-3rd District) of Pasadena, John Grasso (R-2nd District) of Glen Burnie and Dick Ladd (R-5th District) of Broadneck. Smith's supporters include Chris Trumbauer (D-6th District) of Annapolis, Jamie Benoit (D-4th District) of Crownsville and Jerry Walker (R-7th District) of Gambrills. Wagner's backers have primarily touted his experience and …
Patch editors asked the six current members of the Anne Arundel County Council about their division over filling the District 1 vacancy.
Each Anne Arundel County councilman was asked the same five questions regarding the District 1 vacancy and the state of the council. The final candidates are Peter Smith and Mike Wagner. Some were reached by phone, and some by email. Their answers are provided here. Contacted by phone What makes Wagner the better choice for you over Smith? There are two simple reasons. Wagner's lived here way longer than Smith. Smith has been here, what? Five years? Wagner's been here for infinity. I've been here for 50 years and there are still parts of the area I don't know. So imagine how much of the area he doesn't know after five years. The other thing is Wagner is a guaranteed conservative vote and we won't have a budget being passed like the last …
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Councilman Jerry Walker presented the bill, which is already being backed by a majority of the Anne Arundel County Council.
A councilman wants to make English the official language of Anne Arundel County, saying voters asked him for this. While campaigning for his council seat, Councilman Jerry Walker (R-7th District) said illegal immigration was a hot topic among his constituents. The bill he presented to the council on Monday was in part the realization of a campaign promise, he said. “There was overwhelmingly positive response [to that], so I turned it into a campaign commitment,” Walker said. Bill 13-12 would make English the official language of Anne Arundel County for all official documents, communications and agreements on behalf of the county. Walker said he has another resolution planned to address illegal immigration by penalizing business owners who …
Ken
9:47 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012
@Tom: I've no plans on leaving and am fortunate to be in a state where logical thinkers outnumber delusional thinkers. It's entertaining to watch message boards and forums with people boasting of "successful" petition drives for a referendum and I'm sure you'll disagree, but the results reflect progess in a civil society. more ›