Thursday, March 14, 2013
Crofton would be moved to District 4, District 1 would have command over west county under a proposed redistricting.
Southern Anne Arundel County's council district could be rid of Crofton under a new redistricting proposal. Council Chairman Jerry Walker (R-7th District) said the proposal was made in part because of the demand from South County residents to have their own district. Walker is sponsoring a plan to shift District 1 to the west, while combining portions of Odenton and Gambrills into District 4—making District 2 the northern tip of the county. It would also ensure that District 7 would be comprised almost entirely of south county. Another proposal from Council member Chris Trumbauer (D-4th District) would keep districts relatively the same, except for the swapping of a few precincts. Both redistricting proposals are set for a vote on Monday…
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Local environmentalists are featured in a playful JibJab Christmas video.
Christmastime is accompanied with lots of things—cookies, eggnog, ugly sweaters, repetitive radio stations and classic holiday films. But perhaps my favorite tradition is quirky, plug-and-play digital Christmas cards. To my delight, County Councilman and West/Rhode Riverkeeper Christ Trumbauer (D-6th District) recently posted a "JibJab" digital Christmas card that features he and his staff sleighing down a snowy hill. Accompanied by some epic classical music, watch Trumbauer and his crew race down a hill with an epic conclusion. The Councilman and environmentalist tweeted out the video Friday morning with a simple message, "Happy Holidays from West/Rhode Riverkeeper!" Head over to their link to enjoy the full video.
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, 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 27, 2012
The local waterways are safe to swim in this weekend!
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Friday, July 27, 2012
The following post was submitted by West/Rhode Riverkeeper and County Councilman Chris Trumbauer (D-6th District). The post focuses on the bacteria levels found in local waterways. We have some great news—no high bacteria readings were recorded this week! See the full results here (or check them out on Swim Guide!): Bacteria Results. For general information about the risks of swimming and other human health issues, see our one-page sheet on the subject by clicking here. You can also see our water quality maps generated from our weekly sampling on our website. Click here to check them out! Thanks for staying informed about water quality on our rivers. Sincerely, Chris Trumbauer
Thursday, June 21, 2012
A look at the West/Rhode Riverkeeper's weekly bacteria monitoring results.
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Thursday, June 21, 2012
The following post was submitted by West/Rhode Riverkeeper and County Councilman Chris Trumbauer (D-6th District). Hi everybody, Our citizen samplers were out again yesterday. (Luckily they got out early and beat the heat...) This week, we once again had a couple sites, which registered high bacteria levels. Samples from Holly Hills and River Club, both on Bearneck Creek on the Rhode River were above the EPA single test limit for safe swimming. There was no rain preceding the sampling. Resident goose populations have been noted in the vicinity, and may be the culprit. (Any warm-blooded animal pooping in or near the water can cause high bacteria levels...) To see the full results of our sampling, click here. For general information about …
Friday, June 8, 2012
Dozens of south county locals gathered to support the local organization and enjoy "life on the water."
In its biggest event of the year, the West/Rhode Riverkeeper hosted its Rhythm on the River fundraiser in Galesville with dozens of local residents. County Councilman Chris Trumbauer (D-6th District) also serves as the riverkeeper and shared the following video with Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch, capturing the best moments from the event. The event serves not only as a "FUNdraiser" for the group, it also allows locals to gather together and enjoy the local waterway, Trumbauer said. The video was created by Alison Harbaugh of Sugar Farm Productions.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
The West/Rhode Riverkeeper is once again offering free kayaking events on the first and third Thursday of the summer months.
The West/Rhode Riverkeeper is once again starting a free kayaking summer program Thursday at 5 p.m. for residents eager to get in the water. Locals can meet at Discovery Village in Shady Side, grab a kayak and head out for some fun. Running until Sept. 6, the free kayaking program takes place on the first and third Thursdays of every month, said West/Rhode Riverkeeper Chris Trumbauer. Residents don't need any supplies to attend. Tandem (and some single) kayaks are provided at no cost. Be sure to get there early because Trumbauer said the event is first come, first serve. "It's nice to have free things to do with access to our waterways. You'd be surprised in Anne Arundel County how hard that can be sometimes," said Trumbauer, who is also …
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 ›