Thursday, May 16, 2013
Laura Neuman also talked about the county’s libraries at Tuesday night’s Harwood Civic Association’s meeting.
County Executive Larua Neuman discussed a myriad of south county issues at Tuesday night’s Harwood Civic Association’s meeting in Galesville. Among two of the more impassioned items that were brought up by those in attendance focused on the Muddy Creek Road intersection and the county’s libraries. Neuman spoke briefly in the beginning about her background and then turned the conversation over to questions from the audience. The construction at the Muddy Creek Road intersection was a hot topic, as many residents are frustrated with the amount of time the project has taken. “We see progress everyday,” Neuman said of her time so far in office. “But there is so much pent up demand from the last several years that we can’t get it all done right…
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The county executive explains her reasons behind the stormwater legislation veto as community members applauded her efforts to ensure all residents understood the bill.
County Executive Laura Neuman spoke about south county issues at Tuesday night’s Harwood Civic Association’s meeting in Galesville. The Chesapeake Bay, keeping south county rural, libraries and the Muddy Creek road intersection were all items that were discussed by Neuman and those in attendance, which included county councilman Jerry Walker (R-7th District). The crowd applauded Neuman for vetoing the stormwater management bill as she explained what led to the veto. "It is only the top 10 jurisdictions in Maryland and I didn’t think it was fair the entire state didn’t participate in it," Neuman said. During the meeting, Neuman said she went around the county to grocery stores and other locations to talk to residents about the legislation …
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…
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The Anne Arundel County Attorney received an opinion that the county's charter disqualifies council members from being appointed county executive.
In the wake of former County Executive John Leopold's resignation, two Anne Arundel County Council members expressed interest in a bid for the seat, but attorneys familiar with charter legislation say the county's charter makes the council members ineligible. After council members John Grasso (R–District 2) and Jerry Walker (R–District 7) expressed interest in putting their name in the running, County Attorney John Hodgson requested an opinion on behalf of the county from Rosenberg, Martin Greenberg LLP, as to whether they are eligible to be appointed to the office. Andrew H. Baida, an attorney for the law firm, cited several county and state rulings that suggest this section of the county charter makes current council members ineligible: …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The council is set to appoint the next executive on Feb. 21.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Three of Anne Arundel County's 13 unions will receive their first pay increases in more than four years.
About 25 percent of Anne Arundel County's employees will receive pay raises for the first time in four years thanks to a unanimous vote by the County Council on Monday. The 3 percent pay increase—which will cost the county $650,000—goes to approximately 1,200 employees who are members of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 70, AFSCME Local 582 and AFSCME Local 2563. "The last four years, to say the least, have been extremely difficult," said Mike Akers, president of AFSCME Local 582. Akers testified before Council that his members have accepted years without cost of living increases and a growing number of furlough days. The vote itself was a formality because Maryland's Court of Appeals restored binding arbitration to the county in …
Friday, August 17, 2012
Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold is mentioned in two recent lawsuits against the county, which seek more than $1.3 million in combined compensation.
Anne Arundel County councilmen are introducing a pair of bills that would give them the final say when large legal settlements are reached. And if the individual is a county official in a case of misconduct, the official would have to foot the bill. The pieces of legislation come at a time when the county is facing two potentially costly litigations. Former employees Karla Robinson Hamner and Joan Harris are each pursuing cases against the county in U.S. District Court on grounds of wrongful termination. Hamner is seeking $300,000, and Harris is seeking nearly $1 million. Both women worked for County Executive John R. Leopold and mention him as being instrumental in the filing of their legal complaints after accusing him of official …
Thursday, June 28, 2012
From your local neighbors to Anne Arundel County Council members to Gov. Martin O'Malley, Maryland's legislators sound off on the upholding of the Affordable Care Act.
Update (4 p.m.)—The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in a 5-4 decision Thursday. Here's a look at what local residents said on Facebook, and politicians from around Anne Arundel and around the state of Maryland have to say about the court's decision. Edgewater, Davidsonville Residents: The majority of those who commented on Patch's Facebook page following the Supreme Court's ruling were frustrated and against the justices' decision. And while some argued that the decision will turn the U.S. into a socialist nation, most just expressed their dissatisfaction. Phrases like "Welcome to Russia folks!" and "We are screwed," filled the comments section. One commenter wrote "I think it sucks ... more money I need to fork …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Councilman Jerry Walker told Patch that Delegate Nicholaus Kipke's petition effort is about 10,000 short of the 58,000 signatures needed by Sunday.
Update (4:32 p.m.)—Over the last few months, Delegate Nicholaus Kipke (R-31st District) has gathered thousands of signatures for a petition he formed calling for a referendum on Gov. Martin O’Malley’s congressional redistricting plan. Kipke is hoping to get 58,000 signatures by Sunday in order to keep the petition alive. In an effort to meet that goal, Kipke and those who support his petition have scheduled a last-minute effort to obtain signatures at nine libraries in Anne Arundel County on Thursday night. The closest location for local residents is the Edgewater Library. Kipke, a Republican who lives in Pasadena, called the governor’s redistricted map “gerrymandering” in a press release sent earlier this month. A spokesperson at Kipke’s …
Saturday, June 16, 2012
A look at the biggest headlines of the week.
No. 1—BGE Crews Tend to Gas Main Leak Behind Kmart Power to the South River Colony was shut off Monday while BGE crews tended to the gas main leak around the popular shopping center, said Joe McGovern, owner of Stan & Joe's. A BGE spokeswoman confirmed the leak caused a power outage, and it took crews several hours to fix the incident. About eight customers were affected by the leak, the BGE spokeswoman said. No. 2—Police: 2 'Bottle Bomb' Incidents in a Week After two "bottle bomb" incidents in one week, Anne Arundel County police are warning the public that juveniles and adults may face felony charges for manufacturing and detonating devices. On Monday at 6:30 p.m., officers responded for the report of an explosion in Pasadena. An …
John Pineau
7:43 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
We all know there are problems. We cant fix the world , but with real effort and solid commitment, we can change our little part of this together. Find where you strength is and go after that with conviction, dedication and an open mind to understand all possibilities and opportunities available . Complaining and ranting is easy ! Really go and do something for the community near you. Get … more ›