BEYOND THE WALL OR NOT? WE NEED OUR CITY COUNCIL TO GET INVOLVED IN MORE FEDERAL AND STATE ISSUES

It seems that there is never any relief from news about some kind of scandal or inappropriate behavior on the part of somebody associated with the US Naval Academy. CP thinks it’s time the Annapolis City Council set up a special permanent committee to respond to and pass resolutions about any future scandals.

Recently, we’ve missed out on the prostitution “contractor” and before that, the Mids behaving badly thing. Once this committee is in place, our municipality will be able to respond quickly, and with a higher degree of background knowledge than has been shown with previous Academy issues.

First, we should establish some parameters. For example, are certain issues “beyond the wall” but other issues “within the city”? We need to clearly establish which issues are off-limits and which are of concern to our City Council.

Second, perhaps we need to set aside some public funds so we can carry out investigations. After all, we can’t take the Navy’s word for anything, so we have to do our own investigation.

Third, we need citizen input and a procedure to formalize this in public meetings at Council Chambers.

And finally, we need a committee to investigate whether there may be other government institutions in or perhaps near Annapolis, where we have to undertake a similar, formal process.

For example, the NSA, No-Such Agency, the Puzzle Palace near Fort Meade. A lot of Annapolitans work there--or so we are led to believe. What if we disagree with something the NSA does? Of course we have District and Circuit Courts in Annapolis and what if we disagree with a decision handed down by a judge or a jury? After all, Annapolitans serve on juries and some of the judges even live in our town, And then there is the Coast Guard which operates a Search and Rescue Station near Annapolis. What if we disagree with a decision to send a boat crew out in unusually bad weather? Do we take this all the way to the Secretary of Homeland Security or simply to the Commandant of the Coast Guard? Would this be handled through the Mayor’s Office or perhaps our Harbormaster? Do we simply go to the Coast Guard’s District office in Portsmouth or the office in Baltimore? After all, the boater in question could be somebody who rents a slip in Annapolis, or may even live in Annapolis.

And what about the Department of Natural Resources? The General Assembly? The State Police? They all have offices in Annapolis--and there are yet more! The Archives! The MD Secretary of State! The FBI Field Office!

These are important issues. We should not waste any time. At any moment, any one of these agencies could do something that might upset City Council. We need a committee, and we need it now!

When you can't take the heat....

I just read this piece in last evening's paper regarding Judge Manck. He is retiring. Seems rather abrupt and I wonder if it had anything to do with his recent sentence of the child molester in Severna Park?

As I mentioned in the past, his sentences seem to be all over the road and judging from the paper his peers feel so as well. Some say he is too lenient, others say he is too tough.

All I can say, is that if that sentence was indicative of the judicial system in Maryland, I am glad he is retiring. Maybe now, there will be an appointment of a judge with some backbone.