READER COMMENT ON VIOLATION OF PARKING SPACES FOR PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

CP received this comment from a reader named Ronald in response to CP's thanking the County Executive and County Council for raising fines for people using parking spaces reserved for those with disabilites:

"I am wheelchair bound and drive a van accessible vehicle. I was behind this increase to keep the illegally parking people from just getting away with only a $100 fine. Unless you are in our situations, you can not comprehend what it is like just to do the little things that the able bodied take for granted. I know I was there just over eight years ago. I regularly have to wait for extended periods of time everywhere I go. It is just a shame that if you litter it is $1,000 and one point on your driving record, but violate my civil rights and it is only $500.You do the math. The Anne Arundel County Government, will get use to this extra income to allow them to do additional good with the cash going into it's bank. Soon other counties will follow our lead and do the same.Thanks for this opportunity to let you abled bodied people see what it is really like!"

Thanks for your note Ronald. CP is trying to provide a public service by writing this blog. This is an example of government doing something good and CP is pleased to have brought it to the attention of others, including yourself. Your response was based on CP's positive comments and thanks for our county in raising the fine for these self-centered snobs who, as you say, are "able bodied" but for some reason think they are special. CP sees this selfish attitude displayed in the manner in which many people drive and park on a daily basis. It's odd how some readers say CP is "negative" or "counter-productive" while you, and other readers send notes of thanks. Please keep reading and send posts about issues that are of concern to you. If you'd like to research how the City of Annapolis handles this issue, CP will be glad to put your thoughts into a letter for our City Council to respond. Until we have equal rights for your mobility, we will not have optimum mobility for anyone.

City declares bike loaner program a success after 35 bikes and "nearly seventy bike enthusiasts"

They call it Free Wheelin', but the thing that's really free wheelin' in town is our Mayor and our Department of Transportation, whose Director, Danielle Matland says the city’s free bike loaner program was a success because, “It was exciting to show that Annapolis is a city that not only encourages alternative forms but offers access to those modes of transportation.”
Well, that’s partially true, and we are ahead of many cities, but way behind many others. One of the biggest reasons we are behind is because of uncaring and incompetent management. We can and should do better, and providing access to free bikes is important, but the issue is not access to bikes, but roads and paths upon which to ride them, facilities and leadership and an attitude that welcomes and protects bicyclists.

We are only partially a bike-friendly city and this city is doing some things, but not enough, to make it happen. As a frequent rider on city streets, CP and others can attest to the cool reception, the ignorance and lack of interest on the part of the city to encourage us and on the part of our police to enforce our safety. Capital Bicycle’s Parker Jones, a friend and advocate for cycling enthusiasts provided technical support, and assisted in many ways. Capital Bicycles is on Chinquapin Round Rd.
Free Wheelin’ will return next June with enhancements including:● A mobile trailer to house the bikes overnight● An additional spot to sign out bikes● Outreach to medical professionals to assess bike-related injuries
This sounds well and good, but please, please don’t ignore the necessary tri-partite system of design/construction coupled with education and enforcement. Matland says, “We’re asking local medical facilities to track these injuries by noting where the near-accident took place. These places are where to start when considering bike lanes and street expansions and expanding bike trails.”
WHAAAAAT? These types of studies that have examined and rated roads for bike accessibility have been done so many times over so many years and Matland knows it. It’s just a bureaucratic, make-work ploy to put off the work. Furthermore, as part of the City’s agreement with Comcast for the customer shelters at bus stops, we are supposed to have received and installed some 10 custom bike racks…years ago. This has never been done.
We don’t even have a decent bike rack near the Market Space, despite its heavy use. The ugly, old steel and wood rack is pejoratively referred to as a “tire killer” and it’s coming apart!!
Furthermore, a local resident named John Overstreet has compiled and analyzed bike safety records for years in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. These reports are known to the City’s DOT. So why are they embarking on a study about bike injuries? Johns Hopkins has been looking at this for years. Now our own mismanaged Annapolis Transit which can barely keep its buses on the road wants to be a Department of Health? Hey, that raises a question--since helmets are the best way to prevent serious injury, did the city require or provide helmets to these visitors who hopped aboard these free bikes??? Can you imagine the lawsuit???

GONE FISHIN....Don't Bite the Hand That Feeds You....(or nurses you)

Alderman are often called upon to get involved in, address or solve the most intractable problems, sometimes even the most, shall we say zany problems. Ward 7 Alderman Sam Shropshire tells CP that he recently got a call from a constituent who was upset that a Great Blue Heron was eating fish from his pond. ???? Why, you ask yourself, would anyone bother an elected or any government official about such a matter? What could a government official possibly do about it? What did this person expect, and what's wrong with a Great Blue Heron in Annapolis? A Great Blue Heron is not a mountain lion or a bear!

What's next? Let's see, "Dear Alderman, it rained last night and I left my car window down. I think we should make city employees hold umbrellas over our cars when this happens." Or "I locked my keys in my house. Can you send a policeman over to break-in?". Or how about, "Dear Alderman, my kids track mud in the house. Do you think we should have them arrested? At the least, can you make the schools provide a program to teach proper behavior?" I could go on, but....

The good Alderman reports that he thanked the resident for feeding one of our precious native species and suggested he put a net over the pond.

WARD 2 ALDERMAN MIKE CHRISTMAN RESIGNS

It had been rumored and CP got confirmation today. It's now reported in The Capital. I suppose this will go to a special election even though it takes enormous time and energy and costs us all big bucks. CP knows that the Republicans are already working on this opportunity. It would probably be a good guess that Democrat Debbie Rosen McKerrow, an Admiral Heights resident who narrowly lost to Christman, will likely run again. More to come...

FROM TODAY'S CAPITAL....THE BEAT GOES ON

Just a few newsy tidbits gleaned from our local paper of record today. Visit http://www.capitalonline.com/ for the stories, but below are comments/reactions:

Shootings in Eastport--CP was woken up by the rapid fire sound of automatic gunfire. It was not the first time...not by a longshot...Two men hospitalized. Neighbors coninue to be terrorized. Some local activists continue to use statistics to show that public housing residents are not disproportionately connected to crime....gun lovers will continue to say that guns don't shoot people, but people do....meanwhile, we are still down 22 police officers, partially due to war in Iraq to fight terrorism....WAKE UP MR. PRESIDENT, we are being terrorized here!!!!

Two Tenants Quit Market House...This is not surprising. Our city officials have conspired to mess this up since the process of renovation began a few years ago, and as usual, Mayor Moyer plays the blame game.

Perhaps most telling is a letter from one of these now former tenants to Site Realty, manager of the property:

"In our minds the continuing friction between Site Realty, the mayor of Annapolis and the negative press over this friction, and Site Realty not correcting a major flaw in the construction of the building greatly impacted the potential customers for the Fractured Prune," the letter stated. "Who would want to walk into that building, it looks like a nuclear waste treatment dump."

Money for Our Bay...While environmental and Bay advocates press for more funding to address the degradation of the Bay, at least one Delegate brings up the old social versus private issue again. From The Capital:

Delegate Steve Schuh "said in an interview that he doesn't think it's fair that environmentalists have to find new ways for the government to raise money for their programs.
"We have all these things we try to do. We want public safety, we want higher education, we want pre-K through 12 education, we want health care for the poor, we want social services for the poor. When was the last time the police were asked to go out and find new funding sources?" he asked.

Well Mr. Schuh, the first question is do WE want all these things, or do I and others want them and you don't??? I have a little trouble with a Republican financial manager from chic Gibson Island (where the guard keeps undesirables out and average home value is....how many millions again?) saying he wants things for "the poor." Why doesn't he open up his mansion, presumably a waterfront one, on Gibson Island, which has its own country day school, for the unwashed masses? While he lounges at his private island, these "poor" folk might be lucky to get some unshaded beach among the crowds at Sandy Point Park.

Is cleaning up OUR BAY one of "their programs" as he puts it? We have a system that has allowed him and his neighbors to get rich and to have more access to the Bay and enjoyment of it thanks to private property rights, all upheld by government, but clean air and water are social rights and social property. He and other rich people have amassed wealth by using and abusing natural resources more than others, and by passing on costs (i.e. wastes and effluents) to the "environment" for centuries. Now they whine about having to pay their share. Does he think his home values will rise if the Bay dies?

And then there is the "Watchdog" story of a resident of Bloomsbury Square, a unique public housing community. The particular resident, who has been living in this place for 28 years (!) is complaining about people running the stop-sign near her home. Turns out, she got all riled up about this after SHE WAS CAUGHT doing the same thing, but in Eastport, and fined a hefty $153. Well Ms. Davis, how fortunate that you have been in public housing for 28 years and now have your own brick, waterfront home in downtown Annapolis. I agree that running stopsigns is a serious and dangerous problem, but did you only start complaining about the apparent lack of enforcement once you got a ticket??? And while I'm on it, what about the violent crime in Bloomsbury Square???

Perhaps Delegate Schuh and this woman should participate in a home swap. The lawmaker will be able to walk to his office, and the Bloomsbury Square resident won't have to worry about crime or stopsign scofflaws. After all, the only way on that island is past a guard booth or by boat, which is not allowed either.

THE NEWS PILES UP AT CITY HALL

At his most recent visit to City Hall, CP found a week's worth of newspapers IN PLASTIC BAGS (Alderman Shropshire--are you listening???) piling up on the sidewalk at the steps to City Hall. Each of these PLASTIC BAGS contained an issue of The Examiner from Baltimore, each one addressed to Mayor and Senior Staff. CP stooped to remove these papers, as it was obvious that neither the Mayor nor her Senior Staff could be bothered, and brought them in to City Hall, when lo and behold, one member of the Mayor's Senior Staff happened along to see what CP was doing. This Senior Staff member, who is nominally in charge of the city's environmental initiatives, received the news in a humorous manner, but otherwise seemed unconcerned.

You may ask yourself, so what? However, CP contends that this seemingly minor incident is indicative of a lax attitude and even, yes, even hypocrisy. It shows contempt for how the entrance to City Hall looks, contempt for the news, and the apparent inability of anyone to even see what is egregiously unsightly or to, heaven forbid, stoop to do anything about it. But worse of all, is the PLASTIC BAG issue (by the way, CP is never delivered in a plastic bag, but The Capital is every day...) AND THE FACT THAT OUR MAYOR IS SUCH A NUT ABOUT LITTERING that she even had her own (taxpayer funded) anti-littering campaign with some kind of smiley flower mascot--what was its name? Regina Daisy Lacey Mae Dale Lady Bird something or other??? Yet she and her Senior Staff let trash pile up in front of City Hall.....(maybe they were just holding it for recycling???) as if they do not even see it.

DEAR CAPITAL EDITORS, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE DEAL IS SWEET ENOUGH FOR ERIC AND JOE

On second thought, Capital editors, if letting employees go means bye bye to Eric Smith and Joe Gross, then please, do whatever is necessary to make them take the bait and shrink their news hole. Offer free cigarettes to Eric, free spareribs to Joe, or whatever it takes. They certainly must be eligible for the buyout. With their salaries gone, this means you can hire some real writers, and perhaps six or seven of them in their place, and probably still save money. Everyone benefits.

Let Eric and Joe go out for pizza together and pontificate about potholes and postcards. Together. In peace. In their golden days. And give us a most welcome rest from their inanities. It's the perfect time. Go Eric. Go Joe. Go in peace.

DEAR CAPITAL EDITORS, PLEASE DON'T SHRINK THE NEWS HOLE

This can only be bad news for local readers and non-readers who believe in the power and the role of the news media to serve a broad community. Here it is:

"In response to declining advertising revenue, Capital Gazette Communications yesterday offered voluntary buyouts to 50 employees, or about 21 percent of its workforce."

This was in today's paper. http://www.capitalonline.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/10_02-21/BUS It has been rumored that something along the lines was coming, and some Capital folks have mentioned certain goings on to CP, but 50 employees!!! Of course, this is happening to newspapers all over the place, and the Baltimore Sun's local news hole has been shrinking. As CP reported, some longtime staff members had left. Some days, there is hardly any news in its Arundel section.

But back to The Capital for a moment. This can only mean less reporting, less news coverage and a decreasingly well informed public. Of course, CP extends a welcome hand to any reporters wishing to work with another local news outlet. And boy, do we have a sweet buy-in deal for you.....we wish..... We hope that all Capital employees can weather this storm, and although it is likely in vain, we ask your editors to PLEASE DON'T SHRINK THE NEWS HOLE ANY FURTHER!!!

DEAR CAPITAL EDITORS; THANK YOU FOR REMAINING FIRMLY AGAINST SLOTS

This blog has not always agreed with The Capital (uh, yeah, well, duhh!) and has generally felt its editorials are weak and wishy-washy, but not so on the subject of slot machine gambling in Maryland. Thankfully, with The Governor jockeying to bring slots to Maryland, The Capital has again firmly said no to slots. This time, they even take the Maryland Association of Retailers to task:

"Tom Saquella, president of the retailers' lobby, told The (Baltimore) Sun recently that his organization always supported slots but also believes table games like blackjack and poker would spare the state from Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposed increase in the sales tax. In other words, if some gambling is good, more gambling is even better.
What hogwash. Where does the association think gambling money comes from? It comes from a pool of money otherwise used for pizzas, movies, entertainment - even groceries. More money for casinos means less money for retailers. In case the association hasn't noticed, sales tax collections are already running below projections - and it wants people to spend money on gambling instead of on retail goods?"

Thank you! They even said "What hogwash"!!! For the full editorial, read here:

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/09_30-24/OPN

But that's not all, for they also wrote another editorial recently:

Of course, our readers know that we dislike slots and think the damage they'll do to the state's social fabric isn't remotely worth any added revenue. But even if we wanted this form of gambling, we'd still think it irresponsible to enact a slots plan hastily. And we trust the governor and the legislative leaders agree.

See the full editorial here:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/09_27-58/OPN

FALSE START ON MIDEAST TALKS IN ANNAPOLIS???

To paraphrase Buffalo Springfield,. "Something may be happening here, but what it is ain't exactly clear...." Press reports of a November Mideast peace conference to be held at the Naval Academy may be immature.... CP got a hold of an internal email sent from Captain Helen Dunn, executive assistant to the Superintendent, USNA sent October 1 at 8:45 am:

All,
We have been receiving numerous calls from press requesting a reaction to the unconfirmed reports that Annapolis and the Naval Academy are being considered as a potential site for a Mideast Peace Conference. I would encourage your restraint in speaking to media or others about this, as we don’t have any official confirmation on the press reports. As has already been the case, I am sure reporters will by-pass the Public Affairs Office to reach staff, faculty and Midshipmen directly for a comment. Our official position on this is “we can’t confirm the report,” and we are forwarding reporters to the State Department Press Office. Please feel free to refer any calls you might get to the Academy Public Affairs Office. r/EA"

The State Department's Sept 28 press briefing with Deputy Sec'y Tom Casey sheds yet more light on the issue:

"QUESTION: Yeah. Do you have a venue yet for the Middle East conference? I understand that it's apparently going to be held in Annapolis.
MR. CASEY: Hmm. Well, I don't actually have a venue that I can confirm for you at this point, Sue. Certainly we're looking at a variety of locations, as well as trying to think in terms of specific dates and some of the other logistical issues involved here. But I certainly am not in a position to confirm anything for you at this time."

Therefore, there MAY or MAY NOT be a Mideast Peace Summit here in November. CP is so pleased to have been able to report nothing but the facts, and the truth and the whole story to you......rigghhttt.........and why would a reporter ever bypass the Public Affairs Office??? CP is flummoxed!!! The bottom line is nobody knows at this time or they ain't saying....

SITTING ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY, WATCHING GLOBAL WARMING COME MY WAY

Sunday's Capital features an article about long term plans for keep downtown competitive in the face of PAROLE and a piece about the plans to refurbish City Dock. The Capital's photo of Economic Director (is that office director or guaranteed 100k per year Department Director?) Mike Miron and Chamber of Commerce head Bob Burdon strolling on Main Street discussing what is to be done, or some such thing.

CP has his doubts as to whether either of those two gentlemen or their respective organizations will be able to propose or lead any visionary or far-reaching effort to address this mega-problem, but the fate of City Dock can go a long way toward this goal. However, it appears that redoing City Dock with a multi-million dollar makeover will miss the point if we continue to use Maryland's finest real estate outside of Ocean City for a parking lot. You know, the place that causes traffic tie-ups, detracts from the attractive environment, and just allows cars to sit all day, taking up space while the city takes in a few quarters.

If we are to truly make Annapolis greater and keep it special, we must capitalize (yeah capitalize) on what is great and special. Hmmm, what might that be? Historic buildings? Scenic views? Crowds of people gathering? Boats? Walkabality? If we try to compete with or be like Parole, we may as well just bulldoze, pave over and start again with parking lots. CARS DO NOT GO INTO STORES AND SPEND MONEY....(except in a few situations) BUT PEOPLE WALK INTO STORES AND SPEND MONEY. So, why do we make downtown more and more car-oriented when what makes us special AND ATTRACTIVE and different is the exact opposite? Now, do any of us really think that The Chamber of Commerce has seen the light? Do we think the same folks that brought us The Market House will bring us better things?

Finally, IF, and that is a big "IF", sea level rises dramatically, and we get more and more floods downtown, maybe we should be building City Dock to withstand and somehow abate these floods? We are not doing that. It will be a long, long time before Parole gets flooded, but downtown?? Fatti Maschi, Parole Femina...

LEOPOLD RIDES IN ON A WHITE HORSE, or a WHITE BUS

The SOuth COunty COnnection bus linking Deale and Shady Side with Edgewater and Annapolis, and therefore with the rest of the county (indirectly via transit) was about to be terminated by Annapolis Transit when suddenly, and without warning, County Exec Leopold swooped in with his Department of Social Services and rescued the route.....thus making him look great and Annapolis look like the bad guys....which is probably one of the reasons he did it???

With the knowledge that the county used state and federal "pass-through" monies to fund most of this route, had the city and county fully cooperated, this route could have easily worked better, carried more customers, and reduced duplicative efforts between Department of Aging vans and Annapois Transit buses, thus saving lots of money. CP suggested this many times, but....

Leopold should certainly be commended. We need transit and we need this route, and he is working on buses for the Fort Meade/BRAC-osaurus (you saw it called that here first!) monster about to swallow us, but what we really need is (ta dum..beat the drum, the dead horse, or whatever) a real regional commitment to a transit system. To the extent that this bus is rescued, it is great, but it does not take us any closer to a regional transit system, which one way or another MUST INVOLVE CITY-COUNTY COOPERATION. Is anybody listening out there? And CP will say again, if Olmert and Abbas can meet, so can Leopold and Moyer.