A "Moving" Story...

CP just received this note from Jan Chapman, coordinator of Anne Arundel Peace Action. Perhaps you can help. Perhaps you might also be interested in my comments at the end of the story:

Imagine if you or your son found himself in the following situation:
Through their foreign exchange program, the State Department arranges a job for your son for 3 months at Royal Farms in Eastport.

Your son leaves his home in Azerbaijan (near Turkey and Russia), takes a couple of planes to finally arrive in in Washington DC. He then takes the Metro to BWI Airport. Then he takes a bus from BWI to Annapolis. From the bus stop, he walks to his new job in Eastport at Royal Farms.

AFter 30+ hours traveling, Royal Farms tell him that they have NO jobs. Now, this young man named Shahin, has a letter from the State Department telling him that he has a job at Royal Farms.

Imagine how you might feel if this were you? Or, if this were your son?

He is in a foreign country halfway across the world.
He is told that the job that was arranged by the U.S. State Department does not existent.
He has no place to stay.
He knows no one.
He has been traveling over 30 to 35 hours without much sleep.
This young man starts going door to door in the stores in downtown Annapolis asking if they have any jobs. Store after store tells him they don't have any jobs. Finally, in one store, the owner suggests that he go to Social Services in Annapolis. She tells him how to walk to Annapolis City Council.

Shahin walks to Annapolis City Council and meets Alderman Sam Shropshire. Being the kind hearted and giving person that he is, Alderman Shropshire immediately calls the State Department to find out how in the world they messed this up where this young man is supposed to be working. Remember, the State Department is the one who found this job for this young man in their own government foreign exchange program!!!! The contact at the State Department has no answers and says they will find out and let him know the next day.

Now, where does this young man spend the night? He has no place to stay. The local hotels charge $100 to $120 a night, which is a lot of money for a student on a work program in another country.

Alderman Shropshire starts contacting people he knows. He asks an owner of a B&B, who had six empty bedrooms that night. The owner simply said, "How will he pay for a room?"

When I heard about the situation, I immediately offered my house for Shahin to spend the night as I have an extra bedroom and its own private bathroom.

The next morning, Shahin (the young man from Azerbaijan) and I meet Sam Shropshire for breakfast prior to connecting with the State Department representative. Somehow, magically, the State Department finally realized that Shahin wasn't supposed to be working at Royal Farms (despite the fact that he has a letter from them stating such), but Wendy's on West Street in Annapolis.

That decision has been a miracle in disguise. I have had the opportunity to meet the most amazing young man who is going to be a Senior at his local university majoring in Economics. This smart young man received a full four year scholarship to the university because his grades were so high. He is respectful, kind, polite, intelligent and very interested in learning about our country. I have been learning about his country and culture. Shahin will be staying at my house while here for 3 months. And, he reports for his first day at Wendy's tomorrow.

Yesterday he asked me if some Americans like war. He is concerned about this country attacking Iran, as Azerbaijan is right next to Iran. In fact, 30 million Azerbaijan residents live in Iran.
I am asking all of you for help. Help in showing Shahin how warm and caring we really are.

This is an opportunity for all of you to show this young man the peace that you stand for.

Personally, I am moving in about four weeks and will be very busy packing and unpacking for the next 6-7 weeks. While I would love to show him around, realistically I won't have time. And, he should experience meeting lots of wonderful people. People like YOU who are members of Anne Arundel Peace Action.
Alderman Shropshire has generously taken Shahin out 3 out of the last 4 nights.
Please consider extending yourself to this beautiful, intelligent young man. Ask him to dinner. Take him to the beach. Take him sailing. Show him the Eastern shore. Take him to a ball game. Take him to see a museum or sights in DC. Take him to the aquarium in Baltimore. Take him anywhere interesting. Let him experience the beauty of our country and the peace that we stand for.

If your son were visiting Azerbaijan, what kind of people and experiences would you want him to have? Especially after this challenging first experience.If you know of young adults that he can meet, put them in touch with each other. Shahin loves to play volleyball, soccer, basketball. He is fascinating to talk to about many issues.

We are peace makers. We stand for international diplomacy and getting along. Let's show him we walk our talk. Let's show him how much we truly care about diverse cultures and people and peace. Especially, at this time when the risk of our country striking Iran is even stronger.
I'm hoping that you come through and extend yourselves. You will meet an incredible young man and, I'm willing to bet, be enriched from the experience.

Call me to reach Shahin at (cell) 443 994 8150 or (office) 410 280 0440.

In peace and light,


Jan Chapman
Coordinator
Anne Arundel Peace Action
www.AAPeaceAction.us

Email: janc1000@yahoo.com

CP Notes: Let's hope Shahin will be welcomed as an honored guest. The influx of young foreigners to take low-paying jobs here cannot be understated. Any beach or summer resort or camp you visit is filled with youngsters from overseas working here. Why? Why won't our youth take these jobs? What are our local youth doing? As we slide toward becoming a third world country, will it be long before our children go to China and India and Singapore to find summer work? Or will the Army be their best option? While we welcome Shahin, let's not forget our local youth. Let's thanks Jan and Alderman Shropshire (who is always being mentioned and promoted here but refuses to blogroll CP at his own website)for helping out this young man who has a summer at Wendy's ahead of him. Personally, I'd choose a camp or beach resort, but...

Glen Burnie Carjacking Spree

Yes, big city crime is in our neighborhood. You hear about carjackings all over, but this was an armed carjacking which is a bit unusual. Even more unusual is the end result. A man took justice in his own hands and punched the carjacker in the face and took the gun! Personally, I think that was a ballsy move, but I am glad it worked out in thie end.

It seems that the three carjackers were on a spree--there were reports of multiple attempts. Hopefully when this goes to trial, a judge will rule judiciously. Why should these three be given a break? Read the full story in the Capital!

Got a comment? Something to say? Please comment at the bottom!

Alderman Shropshire on Sidewalks

Annapolis / Ward 7 Meeting to discuss City's new sidewalk fee!(a public briefing by your Alderman Sam Shropshire)

When was the legislation enacted?
What is the purpose of the legislation?
Does it affect me if I live in a private community or condominium?
These and other questions will be answered.
This is your opportunity
to say what you think.
I need to hear your point of view!

Wednesday, July 2nd, 5:30 p.m.

Zu Coffee
Bay Ridge Giant Shopping Center
934 Bay Ridge Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21403

Dear Friend,

On July 2nd, at 5:30 p.m., there will be a Ward 7 community briefing on the new sidewalk fee and other subjects. The meeting will be held at Zu Coffee.

I regret that the bill for this new sidewalk fee/tax was sent to you without proper explanation, and if you still have any questions about the sidewalk fee, please try to attend this meeting.

If you have any other questions related to the City Council, current projects at Back Creek Nature Park, traffic, streets, public safety, etc., I'll be glad to try to give you answers and to listen to your concerns.

Please share this meeting information with your friends and neighbors. Invite them to come out. I hope to see you on Wednesday, July 2nd, at Zu Coffee. Working together we can make a big difference for our City and neighborhoods!

CP NOTES: I am pleased to see that City Council members are taking this seriously. It is odd how residents are freaking out about a $25 fee. Certainly this could have been done better and more equitably, but sidewalks are a darn important piece of our public infrastructure. It would be nice if the people attending these meetings were to walk to them and actually make use of our sidewalks (where they exist) and see why they are so important and where improvements are needed.

Republican Leader Van Geertruy on Sidewalks

Dear Editor,

I was surprised to get a bill from the city for a $25 sidewalk-fee. This is ridiculous. The facts are, city residents are dealing with massive increases in taxes on the state and local level, we are in the middle of a recession which is raising prices on everything from food to clothes, our gas prices are through the roof, our BGE costs are increasing at an astromical [sic] level, and now our city council is levying new fees on simple homeowners who are just scraping by?

At what point do we say NO MORE TAXES or FEES? At what point will the city council stop enacting ridiculous and costly legislation that hurts overtaxed Annapolitans who are forced to fund city’s already excessive $85M budget?

What are we paying taxes for if we also have to pay fees for services that should clearly fall under the purview of the city services budget? What’s next, a fee to pay for flowers and pots? Will we start paying fees for firefighting, policing, and EMT’s? How about a fee for roadway improvements? Or even, how about fee for the Mayor’s desk-cleaning service?

If our taxes aren’t going to pay for basic city services, exactly what is the mayor wasting our hard-earned tax money on?

Michael Van Geertruy, Chairman
Annapolis Republican Central Committee

Alderman Arnett on Sidewalks

Many, many, many of you have called or sent email on the sidewalk fee. Believe me, I’m as frustrated as you, but the buck stops here.

Several of us on the Council are discussing ways to fix the ordinance and we will be holding a Council Workshop on the matter before the next Council meeting on 14 July. In the mean time, I’m sending out this email blast in an attempt to more fully explain the issue and to give you an idea of my thinking.


Below is a massage the Council has received from Finance.

Below is the current policy of the Finance Office:

Currently we are holding checks we are receiving for a couple of days in case the City Council wishes to rescind the charge. We have already processed numerous payments and the process of refunds is onerous and costly, so City Council action is necessary sooner rather than later.

If the customer complains that they should not have a bill, or that they were billed incorrectly, we have no authority at this time to make any changes. They are asked to put their complaint in writing, provide their name and account number, and we will address the complaints as time permits. No payment is required with the written complaint. We will accept letters mailed, dropped off, faxed, or emailed to sidewalkfee@annapolis.gov


Tim Elliott
Finance Director
City of Annapolis
410-263-7952


Here are the principles I am operating under:


Statement of Assumptions


· Sidewalks are a public good (i.e., everyone benefits from them in some way),

· Repair of sidewalks is a public safety issue,

· Sidewalks are largely in the public right-of-way,

· Sidewalk maintenance is akin to road maintenance, which the City already provides,

· The City bears some legal liability for sidewalks under both current or past code and definitely an obligation to protect sidewalk users,

· Property owners are either unaware of their responsibility or have chosen not to properly maintain their sidewalks,

· Some property owners cannot afford to repair their sidewalks.


If you accept these assumptions, then, in my view the City has two choices, we can accept full responsibility for sidewalks or we can improve the old process.



A. City Assumes Full Responsibility


· Assume responsibility for the repair of sidewalks, and, thus full liability for injury or damage due to sidewalks in disrepair.

· Develop and promulgate a criteria for sidewalk repair:

o Sidewalk is an eminent danger to the public,

o Sidewalk needs repair but is not yet a danger to the public,

o Sidewalk is in acceptable condition and poses not threat to the public.

· Inspect the sidewalks and build an inventory of sidewalks ranked by the repair criteria. Inspection to by done jointly by DENP and Public Works staff on an expedited basis.

· Begin sidewalk repair work ASAP either by contract or by City staff as they are available or both.

· Pay for sidewalk repair out of the road repair fund from within the general fund.

· Earmark a portion of the property tax for sidewalk repair and for installation of new sidewalks.

· Estimate the amount of total installation and repair costs and develop an algorithm to apportion costs among property owner types.

· Bill property owners through the property tax according to the algorithm.

· Bill property owners for new sidewalks according to the cost sharing arrangement.

· Make an estimate of the City’s potential liability for injuries and damage due to sidewalks in disrepair and insure against such liability.


B. City Strongly Enforces The Old Sidewalk Code



· Sidewalk repair is the responsibility of the property owner.

· Develop and promulgate a criteria for sidewalk repair:

o Sidewalk is an eminent danger to the public,

o Sidewalk needs repair but is not yet a danger to the public,

o Sidewalk is in acceptable condition and poses not threat to the public.

· Inspect the sidewalks and build an inventory of sidewalks ranked by the repair criteria. Inspection to by done jointly by DENP and Public Works staff on an expedited basis.

· Issue a citation to property owners with sidewalks in need of repair.

· Property owners will pay for repairs themselves. For those you cannot or will not make the repairs, the City will make repairs and place a lien on the property. For those who of modest means, the City could set up a payment plan to fit individual budget needs.

· Make an estimate of the City’s potential liability for injuries and damage due to sidewalks in disrepair and insure against such liability.


I have put these two proposals before my colleagues on the Council, but have heard from only Sam, who favors proposal A and Julie who favors proposal B.


However, none of this gets to some of the underlying issues many of you have raised. The City staff did a less than exemplary job of getting out an explanation of the sidewalk fee. I apologize for that and will strive to make sure that it doesn't happen again.


Worse, staff did a very poor job of billing for the fee. We have many folk in the position of being billed at the business rate for slips. There is a question in my mind as to how condominiums, residences or slips, should be billed -- as individual units or as a business structure or some other arrangement. This leads to the same type of question regarding apartments. There is also the issue of property owners who live on private streets and do not receive City services. All of this was left to Finance and I think they made choices based on administrative simplicity, which may be all they could do, but doesn't make the bill recipients happy because of obvious flaws in the process.


I believe that those who don’t have sidewalks still benefit from sidewalks in good repair elsewhere, just as they benefit from roads in good repair, even when they never or rarely use them. Also, the new legislation provides for funds to pay for the construction of new sidewalks in a cost sharing arrangement with the property owner. Any new sidewalks will have the public safety benefit of providing a place out of the street for pedestrians.


I like having a dedicated fee that can only be used for sidewalk construction and repair. Like other enterprise funds, these fees can’t wonder of to other spending areas. However the administrative nightmare of the fees suggest to me that this funding would better come as a part of the property and business taxes. We can still earmark the funds and track their use through the system.


This is a new service, if provided by the City, must have a revenue source. I favor the idea of spreading the cost over a large base so that everyone pays a little bit to cover the large cost that would be born by a few. In that regard it is like an insurance fund. I wish we could find a way to spread this cost to our 4.5 million annual visitors as they certain use and benefit from our public sidewalks. I also agree that, as this is a public safety matter, it should take precedence over other types of spending and that we should look within current budget to find funding rather than raise taxes of fees for this service.


I have not seen it, but the Finance Department tells me that they have an estimate of the cost to make the needed sidewalk repairs and a guestimate of the number of requests for, and the cost of, installing new sidewalks. This is information that the Council should have been given – certainly we should have asked for it. The Council assumed that Public Works has criteria for determining which sidewalks need repair an inventory of those sidewalks. I am no longer making that assumption and call for an explicit enumeration for both criteria and inventory in my steps above.


Where does this leave us on the issue of repeal? I still believe that sidewalks in disrepair pose a public safety issue that must be addressed. I’m leaning towards the City taking over the sidewalks because then we will know who is supposed to do the job and can monitor that it gets done. I can live with the other proposal, but I have a hard time with the notion of the City putting liens on the homes of those without the means to pay for repairs.


I realize that this has been a long response to the questions you have each raised, but this is a complicated matter, much more complicated than we gave it credit for being when we so glibly pass the Ordinance last fall. Now we must take some time to rethink the issue and come up with a better set of solutions.


I certainly welcome your comments on what I have set forth. Though I would like to do it sooner, the council will be taking up this issue at its 14 July regular meeting.


Ross Arnett

Alderman, Ward 8
410 295-9743


CP Notes: What are your thoughts? Call your alderman or alderwoman!

More on Sidewalks....

Loyal CP reader Faith Goldstein has shared this letter which she has sent to Alderman Fred Paone.:

To Mr. Paone:

I am a resident of West Annapolis and I am also a member of the Citizen's Advisory Board for the new Ten Year Plan. I also have two legs, two feet, two cars, I walk and I care about Annapolis.

The Ten Year Plan Meetings are open to the public and if you or the rest of the public would attend , you would learn that one of the needs of our city which we have discussed and will recommend is a viable system of connected, repaired sidewalks which are not cracked or encumbered by telephone poles and other obstacles. In order to reduce dependency on the automobile for both financial and environmental reasons, we need desperately to create an urban town which affords its citizens alternatives to the automobile.

I was appalled to read that you said that because some of the residents of West Annapolis do not have sidewalks that they should not be taxed for the betterment of the entire community. Doing right as opposed to the politically expedient is what our country and our city so desperately need. We need your leadership and you and your fellow aldermen were elected to provide it.

We live at the Ridgely Bridge where the sidewalk ends the moment it crosses Weems Creek. Ridgely Avenue is used constantly by walkers, joggers, mothers pushing baby carriages and speeding cars. We hold our breath every time we see a close call since there are no sidewalks.

Further up the street the sidewalks begin (yes, there really are sidewalks in West Annapolis, contrary to your beliefs) and they are used daily, probably by the same people who have no side walks in front of their homes. They grocery shop, frequent the shops on Annapolis Street, go to the doctor, eat at Regina's, get manicures or exercise. My husband and I actually walk downtown by foot at least twice a week . We walk on sidewalks where they exist and which are in such disrepair that I actually tripped and needed stitches in my elbow.

For you to say that there are no sidewalks in West Annapolis is irresponsible and short sighted, and I invite you to tour your own ward to see the sidewalks and their obstacles. I also recommend that you have the vision to ignore the "politics of taxes" and do what is best for the future of our city.

Perhaps the City Council lacks communication skills, but I presume that most of them would like to see our economy improve for the benefit of our health, welfare and convenience. We can move forward or we can allow the infrastructure of our city to deteriorate and become outmoded. Twenty five dollars is six cups of coffee or six gallons of gas. What is our future worth?


Faith Goldstein

West Annapolis

Your Opinion Counts!

Just like voting in the elections, your opinion counts here. There are representatives of City and County governments, police departments, fire departments, and concerned citizens groups reading this new blog.

Please use the comment feature to voice your opinion. You can do it anonymously or you can identify yourself. Or if you like, you can send in an email.
Email : arundelcrime@gmail.com To comment: Please click on the COMMENT link at the bottom of the post.

Are You Aware?

Do you really know what is happening in your neighborhood? Or do you rely on the news and the local papers?

• UNLICENSED DRIVER
• DISTURBANCE
• DRUG ARREST
• SUSPICIOUS SUBJECT
• THEFT OF SCOOTER
• DISTURBANCE
• TRESPASSING
• INJURED SUBJECT

All reported on one day....and this is just what was in the police report from the City of Annapolis!

SIDEWALKS ARE ESSENTIAL TO LIFE ITSELF!!!!!

CP is away on business but has become aware that some people are objecting to the sidewalk tax thing. Boo. Hoo.

I am totally for it. Perhaps it does not go far enough. Let's start making our sidewalks the best in the country and let's make a real system of bike lanes as well. Walking makes our city and our lives better. Sidewalks are public!!!!They have been neglected too long.

Hey Americans--you can't get something for nothing.....PUHLEEZE! Thanks to the City Council for passing this 7-1 with plenty of opportunity for each of us to get involved before it was passed.....hullloah!

More on this later...... thank you. CP

A Rare Sight On A Sunday

Sometimes these stories are just too good to be true:

16. INDECENT EXPOSURE: 6/22 12:40 PM 300 blk. of Rowe Blvd. ( near the church) 43 year old Earl Evans Howard, of No Fixed Address, was found nude and hollering at passers by about his lack of endowment. After the officer approached him, he continued grabbing his privates and hollering about how small they were. He was arrested and charged with Indecent Exposure. (08-003843)

Near a church, at noon, on a Sunday! Only in Annapolis.

Hopefully Not A Trend

First there was the cop that would let females off the hook for a flash of boobs. Now it seems that there may be some more far reaching and disturbing shenanigans going on in Anne Arundewl County.

Raymond Jonassen apparently was a suspect in a robbery case, proclaimed his innocence, went to court, and was sentenced based on a fingerprint match. Seems pretty cut and dried until you find out the investigating officer (for reasons unknown) claimed the fingerprints matched when they did not.

The Capital is reporting that the police are unsure if this was accidental or intentional and are investigating. Well, I hope so. Considering that the crime lab returned two reports to the officer--one was inconclusive and the other was negative!

It is bad enough when you have crime escalating as it is, but now we need to be wary of our own police departments. I have often heard that the crime in certain areas is high because the residents are afraid of the police. I grew up with a different impression, but maybe there is something to this assertion.

Can we depend on the police to do the right thing? When we are pulled over for a seatbelt infraction, are women expected to flash their boobs? One has to wonder if there is a relationship between Mr. Jonassen and the investigating officer--a Detective Tate. Maybe Jonassen weaseled out os a parking ticket and this was a way to even the score? Were they personal acquaintences?

In any case, the justice system certainly failed here--and in a big way. And, I am quite sure that Ms. Jonassen will be filing a lawsuit against the county--he can get in line.

Where do fingers need t be pointed? Chief Teare? John Leopold? I say BOTH!

Got a comment or an opinion? Please use the COMMENT link at the bottom of this post!