Local Newspaper to Start Videonews

If you read the online version of the local paper (whose name shall not be mentioned again....except in the title of this blog..and we don't mean Punishment), you may be interested to know that it is gearing up to produce news videos online. The big question is how long will it be before they ask us to start paying to see the site online? One hopes that advertising will provide enough revenue to keep the corporate owners happy. It sure does not keep CP happy but this is a public service, not a multi-million dollar corporate enterprise focusing on sports, comics and who knows what else. Of course, CP encourages all blog readers to support their favorite blog's sponsors...

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A Fox Hat In The Ring

Once again, I am forced by circumstance to cover the mayoral race, whose election takes place in November....next year! Please God make it stop. Please?. Chris Fox, co-owner of Sly Fox Pub, where CP has enjoyed lunch and has dined on the outdoor patio, is running for mayor.(Do they still have Thursday night specials with Red Stripe? It sounds communist...)

Fox may be a well-known entrepreneur, but he is relatively unknown in political circles. Maybe that's a good thing. His web-site addresses this and explains his views on many issues. He has a section in Spanish (with no English translation but basically he says he is familiar with immigrants and is concerned about them) but I am not sure why he is reaching out in Spanish, although there's nothing wrong with that. However, he should post it in English too. Por favor por todos que habla el Ingles.

Fox has obviously put some thought into a lot of issues and as a businessman, brings that much needed perspective to civil and governmental affairs. I like that he comes right out and says public housing is his number one concern and he is interested in public transit but the first thing he mentions about parking is his perceived need to expand it. NO. NO. NO. That will be the kiss of death bringing only more traffic and congestion. Let's talk about limiting parking and making downtown for people. We don't have a parking problem, we have a transportation challenge.

He advocates a city manager form of government! Excellent. Please keep pressing on that one. It's refreshing to see someone taking on hard issues in a straightforward and thoughtful manner. And he also posts a link to Capital Punishment--good move Chris. Hey--talk to me about advertising on CP for the pub or your campaign....I don't endorse any candidate, just ideas!!

So far I have promoted the websites of McFall, Flyntz and now Fox and will continue to do so unfairly and subjectively...but I will be an equal opportunity exploiter. Take no prisoners. But you can get involved in our future and learn more about Chris Fox at http://www.foxformayor.com/index.html

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Ellen of Troy? Taxpayers--a sidewalk tax refund or a medallion?

Oh Yeah....now our embattled mayor is selling paperweights celebrating 300 Years of elected government! Here is what the official city news release says (with CP's comments in italics):

Don't miss this opportunity to purchase the Official City of Annapolis Charter 300 Medallion celebrating 300 Years of Elected Government in the City of Annapolis.
(Who would want to miss this opportunity to make fun of our current elected government?)

This limited edition sure to become a collectors item!
(Without a doubt. Did they mean "is sure to become" or "edition sure to become"....The one lasting impression of the failed Moyer Administration. Only ten million of these rare items have been struck. Be the first in your ruined sidewalk, pockmarked, bullet-ridden street to have one.)

$60 for the Certified Silver Medallion from Northwest Territorial Mint. A proof quality piece of 1 Troy Ounce of Fine Silver. (As in Ellen of Troy?)

$25 for the lovely and practical nickle paperweight. Makes a great gift for anyone, anywhere that loves the City of Annapolis. ($25? Why not just send one to each of the suckers who sent in their sidewalk tax instead of refunding them their money? Those of us that still love the City of Annapolis do not necessarily love its elected government....which is what this celebrates)

Please fill out this form, make checks payable to City of Annapolis, and mail to:
(Oh yeah, I can't wait to send in yet more money....)

City of Annapolis
Attn: Karen Engelke
Special Projects Coordinator
(Interesting...so that's what a special projects coordinator does? What if our government loses money on this? The best way to celebrate our elected government will be to elect a new one in November, 2009. Let's all send more money in to our government!)Dear Aldermen--How did this one slip through the cracks? Why did we not at least let local retailers do this? Our police headquarters is not yet done. The Market House debacle continues. Our buses air conditioners do not work. But we've got medallions. How much of our tax dollars will be sunk into this one? I could go on and on, but...what's the use?

"NO CELEBRATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION....on a medallion"


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Good Morning...

It's a beautiful summer weekend in Annapolis. Last night CP enjoyed a neighborhood block party with food, friends and conversation along with our public servants from the Annapolis Fire Department, their German Shepherd bomb sniffing dog and a red fire truck for the little ones. Many thanks to D and A the host and hostess. Terrific!

What to do this weekend? Go to the Saturday Farmers Market at Riva Road or the new Sunday one in downtown. Hit some Garage Sales. Ride your bike. Enjoy the wine festival at the fairgrounds. Enjoy the free concert Saturday night at Quiet Waters. Please don't use any noisy, stinky outdoor lawn and garden tools. Enjoy locally produced food in your backyard or on the patio. Think Globally. Shop and eat locally. Meet a neighbor for coffee....or better yet-- fresh juice made from local apples.

(And who says this blog is negative???)

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Homicide Suspect From May Has Been Detained

Annapolis Police Department Public Information Office
Media Release

For Additional Information Contact:
Officer Hal Dalton (410) 268-9000 ext. 7305 (410) 919-7188
OR Lt. Brian Della (410) 268-9000 ext. 7250

July 25th, 2008 12:45 PM
HOMICIDE SUSPECT IDENTIFIED, IN CUSTODY
ORIGINAL RELEASE:
RE: Homicide

On May 3rd, 2008 at 5:01 PM, Annapolis Police Dispatch received reports of shots fired in the area of the unit block of Pleasant Street.A 31 year old local male was found on the scene suffering from gunshot(s). He was pronounced dead on the scene by paramedics. His identity is being withheld pending family notifications.This investigation is still in the active, initial stage at this time. No suspect nor motive has been determined. No further information is available at this time, as the investigation is still in the very preliminary stage. The victim has been identified as Michael Lee Thompson, Sr.

UPDATE 7/25/08
After an extensive investigation, the shooter in this case has been identified as Deonte Desmund Boyd, 24, with a last known address of 3739 St. Margaret Street in Brooklyn, MD. A warrant has been issued charging Deonte Boyd with the Murder of Michael Lee Thompson, Sr. Specifically, he is charged with First Degree Murder, Use of a Handgun In The Commission of a Felony, General Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, Second Degree Murder, and Reckless Endangerment. He is currently incarcerated in Prince George*s County after recently being arrested in that jurisdiction for Drug Possession. A detainer for the Murder and associated charges has been lodged with Prince Georges County. When protocol is established, it is expected that he will be returned to Anne Arundel County and formally served with the Murder and associated
charges.The identification of Deonte Boyd as the shooter is based on multiple witness accounts of different facets of the event.

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This Is Bullcrap!

Nancy Davis-Loomis--shame on you!  A 17-year old girl (Megan Patria) hides her pregnancy, gives birth, throws the baby in a dumpster and catches a break being tried as a juvenile. She is sentenced to a juvenile facility until she is 21. That is her break.



So, after 8 months, someone at the facility feels that she is rehabilitated and Judge Davis-Loomis releases her!  After 8 months!!  The judge says that the purpose is to rehabilitate and not punish. Who the hell said the two were mutually exclusive?  I am glad the girl is rehabilitated. And I really do not think she was ever a "threat to society"; but that does not negate the fact that she killed her baby!  Yes, she needs to be punished!  She caught a break and now she does not even have to serve the complete sentence.



Yes, there was a precedent in a similar case, but you try a case on its own merits and not that of another. So what's next judge Davis-Loomis? I tell you, if I ever fall on the wrong side of the law, I want you. Do you take requests?

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Suspected Murderer Caught

Good news! A man currently in jail in PG County has been identified as the shooter who killed Michael Lee Thompson on Pleasant Street in May 2008!

Once the paperwork is complete, Deonte Desmund Boyd will be headed back here for trial. Notice to the judges....please take this seriously! Here is the police report:

After an extensive investigation, the shooter in this case has been identified as Deonte Desmund Boyd, 24, with a last known address of 3739 St. Margaret Street in Brooklyn, MD. A warrant has been issued charging Deonte Boyd with the Murder of Michael Lee Thompson, Sr. Specifically, he is charged with First Degree Murder, Use of a Handgun In The Commission of a Felony, General Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, Second Degree Murder, and Reckless Endangerment. He is currently incarcerated in Prince George*s County after recently being arrested in that jurisdiction for Drug Possession. A detainer for the Murder and associated charges has been lodged with Prince Georges County. When protocol is established, it is expected that he will be returned to Anne Arundel County and formally served with the Murder and associated charges.

The identification of Deonte Boyd as the shooter is based on multiple witness accounts of different facets of the event.

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Goings On Around Clay Street

Once again I turn your attention to Clay Street and the blog that is concerned with that neighborhood http://www.iliveonclaystreet.com/

Among other items, there is an interesting piece about redeveloping public housing.

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CP recently wrote about the huge Artscapes event in Baltimore, observing how so many of the Baltimore police officers he saw in force were obese. In response, "Encyclopedia" wrote the following comment:

"Yeah! We should invade the rights of bus drivers too. Especially black ones, since they obviously eat fried chicken and have high blood pressure and could have a heart attack and fall over and die on the steering wheel while driving a busload of white children."

Dear Encyclopedia
We'll let your words speak for themselves. By the way, would you be Brittanica, WorldBook or Ignorama?


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A Bike-Friendly Annapolis?

See the local newspaper story which also quotes CP at http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/07_23-24/CAN

Official Report on our Police Department

CP went to hear the final report issued by the International City Management Association ICMA on our police department. Hallelujah. Their report says what many of us have been saying for a long time. Police resources are not appropriately deployed to cover the high crime areas.
BINGO.
Spot on.
Jackpot.

Another thing--officers are in their cars too much. They need to get out on the street and they need a unit in public housing.

And finally--a city manager form of government? Something we should consider. Of course CP has been urging this for years and made it a top campaign priority when running for alderman. People are finally beginning to see the value of such a system.

Thanks go to the mayor and city council specifically the public safety committee consisting of Aldermen Arnett, Cordle and Finlayson.

Our Police Department: Are They Getting A Bum Rap?

The following came from our police department, presumably to many different receivers:

Original Message ( with correction)
Date: July 22nd, 2008 Tuesday

SPECIAL REQUEST TO READERS:

Lately, it seems the officers and APD have been subjected to some particularly harsh press. We do not suggest for one second that we should be above criticism and always do things perfectly. Far from it. We actually welcome scrutiny and constructive criticism. It helps us improve our level of services. By the same token, it seems some media prefer to accentuate the negative, while ignoring the positive. Our officers are doing things above and beyond the call of duty every day, both on and off the job. Rarely will you see this reflected in the traditional media. You won*t see a story about an officer handling a panhandling complaint at a fast food restaurant by buying a down and out homeless man a meal out of his own pocket, then finding him a place to stay for the night. You may not see a story about two officers rushing into a burning building and hustling an elderly resident out. You won*t see stories about officers taking armed suicidal subjects into custody without any injuries being involved. You may, but only if there is not enough *bad news* to report that day, it seems. That is
quite understandable, as the traditional media is a business and the old axiom no doubt holds true about bad things being news.

We are seeking outlets to disseminate * good news* about our agency and personnel. If any readers run or participate in any other information sharing forums, such as blogs, newsletters, or publications, we would like to enlist your help. We would like to send you such stories occasionally for your consideration in your venue. If anyone is in such a position, we ask that you e-mail or call us so that we may add you to our list of recipients. As always, of course, you are free to link to this report, re-produce it, or otherwise use the information conducive to your interests.

hdalton@annapolis.gov (410) 268-9000 ext. 7305

CP believes it is important for all of us to be aware of and to monitor our police department, and to work with its officers to fight crime and improve our city. Here is an excerpt of what CP wrote to Officer Hal Dalton in response:

Police departments are like bus systems, utility companies and newspapers. Everybody loves to complain and criticize them. But our department has not done a very good job in boosting its image. It has done a good job of this in some respects, for example your crime reports, but not so good in others. What I am saying is that a bad image is in part its own shortcoming, and I think that the experience of many hundreds of citizens getting nowhere with concerns and complaints and suggestions and seeing an entrenched chief who was past his prime ignore repeated pleas to place resources in high crime areas, but to no avail. Then what happens? The ICMA comes along and says it should do just that.

The recent reporting about lax follow-up and investigation of a particular crime against property hit a chord--not because it was critical, but because many have had the same experience with APD. I had a similar experience and despite repeated requests, there was no investigation. If the public is not aware of many of the good things that APD officers are doing, it may be easy to blame it on the media, but the real blame lays with the department for not making these things known.

It's the tip of the iceberg....A Lot More than The Air Conditioning Needs to Be Fixed!!

The local newspaper reports that the air conditioning on our city buses will get fixed. Ahh....it's only July. They even hired a consultant to fix them for $3800. Yawn. They have had this problem for decades, and on every make of bus from Chance, to Thomas to Opus....CP has seen this before. As a bus rider, CP knows the buses are hot, but it is not so in other cities where CP also rides buses. The problem is because of mismanagement and incompetence. Here is what entrenched, 25-year bureaucrat (at 109k per year) Transportation Director Danielle Matland says from her air conditioned office which she drives to every day from her air conditioned home just a mile away:

"Every summer, we have trouble with the air conditioning," Ms. Matland said. "Through a combination of heat, humidity and loads, they breakdown. But we're not giving up. We're trying to do a better job of maintaining them."

Maybe she works on this when she is not off on one of her multi-week expeditions to Libya or China or Morocco...Check the archives at the newspaper and you'll see that she's been feeding the same line to reporters for years while the overall maintenance of those buses remains abysmal. The mechanics are hardworkers trying to do the right thing. They are just poorly supervised and managed and that's mainly because Matland keeps hands-off and out of their way--and does not ride the buses. Perhaps she is scared because of the EEO suit they brought against her some years ago. Perhaps she feels threatened by mechanical challenges. Perhaps she does not care.

If it's not broken AC's on the buses, it's broken AC's in The Market House. With all the hot air emanating from City Hall, it only gets hotter. The best way to fix things on our buses is to fix up the management. IS ANYBODY LISTENING??? I worked there for 8 years. I don't make this stuff up. I know what a mess it is. Those buses are HOT and they don't have to be that way.

See the article (even though it does not tell half of the story) at:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/07_22-23/TOP

Segway? No Way!

Cp has long fought Segways, those ridiculous contraptions,and mainly because they are legal on Maryland sidewalks, which is due to the inventor funding a well orchestrated pr campaign before they were even on the market. I have asked our Alderman to consider a law to ban them in Annapolis, but.....plastic bags, illegal sidewalk taxes and toy guns are more dangerous I suppose.

IN ANY EVENT....the latest edition of one of our many local, feel-good, infotainment publications sports a cover showing a gaggle of these Segway riders occupying one of our lovely, bricked, downtown sidewalks. Each one appears young and healthy. Why can't they walk? HEY YOU LAZY BUMS....GET OFF OUR SIDEWALKS!!! GO FOR A WALK! Our city was designed for walking...Your Segways don't belong there. Go play on them in traffic.....elsewhere within this publication is an interesting piece about global oil reserves and production....might there be a connection between our lazy transportation choices and our oil consumption????

Congressman Sarbanes Replies to CP on Public Transportation

The below is an excerpt from an email CP received from Congressman Sarbanes:

I travel frequently between Annapolis and Baltimore and agree that it would greatly benefit our communities to have reliable public transportation between these two cities.

Generally, I believe that we must reinvest in America as a means of strengthening our nation's transportation infrastructure....public transportation offers a cost-effective, safe, and reliable means of travel for manyAmericans.

One of my top priorities will be to improve upon the public transportation options that are available in the 3rd Congressional District of Maryland.

Congressman John Sarbanes


Makeda Scott
Communication Director
202-225-4016 (p)
202-997-8921 (c)

Congressman Sarbanes wants to keep in touch with you. Please click here
to sign up for his e-newsletter or visit the website at
www.sarbanes.house.gov

Tom and Harry....

Tom Marquardt and Harry Sinclair that is. Tom edits the daily newspaper which recently profiled Harry, an inveterate, local and very colorful citizen activist. CP mentioned this in a post a few days ago. Well it seems that a reader (or maybe two?) are upset that The Capital chose to write about Harry. Boo hoo. In Sunday's paper, Marquardt reacts. See
"Characters - even obnoxious ones - make the best profiles" at
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/07_20-47/OPN

Hey--maybe they'll write about CP if that's what it takes!! (Or maybe, to paraphrase Ralph Nader, you have to be outrageous to get noticed in the corporate media)

Seen at Duke of Gloucester and the Drawbridge This Morning

A lone woman out running stops at the foot of the bridge to cross two-lane DOG street to continue running downtown. A car nearly runs her down in the crosswalk (which is a pretty wacky crosswalk and when CP told the city's traffic engineer about how to improve it, he was shrugged off). She turns to tell the driver she has to stop for her. The driver says "F&&^" You. I stop to tell the runner she did the right thing and has every right to do what she does.

A sign of the time? Yes. More and more people running red lights. Stop signs. Talking on the cell phone while driving. Applying makeup. Eating. Picking their nose. Whatever. Anything but driving and respecting the rights of others to drive safely AND TO WALK and RIDE OUR BIKES. I will say it again--the number one threat to public safety in Annapolis comes from vehicles!!!!!

Idiot Of The Day: Richard Howard of Edgewater

Mr. Howard had a letter to the editor published in yesterday's Capital. He had an opinion on the recent illegal immigration raids in Annapolis and the gist of his opinion is that our Constitution protects these individuals. As any local teen might say....WTF??

I am sorry, Richard, but our Constitution protects our CITIZENS! Here let me quote (sorry no source) the first 7 words:

We the People of the United States

Please note that it does not say, we the people of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Canada, Cuba, Spain, or even Saudi Arabia. It says the UNITED STATES.

You claim that Leopold is trampling our freedom, I beg to differ. Who trampled our freedom on 9-11? I believe it was people under the Saudi Constitution.

Get real! You are the idiot of the day!

What do you think? Here is his letter:

There is good reason why this country's laws do not allow the military to act as police. It is deplorable when the police are allowed to use military tactics.


Immigrationis such an emotional issue that many probably applauded County Executive John Leopold's Gestapo-like tactics in rounding up illegal aliens.


However, our elected officials are supposed to uphold the Constitution, including provisions about due process and Fourth Amendment protections againstunreasonable and warrantless search and seizure.


This is America, not the Soviet Union. Unrestrained police violence against people accused of nonviolent crimes is an abomination. It was not too long ago that jackbooted bullies kicked down a door in Eastport and manhandled a pregnant woman, only to discover that they were at the wrong address.


These tactics are ultimately counterproductive. They create a general paranois in crime-ridden neighborhoods, provoking law-abidingcitizens to leaveand making the situation worse.


In this illegal alien roundup, people who were later proven innocent were roughed up and had their property destroyed. In this country, everyone is innocent until proven guilty.


If, in the world we have after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, opportunistic politicians are allowed to trample our freedom for popular causes, then we have in fact lost the war on terror.


Richard Howard
Edgewater, MD

Don't Forget To Read Arundel Crime....

Be sure to blogroll and read this blog daily (after you read CP of course...):http://www.arundelcrime.blogspot.com/

Online Crime Mapping Service

Citizens for a Better Annapolis (CBA) now provides online information on maps that show the locations of local crimes in an easily understood and usable format.In addition, citizens can sign-up for alerts that will be sent to their email or cell phones when crimes are reported in or near their neighborhoods. This service is provided as a cooperative effort between SpotCrime.com and CBA. CBA was founded by Trudy McFall who is a Democratic candidate for mayor of Annapolis, although the news release announcing this new service makes no such mention of this. The online crime mapping capability can be obtained by visiting the CBA web site, www.betterannapolis.com, and then clicking on the “Crime Map of Annapolis” link.

Missed ArtScapes? You'll Have To Wait Until Next Year! But Portly Police?

Billed as the largest free arts festival in the country, Artscapes which took place this last weekend, is a great event for people of all ages. Spread across much of the Mount Royal and Bolton Hill area of Baltimore, it's easily accessible by Light Rail. CP was treated to live music, street performers, a ferris wheel ride, lots of good food and enjoyed viewing the fabulous "art cars". Yeah--it was HOT! But there was plenty of fresh lemonade.

One thing I noticed was the very strong police presence. Officers usually walked in trios, sometimes in pairs, and sometimes gathered in larger groups on corners. I noticed that all of them wear bullet-proof vests--and that's gotta be hot, but I also observed that many if not most of the officers were....to put it politely, portly. In other not so polite words, fat. Some of them were obese. I can think of many reasons why police officers should be trim and have little excuse for letting themselves turn to adipose tissue. I can think of many reasons why we the people do not want to see police officers so unhealthily overweight. Some of them looked as if they were truly suffering and struggling to walk the sun baked streets. On the other hand, I guess the bad guys don't mind if cops are fat. I was told by a state police officer that some police departments have height and weight requirements and others don't. The state police do. Have you ever seen a fat Md State Police Officer? I have not.

I believe that many if not most police departments have gyms or free access to gyms. Most police officers are eligible to retire much sooner than other folks. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to see officers in good shape, and certainly when they're between the ages of 18 and 45. I wonder if this has something to do with air conditioned cruisers and th loss of beat-walkers?

Baseball And Crime

What does baseball and crime have in common? Some may say three strikes and you are out. But that would be wrong in Anne Arundel County. My best guess is that the use of bats might be the common element.

But back on the three strikes thing, how many strikes does it take? In The Capital yesterday, there was an article about a habitual criminal that is now undergoing yet another tax payer funded trial. Hopefully a judge this time will see him for what he is.

The guy has 12 prior convictions for the same thing--armed robbery! When they finally had him, he copped a plea bargain for 25 years in 1996. Guidlines indicated it should have been 53 to 90 years. Halfway through, he decides that he might get out early if he plays the drug card.

A spineless judge, and a spineless prosecutor (Annapolis Alderman Fred Paone have no objections and cut him loose to a halfway house. He did complete the rehab assignment and then 10 days after his release (remember this is from a drug rehab house) he tests positive for marijuana.

For some reason, he was not immediately arrested and sent back to jail. No, they let him wander the streets for 3 more months and gave him the opportunity to commit two more armed robberies.

Well, now we are paying for another trial for this guy. I am all about second chances, but at what point do you say enough is enough? Stike one, strike two, strike three--you're out!

But here in good old Anne Arundel with the weak judiciary, you are probably entitled to 13 strikes. Here is hoping the Judge that hears this trial will see this guy for what he is and put him away nor the remainder of his original sentence and than some. We do not need him on our streets.

Do You Read Bay Weekly?

The free, weekly tabloid is truly a product by, for and of the people of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. This week's cover story and issue is about growing and enjoying locally produced food and has an excellent piece on area farmer's market done on a day by day format. Check out Bay Weekly at http://bayweekly.com/

If enjoying locally grown food interests you, read this:
http://www.pickyourown.org/MD.htm

Are You A Born Fighter?

I am not from a privileged background. I attended public schools (not in Annapolis) and went to college at one of the most inner city colleges in the country --Temple. I can honestly say that I have never been in a fight.

I am non-confrontational by nature and I think most humans are as well. I have broken up a few fights in my bartending days, but never been in a fight. Violence was just not a part of my psyche. When I see headlines like this:

Teens Charged in Brutal Edgewater Robbery

I need to ask what the hell happened? Are the parents falling that far behind in human decency that they allow this to happen? A 15 year old girl and an 18 year old man beating up another human at 3am in a parking lot!

The Capital on Leopold, Moyer on Leopold, The Capital On Itself

Will ironies never cease? Todays local newspaper has a big feature on Exec John Leopold that begins with how the Exec begins his day by...ta da...reading the newspaper. As if to say, wow, he's great, he knows what's important and he reads us!!! We're important. That's right, if you want to know what goes on, read the newspaper. Ummm...okay. I read it and it's....murky.

In the newspaper's desire to cover both sides of the man fairly, it gets weirder. For example, our own Mayor Ellen Moyer has her own thoughts about her county counterpart:

"There's no communication," Ms. Moyer said. "There's no sense of communication in what the city has to offer to help."

Pot. Kettle. Kettle. Pot. Black. Pot. Kettle. Black. Cauldron......good grief! Gee Governor O'Malley, what do you think about President Bush? Dunnnh! By the way, what can the city of Annapolis do to help the county? I can't ever remember a county executive and a mayor getting along.

Funniest of all is local Chamber mouthpiece Bob Burdon who has a few not too kindly things to say about the Exec, and former Mayor Dennis Callahan weights in too. Read it and laugh....or weep.