Cohen to Make Environmental Speech at Greenscapes

(The below is a news release from the Cohen for Mayor campaign received late Friday afternoon)

Josh Cohen to release detailed Environmental Action Plan tomorrow during GreenScape '09

County Councilman Josh Cohen (D-Annapolis), candidate for Mayor of Annapolis, will release his detailed Environmental Action Plan tomorrow during the City's GreenScape event. Cohen chaired the citywide GreenScape initiative in 1997 and 1998, so it is only fitting that he is making GreenScape the occasion for his environmental announcement.

In his remarks Cohen will clarify the choice before voters this Fall: "In this election voters face a choice: to reverse course and elect a mayor for whom the environment is not a priority; or, to elect a mayor who will prioritize the environment, set ambitious goals and take bold action."

Who: County Councilman Josh Cohen, Candidate for Mayor of Annapolis
What: Presentation of 10-Point Environmental Action Plan
When: 10:00 a.m., Saturday April 18, 2009
Where: Shiley Street street-end park, near Giddings Avenue in West Annapolis

Copies of the plan will be available at tomorrow's announcement, and will be available online afterwards: www.cohenformayor.com. (CP notes..I can't make it. Will somebody please send in a report or comments???? Don't forget to participate with Greenscapes Day.... Thanks...)

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House Speaker Mike Busch on The 2009 Session

April 17, 2009

Dear Constituent:

As the 2009 legislative session comes to a close, I am pleased to report the work the legislature completed this year to continue Maryland’s progress. Due to a tightening national economy and increasing unemployment rates, balancing the State’s budget was the top priority for the 2009 legislative session. Legislators from both parties came together to make prudent decisions focused on protecting core services and maintaining the State’s triple-A bond rating. While the economy put increased pressure on important State programs, the legislature protected education, healthcare and public safety funding.

At home, working with Senator Astle and Delegates Clagett and George, the local delegation was successful on several important initiatives. Anne Arundel County will receive over $74 million in capital funding for projects across the county. Local projects include $500,000 for renovations of the theater and continuing the window replacement at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, and funding for improvements to the Annapolis Harbor and Highland Beach Park.

Funding is included in this year’s budget for capital improvements to Broadneck and Central Elementary Schools, as well as Windsor Farm Elementary beginning next year. I am particularly pleased to report that the State has approved the design plans and set aside construction funds for a new Germantown Elementary school in Annapolis. Germantown Elementary is using more portable classrooms than any other school in the County and this is an important step for us toward building a new elementary school for the students of Admiral Heights and Homewood.

A LEAN BUDGET THAT FUNDS CORE SERVICES

In light of the national economic crisis, the legislature and the Governor cut state spending to its lowest level since 2006. To balance the budget, the legislature committed to not raising taxes or fees, avoiding lay-offs of State employees and protecting education, public safety and health care funding.

In March, the Comptroller announced that revenues would be $1.2 billion less than expected. This put even more pressure on the legislature to make difficult cuts to popular programs in order to balance the budget. Over 40% of the State’s general fund goes directly to support local governments. Maryland is one of a few states that provides funding for local public safety programs – $66 million this coming year – and also provides school construction money directly to county government. Maryland is also the only state in the country that gives local counties the authority to “piggy-back” on the State’s income tax to raise local revenues. During the summer and fall, legislators will be looking at the State’s fiscal relationship with local governments.

The budget incorporates approximately $3.8 billion in federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act over two years. Even with federal funding, the legislature cut $825 million from the budget. The legislature left the Rainy Day Fund untouched, maintaining a total of $747 million in reserves, in case of more bad economic news.

MAINTAINING OUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION

Maryland was recently ranked #1 in the country for its K-12 education system. In their review, Education Week noted the State’s commitment to early education and college readiness programming. The success of these programs is due in part to the State’s commitment to fund education – a commitment which is reflected in the 82% increase in education funding since passage of the Bridge to Excellence Act in 2002. This year, the State budgeted $5.5 billion for educational support including classroom teachers, supplies and special education programming and $260 million in school construction funds to continue to replace and renovate aging schools in Maryland. This funding does not include the additional funding that local governments will receive directly from the federal stimulus package for education, including an additional $14.3 million in Anne Arundel County.

The State also froze tuition for a fourth year in a row at Maryland’s public colleges and universities. From 2002 to 2004, Maryland college students saw a 33% increase in tuition until the legislature stepped in to freeze rates. We thought it was important to continue the freeze an additional year for the 2009-10 school year to help middle class families continue to send their children to the Maryland college of their choice.

The budget also provides a 3.8% funding increase to community colleges and a record-high $84 million in construction funds. Over 120,000 Marylanders are enrolled in community colleges and many students that cannot afford to go to four-year colleges often turn to community colleges to continue their education or get technical training to enter the workplace. Anne Arundel Community College will receive nearly $1 million to begin design on renovations to the community college library and $1 million for new athletic fields.

STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SAFETY LAWS

Beyond the budget, public safety was a primary focus of the legislative session this year. One of the most high profile issues was debate on repealing the death penalty. I have traditionally supported the death penalty but have been personally alarmed by the varying application of the death penalty in different counties across the State, especially when Maryland has a life without parole penalty. After much debate, the legislature passed a law that enhances the standard for when a prosecutor can seek the death penalty to instances when there is DNA evidence, a video-taped confession, or a video-tape of a crime. This allows the death penalty to continue in Maryland, but places a more difficult hurdle for a prosecutor to overcome to hopefully avoid having an innocent person sentenced to death.

In 2007, 30 homicides in Maryland were attributed to domestic violence. Working with Governor O’Malley, we took an important step to protect victims of domestic violence from their abusers by passing a law that requires judges to take firearms from those who have final protective orders issued against them. Another law will give judges discretion to remove firearms when issuing a temporary protective order in which there is the threat of violence.

SUPPORTING MARYLAND’S TRAUMA SYSTEM

Following the fatal crash of a Medevac helicopter in September and a legislative audit revealing problems with maintenance of the helicopter fleet, I appointed a special workgroup to examine the State’s entire trauma system. The State’s Emergency Medical System begins at the time of paramedic response to an accident and continues through triage at a local trauma center.

Each year, the State responds to over 300,000 emergency medical resource center calls and each of us relies on this system in the most critical of medical emergencies. As a result of the workgroup’s study and recommendations, the State budgeted $52 million to fund three replacement Medevac helicopters while making changes to the medical protocols to ensure that we continue to have a nationally-renowned trauma system in Maryland.

STRENGTHENING ROAD LAWS

The General Assembly and Governor O’Malley also strengthened drunk driving laws. Following the recommendations of a cross-jurisdictional panel of law enforcement and transportation officials, community members and the judiciary, the legislature passed four bills which, collectively, take significant steps to implement the recommendations of the Task Force to Combat Driving Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol. According to the Department of Transportation, one third of all fatalities over the past five years involved alcohol. The most significant of the bills imposes a mandatory one year license suspension for a person convicted of drunk driving more than once in five years. Other bills will tighten underage drinking laws and address repeat offenders. These new laws will help stem the tragedy of drunk driving accidents on our roads.

The legislature also enabled county governments to use speed camera systems in school zones between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., and the State Department of Transportation to use speed cameras in highway work zones. The legislation requires law enforcement to clearly mark areas where speed cameras are being used. Violators will be subject to a maximum $40 fine for going 12 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit. The bill establishes a uniform statewide speed camera system but gives each county the discretion to implement such a system.

Under a mandate from the federal government, the legislature had to pass a law this year to bring Maryland into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act. This was a contentious debate during the legislative session, but I voted to end the practice of issuing licenses to undocumented individuals beginning on June 1^st of this year and to establish a system of federally compliant Maryland driver’s licenses that can be used to enter federal buildings and board airplanes. The new law allows the Motor Vehicle Administration to issue one renewal of a non-compliant license for people who cannot prove lawful presence, with all such licenses expiring on July 1, 2015. This compromise legislation ensures that Maryland also increases penalties for fraud, helping to end abuse of Maryland driver’s license system.

ADDRESSING ENERGY CONCERNS

Maryland, like many states across the country, is at an important juncture in energy policy, with increasing electricity rates and the prospects of brownouts and electricity shortages in the coming years. Our per capita energy consumption has doubled since 1970, and Maryland imports 30% of the electricity we use.

Re-regulating the energy markets was the subject of much debate during this legislative session but ultimately did not pass. This is a complicated issue and even the advocates acknowledge that re-regulation will not have the short-term impact of reducing the high energy bills of Maryland consumers. We do not want to rush into any legislation which would put more of a burden on State ratepayers and not provide the appropriate tools to regulators to stabilize energy costs. We must be sure to respond with a holistic and well-reasoned approach with four main goals: stabilizing consumer costs, ensuring reliability, reducing demand for electricity and encouraging new generation.

In the face of soaring energy prices due to a cold winter season, the legislature did pass several bills to help consumers pay their energy bills each month. One bill gives more flexibility to the State in administering the Electric Universal Service Program, a program that helps low-income households pay their current and past electric bills through State grants. This gives the State the ability to help more consumers that are not able to pay their electricity bills. In addition, the legislature passed a law preventing utility companies from cutting off electricity customers in extremely hot or extremely cold weather, simply because of past due bills.

PROTECTING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

Maryland is the steward of the Chesapeake Bay, which provides economic and recreational opportunities to residents, particularly for those of us in Anne Arundel County. Each year, bills to protect the Chesapeake Bay are among the top priorities for the legislature. This year, the General Assembly put into law many of the recommendations from the Task Force of the Future for Growth and Development. There has been very little updating and modernization of the law since the 1990s. This year’s legislation will develop measures for local and State plans for sustainable growth in areas of the State where new development can be supported, while protecting the impact to the Bay and maintaining areas of open space.

The Department of Natural Resources will now have the ability to establish Aquaculture Enterprise Zones, allowing prospective shellfish growers to lease portions of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coastal Bays. When the Bay was at peak health, natural oysters removed approximately 133 million pounds of nitrogen from the estuary each year. Restoring this natural filter, in combination with other State restoration programs, will help in our efforts to clean up the Bay.

Legislation broadening environmental standing rights passed to give citizens a voice in protecting the environment around them. The legislation allows associations to seek judicial review of environmental permit decisions across the State and development decisions close to the waterfront, while at the same time streamlining the administrative appeal process. Without the participation of the public, effective enforcement of our environmental laws will be nearly impossible.

REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES

After several years, we also forged a compromise on global warming legislation. According to the Maryland Commission on Climate Change in 2005, the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland were electricity consumption and transportation. During this term, the legislature has passed the Clean Cars Act, EmPower Maryland and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to begin to reduce greenhouse gases. These three initiatives will achieve half of the reduction goal – 12.5%. This legislation will require the State to adopt a plan to reduce 2006 greenhouse gas emissions levels by 25% by the year 2020, while ensuring that there is no significant job loss in the manufacturing industry, as well as produce net new jobs across the State.

MODERNIZING MARYLAND’S ELECTION LAW

On the heels of the 2008 presidential election and overwhelming support from Marylanders for the early voting ballot question, the legislature passed several laws to protect your constitutional right to vote and make it more convenient for you to exercise that right. Under the new system, each county will have at least one early voting polling place designated by the local and State Board of Elections. Each voter will be permitted to cast their ballot for the 2010 primary and general elections for six days prior to each election at the designated polling place.

It continues to be a great honor to represent your community in the House of Delegates. I hope you will contact me with your thoughts at michael.busch@house.state.md.us or (410)841-3800. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to serve our neighborhoods and the State of Maryland.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Busch
Speaker

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Short Ribs... Spare Ribs... Buddy's Crabs and Ribs..Take Two

In my haste to get something posted about the liquor license renewal issue with this local restaurant, I may have misled some readers and I apologize. It was not my intent to write a detailed story or to report on it as "hard news" but to offer an opinion, my perspective on what appeared to be a rather one-sided situation. Having been an observer of city issues for a long time, I know there is a lot of history between Buddy's and some downtown residents as well as city government. Yes, there are two sides or more to every story, and despite severe constraints on my time, I want to help clear and not muddy this situation any more.

I have spoken with some Ward One activists and have asked them to present their side of the story for publication here. I expect that in the next few days and if you wish to weigh in, please do so--but not anonymously. That's all for now. Thanks for reading and thanks for your understanding.

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Oh Nine On Line for April 17

Web-site Ratings for The Mayoral Candidates

These are my subjective ratings of the mayoral candidate's web-sites based on having regularly observed them since they've been up.
I give a letter grade each for:
Design
Writing/content
How well I get to know the candidate from the site
How often it is updated
I then give an overall grade.

Here we go in no particular order:

Wayne Taylor-After he finally took down his initial disaster, he replaced it with something almost as bad. The only thing it has are dates and places for his public meetings (still without the times posted) and that huge and awful photo of the candidate graced by the flag on a large cross in the background. Huh? Flag? Cross? Huge photo? Is this an ego thing?

design D
writing/content D
how well I get to know the candidate from the site D
how often it is updated D
overall grade of D.

Trudy McFall-Well done, and full of information, details, photographs and even a video. Well organized, active, easily navigated and links to Facebook site. Could be improved with some more testimonials or information about supporters and campaign updates.
design A
writing/content A
how well I get to know the candidate from the site A
how often it is updated B
Overall grade A

Frank Flyntz-Although it has been up for perhaps the longest of any candidate, there have been no updates for months and it's pretty much just thin gruel. As mentioned before, the picture of Flyntz in his navy uniform with his cartoon-like navy jet logo is a bit much. It's the only picture of him and he remains mysterious as reflected by the fact that there is no phone number or email and local activists don't seem to know the man. Of the three other photos on the site, one is Main Street with gold and blue "N" flags for Navy, a shot of the Academy and one of the State House. Is he running for mayor or superintendent of the academy?
design B
writing/content C
how well I get to know the candidate from the site C
how often it is updated D
Overall grade C minus.

Josh Cohen-Well done and full of photos, videos and clearly shows momentum and organization. Links to Facebook site. Needs more information about voting record and accomplishments as elected official. If anything, this is too well-done and too slick.
design A
writing/content B
how well I get to know the candidate from the site B
how often it is updated A
Overall A

Sam Shropshire-Looks good with lots of photos, testimonials and heavy on the issues, including a really nice video laying out Shropshire's vision for Annapolis. It has been updated a lot and includes information about volunteers, supporters and testimonials. Could use more information about voting record and accomplihsments as alderman.
design A
writing/content A
how well I get to know the candidate from the site A
how often it is updated A
substance and written content. A
Overall grade A.

Zina Pierre-It looks good, but sizzle is one thing and this site needs more steak. The cover page sailboat photo may not even be from Annapolis. There are way too many head-shots of the candidate which appear to be professionally posed and modeled and a lot of photos of her with big-wigs and muckety mucks including one of her reading the Bible with President Clinton. Her "issues" portion is mainly platitudes and the "facts" about Annapolis are cute but not terribly pertinent and I don't feel I get to know a lot about the candidate.
design A
writing/content C
how well I get to know the candidate from the site C
how often it is updated B
Overall C.

Chris Fox-This site feature what is perhaps the best writing and content of any site, but the site only looks good, not great. I don't like the use of stock photos and the local shots of the candidate could be improved. It is unique in that it has a section in Spanish and that section is well written too. He links to Facebook and MySpace and also to CP, in addition to a lot of inactive blogs.
design B
writing/content A
how well I get to know the candidate from the site A
how often it is updated C
Overall grade of B.

Gil Renaut-It's clear this site is done on the cheap, but even so, the candidate could easily put in more text for us to learn about him. There is a headshot of him at a site definitely not in Annapolis and an interior headshot but nothing with him and neighbors, family or friends--except there is one of his grandson, but c'mon--this is a web-site for a political campaign, not an ad for baby food. He does link to CP but this site has a long way to go before it reflects the experience, and complexity of this candidate, a longtime civic activist and federal trial lawyer.
design C
writing/content C
how well I get to know the candidate from the site C
how often it is updated C
Overall grade C

Dave Cordle-In a word--uneven. Too much bibliographical information in a long list, but not enough about his platform, voting record and issues. A resume does not really tell us about the candidate. For example, we learn that 16 years ago he was an Outstanding Young Annapolitan Finalist and that he is an Expert Witness in various areas of law enforcement, but I'd like to see him show his record as alderman and provide more in his own words. No updates for two months.
design B
writing/content B
how well I get to know the candidate from the site C
how often it is updated C
Overall Grade C.

Finally, speaking of all these web-sites...a number of them as well as some for aldermanic candidates, sport an image of the city seal-- the royalist thorn and crown thing that Ellen "O" loves so much. I have repeatedly asked the City's Office of Law for almost two weeks for an opinion as to whether this is an illegal use of the official municipal seal. I have yet to get a reply, which is typical, but I think it is an inappropriate expropriation and believe that the candidates should remove them voluntarily. What do you think?



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Is Somebody Out to Get Buddy's Crabs and Ribs?

I don't know for sure, but something does not seem right when the city's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board suddenly moves to curtail the grandfathered 2 am license this long-time business has had for many years. I have to ask, is somebody out to get Buddy's? I've been a patron for many years and personally know the Blonder family that owns and operates this landmark restaurant. They have done many things to support and give back to the community and when I worked for the city's transportation department, they helped us out with community service projects. They have gone out of their way to employ special-needs individuals for many years.

Buddy’s Crabs & Ribs needs its friends and loyal patrons to testify before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board in support of their liquor license renewal. Please voice your support of this reputable restaurant and tell your personal stories. If you can come and testify in person, or provide written testimony for a continuation of their ability to serve alcohol, please contact Kevin Blonder at 410-320-7153 or kevin@buddysonline.com

I spoke with Kevin and Mike Blonder to learn more about the situation and I intend to testify at the public hearing before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board on Wednesday, April 22 at 3:00 PM in City Council Chambers.

(Some of the information was excerpted from an email distributed by Kathy Nieberding)

Here are the members of the board as shown at the city's web-site.

MEMBERSHIP	APPOINTED	REAPPOINTED	EXPIRES
Charles M. Grayston,Chair	1/1/1984	6/10/2007	6/30/2009
Elizabeth Finkle	8/7/1992	11/7/2005	6/30/2008
Gerald L. Everett	10/8/2007		6/30/2010
Lawrence L. Harris, Jr	4/28/2008
Leonard Berman, Vice-Chair	6/14/1991	5/8/2006	6/30/2012

Readers will note that Chair Charles M Grayston was appointed in 1984, Vice Chair Leonard Berman in 1991 and Elizabeth Finkle in 1992. Of course, it looks as if Finkle's term expired last year. These tenures have got to be a record among city boards and commissions.

Learn more about the Board at beverages .

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Oh Nine On Line for April 16

Here are the campaign tag-lines of the mayoral candidates:

Wayne Taylor--One Annapolis

Trudy McFall --A Leader Who Can Move Annapolis Forward

Zina Pierre --One Vision, One Annapolis

Frank Flyntz --??? A graphic of a navy jet streaking across a red, white and blue orb ??? (Is he even running?)

Chris Fox --For Real Change in Annapolis

Josh Cohen --Renew Annapolis

Sam Shropshire --Real Hope in the Face of Challenge

Gil Renaut --Unifying Leadership

Dave Cordle--??

MIke Pantelides-- (is he running or not??)

I thought it would be fun to see how they could all be combined, so here goes:

"Our One Real Hope, A Leader with a Unifying Vision Who Can Renew and Move Annapolis Forward For Real Change in the Face of Challenge" (...in the one liter bottle....???)

Anyone else want to try their version?


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Porcari to US DOT?

John Porcari, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation, was nominated by President Barack Obama on Monday to become the next Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. This was just reported by metro-magazine.com. It's an excellent choice and I hope he gets confirmed, but it will be a loss to Maryland. On the other hand, it might open some doors for our state as well...

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Delegate Clagett on The 2009 Session

(printed below in its entirety...)

Dear Constituent:

The 2009 Legislative Session is over. In January it was clear that the national recession and the budget would present a huge challenge. Striking a balanced budget is the one single requirement of the Legislature by the State Constitution.

This year the $13.8 billion General Fund Operating Budget was approved on the last day. It freezes spending at most state agencies and includes cuts in road funding and other state aid to counties. We avoided massive state employee lay offs, froze tuition for the 4^th year at Maryland Colleges and Universities, left a sizable fund balance and rainy day fund and held on to our AAA bond rating which is a sign of our fiscal strength and well-being. Only 7 other states have that desirable rating which saves millions for our taxpayers.

I am not able to cover in this letter all the issues so many of you wrote about. In all we received approximately 1700 e-mails, 60 phone calls and 100 letters. These numbers represent only those that were from District 30 constituents and had to do with a specific bill. The issues that concerned you most include:

The Environment: We passed a bill requiring nitrogen-removing septic systems in the Critical Area to reduce pollution in our rivers and the Bay. Grants to homeowners from the Bay Restoration Fund (flush tax) should cover the extra cost. A bill to grant “standing” in MD Courts for associations who challenge environmental decisions and Critical Area variances also passed. Several Smart Growth bills passed, one of which corrects an Appeals Court decision to make it clear that zoning maps should be “consistent” with County General Development plans. Program Open Space was fully funded. Greenhouse Gas legislation passed to reduce harmful emissions by 25% by 2020.

Electricity: Consumers have been struggling with huge utility costs. A plan to partially re-regulate the electricity market failed by a unanimous vote in the House Economic Matters Committee. This is an extremely complex matter and many felt this legislation would not help residential consumers with their electric bills.

Domestic Violence: Two bills passed giving judges more authority to take fire arms from those accused of domestic violence. Violence and guns don’t mix.

Death Penalty: There was emotional and well thought out debate on the bill to repeal the death penalty. In the end the legislation limits capital punishment to those with DNA or biological evidence, a video taped confession or a video tape linking the suspect to a homicide. No matter which side you are on, no one wants to execute the wrong person.

Driver’s Licenses and Compliance with Real ID Federal Requirements: On the last day both Houses approved a compromise measure to eliminate illegal immigrants’ access to driver’s licenses as of June 1^st. An emergency clause which would have stopped issuing licenses April 19^th failed to get the necessary 85 votes. Those who already have licenses can renew until 2015. The license will not permit the holder to enter Federal buildings or board planes. Throughout the debate and various votes I voted above all for security and safety, keeping in mind that many without a license will drive anyway, and, therefore, without insurance or any way for police to track them after an accident. It is best to be realistic and allow the police to have some control over and information about all drivers.

Texting While Driving: A bill against texting while driving was passed and I hope it will make our roads a bit safer for all.

Inheritance Tax Exemption: This exemption was extended to all domestic partners for a primary residence owned by both. Such an exemption is now provided spouses, children and other family members.

Healthcare: Our decisions strengthened Maryland’s renowned EMS System and provided funding to begin to replace our aging Medevac helicopter fleet. We provided for substance abuse treatment for an additional 27, 000 low income Marylanders and protected our previous expansion of Medicaid for low income citizens.

It just goes to show you don’t have to spend money to have a successful legislative session that deals with important policies. Thank you for all of your thoughts and help throughout the session

Sincerely,

Virginia P. Clagett

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Whether I Owe or Not...

What bugs me way more than paying taxes is figuring out what I owe.

That’s because our taxes have usually brought us reasonable representation, except during the Bush and Moyer Administrations. I’m not dismissing waste, frivolity or the massive subsidy programs known as the Departments of Defense and Agriculture but we do get a semblance of a civilized society with a money system that has been the envy of the world, and a reasonably high living standard. Ships, trucks and cars pass over, under, on and through an incredible public infrastructure network. Local taxes help cover libraries, police and schools, but some folks think the government should only protect the coast, deliver the mail and leave us alone. Speaking of not leaving us alone, we’ll just ignore that agency with the classified budget up there by Fort Meade.

While some benefit more than others from our “system”, many of them also pay less in taxes through this same “system”, much to the delight of those who profit from this complexity created by the special interests that lobby Congress to create this system. In turn it necessitates the IRS, which in Fiscal Year 2006, handled over 133 million individual tax returns plus millions of corporate and other returns. I just have to prepare and hate one tax return.

I’d favor almost any proposal if it would end the April nightmare, so I like the idea of a national consumption sales tax or maybe a variation, such as the value added tax. What if we just paid a federal tax when we buy a car, yacht or an appliance? We’d exempt essentials such as groceries, but we could keep all of what we earn. It might encourage us to save and invest more heavily and perhaps more aggressively, especially if those gains were never taxed. Because we’d take home more earnings, we’d spend more—and the less fortunate would pay very little in taxes and the rich would pay more, and they’ll have more money available to spend because they did not pay income tax. Therefore, when they buy that yacht, they’ll pay a big tax on the consumption, rather than on the income. And what would we be without yachts?

Certainly some would find new ways to tweak or cheat or revise this new system, but imagine no more April nightmares or IRS, which would save billions, and Congress could argue about something else. We would all benefit and though I haven’t yet figured out how this would affect local governments, we’re working on it…..but about that property tax thing, we’re working on that too.

What we have now is at least a familiar horror and solving it is like solving the parking crunch in town. Those who like the system won’t change it, but if it is not working for you now, you might like the proposed change. Which elected officials or office-seekers are willing to risk the political capital to change parking here or change taxes nationally? Steve Forbes proposed the flat tax as a presidential candidate, but he was a one-issue billionaire with puffy cheeks, thick glasses and the personality of drywall. Who would vote for him for mayor or president?

I’m still bewildered by the 300-page IRS instruction book whose cover is the only part I understand or have bothered to look at so far. It includes pictures of Mt. Rushmore (which I have to do to complete these forms), the Supreme Court, a highway cloverleaf, a man at a computer, a saluting military officer in uniform and a dozen little ballerinas. Ballerinas? Wait a minute--did my taxes pay for their uniforms too?

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Police Make Major Drug Bust

The Annapolis Police Department, the Anne Arundel County Police and the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office announce 25 arrests, charging the individuals with felony drug distribution and related charges. See the story at www.annapolis.gov/headlines.asp?ID=13909 .

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Breaking News-Pfeiffer Announces in Ward Seven

Ian Pfeiffer, a government relations consultant and member of the Democratic Central Committee is a candidate for Alderman in Ward Seven, currently served by Sam Shropshire, who is running for mayor. CP was aware of this possibility and had spoken with Pfeiffer over the past two months, but now it is official. Ward 7 includes most of the area to the east and south of Back Creek, mainly around Bay Ridge Rd. and Edgewood Road and bordering the county next to Annapolis Roads and Hillsmere. Here is Pfeiffer's announcement:

Friends,

I am writing to share the news that I will be a candidate for Alderman in Ward 7. I appreciate the time you have taken recently to discuss my running as well as your thoughts on how to structure a winning campaign.

I run for Alderman because I believe deeply in the call of public service. I believe my experience as a Congressional staffer and advocate assisting cities in working with the federal government to
build transportation and infrastructure projects will allow me to make a unique contribution. Fundamentally, I run because I want to serve my neighbors in this special corner of our vibrant city, Ward 7, and band with other Annapolitans to find solutions to the challenges we face.

In the coming days, I will be back in touch as my campaign takes shape. I am assembling a team of key supporters in my ward. I expect to have a campaign website up shortly, and a campaign kick-off event in the near future. Please know I intend to wage a vigorous campaign across this
ward, and I hope I can count on your support as I undertake this effort.

Sincerely,

Ian


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Oh Nine On Line for April 15

Our primary election will be held in five months. Here is where the candidates stand with a rating from CP as to the level of campaign seriousness exhibited. A means candidate is ready to be mayor, B means candidate really wants to be mayor, C means candidate wants to be mayor but we'd like to see more conviction and D means if you want a decisive person in office, you'll probably have to find someone with a higher rating than this person. In order to get an "A", the candidate must have filed with the city clerk, made a public announcement, have an active campaign and active web-site. These numbers merely try to reflect my candid observations of the campaigns at this point, and in no way reflect any type of endorsement of any candidate:

Republicans:

Dave Cordle, announced, actively campaigning, papers filed, active web-site Rating A- (has not knocked on my door yet)

Mike Pantelides, still thinking...and thinking...and thinking about it Rating D

Frank Flyntz, announced ( June, 08..at least he said so..may be announcing again), Rating C (inactive web-site, inactive campaign, not filed)

Democrats

Josh Cohen, announced, actively campaigning, active web-site Rating B (has not filed)

Sam Shropshire, announced, actively campaigning, active web-site Rating B (has not filed)

Trudy McFall, announced, actively campaigning, papers filed, active web-site Rating A

Zina Pierre, about to announce, active campaign and web-site Rating B- (waiting on 4-24 and I got her postcard invite so it's moving)

Wayne Taylor, announced, actively campaigning, inactive web-site Rating C

Gil Renaut, I believe he has announced perhaps not with a public presence or kickoff party, but he has not filed, and his web-site is hardly active, so I'm gonna have to go with a C

Independent

Chris Fox, detailed but not recently active web-site, collecting signatures to be on ballot Rating B-

And if I were giving out extra credit for having knocked on my door, one would go to Trudy McFall and one-half point to Wayne Taylor because it was not him but a campaign supporter, although I am told he was in the neighborhood.

Other candidates not yet rated: Alfred E Newman, Pat Paulsen, Hugh Romney a.k.a. Wavy Gravy, Louise Beauregard, Arthur Kungle, Arthur Greenbaum, King Arthur, Arthur Treacher's Fish N' Chips, Arthur Godfrey, Arthur C. Clarke, Arthur the Rabbit from the PBS children's cartoon, Chester Arthur, Arthur's Famous Pizza in Bridgeport, CT...oh and of course Arthur from the Babar stories....


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Craig Sewell of Annapolis Sustainable Business Alliance at April 16th Sip N' Blog

Last week's Sip N' Blog featuring mayoral candidate Gil Renaut gave 15 local activists a chance to meet the War One resident. April 16th Sip N' Blog will feature Craig Sewell, owner/chef of A Cook’s Café in Annapolis, a hub of the local foods movement in the greater Annapolis area. Craig is a founding member and president of the Annapolis Sustainable Business Alliance, sponsor of the Buy Local Annapolis project. The ASBA recently held a conference on supporting locally operated businesses. Visit www.annapolisfirst.org for more information.

After that it's Josh Cohen and then Zina Pierre. See you at Ahh, Coffee in Eastport on Thursdays from 8-9 am.

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Police Station Lawsuit Resolved in City's Favor!

According to The Capital, the original contractor for the botched police station renovation has agreed to settle and pay the city. Thanks to the mayor and other city officials who were able to settle this favorably. I just hope that we don't have to turn right back around and pay that settlement to Site Realty for the Market House. Read about it at police-station . See the city's statement at www.annapolis.gov/headlines.asp?ID=13910 .

(After I wrote this, I received a note from a reader that reminded me of the news about the police/city settling a brutality case. Please see that comment. Thanks.)

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Oh Nine On Line for April 14

Look here this week for CP's rating of the candidates campaigns and their webs-sites to date. Check here daily at Oh Nine On Line to stay up to date with the campaigns....Eastport resident Frank Flyntz is not familiar to most local politicos or activists, but he's had a website since the middle of 2008 saying he is a candidate for mayor. Last June, he actually held what he called a fund raiser party (at the Eastport Democratic Club no less) but he does not appear to have a fund raising committee or treasurer. He has a p.o. box yet no phone number. In March he told me that he is indeed running for mayor. At the April 8th Wednesday Republican breakfast, Flyntz announced he is having a kickoff party (what about the one he already had?) on April 23......This happens to be the same night that Scott Bowling, Republican candidate for Ward Three is having his fund raiser kickoff. It seems it was just a coincidence but Bowling announced his publicly at least a week before Flyntz made his known at the Wednesday Republican breakfast. There is still no mention of it on Flyntz's web-site but Bowling has had it up for a week or more. Bowling told me that after the GOP breakfast, Flyntz called him and asked him to change his date!!!! So, here is your choice for the evening of April 23rd--go to Bowling's party at Paul's Homewood Cafe or to Flyntz's party at Harry Browns. I've already been personally invited to one, so the only thing keeping me from going to the other is a complimentary invitation...thank you very much.


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Annapolis-D.C. Taxpayer Tea Party

I am certainly not endorsing this thing, but it is happening here, so....

Help fight the “out of control” government spending
and stop mortgaging our kids future!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Annapolis Party is 12:00-2:00 PM at City Dock

Sponsors: American Solutions, Americans for Prosperity, Del. Don Dwyer, MDGOP, Sean and Frank, Severna Park Rep. Women, and many more...For more information contact: Aaron Jones:

annapolisteaparty@gmail.com

These people are so worried about the power of government spending...except when it's for military purposes or invading other countries.....and as for mortgaging our children's future--what about sending them off to war? Talk about out of control government spending--what happened for the last eight years? Guess they thought that was controlled. On the other hand if Don Dwyer is endorsing it, well, that makes it all the more interesting...

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Oh Nine On Line for April 13

Josh Cohen speaks at 6:30 tonight to the League of Women Voters at the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis, MD 21401...Wayne Taylor continues with his town meetings where he explains his "Five Points of Life". April 14, Bates Boys and Girls Club 121 South Villa Ave., April 21 St. Anne's Episcopal Church 199 Duke of Gloucester St, April 23 ,Stanton Center 92 W Washington St., April 28 Mt Olive Life Center 2 Hicks Avenue #400, April 30 Mt Olive Life Center 2 Hicks Avenue #400, and even though his paltry web-site fails to provide this information, these events begin at 7 p.m....Why can't he post the time on his web-site?....Sam Shropshire apparently met his goal of raising $2,000 in one week and I think it proves that he continues to be a viable candidate.

Ed Begley Jr's Environmental Ethics...Upcoming Green Building Tour

He's a famous Hollywood star, but a real down to Earth guy-so down to Earth that he is devoting his life to saving the one planet we call home. Begley appeared in Annapolis recently as a guest of the Historic Annapolis Fdn. and I was fortunate enough to interview him before his lecture to a packed audience at the Westin.

His philosophy is "live simply so that others may simply live" although I've heard that quote long before I heard of Ed Begley. Regardless of who said it first, it is the credo by which he lives and his mission is to turn us all on to the benefits and joys of living the most environmentally sustainable or "greenest" lifestyle possible. The tall, thin and healthy-looking man in a black sports suit and white sneakers was instantly likable. My first question was what he thought of the concept that being "green" was easy and a matter of simply making different consumer choices. The actor laughed at the idea but made it clear that there are many easy and important things we all can do to lessen our impact on the planet's resources but ultimately, big changes are what is necessary.

He recounted how Texas essayist and activist Jim Hightower says, "There's nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead Armadillos"

Begley said he became an environmentalist at the first Earth Day in California in 1970, and even there, many things we accept today were considered "nutty." Today Begley says he is 98% vegan, which means no animals in his diet--except for an occasional salmon--wild caught of course.

Begley believes that people from what he calls "both sides of the aisle" are embracing an environmental ethic, mentioning reducing dependence on Mideast oil as well as the impact on climate change. "People really want to do something" he told me. He likes to start people off slowly, giving them some simple ideas and suggestions and then when they see how much money they can save by being "green", they are easier to convince of the bigger things.

Begley is hot on weatherization or improving energy conservation in building is perhaps the most effective way to be "green'. "The cheapest barrel of oil is the one not used" he told me.

I asked Begley how he countered the most zealous global warming skeptics and critics of Al Gore. "Let's agree to disagree that man has any impact on the weather," he said. "But look at Kilimanjaro, Glacier National Park, or glaciers in Alaska. How can you argue with those photos? Why would you put a patient with a fever in a sauna?"

Even if one does not believe that humans are warming the planet, Begley reminds people that "Lessening our dependence on oil, cleaning our air all puts money in our pockets. Who would be against that?"

Be sure to check out HAF's Green Building Tour on Saturday, April 25 from noon to six pm. For information and tickets, visit www.annapolis.org.

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