Young of Year Numbers Drop

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is reporting that the number of blue crabs less than 2 inches across in the Bay are lower this year than the last two years, likely indicating a poor harvest later in the year.

Happy Earth Day!

Here's to making every day an earth day.

Public Housing Board Anticipates Vacancies

Come July, Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer will have the opportunity to appoint three new members to the seven-member Housing Authority Board which administers the public housing properties in Annapolis.

Given the Mayor's ongoing tussle with outgoing Authority Chair, Trudy McFall, over addressing crime in the public housing communities, there is speculation that Moyer make seek more compliant appointees.

Apparently, acknowledging the crime in public housing, and asserting that its presence has anything to do with a lack of effort on the part of the City constitutes a "political" assault. According to the Mayor, "There are members of the board that continue to blame the city. Any new rap that a couple of people want to put on the city for political reasons doesn't serve anybody."

Speculation is, McFall may throw her hat into the ring for Mayor in 2009. Other potential candidates include Alderman Sam Shropshire, Democratic Central Committee member, Chuck Weikel, Alderman Mike Christman, and former Delegate Herb McMillan.

O'Malley Commits Maryland to Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Earlier this week, the Governor signed Maryland onto the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a cooperative effort by 10 states in the Northeast to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The requirement to join the RGGI was part of the Healthy Air Act, passed by the legislature in 2006.

In addition, O'Malley signed an executive order creating a Climate Change Commission that will be made up of key state officials, a representative from the University of Maryland and up to six others appointed by the General Assembly.

Terrapin Ban Update

If Governor O'Malley signs the terrapin harvest ban on Tuesday, as he is expected to do, it will go into effect on July 1st. Here's hoping that the state reptile never sees another bowl of turtle soup.

Transportation Fee Ties Taylor in Knots

Early in the week, the Director of the Department of Aging and Disabilities, Wayne Taylor, said the County was going to start charging $2 per round trip on the County shuttle. On Friday, his boss, John Leopold, made him take it back.

Leopold Looks to Tweak Impact Fees

An article in today's Sun suggests that the County Administration is seeking to change the way impact fees can be spent on new infrastructure as well as increase the amount assessed for each new home. Both changes are long overdue.

Fines Increased and Lawsuit Tossed

On Tuesday night, the County Council voted, at Executive Leopold's insistence, to pass a bill which raises the fine for constructing a shed, deck, pier, or entire home without a permit to $500/day. The bill comes largely in response to the ongoing situation at Little Dobbins Island.

In similar news, Judge Paul Goetzke threw out the lawsuit the Magothy River Association (MRA) and five riverfront property owners had filed against the owner of Dobbins Island for erecting a fence on the beach that restricted public access. After the ruling, the attorney for the MRA expressed to the current owner that the Association is interested in purchasing the island. Keep posted for updates.