Thursday, May 9, 2013
A poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press reports that state and local government fare well as public opinion of federal government declines.
How do you feel about Anne Arundel County Government? If you're like a majority of those surveyed by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, then your answer might be "pretty good." A poll released last month found that 63 percent of those surveyed looked favorably on their local governments. That percentage is roughly unchanged from last year when the group conducted a similar survey. State governments are enjoying similar public approval with 57 percent of those surveyed saying they look favorably upon their state governments—a five-point increase over last year. Meanwhile, public opinion of the federal government decreased by 5 points to 28 percent—the lowest point ever in a Pew poll, according to the center. The center …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The budget includes a 3 percent raise for county employees—the first since 2010.
County Executive Laura Neuman’s budget for the coming year lays out a series of employee raises that she said were overdue. Neuman presented her budget Wednesday morning at the Arundel Center to a packed house in the County Council’s chambers. She said this budget would usher in “a fresh start” for Anne Arundel County, one in which people and infrastructure would be given the attention they deserved. “For too long our county has not made investing in people and infrastructure a priority, and that has resulted in a deteriorating organization,” Neuman said. The executive began her speech by describing the conditions of the office she inherited from former Executive John R. Leopold. Neuman said the office was “sullen and silent” when she …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The recently passed legislation could be vetoed in favor of creating a new bill with a lower fee for Anne Arundel County residents.
County Executive Laura Neuman said she will veto the stormwater bill that passed narrowly by the Anne Arundel County Council in a column issued to the media Thursday. Neuman outlined her reasons for the veto in the column: She wrote that there has been public outcry to the legislation, referencing "hundreds of emails" sent to her asking her to veto the bill. The bill sets into motion a fee that would be assessed through property tax bills. The rate varies per household type—$34 for owners of townhomes and condominiums, $85 for single-family homeowners, and $170 for rural area homes. Neuman wrote in the column that more work needs to be done, and she is going to ask the council to revisit a new bill and reduce the fee's impact to taxpayers…
In her column, the county executive stated she will veto a massive bill that would establish a fee to pay for a state-mandated stormwater runoff management plan.
Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman issued the following statement regarding her intent to veto the County Council's stormwater bill, which was approved April 15. When I moved to Anne Arundel County over two decades ago it was because of, among other things, the beauty of our County and the Chesapeake Bay. This natural beauty is why many of us are here and why we attract tourists from around the globe. Protecting this precious resource is not an option, it is an obligation. We all must do our part to do the things necessary to keep our waterways healthy and thriving, which brings me to Anne Arundel County Bill No. 2-13: Stormwater Management – Watershed Protection and Restoration Special Revenue Fund and Program. The impetus for …
Friday, April 5, 2013
The county executive explained the recent shake-up of personnel and economic opportunities for local businesses in Anne Arundel County.
Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman made headlines during her first month of office, most notably for the resignations and appointments of several key county personnel. She took the opportunity at the West County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting Wednesday to talk about how she hopes the recent changes will help the county government serve the taxpayers. At least a few members of the business community gasped when they learned the county executive's office lacked a computer and Internet connection until last month. Even more were shocked when Neuman told them the department of planning and zoning has a DOS-based computer system, which was the main operating system for computers during the 1980s to the mid-1990s. "Do you know what …
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
The county executive said the gallery is part of a "fresh start" for the county.
Folk artwork from elementary students across Anne Arundel County is on display at the county government's office in downtown Annapolis. The gallery shows off the talents of students, who employ a variety of styles. One of the art pieces features birds depicted through yarn, a style inspired by Mexican Huichol yarn paintings. There is also art inspired by cave paintings and Japanese calligraphy. Some artwork goes beyond the canvas, including tiny hand-crafted figures, and traditional Mexican weavings. Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman and Schools Superintendent Kevin Maxwell worked together in getting the gallery in front of the public's eyes. “This artwork will delight and also inspire us to look to the future,” Neuman said. “As …
Friday, March 29, 2013
Alton, 94, died after years of poor health.
Joseph Alton Jr., the first Anne Arundel county executive, died early Friday, according to The Maryland-Gazette. Alton, 94, of Eastport, was suffering from poor health and was in a wheel chair for the last few years of his life, the report said. According to Maryland State Archives, Alton rose in the ranks of Anne Arundel County as deputy sheriff in 1947, then sheriff from 1950 to 1962. From there, he represented the county as a Republican in the Maryland Senate for two years, until he became the first county executive in 1965. Alton held the office until he pleaded guilty to extortion charges in 1974, for which he was sentenced 18 months in prison and served 7 months. He stayed involved in county politics, however, and was involved with …
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman continued to change the leadership in Anne Arundel this week.
Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman's transformation of departments within the county government continued this week, as two more people were replaced. A press release from Neuman's office announced the appointment of two new members to the Constituent Services team. The release did not mention any dismissals, but The Maryland-Gazette reported the appointments came with the removal of two constituent services specialists. Mark Chang and Kelsey McConkey, both of whom represented north county, are no longer county employees, according to The Gazette. Neuman announced Eastport resident Hope Stewart will represent south county and Annapolis, while Amy Leahy will represent her hometown of Severna Park and west county. North county will …
Monday, February 25, 2013
Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman made the announcement on Monday.
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Monday, February 25
David Cordle of Annapolis was named chief of staff on Monday by Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman as she starts to organize a new leadership team for her administration. The appointment is effective immediately. Neuman described the 55-year-old Cordle as a "true public servant" in a prepared statement that also detailed Cordle's experience as chief criminal investigator for the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office and in government. He served nine years as an Annapolis alderman. In addition, Cordle served three commands in the U.S. Army and lives in Annapolis with his wife, Michelle. Cordle will reportedly lead an Evaluation Committee charged with reviewing individuals and agencies within Anne Arundel County government. …
Friday, February 22, 2013
Laura Neuman said she will make Anne Arundel County a leader in Maryland.
Anne Arundel's new county executive, Laura Neuman, was sworn into office on Friday morning at the county courthouse in the company of her family. Neuman recited the words that formalized her office, while standing next to her daughter, Avery, and son, Alex—who both beamed and waved for the cameras. After the ceremony, Neuman laid out a portion of her plans as executive. "We will be a leader in the state, and I look forward to meeting that effort. We will restore confidence in the executive branch of government in Anne Arundel County," she said. "I am truly honored to have this opportunity. Thank you." Neuman assumed the office of county executive almost exactly 12 hours after Thursday night's County Council meeting, where she received the …
Jane Frazier
10:29 am on Friday, May 10, 2013
I don't know how most citizens feel about the state of our county right now, due to the many changes we have endured in this past year. Hopefully, we are on a better path now, but when I read the figures about citizens approving of the state government, I can't agree with that at all. The Maryland state government doesn't listen to the citizens voices at all, and continually raid our wallets … more ›