More video has surfaced of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler at a party that apparently included underage drinking. GOP gubernatorial candidate Charles Lollar’s campaign website is back online. Plus, progress on the proposed Baltimore Wal-Mart development, the end of Daylight Savings Time, and more.
More Gansler Video From Delaware Party Surfaces: There may be more video of embattled state Attorney General Doug Gansler at a party which apparently included underage drinking. The video appears to show the Democratic gubernatorial candidate walking alone at the Bethany Beach, Delaware party before more of the party is shown. Gansler admits he probably should have taken steps to see if there was indeed teen drinking at the party, where he says he stayed a few minutes to speak with his son. WJLA-TV quotes the Gansler campaign as telling them the video doesn't change anything in reference to what happened that night. The Gansler camp is looking to put this story behind it, saying that it’s “time to move on to discuss the issues Marylanders care about, like jobs” and healthcare. Also in the running for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination are Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Montgomery County Delegate Heather Mizeur.
Lollar’s Website Is Back Online: A Republican running for Governor has recently seen the internet arm of his campaign go back online. The Baltimore Sun reports that Charles Lollar’s website had gone dead for about a week, but went live again last night. Lollar has disputed recent allegations of organizational problems within his campaign. The Charles County businessman is vying with Harford County Executive David Craig and Anne Arundel County Delegate Ron George for their party’s gubernatorial nomination next year.
Progress On Plans For 25th Street Walmart: A Baltimore advisory panel has given its approval to the proposed 25th Street Station shopping center. The center will be anchored by a Wal-Mart store, and the store's design had caused the Urban Design and Architectural Review Panel to reject two previous proposals. Members of the panel say the new plan is a vast improvement over the previous offering. The Baltimore Brew notes that the project still must be approved by the city Planning Commission.
2014 Watch: Anne Arundel County Executive WYPR's Joel McCord and Pamela Wood of the Baltimore Sun talk about the 2014 race for Anne Arundel County executive, in particular the competitive Republican primary. It’s this morning’s edition of Inside Maryland Politics.
Lawsuit In Annapolis City Council Race: Steven Conn, an independent candidate for Annapolis’s Ward 6 City Council Seat is suing the campaign of Alderman Kenneth Kir y and the Alderman himself, alleging defamation in a campaign e-mail and a campaign flier. The Capital Gazette reportsthat the e-mail and flier portray Conn as having a criminal record… the Baltimore Sun reports that Conn has some traffic tickets and a charge of an open container in Baltimore that was later dropped. The documents also say that Conn was “forced to resign from the Annapolis City Police Department Auxiliary Unit” – a charge that Conn denies. Conn is looking for at least $75-thousand in compensatory damages and another $75-thousand in punitive damages; he also wants an injunction ordering the Kirby campaign not to make “false or defamatory statements.” Kirby tells the Sun that he “do[esn’t] think [he’s] slandered [Conn] in any way.” Annapolis’s election takes place on Tuesday of next week.
No Plans To Sell Hilton Baltimore Convention Center: Baltimore city officials say they have no plans to sell or refinance the Hilton Baltimore convention center. City Finance Director Harry Black tells the Baltimore Sunthat if the city sold the money-losing hotel now, it would lose between $60-million and $90-million. A consultant report released yesterday seems to indicate that staying the course is the best option for the city. The hotel has lost more than $50-million since it opened in 2008, including more than $11-million last year. But yesterday’s advisory report indicates that revenues are improving, and says earnings are expected to be higher over the next five years.
Frederick County Homes May Now Be Closer To Streams: Homes in Frederick County will be allowed to be closer to the County’s streams. The Frederick News Post reports that until yesterday, the County had a so-called “stream buffer ordinance” – requiring between 150 and 175 feet of trees or shrubs between homes and streams in sloped areas; but a decision yesterday by the Frederick County Board of Commissioners will reduce those buffer zones by 25 feet.
“Revenge Porn” Legislation: Maryland may soon make it a crime to post so-called "revenge porn" on the Internet. Baltimore Delegate Jon Cardin's bill would make posting sexually explicit images of a person without their consent a felony. WJLA reports that the measure will be coming up before the General Assembly next year. If the bill passes, violators could get prison terms up to five years, and fines up to 25-thousand dollars. There’s more here from the Baltimore Sun.
Montgomery County Council Salaries To Rise: The salaries for members of the Montgomery County Council are going up. A citizens’ panel suggested a series of raises for Montgomery County Coucilmembers who take office after next year’s elections, and the current council approved legislation to put the suggestions in place on a vote of 8 to 1. The Washington Post reports that County Executive Isiah Leggett had considered vetoing the legislation that’ll make it happen, but ultimately decided against it. The legislation means that, in the year 2017, a Montgomery County Councilmember will make over $136-thousand a year.
Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday Morning: The times, they are a’ changin’. Daylight savings time ends in the wee hours of Sunday morning – meaning you should remember to set your clocks back an hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night, or first thing on Sunday when you wake up. Cell phones, and most computers that connect to networks, will make the changes automatically. The time change means we’ll get an extra hour of sunlight in the morning, but an hour less of light at night. The Baltimore Sun reports that fire departments around the state are urging folks to use the occasion to check smoke detectors.
Baltimore Football: The Ravens head to the shores of Lake Erie Sunday to battle the Cleveland Browns. It’s the Ravens’ fourth road game out of their last five games overall. The Ravens are 3 and 4 for the season; the Browns: 3 and 5.
DC Council Likely To Pass Resolution Calling For Name Change For Washington Redskins: The Washington DC City Council is set to vote next Tuesday on a resolution urging the Washington Redskins to change their controversial name. The Washington Post reportsthat the measure declares that the use of it is "increasingly considered to be insensitive" in a multi-cultural society. The Washington NFL team actually plays in Maryland – at FedExField in Landover, in Prince George’s County.
Ray Lewis Sues BB&T: Former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is suing BB&T Bank over close to $4-million in investment losses. Lewis is among more than a dozen former NFL players who say they lost 60-million dollars to Pro Sports Financial. The athletes accuse the bank of allowing Pro Sports Financial to open accounts in their names and make millions of dollars' worth of unauthorized investments. There’s more here from the Baltimore Sun.
