hate to be a bother…(not really)

We will see if I get a response….

From: Dave Aughenbaugh
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 11:31 PM
To: laurel_marsh@hcpss.org
Subject: hate to be a bother…(not really)

Ms. Marsh,

After reading the email correspondence in the following article / blog, (link provided) I had to respond. As a parent and a concerned citizen…

http://redmaryland.blogspot.com/2009/09/obama-worship-comes-to-howard-county.html

Reading, Writing and Arithmetic – I am certain that, whether Democrat, Republican, Conservative or Liberal: “2 + 2 = 4″ & “i before e except after c…”, you get the idea…

…But can you explain to me how this is even remotely close to being educational or otherwise productive for any child in your classrooms? If you wanted to sing the accolades of “Obama”, you can certainly do as you please in your own home. To bring this into the ‘public’ schools when its hardly permissible to practice ‘American’ traditions is quite frankly disturbing.

In my opinion, whether you believe Obama is to be worshipped is your business, however, it is not your place to in any way prompt, lead or otherwise expose the children to such teachings. It is your duty to provide an education to these children. The education system, as screwed up as I think it is at times, has been challenged in recent years to combat things like this…we have had issue with prayer, the pledge, Christmas we could go on for a while.

What you’ve supplied is in fact a form of worship to a ‘person’, my issue is not that it’s Obama so much…and before you go accusing me of some outrageous claim of bigotry or racism, hear me out….In September of 2001, at the height of ‘Patriotism’, it would have been wrong to sing the praises of President Bush in the context that you’ve displayed in this little experiment. Or substitute any other figure, a polarizing figure or not, and dare I say substitute ‘God’ in the lyrics. Shamefully, you’d really have an uproar.

It took me quite some time to find your email. Not sure that it is customary NOT to list emails on your school site, but a little internet perusing and I found it.

I have taken some valuable time from you if you took the time to read this and would like to respond, I would really like to know what makes you think the way you do? I am hopeful, that you will realize that it was a mistake to personalize and politicize the education of these children, and assumed that your agenda is the same as the families of the children that you teach.

Respectfully,
Dave Aughenbaugh

Our Government at Work, and we wonder why our tax’s and the Fede ral Deficit are so high!

I received this email this morning, I haven’t checked the validity of the ‘numbers’, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they were legit.

The larger point here is…We’ve gotten to the point in American Politics, that we’ve settled on the philosophy of “Doing something is better than nothing!”, Regardless of the actual impact…We don’t given the proper amount of ‘thought’ or ‘analysis’ to drive decisions to SPEND our money. Do it NOW instead of doing it RIGHT…

Would love to see your feedback on the following:

Our Government at Work, and we wonder why our tax’s and the Federal Deficit are so high!

A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800 gallons of gas a year. A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480 gallons a year. So, the average Cash for Clunkers transaction will reduce US gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per vehicle, per year. They claim 700,000 vehicles, so that’s 224 million gallons saved per year. That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil. 5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption. More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs about $350 million dollars So, the government paid $3 Billion of our tax dollars for this program….. to save $350 million. Every dollar saved will cost the taxpayers $8.57. And That, my friends, is Washington Economics. How good a deal was that? They’ll probably do a great job with health care!

Gansler Fails to do His Job – We must call upon his resignation and Pat Jessemy

Everyone, Please make this an issue…an issue that they cannot ignore. Simply burying their heads in the sand is not an excuse. This is quite seriously a violation, one that diminishes the offices in which they serve. Even the collective lunatics in Washington D.C. have found the pressures of the people regarding this organization and have decided to propose the unfunding of this corrupt organization and overwhelmingly voting to follow through.

Why is it that the Governor of MD, and the OAG and the Balt City AG collectively approach this as a trivial matter? Because their collective behinds are not motivated by doing what’s right, rather what’s politically to their advantage. (or so they THINK) So, that being said, unless they receive pressure they will continue to ignore the obvious!

Please help by sending this to everyone, I mean everyone…

Dave

Subject: Gansler Fails to do His Job – We must call upon his resignation and Pat Jessemy

All Leaders of the House and Senate have been Contacted now.

See the Following. Also, it’s nice to know, Gansler doesn’t read his emails. We know he plans to run for Governor in 2014, so we will continue to make this an issue.

If I find that Maryland Tax Funding has been used in the Housing and Development part of the State, it demands action by the OAG of Maryland. As of now, he is laughing and stating the following which is listed below.

OAG Gansler is an embarrassment to Maryland. He is failing to do his Job and is NOT DOING THE JOB HE WAS ELECTED TO DO!!!

OAG Gansler refuses to remove link from website and would prefer to talk about a Murder in Florida as a comparison.

MD AG won’t remove ACORN link from office website

WBAL.com

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler said that his office will continue to list the advocacy group ACORN on his office’s consumer protection division Web site, even though the group is facing scrutiny after several employees were shown on videos encouraging potential clients to file false tax returns and break other laws.

CLICK HERE for a link to Gansler’s site listing ACORN.

Gansler said by law he must list all non-profit organizations that provide foreclosure counseling, and cannot remove them unless the groups lose their non-profit tax exempt status.

‘The law forces us to post a listing of all organizations that do consumer protection work,” Gansler told WBAL’s Shari Elliker today.

However, Gansler said the listing is not an endorsement of ACORN.

“We don’t endorse any non-profits over any other non-profits in the foreclosure area,” Gansler said.

“We list all of the services that are available, and then people can make their own decisions.”

Gansler also admits he has not seen any of the ACORN tape that was first disclosed last week. The video shows two ACORN workers at the Baltimore office telling the a couple posing as a pimp and prostitute to file false tax returns, and list teenagers from El Salvador who work for their operation as dependants.

Gansler said that he cannot investigate whether the agency broke the law, or whether the filmmakers violated state wiretapping laws. Gansler said only the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s office can investigate, unless that office requests his office to investigate because of a conflict of interest.

“Me looking at a tape isn’t going to then give me jurisdiction, no more than if I looked at a tape of a murder in Florida,” Gansler said.

Reacting to questions from callers, Gansler said his office likely would not investigate whether ACORN’s status as a non-profit is legal, noting that’s an issue for the Maryland Department of State.

Gansler also told Elliker that he hasn’t received many questions about ACORN from other media outlets.

He added the ACORN videos, “are no more relevant to us…than a murder that takes place in Florida. I’m happy to answer questions about it, but I cannot change the law to give us jurisdiction over a case where we don’t have jurisdiction.”

What a weekend, September 11 – 13, 2009

What a weekend, September 11 – 13, 2009

David Aughenbaugh

Friday, September 11, 2009 – Patriot Day

What can I say, in prior years this past weekend would have gone by as just another weekend in my house. Of course we would have reflected on the events of eight years ago, and I definitely would have been ’screaming’ at my TV as to the events of present.

You see, I have not always been what you would call a ‘politically aware’ person. I operated on the fringe and kept up with the big issues offering my opinion while not always understanding the core of the issue itself.

At a time when the country seems to be reviving itself, this ‘awakening’ has prompted me to take a more active role. Offering my opinion, backed by what I beleive to be a solid ideology, I have decided to participate through ‘activism’, engaging the public through the many means available in this new information age.

Personally, my wife Barbara, much to her shagrin, encouraged me to “Do something about it and stop yelling at the TV. Well, by happenstance, I met a young man DJ Madron, whom shares many of the ideals I felt missing from today’s political climate. At his prompting, my introduction to the Patapsco Valley Republican Club was made. The rest shall we say is history. I am now his Treasurer supporting his efforts as a challenger to DeBoy and Malone, our current legislative representatives in 12A.

This brings me to my past weekend, it started out September 11th, while others from our club stood in the rain that morning remembering those whom fell victim to the most hanious act of terrorism that glorious morning 8 years ago, I was at work thinking of the speech I was being asked to give in support of the Madron for Delegate Campaign later that evening. The Second Annual Partiot Day Dinner, with special guest, Blair Lee.

Blair Lee speaks to Second Annual PVRC Patriot Day patrons

The day went by at a snails pace, as I took the speech notes DJ had given me an I tried to craft a message around current events. My message…”The Pendulum has swung too far” As I waited for my wife to come home from work, I tried to understand the audience that I would be addressing. They would certainly be a friendly crowd, and largely a shared view of today’s Politics.

We would arrive at the event a little before 7pm start time, the room was full of like minded individuals, along with some dignataries that would be recognized for thier support of our event, as well as an opportunity to introduce themselves to the constiuency.

Steve Whisler - Candidate for Councilmanic District 1

Steve Whisler, began the night as the MC for the evening, introducing the ‘color guard’, from the Dewey Loman post, the National Anthem was brilliantly performed by one of Catonsville’s own, Julia Tucker. (AWESOME!) and the invocation by Pastor Rick Bowers.

As things moved along, Steve Whisler, announces his intentions to run for County Council in District 1. This was a big hit, and I couldn’t imagine a better person to represent our local interests’. As Steve moved the event along, it was my time to introduce DJ to the crowd, as Steve introduced me and I approached the stage, not something that normally intimidates me (I am in sales), I literally forgot every word of my speech…Thank goodness I brought some notes. Here is my Speech, I may be paraphrasing a bit…but here it goes.

Good Evening Everyone,

First, the registration list taken as you walked in will be forwarded to flag@whitehouse.gov…. But I have a feeling they may already have them. (lots of applause, and laughter)

My name is Dave Aughenbaugh and I am the Treasurer for DJ Madron… DJ couldn’t be here tonight, but he wanted me to address you all in his absence. As many of you know, not only is he a candidate for delegate in district 12A.  He is also a doctoral candidate [public policy] @UMBC and he has a series of very stringent tests as a part of that program. His commitment to his studies is respected, but timing is unfortunate. I cannot even begin to understand the specifics of what he is experienceing right now, but I assure you, he’d rather be here.

Refocusing on his campaign is a priority and he’ll be hitting the campaign trail hard once he completes this latest stage…Tonight as we have the opprtunity, Please introduce yourselves, as I am glad to serve as his surrogate for tonight’s event.

DJ, as well as the entire Madron Campaign would like to offer a few words

We have been called’ liars’,’ disingenuous astroturfers’ , ‘unpatriotic’ and a host of other names, and the worst of all,  those of us who have shown dissent against the current administration (s) and It’s policies have been classified as ‘terrorists’.

Ironically, in light of recent headlines,  it’s organizations like ACORN, Casa de Maryland, moveon.org among other  liberal organizations that  make such accusations, But the most  concerning  thing is that, it’s our ‘elected’ leadership and appointed officials that also publically make these accusations. Why? Because we dissent. And they wonder why? In what kind of delirious world are we living in that our leaders think we can spend our way out of a recession and borrow our way out of debt? Logic or Common Sense doesn’t seem to apply when authoring these policies and they certainly have no economic merit. The pendulum has just swung too far.

We our living in a upside-down society, one that continually penalizes success through taxes and rewards failure through entitlement.”We are only given the right to pursue happiness, we are NOT given this right”  We genuinely believe that our state and country are heading in a direction than we could never imagined, not even here in Maryland. An even bigger and more intrusive government, a dangerous shift from the ideology that built this great country. Be it speed cameras, healthcare, cap and trade and other ‘backroom’ & regressive tactics… too many to list. The Pendulum has just swung too far.

But there is encouragement…Certainly, finding and supporting strong candidates at all levels of our government is a must, but what’s more encouraging…is ‘participation’, participation of those of us in this room tonight and others across our state and country… First time activists’, the folks generally concerned about the health and well-being of our country, people not normally associated with activism, their  speaking out, or outwardly showing dissent. They  are waking up and participating. The pendulum is swinging back!

It is the pandering, ‘lemming like’ complacent politicians that should be concerned. We must continue to challenge their policies, question their actions & hold them accountable. Make them earn your vote, it’s a powerful, powerful tool…and It is events like this, the National Tea Party tomorrow, club meetings, writing letters to your representatives or a well placed & timely editorial penned by ‘regular’ folks like you that will help spur activism & return “responsible and accountable” balance of  representation  to Annapolis and Washington.

You are all Patriots, and that’s the kind of  HOPE & CHANGE  we can believe in while we wait for the pendulum to return. Thank You

The speech was met with lots of encouraging applause and the many people that approached me during the evening, offered words of encouragement and support. The evening was a complete success, and without the hard work and dedication of the PVRC event committee, this evening would not have been. Thanks to the committee you know who you are!

Saturday, September 12, 2009 – 9-12 National Tea Party

After the events of last night, this day was met with the feeling that you get on Christmas morning…I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but you knew it would be good. Well, I am here to tell you, outside of my wedding, my childrens birth, this day might approach the most amazing days I’ve ever experienced. I think I wrote on myfacebook status the following:

Well folks, I cannot do this justice…but before the day started, the Grand Canyon was the most awe inspiring sight I had ever seen…but today, while the media fights over how many people gathered in protest, I think I may have been part of history…pics to follow.

The PVRC, instrumental again in the organizing of this event…THANKS…Had a contingent of about 25 fired up “Party goers!”

PVRC Bus to Washington D.C.

Oh, Thanks to “Kangaroo Coach” – We’ll be using them again!

The excitement would be pretty hard to measure, a lot of us were still on a high fromt he night prior. However, fresh faces and donuts, thanks Steve!, helped everyone prepare for the days events. What to expect? No-one was prepared for what we were about to experience.

Ok, This is a lot longer than I expected, but I am gonna keep going…Here is my perspective on the day and a few pics…

Today, was an awe inspiring day, for those of you whom support the gathering let me tell you, it would have exceeded your expectations. True Americans, party affiliated or not, they showed up in droves. You will hear many different reports, but I want to stay on point…By my guesstimates there were hundreds of thousands, hundreds of thousands! DO YOU HEAR ME, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS!

The theme was heavily slanted towards the dislike of the Healthcare debacle, but it hit many more points as you we see in the pics below…

Final commments: Sept 12, 2009 – It’s time..time to take the energy witnessed on this day, capture it, and use it to our advantage, not just for 2010 elections, but for the continued responsible government our forefathers intended. So, with that being said…Stay tuned as there is a movement abound, and we intend to bring this movement to the local stage. Southwest Baltimore Area Tea Party is in the works!

In a word…AWESOME!

September 13, 2009 – Catonsville Arts and Craft Festival

By now you’d think that we are ready to use Sunday as a day of rest. There is no rest for the weary, the surprising thing is that although weary we came to the Catonsville Arts and Craft Festival ready to conquer. Conquer we did!

The event garnered lots of activity…registering voters, signing up for the PVRC email list and hopefully a few more members. All in all, the purpose for our participation is to support the cause, what’s the cause you ask? Well you can visit the PVRC webpage for info about the club. In my words…

Without participation, without activism, without solid ideals, we are without cause. The local, state and national stages are riddled with ego driven individuals and supported by too many that follow. In my opinion, they are followers following followers. This creates nothing more than a vicious circle of abuse. These people are supposed to represent its constituents, however, they are  too many of those chosen to do the representing that do not listen to it’s constituents, rather they are propped up by years and years of complacency. We have captured the attention of the common citizen, it is our duty to inform and offer support. Maryland politicians should be very aware of the recent awakening, and many of those same individuals will choose to ‘ignore’ the general consensus, thinking that we are in fact, fake, manufactured or a passing moment in time. I will not allow this to happen, not this time, not ever again.

I know this was a long entry, and quite frankly it was my intent to put this together on Monday…LOL, the road to @#%$, you get my drift…

Here are some pics from the weekend’s events…Again thanks to PVRC for organizing, Leslie, Al, Steve(s), Mike and Ree, and of course Harry…Thanks to all the volunteers, and especially thanks to all the visitors to our booth, as you all are what made this a SUCCESS!

PVRC Bus to Washington D.C.

The Catonsville Arts and Craft Fair

A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND FOR PVRC! AN EVEN BETTER WEEKEND FOR THE AMERICANS!

Remember to support your local candidates:

• Steve Whisler – County Council (District 1) – website to be released soon
• Al Nalley – Delegate (District 12A)
• DJ Madron – Delegate (District 12A)

God Bless America!

Lawmakers to review Md. anti-gang statute — baltimoresun.com

Lawmakers to review Md. anti-gang statute — baltimoresun.com

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Leaders of Maryland allow ACORN and ACORN Housing to Operate without a Corporate Charter

Hello…anyone listening.

Leaders of Maryland allow ACORN and ACORN Housing to Operate without a Corporate Charter

Dear Leaders of Maryland, Pat Jessamy, Mayor Dixon, OAG Gansler, Governor O’Malley and Senate and House Leaders,

Rick and COS Enright, please be sure the Governor gets. We would like our Tax Dollars back please.

It has come to our attention that, ACORN had forfeited it’s Corporate Charter as of 2006 and ACORN Housing had forfeited it’s Corporate Charter as of 2008. Clearly, this has been overlooked by the Democratic Leaders of Maryland and the fact that the Governor and OAG have been supporting www.mdhope.org, which in assistance with ACORN Housing is clearly a misuse of Tax Payer dollars on the State Website.

This is a total outrage and we want, no we are demanding answers. This is clearly crossing the line and the mainstream media needs to come to Maryland and make US the clear example of how allowing organizations like this to operate without a Corporate Charter, are breaking the law and doing so right in our faces. How can you allow them to make you look like FOOLS? And we the Tax Payer are made to look like FOOLS!!

Why have you not done anything about this? When are you going to investigate the wrongdoings and misappropriations of Tax Payer dollars to this organization.

We want our Money Back. This is an Out Rage.

What are you going to do about this? See article from American Thinker and Big Government.

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/09/acorn_operating_in_maryland_il.html

September 15, 2009

ACORN operating in Maryland Illegally

Kyle-Anne Shiver

Well, the little ACORN story just keeps sprouting bigger branches. Brietbart’s Big Government blog has the story on how ACORN was actually doing business in Maryland illegally, having forfeited their charter there. Just why the charter was forfeited is not being reported.

But here’s the scoop:

“Last week, we saw some pretty disturbing activities revealed in the undercover footage from ACORN Housing’s Baltimore office. By any measure of conduct, the actions of ACORN’s employees should never have happened. It turns out the actions shouldn’t have happened for another, very simple, reason: ACORN can’t legally operate in the state of Maryland.

According to the following documents, ACORN, Inc.-the parent organization of all things ACORN-forfeited its corporate charter in Maryland in 2006. ACORN Housing forfeited its corporate charter in 2008. Any ACORN office in the state of Maryland is potentially operating illegally.”

Big Government also has the verification of this from the State of Maryland here.

Gosh, I guess the Maryland Attorney General might need to get up to speed before he makes any more noise about prosecuting those valiant young reporters who stung the ACORN folks there. It would seem others may be on the hook instead.

Jeffrey A. Werner

Legal Citizen, Voter, First Generation Marylander and now State Watchdog

PS, Who needs to run for Office when we, the people, can expose the Corruption Our selves.

O’Malley…Optimist or Dreamer?

Editorial – O’Malley…Optimist or Dreamer?

Steve Whisler

Catonsville

Kudos to Governor O’Malley for his optimism; however, his comments in mid-August (that Maryland’s economy is strong and that we have seen the worst in home foreclosures) are not necessarily rooted in reality.

Despite levying the largest tax increase in Maryland’s history and receiving over $51 million of our tax dollars in federal government stimulus funds, he and other top Democrats in Annapolis must find another $470 million in cuts. The Daily Record reported that O’Malley and other Democrats do not want to acknowledge or deal with the state’s unfunded obligations to its retirees for their pensions and health benefits. Maryland’s pension fund is 78% funded, slightly less than the recommended level. Its unfunded retiree health care liability is $15.1 billion, larger than the annual general fund budget itself!

We were told that two massive federal economic stimulus bills would stop the bleeding. We were told that Maryland’s largest tax increase would fill gaps and fund state priorities in education, healthcare, roads, firefighters, and police. Unfortunately, entrepreneurs still cannot obtain lines of credit to maintain or grow small businesses and everyday people cannot obtain credit to restructure their debt at reasonable interest rates. Marylanders are losing their jobs at record levels. Now, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports (Souring Prime Loans Compound Mortgage Woes) that Maryland ranks 6th in the nation for the biggest increase in home foreclosures over the first quarter of 2009.

A survey found that one in eight U.S. households with mortgages was in foreclosure or behind on payments. Originally, most of home foreclosures were isolated to subprime borrowers. Now, soaring unemployment rates are prompting home foreclosures in the prime market. A chief economist of the Mortgage Bankers Association suggested that home foreclosures would not peak until later in 2010. Subprime loans are classified as those where the borrower has a credit score below 640. Subprime borrowers generally have adverse information on their credit reports, limited debt experience, fail to pay debts on time, and/or have a history of bankruptcies. Normally, it is very difficult for this category of borrowers to receive credit cards or purchase cars or homes.

Many progressive incumbents in Congress demanded that the financial services industry relax underwriting standards so that subprime borrowers could own a home, obtain credit, and improve their situation. While the notion was rooted with good intentions, it fueled irresponsible lending to many who could not realistically repay large mortgages and very high lines of credit. To make matters worse, Wall Street consorted with the financial industry to package these very risky loans into funds that were misrepresented to investors as very safe, or AAA-rated.

Large firms like AIG, banks, foreign investors, and others invested trillions of dollars into these so-called safe funds. The money these funds raised was loaned to subprime borrowers, many of whom continue to default on home loans and credit cards. When investors stopped receiving dividends, they moved quickly to pull money out of these funds now commonly referred as “toxic assets.” Banks also stopped lending to keep cash on-hand and meet already flimsy regulatory requirements. They also raised bank fees and other non-interest income substantially to make up for huge losses. People who re-finance their homes with the large banks now pay as much as $25,000 in closing costs!

Two massive economic stimulus bills (one each during the Bush and Obama Administrations) were intended originally to purchase these “toxic assets,” establish confidence among current investors, and encourage banks to offer loans and credit again at reasonable rates to small businesses and everyday citizens. Instead, much of these stimulus funds were diverted to treat the symptoms and victims of the economic disaster and not the source of the problem itself. Now Congress is discussing a third economic stimulus bill to purchase more toxic assets, ensure banks remain solvent, and facilitate the public’s access to lines of credit. More spending — are they serious?

Unfortunately, we now see at the federal level what many Maryland state and county politicians have practiced for a very long time. Unbridled spending, misplaced priorities, and a focus on funneling tax dollars to groups and other special interests that help re-elect incumbent, progressive politicians. County and State governments have allowed property assessment rates to increase nearly 20% in the last four years in Baltimore County while home values have plummeted. Lawmakers have enacted policies that have exacerbated home foreclosures, increased property tax bills, and crippled small business with higher rent payments and mandates to increase employee wages. Teachers, firefighters, and police need to beg for annual cost of living allowances – and they typically receive these well-deserved raises only a year or two before state elections.

The progressive philosophy in Annapolis and Washington DC has failed us miserably. We are simply spending too much, not prioritizing needs, and wasting valuable resources on too many well-intentioned programs. Many future generations will be forced to hand over the spoils of their success and hard work to federal, state, and local governments to pay for these social experiments and misguided policies. It is no wonder why Democrats, Independents, and Republicans alike are frustrated with incumbents, their failed policies, and empty promises.

Steve Whisler is a board director on Maryland’s largest credit union and the east coast division vice president for a federal defense contractor. Since 2002, he has served as president of his 1800-home community in Catonsville. In 2006, he was elected as president of the Coalition for the Preservation of Southwest Baltimore County. A doctoral candidate with the University of Phoenix, he is considering a run for public office in 2010 as a Republican in southwest Baltimore County.

Reference:  Souring Prime Loans Compound Mortgage Woes

200 Maryland state workers getting pink slips today — baltimoresun.com

200 Maryland state workers getting pink slips today — baltimoresun.com

Seems to me there are about 47 Senators and 141 Delegates that can pony up some bucks too!

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I-270: Putting the brakes on this $4.6 billion boondoggle — baltimoresun.com

I-270: Putting the brakes on this $4.6 billion boondoggle — baltimoresun.com

“most expensive transportation project in Maryland history…”

Correctly defined by Michael Dresser as the Maryland Sprawlway, the time is now to raise questions on this 4.6 billion dollar project.

Some have suggested I’ve been raising needless alarm about a project that’s way off in the future. Bunk. This project is so far off in the future that the Montgomery County Council will be taking it up next month – and the smart money is betting that it will fall in line behind the planning board and the developers and the Chamber of Commerce in support of a plan to add two express toll lanes in each direction from Shady Grove to Frederick. Once that ball gets rolling, it can pick up velocity in a hurry.

When you hear the words, ‘displacement’ or ’seized’, and it’s used under the guise of progress. We must question the intentions. Is this the smartest use of 4.6B dollars? Especially when our State Government is readying yet another round of cuts…Really?

That’s apparently the plan for 251 families who live along the Interstate 270 corridor in Montgomery and Frederick counties. According to a State Highway Administration newsletter, that’s the number of “residential displacements” – transportation wonk-speak for kicking folks to the curb – it will require to widen I-270 to the $4.6 billion specifications of the Montgomery County Planning Board.

The “Sprawlway” regardless how far out it may or may not be deserves a huge amount of “public awareness” and scrutinty!

COUNTIES ARE BETTER BUDGET MANAGERS THAN O’MALLEY [from mdsenategop.com]

COUNTIES ARE BETTER BUDGET MANAGERS THAN O’MALLEY

County employees throughout Maryland are riding the crest of a wave of higher salaries, benefit enhancements and strong pension programs in sharp contrast to the plight of state employees.

Watching from afar, state employees are well-aware of the gap being created between state and county employment.  County elected officials have placed a high priority on a stable and well-compensated workforce.  At the same time, state employees have seen their job status regress under the O’Malley Administration.

Data compiled by the Department of Legislative Services for the October 14, 2008 Spending Affordability Briefing (click here) show that 20 of 24 local jurisdictions granting salary increase to their employees last year.  Most jurisdictions granted both a COLA and a step increase.

Overall, counties generally granted a 3% salary increase with some jurisdictions granting even higher percentages up to 6%.  County teachers fared even better with 21 of 24 jurisdictions granting both COLA and step increases.  One-half of these counties granting salary increases between 4% and 6%.

Why do county budget managers succeed in rewarding hard-working employees while the state fails so miserably under Governor O’Malley?

Unfortunately, the restraint shown to date by county elected officials and budget managers in conservatively managing their budgets will now get punished by O’Malley as they are asked this week to find $250 million in job reductions and programmatic cuts to bail out the state’s poor judgment in budget management.