Maryland

Baltimore County Council advances bill to add two more members – Maryland Matters

Published

2 days ago

July 2, 2024

Baltimore County Council advances bill to add two more members – Maryland Matters

With no votes to spare, the Baltimore County Council advanced a proposed charter amendment Monday that will let voters decide whether to increase the size of the council from seven to nine members.

As a proposed amendment to the county charter, the proposal needed a supermajority of five votes to pass. Council Chairman Izzy Patoka, along with Councilmen Todd Crandell, Mike Ertel, Wade Kach and David Marks voted for the measure. Councilman Pat Young was the sole no vote, and Councilman Julian Jones, who had previously expressed reservations about the measure, was not present.

“Tonight was a historic moment,” said Patoka, who sponsored the measure. “It will create opportunity for the county council to better reflect the demographics of Baltimore County.”

The current council is all male, with six white members and one African American.

Young, a Democrat who represents southwestern Baltimore County, argued that the council should be expanded to 11 members instead of nine, saying that would increase the likelihood of getting a more diverse council.

“Over time, there is a resounding theme,” Young said. “We have been historically, with painfully few exceptions, a very white and very male council.”

But Crandell, a Republican who represents the southeastern part of the county, called Young’s proposal little more than a Democratic power grab.

“We have to cut through the crap here. This is about politics. This is about the Democratic Party doing what they do in Maryland, trying to grab more power on the Baltimore County Council,” said Crandell of the 11-member council proposal.

Ertel, whose district includes parts of Towson, Parkville, Rosedale and Middle River, said expanding the size of the council is long overdue.

“We’ve had seven council districts since 1956. Our needs are greater than ever, our infrastructure has a lot of challenges, and we believe that expanding the council would give a little breathing room in the sense of council members being able to serve their districts a little better,” Ertel said.

Meanwhile, organizers of a voter-backed drive are pushing for a separate initiative that would add four members to the council. The Vote4More campaign has until July 19 to submit at least 10,000 valid voters’ signatures to the county board of elections to get their proposal on the November ballot.

In a statement Monday, County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. applauded the council’s decision “to answer our call to empower voters and allow them to make their voices heard on expanding the county council to provide a more responsive and equitable government.”

The council’s proposed charter amendment also calls for reclassifying the job of a council member from a part-time to a full-time position. The Personnel and Salary Board Commission is expected to review council salaries next year to decide whether to increase the current salary of $69,000 or keep it the same. The council will be able to approve or reduce the commission’s recommendation, but cannot increase it.

In other action, the council overrode Olszewski’s veto of a measure that would limit residential development in areas where public schools are already overcrowded. Supporters of that bill say the measure is needed to curtail huge development projects in parts of the county where schools are over-capacity.

Even though they voted to override the veto, council members also agreed to enact a companion bill that would create a committee to closely review large, development projects.

Following the vote, Olszewski issued a statement calling the measure “deeply flawed.”

“The introduction of a Band-Aid bill to address concerns that we, and countless others, have raised a curious and convoluted approach to addressing the flaws associated with the original legislation,” his statement said.

“Nonetheless, we encourage the council to use this ‘do-over’ as a renewed opportunity to engage with BCPS (Baltimore County Public Schools) leadership and housing advocates to responsibly address school overcrowding while also meeting our moral and legal obligations to expand access to attainable housing,” Olszewski’s statement said.

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Maryland

Heat, muggy and storms in Maryland for Fourth of July

Published

6 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

Heat, muggy and storms in Maryland for Fourth of July – CBS Baltimore

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Heat, muggy and storms in Maryland for Fourth of July

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Maryland

Suspect attempts to return stolen merchandise for cash refund at Maryland grocery store

Published

13 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

Suspect attempts to return stolen merchandise for cash refund at Maryland grocery store

BETHESDA, Md. – Surveillance photos have been released of a suspect who entered a grocery store and attempted to return stolen merchandise to receive a cash refund.

Bethesda robbery suspect

Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police are investigating a strong-arm robbery that occurred on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, inside the Giant Food grocery store in the 7100 block of Arlington Road in Bethesda.

Officers responded to the above location for the report of a robbery around 11:30 a.m.

According to police, the suspect entered the store and attempted to return stolen merchandise to receive a cash refund. When his attempt was unsuccessful, the suspect punched an employee in the face, snatched an undisclosed amount of money from another employee and left the scene.

The suspect is described as a Black male, between thirty and forty years old, approximately 5-feet, 10-inches tall, 200 lbs, with a beard, heavy set, wearing a black baseball cap, a white t-shirt, blue jean shorts, black sneakers and a black backpack.

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact police.

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Maryland

4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch 2024 celebrations in Maryland & Virginia

Published

21 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch 2024 celebrations in Maryland & Virginia

The Fourth of July is a short distance away and the festivities are in the air. And a fireworks show is a must to celebrate the Independence Day of America. However, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact scenic viewpoints to watch fireworks. In this article, we will explore the top scenic locations in Maryland and Virginia to watch the fireworks the right way.

Fourth of July fireworks in Maryland and Virginia.

Also Read: 4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch in 2024 celebrations in DC

Fourth of July fireworks show in Maryland: Top locations to visit

Six Flags America Fireworks Celebration: Timing

Plan your day at Six Flags America for the celebration of the Fourth of July with their day-long activities including rides, slides, and entertainment and an evening filled with DJ parties. Conclude your day with a display of fun fireworks at 9:15 pm. The tickets for the three-day event from July 4 to July 6 are priced at $25 and offer VIP fireworks packages as well, as reported by NBC Washington.

Germantown Glory Concert and Fireworks: Timing

For the folks residing in Montgomery County, the concert will be a family-friendly option to celebrate Independence Day. There is no entry fee and the concert will start at 7 pm on July 4. Visit the South Germantown Recreational Park in Boyds with your picnic sets and enjoy food from vendors as you enjoy the lively performance by the Central City Orchestra. No pets and alcoholic beverages are allowed at the concert.

Also Read: 2024 Fourth of July survey: Best US cities to celebrate Independence Day

Rockville’s Independence Day Celebration: Timing

Enjoy the music era of the 80s and 90s covered by the band Uncle Jesse followed by the address from the mayor and council. As reported by NBC Washington, visit Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park (1800 Piccard Drive, Rockville, Maryland) by 7 pm and enjoy a performance by the Victorian Lyric Opera Company. There are parking lots available and everyone is encouraged to bring blankets and picnic sets to enjoy a comfortable evening. Fireworks will follow at 9:15 pm and there is no admission fee.

Frederick’s 4th: Timing

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Frederick County at Baker Park, Frederick, Maryland from noon to dusk. The two-stage set for the event will ensure family entertainment with rides, food, fireworks and more one and performances by Milk Mountain, Sons of Pirates, and 8 OHMS on the other. Wine and beer from three separate gardens will be available followed by an evening of fireworks. There is no admission fee for the celebrations.

Charles County Fairgrounds Fireworks

Station yourself at Charles County Fairgrounds (8440 Fairgrounds Road, La Plata, Maryland) by 10:30 pm on the Independence Day evening to celebrate with live music, food from vendors, rides for children and the must-show of fireworks. There is no admission fee to pay at the venue.

Also Read: 4th of July fireworks: How and where to watch 2024 celebrations in Los Angeles

Fourth of July fireworks show in Virginia: Top locations to visit

Stafford County

Those looking to celebrate Independence Day with food trucks, DJ and lawn games can head to John Lee Pratt Park (120 River Road, Fredericksburg, Virginia) with fireworks at 9:30 pm. According to NBC Washington, the event is free for residents of Stafford County and for others, there is a charge of $10 for every car and $5 for every walk-in. A life performance by the Fredericksburg concert band is also scheduled at 6:30 pm.

Manassas’ Celebrate America

The historic downtown of Manassas will start its celebration at 3:00 pm at Manassas Museum Lawn, 9101 Prince William St. The fireworks will begin at 9:15 pm preceded by fun activities including kids’ rides, face paintings, and food from vendors. People interested can bring chairs, tables and blankets and station themselves on the Manassas Museum lawn.

Also Read: 4th of July sales in US: Shop top brands on furniture, fashion, beauty and more

Great Falls

Looking for farms to celebrate the Fourth of July? Head towards Turner Farm, 925 Springvale Rd., Great Falls in Virginia who are offering fun activities including inflatable rides, a climbing wall and a cornhole tournament at a donation of $20 per family and premium locations for fireworks at $150-$300. The farms will open at 6 pm and individuals can participate or volunteer for the tournament through their website. Fireworks will follow at 9 pm.

Fairfax: We Stand United

The Fairfax High School is celebrating Independence Day with historic home tours and parades at Fairfax High School, 3501 Lion Run, Fairfax. The evening shows will begin at 6:30 pm and fireworks at 9:30 pm. There is a space crunch in parking lots, however, people can park at Woodson High School and take a shuttle bus to the location of the fireworks, as reported by NBC Washington.

Great Meadow Independence Day Celebration

Head to 5089 Old Tavern Road, The Plains for a day full of activities priced at $50 per car in advance for up to six passengers and $60 at the gate. The Great Meadow is hosting their 35th annual Fourth of July celebrations which will start at 5 pm. Their award-winning fireworks with drones and will fire off at dusk. The day will kick off with an air show by the Flying Circus and lawn games for the family. Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase or people can bring their picnic.

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