May 17, 2008
Governor names Adkins as adjutant general
Metro Digest
Gov. Martin O'Malley tapped the state secretary of veterans affairs to be Maryland's adjutant general, a post that oversees - among other services - the state's Army National Guard and Air National Guard, according to a statement from the governor's office.
Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins replaces Maj. Gen. Bruce F. Tuxill, who is scheduled to retire in June. Tuxill has been the adjutant general in charge of the state Military Department, which in addition to the Army and Air national guards includes the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the Maryland Defense Force, since 2003.
State officials said Tuxill has overseen the largest overseas deployment of Maryland Guardsmen since World War II.
Adkins has headed the Department of Veterans Affairs since May and has had a military career that included Russian language training and counter-drug and emergency operations assignments. An installment ceremony is set for June 7. The state Senate must approve his appointment.
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Brig. Gen. James Adkins
A hearing was held yesterday in Catonsville. Three additional hearings are scheduled. They are:
• Monday, 10 a.m. to noon, Pine Bluff/MAC Multipurpose Senior Center, 1508 Riverside Drive, Salisbury (Lower Eastern Shore).
• Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon, Centreville Senior Center, 104 Powell St., Centreville (Upper Eastern Shore).
• April 28, 10 a.m. to noon, Washington County Commission on Aging, 104 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown (Western region).
According to the Department of Aging, residents may testify in person or submit written comments about services they are receiving or believe are needed. Written comments should be sent to: Sandy Cobb, planning administrator, Maryland Department of Aging, Suite 1007, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore 21201; or e-mailed to scobb@ooa.state.md.us.
The department, which has a budget of $51 million and a staff of 56, administers 21 programs and eight grants. The state works with 19 local area agencies on aging to provide services or programs to seniors.
Flynn became the party's executive director in January 2007 as Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley took office after defeating former Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.
Later that year, the party reported that it was nearly broke. State GOP Chairman James Pelura said yesterday that Flynn helped rebuild the party and draw more small donations that allowed it to pay off debts.
"I was left with a lot of debt and very little fundraising ability in the way of large donors," Pelura said. "The Republican base is excited and energized again, and John was instrumental in helping me see that through."
Sampson County, N.C., District Judge Wayne Kimball refused to alter the bond for Willie Parker, who escaped from a Maryland prison 43 years ago. He was arrested in February after Maryland authorities discovered during a review of old cases that he had a North Carolina driver's license.
Parker spent about a week in the Sampson County Jail before a judge released him on a $25,000 bond. Kimball said that decision was rare enough, since he is a fugitive facing extradition to another state.
During Friday's hearing, Parker used a cane to slowly walk to the front of the courtroom before Kimball told him he couldn't leave Sampson County.
"You can look at him and tell he is not a flight risk," said Andrew Jackson, Parker's attorney.
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
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