Fire hall can be used for political events, city says
Michael T. Brown was annoyed when he heard that the man who narrowly beat him for a seat on the Annapolis City Council in 1989 held a fund-raiser at a fire hall.
Mr. Brown, a Democrat who lost the Ward 6 seat to Republican Alderman Wayne Turner by just six votes, fired off a letter to the city attorney questioning whether a "city-owned property may be used for partisan purposes." Mr. Turner held a small party Nov. 7 at the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company to raise money for next year's election.
But City Attorney Jonathan Hodgson pointed out that the fire hall is owned by the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company, not by the city. He also said that the neither the city charter or code prohibits political activities at city-owned properties.
Mr. Brown often is mentioned as a likely candidate for the Ward 6 seat in 1993, but has not confirmed any plans. In his Nov. 9 letter to Mr. Hodgson, he expressed concern "as a taxpayer and voter in the City of Annapolis" and said he felt the fund-raiser was "inappropriate."
Boy in fair condition after shotgun accident
An Edgewater boy who was accidentally shot by his friend Monday afternoon while playing with the family dog was upgraded to fair condition yesterday.
Dennis Moore, 13, of Chesapeake Drive, was flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center shortly after the 2 p.m. shooting and immediately transferred to Children's Hospital in Washington, officials said.
A hospital spokeswoman there said the youth's condition was upgraded from critical to fair yesterday.
Police said Dennis was visiting a friend's house in the 1600 block of Rockhold Road in Edgewater when his friend, identified by police as Michael Byers, 14, fired a sawed-off shotgun as he was attempting to switch on its safety.
The blast struck Dennis, who was kneeling down and petting the family dog, on his left side.
Police said Michael will not be charged.
The owner of the weapon, Michael's brother, Albert Joseph Byers, 18, was charged with possession of a sawed-off shotgun.
Man, 23, charged in 9 store burglaries
A 23-year-old man has been charged with breaking into nine convenience stores in the Annapolis and Edgewater areas over the past six months.
Anthony Eugene Taylor, of no fixed address, was arrested Sunday by Annapolis police in connection with a break-in at a Paceway Convenience Store in the 100 block of Solomons Island Road.
Police say the man confessed to breaking into eight other Paceway and High's stores.
Park ice-skating rink to open tomorrow
The Quiet Waters Park ice-skating rink will open at noon tomorrow.
Park entrance fees will be waived on Saturday during an open house. Skating hours are: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays and holidays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. The cost per two-hour session is $3 for adults, $2.50 for children 6 and under, and $2.75 for seniors 62 and older. Rentals are $2.25 for figure skates, $3 for hockey skates.
Information: 268-7463.
Marine Art Gallery schedules new displays
The Annapolis Marine Art Gallery Ltd., at 110 Dock St., City Dock, Annapolis, presents the following displays:
* Saturday through December -- a new series of watercolors of the Chesapeake Bay by French artist Yves Parent. Artist's reception is planned for Thursday.
The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Information: 263-4100.