Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens yesterday rejected pleas by the ACLU to allow the Ku Klux Klan to join the county's Adopt-A-Road program, and pledged to keep the program closed rather than allow the racist group to participate.

Owens said she would meet with her staff on the issue this week and was willing to talk to the American Civil Liberties Union about its concerns. But she said the Klan's request is raising the ire of some county residents.

"I got some calls from some friends," Owens said. "They were astonished that it's an issue, that [the Klan is] interested in doing such a thing in this day and time."

The county stopped accepting applications for its anti-litter program late last year, after the Klan asked to "adopt" Gambrills Road near Millersville. In return for picking up roadside trash, the Klan -- as with the Lions Club or Elks Club -- would have had its name on signs along the road.

The Klan has not backed down. It sought help from the ACLU, which sent a letter to Owens on Thursday demanding that her administration honor the Klan's right to freedom of speech.

Dwight H. Sullivan, managing attorney for the ACLU of Maryland, said yesterday that the county could face a lawsuit if it allowed organizations that already participate in the program to continue while prohibiting the Klan and other groups from joining.

"If they do away with the program entirely, that's the county's pre- rogative," Sullivan said. "What the government can't do is say, 'Organizations with which we agree can participate, but controversial organizations can't.' If that is their position, it's doubtful that that will be satisfactory."

A federal court in Arkansas ruled in 1992 that it is unconstitutional to bar the Klan from appearing on adopt-a-highway signs.

Hoping to avoid a legal battle, Anne Arundel officials decided five days before the November elections to stop accepting applications to the program.

Genewalter Newport Jr., who describes himself as the grand knight hawk of the Invisible Empire of the KKK of Maryland, is leading the group's bid to participate in the road-cleanup program.

He said in a September letter to the county that "out of common courtesy and respect to the people of Anne Arundel County, we would like to compromise on a road sign that would be less controversial, for example, 'The Invisible Empire.' "

When the county balked, Newport sought the ACLU's help.

Herbert H. Lindsey, president of the Maryland chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said yesterday that "it's a prudent move on the part of the local government to review its policies."

He reiterated his belief that if the Klan meets the criteria of the program, it should be allowed to participate.

He said the NAACP does not plan to get involved in the issue unless "the need arises."

He added, "It's not the most pressing issue on our agenda."

Pub Date: 3/07/99