Council members take part in session on conflict resolution

In what some referred to as a clear break from the past, Anne Arundel County Council members met yesterday to learn how to compromise more and be less combative during public meetings.

The training session, taught by Liz Vandergrift of the Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center, asked the officials to complete short tests to determine their styles of conflict resolution. Vandergrift also talked about the most common sources of conflict.

"It was really interesting," said Councilwoman Barbara D. Samorajczyk, a Democrat from Annapolis who has sat through many combative meetings. During the past four years, council members have accused each other of filibustering, misinterpreting meeting rules and spying.

Councilwoman Cathleen M. Vitale, a Republican from Severna Park who is likely to be elected chairwoman at the council's first official meeting Monday, said that the conflict-resolution session helped council members - including two newly elected members - "get a feel for each other."

Fire in Severna Park home displaces family of six

A fire in a Severna Park house early Sunday caused extensive damage to the structure and its interior, and displaced a family of six.

Firefighters responded to the fire about 3:20 a.m. Sunday. When they arrived at the house in the 400 block of Yorkshire Drive, they discovered the blaze in the family room. Although firefighters were able to confine the fire to one room, smoke damage was severe, Anne Arundel County Fire Lt. Frank Fennell said yesterday.

Fire officials estimated damage at $40,000 to the structure and $60,000 to the interior of the house. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The family has been provided temporary lodging through the Red Cross. Two adults were at home the night of the fire. Four children were staying with friends or other family members, Fennell said.

Annapolis man charged with first-degree assault

An Annapolis man was arrested and charged with first-degree assault Saturday night after he allegedly threatened to kill another man with a sawed-off shotgun.

Police arrested Otto T. Gordy, 29, of the 1100 block of Madison St. after searching his apartment. During the search, police said, they found a sawed-off shotgun that they said Gordy had used to threaten the man.

Gordy was also charged with a weapons violation and reckless endangerment, according to a police report released yesterday.