Firefighters and officers to retake tests
Baltimore firefighters and fire officers are scheduled to retake their promotional tests this weekend, but the results might never be disclosed, according to an order issued by Circuit Court Judge Evelyn Omega Cannon.
About 300 firefighter and officers took a promotional exam in June, but a City Hall investigation found that six people cheated. City officials want those scores to be replaced by scores from the new test, which is to be taken Saturday.
But the fire unions want the original test scores to stand, though they concede that the city has the authority to remove the names of the six accused of cheating. The issue will be settled in arbitration, according to the court order issued Friday. Firefighters rise though the ranks based on the test scores.
Annie Linskey
Harford County
: Havre de Grace
Accord reached on water plant
After a week of negotiating that stalled construction, Harford County and Havre de Grace reached an agreement yesterday that will allow work to proceed on a $7.7 million addition to the county's water treatment plant in the city's downtown.
The compromise allows limited parking on a heavily used downtown lot and a 12-foot-wide access lane during the 18-month construction.
The city and county will share the estimated $172,000 to establish the access and revise engineering drawings.
Havre de Grace will pay $13,000 to preserve parking and all costs associated with the delay its order caused.
"We got a minimum of eight parking spaces but will probably get more," said Mayor Wayne Dougherty.
The city, concerned with safety, access and parking issues, had imposed a stop-work order March 3, which the county immediately asked the Circuit Court to lift.
County Executive David R. Craig, a city resident, said he hoped the compromise alleviates any adverse impact on the business community.
"This is an important project that allows for the continued delivery of a clean and adequate water source for city and county residents alike," Craig said.
Mary Gail Hare