public officials

• Maryland

Rothschild: Screening candidates for elected office at all levels

Why are so many citizens disappointed with their elected officials? Why do so many elected officials fall short, or advocate policy inconsistent with expectations?

• Harford

Aberdeen water may have odd taste and smell, but it's safe to drink, city officials say

If you live in the City of Aberdeen and have noticed a different taste or odor to your water, don't be alarmed. City officials say it's perfectly safe to drink and use. The problem, which relates to the source and the weather, isn't a new one and typically crops up in the summer, city Public Works Director Kyle Torster said.

By Allan Vought

Aug 26, 2016

• Sinkholes

City worker falls into Mulberry Street sinkhole

A portion of West Mulberry Street, a major thoroughfare into downtown Baltimore, will remain closed to commuters on Tuesday morning after a water main break caused a large sinkhole on Monday, city officials said.

• Politics

Baltimore drops one of two federal lobbying firms

By Luke Broadwater

Nov 19, 2014

• Harford

Aberdeen leaders continue to wish for Harford lodging tax

Aberdeen city officials say they eventually hope to see enough revenue come in from a lodging tax on the more than 1,200 hotel rooms in their city to cover maintenance of Ripken Stadium and give property owners a 2-cent reduction in their property taxes.

• Opinion

Not so transparent

City officials' plan to post lawsuits alleging police misconduct online may promise more than it delivers

• Maryland

Ethics administrator's email questioned

Joe Burns Jr., the administrator for the county's Ethics Commission, sent an email to the members of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee on Nov. 5 which some have construed as a conflict of interest.

• Opinion

Mayor and City Council: Disagreeing when they agree

If the mayor and council would stop grandstanding on the issue maybe we could get a decent bill requiring city police to wear body cameras

• Laurel Leader

Term limits extension rejected by narrow vote in Prince George's County

In an election marked statewide by uncertain races and Republican upsets, Prince George's County remained solidly blue. But there was still at least one close race on the ballot: the debate over term limits.

• Environment

Get ready for disasters, Baltimore residents urged

Baltimore's Office of Sustainability is urging city dwellers to plan now for how they'll manage in the next natural or man-made disaster.

By Timothy B. Wheeler

Nov 13, 2014

• Baltimore City

City to OK 20-year deal for Du Burns Arena, $1.5 million field upgrade

Adult recreation sports, lights coming to field near Canton arena

By Luke Broadwater

Nov 11, 2014

• Laurel Leader

Laurel places weight restrictions on Dorset Road due to deterioration

Laurel city officials have placed a 26,000-pound weight limit on Dorset Road after uncovering drainage structures under the road are crumbling. The city is conducting an engineering study to present potential fixes.

• Opinion

Sex survey too risque for middle schoolers

Soon the Maryland State Board of Education will be firing off its annual Youth Tobacco and Risk Behavior Survey to sixth, seventh and eighth grade middle school students.

• Maryland

Take time to thank a veteran

• Baltimore City

City pledges improvements after critical Rec and Parks audit

City officials this week are pledging to enact financial improvements at the Department of Recreation and Parks after a critical audit.

By Luke Broadwater

Nov 4, 2014

• Maryland

Add your voice to the issues

• Opinion

Ben Bradlee, Spiro Agnew and the 'Gray-Haired Grandmother Defense'

The Washington Post editor had a hand in the coverage of a Maryland political scandal, aside from Watergate

• Maryland

Support Harrison for Orphans' Court Judge [Letter]

• Maryland

Support DeWees as next Carroll County Sheriff [Letter]

• Politics

City plans to stop paying for Medicare prescription drugs

Officials say cut, made possible by Obamacare, will save $17.3 million a year; unions say plan could hurt retirees

By Luke Broadwater

Oct 23, 2014

• Maryland

Support Rothschild for re-election in District 4 [Letter]

• Public Officials

'Not just buildings': Center helps develop community

It looked like a fairly standard play group: a man on guitar, scattered toys, toddlers yanking purposefully on adult fingers and clothes. But community leaders and public officials held a press conference Monday at the 29th Street Community Center because they want people to see something else that's happening too: the strengthening of a neighborhood.

• Harford

Aberdeen mayor's expenses criticized; he says they aren't out of line

Mike Hiob, a former city councilman and unsuccessful mayoral candidate, says Aberdeen Mayor Mike Bennett has been using his city-owned vehicle and city-provided credit card to make too many trips and spend money on expensive lunches with officials.

• Maryland

Law improves openness [Editorial]

• Baltimore City

Sewage leak at Gwynns Falls takes eight days to repair

Raw sewage leaked into the Gwynns Falls from a broken sewer pipe for eight days before utility crews were able to repair it two weeks ago, city officials disclosed Thursday.

By Timothy B. Wheeler

Oct 16, 2014

• Baltimore City

City approves $50K payment to grandfather handcuffed by police

Baltimore to pay $50,000 a grandfather who said he was injured when a police officer handcuffed him several years ago

By Luke Broadwater

Oct 15, 2014

• Maryland

Municipalities reluctantly adopting more stringent ethics ordinances

When Jack B. Johnson, the county executive for Prince George's County, was indicted in 2010 on federal charges shortly before pleading guilty to extortion along with witness and evidence tampering, legislators realized local governments needed to be held just as accountable as state employees. Though changes made to the requirements for local governments — including counties, municipalities and school boards — are mandatory, some municipalities in Carroll County have been reluctant

• Howard County

Howard Co. purchase signals next chapter for Long Reach

On Monday, approximately 150 residents, elected officials and other stakeholders gathered in Long Reach Village Center to mark the county's $5 million purchase of the property, which was finalized Oct. 1.

• Baltimore County

Wood floor to be added to Arbutus Rec Center

After four years of raising funds and asking elected officials for support, Arbutus Recreation Council treasurer George Kendrick will finally see a new floor in the Arbutus Recreation Center.

• Business

Community group lobbying for fiber Internet investment in Baltimore

A community group based in North Baltimore has attracted more than 900 supporters and nearly $17,000 in donations to the Baltimore Broadband Coalition, which seeks to attract broadband investment here.

By Scott Dance

Oct 13, 2014

• Laurel Leader

Elected officials, citizens mull term-limit extension

As the Nov. 4 general election approaches, Prince George's voters have more to decide than just which politicians to elect. They'll also be deciding how long those politicians might get to stay in office.

• Maryland

Mount Airy Town Council discusses recall of elected officials

Business at Mount Airy's Town Council meeting Monday included discussions on a resolution to amend the recall amendment in the town's charter, a re-introduced ethics ordinance, and a proposed agreement between the municipalities and Carroll County to pay for stormwater management costs.

• Maryland

Dave Pyatt: Leaders must work to build trust

• Opinion

Misbehaving cops [Editorial]

It's time city officials started taking complaints of police brutality seriously by demanding reforms in the department

• Opinion

Keeping secrets [Editorial]

Drowning of Parkville teen has raised serious questions about the public's right to information withheld by police

• Anne Arundel

Proposed Annapolis development could have Civil War past

Annapolis historians say they've turned up evidence that a Civil War parole camp was once located at a property known as Crystal Spring -- where there's a controversial proposal for a development that includes senior apartments, retail shops and townhouses.

• Opinion

Sometimes the gaffe police go to far [Commentary]

The media gaffe police have a legitimate role in uncovering serious misstatements of elected officials, but they can take their job to ludicrous and petty levels

• Opinion

Campaign finance reform is a joke as long as it's optional [Letter]

Campaign finance reform is a joke as long as it's optional

• Opinion

Harford pay wars [Editorial]

Harford County Council should override veto and raise county executive salary to help attract the best and brightest to county leadership

• Opinion

Protect Maryland's streams and wetlands [Letter]

EPA rules offer best chance of sparing endangered streams from destruction

• Travel

Sunny season draws to a close in Ocean City

Dumsers' soft ice cream cones were still twirled perilously high, Thrashers' french fries were still doused in vinegar, and the surf was clear and cold as ever, but there were signs of change in Ocean City this summer.

• Politics

Council OKs city takeover of tax calculations

Administration moves to take responsibility, but some question city¿s ability to do the job

• Health

Maryland, Baltimore expect millions from Star-Spangled Spectacular

The Baltimore Running Festival consistently generates about $40 million in economic impact each year, according to official estimates, and at its peak, the Grand Prix of Baltimore pumped $47 million into area hotels, restaurants and stores. But city officials say this week's Star-Spangled Spectacular — which marks 200 years since troops in Baltimore beat back a British invasion in 1814 — could surpass all those totals.

• Maryland

Leave religion out of government [Letter]

• Baltimore City

After theft of bikes from program in Druid Hill Park, share program resumes

Several months after dozens of bicycles used in a popular Baltimore bike-sharing program were stolen from Druid Hill Park, city officials said they had garnered enough donations to restart the program.

• Harford

Legislation passed to give next Harford executive a raise

The incoming county executive will get a raise of nearly $25,000 over what Harford County Executive David Craig is paid, despite strident opposition from county teachers and other employees who have not received raises during much of Craig's tenure.

• Maryland

Taneytown officials concerned with proposed county master plan

• Opinion

County school Supt. Dallas Dance ignores taxpayers' concerns [Letter]

County school Supt. Dallas Dance ignores taxpayers' concerns

• Maryland

Pendulum swings on arming cops

• Opinion

Enemy at the gates [Editorial]

An onslaught of Asian beetles threatens to wipe out Baltimore's 290,000 ash trees; city officials are considering a range of responses to the infestation but doing nothing is not an option