County Council in Action
May 2007
By Cathleen Vitale, 5th District County Council Representative

COME OUT, SPEAK UP

Well, it looks like Mother Nature is finally giving up making winter a year round activity.  As I sit on my deck, the temperature is 75 degrees, the wind is lightly blowing and Mark Jr. is practicing baseball (which, if he had his way, WOULD be a year round activity). Congratulations to all the recreational and sports athletic teams as they continue through their spring seasons. Having watched a lacrosse game in the rain, wished for a winter parka during a baseball game and hot chocolate for a few others, I am happier than anyone that spring is finally here.

I do have few thoughts and reminders to offer. In Anne Arundel County, students under the age of 18-years-old are prohibited from standing on street corners and in the median strip from panhandling. This includes standing in the County right-of-ways with signs announcing donations for car washes, selling of hot dogs and other fund-raising efforts. Recently, a local youth group was holding a car wash at a local business’ parking lot. Several youngsters with brightly colored posters were standing at the edge of the lot, or in some cases on the side of the road, waving signs and encouraging people to donate to their cause by getting their cars washed. I applauded the group’s fund-raising efforts, and then asked them to step back from the road so they would not be in violation of the County ordinance. Please remind your youth groups that the county and state right-of-ways run at least three feet from the curb. Be safe while working hard to be successful in your efforts.

May 1 was Budget day. The County Executive presented the Council with the proposed fiscal ‘08 budget. Public hearings will be held on May 9 (7:00 pm) at Old Mill High School and May 14 (7:00 pm) at the Arundel Center in Annapolis. I encourage everyone to review the budget highlights online at www.aacounty.org, and participate in the hearings. I am proud to say that this Council is interested in your positions, thoughts and opinions regarding the budget, and we are anxious to hear from you regarding the proposal, and tax or revenue enhancements proposed by the County Executive, and your suggestions on spending. The final budget will be determined during the last week of May.

Legislation is now pending before the Council on matters ranging from Bingo to creating special community taxing districts, to impact fees and noise controls. Hearings on these bills are scheduled throughout the month of May in addition to the budget hearings. Please review the information on line at www.aacounty.org/CountyCouncil and look under Pending Legislation. The noise bill should generate significant testimony, and I hope for significant input both from residents as well as the public sector.

Wish me luck for the budget. You’ll be hearing from me again in June. Continue to e-mail me at : Cvitale@aacounty.org.