The city's outside independent auditor, SB and Company LLC, is already in the midst of its annual audit, but the mayor requested Sutherland's additional review in the aftermath of the theft of the $153,000 in cash and checks stolen last week.
Cohen has given Sutherland broad authority to review Finance Department operations. Her primary focus will be on the cash receipt process to determine the proper internal controls for preventing a theft. The mayor expects a report within 30 days. This review will not interfere with the ongoing criminal invest-igation.
The mayor worked with Sutherland when he served as a member of the County Council. The County Council has authorized her to conduct this review at no cost, as a courtesy to the city.
Sutherland is a certified public accountant and a certified fraud examiner. She has been an auditor for 27 years, and before becoming the county auditor, she worked as an IRS agent.
This afternoon, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board will hold an open house at the West Street branch of the Anne Arundel County Library, 1410 West St., to get your insights on the future of transportation over the next 50 years. This initiative, called imagine 2060, offers citizens a chance to shape which long-term transportation investments should be pursued across the Baltimore region.
According to the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, "a key focus of the imagine 2060 is to improve accessibility for all and promote livable and sustainable communities throughout the metropolitan area."The input will guide the development of the federally mandated 2011 Baltimore Region Long-Range Transportation Plan. The event, from 4 to 7 p.m., is among several open houses the BTRB is holding around the region.
To find out more, visit www.imagine2060.com
Local leaders will hold a dedication of the Elsie Virginia Clark Community Center at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Bloomsbury Square. Clark became one of the most passionate advocates in saving the Bloomsbury Square public housing development from being torn down. She led petition drives, spoke before the Maryland General Assembly and entered into discusses with then-Gov. Harry Hughes. Her activism resulted in warding off the eviction and removal of the residents of Bloomsbury Square during more than 20 years of indecision over its fate. She became known as the "Rosa Parks of Bloomsbury Square."
The Eastport Yacht Club Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Eastport Yacht Club, recently awarded the first MAST, MAritime Skills Training scholarship to Leif Carlsson, a graduate of Broadneck High School.
Leif, who was enrolled in the Marine Repair Technology program at CAT South, will be attending the New England Institute of Technology's marine trades program in Warwick, R.I.
The new EYCF initiative represents a major commitment on the part of the foundation to help young people become a part of the boating industry that is so important to our Chesapeake Bay area.
Jan Kunz, EYCF board member and MAST chair, presented the award at a recent ceremony at South River High School.
For more information contact Kunz at 410-268-6320 or www.eycf.mast@gmail.com
Locals beat the heat last weekend with Truxtun Park's fourth annual TRI-iT Fun Festival and Youth Triathlon.
On Saturday, more than 1,200 people participated in the fun festival. It gave families a chance to try a variety of sports, games and learn about ways to be physically active and have fun.
Children and adults were challenged to an obstacle course, disc toss, lacrosse pass, fruit/veggie taste test and more.
The excitement and fun didn't stop there, as more than 200 children and a handful of adult athletes competed in the youth triathlon Sunday morning.
Kids swam in the Truxtun pool, biked on the local trails and ran on the paths in Truxtun Park.
Annapolis Recreation and Parks and Chesapeake Family Magazine partnered in this annual event.
This event is in its fourth year and continues to be an amazing feat of dedication, hard work and stamina. Congratulations to each and every competitor.
Rhonda Wardlaw is digital media and marketing coordinator for the City of Annapolis.
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Josh has a credibility problem - 2010-06-24 21:31:12
How can he respond in the future if people refer to "the thieves in City Hall"? I mean, when they're complaining about their taxes?
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Brandon Gates - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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@Fay - 2010-06-24 17:55:27
City residents pay county taxes, too, so why would it not be appropriate for the county's auditor to lend assistance?
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Mary M - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral
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Comments - 2010-06-24 08:24:58
"I suspect you wouldn't question comments about those officials if there was a concern about how they did their jobs."
No, but I also expect that they'd be treated as professionals if subject to review. Not with disdain and vitriol in a public forum.
That being said, I recalled that you said you were a County employee at one point. Tell me, how much do the taxpayers spend for you to be able to go out and publicly bash on other County employees during work hours? Or is that just a leisure activity for you?
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Mal Content - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
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Mal - 2010-06-23 17:38:57
Public scrutiny of the County Auditor's job performance is fair game if she expects to be compensated at the same level as the Police Chief and Fire Chief. I suspect you wouldn't question comments about those officials if there was a concern about how they did their jobs.
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Gerry Nadler - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Uh oh - 2010-06-23 17:29:33
According to the Anne Arundel County Charter, "The County Auditor shall devote full time to the duties of the office."
How does the "broad authority to review Finance Department operations" for the City of Annapolis fall under the duties of the office of County Auditor?
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Gerry Nadler - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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AA Co Gift to the City - 2010-06-23 17:06:35
"The County Council has authorized her to conduct this review at no cost, as a courtesy to the city."
In other words, in their haste to make it to a taxpayer funded lunch, the County Council missed an opportunity to reduce the excesses within the legislative branch.
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Gerry Nadler - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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Auditor - 2010-06-23 14:31:04
Will the County Auditor be doing this review on County time? Does that mean the tax payers of Anne Arundel County are going to pay for the City of Annapolis audit?
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Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent
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Audit - 2010-06-23 12:53:07
"While I don't want to spoil her thunder, I expect there will be $300,000 worth of recommendations to prevent the theft of $150,000."
I don't know Gerry. Every opportunity you're afforded, it seems you like to take a shot at the auditor. (Such as with regards to the BOE's software issues.) It's actually pretty juvenile, and sad to see. I really have to wonder exactly what the auditor did to you to inspire you to behave in such a pathetic fashion.
If the audit leads to improvements to secure the City's collections, then that's good. I'd hope that it doesn't end up costing $300k to secure all the City's collections. Issues of the use of the credit card to buy a lavish meal notwithstanding, if those recommendations correct the problem, then that should be viewed as a positive.
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Mal Content - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent
Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight. 5
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Here Comes the Cavalry - 2010-06-23 12:26:46
The County Auditor has been called in to review how the City handles cash and checks. Good thing the scope was limited and didn't include credit cards, because she's already admitted that subject is too hard.
While I don't want to spoil her thunder, I expect there will be $300,000 worth of recommendations to prevent the theft of $150,000.
And since I've been accused of being too hard on the County Auditor, I'll try to be a better person by helping her out with this study:
Recommendation 1: Buy a bigger safe
Recommendation 2: Make sure the safe is locked unless you are standing directly in front of it and you're putting something in it or taking something out of it
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Gerry Nadler - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible
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