County faces $90M shortfall

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Tax Caps are Needed - 2009-10-29 14:29:27

I know this is an unpopular opinion here. But, tax caps are needed, to keep bleeding art liberal democrats from "tax and spending".

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Rick M - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent

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the right answer - 2009-10-29 14:09:34

Worried that the budget doesn't balance? Forget about it. Seriously. Do nothing. While working for a very prestigious law firm in Baltimore, I got to see first hand how this will work out. Every company who sends more than x amount of mail each day, gets its own postmark system. If you send payments via USPS, you can send each payment a week late and pre-date the postmark. Ive seen this work personally, saving the company millions of dollars a year in beating late payment penalties and interest accrued. Since it is only a federal crime for mail fraud, everyone here will think you are a hero for saving us that 90 mill in taxes and sticking it to the Fed, who already bleeds us dry. Of course ethically you would be in the toilet, but how do you think we got in this fiscal crisis in the first place? Patsy cake?

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christopher linnen - annapolis, md - Karma: Terrible

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Not a foregone conclusion... - 2009-10-29 13:49:17

"Everyone who knew something about this subject said the tax cap was going to kill the County. They were right."

I disagree - I do not think it is a foregone conclusion. While $90M is certainly a significant sum to have to overcome, I think it might just be good for the county to have to really look into where every dollar goes and find as much excess as they can to trim out of the budget - I don't think anyone can say, with a straight face, there is no more fat to remove. Additionally, are there not some services we can live without or with a little less of with respect to county services?
How about Overtime cuts? How much does the county pay to its employees in OT expenses? I ask this because the State Government of Utah just realized a savings of approx $5M last year just in OT expenses by going to a 4 day work week - having everyone work 10 hour days - why can that not work in AA county. Save money and improve worker Quality of Life.
How much could the county save it it rotated trash/recycling collection to 3 days every two weeks vice twice a week?
Time to look out of the box across the board - IMHO.

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fred flintstone - , - Karma: Excellent

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Prediction - 2009-10-28 17:10:38

Come May the masses will turn out for budget hearings to ask for more, more, more. Yet these are the same people who voted for a tax cap.

As Warner Wolf would say, let's go to the videotape. Everyone who knew something about this subject said the tax cap was going to kill the County. They were right.

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Floyd daBarber - Mayberry, NC - Karma: Neutral

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Mark - 2009-10-28 09:16:41

I don't know where the money would come from. It was your suggestion. That is why I was asking you.

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Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent

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schools/police/fire - 2009-10-27 20:36:03

Jimmy F hopes Leopold won't cut schools, police and fire. That's 700 million - 65% of the budget. How can they cut 90 million out of the 400 million left? Cut roads, water, sewer, trash, health, college, library, your kid's park or little league?

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F Hall - 2009-10-27 19:46:59

Yeah, I know about the freeze but haven't noticed any changes with county services. Has anyone noticed a change? Pls post!

Wasn't aware the school gets 50% of the budget. My folks live in NY and pay something like $12K in taxes for a dinky little house (~1950s). The school system there is amazing. Guess what, the property values in the area are and continue to stay high. My property taxes here are about a quarter of this.

And I haven't a clue on where the funds will come from since it isn't my job. Then again, I doubt you do either. If so, pls inform us.

IMHO, its pretty simple. Cut the stuff that doesn't work or few people use and increase the property tax.

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mark dole - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral

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Cut Services. Waste - 2009-10-27 15:45:41

My thoughts. As a county employee of 27 years total.

Since taxes started in 1913, our government (Fed, State, County) has raised taxes every time money is short, or they want to fund a new program. Raise taxes means steal more from the people. No need to change your spending habits, or get on a spending plan, or reduce services. Just increase taxes and take more from the already overtaxed taxpayer in this County. Sooner or later this must stop. Why not now?

its time to cut OR reduce services that no longer work or never did work. Some services may need to completely go. Others just cut back. Also, Why is there a state law saying you can't cut school funding? They should bear the burden of this economy like all other government agencies.

Whatever percentage is taken, it should be from all agencies across the board. And lets start at the top. The big cats making BIG money are as wasteful as the little person digging ditches or fixing potholes.

Obama is taxing everything under the sun and guess what? That is not the answer and it's not solving the problems.

In private business, if the money is not there, you don't do xyz. The county needs to learn this too. Stop Spending! Its an issue all politicians are guilty of, Dems and GOP.

Obamacare will cost over $1 Trillion if passed. Were is this money coming from? The taxpayer of course. WE cant afford health care for all. Sounds noble enough, but we dont have the money. Don't get me started on the millions of illegal immigrants here in Maryland and USA that get FREE healthcare. Thats part of why the system isn't working too.

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dirkek e - , - Karma: Neutral

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Thanks Fred - 2009-10-27 14:50:01

I went back and looked and saw you had made the same mistake as I and thought you were correcting me as I was a little edgy yesterday. I am sorry I posted any of the information and was just getting into looking at ways to help save some money as there are a few positions that could be cut and knowing some of these individuals that do not fit the job. Hope everyone accepts my apology and maybe they can remove my posted info on High Rollers. I will go back to the blog it came from ....

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Jimmy F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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Lola - 2009-10-27 14:35:45

I agree with most of your post but how would tax cuts provide the government agencies to avoid further cuts in services?

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M. Donnell - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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High Rollers? NOT - 2009-10-27 13:56:08

I'm not sure what you think a high roller is, but $100,000 in this area is not a heck of a lot of pay, particularly with our housing costs in AA County. Yes, there is probably some dead wood that can be cut back on that list - but the salaries are actually low compared to those in the private sector. In return for lower pay, County employees have a more stable, sometimes less stressful work environment - it's a tradeoff. We need talent in the higher positions, so don't point your finger at them. One tried and true method that should be considered - tax cuts.

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Lola H. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Wasn't your mistake jimmy... - 2009-10-27 12:12:09

I was correcting my own spelling error from the prior post - lighten up and RTFS!

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fred flintstone - , - Karma: Excellent

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Mark - 2009-10-27 10:40:25

Check your facts. Other than public safety, there have been hiring freezes in the County government for some time. When anyone leaves they are not being replaced. They are short on "hounds" to turn loose. Also, each and every department was mandated to cut their budgets by at least 10% last year. The schools already receive more then 50% of the County budget. Where do you think extra money for them will come from?

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F. Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent

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Side with the GOP - 2009-10-27 08:54:50

The best way to save money, and what most of our voters do when they need money taken care of is to side with the repoblicans. A dem coudn't find their way out of a wet paper bag, let alone a budget crisis. Stop harrassing the talented people here, because you can't do their jobs, and we can't afford to do without their talent. Cut school budgets, teachers pay, fire/police budgets. The next round of cuts will be tougher than that, so you might as well get your feelings off the table.

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christopher l. - annapolis, md - Karma: Terrible

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Random thoughts - 2009-10-26 21:42:53

My random thoughts:

1 - Cut the deadwood now. Come on this is the gov't and I'm sure there are under performers around. Time to earn your money and be efficient at it too.

2 - Give the schools more money. My kid's school has on average 30 students per class. A disgrace.

3 - Cutting the top Exec's pay is a drop in the bucket. Time to start reviewing gov't employees health plans, etc. The company I work for has and while I now pay more, I still have a job.

4 - Has the state done everything it can to modernize itself to save money? I doubt it.

5 - How much money is still due for back taxes and such. Let the hounds loose on the deadbeats.

6 - Jack up fines. If you break the law too bad and by the way, its gonna cost you more.

Looking at the big picture, $90M in a $1.1B budget should not be insurmountable problem. Too bad they spent all the savings so fast instead of cutting immediately. What was the county hoping for? Miracle turnaround in the economy?

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mark d. - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral

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I can see - 2009-10-26 17:13:41

That we all have some differing opinions for sure. I do know Leopold has done quite a bit to help the budget. I am hoping that he will not interfere with the School system, Police and Fire/Rescue. My point I was trying to make from the start was that there are still several positions that could be cut and some salaries could be cut as well. I am not here to get heavy debates started and from this point on will just keep reading and not try to start anything. Have a good day or night to all.

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Jimmy F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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Jimmy/James - 2009-10-26 16:15:09

I also know from experience what these people do. Yes, they are like executives in private industry and to get educated experienced people in these jobs, you have to pay them. I would have to think that most of these folks could make more in the equivalent private field. AACounty was one of the few jurisdictions that managed to avoid furloughs and layoffs last year. Remember, you get what you pay for.

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M. Donnell - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Capable Auditor? - 2009-10-26 15:51:12

"I don't know how to make it work," County Auditor Teresa Sutherland said, calling the figure a "mighty big number." Mighty big number - that's deep analysis for ya!

The Capital certainly hasn't spared the ink to extol the virtues of the County Auditor. Makes me wonder just how serious this problem is if she can't solve it!

Jimmy/James: There's $135k worth of salary that maybe you and I can agree isn't needed. And since I'm in a good mood I'll throw in another $121k to delete the Assistant County Auditor!

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Floyd daBarber - Mayberry, NC - Karma: Neutral

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oops - 2009-10-26 15:47:57

Sorry, moved the mouse too quick and pasted ! Sorry Fred from Bedrock, I see you must be a grammer teacher to catch my finger on the R mistake !

Yes Floyd, I changed my name as I would like it to be. Sorry I do know from experience what alot of these people do, do you ?

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Jimmy F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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Must be a teacher - 2009-10-26 15:40:58

Sorry Fred from Bedrock, I see you must be a grammer teacher to catch my finger on the R mistake ! Sorry I do know from experience what alot of these people do, do you ?

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Jimmy F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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Spelling Error... - 2009-10-26 15:12:15

Sorry, that should read County Exec, not Country Exec...

While I believe he is under-qualified for the job, there is no doubt in my mind Mr. Obama is underpaid for his job. LOL!

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fred flintstone - , - Karma: Excellent

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Now its Jimmy - 2009-10-26 15:09:34

You have no clue what these people do, but for some reason you think there are either too many of them or they make too much money. Therefore something has to be done. Fantastic logic.

Based on the skill set you are demonstrating I suggest you should either run for office or apply for a job as a reporter for the Capital.

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Floyd daBarber - Mayberry, NC - Karma: Neutral

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Floyd is correct... - 2009-10-26 15:00:40

These people are the equivalent to executives in a company - there salaries do not appear to be too much out of line with what someone doing these kind of jobs should expect to be paid. If anything, the argument has been made that the Country Exec needs a raise.

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fred flintstone - , - Karma: Excellent

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Just a little help - 2009-10-26 14:57:27

I am saying that there are too many people being paid for different positions in the County. Ok, if we save 1.5 mil, that is a start compared to doing nothing, As it was stated, these are salaries without the benefits. Now add up how much it costs the county for benefits, I pay $1442.00 per month for health insurance alone, so how much does it cost the county for all employees in a group as I know the employee pays a small share ??

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Jimmy F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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James, James, James - 2009-10-26 14:15:11

Let me help you look at the big picture.

Assuming you've pasted correctly, you've listed about 100 people making over $100k. Let's be generous and say they all make $150k. If you made them all take a 10% pay cut, that saves about $1.5 million. Where's the remaining $88.5 million coming from?

Or let's look at it a different way. Let's get rid of half of them. Each position will save $200k with benefits. You have now decimated management while saving $10 million, and you've still got to come up with $80 million more in cuts. Brilliant.

And again, as I and others have charged, you've done nothing to convince anyone that these positions are not necessary nor have you provided any evidence that the salaries are unjustified.

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Floyd daBarber - Mayberry, NC - Karma: Neutral

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slots NIMBY - 2009-10-26 14:01:06

surely you don't expect people making that kind of money to accept slots in their neighborhood.

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Third Lowest taxes in the state - 2009-10-26 13:46:07

Anne Arundel county residents pay the third lowest income tax in the state. Look at the services you receive for your money. I wonder how much money coul be made with and increse of .25 to .50 percent. That still keeps it among the lowest in the state!!

FYI most of the labor unions gave up their raises for this year to help the citizns of the ounty. Maybe its time for the citizens to help themselves!

http://individuals.marylandtaxes.com/incometax/localtax.asp

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Just something to look at - 2009-10-26 13:28:13

I guess nobody can see the big picture.
I cannot see the figures for some of these jobs. I think everyone in a public safety position earns every bit and some could use more. I guess my views are very much different than others and I will say no more !

Examples, The Co exec make $125,000 but this person makes:

CAO $161,175.04 The next man down from the Exec
Director of Public Works- $153,296.00
Central Services Officer- $135,659.68
Util Ops Administrator $113,135.36
Utilities Administrator $110,084.00

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Not a complete picture - 2009-10-26 13:19:30

James F - much like the Capital when they post their annual list, you're not presenting the whole picture with your "High Rollers" lists. Why don't you also report the number of hours worked in that time period, including overtime? In the case of the fire and police personnel, I guarantee you that those figures include overtime.

So if you're intent on throwing out numbers, throw them all out, not just select ones. Because as Mark Twain said, "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics."

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Comment removed at writer's request. - 2009-10-26 13:11:18

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Comment removed at writer's request. - 2009-10-26 13:10:10

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Comment removed at writer's request. - 2009-10-26 13:06:47

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- Karma: Good

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Comment removed at writer's request. - 2009-10-26 13:02:18

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James - 2009-10-26 12:53:04

I'm with Floyd on this. Please post

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M. Donnell - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Floyd - 2009-10-26 12:35:28

I know the qualifications of most of the high rollers and also know the performance of these highrollers. I for one do not think we get our monies worth from majority of them and can be, to better say it for you, let them retire (which they will soon anyways)and PROMOTE (not replace) others with lower pay scales within the County system to not such a high figure.

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James F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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Adverse to taxes? - 2009-10-26 12:19:44

Who is so adverse to taxes that they rather be laid off? Have reduced services from county fire, police, and/or rescue?

For years Leopold has been selling us this "AA Co is adverse to taxes" line. I still don't buy it. It seems to me more something for him to have as a means to run on and not a means to serve the residents of AA Co. How many of his constituents are AA Co employees that are tired of pay freezes (COLA and merit), furloughs, and doing more (the work of multiple people) with less (money, times, resources)?

He rather "cut meat and bone" than raise taxes even slightly? Although economic times are bleak all over the state and country, it's extreme and obstinate "leadership" that only goes to make the situation worse.

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Jason S. - Glen Burnie, MD - Karma: Neutral

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James F. - 2009-10-26 12:14:40

Thank you for proposing a very novel solution - cut the salaries of "high rollers" and everything will be right with the world. I eagerly await your definition of "high roller". Also,

(1) For those of us not educated on the inner-workings of the County, I would ask that you post the qualifications of each of those "high rollers" as well as their complete responsibilities, not just their job title.

(2) Since it is so simple to cut salaries, please tell us who you think would take those jobs at salaries you think are reasonable. Not just the simple minded "they could always be replaced", give us specifics.

After all, the county could just buy lottery tickets to solve their issues.

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Floyd daBarber - Mayberry, NC - Karma: Neutral

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No pot of gold - 2009-10-26 11:23:18

Slots are not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

This statement is very true, but slots would keep alot of Marylanders and our money here in the state for the counties to receive more. Wha do we get from Delaware ??

Just go to Harrington or Dover and look at all the MD tags on vehicles and you can see for yourself that many still continue to gamble at all odds

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James F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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High Ranks Salary Cuts Needed - 2009-10-26 11:17:13

Maybe the County Exec and the County Councilmen should start cutting salaries like the big one. I know Kevin Maxwell is a very smart and excellent School Superintendent, but the pay scale for him of $238,700 vs the County Exec at $125,000 is outrageous as the Exec is the one with the bigger headaches to make ends meet. It is sad when many of the County high staff make 20-40% more than the County Exec. They should also take a look at the salaries of the other top 50 HIGHROLLERS of the County and start making cuts there. I will post a list of the high rollers if anyone wishes. They could always be replaced with a much smaller salary and the job will still get done just as well. This would save the County several millions of dollars starting with the top 50.

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James F. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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Is Cohen no longer - 2009-10-26 11:00:52

a county concilman? Why is he not asked any difficult questions as a councilman? Cordle continues to push issues through the city council. Cohen doesn't want to show his hand at what his reign (of terror) would do to Annapolis?

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Peter D. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Impact - 2009-10-26 07:33:51

Slots also impact in a negative way for public services. We already can't pay our bills, the increase emergency services means additional workers and OT until they are hired and trained.

Slots are not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with no strings attached.

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Rick M. - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent

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Slots at Arundel Mills - 2009-10-25 23:16:41

Rob, that is correct and that's my point. You actually REDUCE whatever amount is available to Anne Arundel county to cover impact for any theoretical location in Laurel - as it is split 3 ways. Which means of course, that any gap to cover say emergency response, roads, sewer, etc. would have to be carried by the county at a time when there is absolutely no money for it.

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D T - Laurel, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Not the most pretty - 2009-10-25 20:28:25

Personally I would never imagine living in an area live that around Arundel Mills. It is like a giant Mall and parking lot on steroids. But I guess the existing quality of live is worth protecting for those that are not looking for pastural, maritime, architectural, or arboreal beauty. as tax payers and voters they have a right to protect their way of life
The question remains : What area in Anne Arundel County is ideal for slots ? Who will embrace it ? What geographical region can serve as hub and easy to get to from many directions by a major artery ? What area has businesses that will be enhanced by the addition of slots ? What will serve the most while damaging the least ?

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

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Devin - 2009-10-25 18:52:38

The 3 way split you talk about only applies to Laurel Park. And I would not count votes, anything is possible.

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Rob A - hanover, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Slots at Arundel Mills - 2009-10-25 17:57:00

The issue here is not who lived in the area in 2007 but rather 2008. The fact does remain, and it is undisputed, that whoever lived in the Villages of Dorchester DID approve slots by a 60-40% margin - unfortunately, this was pretty much the margin across the county. The chances of Vitale's bill surviving would appear rather slim vs. the original slots bill which would give the county more "options" on slots. I don't think the release of this information is an accident and will only increase the pressure to pass the original slots bill which does include Arundel Mills. If one is to argue that $30M can only be spent in the impacted zone (Arundel Mills), one also has to recognized that if slots were at any theoretical location in Laurel, the county would have to split those fees 3 ways between Prince Georges and Howard County - would mean much less money for the impacted zone and Anne Arundel County as a whole. As it turns out, whatever your opinion on slots is, any facility in a Laurel location would only complicate Anne Arundel's fiscal position.

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D T - Laurel, MD - Karma: Neutral

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Wrong logic... - 2009-10-25 09:42:27

Mr. Leopold's logic is only partially right. His conclusion is wrong and seems totally biased. The voters implied in their passage of the referendum that they "accepted" only the "notion" of granting licensing and placing slots in several general locations within a few MD counties. Voters never implied that they accepted slots at Arundel Mills Mall. That's exactly why it is now mired in debate over zoning adjustments! A sizable portion of AA Co. people apparently are not in favor of a mall venue for slots (only 16% favored it acc to a Mar 2009 AA Co. poll. -- conducted by AACC.) Yes, we need the revenue for education and to save the ailing horse racing industry. So, Mr. Leopold, how about joining in on leveraging the State Commission to reopen the bidding to allow Cordish and/or other investors to site a slots venue south of Rt. 32 per the Vitale-Jones Bill, instead of being so vixated on Arundel Mills Mall?

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Jim K. - Severn, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Stop Tying Slots to Biget Woes - 2009-10-25 08:53:15

Slots "Local Impact Granst" can not be used outside of the "Immdiate Proximity" of a casino. When the County tried to misuse impact fees in Laurel they were successfully sued.

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Rob A - hanover, MD - Karma: Excellent