Early ‘Birds Get the Worm at Baltimore Orioles FanFest
March 30, 2008
Camden Yards opened its doors Saturday to let the fans get a taste of spring and baseball. In spite of the nip in the air and below average temps., Maryland bird lovers flocked anyway, having to wear an extra layer. They came to check out the new faces on the diamond, to sample the stadium fare, to check out the new scoreboard and let their children play. The resounding question is - of course - will this year’s Baltimore Orioles come to play?
Debbie Borgerding of Perry Hall was struggling with her goodie bags when I met up with her in Pastimes Café on Eutaw Street. Not only was she indoors trying to keep warm but she was also in charge of carrying all of the family’s loot. You see her 10-year old son Zachary, (accompanied by his Dad) was out testing his arm with a pitching machine while Mom took refuge. And she was glad to do it once she wrestled down those bags. It was everything the Orioles were giving out. The Borgerding family made out, as many fans did!
Zach has been playing baseball since he was 4. He was totally into all the action on Eutaw Street and was particularly stoked with his new Brian Roberts bobble-head doll. He’s got a rocket of an arm; I can see it in his eyes. Continue reading Early ‘Birds Get the Worm at Baltimore Orioles FanFest
Billion Dollar Man David Craig Reduces Harford County’s FY 2009 Budget, but Includes a Hefty Employee Raise
March 29, 2008
County Executive David Craig announced his proposed Fiscal Year 2009 budget for Harford County last Thursday, March 27. With all the fanfare that went along with the proposed $34,184,425 decrease in budget, I couldn’t help but wonder what about the 9 percent total increase in salaries for eligible county employees.
The 9 percent was broken up very carefully across 3 different raise categories:
- A wage package consisting of a three percent merit increase and three percent COLA for all eligible staff.
- A Classification and Market Adjustment of three percent for all eligible staff. Members of the Cabinet will not receive a merit raise or market adjustment.
In total the proposed FY 09 budget is $895.8 million dollars with the general fund making up over half of this amount at $472 million. County Executive Craig states that this is the smallest increase over the last 10 years at 4.3 percent. This includes the very large raise for county employees. What is the average raise for county employees across the state?
MacPhail’s Road to Baseball Glory: From Harford County Roots to the Hall of Fame
March 29, 2008
Ten things I love about Andy MacPhail (President of baseball operations for the Orioles)…
- Troy Patton
- Luke Scott
- Mike Costanzo
- Dennis Sarfate
- Matt Albers
Bah-bye Miggy…(Miguel Tejada- Houston Astros)
- Adam Jones
- Chris Tillman
- George Sherrill
- Anthony Butler
- Kameron Mickolio
Bedard-Gone…(Erik, you hurt me- but I am so over it…now a Seattle Mariner)
At first glance, it might appear that MacPhail is inflicting destruction within an already fragile Orioles lineup, what with getting rid of a 4-time All Star in Tejada and the ace of the pitching staff in Bedard. But make no mistake, MacPhail has come to play. And win. Continue reading MacPhail’s Road to Baseball Glory: From Harford County Roots to the Hall of Fame
Orioles Baseball 2008 - Who are these #$*^(% guys?
March 28, 2008
It’s getting close to that time of year again. Baltimore sports fans spend countless hours preparing by researching the players, making predictions about the season, and hanging out by the watercooler. Yes, it’s almost April 26th, the first day of the NFL Draft.
What did you think I was talking about? The Aberdeen Ironbirds season doesn’t begin until June 17th. What’s that? The Orioles?
How could I forget? Opening day is Monday, March 31st. There is a buzz around Camden Yards this year, and it’s not just coming from the new scoreboards. The Orioles roster is full of fresh faces. For all but the most dedicated fan, there is a good chance you have no idea who these players are. Never fear, The Dagger is here!
Let’s start with the pitchers…
Continue reading Orioles Baseball 2008 - Who are these #$*^(% guys?
Harford County’s Hotel Tax Tanked by State Senate; Identity of the Bill’s Assassin Remains Unknown
March 27, 2008
This news was passed along this morning by Delegate Dan Riley:
“Hotel tax, for Harford County, killed in the Senate.
It is with great disappointment I’ve learned the hotel tax for Aberdeen was killed in the Senate.
The bill was doing well until someone offered an amendment. The amendment was accepted and became part of the bill thus killing Aberdeen’s chances of getting the hotel tax this year. I do not know what Senator was behind the amendment, I can only guess…maybe a friend of Hess?
I will bring the bill back next year, and the next year, and the next year…until it passes or the opposition, in the Senate, to the bill is retired by the voters.” Continue reading Harford County’s Hotel Tax Tanked by State Senate; Identity of the Bill’s Assassin Remains Unknown
Del. McDonough: “Putting People First” Takes a Different Type of Elected Official
March 26, 2008
Although most people believe that politicians are all the same, my experience has been that this assumption is far from the truth. I believe that many elected officials have different approaches to the way they represent the people. During my three terms in public office, I have always had one guiding principle that was based on the belief that the people elected me to do a job. They are the bosses and their interests are the only priority that I have. My legislative agenda reflects that commitment.
My crime victim legislation agenda included Jessica’s Law Part II - Truth in Sentencing. This bill was created to eliminate good time credits and early release for certain types of criminals. Two other public safety measures — the Witness Protection Act and a victim protection act — would also eliminate good time early release credits for any offender who intimidates or attempts to harm a witness in any way. These proposals would mandate capital punishment for a perpetrator who murders a witness. All three of these bills place public safety and crime victims first. Continue reading Del. McDonough: “Putting People First” Takes a Different Type of Elected Official
Concierge Family Practice: A Minor Trend Sparks Major Ethical Questions
March 25, 2008
Less than one year ago, Dr. Richard Maffezzoli was CEO of Clinical Associates, a group of 70 doctors based in Towson, Maryland. Today, he’s waiting for word on whether his list of about 100 patients will grow enough to keep his new concierge family practice afloat.
Maffezzoli is unruffled as he sits in his third-story office on a Friday morning, explaining his decision to switch to a concierge practice in which patients pay an annual retainer fee. The 66-year-old – in a stylish black dress shirt with vertical gray and brown stripes and silver, stamp-sized, cowboyish cufflinks – is philosophical about his future.
“Will I have enough patients to pay my overhead?” Maffezzoli, an endocrinologist and onetime chief resident at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, asks rhetorically. He’ll need at least 200 on the rolls. “Beyond that I don’t really care. I’m not really doing it because I need the money.” The doctor, whose income is largely bolstered by his ownership of several care dealerships, later declared, “I don’t want to keep rushing around like a madman. It was either retire or do this.”
Continue reading Concierge Family Practice: A Minor Trend Sparks Major Ethical Questions
Are You Suffering From Smurf Syndrome? Take Dr. Dagger’s Medication Side Effect Quiz
March 25, 2008
You’ve seen it before. An elderly couple sitting on the beach, holding hands, gazing at the sunset, reveling in their restored health thanks to a few magic pills. The tone of the narrator changes as he starts rattling off side effects for the newest wonder drug at blazing speeds.
“…can cause a very disfiguring blue-grey discoloration of the skin, generally in areas of sun exposure, and that gradually worsens over a period of years. It is not clear that this “smurf syndrome” clears up when the drug is stopped. In younger patients this side effect can be devastating.”
Did you catch all that? Think you know your pharmacology? Take the quiz below to see how you match up with other DaggerPress.com readers.
Continue reading Are You Suffering From Smurf Syndrome? Take Dr. Dagger’s Medication Side Effect Quiz
Bill To Make Day After Thanksgiving “American Indian Heritage Day” in MD Close to Passing
March 20, 2008
Del. B Dan Riley (D - District 34A) tells The Dagger that the House of Delegates managed to come together around an issue today. “Think we finally passed a bill, in the House Of Delegates, which will be acceptable by those of any political persuasion,” Riley wrote in an email today. “The day after Thanksgiving, which most people have off, will now be a holiday honoring Native Americans. Only 2 delegates voted against the bill.” The bill effectively makes Black Friday a paid state holiday. See it for yourself here: http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/billfile/HB0083.htm
HB 83 was sponsored by Delegate Talmadge Branch, District 45, Delegate Kumar P. Barve, District 17 and Delegate James E. Proctor, Jr., District 27A. The state senate has not acted on this measure.
Candidate Cavalcade: A Flurry of Late Filings Fill the Havre de Grace Election Ballot with 8 Names
March 18, 2008
As last week came to a close, there weren’t enough people interested in running for Havre de Grace City Council to even hold its election this May.
That changed in a big way this week when a late stampede of candidates, including some well-known names and political heavyweights, charged to city hall and registered to appear on the May 6 Election Day ballot.
When the dust settled and the doors of city hall were locked at 5 p.m. Tuesday, eight men had officially declared their intentions to run for the three Havre de Grace City Council seats. Continue reading Candidate Cavalcade: A Flurry of Late Filings Fill the Havre de Grace Election Ballot with 8 Names
