Live From Israel, It’s NCAA Tournament Time With Aberdeen’s Own Jai Lewis
March 18, 2008
Breaking down the brackets with Jai…
That’s right, there’s only one Jai and you know him well.
He’s the man who led the George Mason (GM) Patriots on their unbelievable and unforgettable journey back in 2006 when they quietly turned the NCAA Tournament Brackets into frappe. He’s the man who helped put the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) on the map with the big dogs. He’s also the man who has taken his skills on the road in Israel where he’s currently playing basketball.
He’s our very own Jai Lewis of Aberdeen and he’s talking college basketball with me. So thanks to electronic mail direct from Israel, let’s get down to business. Here’s what Jai has got to say about the upcoming Madness. It’s Jai Time…
Continue reading Live From Israel, It’s NCAA Tournament Time With Aberdeen’s Own Jai Lewis
“First, do no Harm” - Councilman Slutzky Questions the Merit of Board of Education School Reform
March 17, 2008
Read the ‘Erroneous and Malicious’ Comments that Forced the Board of Education President to Announce He’s Leaving Office
Public frustration with the Comprehensive High School Reform Plan (CSSRP) prompted the Harford County Council to make an unprecedented address to the Board of Education at its meeting tonight (Monday) in Bel Air.
The half-hour presentation delivered by county councilman Richard C. Slutzky, a veteran educator of 39 years, reflected questions raised by parents, students, teachers and administrators who had contacted the council as a result of what they believed was a lack of response from of the board since CSSRP was presented in 2005 and implemented in the fall of 2006.
Before councilman Slutzky was able to begin his presentation, board president Thomas Fidler, Jr. announced that he will not seek a second term and wanted to clear the air about “erroneous and malicious” comments made on a website regarding the scheduling of the county council’s discussion.
Slutzky began by commending the board for their efforts at reform, but noted that an evaluation was necessary to determine whether the “good intentions” of the board had actually been carried out by CSSRP. Using the board’s original rationale for reform as a framework, Slutzky posed questions which he said would assist the board in determining whether intended results were being achieved and what unintended consequences have resulted. He also suggested areas for future exploration.
Why the Board of Ed Doesn’t Want You to Know About the Harford County Council Visit Monday Night
March 16, 2008
UPDATE: At tonight’s (3/17) Board of Education meeting, board president Thomas Fidler, Jr. announced he will not seek a second term on the board. Stay tuned for details.
You might not know by looking at the agenda released by the Board of Education, but The Dagger has learned that the Harford County Council is expected to raise a series of serious questions Monday night regarding secondary school reform in the Harford County Public School system.
Prompted by public concern over the Comprehensive Secondary School Reform Plan (CSSRP), County Councilman Dick Slutzky is expected to make a presentation on behalf of the entire county council during the Board of Education meeting Monday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m. in Bel Air.
As rare an occasion as it would be to have most, if not all, of the Harford County Council in attendance for the Board of Education meeting, Slutzky’s presentation has been curiously dubbed “County Council Discussion” and buried 2/3 of the way down the agenda under General Public Comments. Continue reading Why the Board of Ed Doesn’t Want You to Know About the Harford County Council Visit Monday Night
A Survey With Sense: Harford Students and Parents Weigh-In On Constrictive School Reform
March 14, 2008
Remember that bogus survey with the $46,000 price tag, all about high school reform in Harford County?
The Dagger just received another survey that’s full of questions the folks who got paid the $46,000 didn’t even think to ask. The new survey was created by a local high school teacher who wanted to know more about one of the Concepts of Comprehensive Secondary School Reform (CSSRP) - the one theorizing that students should choose a “career pathway” in high school, because students would be more interested in school if they had “coursework with an exit purpose.”
So let’s find out what kids really think about picking a career path when they are still freshman in high school and what happens when students are, as one of them put it, “pigeon- holed” into taking certain classes.
Continue reading A Survey With Sense: Harford Students and Parents Weigh-In On Constrictive School Reform
HELP WANTED: As Two City Councilmen Step Aside, Candidates Are Needed To Fill Out Havre de Grace’s Election Ballot
March 13, 2008
Two of the three Havre de Grace City Councilmen whose two-year terms expire this spring, Steve Gamatoria and Garrett Lyttle, will not seek re-election, which leaves the ballot thin on candidates heading into the city’s May 6 election.
As of Thursday, only two people had filed to appear on the ballot - incumbent city councilman Jim Miller and former city councilman Fred Cullum. Both are assured a return to city hall unless at least two more candidates file for office, but city officials indicated Thursday evening no one had even picked up an application for candidacy recently.
Last year, the Havre de Grace election ballot was brimming with four incumbents running for mayor, eight candidates seeking three city council seats and a question about the future of city park property.
The Havre de Grace election will be held May 6 and candidates for city council have until Tuesday, March 18 to file for office. Continue reading HELP WANTED: As Two City Councilmen Step Aside, Candidates Are Needed To Fill Out Havre de Grace’s Election Ballot
State Senate Amends Legislation And Paves The Way For A Partially-Elected Board of Education In Harford County
March 11, 2008
UPDATE: The Harford County delegation voted UNANIMOUSLY to support the amendments creating a blended school board. Del. Dan Riley, who had abstained from voting on the all-elected board, voted in favor of the amendements. Del. Mary-Dulany James was absent from the vote.
An amended version of Senate Bill 306 passed by the state senate today (Tuesday) would establish a nine-member Board of Education in Harford County with three members appointed by the governor and the remaining six members elected in-district.
The amended elected school board bill, SB 306, received a favorable report from the Senate’s Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on Friday and received local courtesy today in the state senate, passing on second read.
There were no questions in the senate, and no further amendments in Tuesday’s action. A third reading of the bill is scheduled for Thursday.
With the first hurdle of senate approval out of the way, Sen. Barry Glassman cautioned today, “Still have my work cut out on House side.”
Del. Stifler: Support Repeal of the Computer Services Tax Tomorrow in Annapolis
March 11, 2008
Greetings from Annapolis,
I would like to extend an invitation to everyone concerned with and affected by the computer services tax to attend the Public Hearing tomorrow, Wednesday 12th, supporting HB 187, 196, 253, and 326. The Public Hearing will take place at 1:00 pm in the Ways and Means Committee room. If you are able to attend please respond to donna.stifler@house.state.md.us by providing your name, affiliation, and phone number so that my aide can sign you up tomorrow morning. Please arrive at the committee room 131 before 1:00 pm. Only people who have signed up to testify may testify so it is important to email your information well in advanced. If you would like to submit written testimony please email it no later than tomorrow morning. Written testimony should be addressed to the Honorable Sheila E. Hixson.
Also there will be a large rally at noon tomorrow on Lawyer’s Mall, supporting a repeal of the computer tax. If you or your colleagues are able, please come down to Annapolis and have your voices heard!
Thank you,
Delegate Stifler
Settling For A Mess: Havre de Grace Deals With Harford County To Mitigate Downtown Parking Woes
March 10, 2008
A midday agreement reached between Harford County and Havre de Grace Monday will ensure a portion of the city’s downtown parking lot will remain open to the public during the 18-month expansion of the adjacent water treatment.
While County Executive David Craig and Mayor Wayne Dougherty celebrated the agreement Monday with a joint press release, it seems Havre de Grace is conceding the most in what appears to be a lop-sided truce.
The crux of the settlement is that Havre de Grace will lift its stop work order on the project and allow work to proceed in exchange for the county’s help re-establishing a lane through the lot with some diagonal parking spaces.
But the city seems to be giving up a lot: Havre de Grace will not only lift the stop work order and sign off on all approvals and permits for the project, but must also pay for the costs of adding new parking, pay for the cost of the first two weeks worth of work delays, and make about half of nearby David Craig Park available for off-site storage and staging for the project. Oh and the city must also indemnify the county and hold it harmless for any damage caused by using the through-lane during the construction project. Continue reading Settling For A Mess: Havre de Grace Deals With Harford County To Mitigate Downtown Parking Woes
Del. Jennings: In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigration and the Harm It Creates to Maryland
March 10, 2008
Dear Editor,
Last Tuesday, I was sitting at my desk in the House Ways and Means committee hearing room watching and listening. The hearing room was crowded with people spanning from special interests organizations, to lawmakers, to citizens, statewide, all present for a single purpose - House Bill 1236.
As many already know, but for those who do not, House Bill 1236, entitled Higher Education - Tuition Charges - Maryland High School Students would establish that illegal aliens shall be exempt from paying nonresident tuition at public institutions of higher education in the State of Maryland. The bill would take effect July 1, 2008, and require the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt policies to implement this bill.
Although the language specifically contained within the bill defines “specific individuals” as “individuals, other than a student within the meaning of Title 8, § 1101 (A) (15) of the United States Code”, it does not clearly articulate who these “specific individuals” are. In the most, simplest terms; the most basic definition, they are “illegal aliens”.
Continue reading Del. Jennings: In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigration and the Harm It Creates to Maryland
C. Milton Wright High School Science Teacher and Wrestling Coach Arrested For Multiple Child Sex Offenses
March 10, 2008
On
