Political notes: Commission to vote on school board candidates | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

The School Board Nominating Commission of Anne Arundel County will vote Monday on its choices for the two open seas on the county school board.

The meeting at Anne Arundel Community College follows several weeks of public hearings and presentations by the 13 candidates for the open at-large seat and the new District 32 seat. The choices will be forwarded to Gov. Martin O'Malley for his consideration.

The public is welcome to attend the public meeting portion of the evening; however, no public testimony will be taken at this meeting.

The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Cade Building, 101 College Parkway, Room 219.

Prior to the public meeting the Commission will hold an executive session beginning at 6:30 p.m., which will be closed to the public.

Gift laws tightened

In response to the hundreds of tons of industrial plastic discovered along the WB&A trail earlier this year, the County Council unanimously passed a bill Monday that requires the county to do an environmental assessment before accepting any land as a gift.

The measure stemmed from a report by County Auditor Teresa Sutherland, who found the county accepted land for the WB&A Trail in Odenton even though it was contaminated with non-hazardous plastics.

Also on Monday, the council delayed a vote on whether to give county land to a workforce housing project in Glen Burnie. Council members wanted to see if the county could help more residents by selling the land and using the money to retain teachers. The issue is scheduled to be discussed again on June 2.

Additionally, the council delayed a vote on a controversial bill to change the way the county decides if a school is too overcrowded to handle more homes built nearby. One of the bill's sponsors wanted more time to work out details of the proposal. That issue will be discussed again on May 19.

League meeting

Anne Arundel County Director of Governmental Relations Alan Friedman will be keynote speaker this morning at the League of Women Voters of Anne Arundel County 2008 Annual Meeting.

The meeting will begin with sign-in, coffee and doughnuts, at 10 a.m. at the Chartwell Golf and Country Club in Severna Park. There is a registration fee of $27 that includes lunch. The public may attend. Please contact Susan Cochran at 410-956-0036 or suzanwc@verizon.net for registration details.

Kendel visits

Former Maryland first lady Kendel Ehrlich will be in Millersville on Monday, visiting the Providence Center workshop.

Mrs. Ehrlich, honorary chair for the center's 2008 Moran Golf Classic, will tour the Millersville location at 11 a.m. at the Cloverleaf Business Park, 8223 Cloverleaf Drive. The center serves adults with developmental disabilities.

The golf classic, the center's primary annual fundraiser, will be held on June 2 at Queenstown Harbor, 310 Links Lane in Queenstown. For information, call 410-766-2212, Ext. 111.

Lawmakers at SIA

The Severn Improvement Association will host state two District 32 lawmakers on Wednesday for an overview of the General Assembly session that ended in March.

Sen. Ed Degrange Sr., D-Glen Burnie, and Del. Mary Ann Love, D-Glen Burnie, will give an overview of legislation and issues concerning the community.

The meeting will start at 8 p.m at the SIA building, 460 Queenstown Road, Severn on Wednesday.

For information, call Jessica Snipes at 410-787-1444.

District 32 Dems

Sen. James "Ed" DeGrange Sr. will be the guest speaker on Thursday at the District 32 Democratic Club at the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company hall, 4 S. Broadview Blvd.

Sen. DeGrange, D-Glen Burnie, will talk about the recent legislative session and answer questions. There also will be a presentation and discussion about the national presidential campaign.

Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. followed by the business meeting at 8 p.m. The cost for dinner is $6.

New members and guests are welcome to join the club. Membership dues cost $10.

For information, call president Tom Dixon at 410-672-2837.

Elephant Club

Jerry Walker, chairman of Anne Arundel County Republican Central Committee, will be the guest speaker at the Elephant Club's "Pizza and Politics" night on Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, 400 Benfield Road, Severna Park

Mr. Walker will speak on the current activities of the committee.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for pizza and drinks. The public is invited, but there is a $5 fee. For information, visit www.elephantclub.us or call 410-437-2213.

Simonaire selected

State Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-Pasadena, was selected to represent Maryland at the State Legislative Leaders Foundation's Emerging Political Leader Conference.

For three days, more than 50 state lawmakers convene for a series of discussions led by a University of Virginia, Darden School faculty member.

Compiled by Barbara McLaughlin, Erin Cox and Rick Hutzell. Send information on your political groups or speakers to rhutzell@mdgazette.com. Write "Political notes" in the subject line.