Governor nominates region's residents to state boards

2 from Charles named to separate real estate bodies

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009

ANNAPOLIS — Eight Southern Maryland residents have been nominated for appointment or re-appointment to various boards and commissions as part of the "green bag" appointments submitted to the Maryland Senate on Friday by Appointments Secretary Jeanne Hitchcock.

The 167 nominations range from weighty policymaking panels like the State Board of Education and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents to less prominent councils such as the Handgun Roster Board and the Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety. Newly-tapped Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian Johansson was among the nominees.

Longtime Calvert County educator Guffrie M. Smith Jr. is one of four nominees to the 12-member state school board. Smith, who lives in St. Leonard, was principal of Appeal Elementary School before taking several positions with the county school system, including director of elementary education and director of curriculum and instruction.

If confirmed by the Senate, his four-year term would begin on July 1.

Two Southern Marylanders, William Leonard Rice Sr. of Newburg and Robert H. Bowes of Tall Timbers were nominated for reappointment to the Potomac River Fisheries Commission. The bi-state regulatory authority is responsible for adopting the rules, regulations and licenses for the recreational and commercial taking and catching of fish, crabs, oysters and clams from the Potomac River. The appointment also carries a four-year retroactive term that began Jan. 1

Other nominations include:

John E. Fleig Jr. of Dunkirk to the Maryland Health Care Commission for a four-year term beginning Oct. 1.

J. Nicholas D'Ambrosia of La Plata to the State Real Estate Commission for a four-year term beginning June 1.

John E. Jordan Jr. of Hughesville to the State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers and Home Inspectors for a three-year retroactive term that began Jan. 1.

Gregory V. Billups of Waldorf to the Maryland Aviation Commission for a three-year term beginning Oct.1.

Linda Palchinsky of Lexington Park to the St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board to fill out the remainder of a four-year term that expires Jan. 1, 2010.

It is tradition for the nominations to be hand-delivered in a green satchel once every year to the Senate, which must confirm all gubernatorial appointments. Most are approved with no debate.

Calvert teachers' union asks to levy fee on nonmembers

The Calvert Education Association wants the authority to charge dues to nonmembers who benefit from the union's services.

Charles County's teacher's union fought for several years in Annapolis for the right to institute a "fair-share fee" before it was authorized in 2005. Teacher unions in nine other counties impose service fees on nonmembers.

Union leaders contend that since all educators benefit from its salary negotiation services that even nonmembers should have to pay a portion of union dues.

Only new hires would be subject to paying the to-be-negotiated representation fee. Current employees who do not belong to the union would be exempt.

Supporters say it's only fair that all those who benefit from union services should have to pay for it.

"It's sort of the equivalent of paying taxes," said Del. Sue Kullen (D-Calvert). "If you gave people the option to not pay taxes, you would always have some people not pay even though they benefit from the services that taxpayer dollars provide."

But House Minority Leader Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-Calvert, St. Mary's) considers it "forced unionization."

"In my opinion, we shouldn't force people to pay fees for services they don't ask for," he said.

The bill is currently designated in the House as a Calvert County Delegation bill, but will be amended since it was never raised in a public session, said Kullen, who chairs the delegation. Kullen and Dels. Joseph F. Vallario Jr. and James E. Proctor Jr., both Democrats whose districts include the northern slice of Calvert, will be listed as sponsors.

So. Maryland reception slated for Thursday night

The annual Southern Maryland Legislative Reception, one of the largest and glitziest affairs held during the legislative session, is expected to draw roughly 400 people to the Loews Annapolis Hotel on Thursday evening.

Tickets cost $35 apiece, the same amount they have been for several years.

And despite the down economy, 14 benefactors paid the $1,000 fee to have display booths at the reception, three more than last year. There are the same number of sponsors — 16 — who pay $500 apiece to have their company listed on a display board at the reception, which features culinary favorites from Southern Maryland, including oysters and stuffed ham.

There might be fewer political dignitaries in attendance due to Gov. Martin O'Malley's town hall meeting scheduled for the same night on the Eastern Shore. Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot (D) and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp (D) both plan to attend, and the reception typically draws a crowd of legislators from both sides of the aisle.

The reception runs from 7 to 10 p.m. at Loews Annapolis Hotel at 126 West St. Call the office of Del. Sally Y. Jameson (D-Charles) at 301-858-3337 for information.

abrody@somdnews.com