Thursday, April 26, 2012
21 people have been arrested for smuggling untaxed cigarettes in Baltimore County so far this year.
Cigarette smuggling in Maryland is on the rise, according to Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. "We've got an epidemic of this smuggling in our state," Franchot said during a Thursday news conference in Towson with Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger. Police confiscated 10,000 packs of alleged contraband cigarettes during a traffic stop near White Marsh. More than 3,100 packs were seized in a stop involving a Honda Accord two weeks ago. The state comptroller said his office has prosecuted more cases of cigarette smuggling "in the last nine months than we have in the previous five years." In Baltimore County, there have been 20 formal cigarette smuggling investigations since mid-2006 resulting in the arrest of 28 …
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The state comptroller has come to the defense of the students and parents of Baltimore County, who seek solutions for the lack of air conditioning in BC public schools.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot has become one of the most vocal supporters for parents seeking air conditioning in all Baltimore County Schools. The Dundalk schools without central air conditioning include Dundalk Elementary School, Bear Creek Elementary School, Charlesmont Elementary School, Battle Grove Elementary School, Dundalk High School, and Patapsco. “Not having air conditioning in these classrooms is a public safety hazard,” said Franchot in a Patch exclusive interview. “It is unacceptable.” Of schools in Dundalk Sandy Plains Elementary School, Logan Elementary School, Dundalk Middle School, General John Stricker Middle School, Sparrows Point High School and Battle Monument School all currently have central air conditioning and …
Friday, February 3, 2012
The state comptroller presented the award in person.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot awarded Dundalk's Boulevard Diner the state certificate of recognition for providing a welcoming atmosphere and delicious homemade food to the greater Baltimore area since 2001. “This restaurant is located in the heart of Dundalk,” said Franchot. “It's very important to have economic drivers, like the Boulevard Diner, employing local people.” Owner Sam Tsakiris and his son, Marc, the restaurant's general manager, acepted the award. The restaurant had recently been featured on an episode of the hit Food Network television show “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” hosted by celebrity restaurateur Guy Fieri, who travels across the United States profiling unique restaurants. “Marc has worked very hard to get where he…
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Comptroller Peter Franchot tells the Baltimore County Public Schools superintendent that he's "tired of saying pretty please" on air conditioning.
Baltimore County schools Superintendent Joe Hairston's final appearance before the Board of Public Works ended in a heated exchange about air conditioning. Hairston, who is in the final months of his 12-year career with the schools system, found himself on the bad side of Comptroller Peter Franchot as he asked for $70 million in state money. Franchot launched into a five minute monologue about the lack of air conditioning in Baltimore County schools. "I'm kind of tired of saying 'pretty please.' I really am," Franchot said. Franchot specifically highlighted conditions at Middleborough Elementary School in Essex. Parents from the school attended Wednesday's meeting as they did in October when county officials asked for $7 million in school…
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
The comptroller had asked that half of a $7 million request for Baltimore County be withheld until there was a plan to install temporary window units in some schools.
The state Board of Public Works voted Wednesday to approve $7 million in improvements to seven westside schools in Baltimore County. Gov. Martin O'Malley and state Treasurer Nancy Kopp voted down a motion by Comptroller Peter Franchot that would have withheld $3.5 million until there was a plan to install air conditioning in come county schools. Schools slated for the money include: About $3.3 million is slated to go toward replacing windows at Woodlawn High School. The county notes in its request that 56 percent of the school's population is eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. The decision disappointed the parents and students of one Essex elementary school who came to Annapolis to ask the board for air conditioning. "We didn't …
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
During a meeting with state Comptroller Peter Franchot on Tuesday, Dundalk officials raised worries about mounting foreclosures and investors converting homes into Section 8 rental properties.
State Comptroller Peter Franchot's Tuesday morning meeting with Dundalk leaders was supposed to have focused on how tax credits and other government efforts were helping to revitalize the historic Dundalk Shopping Center. Instead, with rain delaying a walking tour of the shopping center, the discussion inside the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation (DRC) offices quickly turned to the area's housing crisis. Baltimore County Council Chairman John A. Olszewski Sr. praised the DRC's work, which is funded by the county, but quickly turned his attention to foreclosures in Dundalk. Olszewski asked Franchot about the potential for a pilot program to assist home buyers. The councilman expressed two majors concerns: the large number of homes in …
DARRELL HAMMERBACKER
7:19 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012
OMally for President !!!! NOT!!!!!! more ›