January 05, 1992
Government reorganizes: The county commissioners announce a reorganized government, reducing the number of full-fledged departments from 12 to eight, designed to make government more efficient and to save money. Three new departments have been created: General Services, which unites development review and zoning functions and includes recycling; Administrative Services, which includes a new Office of Environmental Services, Public Information, Land Acquisition and liquor boards; and Citizens Services, which will coordinate social issues such as elderly affairs, transportation services and adult and child day care. The commissioners said they have no plans for employee cutbacks.
Drifter indicted: A Carroll grand jury indicts Charles Ray "Chicken Charlie" Ogline, 42, on charges of first-degree murder in connection with an April arson attack at 88 W. Main St. Killed in the blaze was Carvin Williams "Big Joe"Hanna, 49. Police say they believe the fire was set in attempt to destroy Ernie's Place, a bar next door to the apartment building at 88 W. Main St. A week before the fire, Ogline, a drifter, was asked to stay away from the bar because bartenders had accused him of taking tips from the tables, police said.
Draft irks mayor: The WestminsterCouncil orders its attorney to draft legislation that would remove the mayor's authority to appoint council committees, says Mayor W. Benjamin Brown. "What this basically would do is leave me with just the veto, and that's it," Brown says. "I think the City Council has it inits mind to strip every bit of authority from me that they have the authority to strip." Currently, the mayor can appoint members and chairmen to the council's standing committees, such as Finance, Public Improvement, Public Utilities and Public Safety; committees conduct work that often results in legislation and influences council decision-making.
Sherwood ex-owners win: A Baltimore County jury awards twoformer owners of Sherwood Square mall in Westminster $8.6 million indamages, saying a Baltimore bank had defrauded them. After a 4 1/2-week trial, the jury found that Fairfax Savings Association defrauded Charles Ellerin of Boca Raton, Fla., and Louis Seidel of Baltimore byinserting provisions into loan documents without the partners' knowledge. An attorney for the bank said Fairfax will appeal the decision.The case has been in court since 1985 and has been tried three times.
Hampstead stays home: Only 79 out of nearly 1,100 registered voters cast a ballot in Hampstead's election. C. Clinton Becker, 43, whohas served on the council since 1989, is elected mayor. Councilman Arthur H. Moler, 58, wins a third council term, and Councilman Gary W.Bauer, 44, is elected by 46 votes to the post he was appointed to last fall.
New Windsor results: In New Windsor, D. Kenneth Grimes, 76, wins his fifth council term. Everett R. Ecker Sr., 66, and Terry Petry, 36, both get a shot at a second term, while challengers CharlesW. "Tooter" Fritz and Roy A. Johnson fail in their bids for council seats.
New mayor: After 35 years with Mayor Edward L. Williar, NewWindsor voters are forced by hizzoner's retirement to make a new choice. They choose Councilman Perry L. Jones Jr. over fellow CouncilmanScott W. Davis by the slimmest of margins, 137-126. Incumbents Jeffery Six and Bret Grossnickle win their council seats.
Westminster turns out: Westminster's record 1,224 voters remove Samuel V. Greenholtz and Mark S. Snyder, both seeking second council terms. Supplantingthem are Kenneth A. Yowan, a former councilman, and newcomers Rebecca A. Orenstein and Stephen R. Chapin Sr. The third seat opened when Council President Kenneth J. Hornberger decided not to seek a third term.
Bull attacks man: Jerry E. Gooding, a retired state police lieutenant, returns home from the hospital after being attacked by a 2,000-pounds hornless bull. Gooding and his wife had stopped to help a farmer who was trying to corral a loose horse. The retired trooper didnot know the bull was loose until it knocked him down and started banging him around. The owner of the farm, Keith Keller, was able to distract the bull by getting it to charge his truck while Gooding took cover under the truck. Gooding suffered extensive bruising and brokenribs.
Liquor licenses granted: Ledo Pizza in Cranberry Square on Route 140 and Ocean Pride, a seafood restaurant in Freedom Village Shopping Center on Liberty Road, receive liquor licenses.
Deficit balloons: The Carroll commissioners learn that the county's projected 1992 shortfall has ballooned from $650,000 to more than $1 million. A few weeks earlier, commissioners were told that the interest earningsfrom the county's $40 million investment portfolio would be $650,000short of projections because of falling interest rates. Now they learn that May's income tax receipts are $131,000 less than projected and state highway and motor vehicle revenues are $290,000 less.
