Callahan starts bid for Arundel post

Dennis Callahan, a former mayor of Annapolis and the current director of Anne Arundel County's recreation and parks department, announced his Democratic candidacy for county executive before about 100 supporters yesterday at Crofton Country Club.

Callahan, 64, had planned to make his announcement in the spring but said he moved up the date based on the fundraising efforts of Sheriff George F. Johnson IV, a Democrat who has more than $318,000 on hand for his campaign for executive.

Callahan said he hopes to garner $200,000 for the September primary. He said his priorities include clearing the county schools' maintenance backlog and building a 13th high school. Callahan said he will stay in his county job through this year's budget process and will step down May 31.