Partying Getting Toned Down

State, Local Officials Spending More Modestly On Annual Gathering Due To Tough Times

Conference cutbacks affect local businesses that depend on event traffic. Seacrets general manager Rico Rossi said his business is struggling to match last year's profits while not raising prices. "I've never heard so many 'What's on special?' questions," he said.

For their part, Smith and Dixon are inviting about the same number of guests as they did last year, about 1,100 and 900, respectively, said Rachael Rice, president of Rice Consulting, a political consulting firm planning the Democrats' events. The cost: about $20 to $25 a head plus taxes and gratuity, she said.

Sponsoring Dixon's party are communications firms Verizon and Motorola; health care firm Kaiser Permanente, and contractor ACS State and Local Solutions, while Smith's campaign account paid for his party, Rice said. More sponsors were interested in contributing this year, she said.

"I have not felt a difference with the recession. I'm hopeful that's a very good sign for the economy," Rice said.

The mayor's administration is reducing its city-paid contingent to six attendees from 10 last year, spokesman Scott Peterson said, musing that Dixon might have to pitch in and man the city's information booth. He said taxpayers should consider the trip "an investment" to ensure Baltimore's interests are heard, especially as localities compete for a dwindling pot of state aid.

Baltimore County is sending 15 people, the smallest contingent in years and down from 22 people last year, said Don Mohler, a spokesman for Smith. Mohler said the reception's motto was intended to poke fun at the county executive, who frequently uses the phrase, "Quite frankly."