Cale

The Democratic candidate for clerk of Howard County Circuit Court contends that the Republican incumbent does not have the experience to manage the office, even after four years at the post.But Margaret Duly Rappaport charges that her challenger has no administrative or supervisory skills to oversee one of the busiest offices in the county courthouse.The experience issue is one of several dividing points between Mrs. Rappaport and Leslie Jean Cale of Ellicott City in the race for clerk.Mrs.

Leslie Jean Cale was down but she's not out.The candidate for Howard County Clerk of the Courts wants to dispel rumors she's pulling out of the race because of serious injuries she received when she was struck by a truck while trying to rescue an injured raccoon.Ms. Cale, of Ellicott City, was released from the Montebello Rehabilitation Hospital in Baltimore yesterday after a four-week recovery from injuries she received in the Feb. 24 accident.The 36-year-old Democrat also spent two weeks in the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where she underwent about eight hours of surgery to repair fractures in her back and pelvis.

A Democratic candidate for Howard County Clerk of the Courts was seriously injured when she was struck by a truck driven by a Republican county councilman as she was trying to help an injured raccoon lying on the road Thursday evening.The candidate, 36-year-old Leslie Jean Cale of the 12200 block of Carroll Mill Road in Ellicott City, was in serious but stable condition at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore yesterday.She was struck by a truck driven by Councilman Charles C. Feaga, 62, of the 11300 block of Frederick Road near Ellicott City, police said.

An Ellicott City woman who works as a court reporter has announced her candidacy for Clerk of the Circuit Court in Howard County, promising a "user-friendly" office for the public.Leslie Jean Cale, a 36-year-old Democrat, is the first person to file candidacy papers with the county Board of Elections in the 1994 election for the clerk's office, a position now held by incumbent Margaret Rappaport.The clerk oversees about 30 employees in an office that processes civil filings and criminal cases, issues a variety of permits and licenses, manages deeds and land records, and conducts courthouse weddings.

IF I EVER FALL IN LOVEShai (Gasoline Alley 10762)First impressions aren't always the most reliable. After hearing the Shai single "If I Ever Fall In Love," it's easy to assume that all of the group's material follows the lead of this a capella gem, fleshing out romantic ballads with lush harmonies and languorous, soulful lead singing. But that approach only holds for the first half of Shai's debut album, "If I Ever Fall in Love"; skip to Side 2, and the music relies as much on rhythm tracks and rap breaks as it does on choral charm.

Cale McConnaughy of Forest Hill made another addition to his more than 30 trophies last weekend by winning the Maryland State Bicycle Motocross Championship in the 6-expert class at the Columbia BMX Super Track.McConnaughy qualified for the main event by placing first inone of three "mottos," or preliminary laps.He finished in front of Justin Townsend of Lowman, N.Y., Tommy Geary of Mount Airy and Charlie Furr of Mount Airy.McConnaughy earned triple points for the race and was awarded a trophy, along with the No. 1 plate and a BMX racing jacket.