Contributions

I am a big fan of transparency and disclosure in government, but one of the leaps made in The Sun's recent article about contributions by certain companies to the Democratic Governor's Association is misleading and needs to be corrected. ("Firms with Md. interests give to Democratic group," Nov. 27.) After describing contributions by a company called Competitive Power Ventures, the article states that in "October, CPV got what it wanted" when the Maryland Public Service Commission ordered utilities to consider proposals for new power plants to be built in Maryland.

Exelon Corp. and Constellation have donated $1.8 million for a new energy exhibit at the Maryland Science Center , the first public display of their charitable commitment to the city and state since the merger between the energy giants closed in March, the companies announced Tuesday. In acquiring Constellation, Exelon promised to maintain the Baltimore company's annual charitable contribution of $7 million in Baltimore and Maryland for at least a decade. The financial commitment was part of a $1 billion package of concessions associated with regulatory approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission.

Your 401(k) statement is always late and the balance doesn't reflect all your contributions. Meanwhile, former co-workers complain that they're having trouble getting benefits paid to them. This may be more than just a case of sloppy bookkeeping. These can be signs that your employer is using workers' contributions to run the company or to cover the owner's personal expenses. This month the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration announced a nationwide crackdown on the misuse of employee contributions to retirement and health care plans.

If a team is going to have one of those unforgettable, ridiculous, are-you-kidding-me kinds of seasons, then it has to beat clubs it's not supposed to beat and get contributions from players no one was counting on. It's too early to proclaim that these upstart Orioles are going to make noise all year, but as the quarter pole of the season grows closer, they are starting to win games in a manner that can make even the most cynical Orioles fan start...

It is with great sadness that I bring the news of the death of one of the iconic figures of Arbutus, Tom Anderson. You may not know his name, but you would recognize him on East Drive in his safety vest, with his broom and push cart keeping our downtown streets spotless. No matter what the weather, broiling hot or freezing cold, Tom would be out there. He always had a smile on his face, always asked about my family, never stopping very long from the task at hand. He was a gentle, conscientious worker proud of his work, who will be missed by all of us in the Arbutus Business and Professional Association.

Collective bargaining is recognized as a right of workers that allows them to achieve a form of workplace democracy. The United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 states in Article 23 that "Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests. " Yet, while we in the U.S. cheer for the Egyptians, Tunisians, Libyans and others in Middle East countries who risk their lives to achieve democracy and reach for better lives for themselves in their countries, some newly-elected public officials seek to end the democratic process of collective bargaining for public workers.

Baltimore state's attorney candidate Gregg Bernstein raised nearly five times as much money in campaign contributions as has incumbent Patricia C. Jessamy, giving him a strong financial edge over his opponent, according to election finance reports made available online Wednesday. Bernstein, a former federal prosecutor who has worked in private practice since 1991, has raised $217,870 since June and still has most of it in the bank. Jessamy has raised $46,004 and is down to about $38,000 after spending the campaign funds she had remaining from past years along with cash she brought in this summer.

Developers who make campaign contributions to Zoning Board members would have to note those gifts in board records under a bill before the county's Annapolis delegation.The delegation will have a joint hearing on this and 12 other bills next Wednesday night in the countyoffice building.Also being considered are a 5 percent county hotel tax, a building excise tax deemed an essential part of the county's adequate facilities legislation, a family day-care exemption in residential neighborhoods, several state grants, changes in the county's liquor laws, anda prohibition against "obscene live performances."

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY could do itself a big favor by taking the state of Maryland out of the business of regulating campaign contributions.Instead of further complicating the matter and confounding the public, the legislature should repeal all existing campaign contribution laws except reporting and let the marketplace take care of itself.There are really two major money problems in Annapolis -- too much on the one hand, not enough on the other. While the state budget is as taut as a drum and the Schaefer administration is asking for a smorgasbord of tax increases, it's still private war chests that determine public policy.

WASHINGTON -- Contributions to President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton's legal defense fund have plunged in the past six months, even as the couple's personal legal bills have been driven higher by the Whitewater hearings in Congress, trustees of the fund have reported.Contributions dropped from $602,000 in the second half of 1994 to about $258,000 for the first half of 1995, and the number of contributions fell from 5,965 to 1,158.Mike McCurry, the White House press secretary, acknowledged that Mr. Clinton is as "concerned as anyone would be facing that kind of bill and obviously not having the wherewithal to pay that bill."

All-America senior midfielder Catherine Kennedy scored five goals and added three assists to lead the 11th-ranked University of Mary Washington women's lacrosse team to a 16-8 victory over #14 Washington & Lee University on Wednesday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Eagles improved to 14-4 on the season. Anneslie resident Kennedy is one of six local players who have contributed to the Eagles' stellar 14-4 season. Mo Sunderland, Emily Atkinson, Maddy Miller and Kara Hogan, all of Towson High, and St. Paul's School for Girls' Addie Hawley are the others.

Your recent article about corporate contributions to candidates is worth reading ("O'Malley weighs donor changes," April 30). However, the practice of big business being involved behind the scenes is not new. Companies with employees having expense accounts in the past have "suggested" they send personal checks for themselves and wife and carry the amount on their expense accounts showing entertainment (dinner) with clients or customers. If employees were limited by budget restrictions in the amount that could be submitted on the expense account, it was waived to accommodate the "contribution.

The Ravens get an incomplete grade for the 2012 NFL Draft. Every team should get an incomplete each year because no one can predict how drafts will turn out, but most teams come away with one or two players who will have an impact immediately. The Ravens came away with just one in Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, taken in the second round. That's it. Two others, Iowa State offensive tackle Kelechi Osemele and Temple running back Bernard Pierce, could play roles this season, but the rest appear to be projects.

When senior attackman Chris Boland converted a feed from junior midfielder John Greeley just 43 seconds into the third quarter to give Johns Hopkins a 6-3 lead, the feeling at Homewood Field in Baltimore was that this would be the opening the No. 5 Blue Jays would need to close out a victory over No. 10 Maryland Saturday night. But Johns Hopkins would not score again over the final 29:17 of the second half, and the Terps charged forward to a 9-6 win. To many of the media members in the pressbox, it appeared that the Blue Jays lost steam while Maryland gained confidence and energy with every positive play.

More than a year after questions arose publicly about the state of Baltimore Behavioral Health Inc.'s retirement plan, the financial company that oversaw the plan has gone on record as saying that the West Pratt Street mental health clinic all but stopped making contributions after Sept. 2009. An official with the Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. made the statement in an affidavit late last month. It was filed in federal court by the attorney for employees who allege in a lawsuit that BBH executives “diverted and stole” money intended for their retirement plans.

The House of Delegates added an amendment to a fast-moving racetrack subsidy bill that prohibits any of the money from being used for political donations. Del. Luiz Simmons, a Montgomery County Democrat, offered the amendment . "When we are handing out public money like Baskin-Robbins ice cream, we ought to make certain the money is used for the purpose that is intended. " The bill would divert $1.2 million from slots revenue to Ocean Downs, a racetrack and casino location on the Eastern Shore as long as it has 40 live racing days.

When the testimony turned to campaign contributions, County Councilman C. Vernon Gray couldn't wait to begin the cross-examination.During last Wednesday's Zoning Board hearing on the Waverly Woods II project, Marriottsville resident Tim McVey pointed out that as a federal employee, it would be illegal for him to contribute to President Bush's campaign fund."

STUART ROBINSON gets us to the heart of the American political dilemma. In Washington, the Republican White House owes its soul to big business, and the Democrats owe big labor. Across Maryland, everybody runs for office now with hands reaching into somebody's pockets. But, in Harford County, Robinson runs for a Circuit Court judgeship, and does it on nobody's dime but his own. He will not reach for any campaign contributions, he says, or accept any that are offered. He will spend no one's money but his own. He says this keeps him clean and begins to remove the cynicism that surrounds politics across America.

No. 8 Lehigh is 9-1 for the first time in program history and has reeled off a school-record eight consecutive wins, and a pair of Baltimore area players have contributed to the team's success. Senior attackman Adam Johnston, a Street native and St. Paul's graduate, has scored 11 goals. Junior midfielder Brian Hess, an Owings Mills native and McDonogh graduate, has chipped in three goals and two assists. “I think it's pretty cool,” said Johnston, who is tied for second on the team in goals despite making just three starts.

As a freshman, JoJo Marasco found a spot on the midfield, squeezing out nine goals and eight assists in 10 games. As a sophomore, he flourished as a starting attackman, registering 23 goals and 18 assists. This season, as a junior, Marasco has returned to the midfield, where he ranks second on No. 7 Syracuse in assists (five) and third in points (nine). It's a role that he is re-familiarizing himself with. “It's been an experience, and I'm embracing it,” said Marasco, an honorable-mention All American last year.