Dell

Convinced by personal observations that a trash-burning plant can bea clean, efficient producer of energy rather than a smoke-belching, environmentally hazardous eyesore, two county commissioners say they intend to form a citizens committee to begin planning a waste-to-energy facility for county use.Commissioners Donald I. Dell and ElmerC. Lippy, who toured the I-95 Energy/Resource Recovery Facility in Fairfax County, Va., Friday, said they believe the long-term answer toCarroll's solid-waste problems lies chiefly in converting trash to energy through incineration, not in landfill expansion or creation.

TOKYO -- Dell Computer Corp. Chief Executive Officer Michael Dell said yesterday that worldwide demand for computer hardware has improved and the Far East will be a good market for the world's biggest personal computer maker. "Globally, we've seen some rebound in overall demand," Dell said at a news conference in Tokyo, where he introduced the company's smallest desktop computer. "There's great opportunity for Dell, especially in Japan and Asia Pacific." Dell surpassed Hewlett-Packard Co. in the third quarter to again become the world's biggest personal-computer maker, market researcher IDC said earlier this month.

In a partnership of two computer titans -- and rivals -- IBM Corp. said yesterday that it will sell technology valued at $16 billion to Dell Computer Corp.Under the terms of the seven-year deal, one of the largest of its kind in industry history, Dell will buy disk drives, memory chips, flat-panel displays and other components from IBM.The agreement also calls for IBM and Dell to share patents and collaborate on the development of new products."We mean this as much more than just a procurement agreement.

DALLAS -- Dell Computer Corp. yesterday reported a stunning setback in its notebook-computer operations and an unexpected drop of 48.5 percent in its first-quarter profits -- its first decline in profits in 14 quarters.The news knocked Dell's share price into a free fall, and it ended the day down $7.375, or 23 percent, to $24.75, in Nasdaq trading.Michael Dell, the company's chairman and chief executive, said delays and cancellations of some new notebook models already in production had required charges that pared the company's pretax income by $20 million in the quarter.

Three days before the election that would decide his political future, Carroll Commissioner Donald I. Dell ducked a planned campaign swing through populous South Carroll to spend a day on his Westminster dairy farm.His father's buggy and a pair of antique Oliver tractors held more appeal than shaking hands with strangers. It was a choice many might consider odd for a man who squeaked through the September primary by 14 votes.But Dell, 73, never really wanted to be a politician."I got into politics by accident.

Donald I. Dell, the Carroll commissioner and board president is shunning the TV camera. He said this week he no longer will appear on a local cable talk show called "Commissioners' Focus.""It's not my thing to do," he said. "I really don't feel comfortable with it."Matthew Brock, the producer and host of the half-hour, twice-monthly show on Prestige Cable TV Channel 3, said Mr. Dell said he was quitting because he was not given adequate time to respond to a question on a school board-related issue.

With slightly more than a week to go before the July 1 filing deadline, Carroll Commissioner Donald I. Dell has not announced whether he will seek a fourth term. His silence has prompted buzzing in county political circles for the past month, with candidates, party donors and other interested observers speculating about his intentions. Through it all, the one person who has seemed most nonchalant about the absence of an announcement is Dell himself. Asked Thursday whether he is any closer to a decision, a smiling Dell replied, "Yes, I'm closer."

Carroll County Commissioner Donald I. Dell has delayed an environmental assessment of streams in the Liberty Reservoir watershed - an area that covers half the county - until he is convinced that such a study is necessary. Dell opposes the study, even though the county has a $40,000 state grant that would pay for the research and one year's salary for a contractual employee to collect and coordinate information. Critical of studies initiated by what he called "too many self-appointed conservationists," Dell said the Liberty Reservoir watershed, which includes five of Carroll's planned growth areas, is in great shape.

The county attorney is seeking to quash an affidavit from County Commissioner Donald I. Dell regarding the July 15 ouster of a Westminster lawyer from the county Planning and Zoning Commission.Dell, who appointed attorney Robert H. Lennon to the planning panel, cast the sole vote against Lennon's removal for what the county ethics commission said was a violation of the county ethics law.Lennon, who contends he didn't violate the law, sued for reinstatement to the planning panel. The case was moved out of the county because the principals are so well-known in Carroll.

The titles the County Commissioners bestow on themselves are considered honorary.But try telling that to newly elected President Donald I. Dell.While he and Commissioner Vice President Elmer C. Lippy Jr. and lone-incumbent Commissioner Julia W. Gouge have, in theory, the same amount of power, Dell has been wielding his deftly throughout Carroll's sometimes acrimonious budget process."