Fairmount

Booted out of Dunbar High in the ninth grade, Jacquette D. Gibson wasn't going to blow a second chance to get her education.The first time around, she admits, she was a lazy teen-ager who rarely attended school.The second time, she was a model student, missing only one session with her adviser in a program that helps adults earn high school diplomas."I went through summer. I even went on my birthday," said Ms. Gibson, 20. "I felt like it was my last chance. I had to do something."Last night, Ms. Gibson graduated from the Maryland Adult External High School Diploma Program.

Whether principals were addressing squirming first-graders at Mount Royal Elementary or quiet ninth- and 10th-graders at the new Fairmount Harford High School, they sounded a similar theme to returning students: Come to school and work hard. Although that theme would have rung as true in a one-room schoolhouse with primers, the Baltimore principals had their own decidedly 21st-century spin. With a growing emphasis on accountability, principals at all levels seemed focused on making sure their students are making greater gains this year to keep up with new academic standards required by federal regulations.

Despite earlier attempts by a local developer to solve the problem, a Hampstead community is plagued with a storm water management dilemma.Residents of Small Crossings are concerned about a drainage area that has become an eyesore in the development at Fairmount and Upper Beckleysville roads.Residents are especially concerned that the homeowners association may be responsible if any nearby houses -- not located in the development -- are damaged."We are trying to get some help in regards to the problem we are having with our storm water management drain inSmall Crossings," said Steve Harmon, president of the homeowners group.

Milton Goldberg, an educator and union leader who advocated improved teaching methods for impoverished students and better wages for teachers, died of cancer yesterday at Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. The Mount Washington resident was 87. A former president of the Baltimore Teachers Union, Mr. Goldberg had been principal of Fairmount Hill Junior-Senior High School before his retirement nearly 30 years ago. Born in Baltimore and raised on North Caroline Street, he was a 1932 graduate of City College.

Baltimore CityABDUCTION/THEFT: Southeastern District -- Gary Bentley, of the 3000 block of Elliott St., parked his car in the 2200 block of E. Fairmount Ave. and left the engine running with his four-year-old grandson, John Bentley, in the vehicle at about 10 o'clock last night. While Bentley was in a nearby store, someone got into the car and drove away. The thief put the child out of the car a few blocks away, at Broadway and Madison Street, and continued driving. The car has not been recovered.

The equal and opposite reaction to the winds of Isabel was heard throughout Maryland's outdoors community Friday and yesterday: a sigh of relief. Not everyone came out of the big blow unscathed. There were boaters who thought they took all the right precautions, only to find their vessels high and dry in a parking lot or damaged by a piling. Sportsmen who had reservations to hunt on state lands lost those opportunities for the duration of the storm and cleanup. Some waterfowl blinds will need repairs.

Fairmount Bancorp, the holding company of its namesake bank in Rosedale, announced Thursday that it had completed the acquisition of Baltimore's Fullerton Federal Savings Association. Under the deal, Fairmount sold $793,000 of its common stock to Fullerton Federal depositors and to Fairmount's employee stock ownership plan. Shares were also offered to the public. Hanah.cho@baltsun.com Text BUSINESS to 70701 to get Baltimore Sun Business text alerts

Fairmount Bancorp in Rosedale announced Thursday that it has agreed to acquire Baltimore's Fullerton Federal Savings Association. As part of the agreement, Fullerton Federal will convert from a federally chartered mutual savings association to a stock entity and issue stock to Fairmount. In exchange, Fairmount will offer shares of its stock to Fullerton Federal members and then to Fairmount's employee stock ownership plan in a subscription offering. Once the offering is complete, Fullerton Federal will be integrated into Fairmount Bank.

Fairmount Bancorp in Baltimore said Thursday it will begin a stock offering as part of the move to convert Fairmount Bank from a mutual to a stock-based organization. The company said it has received approval from the Office of Thrift Supervision to start the conversion and the stock offering. The company plans to offer 425,000 to 575,000 shares of stock at a price of $10 per share. Shares will first be offered to depositors as of Sept. 30, 2008, and then to the bank's employee stock ownership plan.

Fairmount Bancorp in Baltimore said Thursday it has completed a stock offering that raised about $4.4 million to convert its namesake bank from a mutual to a stock entity. The company said 444,038 shares were sold at $10 apiece. Shares were expected to begin trading Thursday on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "FMTB." The bank, founded in 1879, is located in the Rosedale area. hanah.cho@baltsun.com