Gary

County Executive John G. Gary has given his unqualified support to the school board's proposed $35 million computer network, pledging to include the money for the first major phase of the plan in his next budget.The Advanced School Automation Project (ASAP) is an intricate computer network that would be installed over the next five years, with at least one 32-terminal laboratory in each county school and additional specialized computer labs in the upper grades.All of the computers will be linked and will be capable of linking to other computer networks such as the Internet.

County Executive John G. Gary has scolded a North County senator for attempting to block construction of a jail on Ordnance Road in Glen Burnie.State Sen. Philip C. Jimeno, a Brooklyn Park Democrat, yesterday took exception with the Republican executive's rebuke, contained in a Jan. 30 letter to all four District 31 legislators. In the letter, Mr. Gary calls the senator an "obstructionist.""If he thinks I'm going to roll over and play dead on this issue, he's mistaken," said Senator Jimeno, chairman of the county's Senate delegation.

WHEN HE heads out of the Arundel Center, John G. Gary doesn't merely stroll. He strides with the same forceful determination he displays in running Anne Arundel County.With his head slightly lowered and his shoulders hunched forward as if to cut wind resistance, the county executive heads down West Street to lunch at the Corinthian Room at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. Just before he turns into the hotel's driveway, an elderly man sitting on bench yells out to him."How are you doing today?" Mr. Gary inquires, without breaking his stride.

County Executive-elect John G. Gary announced his first personnel moves yesterday, naming his campaign manager to handle press relations and an official with the state's juvenile services department as his legislative liaison.Lawrence R. Telford, 33, who orchestrated Mr. Gary's successful bid for county executive, will take over as public information officer, succeeding Louise L. Hayman, spokeswoman for County Executive Robert R. Neall.Diane Hutchins, 40, the government relations director for the state's Department of Juvenile Services, will take over from Myron V. Wotring, who is retiring.

County Executive John G. Gary got a chance to brag yesterday during his annual State of the County address, touting two years of programs large and small before an audience of old friends and political supporters.The hourlong speech to the Anne Arundel Trade Council, often described as Gary's kitchen cabinet, came the day before his second anniversary in office. And the timing was fortuitous for a pro-business politician addressing a roomful of business people concerned about government costs.

Even as fewer crimes are committed in Anne Arundel County, the fear of crime dominates its politics.Candidates for nearly every office tout plans to get tough on the county's criminal element. And, for at least one candidate, that means getting tough on Baltimore City and Prince George's County.Del. John G. Gary, running unopposed for Anne Arundel County executive in the Republican primary, has campaigned on a theme of "protecting our borders against an invasion of violent crime" since his announcement in December.

CONVENTIONAL wisdom is that Anne Arundel County Executive John G. Gary has opened the floodgates and allowed residential development to overrun the county.It's wrong.During Mr. Gary's term, home construction -- as measured by dwelling permits -- has been at its lowest levels in years.In 1997, the county issued 2,832 permits for residential construction. That was the fewest permits since 1991, a recession year when 2,554 were granted. The peak was 1993, during Robert R. Neall's administration, when 3,828 permits were issued.

The disciples of fiscal conservatism have said some not-so-nice things about Anne Arundel County Executive John G. Gary these past months. They've written him off as a pseudo-penny-pincher, they've scorned his ideas for new projects and new bureaucrats as an unwelcome departure from the predecessor he promised to emulate."

Anne Arundel voters will chose today between a Linthicum druggist and a Millersville draper to succeed Republican Robert R. Neall, a former grocer, as county executive.Dels. Theodore J. Sophocleus, a Democrat, and John G. Gary, a Republican, have each touted his own business and legislative experience as best qualifying him to manage the county's $711 million budget and its services, including public education, police and fire protection, libraries and trash disposal."The key message for me is, you need a strong manager used to dealing with big numbers," said Mr. Sophocleus, former president of a Corpus Christi, Texas, chain of pharmacies and former councilman.

On February 2, 2009, MRS. GARY. Visitation Wednesday 3 to 8 P.M. The family will receive friends on Thursday 10:30 A.M. at the Leadenhall Baptist Church, 1021 Leadenhall Street with funeral to follow at 11 A.M.