Lighthizer

Maryland Transportation Secretary O. James Lighthizer appointed a former state legislator acting director of the troubled Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) system yesterday.William R. McCaffrey, a 58-year-old former delegate from Prince George's County, will serve in the interim post until a permanent director is appointed, Mr. Lighthizer said. Mr. McCaffrey succeeds Joseph Nessel, who has been assigned to undetermined duties at the Maryland Aviation Administration after more than a year heading the MARC system.

Another Lighthizer deal?From: John R. LeopoldPasadenaI was pleased to note that the Maryland Republican Party has asked for an ethics investigation into Transportation Secretary O. James Lighthizer's role in awarding a "no-bid" state contract to a consulting firm owned by the wife of a former aide, Francis J. "Zeke" Zylwitis.Considering his track record, no one should be surprised by Mr. Lighthizer's blatant cronyism. Mr. Zylwitis is the eighth former Anne Arundel County appointee Mr. Lighthizer has hired, and this May 12 "no-bid" contract is but another example on a long string of questionable Lighthizer actions.

At worst, Transportation Secretary O. James Lighthizer's department may have bent the law when it awarded a $35,000 contract to the wife of his friend without competitive bidding. At best, Mr. Lighthizer reinforced his image as a politician with a penchant for cronyism.The former Anne Arundel County executive has been good to his friends since his appointment as MDOT secretary two years ago, hiring seven former county government colleagues.Now, he faces an ethics investigation for granting a no-bid contract to a firm owned by the wife of Francis J. "Zeke" Zylwitis, his former Anne Arundel criminal justice and corrections aide.

Pity the giant stained-glass crab.Seven years ago, Anne Arundel County Executive O. James Lighthizer proclaimed the 400-pound crustacean a "centerpiece" of the county, a symbol of progress and economic development displayed on a pedestal in the heart of Baltimore-Washington International Airport.Today, the once-celebrated crab -- moved from the airport in October 1990 -- languishes in a storage crate in Annapolis as the county tries to find it a new home."We're working with state officials on getting it displayed somewhere," said Sam Minnitte, executive assistant to Mr. Lighthizer's successor, County Executive Robert R. Neall.

ANNAPOLIS -- The Maryland Republican Party has asked for an ethics investigation into Transportation Secretary O. James Lighthizer's role in awarding a "no-bid" state contract to a consulting firm owned by the wife of a former aide.A firm owned by the wife of Francis J. "Zeke" Zylwitis, who worked for Mr. Lighthizer when the secretary was Anne Arundel County executive, received a $35,200 contract from the state without going through competitive bidding procedures.The May 12 contract calls on Davidsonville-based MI Associates to review security at the Transportation Department.

When Adrian Teel was appointed director of the Maryland Port Administration last year, the only boat he knew anything about was his fishing boat.But the former accountant is being credited with righting the port of Baltimore after one year at the helm. "I'm a pretty confident person. I felt like I could do it," said the soft-spoken Mr. Teel.Despite his lack of maritime experience, his performance has won unanimous praise from labor leaders, management, classified employees, port customers and peers.

A highway near Annapolis will be renamed Dr. Aris T. Allen Boulevardin honor of the late civil rights trailblazer.Patuxent Boulevard, a link between U.S. 50 and Forest Drive in Annapolis, will be formally renamed within the next several months in honor of Allen, said state transportation secretary O. James Lighthizer, who approved the change on Friday.Allen, a physician, was the first black on the county's school board. He served 11 years in the General Assembly as a Republican delegate and senator, and was the first black chairman of the state Republican Party.

A review of Motor Vehicle Administration procedures found the agency's internal security lax and chastised the MVA for not spelling out security policies to employees, state Transportation Secretary O. James Lighthizer said yesterday."

A review of Motor Vehicle Administration procedures found the agency's internal security lax and chastised the MVA for not spelling out security policies to employees, state Transportation Secretary O. James Lighthizer said yesterday."

A review of Motor Vehicle Administration procedures found the agency's internal security lax and chastised the MVA for not spelling out security policies to employees, state Transportation Secretary O. James Lighthizer said yesterday."