Naco

Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray's year as the president of the National Association of Counties (NaCO) was never expected to funnel tons of cash to the county, but two local high school seniors will get some green.Each NaCO president gets to give out two "Presidential Scholarships" -- one worth $10,000 and the other worth $4,000, both spread out over four years."I'm very pleased that Howard County people will be able to benefit," Gray said.Although he can award the money to any student, Gray said he will choose from among Howard residents.

THIS WAS the right year for Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray to win a major post in the National Association of Counties. A year ago, the Democratic council member lost his bid to become second vice president of the organization after bickering with council colleagues and fumbling a fund-raising issue.This time, his ducks were in line. He gained the endorsement of his fellow County Council members, who put aside party tussling to do the right thing. He again picked up support from Republican County Executive Charles I. Ecker.

Seeking a louder voice on issues ranging from welfare reform to child-proofing pistols, 5,000 county officials gathered yesterday at the Baltimore Convention Center, where the annual conference of the National Association of Counties (NACo) swung into gear."You pull together as a team to lobby," said Baltimore County Executive C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger, explaining the organization's strategy before yesterday's official opening of the conference. "Most local government issues are the same.

The Howard County Council plans to formally endorse Councilman C. Vernon Gray in his second bid for vice president of the National Association of Counties -- giving Gray support he never had when he lost a tight election for the same job last year.County Council Chairman Dennis R. Schrader and County Executive Charles I. Ecker, both Republicans, last night proposed a resolution endorsing Gray, a Democrat, for the job with the National Association of Counties (NACo), a lobbying group."I think it could benefit the county if Vernon were elected," Schrader said.

Howard County's two top elected officials plan to visit several provinces in China near the capital Beijing on their two-week trip to the Far East, sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo).C. Vernon Gray, an east Columbia Democrat, County Council chairman and NACo president, invited County Executive James N. Robey, also a Democrat, to accompany other local government officials from across the country on the trip, which is intended to explore business, educational and cultural opportunities.

Regardless of income, Baltimore residents can expect to start saving an average of 22 percent on their prescription drug costs, thanks to the city's newly adopted prescription drug discount card program sponsored by the National Association of Counties. Residents can pick up the card at local pharmacies, health clinics and libraries, and begin using it right away to reduce drug costs without filling out an application. An entire family can use a single card. "The discount card offers significant savings for the uninsured and underinsured residents of our city," said the city's interim health commissioner, Olivia Farrow.

HOWARD COUNTY gained nothing when C. Vernon Gray lost his bid last week to become second vice president of the National Association of Counties. As much as some of Mr. Gray's opponents might try to minimize the importance of the position, a win for the Columbia councilman would have brought some attention to the county and to Maryland. A victory would have put him in line to become NACO president in 1999.But Mr. Gray, unlike others who run for top positions of national organizations, got little support from the home team.

Carroll County Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge now holds a national office.She was appointed to the board of directors for the National Association of Counties last Tuesday, at the lobbying group's annual conference in St. Louis. Commissioners Robin Bartlett Frazier and Donald I. Dell also attended the five-day event. They returned to Carroll County Wednesday."It was a surprise and an honor," said Gouge, who was the only elected official from Maryland to be appointed to the board by NACo president C. Vernon Gray.

Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray won the vice presidency of the National Association of Counties (NACo) yesterday, ending a two-year political odyssey that puts him in line to become leader of the powerful lobbying group in 1999.The east Columbia Democrat had crisscrossed the country campaigning for the office, taking only a short break after narrowly losing a shot at the job at last summer's NACo convention in Houston.Yesterday, Gray triumphed on a vote of 2,691 to 1,862 over Gerry Hyland, a Fairfax, Va., county supervisor who ran a high-powered campaign complete with a rhythm-and-blues band on the convention floor.