Naco

In a fund-raising campaign that tested the reach of election laws, Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray collected $14,300 to bankroll his bid to become second vice president of the National Association of Counties, a private lobbying group.To pay for that campaign, Gray sought $1,000 contributions from about 50 corporations inside and outside Howard County -- assuring each that the contribution would not be disclosed on election reports.Among the donors for his campaign for the National Association of Counties (NACo)

Commissioner named to national farm committeeCounty Commissioner Donald I. Dell, a retired farmer, has been named to the agriculture and rural affairs steering committee of the National Association of Counties (NACo).The committee focuses on matters pertaining to farm legislation affecting the economy of agricultural counties; trade legislation as it affects agriculture; rural development programs and agricultural land preservation.NACo is the only national organization representing county governments in the United States.

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.

Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray lost his bid for a leadership job with a powerful national lobbying group yesterday, leaving behind only ethical questions about a campaign that proved unsuccessful.By a margin of about 1 percent, Gray lost the election for second vice president -- and eventually president -- of the National Association of Counties (NACo), which finished a five-day convention in Houston with yesterday's vote.To pay for his campaign, Gray sought $1,000 donations from 50 companies -- including Comcast Cablevision, which the County Council regulates.

Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray lost his bid for a leadership job with a powerful national lobbying group yesterday, leaving behind only ethical questions about a campaign that proved unsuccessful.By a margin of about 1 percent, Gray lost the election for second vice president -- and eventually president -- of the National Association of Counties (NACo), which finished a five-day convention in Houston with yesterday's vote.To pay for his campaign, Gray sought $1,000 donations from 50 companies -- including Comcast Cablevision, which the County Council regulates.

IT DOESN'T BOTHER me that C. Vernon Gray is trying -- unsuccessfully, it seems -- to raise a lot of money for his bid to become president of the National Association of Counties, a non-profit organization that is familiar to few people outside government.Sure, the Howard County councilman has done a poor job of telling us who contributed to his campaign. That's brought him scrutiny over whether he may have treated at least one donor favorably when voting on legislation concerning that benefactor.

Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray, believing that Republicans stole his letters to leak to a reporter, has requested a police inquiry -- and a new office key to lock out would-be thieves in the future.Gray, an east Columbia Democrat, declined to comment Wednesday about his request for a police inquiry other than to say, "All I'm trying to find out is how my file turned up missing."His actions follow a furious outburst at a council meeting Monday morning, when Gray accused County Council Administrator Christopher Emery, a Republican appointee, of stealing Gray's letters and leaking them to The Sun."

The fight over Howard County Councilman C. Vernon Gray's expenses has erupted again, this time over hundreds of dollars of county staff time, envelopes and postage for his campaign for office in the National Association of Counties (NACO).The skirmishes have long been a council sideshow between dTC Gray -- a Democrat -- and council Chairman Darrel E. Drown, an Ellicott City Republican. Drown has criticized Gray repeatedly for violating limits on how much council members can spend.Both are considering runs for county executive.

The way Howard County Democratic Councilman C. Vernon Gray saw it, yesterday's council spat about travel expenses was about one thing: The council's Republicans are in charge, and they want him to know it."When I see something that is directed at me, I'm going to fight it," he told the three Republicans who make up a 3-2 council majority. "I want you to know that."The Republicans replied that they simply were looking after the county's budget, which includes examining every council member's expenses.

Three of them enjoyed hearing Johnny Mathis sing. Two of them liked the underground tunnel trip. And one of them isn't going back next year.Carroll Commissioner Elmer C. Lippy wasn't happy with a National Association of Counties conference that he and his colleagues attended in Chicago last week."