Priorities

Given the irrelevancy of the Harford County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly, it probably doesn't much matter what's presented to the county's representatives to Annapolis. With that said, the way the Harford County Board of Education's legislative agenda was put together recently is a real head scratcher. Kathy Carmello, who is facilitator of governmental relations for Harford County Public Schools, presented the school board's 2013 legislative agenda to the school board at its Nov. 19 meeting.

NASHVILLE -- On the eve of this year's Winter Meetings, Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette re-emphasized that the team's top priority is acquiring a middle-of-the-order power bat. Speaking to reporters Sunday night at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Duquette said the Orioles are more likely to address that need via trade, but they will continue to monitor the free agent market. "I believe we will be able to do some good here," Duquette said.

On the eve of this year's Winter Meetings, Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette re-emphasized that the team's top priority this week is acquiring a middle-of-the-order power bat. Speaking to reporters Sunday night at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Duquette said the Orioles are more likely to address that need via trade, but they will continue to monitor the free agent market. Duquette fell short of saying he believed he could work a trade here in Nashville, but he sounded optimistic.

Happy post-Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have plenty to be thankful for and that you arrived at your turkey day destinations safely and sans hangover. A family friend of mine once gave me advice on juggling holiday time with my family and my future in-laws. She said, "Rachel, when you get married, you'll have three families: you, your husband and any children you may have; your family; and your husband's family. The family you create should always come first. The other two will understand.

Now that the governor's proposal to expand gambling in Maryland has passed at the ballot box, some state senators and delegates who backed the controversial measure are looking to collect. Call it casino capital. Those who stuck out their necks for Gov. Martin O'Malley and the General Assembly's presiding officers would like to bring home something to show for it. Baltimore wants to increase the school system's credit limit so it can renovate buildings, and the city's delegation in Annapolis is hoping to deliver.

Wanted: Flexible schedules and telecommuting options for congressional staffers who frequently work more than 40 hours per week and seek a better balance between their work and personal lives. After interviewing more than 1,400 U.S. House and Senate employees for "Life in Congress: Aligning Work and Life in the U.S. House and Senate," researchers concluded that congressional staff members are less likely than private-sector workers to be satisfied with the flexibility in their jobs.

The most important thing for the Ravens as they prepare for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday is to get Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata healthy. Without Ngata, the second half of the Ravens' 2012 season could go south in a hurry. The Ravens are already without cornerback Lardarius Webb and inside linebacker Ray Lewis. Both are expected to miss the season with injuries, and they were two of the team's top tacklers. Ngata might be the best tackle in the NFL, but played the past three games with an MCL sprain and shoulder injury.

In his recent commentary, Robert Embry uses Baltimore City public health initiatives to make the point that there are some things only government could accomplish ("Government does good; here's proof," Oct. 24). I disagree. Except for the lead paint poisoning example, these do not serve the greater majority of us as taxpayers in this state. Baltimore's historically high infection rates for AIDS, syphilis, and the parental decision to not have their children vaccinated for mumps and measles all point to immoral or risky behaviors and parental choice not to follow the common sense health guidelines that the majority of us follow.

The doors are open at the bar again. Heck, we can't let a World Series go by without getting it on the big screens and try to make some money off the cheap beer. We're going to make this simple. Because I want a sense of where you stand heading into the baseball offseason (which will begin in earnest after the World Series ends). What should be the Orioles' main priority this winter? Be as specific as you like, with names of players they must acquire.  Be as general as you like, with a category or position in which they must upgrade.

After surrendering 140 yards on 30 carries to Jamaal Charles in last Sunday's 9-6 win against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Ravens are expecting the Dallas Cowboys to follow a similar blueprint with tailback DeMarco Murray. “Murray is, I think, a heck of a back,” strong safety Bernard Pollard said. “Being able to get a chance to see him last year, from the little I've seen of him on film, I think the guy can be a standout back in this league. I think he understands that, his team knows it. They have a two-headed monster with him and [backup Felix]