Staff Members

When the votes from the 6th Congressional District were counted last week, John Delaney didn't just become Maryland's newest House member. He also became the state's newest employer. And as Delaney and his fellow members of the congressional Class of 2012 now head to Capitol Hill for freshman orientation, they'll also be reviewing resumes, interviewing job candidates and hiring the staff members whose work can be the difference between their success or failure in Washington. Every two years, Election Day marks the end of the campaign season and the start of a hiring frenzy, as dozens of new members choose from among thousands of candidates to fill highly coveted staff positions.

In response to those who complain that President George W. Bushought to be tried for war crimes, I guess that means it is OK to bomb civilians using drones - or are you also ready to put President Barack Obama on trial? As for Sen. Barbara Mikulski who has been in the U.S. Senate for what seems like forever, why did she wait until now to try and pass a bill requiring equal pay for women knowing she did not have the votes? ("Equal pay, equal work," June 7). Why didn't she bring it up when Democrats held a majority in Congress a few years back, and why are federal employees excluded from the law?

Ravens coach John Harbaugh will be honored tomorrow for his support of the U.S. Army. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno , the Chief of Staff of the Army, will present Harbaugh with one of five Outstanding Civilian Service Awards during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.  The program honors those who have passionately supported the U.S. Army. The citation that will be presented to Harbaugh by Gen. Odierno, the Chief of Staff of the Army, will read:  “For outstanding service to the United States Army, Soldiers, families, veterans and military communities.

Prosecutors dropped charges Monday against Ryan Marcus Coleman, a former City College administrator accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old student, saying they lacked sufficient evidence to take the case to trial. Coleman, 36, was charged in July 2010 with sex abuse of a minor, fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault. Assistant state's attorneys Michael Leedy and Katherine Smeltzer dropped all of those charges in Baltimore Circuit Court just before jury selection and a trial were slated to begin.

The Edgewood High School Hall of Fame's five 2012 inductees were announced earlier this week. Those joining the Hall of Fame include retired Army Maj. Gen. George H. Harmeyer (Class of 1961); retired FBI special agent Geoffrey A. Glover (Class of 1962); current Mountain Christian School Principal Nadine Haas Wellington (Class of 1972); former Navy nurse and current cancer patient advocate/Jazzercise franchisee Mary Porterfield Johnson (Class of 1975); and bank vice president and former EHS baseball star M. Scott Elliott (Class of 1983)

A pair of expert consultants and leading officials from Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center told a state legislative panel Thursday what steps they think are necessary to make the facility safe after three patients were killed in 14 months and three other patients were charged in their deaths. Their recommendations for improving safety at the state's maximum security psychiatric facility included hiring 28 more workers, improving communications among labor and management, and increasing training and security-related technology.

For months, Ravens fans have been trading in their Friday business attire, work uniforms and school clothes for purple-hued garments - flaunting their support for the team. But this Purple Friday could be the most extreme yet. As the AFC North champions prepare to face the Houston Texans in a home playoff game this weekend, some schoolchildren will get to shed uniforms to don team colors. National Aquarium staff members are wearing Ravens jerseys or purple shirts in place of the usual blue polos, and in Annapolis, Gov. Martin O'Malley has ordered purple illumination for some state buildings and declared an official "Purple Friday" for state workers.

Montebello Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City is closed for students today because there is no power in the community, city school officials said. Staff members should report to Waverly Elementary/Middle, officials said.

I just read the article announcing that the city of Laurel is receiving $150,000 to renovate a local park ("City gets state playground funds for Cypress Street field," Leader, Oct. 20), and though I am grateful that the state has chosen to invest in outdoor recreation, who's going to invest in LBGC? It amazes me that here we have a huge historic building, a staple in the community, and some areas of the building are in urgent need of repair. It is a structurally amazing building and the possibilities are endless.

The Open Arms Child Development Center at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 13611 Laurel Bowie Road, is excited to welcome a new director and assistant director. The new director, Rachel Clark , comes to the center from Atwood, Ala., where she was the lead teacher in a Head Start program. She has also served as an educator and administrator at Cross of Calvary Lutheran School in Memphis, Tenn. Clark holds a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and additional child development credentials.