Variance

The other day, while listening to the radio to determine whether schools would be closed or merely delayed, I heard words of truth from the overworked station employee whose job it is to report on school closings."

These government-related public meetings have been scheduled: TOMORROW Board of Education Board business meeting, 7 p.m., Aberdeen High School, Center for Educational Opportunity, 253 Paradise Road, Aberdeen. 410-838-7300. TUESDAY County Council 8 p.m., legislative session, council chambers, 212 S. Bond St., Bel Air. 410-638-3343, or www.co.ha.md. us/council/Agenda.cfm. On TV: The meeting will be aired at 8 p.m. Wednesday on Comcast Channel 21 and Clearview Channel 7. It will be repeated at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Frustrated by slap-on-the-wrist enforcement of a state law limiting waterfront development, members of the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly four years ago to increase the maximum penalty for violations from $500 to $10,000. As one advocate said at the time, landowners and developers viewed the old fine as merely "a small cost of doing business." It appears the cost of doing such business remains pretty small. In 2008, here's how little things have changed: Violations of the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area law rarely, if ever, result in serious fines being levied against the offenders.

Anne Arundel County's lawsuit against a builder who constructed an island home in the Magothy River without permits will not be dropped, County Executive John R. Leopold said yesterday, despite a recent ruling by the Board of Appeals to allow the builder to keep his home. Leopold said the matter regarding Daryl C. Wagner "has been a black eye for the county. It's my intent to do everything in my power to ensure that this does not reoccur." Leopold's comments came a day after the seven-member appeals board granted retroactive variances, letting Wagner keep his glistening white home of more than 5,000 square feet on Little Island, near Pasadena.

Carol Fearns, president of The Theatre Shop, was voted to be included in the 1992 "Who's Who Among Rising Young Americans."The honor is given to individuals who, by virtue of their achievement, occupy leadership positions in their profession. Each candidate's applicationis reviewed and judged by a nominating committee for inclusion.Fearns graduated in 1978 from Western Maryland College and is working on her master's degree at Mount St. Mary's College.She resides in Westminster with her husband, Tom.SPECIALIST IS JUDGELocalhair-replacement specialist Earle Brewer, of The Esquire Salon in Westminster, was a judge of the hair-replacement styling competition atthe International Hair Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March1.

County residents expressed concerns at a public hearing last night about proposed changes to zoning regulations that would allow larger houses on small lots and shorten the public notification requirement on rezoning hearings.The proposals are included in a bill that would make the first major modifications to the county's zoning law since 1985.Several representatives of community organizations complained that they hadn't had adequate time to study the bill to take a position on it. In response, Council Chairman David G. Boschert said there will be another public hearing on the issue Dec. 20.James R. Martin Jr., president of the Severn River Association, expressed reservations about a proposal to allow smaller setbacks in front, back and on the sides so that a larger house can be built on lots smaller than is currently allowed.

Shot Tower subway pact to HymanNeither man would disclose the sale price of the property.Harford County:You can sample plenty of seafood and traditional dishes, listen to live entertainment and view a variety of arts and crafts tomorrow and Sunday at the 12th annual Harford County Seafood Festival.The event is scheduled from noon to 7 p.m. tomorrow and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Tydings Park in Havre de Grace.While enjoying Maryland steamed crabs, crab cakes, and blackened red fish or such non-seasonal items as pit beef, sausage, and pasta salad, you'll also help raise money for the Harford County Education Association's scholarship fund.

The Friendly Inn on Frederick Road in Howard County has been a rustic attraction since before zoning came to the increasingly suburban area, but the new owners of the bluegrass music bar have irked some newer "55 and better" residents of nearby age-restricted housing. Even its boosters agree that the Friendly doesn't fit the new upscale neighborhood image. "It was a pretty dilapidated, rough, tough place," said Jeff Marsh, an area resident who supports owner Jason Cooke's bid to draw more seasonal business with a small outdoor patio.

Nov. 1 County Council -- Legislative session, 8 p.m., County Council Chambers, 212 S. Bond St., Bel Air, 410-638-3343; harfordcountymd. gov/council/Agenda.cfm Nov. 2 Zoning Hearing Examiners -- Public hearing, Case 5458: Variances proposed for the south side of Gravel Hill Road, Parcels 439 and 457, Havre de Grace, by Maryland Reclamation Associates Inc. to permit the disturbance of the 30-foot buffer yard; variance to Sections 267-28D(4) and E to permit disturbance within the 200-foot buffer from adjoining property lines and to permit disturbance within the 75-foot Historic Landmark buffer; variance to Sections 267-40.

Bruce Googins understands that residents of Belvoir Farms want to be able to keep their boats on nearby Manderes Creek. It's just that he doesn't think they should be able to build a 23-slip community marina on environmentally sensitive land to do it.But Robert A. Shade, who lives in Belvoir Farms, is tired of driving 45 minutes to a marina on Kent Island to get to his 38-foot power boat. He would be "overjoyed" to have a marina only a few miles from home, he says.Both men will be closely monitoring a Board of Appeals hearing tonight on a request by the Belvoir Farms Homeowners Association Inc. for a variance to build the marina on 12.7 acres at the head of the creek.