NEWS
December 11, 2012
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot posted this letter to supporters Tuesday on his website. Dear Supporter, As we approach the heart of the holiday season and the end of 2012, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued friendship. Indeed, I have so much to be thankful for this year - from my good health and wonderful family, to the support of so many good friends and the opportunity to serve the people of Maryland in what is undoubtedly the best job I have ever had. In that spirit of sincere gratitude, I would also like to let you know that I have decided to seek re-election as Comptroller of Maryland in 2014.
NEWS
By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun | December 11, 2012
Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, considered one of the leading prospective Democratic candidates for governor in 2014, said Tuesday that he will instead seek a third term in his current post. In an interview, Franchot, 65, said he made his decision after considering internal polls that showed him a much stronger candidate for re-election than for governor. He said he's happy with what he's doing now — running Maryland's tax system and serving as the state's fiscal watchdog.
NEWS
By Chris Kaltenbach, The Baltimore Sun | November 25, 2012
Mildred Otenasek, a pioneering force for women in Maryland Democratic politics and a much-loved professor and mentor at her alma mater, Notre Dame of Maryland University, died Nov. 19 at her home in Roland Park. She was 98. A diminutive, soft-spoken woman with a fierce intellect and a determination to both succeed and blaze a path for the women who would follow her, Mrs. Otenasek became a driving force in politics, including a stint as the first female member of the Democratic National Committee for Maryland.
NEWS
By Frederick N. Rasmussen, The Baltimore Sun | August 24, 2012
Doris J. Spriggs, a former Social Security Administration specialist who later became an aide to six Baltimore mayors, died Tuesday of heart failure at Mercy Medical Center. The longtime Edmondson Village resident was 79. "Doris was really one of the characters at City Hall and was such a part of all of our work. She loved the city and loved what we were doing," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "As a volunteer, she put in more hours than the people who work there full time.
ENTERTAINMENT
By Tim Smith, The Baltimore Sun | July 13, 2012
William Donald Schaefer sang Baltimore's praises loudly, so it's only fitting that a new musical should be singing his. The title of "Do It Now!" — music by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra member Jonathan Jensen, book by Baltimore-born playwright Rich Espey — comes from Schaefer's signature phrase during his 1971-1987 tenure as mayor of the city. The musical, which gets a public reading Sunday at Theatre Project , remains a work in progress, but the focus on Schaefer's Baltimore career is firmly settled.
NEWS
By Arthur Hirsch, The Baltimore Sun | April 23, 2012
A Las Vegas man who claims the estate of William Donald Schaefer owes him $28,000 for restaurant checks he picked up and time he spent visiting with the former governor and comptroller for five years lost another round in court on Monday. Michael Schaefer, who is no relation to the former Baltimore mayor, was appealing last year's decision by the Baltimore County Orphan's Court to reject the claim. Circuit Court Judge Dana M. Levitz on Monday ruled that there was no evidence that the former governor, who died last April, agreed to pay for Michael Schaefer's time or compensate him for restaurant meals, and no verification of the $28,000 sum. Schaefer -- who once owned a small downtown Baltimore hotel and now lives in Las Vegas -- said after the 30-minute trial in which he acted as both attorney and sole witness that he would pursue the case to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.