Martin O'Malley Picks Glen Ivey

Ivey Watch: "Martin O'Malley Picks Glen Ivey:

My best wishes go out to Glenn Ivey as rumors swirl around that he will run as Martin O'Malley's pick for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. I have known Glenn for over 5 years. We met when I got a phone call from Glenn Ivey inviting my two boys (now the older two) to come down to play with Glenn's children. I knew him first as a neighborhood father and only later as a man in politics. He is a good and decent man. I notice that even with 5 young sons Glenn and Jolene Ivey get their children to Church. I notice that a baseball and soccer games I can expect to see one or both rooting their sons on. To do that with 5 children is something not to mention with the pressure that Glenn is under fighting crime in a county with too many murders and too few cops. I also notice that Glenn drives himself even though his predecessor had a full time police chauffeur. Glenn is about as straight and honest as they come. I am proud to have Glenn as a friend.
Barry O'Connell"

Governor Ehrlich Fails to Serve the People of Maryland

Statement by
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan

Regarding Governor’s Vetoes
Friday, May 20, 2005

I am extremely disappointed in Governor Ehrlich’s decision to veto three important pieces of legislation – measures that would have made our roads safer, lifted working families up and given unmarried couples the right to make medical decisions for their loved ones.

Once again the Governor has shown a fundamental disregard for people who are working hard, playing by the rules and trying to raise their children in safe communities. After opposing legislation to pay workers a living wage, the Governor now says they shouldn’t be paid more than the minimum wage.

Even the most hard-right Republican would have to agree that denying unmarried couples the right to care for each other during medical emergencies is cold-hearted. Yet, by vetoing the Medical Decision Making Act of 2005 that is exactly what Governor Ehrlich is doing – denying unmarried couples the right to make medical decisions for their loved ones.

Perhaps the Governor thinks that our roads are safe and that speeding is not a public safety threat, but the law enforcement professionals in my community don’t believe that – and neither do I. Far too many people are killed or injured each year in Maryland in accidents that involve speeding motorists. The speed camera bill the Governor vetoed today – which applied only in Montgomery County – would have given our police an additional tool in the fight against law breakers. The Governor said no to these cops and no to family members who have lost loved ones in speeding related accidents

# # #
Friends of Doug Duncan P.O. Box 1655 Silver Spring, MD 20915

ABC 7 News - Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up (Jack Johnson is dirty)

ABC 7 News - Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up: "If you investigate Jack Johnson you are taking your life in your hands. It is bad enough that Jack Johnson uses Prince George's County Police as Servants but he allows his staff to use them as servants as well. Jack Johnson is dirty and he can get away with it because he can use the police like he uses Toilet Paper and no one does anything about it.

When crime victims in Apartment Complexes complain about no police Jack Johnson tries to close the apartments. If Jack Johnson would quit playing the Massah and stop using the police as his slaves on the PG Plantation they could answer the police calls. Jack Johnson says crime is localized to a small area. This is because Jack Johnson is not willing to give poor and working families the same protection he gives his Mitchelville and FT. Washington friends. The police are sent to neighborhoods where Jack Johnson raises his campaign money!
Tyrell_LaFred
IP: Logged
Posted: 05/21 11:52a"

ABC 7 News - I-Team Reporter Injured In Jack Johnson Corruption Investigation

ABC 7 News - Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up:

"Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up
Friday May 13, 2005 5:40pm

eVideo: Injured I-Team Reporter Follow-Up

-WJLA Script-

Anchor:
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HAS NOW LAUNCHED A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE POLICE ACTIVITY THAT RESULTED IN INJURY TO ABC7 I-TEAM REPORTER ANDREA MCCARREN.

ABC7'S GORDON PETERSON JOINS US NOW WITH THE LATEST. GORDON??

Gordon Peterson on set:
TONIGHT, KATHLEEN, WE MAY BE WELL ON OUR WAY TO GETTING SOME ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WE RAISED LAST NIGHT ON THIS BROADCAST.

DID PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY POLICE OFFICERS ACT APPROPRIATELY?

AND WILL PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY RELEASE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT.

Story:
OUR I-TEAM REPORTER ANDREA MCCARREN WAS WORKING ON A STORY ABOUT A POLICE OFFICER APPARENTLY ASSIGNED TO A COUNTY EMPLOYEE AS A FULL-TIME DRIVER.

SHE FOLLOWED THE OFFICER AS HE PICKED UP THE OCUNTY OFFICIAL TO TAKE HER TO WORK.

WHEN THE OFFICER NOTICED HE WAS BEING PHOTOGRAPHED, HE CALELD FOR BACKUP.



MCCARREN AND HER CREW WERE SURROUNDED BY NINE POLICE CARS...AND UP TO A DOZEN OFFICERS WITH GUNS DRAWN.

MCCARREN'S SHOULDER WAS INJURED WHEN AN OFFICER PULLED HER ARMS BEHIND HER BACK.

NOW, COUNTY EXECUTIVE JACK JOHNSON SAYS HE WILL INVESTIGATE THE MATTER.

HE SAYS THE OFFICER WAS AFRAID.

Jack Johnson: "It's just a part of the life and times we live in."
Question: "Did the officers act appropriately given those circumstances?
Jack Johnson: "that's being investigated."

FOLLOWING YEARS OF EXCESSIVE FORCE COMPAINTS, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY TO OPERATE VIDEO CAMERAS IN ITS POLICE CARS.

BUT A COUNTY SPOKESMA SAYS THE CAMERAS WERE NOT WORKING IN ANY OF THE NINE POLICE CARS INVOLVED IN PULLING OVER THE ABC7 I-TEAM.

Question: Does it disturb you that the cameras weren't rolling given what you campaigned on and given the history of this county?

Jack Johnson: "well, you know, we're looking to find out why the cameras weren't rolling and we'll get to the bottom of that."

ABC7 HAS FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE COUNTY AND IS ASKING THE COUNTY TO RELEASE ANY VIDEOTAPES AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THIS CASE.

Gordon Peterson on set:
TODAY THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB, OF WHICH ANDREA MCCARREN IS A MEMBER, CALLED ON THE PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO IMMEDIATELY RELEASE CRUISER VIDEO, 911 TAPES, INCIDENT REPORTS AND E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS REQUESTED BY WJLA-TV.

IN ADDITION THE PRESS CLUB IS ASKING THE DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN WHAT LAWS MCCARREN AND HER PHOTOGRAPHER MAY HAVE BROKEN THAT WOULD HAVE PROMPTED WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN EXTREME SHOW OF FORCE ON THE PART OF COUNTY POLICE. "

Rape is the Woman's Fault - Just ask Jack Johnson.

Rape is the Woman's Fault - Just ask Jack Johnson.

Jack Johnson says Rape is a relationship issue. Of all people Johnsom should know, Jack Johnson has been raping PG County for years!

This is typical for Jack Johnson his first reaction is to BLAME THE VICTIMS! JBOC

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2005
Contact Sam Epps, 240-603-3029

Baker: Johnson Rape Comment "irresponsible, insensitive and crude"

"Jack Johnson's comment is deeply irresponsible, insensitive and crude. He has a lot of nerve dismissing women getting raped as 'all relationship issues,' said Rushern Baker today.

Baker's criticism responds to Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson's comment on WTOP radio Thursday, May 20, to the 25% increase in rape in the county. Johnson said: "These are all relationship issues, where whatever breakdown occurs and people accusing each other of rape."
The interview is available online:
http://audio.wtopnews.com/ask_the/0518_johnson.ram.

The comment triggered harsh responses from the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

In response to questions about increasing crime in the county, Johnson said "we can't panic. We can't change strategy." Baker responded "It is easy for Johnson not to panic when he and members of his staff have their own security detail."

Johnson also dismissed the crime problem as an "aberration" and shifted the blame again, saying, "This is a societal problem, not a Jack Johnson problem."

Baker shot back: "A two-and-a half year increase is no aberration. This is clearly a Jack Johnson problem. Under Johnson, our county now leads the state in rape, robbery, larceny theft, arson, carjacking and car theft," said Baker. "Johnson is out of touch and his leadership is weak. In the face of his crime crisis he is shifty, and blames the nearest target, whoever it may be."

The pattern Baker referred to is also illustrated in March when Johnson, citing calls for police service from apartment residents, called apartment communities "breeding grounds for criminal activity" and threatened: "we will close you down." He offered no plan for housing apartment resident who would be displaced. The plan resulted in protests from residents and Johnson backed down.

To stem the crime crisis, Baker has called for immediate measures to put more police on the streets and for the resignation of Police Chief Melvin High.

Rushern Baker is a former Delegate and Chairman of the Prince George's County House Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly.

Friends of Rushern Baker, 802 Palatine Place, Bowie 20716
www.rushernbaker.com.
By authority of Brad Seamon, Treasurer

Children Are Dying -- We Must Listen To Glenn Ivey

Ivey Watch: Children Are Dying -- We Must Listen To Glenn Ivey: "We also should listen to Prince George's County State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey ['How to Take Back Our Streets,' op-ed, April 8]. Because the violence is disproportionately affecting African Americans, Mr. Ivey has called upon his fellow black public officials, black churches and other segments of the African American community to bring greater resources and coordination to bear upon this issue. He also is encouraging people to become mentors and to offer educational and economic opportunities."

Jack Johnson Leads The State in "category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks"

Rushern Baker Watch: Jack Johnson Leads The State in "category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks": "Jack Johnson Leads The State in "category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks"
Smoke and Mirrors: “New” Crime Plan Exactly Same as Old
10 Crime “Talk Forces” in 12 Months


“They accomplish so little, they should be renamed ‘talk forces,’” charged Rushern Baker in response to Chief Melvin High’s Wednesday announcement creating a new task force to address the murder crisis. The county currently has 65 murders this year, a 50% increase from last year and more than the District of Columbia.

Though he was spare on details, High told the Washington Post it would involve interdepartmental collaboration during the summer months.

“They can’t handle the murder crisis so they present this sham plan. It is the same exact ‘Task Force’ Jack Johnson and Chief High introduced a year ago,” explained Baker. (See June 14, 2004 Press Release from the County Police: “Operation Safe Corridors…a cooperative partnership between all law enforcement agencies in the County…. designed to reduce crime during the summer…. Chief High will also announce other initiatives designed to continue the overall downward trend of crime in the County.”)

Baker is critical of the large number of “task forces” and “initiatives” that have been “unveiled” by the county (see summary below). Ten have been created in the last twelve months. “Many of them, if they exist at all, duplicate other efforts” he explained. In addition to this new murder task force, there is a Violent Crimes Task Force, the police’s regular Homicide Unit and at least three other closely related efforts.

“Under Jack Johnson and Chief High, Prince George’s County now leads the state in rape, robbery, arson, larceny theft, carjacking and car theft. If that weren’t enough, we now lead in the category of useless crime-fighting gimmicks” said Baker.

Baker’s harshest criticism was in response to Chief High’s comments Wednesday justifying his crime-fighting plan to date, saying “I’m comfortable with it. I think it is effective. We’re in a deep hole, but we have to keep working at it. I think we’re on the right track.” Baker slammed this comment as “ridiculous and shows that this man is completely out of touch. This is clear evidence that Chief High should resign immediately.”

“We deserve better than smoke and mirrors. We need less gimmicks and more police on our streets,” said Baker, sounding a familiar refrain for more manpower for the woefully understaffed police department."

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred: "Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred
May 19, 2005

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor
State of Maryland
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Ehrlich:
I am writing to urge that you take immediate action to remove William G. Duvall, Jr., as chairman of the 13-member panel that nominates trial judges in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Your appointee displayed an inexcusable lapse in sensitivity when he used a racial slur directed at our Hispanic population on his Web blog.

I am extremely concerned � as all of our residents should be � that there appears to be a pattern of hostility and insensitivity on the part of your administration toward ethnic minorities. The degrading term used by Mr. Duvall comes on the heels of remarks made by you during a radio interview last year when you referred to multiculturalism as nothing more than �crap� or �bunk.�

Montgomery County is home to nearly half of all the foreign-born residents of the State of Maryland. We embrace and celebrate this diversity. It is our multiculturalism that makes us a stronger, more vibrant community. People from different backgrounds, different religions, and different parts of the world in pursuit of the American Dream are what make our State strong. That�s why it is especially troubling to hear anyone degrade our diversity and multiculturalism.

Again, I urge you to remove Mr. Duvall from his appointed position. Not to do so sends a clear message that your administration condones and tolerates his comments.

Sincerely,

Douglas M. Duncan
County Executive"

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred: "Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred
May 19, 2005

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor
State of Maryland
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Ehrlich:
I am writing to urge that you take immediate action to remove William G. Duvall, Jr., as chairman of the 13-member panel that nominates trial judges in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Your appointee displayed an inexcusable lapse in sensitivity when he used a racial slur directed at our Hispanic population on his Web blog.

I am extremely concerned � as all of our residents should be � that there appears to be a pattern of hostility and insensitivity on the part of your administration toward ethnic minorities. The degrading term used by Mr. Duvall comes on the heels of remarks made by you during a radio interview last year when you referred to multiculturalism as nothing more than �crap� or �bunk.�

Montgomery County is home to nearly half of all the foreign-born residents of the State of Maryland. We embrace and celebrate this diversity. It is our multiculturalism that makes us a stronger, more vibrant community. People from different backgrounds, different religions, and different parts of the world in pursuit of the American Dream are what make our State strong. That�s why it is especially troubling to hear anyone degrade our diversity and multiculturalism.

Again, I urge you to remove Mr. Duvall from his appointed position. Not to do so sends a clear message that your administration condones and tolerates his comments.

Sincerely,

Douglas M. Duncan
County Executive"

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred: "Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred
May 19, 2005

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor
State of Maryland
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Ehrlich:
I am writing to urge that you take immediate action to remove William G. Duvall, Jr., as chairman of the 13-member panel that nominates trial judges in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Your appointee displayed an inexcusable lapse in sensitivity when he used a racial slur directed at our Hispanic population on his Web blog.

I am extremely concerned � as all of our residents should be � that there appears to be a pattern of hostility and insensitivity on the part of your administration toward ethnic minorities. The degrading term used by Mr. Duvall comes on the heels of remarks made by you during a radio interview last year when you referred to multiculturalism as nothing more than �crap� or �bunk.�

Montgomery County is home to nearly half of all the foreign-born residents of the State of Maryland. We embrace and celebrate this diversity. It is our multiculturalism that makes us a stronger, more vibrant community. People from different backgrounds, different religions, and different parts of the world in pursuit of the American Dream are what make our State strong. That�s why it is especially troubling to hear anyone degrade our diversity and multiculturalism.

Again, I urge you to remove Mr. Duvall from his appointed position. Not to do so sends a clear message that your administration condones and tolerates his comments.

Sincerely,

Douglas M. Duncan
County Executive"

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

Maryland Politics: Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred: "Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred
May 19, 2005

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor
State of Maryland
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Ehrlich:
I am writing to urge that you take immediate action to remove William G. Duvall, Jr., as chairman of the 13-member panel that nominates trial judges in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Your appointee displayed an inexcusable lapse in sensitivity when he used a racial slur directed at our Hispanic population on his Web blog.

I am extremely concerned � as all of our residents should be � that there appears to be a pattern of hostility and insensitivity on the part of your administration toward ethnic minorities. The degrading term used by Mr. Duvall comes on the heels of remarks made by you during a radio interview last year when you referred to multiculturalism as nothing more than �crap� or �bunk.�

Montgomery County is home to nearly half of all the foreign-born residents of the State of Maryland. We embrace and celebrate this diversity. It is our multiculturalism that makes us a stronger, more vibrant community. People from different backgrounds, different religions, and different parts of the world in pursuit of the American Dream are what make our State strong. That�s why it is especially troubling to hear anyone degrade our diversity and multiculturalism.

Again, I urge you to remove Mr. Duvall from his appointed position. Not to do so sends a clear message that your administration condones and tolerates his comments.

Sincerely,

Douglas M. Duncan
County Executive"

Duncan Stands Up to Ehrlich's Climate of Racial Hatred

May 19, 2005

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.
Governor
State of Maryland
State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Ehrlich:
I am writing to urge that you take immediate action to remove William G. Duvall, Jr., as chairman of the 13-member panel that nominates trial judges in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties. Your appointee displayed an inexcusable lapse in sensitivity when he used a racial slur directed at our Hispanic population on his Web blog.

I am extremely concerned – as all of our residents should be – that there appears to be a pattern of hostility and insensitivity on the part of your administration toward ethnic minorities. The degrading term used by Mr. Duvall comes on the heels of remarks made by you during a radio interview last year when you referred to multiculturalism as nothing more than “crap” or “bunk.”

Montgomery County is home to nearly half of all the foreign-born residents of the State of Maryland. We embrace and celebrate this diversity. It is our multiculturalism that makes us a stronger, more vibrant community. People from different backgrounds, different religions, and different parts of the world in pursuit of the American Dream are what make our State strong. That’s why it is especially troubling to hear anyone degrade our diversity and multiculturalism.

Again, I urge you to remove Mr. Duvall from his appointed position. Not to do so sends a clear message that your administration condones and tolerates his comments.

Sincerely,

Douglas M. Duncan
County Executive

Governor Ehrlich mired in his do-nothing approach on Health Care

Statement of County Executive Douglas M. Duncan

Concerning the Veto of the Fair Share Health Care Bill

May 18, 2005

By vetoing the Fair Share Health Care Bill, Governor Ehrlich will once again turn his back on the health care needs of the people of Maryland.

The Fair Share Health Care bill is an important step in reforming the health care situation in Maryland. No one in Maryland should be without high quality health care for themselves or their children - particularly those who work - because they can't afford to pay for it. When large corporations fail to pay their fair share, we all end up making up the difference in higher health care costs.

The Fair Share Health Care bill is a trailblazing piece of legislation that is now being taken up by other states. Our General Assembly should be applauded for being at the forefront of health care reform. Yet Governor Ehrlich continues to be mired in his do-nothing approach. First he claims this bill would cost Maryland jobs, now his administration admits that isn't the case.

So on the critical issue of healthcare, this Governor has once again failed to move Maryland forward.

I urge the General Assembly to override this veto next January and will work side by side with all who care about genuine health care reform to make sure the Fair Share Health Care Bill becomes law.

New Black Political Group in PG County

Ivey's Political Plans? Stay Tuned: "New Black Political Group

The ballroom at the Colony South in Clinton was filled with supporters of a new group designed to increase participation, particularly of African Americans, in the political process.
Adrion Howell , one of the organizers, said the formation of the African American Democratic Club was long overdue.

Howell said there are issues specific to African Americans that need to be addressed.

So does that mean neither political party is addressing them?

"To say that they try to address it does not mean they are adequately addressing" issues such as education, Howell said. "We're not satisfied with the current structure and current mechanisms in place. That's the need for such an organization."

Many members of the crowd were employees of the Johnson administration, including Chris Osuji and Iris B. Boswell , which raised questions about whether Johnson was behind the group.

"We're aligned with no one but the community," Howell said.

One of the group's plans is to provide resources to candidates seeking elected positions.

Several founding members of the group will likely find that useful.

Howell, who lost a bid against council member Marilynn Bland (D-Clinton), is considering challenging Bland in 2006. Mark K. Spencer , a former deputy state's attorney who was beaten by Ivey in 2002, is also considering another run.

The highlight of the evening came when Mfume, scheduled to give the keynote address, entered the room. His appearance came the same day that The Washington Post reported accusations of favoritism and sexual harassment against the former head of the NAACP. Many were waiting to hear him respond to the charges.

"How does one defend against a rumor, a whisper or innuendo?" he said, to thundering applause. "You do that by standing up, standing tall, standing for what you believe in and, most of all, not quitting." Donna Edwards , a community activist from Fort Washington, said she was proud that Mfume "took it head on and held his head high and said, 'I'm staying in this race.'

"I think that speaks of his character," Edward said.

Edwards later made her way across the ballroom to greet Mfume, shaking his hand and letting him know that she was ready to help get him elected to the U.S. Senate."

Homeland Security's Keith Washington was Jack Johnson's Servent

Are Bland, Johnson getting closer, politically?: "County Councilwoman Marilynn M. Bland (D-Dist. 9) of Clinton is staying especially close to County Executive Jack B. Johnson these days, showing support at his side for events in her district and some that are not. Among them were Johnson's April 21 news conference and tour of a Forestville building for his apartment cleanup initiative, and the kick-off celebration for the African-American Democratic Club a week later in Clinton.

"Bland is kissing up to Johnson because he was going to run Keith Washington against her," said one political insider, referring to the next election for the District 9 seat.

Supporting Washington, the source said, would be payback for Bland voting against some of Johnson's initiatives.

"Councilwoman Bland and the county executive have worked together on several projects," said James Keary, a spokesman for the county executive. "She's been supportive of Jack B. Johnson for a long time and I have not seen any difference."

He added that he has not heard about Washington running.

Washington, a police detective who supported Johnson in the last election, is the deputy director of homeland security for the county and a former driver for Johnson."

Gov and Mrs Ehrlich Want To Punish The Balt Sun and The Wash Post

Gov and Mrs Ehrlich Want To Punish The Balt Sun and The Wash Post "That story was preceded by a speech last weekend by Kendel S. Ehrlich in Ocean City in which she demonstrated a shared contempt for the larger newspapers that cover her husband.

"They lie," she said, according to news accounts of a stump-style speech to the Republican central committees of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. "I would punish my son if I caught him in a lie, and they need to be punished."

The governor clarified later in the week that his wife was referring to the Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post. There was no word on the appropriate punishment.

He has had a long-running feud with the Sun that resulted in a ban on two of the paper's journalists last year. The Sun responded with an unsuccessful lawsuit, which is on appeal.

"We refer to them as 'the plaintiff,' " Ehrlich said in his remarks Thursday to the business group.

The governor's disdain for The Post has been more selective, but it intensified after the newspaper reported that a longtime Ehrlich aide, Joseph Steffen , acknowledged spreading rumors about the personal life of Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D)."