Tipsy Taxi Service Offered For Holiday

Tipsy Taxi Offered For Holiday - WBAL Radio

This weekend, anyone in a restaurant or bar in Baltimore City can call 1-877-963-TAXI (8294) to get a free taxi ride home.

The taxi service will run from 8 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Saturday, and then again from 4 p.m. Saturday until 4 a.m. Sunday.

The ride is free as long as the fare is $50 or less. Party goers are responsible for paying any portion of the fare over $50.

Anyone Using the service also must be at least 21 years of age.

Be safe and remember, there's no reason to drink and drive!

Best Ways To Avoid Maryland's EZ Pass Fee

A while back, I chronicled how to avoid Maryland's ridiculous $1.50 EZ Pass fee. With the charge now a reality, I want to remind people that there are options other than sucking it up or canceling your account altogether. Unfortunately, anyone on a reduced fare commuter plan through the Maryland Department of Transportation will likely have to absorb the cost. In the long run, reduced toll fares justify paying the fee. Now, for the majority of us that merely use EZ Pass for convenience, other options exist.

Media outlets have been touting Delaware and Virgina EZ Pass since they don't levy account maintenance fees. Still, these jurisdictions charge some time of deposit to obtain a transponder. Therefore, the deal isn't as good as advertised. Personally, I found two better options. Both of which allow motorists to utilize EZ pass lanes up and down the East Coast.

Bar none, the best deal lies can be found through the Peace Bridge in New York. There's no charge for a transponder. Likewise, there's no maintenance fees. To get this deal, customers only need to maintain automatic replenishment through a credit card.

Closer to home, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has a $3.00 annual fee, but they'll waive the transponder fee for those customers willing to automatically replenish their account through a credit card.

I have an account with Pennsylvania mainly because I wasn't clued into the Peace Bridge option until later. Either way, both provide better alternatives than paying Martin O'Malley $1.50 a month for nothing.

Janet Owens Mulls Another Run For Executive

Well, it seems the Democrats finally have someone interested in challenging John Leopold or the yet undetermined Republican nominee. In this case, it's a notable face intimately familiar with the office of Anne Arundel County Executive. According to my sources, Janet Owens has made it known that she'll seriously consider mounting a campaign to reclaim the seat she stepped away from back in 2006.

When I initially heard this rumor, I felt it couldn't be possible since Mrs. Owens already served two terms. Then, I came across Article IV, Section 401 of Anne Arundel County Code. It reads as follows: "No person elected or appointed to the office of County Executive shall be eligible to succeed himself or herself if he or she has served in such office for two consecutive four-year terms". Therefore, since Mrs. Owens does not currently occupy the seat, she may pursue it once again.

I can just hear my Republicans friends laughing at the notion of Janet Owens trying to comeback. Likewise, I also have concerns based on some of Mrs. Owens' policy decisions of the past. Still, it would be a mistake to underestimate her chances. No one, including myself, gave her much of a prayer to unseat John Gary back in 1998. Yet somehow, this former judge of the Orphans Court shocked the local political world with her victory.

At this juncture, I would guess the Democratic nomination would be nearly a lock for Mrs. Owens. From there, I would expect a highly competitive general election fight. Too bad it's only June of 2009.

Prosecutors and Judges Responsible for Arundel Mills Safety

Within the past week, the Arundel Mills area once again became the epicenter for armed robbers. Sadly, it's an all too familiar scene in Western Anne Arundel County. In response to rash a recent robberies, County Executive John Leopold has initiated a "Police Division of Community Relations" at Arundel Mills. In reality, such a display provides little more than a dog and pony show. Simply put, there aren't enough resources in Anne Arundel County to provide a police officer to properly supervise every square inch of Arundel Mills Mall.

Besides, police can arrest violent criminals all day long. If the State's Attorney and Judiciary don't take these matters seriously, all efforts to apprehend suspects become fruitless. Just this week, Rashad Edward Quarles, of Prince Georges County, allegedly used a firearm to rob a man of his wallet. Luckily, Quarles remained in the Arundel Mills area and eventually found himself under arrest. As of today, Quarles has been charged with charged with robbery, armed robbery, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, theft under $500, reckless endangerment, first-degree assault and second-degree assault.

It'll be interesting to see what charges Quarles ultimately ends up being convicted of. All too often, the Prosecutors will plead down the most serious charges. In turn, when a defendant pleads guilty on the less serious count, judges such as Pam North or William Mulford will usually impose a grossly inadequate sentence.

If the State's Attorney and Judges were serious about protecting our community, both would strive to ensure convicts receive the maximum sentence possible. After all, both entities are elected. Hence, their loyalty should lie with the law abiding voters, not some defense counsel they may have went to law school with.

By the same token, our County Executive should use his semi-weekly Guest Column in the Capital to call attention to Judges and State's Attorney's that allow serious crimes to be brushed under the rug. Such an effort on his part would show he's committed to giving more than his usual lip service to a serious epidemic.

Going forward, I pledge to better expose the wrongs being perpetrated upon innocent victims. It's time to hold people accountable for crime, including those responsible for pursuing and dispensing justice.

Einstein Consistently Said It Best

“Politics is a pendulum whose swings between anarchy and tyranny are fueled by perpetually rejuvenated illusions.”

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”

“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

“Never do anything against conscience, even if the state demands it”

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

"It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs."

California Congressman Makes Case for E-Verify

Overall, Congressman Brian Bilbray accurately portrays the importance and purpose of E-verify. It should be noted however that this issue does not fall along party lines. While I cannot dispute that President Obama and Nancy Pelosi are working to defeat legislation such as this, others within the Democratic party are just as passionate about this as their counterparts on the right. In fact, our own Frank Kratovil remains steadfast in his commitment to ensure passage of E-verify. In fact, he's a co-sponsor of the E-verify bill.

While some Maryland Congressman likely fall in line with the administration on this national security threat, I hope the naysayers don't unfairly project their criticism to the one who has decided to publicly distance himself from party leadership.

Baltimore Sun Rejects Editorialist Column

Linked here is a Ron Smith column the Baltimore Sun would not publish. Although both Smith and the Sun assured us that the purposely controversial radio host would have autonomy to write whatever he chooses, they felt the need to reject this piece for whatever reason. I encourage everyone to read it and judge for themselves whether censorship was justified in this instance.

Reilly to Replace Greenip, For Now

On Tuesday, the Anne Arundel County Central Committee chose Councilman Edward R. Reilly to finish the Senate term of the retiring Janey Greenip. In an 8-5 vote, Reilly held off favorites James King and David Boschert. In the end, it was likely Boschert's late endorsement of Reilly which ultimately tipped the scale.

Honestly, I rooted for Delegate James King. Though he often takes cheap shots from fringe members of his party, he continues down the same path that got him elected in 2006. While King would undoubtedly be interested in building membership in the Republican party, that goal usually takes a back seat when it comes to making small compromises in order to deliver for the citizens of District 33.

In his defense, Reilly also has to broker settlements from his seat on the Council. Otherwise, county government would come to a grinding halt. Hence, that's the real reason 7-0 votes often emerge from the County Council. Granted, Reilly could legitimately be criticized for some of the questionable policy decisions supported by the Republican controlled Council and Executive.

Now, how does this all affect the 2010 election? Presumably, Boschert no longer has any plans to pursue this seat. Perhaps, he'll proceed with his backup strategy of challenging Leopold in the primary. As for Reilly and King, I think we may have witnessed Round 1. I wouldn't be surprised to see these two duke it out in next year's primary. As for Reilly's replacement in Council, well that's anyone's guess.

McGahee Relegated to Second-team Offense

Baltimore Ravens News - Ravens Notebook: McGahee relegated to second-team offense


I share this article from the Baltimore Ravens 24x7 site. I really can't wait for Ravens football. Under Brian Billick, it became almost expected that the Ravens would regress after each successful season. With John Harbaugh, he doesn't have his anointed ones. I am glad he doesn't coddle lazy veterans such as Willis McGahee. After watching these camps thus far, it's obvious the Ravens' brass isn't patting themselves on the back after an almost trip to the Super Bowl. I am confident John Harbaugh will have this team hungry and ready by week 1.

Steve Schuh for County Executive?

The No BS Zone has learned that the GOP has been wasting little time waiting for the John Leopold winds to die down. Instead, many within the party have conceded that the incumbent County Executive cannot get re-elected. Therefore, as opposed to conceding the seat to the Democrats, some are strongly encouraging one of Anne Arundel County's strongest Delegates to challenge Leopold in the 2010 primary.

Apparently, Steve Schuh has been approached about making this run. In turn, Schuh will not dismiss the possibility. It's little secret that Schuh is hardly content as a State Delegate. In fact, the thought of a Senate run offers little intrigue to him either. According to sources close to him, Schuh either want the job as County Executive or a seat in the United States House of Representatives. Obviously, option 1 would be an easier road in 2010.

It remains to be seen whether Schuh will take on an old friend in John Leopold. Still, Schuh cannot sit around and wait for a controversial 66 year old man to decide if he wants to ruin the Republicans chance to hold this seat in 2010. Despite his party affiliation, Steve Schuh has a bright future in Maryland politics. By contrast, Leopold's ship has likely sailed into the night.