Councilmember Sarich to Retire

Three term Laurel Councilman Mike Sarich told me tonight that he plans to retire at the end of his term this September.  He wrote in an email a few minutes ago that he is working on a brief statement to be released soon.  

Mike Sarich has served on the city council since 2002.  He prided himself on being the council's maverick, often voting alone.  In tonight's email he  wrote that his council service has often been a joy, occasionally been painful, but it was always an honor.

Short Takes

1. I hear that cheeky lizards taste pretty good.   The one in the photo has made his last annoying commercial.   Red or white wine with reptiles?

2. An interesting story about Columbia's Symphony Woods.  Not everything is what it seems.

3. Don't tell Joan Fitzgerald but I'm writing my first post with my brand new Apple Macbook.  

School Board Questioned

‘‘This is like building a garage on your house when your kitchen and bathroom are falling apart,” state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Dist. 26) of Fort Washington said of the decision to delay funding on proposed high schools.

The Gazette has a story detailing concerns from some county leaders regarding the recent vote of the Prince Georges County Board of Education's to lease a new administration building. Even the Superintendent questioned their actions. The Gazette story continues ...

"The decision, which went against recommendations from Superintendent John E. Deasy, came one day after the county announced it was facing a $48 million shortfall in funding that would cause widespread cutbacks."

I wonder what in the world is really going on for the Board to be willing to take so much political grief about this building lease? They have not offered much of a defense for their action. There simply must be more to this story. The story we are getting just does not make sense.

Giant Food Store in Laurel to Close

Garold Stone, over at the South Laurel News and Views Blog has the story.

County Board of Education Feathers Own Nest

The Prince George's County Board of Education went through with their plan to lease a new building for themselves. The school board approved their plan by a vote of 6-4 to lease 212,558 square feet of office space for $36 million over 10 years for 1,000 administrative employees. Rosalind A. Johnson, Laurel's School Board Member (District 1), voted for the lease. Please see the Gazette's story for the details.

Laurel area schools have over 100 million dollars in deferred maintenance according to the school board's own consultants. It seems imprudent to commit to a new administration building at this time. For the background on this issue please see: http://conexshuns.blogspot.com/2008/05/kindergarten-refresher-for-pg-school.html