Ladd Discusses Impact of Critical Area, Stormwater Bills

In his latest column, Broadneck and Severna Park's councilman reviews two large bills that will have an impact on the environment.

Ladd Congratulates Personnel Executive Ande Fulton, Remembers Albert M. Johnston

In his monthly newsletter post, Broadneck and Severna Park's County Councilman Dick Ladd discusses issues of importance to the community.

The following is from the December edition of a monthly column written by Anne Arundel County Councilman Dick Ladd (R-5th District). As we move beyond another notable demonstration of the constitutionally based power of our democratic institutions to peacefully select our government leadership, we should be proud of the seminal, precursor events that occurred here which officially ended the Revolutionary War and began the pre-Constitution period (1774-1786).  During the so-called “Annapolis Era” (1783-86), many of the fundamentals and enduring details were worked out here as Annapolis served temporarily as our Nation’s capital (1783-1784).    Of current note, I must recognize and be thankful for Albert M. Johnston, who passed away recently…

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Voters Set to Approve All Anne Arundel County Charter Amendments

Some charter amendments sailed through the polls with a 90 percent approval vote, with the lowest being 61 percent.

Anne Arundel County voters are set to ratify 15 county charter amendments by a landslide, according to early results. All of the county's charter amendments were set to pass as of 10 p.m. Tuesday night—some with as much as 91 percent approval, and as low as 61 percent approval. But the results so far have left no room for middle ground on the issues. Among the charter changes are removing authority from the county executive's veto rights, giving the council the authority to remove a councilman or executive convicted of a felony, and setting the month of August as a legislative recess for the seven-member council. A few of the tighter races are yet to be determined, but Anne Arundel County residents can rest tonight on pretty solid ground …

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Ken

9:47 am on Thursday, November 8, 2012

@Tom: I've no plans on leaving and am fortunate to be in a state where logical thinkers outnumber delusional thinkers. It's entertaining to watch message boards and forums with people boasting of "successful" petition drives for a referendum and I'm sure you'll disagree, but the results reflect progess in a civil society.   more ›

Councilman Ladd Highlights October's Council Progress

Broadneck and Severna Park's County Councilman outlines his activity in October on the County Council and in local communities.

The following is from the November edition of a monthly column written by Anne Arundel County Councilman Dick Ladd (R-5th District), a resident of the Broadneck peninsula. It is edited by Patch for style. Thanks to everyone who voted recently, especially for working your way through all 22 ballot questions. Referendums are an increasingly important tool for our democratic process to ensure fidelity in action on contentious issues. In recent weeks, the County Council has focused on adjustments to current policy:  Considering situations requiring mandatory reimbursement for legal support provided and for settlements paid by the County for legal actions against County employees; limiting the number of unions available for County employees to …

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Ballot Homework: 15 County Charter Changes You Will Help Decide

Some of these items resolve long-standing disputes on the County Council, while others fix newer problems.

When Anne Arundel County voters arrive at the polls, they'll not only be voting on the DREAM Act and same-sex marriage, but also deciding the fate of 15 Anne Arundel County charter amendments—ranging from how convicted county councilmen should be treated to enacting an August recess for the Council. In an attempt to make these 15 items more digestible once you arrive at the polls, I will disassemble the legalese into a more understandable language, and explain context when necessary. Some of these items resolve long-standing disputes on the County Council, while others fix newer problems. Question A—Gives county departments more time to file their budgets. It also moves the start of the 60-day window for budget deliberation by the County …

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Councilman Ladd: Schools Benefiting from Budget Actions

In his latest monthly column, Councilman Dick Ladd writes about how local schools are getting more than 100 new teachers thanks to the passage of the 2013 fiscal year budget.

The following is from the August edition of a column written by Anne Arundel County Councilman Dick Ladd (R-5th District), a resident of the Broadneck peninsula. Ladd submits his columns to Patch each month. It is edited by Patch for style. During July, the council considered and passed a number of budget- and administrative-related bills needed to implement the 2013 budget in addition to considering charter-review proposals. Some of the 2013 budget actions are starting to actualize. The allocation process of the 100 additional teachers reflects very good news for both the Severna Park and Broadneck High School feeder districts. Additional Severna Park teaching positions go to Benfield ES (2nd grade), Folger McKinsey Elementary School (1st…

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MD Leaders' Reaction to Supreme Court Decision

‘People were either excited or terrified.' – Jeff Richardson, a health advocate in Baltimore County.

Maryland leaders reacted in a range of ways to a historic Supreme Court decision Thursday to uphold the Affordable Care Act, ranging from calling it an “albatross” to hang around the president’s neck to a decision that will protect millions of lives. GOV. MARTIN O’MALLEY: “By 2014, no American will be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition.” U.S. REP. ANDY HARRIS, R-MARYLAND: “The Supreme Court’s decision determined the law’s constitutionality, not whether the law is good policy.” DICK LADD, R-ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY COUNCIL: "Sounds like a major increase in government spending, size and taxes. It's a worrisome impact on private job growth and maintenance, which puts pressure on for more government jobs; good for those…

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W. L.

2:05 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Right now I am a senior on low income with a preexisting condition. I will benefit from the new plan. If your benefits have not changed then do not complain. Now we need to get rid of the "doughnut hole" totally. Seniors are still not taking their medications because they can't pay for them while in the doughnut hole. Which for many comes about after about 6 months. They have many months to worry…   more ›

Ladd Speaks Out on Leopold's Budget

Broadneck and Severna Park's councilman outlines his support of County Executive John Leopold's proposed 2013 budget.

May is budget month for the Anne Arundel County Council, and Councilman Dick Ladd (R-5th District) of Broadneck has called the budget "fair, balanced," and praised its elimination of furlough days for county employees. Ladd issued a letter to the Broadneck Patch this week outlining his support for the budget, along with some key notes. Among the highlights of Ladd's budget briefing: The following is the complete letter sent to Broadneck Patch by Ladd on Tuesday. County Executive Leopold delivered his Fiscal Year 2013 (FY13) budget on April 16. He opened his remarks with two steps my colleagues and I urged him to take: the elimination of furlough days for county employees and once-a-week trash collection based on the increasingly successful…

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Councilmen Point Fingers in Quest To Fill Vacancy

Some Anne Arundel County councilmen lay the blame for a split vote on party politics.

Many Anne Arundel County councilmen claim a political game is being played over the vacant District 1 seat at the expense of the district's constituents. Patch editors interviewed each of the six councilmen to gauge their position in the division over who should fill the District 1 seat. The final candidates are Peter Smith and Mike Wagner. The councilmen who have supported Wagner include Derek Fink (R-3rd District) of Pasadena, John Grasso (R-2nd District) of Glen Burnie and Dick Ladd (R-5th District) of Broadneck.  Smith's supporters include Chris Trumbauer (D-6th District) of Annapolis, Jamie Benoit (D-4th District) of Crownsville and Jerry Walker (R-7th District) of Gambrills. Wagner's backers have primarily touted his experience and …

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