The legislation County Councilman Edward Middlebrooks said he will remember the most from 2007 is one he voted both for and against.
Considered a sure-fire vote against a bill aimed at generating money for storm-water management and stream restoration, the second-term Republican surprised everyone by voting in favor of a provision for taxing all property $30 a year.
“I do think things need to be talked out sometimes,” Middlebrooks said. “Regardless of what I think, people need to hear different opinions.”
His vote kept the bill alive for two more weeks, drawing more debate and discussion.
Ultimately, nearly 100 testimonials in favor of the tax didn?t sway him, as he voted down the bill.
“Even though it was killed, it got people talking on the state level,” said Middlebrooks, who has said the state should bear the burden of streamrestoration.
Known for his bluntness, Middlebrooks also put forward a resolution saying it was OK for county public schools to celebrate Halloween, after learning that some schools in Howard and Anne Arundel counties were not participating in Halloween festivities.
Middlebrooks said money and education will be the council?s main issue in 2008, because of what many are calling one of the hardest budget sessions in the county.
This week, he suggested Anne Arundel study increasing transfer and recordation taxes to fund school construction, which has a $1 billion backlog.
“The discussion [Tuesday] was pretty clear that our focus will be on the quality of schools, and making sure we have teachers in the classroom,” he said.
But Middlebrooks? conceded that education and struggling to generate revenue under a tax cap are long-standing issues in Anne Arundel.
“We?re talking about those issues now, such as using impact fees to address the [school] maintenance backlog,” he said.
“We?re going to have to come up with some difficult solutions, and it?s not so easy when the problems have been around so long.”
Opinion?s on
Middlebrooks? year:
“He?s supportive of new businesses when they open, and he attends events sponsored by businesses.
“He?s also a supporter when we have our education excellence program.
“Ed always has his finger on the pulse of the community, and he?s pro-small business.”
? Fran Schmidt, executive director of the Northern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
“Middlebrooks has played his usual clown act successfully without dealing with the meat of the issue when it came down to the stormwater bill.”
? Anne Pearson, director of the Alliance for Sustainable Communities
“I think he?s done a very good job representing the constituents in District
2.”
? Alan Rzepkowski, vice chairman of the Anne Arundel County Republican Central Committee
Fast facts
on Middlebrooks
» Age: 52
» Residence: Severn
» Day job: Attorney
» Party: Republican
» Elected: 2006 (third term)
» District: 5, the smallest geographically that includes Severn, Glen Burnie, Harundale and Rippling Estates
» E-mail: [email protected]
» Bills and resolutions sponsored: Five
» Of those that passed: Five
» Legislation of note: A bill that created a commission to advise Anne Arundel government on issues dealing with those who served in the military.
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