Council Chairwoman Cathy Vitale said she lives by sticky notes placed on proposed legislation that later lead to tough questions.
The veteran lawmaker is known for asking many technical questions about bills, which likely comes from having been a councilwoman for the past eight years and her profession as an attorney.
“I want legislation that can withstand a challenge,” Vitale said.
“I don?t want our legislation to be economic fodder for Maryland lawyers.”
That philosophy has led to some interesting debates.
She found several issues with a stormwater bill that prompted amended versions, including a lack of appeals process and inadequate language on imposing the fee.
She and Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-District 4, debated over the placement of one word in a bill on electronic billboards.
Some criticized Vitale on her stance regarding the stormwater bill, which would have placed a $30 fee on most properties to pay for stream restoration. Some considered her the swing vote that led to the bill?s defeat.
Vitale said she is willing to work on a compromised version with an optional fee.
“The challenge is finding other ways to do things … I see the [bill] returning as an opt-in method,” Vitale said, referring to the taxpayers signing up to pay the fee.
As she enters the new legislative year as the council?s leader, she said she hopes her analytical approach will help her with the major issues ? many of which surfaced in 2007.
School capacity is a prevalent issue in her district, as many of her schools are at or over capacity. The council approved a bill that give it control over a chart that indicates which schools are overcrowded ? a chart that many considered flawed.
“We passed that bill knowing we?d come back to improve the chart,” Vitale said.
With so much on this year?s agenda ? impact fees, school capacity, sprawl management? Vitale said one family tradition may continue.
“It?s a family joke. We always say we?re going to take a vacation, but we haven?t taken on in 15 years,” she said.
“I?m not so sure about this year.”
Opinions on
Vitale?s year
“I think she?s done a great job and has established a good track record.
“She tries to balance residents? and businesses? concerns.
“Her tax credit bill for stormwater improvements is something we?ve wanted for a long time, and it?s a step in the right direction.”
– Linda Zahn, executive director of the Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce
“I can state without reservation that Cathy Vitale is one of our most effective elected officials … A call or letter is all it takes to bring Cathy?s attention to a matter of concern to her constituents, and she will work hard to learn all she can about the matter and to effect a solution to the problem.
“As a Severna Park resident since childhood, she knows what matters most to the residents of our community.”
– Maureen Carr York, president of the Greater Severna Park Council
“She?s receptive and communicates well, and she states her positions clearly.
“Our difficulty with her is not a lack of communication.
“She has not been supportive of the stormwater bill.
“We would much prefer for her to support an effective way to find an answer to the public stormwater problem.”
– Kurt Riegel, president of the Severn River Association
Fast facts on Vitale
» Age: 43
» Residence: Severna Park
» Day job: Attorney
» Party: Republican
» Elected: 2006 (second term)
» District: 5, representing Severna Park, Arnold and Cape St. Claire
» E-mail: [email protected]
» Bills and resolutions sponsored: Seven
» Of those that passed: Seven
» Legislation of note: Bill that gives property owners a short-term tax credit for making improvements that capture rainwater and avoid runoff pollution
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