DIM BULB Zoning Zoo. Harford County made changes to zoning laws that some residents say are unclear and don’t represent their interests. The changes could lead to more development in rural areas, where there isn’t infrastructure sufficient to support growth. Sounds like the county didn’t think this one through before pushing it through, and it could be a costly problem to increase the amount of infrastructure in a troubled economy.
OUTRAGE: Hang up, already
- Who: Baltimore City unions
- What: Union officials are complaining about a new rule that bans city employees from talking on their cell phones while operating city vehicles.
- Why it’s a bad idea: Do you want your ambulance driver trash-talking on the cell phone while he’s rushing you to the hospital? Do you want your police officers on the phone, missing the chance to witness a crime? How about your garbage truck driver, who’s driving a vehicle that weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 tons? We know we don’t want any of that, and we doubt you do either.
- Why they are doing it: They say it’s because it will be next to impossible to enforce. And of course they brought up the whole “what if their children are calling with an emergency?” If it’s a true emergency, they can call 911. Otherwise, they can just leave a message. When you’re on the job, you’re on the job; when you’re on break, you can call your kids.
- Where to vent: afscme.org
“For me, the largest question we have is how we’re going to deal with funding state government. … We think slots are a reasonable way in Maryland to capture some revenue.” – Ronald Wineholt, vice president of government affairs with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce
