We all knew the average citizen was irate over speed cameras blossoming up around the country, but in Maryland atleast, the growing number of anti-speed camera fans is growing, within the police force! The Washington Post reports of many Montgomery Country police officers refusing to pay speed camera tickets received while driving in their government issued vehicles. The local police union advised its officers to not pay the fines since the regulation in moco states the owner of the car is responsible for the fine…and well since the county owns the cars, the officers don’t think they should pay.
Objectively speaking that sounds like a pile of horse crap…we all know if we rent cars on vacation or lease our current vehicles the rental company of automobile finance group will send us the bill because it was the drivers of the car who comitted the violation.
From a citizen standpoint, how awesome is this!? The police refuse to follow the laws they are meant to enforce! HA! Perhaps we should all give Hertz and BMW Finance the finger too! We might have that luxury sooner than we think as a bill might be passed to allow speed cameras across the state….including Annapolis! If we do get the cameras here is where I think they will be placed:
- Rt. 2/South River bridge: I think the speed limit it 50MPH but you can easily hit 80MPH without causing a fuss
- 650 East/West: too straight and when the traffic is gone, you might mistake it for an extension of 97 North or Rt.50
- Backroads near the Anne Arundel Hospital: wide, smooth and untrafficked
- West street towards downtown: these inner city low speed limited roads are prime targets for speed cameras where the difference to a driver between 15 and 17 MPH is hardly felt
Thoughts/comments/criticisms/pet peeves?
Photo courtesy of Kecko on Flickr.
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I was inspired by an article in last month’s Food and Wine magazine about wine corking fees around the country to find out what the corking scene was like in Annapolis. To prepare, I created a list of the top 30 restaurants in the area with phone numbers. After my second call I was told that wine corking isn’t allowed in Annapolis due to the liquor license regulations. Restaurants/establishments can only sell/serve alcohol that was purchased from a liquor licensed dealer. Somehow we all get left in the dust. This wouldn’t be such a concern if the local wine scene was fantastic. What can we do? I don’t think we can do much. It does seem kind of unfair that the rest of the country (most of it anyway) can enjoy this terrific luxury. Is anyone aware of any movement legislation wise would change this?
Photo courtesy of Paul Goyette on Flikr
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Yes, this will most likely be added to the many things you can be prosecuted for in the State of Maryland. While it sounds stupid, to text someone using your cell while driving, it is most likely that all of us have done, even if it was only once. Every time you do it, a feeling of stupidity overwhelms you and the following races through your mind:
- should I wait until the next red light?
- why are the buttons so close together? Now I have to delete everything!
- can I react quickly enough if the car in front of me serves?
- if I look up after hitting the “space” bar, will I be greeted with the rear bumper of a Ford pickup?
Yes, stupid indeed. I say ban it, and talking on the phone without a headset as well. Its bad enough we have to deal with virtual people in the car when we drive, but to take both hands off the wheel, its asking a little too much, or is it?
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So this bit of news, is quite weak. Pregnancy centers will have to be more honest? What does that mean?
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Maryland is doing its part to fight the new crazy insano bee virus, yes, that deadly virus that has all the honeybees in this country dying like, umm, chocolate flowers in front of Augustus Gloop. The House of Delegates approved a bill last Wednesday that allows the Department of Agriculture to give grants to Marylanders planting native plants. Sounds like another whodunit. What does that mean exactly? Well, according to the bill, under the program the Department shall:
- increase awareness among nurseries and land managers of non-invasive plants that are pollinator friendly; and
- provide grants to increase the availability of seed and nursery stock for non-invasive plants that are pollinator friendly
Jeez do any of you still not understand wtf this is for? How do governments get work done!? Do us MD’ers get cash out of this, or is it for the retailers? Gosh, it really is in the details.
Picture courtesy of Wikimedia
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Lawson Software purchased Annapolis based VasTech last Friday. Congrats to the VasTech owners! We suggest you head to your nearest BMW or Mercedes Benz dealership to celebrate.
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Anyone REALLY obsessed with the sticky buns at the mall? Every think of buying a Cinnabon store? Well, we aren’t sure if this is the mall location, but its a possibility no?
Image courtesy of Roosevelt Orchestra
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Curious what any of your experiences are with alternative medicine in the Annapolis and surrounding areas. By this I mean acupuncture, massage, cupping, etc…My last search of these kinds of medical practitioners in the area yielded a handful of doctors, but I couldn’t find any types of reviews. Do we have a Dr. Quinn in our midst and don’t know it? Were you fooled into thinking a needle prick in your hand would somehow re-attach it to your forearm (shame on you, you really shouldn’t be commenting on that one)?
I personally love these kinds of treatments and would certainly choose someone in the area if I only knew a little bit more about them. Share your stories of magic potions, electric stimulation and funny Chinese herbs.
Image courtesy of Accupuncture.com
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This city really is the hotbed of breaking news! Child porn lovers beware, the stakes just go higher for your despicable craft. Our lawmakers downtown voted to make possession of child porn a felony. It used to be a misdemeanor and only carried a $2,500 fine and two years in jail. Besides being a felony now, it is also mandatory for sex offenders to have their pictures taken more frequently and to have their online screen names registered with the local authorities.
So whom does this law affect? Well I am sure all of you would be very surprised. A website called Family Watchdog allows you to search sex offenders by state, city, zip, and street name. In the 21401 zip code alone we have 57 offenders with at least 15 convicted of child-related crimes. Scary huh? I do believe in second chances, but the stigma surrounding child porn is so strong I am not sure if its something we will someday be able to sweep under a rug.
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Or atleast thats what will happen if we don’t leave the crabs alone in the Bay. I am sure the crabbers and fishermen will bitch and moan about new crabbing regulations…but to some extent aren’t the ones pulling the life out of the water responsible for its demise?
Fret not crabbers, this is the perfect time for a new job opportunity. You are all ready and poised to help the conservation efforts on the bay. Not only do your livelihoods and families depend on it, but you know the crabs the best, probably better than some eco-nerd in a lab at the Department of Natural Resources. Save the crabs, save the world?
Image courtesy of Ian Ransley.
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