Cardin to Hold Event on Van Hollen's Turf

The Montgomery County Career Firefighters Association recently bought a giant grill that can be trucked to events to quickly cook hundreds of pounds of meat for barbecues or picnics.

Last week, Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D) called on union members to cook barbecue chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, and pit turkey and beef at a fundraiser in Prince George's County.

John J. Sparks , president of the firefighters union, said his members were glad to assist Duncan, who earlier this year helped push an expensive new firefighters contract through the County Council.

Sparks said Duncan got the idea to use the grill while attending a fundraiser earlier this year for council member Michael Knapp (D-Upcounty), who also used the firefighters' cooking skills at his event.

Sparks wasn't sure how much the union spent on the food for Duncan's event, which attracted about 500 people, but estimates it was "hundreds and hundreds of dollars." Once fully calculated, Sparks said the food will be considered an "in-kind" donation to Duncan's campaign.

But candidates who vote against the firefighters' wishes shouldn't even bother to try to get firefighters to cater their next event.

"We will do it either for candidates who we have not taken a position on, or those who we support," Sparks said.

Silverman Opens HQ

In another sign that next year's race for county executive is starting unusually early, council member Steven A. Silverman (D-At Large) has opened a campaign headquarters.

Silverman, who will face former council member Isiah Leggett in next year's Democratic primary for county executive, opened a 2,000-square-foot office at 11900 Parklawn Dr. in Rockville on Monday.

"We've got a half-dozen people working with us this summer, plus a bunch of kids, and we needed space, so it's time to get moving," Silverman. "I wanted something in the center of the county, so this will be a place for volunteers to continue our outreach efforts to the community."

Leggett said in an interview that he doesn't see a need to open a headquarters until later this year or early next year, but he said his campaign is well underway. Leggett, formerly head of the Maryland Democratic Party, has been hosting dozens of meet-and-greets with various county constituencies and interest groups.

He also has hired Tracy Terrell , who worked as a Maryland coordinator for Sen. John F. Kerry 's 2004 presidential campaign, to serve as his field coordinator.