Builders Fight Height-Restriction Bill

"He is very articulate . . . and I figured that is what I am to do," Beyer said. "I would like to think I have enough spine to stick up for people."

District 18 -- which includes parts of Chevy Chase, Kensington and Silver Spring -- is considered one of the most progressive in the state. In 2002, District 18 voters elected Richard S. Madaleno Jr . (D), who is one of three openly gay legislators in the General Assembly.

Beyer said that if the 23 voting members of the Democratic Central Committee pass her over in filling Hurson's seat for the next 14 months, she may run for delegate in next year's election. She is also considering running for the school board.

"I would expect if a trans person can win anywhere, it's here," she said.

Ali Targets Stern

Saqib Ali , a software engineer from North Potomac, is running for the House of Delegates in District 39.

But while there are three delegates in that district, it's becoming increasingly clear that Ali has his eye on incumbent Del. Joan F. Stern in next year's Democratic primary.

"I look forward to working with Del. Charles Barkley and Del. Nancy King ," Ali said, referring to the other two delegates, both Democrats, who represent District 39. "I have nothing really to say about Joan Stern."

Ali, 30, is a Democratic activist who says he was one of the leaders of the fight to prevent the widening of Longdraft Road. If elected, he plans to oppose slot machine gambling and push for voter-verified paper ballot receipts in elections.

On Sunday, Ali raised $10,000 at a fundraiser in Potomac. Council member Steven A. Silverman (D-At Large) endorsed Ali at the event.

Stern, who some Democrats say has been ineffective, said she's ready for the challenge. She has joined forces with Barkley, King and District 39 Sen. P.J. Hogan to run as a team.

"You can target one person, but we are running as a slate, so essentially all challengers would be running against the slate," Stern said.

A Prescription for Debate

A discussion over giving county public school employees access to drugs from Canada turned testy at Monday night's Board of Education meeting.

Council President Tom Perez (D-Silver Spring) and Denis appeared at the meeting in hopes of convincing school officials that they should start a voluntary program that would allow school employees and retirees to get prescription drugs from Canada.

But school board member Stephen N. Abrams (Rockville-Potomac) was far from moved. He accused Perez, who last year persuaded the council to give county employees access to lower-cost Canadian drugs, and Denis of avoiding direct questions and of pushing the board to break the law.

Perez chided Abrams for interrupting his attempts to offer answers. The voices became louder, prompting school board President Patricia O'Neill (Bethesda-Chevy Chase) to call for more civility. Board members were split on how to proceed.

In the end, board member Charles Haughey (At Large) stepped in with a compromise.

Under Haughey's plan, board members decided to urge the county to seek a waiver from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow them to move forward without fear of breaking the law. The board agreed to reconsider its stance if the County Council enacts the program for county employees without a waiver.