MARYLAND BRIEFING

Friday, June 9, 2006

MONTGOMERY SCHOOL BOARD

Teachers Back Four Candidates

Officials with the 12,000-member Montgomery County Education Association yesterday announced that the teachers union is endorsing four candidates in the race for the Montgomery County School Board.

For the 1st District (Gaithersburg) seat, currently held by Gabe Romero (who announced that he would not seek reelection), union members endorsed former teacher and retired Montgomery public school administrator Judy Docca.

In the 3rd District (Bethesda-Chevy Chase) and 5th District (Northeastern County), the union endorsed incumbents Patricia O'Neill and Nancy Navarro.

For the at-large seat held by Charles Haughey, who is not seeking reelection, the union endorsed Shirley Brandman, a longtime PTA volunteer, who is a lawyer and former special education teacher.

Though the official candidate filing deadline for the Sept. 12 primary election is July 3, union officials said they announce endorsements early to allow members to participate in the selection process before summer break.

-- Lori Aratani

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNCIL

Another Challenger for Bland

Prince George's County Council member Marilynn Bland (D-Clinton) continues to draw opponents for her District 9 seat.

This week, Vernon Hayes of Clinton officially filed for the Democratic primary. Two other opponents, Marvin M. Silver of Upper Marlboro and James Fred Harley of Clinton, have announced. And as many as three more candidates have shown interest in the seat.

So far, no other incumbent on the nine-member council has a competitive race.

Bland declined to comment on why she has drawn so much opposition.

Early in her term, Bland came under fire from developers for trying to slow growth in her district and imposing what they called a "de facto moratorium" on construction. Later, residents criticized her for proposing a text amendment -- a legislative tool that allows developers and property owners to secure zoning changes with little or no public participation -- to allow for the construction of an 800-unit housing complex for seniors on land zoned for single-family homes.

Both groups have complained of her limited accessibility.

Bland is finishing her first term on the council and represents the largest and least-developed area in the county. The district stretches from parts of Upper Marlboro to Eagle Harbor.

-- Ovetta Wiggins

HOWARD CRIME

Racist Graffiti Found on Lawns

Swastikas and racist phrases were found burned into the lawns of four Ellicott City homes this week, Howard County police said yesterday.

The markings -- which included the words "white power" -- were likely created with chemical agents left on the lawns of the four homes, which are all occupied by members of racial minorities, police said.

Police believe the homes on Stonehouse Drive were vandalized at the same time late last week. The markings were discovered on one lawn Monday, but the other residents were unable to make out the swastikas and words until yesterday.

-- Amit R. Paley

MONTGOMERY CRIME

More Teens Arrested in Slaying

Montgomery County detectives arrested two additional teenagers in the May 10 killing of Andres Lagos-Rivera, 30, who was fatally beaten near Wheaton Forest Park.

Brothers Robert Goodwin Jr., 17, and Antonio Devonte Goodwin, 18, of Silver Spring, were charged with first-degree assault and second-degree murder. The minor was charged as an adult. A 15-year-old and an 18-year-old were arrested last week in the case.

-- Ernesto Londoño

Teen Convicted of Murder

A Montgomery County jury yesterday convicted a Germantown teenager of first-degree murder, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Tristen Michael Bryant, 19, killed Ezekiel Babendreier, 19, of Damascus on June 12, 2005, during a robbery near a party in Germantown. Babendreier was trying to buy drugs from Bryant when he was fatally stabbed.

-- Ernesto Londoño