Thursday, July 27, 2006; B02

MONTGOMERY EXECUTIVE RACE

Montgomery County Council member Steven A. Silverman (D-At Large) has picked up endorsements from two business groups, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Montgomery County Business Political Action Committee, in the Democratic primary campaign for county executive.

Chamber President Richard Parsons pointed to Silverman's commitment to projects such as the intercounty connector and the Purple Line, a proposed light-rail link connecting Bethesda, Silver Spring and New Carrollton. "On these issues, we need strong, visionary leadership because the results take so long to achieve," he said.

Silverman also announced endorsements from two public safety groups: the Montgomery County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 35 and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association.

Silverman's opponent, former County Council member Isiah Leggett (D), has the backing of the county employees union and the organization that represents career firefighters.

This week, Leggett also received the endorsement of the Montgomery Green Democrats. In a statement, the group's president, Bill Jacobs, cited Leggett's support of "enhanced oversight of development" and his work to protect open space.

-- Ann E. Marimow

The Frederick County state's attorney's office is dropping charges against a local politician accused of punching his 13-year-old son after the boy and two friends were picked up for joy riding and crushing mailboxes with a baseball bat.

Ronald A. Terpko (D), a commissioner in the town of Thurmont, was arrested after one county sheriff's deputy said Terpko punched the boy with a closed fist while the boy was in handcuffs. But another deputy said Terpko slapped his son with an open hand. Terpko, 42, was quoted in the Frederick News-Post as saying he slapped the boy.

He was charged with second-degree assault and child abuse.

Maryland law allows corporal punishment as long as it is not excessive or unreasonable, said State's Attorney Scott L. Rolle (R). "That's obviously up for some interpretation," Rolle said. But because two officers provided different accounts, there is reasonable doubt, he said. He added that the boy had no visible injuries.

-- Aruna Jain

The Maryland Court of Appeals has rejected a challenge of a Howard County zoning bill, effectively killing a drive to put the bill to a referendum Nov. 7.

The seven judges of Maryland's highest court decided Tuesday to deny a petition by citizen activists challenging the ruling of a lower appellate court against a referendum, said Maryland judiciary spokeswoman Sally Rankin.

"The court has spoken. The Board of Elections is accepting the decision, and the petition will not be on the ballot," said Guy L. Harriman, president of the county election board.

The case involved a 2005 County Council bill that critics charged was a convenient vehicle for little-publicized, hastily added rezonings sanctioned by a majority of the council.

The Board of Elections said last year that the activists, organized as Citizens for an Open Process for Everyone, had followed the law in petitioning for a referendum. But property owners who benefited from the zoning bill sued, arguing that the petition was improper, and they eventually prevailed in court.

"It seems to me that it's an unfair, uphill battle because you've got citizens going in, trying to follow the rules and regulations and ultimately being kicked out," said Katherine L. Taylor, the Columbia attorney for the petitioners.

-- Susan DeFord

Donna F. Edwards, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Albert R. Wynn for the Democratic nomination in the 4th Congressional District, has been endorsed by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, a group that advocates for low- and moderate-income families.

"She has been a tremendous advocate for working people and their families during her career," Gloria Swierenga, chairman of the group's Maryland chapter, said in a statement.

Edwards is executive director of the Washington-based Arca Foundation, which has supported such issues as the "living wage" and an end to capital punishment. She has challenged Wynn over his votes to authorize the Iraq war and to approve an energy bill.

The district includes parts of Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

U.S. Senate candidate Kweisi Mfume (D) has won the endorsement of Progressive Democrats of America, a coalition of activists.

"Democrats need to coalesce around candidates like Kweisi Mfume in order to win back Congress this fall," Executive Director Tim Carpenter said in a statement released yesterday. "Mfume grew up in poverty and therefore understands issues of economic justice that affect millions of Americans."

Mfume, a former U.S. representative and a former president of the NAACP, is among the leaders in a crowded field for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D).