Officials mulling use of eminent domain power

Howard County officials are considering invoking the power of eminent domain to seize private land in Ellicott City on behalf of a landowner and private developer to right an error they say was committed 35 years ago.

However, County Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, and the residents whose land the county is eyeing, said the use of eminent domain in the situation would constitute an abuse of the county's power to take land, which can be exercised only for public, and not private, uses.

County Executive Kenneth Ulman said that he believes the use of eminent domain in the case would be warranted because the land is needed for a public purpose. However, he added that he believes that the owners will agree to sell the land to the developer and that the county will not, in the end, have to exercise its power of eminent domain.

The conflict can be traced to a land recordation mistake committed more than 30 years ago that has forced the county to consider putting a sewer line through private land -- and, if necessary, seizing that private land -- in order to fulfill its responsibility to provide public utilities to an Ellicott City couple whose property has been unfairly blocked from receiving sewer service due to the error, officials said this week.

In 1973, Ellicott City developer Frank Lancelotta set aside a 35-foot wide easement that could be used to provide a sewer line to property that is owned by Georgia and Paul Miller, county government spokesman Kevin Enright said this week. However, the deed of easement was never recorded in the county's land records.

-- Jennifer Broadwater

Mary Murphy named deputy state's attorney

Howard County State's Attorney Dario Broccolino announced May 13 that he has named Mary Murphy as one of two deputy state's attorneys.

Murphy replaces Broccolino, who took over as the county's chief prosecutor April 14 after being named to the position by a three judge panel. Broccolino replaced Timothy McCrone, who was named to the county's Circuit Court bench in December 2007.

Murphy will oversee the office's Circuit Court proceedings, a job that entails managing a staff of 14 prosecutors, two investigators and a victim assistance coordinator, she said. Her salary is $130,000 a year. She joins Senior Deputy State's Attorney F. Todd Taylor in taking the position.

Murphy is the first woman to be appointed a deputy state's attorney in Howard County, said Wayne Kirwan, a spokesman for Broccolino.

-- Mike Santa Rita

American Legion post sends out call for aid

The American Legion Post 300, in Columbia, is looking for goodies and essentials to send to troops stationed in Iraq.

The post has adopted the 400th Military Police Battalion from Fort Meade, which is stationed next to an Iraqi hospital.

To date, it has sent out 22 care packages to the troops, said Edward Trumble, who handles membership and communications for the post. The battalion is slated to return home in November, Trumble said.

The post needs nonperishable snacks such as beef jerky, granola bars and canned fruit, personal hygiene items for men and women, games, and DVDs, Trumble said.

Small stuffed animals also are needed, because the troops hand them out to Iraqi children, Trumble said.

For more information or to donate items, call Trumble at 410-480-0025.

-- Sarah Daniels

Police will close roads for Columbia Triathlon

To make way for the annual Columbia Triathlon, Howard County police will close off portions of several roads between Centennial Park, in Ellicott City; and Glenelg, in western Howard, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 18.

The triathlon, which is expected to draw about 1,500 competitors, begins at 6:45 a.m. with a .9 mile swim in Centennial Lake.

The competitors will follow that with a 6.2 mile run on roads surrounding Centennial Park, then bike west on Route 108 during a 25.2 mile ride.

Howard police will close off portions of the roads the competitors will use during the running and biking portions of the event.

The foot race will be conducted on the following roads: Old Annapolis Road, Carillon Drive, Cross Country Drive, Century Drive and Colonial Drive.

The bike race will be conducted on Route 108, Harpers Farm Road, Folly Quarter Road, Triadelphia Road, Triadelphia Mill Road, Green Bridge Road, Howard Road and Linthicum Road.

-- Mike Santa Rita

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