Special to Russett Reader. Sponsored by African American Democrats of Anne Arundel County

On Monday night, "Democrat" Allison Pickard voted against an inclusionary zoning bill for affordable housing in Anne Arundel County despite broad, public support for the measure. Pickard claimed to vote her "conscience" on Bill 78-23 which she said did not provide enough incentives for real estate developers - some of whom donated to her political campaign. Three Democrats voted for the measure. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman lashed out at Pickard's vote in an official statement decrying the influence of developers. He called Pickard's vote, and those of the three Republicans, a "slap in the face to the large part of our workforce that is priced out of most of the new homes and apartments being built today." Pittman said that he would seek executive administrative remedies to address affordable housing in the county and will revive a bill to ban campaign contributions from developers with official business pending with Anne Arundel County. The defeat of the affordable housing bill is an astonishing political defeat for Pittman who introduced the measure with a 4-3 Democratic majority on the County Council. An annotated, viral version of Pittman's statement has made its way around the Internet.

First Row/Left to Right: County Council Chair Pete Smith, Commissioner John Dove, Governor Wes Moore Second Row/Left to Right: Randy Bowman, Tuwauna Reid, Third Row/Left to Right: Delegate Mike Rogers, School Board Gloria Dent Local businesses are celebrating Veterans Day throughout the weekend and are offering the following deals and specials as a "Thank You" to our many veterans in the Russett Metroplex. Hard Rock Cafe is providing a free Legendary Burger for all active and retired military members. Red Robin. The dine-in offer is specifically for a Red’s Big Tavern Burger with a side of steak fries. Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão is offering their full churrasco experience in the main dining room at a 50% discount for veterans and active-duty personnel. Their guests will get a 10% discount as well. In Bethesda, Maryland, the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery is offering 20% off for active duty and veterans all day long. Veterans and active duty military members can head to BurgerFi for 20% off their dine-in order. BurgerFi has locations in Woodbridge, Virginia, in Silver Spring, Maryland, at the National Harbor in Maryland, and elsewhere. Smokey Bones, which has locations in Bowie, Maryland, and Woodbridge, Virginia, will invite veterans and active duty members to enjoy a free “Create Your Own Combo” on Veterans Day. The special is only available for those who dine in. Expect a free meal at select Applebee’s locations for veterans and active duty military members. Bob Evans is providing a special, dine-in menu with one free item offered for veterans and active duty military members. Denny’s is also inviting veterans and military personnel to receive a free Original Grand Slam on Friday, Nov. 10 from 5 a.m. to noon.

Videoes Part of Several Allegations About Misconduct and Abusive Behavior Democratic State Senator Pam Beidle is coming under heavy criticism after the release of new, Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage from Anne Arundel County Police showing that Beidle placed a 911 call to police about a Black man during the recent elections. That man has now been identified by concerned elected officials, community and civil rights leaders, and Russett residents as Devin Tucker. Beidle asked police to keep her initial 911 call to them secret and has refused to release the 911 audio tapes as of this writing. Beidle is seeking to chair the Maryland State Senate Finance Chair to replace outgoing leader Melony Griffith. Griffith, an African American woman, is leaving the post to head up the Maryland Hospital Association. In witness video and BWC footage obtained by the Russett Reader from Anne Arundel County Police, Beidle tells responding officers that she was in fear of her life and told police that Tucker was "becoming violent." Beidle says, "officer this is my seventh election and I have never seen anything like this. This was awful! I'm telling you!" Russett residents and witnesses contradicts Beidle and tells police that there were no inappropriate actions by Tucker. In recounting the incident for the first time, Tucker says that it's Beidle's calculated attempt to escalate a bogus matter with police that makes her conduct repulsive. "What's troubling about the video, and it's still emotionally hard for me to watch, is that Pam is that very intentional about the language she uses from her vantage point and privilege as a state senator. I never spoke to Beidle that day. She's doing all of this in public in her capacity as a sitting state Senator. That's a problem." Tucker added that the entire incident seemed surreal. "Pam's husband, Len Beidle, is even seen in the video menacing the White woman who recorded the witness video. It was crazy. It's still crazy!" Witnesses shared that Tucker was winding down treatment for prostate cancer at the time of the incident. Tucker confirmed that he was undergoing treatment at the time of the incident which made the whole ordeal with Beidle even more "sickening" for him. Witnesses in the videos, both Black and White, can be heard clearly telling police that Tucker was in fact the victim. Several eyewitnesses substantiated Tucker's claim that the encounter started after Julie Hummer yelled out some inappropriate remarks about Tucker's children and after Hummer's daughter made some racially inappropriate remarks to a Black voter earlier in the day. Tucker and local civil rights leaders have long expressed concerns about Hummer's poor civil rights record especially her vote to eliminate the largest equity program in the school system and her inaction as as arrests of Black boys surged to an all time high at Meade High School under her leadership. "Julie Hummer's entire campaign was premised on duping Black voters and hiding her rights records from Black people and Pam helped her do it," said Tucker. Video 1. Pam Beidle Call. Body Worn Camera Footage, Anne Arundel County Police Tucker added that Beidle should resign and is unfit to serve. "People are really going to be shocked at how abusive Pam has been with elected officials and ordinary citizens. People are going to be shocked when the 911 audio tapes are released," said Tucker. In a series of email exchanges on Beidle's conduct, local pastor and civil rights leader Rev. Stephen Tillett said of Beidle that "it seems as though some folks, who call themselves 'public servants,' can get quite nasty when people do not cow-tow to them, or there is some competition.." Other residents and leaders are grappling with why Beidle only called police on Tucker. Tucker wanted to make clear that he was pleased with the way responding officers stood up for his rights. "The officer basically told Beidle to shut the f**k up which I thought was more than appropriate, " said Tucker. Officers can be heard at the conclusion of the video telling election officials that the exchange about Hummer's civil rights record didn't warrant a 911 call nor was it a matter for police. Beidle has also come under fire for reportedly recommending disgraced, ex-Russett board member Joe Franco to the Thoroughbred Racing Authority. Franco was forced from the Russett HOA Board after it was discovered that he took $10K from casino interests, as a sitting Russett HOA Board Member, to fight interests at Laurel Race Track. Franco was appointed to be the "Laurel Race Track" representative even though he no longer lives in Laurel. One local civil rights leader who wishes to remain anonymous says that these kinds of incidents speak to Pam's character and he is "quietly" encouraging others to speak out more forcefully about Beidle's moral and ethical conduct. Reference Links: PETITION: Pam Beidle Resignation and Investigation #Karen #Maryland #Police #PamScam #Misconduct

Former Anne Arundel County Councilwoman Sarah Lacey has launched what she calls a "studio away from home" for the sewing crowd. "Ready Set Stitch," is Lacey's new business venture located in downtown Ellicot City. "Ready Set Stitch" can be described as a gathering place, kind of like a "WeWork" for a skilled sewist or for the newly interested in sewing. Lacey, a chemical engineer and attorney by training, says the business is prepared to accommodate everyone's needs. "We offer classes and can even rent a portion of the space to someone with that special project in need of a few more tools to finish their craft. It is a way for anyone who finds sewing relaxing , to gather with a group of friends for a fun night out." Lacey shared that her new adventure is also a way to share her passion for sewing while creating some good art and fashion in the process. "It's just a great thing for creatives and a way to remain inspired. I'm meeting so many interesting people and we're creating so many opportunities for entrepreneurs and the Etsy crowd. Everyone should just come out and see for themselves" said Lacey. Ready Set Stitch is located at 8133 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Sarah can be reached by phone at (443) 538-5067 or by email at sarah@readysetstitch.com for business hours.

An official complaint has been forwarded to Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson regarding misconduct claims against Democrat Pam Beidle. occurred The complaint alleges that Beidle engaged in numerous infractions to include threats, harassment, retaliation, verbal abuse, and intimidation of fellow elected officials and citizens many of whom are Black. A source familiar with the complaint says the allegations against Beidle are very serious and that her conduct would not be tolerated in any workplace. "Pam would be fired if this occured at a Google or any workplace. It is abusive and is a textbook example of misconduct. It's exactly the kind of stuff that we are seeing people being fired for everyday in the media." Another source added that some of the allegations focus on Beidle's "troubling" conduct with Delegate Mike Rogers. "People in places like Russett and Severn are going to be shocked to learn about all of the underhanded bullshit that Pam has been doing to Colonel Rogers. She's been trying to get Mike kicked out of the General Assembly! The videos are just the tip of the iceberg with Pam. This might be more of a federal investigation or even Attorney General investigation about Pam." The complaint emerged after newly released videoes surfaced of Beidle calling police on a Black voter during last year's election. In the video, Beidle told police that she was in fear of her life which is disputed by witnesses in the video. Beidle in fact confesses to police in the video that she never spoke with the man. Witnesses both Black and White blame Russett Democrat Julie Hummer for instigating the fracas and blamed Beidle for trading on racial tropes about Black men. "Pam perpetrated one of the worst crimes and clearly tried to set this guy up by insinuating with police that this guy was dangerous. There is an email thread going around which calls Pam's behavior "Emmitt Till'ish" because her conduct suggests, and Hummer's, that Black men are somehow inherently dangerous and violent. Pam even used that word if you listen closely. Every mother with a Black son watching these videos right now have to be disgusted with Pam and Hummer." Beidle has asked police to keep her 911 call to them secret. The complaint asks Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson to share the Maryland General Assembly's process for investigating the allegations against Beidle. According to local reports, the General Assembly launched an investigation of misconduct against Republican Senator Ed Reilly last year after similar allegations surfaced about retaliation from a constituent. Ferguson has yet to respond to the Beidle allegations per numerous sources inside the Maryland General Assembly. Beidle currently represents significant swaths of Anne Arundel County with large Black populations including the Russett Metroplex. Sources added that "the backlash against Beidle has been brewing for a while and that Black people are going to be very angry, and rightly so, as more of this stuff comes out." An online petition at www.investigatepambeidle.com asking Beidle to resign has garnered nearly 8,000 page visits. #www.investigatepambeidle.com #PamBeidleMisconduct

Per Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works and Delegate Mike Rogers, there is a water main break on Marganza impacting service in the greater Russett area. Crews are being dispatched to resolve.

Post is reprinted with Mr. Tucker's Permission Sharing a health diagnosis is never easy. So here it goes. I am one of many people who was diagnosed with prostate cancer during the pandemic. I was diagnosed two years ago. Receiving such news in normal times is never easy, but receiving it during a pandemic is especially harrowing. Cancer! It’s still a word that does not easily settle on my tongue. People have remarked that I must have been “shocked” to receive such news. Yes, I was “shocked” but with cancer, it’s more like shock waves! Every doctor’s visit, every blood draw, and every MRI is a moment with a monster. Being diagnosed at 48 is young for what is generally viewed as an “old man’s” disease. Like so many terrible mysteries in life, African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease (and a more aggressive form of the disease). One out of six African American men (the rate is one out of nine for other groups) will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. When detected early on, prostate cancer responds well to treatment and is even considered curable. I am very well on that road. My PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is now undetectable and there is no spread. My treatment ended around this time last year with a short course of radiation to eliminate any possible rogue or occult cells. I only revealed my diagnosis to a small circle of friends and family members. I share my news today to encourage every guy to schedule some time to talk with a physician about screening as a part of your comprehensive annual physical – especially if you are age 45 and older. Though I was diagnosed at 48, I started visiting the urologist when I was 45, and during two visits, neither urologist ever mentioned a PSA test to even screen for the disease despite the higher risk for African American men. THIS is a textbook example of why so many fight for health equity! It was only after I noticed some strange symptoms during the pandemic that I alerted my primary doctor. She worked with me to fill every request I had for tests and other diagnostics. My third urologist was a very determined woman who helped ensure that nothing else fell through the cracks. The surgeon who completed the operation remarked disturbingly enough that the cancer had been there “a while.” Eight out of twelve of my biopsy samples were positive for cancer. My prostate specific antigen (PSA) was alarmingly high at 18. A "normal" PSA is generally considered to be 4 or less. My prognosis could have been very different had I delayed screening and testing for even three months. I was fortunate to have very good health care as my journey took me to the top hospitals in the country like Washington Hospital Center, University of California-San Francisco, and John Hopkins. Many men aren't so fortunate and may delay PSA screening or physicals for this reason but there are plenty of resources to help. One of the hardest parts of this journey was breaking the news to my two, young daughters but they handled the news with the usual aplomb and kindness. You may recall that patients could not have hospital visitors during the pandemic. My wife Jenese could not accompany me for surgery and it was just a devastating, emotional shock wave for both of us. She literally had to leave me at the front door of the hospital. I can’t say enough about her perfect love, courage, and her attempts to arrest every anxiety through prayer and counsel. I am eternally grateful and indebted to her. I hit a wall y’all two years ago but cancer is just another brick and I’m a sledgehammer! Devin

Detectives are seeking information on the whereabouts of the five juveniles on this flier. They apparently voluntarily left the Skate Zone in Crofton back on October 14, 2023. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Anne Arundel County Police Department's Missing Persons Unit at 410-222-4731. Update: Benjamin Bundy has been located safe.

Our Governor is celebrating his 45th Birthday this year!

I get tons of questions about what's happening of late along the 198 Business Corridor. I really wish I had better news. Yesterday, Anne Arundel County Police advised on a shooting at the long-troubled Garden Inn Hotel. The victim said that he was "waiting for a female friend to arrive at the rear of the hotel when two unknown males began approaching his vehicle. The victim started to drive away, and one of the suspects fired at the vehicle, striking it." It's all too familiar right? Let's count the ways: A suspected "drug deal" at one of the local shopping centers where the suspect pointed a gun at his victim; An assault and robbery at an ATM; An armed carjacking by two teen suspects at one of the local shopping centers; An armed carjacking at an apartment complex along 198; and As of 3 AM yesterday morning, in what looks like an attempted carjacking, a shooting at the Garden Inn Hotel. All within the past six weeks. All along a very busy commercial corridor long haunted by nuisance hotels and ghosted by successive County leaders. Did it have to come to this? Not at all. During his first term as County Executive, about three years ago, I warned Steuart Pittman (D) in very stark terms that conditions along the commercial corridor, particularly at some of the hotels, were deteriorating to the point of no return. I told him that it was only a matter of time before someone got hurt. I also shared with him that the issues along the corridor posed a threat to economic growth and personal wealth for nearby homeowners. I reminded Mr. Pittman that nearby communities were the most diverse in Anne Arundel County and were deserving of the same attention that communities might receive in Severna or even where he lives. I encouraged Mr. Pittman not to traffic in stale institutional tropes that ascribed public safety issues along 198 to our community's proximity to the Prince Georges County line. I think he agreed with me that those tropes were not only fraught with problematic undertones, but that they were also counterproductive. Mostly, my conversation with him was to convey my view that, the issues impacting 198, particularly at the hotels, were not just an issue for police only. A solution for 198 required more imagination and commitment from his office. He tasked senior members of his team to "address the issues." I along with Mike Rogers and Andrew Pruski met with his team at the library. We were assured that a comprehensive plan was in the works and that it would, in a more proactive way, especially address the needs of homeless families who utilize the nuisance hotels as the housing of last resort. I also launched a petition and over 700 of our neighbors respectfully and directly shared their concerns with Mr. Pittman. We received more promises and then we received a report. The report issued by Mr. Pittman's team wasn't good y'all. The report essentially said that our collective perception of issues particularly at the hotel was more imagined than real. I kid you not! I shared my take on the report with Mr. Pittman who seemed at the time very defensive and I would even say mildly volatile about my criticism of the report. Pittman even remarked later, during a public walk along 198, in front of numerous parties that I was "trying to tell him how to do his job." I kid you not! I was just taken aback by the comments which inferred that I either had no right to question him nor demand accountability from him as an elected official. One lady who witnessed the exchange later remarked that the comments made Pittman look small "like a petulant and arrogant bully." She was clear that she felt like Pittman's micro-aggression towards me not only diminished my concerns but the community's concerns as well. I only documented in more objective terms, using 911 call data, that the issues at the nuisance hotels were significant and conveyed to Pittman my belief that he wasn't taking the issue seriously enough. Not being one who is just descriptive about a problem, I made a "good-faith" deposit and wrote a prescription for what has long ailed 198. I shared it widely with our fellow neighbors, a few elected leaders, and the Pittman Administration. So what happened after I wrote a plan for 198? Pittman's Administration copied the plan almost verbatim, without attribution and quite frankly compensation. Ultimately, they only made a marginal effort to implement the plan and we now find ourselves staring into the same abyss we proactively tried to address three years ago. Three years later, I'm afraid that we have reached a long-feared inflection point with the hotels in particular. Recent public safety issues along the 198 Business Corridor are unusual in their frequency and intensity. To be fair, with the exception of yesterday's shooting at the Garden Inn, there is no evidence that other recent crimes were committed by anyone living, loitering, or congregating at the hotels. There is evidence however that nuisance and quality of life issues at the hotels persist in a very debilitating way for all nearby residents. I sent a cordial response to Mr. Pittman a few weeks ago about recent incidents along 198 and copied many of our neighbors on that email. I have not heard back from County Executive Pittman as of this writing. I spoke with one of our neighbors yesterday about the Garden Inn shooting. She expressed a great deal of anger that more hasn't been done to address the ongoing saga with nuisance hotels along 198. She quipped that the best solution might just be to steal or "jack" the hotels away from the current owners rather than wait another three years for County officials to do something. I laughed at the joke but it's a joke that I think encapsulates the frustrations of so many who are scared and concerned about recent public safety issues along 198. I remain hopeful that things will turn around but like so many, I'm starting to lose a lot of faith and time unfortunately is not on our side.