Owners of the Russett Community Association in Laurel are expressing alarm regarding the appointment of former Russett board member and resident Joe Franco to the newly formed Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (Authority). Franco's appointment was first reported by Maryland Matters. Franco's selection is renewing unsettling questions around his abrupt resignation from the Russett board and the vetting process that allowed his questionable appointment even though he no longer lives in Laurel. Source: Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee The Authority was created during the recent Maryland General Assembly to help decide the future and viability of horse racing in Maryland. Among its key duties, the Authority will explore decisions around the futures of Laurel Race Track and Pimlico. Franco served on the Russett board for several years but resigned after owners discovered that he took almost $10,000 from gambling interests while serving as a sitting member of the Russett board during the 2010 Question A ("slots") referendum. Franco did not disclose receipt of the money to the homeowners association's attorney, fellow board members, or to owners. Sources say that Franco's conduct raised significant alarms about self-dealing and collusion and that Franco was advised that the matter would be referred to the Maryland Attorney General and other authorities for investigation. Franco actively worked to influence fellow Russett owners to oppose slots at the Laurel Race Track. Evidence shows that Franco took money under an entity called "Phalanx" from pro-gambling interests affiliated with Cordish Companies' bid for a gambling license. The Cordish-backed interest group organized neighborhood opposition to a slots license for Laurel Race Track. Maryland voters overwhelmingly approved slots during the referendum and the first license was eventually granted to the Cordish Companies and located at Arundel Mills Mall as Maryland Live. Some state leaders have attributed Laurel Race Track's failure to thrive to its failure to land a gambling license ultimately given to Cordish. Franco, who no longer lives in Laurel, MD, was appointed approximately a week ago to the new racing authority as the "Laurel representative." Public records however show that Franco lives in Odenton, MD. He was appointed to the Authority at the recommendation of state Senator Pam Beidle according to sources. Beidle represents a portion of Laurel and serves as the Chair for the Executive Nominations Committee for the state Senate. Franco, who also currently serves as a member of the Anne Arundel County Democratic Central Committee for District 33, supported Beidle's campaign for state Senate according to sources. Source: Maryland State Board of Elections Franco's questionable appointment to the Authority follows several missteps by the Executive Nominations Commission. Republican Jason Rheinstein of Severna Park was also recommended by the Commission to serve on the Anne Arundel County Board of Elections. Rheinstein however was disbarred as an attorney in the State of Maryland for violating rules of "professional conduct, including rules about competence and dishonesty" during a 2011 lawsuit against a private lending company. This is a developing story.

Anne Arundel County Police reported a "strong-armed" robbery at the Navy Federal Credit Union ATM located at 3479 Fort Meade Road (Route 198). The incident took place yesterday August 20, 2023, around noon. According to police, the victim was making an ATM withdrawal when she was approached by a bearded Black male wearing a blue shirt and blue shorts. The suspect physically assaulted the victim, took her money, and fled east on Route 198 in a silver sedan. The victim was treated for minor injuries and released. Anyone with information is urged to contact Western District detectives at (410) 222-6155.

(6:30 PM) - The suspect was captured by Anne Arundel County Police around 6 PM today hiding under some brush. WBAL broke the story live as it happened. Salute to Captain Schriver and her team in the Western District for keeping the community safe. (2:17 PM) - Maryland State Police, aided by police from Howard and Anne Arundel Counties, are searching for Randy Morris, an escapee, incarcerated for burglary. Morris escaped around 8:30 AM during a prisoner transport near Dorsey Run Road and Route 32 in Howard County. Police released an updated photo of Morris (first photo) approximately one hour ago. Morris is described as having a slight build at 140 lbs and stands 5 feet and 9 inches tall. Anyone with information about Morris should call 911 immediately.

Maryland Transport Authority officials issued a press release announcing the closure of the Laurel MARC Station from August 21 thru October 29. Both platforms at the station will be replaced as a part of planned improvements along the Camden Line. Officials said that taking down both platforms at the Laurel station would save time and be more efficient than closing one platform at a time. MARC patrons are being encouraged to consider the Muirkirk (4 miles away) and Savage (4 miles away) stations as options during the eight-week closure. Laurel area residents fought to keep the historic Laurel MARC station open six years ago when state officials threatened to close the stop. Residents have maintained that the stop is key to encouraging a more robust economy along Route 1 and Laurel Main Street. An estimated 1,000 riders board the train at the Laurel location each day to commute to Baltimore or Washington, DC.

Governor Wes Moore Appointed Russett resident Elizabeth Leight to the Anne Arundel County Trial Court Judicial Nominating Commission (Commission). “I am deeply grateful for the appointees’ commitment and desire to serve,” said Gov. Moore. “The Anne Arundel County Trial Court Judicial Nominating Commission helps ensure the quality of Maryland’s judiciary and will also reflect the diverse makeup of the jurisdiction that it serves.” The Commission is charged with reviewing candidates for judges to the local judiciary. Moore has committed to establishing a more diverse judiciary especially in Anne Arundel County. Leight, who is the Director of Government Relations and Legal Affairs at the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators and a member of the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association, will serve as the initial chair of the Commission. Congratulations Elizabeth!

Niraj Shah, Red Crown Inn Owner, discusses flooding concerns behind his hotel with state officials. Niraj Shah has been the owner of the Red Crown Inn for three years now. In that period, he has invested over a million dollars by his account in the hotel to bring it up to code. He religiously cites other improvements like the installation of a perimeter fence and security cameras to deter unlawful dumping and other unwanted activity as proof of his commitment to being a good business owner. Russett residents have long maintained that 198 hotel owners were negligent in allowing their properties to become havens for substandard housing, blight, unwanted loitering, and unlawful activities. The state-owned land behind Red Crown Inn has been the site of illegal dumping for years. Devin Tucker, a long-time resident, and Russett advocate, led a petition drive several years ago to force the closure of the hotels due to the high number of calls for police service to the establishments. The petition drive yielded over 700 signatures to Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. Tucker says that the petition drive was a key moment in bringing more scrutiny on the hotels, but that more can be done to help owners like Niraj who are trying to do the right thing. "Niraj has been the most responsive hotel owner. He still has some work to do but he at least makes an effort to keep things presentable at his hotel. For years, we've worked with Clean Harbors and fellow homeowners to help clean up the area behind the hotels but we can no longer do that due to some of the hazards back there," said Tucker. Tucker says that the illegal dumping conditions on the SHA land behind the Red Crown Inn impact nearly 300 homeowners in Russett. He said that they have found everything from appliances, car parts, furniture, oil, and other items on the land. By Shah's estimate, he's done more than enough to help mitigate nuisance issues involving at least his hotel. He just needs the State of Maryland and particularly the State Highway Administration (SHA) to start doing their part. "I'm doing everything I can to be a good neighbor. I'm not like the other owners. The SHA owns the land behind my hotel and I just need them to take responsibility for it because when it rains, it floods my property. That's a big problem for me. I've called everyone to help me fix this issue. Delegate Rogers is trying to help me solve the problem," said Shah. Both Shah, Tucker, and Russett resident Guernica Borne met on Thursday morning with the SHA for a meeting arranged by state Delegate Mike Rogers. Rogers, who is also a homeowner in Russett, says that he arranged the meeting to encourage a fix for the issue. "My office has been in constant contact with the SHA regarding a range of issues along 198 and I have asked them to help address the illegal dumping and flooding concerns behind Nirah's hotel. It's important for the SHA to listen to the stakeholders directly on matters like this. We'll get it done with the help of the SHA" said Rogers. Kimberly Tran, District Five Director for the SHA, said that she was pleased that Rogers' office reached out to her team. Tran mentioned that she was impressed with the volunteer work of the community to help clean up the area adding that the SHA normally has to "pay someone to clean up these areas. We will work to address these issues immediately." Among the strategies proposed to address the issues include expanding the drainage behind the Red Crown Inn to reduce flooding at the hotel. Tran acknowledged that the drainage was too small to accommodate "sheet runoff" from rainfall. Tran also agreed to Tucker's request to thin out overgrowth and vegetation behind the hotel. The thick vegetation encourages is an ideal hiding place for illegal dumping according to Tucker. Tucker also noted that the area behind the hotel has been the site of homeless encampments. Tran offered that her office has a homeless liaison and that she will ask the liaison to be mindful of any homeless encampments in the future. Finally, the SHA will remove any debris and more closely monitor the area in the future. Shah seemed pleased with the outcome of the meeting. "I want to thank Guernica from Russett, and definitely Mr. Devin Tucker, and Delegate Mike Rogers for helping with this issue but the ball is now in the highway administration's court, " said Shah. Overgrown vegetation and trees. Clogged storm drain behind the Red Crown Inn.

Anne Arundel County Police provided an update on the automated license plate readers (ALPRs) being installed on 198 near Russett Green East. It was previously reported by the State Highway Administration (SHA) that the cameras were being installed at the request of the Maryland State Police (MSP). Captain Sara Schriver of the Anne Arundel County Police confirmed however that the cameras are being installed by Anne Arundel County Police as a part of long-planned security improvements along the 198 corridor. "ALPRs technology was identified as a useful tool in this geographic area to enhance community safety, prevent crime and assist with investigations after a crime has occurred," said Schriver. She explained that the technology will be used to search for "vehicles occupied by criminal suspects that may have made their escape along the Route 198 corridor. Schriver said that when a 'hit' on a license plate is received, a "coordinated effort is made to locate the vehicle." The use of such cameras along 198 between Russett Green East and Whiskey Bottom Road has been discussed for years by Anne Arundel County Police as a way to help taper the unwanted activity at some of the 198 hotels. Schriver also cited the community's proximity to other heavily trafficked thoroughfares like Route 1, I-95, and the BWI Parkway as additional reasons for the security measures. Schriver said that images from the ALPRs are temporarily stored in a database and will be compared to other law enforcement databases when warranted. These other databases used for comparison include information about stolen vehicles, missing persons, and terrorists on watch lists. The cameras will be managed by the Anne Arundel County Police Department and will be operational year-round. The ALPRs are expected to be fully installed by the end of August.

The State Highway Administration (SHA) kept its promise. The state-owned land between Russett and the Red Crown Inn was cleared and cleaned late last week. Residents recently met with the SHA to address concerns and asked officials to clear overgrown vegetation and debris from the area. State Delegate Mike Rogers applauded the SHA on its responsiveness to community concerns. "It's a great example of the community, local businesses, and government cooperating to fix a concern. I'd like to thank Kimberly Tran's team for getting the work done in short order," said Rogers. Devin Tucker, one of the residents who met with state officials last week also complimented the SHA on its responsiveness. "I'm very impressed with Ms. Tran. She promised that the matter would be addressed immediately and she exceeded my expectations. This is the first time in years that the area back there has looked so presentable. It's a big plus for the community to have this done and completed. I think we all appreciate both Ms. Tran and Delegate Rogers for getting this resolved." The SHA also cleaned out and expanded a storm drain on the property to prevent flooding and has promised to monitor the area more closely to prevent similar problems in the future. The area between the Red Crown Inn and Russett on July 18, 2023 The area between the Red Crown Inn and Russett on July 18, 2023 The area between the Red Crown Inn and Russett on July 6, 2023 The area between the Red Crown Inn and Russett on July 6, 2023

Several residents in the area have asked about the installation of a "weird-looking pole" that was erected recently in the median of 198 near Russett Green East. According to a representative from the Maryland State Highway Administration, the "flock pole" is being installed at the request of the Maryland State Police (MSP) and will be mounted with automated license plate readers (ALPRs). The flock pole is set up to capture traffic going eastbound on 198 toward the BWI Parkway. Several of these camera installations can be found on other major thoroughfares near the BWI Parkway including one that intersects with the Arundel Mills Parkway. The use of such cameras along 198 between Russett Green East and Whiskey Bottom Road has been discussed for years by Anne Arundel County Police as a way to help taper the unwanted activity at some of the 198 hotels. We've made a request with the MSP to better understand why the cameras were requested and what the MSP hopes to accomplish by having them in place.

Congrats to the distinguished moms and dads of Jack and Jill Arundel Bay Area Chapter on another successful fundraiser to support Chrysalis House. The fundraiser will support housing stability addiction treatment for women with children. Over 150 patrons, including sororities and fraternities, attended the event at Laurel Race Track on Saturday, April 29, 2023 including School Board Member Gloria Dent, John Dove, Delegate Mike Rogers, Council Chair Pete Smith, Devin Tucker, Romica Brashear, and former Russett Board Member Antonio Downing.