LIVE BLOG: Carney Improvement Association Meeting

UPDATE — (9:40 p.m.) Sorry about the abrupt ending to this evening's live blog of the Carney Improvement Association meeting — your intrepid Patch editor's laptop died.

The meeting wrapped up after Delegate Cluster and Senator Klausmeier left shortly after 8:40 p.m.  In closing, Meg O'Hare asked the representatives to talk to their fellow legislators who did not attend the meeting.

"I don't mind hearing 'I can't make it'," O'Hare said. "I do think, though, that when you can't show up that at least warrants a phone call.  I had commitments from everyone [including Delegates Bromwell and Boetler], I just think that's rude."

The next meeting of the Carney Improvement Association will be held on September 21, 2011 at 7 p.m. at Carney Elementary School.

(8:25 p.m.) Klausmeier is still talking about aquaculture. 

(8:16 p.m.) Klausmeier is discussing an aquaculture bill that she worked on with Republican Anthony O'Donnell and Gov. O'Malley.

As a result of the bill the aquaculture industry will be controled by the Department of Natural Resources rather than the Department of Agriculture.

"The aquaculture bill is a great thing — but it's not the only thing we can focus on here," said O'Hare.

(8:07 p.m.) Klausmeier started off by talking about an aquaculture bill.

O'Hare chastised Klausmeier for making a dig at Boetler.

"This is Meg O'Hare speaking and not the president of the Carney Improvement Association, but I expect my Delegates and Senators not to take digs at eachother," she said.

(8:03 p.m.) Senator Kathy Klausmeier has now arrived at the meeting. 

"We're talking about a number of things that Del. Cluster brought up," said Meg O'Hare.

"You can look at this sheet he brought," she said.

"I could, but I'm not going to," Klausmeier responded.

(8 p.m.) Del. Cluster still the only legislator present at the meeting.

Meg O'Hare apologizing to Del. Cluster: "I'm sorry you had to talk so much, I had commitments from Del. Boetler and others," she said.

"You know politicians, we can talk," Cluster said.

(7:55 p.m.) "We had 3 people taken out of Annapolis on a stretcher — all Republicans and they all came out of my committee," Cluster joked.

(7:49 p.m.) We're on to the alcohol tax — "I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing but, here is Baltimore County we drink more beer than anybody, so this really affects us," said Cluster. 

Those gathered responded by cheering.

(7:44 p.m.) "Right now if you get life with the possibility of parole, the only person who can give you parole is the governor — there hasn't been one signed in 7 years," said Cluster.

"They passed a law down there [in Annapolis] that says if the governor does nothing for 90 days, they parolee automatically goes free," said Cluster.

A Carney resident chimed in to say it's no wonder the law passed, since so many politicians are lawyers.

"They're looking for future clients," he said.

(7:37 p.m.) Cluster is talking to the Carney Improvement Association about a petition to add the issue of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants to the 2012 ballot. 

"The petition already has 30,000 signatures," Cluster said.

According to Cluster about 58,000 total signatures will be needed by July to stall the in-state tuition issue.

(7:34 p.m.) The children of illegal immigrants being granted in-state tuition will have to attend a community college for two years before moving on to a 4-year college.

According to Cluster, when students move to a 4-year college they will be given in-state tuition but take up an out-of-state position as far as college admissions are concerned.

"That will drive up the cost of in-state tuition by about $4,000," said Cluster

(7:27 p.m.) Delegate Cluster is beginning his legislative wrap-up.

"This was probably the most contentious session I've ever seen," said Del. John Cluster.

Cluster is explaining to the Carney Improvement Association the ins-and-outs of the bill that led to in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Originally, Cluster explained, the bill included the restriction that an immigrant must have filed a state income tax return. 

One Carney resident chipped in that you'd have to be working legally to file an income tax return.

"You're thinking too logically," said Cluster. "That's not how they think in Annapolis."

(7:24 p.m.) O'Hare is addressing the crowd about the Baltimore County Public Schools facilities use issue — she told the group that the facilities use rule wouldn't require a small group to carry insurance when using a building for meetings. 

"In my opinion their intent was not to punish community organizations — basically they're trying to preserve the schools because there's no money to restore them," said O'Hare.

"I do believe that a community association should be able to meet in their own community," she said.

(7:15 p.m.) — Minutes from the last Carney Improvement Association meeting were approved and the treasurers report has been given.

Meg O'Hare, president of Carney Improvement Association, said that Senator Kathy Klausmeier will arrive around 8 p.m.

"Delegate Boetler told me he would be here, so I have no idea why he's not," O'Hare said.

Delegate John Cluster is still the only member of the delegation present.

(7:10 p.m.) — The meeting began with introductions — familiar faces in attendance include Ruth Baisden of the Greater Parkville Community Council and Delegate John Cluster. 

Meg O'Hare introduced herself as the president of the organization and a "former member of the board of education."

(7:06 p.m.) — Carney Improvement Association president Meg O'Hare calls the meeting to order — about 20 people have arrived so far.

"We're going on the Patch blog tonight," said O'Hare.  "You know that means I have to behave myself," she joked.

So far only Delegate John Cluster has arrived at the meeting to represent District 8. 

The Carney Improvement Association is holding their last meeting of the 2010-2011 year tonight at Carney Elementary School on Joppa Road.

Set to speak on this evening's agenda are State Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, Del. Eric Bromwell, Del. Joe Boetler, and Del. John Cluster. 

The officials will take questions from Carney residents and provide a wrap-up of the legislative session. 

You can refresh this article to follow the meeting live.