Actress speaks up for Bucky the deer

March 08, 2004|by LAURA ERNDE

ANNAPOLIS - Actress Kirstie Alley was among the many people who called the Maryland Department of Natural Resources last month to plead for the life of Bucky the Deer.

After seeing a segment about the condemned Hagerstown deer on the Today show, the former star of NBC sitcoms "Cheers" and "Veronica's Closet" talked to Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto for about 40 minutes, DNR sources say.

"By the end of the call, Ms. Alley had promised to let Katie Couric and the folks at NBC know that (a) the DNR-dudes in Maryland 'are not big bad bureaucrats' and (b) a responsible follow-up story was in order," the DNR reported on its local computer network.

Alley could not be reached for confirmation.

DNR to explain plan for black bear hunt

ANNAPOLIS - While Bucky's life was spared when he was released near a Williamsport game park, some of Western Maryland's black bears may not be so lucky.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is holding a meeting in Frostburg, Md., this week to explain its plan for the first black bear hunt in 50 years.

The hunt is set for Oct. 25 to 30 and Dec. 6 to 11 in Garrett County and western Allegany County.

A bill that would have banned the hunt was defeated in the House Environmental Matters Committee last week.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Beall Junior-Senior High School auditorium.

Senate approves wine for retirement homes

ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland Senate last week passed a bill to allow wine consumption at Prince George's County retirement homes.

Sen. Paula C. Hollinger, D-Baltimore, said lawmakers thought about making it an emergency bill so it would go into effect immediately on the governor's signature rather than on Jan. 1.

"We wanted to make sure they got their treat before it was too late," she said.

Shank's brake bill gets through House

ANNAPOLIS - Del. Christopher B. Shank, R-Washington, got his first bill of the legislation session through the House of Delegates last week.

The bill is simple enough. It allows motorists to pull trailers equipped with surge brakes.

Surge brakes, which are triggered by forward momentum, technically are against the law, although they are sold across the state. They are especially popular on boat trailers because electronic brakes can't be submerged in water, Shank said.

The legislation has been several years in the making as industry groups and organizations concerned with safety argued over the details of the bill.

Finally, Shank was able to broker a compromise this year. The bill now is in the Senate.

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