Annapolis

Don't forget the West Horse trading is a part of the Annapolis political culture, even on opening day of the Maryland General Assembly session. Shortly after he was sworn in again as state Senate president on Wednesday, Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. promised to press for a new Dover Bridge for the Eastern Shore, connecting Caroline and Talbot counties. He called it his first priority. "You can sit there and vote red (against bills)," Miller, D-Calvert/Prince George's, told the Senate, "and I'm still gonna get that damn bridge built, OK?"

Money and marriage are on the minds of Washington County's state lawmakers heading to Annapolis. So are foreclosed properties, virtual schools, petition privacy, parole and probation violators, and Washington County's proposed senior center. With the 2012 Maryland General Assembly session set to begin Wednesday, a majority of Washington County's delegation anticipates state budget negotiations and a battle over legalizing same-sex marriage taking up much of the legislature's time and attention.

This is the 190th in a series of articles about the historical and architectural treasures of Washington County. See a slideshow of more historic and modern photos at www.herald-mail.com/lifestyle.     The old house stands on a bluff above Md. 56 about a mile from Big Spring, commanding the view. A large chimney rises above the gambrel roof at the rear of the original section of the building. The chimney is built of dressed stones laid in regular courses and divided into three sections by two set backs.

Gauging lawmakers' success in Annapolis isn't as easy as looking at how many of their bills passed. Del. Andrew A. Serafini, R-Washington, and Sen. Ronald N. Young, D-Frederick/Washington, each said they filed certain bills this year just to stimulate debate. Some local bills technically were defeated in committee, but the proposals they contained were adopted through another bill or an agreement that didn't require legislation. Being a watchdog is important, too, as former Sen. Alex X. Mooney once said: "I protect and represent my constituents.

With Maryland’s legislative session nearly over, the results of a local lobbying coalition’s 2011 wish list are becoming clearer. Brien J. Poffenberger, president of the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce, said Friday that the coalition knew this was the wrong year to ask for anything that required much money. Instead, the coalition focused on protecting Washington County’s progress, he said. This year’s coalition agenda included road projects and economic development initiatives, as well as a “watch list” for previously approved library and higher-education funding.

A dispute over services and fees at an Allegany County campground has sparked a bill in Annapolis. Del. LeRoy E. Myers Jr., R-Washington/Allegany, asked the House Economic Matters Committee on Wednesday to help Little Orleans Campground and Park Area. During a hearing on his bill, Myers said the campground is battling a couple that lives there permanently. The question is whether the campground had to go through the state Public Service Commission to set rates for services to the couple.