Cromer

HAGERSTOWN gregs@herald-mail.com One day after a heated discussion between Hagerstown City Councilwoman Kelly S. Cromer and Mayor Richard F. Trump over a disputed letter, Cromer wrote on an Internet forum last week that Trump was "lying to the public about what he did and why he did it. " Trump, reached by phone Monday, would not respond to the charge or say whether he believed it was appropriate. "I have no comment," Trump said. "I think that (Cromer) ought to come to me. I don't think that we should mediate" the dispute in the newspaper.

Police recognized for recertification Following its initial accreditation in 1994, the Hagerstown City Police Department was recognized for its March 26 recertification during the city council's work session Tuesday night. "You should be very proud of your police department," said Jim Robey, member of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc. "This is your fourth award. You should be very, very proud of that. " Accredited police departments are re-evaluated every three or four years and must meet specific criteria in order to be recertified as accredited agencies.

Kelly S. Cromer Democrat Age: 40 Address: Summit Avenue Occupation: Criminal defense lawyer 1. With 10 candidates to choose from, why should voters select you as a member of the City Council? I'm a fresh face, with the determination of a zealous advocate and sound vision. I will restore the public's trust and strengthen relationships with citizens, businesses and county and state officials so that Hagerstown can thrive. Leadership premised upon integrity; tireless energy and a vision is necessary to ensure the city receives its fair share of resources.

gregs@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - Kelly S. Cromer waited until later in life to prove herself scholastically, and now she's ready to prove herself politically. Cromer, a Democrat, is a candidate running for Hagerstown City Council. Cromer, 39, is married to Steve Cromer, a Hagerstown police officer. She is a Hagerstown-based criminal defense and family law attorney. Cromer, a 1983 South Hagerstown High School graduate, married in 1985, had a son and began working as paralegal.

Name of business: Law Office of Kelly S. Cromer Owner: Kelly S. Cromer Address: 21 Summit Ave., Hagerstown Opening date: Sept. 15, 2003 Products and services: Legal services, with a concentration on criminal, DWI, domestic, mediation, wills and CINA. Market area: Washington County How did you get into your business, or what motivated you to start it? "I worked as a legal assistant for many years in this area. I loved the law so much that I began going to college while working full time.

A program for refugees moving to Hagerstown has not done enough to solicit assistance from outside groups or publicize its efforts. George Miller, program coordinator of the Hagerstown Refugee Resettlement office, said he is trying to do better, but he conceded the office has its shortcomings in recent interviews. In the wake of a health scare that temporarily shut down West Franklin Street, others' reactions to the program were more critical. Community leaders who said they welcome the refugees raised concerns about communication and the availability of jobs.

A 35-year-old Hagerstown man serving five years in prison for resisting arrest has filed a $16 million federal lawsuit against the City of Hagerstown and two police officers who arrested him, claiming he was beaten and denied medical care. Randall Mark Long, now an inmate at the Maryland Correctional Training Center south of Hagerstown, filed the lawsuit April 30 in U.S. District Court in Baltimore, a clerk confirmed Wednesday. In the suit, Long names the City of Hagerstown and Hagerstown City Police Officers Steven Cromer and Joseph Stauffer.