Legislature

Commentary With much anticipation, the Maryland General Assembly kicks off another session this week, and much can be expected of this group that in the past has provided such landmark legislation as the Boiler Vessel Pressure Act of 1992 and a law allowing people who are legally blind to operate an automobile. For three months, the legislature will be an excellent diversion. It's kind enough to hold court during that dead time between the end of professional football season and Opening Day of Major League baseball - not that I am making any direct comparison between New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey and Senate President Mike Miller.

ANNAPOLIS - For P.J. Donoghue, as a young boy, opening day of the Maryland General Assembly mainly meant good free food. Now 19, he's more in tune with the meaning and importance of the pomp and circumstance. "The older you get, the more you know," said Donoghue, who will be at the State House today to watch his father, John, begin his 17th year as a delegate. "It's a ceremonial day," said Donoghue, the lone Democrat in Washington County's delegation. "We formalize that we are in session.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - As the most-tenured lawmaker in the West Virginia House of Delegates, Berkeley County Republican John Overington today will preside over the swearing-in of the 100-member body and the formal election of Speaker Rick Thompson, D-Wayne, and Minority Leader Tim Armstead. Democrats hold a commanding 72-28 majority in the House of Delegates. "I would have never thought in 1984, I would (one day) be the most senior person," Overington said. Overington, 60, said he plans to use the opportunity to recognize his mother, Helen Besley Overington, 99, who will make her first trip to Charleston, W.Va.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - When Berkeley County students return to school from holiday recess this week, dozens of classrooms will continue to be staffed with substitute teachers. As of Thursday, there were 75 teaching vacancies, said Superintendent Manny Arvon, who said he has high hopes that state lawmakers in 2007 will help ease the Eastern Panhandle's teacher shortage, despite defeated legislative efforts in 2006. "My focus will be on keeping more of our tax dollars here in the county (for the school system)

EASTERN PANHANDLE, W.VA. - Tighter controls on how cities can annex land, relief from high jail costs and funding to help extend Raleigh Street in Martinsburg to alleviate traffic congestion are among the issues local officials hope Eastern Panhandle lawmakers can tackle for them in the upcoming session of the Legislature. The Legislature convenes Jan. 10 in Charleston, W.Va., and Gov. Joe Manchin will get things started that day with the annual State of the State address. Annexation Jefferson County officials for some time have been concerned about state annexation laws that allow cities to use narrow pieces of land to reach larger tracts away from city boundaries.

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Charles S. Trump IV said he is at peace with no longer being a delegate in the West Virginia House of Representatives. He said he is looking forward to spending more time in the Eastern Panhandle and that he believes turnover in the Legislature is "healthier for the institution. " About a year ago, Trump decided not to run for re-election as delegate for the 51st District after serving 14 years and representing parts of Morgan, Berkeley and Hampshire counties.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, Pa. - State Rep. Patrick E. Fleagle has officially announced his intentions to seek re-election to a 10th term representing the 90th District, saying that "everything goes by seniority in Harrisburg. " Fleagle, R-Franklin, said there are seven committee chairmanships opening soon due to retirements, and he hopes to be selected chairman of the House Appropriations Committee by his peers in the Republican Caucus. The district has "always taken a back seat, I think, just because we haven't had the experience and seniority in Harrisburg," Fleagle said in a telephone interview Sunday.

In The (Baltimore) Sun last weekend, David Nitkin wrote that "For the next three months, the three politicians who hope to lead Maryland after this fall's voting - Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan - will face off in the same small space, the claustrophobic confines of the nation's oldest functioning State House. " Nitkin has made his share of waves over the past year, so I hate to add to the commotion.

FREDERICK, Md.. - Five Frederick County, Md., high school seniors and one alternate have been selected to serve as pages for the Maryland General Assembly 2006 legislative session. They are: Jarrell Cook, Frederick High School - A City Education Commission participant, honor roll student and Advanced Placement scholar with honors, Jarrell also earned achievement on the Preliminary SAT. He served as an intern at the Office of the State's Attorney and is employed at Sears. Lauren Greber, Governor Thomas Johnson High School - A National Honor Society member and Advanced Placement Scholar, Lauren earned honorable mention from the Maryland Distinguished Scholar program.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. martinsburg@herald-mail.com Those who think the number of Berkeley County Commissioners should be increased to five - and those who think three members are sufficient - can voice their opinions tonight during the County Commissioners meeting. Public comments will be allowed from 7:05 to 7:30 p.m. on the matter, which has been discussed for years. County Commission President Steve Teufel said no action will be taken tonight. Petitions are needed before anything may be done, he said.