Munson

State Sen. Donald F. Munson said Wednesday he's no longer considering a write-in campaign and has conceded to Christopher B. Shank, the hands-down winner in Tuesday's Republican primary. But Munson -- who was trying for a sixth Senate term -- said he won't support Shank and considers him a liability for Washington County in Annapolis. Shank, finishing his third term as the Subdistrict 2B delegate, received about 57 percent of the vote Tuesday and will take over for Munson in the coming session of the Maryland General Assembly.

In Annapolis, there are talkers and there are doers. If Washington County had any doubts about who was whom among its elected lawmakers, this just-ended session certainly cleared the air. Credit goes to state Sen. Donald F. Munson and Del. John P. Donoghue for doing the heavy lifting in a lean budgetary year and ensuring that the people of Washington County will have something to show for the 2010 session. Washington County will receive $2.5 million for the Washington County Free Library; $2.53 million for a new Maryland State Police barrack; $75,000 for construction of the Rural Heritage Transportation Museum in Boonsboro; $50,000 toward the expansion of the Deafnet Association Inc. building; and $50,000 for the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

The Herald-Mail typically does not offer endorsements in the primaries, leaving it to the parties to sort out their respective candidates for the general election. We break with this informal policy in this year's District 2 state senate Republican primary race between sitting Sen. Donald Munson and the challenger for the seat, Del. Christopher Shank, for two reasons. One is the importance of the seat, which is really the gateway through which many benefits flow for Washington County.

While I was the warden of a local prison I would always invite Sen. Don Munson to come down and visit during each election. When he visited, he would spend a few hours at the prison talking with staff and listening to their problems. I thought it was a good way to educate the senator. On occasion, I, too, extended the same invitation to Chris Shank. He also came down to visit the prison and made his rounds. Both Munson and Shank are Republicans, and both want to represent District 2-C as the next state senator.

MAUGANSVILLE - Washington County Commissioner John C. Munson blasted Allegheny Power Wednesday night, saying the company wasn't trying hard enough restore power to Maugansville residents after Tuesday night's storms. Allegheny Power restored service to roughly 1,000 Maugansville customers Thursday about 4 a.m., company spokeswoman Janice Lantz said. Lantz said six poles had to be replaced as a result of Tuesday night's thunderstorms. Many residents were without power for more than 24 hours, which Munson called unacceptable.

Those familiar with the phrase, "It was quiet - too quiet" already understand what happened in Del. Christopher B. Shank's unseating of incumbent state Sen. Donald F. Munson. Shank's hand, brilliantly played, was this: Tap in to anti-establishment anger, steer the debate away from real issues and pray for low turnout. When at midday, voter turnout in Boonsboro was only 10 percent, Shank had to like his chances. Shank's win ranks perhaps as the greatest upset in Washington County politics, or at least as far back as anyone can remember.

ANNAPOLIS - Sen. Don Munson said he's confident that Hagerstown won't lose the University System of Maryland education center. cont. from front page "The sky is not falling. Cooler heads seem to be prevailing," Munson, R-Washington, said Thursday. On Wednesday, Gov. Parris Glendening told Del. John Donoghue, D-Washington, and Del. Sue Hecht, D-Frederick/Washington, that he would cut the project unless a site comparison study was removed from the 2001 budget. Procedurally, it's too late for Munson to amend it out of the budget, which the Senate is scheduled to vote on today.

laurae@herald-mail.com Sen. Donald F. Munson voted to raise the cigarette tax Tuesday after a budget committee chairwoman threatened to cut money for Hagerstown's two most important projects. At risk was $12.4 million for the University System of Maryland Hagerstown Education Center and a $2 million subsidy for air service to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, said Munson, R-Washington. Budget and Taxation Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara A. Hoffman, D-Baltimore, told Munson over the weekend she would withdraw her support for both projects unless Munson agreed to vote for a 34-cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax. "I believe that airplane subsidy would have crashed and burned last Saturday and Hoffman would have killed the university," Munson said after the Senate voted 32-15 to raise the tax. Hoffman confirmed that she pressured Munson.

Having covered politics and observed politicians for more than 20 years, I've seen my fair share of flip-flops by candidates who develop mild to major cases of amnesia once they're sworn into office. But Washington County Commissioner John Munson's rationale this week as to why he has no choice but to take the $10,000 pay raise he railed against as a candidate takes some guts. Why? Because he's not only been been caught cold in a campaign fib, he's also trying to paint himself as a victim, saying the pay raise he so despised before Election Day had been approved by the Maryland General Assembly so he can't give it back now even if he wants to. You might be interested in some history from the campaign trail.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Washington County Commissioner John C. Munson says he plans to fight proposed legislation that would give the Humane Society's animal control officers the authority to file criminal charges against violators of the animal control ordinance. Munson said this week he believes that power should lie solely with law enforcement officers. Washington County government is considering pushing for that legislation in the upcoming Maryland General Assembly session.

City of Hagerstown officials expect later this month to approve a balanced budget for fiscal year 2013-14 without raising taxes, but over the next few years that might prove to be extremely challenging financially, some city council members said Thursday. With city property values expected to decrease by about 8 percent in the 2013 triennial reassessment this December, the Hagerstown City Council has been asked by city staff to consider a tax increase in the next budget cycle for fiscal year 2014-15 to account for an anticipated shortfall of about $3.2 million.

Attracting professional baseball continues to be a major talking point in Fredericksburg, Va., and it's drawing concern from at least one Hagerstown City Council member. A study that examines the economic feasibility of a multiuse stadium in Fredericksburg will be presented Monday to the city's economic development officials, according to an agenda found on the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority's website. “I get a feeling that the Fredericksburg proposal, the movement down there is a serious proposal,” Councilman Donald F. Munson said Thursday.

A memorial graveside service for Rethabelle Munson of Clear Spring, will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Little Rose Hill Cemetery of Clear Spring. The Rev. Clark D. Carr will officiate. Arrangements are by Donald Edwin Thompson Funeral Home Inc. Clear Spring.

A Bunker Hill, W.Va., man convicted in September of first-degree robbery in a November 2011 home invasion was sentenced Thursday in Berkeley County Circuit Court to 44 years in state prison, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Gregory K. Jones said. Tyler Shane Munson also was sentenced by Judge John Yoder to one to 15 years for burglary, one to five years for criminal conspiracy and two to 10 years for assault in the commission of a felony, Jones said. The sentences are to be served consecutively, he said.

It was Government 101 Wednesday afternoon at Hagerstown City Hall as four of the five individuals who were recently elected to Hagerstown City Council as well as Mayor-elect David S. Gysberts got an introduction to the workings of city government. Kristin B. Aleshire, Penny Nigh, Donald F. Munson and Lewis C. Metzner and Gysberts will not be sworn-in until Monday but they attended an informal meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday as they prepare to get started leading the city. Incumbent Martin E. Brubaker, who was re-elected, was not present.

Name: Donald F. Munson Date of birth: Dec. 21, 1937 Address: 117 W. Magnolia Ave., Hagerstown Education: (highest attained): Bachelor's degree, Johns Hopkins University Occupation: Retired Party Affiliation: Republican Political Experience: Delegate, Maryland House of Delegates for 16 years; Senator, Maryland Senate for 20 years. Q: A significant amount of public taxpayer money over a long period has been committed to help pay for the local share of debt service on the proposed multiuse sports and events center.

Glenn Eugene Munson, 88, formerly of Fairview Road in Hagerstown, Md., died Friday, April 6, 2012, at Fahrney-Keedy Memorial Home in Boonsboro, Md. Born Jan. 30, 1924, in Woodmont, Md., he was the son of the late Earl H. Munson and Gladys C. Faith Munson Kayser. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Betty J. Munson, on April 5, 1990. In his younger years, Glenn was employed as a farmer. He later owned and operated Munson's Atlantic Service Station, and he retired from Hagerstown Auto Parts.

Incumbent Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II and longtime state legislator Don Munson emerged as the top vote-getters in their  Republican races in Hagerstown's primary elections Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial results. With all 18 city precincts and early voting counted, Bruchey secured the GOP nomination for mayor, receiving 1,047 votes to top challenger Brian D. Caron who finished with 765. Bruchey, who is seeking his third elected term as mayor, will face Democrat David S. Gysberts in the Nov. 6 general election, setting up a rematch of Bruchey's 2009 victory.

John and Jill Munson would like to share how proud they are of their son, Matthew, for being selected and recognized for demonstrating respect at Maugansville Elementary School.  In February, he was invited to the “Golden Table” during his lunchtime, which is an activity used to promote the six pillars of character in the Character Counts! program at the school.  Matthew will turn 7 on April 1, and his parents would also like to wish him a happy seventh birthday. Senior Friendship Club to meet Tuesday Maugansville Senior Friendship Club will meet Tuesday, April 3, at the Hibachi Buffet (formerly TOPS)