Arundel Digest | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

DUNDALK - The Commerce Department has overridden Maryland's objection to a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal at Sparrows Point near Baltimore.

The department determined that the national interest served by the facility outweighs what it described as "limited adverse coastal effects."

Gov. Martin O'Malley sharply criticized the decision, saying the project presents a homeland security and environmental threat.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski pledged to search for legislative options to stop the project.

AES Corp. wants to build the LNG terminal at the former Bethlehem Steel shipyard, along with an 88-mile pipeline that would pump the gas to Pennsylvania. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has recommended conditional approval of the project and could make a final decision by the end of November.

Pasadena residents who live across the Patapsco River from the site have expressed concerns about the project.

County sued in ambulance crash

MARYLAND CITY - The family of a Virginia man killed last year when his motorcycle hit an ambulance is suing the county for $4.4 million.

No charges were filed in connection with the Sept. 14, 2007, wreck in Maryland City that claimed the life of Gene Sergent, 21, of Woodbridge. County police say Mr. Sergent caused the wreck when ran a red light at about 11 a.m. as he drove east on Route 198 in front of the Maryland City Plaza shopping center.

But in their lawsuit Frieda L. Sergent and John A. Turkette, Mr. Sergent's parents, say Firefighter Darrel E. Blount was to blame for the wreck. Michael McGowan, their attorney, said they have two witnesses who say Firefighter Blount ran the red light while his emergency lights were off.

"It's inexplicable. … I truly don't know how the investigating officer reached the conclusion he did," Mr. McGowan said.

Assistant County Attorney Michael Lord acknowledged there are "discrepancies" in the witness statements about who ran the red light.

"There are some suggestions (Firefighter Blount) had a red light. There are some he had a green," he said. "But we certainly stand behind our firefighter and plan to defend this."

Benefit planned for burn victim

PASADENA - The Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Burn Foundation will hold a benefit July 5 to raise money for the family of a Pasadena toddler burned during a camping trip this spring.

Three-year-old Aaron Golden stumbled into a campfire pit full of hot coals while camping with his family May 3, suffering second- and third-degree burns on his hands and legs.

He has undergone two surgeries and a skin graft to his left hand, which he is beginning to use again. Visits with plastic surgeons and physicians specializing in severe burns will continue for at least the next year and a half, the family said.

The benefit, with food, snow balls, a moon bounce and other games, begins at 1 p.m. at 341 Eagle Hill Road in Pasadena. To RSVP, call 443-618-0125 or e-mail cweber@visiontech.biz.

Checks should be made payable to the Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Burn Foundation.

ACLU threatens prayer lawsuit

ANNAPOLIS - The American Civil Liberties Union is pressuring the Naval Academy to end its 163-year tradition of lunchtime prayer.

In a May letter to Vice Admiral Jeffrey L. Fowler, the academy's superintendent, ACLU officials asked the institution to end the prayers on behalf of nine unnamed midshipmen who said the prayer made them uncomfortable and violated the Constitution.

The prayer occurs before the midshipmen eat lunch, when one of the academy's eight chaplains leads the brigade in prayer. The anonymous midshipmen and the ACLU said those who don't clasp their hands, bow their heads, and recite the prayer inevitably stand out and feel pressure to participate.

But academy officials said they had no plans to end the practice.

Corrections

The dates for several special programs at local branches of the county library are incorrect in the Child's Play column appearing on Page B3 of the Maryland Gazette today.

Most branches are not holding special Summer Reading Club events this week because of the July 4th holiday. The Milkshake family concert is being held at the North County branch at 7 p.m. Tuesday, and the program for middle-schoolers, The History of Hip-Hop, is at 7 p.m. Monday at the West County Area Library.

However, the other branch events are not until the following week. Here is the correct schedule:

Brooklyn Park Branch - Stevens Puppets, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. July 10. 1 East 11th Ave. 410-222-6260.

Linthicum Branch - Stevens Puppets, 10 a.m. and noon July 9. 400 Shipley Road. 410-222-6265.

Mountain Road Branch - Up with Kids!, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. July 10. 4730 Mountain Road. 410-222-6699.

Provinces Branch - Unleash the Magic of Reading, 3 and 7 p.m. July 7. 2624 Annapolis Road. 410-222-6280.

Riviera Beach Branch - Stevens Puppets, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. July 7. 1130 Duvall Highway. 410-222-6285.

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A story on farmers' markets in the Maryland Gazette on June incorrectly reported details about Boyer Farms sales. The farm sells all its produce at its stand at 1500 Severn Road in Severn.