Every day politics in the peoples democratic gulag.

He was only buying his permits for the Promenade as he bought his permits for most of his developments. How else can he buy State property when no other developer will have the same opportunity to buy 30 acres of Spring Grove property?
How do you think he is counting on buying property form the State with a sweetheart deal and at the same time SELL property TO the State in a sweetheart deal for a new courthouse? Win Win for Whalen and LOSE LOSE for the taxpayers.

Jack, I agree with you that this is not a partisan issue. I would point out that it was the campaign of Rebecca Dongarra, a Democrat, who raised this issue of developers' financing candidates impedes their ability to make unbiased land use decisions. Responsible land use was one of her main platform issues. No doubt it was these repeated charges that led Whalen to feel that he needed to hide his donations to Quirk. All of the Republican candidates of 2010 have been silent and missing in action so to speak.

With the tip of the iceberg chipped away a bigger one arises, What is next?
“A government afraid of its citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny!” Thomas Jefferson
We have been warned!

So who did she get her money from? People who wanted her to represent their position I presume. If the anti-development folks can give money, can't the pro-development folks do the same. Your position appears hypocritical.

The other question; is the developer supporting someone already representing their views, or is the developer supporting someone to get them to change their views?

FIFA, When Rebecca Dongarra went down to Annapolis to testify against HB1161, a bill sponsored for Whalen's benefit, she was in good company. 1000 Friends of MD and the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance were by her side. Unfortunately, esteemed groups such of these are non-profit and cannot contribute of assist responsible land use candidates. Outside the meeting hall, Mr. Whalen tried to get her to take a donation at that time. She refused. It's called integrity. The difference is that the development lobby has tons of money compared to the everyday citizen. Time and time again the candidates who take their money, like Quirk, do the bidding of these contributors. Just look at issue 1-008 in district one's comprehensive re-zoning process. Quirk upzoned 30 acres for a $4000 donor represented by Gildea, Schmidt, and Smith who were essential to getting him elected.

FIFA good question? But you fail in your comment "she" ? You need to be clear on your statement first assuming who she is? She have a name?
You statement to me "Your position appears hypocritical".?
Thomas Jefferson, hypocritical? Why do the developers go to the government to build what they want? Money? Why should we accept this situation? Did the citizens petition the local government to build what the people need instead of what the developers want?
GREED is not good, Let the developers go to the town hall or community associations alone without the Government official standing by them, Let them separate from the government and go to the the local citizens and get there backing first. Am I missing the point of "We the People"?

I thought it was clear that she was Rebecca as referred to by OpenEyes. She was supported by two organizations, per OpenEyes that have their agenda. Developers have a different agenda.

Your comments are a condemnation of our political process. Picking on developers seems hypocritical to me. The two non-profit organizations, just like many others, can establish PACs to forward their political agenda or get people to donate directly.

At the national level a conservative led SCOTUS has ruled that corporations are people too and can give unlimited amounts as long as they are not affiliated with campaigns. Wink Wink. Mr. Whalen could have avoided this entire affair but he was stupid. If he funneled his contributions through LLCs or partnerships he owned their would never have been charges.

OpenEyes condemns developers for contributing money to support candidates that support their cause. Is that any different that the Chamber of Commerce or the NRA supporting candidates that support their cause? Of course not, it is exactly the same. The system sucks, but picking out one part of it seems hypocritical to me.

ahair-cut
I would like to say thank for sharing this great article. We can’t get this kind of information from http://www.ahair-cut.com

Interesting how both the Quirkster and KK handled this. KK knows that he has destroyed any primary opposition in the future. He sent the message loud and clear in the last primary - "by any means necessary" to secure election. So KK is keeping the money. The Quirkster on the other hand knows he is on shaky ground with a possible primary challenge coming. His signature legislation of transgenderism - which even he does not follow in his business does not speak well of him. Add to that fact in his one opportunity with a large public group - Catonsville's home football playoff game, he like most politicians thought the moment was about him. Add the Mr. Potter situation in to the mix and Quirk knows he has problems.
What I do find interesting - are any public servants coming out and questioning - If Mr. Potter (Whelan) is simply disregarding rules that he knows about and is being upfront about not following the rules, what building and devolpment codes are he and his crew simply ignoring because he believes these rules don't apply to him. Isn't this a public safety issue?