Baltimore year in review

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284 days ago: New Year’s predictions for D.C.-area officials

284 days ago: Carroll year in review

284 days ago: Anne Arundel year in review

» 284 days ago: Baltimore year in review «

284 days ago: Harford year in review

284 days ago: Howard year in review

284 days ago: The highs and lows of state legislation in 2007

288 days ago: Shooting, scandals and suits from 2007

(Chris Ammann/Examiner file photo)
Mayor Sheila Dixon announces July 19 that Baltimore Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm has resigned at her request.

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - JANUARY

Then: Hundreds of police officers from across the state gather to mourn Baltimore Police Det. Troy Chesley, who was fatally shot in an attempted robbery as he was heading into his home after his shift. Chesley, a father of five, was 34. Brandon Grimes, 21, of Baltimore, whom Chesley shot in the leg, was charged with first-degree murder. Police in April subsequently charged Grimes in two attempted-murder cases.

Now: Grimes’ murder trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 16.

Then: The Baltimore Teachers Union and the Baltimore City School Board Commission continued talks initiated in December but stalled months later. Health benefits were later agreed upon, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement over 45 minutes of planning time. In September, an impasse was declared. In October, the union president accused new schools CEO Andres Alonso of reneging on a deal on the planning time. The union finally approved a two-year contract in November. The teachers received a 4.5 percent pay increase for the current school year and 4 percent increase next year.

Now: The dispute over planning time is expected to be settled early this year.

FEBRUARY

Then: The General Assembly considered legislation that would close the state-run Rosewood Center in Owings Mills, a facility for the developmentally disabled. New admissions were halted in January after a study documented instances in which deaf residents weren’t provided with an interpreter, and residents were restrained with straitjackets for minor offenses. Some families fought to keep the center open.

Now: Lawmakers approved a yearlong study of the center and gave the staff one year to make improvements. Following a report of rat droppings, sewage leaks and razor blades on the lawn, lawmakers in September gave the center eight weeks to make improvements. But after a report released Dec. 13 documented 130 instances of abuse and neglect, lawmakers and advocates are again renewing their call for closure.

Then: In what was dubbed the ‘Clash of the Titans’ by legal experts, attorney William “Billy” Murphy Jr. defeated fellow legal star Stephen Snyder — who advertises himself as the “Master of the Malpractice University” ­— in a showdown over a surgery at the University of Maryland Medical Center that left a Mount Airy woman, Rebecca Waldt, 58, partially paralyzed. Asking for $10 million, Snyder was so shocked when Judge Lynn Stewart threw out the case that he stormed from the courtroom.

Now: Waldt is appealing the judge’s decision to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the state’s second-highest court.

MARCH

Then: The arrest of 7-year-old Gerard Mungo Jr., who was sitting on a dirt bike in front of his East Baltimore home, stirred international controversy and landed the boy in the city juvenile detention center, where he was photographed for a mug shot and fingerprinted.

Now: Since Gerard’s arrest, and the subsequent arrest of his mother, Likisha Dinkins, all charges have been dropped. But his family filed a multimillion dollar lawsuit against the city in November, claiming false imprisonment, illegal arrest and violation of his civil rights.

APRIL

Then: Lutherville body-shop owner Steven Galasso took county officials to federal court after he was fined $145,600 for operating his business in an area zoned for residential use. Galasso maintained his property was erroneously changed from business use to residential in the 1950s.

Now: Two county inspectors pressed charges against Galasso, accusing him of pointing a loaded shotgun at them. In November, Galasso took an Alford plea on assault charges — maintaining his innocence but acknowledging prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him — and was jailed for 32 days. A judge sentenced Galasso to 18 months of home detention Dec. 17. Galasso paid a $2,500 fine, forfeited all weapons and agreed to cooperate with zoning officials. Galasso has agreed to stop repairing cars at the site.

MAY

Then: The Examiner reveals that city police spent more than $30 million dollars on overtime in 2006, and $20 million in 2007. The overruns soak up half the city's budget surplus for 2007 and lead to charges of overtime abuse from City Council members.

Now: City officials say they have clamped down on overtime, cutting spending nearly 50 percent for the current fiscal year.

Then: Angry residents of the Halethorpe community of Riverchase demanded to know why a partially collapsed road in their neighborhood had not been fixed for months.

Now: The road is still not fixed. The county has selected a contractor, which has until February to complete Ingate Road repairs at the county’s expense, according to the Riverchase Condominium Association. Riverchase homeowners will pay $2,000 each to fund $825,000 in repairs to enbankments, foundation walls, bridges and balconies,” according to a letter recently mailed to residents.

JUNE

Then: On June 2, Zach Sowers, a 27-year-old South Baltimore man, was beaten into a coma while walking home from a Canton bar. The senseless nature of the attack drew widespread attention to Baltimore’s crime. Sowers’ friends and family started several fundraising campaigns to help pay for the family’s medical bills. His wife, Anna Sowers, has become active politically, speaking out against the city’s rampant crime.

Now: Sowers remains in a vegetative state. The four teens charged with his beating all have pleaded guilty to their roles in the attack. Three were sentenced to eight years and one to 40 years behind bars. Anna Sowers says she’s not happy with the plea deal.

JULY

Then: Facing a soaring homicide rate, embattled Baltimore Police Commissioner Leonard Hamm resigned at the request of Mayor Sheila Dixon. Hamm faced sharp criticism over the arrest of 7-year-old Gerard Mungo, allegations of thousands of illegal arrests, and millions of dollars spent on unbudgeted overtime.

Now: Hamm starts his new job as director of public safety at Coppin State University on Wednesday, the university recently announced. Coppin’s interim president, Sadie Gregory, said she’s “ecstatic” to be bringing the veteran police leader aboard. Hamm’s former deputy commissioner of operations, Frederick Bealefeld, has taken over as the city’s top cop. The city’s homicide rate, while still exceeding last year’s pace, has slowed.

SEPTEMBER

Then: Ellwood “Bunky” Bartlett, 40, of Dundalk, a self-described Wiccan, drove up in a new Ford Explorer to claim his share of a $330 million prize in the Mega Millions lottery. Because Bartlett opted for a one-time payout, his $82.5 million jackpot dipped to a still cool $32.6 million after taxes. Bartlett claimed he wouldn’t be moving or giving away any of his winnings but would be creating opportunities for others.

Now: Close friend Lori Perdue, who owns the Mystickal Voyage coffee and New Age gift shop in White Marsh where the news conference was held that announced Bartlett’s good fortune, said he is living in the Carroll County area. According to Perdue, he has invested in several local businesses and is looking for the right location for his Willow Springs Sanctuary, where he will teach Wicca and money management. “He has big plans for 2008,” she said.

Then: Glyndon fire station’s plans to expand irked preservationists. Firefighters wanted to raze a vacant Victorian-era home adjacent to the overcrowded station.

Now: Marty Clements, president of the Historic Glyndon Inc. association, said the two groups are “making a lot of progress.” They plan to meet next year to negotiate an amicable solution, possibly incorporating the home into the fire station's expansion. Meanwhile, the fire company has withdrawn a request for demolition permits.

OCTOBER

Then: After an exclusive Examiner story, the city Department of Transportation admits at least one city parking agent wrote fake tickets to area motorists. The scandals lead to an investigation by Inspector General Hilton Green.

Now: At least one city parking agent has been suspended without pay and Green said he has received at least 68 complaints of fake tickets. His investigation is ongoing.

NOVEMBER

Then: In a general election that was a mere formality in the overwhelmingly Democratic Baltimore, Sheila Dixon — who served as interim mayor after predecessor Martin O’Malley became governor — officially becomes mayor of her hometown for the next four years.

Now: Dixon is making big changes at City Hall, replacing both her police commissioner and fire chief, and marshaling a slight reduction in the homicide rate since the summer. Still, state investigators are continuing to probe her relationship with some big contractors who do business with the city.

Then: Anthony McCarthy, one of Mayor Sheila Dixon’s top aides, was put on administrative leave after Baltimore County police said they were investigating an accusation of “inappropriate behavior.”

Now: County police have declined to comment on the status of the case, or if McCarthy will face charges.

DECEMBER

Then: Perry Hall students end shortlived protest over the departures of two coaches who left after a varsity football coach was fired in October. The principal explained the two coaches left because their contracts expired.

Now: Students say they might resume protests now that a related situation indicates the fired coach may have unfairly lost his job.

Then: Sarah Kreager, 26, was riding a transit bus Dec. 4 in Baltimore when, she said, nine middle-schoolers attacked her. Kreager, who is white, claimed race motivated the attackers, all black, and the story soon grabbed national headlines.

Now: The students are firing back, saying Kreager threw the first punches. One 15-year-old girl has filed assault charges against Kreager.

SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY

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284 days ago: New Year’s predictions for D.C.-area officials

284 days ago: Carroll year in review

284 days ago: Anne Arundel year in review

» 284 days ago: Baltimore year in review «

284 days ago: Harford year in review

284 days ago: Howard year in review

284 days ago: The highs and lows of state legislation in 2007

288 days ago: Shooting, scandals and suits from 2007