Advocate - Winter 2010

The Arc of Baltimore Mission Statement To ensure that people with developmental disabilities have maximum opportunities to actively participate in all aspects of community life and to offer programs and services that support them in doing so.

Winter 2010

theAdvocate The Arc Serves Proudly as a Catalyst for Change he Arc of Baltimore may be most recognized for its comprehensive support services that benefit almost 6,000 individuals and families. However, many of those services—as well as the rights and liberties enjoyed by people with disabilities—are the result of work we and our advocacy partners conducted in the halls of Congress and Annapolis:

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● Before Congress enacted The Right to Education for all Handicapped Children Act in 1975, children with more significant disabilities were routinely excluded from their community schools.

The elected leaders pictured below have played integral roles in helping people supported by The Arc:

● The Fair Housing Act Amendments passed by Congress in 1988 put an end to the protracted legal and zoning battles that accompanied efforts to open some of the first small, communitybased group homes in the 1970’s and early 1980’s.

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The Arc Serves Proudly as a Catalyst for Change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

● The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ensured equal access to jobs, public accommodations and transportation for people who have disabilities. ● In the 1999 case of Olmstead vs. L.C., the Supreme Court ruled that Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits the unnecessary institutionalization of persons with disabilities and mandated that services to persons with disabilities must be provided “in the most integrated setting possible.”

Those important governmental actions—and dozens lesser known but nonetheless critical ones—have helped those we support participate more fully in community life. But the overall success of those actions depended, in turn, on the commitment of State and local officials to implement them locally. Here are four stellar examples:

● Responding to the pleas of Waiting List parents, Governor Parris Glendenning put forth Maryland’s first comprehensive Waiting List initiative, a five-year effort beginning in 1998. During that time, more than 9,000 individuals awaiting community services received the residential, day/employment and individual support services they needed. Today’s Waiting List families cite Governor Glendenning’s Initiative as an example of what is needed again. ● Then County Executive—now Congressman—C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger led the formal dedication of the “new” Arc headquarters at 7215 York Road in 1994. Under Dutch’s leadership, Baltimore County Schools expanded their capacity to educate students with disabilities in neighborhood schools, drastically reducing the number of children in segregated placements.

● Governor William Donald Schaefer was the first to provide full funding for all students exiting school at age 21, enabling each to enter employment or a day program immediately after graduating. The Governor’s Transitioning Youth Initiative—now referred to as GTYI—has been continued by all of Governor Schaefer’s successors.

Many more State and local elected and appointed officials have supported The Arc’s mission and the people we support. We salute these members of The Arc family for all they have done and continue to do.

● When Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds first became available to the counties in the late 70’s, Donald Hutchinson, then serving as county executive, reserved 20% of them for projects supporting programs for people with disabilities. His pledge, which has endured through subsequent administrations, has yielded almost $2 million for The Arc of Baltimore’s capital projects.

Later this year, we will host an event that celebrates The Arc’s success in achieving positive changes in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families through its ongoing initiatives in the governmental affairs or public policy arena. Stay tuned for details on this 60th Anniversary occasion!

—Steve Morgan

PAGE 1 CAPITOL PHOTO: ISTOCK © KLAAS LINGBEEK- VAN KRANEN PAGE 1 MARYLAND SATE HOUSE PHOTO: ISTOCK © MATTHEW VALENTINE

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Cal Bond

Eugene Smith and Harry Shriver

Nan Ulle and Harry Shriver

Gil Kennedy and Matt Yancisin

Joan Avent

Frances Macsherry and Jim Rosner

Mike Young and Donna Sills

Ed Nolley and Bill Oliver

ISTOCK © MIKE BENTLEY

A few pages from our presidential history scrapbook…

Dedicated Advocate Reflects on 50-Plus Years with The Arc George Ell is eing involved with The Arc of Baltimore has been a very interesting ride,” says George Ellis, who joined the organization in its infancy to advocate for services for his son, George “Buddy” Ellis, Jr., who had developmental disabilities.

Although Buddy died in 2006, George remains committed to The Arc. Ellis, who served as president of The Arc (then BARC) from 1971-73, worked for CocaCola Enterprises. He remembers that the company frequently offered in-kind support, making meeting rooms available to The Arc in the early days before the organization had room.

Speaking about those early days, Ellis says he has fond memories of working with so many dedicated volunteers. “The experiences I had with The Arc helped me grow as a person. I learned a lot about myself and gained a lot of respect for other people.

“I met a lot of good people—folks like former president Alexander “Dandy” Hamburger who, like so many others, gave unstintingly of his time and personal resources.”

Ellis should know about giving. During his decades of service to The Arc, Ellis was an

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outspoken advocate who shared his talents willingly.

The president emeritus served on numerous committees, headed the residential committee and was the first chair of the Ride-a-Bike fundraiser. “I remember that the route started at the War Memorial; my girls rode that year. Later Ride-a-Bike expanded to eight routes.”

He also recalls how kindly the staff treated Buddy.

“Once, when the family was on vacation, Buddy spent time at one of what was then referred to as a group home. It was on Calvert Street. I received a personalized note from Carole Fedder [executive assistant and wife of then-executive director Herb Fedder] to let us know that Buddy was adjusting beautifully.”

That experience was such a positive one, Ellis says, that “Buddy went on to move into an Arc residence on a permanent basis “My son was loved by many people. One of them was Steve Morgan, who was his camp counselor at Camp Adventure [now Club Venture].

“Buddy liked to attend Saturday night mass with me and my wife. “Once, when the priest was consecrating the gifts, Buddy said, ‘Wow.’ We all knew he had a special connection with the Lord. I miss my son every day.” ■

Federal Legislation Would Eliminate Use of the “R” Word U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) recently introduced a proposal that would replace the stigmatizing terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” with the terms “intellectual disability” and “individual with an intellectual disability” in federal health, education and labor policy statutes. The legislation, known as “Rosa’s Law,” was modeled after a law recently enacted in Maryland.

The change in terminology would in no way alter the eligibility requirements for services and supports.

“People with intellectual disabilities understand the powerful effect of words,” said Stephen H. Morgan, executive director of The Arc of Baltimore. “Terms like ‘retard’ or

‘retarded,’ which were once accepted diagnostic terms, are now used to demean people.”

Morgan continued: “It was at the suggestion of the people to whom we provide services that we changed our organization’s name to eliminate the word ‘retarded.’

Recognizing how we talk about people with disabilities is a critical step in promoting and protecting their basic civil and human rights.”

The U.S. Senate’s introduction of “Rosa’s Law” is only the first step in a lengthy process towards enactment. The Arc of the United States and its affiliate agencies will continue to work to ensure the bill’s introduction in the U.S. House of Representatives and its progression through the entire legislative process. ■

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Single parent David Hook brought his son Tucker to a Town Hall meeting.

Town Halls Stimulate Heightened Advocacy uring the past year, statewide “End the Wait” Town Hall meetings have drawn nearly 3,000 people. Last fall, 80-year-old Nancy Bernard came to a Town Hall meeting hosted

by United for Change, a coalition of programs that focuses attention on the Waiting List and budget cuts to disability programs.

One of the people on the Waiting List is Nancy’s daughter Nanette, who attends The Arc’s Medical Day program. Nanette lives with her parents, but both have age-related health issues, and she will need community living services soon.

At the meeting, Nancy read “This Child,” one of her favorite poems. It was written by Glenn Smith; Nancy altered it slightly for the occasion. ■

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THIS CHILD This child, like your child Conceived like any other By a father and mother.

This child, like your child, Came into this life by a man and a woman This child wants to learn, Wants to love, wants love.

He must be the best that he can be.

That’s not much to ask, that’s all we can ask.

I think that you and I do agree.

This child must be free.

Must have equality.

After all, this is The land of the free.

Give this child a hand.

Let’s do all we can.

Don’t you think we must, …’Cause after all, this child’s one of us.

Board Welcomes Two New Members Michael Sullivan, a senior vice president at CB Richard Ellis, and Christopher Levesque, program manager with Insight Information Technology (IIT), have been named to the board of directors of The Arc of Baltimore.

“The addition of these two outstanding individuals to The Arc of Baltimore’s Board of Directors provides increased depth and expertise to a distinguished group of individuals who are playing a vitally important role in helping The Arc achieve its mission,” says Executive Director Stephen H. Morgan.

Morgan continues, “Their experience, hard work, and guidance will be instrumental in ensuring that people with developmental disabilities have programs and services that help participate fully in all aspects of community life.”

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Sullivan has represented corporate clients in commercial real estate for more than 14 years. Co-managing partner of a nine-member team, he is responsible for delivering integrated account management services—including portfolio and lease administration, facility acquisition/ disposition, relocation services and facility project management—to national corporate clients.

Levesque manages the primary portfolio, program and project management system at Ft. Meade. He also provides systems engineering support to IIT customers.

Levesque became interested in the work of The Arc of Baltimore because of his brother, who has a developmental disability. ■

New Board President, Treasurer Named

Paré

Young

Mark T. Paré, who served as treasurer of The Arc of Baltimore’s board of directors, has assumed the role of board president.

thrilled that they will be working together again, with a focus on shaping the future of The Arc during these challenging times.”

Paré is the director of fund analysis at Enterprise Community Investment, a syndicator of low-income housing tax credits.

Paré joined The Arc of Baltimore’s board of directors in 2005 and has served as treasurer since 2006. He was introduced to The Arc when the organization staff provided guidance for marketing materials for Legg Mason Capital Management, where Mr. Paré was then employed as vice president.

Replacing him as treasurer on The Arc board is Michael Young, a director at Stout, Causey & Horning, PA and SC&H Tax & Advisory Services, LLC. Young rejoins The Arc’s board of directors after having served terms as a member and, later, as president.

“Mark and Mike have worked together on behalf of The Arc of Baltimore in the past,” says Stephen H. Morgan, the organization’s executive director. “I am

Young has more than 25 years of experience as a certified public accountant. Before joining SC&H, he was audit and business advisory service manager for a national accounting firm and CFO of a large regional floor covering retailer and contractor. ■

Grant Provides Funds for Energy Audits and Improvements taff from The Arc of Baltimore and Civil Works, a local affiliate of AmeriCorps, can attest to the fact that teamwork pays off.

Both organizations planned to submit a grant to the Maryland Energy Administration: The Arc wanted to fund energy audits and insulation for its houses; Civil Works wanted funds to do the work. “When we realized we were going after the same pot,” says Greg Derwart, chief operating officer for The Arc, “we decided to submit a joint proposal.”

The decision was a good one. The MEA awarded enough money to fund audits and energy-saving improvements for 35 homes owned by The Arc. Work began last fall.

“Each house received a wonderful written summary highlighting the areas in which energy-saving measures were needed,” explains Derwart. “TerraLogos, a company that partnered with Civic Works, conducted the audits.

They located air leakages and identified insulation, moisture and thermal issues. Many of the solutions could be implemented by our in-house maintenance department.

Other work, like insulating, was handled by Civic Works.

“Another important part of the process is educating the people who live in our houses about energy-saving measures,” Derwart adds. “We provide support to people in more than 100 homes, and all of them are are learning about the importance of keeping thermostats set properly, using compact fluorescent light bulbs and having low flow showerheads and faucets.”

According to Derwart, The Arc’s management team is spreading that information throughout the community living program to make sure that people who lease their homes or live with their families are well-informed, too.

“It’s about creating a mindset about how we live in our homes,” Derwart says.

At press time, The Arc was halfway through the process of having air-blown insulation put in houses. The grant requires all of the work to be completed by May. ■

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A Civic Works Americorps volunteer caulks air leakages before insulation is blown in.

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Thank You, Renewing Members!

AUGUST 2009 – DECEMBER 2009 Mr. and Mrs. John P.Abosch Ms. Berlette Adesalu Advance Business Systems & Supply Co. Ms. Mary H.Afrookteh Ms. Ida Alcarese Mr. Robert G.Allen Mr. Samuel J.Amato Mr. Joseph F.Anastasio Ms.Ann Marie Angarita Mr. and Mrs.Albert A.Anuszewski Ms. Frances Aubrey Ms. Phoebe Bacon The Baltimore Community Foundation Baltimore County Local Management Board Mr. and Mrs. Harold D. Banks Ms. Ruth E. Banks-Crowder Mrs. Evelyn Barnett Mrs. Dorothy Barr Mr. Glenn Baughman Mr. Jerome Baum Ms. Diane C. Becker Mrs. Kimberly Becker Ms. Theresa Bell Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Benecewicz Mr. and Mrs. Lee H. Benedict Ms. Carol A. Benson Mr. and Mrs. Ernest L. Bernard Mr. Peter V. Berns Mr. Sylvester G. Bieler Mr. and Mrs. Erwin A. Bishop Ms.Amy Blank Mr. Howard Blank Mr.Wesley Blickenstaff Mr. and Mrs. Harry Blitstein Ms. Kathleen Bormuth Mr. Michael Bovino Mr. and Mrs. Charles Boyd Mr. Edward Brady Ms. Rosie L. Bridgeford Ms. Bonnie Brittingham Ms. Martha L. Bromberger-Barnea Ms. Elizabeth Bryant Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Bryant Mrs.Virginia B. Bryant Mr. and Mrs. Daniel E. Buehl Ms. Ethel Buggs Ms.Amy Bullinger Mr. Howard G. Bullinger Mrs. Ruth G. Byus Ms. Jean Calambro The Campbell Foundation, Inc. Ms. Carol J. Caplan Ms.Virginia L. Carson Mr. and Mrs. George F. Carter Ms. Kathlyn Cathell Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Cavey Mr. Parker O. Chapman Mr. Grant Chism Ms. Hilary Christian Mr. Ronald C. Christian Ms. Renee M. Christoff Mr. Ronald Clapper Ms. Channelle Clark Ms. Jeanie M. Clark Classic Food Service, Inc. Ms. Kathy Ann Cochran Mr.William F. Cochran Mrs. Jane Cohen Ms. Celena Colasurdo Mr. Stephen Cole Mr. Bernard Collins Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas D. Connelly Mrs. Beverly Cooper Mr. James G. Corckran Mrs. Doris Coscia Mr. Thomas J. Cosgrove Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Creamer Ms. Barbara A. Crosby Ms. Tracey R. Cummings Mr. J. Joseph Curran Ms. Beth Cushing Mr. Gislin Dagnelie Revs John and Francie Dailey Ms. Kathy Darden Ms. Suzanne W. Davenport Mr. Brent A. Davidson Mr. J. Paul Davignon Mr. and Mrs. Brian Davis Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Davison Mr. Donald L. De Vries Mr. L. Patrick Deering Mrs.Amelia Demski Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Denicoff Mr. Gregory Derwart Mr. Michael DiBartolomeo Ms.Alicia L. Dickey-Lambert Mr. and Mrs. Matthew J. Dillon Ms. Theresa Dockery Ms Mildred Dreier Ms. Patricia L. Dreisch

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Ms.Ammie Ducker Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ducker Ms.Angela Dudley Mr. Brian J. Durkin Ms. Kathleen McNally Durkin Mr. Peter C. Dwyer Mr. Christian Ehrhardt The Honorable Robert Ehrlich, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Eikenberg Mr. and Mrs. George W. Ellis Mrs. Gloria Epps Mrs. Pearl Etelson Mr. and Mrs. David L. Evans Ms. Meredith B. Fagan Ms. Joanna L. Falcone Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan K. Ferrell Ms. Miriam P. Fine Mr. and Mrs.William S. Finlayson Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Fisher Ms. Eris A.Fitzgerald Mr. Joseph Flaherty Fleming Transportation Corporation Mrs. Norma B. Flynn Ms. Maureen Fogarty Four Star Company Mr. and Mrs. Stephen O. Fowose Ms. Barbara Freeman Mr. and Mrs. James Gannon Mr.William Gaudreau Ms. Shawn George George R. Ruhl & Son, Inc. Mrs. Linda Germano Ms. Barbara Gewirtz-Israel Ms. Mary Gintling Mrs. Jennie Giza Dr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Glowacki Mr. Thomas C. Goeb Mr. and Mrs. Don Gorman Ms. Cathy Goucher Mr. Gerald R. Hammond Ms. Michelle Hart Mr. and Mrs. David Hawkins Mr. Benjamin Hayden Mr. John A. Hayden Mr. Barry D. Hecht Mr. and Mrs.William J. Heiger Ms. Donna Heller Mrs. Doris T. Hendricks Mr. and Mrs.William L. Henn The Louis J. and Ruth G. Herr Foundation Ms. Elizabeth Himmer Ms.Ann Hochwarth Ms. Mary E. Hockenbrock Mr. Craig Hoffman Mr. Christopher Holbrook Mr. and Mrs. Richard Edwin Hook IV Dr. Homer C. House Mr. and Mrs. John H. Hudak Mr. and Mrs. Earle P. Hurley Mr. and Mrs. James Ingram The Jerome & Sonia Baum Charitable Foundation Ms. Catherine G. Jester The John J. Leidy Foundation Mr. and Mrs.Arthur Jones Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kalski Ms. Judy Kanigel Mr. Russell Kapustensky Mr. and Mrs. Jerome G. Katz Ms. Tavoria Kellam Mr.William I. Kelleher Mr. Leonard Kellum Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc Mr. Douglas A. Kelso Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert F. Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Lee Kexel Mr. Charles Keyser Mr. Robert S. Killebrew Ms. Erica King Ms. Susan King Mr. Robert Kirkendall Mr. Neal Kitt Mr. and Mrs. Norman I. Klein Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Knoerlein Mr. and Mrs. Norman Knoerlein Ms. Colleen Kohler Ms. Betty Krause Ms. Janet Kroll Ms.Allison Kurtz Mrs. Mary A. Kutcher Mr. Thomas Kyle Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lagas Ms.Angela M. Lang Mr. Maurice Lazenby Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Leake Ms. Corinna Leeper Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Leonard Leonard Paper Company Mr. Irving Lerner Ms. Loretta Letke Dr. and Mrs. Philip D. Levinson

Welcome, New Members!

AUGUST 2009 – DECEMBER 2009 Mr. Dave Alexander Mr. Theodore Allison Ms. Jodie Anthony Ms. Brenda Bailey Mr. Daniel Baird Ms. Linda Barone Mr. David Bell Mr. Isaac Boltansky Mr. James Bonnett Ms. Diane Bragdon Ms. Heather Breed Mr. Edwin Bustard Mr. and Mrs. David Butler Mrs. Jean Campbell Canton Cold Stone Creamery Ms. Catharine Capek Ms. Grace Carlton Ms.Verna Carson Mr. and Mrs.Andrew Carter Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Carter Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carter Mr. Francis Cavey Centre Lodge No 40 IOOF Ms. Fannie Ms. Coleman Ms. Erin Compton Ms. Dana Costello Ms. Mary Joan Delcher Mr. and Mrs. John Derwart A. Dineva Ms. Merica Dito Mr. Christian Donaldson Kathleen and Todd Elliott Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ensminger The Estate of Steven L. Lessner Ms. Mary Lynn Fisher Linda and Dan Flaherty Foundation Source Ms. Betsy Francik Mr. and Mrs. Richard Frediani Mrs. Friedlander Ms. Margaret Fussell Mr. Buddy Gibbs Mr. Lynlade Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gronlund Ms.Anita Gruss Ms. Pauline Guffey Ms. Patricia Harman Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hartnett

Ms. Robin Lewis Mr. Theodore J. Lingelbach Mr. James A. List Mr. C.William List Mrs. Gilda Litrenta Ms. Elizabeth M. Lutz The Lois and Philip Macht Philanthropic Fund Mr. and Mrs. Daniel S. Macsherry Mr. and Mrs. John H. Macsherry, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Macsherry, Sr. Ms.Virginia W. Makumi Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Marlowe Mrs. Martha Marshall Ms. Dorothy T. Martin Ms. Ruth P. Martin Mr. and Mrs. Martin E. Marvel Ms. Katherine Mathias Mr. and Mrs. Edwin H. Matthai Mr. Christopher Mayer Ms. Juliana Mayer Mr. and Mrs. Randall F.W. Mayer Dr. and Mrs. Richard F. Mayer Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Mayers Ms. Rosalind McCarthy Mr. and Mrs. Jim McComb Ms. Isabel C. McCullough Mr.William McCurry Ms. Lorraine A. McFaul Ms. Kate McGuire Ms. Kimberly Meekins Mr. Daniel J. Mellin Mr. and Mrs. Harry Merriken Mr. and Mrs.Virgil W. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Edward W. Mitchell Mr. and Mrs.Anthony G. Moag Ms. Lorane Montgomery Ms. Dianna D. Morgan Mr. Stephen H. Morgan Mr. and Mrs.Victor J. Mullan Mr. and Mrs.Vincent C. Munchel Ms. Carla Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Murray

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hough Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Hudak Mr. Michael Hudak Ms. Susan Justice Ms. Mary Anne Kane-Breschi Mr. Ernest Kiehne Mr. Eugene Korn Ms. Judith Korn Mr. Matthew Layman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Layton Mr. and Mrs.William Lessig Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Levesque Ms.Wanda Lopez Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Lucas Mr. Stephen Mackowiak Ms. Christine Manlove Ms.Angela Mantzouris Mr. Ethan McCann Mrs. Sara McClintock Mr. and Mrs. Marco Mejia Mr.William Miller Ms.Allison Miser Mitchell-Weidefeld Funeral Home, Inc. Ms. Catherine Moazzam Ms. Beverly Mobley Mr. and Mrs. George Mojzisek Ms. Ruth Moses Ms.Annie Mullins Ms. Rosalie Munroe Ms. Jennifer Murphy Ms. Carole Murphy-Adams Myers, Rodbell & Rosenbaum PA NISH/Ability One Ms. Noel Novak Ober/Kaler Mr. Timothy O’Donovan Mr. and Mrs. Dick Oliver Ms. Peggy OlszewskiMs.Anne O’Mailey Mr. and Mrs.Alexander Pantazelos Mr. Bob Pasquale Ms. Elizabeth Peery Ms. Sharon Penhallegon Mr. and Mrs. Dean Pickens Ms. Theresa Pocta Mr. and Mrs. David Powell Ms. Sterri Price

Mutual of America Ms. Maura K. Nagle Ms. Ori Natividad Mr. and Mrs.Alvin F. Nehrenz Mr. and Mrs.Andrew J. Newman Mr. and Mrs. Edmond B. Nolley Mr. George Norfolk Mr. Gene Novak Ms. Marjorie J. Oakey Mr. Denis O’Donovan Ms. Jolynn Osmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Pack Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence C. Pakula Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. Paré Mrs. Jean K.Parks Mr. and Mrs. Delanie Patrick Mr. and Mrs. Kevin L. Patten Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Patten Mr. Michael D. Patton Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Paynter Ms. Laura Perry Ms. Mary Anne Petrik Mr. and Mrs.William H. Pfeifer Ms. Joanna Pierson Ms. Susan Plitt Mr. Kenneth J. Prematta Mr. Robert F. Price Princeton University Press Ms. Jacqueline Pritchett Ms. Lorraine Pritts The Propeller Club of Baltimore Ms. Carol E. Rabin Dennis F. Rasmussen RCM&D Mr. and Mrs. Henry Reches Mr. George Reeder Mr. and Mrs. S. Dick Reider Mr. and Mrs.William C. Reisinger Ms. Sharon A. Reuwer Ms. Dianne Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. Louis S. Richards Ms.Yvonne D. Richards Mr. and Mrs. Daniele Rigamonti

Ms. Linda Ray Ms. Donna Reihl Ms.Ann Rentschler Mr. Eric Rice Ms. Delores Robinson Ms. Gina Robinson-Shaw Roland Park Country School Mr. Sherwin Roles Mr. and Mrs.Alan Rose Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Rosner Ms. Beverly Ruppersberger Mrs.Velma Russ Simonetti Ms. Roberta Safer Mr. J. Phillip Samper Mr. and Mrs. Francis Santilli Mr. Thomas Scaruzzi Mrs. Elise T. Scott Ms.Audrey Scruggs Mrs. Lillian Siegel Ms.Valeria Silk Ms. Bonnie Smith-May Drs. Sandra and Robert Snow Mr. and Mrs.Anthony Sochurek Ms. Beverly Sopp Mr. James Stafford Ms. Mary Stein Mr. Lamont Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Stogoski Mr. Robert Sutton Ms. Sharen Thomas Mr. Richard Thompson Ms.Valerie Tracey Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Trout Mr. and Mrs. Daniel True Ms. Rita Wagner Mr. and Mrs. Brian Wallace Mr.Virgil Wallace Mr. Micaiah Wallace Jr. Mr. and Mrs.Alan Waller Ms. Beth Ward Web IXI Mr. Ray Weiss Mr. and Mrs. Steven Wiener Mrs. Margaret Williams Ms. Carol Wirth Ms. Sandra Wright-Short Mr.Arlington Young Mr. and Mrs. Jack Zimmerman

Mr. and Mrs. M. Delmar Ritchie Mr. Kenneth Roberts Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Roby Mr. H. Rosenbloom Mr. and Mrs. James F. Rosner Mr. Donald R. Ross Ms. Doris A. Rowe Dr. and Mrs.Allan I. Rubin Ms. Joan M. Rumenap Ms. Cynthia Russo Mr. and Mrs. David Salkever Ms. Tamara Salkever Mr. Keith P. Sample Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sand Savage Transport Services, LLC Mr. and Mrs.Andrew L. Schaffer Mr. and Mrs. G. Lewis Schaffner Mr. Michael Schatzow Ms. Jill Scheibler Schmitz Press Mr. Jacob Schmulowitz Mrs. Helen Schneiderman Scientific Plant Service, Inc. Ms. Mary E. Scott Ms. Lauren Seabolt Mr. Thomas Sessomes Mr. and Mrs. Stephen J. Sfekas Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sgroi Mr. Scott Shane and Ms. Frances Weeks Mr. Thomas J. Shearin Mr. and Mrs.William H. Shearin Mr. Preston G. Shelton Ms. Patricia P. Shriver Dr.Allan C. Sidle Mr. and Mrs.Alfred L. Singer Dr.William A. Sinton Mr. Nickolas Skinner Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smelkinson Mr. and Mrs. Smith Mr. Eugene P. Smith Mr. Marshall Smith

Increase in Alcohol Tax Needed to Offset Projected State Budget Shortfall

A

n uphill battle is in store

for The Arc of Baltimore and fellow advocates supporting a ten-cents-per-drink increase in Maryland’s alcohol tax. The legislation, introduced

by Montgomery County Del. William A. Bronrott and Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr., would raise $200 million that could protect programs like The Arc from becoming victims of the state’s projected $2 billion shortfall.

The bill is known as the Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010, in honor of the tenacious advocate for people with developmental disabilities who was also a former president of The Arc of the United States.

… Since [1955] the alcohol lobby has blocked all attempts to raise the tax on spirits, and, since 1972, on beer and wine. The result is that Maryland, which has one of the nation’s lowest tax rates on alcohol, has effectively forfeited hundreds of millions of dollars in cumulative revenue that it would have had if it had indexed the tax to inflation.

Today, Mr. O’Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) and House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel), all facing reelection in the fall, protest that a recession is no time to raise taxes of any kind. (Never mind that more than 30 states have raised taxes or fees since the recession began.) In fact, the benefits to the state’s finances, and to public health, would far outweigh the almost imperceptible impact a tax increase would have on a drink.

If, for example, Maryland raised taxes on spirits, beer and wine just to the national average — which would add just pennies to a drink or a bottle of beer — it could collect $72 million annually. And if it raised the tax by a dime a drink, the resulting $214 million in annual revenue would start to make a dent in the state’s $2 billion deficit — or, as Del. William A. Bronrott and Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr., Montgomery County Democrats, have proposed, improve Medicaid coverage for poor adults and funding for badly neglected services for people suffering from mental retardation, mental illness and disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism or Down

Last year, a similar bill advocating a 5-cent increase failed to pass.

Advocates say consumers now pay about a penny in taxes per drink. The proposed legislation would raise the price of a sixpack of beer approximately 60 cents; the price of wine would go up about 55 cents.

On January 27, a Washington Post editorial—a link to which appears on the landing page at www.thearcmd.org—came out strongly in favor of the measure.

It is excerpted here.

syndrome.

But the benefits of raising the alcohol tax go beyond closing the state’s budget shortfall or improving anemic services. As a powerful new study by two Johns Hopkins professors makes clear, a higher levy on beer, wine and spirits would also save lives by cutting liquor consumption, especially binge drinking among youths and alcoholics…

Predictably, the alcohol lobby, which contributed some $1.3 million to state lawmakers from 2001 to 2007, is bitterly opposed to a tax increase, which it says would cost jobs. This is nonsense. To the extent that higher alcohol taxes prompted people to cut their spending on drinks, costing the job of a bartender or waiter, they would very likely spend the money on something else, creating jobs. Moreover, the higher tax revenue collected for the state could be a job-generator as well.

Polls show that Marylanders strongly back raising the tax on alcohol to help people with illnesses and disabilities. Plenty of lawmakers would also support it, if prompted by the right leadership. It’s up to Mr. O’Malley, Mr. Miller and Mr. Busch to provide it.” ■

Mr. Philip Smith Ms.Willie Mae Smith Ms. Marga Smolin Ms. Lucille Snair Mrs. Lois Lee Speed Ms. Rose M. Spero Ms. Teresa Spurrier Ms. Debbie Staigerwald Mr. Jack Stakem Mr. and Mrs. Raymond H. Starr Ms. Mary M. Stemler Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Stine Mr. and Mrs. John Strom Mr. and Mrs.Vernon L. Sturgill Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sullivan Mrs. Linda Sundquist Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Trinkoff Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Trump Mr. and Mrs. Harold Tucker Mrs. Margaret Black Ulle Ms. Margaret M. Ulle United Oil Company

Dr. Peter J.Valletutti Mr. and Mrs.Austin Veale Ms. Dimitra Vega Venable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Michael Volk Mr. and Mrs. Michael E.Wagner Mr. Eugene M.Waldron Ms. Joan Walen Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Ward Ms. Kay L.Walker Mr. and Mrs. David Wamsley The Ellen W.P.Wasserman Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Dale A.Waters Mr. Paul Watkins Mr. and Mrs. Don Watts Ms. Kay F.Watts Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Weber Mr. Barry Weiskopf Ms. Diane Westgate Mrs. Ruth V.Wickham Ms. Sandra Wilkerson

Mr. Stuart Williams Mr. and Mrs.Wilbur J.Williams Mr.Alvin Wilson Ms. Laura W.Wink Mr. and Mrs.Anthony C.Winnick Mr. and Mrs. Charles W.Winterling Wise Consulting Associates Ms. Lois A.Witte Mr. Michael Wojcik Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Woodard Ms. Deborah Woods Ms. Jamelle Word Ms. Lena Wright Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Wu Ms. Jessica Xander Mr. and Mrs. Matthew G.Yancisin Mr. and Mrs. Gary Yeldezian Mr. Tesfa Yohannes Mr. and Mrs. Michael J.Young Mrs. Matilda D. Zeller Ms.Anita Zellner

Memorial / Honorarium AUGUST 2009 – DECEMBER 2009 Memorial

Honorarium

Bryan Burken Billy Cochran Barbara Ducker Brian Michael Hecht Stanley S. Herr Larry Jones Andrew List Carolee List Martin S. Morgan, Sr. Nigel Robinson Mildred K. Sheff Nancy Waterman George Winterling

Jimmy Carter Brigid Cushing Ashley Marie Ducker Elaine Gosciniak Mr. and Mrs. John H. Macsherry, Sr. Randall F.W. Mayer Chris B. Mayer Paul Murray Eldred Pritchett Dan Rosner and Maria Hudak Rosner Alex Russo Richard Sgroi

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etc.

Congratulations to Jerry Bullinger, who received the Outstanding Professional Achievement Award from The National Conference of Executives of The Arc. Jerry, assistant executive director specializing in employment and day services, has been employed by The Arc of Baltimore since 1985. He has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and recently completed the Advocacy Leaders program of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organization.

Jerry is a member of the Baltimore County Commission on Disabilities and serves on the board of Maryland Works.

The Arc of Baltimore partnered with Baltimore’s Child at the magazine’s annual Camp Fair on Sunday, February 28. The event included an area known as “Camp for Everyone,” featuring vendors who offer camp and recreation program for children and adults with developmental disabilities. You may access the camp manual on The Arc’s website, www.arcofbaltimore.org, under Programs & Services/Family & Children.

theAdvocate The Advocate is published by The Arc of Baltimore, Inc. 7215 York Road Baltimore, MD 21212 410-296-2272 www.arcofbaltimore.org Feedback Line: Dial option #8 or ask the operator for assistance Recreation and Leisure Information: Dial option #6 or ask the operator for assistance Maryland Relay 800-735-2258 410-583-0060 (voice) Mark Paré, President Stephen H. Morgan, Executive Director Kate McGuire, Editor/Director of Advancement Steamcom.com, Writing and Graphic Design

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