July 20, 2011 — Hundreds of Maryland elected officials, municipal staff and organizations supporting 157 Maryland cities and towns and two special taxing districts gathered for the Maryland Municipal League annual convention in June. The largest annual gathering of its kind in Maryland, the 2011 convention themed “Working Together Today for a Successful Tomorrow,” continued MML’s 75th anniversary celebration and furthers MML’s significant work in improving the operation of cities and towns throughout Maryland. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin and Best-Selling Author Neil Pasricha were key speakers at the event.

Participants also took part in more than two dozen workshops and meetings on the most important issues affecting today’s cities and towns. Highlights include the impact of foreclosures on municipalities, reducing roadway maintenance costs, emergency preparedness, and the use of social networking for enhanced communications. The event also featured an exhibition hall with more than 200 vendors, including a “Municipal Main Street” featuring displays from participating cities and towns as well as MML Departments.

	From left to right: Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, Governor Martin O’Malley, Glenarden Mayor Elaine Carter, Speaker of the House Mike Busch, and Mike Bennett, MML President and Mayor of Aberdeen.
	Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch received MML’s Distinguished Legislator Award for his unwavering support and willingness to advocate strongly on behalf of Maryland’s incorporated cities and towns during the lengthy and often contentious budget debates.

MML’s 2011-12 Board of Directors was installed at the recent convention.  (front row) Chesapeake Beach Mayor Bruce Wahl, Takoma Park City Manager Barbara Matthews, Laurel Councilwoman Donna Crary, Frederick Alderman Karen Lewis Young, Greenbelt Mayor Judith Davis (as MML President-Elect) and Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett (as MML President); (second row) Hampstead Mayor Christopher Nevin, Boonsboro Assistant Mayor Howard Long, Rockville Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio, Delmar Commissioner Carl Anderton, North Beach Council Vice President Gregory Dotson and Salisbury Director of Neighborhood Services & Code Compliance Thomas Stevenson; (third row) Sudlersville Commission President William Faust, Laurel Councilman Frederick Smalls, St. Michaels Commission President Michael Brady, Greenbelt Assistant Director of Recreation Operations Joe McNeal, New Market Councilman Lawrence Romanell, and La Plata Mayor Roy Hale; (fourth row) Friendsville Mayor Spencer Schlosnagle, Hyattsville Clerk Doug Barber, Union Bridge Mayor Perry Jones, Westminster Mayor Kevin Utz, and Pocomoke City Police Chief J. D. Ervin; (back row) Takoma Park Mayor Bruce Williams, Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz, Havre de Grace Councilman Fred Cullum, and Perryville Mayor James Eberhardt.