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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore condemned the actions of a man with an AR-15 who started showing up at an Anne Arundel County school bus stop weeks ago.The 11 News I-Team first reported the story on Thursday, after which, the governor didn't mince words, calling the man's actions cowardly and intimidating.The man, J'den McAdory, told the I-Team on Thursday he's protesting the governor's new gun control law. He said he began walking the sidewalks in Severn a few months ago, first with his shotgun strapped to his back, and now, with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle in his hands."I grew up in this community," McAdory said. "I'm 20 years old. I've lived here pretty much my whole life. I really want people to understand: I mean no harm to no one."McAdory told the I-Team he has gone out twice a week to remind people of their Second Amendment rights and to protest the governor's new gun control measures, which take effect on Oct. 1."(I'm) just showing people it's legal, spreading a little bit of silent freedom," McAdory said. "Guns can be safe if it's controlled by the right person."Anne Arundel County police said McAdory is permitted to do what he's doing under Maryland law. After the I-Team's reporting on Thursday, the governor's office sent a statement to 11 News, saying: "To stem the tide of gun violence and create safer, stronger communities, we need partnership -- not shallow acts of cowardice and intimidation. Scaring our kids and threatening our communities wont help make Maryland safe. The governor won't allow these tactics to stop his administration from taking common-sense steps to protect our communities. He condemns this behavior and will keep fighting to build a safer Maryland."Man: 'I'm really no threat ... no harm at all'McAdory said he walked up to students at a bus stop Thursday morning to say he's not a threat, telling them," I don't know what the school's been telling you guys, but I'm really no threat to you guys, no harm at all."Video below: Governor responds to man with gun: 'Cowardly'When asked if he could understand how parents and children might be afraid seeing him armed by the bus stop, McAdory told the I-Team: "I do understand. So, I talked to the kids this morning at 7 a.m. right at that bus stop over there with the AR-15.""I'm not an active shooter" he added. "I'm not an active gunman. And, I'm no threat to any children out here."Hours later, the nearby elementary school released a letter to parents advising students who see McAdory to "ask the man to leave" and "walk away from him."Severn Elementary School Principal Isaphine Smith asked parents to report any interactions with the man to the school or to police as soon as possible.Parents express great concernMichael Haley, a parent, told the I-Team that he takes a different route home from school with his three daughters so they don't have to see McAdory by the side of the road."The point's been proven," Haley said. "You've got us all scared."| I-TEAM VIDEO BELOW: 'I guess you're the bowling ball if we're the bowling pins' Haley said what McAdory is doing isn't about rights, it's about decency."If people are uncomfortable with something and you keep throwing it in their face, well then, you end up becoming the jerk in the situation," Haley said.Jamie Sparrow, a father of a Severn Elementary School 6-year-old student, recorded video on Wednesday that he shared with the I-Team, showing a school bus dropping off students on one side of the street while McAdory stood on the other side with his AR-15."Why would anyone need to carry an AR-15 around a bunch of school kids?" Sparrow said.Sparrow said McAdory's Second Amendment rights should not give him license to make parents and kids uncomfortable. Sparrow said he worries about what McAdory might do."If this guy, at any moment, decides he wants to crash, then it's a lot of victims and nobody can do anything about it," Sparrow said. "I hope that he gets the help that he needs so that all of this can stop. Nobody has to lose their lives. Nobody has to get injured or hurt."McAdory told the I-Team on Thursday that he has come to an agreement with the school district that he will no longer protest with his AR-15 during school pickup or drop-off times.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore condemned the actions of a man with an AR-15 who started showing up at an Anne Arundel County school bus stop weeks ago.

The 11 News I-Team first reported the story on Thursday, after which, the governor didn't mince words, calling the man's actions cowardly and intimidating.

The man, J'den McAdory, told the I-Team on Thursday he's protesting the governor's new gun control law. He said he began walking the sidewalks in Severn a few months ago, first with his shotgun strapped to his back, and now, with an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle in his hands.

"I grew up in this community," McAdory said. "I'm 20 years old. I've lived here pretty much my whole life. I really want people to understand: I mean no harm to no one."

McAdory told the I-Team he has gone out twice a week to remind people of their Second Amendment rights and to protest the governor's new gun control measures, which take effect on Oct. 1.

"(I'm) just showing people it's legal, spreading a little bit of silent freedom," McAdory said. "Guns can be safe if it's controlled by the right person."

Anne Arundel County police said McAdory is permitted to do what he's doing under Maryland law.

After the I-Team's reporting on Thursday, the governor's office sent a statement to 11 News, saying: "To stem the tide of gun violence and create safer, stronger communities, we need partnership -- not shallow acts of cowardice and intimidation. Scaring our kids and threatening our communities wont help make Maryland safe. The governor won't allow these tactics to stop his administration from taking common-sense steps to protect our communities. He condemns this behavior and will keep fighting to build a safer Maryland."

McAdory said he walked up to students at a bus stop Thursday morning to say he's not a threat, telling them," I don't know what the school's been telling you guys, but I'm really no threat to you guys, no harm at all."

Video below: Governor responds to man with gun: 'Cowardly'

When asked if he could understand how parents and children might be afraid seeing him armed by the bus stop, McAdory told the I-Team: "I do understand. So, I talked to the kids this morning at 7 a.m. right at that bus stop over there with the AR-15."

"I'm not an active shooter" he added. "I'm not an active gunman. And, I'm no threat to any children out here."

Hours later, the nearby elementary school released a letter to parents advising students who see McAdory to "ask the man to leave" and "walk away from him."

Severn Elementary School Principal Isaphine Smith asked parents to report any interactions with the man to the school or to police as soon as possible.

Michael Haley, a parent, told the I-Team that he takes a different route home from school with his three daughters so they don't have to see McAdory by the side of the road.

"The point's been proven," Haley said. "You've got us all scared."

| I-TEAM VIDEO BELOW: 'I guess you're the bowling ball if we're the bowling pins'

Haley said what McAdory is doing isn't about rights, it's about decency.

"If people are uncomfortable with something and you keep throwing it in their face, well then, you end up becoming the jerk in the situation," Haley said.

Jamie Sparrow, a father of a Severn Elementary School 6-year-old student, recorded video on Wednesday that he shared with the I-Team, showing a school bus dropping off students on one side of the street while McAdory stood on the other side with his AR-15.

"Why would anyone need to carry an AR-15 around a bunch of school kids?" Sparrow said.

Sparrow said McAdory's Second Amendment rights should not give him license to make parents and kids uncomfortable. Sparrow said he worries about what McAdory might do.

"If this guy, at any moment, decides he wants to crash, then it's a lot of victims and nobody can do anything about it," Sparrow said. "I hope that he gets the help that he needs so that all of this can stop. Nobody has to lose their lives. Nobody has to get injured or hurt."

McAdory told the I-Team on Thursday that he has come to an agreement with the school district that he will no longer protest with his AR-15 during school pickup or drop-off times.

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Governor calls armed man's actions 'cowardly, intimidating' after I-Team report - WBAL TV Baltimore

Back in 1791 in the first months of George Washingtons presidency some disgruntled people in western Pennsylvania organized something that came to be called the Whiskey Rebellion. It was a protest against taxes. The new president, without a standing army, called on militias in four states to confront the protesters. These 12,000 militiamen were too much for the rebels, who soon faded away and Washington survived his first crisis.

That was the definition of the word militia 240 years ago: private citizens, mostly owning their own guns, and organized by the government (regulated).

For about two centuries we lived with that meaning of militia in our US Constitution. Here is how our Second Amendment reads: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

It all changed in a heartbeat in 2008 when the US Supreme Court decided to reinterpret that amendment. In the case of District of Columbia v. Heller five of the nine justices decided to drop the first 13 words and emphasize the last 14 words: the right to bear arms, NOT for a regulated militia but for individuals.

Lets go deeper into history. When Col. George Rogers Clark of Clarksville was charged with taking an army up into the territories of Indiana and Ohio, he had to raise a militia from the local men who lived here. It was like the sheriff in the Western movies who had to raise a posse from the townsmen to pursue the bad guys. They were virtually untrained and even more undisciplined and no one was surprised that many deserted before they saw their first Shawnee or Delaware. Finally, when confronted by the Native Americans, many of the militiamen broke and ran.

Those days of militiamen with their hunting rifles are long gone. The closest thing we have today to a militia are the state National Guards, who are more akin to being a reserve US Army than they are to a militia.

The other kind of so-called militias are the groups of white-supremacist terrorists who are no more militia than the West New Albany Sewing Club. The leaders of the Proud Boys and the Oathkeepers have just been rightly convicted of attacking our national capitol. Other than the rulings at recent criminal trials, these groups see little regulation from government.

For decades we have had this void in the Second Amendment. What happened is that the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the weapons manufacturers have convinced lawmakers that they alone have the power to read the Constitution the way they want to. For a long time and maybe still today they have had the lobby money and the votes to maintain the status quo.

The result is:

Story continues below video

Some 390 million guns are loose in the United States, more than one for each infant, adult and 90-something in a nursing home.

The major cause of death for American children is now a gun.

More than one mass murder occurs each week.

Many lawmakers are calling for more guns, in the hands of teachers and others.

Where is Congress? Republicans have stopped any attempt to rein in guns no matter how wimpy the attempt is from the Democrats.

Where is the Supreme Court? Three of the five justices who changed the Second Amendment 15 years ago are still there: Chief Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. All were appointed by Republicans and they are joined by three more new people from a Republican base. They all have referenced their leanings toward the concept of originalism espoused by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the five who altered the Second Amendment meaning.

The Scalia-influenced judges all decried making laws from the bench. They all said they lean heavily on the original intent of the founding fathers. Ironically, they in effect wrote new law by drastically changing the Second Amendment and parted ways from the original version that referred to both regulation and security. Now we have neither, just more blood under the bridge.

(David Ross Stevens is a sculptor and contributing columnist for The Jeffersonville (Indiana) News and Tribune.)

David Ross Stevens was the Courier-Journals first investigative environmental writer, from 1968 to 1978. From 1993 to 2003 he taught a course Environment and People at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany. His email is dbqwriter@gmail.com.

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Column by David Ross Stevens | Not regulation or security, just blood - New Castle News

During a special meeting on Thursday, the Hawaii County Council approved the first reading of the Countys proposed fiscal year 2023-24 operating and capital budgets that total nearly $1.19 billion.

The proposed operating budget is $831,663,759, a 5.8% increase from the previous fiscal year and an additional $37.3 million from Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roths original budget request in March.

According to the mayors office, the second draft of the operating budget reflects higher than expected real property tax collections by about $19 million and includes increased revenue projections of approximately $6.29 million for the general fund balance and $10.6 million for the general excise tax fund balance.

The proposed capital budget seeks a total appropriation of $358,528,000 for fiscal year 2023-24, an increase of $13 million from the mayors suggested capital spending plan put forth in March, also due to the increased revenue estimates. The Countys 6-year capital improvements program also proposes 47 projects now instead of the 44 outlined two months ago.

The proposed operating budget calls for 56 new positions for several departments, including dispatchersfor the Hawaii Fire Department and water safety officers at Kohanaiki Beach Park in Kona.

The first amendment, brought forward by Councilmember Ashley Kierkiewicz, increases the proposed general fund balance by $35,000 and adds a new line item in the same amount to the Fire Auxiliary Services account for a new dispatch quality assurance program. The funds would be used to evaluate calls and develop training materials based on that evaluation for current and new employees of fire dispatch in an effort to improve standard operating procedures and customer service.

The amendment was approved 7-0, with Council members Rebecca Villegas and Matt Kanealii-Kleinfelder absent at the time of the vote.

The second amendment, introduced by Council Chair Heather Kimball, adds $870,756 to the proposed general fund balance in anticipation of a new Hawaii County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity and Resilience. The amendment makes sure there are funds available next fiscal year for the proposed new office and its five-person staff if its creation is approved.

The new office would coordinate and manage County policies and programs to address sustainability, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change and other natural and human-caused hazards.

Council members approved the amendment 6-2, with Villegas absent and Kanealii-Kleinfelder and Councilwoman Cindy Evans voting no after expressing hesitation about funding an office that hasnt been created yet.

The first reading of the proposed operating budget, with those amendments, was approved 8-0, with Villegas absent.

Of the proposed $358 million for the capital budget, $295.6 million would be funded by bonds, $26.9 million by federal grants, $33.8 million by the state revolving loan fund, $900,000 by the state capital improvements program and $1.5 million through community benefit assessments and general excise tax.

The Council considered one amendment to the proposed capital budget, introduced by Council Vice Chairman Holeka Inaba, that would add one project, the construction of a lifeguard tower at Kohanaiki Beach Park, and $120,000 to fund it. Council members approved the amendment 8-0, with Villegas absent.

The proposed capital budget for fiscal year 2023-24 and the revised six-year capital improvements program, with that amendment, were approved 8-0, with Villegas absent.

This budget represents a seismic shift in how the County is doing business, Kierkiwiscz said.

She said the Council and County have been pining for a long time for many of the investments the spending plan would make, but now can do so because the cashflow is finally available.

If we dont make these investments, I worry about the problems and the cost to environment, to our workforce, financially to future generations if were not taking steps now to solve for these challenges before they get bigger, Kierkiewicz said.

The Countys fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

The Council will take up second readings for the proposed operating and capital spending plans on June 1. It is likely a few more amendments will be introduced at that meeting before the budget is finalized.

To read the latest operating budget proposal, clickhere. You can find the updated capital budgethere.

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Hawai'i County Council approves first reading of $1.19 billion ... - Big Island Now

Staff Report| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

Gonzales area representative Kathy Edmonston, of Louisiana House District 88, has announced her candidacy for re-election.

It has been my honor to have served the citizens of Louisiana House District 88 in the Legislature for the last four years.During that time I have fought many battles to protect the freedom of my constituents, but the war is far from being won, Edmonston said in a news release.

It is therefore, with anticipation, that I announce my candidacy for reelection as State Representative for District 88.

Edmonston said her voting record reflects her commitment to conservative values and Louisiana-first principles.In addition, she expressed pride in announcing that she is a founding member of the newly formed Louisiana Freedom Caucus.

I am pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. I support law enforcement and the oil and gas industry. I have authored many bills that protect individual rights against medical discrimination and tyrannical mandates, she said.

Prior to her service in the legislature, Edmonstonserved on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).Her motivation in running for BESE was to oppose the Common Core Standards / Curriculum.

According to the release, she has received awards from multiple organizations, including: Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Louisiana Family Forum, Louisiana Citizen Advocacy Group (LACAG), Citizens for a New Louisiana, and The American Conservative Union Foundation.

If re-elected, she said she will work to preserve Louisiana sovereignty against any unconstitutional overreach by the federal government.

I pledge to continue my defense of Faith, Family and Freedom by sponsoring and supporting legislation that defends and protects all three, she said.

As our Constitution and Founding Fathers intended it to be, together with the people of Louisiana I will work to protect their God-given rights and put the people, back in power. I look forward to the opportunity and honor to continue to fight for my constituents, their families, and our beloved Louisiana.

Gonzales Weekly Citizen and Donaldsonville Chief, part of the USA Today Network of Louisiana, cover Ascension Parish and the greater Baton Rouge area. Follow atfacebook.com/WeeklyCitizenandfacebook.com/DonaldsonvilleChief.

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Rep. Kathy Edmonston announces re-election bid for District 88 seat - Weekly Citizen

by Peter Weinberger

At last weeks Claremont City Council meeting, a long, robust discussion ended with it passing an ordinance, by a 3-1 vote, to protect tenants from certain no-fault evictions.

About halfway through the meeting, after being silent throughout, Council member Corey Calaycay told his colleagues and the audience he was opting out of discussing the matter because, I dont like to be asked to choose between people, and due to a perceived mischaracterization of his position [Council passes rent stabilization program, punts on protections, April 28] by our reporter in the story three weeks prior.

Let me start by saying I do not know Calaycay personally. But I have followed his political career, including the impact of his numerous decisions. I have voted for him twice since he was first elected in March 2005.

Calaycays accomplishments include a long list of community outreach, and hes served numerous organizations in addition to his work on the City Council. His resume is impressive and serves as an example of what public service looks like. Whether you agree with his politics or not, theres no denying hes committed to public service.

Yet like all of us, hes a human being and is by design, imperfect.

Like anyone, I dont relish receiving criticism I know to be unjustified. In my business like so many others facts can be misunderstood, misconstrued, or just absent from the conversation. And as we know, we Americans are having a more difficult time getting along; increasingly, we are taking our disagreements personally. Remember the adage, agree to disagree? Does that even happen any longer?

All of this is to say I understand Calaycays point of view. Ive felt misunderstood. We all have. But calling out a Courier reporter in the middle of a council meeting solves nothing. And what concerns me the most is he used this perceived slight as an excuse for avoiding participation in a very important dialog that affected a large contingent of his constituents.

Think about these actions for a moment: Calaycay elected not to do his job because of (perceived) bad press, this at the precise time the citizens of Claremont, his colleagues on the council, and the thousands of people who voted him into office needed him to step up and be present.

Tough decisions are part of any management job. Believe me, Ive been there. But as a leader of a company, or a city, its not an option to throw your hands up and decline to participate because you feel somebody slighted you in some way.

The Courier has an open policy on reader submissions for letters to the editor and opinion pieces. We welcome public input from all sides of every issue, as evidenced by the ongoing jousting among local interpreters of the Second Amendment on our pages.

When we make a mistake, we own up to it. Our reporting on April 28 was accurate. If Calaycay disagrees, he just like everyone else is welcome to pen a letter or an opinion piece and take us to task. Spouting off publicly, from the dais, is the opposite of constructive criticism: its the legislative equivalent of Im taking my ball and going home.

Speaking as a voter and Claremont resident, cmon Calaycay, stay in the game.

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Opting out is a cop out - Claremont Courier