There will be a public hearing regarding Bill 116-15 that is being introduced by Councilman Smith. We believe that this change to the Mixed Use Area off of Andover Rd. and W. Nursery could lead to townhome construction (which most seem opposed to) as well as increased traffic on Andover Rd.
Links to the Bill and the map can be found here:
Here is a summary of the program and how it has been used. The Community Enhancement Grant system issues a $1.00 grant per aircraft landing and taking off. This money must be used for transportation related projects which include sidewalks, signage, speed bumps, and even fences. Most of this money has been used for sidewalks, especially long runs of sidewalk that were already in existence but were in poor condition. To install new sidewalks requires engineering and permits, thus reducing the actual amout of sidewalk that could be installed. Regarding LSIA backing, the program has used community associations as the barometer for where and how money should be spent. . In short, the grant process takes 6-9 months to complete. E. Maple is not insurmountable, however it will take considerable time and planning as well as neighbor cooperation if it were to be accomplished. Currently we are waiting for an estimate to repave sidewalks on a portion of Shipley Rd. If you feel there is something that our community needs that would be covered by this funding please let us know, and we will be happy to explore those options. Please keep in mind that many improvements we may seek are subject to approval by the County or State of Maryland. In addition, while we have tried to use this money to make pedestrian travel safer for all, sidewalks are technically the responsibility of the individual homeowner.
http://www.maacommunityrelations.com/content/communityprograms/transportgrants.php
Silent Night, Safe Night
By Jonathan McGowan
Did you ever get to so busy during the holiday season that you forget to practice good car safety and to celebrate positive happenings in the Linthicum area?
Safety During the Holidays
The holiday season is upon us and the Anne Arundel County Police Department is increasing their presence at the local shopping centers. In addition, patrol cars will be in the area shopping center parking lots with “lights on” to highlight their presence in an effort to deter crime. The holiday months are normally very active for crime activity. Shoppers should pay close attention to where they are parking, look for well lighted areas, lock their cars and should not leave items in plain sight. Drivers should secure their keys and be ready to enter their cars after leaving the stores. If all else fails, shoppers can use their car alarm to draw attention.
The auto theft divisions for Anne Arundel County Police Department are combining their efforts in reducing and solving auto thefts with neighboring jurisdictions. The Northern District is working with Baltimore County and Baltimore City Police Departments to coordinate in tracking cross county movement of stolen vehicles. The Southern District is working with Prince George’s and Howard Counties in their efforts. Automobile theft in the Northern District is currently showing an increase. With the cold months upon us, car warm ups and, leaving your car unintended, gas station fill-ups and not locking your cars, lead to majority of the vehicle thefts.
Here’s a helpful suggestion- Just in case the misfortune of an auto theft confronts you, a very helpful tool for most people is the mobile phone. Most mobile phones are capable of taking photographs. Take one or two pictures of your cars with the tag number visible. You can store the photo safely on your phone, and in the event of a vehicle loss, you could display a very accurate description to police officers.
The Linthicum area roadways are in the final stages of completing the pavement resurfacing and lane markings that now include designated bicycle lanes through our neighborhood. This is an effort to connect the bicycle trail network across Maryland. This recently completed segment of bicycle lanes will connect the BWI trail and the bicycle trail heading north along Belle Grove Road and into Baltimore City. Please take special notice along Camp Meade Road (Main Street) and the intersections adjoining the bicycle lanes.
Happenings around the community
The Police Committee Relations Council (PCRC) awarded two Anne Arundel County Northern District Police officers the “Officer of the Year” award, Sergeant Dan Devoe and Detective Christopher Manalanson. They were presented a plaque and a citation at the November meeting. Both Police officers were cited from the Governor’s and the County Executive’s offices for their outstanding police efforts in community relations during the past year. Also, present during the ceremony were the newly appointed Chief of Police, Timothy Altomare, and newly appointed Northern District Captain, Thomas Kohlmann.
The Holidays Lights Program by the Linthicum Decorating Committee adds a special feeling of seasonal pride to our neighborhood. The community owes them many, many thanks and gratitude to the hard working volunteers giving our neighborhood a festive holiday season spirit. Well done everyone!
In closing, have a safe and peaceful holiday season. Cheers!
GFWC Woman’s Club of Linthicum Heights
Presents
The Annual Holly Mart
Saturday– December 5– 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church
200 School Lane, Linthicum, Maryland
Kid’s Corner -- Decorate a Christmas Craft
Meet Children’s Author – Katie Detrich
Baked Goods--Candy--Collectables--Fresh-Cut Greens
Holiday Arrangements--Jewelry
Face Painting--Holiday Music
Mr. & Mrs. Claus
Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Donation $12.00
Reservations: Barbara Walter – 410-859-0151
Year End Tax Planning for 2015
As the end of the 2015 tax year approaches, everyone should set aside some time to evaluate your situation and consider potential opportunities. Good yearend tax planning depends on a good understanding of both your current circumstances and how those circumstances might change next year.
Consider whether there’s an opportunity to defer income to 2016. When you defer income into 2016, you postpone payment of tax on that income. This is especially true if you know you will have less taxable income in 2016.
You should also look for potential ways to accelerate 2016 deductions into the 2015 tax year. If you itemize deductions on Schedule A of Form 1040 you should consider accelerating deductible expenses such as medical expenses, qualifying interest and state and local taxes. Where this really works, if you think you will owe state taxes for 2015, make an estimated payment prior to the end of the year so it can be claimed as a deduction on your 2015 federal return. If you make charitable contributions, you should consider accelerating 2016 contributions into 2015.
Depending on your circumstances, you might also consider taking the opposite approach. If you think you will have higher income in 2016, you might want to look for ways to accelerate income into 2015 and possibly defer deductions until 2016 when they could potentially be more valuable.
Deductible contributions to a traditional IRA and pretax contributions to an employer-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) could reduce your 2015 taxable income. You should note that there are a number of factors that determine whether you’re eligible deduct contributions to a traditional IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA (assuming you meet the income requirement) or a Roth 401(k) plan are made with after-tax dollars (so there is no immediate tax savings) but qualified distributions are completely free of federal income tax.
For 2015, you’re generally able to contribute up to $18,000 to a 401(k) plan ($24,000 if you’re age 50 or older) and up to $5,500 to a traditional or Roth IRA ($6,500 if you’re age 50 or older). The window to make 2015 contributions to an employer plan generally closes at the end of the year, while you typically have until the due date of your federal income tax return to make 2015 IRA contributions. Once you reach 70 ½ you generally must start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans (an exception may apply if you’re still working and participating in an employer-sponsored plan). Take any distributions by the date required, the end of the year. The penalty for failing to do so is substantial, 50% of the amount that should have been distributed.
The Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, significantly simplifying the federal and state income tax filing requirements for same-sex married couples.
A host of popular tax provisions expired at the end of 2014. These items are commonly referred to as “tax extenders. While it is possibly that some or all of these will be retroactively extended, currently they are not available for the 2015 tax year. Among these provisions; deducting state and local sales taxes in lieu of state and local income taxes; the above-the-line deduction for qualified higher-education expenses; qualified charitable distributions ; (QCDs) from IRAs; and increased business expense and “bonus” depreciation rules.
The individual mandate’s fine for going without health insurance is higher in 2015. The tax is the greater of two amounts; the basic fine of $325 per family member ($162.50 for family members under 18) with a ceiling of $975 or an income-based levy of 2% of the excess household income over the tax return filing threshold.
Tax rates remain the same as 2014 while the standard deduction and personal exemption amounts have slight increases.
The Social Security wage base increased in 2015 to $118,500. A person who turns 66 in 2015 can earn $41,880 without losing any benefits. Persons between the ages of 62 and 66 can earn $15,720 before they lose any benefits. There continues to be no earning cap once a beneficiary turns 66.
Mileage rates for 2015 are $.575 per mile for business travel, $.23 per mile for Medical travel and $.14 per mile for charitable driving.
Congress has passed tax revision laws at year end during the past several years so keep in mind and watch for another revision to extend several deductions again this year.