This past September 11 at 9 am, I received a phone call from my son who (along with my oldest of three daughters) lives and works in New York City. He wanted me to know that he had just witnessed a large airliner strike the North Tower of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan and it appeared to him that the collision was intentional. He had no idea then about the balance of events to occur that morning, but all of us now know only too well about the attacks here on the East Coast, both on our Country and on our culture.

All of our lives have been affected somehow and I have been requested by many members to determine if, and when, we will be able to again enter the Circuit Courthouse without having to be subjected to the metal detector if we have Court passes. I met with Honorable John Grason Turnbull II, our new Circuit Administrative Judge, at his request on October 3, along with Sheriff Ann Strasdauskas, members of her staff, Peter Lally, Circuit Court Administrative Officer, Deputy State’s Attorney Sue Schenning, Thelma Triplin, our District Public Defender, along with Don Zaremba of her staff. The topic was not only security in general, but also, specifically, what efforts were being made to re-implement the Court pass system, not only for attorneys, but also for the employees who work at the Circuit Courthouse. I wish each of you had been with me to see the weapons and other items of contraband that are confiscated by the guards from the public, all of which is potentially dangerous not just to the Bench, but also to those of us who have business in the Courthouse, whether it be in trial, Orphans Court, Land Records, or just filing an action. I realize a number of our members have been inconvenienced by the strict requirement that we all take the time to go through the metal scanner, but we must remember that it is not only for the safety of the Bench, but also for our own safety, that such actions were put into place on and after September 11 by the Sheriff’s Office. Please do not take on the deputies for doing their job, which is to keep all of us safe.

At any rate, hopefully by the end of this month, there will be a renewed ability for each of us to use our individual Court passes and not go through the metal detector on a regular basis, although there will be, from time to time, spot checks, if you will, to make sure that security is being maintained. There will be a list of what items are not to be brought into the Courthouse posted at each of the three entrances to the Circuit Courthouse. In addition to the obvious, such as a weapon, a simple item such as a tape recorder is still considered contraband. To show the seriousness of this topic of safety, if during a spot check an item of contraband is discovered being brought into the Courthouse by someone with a pass, that pass will be confiscated and not returned so that thereafter, that person will be required to go through the scanner. If you have a question or doubt about what is and what is not contraband, please ask a Deputy and he or she will be happy to discuss the topic with you.

The September 11 Executive Council meeting was obviously canceled due to the events that day, the attacks on our Country. At the most recent Executive Council meeting on October 9, a motion was unanimously passed by the entire Executive Council that instead of a traditional Holiday party in early December, we instead dedicate our Association to show its support for the individuals who have been victimized by the tragic events of September 11, by having a Phantom Holiday Party instead of a physical function. In other words, we are asking that all members contribute hopefully the same amount that a ticket would cost ($34.00), and in effect simply make a charitable donation. The monies collected from this Phantom Holiday Party will be donated 100% to one or more funds which will benefit the victims and their families, as well as those individuals who labor to assist our Country. In fact, I would ask that anyone who makes a donation include a note suggesting a beneficiary because we are not restricted to any particular or number of entities, although I would rather find as local as possible an outlet for the expression of our generosity. For instance, the Maryland National Guard has a fund to assist its members who are called up for active duty but whose employers do not make up the difference in salary. The Executive Council will make the final beneficiary determinations at its January meeting. Don’t worry, we will still have the opportunity to be together physically in the very near future for the retirement dinner to be scheduled early next year for Chief Judge DeWaters, to be followed later next year by retirement dinners for Judges Cahill and Hinkel. Additionally, upcoming events include the Annual Banquet and the Young Lawyers Bull Roast.

As most of you now know, congratulations are in order for the Honorable J. William Hinkel who becomes our Chief Judge on November 1 and the duties of the Circuit Administrative Judge will now be handled by Honorable John Grason Turnbull II.

Please make an effort to attend the two separate memorial services on November 1 in Courtroom No. 2 of the Circuit Court Building, and by special demand in the County Council Chambers on November 15.

LET FREEDOM REIGN!