TL20050328_001 "Baltimore's #1 College Paper - Published Twice-Weekly - www.thetowerlight.com Monday, 3/28/05 Regents approve increase in fees 5 Competition heats up for Associates 5 Center encourages college application 5 Association preps artists for careers Departments Opinion 2 News .-. 5 Campus Calendar. 6 Arts 11 Sports 16 In This Corner. 16 Face-Off. 14 Classifieds 12 Council opposes Circle housing Community Assocation votes against student lodging construction in downtown Towson Brian Stelter The Towerlight Students would not be friendly neighbors in downtown Towson, local community associations declared in a nearly unanimous vote earlier this month. By a vote of 13 - 1, members of the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations passed a resolution expressing opposition to """"student housing in the Towson core"""" at a meeting Thursday, March 17. The vote came as Towson University officials put the finishing touches on a Request for Proposals to develop housing for students within walking distance of the campus. One of those proposals could come from Heritage Properties. The developer is moving forward on a prospective project along Virginia and Pennsylvania Avenues called Towson Circle HI. Heritage hopes to develop student housing, retail/entertainment space and a parking garage where a parking lot is currently located. The imprecise plans have elicited worries from some residents. Outspoken Riderwood Hills delegate Corinne Becker said she isn't opposed to student housing - unless it is located next to residential communities. """"No one has cared to involve the community and all indications are that there will be 400 students in the heart of Towson,"""" Becker explained. """"Unless someone gives us something definitive, this is not conducive to the residential community."""" The lack of specifics about the project has frustrated members of the council. Towson University has not signed any deals for development in downtown and Baltimore County officials have yet to follow through on promises to hold a """"public meeting"""" to discuss the development. """"Nobody knows"""" the details, Wannago's selection rivals local shops Lisa Johnson/The Towerhght Towson's latest hot spot, Wannago Coffee and Cafe, opened March 16 on Kenilworth Drive. Their coffee assortment is complemented by a menu that includes breakfast and lunch. See story, Page 11. GTCCA Treasurer Steve Cupit explained. """"Nobody's making any promises."""" But """"all roads point to student housing,"""" Becker said. In a letter to Towson President Robert Caret and County Executive Jim Smith last week, GTCCA President Judy Gregory said the Towson Circle III project is not compatible with the surrounding neighborhoods. """"The residential community has not yet been invited to the table for the planning stage of such a massive development that would dramatically change the atmosphere in Towson,"""" Gregory's letter said. Based on conceptual drawings he obtained, GTCCA Recording Secretary Mike Ertel described Heritage's plans: """"It is labeled student housing. There is an RA and a study lounge on each floor. Most of the apartments are three to four See TOWN, page 7 TU employee, Ehrlich clash over job renewal Brian Stelter The Towerlight Towson nursing faculty member Michelle Lane believes the administration of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich pressured the University not to renew her contract, her lawyer asserted last week. Attorney Daniel Clements said the governor believes Lane was instrumental in exposing the actions of longtime Ehrlich aide Joseph Steffen, who was fired in February for spreading rumors about Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. Clements wouldn't comment on whether or not Lane played a role in exposing Steffen. Despite the alleged interference, Lane is still scheduled to teach three courses in Fall 2005. """"She came to understand that people in the administration were attempting to get Towson University not to renew her contract,"""" Clements said. """"As a result of that, she wrote an e-mail to the governor basically saying 'cut it out.'"""" That e-mail, released by Ehrlich Thursday, has raised questions about backstage political operatives, and state hiring and firing practices. In the message, which Lane sent to Ehrlich four days after Steffen was fired, she threatened to """"release information"""" as retaliation for circulating rumors against her. See LANE, page 7 Today High 55 Low 44 Tuesday High 61 Low 40 Wednesday High 61 Low 42 Thursday High 65 Low 47 Friday High 64 Low 42 fy'//t"
