Stephen King will be signing his latest book tomorrow night at 7 at Wal-Mart on North Point Boulevard.

From Read Street:

First, the line is to start at 7 a.m. (Yes, you read that right.) At 10 a.m., wristbands will be handed out to the first 400 people in line. These lucky golden tickets guarantee the bearer to one autographed copy of “Under the Dome,” King’s latest novel.

Franchot release

Comptroller Franchot Announces Filing Extension for Businesses Impacted by Dundalk Flood

Business Owners will have an Extra 30 Days to Pay Taxes

ANNAPOLIS, MD (September 30, 2009) – Comptroller Peter Franchot today extended the October 15, 2009, filing due date for Maryland taxpayers with business or financial records in the Dundalk area. Eligible taxpayers now have until November 15 to pay withholding tax and until November 20 to pay sales and use tax for those returns that were due the 15th and 20th of October.

“I empathize with anyone impacted by this disaster,” said Comptroller Franchot. “This extension will assure that any business in the area and business owners are not penalized by an incident that was beyond their control.”

Eligible businesses filing by the extended November due dates will not be subject to interest, late payment or failure to deposit penalties that would otherwise apply. Taxpayers should clearly write “Dundalk Flood” in bold, blue ink at the top of their tax forms.

Taxpayers may file online by going to our Web site www.marylandtaxes.com.

Contact: Lisa Lester (410) 260-7210 (office), 410-858-7868 (cell)

Baltimore County

Public Safety Day – Saturday, October 3 at Eastpoint Mall

Towson, Md. (September 29, 2009) – Baltimore County’s Annual “Public Safety Day” is scheduled this Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Eastpoint Mall in Dundalk. The event will be held on the parking lot in front of the mall, along North Point Boulevard. There is no charge.

Event Features

Public Safety Day is an opportunity for the public to get a close-up look at fire and police equipment; to talk with firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel; and to learn about important home and personal safety issues.

The event will feature a variety of hands-on activities for kids, including squirting a fire hose, participating in a “bucket brigade,” and sitting in a police helicopter. The county’s Junior firefighters will provide face painting. The Fire Service’s “Fire Safety House,” a walk-through trailer that simulates real home fire safety issues, will be available.

Demonstrations of public safety skills are scheduled throughout the event. Tactical firefighters will rappel from a tower ladder, and the Police Department’s K-9 dogs will showcase their skills. BGE will join county agencies, providing a crowd-pleasing presentation on electrical safety.

Organizers and Sponsors

The Baltimore County Police and Community Relations Councils, Inc. organizes Public Safety Day. Co-sponsors include the Baltimore County Police and Fire Departments; the Baltimore County Volunteer Firemen’s Association; the Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; and the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs.

Baltimore County release

Disaster Recovery Exercise Scheduled Thursday At Dundalk Wal-Mart

Towson, Md. (September 22, 2009) — Baltimore County emergency management officials will practice setting up a drive-through, post-relief distribution center -known as a “commodity point of distribution, or CPOD,” this Thursday, September 24, at the Wal-Mart at 2399 North Point Blvd., Dundalk.

The exercise, conducted in partnership with the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and Wal-Mart, is scheduled 9 a.m. to noon. Media should report at 10:30 a.m. Volunteers will role-play disaster stricken residents.

Recent disasters such as last week’s massive water main break on Broening Highway show the need for local governments to have a system in place for distributing basic supplies to disaster victims. Wal-Mart is the state of Maryland’s CPOD partner, providing a location, storage trailer and supplies to local emergency management agencies.

Baltimore County

County Recovery Efforts In Dundalk Focus on Cleanup, Damage Assessment
Dundalk, Md. (September 21, 2009) – Baltimore County’s efforts to help Dundalk residents affected by Friday’s massive water main break now focus on cleanup, damage assessment and restoration of essential public services.

Trash and Debris Pickup

County public works crews will remain in the area at least throughout the week, picking up trash and debris as residents sift through belongings damaged by the water. Public Works has provided dumpsters in the affected neighborhoods. Residents may use the dumpsters at their convenience.

Public Works Director Ed Adams said that crews also would bring dump trucks into the alleys to pick up discarded items. Residents should place trash that is ready for pickup in their backyards.

Emergency management officials encourage residents to document their belongings through photographs and in writing, and to consult with their insurance companies, before having them hauled away.

Electrical Inspections
BGE reports that 33 homes remain without electrical service and gas; five are without only gas.

A county electrical inspector is in the community, working with BGE to inspect homes that have been serviced by a licensed Baltimore County electrician. BGE will restore power as soon as the inspector signs off on the repairs. The contact number for the county’s electrical inspections unit is 410-887-3960.

The County will waive all permit fees for electrical and plumbing repairs in the homes affected by the water main break.

Insurance Issues
Representatives from the Maryland Insurance Administration visited the community Friday evening. Residents with questions about or problems involving insurance issues should contact this agency at 410-468-2090.

Other Concerns
Some residents have reportedly been contacted by cleanup and disaster recovery firms claiming that Baltimore County has granted them “exclusive rights” to work in the affected communities. This is not true. Baltimore County has no contractual relationship with any cleanup firm. Residents may hire any firm they wish, if they wish to hire professional help.

Affected residents with other questions or concerns should call County Executive Jim Smith’s Constituent Services Office, 410-887-2450.