Week in review: November 5, 2010

BWI traffic called strong

Officials at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport said they weren’t worried about a Southwest Airlines executive’s announcement that Atlanta could become the discount carrier’s biggest hub after its proposed acquisition of AirTran Airways. Airfare at BWI remained among the cheapest in the country last spring, according to figures released Monday.

Racing cutbacks threatened

The Maryland Jockey Club said Wednesday it will slash racing operations at both of its thoroughbred tracks next year after voters approved development by The Cordish Co. of a casino next to Arundel Mills mall. The club had wanted to gain control of that gaming license and use it for a slots parlor at its Laurel Park racetrack.

Would-be judge to sue

Interior designer Ramona Moore Baker, who finished second Tuesday among three candidates running for three seats on Baltimore’s Orphans’ Court, said Wednesday that she plans to sue over being denied a judgeship because state voters approved a measure that permits only Maryland attorneys to sit on that bench.

Asti defends fliers

Alison L. Asti said her Election Day endorsement of Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Laura Kiessling was meant to support Kiessling, not suggest that the two were running together. Asti denied that a sample ballot that blanked-out the name of sitting Judge Ronald H. Jarashow, who was running with Kiessling, and fliers that showed both women, violated election rules. Asti finished ahead of Jarashow to win the seat.

Vacant-home rehab plan

Baltimore announced a plan to return vacant houses to use Wednesday The plan will rely on a Web-based marketing strategy, faster closings for purchases, and $900 fines for code violations by absentee owners. Earlier in the day, the city’s Board of Estimates voted to eliminate mandatory pre-sale appraisal of city-owned blighted properties worth less than $20,000.

Hopkins expands in Asia

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine announced Tuesday that it is partnering with Academic Medical Centre Sdn Bhd to develop the first private, four-year graduate medical school in Malaysia. Hopkins will design the new school and its curriculum. The goal is for a 600-bed teaching hospital to be built along with the school.

Building plan hits obstacle

Opponents of a 109-unit apartment complex planned near Rockville Town Center scored a win Monday when the Court of Special Appeals said the city improperly approved a use permit for the building. This reversed a ruling by the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Chimes, insurer settle suit

Chimes International Limited, a Baltimore-based disability services nonprofit, has settled a lawsuit against its insurance company. Chimes claimed National Union Fire Insurance Co. should have covered the legal costs of defending the charity against the possibility of federal tax consequences during a decade of scrutiny over its officers’ high pay and for its business deals with board members.

Firm loses privilege claims

The Court of Special Appeals has ordered Gallagher, Evelius & Jones, a Baltimore law firm, to turn over documents that a Checkers fast-food outlet in Joppa Heights Shopping Center is seeking in a lease dispute with its landlord. The firm had claimed attorney-client privilege.