Wind Power in Anne Arundel County

On Monday, July 19, 2010, the County Council voted to allow residential wind power in Anne Arundel County. Although the bill is modest in scope and contains a number of restrictions on size, location and energy output, it is a big step forward.



I was honored to testify in favor of the bill on July 6th. Windpower is good. It’s good for the economy. The installation and maintenance of windmills creates jobs. Those jobs by necessity have to be local. You can’t outsource those jobs. It’s good for the environment and the Chesapeake Bay because it produces electricity without any waste. If the windpower replaces coal or oil power, it will reduce the amount of mercury, nitrogen and particulate matter entering our ecosystems. It’s good because windpower is local power and it reduces our dependence on foreign regimes or the whims of the marketplace.

One of the issues that came up was the appearance of windmills. The new bill contains height restrictions and other restrictions to minimize the negative visual impact of windmills. I’m of the opinion that windmills represent the future. When I visit my family in Pennsylvania and see windmills on the sides of the Appalachian mountains, it looks like progress. It looks like hope.

In short: wind power is good.

Protect the Future: Vote Chiappelli.

Team Chiappelli

As the campaign season really takes off, I'd like to introduce my right and left hand people, Rose and Matt!

Running for office is a team sport and I'm proud to have such outstanding people standing beside me.



And, of course, everyone's favorite Segway riding hero: Captain Awesome!

July 6th: Deadline day

It's official. The deadline for filing to run for office in 2010 has passed.

A number of people have jumped into the House of Delegates race in District 31 and as the first person in that race, I'd like to welcome them. Stan Janor has been in the race since 2009. Justin Towles jumped in in April. All three incumbents decided at the last minute that they would like to keep their jobs. Two other fellows, one Democrat and one Republican also decided, literally at the last minute, to jump into the race as well.

I don't understand the need to wait until the last minute. I mean, I understand that they are trying to avoid some of the paperwork of running for office and they hope to get noticed by the media. To me, running for office is serious business. It's important to get out there, put your cards on the table and say "here I am and this is the job that I want." This last minute shuffling feels artificial as if the incumbents and latecomers aren't sure if they want the job or they had more important things to do first.

Regardless, we're all in the race now. Voters start checking your mail and answering your doors, the candidates are coming for you. Ask us the tough questions. Check out our backgrounds. Make us earn your vote. And we won't stop trying until November 2nd when you pick me and two others!