on vey

"And it is far from the ONLY bill I haven't paid," she writes.
And this is a defense of her failing to pay her water bill? Wow.

From these comments to her utter foolishness with holding up the gay marriage bill - I would not hesitate to say that this woman may have a few screws loose....Not sure, but rational thinking does not seem to be one of her strong suits :)

Laura,

As an un-attached observer, this does seem really petty/catty on your part. Especially the previous headline ("Deadbeat Delegate"). Whoever wrote that headline is clearly not impartial re: Jill Carter. Also, your quip about her age was a really gratuitous cheap-shot.

Yeah, she has unpaid water bills. I guess that's newsworthy. But to repeatedly harp on it and make her out to be a deadbeat is ridiculous. Would you also refer to the thousands of other MD residents facing forclosure (for various reasons) deadbeats? I'd like to see that.

Personally, I think it is rather scary that someone tasked with handling the State's budget woes, can't handle their own finances? And plenty of regular folks don't make "millions" but manage to pay their bills on time !
Poor excuses for anyone ..let alone an elected official - one par with " the dog ate my homework ".

Delgate Carter cetainly co-sponsored a bill that would benefit her.
" And it is far from the ONLY bill I haven't paid" such a responsible person!
The citizens of her district elected her.
Now you know why Baltimore City functions as it does.

this is the same person who sponsered a life jacket bill, due to the water taxi deaths, but forgot to include water taxis in the bill.....smart, repsonsible lady

See? She didn't pay her bill because she's the victim of an insurance company, the governor, the speaker, "et al.", and the Baltimore Sun.

I, too, probably won't pay my bill this next time. Why? I'm just not a party favorite.

The point here is that lawyers / legislators and those that represent the public interest are held to a higher standard and expected to do the ight thing. But Ms. Carter's explainations are quite lame and make little sense. Does she neglect her law clients too just because of the session. Her political posturing also shows questionable antics, by holding up a committee vote just to promote her other causes. This sounds like politics at it's worst- but then again just down the road the re-elected Marion Berry.

No offense, Delegate... but I don't buy it. If I can bother to pay my bills on time, so can you. And I *AM* one of your constituents in the 41st District.

Trust me, between this debacle and the gay-marraige stunt, you've cost yourself my vote when you're up for re-election.

I believe the honorable Sen. Clay Davis (D, Baltimore) offered up these exact reasons at one time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAQv6KTfQow

But it is better to look good than be good, and she looks Marvelous!

How can anyone defend this woman's actions, or should I say lack thereof? Downplay them as petty, blame the newspaper, etc. - how, and why? This woman was elected to serve her constituents, to LEAD by EXAMPLE...she is in a position to make laws, apparently many of the same laws she appears to believe she is exempt from. Can you imagine if everyone took the same "I don't have time" or "don't want to be bothered" attitude as she does – we’d be in worse shape than we already are. What is wrong with people that think her actions are justifiable? I keep shaking my head in total disbelief...doesn't say much for her supporters does it....deadbeat is an understatement for this "politician!"

And this is an elected official? She's all over the place with her explaination, which leads me to believe she's been caught and is lying through her teeth. Her district needs to demand a recall vote immediately to remove her from office, especially since she has too much on her plate and evidently can handle it. Make her get out of politics, and focus on her legal practice so she can pay her bills on time.

So I have a leak in my basement. Does this mean I can make the bank pay my $18 quarterly water bill? Am I missing something about an escrow loophole? I'm under the impression that the bank has nothing to do with a terrible house you purchased other than collect the mortgage money from you until it's paid off.

Perhaps this was her effort at a pre-emptive strike to avoid foreclosure on her own home for unpaid bills.

Or she is just an elitist pigressive corrupt Baltimore pol.

""And it is far from the ONLY bill I haven't paid," Carter writes."

And she is making decisions on the city budget?
And you people keep electing her?
And you wonder why you are being taxed at a confiscatory level?

You get what you deserve if you continue to vote for these incompetent corrupt elite aholes.

"From January-April, I devote myself to session" said Carter

That leave the ENTIRE REST OF THE YEAR to be bogged down by "bureacracy"!!!

this is solid PROOf that what we see in Baltimore is idiots electing idiots.

Women can be very petty and catty - just an obervation, take from it what you will.

A water bill can be easy to miss. They are infrequent and not expensive. I’ve physically seen one water bill in the 4 years I’ve owned my house, but I’m pretty sure the wife takes care of it. Plus apparently the water company (I have no idea the name) does not disconnect you. She would notice if her BGE wasn’t paid. Speaking of bills refusing to vote on your own bill was the real infraction.

Delegate Carter,

I'll make it really easy for you. Go to the following website:

http://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/water/default.aspx

Where it says "Service Address" type 808 in the upper left box and Glen Allen in the box below it and you'll see the bill in question.

You can even pay your bill on this website (along with a fee, naturally).

Carter says with seeming surprize
"The people don't tend to contribute enough"

Now you know WHY Jilly. Your a hypocritical crook!

Has anyone checked to see if anyone actually lives in her house? Is this just an address of convenience? Seriously, if it is flooded, perhaps no one is living there. I find it mind-boggling that she doesn't even know what her insurance may or may not be covering.

I thought she was a disgrace before and an embarrassment to her constituents , but this elevates her to a whole new level of disgrace.

@Water-Gate, there is no fee to pay online if you pay with a bank account

She's just another example of why the Eastern Shore needs to separate from the rest of Maryland. It's difficult watching the idiot Delegates-for-Life elected from Baltimore, Montgomery and Prince Georges who can't manage their own affairs running the state in the same way. Truly, there's no intelligent life west of the Bay Bridge.

If Delegate Jill P. Carter was taking bribes for votes like the majority in Annapolis she would have all her bills paid on time. But, since she works for the voters that she represents and received the largest number of votes than all the other delegates she has become a target of the petulant group that thinks she owes them something. Delegate Carter works for Jews and Blacks in her district not the village people that didn't vote for her. So suck it up, I checked and the water bill is paid!

"I could very well lose my house, but not likely over a water bill."
Do we feel sorry for her? This is not her primary residence. I don't even own one house, let alone two. Shame on her for not paying the bill, shame on the voters for electing such a despicable person. You can bet this will all be forgotten come 2014 and she will sail to reelection like most incumbent politicians.

Seems as though this writer has something that she is peeved about.

I am a constituent of the 41st district and I voted for Delegate Carter and I will vote for her again.

Delegate Carter has worked very hard in Annapolis to represent her community - she has sponsored bills to address health care, teen dating violence, public safety and juvenile justice.

I guess the sun really hasn't time to report on these very important initiatives and just time to write about someone's personal finances. I don't know who hasn't been hurt by the recession - but I am sure Delegate Carter has not been immune. I am sure this will be taken care of soon - and then maybe we will see an article of substance.

The big question is why Vozella is focused solely on Jill Carter. My goodness, to even reference her age, in the last post was just petty and stupid.

Why not blog tomorrow about another politician making a mistake because you can find many.

Why not an expose on someone who doesnt care about the people like Don Dwyer perhaps?? Jill Carter has flaws, as we all do, but she is good people.

She should ask Sheila Dixon for a loan

David, the Baltimore City website says that the current outstanding balance for 808 Glen Allen is $1,027.16 and the last payment was made on 4/9/2009. Since you can type, I will presume you are literate, which leads me to the conclusion that you are a LIAR when you say you checked and the bill has been paid. It hasn't been for nearly 2 years! As far as people thinking she owes them something, well, she does - she owes the city and its residents $1.027.16 for her water bill.

Sorry, Ms. Carter, you do NOT get to use the excuse that you are busy in Annapolis. The session is 90 days each year (and we the citizens of Maryland are thankful that it's not longer!), which gives you 275 other days each year to PAY YOUR BILL! Seriously, if serving in the House is so badly impacting your finances that you can't PAY YOUR BILLS, you need to either resign and devote yourself to more lucrative endeavors or consult any one of a number of people or organizations that can help you set up a reasonable budget and get back on track financially. My personal favorite is the Biblically-based Crown Financial (www.crown.org).

The same people defending her would be outraged and calling for their dismissal if it were a Republican.

Can't wait until she can't pay her mortgage and introduces a bill that prevents banks from foreclosing on houses within Baltimore City limits.

She is a pathetic joke.

After that STUNT she pulled with the same sex marriage legislation she needs to be taken out the back of the wood shed for a lickin' - She has completely and utterly lost ANY respect from me and frankly I throw money at the person who runs against her to remove her hypocritical, BS-filled self OUTTA OFFICE. RIDICULOUS.

More BS from the Baltimore Sun.

Is this what passes for journalism?

Hey Sun, here's a tip, journalists aren't supposed to have personal vendettas or act as the communications arm of the state party. Many city politicians do things far worse than this, things that are harmful not only to themselves but to the wider community. If you're going to blow this out of proportion, why not report on where Spector and the Conaways actually live, follow up on the City Council President's actual residence; report on who's corrupt and on unethical ties between legislators, lobbyists, and companies; delve into the nuances of lowering the property tax; shine light on those in office who are mentally or intellectually challenged?

I'm guessing there are some journalism degrees hanging around...maybe put use to it?

I'd like to thank all that bothered to post comments. I appreciate those of you that have been supportive, especially, where you have actual knowledge of my work. To the rest, I understand your skepticism and inclination to think the worst of me, as many politicians appear to have no honor and little decency. I disagree with many of the more negative sentiments expressed about me, my situation, and what I feel is a somewhat misleading, poorly written "article" posted above.
For purposes of clarification: I sponsored a bill to prevent persons from losing their homes as a result of delinquent water bills years ago. I believe it was 2007. The bill did not pass at that time. I had no inkling the issue would ever pertain to me personally. I don't believe in sponsoring legislation for personal benefit, and I absolutely never have. The following year, I believe, 2008, the chair of the Environmental Matters Committee, who was responsible for killing the bill I'd sponsored, slapped her name, and several other delegates' names on the bill I'd previously introduced, and with some tweaking, passed the bill. I was not a sponsor or co-sponsor of the ultimate bill. This author has made it seem as if I sponsored this legislation recently, or as if it somehow coincides with my own delinquent water bill. But, it does not.

The comments, attributed to me posted above, are mine. They were intended for my facebook friends, and people that may have been concerned. I was never asked any questions by the author of the above article, blog, or whatever it is. To my knowledge, my delinquent water bill is paid. Yes, I was negligent. No, I wasn't aware of the status until it was "news". Yes, it is possible I could lose my home, as it is possible most working people could lose their homes with difficult circumstances. No, I don't believe I will lose my home due to the delinquent water bill. Yes, I have struggled with greater debt at various times in my life and the water bill, at issue, is not the only bill on which I've been delinquent. Yes, I've spent a great deal of my own money on my campaign and political expenses. No, I don't have as much money as other politicians. Campaign fundraising has not been my strong suit and I don't enjoy it. I've raised just enough and personally contributed just enough to be re-elected and maintain my office. Yes, it's been challenging. But, I believe, worth it. It has been an honor to serve, and I have dedicated myself to doing so with total commitment.

Re: marriage equality: For the record, I voted to get the same sex marriage bill out of committee but it didn't pass the floor because a majority of members of the house of delegates opposed it. At no time during this session were there enough votes to pass the bill in the house. This author incorrectly wrote, at the time, that I was a "hold out". The truth is, two other delegates on my committee were experiencing a change of heart and the chairman was not inclined to vote for the bill initially. Some reporters, including this one, rushed to incorrect conclusions without verifying the facts. I stated, at the time, that public education funding and children's rights to parental equality are as important to many of my constituents as same-sex marriage, and that these issues should also be given equal priority by leadership. Agree or disagree, I stand by that belief. None of these issues have personal significance or benefit to me. I am not married, and I have no children. A number of legislators testified about their personal interest in passing same-sex marriage because they deserve the same rights as heterosexual couples to solidify their love relationships through marriage. That is an example of advocating legislation for personal benefit. I don't condemn them for using their personal situations to achieve desired legislation in which they strongly believe. But, I have not done that.

Thanks for taking time to read my comments. If anyone has interest in asking me anything, learning more about my legislation, or suggestions for legislation, please feel free to send me an email: jill.carter@house.state.md.us.

All the best-Jill P. Carter

I stand by my post. like most of Baltimore city the web site is behind. A. H the bill is paid!

I am sure some church will pay her water bill. Quid quo pro.

I was ready to call her a hypocrite for not paying the bill AND introducing legislation to benefit herself but she did take the time to address this issue and give an explaination on the comment portion here, which she did not have to take the time to do. I was a decent thing to do and I commend her for it. I know there have been times in the past when a bill gets lost or forgotten about, especially a water bill which comes quarterly. Thanks for the explaination and good job in doing so.

David, I don't understand your statement that the Baltimore City web site is behind. I paid my water bill online on Tuesday afternoon and verified this morning that my balance is zero, my payment date is listed as Tuesday, etc.

If Ms. Carter paid her bill by mailing a check, that might be the discrepancy and why it's taking longer for the payment to be reflected online. However, I still think that not paying the water bill for 2 years is about, oh, 2 years too long. I worry that Ms. Carter has input to the state's budget when she apparently can't keep up with her personal budget. I'm sure she has many positive qualities but I personally think that in these fiscally trying times, we need people with better budget/financial skills. JMOYMMV (just my opinion, your mileage may vary).

Carter posts "The comments, attributed to me posted above, are mine. They were intended for my facebook friends, and people that may have been concerned."

Hey baby, Facebook and the other social sites are WIDE OPEN for ALL to see. You don;t want your personal bidness out there? Don't post on a public site.
Your judgement must seriously be called into question.

Carter says "To my knowledge, my delinquent water bill is paid"

"TO MY KNOWLEDGE"??????

If you don;t know that your bill is paid, YOU SHOULD RESIGN YOUR position for incompetence!

Hey Jesse, I don't recall anyone in the media calling for Don Dwyer's removal from office after he was caught claiming the homestead credit on one of his rental properties. Remind me again which political party that he belongs to?

The Facebook comment by Del. Carter used in this blog was in response to my discussions with her. Carter was willing to discuss the issue, and, I might add, said she has since paid the bill. But if you read the comments to me on that topic thread, you see that others attack me a being a racist and judgemental. I may be stupid for thinking I could discuss the water bill story with her supporters, but I certainly said or did nothing that any reasonable person could construe as racist or judgemental.

The Facebook comment by Del. Carter used in this blog was in response to my discussions with her. Carter was willing to discuss the issue, and, I might add, said she has since paid the bill.... But if you read the comments to me on that topic thread, you see that others attack me a being a racist and judgemental. I may be stupid for thinking I could discuss the water bill story with her supporters, but I certainly said or did nothing that any reasonable person could construe as racist or judgemental.

This could be the best read around!!!