Ehrlich Reassures Supporters

Inside their cramped, windowless headquarters in Dundalk, community activists opposed to a proposed liquefied natural gas terminal vented their frustration with one of the neighborhood's favorite sons - Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

"What makes us hostile is that the gov used to be our delegate, our Congressman," said Linwood Jackson of Turners Station, sounding like a double-crossed lover. "Where's the commitment?"

The answer came walking through the door minutes later in a surprise visit from the governor, and the hostility appeared to melt away. Jackson was one of the first in the room to welcome Ehrlich home.

The group is concerned that politically connected people are helping a local firm build a gas terminal near their homes. Ehrlich assured the dozen activists that he is with them in opposing the terminal.

But the governor expressed disappointment that the group had filed an ethics complaint against his personal attorney David Hamilton.

The complaint came after the Post reported that Hamilton represents the firm that owns the abandoned shipyard and joined his client in meetings with lawmakers about getting the state's financial help.

"I am on your team, I'm the leader of your team," Ehrlich said. "But this really hurt me personally."

Sharon Beazley, the group's leader, told Ehrlich she respects him and loves him. All she wants, she said, "is answers, and I don't think it's unfair."

Ann Marimow