O'Malley, Lawmakers Choose Slots Commission

Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and legislative leaders yesterday named the remaining members of powerful new commission that will determine who will operate Maryland's slot-machine parlors.

The seven-member commission, which includes former legislators and several business leaders, will pick the winning bidders to operate five locations authorized by voters in a constitutional amendment last month. Bids to operate the sites, which could include up to 15,000 machines, are due Feb. 1.

Appointed yesterday by House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel): Thomas P. Barbera, of Montgomery County, who recently retired as the regional chief executive officer for UnitedHealthcare's Mid-Atlantic region; and D. Bruce Poole, a lawyer from Washington County and a former state legislator.

Appointed by Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert): James H. Taylor, a retired Prince George's County Circuit judge; and Robert NeallÖ, a former state senator and Anne Arundel County Executive.

Appointed by O'Malley: Linda Read, of Cecil County; the secretary and treasurer for Paul Risk Associates, a commercial builder; and Ella Pierce, a former purchasing agent for the city of Baltimore.

O'Malley last week appointed Donald C. Fry, a former legislator who heads the Baltimore area's largest business association, to serve as chairman of the commission.