The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • A11

TUESDAY, MARCH 1,2016 THE BALTIMORE SUN 11 Tax breaks proposed for Royal Farms Arena Sage Policy Group. "I don't think this is something that should be rushed. Doesn't it make sense to make the new mayor part of the deliberations?" The two mayoral candidates on the council Nick J. Mosby and Carl Stokes declined to vote for the deal. Mosby voted against it, while Stokes abstained.

The council will cast a final vote next week. "It doesn't seem like the right approach, to take millions of tax revenue off the table without doing a full financial study," Mosby said. "I don't honesdy believe we're missing any shows at all," Stokes said. "We've got Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Elton John. Who are we missing? I think it's another bill that puts more profit in the promoter's pockets.

Why should all of the smaller clubs have to pay the tax when the arena doesn't?" City Councilman Bill Henry said he is backing the bill because it will help the arena book the nights it doesn't have shows, making for busier downtown restaurants and fuller hotels and parking garages, increasing overall tax revenue. He said he was gathering information to ARENA, From page 1 region. "This credit will enable the arena to be on a better footing to compete with Merri-weather Post Pavilion and the Verizon Center in D.C. Young said. Nearly every jurisdiction in Maryland charges admission and amusement taxes.

Howard County, where Merriweather is located, charges a 5 percent tax on live concerts. Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties charge 10 percent. The Verizon Center in the District of Columbia pays a 10 percent sales tax. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's administration is opposed to the bill. The mayor, who will step down from office when her term ends in December, has not said whether she would veto the bill.

Baltimore Finance Director Henry Raymond wrote in testimony against the bill that the tax breaks could cost the city $500,000 to $L2 million annually. Raymond also argued the bill would be unfair to other tax-paying performance venues in Baltimore. "I don't think it's a particularly good idea," said economist Anirban Basu, who runs the Baltimore-based consulting firm determine how many more events the city would need to attract to generate enough revenue from the city's share of arena profits to offset the tax revenue lost on ticket sales. "If by reducing the tax we can get more performances by more acts, then we can make more money doing it this way," Henry said. Young, too, cited the economic impact of large concerts.

"More shows bring in more hotel guests, more dinner reservations, more parking and more shopping," he said. "This is a way to gain tax revenue." Royal Farms Arena previously known as the Civic Center, the Baltimore Arena and 1st Mariner Arena ranks first in the U.S. in gross ticket sales among venues its size, according to Billboard Magazine. The venue, which seats 14,000, grossed more than $16.8 million on 80 concerts over one year beginning in November 2014. The arena's 2016 schedule includes concerts by Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Janet Jackson, Maroon 5 and others.

In 2015, the venue hosted concerts by Prince, Motley Crue, the Eagles and Stevie Wonder. Frank Remesch, general manager of Royal Farms Arena, said a single major event can boost the economy in Baltimore. He said when the Ultimate Fighting Championships were in town, the show generated an estimated $28 million in economic impact. "I'm trying to get the big events," Remesch said. "We're fighting that big gorilla down the street called the Verizon Center.

Give me a swinging chance against these goliaths." But Stephen J.K. Walters, an economics professor at Loyola University Maryland and a fellow at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health and the Study of Business Enterprise, said the proposal begs for more study. The council should vet whether potential increases in hotel business will make up for the revenue lost from tax collection. "Have they studied how many concert-goers arrive from out of town? Do they know how much they spend at local hotels, restaurants, Walters wrote in an email. He said the break would tilt the playing field gainst other city venues.

"Though none are sufficiently large to be competing for these acts, the more big acts the arena books, the more of our entertainment budget they get at the expense of substitutes like Rams Head Live, Pier 6, Walters said. Basu said eliminating the ticket tax could work against the city's best interests. The tax revenue could fund construction of a new arena, and bolster arguments that one is needed, he said. "The city desperately needs a new arena. When Baltimore has been able to supply first-class facilities, there have been incredibly good outcomes.

One only needs to look at Camden Yards and Bank Stadium," Basu said. "The current arena is uninspired, and people put up with it because the acts are good." lbroadwaterbaltsun.com ywengerbaltsun.com twitter.comlukebroadwater twitter.comyvonnewenger DEATH LODGE NOTICES LEONARD, Charles "Bucky" On February 29, 2016 Charles "Bucky" beloved husband of the late Mary Jo Leonard (nee Harrington). He is survived by his loving children Debi Abbott, Michael (Michele), Chipper, Robert (Betsy), John (Tracey) Leonard and Mary Sager (Curt); cherished grandfather to Nichole, MJ, Charlie, Ryan, Jake, Nick, Erin and Abigail Leonard, Katie, Kevin and Tommy Sager; loving brother of Daniel Leonard, Mount St. Mary's president resigns post STROTT, Catharine B. On February 28, 2016, Catharine Buchness Strott, of Catonsville, MD (formerly of Govans); Beloved wife of the late Howard J.

Strott and devoted mother of Susan Lyons, Catherine Holewinski, Martha Post, Valerie Wesley, Nancy Schultz, John, Tim, Mike, Tony, Chris, Damian, and Matt Strott; devoted sister of Dr. George Buchness, Anthony Buchness and Dr. Michael Buchness. Also survived by 23 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren. Predeceased by two grandchildren.

Friends may call at the family-owned Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, 6500 York Road, (at Overbrook Road), Baltimore, MD 21212 on Wednesday from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9pm. A Memorial Mass will be offered in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Govans on Thursday, March 3, 2016 at 10:30 AM. Interment St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Daily Bread co Catholic Charities, 320 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 2l20l.www.rnwfuneralhome.com SUDINE, Helen On February 28, 2016, Helen V. Sudine, beloved wife to the late James Sudine; devoted mother to Carolyn Lowe and her husband Bob, and Victoria Hoops; loving grandmother to three grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the family owned and operated CONNELLY FUNERAL HOME OF DUNDALK, 7110 Sollers Point Road, on Wednesday from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Helen's life will be held on Thursday morning 10 AM at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.connellyfuneralhomeofdundalk.com VANDUSEN, Betty C. Vandusen, Betty C. (Roland), 94, beloved wife of Verne L. Vandu sen, entered into God's eternal care on February 25, 2016 at South County Hospital in South Kingstown, Rl. Her funeral service will be held at 7 PM on Thursday, March 3 at Quidnessett Baptist Church, 6356 Post Road, North town, Rl with visitation from 6:00 to 7:00 PM prior to the ser-vice at the church.

Burial will be not going to stop." He had some support from the board of trustees and students. A survey last month of about 60 percent of Mount students found a majority supported Newman. The student government association polled 951 students in its survey. About 76 percent voted in favor of Newman, and 24 percent voted against his leadership, according to an email from the student government leadership. Board members could not be reached Monday night to comment.

"The board is grateful to President Newman for his many accomplishments over the past year, including strengthening the University's finances, developing a comprehensive strategic plan for our future, and bringing many new ideas to campus that have benefited the entire Mount community," John Coyne, chairman of the Mount St. Mary's University Board of Trustees, said in a statement. "We thank him for his service." Joseph Baldacchino, a 1970 graduate and outspoken critic of Newman, expressed relief at his resignation. "This has just been an unbelievable situation, absolutely unbelievable," Baldacchino said. "The board stuck with him for so long, when he did so many scandalous things." Newman was named president of Mount St Mary's, the second-oldest Catholic university in America, in December 2014 He succeeded Thomas H.

Powell, who had been president of the university for a decade. Newman had 30 years of experience in business and finance and served as managing director of JP Capital Partners, a private equity firm, and CEO of Cornerstone Management Group, an investment and advisory company. He had started four businesses in his career and said he raised more than $3 billion in equity funding. tprudentebaltsun.com MOUNT, From page 1 Karl Einolf, dean of the Richard J. Bolte Sr.

School of Business, was named by the board of trustees as acting president Einolf spent five years working for the Sprint Corp. before arriving at Mount St. Mary's in 1998. He became a professor in 2010 and served six years as the director of the university's honors program. He has published papers in business and economics journals, according to his biography on the university website.

Newman drew criticism from alumni and educators after he fired two professors and demoted the provost as controversy over his policies mounted. Among the most incendiary of Newman's ideas was to weed out struggling freshmen by encouraging them to leave the university. The move was intended to bolster Mount St. Mary's student retention rate and national ranking. Criticism escalated after the college newspaper quoted Newman referring to students as bunnies that should be drowned or shot.

Newman later apologized and said his words were taken out of context. The American Association of University Professors wrote an open letter to Newman, urging him to reinstate one of the faculty members who had tenure and was fired without an administrative hearing, an action it characterized as "fundamentally at odds with basic standards of academic due process." A separate petition signed by thousands of professors from across the country circulated on the Internet and demanded that both professors be reinstated. Petitioners argued that the circumstances of the firings raised questions about "intellectual freedom" at the university. Newman later reinstated them. In early February, faculty members announced that they had voted 87-3 to ask Newman to resign.

Newman rejected the faculty's demand for his resignation, telling scores of cheering students at a rally in Emmitsburg: "I'm and Nandy Leonard. He was preceded in death by a sister Betty Ann Carroll. Receiving of friends will be at the family owned Ruck Towson Funeral Home, Inc. 1050 York Road (Beltway exit 26) Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 4, 2016 at 10AM at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 200 Ware Towson.

Inurnment in Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Gilchrist Hospice 11311 Mccormick Suite 350 Hunt valley, MD 21031. www.ruckfuneralhomes.com MASON, Arthur On Sunday, February 28, 2016 Mr. Arthur R. Mason; beloved husband of M.

Genevieve (nee Russell) Mason; beloved father of James A. Mason and wife Robin, the late Patricia Ann Montgomery and her late husband Russell; four grandchildren; and seven greatgrandchildren. He was a member of Masonic Order with Howard Lodge 101 in Elkridge and the Royal Arch Council. Friends may call at the LOUDON PARK FUNERAL HOME, 3620 Wilkens on Wednesday, March 2, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. Funeral services will be held 1 1 AM Thursday, March 3, at the Funeral Home.

Interment Loudon Park Cemetery. MILLER, Pauline Pauline T. Miller passed away on February 26, 2016 on September 14, 1934. Loving mother of Michael E. Miller and Deborah L.

Church. Caring sister to Theresa Wilson and Eileen Moore. Devoted grandmother of 5 and great grandmother of 4. Pauline was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Pauline (Laurie) Messaris; husband, Edward V. Miller; and brothers, Joseph P.

Messaris, Andrew Messaris, and Robert Messaris. Friends and Family may call at Barranco and Sons Funeral Home, P.A., 495 Ritchie Hwy Severna Park, MD 21146, on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 1-3 5-7 P.M. Funeral Service to be held on Wednesday, March 2nd at Barranco and Sons 10:00 A.M. Interment in Crestlawn Memorial Gardens to follow service. For further information or to post condolences, please visit www.kirkleyruddickfuneralhome.com MILLER, Ralph On February 29, 2016, Ralph M.

Miller of Joppa, Maryland, former husband of the late Barbara A. Miller; beloved husband of Susan H. Miller; devoted father of Christopher Miller and wife Heather; cherished grandfather of Sophie and Emme Miller; dear brother of Robert Miller and wife Leilani, the late Richard Miller, Russell Miller and wife Carole, Mary Goethius, Anna Armstrong, and Steven Goethius. Family and friends will honor Ralph 's life at the family owned Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services Parkville, 8800 Harford Rd. on Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 3-5 7-9 PM.

A service will be held in the chapel at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens at 1PM Friday. Memorial contributions in Ralph's name may be made to Defenders of Animal Rights Inc. 14412 Old York Road Phoenix, MD 21131. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.evansfuneralchapel.com NIEVES, Soterovillar On February 28, 2016, Sotero Villar Nieves, beloved husband of Eufrocina Nieves; devoted father of Ruby de la Mata, Bert Nieves (Lynn), Fe Nieves-Khouw (Albin), Amor de Dios (Mandy), Sotero Nieves (Bel), Editha Vergel de Dios (Jun) and the late Leny (Mel) and Harry; loving grandfather of Enrique, Mariano, Luis, Lisa, Jojo, Gino, Una, Moses, Charlie, Mika, Kaila, Paul, Dean, Rae, Jed, Erin, Cody, Julia and their spouses; dear father-in-law of Cora Nieves; also survived by many great grandchildren, loving relatives and friends. Family will receive friends on Wed.

from 5-9 pm at HARRY H. WITZKE'S FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, where a funeral service will be held on Thurs. at 10 am. Interment Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens. harrywitzkefuneralhome.com SCHUSSLER, Bob On Feb.

27th, Bob, beloved husband of Cindy, loving father of Matthew, Becky, Ruthie and Jimmy and the late oldest daughter Frances. Loving pop pop of Nathan and Layla. Memorial service is Friday March 4th at at St. Michael the Archangel Church. SHAW, DOHL.

On February 28, 2016 Don L. Beloved husband of Irene Shaw (Nee Kleiner) Devoted father of Deborah Shaw and Robert Shaw and wife Debra; Grandfather of Dustin Shaw, brother of Jack and Ralph Shaw; Also blessed with many Nieces and Newphews with a very special niece Terrie. Visit Gonce Funeral Service PA. 4001 Ritchie Highway on Wednesday 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Service Thursday at 11:00 A.M.

Interment Meadowridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Crofton Care and Rehabilitation Center 2131 Davidsonville Rd. Crofton MD21114. Visit Goncefuneralservice.com SHEPPARD, Gladys On February 18, 2016, Gladys, survived by daughter, son and other family and friends. Friends my call Tuesday 4-8 pm at Howell Funeral PA.

4600 Liberty Heights Ave. Family will receive friends Wed. -11 am at the Southern Baptist Church 1701 N. Chester St. Interment: Garrison Forest Veteran Crematory Arrangement entrusted to Carlton C.

Douglass Funeral Services PA 410-669-1738 STILLMOCK, Patrick The Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 1311 regrets to an-nounce the passing of our retired member, Patrick Stillmock. Brother Stillmock served the County Fire Department for 24 years. We extend our deepest sympathy to the family. Michael K. Day President at Lake View Memorial Park Cemetery in Sykesville, MD on Saturday, March 5 at 2:30 PM.

Full obituary at carpenterjenks.com. WICKLEIN, J. Eileen On February 27, 2016, J. Eileen Wicklein, of Glen Bur-nie; beloved wife of the late Charles V. Wicklein loving mother of Charlene O'Kane and her husband Joe, Karen Fenner and Ed, and Barbara Harle; cherished grandmother of Chad and Travis; and devoted great-grandmother of six.

She is also preceded in death by her 1st husband, Charles w. Harle Sr. Visitation will be held at Singleton Funeral Cremation Services, Glen Burnie, on Thursday, March 3rd, from 11AM 1PM. A Celebration of Life service will be held immediately following at 1 PM in the funeral home chapel. Interment Cedar Hill Cemetery.

For condolences, please visit www.singletonfuneralhome.com. WILLIAMS, Phyllis S. On February 28, 2016, Phyllis Spates Williams beloved wife of the late Robert j.w. Williams; devoted mother of Laurie Ballard and her husband Jim, Robert Williams and his wife Karen, Mark Williams and his wife Monika; loving grandmother of Charissa, Isaac, Amberley Elea, Autumn, Brianna, Joseph, Kaelene, Julia Rose and Sophie-Ann. Family and friends will honor Phyllis' life at the family owned Evans Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services Parkville, 8800 Harford Rd.

on Friday, March 4, 3-5 7-9 PM. A funeral service will be held 10AM at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church-Parkville. Interment will be held 11:30 AM Tuesday, March 8th at Garrison Forest Veteran Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Phyllis' name may be made to St.

John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at www.evansfuneralchapel.com. WILLS, Richard On February 28, 2016, Richard Joseph Wills passed away. He was the beloved husband of the late Rosemarie Wills (nee Brocato); devoted father of Peggy Wills and her husband Joe Moore, Mary Wolfe and her husband Stephen, and Rick Wills and his wife Robin; loving grandfather of Melissa Buckingham and her husband Alex, Brittany and Richie Wills, and Justin, Bryan and Christian Wolfe; cherished greatgrandfather of Mackenzie and Mason Buckingham; dear brother of Sister Barbara Wills, MHSH. Predeceased by 7 brothers and sisters.

Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends may gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, inc. 9705 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Wednesday March 2nd from 3-5 and 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11am at St. Joseph Catholic Church (Fullerton, MD).

Interment Gardens of Faith Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Richard's name to the Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart 1001 w. Joppa Rd, Towson, MD 21204. Online tributes may be left for the family at www.schimunekfuneralhomes. com GEORGE KENNEDY 1925-2016 'Cool Hand Luke' star showed grit but also had a lighter side He finally burst into the public consciousness with his 1967 role as Dragline in "Cool Hand Luke," in which he was second-billed and held his own alongside Newman.

The New York Times said: "George Kennedy is powerfully Kennedy By Carmel Dagan Variety George Kennedy, who won a supporting actor Oscar for his role alongside Paul Newman in "Cool Hand Luke" and was also a fixture of 1970s disaster movies, including the "Airport" franchise and "Earthquake," died Sunday in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. His grandson Cory Schenkel reported the death on his Facebook page. While Kennedy largely played gruff, blue-collar characters in dramas and genre films, he allowed a comedic side to emerge in the deadpan "The Naked Gun" movies. Kennedy appeared in all four of the "Airport" movies of the 1970s as Joe Patro-ni, the reluctant, cigar-chomping but highly effective chief mechanic who could be counted upon when the chips were down and supreme expertise was required.

He also turned in a powerful performance in 1975's "Earthquake" as hearty, sentimental police Sgt. Slade, who helps where he can in the wake of the devastating temblor. Kennedy toiled in the TV trenches for much of the 1960s, especially guest-starring on Westerns, and occasionally appeared in supporting roles in high-profile films such as "In Harm's Way," "The Sons of Katie Elder," "The Flight of the Phoenix" and "The Dirty Dozen." obsessive as the top-dog who handles things his way as effectively and finally as destructively as does the warden or the guards." During the 1970s he made two attempts at starring in his own television series: 1971's brief "Sarge," in which he played a priest with a police background, and 1975's "The Blue Knight." Other notable film credits during the 1970s included Michael Cimino's "Thunderbolt and "The Eiger and Agatha Christie period mystery "Death on the Nile." He had a recurring role on prime-time soap opera "Dallas" as rancher Carter McKay from 1988-1991 and appeared in the reunion TV movies "Dallas: JR. Returns" (1996) and "Dallas: War of the Ewings" (1998). Most recently he appeared in the 2014 crime drama remake "The Gambler," starring Mark Wahlberg.

ZAREK, Conrad On February 27, 2016, Conrad Vincent Zarek, beloved husband of the late Mary w. Zarek (nee Whalen); devoted father of Conrad V. Zarek, III and his girlfriend Kate McGuire, Carol Kirsch and her husband Joseph, John Zarek and his wife Siobhan, and Alan Zarek and his girlfriend Mae VanHorne; loving grandfather of Joseph and Janet Kirsch, and Colleen, Shannon and Patrick Zarek; dear great-grandfather of Leela Kirsch; and cherished brother of Dorothy Joggerst. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home, 610 w. MacPhail Road, Bel Air, on Tuesday from 3-5 and 7-9 pm.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 am at St. Ignatius Church (Hickory). Interment Gardens of Faith Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Mr. Zarek's name to the Charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be left at www. schimunekfuneralhomes.com.