Arbutus Roundtable Sends Off Vozzella

Reporters hate seeing their names in print below the byline but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the departure of Baltimore Sun reporter and columnist Laura Vozzella.

Vozzella, who announced she was leaving last month after 11 years in Baltimore, will start Monday as a reporter covering state politics in Richmond, VA for the Washington Post.

She was honored this afternoon in the basement dining area of Paul's Restaurant in Arbutus as part of the Arbutus Roundtable meetings—frequently a who's who of area political junkies and current and former elected officials.

And by honored, I mean some good-natured ribbing from those she covered, to go along with the proclamations from state officials and County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and a plaque naming her an honorary member of the roundtable.

For Baltimore, it's a loss.

Aside from her reporting on serious issues, who else was going to tell us about Gov. Robert Ehrlich's inflatable Christmas ornaments on the lawn of the governor's mansion, how it felt to wear the fur coat prosecutors seized from former Mayor Sheila Dixon, or the contents of a city council president's underwear drawer—presented as proof of city residency?

Don Mohler, Kamenetz's chief of staff, presented Vozzella with a county proclamation that congratulated her on her time at the paper.

"While at the Sun, you covered politics and government for our region’s paper
of record and captured the politicians and elected officials of Maryland in their
finest and most dignified moments...entertained thousands of readers several times a week—or was it once a week? Or once a month?" the proclamation read in part. "Thanks to the Sun’s clever marketing campaign and appreciation of your journalistic prowess, it became just so hard to remember. Your columns provided a witty window into the glamorous and untoward world of government. As you move onward and upward, we hope you will warmly recall those love letters from your friends at The Wire, Michael Steele’s pearls of wisdom, and the many wonderful escapades, and indeed real accomplishments, of the irrepressible William Donald Schaefer. On behalf of all of its citizens, Baltimore County thanks you for your journalistic endeavors at the Baltimore Sun and hopes you find Virginia half as entertaining as Maryland as you begin the next chapter of your life at the Washington Post."

Apparently anyone can get one of these proclamations. Mohler, while handing Vozzella hers, was ready to write one up for another reporter.

"Bryan Sears will get one of these," said Mohler, Kamenetz's chief of staff, as he presented Vozzella with her proclamation. "Are you retiring? We'll get one for you."

"We'll order it today," said Del. Steve DeBoy, a Catonsville Democrat.

Don't start drawing up those proclamations for me just yet, boys.

Vozzella set a pretty high bar for seeing the funny side of politics while not losing sight of the journalism.

I'm still hoping for a chance to collect some funny stories similar to the ones she got to cover in her 11 years in Baltimore.

Though I'm dreading a boxers or briefs moment with one of my councilmembers.

Best of luck in Richmond, Laura. The place just won't be the same with out you.