County, City Officials Coordinating on Phelps Celebration

When Michael Phelps comes home from the London Olympics, local officials are looking to welcome him in style.

Don Mohler, Baltimore County's chief of staff, said he "wouldn't rule anything in or out" when it comes to how to honor history's greatest Olympian, and that city and county officials are just getting off the starting blocks when it comes to honoring Phelps.

Mohler said the county is "working cooperatively" with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's office to coordinate plans to celebrate Phelps.

Officials said last week to get something set. After his return from a record eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008, it wasn't until that October when he was honored with an event at Fort McHenry and a parade down York Road in Towson.

"Once we get everyone in the room, we'll talk about what works for Michael, what works for his team and what we can pull off in the city and county," Mohler said.

Also on the docket is replacing Phelps' plaque at in Towson. That park opened in 2010 with plaques honoring the county's Olympic and Paralympic athletes. But county officials are mulling the idea of doing something extra for Phelps at the park.

"There probably should be something at Olympian Park that really stands out," said County Councilman David Marks. "All of those athletes did a lot of training and deserve accolades, but Michael Phelps really stands apart ... I'm not usually into sports, but I think this is certainly a moment of tremendous pride. He is the most famous resident this community's ever produced."

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