STOP THE PENSION SHIFT … Charlie Crawford, vice chair of the Montgomery County Commission on People with Disabilities, was among the speakers on Feb. 28 as the Montgomery County Council hosted a news conference showing the united support of many organizations that are requesting the Maryland General Assembly not approve Governor Martin O’Malley’s proposal to shift half the cost of teacher and other pensions from the state to the counties. Speakers cited examples of how the proposed shift would negatively impact residents and employees. Mr. Crawford emphasized that the pension shift was more significant than budget balancing. “This is about people,” he said.