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Abed Focuses On Timely Juvenile Services Contracts

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Sam Abed says the department will bring large contracts needed to run the agency to state officials to review in a more timely manner.

Abed told the Board of Public Works on Wednesday that he investigated why contracts often were delayed in reaching the board. Abed, who was appointed in February, says he believes the problems have been addressed.

The board includes Gov. Martin O'Malley, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. Kopp and Franchot criticized former department head Donald DeVore late last year for long delays in bringing contracts for review. A state audit cited similar problems in October.

Kopp says she was impressed to see that the department's staff seemed to be better organized when she attended a meeting last week.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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