Strange Bedfellows

 Baltimore County’s gain was Baltimore City’s loss in the most recent rankings of Best Municipal Golf Courses in the country from Golfweek Magazine.

Greystone Golf Course, in White Hall, was new to the top 50, checking in at number 28. The course, managed by the county Revenue Authority, was the only public course from Maryland to make the list.

The 2009 and 2008 lists were among the topics of discussion at Thursday’s meeting of the Baltimore County Revenue Authority board.

Last year, Mount Pleasant Golf Course, in Baltimore, was the only course in the state on the list, coming in at No. 12.

That ranking surprised some members of the board who made a few jokes at the expense of the city course.

“For hold-ups, armed robberies,” quipped board Chairman Hannan Sibel. (more…)

Republican Del. Pat McDonough says that despite rumors, he is not interested in the 7th District state Senate seat held by Sen. Andy Harris.

“I’m definitely not,” McDonough said.

“I’ve not uttered one statement (about the senate seat) publicly or privately,” McDonough said.

“It’s either county executive or House of Delegates,” McDonough said. (more…)

Opposition to a bill that would exempt some rural properties from the county’s Rental Registration program caused Republican Councilman Bryan McIntire to wax a little nostalgic at today’s council meeting.

McIntire, who represents most of the rural land in the county, sponsored a bill that would exempt homes on the National Register of Historic Places and the county’s inventory of historic places from rental registration, as well as homes on the preliminary or final landmarks list and any home not connected to public water or sewer. (more…)

Last week several councilman grilled county school system officials on the subject of air conditioning in some schools, specifically Ridgely Middle School.

But not everyone felt the focus should be solely on comfort.

Councilman Vince Gardina, a 5th District Democrat who represents aan area that stretches from Perry Hall to Towson, is the council’s conscience when it comes to green issues, and last Thursday’s budget hearing with the schools system was no different. For about five minutes, Gardina turned the focus on sweltering classrooms into a discussion about energy conservation. (more…)

Frustration boiled over during Thursday’s council budget hearing on the school system budget, as councilmen attempted to find out if air conditioning was ever planned for the recently renovated Ridgely Middle School. (more…)

It’s a rare event for a county agency to escape the budget ax when it comes before the County Council during annual budget hearings. Most departments can expect to see some type of recommendation ranging from a nick to a full-blown cut. (more…)

Councilman Ken Oliver’s trial Tuesday marks the first time a Baltimore County Councilman has been charged with a crime while still in office. If convicted of any of the charges, which include two felonies and six misdemeanors, Oliver could be forced to resign or be removed from the position he has held since December 2002 — which would also be another first in Batimore County. (more…)

County Recreation and Parks Director Bob Barrett says more community input will be accepted in the coming months about the future of the former Gunpowder Falls Golf course.

A resumption of golf operations, however, is not in the cards, Barrett said. (more…)