I’m getting reports from readers saying there’s trouble listening to the audio of the Personnel and Salary Advisory Board that I posted yesterday. The common link seems to be the use of Internet Explorer.
I hear Firefox works pretty good. There is a load time though so be patient.
Here’s a direct link if you want to try Youtube.
Here’s the audio of Wednesday’s meeting of the Baltimore County Personnel and Salary Advisory Board. During the meeting, the board unanimously approved recommending salary increases for the county executive and the County Council of 8 percent and 2 percent, respectively. If approved by the council, the increases would take effect in December 2010.
Audio was recorded by the board and released upon my request.
This portion of the meeting covers just the discussion and vote on the two salary proposals and was edited by me, as was the video.
Fred Homan’s influence on county budget and policy is widely discussed among county employees and elected officials, who frequently refer to county operations as “The World of Fred.”
But is the former budget director and current county administrative officer so important that his absence could require the council to stop meeting?
The council was halfway through its 18-minute meeting Monday night and had just finished voting on the five bills on its agenda when Councilman Bryan McIntire asked the question. (more…)
It started as an academic exercise for Doug Riley.
The former Republican councilman from Towson, who now works for Pope and Hughes, was talking to Virginia Barnhart, a former county attorney who works with Riley, about whether a two-term county executive would be barred from running for office a third time.
The topic was driven by continued talk that former County Executive Donald Hutchinson might run in 2010 for the office he held from 1978 to 1986. Some believe the County Charter might prevent another Hutchinson run. (more…)
Summer is winding down and the talk of Don Hutchinson running for a third term for county executive not only won’t go away, they’re heating up.
Hutchinson, the two time county executive, isn’t saying he’s in.
“I’ve just let the rumors fly,” Hutchinson said, acknowledging the talk. “I”ve had a nice summer.”
In June, Hutchinson, 63, tried to play down any talk of another run. (more…)
State Del. Steve Lafferty is calling on county officials to hold public meetings to explain how speed camera legislation will be implemented in the county.
Lafferty, a Democrat and supporter of speed cameras, said “it is incumbent upon the county to use (the meetings) as an educational session.”
“I’ve not heard from any community that doesn’t feel (speed cameras) will be a valuable tool if used correctly,” said Lafferty, who represents the 42nd District including Towson, Lutherville-Timonium and part of Pikesville. (more…)
In Baltimore County, vetoes of County Council bills are rare.
Unanimous passage of most bills usually signals that the council — with two more votes than the five required for a veto override — can overturn any attempt to thwart its legislative will. (more…)
Former County Executive Don Hutchinson may or may not be seriously considering a run for his old office, but the mere mention of the possibility has raised an interesting question involving the County Charter.
Baltimore County executives have been restricted to two consecutive term limits since 1978, when Hutchinson was elected. Since then no executive has served more than two terms. Now the question arises as to what one tiny little clause in the County Charter may really mean. (more…)
Don Hutchinson for county executive in 2010?
The Democrat says his eight years running the county were some of the most enjoyable of his life and he believes he could legally run again.
The question is: Will he? (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…)