Strange Bedfellows

Long-time community activist Donna Spicer doesn’t see the withdrawal of a bill that would have changed the county’s Planned Unit Development law as a win for communities.

County Executive Jim Smith had hoped to add language to the law that would allow the county hearing officer to remand a failed PUD back to the 15-member county Planning Board. County officials said the change was needed because of two recent Board of Appeals decisions that effectively struck down two such developments in the Bowleys Quarters and Millers Island areas. (more…)

Budgets are the guiding star for local governments. The playbook for what an administration has in mind for the coming 12 months.

But getting them done is often as challenging as it is for many of us to get our taxes done by the April 15 deadline. This is especially true this year for Baltimore County, but procrastination is not the issue.

The budget for county, and other jurisdictions in the state, is tied into what happens in Annapolis during the 90-day session that ends April 13. (more…)

Republican State Sen. Andy Harris has been leading the charge against the screening of a triple-X rated movie on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park but he’s not the only county elected official who is concerned.

County Executive Jim Smith issued a brief statement April 2 via Twitter condemning the screening of Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge. (more…)

In the spirit of April Fool’s Day, here is a story about a prank pulled on current county spokesman Don Mohler as told to me by the victim himself. (You can read more stories of pranksters and victims here.) (more…)

Who’d have thought a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new library could stir up hard feelings?

David Marks and other representatives of the Perry Hall Improvement Association showed up to a ceremony to officially open the new library branch in Perry Hall armed with an oversized $20,o00 check — money raised from community residents and business to support on-going programs at the long-anticipated facility.

Marks, president of the association, said he was disappointed when the group wasn’t mentioned during a 30-minute ceremony featuring County Executive Jim Smith and library officials. (more…)

County officials are embracing the latest internet technologies.

Today, while visiting with Don Mohler, a spokesman for County Executive Jim Smith, our conversation turned to Twitter. (more…)

Jim Smith continues to rake in the bucks as the final half of his last term as county executive ticks down.

Smith raised nearly $634,000 last year and has nearly $1 million in cash on hand, according to his 2009 annual campaign finance report filed last month with the Maryland State Board of Elections.

Still, there is no word on why he needs so much cash. Neither Smith, nor his people, are being specific about what lies ahead. (more…)

County Executive Jim Smith will be watching the County Council’s Spending Affordability Committee closely tomorrow as he prepares his budget for the coming year.

Of particular interest will be the committee’s final recommendations on how much the county budget can grow. That number likely will determine whether or not county employees will receive raises.

“It would be wonderful to reward our employees,” said Don Mohler, a spokesman for Smith. (more…)

County Executive Jim Smith’s has Ravens fever in a bad way.

Bathing the Old Courthouse in a purple haze two weeks ago was just the start. Now, the county Web site has gone purple as a show of support for the Ravens, who play the Pittsburgh Steelers in next Sunday’s AFC championship game. (more…)

A look back at the politics and government stories of 2008 in the words of those involved. Look for part three of four tomorrow.

April

  • “The highlights are slim,” County Executive Jim Smith said April 16 about his proposed  $1.72 billion budget for fiscal year 2009.  Smith called called it “austere” as it offered no cost of living raises or other frills. The budget is on pace to produce a $14 million surplus and the county is not furloughing employees this year as is the state and other local governments. (more…)