Strange Bedfellows

There’s been no shortage of interesting political stories this year, from state delegates and their marriage proposals to anger over speed cameras and a rising tide of voter discontent, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in these parts for nearly 20 years.

But not every story is created equal. Let’s face it, some are more important than others.

As I thought about a top five local political stories in Baltimore County, I made my selections based on both power of the story for the year and the effect these stories might have over the next 12 months. A lot of these stories have legs like Tina Turner. (more…)

Democrats and Republicans got together in a day of volunteer service Saturday. By Sunday, the gloves had come off and it was politics as usual.

Chris Cavey, chairman of the county Republican Central Committee, issued a statement late Sunday night criticizing David Gildea and Michael Paul Smith for their development of a ticket of candidates that will run for at least three of the expected four open council seats next year. (more…)

You don’t have to be 5 years old to have an imaginary friend.

County Executive Jim Smith has one and wants you to meet her.

Meet Merrie Holiday, Baltimore County’s resident holiday shopping maven.

Fronda Cohen, a spokeswoman for the county Department of Economic Development, was coy about exactly who or what Merrie Holiday is other than to say it’s part of a new marketing effort to encourage residents to shop in some of the 3,000 shops in the county’s 13 traditional retail districts — Arbutus, Catonsville-Paradise, Dundalk, Essex, Lansdowne, Liberty Road, Loch Raven, Overlea-Fullerton, Parkville, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Towson and Woodlawn Village.

The campaign, which is part of the county’s ReDiscover Your Neighborhood Downtown promotion, was designed by Barb Clapp Advertising and Marketing.   The character will be featured in radio and print ads and some short videos of Smith running around the county trying to find the elusive personality. (more…)

Jim Smith’s planned move to Cockeysville and expected announcement that he will run for the open Senate seat that represents the 7th District has had a ripple effect.

Specifically, Councilman Vince Gardina, who was raising money for what many thought would be a run for the same senate seat, is rethinking things.

“I’m not running if the county executive runs,” said Gardina, who added that he “never really had the gumption to run for (senate), though.”

Gardina said he has spoken to Smith about running in the district but offered no insight on a possible decision by the county executive.

Smith has said publicly that he’ll wait until after the General Assembly session next year before making a  decision.

Gardina, a five-term Democrat who represents Perry Hall, Parkville and Towson, announced in September that he would not seek re-election.

He has continued to raise money and is thought to have between $250,000 to $300,000 in his campaign account.

Now, he said he’s looking at his options “politically and personally.”

“I’m looking at possibly not running for anything,” Gardina said, adding that he might consider running for House of Delegates in the  7th District.

County Executive Jim Smith is moving from Reisterstown, where he has lived his entire life, to Cockeysville.

Smith says he and his wife, Sandy, are downsizing from their current large home to a smaller one. A side benefit is the new home is in the 7th District, which happens to have an open Senate seat in 2010. Smith said the move gives him the opportunity to consider running for the seat. (more…)

Al Redmer appears to be within weeks of officially making his expected entrance into the 7th District senate race.

In a September e-mail to potential supporters, Redmer wrote:

“As you have no doubt heard, I have been considering my own bid for the State Senate in District 7.  My announcement and kickoff will  occur in the next four-six weeks. (more…)

The home at 107 Chestnut Hill Lane W in Resiterstown has six bedrooms, 3 1/2 bathrooms and just two previous owners — one of whom happens to be a two-term county executive.

And Jim Smith’s home can be yours for less than $500,000, according to an online real estate listing

Mohler and Gary Realty is handling the sale. The company is owned by Jeff Mohler, son of Smith spokesman Don Mohler. (more…)

Today’s local government lesson: You have to be fast if you want to claim credit for something good.

That comes courtesy of Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, who was one of a half-dozen county officials who were present to announce that crime in Baltimore County decreased during the first six months of 2009. The decrease is a continuation of a trend that stretches back more than a decade and has resulted in crime rates per 100,000 people that are as low as the rates in 1976, when the county had fewer people within its borders, according to Police Chief Jim Johnson. (more…)

The folks over at Maryland Politics Watch have published a bunch of photos taken at various parties during the Maryland Association of Counties conference, which took place in Ocean City last week.

According to the politics blog, the photos were posted on a Facebook page by a staffer who works for Gov. Martin O’Malley. Some of the photos were later removed and access to the Facebook page was eventually restricted, according to Maryland Politics Watch.

But the blog downloaded many of the photos and posted them on its own Web site. Some of the photos appear to have been taken at a reception hosted by County Executive Jim Smith.

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…)