Tonight Baltimore County Republicans blasted the Democrat-led county government for a miserable response to a historic snowstorm; one that has left many neighborhoods paralyzed, days after the blizzard ended.

“Jim Smith used the response to Hurricane Isabel for partisan purposes, but today, he can’t blame Republicans for Baltimore County’s deplorable response to a historic snowstorm,” commented Chris Cavey, Chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Party. “Whole neighborhoods are still inaccessible days after the snowstorm ended, and citizens are confused about what to do with mounting garbage. It reflects years of underinvestment in public works, and a basic breakdown in services.”

This past Tuesday at the Spending Affordability Committee the County auditor revealed a $144 million revenue shortfall. “Poor planning will now drive us further in debt.” Cavey said, “I guess they will try to blame the budget deficit on harsh winter storms – too bad we know the truth.”

Cavey also noted the following:

· County Executive James Smith, normally in front of cameras for every press event, has been virtually invisible over the past few days, doubtfully he is snowed in.

· Neighborhoods are isolated, trapped under mounting piles of snow, while many county roads remain difficult to maneuver or unplowed.

· The county’s garbage collection is confusing and haphazard. On Monday, the county issued a press release that said there would be “limited” collection the next day. This implies that residents should pack up the piles of mounting garbage and haul it back to the house—through feet of snow—if the trash wasn’t picked up.

“Over the past two months, Democrats on the County Council spent their time debating their lucrative pension benefits and speed cameras when perhaps they could have invested a little time on how to prepare for winter emergencies,” Cavey concluded. “After 16 years, Democrats can add this latest breakdown to their legacy, which already includes traffic-choked roads and overcrowded schools.”

WBAL.com

Baltimore County Councilman Kevin Kamenetz is telling his Facebook Friends and Twitter followers that he has raised $1.1-million for his campaign war chest.

Maryland Morning News Contributor Bryan Sears of Patuxent Publishing reports Kamenetz has not said which office he will seek this year, but it is widely believed, he’ll run for county executive this year to succeed Jim Smith, who must step down due to term limits.

Kamenetz, a Democrat, represents a district that includes Pikesville and Owings Mills.

Another councilman, Joseph Bartenfelder, another Democrat, is also expected to run for county executive.

Speaker Michael Busch told C4 today on WBAL radio that there will be no tax increases by the legislature in 2010. From the interview:

“We’ve spent pretty responsibly down here in Annapolis,” said Busch.

Maryland Politics Watch concludes, based on voter registration by party, that Bob Ehrlich would not have a chance to defeat Martin O’Malley in 2010.

Mike Spellings is out as campaign manager for the candidacy of Andy Harris. Reports indicate that there was a personality conflict between Spellings and the candidate.

The Baltimore Sun has called on Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon to step aside at least temporarily.

Len Lazarick of Maryland Reporter has taken an in-depth look at all the perks and benefits given to members of the Maryland legislature – including all the per diem money they take home in questionable circumstances at best.

Douglas Tallman reports that rumors of the erection of a statue of Senate President Mike Miller are not true, according to Miller’s chief of staff. Adam Pagnucco has a bit of fun with the rumors.

Inside Charm City blogged about a Bryan Sears article on possible influence-buying in Baltimore County Council races being facilitated by Jim Smith’s son and a former Smith law clerk.

Baltimore City Council has been criticized for not reviewing budget information the resulted in the approval of $24K worth of uniforms for employees of the city’s 311 call center.

Laura Smitherman is the newly-announced business editor of The Baltimore Sun. This will obviously take her off the political beat.

Maryland Reporter has other government news from over the weekend.

Baltimore County

Wireless Broadband in County Police Vehicles

Towson, Md. (December 2, 2009) — Today, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Police Chief Jim Johnson and Information Technology Director Rob Stradling held a press conference to announce the installation of a wireless broadband network in 350 County police vehicles. The officials explained the technical advantages enabling officers to conduct their work more effectively with a secure, mobile, high speed wireless connection to internal and online law enforcement applications and databases.

Collaboration

“This is another example of collaboration by Baltimore County agencies,” said Smith. “The partnership between the Baltimore County Office of Information Technology and the Police Department demonstrates that Baltimore County government is committed to working for the greater good of its citizens and those who serve. Supporting our police officers by giving them the most up-to-date equipment and training is at the forefront of our responsibilities.”

Vital Information

In addition to the broadband network in vehicles, the County has implemented a mobile application that will allow County police officers to search for both in-state and out-of-state driver and vehicle information from all State and Federal databases, including driver license photos from the MVA. This application will allow officers to have access to vital information while in the field and serve as a critical verification tool while providing them a greater degree of safety. “The deployment of both these mobile technologies applications will enhance an officer’s ability to quickly access the information needed to more effectively, efficiently, and safely serve the citizens of Baltimore County,” said Stradling.

State of the Art Technology

“State of the art technology arms our officers with tools that enable them to be more successful and competent in winning the fight against centuries old crimes, such as homicide, robbery and burglary, as well as crimes which have emerged in the 21st century such as cyber crime and identity theft,” stated Johnson. “Cases and arrests are taken every day to Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger and his staff with evidence gained through the use of modern technology.”

Costs

Cost for wireless broadband in 350 police cars for the first year is $196,800 of which $176,400 is a Law Enforcement Terrorism Protection Program (LETPP) grant. Cost of the MVA photo/driver information tool is $110,324, of which $88,934 is a federal Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant. Police officers demonstrated the use of both tools at the news conference.

(Continue reading…)

Baltimore County

Smith Commemorates 350th Anniversary Year with Education Theme

Essex, Md. (October 15, 2009) - At an event held today, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith commemorated the County’s 350^th anniversary year at Chesapeake High School, 1801 Turkey Point Road in Essex. The school’s virtual lab presented the perfect location to celebrate this month’s anniversary theme – The Past, Present, and Future of Education in Baltimore County. Smith has marked the County’s anniversary each month during this commemorative year with a focus on significant highlights in the County’s history.

Attending the commemoration are all County university and college presidents as well as all living superintendents of the Baltimore County Public Schools. They included:

• President Robert Caret
  Towson University
  
• President Freeman Hrabowski
  UMBC
  
• President Sandra Kurtinitis
  CCBC
  
• President Kevin Manning
  Stevenson University
  
• President Sanford Ungar
  Goucher College
  
• Dr. Robert Y. Dubel
  BCPS Superintendent
  
• Dr. Stuart Berger
  BCPS Superintendent
  
• Dr. Joe A. Hairston
  BCPS Superintendent
  
• Dr. Anthony G. Marchione
  BCPS Superintendent
  

Welcome

Principal Maria Lowry welcomed guests and the official Baltimore County Town Crier, Fred Taylor “kicked-off” the program.

Citations Presented

Smith presented executive citations to the County presidents and superintendents, and each recipient spoke to the past, present, and future of their institution. “Of all the significant events in the history of our County, none would have been possible without our outstanding educational legacy,” said Smith. “Thanks to the hard work and commitment of generations of dedicated teachers and administrators, and innovative school superintendents and college presidents, the children and young adults of Baltimore County have always been offered the finest education available.”

County Councilman Joe Bartenfelder added, “Today’s event shows once again why Baltimore County is a great place to live and raise a family. Baltimore County Public Schools and the outstanding institutions of higher learning in the County are rated among tops in the country.”

County First

Chesapeake’s virtual laboratory is the first virtual learning classroom in Baltimore County. Educators blend 21st-century skill sets with old-fashioned research in a project-based environment with 3-D visualization. This school year, students use the lab in geometry and environmental science courses; school officials say they will eventually expand to other subjects.