Budget Cuts: Will it Be of the Paper or Machete Variety?
Recommended reductions total less than 1 percent. Also, deer was not on the menu at tonight's council dinner and Kamenetz weighs in on terror leader's death.
UPDATED (10:30 p.m.)—Trims to this year's budget could be the smallest in recent memory if today's budget hearings are any indication.
Three agencies—sheriff, Office of Information Technology and Permits, Approvals and Inspections—appeared in front of the Baltimore County Council for annual budget reviews. The three departments combined account for about $33.6 million in general fund budget dollars.
The county auditor recommended a total of about $68,000 in reductions—about two-tenths of a percent of the combined budgets of the three agencies.
The bulk of the recommended reductions—about $53,000—were proposed for the Office of the Sheriff, which is expecting a $172,000 decrease compared to the current budget year.
Sheriff R. Jay Fisher told the council he would agree to about $5,000 in combined cuts to his motor pool and office supplies budget. He argued to keep shift differential, overtime and three vacant positions in his budget for the year that begins on July 1.
The balance of the recommended cuts in Monday's hearings were for mileage and operational supplies in the Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections.
Arnold Jablon, director of the agency, argued to keep the mileage in the budget, saying that the majority of inspectors in his department use their own cars to do their jobs. The nearly $5,000 in operational supplies include postage and envelopes the department uses to communicate with applicants for licenses.
With the exception of the cuts agreed to by Fisher, the council will have to decide how much—if anything—it will cut based on the other recommendations.
Last year the council cut just $161,000 from then-County Executive Jim Smith's $1.6 billion budget. It was believed to be the smallest total reduction to a county budget in 20 years.
Based on Monday's hearings, last year's number might be hard to reach.
Deer was not on the menu
Prior to Monday night's meeting, the council and staff went to dinner at 7 West. It was a chance to discuss issues and prepare for the meeting ahead.
Many of the council members dined on salads, steak or crab cakes.
Councilman David Marks, co-sponsor of a bill allowing limited deer hunting in some county parks, took the opportunity to make a special request.
"You don't have venison do you?" Marks asked the waiter, who quickly informed the councilman that deer was not offered.
Marks, who is not a hunter, laughed and ordered a hamburger before explaining to a reporter that he was joking.
Kamenetz weighs in on death of terror leader
11:15 a.m. Rahm Emanuel, President Obama's former chief of staff, is credited with saying (and I'm paraphrasing a bit) that one should never let a serious crisis go to waste.
The same can probably be said with other important national and international news events—say the death of Osama bin Laden.
It's a lesson County Executive Kevin Kamenetz seems to be taking to heart.
Last week Kamenetz issued a statement about the beating of a transgendered person in a Rosedale McDonald's. Today, he's chiming in on the death of a world terror leader in Pakistan.
Within hours of the announcement of bin Laden's death, statements began rolling in from the usual officials—Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, Gov. Martin O'Malley, Reps. Andy Harris and Dutch Ruppersberger.
And then there was Kamenetz.
The freshman executive issued a statement asking county residents to "take a moment to remember those who perished in the horrific events of September 11, 2001."
Statements on international events from county executives are a rarity.
Ellen Kobler, a county spokeswoman, said the county executive "felt deeply about the event."
"I guess we're all Americans and we're all very affected by it," Kobler said.
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- Baltimorecountymd.gov Kamenetz Issues Statement on Death of Bin Laden
Nolan James
11:39 am on Monday, May 2, 2011
I think all Americans feel a sense of gratitude and relief today. I am very pleased that the County Executive noted this important date in history.
Buzz Beeler
1:00 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
This is a historical event in this country. We are THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
President Obama address this issue and eloquently so.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/05/02/osama-bin-laden-dead
Politicians answering media inquires is one thing. Issuing statements from the sidelines is another.
There is a time and place for everything. Protocol must be observed. Let us not claim to walk in the shoes of others.
In the context of this historical event and the lives it impacted the President is the Commander and Chief and speaks for the Country.
In the subsequent days that follow there will be plenty of time for discussion form all Americans.
I will temper this preface by saying GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Bob Rinaldi
5:34 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Yeaf, you can tell from the campaign he ran that he's a sweet sensitive guy.
Buzz Beeler
6:06 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Bob its the observance of protocol I think is important.
I can understand the mayor of New York, Bloomberg or Washington's leader issuing a statement, and the key word here is issuing. Where do you draw the line and what comments are relative?
The president is commander in chief and speaks to this issue based on the magnitude and historical impact on the nation, again the key word is nation.
I would have no problem with any political leader responding to a question posed by the media. Last night I heard Dutch on FOX. Based on the committee he serves on, I thought his remarks were entirely appropriate.
The magnitude and timing of this historical event should dictate the response from the appropriate authorities and we heard those voices last night.
Bridget Lombardi
6:13 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
I know so many people in Baltimore County who lost loved ones on 9/11. I know that they appreciate the fact that the County Executive took a moment to acknowledge them this morning.
Bob Rinaldi
6:33 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
You seem to know alot about what other people think
Buzz Beeler
6:38 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Bridget please do not politicize this event. It would not be in good taste. This is your second comment on Patch and both comments are related to the county executive.
I just did a Google search and I did not find the 9/11 issues in any related memorial remembrances by Baltimore County's executive office.
I also will not politicize this issue by asking you any more questions. You did not walk in those shoes.
Sean Tully
7:37 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
What is the problem here? Everyone is making statements on the death of bin Laden. Why can't the County Ex?
Buzz Beeler
10:42 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Sean, you are correct, however I friend of mine used the word opportunist when referencing this story.
I would understand if BC had been engaged in a remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy but to date there is nothing. Mr. Kamenetz served on the council for 16 years. If this issue was that moving and important to him where is the here-to-fore recognition and acknowledgement of 9/11.
Another perplexing question for me is that the statement was unsolicited by the media. What is also interesting is that both Nolan and Bridget have made a total of three comments apiece. Given that information and the fact that the entirety of their comments concern praising the county executive, one would have to question their motive.
Bryan paraphrased in his opening remarks regarding a possible explanation for the statement.
What disturbed me was Bridget's remark on the number of people she knew that were impacted by the 9/11 event. Again, if this was a moving experience for her I find it rather odd that her experience is conceptualized in two sentences.
In response to this historical event and the many lives it touched, in my opinion, a two sentence response, one of which addresses the county executive, only marginalizes a great tragedy endured by this nation.
If Mr. Kamenetz would have echoed the President Obama's remark of "God Bless America," I don't think we would be discussing this.
Sean Tully
10:47 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
I don't know, but "take a moment to remember those who perished in the horrific events of September 11, 2001" seems pretty harmless to me.
There comes a time when I have to just turn the talking heads off on TV or radio. They begin to get a bit silly after their initial thoughts on any matter. I think the same applies online.
Bob Rinaldi
9:50 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Hubris; stinking hubris is the answer. Time will tell
Calm down
10:20 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Gee, Bob, it's a Stinking shame your guy didn't win the election, but Time to get over it.
Bob Rinaldi
1:08 am on Tuesday, May 3, 2011
what election?
Buzz Beeler
11:22 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Sean, the talking heads you speak of are located in the county office building. The word that comes to mind is exploitation. I count three of those heads on this topic.
The timing is suspect and the lack of protocol is obvious. The supporting comments are dubious.
The president speaks for the nation, not the county executive. This was an orchestrated effort mired in politics. As I said, if this issue was so important to the Mr. Kamenetz and his supporters, why wait ten years to discuss these feelings.
Finally I would say, where the HELL were they and their concern for the victims in 2001.
People can't see the forest through the trees. The county executives fingerprints are all over this as revealed in Calmdown's remark concerning the election.
Click on their names (or lack thereof) and read all of Calmdown's two remarks, both dealing with Kamenetz, although I will give them a A for team spirit and effort!!!
Sean Tully
11:53 pm on Monday, May 2, 2011
Buzz, I still don't see why anyone is upset by the County Ex's statement. I mean this is a pretty big story and I know I've had a lot to say and I'll be you have too. It's just noone covers us like they do the County Ex. When he says something, it winds up on the Patch. No big deal.
Buzz Beeler
1:24 am on Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sean, in the grand scheme of things you are correct. Don't let of your secrets out. A bunch of these little squares add up to bigger squares which add up to that little thingy at the bottom.
It gives the little guys a chance to be bigger guys and the big guys the feeling of, you know what I mean.
In the wide world of sports its all about numbers. Wins, loses, speed, height, weight, round trippers, no rounds as in missing the cut and so on.
What is upsetting is the gas and I'm not inferring natural. This is all Bryan's fault.
For every hit a politician takes Patch notches another rating and that in the grand scheme of things does count.
rayparkville
8:43 am on Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Buzz, I saw the County Exec was on TV commissioning new fire engines at the fire station so I suspect that the 9-11 comments were related to that event. Maybe you need to tone down the knee jerk paranoia a little, Buzz, and assume you dont know absolutely everything before you pass on your wisdom.
Buzz Beeler
10:33 am on Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Ray, was that before or after his press release on 9/11? Ray if you want to be taken seriously, a pseudonym doesn't cut it!!! How do you fit in this equation? Do you work for Kamenetz? Are there brownie points involved? Did you write the press release? Do you know what propaganda is?
For all that I know you could be Kamenetz, a councilman, an aid, or Superman??? The key here is a word that has profound meaning and maybe you should look it up. It is called CREDIBILITY!!!
A good cop once told me do a good job and you won't have to solicit awards. Public safety is part of the county executives job. That fire apparatus you speak belongs to the taxpayer, not Kamenetz!!!
Now if he wants some kudos, take some of that campaign money, and you might tell us how much there is, and donate it to his favorite charity.
You are right about one thing though, I don't know absolutely everything. When I get an answer to my FIA from the county I might share it with you, but only if you are a good guy???