They said it, Part 2

By Bryan P. Sears
Posted: December 31, 2008

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.

• “The issue of a new school site is a big one in the 42nd District,” said Sen. Jim Brochin, whose district includes Towson, Timonium and part of Pikesville, “But it could happen next in Catonsville; it could be in Perry Hall; it could be in Overlea.” Brochin made his comments in an April 30 article in which he called for a new task force to study the creation of development impact fees to pay for building schools.

May

• “We’re hopeful we can get another year,” Bob Barrett, county recreation and parks director, said in a May 13 article on budget hearings for his department. Barrett was pleading for the council not to cut a $10,000 grant for the county Waterfront Festival.

Critics have repeatedly derided the festival as self-aggrandizement on the part of Count Executive Jim Smith, calling the event “Jimmy-fest.” Barrett promised in 2007 that last year’s grant would be the last from the county.

• “I wasn’t screaming and yelling because I was sixth,” Councilman Sam Moxley said about this year’s capital budget allocation. “I knew there were projects coming to my district.” Moxley said in a May 15 story that he tries to keep the county in mind but confessed he’s keeping an eye on money for his district.But he confessed to keeping an eye on his district, too.

“I want to make sure my district is getting its fair share,” Moxley said. Next year, Moxley’s district is in line to receive more than $15.5 million, tops among the seven districts.

• “With a wink and a nod, you can’t say reserves will be used (for salaries) and say it’s still reserved,” Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, a Democrat who represents the 2nd District, including Pikesville, Owings Mills and Ruxton, said May 15 after the council tentatively agreed May 15 to trim $3.6 million from County

Executive Jim Smith’s proposed $1.5 billion general fund operating budget. The cuts will allow the county to pay for a salary restructuring that was part of an binding arbitration award the police union won earlier this year.

The council had hinted that, without the cuts, it would kill the arbitration agreement because the raises would put the budget $3.5 million over spending affordability — an amount essentially equal to the police raise.

 

June
• “Our budget folks are not convinced that it’s a budget win,” Don Mohler, a county spokesman, said in a June 4 story about the county adding 50 hybrids to its 1500 vehicle fleet. The county has also added other highly fuel efficient vehicles in past year. Mohler said the county commitment to hybrid vehicles is driven by a desire to be environmentally friendly but said officials also have to be mindful of the return on public dollars.

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