A Bartenfelder litmus test?
By Bryan P. Sears
Posted: June 15, 2010
It’s not the names of candidates endorsed last week by the Baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association that makes the list interesting.
It’s the names of the candidates who are not on the list … and the explanation as to why they were left off.
The list of those favored (deemed as “no-brainers” by Mike Day, president of the union) was due out about 10 days ago, but the union delayed a public release of its first round of endorsements until it had a chance to notify individuals who were selected.
A second round of endorsements is expected next month.
The list of endorsements follows one released last month by the Teacher’s Association of Baltimore County.
As expected, the union endorsed four-term County Councilman Joseph Bartenfelder for county executive over fellow four-term Democratic Councilman Kevin Kamenetz and Republican Ken Holt.
But the names left off the list signal that the union is sending a message that it’s serious about the Bartenfelder endorsement.
Mike Day, president of the union, wouldn’t say that support of Bartenfelder was a litmus test for other candidates seeking the union’s endorsement — but the message that such support is important to firefighters is clear.
“Firefighters don’t kick in the door half-way,” Day said. “We kick it in all the way.”
Several incumbents were left off the “no-brainer” list last week including Sen. Jim Brochin, Sen. Delores Kelley and Councilman John Olszewski Sr. Day singled them out for comments specific to support in the county executive’s race. All three will be considered for the final round of endorsements next month, he said.
Day said the union delayed throwing its support behind Brochin, but not because of who he is supporting for county executive. Brochin has not publicly said who — or even if — he will endorse a county executive candidate.
“(Brochin) seems to have cold feet. It’s not clear what Brochin is doing,” Day said.
In Kelley’s case, Day said the union was concerned about her reaction to legislation the union supported this past session regarding fire fighter cancer presumptions, but acknowledged that her support of Kamenetz likely contributed to her not being on the first round of endorsements.
“The membership wasn’t hot and heavy to throw her into the no-brainers category,” Day said.
The union also did not endorse Olszewski, a three-term Democratic councilman who endorsed Kamenetz in February.
“We’re not snubbing John Olszewski Sr.,” Day said. “We just want to see how he conducts himself over the next few weeks.”
Day pointed out that the union did endorse Councilman Olszewski’s son, Del. John Olszewski Jr.
The younger Olzewski has been pressured to throw his support behind a candidate since February when his dad endorsed Bartenfelder’s Democratic primary rival Kamenetz. The younger Olszewski said earlier this year that he planned to stay neutral through the primary race.
Here is the complete list of first round endorsements for candidates by the baltimore County Professional Fire Fighters Association:
County Executive — Joseph Bartenfelder, Democrat.
County Council — Councilman Bryan McIntire, Republican, 3rd District; Councilman Ken Oliver, Democrat, 4th District; Bill Paulshock, Democrat, 5th District; Del. Todd Schuler, Democrat, 6th District.
Circuit Court — the sitting judges slate of Judges Sherrie Bailey, Ann Bropst and John Nagle.
Orphans Court — Judges William Evans, Teresa Lawler and Colleen Cavanaugh.
Sheriff — two-term incumbent R. Jay Fisher, Democrat.
Register of Wills — three-term incumbent Grace Connolly, Democrat.
In General Assembly races, the union endorsed:
District 5B — Nine-term incumbent Del. Wade Kach, Republican.
District 6 — Eleven-term incumbent Sen. Norman Stone; four-term incumbent Del. Joseph “Sonny” Minnick, Democrat; one-term incumbent Del. John Olszeski Jr., Democrat, two-term incumbent Del. Mike Weir Jr., Democrat and a member of the firefighter union.
District 7 — John Cromwell, Republican and a member of the firefighter union; two-term incumbent Del. Rick Impallaria, Republican.
District 8 — Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, a two-term incumbent Democrat; Ruth Baisden, a Democrat; Cal Bowman, a Democrat; Del. Eric Bromwell, a two-term incumbent Democrat.
District 10 — Del. Emmett Burns, a four-term incumbent Democrat; Del. Adrienne Jones, a three-term incumbent Democrat; Del Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, a four-term incumbent Democrat.
District 11 — Sen. Bobby Zirkin, a one-term incumbent Democrat; Del. Jon Cardin, a two-term incumbent Democrat; Del. Dan Morhaim, a four-term incumbent Democrat; Del. Dana Stein, a one-term incumbent Democrat.
District 12 — Sen. Ed Kasemeyer, a Democrat and four-term incumbent; Del. Steve DeBoy, a two-term incumbent Democrat; Del. Jim Malone, a four-term incumbent Democrat and a member of the firefighter union.
District 42 — Del. Susan Aumann, a Republican two-tern incumbent; Del. Steve Lafferty, a Democrat and one-term incumbent.
Comment on this entry • View all 26 responses
user min7b5 says...
Mike Day and his union leadership did not bother to even the Republican candidate in my district, David Marks, who was very supportive of the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company during his nine years as a community leader. The only "no brainer" is that Mike Day is a partisan hack.
Posted 4:10 PM, 06.15.10
user keepithonest says...
Very happy to see Johnny O put on the "wait and see" list. His backstab to Joe Bartenfelder was outrageous and he put his own son in harm's way (politcally speaking) by making a deal with a devil!
Posted 4:18 PM, 06.15.10
user countyopentalker says...
Mike Day, the President of the Baltimore County Firefighters Local 1311, has not worked a real day in nearly 14 years. He has relished his position as the union 'boss'. Most people do not associate the firefighters with thugs but Day is a typical thug who threatens politicians and his members by using his position. His union had no questionnaires on issues, no membership vote and no interviews. Day made the decision to endorse in the County Exec race and it was final. Now he threatens others like Johnny O, Sr. for endorsing Kevin Kamanetz. He threatens Sen. Jim Brochin for not endorsing Bartenfelder and he threatens John O Jr. who is remaining neutral. Day is a union thug wh looks and acts like one. He is a terrible face of our firefighters.
Posted 4:51 PM, 06.15.10
user dmrjr says...
Although the endorsements include some candidates who truly deserve it, other endorsements and the process in general highlight the "no-brain" in "no-brainer."
Posted 4:59 PM, 06.15.10
user whyme says...
To user "user countyopentalker' I would like to clarify some issues you brought up in this post. I have talked to several Firefighters & Paramedics about their process. First, each member must be notified at least 15 days prior to a meeting where there will be Political Endorsements. Their constitution requires that there are 2 meetings so that each member can attend and vote on each candidate. I will grant you that they have predominately back Democratic candidates, but I was told they also back those you have backed them in Baltimore County and in Annapolis. Recommendations are made by the Executive Board (all voted by the membership in secret ballot). As to there Union Thug thing, I don’t believe that is accurate. It was brought to my attention that when the Firefighters and Police Officers went through the process of getting Binding Interest Arbitration to mediate stalemate between labor & management, the referendum based by the largest amount of votes ever for an ballot issue. I think that they are the men and women that respond to your emergencies under any condition; they get a little more respect from the voters. PS: I always support my public safety personnel!
Posted 5:35 PM, 06.15.10
user whyme says...
One more thing, I would like to see the list of endorsements from TABCO. The Firefighters and Paramedics put it all out there to view.
Posted 5:37 PM, 06.15.10
user baltoboy17 says...
Everyone is entitled to their opinion as to who they want elected but stop calling people names. Mike Day is a hero, as are all firefighters, police officers and EMS workers. The fact that they stand behind people you don't support doesn't take away from all that they have done to save lives.
Posted 7:13 PM, 06.15.10
user buzzbeeler says...
The only endorsement that really counts is that of the voters that live in your county, or in some cases your district. Often times those union employees don't live in either. Todd Schuler voted against the English Language bill. I wonder what language he speaks. It appears to me it's the same ole same ole and nothing much will change. I do support Joe because he will take a stand on illegal immigration. Voters seem to forget who is paying the tab in the county on this issue. Let's focus more on the issues than endorsements, then the process might make some sense. This recession is far from being over and after the Busch tax cuts expire and Obama's tax increases take hold, we may all wish we pulled a different lever.
Posted 5:24 PM, 06.16.10
user mattinbmore says...
Buzzbeeler, immigration policy, establishing an official language, and federal tax policy are not county issues. If you want to talk about issues, talk about ones actually effecting Baltimore County. Also, if you haven't gotten a tax CUT since Obama took office, then congrats on doing so well for yourself.
Posted 5:30 PM, 06.16.10
user buzzbeeler says...
Mattinbmore, who do you think pays for all of these issues in this county. We pay both local and federal taxes. All of these issues impact us my friend. Last time I checked Baltimore County was still part of the U.S. What language out of the 300 or so spoken in this country are you going to ignore. Let's teach all of them. Who pays for the government, or you and I, to pay the cost of printing documents in different languages. You tell the troops overseas who fight and die to secure foreign sovereignty we can't secure our own borders. Mexico is at war with the drug cartels. Twenty-two thousand dead so far. The feds just busted 2200 cartel members across this country. Tax issues are a concern to all of us whether they be local, state or federal.
Posted 6:10 PM, 06.16.10
user smartcookie says...
I'm a little confused about the brain choosing the "no brainers." If whyme is correct and everyone votes fair and square, then there would be no need for a second round of endorsements to see who did and didn't support Bartenfelder. Not sure if countyopentalker goes too far in basically equating Day and the union to Tony Soprano and the "family" but it does seem that he's, at a minimum, figuratively stuffing the ballot box to get the outcome he requires.
Posted 6:38 PM, 06.16.10
user mrsreality says...
Buzzbeeler,I'm with you on immigration,Mattinbmore get your head out of the sand.Towson,Texas,Reisterstown,Lansdowne,go to any 7-11 and ask for a "green card"next thing you know your standing there alone.It starts at the local level.Baltimore County Police should be able to verify citizen status if they pull ANYONE over for a violation or for any other crime.Keep up the good work"buzzbeeler".
Posted 7:39 PM, 06.16.10
user stevetowson says...
Mrsreality, the reality is that Democrats in Maryland ain't squat without the dead, the illegals, and the multiple voters. The easiest, and cheapest votes to buy are those of illegals who don't have to show an I.D. to vote.
Posted 8:51 PM, 06.16.10
user buzzbeeler says...
Usermrsreality, thanks for the support. Went to a community meeting tonight about jobs, and medical cost and the most talked about subject, illegals coming to this state to get their drivers licenses among other things. California is falling apart. They rank 50th in education, are bankrupt while the Govenator complains about the 10.5 billion a year it cost his state to support the immigration issue. Do we want the problems that Mexico is facing like the slaughter of about 15 police officers ambushed by the cartel hit men? Recently AZ announced that parts of the state the police have lost control and cannot provide adequate protection to the citizens because they are outgunned and out maned. When is enough, enough. We can't take care of our own much less the rest of the world.
Posted 10:13 PM, 06.16.10
user flyguy286 says...
Kamenetz just received the endorsement of a major Labor union representing working class people. I guess Johnny O and the Teachers and the Laborers all see Kamenetz as the guy who can best protect workers and create jobs. That's what an endorsement should be about, and not following the fire union's knee-capping, thug tactics. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2010/06/laborers_endorse_kamenetz_for.html
Posted 4:27 PM, 06.17.10
user whyme says...
Mr Kamenetz just blew it. Last nights forum he told the crowd that he grew up on Liberty Road and went to Randallstown High School. Your Web site says the following, "Councilman Kamenetz was educated at Campfield Elementary School in Lochearn and at the Gilman School, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the school paper." When you start to tell lies, you need to remember who you told to whom and what you said. Losing your cool. Please don't dye you hair and go out in the public...the black stains from your hair looks bad on your shirt...it was embarrassing.
Posted 5:11 PM, 06.17.10
user truetalk63 says...
Heard about that lie that Kamenetz told, too. And Bartenfelder has plenty of endorsements. Stop referring to groups that endorse anyone other than Kamenetz as thugs. This shows the mentality of supporters of KK and of KK as well. Who else but a "thug" would lie about where he went to school and badger people who are jewish but not voting that way? This is not the first lie Kamenetz has told. Stay tuned, more will come out.
Posted 6:25 PM, 06.17.10
user baltoboy17 says...
Those lies have a way of catching up with people! I'm sure someone got that on tape. BTW, didn't the auto workers endorse Joe? Working class people I do believe, as are the firefighters. Maybe the teachers will rethink their strategy after they realize their candidate lied about where he went to school????
Posted 6:30 PM, 06.17.10
user keepithonest says...
OMG! You mean the tear jerking story Kamenetz told about "growing up on Belair Road with his dad who owned a pharmacy and helped people in their time of need and without money" WAS A LIE?!?!? I heard him tell THAT story on the East side!!! Oh, now I get it. Each audience gets a different version of his childhood and schools attended. I wonder why he would do that? LOL I do believe I also have heard Kamenetz proclaim his honesty as he pats himself with "I this" and "I that" in every other sentence. A county executive will need to work as team with other officials. As Joe Bartenfelder also pointed out in Randalstown, "There is no "I" in the word TEAM!" (I think the teachers might have that poster on their classroom walls?!) Maybe they ought to laminate it and give it to Kamenetz AFTER they teach him what it means! Hmmmmmmmm.....false promises AND purposefully lieing....... Nope, this is definitely NOT the man who I want running Baltimore County!
Posted 12:33 AM, 06.18.10
user keepithonest says...
whyme: Check the tabco website. They might have their endorsements listed there. Haven't seen them published though?
Posted 12:38 AM, 06.18.10
user countchocula says...
Are you huffing paint? It isn't that complicated. He grew up in Lochearn, which is along Liberty Road. His father's pharmacy was in Overlea, on Belair Road. He spent some parts of his childhood in his home, and others at his father's store. I was at the forum and Kevin knew Liberty Road well. Joe couldn't keep his cool or follow the debate rules. He must have been cut off five times and never got around to making a point. Just yelled into the microphone like a bully. Not respectful.
Posted 10:42 AM, 06.18.10
user speakforurself says...
Bryan: You should make an archive Tab called: Lies Caught on Tape 2010 Keepithonest & whyme: Ever notice how Bartenfelder's so called "thugs", don't run around and call people names???? Buzz is correct, the voters will be the ones that matter. The TABCO issue.....whatever.....The president of Tabco can't take the voters into vote so we will see which teachers endorse for the right reasons.
Posted 10:46 AM, 06.18.10
user speakforurself says...
Hey count........look at what you write and how aggressive you write...you look like a BULLY.....maybe Kevins dad gave you some paint to huff when your mom and dad couldn't afford medication. I heard he gave out a lot of "back door meds" without a written prescription. KEVIN LIED and got caught!!! HAHAHAHAHA.......I just laugh!!!!!!!!(like a count)
Posted 10:52 AM, 06.18.10
user buzzbeeler says...
Flyguy: It goes a lot deeper than that. If John was so concerned about the working man, why would he use 18 million dollars of our hard payed tax dollars and do the York Way LLC development deal. The deal that went to his close friend, John Vontran for 1.8 million. Why doesn't he try and stop the actions of Fred Homan who is going after those hard working men and women you speak of. I think you need to take a hard look at the politics being played out with Kamenetz and John. Why would John back a west side type like Kamenetz. He knows little about the east side. He will not support the battle regarding illegal immigration. He made that statement on WCBM. He believes it's a federal issue, but as we all know that's like believing in Santa Clause.
Posted 2:51 PM, 06.18.10
user keepithonest says...
While Kevin spoke of rat eradication being a priority in Dundalk, I think I saw him cringe! I wonder if he ever actually has seen a rat??? buzzbeeler: I have to tell you that I've heard LOTS of people talking about the development deal kamenetz made with Johnny O and the conversations (on both east and west sides) have been VERY anti Johnny. The word is out there and people are not happy, except for those on the receiving line of that deal $$$.
Posted 9:24 AM, 06.19.10
Bryan P. Sears
Political editor for Patuxent Publishing Co.'s eight Baltimore County community newspapers. Covers government and politics in Baltimore County and state government and politics as it relates to the county. Know something that's not getting covered or want to send in a tip? Bryan can be reached by email or follow him on Facebook and on Twitter .
recent posts
Brochin: Race for city state’s attorney should concern county residents
Whisler’s report is in
Jennings, Redmer campaigns spar through e-mail
Moxley endorses Kamenetz
Judicial campaign with a content warning
rss feed
Subscribe to this Feed
related blogs
reader comments
Advertisement
most popular
- read
- emailed
Advertisement
Advertisement
rayparkville at the Towson 4th of July parade he wouldn't shake the...
Posted in ELECTION 2010: Early voting gets good reviews in Catonsville
According to the Gazette article linked thanks to proudofmd for bringing this...
Posted in Brochin: Race for city state’s attorney should concern county residents
rayparkville, are you kidding me that you feel that just because...
Posted in ELECTION 2010: Early voting gets good reviews in Catonsville