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Delegate blasts Smith on festival
Says 'Jimmyfest' helps executive, hurts Essex Day
09/28/04
By Bryan P. Sears
A state delegate said he plans to file an ethics complaint over the county's Oct. 2 Waterfront Festival in Middle River as a thinly veiled promotion of County Executive James Smith.
Del. Pat McDonough also asserted that the county-sponsored festival is responsible for the demise of Essex Day, an annual, community-run event that organizers have said they will not hold next year.
McDonough, a Republican, represents District 7, which includes northeastern Baltimore County.
Smith, a Democrat, said he organized the Waterfront Festival to raise funds for victims of tropical storm Isabel, which struck the county in September 2003, and to celebrate the vitality of businesses and residents on the east side.
The county's involvement is appropriate, Smith's spokeswoman, Tori Leonard, said. She added that McDonough's allegations are hurting those the festival was meant to help.
"This is taking away from the whole focus of the event, which is to highlight a beautiful area of the county, the resilience of its residents and an opportunity to honor the heroes of Isabel," she said.
The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Martin's Lagoon, near Martin State Airport.
Admission is free but a donation is encouraged; any money collected above the cost of the event will be donated to a fund, operated by the Essex-Middle River White Marsh Chamber of Commerce, to help residents still recovering from the storm.
In announcing the festival last month, Smith said that elected officials would not be allowed to have booths.
That isn't fair, McDonough said, because county booths, with Smith's name or likeness, will be allowed. McDonough has taken to calling the festival "Jimmy-fest."
Leonard said she was surprised that the no-politicking edict became an issue.
"There wasn't really a whole lot of discussion about this among the committee," she said. "It came up and it was decided, 'No, we're not going to do that.' It wasn't a point of debate."
Local schools and restaurants, not just county departments, will participate in the festival, Leonard pointed out.
For McDonough, however, the ethical questions don't stop with the rules against politicking.
Among the festival sponsors - A.V. Williams Trust, the Baltimore County Marine Trades Association, Comcast, 1st Mariner Bank, Communications Electronics, the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, Lockheed Martin Corp., Ryland Homes, SunTrust Bank and Venable - are companies that regularly do business with the county.
McDonough said it was wrong for the county to have "put the arm" on companies to support the festival.
"To me, it's a clear conflict," he said.
But Leonard said there was no conflict. "The county executive doesn't benefit from this. The people benefit," she said.
Meanwhile, a member of the board that organizes Essex Day played down the effects of the Waterfront Festival on their event, held Sept. 19 for what may have been the last time.
"The members are just tired," Nick Nichols said. "We wanted to go out with a beautiful day and ride off into the sunset."
Many of the organizers have worked on Essex Day for 20 years or more, said Nichols, a member of the board of the nonprofit corporation that has run the festival for 27 years. Nichols also is office manager of the Essex-Middle River-White Marsh Chamber of Commerce.
The Essex Day festival has a $15,000 budget, of which Comcast donates about one-third, organizers said.
A "conglomeration of events" including neighborhood complaints about parking, led to the decision to cancel next year's Essex Day, Nichols said.
Although none of the current sponsors indicated they were cutting or stopping their support, another board member said the possibility of decreasing donations in future years had emerged as a concern.
"(Companies) have only so much money they can give," board member George Wilbanks said.
"They're going to take care of Baltimore County first and that was the consensus of the group. A lot of these businesses are at the mercy of the county."
Gene Vincentt, a board member for 18 years, said he plans to start a new nonprofit and continue running Essex Day once the current group disbands.
He said he believes there is enough room in eastern Baltimore County for both festivals, even if Essex Day has to shrink just a little.
McDonough said he will wait until after the event to file a complaint with the Baltimore County Ethics Board.
E-mail Bryan P. Sears at bsears@patuxent.com
Republicans won't criticize private citizens in public
I am often asked how the Democrat and Republican Parties are different. There is perhaps no etter example of the difference than Councilman Vince Gardina's letter ("Silence at recent meeting was heard loud and clear," Sept. 16) in The Jeffersonian.
Councilman Gardina attacks David Marks, an employee with the Maryland Department of Transportation, for a plan to put a barrier along Perry Hall's Belair Road. The last time I checked, Mr. Marks held no elected office in Baltimore County. His only crime is holding a position in the administration of a governor who Vince Gardina hates.
I cannot remember a Republican elected official ever attacking a private citizen like this before. This conduct is unprofessional and mean-spirited, but unfortunately typical of the way Vince Gardina behaves on the County Council.
Vince Gardina uses work sessions and public hearings to insult Gov. Ehrlich and Republican elected officials. He spends his time raising money for a Democratic club to defeat Republicans in the next election. He dishes out scorn and rhetoric instead of addressing the county's problems.
I am told that at the public hearing in Perry Hall, there were many Democrat activists and central committee members in the audience. I cannot help but wonder if someone organized all these partisans simply to embarrass Gov. Ehrlich.
In fact, the only one who should be embarrassed lately is Vince Gardina, for this crude and inappropriate behavior.
As chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Party, I make this pledge:
Republican elected officials will never attack ordinary citizens in the newspaper unless they are criticized first. We respect freedom of speech and want no one to fear retaliation by someone in public office.
Republican elected officials will never take a serious issue such as public safety and try to make it political.
Republican elected officials will keep working to solve problems such as school overcrowding and overdevelopment that Vince Gardina and his minions have ignored.
Chris Cavey, chairman
Baltimore County Republican Party
Campaign passions heating up as election nears
09/22/04
By Michele D. Manigault
John Kerry is a "treasonous dog." George W. Bush is an international "bully."
This level of invective by Republicans and Democrats in the Catonsville-Arbutus area against each other's candidates is a measure of how high passions are running here.
And there are still six weeks before the election.
Leaders of local political clubs took time out recently from voter registration drives, volunteer sign-ups and neighborhood canvassing to talk about their campaigns.
Swing state visits
Democrats are signing up new voters and making plans to send campaign workers to neighboring "swing states" such as Pennsylvania, where polls make the race too close to call.
"We're registering people to vote on a weekly basis," said Frank Amtmann, president of the Southwest Democratic Club. "We want to make sure that as many people as possible are able to vote in this election."
Their intensity of effort stems from the seriousness of the issues facing the country, Amtmann said just before the start of the group's Sept. 8 meeting at the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Station.
"This election is critical," Amtmann said. "Under this president, the economy has lost more jobs than Herbert Hoover's (administration) during the Depression. That's abhorrent."
In addition to being angry about the state of the economy, Amtmann said that he's also worried that the war in Iraq has damaged the United States' reputation with other countries.
"We're going down the wrong path," said Amtmann, an avid support of Sen. John Kerry's bid.
"People in other countries see us as the world's bully. We need to be listening and talking with other nations," Amtmann said.
He accused the Bush administration of "trampling on constitutional rights" through its Patriot Act legislation and of fostering an environment where "free speech is limited."
Paulette Jones, director of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings' campaign, accused the Bush administration of ignoring domestic problems.
"There are 1,000 students who were accepted to Morgan (University) but couldn't attend because George Bush is sending all of our money to Iraq," Jones said in a discussion of budgets cuts to federally funded programs like financial aid for needy students.
At the meeting, Democrats from Catonsville and Arbutus made plans to send volunteers on one-day voter registration trips to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, the region's two closest "swing states."
Others made plans to volunteer with the Banneker Community Association, which sets up voter registration tables at area libraries, shopping centers and college campuses.
"This election is the most important election in the history of this country. It's going to take a joint effort to make this a successful one," Jones said.
National security is key
For members of the Patapsco Valley Republican Club, based in Catonsville, the top issues of this election season are the war against terrorism and the question, "Who will keep this nation safe?"
Members of the group, which met Sept. 9 at the Bloomsbury Community Center, have given President George W. Bush their unqualified support.
"This is one of the most important elections of my lifetime," said Vietnam veteran Harry Korrell, who heads the Republican club. "We're in the middle of a world wide war with an enemy that's not based in a single country. We can't ever forget that."
"When it comes right down to it, people are going to want someone who is a proven leader, not someone who has spent 19 years in the Senate and done nothing," said Jack Manley, a club member and Bush supporter. "We have to remember, he voted for the war and then against the spending to pay for the war."
"We need a leader who will be absolutely loyal to our military. Kerry is a treasonous dog," Korrell said. "I was spat on when I came back from Vietnam because of people like Kerry and their (antiwar) protests."
For longtime club member Joseph Harper, social issues rank a close second to the war against terrorism.
"Kerry stands strong on abortion," said Harper, who lives in Arbutus. "Most of us here are diametrically opposed to abortion."
Like the Democrats, members of the Patapsco Club are helping out at voter registration drives and making plans for handing out campaign literature on election day.
"I would advise people to research the issues and vote for the person, not the party," said Sheila Faulstich, a member of Baltimore County's Republican Central Committee.
GOP head wants resignations
09/22/04
By Bryan P. Sears
The chairman of the county Republican Party is calling for two councilmen to step down after questions were raised about whether or not they were legally sworn in nearly two years ago.
Chris Cavey said Councilmen Ken Oliver and John Olszewski violated the public trust by not filing campaign finance reports as required by state law.
"If they don't follow the law, how do they expect to get respect for the laws they are creating?" Cavey asked.
He added that not being legally sworn in essentially left both districts without council representation for nearly two years.
It was reported on Sept. 15 in The Jeffersonian and on the Web sites of the Towson Times and the Owings Mills Times that state prosecutors are investigating the campaign committees of Oliver and Olszewski for failing to file required campaign finance reports. The failure raises questions about whether the councilmen were legally sworn in.
If they weren't, several bills and contract issues they voted on could be jeopardized.
A review of state campaign finance records revealed campaign committees for Councilmen Ken Oliver and John Olszewski failed to file required reports before they took office nearly two years ago.
Olszewski's 2002 post-General Election report and an annual report in January 2003 are still delinquent. Late fees for both remain unpaid.
Olszewski, a Democrat who represents the 7th District, including Dundalk and part of Essex, blamed his former campaign treasurer, Richard Irish.
Last December, Irish pleaded guilty to stealing more than $62,000 in donations from Olszewski's account. Prosecutors said Olszewski was not involved.
Irish was sentenced to five years' probation and $53,000 in restitution. Irish did not return a phone call.
Olszewski declined further comment.
Oliver's committee filed the post-General Election report in March 2003 - four months late and after he was sworn in - but failed to file an annual report in January 2003.
Oliver, a Democrat who represents the 4th District, including Randallstown, blamed his former campaign treasurer, Morris Brown.
"I'll be frank with you, he just didn't do the job, and he lied to me,' Oliver said. Oliver and campaign manager William Chase said Brown lied about doing his job.
Oliver said he fired Brown last summer. His new treasurer, Lisa Smith, is expected to file the 2003 report in two weeks, Oliver said.
Brown could not be reached for comment.
Failure to file is a misdemeanor subject to a year in jail and a $25,000 fine for the campaign chairman and treasurer.
Both councilmen confirmed the investigation by the state prosecutor's office during separate interviews last week.
However, an assistant state prosecutor said on Sept. 16 that the case against Olszewski was dropped because prosecutors now believe Olszewski filed the delinquent reports last fall.
"Our information is that copies of the reports in question were provided to the state Board of Elections some time ago," Mike McDonough, an assistant state prosecutor, said. "We have sufficient information that we are not proceeding with an investigation for failure to file."
McDonough said he believed the filings were related to the criminal cases against Irish but could not provide dates for when the reports were filed.
Ross Goldstein, director of candidacy and campaign finance for the state board, said Olszewski filed the 2002 and 2003 reports in paper form in August 2003 and paid the late fees.
He said campaign finance forms are required to be filed electronically. Goldstein said he expected electronic filings within 30 days. After the electronic reports are filed, they will be posted as received on the board's Web site.
Both councilmen were sworn in Dec. 2, 2002. State Board of Elections records show neither filed the required post-election report by the Nov. 26 deadline.
State law requires the filing of post-election campaign finance reports. Late fees are $10 per day, to a maximum of $250.
The reports are not considered officially filed until late fees are paid. Campaign funds cannot be used to pay the late fees.
Those who fail to file are ineligible to run for office, be sworn in, assume the duties of office - including sponsoring bills - or be paid for the position until they file, according to state law.
Of the two councilmen, Olszewski appears to be in the most jeopardy.
Olszewski admits chairing his committee until last year. Under the opinion used by the board, Olszewski was ineligible to be sworn in.
Oliver never chaired his committee. His status most likely would have to be settled in court.
The ramifications could be serious when it comes to issues handled by the council. Specifically, close votes could change.
In June, the council approved a contract with Gaudenzia Inc. for residential drug treatment services on a 4-3 vote. Oliver and Olszewski voted for the contract. The recently approved comprehensive county zoning maps could also be at risk.
Additionally, if either councilman were ineligible to be sworn in, they could not collect their $45,000 per year council salary and would have to repay nearly $90,000 each.
Smith practices partisanship in Balto. County
In Michael Olesker's column "County executive favors funding over GOP slogans" (Sept. 3), Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. attacks Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. for the strained relationship between Annapolis and Towson.
Mr. Smith is the last person who ought to complain about partisanship. While his predecessor reached out to Republicans, Mr. Smith has operated the county courthouse as if it were a war room.
He has openly antagonized the county's Republican legislators. He used the Tropical Storm Isabel disaster to score political points against the state insurance commissioner, a potential Republican opponent.
Is there any doubt, then, why Mr. Ehrlich may mistrust the county executive's motives?
Mr. Smith attacks Mr. Ehrlich for not doing enough to solve problems such as school overcrowding. This would be laughable if the problem were not so serious for thousands of schoolchildren throughout the county.
In Baltimore County's zeal to approve new development, safeguards were not put in place to make sure that schools could accommodate this growth. For the past two years, Mr. Smith has ignored pleas from parents and local leaders to build a new school on the county's east side.
Mr. Smith started September by attacking Republicans.
Baltimore County's schoolchildren started September by dealing with the overcrowded conditions that the Smith administration helped create.
Chris Cavey
Hampstead
The writer is chairman of Baltimore County's Republican Party.
This page last updated September 28, 2004