Olszewski Satisfied With Road Paving Redistribution

Councilman John Olszewski Sr. doesn't know much about his against by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

But what the Dundalk Democrat does know is that more than $3 million in supplemental money is coming to his district for road paving projects. Money that four of his colleagues believe was taken from projects in their districts days after favored by Kamenetz.

"All I know is that the administration told me my district was getting more money," said Olszewski. "I was happy about it."

Olszewski along with Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, an Oliver Beach Democrat, and Todd Huff, a Timonium Republican, voted not to table the controversial bill that would have eliminated overtime as part of the pension calculation for some county workers.

Two days after their vote, Don Mohler, in an email obtained by Patch, told each of them they would receive more than $3 million each—nearly $10 million total—for road resurfacing projects in their districts in the current budget year. That's about 40 percent of the $25 million total set aside for such projects for the current budget year that ends June 30.

Olszewski said he didn't know how much of the $25 million had been allocated to his district before the additional money was awarded.

Yesterday, Patch reported that Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond and fellow Democratic Councilmen Ken Oliver and Tom Quirk, and Republican Councilman David Marks said for voting to table the bill. All four said access to department heads has been restricted, resolution of constituent complaints impeded and that they believe money for projects in their districts was being redirected.

Olszewski said no promise of additional money was ever made to him before his vote.

"There was no quid pro quo," said Olszewski. "I voted on the merits."

When asked if he thought the additional money awarded last month came out of his colleagues' districts, Olszewski referred the question to the affected council members.

"You'll have to ask them," he said. "I don't know if that's how they see it."

"All I know is that there are a lot of roads in my district that need repaving," said Olszewski.

Olszewski said he hoped the issue wouldn't divide the council.

"I just hope we're able to do the people's business like I've done for the last 14 years," said Olszewski.