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.
Could it be the councilman wanted better roadways in order that the people utilizing them might be able to drive a little faster and not notice the blight so much. Ron does your quote of: "Councilman give the money back", include the $20 mil spent on Yorkway which is far from being complete? I can do a photo montage of the - Good, Bad and Ugly - if you wish.
Councilmen who go along get rewarded. Two of the other "good old boys" from the previous Baltimore County Council, Vince Gardina and S. Sam Moxley got "cushy" jobs in the Kamenetz administration. Gardina who now heads the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability making $147,900.00 per year. Gardina directed $168,000 from his leftover campaign funds to the Kamentz for Couanty Executive campaign. Good move because he will be paid more than that in public money as a salary in less than 2 years. Moxley is now an Assistant County Attorney with a salary of $99,500 per year. Not bad considering his anticipated retirement as a County Councilman. Can he also get a pension from Baltimore County for the Assistant County Attorney job? Let us all remember that Kamenetz did not score a landslide victory in the election that put him in office. Perhaps we can break the "good old boy" curse in the next County Executive election.
Why aren't you asking for Bryan sears to ask the question I asked of the four Councilpeople. Did they commit to vote for the pension measure and then change?Simple enough and may give insight to all of the messages.
Bryan has a mind of his own and can ask any question he chooses? I would say he covered the story quite well with the facts.
When Dutch was county executive he started the influx of - Move to Opportunity - and now through a new study we see the repercussions of this decision. http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/real-estate/wonk/bal-new-study-links-crime-rate-to-public-housing-relocation-efforts-hint-the-results-arent-as-dramatic-as-you-might-think-20120419,0,2994400.story The Sun downplays the story by claiming the results are less dramatic when smaller number of residents are relocated, which would state the obvious. This is however not the case when larger numbers are relocated into an area. A quote from the article reads, "Neighborhoods with high concentrations had violent crime rates "21 percent higher, on average, than they would have been with no relocated households, other things being equal." This is a fact ever police officer working the streets knows but cannot say.
If I went hard core and started posting the documents I have through FOIA's I wouldn't upset the apple cart, I'd turn it over. Here is a breaking story in another town that is exactly what I'm talking about. Who was watching the hen house on this one. Apparently it was the fox. http://jerry611.newsvine.com/_news/2012/04/19/11288267-fbi-arrest-treasurer-of-ronald-reagan-illinois-hometown-re-missing-30-million What you should be asking is where is the $21 million pension money and what went on with that deal. Seems like no one is talking. I wonder why? It's not tied up in litigation, the county hasn't even found a lawyer yet. Just follow the Yellow Brick Road and see where it leads.