If he keeps this up KK will be the perfect replacement for O'Malley.

Mohler? KK will say the moon is made of green cheese and Mohler will swear to it.

I would believe the Council on this one, it's not like the employees who were told they couldn't talk to the Councilmembers are going to take their marching orders public. Maybe it's just business as usual under this County Executive.

Welcome to Maryland Politics. It gets real ugly in the Statehouse

Don't care for him but way to go.STOP SPENDING MONEY WE HAVE.If this is what it takes remember who was trying to flush away more money at election time

Maybe this is why the the problem i addressed to KK personally and was assured it would be taken care of ,never was.What a waste of tax payer monies.

Kamenetz torpedoed the hybrid school board bill this year because he would loose his power of selecting individuals for 'MOM' to approve. He felt threatened, and now he is holding the majority of the people of the county hostage to his whims because four coucil members thought it would be wise to hold off while the coulnty was in talks with the union. Though I am not a union fan, you have to show good faith when negotiating. Kamenetz does not know the meaning of 'good faith' He keeps this up and he will be a one term exec. I hope the council takes up pension reform to stop the double dipping that is going on. Kamenetz is the first on the list.

At this point we do not have the best people running our County...not by a long shot..what happened??

John O. Sr..Is my rep and I can tell you that none of that money is coming to Dundalk so it doesn't benefit us.. We are in dire need of curb cut outs for our citizens in wheel chairs and proper curbs. My daughter is in a wheelchair. She can't even enjoy a walk on a nice day. I have called his office and emailed his son..A lot of good that did..It fell on deaf ears. Although Mike Weir..Your the greatest. So Yes..I think KK plays favorites and should be investigated and put out of office. Of coarse, when he comes back up for re-election..every fool who put him there will put him there again. More so out of habit, rather than actually reading all of the facts.

Really, let me say again really? Sounds like the Council members didn't get picked for the dodgeball game and now want to cry to the teacher. You want to get answers, then get off your butts, walk down 3 flights of stairs and walk around the offices and ask questions. Is it that you don't know where the offices are? Probably not! Quit crying and get in the game. How many times have any of you ever gone anywhere but go from your car to your office and then back to your car. Sad! Ms. Almond, respect is a 2-way street, my bet is there's another back story that's not being told. I would hope Bryan uncovers it. In the meantime,recess is over, now go back to class and learn your way around the campus, you might actually learn something.

I have corresponded several times with Kamenetz or rather his people on issues related to the budget and school board. They relayed position statements to me that turned out to be misleading at best. He is just following in the footsteps of Ruppersberger, O'Malley and their ilk in showing contempt for people that disagree with them. Just ask Jim Brochin and others.

While this kind of retaliation is nothing new in Baltimore County, it is a new low between the two branches of County Government and a real formula for disaster. Council Chairwoman Almond is 100% correct! The council should not just rubber stamps County Executive bills. It is the council’s job to do their due diligence on issues before them and to be a check-and-balance to the executive! I guess KK (LIKE THE DICTATOR HE IS) will go after one or all of them in the 2014 election. SHAME ON THE VOTES IF THEY LET THAT HAPPEN AND SHAME ON THE OTHER THREE PUPPETEERS (Bevins, Olszewski Sr. and Huff) IF THEY THINK THEY HAVE SOME KIND OF IMMUNITY FROM THE SAME KIND OF RETALIATION THAT THEIR FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE CLEARLY FACING!

What do you expect from Rod Blagogevich's clone, I mean Marty O'Malley.

A bill to curb a pension anomoly,save the taxpayers money, bring in line a pension benefit that would now be consistent with other benefits and the Council votes it down. And the ranters are out in force in this string? So let's just let that pension keep going and then watch how you rail against runaway pension benefits. What ice cream flavor do you want with that cake. The exec tries to reform a pension benefit and you're upset. And the Council needs more information? How many readings of the bill were there? What was the time frame from submission of the bill to "vote night". C'mon Council please get out of the sandbox and into the real world. Why aren't you fighting to save any budget money?

This is not new. Mr. K is taking action against "uncooperative" council members just like Fred and Dennis, Fred and Roger, Fred and Dutch, and Fred and Jim have done. Personally, I think that tabling the bill at this particular time (in the middle of union negotiations) was an appropriate response.

Very bold of the Council to pressure the County Executive like this. Things must be pretty bad behind the curtain. The County Executive was said to have his finger in the dyke, now he is going to have to fix the wheels on the wagon too... This is a sad report describing the office of the County Executive. It is shameful.

Mr. Kamenetz is a disgrace. Am I missing something here? if in fact he is retaliating against the Council, I think they have a card they can play--all these 4 have to do is introduce and pass a law repealing the illegal pension law Kamenetz got through to give him and his buddies two pensions! Then wait and see if Kamenetz has the nerve to veto the law! That is exactly the "retaliation" this arrogant, greedy idiot deserves. And since Ron Burgundy is so concerned about the savings associated with the pension reform proposed by KK, how would he feel about saving an additional $200-300K a year by eliminating the double pensions. Can anyone tell me who else in the history of the county, other than KK, Moxley and Gardiuna, can be "retired" and at the same time working for the county. This will end poorly for them...how does KK think he could ever face another election with the ammunition he has given his opponents.

Cannot believe these great leaders would do this - and even to their own party. But the party of green has no team - just enablers.

Quirk made his own bed. He spent his entire freshman year trying to pass transgender nonsense. Now he wants to be a player, but no one will take him seriously. I am sure he will follow the party line next time.

On the other hand, maybe all of the department heads just happen to be out all at once because they are having transgender surgery.

I've known Kammenetz and Mahler a long time. They are two of the most ruthless and spiteful politicians I've ever known - carbon copies of Jim Smith who would play these "hold the money games" all too often during his administration. Kammenetz is all smiles for the camera, but watch your back if you cross him.

It's Ron the TV guy. More on the pension soon. Got home tonight after listening to Mr. Kamenetz speak at the North Point Peninsula CC, and turned on the computer and thought, wow, 60 Minutes is on Patch. One heck of a headline story.

I wonder if the county executive saw this before or after his speaking engagement. This is kind of reporting that brought 60 Minutes to the pinnacle of journalism. The photo layout was a real eyeopener and you knew this was going to be a good story.

By the way Ron, the council did fight over runaway pension costs. They won and got to keep it.

The reason that you are not getting answers from the department heads is because they all had to retire in February 2012. The people replacing them do not know what is going on YET. They also do not have the personnel underneath them to get the answers because of the mass exodus that happened this year. No one was supposed to get hurt by that retirement incentive but there are a few that did lose their jobs! KK and his crew need to have more common sense and less ego. As far as double dipping goes it should stop at the top. That's where most money will be saved.

It's been a long time since our County Councilman was a fair-minded, get the job done type of guy. Let's see - how long as Ruppersberger been a Congressman now? That's how long it's been since I have felt like we have actually had a voice in this Council. I think it is past time for our Council Chair to act like a man responsible to other people as opposed to a man whose will shall be done.

OH! Is this the excuse for why there are NO SIDEWALKS or construction on Leeds Avenue after all the noise about what they are "going to do"?

Below is the County Executive's quote from November concerning the ethical standards, honor and dignity his office owes to the people of Baltimore County. Needless to say, it is in complete contrast to his actions and those of Homan, Jablon and Mohler.
"I believe we've had generations of men and women who have served the people of Baltimore County with great distinction, but I also recognize that we have a responsibility to live up to their legacy and to serve the people of the county with the honor and dignity I know they expect and deserve," Kamenetz said.

It will be fun to watch the Council work on (or over) the Department budgets....... I'm sensing a smaller, lean County government.

This little feud could be a great thing!!

Mohler says the people of Baltimore County don't want what is going on in Washington happening here. Have I been in a dream world for the last 80 years!
This kind of thing has been going since the beginning of time; since the beginning of our country. Just watch the John Adams story. I always said I just as soon have a benveolent dictator as the two faced people that run our country, state and cities and counties. At least I would know what I had to do to survive. I would really know I did not have a say or rights in my government, not the sham we have now.

I find it very interesting that 3 Democrats would turn on KK. It's about time and all of them should speak out on this. We need to keep a watch to see if KK punishes these Councilmembers in some way for their disloyalty to him.

I remember the 2010 elections, when I spoke with County employees in various departments who wanted to support Ken Holt, but backed away because their jobs had been threatened by KK. I also heard about voter fraud happening on election day. People coming out of the polls, saying after they voted for Holt, the summary would pop up with KK on it instead.

We need to get on the bandwagon and get these jokers out of office. We're watching and taking notes.

It's about time we heard more negative about Kamenetz! He's a bad egg...

1.Kamenetz is dishonest and unethical on so many levels..... He purposefully and secretly enacted ILLEGAL legislation as a councilman, and now collects a DOUBLE PENSION AFTER A ONE DAY RETIREMENT. Meanwhile, he continues to cut monies from everyone else....
2. Kamenetz is a spineless coward......"NO COMMENT" he says! ...He's yet to speak on any negative issue publicly, and uses his admin. staff to hind behind.
His smug face will appear at any positive media events, but he has hid in the shadows behind his cronies when there are any issues involving conflict.
3. Kamenetz is self serving and will do his dirty work behind the scenes! No argument here.... I don't doubt any content revealed in this article, and I truthfully am not surprised! The Kamenetz campaign slogan should have read,....You pat my back,....I'll pat yours!" It is shameful and telling of this mans character!

How'd the administration become so corrupt? The 4 council members mentioned are the only ones I see speaking out, and we all can see where that's gotten them. ....Pathetic! Kamenetz will be a one term executive....the worst ever!

Let's bring back dignity to this office, and get rid of him!

I applaud the courage of our Council Chair Vicki Almond - what a leader she is! Ken Oliver also has shown tremendous courage in revealing the bribe offer he received from the County Executive's office and turned down to switch his vote - thank you Councilman Oliver! Councilman Marks can always be depended upon to do what he feels is the right thing - thank you David Marks for your courage! And way to go Councilman Quirk! Thank you all for revealing the tit for tat politics that has been going on in our county for a long time and trying to put a stop to it! The citizens of Baltimore County deserve leaders who represent us with honesty and integrity!

The county council has the power of the purse.While they cannot increase the budget submitted by the the county executive, they are empowered to make cuts.Perhaps they should take a very careful look at k.k.'submitted budget,and get a sharp pair of sissors out for some serious cutting.Bruce schmickley

KK is not the only one here - There is one name that keeps popping up administration after administration - Fred Homan. I am not sure who is dirty here, but in past administrations Fred Homan was the hatchet man - and hold a grudge - ask any community who has gone up against the man. I beleive that if someone looked deep within Mr. Homan's closet you would find all kinds of skeletons.

I think it is time to really get involved in this political arena and oust KK. The people are sick of this type of back hannded politics and insulted that KK thinks we don't believe those 4 Council members. And ,your statement, "One of the things that people in Baltimore County will not tolerate is the kind of petty politics that we see in Washington," said Mohler. "We've never had that before in Baltimore County and we won't have that now." did you forget about Agnew. What short memory you have.

this has been done before Mohler, where have you been.

I have to wonder if this story and its comments won't force KK to release his dept heads so they can start returning phone calls to the Councilpersons once again. This should end KK's little "don't defy me" lesson. He hasn't done a positive thing worth noting since he's been in office. This is a prime example of "good ol'boy" government, KK, Mohler, Homan, Gardina, Moxley and Jablon. I'm still not quite sure what everyone expected when they voted in an attorney to the Co Exec position. The arrogance this man has is sickening.

I tend to lean left, but good results get my attention no matter the party. David Marks has been fair and attentive to constituent needs, and that's what I expect.

KK ran a very nasty campaign against a very good politician and a decent man, and it apparently worked. It should be obvious that he never misses an opportunity to get his face on TV and take credit for anything good that happens in Baltimore County. I can only hope that enough people recognize KK's true colors by the next County Executive election.

I applaud the councilman and lady who were not afraid to stand up to a bully who should never been elected any way. They stood there ground for what was right and what needed to be done. It is a sad thing that our county has to be ran by men who still think of there own gain. And i include Mr Big OLLLLL Johny OOOOO. Him and Mr Kaminitz should go far in there future plans for Government.

So basically after reading this I feel really disheartened. I have voted in every election since I was 18 years old. I even helped out with some campaigns. No matter what I do my honest politician will never get elected. If he/she does, someone like KK will always be there to hold them back. I give up. The little person doesn't stand a chance and anything we say doesn't make a difference..so why bother.

I predict that it going to take the extremes of starting a RE-CALL petition so we can get recall provision in Baltimore County passed by referendum. That is the ONLY thing that will stop this kind of madness! We can call it the “Say What You Mean BUT Mean What You Say” coalition to hold elected official accountable!

If we want a truly honest and trustworthy government in Baltimore County we need a strong Republican Party presense as a counterbalance to the Democrats. Why do we keep electing overwhelming Democrat majorities and expecting a different result? Someone once said this is the true definition of insanity. We need at the very least a good honest man like David Marks to run this County like it should be run. David Marks for County Executive in 2014!

Elections are coming folks! That's our chance to make a change!

This type of retaliation happens daily at the Detention Center. I'm so glad the rest of the county gets to experience the world of do as I say, or else!!!

Please , lets look at the facts, 40% of the money was given to 37% of the Council.I mean is this really a retalitory measure?Really, what would drive you to that conclusion based on the numbers. Or is this an opportunity to jump on an executive when given the chance. Four members of the Council feel as though they have been wronged. Really, by what math method. Hopefully they weren't educated in our public schools. Last time I checked 37% is pretty close to 40%.Certainly within the margin of error. And...last time I checked ANY citizen can ask any official or employee of Baltimore County any question and expect an answer. Especially if you're a Councilperson. I'll say it again, get out of the sandbox,walk around the campus and ask any question you want. You deserve an answer, just like any citizen of Baltimore County.

An idiot democrat running the state house and a comparable one running Baltimore County.

Ron, you might as well give it up. No one apparently cares for the man here. Find another page to toot his horn and good luck with finding one. BTW - Those four council members are accurate in what they believe.

Why should I move. I actually like our schools, like our roads, like not having my taxes raised for the last quarter century, like my quality of life. I don't get your remark. Or are you just another "hater". I actually think we have had good leadership over the past 8 years. What is it you hate about Baltimore County? Did you read about Anne Arundel County and their budget? What about their County Exec? Have you read about PG and Montgomery County? Maybe we are spoiled.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ken Holt!

It's so interesting to read all of these charges and counter-charges. Them, along with the various quasi-character assassinations and speculation of what the true identity of the various writers are makes for entertaining reading. What I am NOT seeing though is an proposals to correct the various problems that Baltimore County is experiencing. It's like most political campaigns when both sides take the position that "If I make you look bad that makes me look good."

Many of these problems seem, on the surface, to be intractable. The only thing is that no one is willing to take the approach to these huge problems that is proposed in the child's riddle, "How do you eat an elephant?" The answer, of course, is "One spoonful at a time."

Everyone need to stop complaining about these problems and come up with some common-sense proposals to at least move in the direction of solving them.

To JD Struts,
Maybe the county government should be like rats and get into the gutter then maybe they'll be able to understand us rats who aren't in government and see things a little different. Instead of outside looking in the officials can get a taste of inside looking out? Justice

RE: Republican over Democrat....I was raised a Dem and voted in the Primaries as one, just to vote the evil Dems out. In 08 I realized there were no more good Dems and changed my party to R because I found my vote was going to corruption, no matter which Dem I voted for in the Primary. I worked the polls this primary and many Dems were looking to change to Rs for the same reason.

Yeah, we had eight years of R.........as you state corruption before a D.......was voted in. Look what O....was handed over? A country on the brink of disaster, (it was a disaster), recession, jobs lost, market crashed, mortgage fraud, people forced out of their homes, loosing their homes, and still loosing their homes, the war... I could go on....and you use that word evil? If the thought wasn't there the word wouldn't come. Better turn that word around. We're still in recovery and will be for a long time and yes who do we thank for all this? It sure wasn't a D.......
I also remember wasn't there some fraud in the Primaries several years back? A miscount of votes in Florida but the brother was Governor then? People sure do have short term memories? They only remember what they want to remember.
Justice

@Josephine...I did the same thing...Didn't work either. I even campaigned for a candidate that I believed in and believed that could have made a difference. For some reason, people just keep voting the status quo. Then a week later they complain about everything wrong in their community..I heard from many county workers who said that if any county council person or supporter of KK saw them talking to opposing candidates they would be dealt with. They were afraid of the backlash.

Hey Ron,
I just call them as I see them and I try to be short and concise and not quite as long-winded as you seem to be.

It appears many commentators did not pay attention in their Civics classes. Baltimore County is an Executive form of goverrnment. It is not as obvious as it is during budget time. As some have noted the Council’s power is limited to cutting the budget and not adding or expanding. Department heads are appointed by the Executive and projects throughout the County are prioritized by the Executive’s office. This is done in conjunction with recommendations from those experts in schools, roads, health, fire and police….the Department heads, not Council members. In addition, though many try to demonize democrats and promote republicans, success in political office is based more so on your successes in bringing back services to your constituents. No one is expected to go against their core beliefs to accomplish this, but success seems to coincide with those who have the best abilities to work with the administration for the benefit of the whole County. In doing so, it is amazing their own constituency seems to benefit. Those people who take shots at the democratically run offices of Baltimore County (BC) and Maryland seem to ignore their successes. Maryland has been one of the top 3 school systems in the country, BC in top three of the state. Unemployment 2 points lower than national average, BC no forloughs, no layoffs, no reduction of services (fire/police/schools) and no tax increases. Maintaining AAA bond rating, what other jurisdiction can make that claim?

To Bryan Sears,when four councilpersons came to you or unite with one voice to go public with what they view as retaliatory actions by the County Executive did you ask them if they had originally committed to the bill and then changed their mind? Did they give their word to the County Executive and then, suddenly have a change of heart.
If you didn't are you willing to ask those Councilpersons, on the record, if that was the case.And will you please publish a follow-up story. It needn't be a long story.

If Bryan is unwilling, as is his choice to ask that question I then throw this out to those Councilpersons.
Councilperson Almond,Quirk,Marks and Oliver, did you commit your support to the County Executive for the bill in question and did you then change your vote after first committing to support. I believe this will shed some important light on this matter. It is known that all of the Councilpeople and staff follow Patch so to say, "I didn't see the question" won't exactly fly.
Please answer the question then we move on.

I wonder how this will factor in to this current round of zoning decisions. Now I believe the rumor that Mr. Jablon is the one actually reviewing all of the requests instead of the planning board and staff. So much for the checks and balances, I guess that's another reason he was appointed to the position.

Ronny, I don’t really believe it matter how they said they would vote (probably based on the false information they received from Administration) IT ONLY REALLY MATTER HOW THEY VOTED AND THE SURVEY SAYS.......THEY DID THE “RIGHT” THING!!!

Good night ....... or should I say "GOOD DAY"

Ron, I just filed a FOIA pertaining to the pension system and when I get the reply it will be part of a blog. I can tell you that this will measure up as in $$. This to will be about building relationships that requires a special invitation.

Doing the right thing overrides supporting a certain agenda.

Ron, listen to what you are saying………..I don’t believe any of the council should simple commit to a vote on a bill. The process is introduction, then work session and then legislative session. THAT’S HOW IT IS SUPPOSE TO WORKS! I applaud Almond, Oliver, Marks and Quirk for doing it the way they are supposed to do it!

A true leader~public servant would always seek ways to respond to concerns of the citizens......Control freak mentality does not allow for open honest communication such as these blogs. We are all vulnerable to the critique of others when communicating in an open , honest forum such as this. Silence is a demonstration in this case...
Come on Kamenetz...set us straight here

Buck I think you are talking about opening a can of worms. This is a gotcha moment for the county. No matter how they slice it especially on the silence regarding the $21 million pension fund mess, the political fallout could be significant.

It's a little like taking the fifth in front of congress.

Didn’t everyone read the articles from the work-session?
http://towson.patch.com/articles/unions-accuse-county-of-bullying
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-co-pensions-unions-20120313,0,5525816.story
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-baltimore-county-pensions-balto-co-council-to-discuss-pensionovertime-bill-20120313,0,409075.story
http://towson.patch.com/blog_posts/union-head-bill-could-hurt-county-pension-system
This bill was wrong and doomed from the start. KK should have done the RIGHT THING and pulled the bill…….…instead he dared the council to vote against him. Instead Almond, Oliver, Marks and Quirk took the highroad and out smarted KK by doing the least offensive option left to just table the bill. KK had up to the legislative session to pull the bill. KK knew he didn’t have the vote so maybe we should be asking KK why he didn’t he just pull the bill?

did anyone see our fearless leader on WBAL today. when asked about the pension mess, he fumbled all over himself, sounded like an idiot, and then droned on about the county's AAA bond rating...this is quite a mess that Mr. Homan has dumped in his lap...one response that would encourage citizens would be to let Homan go...he is the one who covered this up, and apparently he didn't even attend the council meeting on the topic......

Where will the WBAL Kamenetz interview from this am be replayed or documented? Can we find it on Youtube or the WBAL website? If you know, please put up a link!!!!!! Those of us following the pension issues would be VERY INTERESTED!

Ron I would be careful on the facts and integrity issues. You might just open up Pandora's Box.

I apoligize if I make coments that have already been made. Frankly I got tired of all the bickering.
First, I have always been told the pension system is "self funding" and does not cost the county anything. If this is not true, can someone shed some light on this? If it is true, why not let the people that keep our streets free of snow in the winter get a little more in retirement? They get paid next to nothing and work hard.

Second, What is wrong with comitting initially to a bill and changing your mind when more information comes out? Cudos to those council members that saw the evil in this pension change.

Third, to Turnuptruck, THERE HAS BEEN REDUCTION IN SERVICES! The schools reduced their teaching force by over 200 teachers last year. This caused the elimination of certain AP classes and electives for our children. The Police Department reduced their force by many leaders as did the Fire Department. The Police Department put many detectives back in patrol cars and reduced the mumber of detectives investigating homicide, vice, internet crimes, crimes against chldren and other vital areas. The Fire Department no longer investigates fires. They also forced many of their chief officers to retire. Both the PD and FD then turned around and either promoted to those newly vacated positions or are in the process of doing that. The FD is even considering reducing their firefighters by 25% causing the rest to have to increase their work week from 42 to 52 hours. They already require the remaining chief officers to work an additional 20 hours a week to pick up the slack for the eliminated positions. So how can you say services weren't reduced? Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Fourth, the furloughs and AAA bond rating had nothing to do with KK, this was in place long before his REIGN.

Fifth, I am not insinuating KK is doing a bad job, I am flat out saying it!

Finally, I don't care if they are republican or democrat. I want them to do an HONEST job and look out for the people that put them there. It's all about lining their pockets and fulfilling a personal agenda and this has to stop.

Ron, why are you so obsessed with this bill? All of the stuff going on and you are caught up in semantics. I don't know what went on out there as far as who said what. Who knows what happened behind closed doors. Why do you think things are in such turmoil out there?

If a word is given to someone and that someone changes the game plan, then that word in no longer valid. In the end it comes down to the individuals conscience.

I just went through that with a person. I gave my word and they did not keep theirs so I wrote my blog. Stuff happens.

Human beings what they are, things are not always etched in stone.

Jimmy, you would think that if your boat is taking on water you might want to start bailing instead of punching more holes in the bottom.

K Blue sounds like you know what your are talking about. Generally in politics things are always more complicated than Ron wants to see them.

Isn't there an old saying (Buzz ,you're old enough to remember) "you're only as good as your word". What's the value of the the 4 Councilpeople these days. As I have said, if there were questions, DON'T COMMIT, but once you commit, stick to your word.

Hey Ron - - - Either you work for the "Exec" as you call him or you are just a moron. Which is it?

Ron. Aren't you actually Don Moehler? Deny it.

I only go to bed with one person and as Chris Christie would say, "that's none of your dam business". And it sure isn't "essexman", who aptly describes him or herself.
Here's the point and I think a lesson learned by the fab "4". Don't commit because if you do there are then expectations you will follow your commitment. Forget about this bill, take anything, any bill, when you agree to support, don't support, then go very public with statements about not being treated fairly, who's the person that's been upfront? I'm sorry, I'm one who believes a commitment is a commitment. I would hope in the future, the "fab 4", understand what's at stake when they say they will back something. Otherwise how will voters ever know when they're telling the truth. Call me old fashion, call me naive, but don't call me a flipflopper, when I give my word you have it.

Jimmy, how does eliminating positions mean reduction in services? When a auto manufactorer installs robotic machinery that increases both productivty and quality in lieu of workers, it improves efficiency and reduces costs. I am sure their has been improvements in technology that has allowed someone making less than a 50k+ trained police officer to perform clerical and desk duties so uniformed officers can be reassigned to the streets concentrate on crime enforcement and prevention. I am also sure that staff officers in both police and fire departments are more effective and productive with computers, mobile laptops, GPS and smartphones, allowing to expand their responsibilities and efficency.
I do agree those who clear our streets during inclement weather work tirelessly and are performing admirably and deserve our thanks. I don’t agree that if we experience a record year of snowfall and workers have a banner year of overtime, their pension should benefit unproportionally. To have a lifetime benefit calculated on a one year anomoly rather than their past 25-30 years of service and their pay scale is truly abusing the public coffers. I think I remember at least one labor group president being honest enough to concur.

Articles have appeared on the Patch and local news periodicals that exposed the benefits the upper echolon of the police and fire experienced. There have been others who claim to be “forced” to retire, but its hard to swallow that coersion other than monetary was utilized. It is my understanding that only those wishing to retire, summitted a personal request to be considered. Doesn’t sound much like force and in addition I am positive the employee retiring has to sign something stating it is their desire to so.
Again all these elimination of positions and reallocation of resources is proposed and approved by Department heads. I have confidence in these experts, the school superintendent, police and fire chiefs that the welfare and safety of the citizens of Baltimore County is their number one priority. They are not in the business of providing employment.

Turnup, how would you feel if you were constantly transferred to different areas of the county on an almost weekly basis? Or not given the tools you need to do your job. That is what would have happened to the officers if they did not retire. The 3 year retirement incentive was without a doubt a great motivator, but only those approved by Fred Homan were allowed to take it. Many were refused that incentive. And if the positions were not needed then why are they being filled as we speak? Not all of them but most of them. The FD adn PD cannot be replaced by computers or robots or even civilians at a lower salary. Many DETECTIVES were sent back out on patrol and not replaced. These people specialize on the job they do. Now NOBODY is doing their job, or half the people are doing twice the work. You ask why so many criminals go unpunished, it's because they don't get caught! This doesn't make it any better.

The fire department has been asking for laptops to help increase productivity in support services for years and are constantly being turned down.

The other monetary perk was the drop. only those with over 32 years of service were eligable for that. But why were these drop payments criticized? They are less offensive that KK and Gardina and others double diping with their county council pension. And the Drop money comes from the pension fund, which is self funding and from what I have been told, doesn't cost the county anything. Turnup, you need to crawl back into the field you came from instead of proclaiming you know how to do police work.