Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The law suit filed in Baltimore County Circuit Court seeks to stop a loan to the county that would be used to build a recycling facility in Cockeysville.
The union that represents Baltimore County Police is seeking to stop a $21 million loan from the pension system to the county for a new recycling facility. The 10-page lawsuit filed late last week by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4 alleges that the board of trustees for the Baltimore County Employees Retirement System failed to do its duty to protect the pension system including: "The county is using the employees pension plan to fund capital projects," said Cole Weston, president of the police union. "To fund capital projects like this is very concerning." The loan will be used to pay for a new recycling facility in Cockeysville. It's the same facility for which the Baltimore County Council approved $25 million in bond sales last …
Thursday, November 29, 2012
A state delegate criticizes the county for expenses of a lawsuit filed by a William Blake, a Baltimore County Police officer, that amount to more than $750,000.
UPDATED (5:46 p.m.)—Baltimore County now knows the price tag for losing a lawsuit involving a police detective who was ordered to undergo unlawful medical examinations and tests. U.S. District Court Judge Benson Everett Legg ordered the county to pay $494,243.00 attorney fees and $17,716.00 court costs in the case of William Blake. "The significant fee award reflects the serious nature of the case as well as the diligence of counsel," Legg wrote in his decision. "While the total cost to the County is high, there is a silver lining, however. This case may ultimately avoid future litigation by providing guidance with respect to fitness-for-duty examinations." The county has lost a number of similar cases in the last two years. Most recently…
Monday, November 19, 2012
Maryland Court of Appeals reverses lower court decision on a grievance filed over changes to health insurance costs.
As many as 400 retired police department employees could see a reduction in their health insurance costs and be due a refund for charges since 2007. A state Court of Appeals ruling Monday effectively affirmed arbitration and a Baltimore County Circuit Court decision on the case that dates back to 2007. [A copy of the court rulling is attached to this article.] The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4, which represents county police officers, filed a grievance five years ago after the county increased the costs of health insurance for employees who retired between Feb. 1, 1992 and June 30, 2007. On July 1, 2007, the county changed its share of retiree health insurance costs from an 85-15 split with retirees to an 84-16 percentage. The union …
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Baltimore County officials say the loan for a Cockeysville recycling facility from its underfunded pension system is a "win-win." But some County Council members have questions.
UPDATED (3:16 p.m.)—Some Baltimore County Council members and union officials say a $25 million loan made to the county from its own pension system raises questions. The loan will be used to pay for a new recycling facility in Cockeysville. It's the same facility for which the Baltimore County Council approved $25 million in bond sales last November. Councilmen David Marks and Tom Quirk say they now have questions about the change in how the project is financed and the lack of independent oversight. "I don't know any of the details of the arrangement at all," Quirk said. "We definitely have questions." Marks, a Perry Hall Republican, said he was withholding judgement on the changes but was asking the administration to provide a legal …
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Monday, June 25, 2012
Police wanted to negotiate on discontinued incentive for unused sick time.
Baltimore County violated its own employment law when it refused to designate an outside agency to handle an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the union that represents county police officers. Baltimore County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Cox in a ruling Friday said the county violated the Employee Relations Act. A written decision was not immediately available but the ruling requires the county to hire an outside agency unless it appeals the decision or opts to enter negotiations with the police union. "The judge ruled that the Employee Relations Act means exactly what it says," said Cole Weston, president of the Baltimore County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4. "[County Executive] Kevin Kamenetz did not follow the law." Cox's …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
New interview process aims to make the Baltimore County police more responsible, accountable for selecting its leaders.
Baltimore County Police Chief Jim Johnson threw out a more than three-decades old promotions policy just days before a class of sergeants was to take standardized oral interviews to become lieutenants. The change comes amid a looming U.S. Department of Justice inquiry into the county's hiring and promotions practices within the police and fire departments. The change involves who interviews prospective candidates for promotion. Until now, interviews had been conducted by outside law enforcement personnel. Now, those interviews will be conducted by officials who work for Baltimore County. "I have not determined the motivation of the administration as to why this change was instituted," said Cole Weston, president of the Fraternal Order of …
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Council, state legislators and labor unions say the county executive is uncompromising and difficult to work with.
After a relatively quiet first year in office, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has found himself in conflict with other state and county elected officials and labor unions. The recent conflicts over legislation in Annapolis and in Towson have prompted complaints that Kamenetz has been difficult to work with, unwilling to compromise and arrogant. Former Councilman Bryan McIntire served with Kamenetz for 16 years on the Baltimore County Council. The Timonium Republican said problems between the Democratic county executive and others have been personality-driven. "(Kamenetz) is the kind of person who has to have his own way at any cost," said McIntire. "That's his nature and he can't change his nature anymore than you or I can …
Monday, April 2, 2012
Arbitrator says county did not bargain in good faith nor prove it would save money by moving lieutenants out of the police union.
An effort to move Baltimore County Police Department lieutenants out of the union that represents active and retired police officers has been struck down by an independent arbitrator. The ruling, handed down late Friday night by arbitrator Ira Jaffe, rolls over the current contract between the county and officers represented by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4. "The ruling allows us to protect the folks we represent for an additional year," said Cole Weston, president of the union. County officials were not immediately available for comment. The county had attempted to force the union to move lieutenants from the union to the Police Executives Corps. County officials told the arbitrator the move would save the county money, according …
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