Bevins Won’t Seek Reelection on County Council


Sixth District Baltimore County Councilmember Cathy Bevins announced that she won’t seek reelection this year. Bevins has served on the council since 2010.

“After 11 years in the Baltimore County Council, it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing that I have decided not to seek another term,” Bevins said in a statement on Tuesday.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to represent the Sixth District and I will cherish every memory and every friendship that I have made along the way.”

With the new projected county council maps as a result of redistricting for 2022, Republican Tony Campbell and Democrats Mike Ertel and Caitlin Klimm-Kellner filed for the council seat before Bevins announced she was retiring.

Marks Honors 5th District Citizens of the Year


Councilman David Marks honors constituents by giving out a Citizen of the Year award for his 5th Councilmanic District. This year the Perry Hall Family Worship and Neal Houk were honored by Marks.

“Every year, we recognize outstanding volunteers and leaders as Fifth District Citizens of the Year. Today, we recognize Perry Hall Family Worship Center and one of its longtime volunteers, Neal Houk, for their service to northeastern Baltimore County,” Marks said.

“Perry Hall Family Worship Center has been exceptionally involved by organizing food drives, community festivals, and service projects throughout the area. Neal Houk is one of their key volunteers, leading the recent cleanup of our community gateways, among other projects. We salute these amazing volunteers!”

The Urgent Need to Reduce Crime


-by Councilman David Marks-

Make no mistake—crime is the top concern in Baltimore County right now. Around Thanksgiving weekend, our county set a record for homicides.

Crime is affecting every type of community, with shootings in places like Milford Mill, Towson, and Middle River that are scattered throughout the county. It must be addressed, and I believe in several fundamental ways.

Candidly, there is nothing more important right now than to have more police on the street. Law enforcement throughout the United States is dealing with recruitment and retention issues, and in Baltimore County, many officers who began service in the early 1990s are now retiring.

The county is aggressively working to fill dozens of Police Department vacancies.

As Councilman, I will support whatever funding is necessary to recruit and retain police officers, whether through hiring bonuses, improved health care, or other incentives.

We need to strengthen the padlock law, which gives police the power to shutter troubled businesses.

No action ever seems to be taken against long-troubled properties, such as those along the Joppa Road corridor near Loch Raven Boulevard. That needs to change.

We need to continue to expand neighborhood watch programs and work with civic groups. I am partnering with our state legislators, for example, to try to build a community center and police substation in Dunfield, as an example.

I will continue to support strategies to reduce the likelihood of crime—mental health, for example, is driving some of the most recent homicides—but believe we must be very careful not to embrace lax prosecution policies.

Baltimore County has traditionally had a strong record with many prosecutions.

I do not want this county to go the way of other jurisdictions that ignore “lesser” crimes.

I look forward to working with all our stakeholders for a better 2022, starting with reducing crime.

Rosedale Resident Files for County Executive


Darren Badillo has filed for Baltimore County Executive. The 38-year-old filed for the highest office in the County as a Republican on July 14.

According to his Facebook page, Badillo is a resident of Rosedale and is a Deacon at Rosedale Baptist Church.

Badillo is the only Republican to file for County Executive so far with six months left until the filing deadline in February 2022, but it appears he has the support of some of the major GOP players in eastern Baltimore County.

Badillo held a kickoff event at the VFW in Rossville and the event was attended by Republican delegates Ric Metzgar, Joe Boteler and former Delegate Pat McDonough.

“Thank you to everyone who took time to join me for my official announcement to run and win to be your next Baltimore County Executive,” Badillo said about his event.

If Badillo is able to secure the GOP nomination, he would face current Democratic Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, who announced in May that he would seek a second term. No other Democrat has filed for County Executive.

“Local Leaders” Dispute Support of BCPS Masks


Baltimore County Public Schools released a statement this morning that requires universal masking for students, staff, and visitors in schools for the Fall of the 2021-22 school year.

BCPS sent out a twit, that “local leaders support universal masking in BCPS Schools and on school buses.”

Fifth County Councilman David Marks responded that he was not consulted about this decision and is upset he found out about the mandate on social media.

“Let me be very clear. This ‘local leader’ was never informed about another BCPS mask mandate. I found about it on Twitter,” Mark said.

“Over the past 16 months, the County Council and other units of government worked collaboratively to address public health concerns. Collaboration does not mean learning about an edict like this on social media.”

BCPS Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn said that operational decisions such as mask mandates are made by the Superintendent’s office but she was not expecting an announcement on a decision about masking until the special Board meeting for Aug. 3.

“The Board has neither discussed nor taken a position on universal masks. While individual Board members had opportunities to share input on masks, we have not discussed masking or other health and safety concerns around opening as a group. And there are many,” Henn said.

“We need to keep our schools open for safe, in-person instruction. But we also need to discuss what that means and what that looks like for all our learners. One size does not fit all”

Henn Files for Re-Election on School Board


BCPS School Board of Education Vice Chair Julie Henn has filed for re-election. She serves in the 5th District that covers Perry Hall, Parkville, Towson and Kingsville. She is a resident of Perry Hall.

Henn made the official announcement on her social media page.

“Today I filed my candidacy to seek re-election to continue to represent the Fifth Council District on the Board of Education of Baltimore County,” Henn said. “I have cherished working with, and for, the students, families, educators, and staff of Baltimore County Public Schools. It has been the ultimate honor to serve the community that has been home to my family for four generations.”

Henn was appointed to the BCPS Board by Gov. Larry Hogan in 2016 and was one of the first elected members in the inaugural school board election in 2018. Henn and all school board candidates must run as a non-partisan candidates.

“The greatest gift we can offer our children is ourselves – our time and talents. I am thankful for all who serve the students of BCPS. Every adult on every child’s path to success matters. The past year has taught me how badly we need one another to lead students to meeting their college or career goals – as one team,” Henn added.

“I am excited to continue the work we’ve started. I will do my best to listen, learn and lead from the perspective of those who make a difference in our students’ lives.”

Olszewski to Seek Reelection in Baltimore County


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. will seek re-election.

There was some speculation that the one-term County Executive could run for Governor since Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is term limited for seeking another term, but Olszewski made an announcement on Thursday.

Comptroller Peter Franchot is the likely favorite to win the Democratic nomination for Governor with Olszewski not entering the race and staying in Baltimore County.

“When I ran for County Executive, we set a bold vision for a #BetterBaltimoreCounty. In just a few years, we’ve proven together that transformative change is possible. But there is still more to be done,” Olszewski said in a statement.
“That’s why I’m excited to announce I will be seeking re-election in 2022.”

Congressmen Reelected Over Local Candidates


While the nation is focused on the Presidential Race between Trump vs. Biden, there are some local races on the ballots that involve local candidates, mostly Congressional races.

All Congressmembers in Maryland were re-elected on Tuesday night. Here is a quick look at those races:

1st District

Republican Congressman Andy Harris defeated Democratic challenger Mia Mason by a margin of 64.5 to 35.3 percent.
Harris is the only Republican Congressman in Maryland. The 1st District covers Perry Hall, Kingsville and northern Baltimore County, along with the entire Eastern Shore.

2nd District
Democratic Congressman C.A. “Dutch” Ruppersberger defeated GOP state Senator Johnny Ray Salling by 67.7 to 32.1 percent. Salling represents Dundalk, Essex, Middle River, Rosedale and Edgemere. The 2nd District covers those areas, but extends into portions of Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City and a small portion of Howard County.


7th District

Middle River resident Kim Klacik was the Republican darling as she challenged Democratic Congressman Kweisi Mfume. Her campaign came to an end with a 73 to 26.7 percent defeated to Mfume. Klacik raised an astounding $7 million in this contest and was endorsed by President Donald Trump.

Maryland Breaks Early Voting Turnout Record


The Maryland State Board of Elections has announced that Monday’s unofficial voter turnout of more than 161,000 was the highest single-day early voting turnout in the state’s history. The total surpassed the previous unofficial single-day early voting record of 143,494 set on the final day of early voting in the 2016 general election.

“We’re extremely pleased that Marylanders are turning out in record numbers to exercise their right to vote,” said Maryland State Board of Elections Administrator Linda Lamone.

“Today’s record-setting total is in addition to the more than 1.6 million voters who requested a mail-in ballot and the roughly 830,000 who have already submitted them. We are equally pleased that nearly 1,000 people took advantage of same-day registration today in order to cast their ballots.”

A county-by-county breakdown of the turnout, along with an unofficial statewide total turnout figure, will be posted when available in the Maryland State Board of Election’s online press room under the “2020 Presidential General Election Reports” heading.

Early voting will continue until Monday, Nov. 2. In-person voting is also available on Election Day, Nov. 3.

During the eight days of early voting, eligible voters may cast their ballots at any authorized early voting center in their jurisdiction of residence. A complete list of early voting centers is available here. Voters may also search here for early voting centers, Election Day voting centers and ballot drop box locations in their area simply by including their zip code.

Early voting centers and Election Day vote centers will be following approved health guidelines. Voters must wear a mask and maintain a distance of at least six feet between other individuals.

For voters who missed the advance voter registration deadline, same-day registration will be available at early voting and Election Day vote centers. To prove their place of residence, Marylanders registering in person during early voting or on Election Day will need to bring their Motor Vehicle Administration-issued driver’s license, identification card or change of address card, or a paycheck, bank statement, utility bill or other government document that includes the voter’s name and new address.

“We encourage Marylanders who would like to vote in person to continue to take advantage of early voting,” Lamone said. “While many Marylanders have, and continue to, cast their votes using mail-in ballots, voting early is one way to reduce lines and limit wait times at vote centers. The best time to vote in person is on a weekday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.”

Voters who have already requested a ballot should vote the ballot they receive in the mail. Voters simply complete the ballot, sign the oath on the postage-paid return envelope that accompanies the ballot, seal the envelope and submit it by mail or at an approved ballot drop box location.

Voters may not “trade in” their mail-in ballot during early voting or on Election Day, nor can they scan their mail-in ballot at an in-person vote center. If a voter has already requested or received a mail-in ballot and wants to vote early, the voter will have to cast a provisional ballot. This ballot will be held until election officials confirm the voter did not also return a mail-in ballot. This process ensures only one ballot per voter is counted.

Voters may drop off a mail-in ballot at an early voting center, but the ballot must be properly sealed in the return envelope that accompanied the mail-in ballot. Voters must sign the oath on the return envelope in order for the ballot to be counted.

Election Voting Sites in East Baltimore Co


There are limited voting locations as a result a COVID-19 Residents wishing to vote on Election Day can vote at any location.

General Election Voting Sites in eastern Baltimore County

Baltimore County will operate 42 in-person voting sites on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations:
•Chesapeake High: 1801 Turkey Point Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21221
•Colgate Elementary: 401 51st Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224
•Dundalk High: 1901 Delvale Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21222
•Eastern Technical High: 1100 Mace Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21221
•Honeygo Elementary: 4816 East Joppa Road, Perry Hall, Maryland 21128
•Honeygo Run Community Center: 9033 Honeygo Boulevard, Perry Hall, Maryland 21128
•Orems Elementary: 711 High Villa Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21221
•Overlea High: 5401 Kenwood Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21206
•Parkville High: 2600 Putty Hill Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21234
•Patapsco High: 8100 Wise Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21222
•Perry Hall High: 4601 Ebenezer Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21236
•Red House Run Elementary: 1717 Weyburn Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21237
•Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center: 323 Sollers Point Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21222
•Sparrows Point High: 7400 North Point Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21219
•Victory Villa Community Center: 404 Compass Road East, Baltimore, Maryland 21220
•Vincent Farms Elementary: 6019 Ebenezer Road, White Marsh, Maryland 21162