UPDATED (7:53 a.m.)—A Baltimore County Councilman who called for stricter rules on the use of county vehicles is facing stiff criticism from one of his colleagues.
Councilwoman Cathy Bevins, an Oliver Beach Democrat, said Monday night that Councilman David Marks, a Perry Hall Republican, is only calling for the changes because he was questioned by a reporter for breaking a campaign promise not to take a county vehicle if elected.
"David didn't care about County Council policies on cars until he got his hands caught in the cookie jar by lying to his constituents, colleagues and staff," Bevins said.
Questions about the use of county vehicles by members of the council have intensified since the Feb. 23 arrest of Lutherville Republican Councilman Todd Huff on drunken driving charges while in a county-owned sport utility vehicle.
Marks last week admitted to using a county vehicle for the last few months after promising during the 2010 campaign not avail himself of the perk.
During that interview, Marks said he would like to see the council adopt a rule requiring councilmembers to turn in the keys to their county-owned vehicles when they are involved in an incident such as the one Huff was charged with.
Currently, councilmembers are not required to give up their cars when charged with drunken driving related offenses while operating a county vehicle.
"I think it should be required until the investigation is over and the court case is resolved," Marks said.
Marks said he would also like the council adopt a rule where the cars are not used to transport the members of the council to campaign events.
Bevins, who has been using a county vehicle since being elected to the $54,000 per year job in 2010, said she does not believe the rules need to be changed including the addition of requiring councilmembers to turn in the cars in instances such as the one involving Huff.
Bevins said Huff's decision to voluntarily turn in the Jeep Grand Cherokee was the right thing to do given that he reportedly registered a blood alcohol level of .20—more than twice the legal limit. Marks' proposal to force a councilmember to relinquish a county vehicle should only come into play if the councilmember is convicted, she said.
"You wouldn't want to do that to someone who is found innocent," Bevins said
Note: This post has been updated to clarify Bevins' position on the use of county vehicles when the driver has been involved in a drunken driving related incident. The councilwoman stated during the interview that she supported Councilman Todd Huff's voluntary relinquishing of the car. A proposed requirement for councilmembers to give up cars in such circumstances should only apply if there is a criminal conviction. In general, the first-term councilwoman does not believe the existing rules need to be changed, she said.
That "fail safe verification" is so easily defeated you'd have to be a child to propose it. Uff da, I pray you are not another relative.
"Elderly" is a relative term. FWIW, I am 65 years old. And I did not reach this age by behaving like a jackass.
So I won't. :-)
Want to make a difference and prove your chops as a long term activist of historic preservation and community involvement? Post Marks answers to these questions: 1. the estimated profit of the lot sale 2. the impact of noise on West Towson communities and their housing prices 3. the cost of the new fire house 4. the amount left over for A/C in Dumbarton Your big 'supporter' is ignoring the very people whose lives he is about to impact. Help us Patricia! PLEASE! Use your influence and post the financials!
Really isn't necessary to degrade anybody to get your point across. Our representatives are supposed to represent us regardless of their party affiliation but this is exactly what drives us apart. Lots of intelligent people here who post good information.Together we can make a difference but being divided accomplishes nothing. If you don't like the way you are being represented vote them out of office,
Ms. Bevins was quick to take all the perks she could get. Unlike David Marks, her campaign was originally filled with enough developer money to choke a dinosaur. She was also aided with more developer money passed on via Jim Smith to side-step the limits and make her even more beholden to her benefactors. Ms. Bevins also has absolutely no class as an elected official. When I served on the Council, I never called the members I disagreed with liars. However, I also recall watching two rape victims testifying in front of her. Ms. Bevins rolled her eyes back and even turned her chair away from these women. How cold and cruel. Again, everyone who ever came to see us in council chambers got my attention. ms. Bevins seems to think she is above that.
Has the PATCH ever looked at the contract for speed cameras and donations? Ms. Bevins voted to increase speed cameras twice and Mr. Marks voted against them every time. We need to no more about that.
Justice delayed is justice denied...Magna Carta
Yes, I have been affiliated with one political party for years, but in this council I see no difference between political parties. Both parties and all of the councilpeople stink!!