Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 11, with awards to be presented in March.
Baltimore County's Commission for Women is looking for its next Woman of the Year and Young Woman of the Year. The 31st annual awards will honor women who make "significant, unique and lasting contributions to the community, workplace, or school to further the interest of women and families," a county press release said. Last year's Woman of the Year award went to Irene Spatafore of Dundalk. The Young Woman of the Year was Parkton resident Olivia Keithley. Nominations for 2013 can be made on the county's website. For nomination forms or questions, call Nancy Surosky at 410-887-3448. Previous winners and elected officials are not eligible for the award. Nominees must be Baltimore County residents. Young Woman of the Year nominees must be …
Monday, December 31, 2012
Arbutus native John Coolahan served as the chair of the Baltimore County Delegation in 1973, 1975, and 1983 to 1986.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A federal judge grants the county permission to seek an appeal while the damages phase of the trial continues.
Baltimore County will appeal a federal judge's ruling in October that found pension rules that charge some county employees different rates are discriminatory. At issue is an October ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Benson Everett Legg that found that the county's pension rules requiring different contribution rates from employees based on age violates the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. That ruling came after a federal appeals court overturned Legg's original ruling that was in favor of the county. The county asked Legg for permission to seek an appeal on his current ruling while the trial enters the damages phase. The county argued in a filing that it would need as long as two years to review as many as 10,000 pension …
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
The county executive once ordered a study of alternative work week schedules in 2008.
Some county employees could work from the comfort of their own homes as soon as January under a new policy announced Tuesday by County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. "Telecommuting is a proven tactic that enables employers to reduce their carbon footprint by using readily available technology to cut down on employees' unnecessary travel to the workplace," Kamenetz said in a statement. Beginning next month, all non-probationary employees can request to participate in the program.The county will approve those requests on a case-by-case basis based on which jobs can be adapted to working from home, according to the release. Employees who wish to work from home must have telephone and Internet access. Those employees approved to work from home will…
Monday, December 3, 2012
Three major Wall Street companies give Baltimore County a Triple-A rating.
Baltimore County continues to maintain its coveted triple Triple-A bond rating companies. Fitch, Moody's and Standard and Poor's all gave the county its highest rating. Only about 1 percent of the counties in the United States have a Triple-A rating from all three companies. [All three reports are attached to this story.] The rating means the county can borrow money at the lowest available interest rates, which saves taxpayers money. All three companies cited the county's fiscal management and budget practices as reasons for the continued ratings. "If we are going to continue to fund public safety, education, and rebuild our aging infrastructure, we must continue to manage our budget in a fiscally responsible manner," County Executive …
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 …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Union representing nearly 1,600 County employees agrees to increased pension contributions in return for guaranteed pay increases and no layoffs or furloughs for the next three years.
The union representing correctional workers, highway supervisors, 911 employees, and office workers has reached an agreement with the county. As part of the agreement, members of the Baltimore County Federation of Public Employees will receive regular step and longevity increases and a guarantee of no layoffs or furloughs through June 30, 2015 in return for increased pension contributions made by corrections officers. Currently, corrections officers contribute 8 percent of their salary to the county pension system. As part of the agreement, corrections officers hired after July 1, 2011 will contribute 10 percent. "I am very pleased that the County was once again able to reach an agreement with labor," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin …
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 …
39.471931
-76.646394
Recycle Way, Cockeysville, MD
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Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Waterfront dining offers that special ambiance for a variety of celebrations, officials say.
The waterfront restaurants of Dundalk, Essex and Middle River are the new stars of a Baltimore County Internet commercial designed to drive tourists to the local eateries. Whether diners are looking for a special place to pop the big question, take their parents to celebrate a milestone anniversary, party at a fun and casual beachfront tiki bar or dine in a child-friendly environment, eastern Baltimore County has it, according to county officials. "I know that I'm a bit biased," Sixth District Counciwoman Cathy Bevins said in a press release. "But the views of the bay from our eastside restaurants just blow you away." The commercial touts the specialities of several restaurants, including the Seasoned Mariner, Seahorse Inn, Hard Yacht Cafe…
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Steelmaker owes Baltimore County $4.5 million in taxes and water and sewer fees.
Baltimore County has hired the law firm Venable LLP to represent its interest in a bankruptcy case filed by RG Steel. The steelmaker filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization May 31 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Baltimore County is owed $4.5 million in real and personal property, and sewage fees, according to Susan Dubin, an assistant Baltimore County attorney. The county's agreement piggybacks off a similar deal the firm has with Baltimore City, which retained the firm in the same case. The county hired the firm on June 11. "Baltimore City is also owed a lot of money in water taxes," Dubin told the Baltimore County Council Tuesday. "We thought it was the best interests of the county, since our …
M. Sullivan
9:10 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Uh, when are the nominations for Baltimore County Man of the Year or Young Man of the Year? Is there even a Baltimore County Commission for Men? more ›