Posted on 12/17/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore County, MD - Dec. 17, 2024 - As the search continues for the next Baltimore County Executive, Baltimore County Council members held interviews with the five selected candidates Monday.
Initially, 12 candidates applied for the job. Two candidates withdrew, and then the Baltimore County Council selected five candidates to advance to the interview round. Those candidates are, Jim Brochin, Yara Cheikh, Katherine Klausmeier, George Perdikakis, Sr., Barry Williams.
During the interview round, each candidate had 15 minutes to address County Council members and answer a set list of questions about how they plan to address a myriad of issues from the budget, to education, public safety, housing, and even how they plan to work with the County Council.
With current Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski heading to the House of Representatives, his resignation is set to take effect January 3, 2025. Baltimore County Council Chair Izzy Patoka said they hope to have a candidate selected by January 6, 2025, which is a Monday. While it is a few days after Olszewski's resignation, Patoka said the County Administrative Officer would fill in for the weekend.
Several candidates, including Brochin and Klausmeier, made it clear they don't have plants to run for re-election in 2026.
Williams, who said he is a lifelong resident and former educator, said with fiscal challenges expected in the County in FY 2027, he said he will work with the County Council to prioritize spending and he said he understands the need to bring in additional revenue. He said education, housing and public safety are top of mind. He also said when it comes to juvenile crime, more wrap-around services are needed.
Former Senator Brochin said to address future budget challenges, he does not plan to use tax or fee increases. He said, while there wouldn't be any cuts to public safety or code enforcement, if he was selected to be the County Executive, he said other agencies in the County would be subject to budget cuts. He also said he would take a strong stance with public safety. He said he would work to hire more police officers and would also cooperate with federal ICE officials when it comes to undocumented individuals who commit crimes. In regard to juvenile crime, he said he would work with others on legislation to ensure teens who commit crimes with a gun are placed in a diversion program, not sent home to their parents or released with an ankle monitor.
Perdikakis led the Maryland Environmental Service an independent state agency, and served Baltimore County, heading the Department of Environment. He said education, public safety and the County's credit rating were priorities of his. If selected, he said he would start by sitting down with the police chief to cultivate a safer community for everyone.
Sen. Klausmeier who represents Baltimore County, said she will be sure to review the budget, improve school and county buildings, address housing needs and will make rebuilding the Key Bridge a priority. To address public safety needs, she said she would work on recruitment efforts, and would expand the cadet program to attract more first responders. She also said she would address juvenile crime by ensuring that both juveniles and police have the resources they need.
Cheikh, who is an education advocate, said if selected, she will be mindful of the County's debt to make sure tax dollars are spent wisely and with transparency. She also said she wants to address housing, transportation, education and other quality of life factors to entice residents to stay in the County. Cheikh said she wants to make sure the police force is fully staffed by focusing on recruitment and providing more incentives to officers. She also said she plans to work closely with Baltimore County Public Schools.