Smith, Bell face off at forum

At their first public appearance together Wednesday night, Republican Baltimore County executive candidate Clarence Bell wasted no time attacking Democratic incumbent Jim Smith. Smith repeatedly ignored Bell?s requests for debates and attended few prior candidates? forums, he said. “I?ve made it to all the ones I?ve been invited to,” Bell said. “He disrespected the process.”

Aside from a few other zingers ? including a comment about Smith?s $2 million payment to a country club to restrict development ? relatively generic questions produced a cordial forum organized by the county?s League of Women Voters.