Two Baltimore County Councilmen think the law should bend to their wishes.
Vince Gardina (D-5) and John Olszewski (D-7) think council members should be able to hold state jobs while also serving as council members.
They propose changing the county charter to allow it. Council members are scheduled to vote on the amendment today. If passed it would go to county residents for approval.
The prohibition did not stop former Republican Councilman Wayne Skinner from working for the state throughout his four year term. Neither did it stop Gardina from working for the state prior to his being fired by then-Gov. Robert Ehrlich.
Gardina and Skinner both claimed they knew nothing of the restriction while employed with the state. And Gardina says the restriction is an “antiquated” prohibition and something no one cares about.
If that were so why do other counties, including Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George?s, also prohibit County Council members from holding state jobs and Carroll restrict the level of job one can hold while simultaneously sitting on the county council?
Conflict of interest, maybe? What happens when state interests and county interests butt heads? Are residents supposed to blindly trust council members to recuse themselves in those situations?
Changing the amendment so it would not take effect until 2010 when members? terms expire, as Gardina has proposed, does not eliminate conflict of interest problems, it just delays them.
Besides, what ever happened to the idea of the citizen legislator? Can council members really represent the people when they earn their livelihood from the authority that ultimately regulates the counties?
Councilman Kevin Kamenetz (D-2) and Joe Bartenfelder (D-6) should be applauded for opposing the proposed amendment.
As Kamenetz said, “Why are they seeking a charter change, and does it benefit them?”
Gardina and Olszewski should withdraw their proposal. The only people the amendment helps would be council members, not the people of Baltimore County.
