YES!

Continued strong support of police and fire but a new awareness of the need for reduction of spending at the County level. Property taxes had been a nice bubble during the housing bubble but now they have to be brought under control. The county can't survive if they expect to be immune from the financial realities of those working in the private sector. I suggest the Republicans focus on what is needed to control the out of control taxes and bring spending down and they will easily win in this largely tax and spend democratic county.

Let's look at the comment "tax and spend..." - the same tired phrase used over and over against Democrats and government. The function of the government is to tax and spend money for the public good. Do Republicans and Democrats really want to go without decent roads, schools, water quality, disaster assistance, law enforcement, environmental law enforcement, and so on? We may disagree strongly on the amount invested for the good of all, but in Maryland, the wealthiest state in the nation, we have a tax rate that results in better services. Most of us are doing pretty well, in fact, we could do more. Baltimore County has the second oldest infrastructure in the state after Baltimore City,and horribly overcrowded schools in Towson; children and teachers are fainting in hot classrooms with no air conditioning. We have had two Democratic County Executives who refused to spend what was needed for decent school infrastructure over the last 16 years. We need a County Executive who will fight for better funding for schools. Is Ken Holt willing to do that?

I am a registered democrat but will vote for the republican candidate for County Council. Kamenetz lied to get where he is now, so how can we trust him if he gets into office.

AI agree with Carol. I will vote the person, not the party.

@ Art Historian - where does your definition of government come from? According to what source is government's function "to tax and spend money for the public good?"

Kamenetz ran an embarrassing campaign. He should be ashamed but is not because he WON. He LOST this democrat with his classless act. Parties are meaningless now. Go HOLT. Want my yard for a sign?

The facts are clear. We do not need elected officials or candidates like Holt who have bad environmental records at a time when the Bay is dying. We also have a very fiscally conservative County government that is one of the top in the nation. Kamenetz led the way in controlling spending with no tax increases in over 20 years.

I am a republican but my vote will go to the candidate who will appoint people to the school board who will represent the people of Baltimore County in their pursuit of a quality education for their children. Enough of the candidates that play politics with our kids and contribute to the inflated ego of the superintendent and his cronies, including a couple of board members and a retired employee by not holding him to ethical behavior and great leadership. How will the candidates select board members and how will they hold them accountable for serving the children of Baltimore County? As a republican, I also want to know where the candidates for governor stand on this...I supported Ehrlich in everyt way four years ago, but his appointment of O'Hare on the board of education is enough to lose this constituent's vote. We have suffered for four years with this board member and just the thought that he would reappoint her makes me want to vote for the democrat this time. Single issue? Perhaps. But, a very important one to me and my family and many others who have had enough with Greenwood!

To comments posted above:
Given that roads, schools, police, and so on are not free, we pay for them through the government's authority to tax and spend.
On Kamenetz and others not raising taxes for over 20 years, how would your household finances look if you were paid the going rates for salaries 20 years ago? They would look a lot like Baltimore County school infrastructure in many places...completely inadequate.

Clean out the excess administrative staff throughout the Baltimore County School system and tighten up the payroll in general. Managing the money that the taxpayers have taken from them by the County Government is what the real responsibility of the County executive should be. Not catering to every buddy and special interest group that shows up for a hand out. The idea that the money is tight in the government of Baltimore County is ludicrus for anyone with eyes. Welcome to the new realities of working for the people rather than skimming off the money of the people. The Democrats are too tight to the public sector unions and we need an independent representative of the people to manage our government. Time to start taking our Government back at all levels has arrived.

The County Executive does not appoint school board members; that is done by the Governor. What we really need is to get rid of the appointment process for the school board and hold them accountable to the people through a direct election by council district. Nearly 65% of the County budget goes to the school board with no way to manage that money. Push your State elected officials to pass legislation giving the people the right to elect school board members.

[quote]

The facts are clear. We do not need elected officials or candidates like Holt who have bad environmental records at a time when the Bay is dying. We also have a very fiscally conservative County government that is one of the top in the nation. Kamenetz led the way in controlling spending with no tax increases in over 20 years.

Posted by: Victoria |

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Victoria,

You are wrong, Taxes have gone up each year, If they did not lower the tax rate to the constant yield rate than he voted to raise taxes.

I don't know about you however my property tax is too high and has been too high for years.

Keep believing the liberal lies. Spending more on schools will not make them better. Many teachers are over paid and under worked.