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—– By: Ann Costantino —–
Candidates for several Baltimore County offices participated in a candidate forum on Tuesday at the Glen Meadows Retirement Community in Glen Arm. As the evening wrapped up, county executive candidates, Al Redmer, Jr. (R) and Johnny Olszewski, Jr. (D), took to the stage to make their cases to the retirement community.
The Baltimore Post asked a single question of each candidate:
“I have done a bit of reporting on what has become known as a pay-to-play culture in Baltimore County. Many of my readers have lost faith in county leadership and feel that, for years, county leaders have been beholden to developers. Mr. Redmer/Dr. Olszewski, to whom would you be beholden and can you speak to the culture of pay-to-play and how you are and will be different?”
Here are the highlights:
“I will be beholden to you,” Redmer said. “And I talk about this all the time. County government is run through cronyism, fear, intimidation and retribution. Don’t take my word for it. Go and talk to any county employee you know…” Redmer continued, “The employees in Baltimore County are not only ready for change, trust me, they are desperate for change, and it’s the cronyism of development that encouraged me to seek public office to be begin with. “
Olszewski said, “I will be beholden to the citizens of Baltimore County and I’m proud to have put forward a reform agenda that will end any pay-to-play culture, will end those concerns.” Olszewski continued, “It starts with the campaign side. I’m the only candidate who has called for a public finance option in how we actually elect members of the Baltimore County Council and county executive candidates.”
Click on the audio bars below to hear the candidates’ full answers.
Al Redmer, Jr:
Johnny Olszewski, Jr:
