John Lee

1 week ago | wypr.org | John Lee

Former Baltimore City Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young is joining opponents of a plan to divvy up Baltimore County into nine council districts, saying it is gerrymandered. Young is weighing in because he now lives in the county and he doesn’t like what the proposed plan would do to his neighborhood. Young lives in Greenleigh which is in the same council district as Middle River, White Marsh and Perry Hall. A new redistricting map would slide Greenleigh into another district that includes Rosedale.

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

A year ago, the path to Eastern Baltimore County’s Rocky Point, one of the most scenic spots in the county, was crumbling and eroding. Now there is an accessible trail that takes you to the water’s edge. Rick Fiorita,with his wife Kitty at his side, was making his way up the gently sloping trail, trying it out for the first time. It wasn’t easy. Fiorita had a stroke last year on the couple’s 42nd wedding anniversary. His doctor wants him to walk half an hour a day.

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

A Baltimore County employee used a county car when helping a relative, Congressman Johnny Olszewski, run for political office. A report released Tuesday by Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan did not name Olszewski or the employee but WYPR has confirmed through a former campaign aide that it was the former county executive’s campaign. The aide declined to comment, saying Madigan’s report speaks for itself.

2 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

The future of a controversial affordable housing project in East Towson again hangs in the balance. Baltimore County is considering giving the developer of Red Maple Place an additional $2 million loan. The proposed loan would be in addition to a $2.1 million loan the county approved in 2019. However, the county council will need to approve the additional loan and it is unclear what might happen to the project if the council votes it down. The project is in Council Chairman Mike Ertel’s district.

3 weeks ago | wypr.org | John Lee

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said Friday that the open search for an inspector general will continue, although a majority of county council members say they will only confirm the current IG. In a statement, Klausmeier said she has named a five-member Inspector General Selection Panel to evaluate the 23 people who have applied for the position.