Seven candidates for Baltimore County Executive discussed the county’s need for housing, economic growth, and other issues on voters’ minds during a forum Wednesday at Goucher College in Towson.
Each person homed in on what they believe makes them the best of the candidates.
Focusing on his position as outsider was attorney Rob Daniels, an independent who is collecting signatures to have his name appear on the general election ballot in November.
“I don’t owe party leadership. I don’t answer special interests. My only obligation would be to you, the citizens of Baltimore County,” Daniels said.
Julian Jones, a Democratic member of the city council, spoke extensively on his past triumphs in his career.
“I have a proven track record of leadership, accomplishments and experience to lead Baltimore County to a more prosperous place,” Jones said.
“I’ve always been community centered,” said Izzy Patoka, another Democratic member of the city council. He focused on his efforts in office, including authoring and managing major bills and budgets.
The final Democratic council member running for the office is Pat Young. He focused on more direct representation and service.
“In my 11 years of experience, we have only lost our way when we haven’t included the public in decision-making processes that affect them most,” Young said.
“What we need is ethics. We need morality. We need people to do the right thing when they’re in power,” said Mansoor Shams, an outsider Democratic candidate with experience as a Marine and Muslim community advocate.
Nick Stewart, another outsider Democratic candidate, highlighted his plan as a new beginning for the county.
“If you want a county that has a fresh start, that has new ideas, that’s affordable and inclusive and modern, and someone with a plan to get there, that is what we are offering,” Stewart said.
“We need to make sure that everyone is comfortable in Baltimore County, that we provide what our basic needs are,” said Kimberly Stansbury, a Republican and the only woman running for the county’s top position. A long-time county resident, Stansbury concentrated on family and community.
Patrick V. Dyer, another Republican running for county executive, did not participate in the forum.
The biggest discussion at the forum was about the housing crisis and plans for development.
Stansbury warned against “irresponsible development” and proposed a dashboard to show development.
“Pay-to-play politics has been the enemy of development in our county for generations,” Daniels said.
Shams mirrored this opinion, calling out council members Patoka and Jones for donations made to their campaigns by land development LLCs.
Young critiqued the “laissez-faire” approach to development and insider-access relationships from the past.
Patoka and Jones spoke heavily about transit-oriented development of metro stations, specifically at Lutherville Station. Patoka called it a “strong project” and said there are also great opportunities for housing initiatives at places like the Milford Mill metro station and the Old Court metro station.
Patoka, Stansbury, Daniels and Stewart all talked about major reform in permitting, approvals and inspections.
“On top of all this, we have to push back against NIMBYism and other ‘isms’ that keeps us from having the dialogues of one another that unlock prosperity in this county,” Stewart said. Mansoor echoed that statement.
There were discussions about economic growth, with Patoka wanting to create an “Office of Community Conservation.”
Candidates also discussed education in the county. Stansbury wants to bring shop class back and to “give every student a taste of electrical [and] plumbing.”
Young talked about connecting kids in schools with real careers.
“We have to get into schools early and talk to students about the oppurtunities that present themselves right now,” he said.
The primary election will take place June 23, with early voting beginning June 11.
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