Uh oh!

Councilman Marks, just look who was on top of the table and who was under it - so to speak.

Someone has to be a friend of labor. Judging by the jobless figures these people will need a lot of friends.

I was glad to see you didn't tow the administration line.

I also like the fact that you hang out with us middle class folks and talk with us. That alone speaks volumes, like that time at the county wide Police Community Relations Bull Roast where you were the only councilman to show up.

Councilman Marks, speaking of labor, it seems that Mr. Vontran is looking for more work in Dundalk.

http://dundalkeagle.com/component/content/article/26-front-page/40188-developer-proposes-swapping-seagrams-to-county

Nice job if you can get it. Wants to build a new Government Center, along with owning a prime piece of real estate in our district.

I guess the Yorkway project is not enough to keep him busy. He still has a lot of work down there to do.

I'm just not sure of the job qualifications.

http://citypaper.com/news/cashed-out-1.1070788

You might want to keep your eye on this one.

Yeah, I do get upset when a the politicians and the politically connected use taxpayers money to do their deals. Speaking of which, how did you know about a sealed bid process on Yorkway?

In the business world the developer is supposed to be the one taking the risk vs. reward, not the taxpayers. I don't hate Vontran, John or anyone else. I do hate the system that allows this type of fleecing of the use of our tax dollars.

If Vontran wanted to build on Yorkway, why didn't he purchase the land? Why did the county put up the money, not only to buy it but also to tear it down? Since when is the county in the business of doing the job of developers.

My question who is Matthew? Are you from the DRC, Johnny's staff, or do you work for Mr. Vontran.

Before you accuse me of hating someone there should be full disclosure.

Ask John why he called me to keep me away from the DRC meeting with a promise of a one on one sit down to clear the air. Never heard from him again. Look at the names in the Eagle's article - members of the DRC and others who march to the beat of the political establishment.

That project on Dundalk is a long way from being finished and how many years has it been.

The next time you put up the $22 million and I won't say a word.

I read about it in The Examiner (Washington) quite awhile ago. The fact that it was a sealed-bid isn't exactly top secret. As a community member, I was concerned about the price tag as well. You are not alone in that regard. I just see the other side of it.

I don't see him the same way as I see a guy like Frank Scarfield; he was a shady thief. I see someone who is investing in Dundalk; and rightfully making a profit doing it. I wish the profit was less when my dollars are involved, but I can live with it. I'm tired of going to White Marsh and Canton every time I want something. Whether it's a house or shopping, he/his company are addressing both. Do you think developers elsewhere aren't making bank? That's why they do it.

I'm not a politician and don't want to be one; you want to call someone, call them yourself. Maybe they didn't call you back for a reason. Ask them.

I'd think a former candidate for office would want to see new homes and shopping in Dundalk. Especially while eyesores like Seagrams, the government center (hopefully), and the Yorkway Apartments disappear in the process. You can't have it all.

I don't care who he is. Give me a Target and a couple chain restaurants down the street. And PS-if you get upset when politicians use taypayer money, no wonder you are always angry. That's was government does. It uses taxpayer money to improve quality of life; less responsibly sometimes than others, but the game is the game my friend.

Mathew I have no problem with progress in Dundalk or anywhere else in this county. I don't care how much developers make. It is the nature of the business, the American way, RISK VS REWARD! Can you imagine what would happen to the county budget based on the ratio regarding the Yorkway deal. Do the math.

If you concur with that, then you must have skipped an economics class or two or three.

You mention Frank Scarfield. Do you know the relationship between Mr. Scarfield and Mr. Vontran? For now I'll leave that part out of the equation.

Your quote of "PS-if you get upset when politicians use taxpayer money," is one that requires a response. Do you know how the deficit, the interest on the deficit and the debt and how it relates to the security of this nation?

"It uses taxpayer money to improve quality of life;" That is correct but the question is whose life does it improve?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/13/solyndra-asks-judge-for-500000-employee-bonuses-bankruptcy_n_1204687.html

And last but not least your quote of, "but the game is the game my friend."

Thank God you don't control the purse strings of the taxpayers or we all would be in the bread line.

Thanks to David Marks for breaking the stereotype of politics and using his head. Why should the Baltimore Council Council legislate what is intended to be done in Labor Negotiations. Some of the executive salaries are outrageous in Baltimore County Government and we already know about the double dipping into the same Baltimore County Pension Pot by Baltimore County Executives-level employees.

Thanks for David Marks and his committment to be a legislator and not just another politician. He saw the legislation for what it was and acted responsibly based on the issue and not the political ramifications. Perhaps the other 6 members can learn from his example. By the way it would be great to have a Target and a few places to eat in Dundalk!

I heard that the real issue is that Marks committed a yes vote and then flipped again. Obviously not good for his word, which is the currency in the political arena.

My guess is that Marks looked at the facts, and made the right and noble decision in the issue. Kamenetz was willing to throw the working stiffs of this county under the bus in order to "balance" his budget. Oh, if only all our elected officials had the integrity of David Marks.
He has supported most of Kamenetz's plans, but not this one.
Calmdown, you have shown yourself to attack anyone who doesn't tow the county Executive's line with childish, schoolyard names. So, your declarations don't carry much weight in these discussions.

I made no such promise. Funny how "Calmdown" just routinely parrots whatever talking points some in the administration want us to hear.

Councilman Marks, I had dealings with him a while back and he screamed that I was picking on him when the issue was he just could not get his facts straight.

To me, facts in the form of documents, settle agreements. signatures, audits, memos and campaign finance reports are crucial in any debate with this administration.

My file cabinets are overflowing between what the administration wants us to hear and what should be heard.

It's been a while but I remember a certain person I debated with entered a Patch contest where he knew not only the names but which one was a painting and which one was photo involving the the faces lining the executive's hallway.

He forgot I had spent some time up there also during my career going back to Anderson.

Should be an interesting time with Fort Howard, Seagrams and the Government Center.