It’s been six months since I was sworn in as the County Council Member representing District 3. After forty years representing many of you in the Maryland House of Delegates, I have found the differences between the two legislative bodies to be profound.
****Concerning Openness and Transparency****
During the 2014 campaign for Council, the most important commitment I made to each of you – the people of the Third District – was to work to make County Government more Open and Transparent and to inform my constituents of the issues before the Council.
During my time in the Maryland House of Delegates, I worked hard to keep my constituents informed on issues before the Legislature by sending out information to over 7,500 constituents via email. After transferring the email addresses from the State of Maryland System, we were back online two months after I took office in December 2014. Many constituents have commented that this is the first time that they have received such detailed and helpful information on Council activities, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to begin to deliver on this commitment.
After two months on the Council, I was shocked to find out that the Council Website DID NOT provide the Agenda for the Council Work Sessions (public hearings). It does now, and of course that’s one more step towards the transparency that I promised each of you.
My next goal is to expand opportunities for public input on bills before the Council. Currently, legislation that becomes controversial cannot be Special Ordered in order to give the Council, the citizenry and interested parties an opportunity to resolve outstanding issues. The County Charter mandates that Legislation is limited to a 40 day life. Due to other requirements, the Work Sessions are held approximately 29 days after introduction and the final vote is just six days later, thus providing no opportunity to delay the consideration of legislation. I have been working on plans designed to address this problem, and look forward to sharing the progress I make with you in future updates and reports.
*****Council Members are entitled to a County Car, Cell phone and receive a salary of $63,500 – $8,500 above last terms salary*****
If elected, I promised not to take the car, cell phone or the salary increase. I have not taken the car or cell phone and have donated my salary increase to a local charity.
Thank you for trusting me with this task. I look forward to continuing to deliver on the promises I’ve made to each of you.
Sincerely,
Wade
Thank you for the update – I have sent responses (comments about the legislation) to your emails in the past but have heard anything back – do you get the emails (or are the filtered via someone)?
Any status update on Baltimore County Animal “Control”
Dawn Zeigler
Keep up the good work. It is appreciated more than you know.
Thank you so much for continuing to serve us well.
And what about the back-door deal that is commercializing RC-8 land for the benefit of two people at the expense of so many others? Surely not my definition of “transparency”!
Wade, I have been a resident of Baltimore County for over 70 years and have worked for and with many public servants throughout my career as an educator. Not one has kept her or her constituents as well informed as you. Please keep up the great work that you are doing! My family and I deeply thank you. Andy Dotterweich
Wade,
Thank you, too, for your presence at our Greater Sunmer Hill Association Board or Directors meeting a few months ago.
Kathleen Walther
I loved you when you were my state delegate and my feelings haven’t changed. Thanks so much for looking after my hometown. Transparency and communication are the key and you realized that long ago!
Hi Wade,
I am pretty certain your actions on the salary, car and cell phone must be a bit irritating to your fellow council members. How many others, if any followed your lead? I would also like to know who approves the items mentioned? Keep up the great work. Your time and efforts do not go without notice and appreciation.
Don Tate
Wade – thanks for the update. Could you please advise when the BCAS Animal Commission will begin its work? People have been appointed but it seems the meetings of this group have not begun. Any insight you could offer as to when the work of this group will begin would be great. Thanks.