Sorry - I can't get past the photo of Jamie Benoit. It looks like a mug shot!

LOL Thea and Jerry Walker's looks like he took it himself with a camera phone for Facebook. Can't Patch get better pics of our public officials? But on the subject of the story, the LAST thing we need is for the highly-political County Council to be involved in legal settlements. That's the executive branch's business. I can't imagine when I was working for the federal government, if we had to run our legal settlements through the Congress. Seems like we already have the appropriate legal and financial executive officials reviewing these proposals. If the County Council doesn't like their decisions, they can always hold them publicly accountable. It's called oversight.

^^^^ Yep, looks like you took them with a cereal box

Yeah, some of us think they look goofy and amateurish. What's wrong with their official photos at http://www.aacounty.org/CountyCouncil/index.cfm?

I did not mean to offend. Mainly the expression on Jamie Benoit's face makes him look like he is about to slug someone. I found it amusing, actually.

Ok, dude. It's your site. Thanks for writing the article. Always good to know what are Councilmembers are getting into.

Anyway, thanks for the laugh - I really needed it after some of the bizarre incidents in and around Odenton lately!

I think the photos match the elected officials, thank you, they are idiots and power grabbers and I hope the public sees them for what they are....the photos help that cause thanks!

Just a couple thoughts. I fully agree that if a county official is found guilty of misconduct then he/she clearly should pay any penalties and all county incurred expenses with the trial. As to court ordered settlements, or other legal actions because of zoning, or other legitimate, decisions the council should probably stay out of the process. After the dust settles they may want to change the law that caused the case dispute.

On the photographs they are fine and would look good at the Post Office or on a milk carton.

Isn't this is what judges and juries are for? I don't trust these folks to make legal decisions.

Pictures aside, why didn't some of you nit pickers comment on the CHARTER ammendments? The REAM ACT is going to cost lots of money and more importantly lots of undeserved "favors" that will mitigate our Constitution & Bill of Rights as never before. This should have never have gotten on the ballot and will cloud the real issue it addresses.

The Self Insurance Committee are all employees appointed by the County Exec and serve at his pleasure (It seems as if all county employees serve at his pleasure). They are not going to represent anybodies interest in this matter but Leopold's.

Benoit and Walker dont want council to have a say at the union barganing table but they do want a say in Leopold's settlement. A contradiction that makes their political motives all the more transparent.

Wait---I thought Walker was a conservative republican. Did he change parties or just get bought out by the unions?

Mug shot for the union thug. Benoit claims executive has too much power. If this isnt a powergrab then what is? He wants judicial power on top of legislative power.

There's a reason why Jamie Benoit's picture looks like a mug shot....because it probably is. That guy is more crooked than Lombard Street.

Obviously the County Council wouldn't be able to overrule the ruling of a judge or jury. Any award ordered by a court would have to be paid and couldn't be subject to County Council approval. But I agree the County Council should have oversight over Leopold's appointees being able to unilaterally make the decision to settle a case out of court to avoid going before a judge and jury. If Leopold tells them to pay off those he wronged with a confidential settlement, his appointees wills say "yes sir." This is the government, and these are not state secrets. There should be transparency.

Frank, Jeff seems a little critical. You might suggest that he can upload additional pics of the councilman with his camera, in order that we many critique his efforts at photo journalism.

A good journalist goes out and gets the story. Sure you get use the standard government photos, and sometimes that is necessary, but you always don't capture their expressions which is a story in itself.

Too many reporters rely on press releases to write their articles and this is not, in my opinion journalism and that includes taking photos.

So if a councilman is accused of sexual harassment then he would have a say with his collegues on the settlement responsibility. Just as I dont want the executive's staff deciding settlements when he is under consideration, I dont want council, a political body, having a say.

Have the courts appoint an independent legal team to do settlements that involve elected officials and their appointees, just like they do to investigate the president and his appointees. There has to be a better way than giving politicians legal authority like this. Are we still living in America?

Thank you Danny D for pointing out Rep Club President Leahy's contradiction. Does the Severna Park Rep Women's Club vote and endorse her hatred for Leopold to the point of supporting legislation that goes against Madison's three branches of government? There needs to be an independent board, similar to Personnel dept, that is independent of all of these politicians. Leahy's blatent disreguard for legitimate government organization that respects our constitution makes me ashamed to be a republican women living in Severna Park. She will never speak for me and needs to resign.

Benoit and Walker voted against tax payer representation in union contracts but are excited to give the taxpayers a "say" in rare legal settlements? If that isnt politics at its worst, I dont know what is. I am shocked that Leahy would put aside our constitution in the name of doing walker a favor. I agree that we need to have a different group, like Personnel Dept is set up, to ajunicate these settlements. Benoit and Walker need to change it to reflect genuine judicial authority (ie independt body) or withdraw this constitutional contradiction.

Maybe if Leahy actually read the legislation she comments on she would understand the frustration we have in this contradiction. Why would the president of a political club comment so irresponsibly without reading the legislation? And she organizes demonstrations, fundraisers and letter writing campaigns for republicans? How can we, as republicans follow a leader that is quick to dismiss our constitution and doesnt even do her homework on the important issues we face. No more money going to SPRWC I can guarentee you that!

Although these cases may go thru a full judicial process, most of these cases dont. I think the independent body is the best idea I have heard in a long time. The ethics commission and Personnel Dept are two great examples to model. May need to have law license to qualify and similar requirements of the group, but better than chucking the balances of power of our three branches for the apparent politics going on with these two councilmen. Disappointing to see a republican club president make a fool of herself like that. I guess republican fools run amuck in AACO. Our circus council, McConkey, Leopold......now the club leadership.

You can't have the fox watching the hen house.

Yep, Buzz. Agreed. I like the ethics commission model best. Good idea. This legislation is not bi-partisian Leahy, it is a powergrab by two democrats. And before you correct me, Walker may be a registered republican, but when it looks like a liberal, votes like a liberal, responds like a liberal, it IS a liberal. Vote records dont lie and his NO TAX PLEDGE signature does. Leahy needs to rethink supporting a liberal like Walker. It does nothing for our party's credibility. Admitting you didnt even read the legislation -- YOWZA!

@ Sara J - who said anything about Madison, supposed hatred of Leopold, an independent board or the Constitution? My comments specifically addressed whether or not county taxpayers should foot the bill if Leopold is found guilty and has to pay a large settlement. Period.

I did not say anything about the rest of what was mentioned in the story. I apologize if my comments seemed inconsistent because I did not disagree with any other part of the legislation that was reported on. So I'll say that I do not agree the County Council should be involved in approving legal settlements (or not). We saw how well the county council handled the Riverdale Baptist Church issue (tongue in cheek on that one).

The opinion I expressed regarding who should be footing the bill for the settlement (if there is one) I believe is pretty consistent with Republican values as far as being good stewards of the taxpayer's money.

To be very clear, my comments are my own and do not reflect any of the Republican clubs in the area, the Republican Central Committee or the MDGOP.

Pelosi -- I mean Leahy, wants Vitale to replace Leopold. Vitale/Walker signs were all over Crofton in 2010. The connect is obvious, I think. This legislation on the surface protects the taxpayers. In reality, it does not. I hope the other councilmen can see thru these political opportunists. I vote for the ethics model too!

Hey Pelosi, try reading legislation before commenting on it. There are gaps and constitutional power issues all over that legislation. Blindly supporting legislation because it claims to save taxpayers is exactly why us republicans fail to score a goal when given the ball. Support of RESPONSIBLE legislation is what we need. Not politically motivated junk legislation with mindless party supporters behind it. Although the need for reform is real, backing the first train coming to the platform is NOT the way I, as a Republican, respond to ANY legislation, claimed pro taxpayer or not. You had a chance as a republican leader to say something intelligent. Instead you focused on anti-Leopold attacks and Benoit/Walker political doublespeak. Real leadership is informed and yes, when you speak in a public forum w/ your name prominent, you leave the readers to think your club thinks the way you do. Next time, start off by disclaiming your comments as independent and please please, try READING the legislation next time. Stupid is as stupid does.........

Small Businessman, thank you. What judge is going to convict the party that put them in power?

Baltimore County has not been investigated since the days of Anderson. That sends a message.

I believe Madison is who crafted the balance of power between branches of government. If his principles are not relevant to the powers of our executive and legislative branch, then who is? Leahy, you like to put your Republican Club title on photoes, articles, and interviews. Full disclosure is not a high, unrealistic expectation of you. The Patch editor should flag comments or disclaim them for the readers when political leaders are commenting. SPRWC is a part of the MDGOP. I assume Alex Mooney is speaking as the MDGOP, not as himself when he comments. Neither should you. Republicans in AACO need to be minding their P's and Q's, now more than ever and off path goes the leader of one of the largest, most active republican clubs in the state. REALLY?

Barbara, principles have little to do in politics. The longevity of power does. Thus a independent outside source should decide these issues.

If you'll notice Patch runs numerous blogs by government officials and you cannot censure their comments. If they choose to practice disclosure in the comments section better for them. Full disclosure at their convenience or benefit.

So where are these bills - or legislation - posted in order to read them? I couldn't find them on the county council website.

That would be government transparancy at its finest. I had to call the council secretary to get the draft before the councilmeeting. It should be on the website now that it is introduced. Council likes to get their story in before the actual language. Trusting Benoit and Walker to tell you it is constitutional and all they put in the bill is never a good idea. Neither are people of their word. They say one thing and do another. Moreso than the others I think. They are dangerous together. I think patch should reuse these pictures. They are more revealing than their glam shots.