County Executive James T. Smith Jr.
400 Washington Avenue
Old Courthouse Mezzanine
Towson, Maryland 21204
410-887-2450
E-mail Address: jimsmith@baltimorecountymd.gov
Dear Friends of Baltimore County,
The year 2008 will be remembered as one that was full of challenges for people in communities across Baltimore County. As we all know, our nation is in the midst of a financial crisis. Just four months ago, the federal government had to step in to prevent the collapse of some of our country’s largest financial institutions.
And two months after that, a second bailout was needed to prevent the collapse of our nation’s automotive industry, long the backbone of the American economy. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the Obama administration has already identified the need for yet another stimulus package as its first order of business.
Baltimore County, like other jurisdictions across the state and across the nation, faces a very difficult economic landscape, but we are taking important steps to overcome the most challenging obstacles. We will continue to focus on the three priorities that have guided us for six years: Families Come First; Safeguarding Our Communities; and Baltimore County Works.
We are committed to taking care of those who are in the most need of help to weather this crisis. In November, the County Council approved my request for additional funding for the Department of Social Services—funding that will help get families food stamps in a more timely manner. This is a sad but necessary step because we are seeing an increasing demand for this service with many applications from people who have never applied before. The Council also approved additional funding for loan counselors who will help families stay in their homes and avoid home foreclosure.
Crime in Baltimore County is at a 20-year low, and we will continue to support our outstanding Baltimore County Police Department with the tools and technology that they need to maintain that trend. Tools like automated license plate readers help our officers identify stolen vehicles and facilitate their return to their rightful owners. And we continue to work with neighboring jurisdictions throughout our state to find ways to use technology to solve crimes and respond to emergencies as quickly and effectively as possible.
Never has it been more important for us to support economic development that brings more good jobs into this region. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, across the nation, the number of unemployed has increased by more than 2.7 million since December of 2007. Fortunately, Baltimore County and the State of Maryland are not seeing such drastic job declines. Maryland continues to have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country - 5.3 percent, far below the national unemployment rate of 6.7 percent. Maryland’s highly trained work force and its ability to attract high tech jobs as a result of BRAC, continues to provide a glimmer of hope in contrast to a very gloomy national picture.
Baltimore County alone is home to over 430,000 workers in a metropolitan region with a highly skilled workforce of 1,408,000. This is a very interconnected region - where nearly half of the employees working in the County commute from surrounding jurisdictions to work in Baltimore County, and half of County residents commute to other jurisdictions to work. Our interconnected metro region makes it possible for Baltimore County businesses to attract employees from the highly educated greater Baltimore/Washington community. And the diversity of the region is reflected in the diversity of our businesses, ensuring that our economy is not reliant on any single industry.
As we enter 2009, Baltimore County is well positioned to meet the significant challenges that face us. We will maintain our tradition of fiscal responsibility. This has been and will continue to be the foundation of Baltimore County’s success and our high quality of life. During a financial crisis such as this, it is not easy for government to provide fiscal stability and necessary services; however, it is our responsibility to do just that. During the upcoming Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session, we will work together with Governor Martin O’Malley and the legislature to keep Maryland on the path to fiscal stability and continue our commitment to keeping our schools strong and our neighborhoods safe.
In 2009, we will celebrate the 350th anniversary of Baltimore County’s founding. It will be a challenging year, but it will not be the first challenging year in our history of growing prosperity. That is why I am confident that there is no obstacle the people of Baltimore County cannot overcome.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year,
Jim Smith
Baltimore County Executive
Revised December 31, 2008
Courthouse 