Cluster: Fred Homan Needs To Go
A state delegate is calling for the ouster of arguably the most powerful non-elected official in Baltimore County government.
Del. John Cluster, a Parkville Republican, said Thursday that County Administrative Officer Fred Homan is costing county taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in pursuing "frivolous lawsuits" involving the Fraternal Order of Police.
"It's not a good expenditure of taxpayer money," said Cluster. "How many other of these cases is personal?"
Cluster, a retired police officer and former member of the department's tactical team, said he raised concerns about the number of lawsuits the county has lost in recent months during a meeting Wednesday with County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.
The next day, U.S. District Court Judge Benson Everett Legg ordered the county to pay more than $500,000 in attorney and court fees related to a lawsuit filed by retired police Det. William Blake.
"The Blake case is a perfect example of how these lawsuits are costing the county more money," said Cluster. "How much money is this going to continue to cost the county?"
Cluster said the conversation with the county executive was amicable but that Kamenetz laid off concerns as a personal issue between Homan and the Fraternal Order of Police.
"If Fred Homan can't separate personal and business, then it's time for him to go," Cluster, said.
Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, who represents the same district as Cluster, was also in attendance. The Perry Hall Democrat said Kamenetz and Cluster discussed the lawsuits and Fred Homan but did not provide details of the conversation.
Del. Joseph Boteler, a Parkville Republican from the same district was also in attendance, did not return calls from a reporter seeking comment.
Don Mohler, a spokesman for the executive, also attended the meeting but declined to provide details.
"These meetings are meant to be confidential so that everyone is free to speak openly," said Mohler.
Homan, a 34-year veteran of the county, was hired in 1978 as a management assistant. In 1989, he was named budget director by then-County Executive Dennis Rasmussen.
Homan later became director of the Office of Budget and Finance when the two departments were merged under then-County Executive Dutch Ruppersberger. During his time in that position, Homan's name became synonymous with the department he oversaw and Old Courthouse insiders frequently referred to the department as "the Office of Fred."
In 2007, Homan was appointed county administrative officer by then-County Executive Jim Smith—a position that by County Charter is responsible for the day-to-day operations of county government. Some insiders refer to county government operations as "Fred's World."
The county has lost a number of lawsuits in the last two years.
Most recently, the county entered into a consent decree with 10 police and fire department employees who had similar complaints about being subjected to unlawful medical examinations and tests. The court-ordered resolution of those cases cost the county about $500,000.
The settlement with the Department of Justice included additional oversight by the federal agency.
Three other employees who were not involved in the settlement have since filed suit for similar reasons.
Court Reporter
5:31 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
That's funny, because everything I hear and observe says that Arnold Jablon is the most powerful person now, not Fred.
JBC
11:11 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Court, my friends in Towson tell me conflicting things when it comes to those two, although they all seem to agree that you don't want to piss off either one if you want work with or for the county in any capacity.
Buck Harmon
6:00 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
If everyone would simply do their job properly, perceived power would not be an issue...who the hell allows power to play Baltimore County politics..?
Remove power and replace it with public service..
Bart
9:31 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Great idea, Buck....if only!
Royal Cup
7:08 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
So Cluster goes to a private meeting and then blabs about the meeting to the press. What a classy guy. I hope you took a shower afterward John. If I were County Executive that would be the last meeting you ever had with me.
Moe green
6:03 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
And why did cluster retire from the police department?
Was it a medical?
Anything to do with an incident at the old bata shoe factory and a training detail that went bad?
Ask cluster or look into the details
Lablover
8:01 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Royal Cup, I don't think Delegate Cluster gave out any "specifics" but was speaking in general terms. Either way Mr. Kamenetz doesn't have the courage to let Mr. Homan go. Mr. Homan has wasted way too much county money. Mr. Kamenetz just turns a blind eye to Mr. Homan's ruthless and vindictive treatment of county employees. I wonder how Mr. Kamenetz would feel if he or a member of his family was treated in such a way? But he doesn't really care now, does he, he's got his double pension to look forward too!
Buzz Beeler
11:21 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
He Moe, I rather hear about the secret meeting between Homan and Burger. I hope they left the desk in order and didn't mess up any county papers like the $21 million he lost on the pension scandal.
Geoffrey Atkinson
8:49 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Why does this mans position have the authority to start litigation? Seems that only an elected official should be able to do that.
MC
10:24 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Hey Cluster. maybe you should worry about how poorly the state of Maryland Is run and maybe get some pointers fro Homan. Last I saw, the county is in the 1% of counties with a "aaa" bond rating, so ole Mr Homan must be doing something right.
Jim
2:29 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
John Cluster is doing his job in Annapolis! Perhaps you need to address the doing the job properly with the O'Malley puppets, and rubber stamps delagates, and senators that lack both backbone, and ability to think for themselves!
FIFA_archived
10:41 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Homan has a lot of dirt on a lot of public officials and they are scared. The only dirtier thing than the public officials is Homan.
Steve
11:42 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
"Del. John Cluster, a Parkville Republican" and "Cluster, a retired police officer"
What was he supposed to say?
Jimmy
4:47 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Fred and his cut-throat tactics have been the downfall of many a good man/woman in both the Police and Fire Departments. And someone mentioned Jablon...between the two of them they could be the dirtiest employees of the county. Get rid of them both, and every county employee would be alot happier...and what do you get with a happy employee...better and more work. It's a win-win for the county.
Buzzed Out
6:42 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's hard to believe that the County employees could be any happier since they're the only municipality in the state to not suffer any layoff or furlough days. Keep talking about the poor fiscal management that allows that to continue...But people like you and the unions forget that fact when they're at the negotiating table and just ask for more benefits. Who's really wasting the taxpayers money?
Larry
11:44 pm on Sunday, December 2, 2012
Every time an County employee challenges the County by filing a law suit, they win. Someone in the County is making very poor decisions and costing the County taxpayers money. Fix it. I've seen it first hand. I worked for BCo for over 30 years.
Buzz Beeler
11:29 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Yeah MC he is doing something but it ain't right. If he's so smart why are they borrowing money from the pension system. This is only act one. I like the scene when Humpty Dumpty falls off the horse or wall.
Seems like the FEDS don't like the way he does business either.
The man should have been fired a long time ago but there is no leadership in the county.
Buzz Beeler
11:33 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Lasrry the county has no leadership. If they did Homan would have been fired a long time ago like that firefighter said in Bryan's article.
Jim
2:30 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Buzz, you are exactly right. The county, like the state is a rudderless boat running on a course for disaster!
MC
4:06 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Homan's pretty damn smart if he got rid of you. I think it t's pretty funny the man crush you have on him. Almost like you are looking for a date.
Buzz Beeler
7:32 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
MC I don't think so. Pension scandal, ADA scandal, law suit after law suit that the county winds up losing. Not a good track record.
My best guess he knows enough but not all the right things (except in his black book) that provide his job security. No other person would have survived the famous encounter in the county office building.
If the right candidate comes along Kamenetz could lose. The economy will not improve enough for him to survive a backlash. The county faces some tough times ahead under Kamenetaz's watch. Homan will be like an albatross around his neck.
I've got some really good blogs coming up on the administration so how cold he be so smart getting rid of me. He gave me a new life. I wonder how his ex feels about that?
Buzzed Out
6:37 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Really Buzz? Your new life consists of what? Several failed attempts to enter County politics, a website with a hilarious, picture of yourself (I love the air brushed arms in the Chuck Norris wannabe pose) and posting on Patch but only when you can criticize someone else because of your low self esteem or whine about your justifiable dismissal from the County... That's some life, I bet all the readers are envious.
Floyd Rose
11:32 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
I notice all of you with the exception of a few are missing the point. Mr. Homan is wasting the taxpayers money and if I am not mistaken, it is Delegate Cluster's job to look after the taxpayer. You have to ask yourself-----how many cases has he filed against the police and fire departments and how many has he won? By attacking the representatives it doesn't change the facts.
Floyd
Buzz Beeler
11:43 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Floyd, good to hear from you. Good comment.
Buzz Beeler
7:20 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I feel like I'm talking to myself. When I ran for council, if you remember that was of the areas I targeted and the reason was because there is no government on this planet that can sustain those kinds of pension deals.
The pendulum not only swung the other way it crashed through the wall of fiscal accountability. It is insane to pay $180,000 pensions plus DROP MONEY IN THE MILLIONS TO ONE PERSON.
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Articles/2012/10/pension%20costs%20local%20finances%20gordon/pension%20costs%20local%20finances%20gordon.pdf
You are speaking in the present tense and it's the future that will sink the ship. Why are your teeth gnashing? Could it be those subpenas and the broadening scope of the investigation upsetting your tummy.
There is more going on than you think. As far as painting my arms I don't have a air brush, just weights - heavy ones!
Dundalkwatchdog
11:05 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I think with all these personal attacks we are missing the big picture. As a citizen and taxpayer of Baltimore County I applaud the delegate for telling us about the meeting. Remember they work for us, and they answer to us, so why should they be having private meetings anyway. If my representative is afraid to speak out on my behalf unless it is in a private meeting, then he not getting my vote again.