Quirk's 'Talk' Not Exactly As Advertised
Despite the advance publicity, Councilman Tom Quirk likely won't have anything earth shattering to say about a controversial Owings Mills development or come out against council courtesy on zoning issues.
"About 95 percent of my talk will be focused on the budget and fiscal issues facing the county," said Quirk, after being asked about the talk and what he might say.
"I guess because (the topic) is being promoted in the headlines, I'll touch on it," he said.
Quirk is scheduled to speak Thursday morning before the Greater Baltimore Economic Forum during a breakfast at Five Farms Country Club near Timonium. The event is organized by Robert Latshaw, a commercial real estate broker in Towson and former member of the Baltimore County Planning Board.
But the talk was being promoted Wednesday as an address about zoning decisions being left in the hands of one council member, as opposed to being handled countywide by members of the group Say No To Solo Cup.
"We trust Councilman Quirk is an honorable public servant," the group wrote in an email Wednesday. "We look forward to hearing Councilman Quirk’s views, but no media is allowed at the event and guests will be charged over $50 to hear Tom discuss these community matters. We are hopeful that Councilman Quirk will share his views about community involvement with all of us, and not just a select few."
Latshaw was not immediately available but the media has been allowed to attend the breakfast meetings in the past.
Quirk's views, however, on the Solo Cup proposal and councilmanic courtesy aren't exactly surprising.
Developer Greenberg Gibbons wants to redevelop the vacant Solo Cup plant into a retail center that is anchored by Wegman's.
The project is opposed by a group called Say No to Solo Cup as well as the developer of the Metro Centre at Owings Mills.
Quirk said he is involved in talking to Councilman Ken Oliver about the Metro Centre project and a bill that would lift zoning restrictins on it and with Councilwoman Vicki Almond, who represents the district that includes the Solo Cup property.
"I'm a big believer in focusing on the issues in southwest Baltimore County and my own zoning issues," said Quirk. "I think each councilmember knows their own districts best and they are accountable to the voters in those districts."
Quirk said he continues to support the policy of councilmanic courtesy in which members typically defer to the wishes of an individual councilmember when it comes to projects in their respective districts.
Such courtesies were an issue for Quirk last summer when the Catonsville Democrat wanted to revoke tentative approval for a proposed 10-home development on three acres off Thistle Road.
A bill sponsored by then Council Chairman John Olzewski Sr. overturned Quirk's decision and reinstated the project.
Quirk said he has no interest in telling other council members how to make decisions in their districts.
"It's not something I would do to another council person," Quirk said.
BCalvert
4:25 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
I must be missing something. How can you quote Councilman Quirk as saying he believes in focusing on issues in Southwest Baltimore County" when he is speaking to a group in TIMONIUM under the heading: " Owings Mills Zoning Battle. A Rookie View of the CZMP Baltimore County Zoning Process." Sounds like this is focused on everything BUT the 1st Councilmanic District. Except perhaps, those new Woodlawn constituents, who likely are concerned with this rezonming and its impact on the Owings Mills Mall. For their sake, I hope he reconsiders councilmanic courtesy and starts thinking about constituent courtesy.
Buzz Beeler
9:57 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
"I'm a big believer in focusing on the issues in southwest Baltimore County and my own zoning issues," said Quirk. "I think each council-member knows their own districts best and they are accountable to the voters in those districts."
If I might say so Tom that is a rather lame statement.
In other words your attendance at last nights CZM in Dundalk was a waist of time and you heard nothing of those voices of the people. You have a mind of your own I would think and if it's not important to use that mind than why take the time to vote as a council.
Just tend to your own business and not that of the citizens of BC, is that your course of conduct.
Matthew
5:17 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
A waist of time?
OpenEyes
10:23 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
As recently reported, Qurik co-sponsored legislation authored by Gildea and Schmidt, leading the way for increased development outside the URDL. These development attorneys raised huge $$$$ for him. In his own district, the single largest issue of this year's CZMP is issue 1-008 where Elizabeth Parham is petitioning to have her land up zoned. The problem is that this land used to be outside the URDL (urban rural demarcation line) and thereby used to be somewhat protected from excessive development. The URDL line was moved to in 2008 to lure the Social Security Data Processing Center. With the center being awarded to Urbana MD, why do major development plans remain for this land? Perhaps this is because Caves Valley the adjoining property owner is a major contributor of Quirks and oh yeah, Parham gave him 4 thousand bucks in his race for office. Oddly enough, Caves Valley is listed as having given him sporting tickets on his financial disclosure statement (http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/ethics/financialdisclosurestatements.html )
Buzz Beeler
12:27 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
The "eyes" have it, hands down.
Buzz Beeler
8:05 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Matthew, yes! If Quirk, based on his own statement is only concerned with his issues why not just let Olszewski decide on the zoning issues in Dundalk. Why even have the council vote. Checks and balances.
Matthew
8:36 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
I was asking what the middle of his body has to do with anything... Your mental prowess is on full display.
And for your edification, checks and balances, conceptually, is an inter-branch relationship/function. One would not anticipate checks and balances from a unicameral legislative body.
Buzz Beeler
8:47 am on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Very good response. Well articulated. I am impressed. I would even say this is one of your best responses.
My point is that if councilmatic courtesy is the rule of the day, then why go through these hearings. What would be the purpose? Is it for show. That is why they call these proceedings hearings.
Buck Harmon
3:03 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Why did it cost fifty bucks to hear?? Has Quirk been bought again..??
Arlow
9:22 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Quirk has to check with Jim Smith first to see what opinion he should have.
Buzz Beeler
10:48 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
Arlow, wouldn't it be the other way around. Jim just tells him what to do. That saves a step in the process.
CerahAnd
8:39 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
No problem with fifty bucks since it is at a country club and organized by what appears to be a private citizen. But, no media? Someone should record and make public since he is commenting on public issues.
Buck Harmon
11:37 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
Still sounds a little "quirky"..
Buzz Beeler
8:57 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
Like a PUD process. Hush, hush! (LA Confidential)
Buzz Beeler
12:02 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Buck, that's a 10 on the comment meter.