Pittler Resigns From County Revenue Authority

Last month, Leslie Pittler missed his first Baltimore County Revenue Authority board meeting in 14 years.

Now we know why.

"The bottom line for me is that, at this point, I don't want to be associated with the board as it's presently constituted," said Pittler, 72, a Timonium resident and attorney.

Pittler was at February's board meeting.

"It seems to me there is a lack of transparency," Pittler said, adding that he didn't believe the board was "following the open meetings, public information and its own contract laws."

"It seems this board doesn't believe it has an obligation to the taxpayers of Baltimore County as it should," said Pittler, adding: "There is a real difference in philosophy between me and the other board members."

Pittler declined to specify which board members, if any, he was talking about, but over the last three to four years he has often staked a position in direct opposition to the other four board members and William "Lynnie" Cook, the authority's former chief executive.

He frequently opposed attempts by the board to close meetings to the public, pushed for the release of public information and challenged some business arrangements, such as the instructor Bill Madonna.

The board often would ignore Pittler's motions on issues. A recent case occurred in December when Pittler asked the board to vote to .

Last month, Donald Hutchinson, the board's chairman, told state legislators the members are now considering doing exactly that, as lawmakers consider a bill to .

Hutchinson also told legislators he is working on a deal to end the contract with Madonna and his golf academy at Fox Hollow Golf Course.

But with and the golf side of the authority seemingly in good shape, Pittler said the time is right for him to leave.

"I enjoyed working with previous boards," said Pittler. "We had disagreements but they were never personal in nature."

Pittler, whose term on the board was set to expire in June 2013, said his resignation is official on March 10. He has no intentions of continuing on the board until a replacement is found.

"I've attended my last board meeting," said Pittler.

Pittler's retirement now opens up two spots on the authority board.

County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has been looking for a replacement for Joseph Blair since his term expired last June. Blair continues to serve on the board while a replacement is sought.

A third spot could open in June when Bonnie Phipps' term is set to expire.

Pittler was a selection of the County Council.

By law, the county executive has the authority to appoint all five board members, but former County Executive Dutch Ruppersberger entered into a gentleman's agreement with the council that led to Pittler's appointment.

The council, including Kamenetz, fought to keep Pittler on the board after County Executive Jim Smith attempted to replace him with Peter Angelos in 2003.

Pittler, a long-time Republican who once worked for Sen. Charles "Mac" Mathias, supported Kamenetz in the 2010 county executive's race and switched parties to vote for him in the primary.

Pittler now says his position should be appointed by Kamenetz, not the County Council.

"I have confidence in this county executive more so than I have had in the past," said Pittler.

"With everything going on with this board, he needs to make these appointments," said Pittler. "Some changes need to be made on the board and quickly."