Kamenetz Takes On Hecklers At Mays Chapel Groundbreaking

UPDATED (5:08 p.m.)—The groundbreaking of a new school in Mays Chapel sparked an angry outburst from County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

Kamenetz was on hand Friday for the groundbreaking of a new 700-seat elementary school when he was faced by a group of nearly three-dozen protesters who oppose the school.

At least one of the protesters can be heard in a video shot by WMAR television trying to interrupt Kamenetz before the county executive fires back.

"Sir let me talk for a second, ok?" Kamenetz shouts back. "It's my job to talk and your job to listen right now."

WBAL TV has additional coverage on its website.

Don Mohler, a spokesman for Kamenetz, said the county executive became irritated after the protesters, who he described as senior citizens, became loud after a number of children were introduced during the event.

"Elected officials are human," Mohler said. "I think most people understand that elected officials are human not robots and have emotions like everyone else.

"Shouting down a groundbreaking is just not the way we ought to be going about [a protest]," Mohler said.

Residents who live in the neighborhood near the proposed new school have been vocal opponents of its construction and believe the location is inappropriate for their neighborhood.