r/BaltimoreCounty

Baltimore County executive hopefuls spar over safety, affordability

TL;DR: Five Democratic candidates for Baltimore County Executive debated public safety, youth violence, government oversight, and affordability at a FOX45/Baltimore Sun town hall.

WATCH THE DEBATE BY CLICKING HERE.

The Baltimore Sun
By Bridget Byrne
PUBLISHED: May 15, 2026 at 10:20 PM EDT | UPDATED: May 16, 2026 at 8:09 AM EDT

Democratic candidates for Baltimore County executive debated student safety, strengthening the inspector general’s office and affordability at a town hall on FOX45 Friday.

While the five candidates — Baltimore County Council members Julian Jones, Izzy Patoka and Pat Young, attorney Nick Stewart, and Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks outreach officer Mansoor Shams — found some common ground, the hourlong debate also highlighted the differing approaches each would take if elected.

The debate featured Baltimore Sun reporter Natalie Jones, FOX45’s Mikenzie Frost and former state legislator and Sun opinion columnist Bobby Zirkin asking questions, with Kai Jackson serving as moderator.

Public safety and keeping youth busy

Candidates offered their ideas on how to keep kids out of trouble and safely in school, discussing young people getting in fights at malls and other public places.

Shams said the root causes of poverty and behavioral issues can largely be addressed by stabilizing home environments. Stewart and Young argued similarly, saying the wraparound supports offered by community schools make a meaningful difference.

Patoka argued that overcrowding in schools is also to blame.

Stewart, Patoka and Jones praised the use of school resource officers and suggested ensuring the police and sheriff’s departments are properly funded. Jones, Stewart, Young and Patoka also argued that large improvements could come from investing in summer jobs for students and in parks and recreation.

“We can arrest as much as we want. We need to focus on root causes,” Young said. “As a government, there’s responsibility and expectation that we handle [the root causes], having third places for our youth and having opportunities for them to engage in youth programs … that are equitable.”

Filling the inspector general role

Currently, Baltimore County’s Office of the Inspector General is being managed by the office’s deputy. After attempts to select a new inspector general, County Executive Kathy Klausmeier said she will leave filling the role to the next county executive.

“If you’re doing the right thing, then there’s no reason to be afraid of a strong inspector general,” Young said.

All the candidates said they support the role of the office in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse, but they disagreed about whether the office should extend into the school system. Young, Shams, Stewart and Patoka all said they thought the office should have oversight of the school system, but Jones disagreed, arguing the state inspector general provides sufficient oversight of schools.

Jones criticized Patoka for voting against Klausmeier’s nomination, arguing it was done to weaken the office, and Patoka criticized Jones over a past inspector general finding that he used his county email address for campaigning. In response, Jones said the inspector general’s findings regarding his emails were “not a big deal.”

Making the county affordable again

All the candidates said residents should not expect their taxes to increase to pay for their ideas, but they clashed over what was causing affordability problems in the county.

Shams criticized Jones and Patoka for taking donations from housing developers. Shams and Young both pointed to how their campaigns are funded through public campaign financing.

“Why isn’t affordable housing coming? Well, because most of our leaders, our council members, have been beholden to the people that fund them,” Shams said.

Stewart said the affordability crisis is contributing to the county’s population decline, and that budgets could be managed more wisely, such as by having an effective inspector general and demanding more from developers.

“I believe that there is a tremendous amount of inefficiency and also opportunities that we are not using to the full extent,” Stewart said.

View the full debate at baltimoresun.com/live.

u/RequirementSea8213 — 9 hours ago

View from my kitchen window

It’s looking like Lord of the Rings in my forest! View of my yard at 8230 Dogwood Rd, Windsor Mill

u/workerbee1988 — 22 hours ago

Missed Connection: November 11th, 2025 Northern Lights

Hi! Never posted one of these before so I’m hoping I’m doing this right and I realize it’s a slim chance but I’m hoping the right person sees this. My roommate and I were taking photos of the northern lights at one of the pull off/parking areas at Soldiers Delight in Reisterstown/Owings Mills on November 11th, 2025 and I’m looking for a person we crossed paths with as a possible missed connection.

We were in a red car, and I was in a Beetlejuice hoodie complaining about my hands being cold. There was a family there and then the person pulled into the lot in a white Prius, which I remember because the headlights were off which was very polite imo. They got out, male, wearing a coat that I believe had like faux fur around the hood lining and skinny jeans and kept trying to balance their phone on the roof of their car for photos. I remember thinking they were very kind because they showed the little kid that was there the photos they were taking. When my friend and I were making WTNV jokes about the glow cloud, they laughed which makes me think they are in our age bracket too. Then they left very quickly before we could decide to try to talk with them.

Anyway, if this is you, I know it’s been what, like 6 months, but we still think about crossing paths with you; I hope you’re doing well, and got some good pics that night, and we would be up to swap northern light photos sometime!

reddit.com
u/Spirit_Spun_Yarns — 22 hours ago

MISSING PERSON - Jason Bengson - Last seen 5/18

MISSING/ENDANGERED PERSON. Jason Bengson was last seen May 18 in Towson near Loch Raven Blvd. His family is extremely concerned. If you see him or have any information, please call 911.

u/BobaFettsDriver — 1 day ago

Making friends/building community

I am trying to create a resource sheet for people wanting to build community and make friends in and around Baltimore County. I was hoping some of you on here could share experiences or places that you have built community and made friends. This can be your fav yoga studio shoutouts, pottery studios/creator spaces, intramural leagues, walking/run clubs, volunteer groups. I would like to make this list and divide it by free vs. paid hobbies/community-building. Anything that has helped you find a little slice of community and belonging! TIA

reddit.com

I just want the rats gone

We get these emails about taco trucks or some other waste of my rent money. Meanwhile I drove by the dumpster and saw 20 rats. I have lived here for almost 20 years and it has never been like this. I am not sure how it is in your part of the county, but one pest control guy said all of Towson has a rat problem.

u/aduirne — 2 days ago

Thinking of moving to Parkton

Hi I'm thinking of moving to Parkton MD in Baltimore County. I'm 35M South Asian (Punjabi) and my wife is 29F White. We have a 7 month old who, minus the name, will probably be perceived as being white. We want to be closer to nature and have some more land and space. We currently live in the city. We are both in healthcare.

I am writing because I have some reluctance about moving given I have been around a lot of minorities most of my life. Parkton schools seem to be really good and the few people I know in the area seem great and very open-minded but I want to get anyone and everyone's take. I worry about distancing my son from a big part of my life.

I would like to get anyone's honest, unfiltered opinion on minorities living in the area. I would like to know if I'd likely be welcome with open arms or if it's something I shouldn't even consider. Thanks

reddit.com
u/Familiar_School4151 — 2 days ago

Communities of young families?

We’ve lived in Balt Co most of our lives. 30s married heterosexual couple with little kids. Liberal minded but do like a more rural feel as far as where we live with access to amenities the city has to offer (ideally within 30 minutes of downtown)

We’re looking to upgrade our home in the next few years and aren’t sure where we might look for a village. We’d like a nice cul de sac of young like-minded families to build community with. Maybe local events and activities. Anyone of a similar background have a community that they love?

We’ve considered moving completely out of area, but aren’t sure if the grass is in fact greener or if we’re just missing something great under our nose

reddit.com
u/GreenOtter730 — 2 days ago

Endodontist Recommendations

I need a root canal (through a crown, hence the endo referral). I do not do great with dental stuff. Need suggestions on a good endodontist please!

reddit.com
u/pocketfulofcharm — 2 days ago
▲ 7 r/BaltimoreCounty+1 crossposts

Fellow Civil Engineers...help!!

Hi! I am a newbie in the civil engineering industry (took a detour after school was done) and I am STRUGGLING to prep for the certification exam. I don't think its my ADHD (but it totally could be, along with testing anxiety). If anyone is currently studying planning to start and wants to link up please PM me!

reddit.com
u/BigSeaworthiness6996 — 2 days ago
▲ 7 r/BaltimoreCounty+1 crossposts

18+ Dance Classes

Hiya! Looking for hard-hitting, intensive 18+ hip hop, contemporary/modern, tap, and jazz funk classes in or around Baltimore. I want to be pushed. I want to improve my technique.

Background: Dancing for 16 years, multiple styles, and will be starting college in the Baltimore area in the Fall.

I want to be a commercial dancer, choreographer and eventually a dance teacher. I was in a demanding dance program in high school and my college's dance offerings just aren't on the same level.

My parents are both retired and disabled. They both worked over 30 years at their respective jobs and now they are slowing down...I was a late in life baby.

I've begged and borrowed money to travel to NYC to take classes at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance, Brickhouse, Steps on Broadway, etc... I’ve also attended multiple intensives at CLI in Massachusetts.

Side note: I was actually accepted to attend CLI's 10 month conservatory training program, but I can't afford the $27,500 tuition plus $1100 per month room & board...(any suggestions for funding?)

TL;DR: Freshman college student looking for challenging hip hop, tap, jazz funk classes at studios in or around the Baltimore area. Tired of the EXPENSIVE and/or tiresome to commute to NY or Northern Va for dance classes.

Thanks!

reddit.com
u/PicklePie11037 — 2 days ago

How can I tell if my primary ballot is valid or not?

Know a set was invalidated and replacements are being sent. Mine was received by mail late last week. Is there a way voters can check and see if it’s good to use or not?

reddit.com
u/federal_thrill — 3 days ago

Commute from Towson/Pikesville to Downtown

Looking to move to a suburb of Baltimore, specifically Pikesville or Towson. What’s the commute like to downtown for work? I hear there’s traffic, what times are the worst/to avoid? I don’t mind leaving early in the morning but not sure what time I will be able to leave.

Thank you!

reddit.com
u/Away_Cat4594 — 4 days ago

Any hair salons in the county/nearby counties that accommodate muslim women?

Hi, I'm looking for a hair salon that will accommodate muslim women in the sense that they can make an appointment to be in a secluded/private area. I've looked online multiple times but don't see any specific results so I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations, preferably closer to the west side of baltimore county. I also haven't gone to a hair salon since i began wearing a hijab so I don't have any good recommendations that I can fall back on. Any help is appreciated

Thank you!

reddit.com
u/ResolveAccording6519 — 5 days ago

Land for my cat to roam

Hi, all! Does anyone have a nice, safe yard or outdoor space for my cat to roam? I can pay you hourly for the use of the space and it would be during daytime hours only. Some background/context: I live in the city and my cat is not happy being inside all the time. I’ve tried a catio, walking with a harness and leash, pet stroller, and using SniffSpot and all of these were fails.

reddit.com
u/EquivalentRough1688 — 4 days ago

Cute pit bull boy at the County SPCA in Baldwin

This morning I picked up a very skinny stray pit bull who was hanging out by Parkville Middle School. He was very friendly to everyone - including lots of kids - and our male pit bull. I took him to the animal shelter on Manor Rd in Baldwin and he should be available to be adopted soon (he may need a little time to put more weight on - he was very skinny but otherwise healthy).

u/Practical-Door6917 — 5 days ago
▲ 13 r/BaltimoreCounty+5 crossposts

Next Saturday (May 23): Scattered Castles Bourbon Release Party

Hey everyone,

Just a reminder, the Scattered Castles Bourbon Release Party is NEXT Saturday, May 23, and I’d love to see you there! Scattered Castles Bourbon is a limited, hand-selected bourbon you won’t want to miss. (Learn more about Scattered Castles at www.scattered-castles.com)

When: Saturday, May 23, from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Where: Baltimore Spirits Company Tasting Room
1700 W. 41st St., Suite #430
Baltimore, MD 21211

What to Expect:
• Free samples — try it before you buy it
• Bottles available for purchase (VERY limited release!)
• Full cocktail bar
• Free stuff!

This is a FREE event … just show up and celebrate with us. Scattered Castles is truly limited. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Come hang out, have a pour, and celebrate the release!

u/C-Dub_DC — 6 days ago