Top 6 skills of the ideal Baltimore County executive

The recent commentary, “Baltimore County’s next executive can’t return to business as usual” (Oct. 20), outlines potential new directions for the next county executive.

If Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. is elected to Congress, as is expected to happen, voters will not choose their next county executive. Instead, it will be the seven members of the Baltimore County Council who will make that decision.

The immediate issue is what are the objective characteristics that should be applied when evaluating any candidate? Here’s what councilmembers — and county residents — should be looking for if they are to select the best person to hold office until the next countywide election in 2026:

The individual should have absolutely no intention of running for election in two years, as that would give a huge advantage to such an appointed incumbent.

Significant managerial experience in Baltimore County.

Familiar with education and Baltimore County Public Schools because 50% of the county’s budget goes to the school system.

Demonstrated sustained commitment to civic affairs, including service on boards, commissions and nonprofits.

Credibility with a diverse array of community groups.

Proven ability to work with others in the public and private sectors and with other elected officials.

Given the challenges facing Baltimore County, there is no time for a learning curve or a placeholder. Whoever takes over should be able to begin working on Day 1. Setting out transparent criteria at the start will inform the process for this important decision.

— Dan Morhaim, Pikesville

The writer, a Democrat, represented District 11 (Baltimore County) in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1995 to 2019.

What if a generation aspires to be like Trump?

Would you ever reconsider your vote? If you’re the parent of a preteen and committed to casting your vote for former President Donald Trump — and he wins — consider this scenario:

In 2025, for the first time, your child begins to freely spout four-letter expletives. Your young progeny lies to your face incessantly. And when confronted, lies about lying. Your child mocks and disparages the disabled and embarrasses others with total disregard for their feelings. This offspring of yours has begun muttering and mumbling and meandering. Lifelong friendships are gone. And you note that your youngster’s newly acquired contacts are adolescents who are utterly contemptible in both word and deed (“Trump works the fry station and holds a drive-thru news conference at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s,” Oct. 21).

Of course, as a parent, it’s your job to teach and set an example. You thought you had. What happened to your cute little tyke? What’s suddenly unfolding is abhorrent and causing you to panic. After all, this is your kid. Where did you go wrong? Before things really fester, you must lay down the law.

You point out to your child that this behavior is a radical and noticeable change. Everyone sees it. It’s awful. This new temperament is so over-the-top wrong. It’s just got to stop. Now.

And you receive this response: ”Why should I listen to you? The president of the United States does it!”

— Joe Pachino, Baltimore

Proper measure of a man isn’t where Trump was looking

I’m sure that most people heard about former President Donald Trump’s weekend comments about Arnold Palmer and his “manhood” (“Arnold Palmer’s daughter reacts to Donald Trump’s references to her father,” Oct. 21). I am not a golfer, but I grew up close to Latrobe, Pennsylvania where Palmer was born and lived the majority of his life. He was a hero both on and off the golf course. Although he became famous all over the world, Palmer never forgot where he came from. He ate in local restaurants and shopped in local stores. I saw him once, and he was friendly to everyone who greeted him in the restaurant.

You can’t think of Latrobe without thinking of Arnold Palmer. If Trump wanted to bring up his name at the Latrobe rally, he should have talked about what really made Palmer a man who deserved the respect of so many people. Trump should have mentioned Palmer creating Arnie’s Army, a charitable foundation to help children and youth. This foundation saw the creation of the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies (Winnie was his first wife who died from cancer), the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families, the Arnold Hospital for Children, and the Winnie Palmer Natural Preserves.

If Trump wanted to “measure a man,” he should have focused on what really makes a great man. It’s not how he looked in the locker room; it’s how he lived his life.

— Mary Ellen Eller, Rising Sun