Politics & Government

Kamenetz's Possible "Comfort" Candidate

County executive's campaign treasurer seen as leading candidate for liquor board chairman ... A new friend for a political power couple.

A leader has emerged in the discussion to of the county Board of Liquor License Commissioners.

The odds-on favorite appears to be Charles Klein, a certified public accountant and County Executive Kevin Kamenetz's campaign treasurer.

Sources say Kamenetz intends to appoint Klein to fill a vacancy on the three-member panel created by the resignation of Bebe Kernan.

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Kernan was an ever-present volunteer for Kamenetz during the campaign. She leaves the liquor board to join the county as a special assistant to Arnold Jablon. She will make $90,000, said Don Mohler, Kamenetz's spokesman and chief of staff.

Since there have been no other changes to the board that leaves Klein as Kamenetz's likely pick.

Klein was seen visiting the liquor board offices during the week following Kamenetz's Dec. 6 inauguration.

Find out what's happening in Catonsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mohler said he was not sure who was likely to replace Minkin when asked Friday if Klein was the desired replacement.

Kamenetz's desire to replace Minkin became an issue last week when Minkin spoke publicly to Patch about his refusal to resign.

Kamenetz, through County Administrative Officer Fred Homan, asked Minkin to "respect the new county executive's wishes" and step down, according to Minkin, who has since refused to leave. He has said he intends to complete his term,  which expires in July.

Mohler acknowledges Homan made the request but said Minkin was welcome to remain on the board, just not as its chairman.

"(Kamenetz) has identified key positions which he would like folks in that he's comfortable with," Mohler said Friday.

Congratulations: One local political power couple seems to be taking the old political adage "if you wants a friend, get a dog" to heart.  Ann Beegle, former chief of staff and election guru to Jim Smith, and her husband Tim Perry, lobbyist and former special assistant to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, have a new addition—Buckley the Beagle (naturally).

Happy Birthday: Republican former-Councilman T. Bryan McIntire; Pat Foerster, the former Maryland State Teachers Association president and 2006 candidate for the 7th District Senate seat; Joe Sliwka, the Baltimore County coordinator for Robert Ehrlich. Belated birthday wishes to Democratic Del. Eric Bromwell.


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