So November 2 is pretty much here.
There are going to be a tidal wave of ads on all sorts of media for all sorts of offices.
The Jewish Times only endorsed one candidate in the Democrat primary and that was Gregg Bernstein for City State’s Attorney, and he went ahead and defeated 15-year incumbent Patricia Jessamy. We picked Gregg, because we felt it was historically important that there be a change in this office for Baltimore City.
So, what I’ve written here aren’t JT endorsements at all. Instead, these are Phil endorsements. I make them, well because I’ve got an idea or two that I want to share.

Jim Brochin.
Senator Brochin (D-42) sits in the back row of the Senate, mostly because Senate President Mike Miller punishes him this way. Jim doesn’t always go the party line. His district has a small piece of Pikesville but is largely Towson territory. He has voters who will go for Republican challenger Robert Ehrlich for Governor, and he knows it. But what I want to say about Jim Brochin is this. He’s brave. He won’t take a popular stand if he thinks it is wrong or if the Democrats want him to jump on the band wagon.
I don’t want rubber stamp, I want brave. I want courage.
So the unofficial Phil endorsement goes to Jim Brochin.
Let me repeat, my views in this column don’t reflect the views of the Jewish Times, its publisher or anyone else.
Just me.

Vicki Almond.
I am a big ice hockey fan. In ice hockey, there is always one player we call a “stay at home defenseman.” This is the player who doesn’t try to score all of the goals. Instead he stays near his goalie and protects his goalie always making sure that the other team doesn’t prevail.
This is Vicki Almond for me. She isn’t interested in glory or ego or anything that would distract from the Second District of Baltimore County moving forward. She is as happy finding out that your daughter got into college or that you are feeling well physically and mentally. Vicki Almond is the lady next door, working on her garden or running errands.  Did you see Vicki during the primary campaign? She was in and among the community, mostly not drawing attention to herself, instead joining in as a citizen and a neighbor. I saw her at the JCC Maccabi Experience last August. She was seated in the stands just taking in the events. She was the only person running for office I saw at any of the games.
I remember Vicki when she took tap dancing lessons with my wife Lisa years ago in Randallstown. She was a caring person then, she’s a caring person now. I’m going to feel perfectly safe and sound with Vicki in Towson. She is going to do such a good job serving her constituents. You’ll see. It has nothing to do with machine politics or what faith she is or isn’t. She’s historically perfect for this position. She’s backed by a strong legislative team, including Sen. Bobby Zirkin, Dels. Dan Morhaim, Jon Cardin and Dana Stein, all good, caring people.

Kevin Kamenetz.
If you took Kevin’s name away from this race, and just looked at his resume as someone applying for the job, it would stop you in your tracks.
You’d ask “where did this guy come from? He’s perfect for this job. Hire him.”
Kevin Kamenetz is the County Executive already.
He carries himself like a County Executive. He makes people feel safe and hopeful. When I think of my days of covering Dennis Rasmussen and Don Hutchinson, I think of people who provided leadership, good leadership.
I get the same feelings when I hear Kevin speak or if I run into him in the community. I think historically again, Kevin is well positioned to be Baltimore County’s leader. He has so worked for his constituents. As my younger daughter would say, “this one is a no brainer.”
But there is something else needed to be said as well. We live in difficult times. Foreclosures, economic setbacks even terrorism. I want someone with guts to be the head of the County when times are good, and especially when times are bad.
I think it’s Kevin. I think HaShem wants him in this role. I know I do.

So again, these aren’t officially sanctioned endorsements by any committee. We didn’t hold endorsement interviews.
I’ve just lived here most of my life, both in the city and in the county. I know what I see, I know what I know.

Current Governor vs. Former Governor.

It’s O’Malley for me more this time around.
I’ve always liked Bob Ehrlich. I always felt as if he had a “kesher” or connection to the Jewish community, more so at times than O’Malley.
But at this particular time in history, at this particular place, I see Ehrlich running on a battery of anger instead of the energy of leadership.
I didn’t like his posture during the WJZ-TV debate when he purposely referred to O’Malley as “Gov.”
It wasn’t necessary.
O’Malley is by no means perfect, but he handled himself with a much more gubernatorial posture of grace than did his opponent.
Even lately while watching TV, in one of his latest ads, again the challenger seems far more angry than he does motivated to lead.
O’Malley is appearing in more of a demeanor of relaxed confidence.
I think that’s going to keep him in the Governor’s Mansion.
Ehrlich did a good job as governor when he held the office. I see a change in him. It just can’t be me who sees that change.

Again, these aren’t the views of the Jewish Times.
They are just the feelings of someone who lives here, pays taxes here and loves it here.

Jim, Vicki, Martin and Kevin make life better around here.
They should be given the opportunity to lead as a result of your November 2 vote.

Congratulations Vicki Almond.  You ran a dignified race despite all of the attacks.  You won.  You won big.  And you deserve this job.  We are all proud of you on many, many levels.

You have to be kidding.  After a disgusting campaign against Vicki Almond where Becker supporters told folks they couldn’t vote for her because of her religion, to attacking her education (by the way, she’s in her 60s so the attack is one from over 40 years ago) to attacking her friendships and relationships to popular legislators.  She won and there are some (not many but a vocal few) who simply can’t believe it.  Vicki has been a tremendous activist for many, many years, and has done a lot of good for the area.  As for Zirkin, I don’t know him, although my kids love him and my friends all seem to like him.  I see him at Starbucks all the time and he seems like a nice guy.  He obviously likes Ms. Almond.  He hired her as his Chief of Staff.  So what if he raised money to help her election?  Maybe next time you should ask him for his help.  He is obviously good at this.  She was Dana Stein’s campaign manager a few years ago.  I do know Dana and he thinks the world of Vicki.  I spoke with Dan Morhaim at the gym and he loves her.  Jim Smith thinks the world of her and endorsed her in the primary.  They all seem to know something that apparently you don’t Dave.  As for Mr. Herbst, he seems like a nice young kid.  But since it is clear you are a supporter of his, please say one, just one thing Jon Herbst has done in this community. And to suggest that he is an ‘accomplished attorney’ is a joke.  Anyone that says that is not telling the truth.  Look it up.  Finally, in a few hours, Vicki Almond will be the next councilman.  And it is time to stop attacking this woman, who has done nothing but spend her entire adult life serving the community.  She was endorsed by the teachers, firefighters, and police and by scores of other groups in the primary.  That despite very hard lobbbying by Congressman Ruppersberger for his cousin.  So get over it Dave.  And do stop whining.  For a group that has been as disgusting as yours, it takes a special kind of chutzpah to suggest that others have been too mean to you.  I voted for Vicki in the primary and look forward to voting for our next councilman Vicki Almond tomorrow.

What I’ve noticed in the comments here and on the Towson Time’s website (“ExploreBaltimoreCounty”) is that supporters of Vicki Almond tend to resort to name calling and throwing insults towards supporters of other candidates (primarily Sherrie Becker and Jon Herbst).  I’ve not observed that same behavior from the supporters of Vicki’s opponents.

JBDoc- No one would be criticizing Zirkin if he had simply endorsed Vicki Almond and donated a few thousand dollars to her campaign. It’s the way the “District 11 Team” used a $250K war chest (when you combine the District 11 team account with Vicki’s campaign account) to prop up Vicki Almond.

Hey Concerned Citizen.  Another quick question.  What “autonomous leadership position” has Jon Herbst held?  Careful now.  He is a little junior associate at a law firm (i.e. a gopher for real lawyers).  And Captain of the High School badmitton team just a few years ago doesn’t count.  Your ridiculous and obnoxious comments about Ms. Almond are very telling.  Face it my friend.  You have lost and lost badly to better people than yourself.  Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Concerned Citizen.  I am not an attorney.  My point was that Jon Herbst is barely a lawyer and Ms. Azrael has called him an “accomplished lawyer.”  Please.  And if ‘Bobby Z’ as you call him (apparently your buddy) wants to support someone, so what?  He’s entitled to support anyone he wants.  She’s been working for him in one way or another for a long time.  And by the way, the 3 Delegates were supporting her as well (she was Dana Stein’s campaign manager so perhaps he likes her too)  Should ‘Bobby Z’ not be loyal to his friends?  Or are you just a tad bitter that he is apparently better at it than you and Ms. Azrael.  You lost.  Get over it and stop whining.  You sound like what you apparently are, a loser.

JBDOC- Really????  A bit confused aren’t you?!  Sounds like you have lost a case or two to Ms. Azrael in the past.

SADAKA - Excellent analysis - too bad most won’t read beyond Phil’s blog.

Phil - Nice job of ...C.Y.A. - Vicki is lovely - would I like her to be my friend? Probably.  Is she a good mom? Most likely.  Would I want her to make decisions for me?  Review contracts, make business judgments ? Definately not!  VICKI HAS NEVER BEEN EMPLOYED IN AN AUTONOMOUS LEADERSHIP POSITION, BUT RATHER IS EXCELLENT IN SUPPORTING HER BOSS AND TAKING DIRECTION.  THE THINGS SHE “ACCOMPLISHED” WERE DONE AT BOBBY Z’s BEHEST.  Bobby has proven with a few bucks and lots of energy - HE is A ‘KING’ MAKER - he made a QUEEN - clearly the LEAST QUALIFIED, most uneducated, OF THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION became the people’s choice.  A Great expensive campaign was run and won.  The credit Vicki is being given for getting things done- rightly belongs to her bosses who have told her what to do. It is perfect- Bobby will be our voice in the statehouse and in the county.

Ms. Azrael.  An ‘accomplished lawyer???????’  You have got to be kidding.  Or are you just bitter at the primary?  Does attending law school make you an accomplished lawyer Ms. Azrael?  Give me a break.  Vicki Almond has done more for this community than anyone I know.  She has worked hard for our district in numerous positions.  Ms. Azrael, what exactly have you done except make a joke of yourself?  Accomplished lawyer.  Funny.

Seriously Phil-you really printed this stuff! Lets go back and review your comments.

“Did you see Vicki during the primary campaign? She was in and among the community, mostly not drawing attention to herself, instead joining in as a citizen and a neighbor.”

PHIL—were you the only one that didn’t notice her large billboards on almost every corner and along the high-traveled roads? You actually have the nerve to say she didn’t draw attention to herself? Are you kidding me?

Then you say…“I saw her at the JCC Maccabi Experience last August. She was the only person running for office I saw at any of the games.”

I volunteered at the games and was there the entire time…I saw at least four candidates there—I guess you didn’t look to hard! And Phil, are you trying to raise the “Jewish” card by mentioning Maccabi?

And speaking of religion…how about these comments from you regarding Kevin Kamenetz (whom by the way I support)...“I think HaShem wants him in this role. I know I do.”

There you go again bringing religion into the race. It’s not Vicki’s fault she’s not Jewish, though the this County Council seat has been held by a Jew for 44 consecutive years.

And finally Phil, you made this comment regarding Vicki Almond….“It has nothing to do with machine politics or what faith she is or isn’t.”

If that is the case, care to explain to your readers why Vicki and her “State Legislators” friends spent $250,000; that’s right, a quarter of million dollars, on a local County Council race?

Actually Phil, it is about machine politics and state legislators trying to determine the outcome of a local district race. We hope the majority of voters of District 2 believe, as I do, and you apparently do not, that it should be about experience,qualifications and independence! And that is why Jon Herbst is by far and away the more qualified candidate for the County Council in District 2.

Just the QUALIFICATIONS District 2 needs on the County Council to oversee a $2.8 BILLION dollar budget in tough economic times: your “lady next door” neighbor, gardener, errand-running, “tap dancer.” “Nice.”  And just what is the “goal” Vicki’s defending? I wonder…  I’m NOT voting for Vicki—not to say she wouldn’t let me borrow a cup of sugar if she were my next-door-neighbor. No.  I’m a life-long Democrat, but in the District 2 Council race, I and many other Democrats are crossing party lines and voting for JON HERBST, a moderate Republican, accomplished lawyer, and Pikesville native, who is actually qualified for the job.