Baltimore County’s next executive can’t return to business as usual

Most observers in Baltimore County are wondering who will be the next county executive if Johnny Olszewski wins his congressional election in November, which it looks like he will. However, the better question at the outset is what traits the next county executive should have — and what issues they should be focusing on. The stakes of this appointment are extraordinarily high. The county is facing difficult choices when it comes to next year’s budget, such as how it will pay for increasing costs for health care and pension obligations and the implementation of the Blueprint education plan without reliable funding streams. (Photo: Baltimore Sun)