“Jim Smith used the response to Hurricane Isabel for partisan purposes, but today, he can’t blame Republicans for Baltimore County’s deplorable response to a historic snowstorm,” Cavey commented.  “Whole neighborhoods are still inaccessible days after the snowstorm ended, and citizens are confused about what to do with mounting garbage.  It reflects years of underinvestment in public works, and a basic breakdown in services.”

Cavey also noted the following:

(1) County Executive James Smith, normally in front of cameras for every press event, has been virtually invisible over the past few days.  Iis he snowed in at his home, wherever that is these days?)

(2) Neighborhoods are isolated, trapped under mounting piles of snow, while many county roads remain difficult to maneuver or unplowed.

(3) The county’s garbage collection is confusing and haphazard.  On Monday, the county issued a press release that said there would be “limited” collection the next day.  This implies that residents should pack up the piles of mounting garbage and haul it back to the house—through feet of snow—if the trash wasn’t picked up.

“Over the past two months, Democrats on the County Council spent their time debating their lucrative pension benefits and speed cameras when perhaps they could have invested a little time on how to prepare for winter emergencies,” Cavey concluded.  “After 16 years, Democrats can add this latest breakdown to their legacy, which already includes traffic-choked roads and overcrowded schools.”

All these are valid points.  The Hurricane Isabel connection is particularly appropriate.  Smith used the response to Hurricane Isabel to attack Republican Governor Bob Ehrlich and his Insurance Commissioner at the time, Al Redmer.  Gee, maybe it's time for an "independent review" of the county's response to this latest natural disaster?