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Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith, Jr., to Chair Baltimore Metropolitan Council |
BALTIMORE (January 25, 2005) - The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) announced that the Honorable James T. Smith, Jr., was elected Chair at its Board of Directors meeting on January 25. Carroll County Commissioner Julia W. Gouge, was elected Vice Chair. Baltimore County Executive Smith succeeds Baltimore City Mayor Martin O’Malley, who served as chair in 2004. Other board members include Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens, Harford County Executive James M. Harkins, and Howard County Executive James N. Robey.
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is the organization of the region's elected executives, which serves as a forum for identifying regional interests and developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and economic vitality throughout the region. In addition, BMC provides technical and staff support to the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, the federally-designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for the Baltimore region.
"I am honored that my regional colleagues have chosen me to chair the BMC," Smith said. "I expect to focus on continuing regional collaboration on homeland security issues, relevant transportation projects, and the ongoing work to update the Reservoir Watershed Management Agreement."
Jim Smith was elected Baltimore County Executive in 2002, after serving as Associate Judge on the Circuit Court for Baltimore County since being appointed in 1985, and subsequently elected in 1986. During the preceding 17 years as an attorney with the law firm of Smith, Johns & Smith, he served as Deputy Public Defender for Baltimore County, and was elected to two four-year terms on the Baltimore County Council (1978 and 1982), and was twice elected as Chair of the County Council (1982 and 1985).
While serving on the Baltimore County Council, Jim Smith supported the establishment of the Gifted and Talented Programs in Baltimore County public schools and the enhancement of the schools' Special Education programs. He played a leadership role in the drafting and adoption of the first ten-year Master Plan for Baltimore County, establishment of the Baltimore County Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation, adoption of the first comprehensive development regulations in Baltimore County, and creation of the Owings Mills Town Center Master Plan.
While serving as a Circuit Court Judge, Jim Smith was appointed by the County Executive as Chair of the Baltimore County Charter Review Commission in 1989.
Actively involved in his community, Jim Smith served for 13 years on the Board of Trustees for the Hannah More School (a school for severely emotionally handicapped children) and for six years on the Sacred Heart Parish Council, serving as Parish Council Chair for 3 years. He has been a Little League Coach for the Reisterstown Recreation Council, and a girls' basketball coach for Sacred Heart. He has volunteered for the Special Olympics, including serving as co-chair of the Swimming Event. He was a founder and organizer of the Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Glyndon Coordinating Council. He was an active member and past president of the Reisterstown Jaycees. Except for his time on the bench, Jim Smith has been a member of the 4th District Democratic Club since he was a teenager.
Jim Smith has been honored as "Hannah's Hero" by the Hannah More School, given an award of Appreciation by the Reisterstown Recreation Council, and selected as the Saint Thomas More Society's "Man for All Seasons."
Jim Smith is a lifelong resident of Reisterstown, where he lives with his wife of 36 years, Sandy. The Smiths have four children and eight grandchildren.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 December 2008 )
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