Every member of the Baltimore County council who voted in favor of Kevin Kamenetz's bill Tuesday voted to exempt himself from any pension reform ("Weaker pension reform bill approved," Jan. 20). This scandal started when The Sun reported that Councilman Vincent J. Gardina plans to retire next year at age 53 and begin collecting a pension equivalent to 100 percent of his $54,000 salary for the rest of his life. The law just passed keeps that gold-plated, Wall Street pension plan in place for all existing council members. Every council member who voted for this bill, voted to line his own pockets at taxpayer expense.

Mr. Kamenetz is an undeclared candidate for Baltimore County executive. His bill fails to close the loophole that will allow him to collect a pension of $108,000 per year for the rest of his life if he or Councilman Joe Bartenfelder is elected county executive and serves two terms. Mr. Kamenetz (age 53) championed a bill that potentially will pay him more than $2 million in retirement benefits, and he plans on sticking the taxpayer with the bill.

Where are the County Council and county executive candidates who will stand up for the taxpayer and pledge to refuse to participate in this pension plan if elected? If the members of the Baltimore County Council won't replace their pension plan, it's time to replace the members of the Baltimore County Council.

Steve Bailey, Towson

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