James T. Smith Jr.

Elected in 2002, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith is leading an ambitious county-wide renaissance. Communities from Essex to Towson to Woodlawn have seen a wave of reinvestment, and reached a new level of community spirit.

Executive Smith has put families first, building new schools, preserving more open space and making sure that every community has access to libraries, community centers and senior centers.

Just weeks after taking office, Executive Smith witnessed first-hand the sub-standard living conditions at the Kingsley Park apartment complex. He fast-tracked the county’s effort to acquire the property, and in the fall of 2004, over 350 families were given the opportunity to move into better housing. The crumbling apartments will be replaced by new workforce affordable homes and housing for seniors.

Following through on a promise from the campaign, Jim Smith has held more than a dozen Renaissance Roundtable meetings in communities around the county. The meetings bring citizens, community organizations and the County Executive together to identify community assets and find solutions to challenges.

Building on the success of Urban Design Assistance Teams in Baltimore County, Executive Smith recently signed into law the Renaissance Redevelopment Pilot Program. A revolutionary concept in community redevelopment, the program brings citizens, government and developers together at the beginning of the development process, and results in community-friendly construction and stronger neighborhoods.

Perhaps the greatest example of Jim Smith’s commitment to efficient, effective governing came in October of 2003. When Hurricane Isabel swept through Baltimore County, Executive Smith marshaled the county’s resources and immediately came to the aid of storm victims. Under Jim Smith’s direction, County agencies from Public Works to the Department of Aging helped provide clean water, food, emergency shelter and information to citizens affected by the flooding.

Executive Smith continued fighting for county residents even months after Isabel, working for flood insurance reform at the state and federal level, and helping flood victims obtain low-interest loans for rebuilding.

Jim Smith began his career in public service as a member of the Baltimore County Council from 1978 to 1985, when he was appointed Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. He stepped down from the bench in 2001 to run for County Executive, where he has continued to find new and creative ways to safeguard Baltimore County, and meet the needs of its citizens.

Jim Smith is a life long resident of Baltimore County. He and his wife Sandy have four children and nine grandchildren, and they live in the same Reisterstown neighborhood where they have lived for nearly 40 years.

Revised December 16, 2005