Kevin Kamenetz
Department of Social Services Meeting
October 12, 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is an honor to be here with you at Oregon Ridge for your annual meeting. Thanks to Tim Griffith and Todd Chason for inviting me to be here today.
On behalf of the people of Baltimore County, I cannot thank all of you enough. We all know the current state of the economy. Governments at every level have been forced to tighten their belts. At the same time, many of the citizens we serve are facing difficult times. Yet despite these challenges, day in and day out, the members of this department reach out to our communities and provide essential services to those who need them most.
Dedicated public servants, like all of you, do a fantastic job of addressing some of the most fundamental threats to the quality of daily life in our communities. Families, children, the elderly, and the poor. These are some of the most vulnerable and needy individuals in our communities. And when they have nowhere else to turn, you are there, ready, willing, and able to help.
I believe that any community should be judged by how well it serves its citizens in need, not just when times are good, but when times are tough. And despite the difficult budgetary constraints of the past few years, your work in our communities has made an immense difference in so many lives. I am here today to tell you just how proud I am of all of you, not just as your County Executive, but as a lifelong resident of Baltimore County.
I have combined the Department of Health and the Department of Social Services into a single Department of Health and Human Services. The constituencies served by these two agencies frequently overlap, and I believe this consolidation of resources will support you by increasing the efficiency of both sets of employees as well as eliminating redundant work. I have confidence that this organization will help all of you, as well as the people you serve everyday.
All of you should be very proud of how much you contribute to Baltimore County, particularly today’s award winners. Everyone in this County is grateful for your expertise and your compassion, and I look forward to continuing to work with all of you. Thank you, and have a great meeting.
