After Jab At Glen Burnie, Anne Arundel And Baltimore Leaders Make Up

GLEN BURNIE, MD — After a public slam of Glen Burnie, the leaders of the Anne Arundel and Baltimore County Councils have made up, a report said.

In late May, Baltimore County Council Chair Izzy Patoka said Glen Burnie was unattractive during a debate about a development. He said, “Do we want, and no disrespect to Glen Burnie, but do we want to be Glen Burnie? Do we want to look like Ritchie Highway?”

Radio station WYPR reported Anne Arundel Chair Allison Pickard was “shocked and angered” by the comment.

“Glen Burnie is a fantastic place to live with a strong sense of community,” she told Patoka in an email. “If you have to throw shade to make yourself or (your) community feel big or better, you are doing it all wrong.”

Pickard invited him to meet up in Glen Burnie on July 16, where the pair ate at The Grill at Quarterfield Station.

After the lunch, Patoka posted on Facebook: "Enjoyed lunch this afternoon with District 2 Anne Arundel County Councilwoman Allison M. Pickard at The Grill at Quarterfield Station, followed by a tour of Glen Burnie. Thank you to Councilwoman Pickard and restaurant owner Bill Chalmers for the hospitality!"

Pickard said after the meeting: "Bill Chalmers, owner of The Grill at Quarterfield Station, was an excellent host for Baltimore County Council Chair, Izzy Patoka and myself this afternoon. Chairman Patoka and I had an opportunity to discuss our shared experiences as Council Members working to solve issues facing local government and our communities. I appreciated Mr. Patoka’s willingness to join me in Glen Burnie today.

"Thank you Mr. Chalmers and your entire crew today for a lovely lunch."