Latest news with #public debate
CBS News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Baltimore County Council expected to decide on next inspector general Monday
The Baltimore County Council is set to vote at 6 p.m. Monday on whether to confirm Khadija Walker as the county's next inspector general, a decision that has sparked public debate and scrutiny. County Executive Kathy Klausmeier nominated Walker to replace current Inspector General Kelly Madigan, who founded the office five years ago. If the council rejects Walker's nomination, Madigan will remain in the role. In May 2025, Klausmeier notified Madigan that the county would reopen the inspector general position and invited her to reapply. Though legal, the move drew criticism from Madigan's supporters, who say it threatens the office's independence. Klausmeier defended the process in a memo last week, saying it followed a new, voter-approved amendment to the county charter. The Inspector General Selection Panel conducted interviews and recommended the most qualified candidates, according to Klausmeier. "In December 2023, this same County Council passed a charter amendment that put this process in the Baltimore County charter," Klausmeier wrote. "This process — which names the county executive as the appointing authority — was passed unanimously by this council and, subsequently, Baltimore County voters." Klausmeier said she preferred an open, competitive search over automatic reappointment. Madigan reapplied and participated in the process. Some residents argue that Madigan is more qualified, citing her investigative background. They have raised concerns that Walker, whose experience is primarily in auditing, lacks sufficient investigative credentials. Others pointed to Walker's nearly 200-mile commute from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Walker addressed the issue at a recent council meeting, saying, "Residency wasn't a requirement for the job. And I don't think it will interfere with me at all getting to work." Last week, supporters of Madigan rallied outside the Baltimore County Courthouse, urging the council to retain her. They credited her with increasing transparency and accountability since launching the office. Amid the controversy, Councilman Izzy Patoka proposed creating an Inspector General Appointment Board. The independent, seven-member body would select future inspector generals without direct influence from county officials. Patoka said the measure aims to reduce political pressure in the appointment process. If approved by at least five council members, the proposal would appear as a ballot question in the November 2026 election. In the fiscal year 2025 Inspector General Report, Madigan reflected on the office's progress. "Since this may be my last time issuing this report, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect on how far the office has come during my first term," she wrote. Madigan noted her early focus on outreach, establishing infrastructure, and building public trust. She cited achievements including the launch of a complaint line, hiring staff, and releasing the office's first investigative report in August 2020. Since then, the office has handled more than 1,000 complaints, initiated over 100 investigations, and issued more than 50 public reports, according to Madigan.
Malay Mail
12-07-2025
- Health
- Malay Mail
‘Try not to smoke. Issue resolved': Artist adds anti-smoking sign to Singapore's samsui woman cigarette mural after backlash
SINGAPORE, July 12 — A plaque carrying an anti-smoking message has been installed at the controversial samsui woman mural in Chinatown here, which sparked public debate last year over its depiction of smoking. CNA reported that Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the building owner proposed the installation of an 'interpretive plaque' and that the mural itself will remain unaltered. 'The artist stresses that the cigarette depiction is not intended to glamorise or promote tobacco use. Smoking has been shown to be extremely harmful to one's health,' said the plaque, referring to artist Sean Dunston. Dunston told CNA the plaque's text was co-written by him and the building's landlord, with edits from the URA, to address concerns over normalising smoking while retaining the artwork. 'The overall intention was to create an iconic, vivid composite of a Samsui Woman in her prime and in a moment of peace,' the plaque added. According to CNA, Dunston said he initiated the inclusion of the anti-smoking message as part of the agreement allowing the mural to remain, and also suggested the plaque's placement and design. 'The anti-smoking message is there to reiterate something everyone already knows. Smoking is bad for you. Try not to smoke. Issue resolved,' he said, saying the plaque went up on Thursday. The mural depicted a 'Samsui' woman – referring to Chinese immigrants who came to Singapore and Malaysia in the early 20th century, primarily from the district now called Sanshui in China's Guangdong province. These women were known for their hard work in construction and other labour-intensive jobs, and were easily recognisable by their distinctive red headgear. The mural was produced by American multidisciplinary artist Sean Dunston, who has been based in Singapore since 2009. In July last year, Singapore MOH and URA said they have decided to retain the mural without any modifications, since it is not a tobacco advertisement. The building owner was however fined S$2,000 (RM6,640) for failing to obtain conservation permission before starting the mural, contravening Section 12 of the Planning Act 1998.
