Towson Man Eyes Republican County Executive Nomination

Timothy Tenne has lived in Baltimore County nearly all his life except for the time he spent in the Air Force.

The retired Lt. Colonel and commercial airline pilot wants to be Baltimore County Executive but he may need a little help to meet the residency requirements.

"There is going to have to be some kind of an opinion from the Attorney General or we're going to need a Charter change," Tenne said speaking of his eligibility.

Tenne filed earlier this year and is listed on the Maryland State Board of Elections website as a provisional candidate.

"He is provisional until he satisfies his residency requirement of 5 years living in Baltimore County," wrote Katie Brown, director of elections for the Baltimore County Board of Elections.

The Baltimore County Charter requires candidates for the office to be "a resident of the county for at least five years next preceding his election."

Tenne, a Towson resident who graduated in 1988 from Perry Hall High School, will fall a year short of the requirement as of the General Election in November 2014.

Tenne attended and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1993 and served in the Air Force flying heavy transport aircraft including a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"There should be something in the law that covers someone who served in the military and returns to their home state," Tenne said.

Tenne currently works as a pilot for Express Jet. He also is a flight instructor and runs his own consulting business as well as organizing road races. Recently he began Saturday classes to join the Baltimore County Auxiliary Police.

Tenne described himself as a fiscal conservative.

"We haven't redeveloped and we haven't made it the best place for people and businesses," said Tenne. "Infrastructure is decaying and getting older and we’re not doing anything about it.

"I don't think we need more [taxes] I think we need to do more with what we have in a better way," Tenne said.

Tenne added that he is concerned about the county borrowing $260 million to help bolster its employee pension plan. He also said he supports a fully elected school board—something current County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has repeatedly opposed.

"He opposes it because he would have to give up power and have to work with people," Tenne said.