Craig Installed as MACO Pres – First Marylander to Serve as Both MML and MACO Pres

From Harford County Government:

(Bel Air, MD) – – Harford County Executive David R. Craig was sworn into the office of 2010 Maryland Association of Counties President by Governor Martin O’Malley at an inaugural conference banquet held in Dorchester County, Maryland.

“I am greatly honored to serve as an advocate and liaison for the 24 local jurisdictions in Maryland that include all 23 counties and the City of Baltimore. I am determined to continue to build relationships and a spirit of cooperation with our state and federal representatives that all the past presidents of MACO have preserved and strengthened”, Craig commented.

David Craig has held elected offices for the past 30 years. He was first elected to the Havre de Grace City Council in 1979 and went on to become Mayor of Havre de Grace in 1985. He began service on a statewide level in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1991 and was elected to the State Senate in 1995. In 2001 he was elected again to serve as Mayor of Havre de Grace and in 2005 was sworn in as President of the Maryland Municipal League. He held the MML position until he was sworn into the office of Harford County Executive in July 2005.

At MACO, Craig will succeed Calvert County Commissioner Wilson H. Parran who has served in that capacity for the last year. Parran said serving as MACO President has been a rewarding and enriching experience. He traveled across the state visiting each jurisdiction.

“I think the level of support you receive from all the counties is phenomenal and the staff at MACO is tremendous.” Wilson also added remarks expressing his high regard for his predecessor. “In my tenor I have faced challenging times for local governments, but David and I have shared similar experiences because of our educational and local government management background. Along with his municipal experience, his resume covers the gambit of issues that must be addressed. I feel I am leaving this organization in very capable hands and expect that he will be a very effective leader.”

The Maryland Association of Counties advocates for county government interests in state government and is actively engaged in issues during the Maryland General Assembly session begins on Wednesday, January 13. MACO was first established in 1951. The first Harford official to serve as president was John H. O’Neill in 1974. The office was also held by Frank J. Hutchins in 1986, Joanne S. Parrott in 1998, and most recently by James M. Harkins in 2004.

“David has wonderful list of attributes and experiences that qualify him to be very successful in this position,” Harkins commented. “He will find this a very fulfilling year as he has the opportunity to interact with his colleagues across the state.”