Harford County Executive David R. Craig delivered his annual State of the County Address before the Harford County Council on Tuesday night, promising “our budget will be truly balanced with no increase in the tax rate and be as close to the constant yield as we can estimate at this time.”
In the speech, Craig spoke of the difficulties of balancing revenues, expenditures, wants, and needs. “The balance for which we must strive is a balance between the taxes we pay and the services which we provide. And, which considers the public employee who is in the middle,” he said.
Craig opened his remarks with a remembrance of longtime Harford County Councilwoman Veronica Chenowith and recognized two former County Council Presidents who passed away in the last year – Joanne Parrott and John Hardwicke.
Typical of his addresses, Craig lauded the performance of each of his directors and their respective departments.
“All of these accomplishments were made while we lived within our means, lowered our tax cap and lowered our tax rate. And all were done with the close cooperation and tireless effort of the County Council under the leadership of Council President Boniface,” Craig remarked.
Here is the full text of Craig’s speech:
The 2010 State of the County Address
by Harford County Executive David R. CraigHarford County Council Chamber
Tuesday, February 2, 2010“My experience in government is that when things are non-controversial, beautiful, coordinated…..it may be that there isn’t much going on.”
John F. Kennedy could have been talking about Harford County in 2009 when he made that statement 50 years ago.
We faced many challenges last year. And, I thank you Council President Boniface and members of the County Council for this opportunity to review those challenges and how we rose to meet them.
But before I go too far I want to pause to remember a colleague who was here the first four times I have addressed the council, but who tonight – is with us in spirit.
Councilwoman “Roni” Chenowith lost her battle with cancer last year. We all admired her strength and dedication. There was not stronger advocate for our libraries, for our schools, for our parks, for our children.
We continue to miss her.
The last twelve months have also seen us lose two people who made an indelible mark on our county government – former Council Presidents Joanne Parrott and John Hardwicke.
Many things which we today take for granted we owe to their leadership.
The successes which we achieved in 2009 were wide-spread and diverse.
Pete Gutwald and his staff in Planning and Zoning led us through Comprehensive Rezoning and for the first time in memory there was not a veto and no referendum – setting the stage for controlled growth for our future.
We can proudly acclaim the work of Ernie Crist and our 911 staff in making Harford County the first jurisdiction in North American to gain triple accreditation in Emergency Medical, Emergency Fire, and Emergency Police Dispatch protocols.
This year we will say “Good Bye” to Joe Pfaff as Director of Parks and Recreation. But one of the highlights in that department was the opening of the Cedar Home Facility – 14 fields that brought over 15,000 visitors to Harford County. Thank you Joe, we will miss you.
Many of our departments improved their efficiency and access to citizens. Under Richard Lynch DILP expanded its on-line permit program making it easier for citizens to apply.
Human Resources under Scott Gibson expanded usage to E-Archiving reducing reliance on papers as well as on-line applications. We also became the first jurisdiction to use E-verify for background checks. Mr. Gibson also aggressively worked on health care benefits to save money on administration without cutting services.
Our treasurer John Scotten and his staff created a new program which allows citizens to access tax records on-line.
Many of these IT innovations have come about as a result of the efforts of our new IT Chief, Justus Eapen. I can assure there is more to come under his leadership.
One of our biggest departments is Public Works. Major Accomplishments from DPW will ensure that we have the infrastructure needed for the future.
The Aberdeen Water Agreement will enable the City of Aberdeen to supply water to BRAC contractors for the short and mid-term. The construction of our own Abingdon Water Treatment Plant will fulfill our needs well into the next decade.
Meanwhile, we continue to be #1 in recycling and to move forward on a new waste-to-energy facility. Thank you, Bob, Joel, Hudson, Tom, and Jackie.
DPW is preparing the infrastructure, but the Office of Economic Development continues to lead the State in preparing not only Harford County, but all of Maryland, for BRAC. Jim Richardson, Denise Carnaggio and the entire staff of the Office of Economic Development can proudly state that we have successfully completed all the County actions in our BRAC Action Plan created in 2006. Well ahead of schedule.
With 4000 more jobs scheduled to arrive here in 2010 we can look back and see how important our capital budget commitment since 2005 has been.
Often the Law Department is overlooked when it comes to actions which promote economic growth but both Rob McCord and Nancy Giorno played major roles in two important aspects of BRAC. The PILOT agreement, which was adopted in June – the first in the state – and the Picerne agreement which guarantees adequate housing for military personnel, are key parts of the positive actions taking place on Aberdeen Proving Ground.
The original economy of Harford County was based on agriculture and we can look with pride on the office of the Chief of Staff under Aaron Tomarchio and the Division of Agriculture for the aggressive “Buy Local Program” which expanded in 2009.
Three of our departments have continued to work to protect our most vulnerable neighbors. Shawn Kingston and the Housing Department helped prevent 114 foreclosures.
Mary Chance and the Department of Community Services continues to extend help to senior citizens and Rockie Lynch and the Office of Government and Community Relations connects citizen with the proper department to resolve service issues
Debbie Henderson and her staff in the Procurement Department led the way in having a better control of our fleet as well as saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs.
No issue offered more challenges than the budget. Under the direction of Lorraine Costello and the Budget Office Chief, Kim Spence Harford County saw an unprecedented decrease in the size of the budget – both operating and capital.
Most of those challenges will continue through the year.
A key element in successfully balancing the budget was our employees and the unions which represent them. They faced furloughs. They faced layoffs. They faced changes in benefits. And they continue to provide high quality services to the people of Harford County.
And we should thank them all – whether they are teachers or deputies, whether they staff our libraries or our health office, whether they work on the third floor or in the field.
Our outside agencies have continued to provide stellar service. Under the leadership of Jesses Bane the Sheriff Office has pushed the crime rated down 10%
Under the leadership of Susan Kelly the Health Department has prepared us for seasonal and H1N1 flu.
Under Jim LaCalle Harford Community College continues to offer the lowest tuition rates in the state and offers one of the highest quality educations. We will miss Jim when he retires this year.
Whether it is the Silver Reader, the Rolling Reader, or the expanded Whiteford Branch, the Library system under Audra Caplan continues to be one of the best in the state – earning a 4 star rating from the National Library Journal this year.
We welcome our new Superintendent Dr. Robert Tomback. We opened the new Bel Air High school and broke ground for the Red Pump Elementary School, which along with redistricting will lower overcrowding in our schools and continue to drive down the need for portable classrooms.
All of these accomplishments were made while we lived within our means, lowered our tax cap and lowered our tax rate. And all were done with the close cooperation and tireless effort of the County Council under the leadership of Council President Boniface.
But while tonight is about reflecting on the State of the County in 2009, the reality is that we are faced with challenges of equal size for 2010. Our major challenge is maintaining a balance, not just a balance of revenue and expenditures, but a balance between our wants – our needs – and our ability to meet them.
Both the national and state budgets have been presented. The first has a $1.6 trillion deficit and a $1 trillion raise in taxes. The second is balanced on the chimera of $2 billion in federal stimulus funds.
I can assure you that our budget will be truly balanced with no increase in the tax rate and be as close to the constant yield as we can estimate at this time.
Department heads continue to look for efficiencies and economies.
The balance for which we must strive is a balance between the taxes we pay and the services which we provide. And, which considers the public employee who is in the middle.
To do this we must not be concerned just about the next election. We must be concerned about the next generation.
We must strive to keep the state of Harford County strong.
We must grow our tax base to lessen the burden on present citizens.
We must expand our job base not just through BRAC but in all aspects of the economy.
We must ensure that when we pass the Baton of leadership on to the next generation of leaders that we can do so with the pride.
Much like John Hardwicke and Joanne Parrott and Roni Chenowith did for us.
Council President Boniface, Councilman Guthrie, Councilman Woods, Councilman McMahan, Councilman Slutzky, Councilman Shrodes, Councilwoman Lisanti…I personally thank each of you for your help, your leadership, your diligence in maintaining the strong state of Harford County.
“Patience and Perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
I believe that the words of John Quincy Adams are as true today as the were when he said them almost twenty decades ago. They are as relevant for Harford County now as they were for our nation then.
We will confront the challenge. We will persevere.
I wonder if John Quincey Adams surrounded himself with highly paid family members and even higher paid unqualified political hacks during an economic crisis where jobs were cut and teachers were asked to take less pay? I say if we are to persevere we remain patient until November and replace Craig with an independant thinker and leader.
I wholeheartedly agree with you Mr. Thong. He nearly lost the last election when he was running against a totally inept Ann Helton. Wait until someone qualified challenges him this year. Bye Bye Dave and your family & friends plan too.
I agree with Blue and Al
Craig needs to go, but the problem is trying to convince one of the few popular elected Democrats to run against him.
So who??
Sorry Thong, Craig ain’t going nowhere.
Aberdeen Voter- you are probably right Craig’s going nowhere and taking the county right along with him. I don’t think that the average citizen voter understands how bad a financial position we are in because of the rampant way Craig has grown government during his time in office. And now that property values are down and aid from the state has been seriously reduced, our county is about to enter an epic financial crisis. Craig bet on the come (new housing starts) to fund the Abingdon water treatment expansion and now that new housing has dried up he’ll be back to the current tax payers to buy water for future development. Craig couldn’t be any less preparred for BRAC. His previous director of economic development scipted the Mikulski/Sarbanes movement that brought the congressional mandate of BRAC to Harford County and for this he was let go and replaced by a friend with no economic experience at all. Jim Richardson is an affable guy but certainly nothing akin to J. Thomas Sadowski, a national class in economic development and now President and Ceo of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore. So the county lost that kind of talent so Craig could give his friend a job as Director. That move openned up a slot as HR Director and since the Council rejected Craig’s attempt to make Scott Gibson the council secretary he gave his young campaign worker a six figure salary as Director of HR. Craig has to go.
Scott T. (Scottie) Gibson has to GO!
John Quincy Adams, known for his foreign policy establishments/ international diplomatic tactics, would not have a strong credible argument for or against political hacks during an economic crisis or teachers pay. You may want to use an example of another political leader such as President Roosevelt that has had a more significant impact on the economy in history. And good luck trying to remove Craig, incumbents have a 90% return rate to office regardless of personality or actions. Biased results in these positions come from party affiliation.
FREE CAMPAIGN ADVICE TO CRAIG’S OPPONENTS
It is hysterical that Scott Gibson will be an issue in Craig’s re-election campaign. In a year with 11.4% unemployment, Craig’s opponent will be able to put a picture of Gibson along with his salary in huge red font and a question mark. Then the tax burden faced by the unemployed or family or friend of an unemployed person can be displayed. Pretty easy ad to design. If it is a tv ad, some ominous music would seal Craig’s fate.
Craig, Tomarchio, Gibson, and Bob Thomas are completely naive to think that won’t hurt him in 2010. If times were good, he might have gotten away with it. Add the family members on top of that and my goodness can you say “1 elected term”?
Other issues won’t even matter with that kind of ammo.
Free campaign advice:
His opponent can just put a photo of Gibson and write,
“24 Years Old =$120,000” (or whatever the amount is)
Photo of a house “Your taxes = $XXXXX” “Tell David Craig your money is too valuable to waste”. Don’t forget your authority line!
The good news for the opponent is that I just saved them tons of money in consulting fees. Trust me, that is all you will need. Put is on yard signs, billboards, and mailers. If you have enough money, use tv and radio. You can defeat him with less than $100,000. You can supliment this ad with a few attacks at the hiring of family members. Can you imagine what the teachers whose salaries are being cut will do with this? That is political dynamite my friend. It doesn’t matter what party the opponent is. Craig is done. He is a good guy though. Such a shame he has so little political sense. For a guy who got a second chance, he doesn’t show much savvy.
Congrats on your impending victory!
Great advice, sadly true. I just hope someone, anyone, takes it and runs with it. Even if I didn’t know a think about Craig and his shenanigans, if I saw a sign like that and asked someone about it, I would be livid.
Sad to see Roxanne Lynch leave the Craig administration. She probably knew what the next election would bring. She will be missed but tere is always another Craig family member ready to step up and get on the dole.
yeah AL she was so valuable her position isn’t being filled! Makes on wonder whether her job was necessary! Well not really, I already know it was a favor! But I believe we will see her back in the picture as a campaign manager for Craig to run for Lt. Gov with Erlich, or some other MD political office. I doubt he will run again for Harford County, he has other aspirations!
David Craig’s record speaks for itself.
This is not to be perceived as an endorsement by the Tea Party as Members are proscribed from doing so. This is more of a personal opinion of one individual who has intimate knowledge of the facts at hand. Here I speak to you just as Tony Passaro, Private Citizen of Harford County…
Do not lose sight of the fact under Craig’s tutelage Harford County has won numerous civic awards. The Personal Property taxes have been cut. The overall budget has been cut without the heavy loss of vital services.
And if Craig hires relatives, so what.
One would think that competence is the metric, not family affiliations.
And I challenge anyone to find fault (with facts please) with the performance of anyone in the current administration. Keep in mind “anecdotal stories” are too general and perceived as self serving.
Many are called but few are chosen and fewer still are competent to serve. In my book David Craig has been a capable servant of the public for a long time. He is professionally competent as County Executive and I look forward to responding to the usual empty rhetoric that follows my posts.
Tony Passaro
Bel Air Tea Party Patriots
Alliance of American Patriots
Proud Member
American Tea Party Movement
Mr. Passaro,
Interesting post by a Tea Party Patriot. Craig grew both the government and the budget exponentially. He has coward to the teachers and the sheriff’s department. Jobs and services are now beginning to be cut and when he runs out of bandaids for the upcoming monetary shortfall, higher taxes will certainly follow. You can like him if you want to but Craig’s leadership is in no way consistent with the TEA Party movement. And sir you have a PHD in empty rhetoric.
Al J Thong
Mr. Passaro, you use your real name when you post. So I will value what you have to say more than those who do not. Al J Thong, you should start using your real name if you want anyone to ever take you seriously.
Dear Al J Thong –
I try to write as plainly and as directly as possible. However, some readers just do not grasp my vernacular. In short they are not equipped with the intellect to “Get It”. Hereafter I will try to be more pedagogical and write for readers, who like you, obviously do not posses more than a 4th grade education. Right now your slurs make you appear as a Moron.
Suggest you try one of the GED courses being given at the local Community College. I think you will find Remedial English both informative and helpful.
And should you overcome your pusillanimous attitude and come out from behind your “Nome De Plume”, please feel free to call me directly. I look forward to telling you how I really feel about you.
Most sincerely,
Tony Passaro
Bel Air MD.
443-350-0520
Anthony,
I get it. You can end the class on empty rhetoric and begin the discussion on how the rampant growth of government dove tails with the TEA Party movement. Or, if I just struck a nerve, you can continue to question my name and level of education.
Albert.
oh come now girls…lets’ be polite…
Al J Jockstrap,
I prefer to deal with substantive issues. Your level of education and your fractional I.Q. are of little interest to me.
I have already devoted too much of my time to responding to your uninspired, apathetic Leftist prattle as it is.
Stay indolent and uninformed if you wish, but do not clutter up my time with the senseless musings of a dim-witted intellect.
Sincerely,
Tony Passaro
Bel Air, Md.
Tony,
Except I didn’t give you any leftist prattle; nor could I since I am a life long conservative and a supporter of the TEA Party movement. I asked a simple question about the excessive growth of government and you responded like a paranoid old man clutching a dictionary. Paranoid extremists have no standing in any party especially the TEA party that has gained strength embracing those with conservative values regardless of their affiliation. You think your writing is intimidating while I find it at once to be scared, angry and pathetic.
Al,
I am in agreement with you. I thought you were just commenting on the big government tendencies of Craig, and apparently Tony is in bed with him. It’s a shame, really.
Tony is more concerned with using big words, sounding like a pompous ass, and making up what he considers cute names for people he disagrees with than actually talking about anything substantial.
Oh, and as Cdev has pointed out a few times recently, putting his name to other people’s writing and posting it on The Dagger like it was his own.
Wow! “Big Al” Thong is a “leftist”, and Tony P-Ditty-ASS-aaro is “in bed” with David Craig. Who would’ve thunk?
I guess up is down, AND black really IS the new white!
I prefer not to dignify these scurrilous comments with a reply except to paraphrase the quote ”Sticks and stones may break my bones but deleterious names by morons will never harm me”
Tony Passaro
Bel Air, Md.
Tony while I agree with your assesment of Craig (wow I agree with Tony). To be fair you started with the name calling first; right after “Aberdeen Voter” acused Al of not using his real name when in fact he does!
Thanks for making my point for me, Tony.
BTW, It is much more preferable to be a “Pompous-Ass” instead of being a “Jack-Ass”.
Tony Passaro
Bel Air, Md.
How about being both?
Dw,cdev,mama mia!, good stuff and others who have contacted me; I was not attempting any more than to open a dialogue with with some one who siged his post:
Tony Passaro
Bel Air TEA Party Patriots
Alliance of American Patriots
Proud Member
American Tea Party Movement
Many people favor Craig for many good reasons but my question to Tony was how does an Exec who grew the budget by almost 50% from 2005 to 2009 (roughly 400 Million to 600 million) get the endorsement of a standard bearer of the TEA Party movement?
Although he never answered he did at least stop signing off with all his party affiliations.
In all fairness the budget growth did not keep up with the cost of doing buisness for instance the cost of electricity alone over that time grew 300%.