Primary Election Ballot Fills In Harford As Candidate Filing Deadline Nears

Less than a week before the 9 p.m. July 6 deadline for filing as a candidate in the 2010 Gubernatorial Election, the ballot in Harford County is beginning to fill.

Fred Silva, a Republican from Perryman, has entered the race for Harford County Executive. Derek J. Howell issued a statement this week that he will not join the other three candidates seeking the Republican nomination for county executive.

Billy Boniface, a Republican from Darlington, has filed for re-election as Harford County Council President.

Democrat John Henkel and Republicans Yvonne Baldwin and James M. Thompson, all of Joppa, have filed for the county council District A seat.

District B councilman Joe Woods of Fallston has filed seeking election to the seat to which he was appointed, but faces opposition in the Republican primary from Derek J. Howell of Abingdon, who decided this week he would not pursue a race for county executive.

Republican Todd Paterniti of Darlington has filed for the county council District D seat.

Tom Hopkins, a Democrat from Bel Air, has joined the group of a half-dozen candidates looking to replace Register of Wills Harry Hopkins. Tom Hopkins is not related to Harry Hopkins, nor to Derek K. Hopkins – who is running for the same position, and is similarly of no relation to Harry Hopkins, but Tom Hopkins is the only Democrat so far to file for the position.

Jeffrey R. Gahler of Bel Air has entered the four-way Republican primary race for the nomination to run against incumbent Democratic Sheriff Jesse Bane of Fallston in the General Election.

Cassandra R. Beverly of Bel Air, Kim McCarthy of Bel Air, and Wendy L. Sawyer of Edgewood have filed for the Democratic Central Committee Female positions.

Zach Fang of Fallston, Cordell Hunter of Aberdeen, and Joseph C. Smith of Havre de Grace have filed as candidates running for Democratic Central Committee Male positions.

On the GOP side, James A. Barron of Havre de Grace, Scott DeLong of Bel Air, Scott T. Gibson of Darlington, Gregory C. Johnson of Bel Air, Miles M. Kress of Abingdon, Paula R. Mullis of Joppatowne, John M. Paff Jr. of Abingdon, Dave Price of Bel Air, Teresa Reilly of Whiteford, Joan Ryder of Fallston, Richard D. Schafer of Churchville, Donna M. Smith of Forest Hill, Larry Stancill of Bel Air, Mike Stephens of Bel Air, James M. Thompson of Joppa, Kim Wagner of Bel Air, Jim Welch of Bel Air, and Rosaria “Rosie” Wolff of Forest Hill are seeking election to the Republican Central Committee.

Competition for seats on the Harford County Board of Education is heating up as the filing deadline approaches, with four candidates filing within the past week. A total of nine candidates have filed so far, three in each of the three councilmanic districts up for election this year.

District A

Joining Pastor Tony McDonald and teacher Bob Frisch in the race for the Edgewood/Joppatowne seat is Jansen M. Robinson.

Robinson, 55, is a physical security specialist for the federal government and the owner of Landmark Physical Security Services in Edgewood. The Edgewood resident has a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA and an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. The father of three graduates of Harford County Public Schools, Robinson currently serves as the chairman of the Edgewood Community Council.

Robinson said he was running for the school board because, “I want to bring the community and the school system together… The schools don’t know everything, the community doesn’t know everything, but together I think we can solve a lot of our problems.” Robinson also said he wanted to make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

District B

The Fallston/Abingdon candidates thus far are Gregory N. Seltzer, Tom Myers and Cassandra R. Beverley.

Tom Myers, 27, is a stand-up comedian and a sales associate at the Fallston Seven-Eleven. He has also contributed to The Dagger. Myers has a history degree from Goucher College and he calls deceased former delegate Joanne Parrott his “political mentor.”

Asked why he was running for the school board, the Fallston High School graduate said he was diagnosed with a severe learning disability at age four and benefited from a special program at Hickory Elementary School that allowed him to return to the general education program two years later. Myers said he wanted other students with disabilities to be afforded similar opportunities.

Myers also said he wanted to focus school resources on making sure students attend college and are successful in the job market; to make sure children understand the opportunity presented by their education; to take care of teachers as providers of a community service; and to assure parents that Harford County Public Schools will provide their children with the best possible education.

Cassandra R. Beverley, 52, is a general practice attorney with an office located in Bel Air. The Abingdon resident has three children, two of whom graduated from Edgewood High School, and one who attends Edgewood Middle. Beverley is also a candidate for re-election to the Harford County Democratic Central Committee where she currently serves as an officer. She is a member of the NAACP and the PTA. Asked why she chose to run for the school board, Beverley said, “I’m really big on public education…I see good things happening in Harford County and I wanted to do whatever I could to contribute to that…I was educated in public schools and I just believe in them.”

Gregory Seltzer did not return requests for comment.

District D

Stay-at-home mother Lorrie Warfield will be joined in the North Harford race by Rick Grambo and retired Harford County Public Schools teacher Martha Dauphinais. Dauphinais chaired the math department at Bel Air High School before she retired in June. Grambo and Dauphinais were not immediately available for comment.

In the state races, Sen. Andy Harris, Republican/Cockeysville, has filed to challenge Congressman Frank Kratovil, Democrat/Stevensville, for the 1st District Congressional seat.

In District 34, Arthur Henry Helton Jr. of Joppa has filed to make a return to the state senate.

The District 7 delegation race now includes Democrats Jeff Beard of Middle River, David “SKI” Mioduszewski of Baltimore, James Ward Morrow of Essex, Rebecca Weir Nelson of Abingdon, and Kristina A. Sargent of Abingdon

The Republican side of the same district includes Jim Berndt of Baltimore, Marilyn Booker of Phoenix, John Cromwell of Kingsville, Incumbents Rick Impallaria of Joppa, Pat McDonough of Baltimore, and Roger Zajdel of Kingsville.

Republicans Dave Seman of Jarrettsville and Del. Donna Stifler of Forest Hill have both entered the District 35A delegation race.

FROM THE CAMPAIGNS

Derek J. Howell Continues Run For County Council District B, Turns Down Run For County Executive

(Abingdon, MD) I would like to personally thank the citizens, business owners and elected officials who asked me to run for county executive. I would also like to thank those who formed the exploratory committee and all of the hard work and effort they gave in trying to persuade me to change my run from the county council to county executive. However, notwithstanding the great honor and high compliment in having been asked to run for county executive, I respectfully decline to run for that office at this time.

I am continuing my race for Harford County Council District B. As I have said before and reemphasize now, my campaign is not about me, but we – we the people, and I believe at the present time I can best serve the people of Harford County and residents of District B on the county council. The citizens of Harford County have my commitment that I will fight for lower taxes, support public safety, and champion the principle of limited government.

Morrow announces run for Maryland House of Delegates District 7 seat; says we can do better than ‘right wing fringe issue ideologues’ McDonough and Impallaria

“Pat McDonough wants to introduce an Arizona style immigration law, but fails to address what taxes he wants to raise to implement it.”

James “Ward” Morrow has filed to campaign for the Democratic Party nomination to challenge Republican incumbents Pat McDonough and Rick Impallaria to represent District 7 in the Maryland House of Delegates; denouncing their support for “extreme right wing fringe issues.

“We need a Delegate who has the temperament to work effectively with state and local government leaders on issues affecting our community like education and public safety.”

“I was inspired, like many others, by the words of President Kennedy, to honor those in public service” Morrow is now an attorney for the American Federation of Government Employees, a former Counsel to the American Federation of Teachers-Maryland Chapter and served for ten years as a Baltimore prosecutor.

Morrow, a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland School of Law, served on the Green Buildings Commission under Gov. Glendenning and a is member of the Sierra Club. “I am a strong advocate for protecting the environment and the Bay; the incumbents are part of the drill, baby, drill crowd, one only needs to look to the Gulf of Mexico to see the impact of the ‘drill but don’t regulate’ fringe”

‘When Rick Impallaria announced his candidacy for reelection he said, ‘Being a voice of reason and common sense is not easy in this environment.’ and I agree. McDonough and Impallaria have created an environment that makes it difficult for the voices of reason and common sense to be heard over their grandstanding. These are difficult times and our community deserves leaders who don’t look for the easy way out. I’m rolling up my sleeves and ready to serve on day one to do the hard work necessary to represent our community.”

“The incumbents use the tired rhetoric of the past. Our community is not effectively represented by these extremists who want only want to slash and burn in the name of ideology. Our community wants an efficient government that values our teachers, correctional officers, police officers and firefighters. Those who serve in education and public safety need to be supported, not fear cuts and layoffs caused by ideologues with an axe to grind. Pat McDonough wants to introduce an Arizona style immigration law, but fails to address what taxes he wants to raise to implement it.”

Morrow has received early endorsements from the Maryland State Education Association and Progressive Maryland and has a growing Facebook group.

Stifler Files For Re-Election

…Harford Delegate fighting to change Annapolis

Harford County State Delegate Donna Stifler (R., 35A) has officially filed her candidacy for re-election with the State Board of Elections in Annapolis. Stifler is seeking her second term in the House of Delegates.

“I want to continue to fight to change Annapolis,” said Stifler. “Harford County families deserve a government that understands how difficult it is in this economy to raise a family, pay a mortgage and teach kids that hard work and persistence pay off.”

Stifler, a member of the Economic Matters Committee of the House of Delegates, said she is focused on creating good paying jobs for Harford County families. “That is why I have consistently voted to lower taxes, reduce excessive regulation and stop the spending that fuels Maryland’s ever-growing government. Government does not create jobs. It discourages entrepreneurs from investing and creating jobs.”

Last week, Stifler was honored by Maryland Business for Responsible Government, a statewide organization of business leaders dedicated to creating economic growth in Maryland. She was given the John Shaw Award for her consistent support over the past four years of policies aimed
at creating jobs and economic growth.

Stifler, a mother of two daughters, is a former Christian School teacher. She lives with her husband and children in Forest Hill.

Grambo For School Board

As a constitutional conservative I am committed to the principals of limited government and sound money. The federal government has grown too powerful and is no longer able to understand or meet the demands the average citizen has placed on him. Our local school board has input over roughly half the budget for Harford County not to mention responsibility for decisions that directly affect the education of our children. For this reason I feel the citizens elected school board is one of the best places for American Patriots to seek election. I have two children in the public school system and have been following the issues that affect us all for some time now.

It is my belief that we need to return educational choice to the local school system. The students at Aberdeen High School may not benefit from the same programs the students at Have De Grace high school excel at etc. These choices do not need to be made by a County wide school board but rather by the community at the local schools themselves. The role of the Harford County School board regarding curriculum should be to make sure the local schools have the resources needed to properly educate our children. Federal mandates will force us to decide on certain programs. I believe that we should challenge our students and not concede that certain programs are too difficult for our students. In other words it is never the correct choice to sacrifice the education of best students to accommodate those that struggle.

Across this country we hear stories of school boards cutting physical education, athletics, art, and band activities. This is unacceptable. Many of these programs are important to our children’s development and can not be eliminated to save tough decisions elsewhere. Local community involvement is critical to keeping some of these programs alive during tough times and I feel the school board can help rally the community for these efforts.

The school system budget is something every tax paying resident needs to think about. The current rate of spending is unsustainable. The economy is not likely to return to its previous levels of prosperity any time soon. We will be forced to make difficult decisions regarding budget cuts in the near future. The first thing the public always hears about is teacher’s salaries. I believe this is a political stunt designed to make us open our wallets and resign ourselves to higher taxes. The capital budget should be much easier to trim. Does every new high school football field need to be expensive Astroturf? Can we allow the class size to increase by 2 or 3 students and get by with one less new school? To be sure there will be difficult decisions to be made in other areas of the budget. I am prepared to examine these with a critical eye and make the necessary tough decisions to keep our county from getting into financial trouble. I pledge that special interest will never cloud my judgment.

In conclusion, it will be my goal to elevate our school system to be the best in the country while at the same time reducing our budget (i.e. Tax burden on the citizens). People will think that is “pie in the sky” but I challenge them to show me evidence that throwing money at education translates to better students. Our country churned out some of the brightest most creative minds in history before the federal government seized control of the educational system and I believe we as a community can return her to previous glory. The citizens of Harford County, in particular the citizens of District D, have my solemn word that I will:

-seek input from the residents on critical decisions when possible.
-actively seek to reduce the budget.
-keep the students best interest in the forefront of my choices.
-hold the US constitution in the highest regard.
-act with honor and integrity in all situations.

Sincerely,
Rick Grambo

Henkel For Council

Dear Friends and Family –

As some of you already know, I have decided to seek the Democratic nomination to represent District A (Joppa, Joppatowne and Edgewood) in Harford County. After months of consideration and discussions with my family, I felt it was time to give back in a bigger and better way and to make sure that our community is well represented on the Council.

It has already been very exciting and I am looking forward to the next 90 or so days leading up to the September 14th primary. My website is up and running (www.jhenkel.com) and I will be announcing several events in the coming weeks.

I hope to see all of you while I am out and about in the district and look forward to your continued support.

It’s time for a change in District A.

John Henkel
Candidate
Harford County Council – District A
Serving Joppa, Joppatowne and Edgewood

Seman For Delegate Announcement

Dear Friends,

I am excited to announce my filing for candidacy for Maryland House of Delegates in District 35A, North Harford County. I have always been politically active in support of my candidates and running for an elected office has been a goal of mine for many years.

At age 51, it is my time!

I am running as a conservative on the Republican ticket and look forward to serving my friends and neighbors in District 35A and the state as a whole, with sound common sense values and a business minded approach. I will work for my constituents and establish effective and frequent communication with the community, so I may best represent District 35A in the Maryland General Assembly.

In the General Assembly, there are 188 elected officials, of which less than ten percent are business owners. As a small business owner and family man, I can personally relate to the issues affecting you and your family. My goal is to help restore family prosperity in Maryland through business retention and growth. Jobs are my number one priority.

Thriving businesses will insure jobs in our community and across the state. Jobs equal income and income improves our quality of life.

Government must become fiscally responsible and eliminate tax increases. A balanced budget will bring a surplus which will ultimately facilitate lower taxes. Tax increases for individuals directly impact the quality of life for families. Tax increases for businesses trickle down to the community through loss of jobs and higher prices. I will reduce unnecessary spending and make the government accountable.

I cannot accomplish these tasks on my own and am reaching out to you for your support

Andy Harris Officially Files for Maryland’s First Congressional District

Harris cites the need to protect the American dream from an out-of-control Congress

ANNAPOLIS – State Senator Andy Harris, M.D. today officially filed his candidacy for Maryland’s First Congressional District. Dr. Harris filed as a strong fiscal conservative who will work to stop the wasteful overspending and soaring national debt that endangers the American dream for current and future generations. Dr. Harris released the following statement:

“I am running to be the next member of Congress for Maryland’s First District to protect citizens from an out-of-control Congress,” Harris said. “After 18 months of bailouts, government takeovers, the largest national debt in history and trillion dollar spending schemes, it is clear we need new leadership in Washington. Marylanders are witnessing firsthand the systematic dismantling of the American dream by this Administration and the majority in Congress and they want it to stop.

I am running to restore fiscal responsibility to Washington while ending the vast government overreaching endorsed by Congressional leaders and their rank-and-file enablers. I have a solid record on protecting taxpayers from the abuse we’re seeing in Congress and am proud to have the broad support of Republicans, Democrats and Independent Marylanders who share my concerns and want to work to change the course our country is on.”

Harris served 17 years in the United States Naval Reserve, including active duty during Desert Storm. He is a practicing obstetric anesthesiologist and served three terms in the Maryland State Senate.

Redmer Files As Candidate For 7th District Maryland Senate Race

BALTIMORE, MD – Al Redmer, Jr. announced today that he has filed as a candidate for the Maryland State Senate, representing the 7th Legislative District.

The former Maryland Insurance Commissioner and former 13-year member of the Maryland House of Delegates is seeking the State Senate seat currently occupied by Dr. Andrew Harris who is a candidate for the U.S House of Representatives 1st District seat held by Congressman Frank Kratovil. The 7th District comprises portions of both Baltimore and Harford counties.

A life-long resident of the area, Redmer was first elected to the Maryland House in 1991 and was its minority leader from 2001-2003. Then-Governor Bob Ehrlich appointed him to lead the Maryland Insurance Administration in 2003. Upon leaving state service, Redmer returned to the private sector as a shareholder and president of Landmark Insurance & Financial Group, a Maryland-based firm doing business throughout the mid-Atlantic region.

In filing for the State Senate seat, candidate Redmer observed, ?Like many of my neighbors in the 7th district, I share the frustration over the legislature?s insatiable appetite to spend money and raise taxes. I share citizens? concern about the legislature?s actions that have cost many of our neighbors their jobs.?

He added, ?As the CEO of a state agency and as CEO of private businesses, I have reviewed operations, streamlined processes and made organizations more efficient. I can bring with me many of the skills learned during my hiatus from the legislature to address the complicated problems our state faces.?

Redmer and his supporters have personally communicated with voters throughout the district and have been busy raising funds for the Senate race and have set up a special website, www.AlRedmer.com, as a site for online donations and volunteering.

Posey-Moss For District 34A Delegation

Why She’s Running: “As State Delegate I will empower constituents by educating them on the issues that affect their lives, include them in the decision making process by making myself continuously accessible and visible and protect as well as uphold our constitutional and legal rights.”

Why Posey-Moss as your NEW State Delegate?
“As a principled and thinking advocate, my role as delegate is to be your legislative voice in Annapolis and not just represent a few select interests that can get me elected. I am here to Educate, Advocate and Lead my constituents, keeping them fully informed, taking and returning their calls and most importantly, being visible and accessible. “

How Will She Be Different?
“As your delegate I intend on holding three Legislative Updates at the close of the legislative session. My constituents, including businesses, non-profits and churches, will be invited to learn about the new laws that are of particular interest to our district. You will have the opportunity to learn the legislative process, exchange ideas and ask me questions. Many times partnerships form to craft future legislation.

Your request to have an accountable, visible and accessible delegate will be met. I will be decisive and will-ing to talk to all my constituents regardless of party affiliation.”

Consumer Advocacy –
No Gap No Fault
Strengthen accountability measures of those who damage our property by requiring insurance companies to cover the cost of your unpaid balance of a good standing loan on a totaled vehicle when their insured is responsible and negligent for an accident.

Small Businesses –
Keep Costs Low
Prohibit predatory fee policies by requiring banks to allow cash deposits made during open hours apply to checks that clear an account that day.

Public Safety –
Move Over Maryland
Protect those who keep us safe by requiring motorists to move over one lane or slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit when approaching a law enforcement officer during a traffic stop or emergency personnel vehicles in service such as fire trucks or ambulances.

Women and Families –
Paying for Eligibility
Improve access to health care for women and children by making eligible children less than one year of age to be covered by a private insurer even if a parent is not covered and extending the period of considering a woman’s body mass index after having given birth.

Jeffrey R. Gahler for Harford County Sheriff

June 28, 2010

Today, Republican Jeffrey R. Gahler officially filed his candidacy for the office of Harford County Sheriff. Mr. Gahler, a twenty-six (26) year veteran of the Maryland State Police was joined by his wife, Sonya, as he officially filed for this year’s election at the Harford County Board of Elections in Forest Hill.

Mr. Gahler, who continues to serve the citizens of the State in his role as the Commander of the Automotive Safety Enforcement Division for the Maryland State Police, has served the majority of his career in Harford County. Prior to his current assignment, Mr. Gahler served as a Troop Commander, overseeing all State Police activities in Harford, Cecil and Carroll counties, serving a population of more than 500,000 citizens and providing daily leadership and support to 195 State Police personnel.

Mr. Gahler is a 1983 graduate of North Harford High School, is a graduate of Harford Community College, and a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University where he earned his Master’s Degree in Management. Mr. Gahler resides in Forest Hill with his wife and their two daughters.

Mr. Gahler’s filing as a candidate for Sheriff was expected and anticipated before the July 6th filing deadline. He began his effort to become the next Sheriff for Harford County back in August 2008.

Cindy Mumby contributed to this story