From the Helton for Senate campaign:
Maryland’s teachers and education specialists have endorsed Art Helton in his bid to become the next State Senator from Senate District 34, which includes the southern area of Harford County as well as western and Northern areas of Cecil County.
The Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) advised Mr. Helton that he is their choice for the senate seat after receiving recommendations from the Harford County Education Association, their local affiliate, and the MSEA Fund for Children and Public Education Steering Committee. “Best wishes and good luck on your campaign,” said Clara Floyd, MSEA president, in her letter announcing the endorsement.
“I am honored that Maryland’s teachers, and in particular, our local teachers, have chosen me as their candidate for the state senate,” Helton said. “Their endorsement shows they have confidence in my abilities to get things done in Annapolis that will benefit our school systems here in Harford and Cecil counties.”
Helton pointed out that he has a strong record of support for education during his previous stint as a Senator during the 1980’s. “I was instrumental in Harford County receiving state funding for 12 new schools during my term, a feat not achieved by our current senator during her 12 years in office,” Helton said. “I was responsible for many legislative initiatives that are now law, including legislation increasing the State’s share of funding for Community Colleges and a law redefining local school budget categories giving local governments better financial control. “
Helton said, “I know how to get things done. I know how to work with legislators, local governments and the private sector to make sure we get the best value for our tax dollars. I greatly appreciate the confidence the MSEA has show in me by their endorsement of my candidacy, and I will do everything possible to make sure our public school systems get their fair share of education dollars. Our children will not be left behind on my watch.”
And he knows how to make friends in each of the neighborhoods in which he has registered to vote since his last victorious election.
Really now. This is nothing.
I doubt Art personally funded the 12 schools. Note the word “instrumental” which really means he tagged onto the years of work the preceded the bills (in which he did not participate).
Senator Jacobs, during her term, has been involved in perhaps hundreds of education initiatives. Though, to be fair, her work largely is focused on issues related to her committee, not the least of which is significantly controlling child predators and reducing gang violence.
I have no idea why the teacher’s union would have endorsed someone who has had nothing to do with education except for a scant few years in the Senate and ignore a candidate with years of commitment to the welfare of children and who has shown a consistent interest in the school both legislatively and practically by attending 100s of school events and activities over the years.
What are they thinking . . . oh that’s right, themselves. Art Helton is not interested in anything but getting back into the “Old Boys club” in Annapolis. Picture this: Art helton and Mike Miller, hand-in-hand, patting each other on the back. Art is saying to Miller, “Anything you want, Mike.” Just what Maryland needs, one more Democrat in Annapolis. So, I’ll say it again, if you want higher taxes and more unfriendly regulations, keep voting for the democrats. Some may think that Ms. Jacobs cannot make a difference in Annapolis, but look back on “Jessica’s Law.” If it wasn’t for Ms. Jacobs, those in Annapolis (which is infested with trial lawyers – something like bedbugs) would not have passed the bill.
Some may say that having more Republicans in Annapolis will cause gridlock and nothing will get done. For the majoirty of the citizens in this state, particularly those who live outside Baltimore City, P.G. County, and Montgomery County, gridlock is a good thing. If they can’t get anything done, we won’t have more taxes and unfriendly laws jammed down our thoats. Right now they can do anything they want and we can’t do a thing about it. Why help them even more. I urge everyone to make a change and change the face of Annapolis. Wouldn’t it be nice for the people of Maryland for the first time to be able to say NO to Mike Miller, Michael Bush, and Owe’Malley (if he wins – and hopefully not).
As to the Educators, stop thinking about yourselves . . . it’s getting old. All the money that is poured into the schools systems and we see no improvements in the education of our children. And you want more? Time to say NO to them also.
Sounds like Art is beating a dead horse, or is that a live wife?
Instrumental in education?
Is he, perhaps, referring to his assistance at the groundbreaking for North Harford?
Check the Aegis on that one. He couldn’t even get the tractor started (and that was while working in tandem with another politician). Is this an example of his ability to work with others to get things done?
I honestly don’t know why the teacher’s union would endorse him. I know some Harford County teachers /personally/, and I can’t see them voting for anyone remotely like Mr. Helton.
(P.S. Fact correction: His time in office was late 70’s to early 80’s.)
He was arrogant as a Senator, and I doubt his arrogance has abated. This residence business is a shame. But, then, we have a President that has some of the same issues.
Who press releases an education endorsement filled with errors? Maybe the education union should have proof-read his press release!
Examples:
“and a law redefining local school budget categories giving local governments better financial control.”
“a feat not achieved by our current senator during her 12 years in office”
If Art Helton can’t write or count then how can the education association endorse him?
I am disappointed in the HCEA and MSTA for endorsing this man. As a former educator, these organizations should be looking for better role models.
I think they are looking for a candidate that will make the votes that support the school system, something that Nancy Jacobs has shown time and time again that she is unwilling to do. Art Helton is the ONLY choice if you seriously support our public schools.
It is not him. Sorry, if you have ever met him or had dealings with him, he doesn’t belong in office. I do support education.
If you support public education, really support it, then you know that Helton is by far the better choice over Jacobs. He (in your mind) may feel that he does not belong in public office, but that frankly is not the question. The question is how will he vote? And there is no question that Helton will vote to support schools, environment, infrastructure improvements, and civil rights while Jacobs would never even consider working with the Senate to bring such funds to Harford County.
Come on, get real. The reason Harford County does get its share of state money is that is the dsf Democrats way of punishing the county for sending Republicans. That group played the same game with Bob Ehrlich. I can give you many examples, but I will just mention one- Slots. That old boy giveaway group in Annapolis needs to go. If you want to talk education to me, reply with a question. I wouldn’t vote for Helton, and I know his history.
when was the last time he held office? I remember him on the church circuit years ago when he was running for something way back in the 70s.
belairfed, he began his career as a county councilman. If you know anyone who served with him in the council or Senate, talk to them. I am including Democrats in that group.
I’m curious… If I take the headline at face value I’m left believing every educator in the state was canvassed and voted their support for Helton. However, common sense tells me the head of MSEA is of the same political affiliation as Helton and has granted this “endorsement”. What possible meaning could such an endorsement have and why are voters swayed by such rubbish?
The HCEA (Harford County Education Association) is led by liberals who are Democrats. Unfortunately, many teachers don’t speak up, and allow the HCEA to support someone like Helton. The MSTA has always been in the pocket of Democrats, and probably always will.
Somebody ought to tell ‘Monster’ that most of the HCEA endorsements this time around have been Republicans.
BS Meter, have you noticed that the Democrats don’t have many people running.
BS Meter, It is your right to defend your candidate, and I respect that. But, to tell me that he is an education champion is not true. He is an Art Helton Champion.
Mr. Helton,
1.) You live in Darlington which is not in District 34. Therefore you are ethically challenged and are unworthy of elected office. Mr. Washington and members of your own party have challenged you on this repeatedly. The voters for the last two decades have not been fooled by you.
2.) This endorsement shows how pathetically whipped teacher unions and associations are by the democratic party. I’m sure Nancy had nothing to do with the new Edgewood, Bel Air, North Harford, and Patterson Mill High Schools. You say Nancy did not match your 12 schools. Was she supposed to? The last time you were elected, Harford County had 46,000 households. It has almost twice as many today and much of that growth was in the North. Nancy was elected for the last 20 years during this growth while you were trying to get elected and failing. During that time our schools have done quite well.
3.) Across the country teachers unions are preventing children from receiving a quality education. Their mantra is protect our jobs regardless of how well we teach and more money for less work. Leaders like Chris Christie in NJ are making real changes in our schools by weakening these groups. I wonder if the MSEA (MD’s wing of the liberal NEA) endorsed any Republicans statewide. If so, I would ignore their endorsement out of principle.
4.) Students left behind in District 34? “Edgewood Middle School (EMS) was among the schools with the most impressive improvement. For the second consecutive year, EMS met AYP in every sub-group area exiting them from the School Improvement List. This year, previously underperforming subgroups, including African-American students, students in poverty, and special education students, all experienced gains at Edgewood Middle.” Baltimore Examiner, July 28, 2010.
5.) Reality check, state legislatures don’t impact education in the classroom that much other than funding. Education is largely managed at the County level, hence Harford County Public Schools. Charter schools are the future of public education and Nancy has been at the forefront of that issue in our State. The NEA/MSEA hate charter schools and campaigns against them.
6.) So to wrap it all up, congratulations Mr. Helton on being endorsed by a group that is actually hurting our children and please run for office in the district that you live in.
Nancy refuses to work with the leadership in Annapolis; therefore, she is ineffectual as a Senator representing any of us in Harford or Cecil Counties let alone our children in the public school system. In fact, take a look at her website. She doesn’t even mention public schools on her page of issues. What a joke; especially, when she claims to be fiscally conservative but does not even address where a lion’s share of our tax money goes to support. Art will be a refreshing change. I’m looking forward to Art’s victory. Nancy can start her retirement in Florida two years earlier than planned.
Kim,
I would be flabbergasted if Helton won. Maybe Nancy should say more about education, but, as a Republican in the Democratic cesspool of Annapolis, there isn’t that much she can do about it. You want to help education, get the state to live up to its funding mandates and stop passing the costs on to the counties. The state has been doing this for some time, and it hurts the counties.
Art Helton is a looser.
To say that teachers at the local level are hurting student’s education is just not true. Teachers are caring and dedicated professionals. Lets not get wrapped up in the rhetoric.
The true problems in education come from the Department of Education in Washington and State Board of Education headed by Nancy Grasmick. These bureaucracies keep shoving crap down teacher’s throats that interfere with their ability to teach the right way. Teachers are doing what they are told by school administration and politicians who like to grandstand. Teachers are constantly screaming for those at the top to get out of their way and let them do what they are trained and know how to do – which is teach kids.
Harford County does not need charter schools. One was tried here and it was a failure. The research from independent sources shows that 17% on charter schools do better than public schools, 47% do as well as public schools, and 36% do worse than charters schools. Charters may be appropriate in some places but enough measures are in place in Harford County to address the very few schools with academic issues. And remember that these particular schools usually have populations that face other issues beyond the scope of school system reach or responsibility that impact overall school performance..
correction – 36% do worst the public schools
Another Take,
I agree with you. Having worked in the HCPS for 32 years, 21 of which I taught, I know how teachers deal with whatever they get. However, my problem is with the HCEA/MSTA endorsement of Helton. The vast majority of teachers are not union oriented. Unfortunately, they don’t express their views enough, because they are so busy with the workload that they have. The educators need to realize that if they don’t take an active role in selecting leaders, education is going to take the shape of the legislatures in this country. I think too much of public education to see this happen.
I agree. I think that most teachers are not very political, they try to stay away from or not take sides on such topics in their classrooms. The problem is that those with strong political identities rise to the top of education/union organizations, who are then co-oped by politicians at the state and national level.
This year we are seeing it at the local level with the school board elections. See the Frisch letter posted under “The Dirt.” Looks like one side is playing the political game and the other is trying to stick to the issues.
These endorsements are based on questionnaires sent by HCEA to the candidates. Then they make their selection. Often Repub candidate don’t respond due to the fact that that HCEA/MSTA are predisposed to supporting the Democratic candidates. While there are some Repubs that get a nod, it is usually overwhelmingly democrat, except for those who have some ‘special’ relationships with those in charge.
What boggles my mind is the repeated support of candidates that don’t delever, but that comes from voting down the party line regardless of quality of canidate.