Harford County Executive Craig Completes Term as President of Maryland Association of Counties

From Harford County government:

Harford County Executive David R. Craig has wrapped up his term as president of the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo). Craig completed his one-year term at the MACo winter conference last week in Cambridge.

“It has truly been a great honor to serve as president of MACo during the past year at a time of great challenges to counties throughout Maryland,” County Executive Craig stated. “MACo is a strong organization with a tremendous heritage and record of proven leadership in the State,” Craig stated. “I have enjoyed my tenure in office and will do all I can in the future to support the goals of the Association,” County Executive Craig remarked.

Craig, a native of Havre de Grace, is the only elected official to ever serve as president of MACo and the Maryland Municipal League (MML). The County Executive served as president of MML when he was mayor of Havre de Grace in 2005.

During his term as president of MACo, County Executive Craig led MACo’s effort to fend off deeper and more serious cuts to counties in the State’s FY 2011 budget, including the shift of teacher pension costs. The County Executive helped MACo play a major role in a compromise on stormwater regulations, seeking to balance the need for responsible environmental protection with the need for predictable and reasonable rules for downtown redevelopment projects and other beneficial projects currently underway. Finally, County Executive Craig worked with State officials from both chambers and both parties to reflect MACo’s nonpartisan and statewide nature as the voice of Maryland counties.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Building a Solid Foundation”, with an emphasis on how government can deliver services during difficult fiscal times.

During the MACo conference banquet Thursday evening at the Hyatt in Cambridge, County Executive Craig concluded his term with a simple “Thank You” message to friends, colleagues and supports. Craig successor as president of MACo is Ken Ulman, the 36 year-old County Executive of Howard County.

Established in 1951, MACo is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that serves Maryland county government by articulating their needs and ideas to the Maryland General Assembly and state government. Through MACo’s advocacy, training, education programs and annual conferences, the membership is provided with opportunities to help them better serve their citizens. MACo members are the elected officials of the 23 counties in Maryland and the City of Baltimore.