From Harford County Council District C Councilman “Capt’n” Jim McMahan:
CAPT’N JIM’S “COFFEE TALK”©
DEC 3, 2013
NEWS
COMCAST CABLE IS SEEKING RENEWAL OF THEIR CONTRACT WITH HARFORD COUNTY. The County Council is seeking CITIZEN COMMENTS on the renewal application. Please go to the Harford County Government Web Site and click on County Council. Your input is necessary in this renewal process.
HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Today the HCSO announced the acquisition of a former military Bell OH-58 Helicopter. The chopper will have the call sign of Eagle 1. Contrary to a recent media headline, Sheriff Bane made clear that the unit was not ‘PURCHASED” by Harford County. It was acquired through a Department of Defense program (1033) authorizing DoD to give excess property to Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies. The unit will initially operate on a part-time basis. Two deputies already in the department have FAA certification to fly this type aircraft. Sheriff Bane said no Harford County Tax money was used in creating the unit. To make the ship air-worthy, funds confiscated from illegal drug activity were used. In the future it is anticipated that the annual cost to maintain the aircraft will be $125,000.00. The unit will take to the air early in 2014. Sheriff Bane said when searching for a lost child or a fugitive, the unit can do the work of 10 to 12 deputies on the ground.
DEC 4: ANNUAL CHANUKAH CANDLE LIGHTING AT TEMPLE ADAS SHALOM Rt 155 and Earlton Road. Begins at 6:00 PM Chanukah Foods and full dinners available for just $8 Eat in or Take Out. Open to the public. All are welcome.
DEC 5: HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE at the Hays – Heighe House on the campus of Harford Community College 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sample Holiday treats, See the traditions of the American Home for the Holidays and be entertained by HCC Students. Admission is free.
DEC 7: SUSQUEHANNA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Annual Christmas Concert. “Some Assembly Required” 7:30 PM Mark your calendar. Bel Air High School. Selections include Theldon Myers’ – People Look East – Todd Goodman and Justin Cober-Lake – Some Assembly Required – Percy Grainger – The Sussex Mummer’s Christmas Carol – Benjamin Britten – Men of Goodwill (Variations on a Christmas Carol)- Leon Jessel, arr.Donald Raff – Parade of the Wooden Soldiers arr. Folus – A Hanukah Celebration – arr. Chase – Christmas Memories
And the Annual Favorite – Christmas Sing Along with the conductor Sheldon Bair.
DEC 8: BEL AIR COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT. Annual Christmas musical featuring local musicians which make up this 80 piece band. The concert begins at 3:00 p.m. at Bel Air High School. Free Admission. For more info email BACB@verizon.net
DEC 13-15: Ladew Topiary Gardens Christmas Open House weekend – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., “Christmas Through the Ages” – enjoy Christmas in the country; tour the beautifully decorated Manor House, fully stocked gift shop, and gallery loaded with fresh greens and holiday arrangements. For more information, call 410-557-9570 or visit www.ladewgardens.com.
DEC 15: BEL AIR COMMUNITY CHORUS “CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES” 7:00PM Bel Air High School Auditorium Featuring songs from your favorite Christmas Movies. Free Admission
DEC 15: DINNER WITH SANTA.. Jarrettsville V F W Post 8672. 1714 Nirse Road Forest Hill MD 1:00 Pm to 3:00 PM with Santa Arriving at 1:15 PM Adults $4.00 Kids 6 to 12 43.00 5 and under FREE Call 410 838 6024 for reservations
I wonder how you are going to spin this coffee talk when the helicopter starts to cost the taxpayers money. I’m sure you will have a different toon when you have to vote on money that can be spent for raises and better education and now we have to pay for the “free” helicopter. DIdn’t Montgomery County disband their aviation unit? Seems the State Police have a well functioning aviation unit, that we already pay for!
I think the county needs to get over itself and realize that it is not the epicenter of the world that it thinks it is. I don’t think for a minute that in time, the helicopter won’t cost us, the taxpaying citizens, money. The entire idea is ridiculous. At a time when the economy is still in recovery and people in our community unemployed or employed and barely making a living, it seems that our local officials could model better fiscal management and restraint. There are a lot of big egos in office that need to go.
Capt Jim Please consider a raise for all county employees. As an example deputies got a 4 % pay raise a 8 % health care cost raise and a 3 or 4 % fica cost raise is that acceptable to you? This part time aviation unit will be available during daytime hours only, or will be called out yet balto county/ city/msp is full time and always available.Iit will cost more then 125,000 and are you willing to put your name on the fact that it only cost 125,000. In anticipate an answer from you sir.