Patricia Skebeck Named Interim Harford Superintendent During 6-Month Nationwide Search

The Board of Education of Harford County named the current Executive Director of Elementary Education Patricia L. Skebeck as interim superintendent today, January 5, 2009, to fill the void left by the sudden passing of Dr. Jacqueline C. Haas. Mrs. Skebeck will serve as interim superintendent until July 1, 2009.

Mrs. Skebeck is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She received her Master of Education in Elementary Education from Towson State University and went on for postgraduate work at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her career in the field of education began in 1964 as a fi rst grade teacher at Mars Estates Elementary School in the Baltimore County Public School system. In 1979, she made the move to the Harford County Public School System touching the lives of third grade students at Hillsdale Elementary School before accepting a position as a Teaching Assistant Principal at Meadowvale Elementary School in 1987. She moved on to a non-teaching Assistant Principal placement at Youth’s Benefit Elementary School in 1989. As the principal of Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary School from 1990 until 1996 and then at William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School, Mrs. Skebeck implemented many academic and outreach programs for the students and surrounding communities until becoming the Executive Director of Elementary Education in 1997.

Mrs. Skebeck has served as the Chairperson of the Elementary Grading and Reporting Committee for Harford County Public Schools, as well as serving on the Statewide Task Force on Norm-Referenced Testing and as part of the Statewide Educator Talent Pool, serving in an advisory capacity for the Maryland State Department of Education. In 1994, Mrs. Skebeck was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the education field when she was presented with the prestigious Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award.

“Mrs. Skebeck has nearly 30 years of experience with Harford County Public Schools having been a teacher, administrator, and an executive director,” Board of Education President Patrick L. Hess commented. “In this difficult time, the Board needed to select someone who could help us continue the work initiated by Dr. Haas until a permanent Superintendent is found. We felt that Mrs. Skebeck was the right person for the job.”

The Board will work in conjunction with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education to begin a nationwide superintendent search that will begin immediately in order to allow a permanent superintendent to be appointed by July 2009.

“I have known Jackie Haas my entire career with Harford County Public Schools having taught along side of her,” stated HCPS Interim Superintendent Patricia Skebeck. “There is no way to replace Jackie, I am honored that I have the opportunity to carry on her legacy by moving Harford County Public Schools forward through this devastating time in order to fulfi ll our mission.”

Del. Impallaria: Energy - Deregulate or Regulate?

Annapolis Update - Energy - Deregulate or Reregulate? - Dec. 16, 2008

The final report to the Public Service Commission, “State Analysis and Survey on Restructuring and Reregulation (Task 2) and Analysis of Options for Maryland’s Energy Future (Task 3)” has been made. My committee, Economic Matters, has just received a briefing on it.

After listening to two hours of testimony by the Public Service Commission, I am still in full support of reregulation of the Maryland utility industry. The report showed that reregulation would be a good thing, starting three years after reregulation. This is supported by all the charts and statistics that were presented to us. In spite of this, unfortunately, the Commission feels that there are risks in reregulating.

One thing for sure, there has definitely been extreme risk in deregulation. The most recent risk is the devaluing of BGE and Constellation stock, which is proposed to be bought out by Warren Buffet at a fire sale price of $26 per share. Present stockholders would not be able to hold onto their stock until the value goes back up, which will happen immediately after the Buffet deal goes through. I feel it is in the best interests of BGE stockholders to reject the Buffet deal, if it is their intention to stick with a long-proven stock that will come back in value in the near future.

Under regulation, the management of Constellation Energy would not have been allowed to gamble with company assets in the commodities market, which caused the downfall in the stock values. Constellation’s value has not fallen due to a lack of customer base or an inability to produce a product. It has fallen strictly through the mismanagement of a deregulated management team — at the helm, Mayo Shattuck.

During the briefing, I asked three questions. First, if nuclear energy had been shown on the charts (which only showed gas, oil, and coal-fired energy), how would that change the outlook for energy reliability at a reasonable cost to Maryland consumers? The answer was, “Dramatically, it would increase the reliability of our future energy supply and provide a stable and predictable cost per kilowatt-hour, meaning lower cost.”

Second question: if the companies were reregulated, would the stockholders be forced to sell their stock? The answer to that was “No”, unlike the present deal which Warren Buffet is offering. Under regulation, a stockholder would be guaranteed a reasonable and fair return on their investment with little risk of losses.

Third, would jobs be more secure under a regulated or deregulated market, and which market would provide more jobs? I am waiting for an answer to that question from the Public Service Commission. It is obvious to me that BGE employees had more job security when the company was regulated than they have had since 1999, when deregulation took place.

On renewable energies such as wind and solar, the Commission did determine that wind offshore was not a productive means of energy and that wind on land is a break-even investment at best, while providing a very minor portion, less than 1% (one percent), of our energy needs. Solar costs more than it produces - in other words, it costs more to produce energy from solar than a company could charge for its product to make the business viable.

This study cost $3 million, and that cost will be passed on to the ratepayers in the State of Maryland. Having sat on the Economic Matters Committee and having been a member of the Public Utilities Subcommittee for six years, I can honestly tell you that I could have come up with the same conclusions for the cost of a notebook and a pen (and since my spelling is bad, an eraser) for a grand total of less tha $5.00.

There has been a major change in the ability to reregulate. As the cost of energy and the economy continue to plummet, so have the values of the power plants. A year ago the risk of purchasing these plants would have been like stepping off a cliff and hoping for a good result. Now at the devalued prices, the risk is more like stepping off a curb. If there was ever a time to take back control of these power companies and return them to the safe and valued companies they once were, now is the time. Taking control of these companies would protect the stockholders’ investment and prevent the irresponsible gambling with company funds that we have seen over the past nine years. Those funds could have beenused for better service, reinvestment in infrastructure and building new facilities with the goal of making Maryland an energy exporter rather than what we have become, an energy importer. That would be the best result for everyone involved, except for the few high-powered CEO’s
who have destroyed these once-great companies.

Delegate Rick Impallaria

Deputies Investigate Edgewood Shooting

(Edgewood, MD – December 31, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the shooting of a 19 year old man which occurred Tuesday, December 30, 2008.

At approximately 8:05 pm deputies responded to the 600 block of Meadowood Drive Edgewood, MD in reference to a shooting. Harford County Sheriff’s deputies determined Lamere Shavase Walton, 19, of the 600 block of Meadowood Drive Edgewood, MD was walking along Meadowood Drive when an unknown black male began shooting at him, striking him several times in his upper body.

The shooter is described as a light skin black male, 5’06” to 5’08”, 150-180lbs, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt.

Walton was treated at the scene by members of the Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Department and transported by Maryland State Police Medivac to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-836-5442.

Additionally Harford County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must call the 24-hour tip-line at 1-888-540-TIPS. Callers do not have to give their name nor appear in court. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Suspect Arrested For Armed Carjacking In Edgewood

(Edgewood, MD – December 31, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested one suspect in connection with an armed carjacking which occurred on December 30, 2008.

At approximately 11:05 p.m. deputies responded to the 2000 block of Starr Street, Edgewood, MD in reference to an armed robbery and carjacking.

Harford County Sheriff’s deputies determined the male victim, 25, exited his vehicle and was walking to his residence when he was approached by a black male wearing agreen jacket and black pants. The male subject produced a knife and demanded the victim’s keys, wallet, and cell phone.

After the victim complied with these demands the suspect drove away in the victim’s 2004 Grey Chevy Aveo. The victim was not harmed during the robbery.

On December 31, 2008 at approximately 12:30 a.m., a Sheriff’s deputy on routine patrol located the victim’s vehicle in the parking lot of the Walgreen’s in the 3000 block of Emmorton Road, Abingdon, MD. The deputy watched as the driver, matching the suspect description, exited the vehicle and entered the store.

The suspect, identified as Michael Lamar Nelson, was apprehended without incident. Nelson was in possession of the stolen property and keys to the vehicle.

Michael Lamar Nelson, 17, of the 300 block of 25thS treet, Wilmington, Delaware, has been charged as an adult with carjacking, robbery, assault 2nd degree, false statement to a police officer, armed carjacking, and theft over $500.00.

Nelson was transported to the Detention Center for processing where he is being held on $5,000,000.00 bond. He is scheduled for a bond review on December 31, 2008.

Jacqueline Haas, Harford County Superintendent, Passes Away Tuesday At 59

Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Haas died Tuesday, apparently after suffering an asthma attack and then going into cardiac arrest in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

The Board of Education is expected to meet today and Harford County Executive David Craig has already sent a message to Board President Patrick Hess offering to support and meet with the Board and Administrative staff and do whatever he can to provide comfort to students, staff, and citizens and ensure a smooth transition. Continue reading Jacqueline Haas, Harford County Superintendent, Passes Away Tuesday At 59

Police And FBI Investigate Monday Morning Armed Robbery Of Aberdeen Bank

(Aberdeen, Maryland) December 29, 2008- Police are investigating a robbery that occurred at about 10:45 AM this morning at the Bank of America located in the 100 block of W. Bel Air Ave.

A white male entered the bank and passed a note to a teller announcing the robbery. The suspect implied he was armed. The suspect left the bank with an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect is described as a stocky white male 40-50 years of age wearing brown jacket, glasses and a beanie type hat.

The suspect may have been operating a green or dark colored vehicle at the time of the robbery. No one was injured in the incident. The FBI is assisting in the investigation.

Anyone with information pertaining to the robbery is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Section of the Aberdeen Police Department at 410-272-2121.

For information regarding this incident please contact Sgt. Frederick Budnick, Media Relations, Aberdeen Police Department at 410-272-2121 ext 121.

Christmas Eve Shooting Suspect Arrested In Edgewood

(Harford County, MD – December 27, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested Benjamin Melvin Freeman, 23, of the 3000 block of Sounding Drive, Edgewood, MD in connection with the shooting of Richard Donald Wagner, 33, in the area of Flying Point Road and Willoughby Beach Road, Edgewood, MD.

With information obtained from the victim, detectives identified one of the suspects as “Dutch” who is also known as Benjamin Melvin Freeman. Deputies determined that Wagner had contacted Freeman on December 24 to purchase $50 worth of heroin. They both met, along with a third person, later that day in the area of West Spring Meadow Court with Wagner driving his black Chevy Cavalier.

They then drove to the area of Flying Point Road and Willoughby Beach Road where they stopped to relieve themselves in the woods. As they were walking back to the vehicle Freeman displayed a black handgun revolver and robbed Wagner of the cash he was carrying to purchase the drugs.

Freeman than shot Wagner as Wagner was attempting to run away. Wagner collapsed along side of the road and saw his vehicle being driven away by Freeman. Detectives were able to corroborate Wagner’s statement with the third person and eventually located Freeman late in the evening of December 26, 2008.

Freeman confessed to robbing and shooting Wagner and was subsequently arrested by detectives. Benjamin Melvin Freeman has been charged with attempted 1st degree murder, attempted 2nd degree murder, assault-1st degree, armed robbery, carjacking, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, 2nd degree assault, reckless endangerment, theft less than $500.00, and using a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Freeman is being held at the Harford County Detention Center without bond. A bond review is scheduled for Monday, December 29, 2008.

Christmas Eve Shooting And Carjacking In Edgewood Sends Man To Shock Trauma

(Harford County, MD – December 25, 2008) – Harford County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the shooting of a 33 year old man which occurred Wednesday, December 24, 2008.

At approximately 8:50 pm deputies responded to the area of Flying Point Road and Willoughby Beach Road, Edgewood, MD in reference to a shooting.

Harford County Sheriff’s deputies determined Richard Donald Wagner, 33, of the 3300 block of Abingdon Road, Abingdon, MD was driving along Willoughby Beach Road when he encountered two black males. After a short conversation, one of the black males produced a handgun and shot Wagner multiple times, striking him in the lower abdomen and arms. The two black males then stole the victim’s 1997 black Chevy Cavalier which was not displaying any registration.

Wagner was treated at the scene by members of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department and transported by Maryland State Police Medivac to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 410-836-5442.

Additionally Harford County Crime Solvers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting. To be eligible for the reward, tipsters must call the 24-hour tip-line at 1-888-540-TIPS. Callers do not have to give their name nor appear in court. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Dels. Impallaria And Norman Take Voluntary State Furloughs And Donate Salaries

Delegate Rick Impallaria on the Legislators’ Furlough Day Donation Option

“I am accepting House Speaker Michael Busch’s request, and I am donating five days salary back to the State,” said Del. Rick Impallaria (R, District 7, Baltimore and Harford Counties). “However, this entire crisis could have been avoided if the Legislature had done two things during the 2008 session. Continue reading Dels. Impallaria And Norman Take Voluntary State Furloughs And Donate Salaries

Harford Sheriff’s Deputy Shot During Police Drug Raid In Cecil County

(Conowingo, MD) – A sheriff’s deputy and a suspect were both shot during an exchange of gunfire that occurred as a drug task force was serving a search warrant at a Cecil County home early this morning.

The suspect is identified as James W. Ratledge, 60, of the 300-block of Old Conowingo Road, Conowingo, Md. He is currently under police guard while being treated at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Charges against him are pending and will be filed after consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Just before 5:00 a.m. today, members of the Cecil County Drug Task Force and a uniformed state trooper and a uniformed Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to serve a court authorized search and seizure warrant at the single-family home of the suspect. The search warrant had been obtained as part of a drug investigation that was initiated after several leads were received indicating the suspect was involved in the distribution of cocaine in the area.

When police entered the residence, they immediately announced their presence and identified themselves. A man on the first floor of the residence was taken into custody without incident.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect looked out his bedroom door which opens onto an upstairs loft and saw the police officers before closing his door and refusing to surrender.

Three police officers, including a Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputy and a state trooper from the task force went up onto the loft and attempted to enter the closed bedroom door, which the suspect was trying to keep closed from the inside. The suspect fired a handgun through the wall beside the bedroom door, striking the Harford County deputy.

In fear for their lives and the lives of the other police officers, the task force trooper and a task force officer from the Elkton Police Department returned fire, striking the suspect in the torso. Initially, the suspect refused to come out of his bedroom, but after about ten minutes of urging by the officers, he came out and surrendered.

Ratledge was flown by State Police medevac helicopter to Shock Trauma. The deputy was transported by ambulance to an area hospital. Both are said to have sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Police secured the scene of the shooting and Maryland State Police criminal investigators obtained a second search warrant for the residence in order to continue the investigation into the police involved shooting. After police process the shooting scene pursuant to the warrant, the original drug search warrant will be served at the residence. Another drug task force team was called in to execute the drug search warrant.

The search of the crime scene is continuing. No information is available at this time concerning any weapons, drugs or other contraband that has been recovered.

The Maryland State Police trooper who fired at the suspect will not be identified for safety reasons, due to his undercover duties. He has been with the Maryland State Police for ten years and was a police officer prior to joining this Department.

The Cecil County Drug Task Force is comprised of the Maryland State Police, Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and the Elkton Police Department. Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office were assisting with the service of the search warrant today.

The investigation is continuing.

Here is the Harford County Sheriff’s Office press release:

Deputy Sheriff Shot

(Harford County, MD – December 19, 2008) – A Harford County Sheriff’s deputy was shot early this morning while assisting the Cecil County Narcotics Task force.

At approximately 5:00 am this morning, three Harford County Sheriff’s deputies were assisting the Cecil County Narcotics Task Force serving a warrant in the 300 block of Old Conowingo Road, Conowingo, Cecil County, MD. The three assisting deputies are assigned to the Harford County Joint Narcotics Task Force.

While in the residence officers encountered the owner, James William Ratledge, 60, who fired a handgun once at the officers striking a Harford County Sheriff’s deputy, in the upper left area of his chest. The deputy, an eight year veteran, was wearing his bullet resistant vest and suffered non-life threatening injuries. The deputy was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre De Grace, Harford County, MD for observation and was released shortly thereafter. The Maryland State Police are investigating the incident.

Further questions regarding the investigation should be directed to the Public Information Office of the Maryland State Police.

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