Darlington Farm To Expand Horse Breeding Operation

(Bel Air, MD - December 31, 2008) - - The Harford County Division of Agriculture is pleased to announce that Bonita Farm in Darlington is expanding its horse breeding operation, and will be the new home to four stallions that formerly stood at Maryland Stallion Station in Baltimore County.

Joining Go For Gin, Mojave Moon, and pensioned Preakness winner Deputed Testamony in Bonita’s stallion barn will be Outflanker, the second-leading sire in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as freshman sires Fantasticat, Gators N Bears, and St. Averil.

“There’s been a lot of negativity in Maryland racing, and these stallions bring a lot of positive attitude to our farm and to the county,” stated J. William Boniface, General Manager of Bonita Farm. “Outflanker already has a great reputation as a sire, and there is a lot of optimism to see how the first crop from the other three stallions performs in 2009.”

“It’s good for the county,” Boniface added. “We have a long history of good farms, good horses, and good breeders. These stallions will be easily accessible to other farms in the area.”

“This is great news for both Bonita Farm and for the horse industry in Harford County,” said C. John Sullivan, III, Deputy Chief of Staff for Agriculture. “It shows that our thoroughbred operations are still very strong despite the difficult climate in the industry. Added to the quality stallions already at Bonita Farm, Murmur Farm, and Country Life Farm, this acquisition only enhances Harford’s reputation for being the birthplace of champion horses.”

Bonita Farm is located in the historic Lower Deer Creek Valley, and its 390 acres have been in Ag preservation since 1985.

To learn more about the horse industry in Harford County, log on to the Division of Agriculture’s website at www.HarfordFarms.com. For more information on Bonita Farm and its new stallions, log on to www.bonitafarm.com.

New Year Brings New Transportation Options, Harford Transit’s Saturday Service Begins January 10

(Bel Air, MD - December 24, 2008) - - Harford Transit is proud to present Saturday service beginning January 10, 2009 on the following fixed routes: the 1/1A (Havre de Grace, Aberdeen, Bel Air); 2/2A (Joppatowne, Abingdon, Edgewood, Bel Air); and 6/6A (Aberdeen, Edgewood). The service will run from 7 AM - 5 PM (except the 6/6A, which will run from 6:55 AM to 4:56 PM).

“We’re doing more with less,” said County Executive David Craig. “We are responding to our citizens’ overwhelming demands for extended Harford Transit service while creating a way to help stimulate the economy. By providing Saturday service we are allowing our citizens more transportation options; people will now have more opportunity to get their shopping done and travel to work.”

“It is our hope people will continue to increase their use of Harford Transit,” said Mary Chance, Director, Harford County Department of Community Services. “Saturday service helps get people to where they need to be on the weekend, and also increases ridership and visibility in our community.”

Harford Transit also recently added limited weekday evening hours. On December 1, 2008, the new Demand Response Service began, available to eligible senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and low-income wage earners. The new service is available between 4:00 - 9:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Reservations must be made to access the new service; make sure to book your trip by 2:00 PM the working day before you wish to travel.

Harford Transit operates a fixed route bus system serving population centers in Havre de Grace, Aberdeen, Bel Air, Edgewood and Joppa and points in between. Harford Transit operates ten public bus routes serving Harford County and beyond - use Harford Transit to travel to Aberdeen, Abingdon, Bel Air, Edgewood, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne, Perryman, Riverside, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Eastpoint Mall and White March Mall. Use Harford Transit to link with MTA’s Flyer and MARC Train services to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Harford Transit, a division within the Department of Community Services, provides services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Buses are wheelchair accessible. This service is provided by Harford Transit for the general public and approved for operation by the Maryland Public Service Commission.

The Harford County Department of Community Services was established in 1979 via Executive Order and works daily to meet the needs of our seniors, youth, persons with disabilities and those struggling to overcome addiction. The Department works with federal, state, local and private agencies to ensure our county continues to evolve and remains dedicated to providing the best possible services for our citizens and community.

For more information, please call Harford Transit at 410-612-1620 or visit www.harfordtransit.org.

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

HdG Mayor Dougherty Vetoes Mixed Office Zoning Unless New Ball Field Is Built

Two weeks after it was unanimously approved by the city council, the Mixed Office/Equipment Zoning ordinance, which would bring new hotels, offices and retail development to Route 155 and Bulle Rock Parkway, has been vetoed by Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty - ostensibly because he says the plan should also include a new baseball/football/soccer field.

The city council approved the MOE Ordinance with a six-to-zero vote on Dec. 1, yet on Monday, Dec. 15, Dougherty issued a memo announcing he was vetoing the ordinance and offering his explanation why. Continue reading HdG Mayor Dougherty Vetoes Mixed Office Zoning Unless New Ball Field Is Built

Drivin’ In A Drivin’ Rain…Familiar Face

There I was..drivin’ in a drivin’ rain while the radio was dragging it’s teeth amid rattle bound chatter….when what to my wondering eyes did appear…in the distance, several cars with four-way flashers on slowly proceeding the slow lane of I-95 southbound.

It was a Saturday and the procession was of the funeral nature…only seven or eight cars following a spanking new black and gray hearse. One last rain soaked ride for the dearly departed. Continue reading Drivin’ In A Drivin’ Rain…Familiar Face

Suspicous Activity At Abingdon Convenience Store Leads To Armed Robbery Arrests

(Abingdon, Maryland) - Early this morning, troopers from the Bel Air Barrack apprehended two suspects involved in an armed robbery of a convenience store in Harford County.

The suspects are identified as Charles E. Brown, 20, of Hatfield Court in Abingdon, Maryland and Damion T. Cook, 22, of the unit block of East Lake Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland.

At about 1:00 a.m. this morning, a state trooper from the Bel Air barrack, on routine patrol, observed a man standing alone outside the front door of a 7-11 convenience store on Philadelphia Road in Abingdon, Maryland. Recognizing the suspicious behavior, the trooper quickly relocated his marked patrol vehicle to a concealed location in order to conduct surveillance on the establishment. He also began calling for more assistance to respond in case the store was being robbed.

While waiting for police assistance, two suspects ran out of the store carrying an undisclosed amount of currency and property. The trooper on the scene quickly managed to single-handedly apprehend one of the suspects.

The second suspect attempted to flee, but was apprehended within a perimeter which had been quickly established by a team of law enforcement personnel from the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack, Maryland State Police Aviation, Maryland State Police K-9, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. One of the suspects was in possession of a pellet rifle which was located in his waistband at the time of apprehension.

Both suspects are at the Bel Air Barrack awaiting transport to the Harford County Detention Center. A third suspect is believed to have been assisting the robbers in a “look-out” capacity at a business parking-lot across the street from the convenient store.

This investigation continues.

Delegate Wayne Norman’s Firm Honored by Disabilities Commission

The Law Offices of H. Wayne Norman, Jr., has received the Employer Award of Merit from the Harford County Commission on Disabilities.

At a reception at the Maryland Golf and Country Club in Bel Air, Maryland Delegate Wayne Norman (District 35A) accepted the award on behalf of his law firm. The Law Offices of H. Wayne Norman, Jr., was honored for “recognizing opportunities provided to individuals with disabilities.”

Also honored at the event was Ms. Lauren Kennedy, a legal assistant at Delegate Norman’s law firm. Ms. Kennedy of Bel Air was recognized for, and presented with an , “Award of Merit for Employment.”

The Law Offices of H. Wayne Norman, Jr., has hired students from the Arc Northern Chesapeake Region, and also acts as mentor for local High School and area law school students.

“I’m very honored to receive this award and to be associated with the Arc,” Delegate Norman said. “Harford County is so blessed to have such a wonderful resource like the Arc, which has improved the lives of so many people and has made our community a much better place to live and work.”

Harford County Contracts With ANGLE Technology To Expand Technology Incubator Program

(Bel Air, MD – December 11, 2008) - - The Harford County Office of Economic Development (OED), in its first step toward implementing the 2008 Technology Development Optimization and Action Plan for Harford County has contracted with international management services firm ANGLE Technology to expand the County’s business incubation program to better meet the needs of technology-oriented businesses. The Technology Development Plan, which was announced by Harford County Executive David R. Craig in November 2008, emphasizes the importance of building the County’s technology and entrepreneurial base through business incubation.

“By expanding the County’s business incubation program, we position the County to build a larger, diversified, defense-oriented AND commercial technology businesses base,” said David R. Craig, Harford County Executive.

Business incubation is the process of nurturing the development of entrepreneurial companies, helping them survive and grow during the start-up period when they are most vulnerable. Business incubation programs provide their client companies with business support services and mentoring tailored to the needs of young companies, as well as access to shared resources such as office space, office equipment, receptionist services and conference facilities.

The business incubation program will target several industries for growth and attraction, including engineering services, computer systems design and related services, management and technical consulting services, scientific research and development and high technology manufacturing.

The most common goals of business incubation are diversifying local economies, building or accelerating growth in a local industry, enhancing a community’s entrepreneurial climate, creating jobs in the community, attracting and retaining businesses in a community, and transferring technology from universities and corporations.

The technology development plan for the County calls for the incubator to be developed in phases. The first phase will expand current capabilities. The Harford incubator currently operates in offices at the HEAT Center. The incubator program will expand and relocate in 2009.

For more information on the Harford County Business Incubator, contact Lisa S. Smith, Incubator Project Manager at 301-524-5654 or lisa.smith@angletec.com

County Executive Craig Tours Fire Stations

(Bel Air, MD – December 10, 2008) - - Harford County Executive David R. Craig has wrapped up his visits with the leaders of the county’s volunteer fire service and tours of fire stations throughout the county. The county executive began his annual visit to the county’s fire stations in late November and completed his visits last week.

“It was a distinct honor and pleasure to visit with the leadership of our volunteer fire service these past few weeks,” County Executive Craig stated. “I am impressed at the overall excellent condition of our fire stations, as well as the apparatus and equipment which serves and protects the citizens of Harford County,” Craig remarked.

County Executive Craig began his annual pilgrimage to the local fire companies throughout Harford County in the fall of 2005 and has done so each year.

During his informal meeting with the chief officer and other fire company officials, the county executive asks for input and recommendations from them with respect to assistance the county might provide to local volunteers. Recommendations received by the county executive include improving the Computer Aided Dispatch at the Emergency Operations Center, capital projects related to each fire company, improving fire and EMS data collection and analysis and volunteer recruitment and retention among others.

Beginning with the FY 07 budget, County Executive Craig and the Harford County Council, included $750,000 in funds to support capital projects for the volunteer fire service.

Capital funding provided by Harford County Government has supported the fire service with replacement of breathing apparatus, turnout gear, heating and air conditioning projects and replacement of driveways and ramps to mention a few.

Early next year, Harford County Government in cooperation with the Harford County volunteer fire and EMS service, is commissioning a comprehensive study of the fire service to determine the long-term needs of the fire service. The study will examine all aspect of the Harford County fire service and will provide the county executive, county council and fire service leaders recommendations for the future of the system.

“Harford County is blessed to have such a dedicated, well trained and committed fire and EMS service,” County Executive Craig stated. “Our fire service is recognized as one of the best in the state and we want to do all we can to support those who serve our community with selfless devotion,” Craig stated.

Harford County Department Of Community Services Provides Resources To Those In Need

(Bel Air, MD – December 9, 2008) - - With the holiday season upon us, many of us are consumed with preparations – baking, decorating, shopping, etc. However, there are those in our community who are only concerned with finding the money to heat their home, coats to keep them warm, food to feed their family and a way to keep the roof over their head.

Each year, the Harford County Department of Community Services works with community and faith-based agencies to help those in need. When tough times happen to families, the department works with partners to make sure funding can be accessed at various locations throughout the County. Through partnerships, essential services are provided such as food banks, soup kitchens, eviction prevention and rental support, clothing closets and furniture/household materials, school and infant supplies, utility assistance and job training.

Individuals or families in search of resources to assist with challenges/struggles in the areas of eviction prevention, rental assistance, energy/fuel assistance or emergency food, please contact the following human service agencies for program details, income and screening guidelines and referrals:

Edgewood/Abingdon area: Harford Community Action Agency; St Francis de Sales Church

Havre de Grace/Aberdeen area: Salvation Army; Inner County Outreach

Northern Harford County area: Mason-Dixon Community Services

County-wide assistance is also available from the Department of Social Services and the Harford County Housing Agency.

Details about each agency, as well as other agencies offering assistance, can be found within the Harford County’s Resource Guide, at http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/guide.cfm.

To learn more about available resources, call the Harford County Department of Community Services at 410-638-3389.

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