Harford County Executive David R. Craig delivered his annual State of the County Address before the Harford County Council on Tuesday night, promising “our budget will be truly balanced with no increase in the tax rate and be as close to the constant yield as we can estimate at this time.”
In the speech, Craig spoke of the difficulties of balancing revenues, expenditures, wants, and needs. “The balance for which we must strive is a balance between the taxes we pay and the services which we provide. And, which considers the public employee who is in the middle,” he said.
Craig opened his remarks with a remembrance of longtime Harford County Councilwoman Veronica Chenowith and recognized two former County Council Presidents who passed away in the last year – Joanne Parrott and John Hardwicke.
Typical of his addresses, Craig lauded the performance of each of his directors and their respective departments.
From January 2000 to December 2009, Harford County enjoyed an historic housing boom, then suffered through historic economic downturn.
Harford was the big winner in the U.S. Army’s Base Realignment and Closure decision, but has yet to experience any meaningful impact from BRAC other than the headaches and problems associated with preparing for the anticipated growth.
Harford lost many familiar faces who passed away doing what they loved most in the last decade, but also saw several who left the scene for more nefarious reasons.
Havre de Grace saw a major international golf tournament arrive and depart, and watched as its Promenade was destroyed and rebuilt.
Harford hero Cal Ripken, Jr. retired from baseball, built a stadium in his hometown, and was elected to the Hall of Fame, while ice skater Kimmie Meissner propelled herself toward Harford hero status with her Olympic performance.
The year 2009 opened on a sad note in Harford County with residents still mourning the death of prominent, longtime school superintendent Jacqueline Haas. Before the year was over, Harford County would lose two other wellknown female leaders – former delegate Joanne Parrott and Harford County Councilwoman Veronica Chenowith.
It was also a year of contradiction. Even as President-Elect Barack Obama slowed his inaugural train ride through Edgewood in January to wave and thank a thousand or so supporters, there were a thousand or so more Harford County residents who fought tooth-and-nail in September to prevent President Obama’s live address to be shown to their children during the school day.
Bel Air High School was demolished and Fallston Library was spared from closure. Art Helton survived another political scandal in Aberdeen while Harford County’s delegation to the Maryland General Assembly played a furious and humiliating game of musical chairs in Annapolis.
Since he was 16 years old, Joseph Woods intended to one day be a member of the Harford County Council. That vision was fulfilled Tuesday night when the Harford County Council voted unanimously to install Woods, now 30 and chief of the Fallston Volunter Fire and Ambulance Company, as its newest member.
It was a bittersweet moment for Woods – who intended on running for the District B Fallston-Abingdon seat in 2010 with the help of councilwoman Veronica Chenowith, but instead ended up being selected to fill the seat on the county council vacated by her death.
“I have been planning for this since I was about 16. My goal was to run in 2010 with help from Miss Roni and Miss Joanne. I never imagined and did not want to think about a potential appointment possibility. Now that I’m appointed I need to learn a lot in a very short time. ...Continue Reading
(Bel Air, MD –April 17, 2009) – - The Republican Central Committee of Harford County has received 11 applications to fill the vacancy left in District B by the passing of the late Councilwoman Roni Chenowith. The plans to interview all qualified Republicans who meet the requirements of the Harford County Charter.
Timothy E. Braue of Fallston, Hon. Vernon L. Gauss, Jr. of Kingsville, Nicholas Greaves of Baldwin, Hon. Derek J. Howell of Abingdon, Rick McCall of Abingdon, Donald McCreesh of Fallston, Donna Muszynski of Fallston, Gregory Seltzer of Fallston, Patricia Tilley Song of Fallston, Joseph M. Woods of Fallston, Kenneth C. Youngmann of Fallston.
None of the applicants of ever held office, with the exception of Vernon L. Gauss and Derek J. Howell, both of whom are former member of the Republican State Central Committee of Maryland.
Harford County Republican Party Communications Chairman Mike Geppi ...Continue Reading
Have you always wanted to become a member of the Harford County Council, but never felt like putting in the time, effort, or money to actually run for office?
Good news, you still have time to make that dream a reality.
The Harford County Republican Central Committee has imposed a deadline of today (April 13) to postmark an application for filling the District B Fallston-Emmorton seat on the council. This District B seat opened after the recent death of longtime county councilwoman Veronica Chenowith.
(Bel Air, MD –April 1, 2009) – - The passing of Councilwoman Veronica Chenowith has left a vacancy in District B (Fallston and Abingdon) of the Harford County Council. In accordance with the County Charter, the Republican Central Committee of Harford County is required to forward the names of three qualified citizens to the Harford County Council. The Central Committee has decided to send names to the council no later than May 4, 2009. The county council will then choose Chenowith’s successor by a majority vote. The council will have until May 22 to appoint a new member.
The Central Committee is accepting applications of qualified persons for appointment to District B. Chairman Kim Wagner stated, “Roni will be truly missed and finding her successor will be a humbling endeavor.”
Those interested should submit a resume and application to the Republican Central Committee of Harford County, attention ...Continue Reading
Out of respect, local politicos have thus far refused to discuss the issue, but it’s a burning question which will have to be answered within the next two months – how do you replace the 15 years of experience the Harford County Council lost this week with the death of councilwoman Veronica “Roni” Chenowith?
Since 1994, Mrs. Chenowith sat behind the dais, representing District B and the people of Fallston, Upper Crossroads and Emmorton. So dominant was Mrs. Chenowith’s reign, that after her initial election to the council, she faced no opposition from within her own party in her three subsequent Primary Elections.
Her health had been failing recently, but even so, Mrs. Chenowith’s death leaves a shocking and deep void on the County Council, which, after memorializing her, must pick her replacement.
Harford County Council member and community leader Veronica “Roni” Chenowith died on Tuesday, March 24 after a hard fought battle with leukemia. She was 70 years old.
“Roni was a very special lady. Her passion for her community and her love of children and youth were unparalleled,” said her husband of 48 years, Joseph Chenowith. “I could not have asked for a better partner in life and business.”
(Bel Air, MD – November 13, 2008) – - Harford County Executive David R. Craig, joined by Joseph Pfaff, Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation and Mary Chance, Director of the Department of Community Service, today officially broke ground for the new Fallston Activity Center. The facility is the fourth partnership between the Department of Community Services, Office on Aging, and the Department of Parks and Recreation. The other ventures are the Woodshop at the Equestrian Center, the Havre de Grace Community Activity Center and the McFaul Activity Center.
The 30,000 square foot facility will serve as a senior activity center, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and a community recreation facility after 3:00 p.m. weekdays and on weekends. Additionally, the multi-purpose building will offer a wide variety of leisure opportunities for multiple populations and the community at large.
