Whiteford, Maryland, February 20, 2010- A major turn will occur in the race for Harford County Register of Wills on February 23rd when current and longtime Register of Wills Harry L.W. Hopkins officially endorses Republican candidate Derek Hopkins. The announcement will take place in front of the courthouse at 4:30pm with a reception/fundraiser at the Main Street Tower Restaurant.
Mr. Hopkins has been Register of Wills for Harford County for the past 22 years and has known Derek for over 30 years. Mr. Hopkins says, “I have come to know Derek as a mature and capable person who possesses the high quality of character it takes to be Register of Wills. His knowledge and experience as an auctioneer and appraiser will assist him with the position of Register of Wills.”
As you get to know Derek Hopkins you will see a lifelong ...Continue Reading
Merrie Street, the former Harford County director of government and community relations during the Jim Harkins administration, filed last week as a candidate for Register of Wills.
Street, who lives in Bel Air and has worked in radio, communications and public affairs, will face opposition in the Republican Primary Election from Derek K. Hopkins, an auctioneer from Pylesville.
Hopkins, who is not related to longtime Harford County Register of Wills Harry “Tombstone” Hopkins, has been fundraising and campaigning since he filed as a candidate for the office in August.
It remains to be seen whether Street will garner the support of the local Republican regime, of which she was such a major part while serving as the mouthpiece of the county executive’s office.
It also remains to be seen whether any other contenders will join the race for Register of Wills. Prior to his re-election to the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners there ...Continue Reading
The following letter was provided by H. LeRoy Whiteley, Jr.:
January 20, 2010
Mr. Michael Steele, Chairman
Republican National Committee
301 First Street SE
PO Box 96994
Washington, DC. 20003
Dear Mr. Steele
SHAME on you and the deceptive practice you are perpetuating?? We just received a plain white envelope from you which through the window proclaimed “CENSUS DOCUMENT REGISTERED TO (My name and address)” At this time when we are expecting the Federal government to send us an actual 2010 census questionnaire and are being warned about census scams, you dare do send out such a notice as campaign literature. Its appearance congers up exactly what you intended — an official Washington document?? The plain white envelope with no return address only brings forth thoughts of the Spiro Agnew payoff days and brings more disgrace to the Republican Party. STOP THIS DECEPTION??
The following letter was distributed by Stephen Wright. A copy was provided to The Dagger upon request. It has been edited only to remove contact information:
Harford Co citizens need strong, common sense leadership to face the challenges the future is bringing to us. We are fortunate that Harford County is in high demand. BRAC will bring prosperity in the form of more jobs, both skilled and unskilled, a situation unparalleled in our history. The possibilities are almost mind-boggling! As a result, Harford County needs strong, common sense leadership if we are to fully realize this potential. I will provide that kind of leadership – that is why I am running for Harford County Executive, and I am asking you to support my candidacy.
I believe the present administration is truly befuddled. Either by direct action or indecisiveness the present administration has impeded the private business sector from ...Continue Reading
The following letter was received from Patrick McGrady:
On Monday, November 16, 2009 the Route 40 Republican Club hosted it’s first fundraising event at the Wetlands Golf Club in Aberdeen. More than 250 people attended the dinner and by 6:00PM the only space left was standing room.
Stephen Wright, the President of the Route 40 Republican Club spoke about the resurgence of conservative values in Harford County. Delegate Pat McDonough spoke next, saying that if Ehrlich were to run for Governor he would support him, but if he made the “wrong” choice (and chose not to run), McDonough would run for Governor. Delegate Rick Impallaria spoke next and continued to pump up the audience for the honored guest.
The featured speaker at the dinner was Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich. Ehrlich spoke about taking back Maryland because even though “Maryland is the bluest state,” there is great opportunity to change the way government operates ...Continue Reading
The list of confirmed special guests attending Monday night’s Route 40 Republican Club Fundraiser in Aberdeen has grown to include Charles Lollar, Candidate for House of Reps, MD District 5; Dr. Jim Pelura, Maryland GOP Party Chairman; David Craig, Harford County Executive; and the featured speaker, former Gov. Bob Ehrlich.
It will cost you $40 to get a seat at a table at the event, which is being billed as “Dinner with Governor Bob Ehrlich.”
The event is Monday from 5:30-8:30pm at the Wetlands Golf Course in Aberdeen and the menu includes an Italian dinner, beer and wine, assorted desserts, “And of course ‘Hot/Cold TEA’.”
Harford Republican Central Committee Member Stephen M. Wright has filed to run for Harford County Executive in 2010. Wright will challenge incumbent and fellow Republican David R. Craig.
Wright told The Dagger that he co-founded the Rt. 40 Republican Club to help Republicans and to re-elect Craig, but he said that Craig’s Chief of Staff, Aaron Tomarchio, “attacked me every step of the way”. Wright said he “got tired of it” in the last few days.
Wright also said he believed he was censured for an unexcused absence from a meeting of the Republican Central Committee of Harford County on Tuesday when he was attending a public hearing to support legislation sponsored by another central committee member, Harford County Councilman Chad Shrodes.
Wright said he thought he would have support for his candidacy from the general public who he said was “tired of politics as usual.” He said he ...Continue Reading
The following letter was sent to Gov. Martin O’Malley by Senate Minority Leader Allan H. Kittleman and Senate Minority Whip Nancy Jacobs. A copy was provided to The Dagger.
September 17, 2009
Governor Martin O’Malley
State House
Annapolis, MD 21401
Dear Governor O’Malley
The members of the Senate Republican Caucus have been troubled by the national scandal exposed over the past week about actions of ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform) staff members who offered advice on undertaking criminal activity and defrauding federal and state governments. The fact that the first release of such information involved ACORN staff operating in Baltimore City has blemished our state’s reputation.
We are also concerned about the lack of interest by those responsible for upholding the state’s laws in proceeding with an investigation of these actions of ACORN. Both Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia Jessemy and Attorney General Douglas Gansler have offered public commentary on the Shari ...Continue Reading
At 8AM on Saturday, September 12, 2009, eleven motorcoaches filled with close to 600 freedom-loving citizens will leave from Bel Air to take part in the 9/12 March on Washington.
Since the first Tea Parties in April momentum has been building for an event on the national stage.
Hundreds upon hundreds of citizens of Harford County have come forward and participated in multiple rallies to demonstrate support for smaller, responsible government and fairer taxation.
The Tea Party movement is a grassroots effort with no central organizational structure. The Tea Party attendees rally behind a message supporting a responsible, representative government, fairer taxes, and the defense of individual liberties.
The March on Washington is a symbolic event to show that the citizens of the United States of America are unified behind The Constitution and will fight for the liberties that are laid out in that document.
The rally in Washington is being promoted by the website ...Continue Reading
The Harford County Republican Central Committee last night selected Scott T. Gibson to fill a vacancy created by Michael Geppi, who resigned from the committee on May 27th to focus on his campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates.
Committee Chairwoman Kim Wagner said Gibson, who is also the Director of Human Resources for Harford County Government, was chosen because of his years of hard work for the party. Wagner said a total of 10 candidates were interviewed, representing “an incredible caliber of people, each with a different skill set.”
She said the vote results would not be made public but that Gibson was chosen by a “strong consensus” of committee members.
