A few months ago, Aberdeen City Council President Mike Hiob wasn’t sure if he was going to seek a fourth term on the city council. Now he’s certain he won’t.
Tired of being hampered by ineffectual administrations and uncooperative council members, Hiob, 50, will instead run for mayor of Aberdeen during the city’s non-partisan municipal election on November 3, 2009.
It is unclear, but speculated that incumbent Aberdeen Mayor Mike Bennett will seek reelection.
Although constituents have been championing Hiob as a mayoral candidate for months, Hiob confided that, until recently, he didn’t even know if his name would appear on the election ballot at all.
A self-proclaimed “family first” husband and father of two, Hiob was leaning toward spending more time with his family and less time tied up and fed up in City Hall.
But when a chance conversation with Gov. Martin O’Malley regarding the city’s water supply ended with the governor urging Hiob to remain in public office and after several local municipal leaders strongly encouraged him to run for mayor, Hiob started mulling the possibility.
In the end, it was Hiob’s wife of 19 years, Barb, who determined his political future – ultimately giving the thumbs-up to his mayoral bid.
Hiob, who has served three terms over six years with two stints as city council president, is at peace with the decision. He knows, one way or another, his days of frustration in City Hall will soon be coming to an end – either he’ll be the one in charge or he’ll be out of elected office altogether.
Virtually politically-invincible during his first two elections, in which he was the leading vote-getter among all city council candidates, Hiob came the closest he ever has to defeat in 2007.
Linked with controversial Mayor Fred Simmons and counterpart Dave Yensan, who were all strong proponents of the Wetlands Golf Course annexation, Hiob came in fourth place and maintained his seat on the city council by just 63 votes.
“I’ve rebuilt a lot of those bridges,” Hiob said Thursday afternoon.
So what does Hiob want to change most in City Hall?
“The council is left out of most of the decision-making process now. As mayor I will strive to include the council.”
“The teamwork has to come back,” he said. “There has to be compromise and that’s just not happening now.”
Compared to the occasionally-bumbling Doug Wilson administration and the occasionally-over-extended Fred Simmons administration, Hiob said the current Mike Bennett administration has set a new low.
“It’s been the least productive,” he added.
The current administration has labeled Hiob as an obstructionist, but he calls himself a fiscally-responsible, SmartGrowth advocate.
Hiob said Aberdeen’s anti-growth attitude has led directly to roughly $600,000 less in capital connection revenue during the last two years – money which would have gone into the dedicated revenue stream to repair aging water and sewer lines.
“People say, ‘You need to fix the old stuff first,’ but there’s no money to do it,” he added.
Employed by Harford County government as an environmental inspector, Hiob said he has “a unique understanding of city and county infrastructure and how it relates.”
If Simmons, an insurance salesman, was Aberdeen’s business-oriented mayor, and Bennett, a retired Maryland State Police lieutenant, has been Aberdeen’s public safety-oriented mayor, then Hiob is poised to serve as the city’s planning and infrastructure-oriented mayor.
Hiob believes the city can create its own “stimulus package” – creating jobs, getting public works projects going, and saving money – if it could just change its anti-development stance.
“The city needs to improve its relationshp with the business community,” he said.
“There’s nothing wrong with growth if it’s done right,” Hiob added.
Here is Hiob’s official city profile:
Council PRESIDENT Michael Hiob
Council President Michael “Mike” Hiob was born January 14,1959, at Harford Memorial Hospital. Mr. Hiob is a lifelong resident of Aberdeen. He resides on Graceford Drive in Burkley Manor with his wife, Barb and two children, Adam and Hannah. Councilman Hiob attended St. Joan of Arc Elementary School, graduated from Aberdeen High School (Class of 1977), and attended Harford Community College. For ten years he was employed by Dynamic Science, Inc. as an Engineering Technician at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Since 1990, Council President Hiob has been employed by Harford County Government as an Environmental Enforcement Inspector. Mr. Hiob is a member of the New Harford Democratic Club, a charter member of the Aberdeen Recycling Committee, a 2004 graduate of the Harford Leadership Academy, and a 2005 graduate of the Maryland Municipal League Excellence in Governance. Council President Hiob was elected in November 2003 and is serving his third term on the City Council. He was appointed by the Mayor to serve as council liaison to the Fire Department, the Planning & Zoning Commission, and the Tree Committee.
E-Mail mhiob@msn.com or mhiob@aberdeen-md.org
Best laugh I’ve had all week!
Finally an honest broker for Aberdeen
Let’s hope somebody steps up to the plate to run against him. What a dreadful set of options for Mayor.
Government employee vs. a Union guy. Wow. Is there nobody in Aberdeen that will run? I would prefer the 17-year old girl.
Too bad I don’t live in Aberdeen but I have lots of friends who do and believe me, are they ready for a pro-active mayor. I’d vote for Mike in a heartbeat if I could.
He’s certainly has to be a better choice then that sad, state of affairs we have now.
Hey Blue,
What does pro-active mean? Mr. Hiob has tried to limit the new construction in Aberdeen, he voted to support a bill that would put rules on what kind of doors and windows you can have in your home, among other things.
I understand that Mike Bennett is not the model mayor, but when these two are compared, I don’t know what to do. Does anybody know anyone in Aberdeen willing to run for the City Council or Mayoral seat?
Amen! Besides the fact that he is anyone but Bennett, Hiob has repeatedly shown a true inspired interest in his city, but more importantly, the man will sit down and talk and LISTEN to what the people in Aberdeen have to say. Hiob has listened to real residents in Aberdeen and his actions on the council have reflected what the masses told him, not what an outside interest group or an outside developer told him that his actions must be. Mike has my vote, he has my spouse’s vote, he has my brother’s vote, he has my neighbor’s vote, my neighbor’s spouses vote, and my neighbor’s son’s vote, he has these votes because he has put the survival of Aberdeen on the plate first and will follow up with a thriving Aberdeen. I’m no fan of Martin O’Malley, but the fact that he waves his magic wand over Mike is good. MOM loves to throw money around and if he likes Hiob, he’s throwing money at Aberdeen.
Let Helton make his run for senate and stay out of Aberdeen politics this go round, let Bennett run on his record (if you can call it that), let Bennett actually meet with voters and take the time going door to door and explain himself (without stuttering or using um 20 times….it’s a sign of deception), and let Bennett be held accountable for his broken promises. Thinking about it, maybe Bennett should simply fade out, it would be the honorable thing to do.
Mike, good luck. My family will be voting for you.
🙂 By proactive, I mean Mike doesn’t sit on his butt and wait for things to happen, he makes them happen. You may not agree with his stance on the issues that you mentioned, but at least he is not just taking up a seat, he is trying to do what he believes is right for the city.
RWinger for Mayor. A well spoken Man.
I think that sometimes, like in the case of the very small muni government in Aberdeen, it is important to do nothing in terms of legislation.
They seem to try to pass legislation that only harms the citizens without regard. An example of this is this year’s proposed bill to inspect and fine people for the upkeep of the inside of their homes. Who does that help? And Mr. Hiob has voted for an ordinance to restrict new construction to being built with a brick facade and of a certain size.
At all levels of government, the real people need to step up and make the elected officials act according to the needs of the people and not what they think is best.
Come on you cannot lay that legislation on Mike. Mayor Bennett and the rest of the council and the managers of each department in City government were behind the proposal. At least be fair in your post and attempt to get your facts straight and be a bit unbiased.
Patrick,
I think you have your facts off as to Hiob’s voting record in regards to the housing ordinance. He voted against it. http://www.daggerpress.com/2008/08/28/aberdeen-council-votes-3-%E2%80%93-2-in-favor-of-racism-choosing-exclusionary-zoning-over-workforce-housing/
Is Hiob out of his mind? In order to run he has to go against the Helton machine. Helton said before that he could buy and sell Hiob. The actual quote was “I’ll buy you for what you’re worth and sell you for what you think you’re worth.” Now that would scare me off! Art Helton is the guy in the know and if he says don’t run, then Mike ought to quit right now. By the by, is there a difference between smart growth and Art growth? Gee his crappy little shopping centers ought to be good for the City, Oh that’s right he got tax breaks on them!
Arturro Nasney…Who has the proof Mr. Helton said those things to Mike Hiob, and if he did, it should be made public to show people how corupt the City is.
My sources tell me that me that Helton sent that in an email. The written proof ought to be available.
I’m all for Mike for Mayor. My whole family will be behind him. I’m also suggesting that this year we need to become “Ruthless” in our politics. Both Ruths have been absolutely useless. Had it not been for Mike and Ron Kupferman we would be in far worse shape than we are now. Both Ruths and the current occupant of the Mayor’s chair have been worse than useless.
Mike for grand emperor!
Jerry T, the fact that the City is in the hands of Art is pretty much common knowledge. The fact that he absolutely hates Mike is no secret either. I don’t think corrupt is the right word however. Inept, incompetent, lazy and many other adjectives would apply, but in order to be corrupt somebody needs to be on the take. None of the current folks are smart enough to be on the take.
Arturro Nasney –
It’s in a e-mail? Can someone get a copy and publish it? This City is worse than when Doug Wilson was Mayor.
Also, what is with the Director of Public Works trying to close the APD firing range? It is my understanding he is upset with the locl FOP for bring facts to the public on the FY2009-10 budget. Apparently the FOP called him out?
If Art hates Mike, then that’s the only endorsement I need. I wish I lived in Aberdeen so I could vote for Mike.
O’Malley wants Hiob, I’m no fan of O’Malley, but what O’Malley wants, O’Malley gets. O’Malley doesn’t like being crossed. Helton may wave the wand but in O’Malley’s world he is a worker ant at best. If Helton wants a clean primary and O’Malley’s blessing, Helton will have to keep his nose out of Aberdeen this election. He’ll have his lackies, but Helton has to watch the mud slinging or it could cost him dearly in his quest for the senate seat and more importantly, his grand pubah seat with the Central Committee.
I agree with Daddy, get rid of the three Ruth’s and Aberdeen gets back on track.
Phil Dirt, what the hell are you smoking?
Dave Yensan,
Please run for mayor. I’m tired of government workers running the town. We need to put together a group of opposition to these guys.
isn’t there someone who isn’t already in the government system that can use the head on their shoulders and apply common sense that will run for mayor? Hiob decides to run and then say’s the city needs to be less anti-development. The last group that did that got showed the door, didn’t he learn anything from Fred? People are sick of all the houses and the costs that come with them, plus the traffic and additional schools and services that the new homes need. Maybe Aberdeen needs to go back to the old county ways of pay as you go. The county doesn’t seem to be using it anymore. Maybe if he actually went around and asked people what they wanted from the city and if they wanted more houses to pay for it he’d get an understanding he seems to have missed. Artie boy may be a pain and a string puller, but he does at least re-do places that are already zoned and have exisating water and sewer.
Sorry Please Somebody else, I did my time and am not going to do it again. Now let’s start talking honestly about development, smart growth vs Art growth and the future. Aberdeen will never again be whatever the “old ways” might have been. We are either going to grow or wither. There is no in between. Mike Hiob knows how to move us forward. The obstructionist crap espoused by the Anarchists, Communists and Terrorists (ACT) is not going to cut it. Everybody get their heads out of rectal defalade and realize we need to go forward. The last two years have been a lot of fun, but we are now going to have to make up for those mistakes, just like after the Wilson years.
Mike is right and I will be backing him, join me please.
Dave
I tend to agree with RWinger when it comes to the O’Marty O’Blessing, we know that he likes to have things his way.
It is time for Ruth Elliott to take a powder. She seems to do more babbling these days and nothing of substance is spewed out. Ruth Young just needed to step out of Elliott’s shadow and she waited far too long to do that so I think it will cost her. Mr. Bennett needs to step down too. He needs to admit his failure and admit that his ideas were more Helton’s ideas and he still needs to justify 10K in office furniture to replace 2 year old office furniture why he hired a family friend for a newly created city hall job, that’s what we voters call being fiscally IRresponsible.
Maybe the next mayor will see to it that the Council Minutes are posted. I guess there haven’t been any meetings since May. Much easier to hold people accountable when there is published text.
This Mayor is not interested in accountability. The current council is more interested in image, self preservation and not making waves. I just came from the council meeting and it’s about as interesting as watching paint dry.
“If Simmons, an insurance salesman, was Aberdeen’s business-oriented mayor, and Bennett, a retired Maryland State Police lieutenant, has been Aberdeen’s public safety-oriented mayor, then Hiob is poised to serve as the city’s planning and infrastructure-oriented mayor.”
Bennett is Aberdeen’s public safety-oriented mayor? Really? Are you serious? I bet I know about 50 or so city employees that say otherwise.
Who said that Bennett is public safety oriented? Bennett is Bennett oriented.
Bennett is concerned about public safety, his own.
Where’s Mike ? should’nt he be getting the word out he’s running for Mayor?
Mike will be out. My guess is that he is organizing his committee right now and won’t start actively campaigning for another month or so. He will need a lot of help Vet. Do you want to help out?
Relax everyone. I HAVE been very busy organizing, etc. There’s much to be done, but rest assured that I (as well as many others) are working toward our goal.
I will be back in touch via “The Dagger” very soon. Thanks for your concern!
I remember some time back when Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was running for a state office here in Maryland and a local radio jock put a shout out and offerred $100 to the first person that called in with any accomplishment Ms Townsend had ever completed while in office. An hour later he ended the challenge after recieving no calls.
Mike Bennett has been that type of Mayor. He takes no meetings, not even from the Chief of Police who as a department head is responsible for the majority of the city budget. Bennett cut a water deal with Craig that showed not only his lack of statesmanship but also his lack of intellegence dealing with complex issues.
This city needs Mike Hiob to be the next Mayor. He has three terms to his credit and that translates into a great deal on the learning curve. He has command of the important issues facing the city and his close association with the governor and members of the delegation will help him better face those challenges.
But citizens beware. Beware of non residents attempting to hijack another election. Beware of non resident slum lords and wannebe but can never be again politicians trying to steal your government as they did two years ago.
Mike Hiob is a moderate who has never made city issues partisan. He will restore respect to the office of mayor and once again elevate Aberdeen as a municipality integral to the development of Maryland.
Hey Mike, #1 Son ,
I have faith in you and know you’re an honest, upright man of whom your father and I have been proud of for many years. Keep up the great work son. Love to you, Barb, Adam & Hannah.
I know it’s early but are there any names out there for council seats yet?
Sandy Landbeck, a long time Planning Commission member is filing for City Council on Friday September 4
Sandy Landbeck would be a great choice. I worked with Sandy when I briefly taught at Harford Tech. Sandy is a class act. She would be an excellent choice for City Council.
The only names that I know and have talked with personally are: Ron Kupferman, Bruce Garner and Daniel White. I would expect that the other two Council members will be running for reelection as well. Let’s face it they haven’t had to do much except to say no and they get all sorts of free meals, drinks, etc.
Not to mention the $8,700.00 pay.
Dave Yensan makes a great point. The only real thing that this council accomplished in two years was taking the power away from the empty suit puppet who was brought into office by folks who don’t live in this city and cannot legally vote. Recently there has been several 3 to 2 votes where the Mayor, representing outside interests, has had his ass handed to him by Hiob, Elliott, and Kupferman.
My prediction is that Hiob will have an campaign that is unbstructed by the majority of those outside influences that plagued the last election. The ever ousted ex senator will be gearing up for yet another attempt at a senate seat and may wisely understand that making more enemies even in his own party is probably not going to help his bid. Hiob, although a dem, maintains a non partisan approach to serving and is well liked by folks in both parties not only in Aberdeen but in Harford County and Annapolis.
Mr. Yensan…..I am certain that others will be “throwing their hats into the ring” for Council seats prior to the end of the candidacy filing period (October 5th?).
Mr. Thong…..Thank you for your astute observations. I truly appreciate the same!
Let’s make sure that the voting citizens of Aberdeen are just as astute on Nov 3rd.
I sure do hope one of those who will be run will be there to help our officers! These folks need a break and it has been disappointing, to say the least, watching them struggle again.
Been working too much but wanted to chime in. Hiob for Mayor!!! Let him get the water deals done for this City to grow. Infastrucure is what Hiob knows. Mayor Bennett is going to run on this latest water deal like he accomplished something, fact is that that deal could have been done 12 months ago let alone a deal with Havre De Grace could be done that cost less. The Mayor intentionally waited until now to get this deal done to use in the election. Also JD, I understand your worry, but if we don’t grow and become stagnent, we will end up like Edgewood. The gangs are bad enough as is, it will become worst. By the way, I heard that a certain Red Shirt has gone to the Mayor and is trying to encourage the Mayor to do away with the APD and let the county police take over.
Lance- Many of us out here have been hoping that you would make the time to have your voice heard even stronger by running for office. You may be forced to suffer fools like JD who really believe that municipalities can be bottled up and then age like fine wine instead of rotting on the vine like Edgewood but I believe you can handle these types.
You would be a strong advocate for public safety and resonable wages for all city employees.
Those of us that know you urge you to consider the challenge.
Mr. Hoib has a “D” as his party affiliation and that alone is enough to make me vote for anyone who opposes him. From our top national “D”s who are ruining our country at record pace to our top state “D”s who are doing everything they can to help ruin the state, why would Mike Hoib be any different? Middle class tax increase on the way, added to what O’Mally has already taken from us, a local tax increase is just what we need. Someone has to pay for the abortions and health care for those who don’t want to buy it and government motors.
Seriously consider dropping the “D”, Mike. By the election, it will be poison.
Oh, one last thing. If you can get Nancy Jacobs to endorse you, I might be willing to listen.
“Oh, one last thing. If you can get Nancy Jacobs to endorse you, I might be willing to listen.”
Now that should be reason enough for anyone not to vote for someone!!!!!!
If I understand John Galt correctly, the fact that Mike is registered as a Dem is all the reason in the world to vote against him. That is one of the dumbest things I’ve seen on the Dagger and I’ve seen plenty of dumb things. I worked with Mike for 2 years and have had the pleasure of calling him a friend for a lot longer. He is registered D and has never let that slow him down or stop him from doping what’s right for Aberdeen. Th City elections are nonpartisan and he as well as I and many others take that very seriously. Just because Art and his puppets have tried, with considerable success, to make the local politics all about the party of the left is no reason to think that others who selected a particular party are equally stupid. Mike will make a fine Mayor but will be inheriting another horrible mess left by an inept Mayor.
What most people don’t understand and I joke with Mike H about, is that he is a Republican and doesn’t relize it. LMAO
To Feeless, I thank you for your comments, I’m flattered that you put that much faith in my decision making and probusiness attitude. I had stated before that if I thought that I could give the job the time that it deserves and the time that the citizens of this community deserve, I would love to turn Aberdeen into the City I know it has the potential it has. I also think that we better take a look at how important safety is in this community. We need to back our officers better and not allow certain communtiy organizations or certain people who are trying to further their political futures bash them. We need a leader who is going to stand up for not only the citizens, but also the people who risk their lives to make ours safe.
Jason Galt, I’m a registered Republican and a strong conservative. I will support Mike Hiob in this election no matter who runs against him. Local politics are alot different than state and national politics. When you have a local election in which state and national political views are not as much as an issue on the problems that are in this community, party affiliation is not as much of an issue. If you don’t know Mike H, get a chance to. He is a family man who truely cares about this community. His kids are growing up here in this community, and so did he. I may not agree with alot of his state and national political views, on a local level, he definitely understands the issues at hand and believes in the pro business views that I have. He is fully understanding in public safety and the support such organizations as The Boys and Girls Clubs of Harford County (which started here in Aberdeen) need by this City administration.
One last thing I liked to add. There is a gentleman named Bruce Garner who I hope runs for City Council. He is as straight and honest as they get. There are plenty of things that him and Mike H agree on and probably some that they don’t, but they understand how to work with each other and get the job done. Along with Ron Kupperman and maybe and young new face like a Dan White is what this city needs to move forward. Ron could take the raines as Council President and help guide some of the new faces on the Council, if we are that lucky.
Also would like for everyone out there to say a prayer for one of Aberdeens finest Officers, Officer Yeagy who lost a close family member this week. He is a great person and friend. Say a prayer for him and his family.
Lance Hersh
My assumption, that Aberdeen P.D. will support Mike Hoib in the up comeing Election?
Hey John Galt- since you have told us that you would vote for anyone but Hiob, could you tell us who you voted for in the last city election?
And Vet- The police vote will be an interesting one this year for several reasons. The last Mayor gave the officers three raises in two years and many supported Bennett in the race against him. This Mayor, although a pencil sharpener with the MSP, has done less than nothing for the Aberdeen Police Department. Not only does he not support them with proper funding, he does not back them up for their efforts on the street . This has been manifest in the complaints against the officers and how he has embraced them. In the last administration, which sponsored the most aggressive police action in the history of the city, there were zero complaints even from the NAACP.
Lance has it right. Those of us who live and work in Aberdeen know that Mike Hiob is the man for the job.
I’ve worked in Aberdeen for four years and I believe Bennett does not support the APD, borth pubicly and financially. We used to have daytime patrols down the street in the neighborhood where I work, now we have none. He makes no effort to be a real voice for Aberdeen. Well, I guess those who wanted a do-nothing mayor to stay out of their business got what they wanted, but please tell me how is that good for the town when the person supposed to be leading it is so apathetic—and brought in one of the county’s most unpopular people, Art Helton, to be his right hand man?
Anybody has to be better than what Aberdeen has now.
i think Mr. Hiob will bring a level of expertise and energy that’s been lacking in aberdeen for years. He will make sure that those who obtained land rights and expensive buildings or stadiums will pay their fair share of the cost of maintaining, development and payment of fair rents for the space used. I think he will bring in exceptional management skills, and the ability to work with the county and the state to solve the water issues facing the city, as well as working with the sheriff’s office in patroling the rte 40 corridor.
As has been pointed out by others, Mr. Bennett has provided absolutely no support to the police department. He’s supposed to have been a State Trooper, how can this be. Could it be that he has always been a desk jockey who is jealous of the cops who have the guts to get out there and do their job? Maybe he’s still ashamed for having stolen the sergeant’s exam and then after giving it to three other troopers, ratted them out when he got caught. Notice that he continued his pencil pushing career but the other three had none.
The last two years will go down in the history book as the absolute worst for Aberdeen. All of the opportunity for BRAC has now been lost. It isn’t that he did some bad things, like rape the budget for eight years, or negotiate a truly stupid contract (oops has anyone looked at the latest with the County over water? Oh right Bennett didn’t do that alone he had Art set up that disaster..) It’s that he is beholden to all the wrong ner-do-wells who are opposed to all progress except that which aids Art.
Hiob will do the right thing for the right reason all the time, not what will get him one more vote or a free seat at the stadium.
Friends,
Thanks for the comments (all of them)! I particularly liked the “spirited” conversation regarding partisan politics, and where some folks say I stand regarding the same. First of all, City issues are always non-partisan, period!
Second, I am a registered Democrat, but I don’t always vote for Democrats (gasp!), Imagine that, doing what you think is the best, instead of “toeing” some party line. Does that make me spineless? I don’t think so. Does it indicate that I’m an independant thinker? I hope so. I have my beliefs, and I can articulate them if, or when they are requested. Aberdeen deserves elected officials that will legislate with the best interests of our City as their only motivating factor. As some Dagger participants have indicated, I have that qualification. Thanks again for your kind words.That should be enough about partisan politics (for now).
Next, I want to say that A.P.D. has had a tough couple of years under the current administration. Since day one, it’s no secret that Mayor Bennett has made every attempt to get rid of Chief Randy Rudy, while at the same time, he’s tried to divide and conquer the department. In addition, he tried to gut their overtime pay and reduce other A.P.D. items when formulating his 2010 budget. The list goes on and on. It’s amazing to me that more of the department hasn’t exited to greener pastures. I suppose it’s their underappreciated dedication that keeps them hanging on. Thanks A.P.D. for your award winning performance!
Finally, I wanted to let our Dagger participants know that the “Hiob for Mayor” campaign is going very well. For obvious reasons, I can’t give you specifics, but rest assured, we are moving forward with enthusiasm and determination.
Aberdeen deserves “Leadership from the Inside Out…..Not from the Outside In!
Sincerely,
Michael G. Hiob
Council President
City of Aberdeen
Mike,
We may not often share the same point of view when it comes to many “political” issues, but I must say I agree with your assessment of the Aberdeen Police Department. They are a very dedicated group of men and women and they deserve far better than they have gotten under the current administration.
Chief Randy Rudy is one of the most honorable men I know. He has always been extremely responsive when I’ve requested help on an issue or situation in Aberdeen. He deserves a fair shake. He definitely hasn’t received one under the current administration.
Its always good when elected officials work together to find common ground on issues for the betterment of the people we represent. I’m glad we are doing that.
Mike, I enjoyed talking with you at the FOP Crab Feast last weekend. on the lighter side, I can’t help pointing out that you don’t pick crabs very quickly. Everyone else had finished dessert by the time you picked those three crabs. You were very thorough, right?
I’m guessing I won’t see your smiling face on any Helton campaign literature in the future. And for sure you won’t see my face on any Bennett literature either.
Sincerely,
Nancy Jacobs
Bennett strikes me as a DPW guy. What good are paved streets if you aren’t safe walking down them. There has to be a balance and from what I can tell, Bennett favors DPW over the APD. Some of it may be personalities and some of it may be what Uncle Art is telling him to do, either way, it’s a bad way to run a city.
Who ever becomes Mayor…I hope he/she will take the lead within the state of MD by working with the proper authority to change MD from a sanctuary state for illegal immigrants to a state that is govern by the laws of the country. He/she will need to take action within Aberdeen’s own city limits by NOT turning a blind eye to the problem…but to take action by turning away the illegal immigrants…it will also show all the legal immigrants that they are doing the right moves by obeying the laws of the USA and that Americans welcome/support all that do..!
…ARE YOU THAT CANDIDATE AND POSSIBLE FUTURE MAYOR…?
RWinger you surprise me. I thought you were supporting, Mike Hiob ?
Vet;
I read RWinger’s comment as very much in favor of Mike Hiob. Mike knows that no one part of the City is more important than another. I don’t think I’d go so far as Nasney in drawing conclusions but it is evident that our police have been on the short end of the stick for the last two years. By the way, I was talking with Mayor Hiob this morning and told him to accept the fact that he is really a DINO, much like I have become a RINO.
RWinger mention’s the fact he is concerned about mike leaning toward’s DPW instead of A.P.D. hopefully he will do the best he can for both.
Vet;
There are two Mikes in this discussion. Let’s call them Mike for Hiob and Art for Bennett.
I hear that Bennett intends to dedicate his campaign for reelection to his recently deceased mother. I have visions of him standing on her grave crying “give me your sympathy votes!”
That comment is beyond belief. No matter how you feel about Mike Bennett as a person or as a Mayor, there is no excuse for a comment like that. What kind of person would make such a statement?
A person who heard him say that he will be dedicating his campaign to her! Yep, I think he’s shallow too. I’m sure that his puppit never told him to say it.
Please, Go find that rock you crawled out from under and get back under it.
Just dropped in;
I want to thank you for your thoughtful and adult response to my comment. I look forward to many more as we enter this campaign season. Your mother was under the rock by the way.
I just feel your comment was very much out of line. Apparently you have some sort of mother complex…….something from your childhood perhaps? You obviously received little to no sense of human kindness from her.
Vet: Perhaps you misread or misunderstood. I support Hiob to the hilt, I believe that he can balance the city agencies. I don’t support Bennett, because I don’t support persons who cannot make a decision and have to have their thoughts programmed in to them. I believe, in my heart and it’s my opinion and perception as a voter, that the last term has been nothing but an Art Helton orchestrated disaster. I feel for Bennett because he appears to be nothing more than a puppet. I’ll lower property tax but raise water rates is nothing more than robbing Peter to pay Paul, it’s smoke and mirrors at such a basic level and really an insult to the intelligence of the Aberdeen home owner. That is not governing, that is throwing some cock and bull to the mass the mass to make it appear that he upheld a campaign promise. Well Bennett failed, he failed the direction of Art Helton and he failed as a citizen of Aberdeen, he failed his neighbors, he failed his friends, and most importantly he failed the progress of OUR city.
Whether I agree, disagree, or agree to disagree with a stand I respect the person who has the testicular fortitude to make the stand and back it up with some healthy debate with dialogic passion. I think that it’s a shame that Bennett took hacks (possible that they were personal) at the APD budget and, as some of the officers pointed out, made great increases to DPW (again, was it personal). There was no explanation given and that hurt because it’s not Aberdeen’s money it’s OUR money, Mr. and Mrs. Aberdeen Resident Taxpayer, and to see our money used in some kind of personal little game of chess is abhorrent. If one wants to cut 20K from the APD budget then explain why and how about and equal 20K cut from the DPW budget, or better yet, get rid of the 40K happy greeter at City Hall and neither agency takes a 20K hit.
Thank you I think I misunderstood, Mike Hiob for Mayor is what we want!
Vet: Mike Hiob for mayor is what we NEED.
RW,
I have very little faith in the average registered voter in the City of Aberdeen. Some may think that due to the small turn out, there is a problem with folks being registered. Truth is almost everyone that is eligible to vote is registered here. The big problem is that they don’t vote in city elections even though they do vote in the general elections. And the ones that do show up at the polls are knee jerk one issue voters. So every two years the city is subject to policy whip lash whith very little chance of every developing continuity. For example, the last administration was very interested in public safety and focused on officer retention through competetive salaries and making sure they had the vehicles to get the officers to the scene on time. The current Mayor despises his chief and many of the members of his department to the level that public safety in Aberdeen is being compromised.
I too am a supporter of Mike Hiob for the office of Mayor. I will be very interested to see just how Bennett emerges from 22 months of virtually hiding from the issues as well as the citizens and attempts to make his case for re election. In a time of a dire need for public safety, a budget crisis, a real need to be a state player in BRAC, and non producing assets like Ripken Stadium you cant have a Mayor with a plan to not do anything so that he can’t do anything wrong.
We need a mayor with the balls to stand up to the dirty sweater gang in Bel Air and screw helping them pay for the addition to their Abingdon water plant and continue working toward resting our wells and building a new independent water source.
We need a Mayor with the balls to work with our world class chief of police and recruit and retain the best officers in the law enforcement profession.
We need a Mayor that understands the municipal issues and how they fit into the economic fiber of the state. This Mayor needs to be able to work with the County Council and more importantly with the Governors office.
We need Mike Hiob.
AJ
The chief of Police is far from world class, he is just like the other Politicians, he says what the council wants to hear!
He could care less about his employees and has made that known.
he needs to go too!!!
Lamatai all you citi bitties der be a scandal cookin on da rt 40 caldron. My day seen da benjamins for da rent and evan some da times benjimins for de dillies but seems maybe the dodger forgit and want de dillie for da rent.Den de dillie tell da popo and de dodger say ohno ben der befo.
De doo doo doo, de da da da is all I have to say to you.
Pootie Tang wrote:
“Lamatai all you citi bitties der be a scandal cookin on da rt 40 caldron. My day seen da benjamins for da rent and evan some da times benjimins for de dillies but seems maybe the dodger forgit and want de dillie for da rent.Den de dillie tell da popo and de dodger say ohno ben der befo.”
I see the translation as: Let me tell all of you City people that there is a scandal stirring on the route 40 corridor. I’ve seen that that the $100 dollar bills went for the rent and sometimes for the BJs, but it seems as though the landlord just forget the rent if he can just get a BJ. Then the BJer tells the police and the landlord said he would never do that.
Sorry if I didn’t get it all correct. Of course I have no idea who the landlord might be, wink wink nod nod.
Haylo Nasneyman. Yur consrciption o mi diction b de eye o da bull and de dodger gonna get the horns iffin he keep furgittin what daddy tang had carved on d belt he wooped Pootie wit.
don never slap da dillies lesson u dont kire bout bein coronated.
What in the world are you talking about Pootie i don’t follow you can you explain?
A very interesting fact arose this week. It seems that the variance that Art needed to be able to fit his square building into a round hole expired in July. Without any public notice, nor any member of the Council being advised, the Director of Planning and Zoning issued him a 6 month extension. I would love to know who directed that this variance be extended. It is my understanding that it is very unusual that a variance be extended at all. This one was done in secret. Didn’t Bennett want an open, honest and transparent administration?
That isn’t the only thing that has been kept hush hush in the past month or so where Mr. Helton is concerned.
Is the story Arturro that [name removed – please refrain from using names in rumors] was getting the BJS for the rent instead of the benjamins. Are the police investigating this? If its true, what would the charge be? Is that type of barter system allowed or against the law? Where is the investigation now or is Mayor Bennett going to squash it and keep it quit like the variance. If it is against the law and the Mayor is trying to aquash it, doesn’t that break some code of ethics. If that were the case shouldn’t he be investigated and loose his pension? I want answers!
[admin note – It is our suggestion to leave names out of rumors like this. Please read our terms of service or contact us if you have any questions. Thank you. ]
I was told not mention any names so I’ll say the man who owns all the strip centers in Aberdeen on 40. Guess it would br the same one who is running for senate.
It wouldn’t be the first time Bennett violated the ethics code while Mayor. In fact, I thinks it’s a tie between him and Ruth for the most unethical politician on the council. Bennett is a cheat. Has been his whole life. He has no morales or ethics. And his police chief will be right by his side (until the next election when he changes his spots again).
Let’s keep this clean here. Do unto others. If you have any proof about rumors, leak them to the press. Otherwise, don’t drag people through the mud for fun.
I consider this real press. The aegis isn’t real news and the sun you can’t get the truth and you sure the hell can’t turn on the tv news and get the truth. So X who do you consider the real press and where can we start and stop believing the rumors. If this town was so transparent like the Mayor said it was going to be, we wouldn’t be asking these questions.
We here at The Dagger heard the rumor well before “pootie” dropped it here cryptically. Still doesn’t mean we can go around posting it without the facts. We looked around, asked questions, and couldn’t verify.
The comments here on the site are one of the things that set us apart from the local traditional media. But every time we see a name associated with an unverified rumor, we have to act. Not for our protection, but for the person that left it.
Sandy Landbeck is going to make a great Council Woman. Can’t wait to have her on board here in Aberdeen. She has 100 pecent of my support. She understands what the communtiy wants and needs, that has been evident that she is going around talking to local business owners and finding out what there opinions and issues with the City are. She hasn’t even been elected yet and she has done more than the current Mayor has for the small business owners since he never came and visited any of us. Hell, Fred used to stop by at least once a month. She also has a pretty good idea what the citizens of this fine City wants and expects from there Municipality that we fund with are tax dollars.
Thank you Sandy for committing your time to Aberdeen.
Lance Hersh
Temple of Doom (open envelope) The City of Aberdeen.
As I sit here with envelope in hand I implore you not to run for Mayor, Council President Hiob and I implore no one to file for any Council seat even incumbents during the filing of candidacy forms from September 4, 2009 – October 5, 2009.
I see a future for Aberdeen where the next Mayor will have to “pay politically” for Mayor Bennett’s desire to get reelected over what is best for City residents. Let Mayor Bennett tell us all by himself on the dais “I have no choice but to raise taxes since I was more concerned about taking care of those that got me elected by not doing anything (except for them) during my first term to lead this City through tough economic times, so now you City residents have to pay.”
He doesn’t want any of you up there with him anyway, how many times have we heard “speak to the chair” like he was the only elected person on the dais. Just ask members of The Boys and Girls Club how our Mayor treated them.
If those reading this wonder about my abilities and the truth to my predictions you only have to wait until September 2, 2009 to see if I can truly see into the future. The current Mayor will receive the endorsement of his Master’s (Art Helton) New Harford Democratic Club before the filing to run for office is even allowed and will he will say he is honored to receive their endorsement for what is supposed to be a nonpartisan election.
They do not care that it is unfair not to wait for the filing period to be opened or closed so that all candidates can have the floor and be considered (I can’t see past my turban to know if this is really a way for them to discourage other candidates from filing). It would also take away the month of September for the New Harford Democrat Club to campaign for Bennett in Aberdeen’s nonpartisan elections. It will also allow funding by NHDC to pay for all the mailers that will start showing up in our mailboxes spewing lies and untruths about you Mr. Hiob and anyone else that may file for office in Aberdeen that does not agree with their agenda and tell you to vote for their candidates.
What I Carnac really see is our local Democratic Club trying to rush through Mayor Bennett as their candidate just as the Democrats on the National level tried to rush through healthcare reform.
Interesting prospective. By the way, what is the New Harford Democart Club? Sounds like a cult. Isn’t there a Harford County Democatic Club or Committee already? Just wondering. Heard Aberdeen Police Department will have to take 12 or 13 furlow days. Can’t they just take and sell Doug Millers expensive take home car and Auction off some other useless items the City owns. Since property values have gone down, guess taxes will have to be raised, since the City couldn’t come up with any productive way to increase income. Although I do think they finally decided how wide a townhouse can be. Damn that annexation deal looks good, to bad the people in this City were lied to and never were told the real story. I’ve been told by a source in the County that they have already approved R-3 for the wetlands. When that happens, the Redshirts aren’t going to look to smart. Matter of fact, I think the Citizens of Aberdeen should file a class action law suite against them for lost income. LOL Oh well, I can’t wait for this election to be over, already sick of hearing about it. Ready for a new administration and new beginning for this great City.
Lance Hersh
Carnac wrote an interesting and thought provoking piece here. Note that it was done on August 30, a mere week ago. At the A&AH club meeting on Wednesday, Bennett read from a script, without even attempting eye contact with the assembled mess. There is no way that he wrote it himself, he didn’t say “uh” or “Um” even once. He also didn’t demand that we talk to his damn chair. During that short, 100 minute) speech I noted not less than 10 outright lies. He took credit for things he didn’t have anything to do with, and blamed all of his continuing problems on me and Fred. There is no way in Hell that the City will avoid raising taxes and water/sewer rates during the coming year. Costs go up but revenues continue to slide. There is fundamentally nothing coming in in the near future that will bring additional tax revenue. He has slanted all of his thinking to that of his “Mentor” and not approved any real growth.
I’m afraid that the next Council will be faced with the decision to surrender the Charter and just becoming aqnother part of the County. Good luck with htat!
Lance,
How about that Mechanic that has a take home car and only does oil changes, since everything else requires updated skills,
How much does he make, along with the clerk that sits in a lobby the size of some dining rooms, Just a thought!!
THOR-09
I didn’t know about the mechanic that has a take home car, unless your talking about City Manager Miller. City Manager makes I beleive in the 115k as a totlal package, if not maybe a little more. As far as the Clerk in the lobby, her package is aroung 45k a year with benefits. Who knows how much it would cost to get rid of the position, a position that was created because no one in city hall was nice enough to answer qeustions or help you out when you walk in there. The City managers position can be easily eleminated anD this government could run more efficiently with a full time Mayor and the Mayor having an assistant. That way, everyone here in Aberdeen won’t have to just listen to all the finger pointing and we would ultimately hold the Mayor responsible for the City’s direction. Right now, no one knows who is pulling the strings, although I think we all have an idea.
The City Charter should have a proposed change and possibly have a referendum vote by the citizens and also change the term limits to 4 years. 2 years doesn’t allow this Government to act effectively.
Lance Hersh
AMEN!
Council President Hiob – rumor is that the city might be getting into the pool management business. Since city-run pools typically run in the red year after year, what will need to be cut from future budgets to accommodate this? Or will the city just shut the place down? That would be a mistake, in this poolboy’s opinion.
Poolboy,
The rumor is correct. The City (per C.M. Doug Miller) is RESEARCHING the POSSIBILITY of running our pool facility as ONE of our options. It depends on what option works out best for the City AND the “poolboys and poolgirls”. For now though, it’s too early to assume anything, except that there is NO INTENT to “just shut the place down”.
Thanks for asking,
Mike
Wouldn’t it make a lot of sense to sell the pool? I know Ron K has told us any number of times that we are selling it. What is the advantage of retaining ownership of the pool at all?
I know of at least one group who was interested in buying the pool and it’s property a few years ago, but the asking price from the city was way too high. There may have been plans to expand the facilities, including building an additional pool that could be enclosed in the winter…
Steve is right. There was a group that actively wanted the pool. The City didn’t set the price too high, however, the purchaser wanted it for next to nothing and wanted all sorts of tax concessions thrown in besides. The real problem is that the pool and all of its land was purchased with “Open Space” money. No Open Space property can be sold without going through a lot of hoops and wickets at the State level, and every penny gained form the sale must then be used for a replacement Open Space project that is demonstrably larger and better. That’s why the City still owns it, the skate park and a few other white elephants. At the time the City bought the pool it made huge sense, it didn’t cost the City anything at all. Now the problem is that we own it and have to maintain it and can’t get rid of it.
Dave, Forgot about the open space issues. Would it be a matter of the purchaser having to pay back all the federal open space loans that were given to the city to purchase the pool way back when?
The high purchase price I heard about included the paypack of those loans, as well as the city thinking they could sell it to developers during the boom.
Well, I’ve heard that the company that has leased the pool from the city for the past 5 years is out. They plan on packing up everything and selling.
I can think of about 1000 kids this affects, whether on swim teams, dive teams, campers or just regular members. Appeasing the situation could lead to pretty hefty support in the upcoming election…
Interesting about the pool. Helton doesn’t strike me as a swimmer or diver so I can suppose that Bennett won’t have any talking points unless the property can get bulldozed over and the Paradise Road strip mall open.
Heyy i didnt know my friend Hannah (Hiob) dad worked on the C.C. !
Ikid,
Yes, I’m finishing up my 3rd consecutive term, and I am currently running for Mayor of Aberdeen. The election is November 3rd!
Thanks for checking in!
Hannah’s Dad
No Steve. The purchaser would pay the City an agreed upon price, if approved by several County and State agencies. The entire amount would then have to be used for another open space project within a very short (1 year I think)time. I don’t remember the exact amounts any more, but know that the City bought the pool rather cheaply. for the sake of argument, let’s say the purchase price was $200,000 (made up number) and after having the entire parcel appraised agreed to sell for $2,000,000. The original $200,000 plus the $1,800,000 would have to be used for open space.
If the pool is felt to be a liability it may make sense to simply fill it in and make a nice football complex on the parcel.
I can think of many openspace projects in Aberdeen that this money could be used for. 2 million could put in a new parks and recs facility and pool, at a location that isn’t zoned commercial or residential. Just a thought, I’m not exactly sure how openspace works, but also don’t think that property could fetch 2 million at this point either.
Lance;
I didn’t mean to suggest that the pool would actually bring in $2,000,000. There would have to be appraisals and the whole process of approvals before anything can happen. The Simmons administration was looking into a new recreation area in the land that was originally being looked at for the stadium. A lot of work was still needed but Art had never thought it worthwhile so Bennett let that opportunity slip by. Actually the County had committed to working with us on that project and had plans for a new senior/community center to be built next year. After the City dropped the ball that center went to North Harford. Thanks to Art!