Barry Glassman To Declare Intentions In June

Glassman, a state senator, is considered a potential candidate to replace outgoing Harford County Executive David R. Craig.

State Senator Barry Glassman, considered a candidate for Harford County executive in 2014, will declare his future political intentions at a June 8 announcement in his native community of Level. Glassman, a Republican representing District 35, will host a "Coming Home Announcement" from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 8 at the Level Volunteer Fire House, according to a statement from his office. The Darlington resident has been a member of the state senate since 2008. Prior to that, he served as a state delegate for nine years and a county councilman for nine years. Glassman, 51, is widely considered to be a candidate for Harford County executive, and a statement from his office said, "Many local observers and leaders in Annapolis have been …

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Harford County Moves Construction Permits to Digital Storage

Starting June 1, builders with approved construction plans must upload documents online.

Harford County construction permits are going digital. The county announced this week that its department of inspections, licenses and permits are migrating from paper to digital storage. Currently, the department disposes of submitted paperwork 180 days after a certificate of occupancy has been issued. Electronic storage will eliminate paperwork disposal and the need for hard copies and allow inspectors to access those documents anywhere, according to a county release. The department will require electronic copies of building permit documents—once a building's plans have been approved—starting June 1. Required materials can be uploaded on the county's website.

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Harford Announces Trash Agreement With Baltimore County

Harford County will use the Eastern Sanitary Landfill in White Marsh to dispose of solid waste starting in 2016, Harford officials announced Tuesday.

Harford County Executive David Craig announced Tuesday plans to dispose of the county's solid waste in Baltimore County when the existing agreement with the U.S. Army expires in 2016. The estimated annual cost for moving solid waste and recyclables to the Baltimore County transfer station is $13.4 million. The new agreement with Eastern Sanitary Landfill also means the county no longer plans to build a waste transfer station at the former Plecker Golf property in the 800 block of Philadelphia Road in Joppa—a proposal that was met with strong community opposition. The county currently disposes of solid waste at the Harford Waste Disposal Center on Scarboro Road in Street and the Waste-to-Energy facility in the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen …

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HCEA President: 'Dismayed' By County Budget Proposal

Harford County Education Association President Ryan Burbey wrote a letter to the editor in response to Harford County County Executive David Craig's proposed budget.

Small Increase, No Tax Hikes in Harford County Budget

The fiscal year 2014 budget is $6 million higher than the previous budget, a 1.31 percent increase.

Taxes won't be going up under Harford County Executive David Craig's proposed budget. The budget for the 2014 fiscal year is, in all, $6 million higher than the 2013 fiscal year's budget, a 1.31 percent increase, according to a county press release. According to the statement, funding for the Harford County Board of Education is more than $1.95 million above state-mandated maintenance levels, and the budget spends an additional $1.5 million on teacher pensions. The budget has no wage increases for county, sheriff's office or county library employees.  The new budget will fund new or replacement schools at Youth's Benefit Elementary and Havre de Grace High School and "major systemic projects" at Joppatowne High School. The budget includes $…

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Roland

9:45 am on Monday, April 29, 2013

The rain tax is nothing more than a penalty for living in Maryland. The only places where water runs off the property onto the streets are places with driveways (minimal), parking lots, and the streets themselves. Water doesn't run off of a lawn.   more ›

Tentative 2014 Budget Before Bel Air Commissioners

The Bel Air Town Meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Bel Air officials are expected to start discussions on the fiscal year 2014 budget during Monday's town meeting. The proposed tentative budget totals about $15.1 million with tax rates of $0.50 per $100 of assessible real property and $1.16 per $100 of assessible personal property. You can find a copy of tentative budget here. Tonight's public meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Bel Air Town Hall, 39 N. Hickory Avenue in Bel Air. You can find a copy of the agenda attached to this post.

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Maryland Gun Control: How'd Your Senator Vote?

The bill passed the Maryland state senate Thursday night.

The State Senate Thursday passed an amended gun control bill, despite votes against by all three Harford County-based senators. The bill passed the senate with a 28-19 vote. Maryland delegates passed the amended bill earlier this week in a 78-61, with opposition from the entire Harford County delegation. The bill bans more than 40 types of guns including the AR-15 and prohibits those who are involuntarily committed from owing a gun. Also included in the bill is a controversial requirement for all future purchasers of regulated firearms to be fingerprinted and licensed. The changes in licensing represent the first time in two decades that any state has attempted to impose new licensing requirements. The bill also prohibits the possession of…

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MDPatriot

11:43 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2013

What IF he would have used an AR? But, he did not use an AR. What would have happened IF just ONE of those students had a concealed carry permit and was armed? What IF, what IF, what IF??? It did NOT happen that way, so let it be.   more ›

Push Continues For Harford Hotel Tax Despite Failed Bill

A bill in the Maryland legislature that would have allowed Harford County to impose a hotel tax failed last week, but supporters are already planning to try again next year.

Last week marked the end—at least for now—of a proposed bill in the Maryland legislature that would have allowed Harford County to collect taxes on hotel room bookings in the county. Harford is currently the only county in Maryland without a lodging tax. Del. Mary-Dulaney James, a Democrat representing Harford and Cecil counties who sponsored the hotel tax bill, said she plans to introduce similar legislation again next year. "It has bipartisan and near-complete support back home and there is no reason for it not to pass." James said Thursday, referring to residents and those outside the delegation. "My sense is that people are more afraid of the right wing than the right thing to do." Harford Tourism Manager Wini Roche also expressed …

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Land Issue Before Bel Air Commissioners

The Bel Air Town Meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m.

The Town of Bel Air is considering the possibility of declaring surplus a piece of land next to Shamrock Park in order to make a swap with a nearby property owner. The Felton family owns a 30-foot wide strip next Shamrock Park and the Bel Air memorial tree grove. The family wants to exchange a piece of land directly connected to their property in hopes of building a home on the 1.3 acre lot. In exchange, they have offered to remove an existing chain link fence and accept all costs involved in the land swap. Ten years ago, a similar issue arose involving this same property, Louis Juliana said during public comment Feb. 19. Juliana said the piece of land the Felton family wishes to exchange with the town is, "like exchanging an pile of dirt …

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