Dels. Susan McComas and Rick Impallaria were removed last night as chair and vice chair of the Harford County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly in a controversial vote which both are challenging today.
Dels. J.B. Jennings and Wayne Norman were installed in the place of McComas and Impallaria, who had just recently being reelected to their leadership positions.
McComas and Impallaria were set to meet with the Speaker of the House Tuesday afternoon to discuss the validity of the delegation meeting and vote, which ousted them from the chair and vice chair positions.
The delegation does not have bylaws and evidently Roberts Rules of Order are generally used by delegations. Roberts Rules requires advance notice including the purpose of the special meeting. Beyond that, a two-thirds vote may have been required to rescind the earlier election of McComas and Impallaria to the chair and vice chair posts.
Reaction from McComas: “I came to Annapolis to represent the people of my district and their concerns. We are in the toughest economic times since the Great Depression. This is a diversion from the big issues that are facing Harford County.”
Reaction from Impallaria: “This is not about me and Susan. This is about the rules.”
Reaction from Del. Pat McDonough: “This reminds me of when the Mayflower moving truck stole the Baltimore Colts late at night, because it was without warning and it was simply a stab in the back.”
McDonough went on to say he thought McComas was doing a good job, noting her fight for the elected school board and that opposition to McComas and Impallaria was based on “phony complaints and blind ambition.”
Here’s the press release from the Harford delegation this morning:
February 3, 2009
The Harford County Delegation called a special meeting on Monday night, immediately after session concluded. With quorum present, the delegation voted to elect Delegate J.B. Jennings as delegation chairman for 2009.
Delegate Wayne Norman was elected to serve as vice chair.
The new 2009 leadership pledged to work with all delegates in Annapolis to pass favorable legislation for Harford County.
So they elect McComas and Impallaria and remove them a week later? I thought that Jennings was in line for this to begin with. What happened between then and now? I know that McComas and Impallaria have awful reputations in Annapolis, but why elect them and then unelect them? It would have made more sense to just elect somone competent to begin with.
Jennings will do a great job. I don’t know Norman very well, but Jennings is a good man.
They had to get rid of Mccomas because she ran the office like a maniac. She is probably the most ineffective member of the whole lot of them. Remember when she and Glassmen got into a huge argument in front of everyone in Annapalis.
When will people start sending leaders to represent us instead of these children. Impallaria spends most of his time spewing hatefill messages about people with different sounding names. He needed to go. It is just a shame that he is still in any office. These folks are the reason we get the scraps left over.
Several things I am concerned with …
First, isn’t most of Jennings district in Baltimore County? Yes I know they share but if most of his district is in Baltimore, why would he be the person running Harford’s Delegation. He also recently completed Basic Training in the National Guard so what if he is called up – does that mean Wayne Norman is in charge?
That leads to me another issue. Wayne Norman has only been in office for 1 year and isn’t even an elected official. He was appointed by the Republican Central Committee. Is there an effort by people in that Committee to try and unseat Susan McComas or embarass her and was this a payback for the seat given to Mr. Norman.
Worst of all this is embarassing for Harford County. As someone mentioned, they already voted so where was the urgency and why change now. I am worried about the “quid pro quo” and what happened in order for this to take place. Was Donna Stifler involved because there was a story posted here earlier about a fight over a receptionist leading to change in leadership.
I agree with Susan McComas that this is a diversion and not a good one. I think the people responsible for this should have to explain to the voters of Harford County why they did it and if the violated the rules for doing it why should this vote count? It is sickening that legislators go to make LAWS and think they are immune to their own rules for conducting business. Any delegate who reads this should explain themselves…
Susan ran the offices like a mad women. It’s about time they took her out to stop making Harford county the laughing stock in Annapolis. They all need to stop being petty and do the job they are there for.
Harfordgal sounds like susan her self.
Wayne Norman has hit the ground running in Annapolis at 200 MPH The citizens of 35A can be proud of their freshman delegate I wish my delegate in 35B was of the same caliber as Wayne Norman. Go Wayne, go Dan, go Pat, go Donna, and dont let the B******S get ya down.
Yes, Mr. Norman was appointed by the Central Committee, as was Mr. Glassman. Both of these gentlemen are hard workers and not beholding to the Committee. Knowing both of them, neither will take a position due to the opinion of some outside group. The position will be based on facts and their integreity. Just because someone is appointed does not mean that they will not give the job their best effort. Wayne Norman for Delegate, 2010.
FYI …
I am not Susan McComas but she is my representative, and I know little about her management in the Delegation office but I guess others on here think they do. Interestingly, the story that is emerging isn’t about her being a tyrant but others in that office who are. Consequently, I am wondering about people that are trashing her and what their motivations are. Seems like I may have hit a nerve.
Maybe if the Republicans rip each other up too much, a Democrat could come in and win the seat in that district.
McComas is indecisive and has no ability to get things done in Annapolis. She has alienated the House leadership and the Republican leaders. Our delegates were right to replace her with Jennings. Jennings has much better relationships and will ultimately be much more effective than McComas on her best day.
After reading the Aegis today, it is obvious that McComas is going to whine about this for a while. The bottom line is that 5 out of 8 delegates thought there was enough of a problem with her leadership that they ousted her in a very public fashion.
The ability to play well with others, or not, is a big part of being an effective leader. When this many members of your own county delegation are willing to toss you aside, something is wrong. The reasons are really secondary. This was not about cookies, it was about the poor judgement of a delegate or is really way out of her league. The sad thing is the fact that her own delegation feels this way is nothing compared with the way delgates from other counties view her.
Watch for a big primary challenge against McComas. That is the only way there will be a new delegate in Bel Air.
Remember, this district was hand-carved by Gov. Glendenning for then- and current-Bel Air Town Commissioner Dave Carey, a staunch Democrat.
The gerrymandering backfired, however, in the Ehrlich-led GOP Tide that swept another Bel Air Town Commissioner, Susan McComas, a Republican, into office.
The Dems haven’t been able to make much of a dent in the GOP district since then and I’m not sure they ever will.
It is really a shame that Susan McComas has blown her chance for Harford County. I was so pleased when our district got the chaimanship. Unfortunately, this cast a spotlight on a person that is not ready to lead. It is a poor reflection on Harford County. Whatever the reasons or excuses, Susan McComas was given the opportunity and has failed us. Enough is enough. We need new leadership in this seat and I am ready to help another, more qualified republican take this important position. Susan McComas has given us all a black eye in Harford County that will not go away until she either steps down (unlikely) or loses the next primary. We deserve better.
I for one as a resident of Harford county and a constituent in district 7 am embarrassed about this entire situation. Based on what I have read, Susan appears to be the one maintaining some grace and professionalism through this. In my prior interactions with Susan she has always impressed me as one who works hard, evaluates and studies the issue and does not allow her own bias to enter into her decision.
Point 1- She was unanimously voted in 2 weeks ago amid threats of a possible ouster. The ouster didn’t happen then, so what happened in 2 weeks to change this?? 2 weeks ago her peers all agreed she was the most capable to be chair.
Point 2-She is a seasoned and experienced delegate who listens to her constituents, and she represents all of Harford County-it makes sense that she be the chair of the Harford delegation. Her focus is Harford county and appropriately so. District 7 as two prior posts have alluded to, is 55% Baltimore County and 45% Harford County. (Which is an issue in and of itself as Brian mentioned). I am not sure having a chair from there is in Harford County’s best interest.
Point 3-when Susan and her office were made aware of the Conroy Debacle this past fall, she immediately stepped in and advised me in how to proceed
( this is after None of my delegates in district 7 responded to my requests). Susan didn’t have to do this, but noted that as chair this was her job. Susan then got JB to step in and he too was a great help. They appeared then to be working for the good of an issue-no ego fights. How refreshing. Both of their staffs’ seem to be on the same page. I didn’t hear any complaints or criticisms of one another.
Point4-IF Susan has been ineffective in Annapolis and Harford County, then why did Barry Glassman recommend her and then why did her peers vote her in initially?? Were they drinking bad punch?? Too afraid to speak up then?? I doubt it, something has changed.
Politics gets ugly. I would like to believe that all our elected officials are in Annapolis working for us and the State’s best interests. ( I know, now I am drinking punch…). If Harford county is not taken seriously in Annapolis, then it can’t be because of only Susan, maybe we have bigger problems. I have nothing against JB and the others, but I can’t help but wonder what this is really about. Ego’s and other petty issues?? They all need to set an example and prove they can resolve this and move on, otherwise how in earth can we ever expect them to balance the budget and work on other more vital issues.
Do we ever stop eating our young??? Does anyone realize how disgusting it is to read how we destroy our own on the front pages of the paper????
I guess maybe the powers to be don’t think the Democrats have enough ammunition to work with so let’s give them more.
PLEASE think about how this looks. The Dems must be licking their chops-what a way to go.
Something must have happened, but I am sure that it was not just one thing that made the delegation take such decisive action. I bet there were a lot of things that led up to this decision.
One thing is sure, it makes the entire delegation look bad. There are surely several delegates who should be switched out in the next election.
The things that Impallaria said to Stifler must have been real bad for them to make the papers. This guy seems like a real bully and an embarrasment to the Republican Party. If Impallaria and McComas are the best the elephants can come up with, they have real issues in Harford. Get rid of ’em. There is way too much at stake to have less than professional people in Annapolis.
Its clear that things have happened in the last week that lead up to this. Impallaria’s actions (with media present) is enough to have him booted. Susan has obviously not been handling problems that have come up to the standards of her peers.
Del. Impallaria has crossed the line calling Dels. Stifler and Norman a variety of names that can not and should not be repeated on here.
Otherwise, what is the big stink about? If the delegation changes leadership that’s the choice of the delegation. They can always vote to rescind their changes on Friday morning.
Sorta makes you pine for the good old days of Chuck Boutin and Joanne Parrott again, doesn’t it?
Just a real sad state of affairs. Makes the county council look functional. That is not an easy thing to do.
Pride has apparently left the building and took both Experience and Dignity with her. Pettiness is keeping us from succeeding. If we can’t get it right in our own backyard, how can we be expected to be taken seriously on the big field? The Dems just kicked down the door on the national level, and are getting organized locally. Don’t think they’re not eating this up.
We need someone who respects and understands the position, the power, and the people; and has the emotional intelligence to handle it all. These flunkies have proved don’t or can’t consistently represent in that fashion.
Is any one asking what Rick Impallaria said? I would say this is fairly important. I am sure the Aegis has this informantion. How do we know he didn’t just call her a “stinker” or something childish. Is a mountain being built from an ant hill?
This is a mountain of public trouble for both Susan McComas and Rick Impallaria. People are saying that Rick Impallaria called Ms. Stiffler an F*****g Fruitcake publicly. Sombody appearently caught him on video doing this. What a shame for us. Again, totally wrong to act that way in public. If Rick did this, then he owes a public apology to everyone big time.
McComas and Impallaria had a chance for us and they blew it completely by inaction, lack of leadership, disgrace by their own peers and now this!!!
When is their insanity going to end… primary 2010.
Let me preface my remarks with the following:
1. I have lived most of my life in Harford County
2. I am a registered Republican
3. Although I live in Del. McComas’s district, I did not vote for her
In light of the events chronicled here, I am embarrased to be a Republican in Harford County. We can debate till the cows come home about what transpired over the last couple of weeks, but bottom line is, McComas and Impallari were duly elected to their posts 2 weeks ago. The hatchet job being done on them is just sad.
It is reported that Del. Jennings called the meeting on Monday for the purpose of clearing the air. If that is in fact the case, I would agree that made sense. But to have Del. Stiffler make a motion for a “re-election” at such an impromptu meeting, without all members of the delegation present, is reprehensible.
So now we have a Chairman of the Delegation who lives outside of Harford County (at least that is my understanding) and a Vice Chairman who wasn’t even elected to his current office! Way to go Harford County. And we wonder why there are those in the “main stream” media that refer to the Grand Ole Party as the Stupid Party.
I have lived about half my life in Harford County.
I am a registered Rebulican
I live in Susans district and voted for her.
There is NO WAY that I am embarrased to be a Republican. If we have problems in our party, perhaps the best way to deal with them is in the open.
Susan should have called Rick on the carpet, if the allagations of his statements to Donna are accurate.
Rick should not have been so vocal and dealt with Donna in a more informal setting. As vice chair he should have been, IMHO, more diplomatic.
J.B. does live in Harford County.
Rick lives in Harford County.
Who cares about appointments. We have had Delegates, Senators, County Executives, and Central Committee members appointed. Again someone is making the opinion that appointed folks don’t work as hard as elected folks, in my experience that simply is not the case. Folks who are appointed work as hard and in some cases harder than others.
Thank Goodness we have politicians to keep us entertained…who needs television??
I agree with many of these postings-If Rick was stupid enough to lose his temper (regardless of what Donna may have said or done..as we don’t know what provoked him), he should have been smart enough to know when to bite his lip. No one deserves to be spoken to that way-end of story.
IF Susan was aware of this, then yes she should have dealt with it…again maybe she was dealing with it and didn’t get to.
But Donna calling for the vote like that was clearly vindictive, call me a mother, but it was spiteful and immature also. Two wrongs never make a right. She could have gained some ground herself by dealing with differently. She probably would have been smarter to sue Rick for slander.
At the end of the day they are all acting childish. Not who I want in office. Pat M and Susan seem to be taking the higher ground. But we, their bosses, deserve answers and it seems appropriate that Susan pursue it somewhat, as long as it is not a diversion.
I think he called her much more then a f-ing fruitcake, and as far as I know he did it with the media in the same room. No wonder the Aegis knows so much.