Organizations Issue Endorsements In Harford Primary Election Races

With the 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election now less than two weeks away, local and national groups, agencies, and organizations have started announcing their slates of endorsed candidates.

Compiled below are the endorsements released by the Harford County Education Association, Route 40 and North Harford Republican Clubs, the National Federation of Independent Business, Maryland League Of Conservation Voters, and New Harford Democratic Club.

Please note: The Dagger does not necessarily condone or condemn these endorsements, and it merely passing them along for our readers to interpret.

Harford County Education Association Releases First Round of Candidate Endorsements–Jones for District 35A, Frisch, Eaton for School Board

With the September 14 primary fast approaching, the Harford County Education Association has released a list of endorsements for several local offices, with more to follow as candidate interviews are completed this week.

The endorsements favor incumbents so far, with the exception of John Jones, a Democrat and a former HCEA president, who got the nod in District 35A for one of two seats currently held by Republicans Wayne Norman and Donna Stifler.

For the first school board elections in Harford County, Bob Frisch, a Baltimore County Public School teacher was the HCEA pick in District A (Edgewood/Joppa) and Ron Eaton, a former president of the Harford County Board of Education, was chosen in District B (Fallston/Abingdon). School board elections in Maryland are non-partisan.

HCEA is the largest bargaining unit in Harford County Public Schools, representing all of the approximately 3,100 certified staff members, including teachers, who work directly with students. About 2,100 of the represented employees are also members of HCEA, according to the association’s president, Randy Cerveny.

Cerveny sent the list of HCEA endorsements in the following e-mail to members on Friday, August 27, 2010. The list will be updated this Friday, September 3.

Political Recommendations

There aren’t many topics that get members as riled up as political endorsements. Below is the procedure HCEA follows to recommend a candidate.

· All candidates from all parties are invited to complete a questionnaire regarding their views on public education, nothing else.
· Having completed the questionnaire they are invited to be interviewed by HCEA’s government relations committee.
· Only after completing the previous steps can the committee vote to determine whether or not to recommend a candidate.
· The recommendations of the committee are passed on the HCEA Board for final approval and that information is shared with our members.

These are only recommendations, based on the candidates’ views/platform on public education, nothing else. As a voter it is your job to determine if the remainder of the candidates’ platform coincides with your views. The educational views of these candidates often impact funding, legislation and policies that can affect your job and income. HCEA hopes you will give serious consideration to these recommendations.

County Council

· District A – Dion Guthrie
· District B – will advise following the completion of interviews next week.
· District C – will advise following the completion of interviews next week.
· District E – Richard Slutzky
· District F – Mary Ann Lisanti

In addition to the newly selected candidates, there are some “friendly incumbents” who over the years in the General Assembly have continuously voted in support of public education and educators. We look forward to continuing our work with the many incumbents and newly elected Senators and Delegates in the coming years.

Delegates:

· District 34A – Mary-Dulany James and Dan Reilly
· District 35A – John Jones

Board of Education

· District A – Robert Frisch
· District B – Ron Eaton
· District D – will advise following the completion of interviews next week.

We realize these endorsements are made prior to the primary, HCEA will again re-examine the campaigns and candidates following the primary election in September. No dues dollars go to any campaign, slate, or candidate. Assistance is provided through a separate fund that accepts voluntary contributions only from members.

The Route 40 and North Harford Republican Clubs of Harford County, MD Endorse The Following Candidates for 2010!

Bob Ehrlich: Governor

Jim Rutledge: Senator

Andy Harris: 1st Congressional Dist.
Dr. Marcelo Cardarelli: 2nd Congressional Dist.
Roscoe Bartlett: 6th Congressional Dist.

Robert S. Wagner: County Executive

Harford County School Board:
Bob Frisch: District A Edgewood/Joppa/Joppatowne
Greg Seltzer: District B Fallston, Forest Hill, Abingdon
Rick Grambo: District D North Harford County

Statewide:
Barry Glassman: Senator Dist. 35
Jason Gallion: Delegate Dist. 35A
Dave Tritt: Delegate Dist. 35A
Susan McComas: Delegate Dist. 35B
Nancy Jacobs: Senator Dist. 34
Patrick McGrady: Delegate Dist. 34A
Glenn Glass: Delegate Dist. 34A
J.B. Jennings: Senator Dist. 7
Pat McDonough: Delegate Dist. 7
Rick Impallaria: Delegate Dist. 7

Harford County Central Committee:
Occurs in the Primary Election Only!

Scott DeLong
Timothy Impallaria
Gregory Johnson
Carol MacCubbin
Joan Ryder
Richard D. Schafer
Lowell D. Sheets
Larry Stancill
Rosaria “Rosie” Wolff

Primary Election, September 14, 2010 – General Election, November 2, 2010, you vote in your Precinct.

Early voting, you must vote in your County: Primary Election, September 3rd–9th, from 10am-8pm. General Election, October 22nd-28th, 10am-8pm: Harford County, Bel Air Public Library; Cecil County, Cecil County Admin. Bldg.- Elk Room; Baltimore County, Towson University Admin. Bldg., Honeygo Community Ctr., Catonsville Community Ctr., North Point Library, Randallstown Community Center. For further information on early voting: Maryland Board of Elections, 1-800-222-8683, www.elections.state.md.us

The Route 40 Republican Club meets the second Thursday of each month at the Ramada Inn Conference Room, 1700 Van Bibber Road, Edgewood, MD at 7:00pm.

The North Harford Republican Club meets the third Thursday of each month at the Jarrettsville Library Meeting Room, 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, MD at 7:00pm. Thurs. Aug.19 – Wed. Sept. 15th.

Del. Norman and Others Receive Endorsement from Small Business Organization

Annapolis, MD – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) — the Nation’s largest advocacy group for small and independent businesses — endorsed Wayne Norman for Delegate, District 35A, this week.

Tim Goodrich, NFIB’s East Region Public Policy Director, lauded Delegate Norman for having “a solid understanding of the problems and priorities of small business owners.”

In a letter to Delegate Norman, Mr. Goodrich said that “[b]ased on your Maryland NFIB voting record, we believe that you are the best choice to represent the views of the men and women who own, operate and work in Maryland small businesses.”

In accepting the endorsement, Delegate Norman expressed his appreciation and noted that “as a small business person myself, who makes weekly payroll for ten individuals, I take special pride in receiving this endorsement. The NFIB is a venerable organization and the voice of small business in Washington DC and Annapolis.”

In recent years, NFIB has advocated for tort reform, the elimination of estate taxes, and the lowering of health care costs for small businesses and their employees by giving them more affordable options, among other issues.

In 2007, NFIB strongly opposed the 20% increase in Maryland’s sales tax, which both Bob Ehrlich and Wayne Norman have pledged to repeal following the election.

NFIB has also endorsed District 34 Sen. Nancy Jacobs, District 7 Dels. Rick Impallaria and Pat McDonough, District 35B Del. Susan McComas, and District 35A Del. Donna Stifler.

Dels. Riley and James Receives Endorsement From The Maryland League Of Conservation Voters

“Delegate Riley has received an outstanding score of 100% in 2010 and he has a lifetime score of 88% from the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. If we are to restore the Chesapeake Bay and our waterways and move Maryland to a clean energy economy then we must support legislators we can count on. During his eight years serving District 34A in Harford and Cecil Counties, Delegate Riley has consistently supported policies that protect Maryland’s environmental health. That’s why the Maryland League of Conservation Voters endorsed him.”

The only other Harford legislator endorsed by the Maryland League of Conservation Voters is District 34A Del. Mary-Dulany James. No candidates, senators or delegates, from Districts 7, 35A, or 35B were endorsed.

Candidates Endorsed By The New Harford Democratic Club

The basic premise of the New Harford Democratic Club is to encourage and support viable Democratic candidates for local offices. As part of that effort, members of the club voted to endorse those candidates they feel best represent the ideals of the party and who will put forth the effort necessary to win.

It is essential, therefore, that members of the New Harford Democratic Club step forward to make those endorsements meaningful. Club members can achieve this in many ways:
· Volunteer to make phone calls, from a central location or from your home.
· Volunteer to walk door-to-door with the candidate and/or volunteers
· Help put up signs
· Volunteer at campaign headquarters to answer phones or stuff envelopes
· Offer to hold a “Meet-and Greet” at your home.
· Offer to hold a fundraiser for a candidate
· Make a financial contribution to the campaigns of endorsed candidates

Our candidates have stepped up to represent our party in an election. It’s a hard job, it’s time consuming and tough on their personal life. The least that we can do is give them our all-out support. None of us should sit by and let “someone else” do the job.
The future of the Democratic Party in Harford County depends upon the success of our candidates in the General Election. Their success depends upon our willingness to help them.

FOR SHERIFF:
Jesse Bane, Fallston
Married.Sheriff of Harford County .
Completing first term as Sheriff having won the office in November, 2006.
*Qualifications: Thirty four years experience as Deputy Sheriff, Harford County Sheriff’s Office; 4 years experience as Harford County Sheriff (38 years total experience in law enforcement/corrections.
*Issues/Platform Continue the downward trend in crime by continuing to address our gang problem, reduce the violence, remove illegal drugs and guns from our streets, and protect our families and children from violence. Manage increasing budget constraints to meet an increasing demand on police services. Strengthen our partnerships with our communities.
Education: Graduate, Bel Air High School; Graduate, University of Maryland; Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology

FOR MARYLAND SENATE DISTRICT 34:
Art Helton, Joppatowne
Wife, Ann and 5 daughters.
Property revitalization and 40+ yrs executive management and business ownership2 term member MD Senate, 1 term member Harford County Council.
Qualifications: analytical thinker, budget specialist and people person.
Issues/Platform: Fiscal integrity of Maryland budget and State pension system.
Assuring Cecil and Harford County Citizens get their fair share of program money for their taxes.
Establishing credibility to Cecil and Harford counties Senate representation.
Education: BS Degree in Industrial Mgt from University of Baltimore.

FOR STATE DELEGATE, DISTRICT 34A:
B. Daniel Riley, Edgewood
Married/3 children
Retired Teacher
State Delegate for 8 years
Qualifications: Elected to House of Delegates twice
Issues/Platform: Harford County citizens should be able to conduct their every-day business without fear of the criminal element, such as gangs.
Citizens should be entitled to affordable, assessable, adequate heath care.
The tourism industry should be increased to create jobs. This will be funded thru a hotel tax.
Education: Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education.

FOR STATE DELEGATE, DISTRICT 34A:
Marla Posey-Moss, Aberdeen (Hillsdale)
Married to Carlton J. Moss, Esq., two kids – Carlton, III 6 and Lillian 10 months
Spanish Teacher and Small Business Owner
Candidate in 2006, worked on President Obama’s and Governor O’malley’s Campaigns as well as for a Municipal Candidate for City Council, Zenobia Todd
Qualifications: I am an advocate for people. My experience working in the legislative office as a Policy Analyst at the Department of Business and Economic Development for five years provided me a firsthand opportunity to understand what it takes to negotiate legislative policy. I am accountable, visible and accessible. I believe in keeping my constituency informed regarding State legislative matters.
Issues/Platform My platform isn’t party oriented but rather people oriented and inspired. It centers on consumer advocacy, small businesses, public safety and women and families. My platform is reasonable and protects the money my constituents need to provide for their families, pay their mortgage and survive during these hard economic times.
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Spelman College and a Masters of Science degree from the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management within Carnegie Mellon University.

FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES, DISTRICT 35A:
John W. Jones, Bel Air
Married, Patty Jones, 32 years; two Children, Derek and Rachel Jones
retired teacher, HCPS, 34 years
elected president of Harford County Education Association
Qualifications: As president of the Harford County Education Association, representing over 3000 educators, I dealt with elected and school officials, analyzed and prepared budgets, wrote weekly and bi-monthly newsletters and papers, negotiated contract language, and set priorities for our membership. Teaching taught me tolerance, patience and the importance of effective communication.
Issues/Platform :Securing the resources needed to prepare our students for entry into today’s challenging job markets; upgrading Harford’s infrastructure so that it able to effectively deal with increases in population and usage; and working to fund open space lands and agricultural perseveration programs, thus allowing the county to preserve its agricultural character.
Education: B.S, Frostburg State College, 1971, Master’s degree, Johns Hopkins U. 1978; additional 40+ credits at various colleges and universities.

FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES, DISTRICT 35A:
Joe Gutierrez, Jarrettsville

FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES, DISTRICT 35B:
John Janowich, Bel Air

FOR STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 7 HARFORD/BALTIMORE:
Rebecca Weir Nelson, Abingdon
Raised 5 children and returned them to natural families, Manny, Marty, Essence, Marcus, & Alex.
Photographer/Media Specialist
State Delegate Nominee 2006
Qualifications: Photographer/Editor/Reporter for Mayor/Gov. Schaefer, 3 Governors, UMAB, & FCC. Nelson provided Media: radio, T.V., solutions for local, State, National and International Conferences /Conventions for 30 years. As a murder witness, I took a stand and helped pass the witness protection laws to protect all Citizens!
Nelson closed down an illegal bail bond operation in Edgewood and Essex, MD.
Saved 88 miles of Neighborhoods from Eminent Domain!
Founded the Speak Unity National Initiative & American Dream Newspaper for Veterans
National Veterans Chairman Information Officer for Save Fort Howard! VOA Broadcaster for WWII gifted the jewelry commissioned by actor John Houseman to Nelsons for being a Veterans advocate.
Issues/Platform: Honoring our Veterans – respecting our environment!
Maryland being kinder and fairer for our Veterans and families relocating here, some of our laws are antiquated and need to be updated. Such as: Funeral homes licenses, ‘relative clauses’, to obtain a license.
Change VOP Laws, holding citizens 45 days, they lose jobs, cars, homes for non-violent offences, while we let violent criminals out of jail.
Education: CCB, FCC license, UMAB waived Masters for faculty, publishing – Nationally for School of Nursing

FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES, DISTRICT 7:
James Ward Morrow, Essex-Middle River
Married, one daughter
Lawyer/Radio Show Host, “Inside Government”
Served on the Maryland State Democratic Central Committee 1985-1986 and 2002-2005, served from 1979-1985 on the Maryland Governor’s Youth Advisory Council, served from 2001-2003 on the Maryland Governor’s Green Buildings Council, served as President of the Young Democrats of Maryland 1985-1986, served as Page, Intern, and Legislative Aide in the Maryland House of Delegates.
Qualifications: Served for 10 years as a Baltimore prosecutor and was cross-designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. Previously has represented Baltimore Teachers, School Police, Maryland State Professional Employees and State Healthcare Employees and currently represents federal law enforcement officers, federal firefighters, correctional officers, and other unionized employees at the Department of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, and Social Security Administration. Has experience at the municipal, county, state, and federal levels of government and in all three branches of government.
Issues/Platform: For too long District 7 has had several extreme right wing Republicans as our delegates. Rather than holding tea party rallies, I intend to do the hard work of bringing more jobs back to District 7. Our state and local leaders need a partner who will work to improve schools and seek funding to improve light rail and create a comprehensive transit system while improving the environment.
Education: B.A., Johns Hopkins University; J.D., University of Maryland-School of Law

FOR HOUSE OF DELEGATES, DISTRICT 7:
Jeff Beard, Middle River
Jeff is a single parent. He has 2 children, Jeff, 28, and Krystyn, 26, and is the proud grandfather of Jordan, 3 ½, Ashton, 2 ½ and Jeff, Jr. 1 month.
GM / Forklift Operator, UAW Vice President
UAW Vice President; volunteer and poll worker for various candidates
Qualifications:
Jeff has always been passionate about improving the community. As a teenager, he served as a junior fireman for the Middle River Volunteer Fire Dept, and he was very active with Baltimore County Recreation and Parks, volunteering his time to coaching youth football, baseball, and basketball. As he got older, Jeff got more involved in politics, campaigning for candidates dedicated to improving our community. Jeff also worked many hours volunteering at the voting polls.
Now, as vice-president and as a member of the Bargaining Committee of UAW Local 239, Jeff works very hard at building the working relationship between Union and Management at the Allison Transmission plant in White Marsh. What makes Jeff so good at building relationships is his intelligence, sense of humour, ability to make people feel at ease, and ability to respect differing opinions. Jeff is proud that this relationship was a key consideration in General Motors’ recent decision to award a new product to the plant, resulting in the creation of approximately 200 new good-paying jobs for the community.
Besides having worked at GM since 1979, Jeff also has been a successful small business owner for 25 years. He understands the challenges that small business owners face on a day to day basis, such as the dramatic increase in unemployment costs.
Issues/Platform:
Jeff is committed to:
Introducing fresh ideas to reduce taxes… It can be done!
Bringing jobs that pay enough to raise a family
Improving our educational system for students and educators
Utilizing the wisdom and experience of our senior citizens
Making our communities a safer place to live
Protecting our Bay and the environment while respecting the needs of our farmers and watermen
Making Maryland a stronger, more business-friendly environment
Getting veterans the respect they deserve
Education: High School Graduate, Kenwood High

FOR STATE DELEGATE, DISTRICT 7:
Kristina Sargent, Abingdon

FOR HARFORD COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT C:
Jack T. Feldman, Bel Air
Single.
Attorney-at-Law since 1976.
*Qualifications: Police Legal Adviser 1975 and 1976:Assistant State’s Attorney 1976 and 1977 .Review of Maryland rape law published by the University of Baltimore Law Review (“Maryland Rape Law, 1978
*Issues/Platform : Harford County must consolidate and improve government buildings. The county council should update its Five Year Plan. A four year college would promote economic development. A permanent County Festival site is needed to expand county development.
Education: B.A., Duke University; J.D., University of Maryland-School of Law

FOR HARFORD COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT F:
Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti, Havre de Grace

FOR REGISTER OF WILLS:
Joe Gamatoria, Havre de Grace