From Del. B. Daniel Riley:
Reflecting over my eight years as a State Legislator is one of mixed emotions. I am happy to be a part of many pieces of legislation that improve the people’s quality of life. As a representative of the people, I pushed for and supported legislation that the majority of my constituents supported. Many times successful, many times not. But being a delegate was more than just getting bills passed or defeated. It meant attending community meetings/forums; answering emails, letters and phone calls; and keeping your ear to the ground to keep up with the issues that affected my constituents.
One of the best sources of this is “The Dagger” website. Many issues I addressed came from Dagger contributors. I will give an example. One Dagger contributor, we will call him Dwayne, had concerns over veteran issues and unemployment benefits. I was at a meeting in Annapolis with the Governor and leadership and I presented Dwayne’s concerns. These concerns became the center of discussion for days and several pieces of legislation were passed addressing these needs. Another Dagger contributor had some issues with the municipality where he lived. We met, had a beer or two, got the information and I presented it to the local government. An issue that had been festering for over a year was resolved. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the public. It brought great happiness to resolve a constituent’s issue.
But there were also setbacks. There were five issues I addressed in my time in Annapolis which still need to be looked at – the hotel tax, slots for Veterans, Casino Nites, Student member on Board of Education and 2nd Amendment rights.
Hotel Tax – We are the only jurisdiction without one. What does that say? Are we the wisest jurisdiction or the dumbest? Who needs the revenue from the hotel tax? Infrastructure used by hotel guests can continue to be subsidized by Harford County through higher taxes. Hotel taxes designated for tourism would create jobs, thus lessening our unemployment roles. But many feel it’s more important to keep one family-owned hotel chain happy then to create jobs. Some tourist attractions need, such as Ripkin Stadium which puts an average drain of over $400,000 on the city of Aberdeen, need this revenue. But some will argue that no hotel tax is needed.
Veterans Slots – The State is in the slots business as are many of the counties in the State. Veteran organizations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland have five slot machines in each organization with the profits from the slots addressing our veteran’s needs. Harford County vets have the same needs. When our veterans donned their service uniforms they were defending the freedoms and rights of all. But when vet organizations try to help themselves they are discriminated against because of geographic location.
Casino Nites – Many charitable organizations asked for this legislation. Many in Harford County try to avoid government assistance and would prefer to raise funds to help the needy on their own. Casino Nites are not mandatory. No one forces you to enter the facility. It is your choice, your free will. This legislation has failed because our senators feel they have an obligation to regulate our morality.
Student Voting – This bill in its simplest form would allow the student member of the Board of Education to have voting rights on all decisions except those concerning personnel or fiduciary matters. Some student members of the Board of Education are able to enlist in the armed services, start a family and vote for the elected officials, but cannot fully take part in the process of running our schools.
2nd Amendment Rights – I firmly believe that any law-abiding citizen 21 years or older, never convicted of a crime or violence, mentally healthy and not a felon should be able to have the right to carry their licensed firearm. I also feel any crime committed with a handgun be given an additional 5-year term of imprisonment (Project Exile).
My future as an elected public official has ended, but I do intend to stay involved in public service. I would truly like to thank the citizens of District 34 for the honor of serving them. I leave office enriched by the people I have met and the friends I have made as your delegate.
Del. B. Daniel Riley
But Dan, when it came time to vote against O’Malley’s tax increases several years ago, you were no where to be found. I have an e-mail from you in which you admitted that many of your constituents were against the tax increases. I find this a little suspicious and think that Michael Bush gave you the OK to disappear and not to vote on it because of the heat you were receiving. I might be wrong but that was how I perceived it ! ! !
Unlike many Maryland voters who have very short memories, and voted for O’Malley again (mostly state workers, unions, and people who benefit the most from tax hikes), I do not (and did not) forget.
I too remember the “Special Session” and Mr. Riley answering one of my emails after I expressed being against the increases. How did you get away with “not voting” ? But when I informed you how “you” voted on those issues, would determine how ” I ” would vote in November, you answered “please, idle threats get us nowhere”.
We’ll miss you, Dan. Glad to have had you dedicate your time and efforts to helping your community. Your decisions and positions were always within the realm of the needs of your constituents. Good luck!
Rob in Bel Air,
When the initial vote was made I had an excused absence. I had planned to spend a couple days with mom and celebrate her 86th birthday. These plans were made months in advance of the Special Session. My mom came from her home in England to my sister’s house in Florida where I joined them. I arrived on a Thursday night, rearranged plans, came home on a Saturday night.
If you check the record you will see, in the final vote, I voted against the tax increases. My position, which I stated face-to-face with Governor O’Malley, was these taxes hurt my constituents the most and I preferred budget cuts to tax increases
sorry Dan, but u couln’t pass the BS test this time. Edgewood had been allowed to fester and it only got worse after you, and Dion and Jesse took over. see it for yourself:stores close earlier, steel curtins on the windows,deputies attacked while onlookers look the other way;crime and gangs are out of control. Gee thanks, can’t say it’s been a great eight, can’t say you did a darn thing to make things better either.
I went to a forum years ago at Edgewood High School where Mr. Riley was speaking about the development wolves that were ready to pounce on property all along the new expanded route 24 (this was almost 20 years ago now). We all were caught up in the anti development fever of the day. In hindsight what we all should have been up in arms about was expansion of section 8 housing and move to opportunity gimmicks that turned Edgewater Village and Meadowood into gang infested, crime ridden slums. Sad to say but the only way to get rid of the problem is to get rid of “affordable” housing.
HERE HERE! It’s appalling! This “planned” community is now a haven for criminals and drug dealing. You couldn’t pay me to live there! The 2 families I know that live there are afraid to go out after dark. They take their life in their hands just walking to the grocery store!
As far as Delegate Riley is concerned, I’ve never met a more committed educator and community servant than Dan. He mentored both of my boys during their time in high school and went above and beyond the call of duty for numerous other students.
Dan, you can run for any HarCo office and Mark, Wendy, Chris, and Phillip will support you!
I have an idea for Dan next time around: Change party and vote against the established democrat machine in Annapolis . . . then he will have my vote, the votes of my family and the votes of many of my friends.
Harford County lost a first class legislator when voters failed to renominate Dan Riley for delegate again. I have known Dan for about 30 years and he has consistently delivered good service to the citizens of Harford County as both a teacher and legislator. He first ran for delegate as long ago as 1986 and consistently persisted in the face of rejection by the voters and other setbacks until first gaining office in 1998. He has been in the forefront of many of the battles for a better community against big monied interests such as big businees people, the U.S. Army and against gang violence.
Dan has also been available to help those who needed it. He always took phone calls and shared the concerns of ordinary citizens. He didn’t hesitate to fight against those who favored special interests and privileges. His defeat is a big loss to the county.
My hope is that Dan will continue to be active in the county. He is capable of being an outstanding county executive in the future or in filling some other role. His experience is invaluable and Harford Countians would be well advised to start jotting his name onto the short lists of who might be good to help shape the county’s future. Thanks, Dan. Hope to see you soon.