Letter to the Editor –
It was with great disappointment that I read the article in the Aegis, dated April 21, 2011, on page A11 titled “Incinerator credit on taxes is denied”. The lame excuses used by Delegate Rick Impallaria as to why this Senate Bill 395, introduced by Senators Jacobs and Glassman, dated February 4, 2011, “died”, just goes to show why we get so little back from our delegation over the years and continue to get so very little. This was an opportunity to actually “do something” for the citizens of our County and not sit on your hands, in a time of need. The constant “in–fighting” among our delegation is why this bill “died”. We have been working for three years on this legislation; legislation that “All” agree is needed and everyone supports this legislation. Delegate Impallaria knew this bill was coming, fully supported by Senator Glassman and Senator Jacobs, and I thank them for their support, however because Delegate Impallaria was upset with Senator Jacobs over another “bill” that did not pass that he liked, he got even. However who did he punish? He punished about 30 families in the Edgewood/Joppatown area who live on and around the Fort Hoyle Road, who have for years put up with an aging incinerator plant, hundreds of trips a day of trucks going in and out of that plant, hundreds of trips a day of trucks going in and out of the sand and gravel pit on Fort Hoyle Road, and hundreds of school buses coming in and out of Magnolia Elementary School and Magnolia Middle School on a daily basis, leaving all their fumes for everyone to breath.
These people have been breathing all this polluted air for years. Many, who are still alive, and have not yet died of cancer, have breathing problems, cancer, emphysema, respiratory conditions and when I have meetings with these individuals in the area, they arrive carrying their own oxygen tanks. Delegate Impallaria should be ashamed of himself to hide behind those lame excuses he used to “ignore” this legislation. I have been doing this kind of “stuff” for a long time and if he wants to try to “pull the wool” over everyone else’s eyes as to why this bill died, he can’t get this “stuff” by this learned colleague. I know how the system is “supposed” to work.
The Senate Bill 395 was introduced by Senators Jacobs and Glassman on February 4, 2011 more than enough time to get passed by both Houses. Plenty of Bills that were introduced after this date were passed by both houses and are waiting for the Governor’s signature. In a recent article to the Aegis written by Senator Jacobs titled “Budget called debt-laden”, she stated “Locally, I am proud to report that Senate Bill 395, “Harford County Property Tax Credit-Homes Near a Refuse System-Extension to Additionally Properties” has passed the State Senate and is awaiting action in the House of Delegates.”
And in a recent article to the Aegis written by Delegate Rick Impallaria titled “No rosy pictures from here”, he stated, “Over my past nine years in office I have always told by constituents the truth about legislation…” He further stated, “The Harford County Delegation has worked very well together, Democrats and Republicans and have seen eye-to-eye on the majority of issues facing Harford County. Many of the bills put in by the Delegation will not gain final passage until the last day of session April 11, so I cannot yet report the final outcome.”
He could not “report the final outcome” because he “held” the bill. This bill S-395 passed the “Ways and Means” Committee by a unanimous vote and passed the Senate by a unanimous vote. SB395 was then “held” by Delegate Impallaria on the last night of the session of the “House” at 6:37 p.m., we have a copy of the exact information off of the House Proceedings page of the last night of the session. He let it die!
Delegate Impallaria should practice what he preaches (or writes). He clearly let the “ball drop” on this “Bill”, deliberately, maybe when the re-districting lines are drawn, all of his district can be in Baltimore County, where he lives, as he has done nothing for Harford County.
Dion F. Guthrie
Harford County Councilman, District A
Maybe Del. Impallaria can write a long diatribe like he did during election season explaining just why he let this bill die for himself. While I don’t challenge your integrity, I thank you for bring this to the forefront as I had not heard the outcome until now. Also I encourage him to take a look at some old Harford County Council tape in which residents pleased with the council regarding environmental concerns with black tar-like balls being dropped along their property as trucks came in and out. While I think a tax credit seems to admit there’s a problem and reimburse residents for what we know is an environmental concern, it is the chosen point of recourse at this time.
But as with all things maybe Del. Impallaria would like to respond in fairness for the Dagger Community, more specifically those on Hoyle Road as to just what the issue was. Maybe the bill had something in it that we don’t know about. Thank you for bringing this to the forefront.
I have the luck of having lived in Joppa area and then moved to Fallston. Mr Guthrie did nothing to help me and the rest of my neighbors get a MTBE tax break. But, Mr. Guthrie can ask for a tax break for 15 or 20 homes on Fort Hoyle Rd. We all lived near a Army base with toxic chemicals and a reactor in Joppa. This is the same Guthrie who abuse and mistreated people at the poll in 2010.
Dion I don’t hear Jacobs or Glassman criticizing Impallaria, but why?
PORTER – The “Reagan Rule” – Republicans don’t attack other Republicans. However, Democrats will eat there own young. Jacobs and Glassman are old school Republicans. However, I hope these new Tea Party Republicans will convert the whole party to political cannibalism. It will make the next election much more entertaining. I feel Trump might be giving us a good preview of the show ahead.
I must first say Councilmen Guthrie please spell the community correctly it ends with a “E”. You are either to important or have not realiized that JoppatownE has an E in it. Just look at any map or your GPS and you will find it. Now let look at redistricting as you put it in your letter. You should know that it doesn’t matter how they draw the district, Rick lives in Harford County and has property in Baltimore County. You should know you have spent plenty of time attending Rick’s fundraisers over the years. You know this is political grandstanding by you. Hey maybe you can be redistricted out of your council seat. As for Senator Jacobs your pals in Annapolis are going to try to redistrict her right out of her seat after review of the last election. You can bet on that Councilmen. Then you right School buses and gravel pit cause problems to residents. I would agree the trash incinerator has problems associated with it, but the brush of tax credits should go out in 15 mile radius. Just a thought.
Since you are so concerned about spelling, it should be “Then you write” and not “Then you right”.
OUCH!
Thank you, you are right I did use the wrong word. I did not do it on purpose. Guthrie continues to spell JoppatownE wrong. Mine was a mistake his is a continued pattern of doing it his own way. Sorry for the mistake Bel Air Mom. Correcting an oversight doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t change the merit of my discussion. Bill you are exactly right (correct usage)about Guthrie!
Also, you misspelled ‘too’ when you wrote “you are either to important.”
Did Rick make you write a response by threatening to run you over with his car again?
This is just another case of Guthrie grandstanding for himself. He pretends to be doing all these things for his community but he is not. He is great at showing up at all kinds of events and taking credit for having accomplished things that he had little or nothing to do with. He used to be a lobbyist and is a big union guy (president of a local) so that should tell you all you need to know about Guthrie.
is it campaign season already??????????????
Dion we must get Governor O’Malley to evacuate these families immediately. The situation is dire and we should not hesitate.
The State of Maryland should seek Federal money to buy-out these people and relocate them to Beechtree. We can pay them double what their homes are worth, demolish the houses, give them 1% mortgages and turn the disaster area into a dead zone.