From Ryan Burbey:
Over the past several years the gaps between the prosperous and the needy in Harford County have become even more pronounced. The budgetary cuts, which have been imposed by the Craig administration, have almost unilaterally affected those with the least in our county, while simultaneously rewarding those with the most. Over the past four years, the real estate tax rate, which is the primary source for school funding has decreased from 1.082 to 1.042. Likewise, the impact fee, which funds new school construction and school maintenance, has been cut in half. During this time, four new schools have been constructed in affluent areas of the county with only one being constructed in the less affluent areas. While these trends are not new, it is becoming increasingly clear that county fund allocation is not being distributed equitably. Poor and middle class families are increasingly being asked to carry a larger share of the burden, while receiving none of the added benefits.
First, let’s look at the real estate tax rates and impact fees. This reduction in revenue has zero benefit to any person or family who does not own property. Those who rent their home still are subject to the same income tax rate. Likewise, average rent in the county has not gone down with the lower tax rates. In fact, the average price for rent has risen steadily throughout Mr. Craig’s term in office. Real Estate rate reductions only really benefit those who own large tracts of land, those who own extremely valuable real estate assets and large-scale business owners. Sure, middle class families are paying lower taxes on their homes but it amounts to about $120/$100,000 of assessed value/year. That only amounts to about ten dollars per month. Likewise, farmers are paying slightly less for their land but this could have been accomplished without the enormous reductions in revenue, which the mileage cut has caused. Similarly, small business owners have also benefited, but again they could have been given tax-breaks, which would not put our revenue structure under constant strain. At the same time, the Craig administration spearheaded reductions to the impact fee, which is used to fund new school construction and capital improvements. Cuts to the impact fee only benefit developers and will ultimately result in higher taxes for the average resident.
The Craig administration has also enacted massive cuts to the social support network by cutting funding across the board to all facets of government. Some may not notice these cuts but I guarantee you that the county workers, who lost their jobs, had their wages cut or are paying more for their health care certainly did. These folks are middle class and poor. Many can’t afford a home and did not benefit from real estate tax cuts. You may not have noticed the reduction in resources at the library, but I am sure library patrons and librarians have. You may not have noticed the lack of funding for school repair but I assure that the folks in Aberdeen, Edgewood, Joppatowne and Joppa have.
Likewise the parents at Youth’s Benefit, William Paca, or any of the seven schools, which are over 50 years old, have. Many of these folks are middle class and poor. Many of these families can’t afford to purchase a home or move and depend on our County Government to properly fund schools, providing not just the funds for on-going maintenance but also program improvement and operations.
The most pronounced dangerous and lasting effects of the Craig administration’s misplaced priorities lie in school funding. Despite revenues returning to nearly the same amount as pre-recession levels, 608 million currently versus 617 pre-recession, he has frozen school funding. Despite numerous new schools opening and many expansions in educational programming, designed to benefit the children of Harford County, he has refused to increase school funding and has demonized the Board of Education, Superintendent and teachers’ union. Despite having an enormous fund balance, which could easily fund improvements to schools, he has refused to open the county coffers to provide a quality education to your children, the students of Harford County.
We cannot allow this kind of crony capitalism to continue in our county. While many may brand me a liberal and discount my views as advocacy for “big government”, I can tell you that my observations do not have a political root. I seek equity for the children and citizens of Harford County. I ask you: Is it conservative to pursue hundreds of millions of dollars in bond debt, which will further deplete future funds for education and school construction, while simultaneously refusing to pay county workers and school employees their negotiated wages? Is it smart policy to fund additional construction to your jail, while schools and county infrastructure are crumbling? Does a fiscally responsible County Executive constantly funnel funds through tax breaks and pet projects to an elite group of developers?
We must stop this madness. Demand that your County Executive enacts policies, which benefit all of Harford County, not just his developer friends. Demand he fully funds your schools, libraries and social-support networks. Demand that Mr. Craig put the needs of the citizens of Harford County ahead of his own selfish political aspirations.
As a parent of a student at Riverside Elementary School, we have noticed! The school board thinks that painting in the school is enough, how about sufficient heat in the winter and AC in the warmer months.
I don’t believe the school board thinks that painting is enough. Unfortunately, they aren’t being funded properly and have never been funded properly. Write you county executive and county council. Come to county council meetings. Tell them the current priorities and funding levels are unacceptable.
But, Ryan, your darlings in Annapolis are at this very moment passing tax increases that hurt the working person and the underpriveleged more than anyone else in Matryland society. Increases in the sales tax, increases in the gas tax, and on and on. The folks you support personally and the folks that the HCEA, the MSEA and the NEA support financially and at the polls are hurting the people you say you want to protect yet you pretend that is not the case. In addition, the state wants to drop the responsibility for funding teacher pensions on to the county and you know full well that will hurt the teachers because the county is simply not going to pay it and raises and other educational funding increases requested. Yet the HCEA and the MSEA won’t oppose O’Malley and his cronies. Ryan, if you sleep with dogs you get fleas.
Without debating the inaccuracies of your argument, you are not debating the topic. The topic is Harford County.
ryan…..did you forget that your friends in Annapolis are taking money from Harford County to pay for useless projects. What happens in Annapolis does affect Harford County. Did you forget that Harford County is not a separate county in Maryland? And you claim to be an expert? Yeah OK
My “friends” in Annapolis aren’t taking money from anyone. This is about funding our schools and community services. This is about not playing politics with our kids and communities. Harford County under David Craig has neglected its obligations to its citizens.
Why can’t we ever find solutions to serious problems without them becoming partisan issues? Passing off teachers pensions to the counties is a real good fiscal idea. We’ll certainly get new schools that way!
I can’t say that I disagree but that is not our current issue. The issue is the dramatic underfunding of schools in Harford County and the misallocation of funds to benefit the few.
The county has reduced the property tax rate and refused to follow the constant yield rate to obtain the needed funding to provide the basic services the county’s citizens that our charter and state law says we need to provide. While the CE has reduced costs, cut benefits, cut budgets and increased the rainy day fund and currently has over 30 million in the positive account balance, the fact is that employees have been asked to do more, are paid less and continue to be the subject of cuts, reductions in force and lack of any increases in the past 4 years.
First thing we need to do is fire all the greedy leaches that suck my tax dollars for there pay. Be thankful you have a job and stop crying learn to tighten your belt and stop stealing my pay check to waste it on forcing the liberal agenda on the youth.
Surely, you are not referring to teachers, police officers, firemen, county workers, librarians, professors, social workers, corrections officers, county council members and county executives as leeches.
The CE and County Council both have increased the staff. The county council is hiring assistants for each council person as appointed positions, new legislative aides and council attorney. The CE staff has added staff also during the past 4 years and their budget has increased while other direct service positions have been cut. The county council also added an auditing department even though the administration already hires independent auditors every year to certify county budgets and expenditures which is required by law. The priorities of this administration are to protect themselves and their buddies while the rank and file whom provide the BASIC services required by law are referred as “leaches” by some here? At least, can you become informed as to what is needed, required and fair? 4 years without raises while cutting taxes doesn’t seem fair if the employees are actually doing more and getting paid less. Truly in the private market, if your employer makes more and you work more, the result is that employees will be rewarded for their efforts. What really happens is that some people correlate state and federal spending and apply the same rule to the county. There is no part of our county govt that is arbitrary or capricious, the services are mandated by law and as a home rule county, these must be provided. They just can’t be provided without fair compensation. The office of economic development just reported HC as one of the fastest growing in the nation and one of the leaders in creating private employment. On the other hand, the administration can’t cut property tax rates, cry poor and then demand the the state pay for pensions when our county artificially cut its revenues?
Correction – it has been three years not four years without raises. Talk to teachers in Frederick, Carroll, Prince Georges, Anne Arundel, and other counties and you will find out they are in the same boat. It isn’t just a Harford County thing. Baltimore and Cecil are some of the very few counties that have provided any increase in Maryland and they did so by cutting teachers.
My mother in PG county got a step increase all those years and so did my sister in law in Anne Arundel County!
Cdev –
I strongly urge you to contact both relatives and confirm what you have stated.
I don’t need to confirm it because when we discussed this at thanksgiving it was pretty claer. PG got steps but had layoffs and furlough days. They have continued to get their steps as well!
I contacted a very good friend who works with the PGCEA (teachers union) who stated that PG teachers have not had step increases in the last three years and that they don’t expect to see a step increase this upcoming year.
Yes they have been furloughed and laidoff and no longer pay for additional work beyond the day.
The point is that Harford County situation is not unique to Harford County.
USEFUL Databases for comparison. Particularly good for Fed analysis.
Search the fed database by location and agency without using a name and you’ll get a list of all employees working there. Check their position and compare to the private sector or yourself.
Any occupation you look at will shock you. 25-50% more and big bonuses on top of it.
http://
php.app.com/fed_employees10/search.php
The state workers look like paupers next to the Fed workers.
http://
data.baltimoresun.com/salaries_state/
Teachers don’t get paid much relative to the overpayment of most government workers.
You should be outraged but not so much at teachers.
Direct your voice towards where the real money and easy jobs are.
Fed Government Work = High Pay, Low Responsibility, No Consequences
This holds true more for fed administrators than your local teachers.
Did you forget to take your medication? In your eyes there should be no public employees and therefore no public services which translates into no government. I get it now – you are not just pissed with the government you are an anarchist.
Not anarchy, just transparency, equality, and accountability.
Burbey, I agree. WTH, did the Craig Administration cut their salary?
No.
Don’t just post here. Let the county council know what you think!
The Harford County Council’s next Legislative Session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:00 PM. In addition, a Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 7:00 PM.
Citizens may address the Council on matters of pressing and immediate importance during “Citizen Input.” There is a time limit of three minutes and the subject matter cannot consist of any that is currently before the Council, such as zoning cases, legislation, etc. Speakers are required to sign up with Pamela Meister, the Council Administrator by calling the Council office prior to 4 p.m. the day of the meeting and ask to address the Council under the agenda item “Citizen Input.”
Burbey, I had some hope for you in taking over from the current HCEA president. Then I read your article and realize that you are cut from the same cloth as him. Your article is ridiculous. Are you a socialist or a communist? You are just a big liberal and don’t really care about progressing education.
No, I am not cut from the same cloth as anyone. I am neither communist nor socialist. I am a liberal but the bottom line is that whether you are conservative, liberal or moderate, what has transpired over the past several years is ridiculous. Look up the facts. I personally believe in compromise and consensus. I believe in progressive education where everyone has equal access. Without appropriate funding, this is not possible. Harford County is 6th in per capita income and 17th in school funding. That is ridiculous.
Does anybody care that the Board of Ed gets about 3/4 of the county budget now. How much is enough?
If it means our kids our educated it can be 99% as far as I care.
The Board of Ed actually gets roughly 35% of the County’s operating budget, not 75%. Here is the county budget brief for 2012 http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/Budget/Download/1719.pdf
The county has an total budget of around $741 million. Of that it has an operating budget of $608 million (the rest is the capital budget). In the operating budget is the general fund, which is roughly $476 million. The Board of Ed gets 51% of that fund, plus $16 million in capital funds.
Making the school systems share of the county budget closer to 35%, not 75%.
Sir, Ma’am
Please be very careful about stating budget numbers with such great certitude, unless you fully understand them. You are only partially correct when citing percentages and dollar amounts. One of the key elements of school board funding is debt service, which the County pays on behalf of the school board. That funding is for capital projects from previous years.
Dear Mr. Mallamo,
I agree with you completely. However, the debt service problem is a direct result of underfunding schools over time. Likewise, it is the result of reducing the impact fee and not having one during the housing boom. Perhaps, rather than considering building new schools or for that matter any new projects, our leadership should fix what we have.
Mr Burbey,
Debt Service is a direct result of building schools, and fixing schools, which both the County Executive and the County Council have largely supported. It is fantasy to believe that any government agency could or would undertake major construction projects on a pay-go basis. Even with a full impact fee all of the transfer tax and recordation tax and all property tax revenues dedicated to capital projects there would not be sufficient funds to fully fund the Board of Education’s capital program, and simultaneously fund operations.
Certainly, you are correct in most respects Mr Mallamo. However, the neglect and serial under-funding over time, combined with an explosion of development and a static budget for 3 years has created a problem. That is why it was irresponsible to lower the impact fee and was ridiculous that H.C. did not previously have the fee.
The fact remains that we have many more needs than are being funded. Would it not be cheaper to fix than to raze and start anew? Shouldn’t we fix the infrastructure we have before taking on new debt to build new structures or projects to be maintained?
Also, the County actually pays the debt service on behalf of the citizens, not the school board. It is the citizens who directly benefit. The school board is their intermediary. Now, how effectively they have served in that role is debatable. What is not debatable is the fact that county funding for education has not been sufficient.
If you consider Baltimore County, one of our closest neighbors, we are about $1,000 per pupil less towards the operational budget. If you multiply that by the about 38,000 students that equates to $38,000,000 each year. Money might not solve all problems but it certainly would go a long way to fixing many of the issues in HCPS.
Ryan Burbey wrote -“If you consider Baltimore County, one of our closest neighbors, we are about $1,000 per pupil less towards the operational budget. If you multiply that by the about 38,000 students that equates to $38,000,000 each year. Money might not solve all problems but it certainly would go a long way to fixing many of the issues in HCPS.”
This argument is one of the reasons there is so much waste in government.
If one entity is less efficient in educating their students, we should strive to be just like them? If we are effective and efficiently using our resources, we are criticized for not spending enough. There are plenty of areas in which the school system could be more efficient, how about addressing them also?
Making good use of the resources available to you should be a badge of honor, not shame.
Hey Taxpayer,
You are assuming that Baltimore County is less efficient as opposed to Harford County. What do you base this on? Is it possible that Harford County is less efficient? Is it further possible that Harford County is less efficient because of the $1000 per pupil less in funding? Also, is it possible that Harford County could be much more efficient with similar per pupil funding?
I do agree that there are areas in which Harford County could become more efficient, all businesses and government can always become more efficient, but how much more, and will that make up for the lack of funding?
Anyways, have a nice day.
“Hey Taxpayer,
You are assuming that Baltimore County is less efficient as opposed to Harford County.”
I made no such assumption. My point is that if we are comparing our level of spending to another and, because we are lower, saying that is justification for higher spending, that is a poor measure. If two people are obese and one weighs more than the other, should the lighter one feel they are ok and put on more weight? Both need to address their overweight issues.
We are spending much more money on government (including education)than at any other time over the last 60 years and yet we are told we must increase spending at all levels. Government, at most levels, is obese, it needs a huge weight reduction program.
Justifying more spending by saying others are doing it is not good enough.
Hey Taxpayer,
You specifically stated, in response to Burbey’s comparison between Baltimore and Harford Counties, “If one entity is less efficient in educating their students, we should strive to be just like them?” I don’t know how anyone could take that except for you stating Baltimore County is less efficient.
This latest post, however, does clarify what your intent was.
And just so you know, I agree there is a ton of waste in government spending, at all levels; however, is education the one area where we want to make the initial cuts? Lets support our education, the children are the future, and lets clean up the many other wasteful aspects of government, and find out where the cleaning needs to be done, before we just decide to cut the funding that educates our future citizens.
Anyways, have a nice day.
@Richard Smith – Why don’t we make the budget 150%, 250% or even 500% of what it currently is?
Hey it’s for the children, right?
If it really goes for the children and it makes their education that much better than yes. But we both know money does not do it all.
My point was more to reflect that the school system should be where a good chunk of OUR money goes. If you think otherwise than I certainly don’t want see how your children turn out……..
The Board of Ed actually gets roughly 35% of the County’s total budget, not 75%.
The county has an total budget of around $741 million. Of that it has an operating budget of $608 million (the rest is the capital budget). In the operating budget is the general fund, which is roughly $476 million. The Board of Ed gets 51% of that fund, plus $16 million in capital funds.
Making the school systems share of the county budget closer to 35%, not 75%.
Thanks for bringing some real, actual facts to a Dagger discussion. That seems so out of place here…….
I like that the Dagger gives everyone a voice if they want to share something with the community, but please stop given Burbey a stage on which he simply makes the same arguments. The summary of everything he has ever said on here or will say is he thinks David Craig is the devil. Every argument is the same tired arugment. I’ve not followed David Craigs political decisions that closely, but every time Burbey starts typing I support Craig more and more.
Ryan what office are you running for in the future? You certainly have a very focused agenda and I can only guess you are looking to replace Craig. For the success and well being of all teachers shut down the union and then we can move forward.
I am not looking to run for office. I don’t think Craig is the devil. I think he is underfunding our schools and putting our children, particularly the ones in the poorest neighborhoods at risk.
Mr. Mallamo,
What exactly do you mean by normalizing factors? Likewise, the current revenue is 608 million vs. 617 million pre-recession. That also includes a lower tax rate. I have very carefully compared the income, property values, etc in various counties. Harford County is one of the biggest offenders when it come to underfunding schools and over funding pet projects. From where does every dollar of “County” money come, the citizens. If you believe development in Harford County is depressed, you aren’t looking closely enough. In a time when the majority of the country was suffering, most of Harford County continued to grow. 2008-09 was tough but since, things have taken an up swing.
Mr. Burbey,
To make a statistical comparison between two entities with some similar characteristics, must be adjusted so that they are exactly the same, or the comparison is not valid. Therefore, Baltimore and Harford County data must be normalized to make them comparable.
The revenue numbers you are reviewing($608M vs. $617M) are similar, but not the same. One large component is Property Tax revenue. That is wealth created by the State property assessment process, it does not reflect the money property owners may or may not have. Additionally, there are variances in other accounts that increased due to inflation. Unless all accounts are normalized to a base year, comparisons are not relevant.
I too have noticed construction activity. What I have not noticed is an increase housing sales, or in Transfer tax, Recordation fees nor Impact fee revenue.
Actually, Harford County did not start to feel the effects of the economic recession until 2010. Revenues were still rising and at an increasing rate until then. They have turned down since.
HC12Revenue HC11Revenue HC10Revenue HC09Revenue HC08
$608,790,132 $580,396,381 $576,637,463 $617,108,599 615,837,297
Education(38%) Education(39%) Education(39%) Education(37%) Education()
$229,324,489 $229,094,651 $226,925,856 $227,768,543
Public Schools(35%) Public Schools(36%) Public Schools(36%) Public Schools(33%) Public Schools(32%)
214,291,627 211,067,388 210,414,800 206,978,734 199,614,800
HCTax Rate HCTax Rate HCTax Rate
1.042 1.042 1.064 1.082
Take note, revenue does lag one year behind current events and budgeting. However, the cuts began in 09. There really is no defensible reason behind this. The “one-time” surplus is nonsense. It is a budgetary surplus that was anticipated. Likewise, if the concern is debt servicing, why take on hundreds of millions of dollars of additional debt? Our schools and social institutions are being sacrificed to line the pockets of a few good ole’ boys. It is obscene. Likewise, look at the % of budget during the “good” times when revenue was higher.
Sorry the number run together exel doesn’t play nice with Dagger…
Mr Burbey,
What is your point in your posting?
I don’t see any cut from the data you provided. You are correct though that it is difficult to read.
As to where money is spent for good old boys and how education is currently underfunded, perhaps you could provide the specifics on both issues.
I would very much like to know where the money goes and which good old boys are getting theirs. I would also like to know how much funding is required for education and more importantly where exactly that money is going to come from. If you can please translate that into how much it will cost the individual in Harford County.
Mr. Mallamo,
I don’t nor do I think anyone really knows exactly how much educatin is going to cost as time goes on. I do know that the curent levels of funding do not provide adequate opportunities or support for our children. As to the good ole boys, I would look to who gets the construction projects and question why? I would also look to the no bid contracts like those in the IT department.
I have always found you to be well intentioned and articulate, excepting the one time you blasted me for little or no reason. I would be glad to dialogue with you about funding and the other issues whic we have debated. Please talk with me the next time you see me.
Ryan
HousingMarketRebounding
– 56% Increase in Properties “under contract” and/or “marked contingent” from January to April – a 40% increase from the same time frame in 2009
– Number of New Listings rose from 413 in the month of January to 620 in the month of April
– Houses spent an average of 28 days less on the market from October 2009 to April 2010 compared to October 2008 to April 2009
Median disposable income growing
from $73,000 to $83,000
http://www.harfordbusiness.org/Download/1418.pdf
Mr. Burbey
I find it ironic that you are using statistics from the County while bashing them for not providing sufficient funds. Nevertheless, you should really spend some time analyzing the statistics you are using and not just repeat them. I do not know where the data you are using originated; I understand that you extracted it from the County web site. Please take a closer look at what you have provided.
First you are using statistics from 2010, which are not relative to today.
Second, the statement that median disposable income is rising from $73,000 to $83,000. Most glaring question is whether it really is disposable income that is rising. Disposable income is income that is left after all of the taxes, bills, mortgage, insurance retirement contributions, health care, pet care etc etc are paid. That would put total median income at well above $150,000. Could be but unlikely. Additionally, it is very important to know how that income is distributed among the population. Normal bell curve or skewed.
Third be very critical of any analysis that uses a very short period to project trends. Using data from Real Estate Business intelligence, LLC for a full year, Feb 2011 to Feb 2012, properties new under contract dropped from 161 to 120. Same period average number of days on market rose from 133 to 140, new listings did rise from 277 to 349, though total active listings dropped from 1569 to 1196.
Finally, understand fully what the comparisons are stating before believing that everything is OK. Every economic forecast or projection uses a base year to show improvement or decline. If the statistical analysis is now using 2009 as a base year it is an indication that models, forecasts and projections are being reset to that year. Reseting is a global phenomena as a result of the worldwide financial situation. My projection is that, unfortunately for you, your salary schedule was based on a previous base year with different assumptions. Your last pay raise was 2009, so you are being adequately compensated now. In order for you to obtain more compensation, not only must the indicators show an increase, they must also trend upward at an increasing rate. If they do not, then increased compensation will not be sustainable, the best you can expect is a bonus. Additionally, I would suspect that there will be a new pay scale out, adjusted to today’s assumptions
Ryan Burbrey is right! Harford County taxpayers have too much income and we must relieve them of the burden from these ill-gotten gains.
It’s for the children, and we must punish and damn the 1%.
Ryan is my progresive/liberal/social1st hero!
Mr. Mallamo,
You are misconstruing my argument. It is not about my compensation. That will work itself out over time. As you know market forces will drive compensation. It is about the kind of schools which we maintain for our children. My children, as defined by my compensation and ability to afford housing, must attend schools in a neighborhood which has not enjoyed priority status. It is not nor has it ever been about my compensation. I have always maintained that I was arguing specifically for teachers years 1-5 who had never enjoyed their contractually agreed upon salary steps. I am getting by. I have also maintained that it is about kids. Harford County must realize that someday the development will be done and we will need a reason for people to want to live here. If you want to ring people to your county, you must invest in schools. Education is not only a moral imperative but also an economic one.
Whenever someone says it’s not about the money…it’s certain it’s about the money. Ryan Burbey’s protestations are no different when he says he not fighting for his pay, but only for the children and other teachers.
I looked up disingenuous in the dictionary and found a photo of Ryan Burbey.
Certainly, I would like to get my contractual wage for the first time in three years. However, I am more concerned that our schools are developing the infrastructure and programs so that my kids can get a competitive education. That is not possible with a county executive who does not prioritize our children or our schools or our social support networks.
Mr. Burbey,
There is some basis in historical fact that previous administrations were able to generate positive fund balances by underfunding all government functions. I do not believe that it is an accurate reflection of the current situation.
The static funding for the past three years was a function of the recessive economic conditions, during which development in Harford County was also very much depressed, and a reduction in both State and Federal funding. The impact fee did not generate much revenue because there was not much development. In point of fact, even at it highest, the impact fee never generated revenues projected in the study used to support its enactment. Whether Harford County should have had an impact fee earlier is moot. Harford County does not have authority to establish any tax, that authority is reserved to the State legislature. Regardless the revenue generated by the impact fee would not have made any significant difference to school construction.
The County absolutely does pay debt service on behalf of the School Board. That payment allows the School Board to understate their budget, and completely ignore the County’s total contribution. Additionally, because of distribution formulas and incremental funding practices the State’s contribution to school construction is not used to reduce debt service, which compounds the problem of construction financing and adds to Harford County’s debt load.
Finally, you are committing a gross analytical error in comparing Harford County to Baltimore County. Unless you first normalize all relevant data points the comparison is invalid, and lacks rigor. You also expose yourself, quite rightly, to accusations of intellectual dishonesty. Further regardless of how hard you may wish it to be, Harford County will never be Baltimore County, or Montgomery County or any other county. Whack may be a benefit, recognizing that school funding declined in Baltimore County, and as I understand it class sizes increased and teachers were fired. Additionally, Montgomery County is now seeking to fund below Maintenance of Effort levels.
Harford County has had class size increases too. No teachers have yet been laid off but that is only because of retirements. Look at what happened to the 100 or so county workers who lost their jobs.
I don’t know about Crony Capitalism, but I know a little about budgets. Dude, have you seen what this President and the Governor of Maryland have done to budgets already? In this economy, you should be thankful that you have the money to do what you already do. Fully fund? HOW? WITH WHAT? Are YOU willing to pay more taxes? There are a “hearty” number of people living in these affected areas that wouldn’t work if you bought them a car, drove them to work, did it for them, and then drove them home. Let’s eliminate those. Let’s help those TRULY in need, those who can’t help themself. Should government do that? Probably not. Our CHURCHES SHOULD. But due to the “social engineering” our government schools have taught so much government reliance that a whole segment of society knows nothing else. Is Harford County absolutely fair in terms of it’s distribution of school resources. Probably not. Personally, I hate to spend new money on a building only to see it sprayed full of graffiti three days later. Call me crazy. We teach our children responsibility for what they HAVE before we buy them new and better. In district’s where the kids don’t know who Daddy is, and Mommy is locked up for drugs, it’s tough.You can PAY teachers to be parents, but it won’t work. That’s why prisons are full and getting more full. I can’t imagine a Marylander who would say, “I want to pay ONE MORE CENT of taxes.”
Your comment reflects the pervasive problem in our county. Perhaps you should go to your church and reflect upon your bigoted statements.
Typical liberal, can’t argue his point, call him racist. Ryan doesn’t want to hear about any problems with the system, he wants you to blindly give him and the government more money.
I also believe that what I am doing is highlighting the problems in the system.
Oh, I can argue a point. However, there are no schools “sprayed full of graffiti” and comments like, “There are a “hearty” number of people living in these affected areas that wouldn’t work if you bought them a car, drove them to work, did it for them, and then drove them home. Let’s eliminate those.” and “We teach our children responsibility for what they HAVE before we buy them new and better. In district’s where the kids don’t know who Daddy is, and Mommy is locked up for drugs, it’s tough.You can PAY teachers to be parents, but it won’t work. ” are ignorant and bigoted.
No one is saying we need all new, just maintain and fix what we have.Make sure there is no difference in school facilities between BelAir and Aberdeen, or Falston and Edgewood.
I don’t think most would argue some of your points, it’s the smart ass way you make them.
Ryan
Mikes comments, while insensitive, are for the most part factual. They relay his frustration with our current social climate and his comments deserve more than just accusing him of being ignorant and bigoted. He is reluctant to help fix the problem because he resents the actions of others, as many do, and you will never be able to bring him on board by accusing him of being ignorant and bigoted.
Trying to help Ryan understand the real world is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end.
Why call names? People there’s two ways yu can do something, here they are 1.Write letters get your point across or 2.Come to the next town meetings where you can vent out all you want, what r they going to tell you to shut-up NO!! tell them bout the schools, roads, gas taxes, bitch about them wanting to raise water bills bitch about the gas prices bitch about schools bitch about them lining their pockets with our $. If we don’t go n bitch for what we want then what’s the GD point of sayin shit here if we all don’t go to our town meeting. I say let get there tell them what we think n make Aberdeen our town fight for r rights now b4 its too late. Hell think bout it gas prices is on the rise taxes follows we need to stop the bs n tell them enought is enought. Plus where’s all these extra taxed going the roads still needs done the homless still roaming the streets r parks wtf we need better ppl in office. I’m begging all of you please come to meeting let’s tell them what we think n mayb just mayb we as the ppl of Aberdeen can make a change for everyone young n old