Harford County Council Vice-President Richard C. Slutzky announced Friday that he will run for county council president in this year’s Republican primary election. The retired educator and three-term council member represents District E (Aberdeen/Churchville/Fountain Green).
Slutzky filed his candidacy for a fourth term in District E in September, but announced at a Harford County Farm Bureau legislative dinner Friday that he will instead run in the countywide race for council president.
In an interview following his announcement, Slutzky said that he altered plans because of changes “in the dynamics on the council and in the political arena.”
Incumbent Council President Billy Boniface said in October that he would not seek re-election.
“After almost 12 years of experience,” Slutzky said, “I have learned that there is a steep learning curve in bringing someone new to the council with the potential for new council members. I believe I bring a great deal of experience…and I am positioned to stabilize the council, which may be in transition after the next election.”
Slutzky said he will re-file his candidacy with the Board of Elections.
Two other candidates have filed to run in the Republican primary for county council president, according to the Board of Elections website. They are Todd Paterniti, a 2010 candidate for the District D council seat, and attorney Jim Rutledge, a 2010 candidate for U.S. Senate.
There were no candidates in the Democratic primary for council president listed as of Friday.
The filing deadline for candidates in the 2014 primary election is Feb. 25.
Below is Slutzky’s bio from the Harford County government Web site:
Richard C. Slutzky, District E, was elected as the Council Member for District E, which includes Aberdeen, Churchville, and Fountain Green, in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 and 2010. Mr. Slutzky has served nine consecutive terms as Council Vice President. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Syracuse University and served as a Private First Class in the US Marine Corps Reserves. As a member of the Harford County Council, Councilman Slutzky serves as Liaison to the Board of Education, Chairman of the Adequate Public Facilities Board, Member of the Audit Advisory Board and Member of the Tobacco Task Force. He spent several years teaching and coaching at the university level before beginning his 31-year career as a teacher and coach at Aberdeen High School. His contributions to the sport of wrestling resulted in his induction into both the Maryland and National Wrestling Halls of Fame and appointment to the State Board of Directors of the Maryland Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Slutzky will make a fine president of the county council. His experience as a councilmember and his career as an educator will serve him well. The years ahead will need strong leadership and a willingness to make tough decisions. With Rutledge dropping out, and given Jim Thornton’s disappointing tenure on the Board of Ed, Slutzky is clearly the man for the job.
Slutsky is more of the same. His interference in the location of the Red Pump School as yet another gift for developers when it wasn’t even in his district comes to mind. We need some fresh faces in leadership positions.
I think that most county residents want the county to hold to the development envelope and not extend costly infrastructure like schools, roads, and water/sewer outside of it. Schucks Road is outside of it (though not by much), while Red Pump is inside. The Schucks Road school would have opened even more of the congested Route 22 corridor for development. Slutzky protected his council district, and held the county to its longstanding development policy. I think most county voters appreciate that.
I would suggest voters go back through the records regarding the issues with the location of the RP deal actually occurred. A convenient reinterpretation of history not withstanding. As further evidence his complete abdication of support for his constituents over Eva Mar speaks volumes regarding his actual loyalties.
Of course Red Pump cost more money for the county government to build as it was not eligible for state funding!
I do not see how anyone could think for a single minute that Mr. Slutsky is the correct person to become Council President. TR should take some time and investigate the real reason that the school was built at Red Pump. All of the studies showed that the school should have been built at Schucks corner, but Slutsky fought tooth and nail for that school to be built at RP even to the point that the council was going to withhold funding if it was not built at RP. I just do not see how people think that a person is qualified for a leadership position when they have absolutely no real world business experience. Having lived here all of my life I will have to say that in my opinion if Slutsky is elected to the President position and Glassman is elected to the CE position it will be the biggest mistake that the voters will have ever made
With a bio that loud and clear says he never earned a paycheck in his life that didn’t come directly from tax payers wallets, is this really what the county needs? Career government workers are the problem.
Good point. Marines don’t earn their paychecks. If I were you, I’d say that to Slutzky’s face next time you see him. Let us know what happens next.
Like it or not it’s just another job that you got paid for. If saying it to someones face would result in some sort of unpredictable action then it’s all the more reason for concern. Perhaps every Marine doesn’t have anger issues like yourself.
Bill H: Only known you for a few years and I wonder….Have you always been clueless, simple and judgmental or is it something you’ve perfected over time?
So honest concerns raised and threats of violence are the response. Great maturity soon here.
He is one of the Best Men I know, He took below average students, and wrestlers and not only taught them how to be a champion in the wrestling program, but he taught us about life. He is a Man of his Word! He is a true fighter for whats right in society! I bet he could whip your butt. Oh and he has earned every penny of his paycheck
I can appreciate your devotion to Coach Slutzky. I hold similar opinions about some of my past coaches and mentors. But that does not mean would automatically support them for such an important position. Others have seen a different side of Mr. Slutzky and do not believe he the right person to be County Council President. Your opinion that “He is a true fighter for whats right in society!” is not shared by all and please move away from the “I bet he could whip your but.” mentality, we need a more mature discussion concerning such an important topic.
This is just an analogy to how tough he is, He is a peaceful person, He is tough as in he wont give up, and I believe he tells it like it is. I believe he is honest and fair.
J,
Are you 10 years old? Please say that you are and that you have nothing to do with the education of our children; that way i can at least hold out some hope for our county and HCPS
“career government workers” are, by and large, NOT “the problem”.
I think you meant to say “career elected officials”. At least I hope so. And I hope all the people giving thumbs up on it thought so too.
Career government workers who become elected officials are the problem.
Boniface did just fine without having any previous experience on the Council. What we need is someone who has actual real world business experience. What you now see Craig doing for HdG will be nothing compared to the pork Slutzky would steer to Aberdeen – like the millions spent on an unnecessary new weight room addition and stadium extras at Aberdeen HS while teacher positions were eliminated, fees charged for student sports/activities, and transportation service cuts. Slutzky as Council President would not be a good thing for Harford County.
Aberdeen Builds Champions!
It’s a pleasure to find someone who can identify the issues so clearly
I can’t believe you’re not playing with me–that was so helpful.
J: you are clueless
The only thing Slutzky is positioned for is more of the same (e.g. development).
Great, now every new school built in the county will be built at the wrong location.
Mr. Slutzsky is no friend to the school system. He has constantly spoken against funding the school system and will not raise taxes even if it means that schools will become the worst in Harford county. He has become the old man whose conservative views are outdated and no longer have worth when it comes to moving this county forward in a positive direction. Please do not vote for this man.
The school system is wasting money!
You are absolutely correct. Wasting money on the weight room addition to Aberdeen HS Slutzky stuck in the school system budget that the BOE did not want or ask for.
Im sure they didn’t want or ask for it, and it just magically appeared, It doesn’t work that way.
J: if you knew anything about the BOE you’d be dangerous
whip your butt, You are correct. The BOE did not want or ask for it. Slutzky had it put in the BOE budget by the County Council.
Ralph, I know enough about the BOE.
First Slutzky says he wants to run for his current seat, then he decides he wants to run for County Council President? If he can’t even make up his mind about which he wants, how can we trust this man to make decisions about what’s best for this county.
In addition to that, both Rutledge and Paterniti are Tea Party folks and the Tea Party that they are willing to shut down the government and cost the country billions of dollars because they don’t want to give people access to affordable health care.
The people of Harford County should really check out Jim Thornton. With his background in business and his commitment to service, as is evidenced by his work as a member of the Harford County Board of Education, Mr. Thornton is clearly the best choice for Harford County Council President.
He is very trustworthy! Ask the thousands that he has taught and coached, and been a mentor to
Tom Myers, oh sorry Loyal Harford Demshit,
You think Thornton can win an election? Seeing how stupid and worthless he is on the BOE, his only supporters will be the stupid demshits that Art Helton pays and busses in to vote for him. Also, once the would gets out that Myers and Helton are his main campaign people, it will be game over for Thornton.
Helton is the Loyal Dem.
Slutzky may have been a fine wrestling coach – his actions while on the council have zero to do with that ability. There have been several examples where it could easily be construed as someone less than honest and certainly not trustworthy unless you’re Euler, Snee, Turner, et al.
With the “coach” as president please expect that schools will continue to be underfunded. Also say good by to Darlington and Dublin elementary. Schools will be closing and HCPS employees will be getting laid off by the hundreds each year, (except for central office that is). Harford county is going to be worse than Carroll county. Did anyone watch the video of the Carroll county council members arguing if they had super powers? Just because he was a coach and a teacher does not mean a bag of beans. What has he done for teachers while on the county counsel? SMH over and over again. The best quality about Richard C. Slutzky is that you can call him DICK.
Sew long as he don’t lay me off before I retire I’d vote four him.
Iam getting some help I see with my posts so glad you agree with me Jim in hickory your awesome! Lmao keep up the good posts you can come apply when I retire lmao
I’ve never met Dick Slutsky, so I can’t say anything about his character, hist ethics, or his efficacy on the County County. I am certain he was a great wrestling coach. However, I have recently interfaced with him on the Eva Mar Farms Development issue. In that regard, I believe he failed his constituents and concurred in zoning changes (bump ups permitting high density development on R1-single family zoning)) that will be a disaster for county infrastructure (schools, highways, water, sewer, fire, police). The development is ill-conceived, poorly located and not the least harmonious with any of the surrounding single-family home communities. The development will degrade property values, public safety, and quality of life. Route 22, Southampton, Moores Mill, Route 1, Prospect Mill, Thomas Run, and 543 are already at grid lock in the morning and evening. The development plans to dump traffic (and emergency traffic) through residential areas. A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is planned for the very back of the development and will require wholesale clearance of old growth woodlands. There wasn’t a concern for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, wildlife habitat, non-tidal wetlands, or adjoining communities when he abandoned his own constituents. Dick can look forward to having a bloc of voters from Fox Chase, Tudor Manor, Amy Clae I and II, Southampton, Hampton Ridge, and Thomas Run remembering not to vote for him in the next election.
You would rather he govern from his heart and not the law?
I would prefer he not participate in bending the law – zoning regs and other rules solely for the benefit of developers and at the expense of homeowners. It will be interesting to see if Eva Mar becomes yet another Beechtree boondoggle in which the taxpayers take the risk, foot the bill and suffer the consequences while the developer skates away with a fat wad of cash.
Laws and rules get bent all the time you dolt, you just always want them to be bent in your direction and no one else’s. Sorry but it doesn’t work that way, this is the real world and your mommie isn’t here to protect you. Sack up.
I have to believe if you ask the average Harford resident if the county is trending up or down in terms of quality of life, the overwhelming majority would say ‘down’. Having lived in this county all of my life, my opinion is that the present crop of government bureaucrats have done more damage in the past 5-10 years than we can ever hope to repair. Slutzky is part of the problem, certainly not the solution. If you want to see your quality of life continue to diminish (longer commutes, more development, poorer schools, pork projects, etc) vote for Mr. Cauliflower.
Sam I agree !!!! Long time Harford Resident.
so Thornton is gonna run? Is that toadie Fritsch, who idolizes Thornton and does whatever he says, gonna be his driver and towel-boy?
Resorting to name calling is the first sign of a weak position.
So you’re saying that Fritsch is NOT a toadie/sneak? If so, please provide evidence. The evidence that I have to support my opinion is every recording of every board meeting that I’ve watched. If I was Thornton, I wouldn’t be so proud that I’m able to lead this guy around by the nose. But Thornton seems like a good man, so maybe he isn’t proud of it.
On what positions taken by Mr. Thornton do you disagree?
Sorry, This was meant as a reply to “not from here.”
I don’t have any problem with Thornton
Dick Slutsky and Billy Boniface are great if you are a Repub that doesn’t pay any attention to what is really going on. Both lack integrity and any understanding of the founding concepts of our nation. If you like TIF and corporate greed/welfare than Dick is your Huckleberry. Thornton will play the exact same game with the exact same people so why not elect a “minority” so you can feel good about your vote. This is what lazy voters deserve. Barry G. sure has a nice smile, and he has sheep so…Let the good times roll with the same old song played by the same old fiddler.
William Mummy out of Missouri?
That’s right.
Well, the point is now moot. Slutzky has withdrawn his candidacy as of Thursday the 16th, according to the Harford County Bosrd of Elections website.
President of the County Council
Paterniti, Todd
Republican
Jurisdiction Harford
Status Active –
Filed Regular – 10/04/13
Email t.dotpaterniti@yahoo.com
Contact Information
3258 Split Oak Ct
Abingdon, MD 21009
(443) 528-7317
Rutledge, Jim
Republican
Jurisdiction Harford
Status Active –
Filed Regular – 10/10/13
Email jimrut@icloud.com
Website http://www.rutledgeformaryland.com
Facebook facebook.com/JamesRutledge
Twitter @RutledgeForMD
Contact Information
4660 Norrisville Road
White Hall, MD 21161
(410) 628-0050
Slutzky, Richard C.
Republican
Jurisdiction Harford
Status Withdrawn – 01/16/14
Filed Regular – 09/09/13
Email lrss362@gmail.com
Contact Information
362 Conniston Way
Aberdeen, MD 21001
(410) 272-3050
This status is erroneous.
We’ve spoken with Councilman Slutzky and he has confirmed he has not dropped out of the county council president race.
It is an error on the Board of Elections website that can’t/won’t be fixed until at least Tuesday, when employees return after the holiday.
I’m voting for thornton….my 2cents
That will be one big wast of a vote. Thornton will not win this election. All that Slutzky need to do to win is just show up. Dems in this county only vote 60% of the time and that number was from the Obama election. Republicans vote over 80% of the time and the new voter totals show Republicans out number Dems by almost 5000 voters.
Also, Thornton is an Obama O’Malley Brown Helton supporter, that will not help him any in this county. Then we can look at his school board voting record. Pay-for-play, cutting transportation, and defunding the magnet programs just to make people think we need higher taxes. Now add in some of his personal views. He supports O’Malleys rain tax. He supported O’Malleys anti gun laws. He is a developer that builds low income housing and he will work to expand the development envelope to bring section 8 housing to rural areas of the county. He has made zoning statement like that at school board meetings.
The worst thing about Thornton is he owes O’Malley, Brown, and Helton a lot of favors. O’Malley has appointed Thornton to countless boards and committees and each time O’Malley has stated how much he trusts Thornton.