Because incumbent Harford County Councilman Joe Wood faces no opposition in either the Primary or General Elections for his District B seat (Abingdon/Fallston) and is assured re-election, the next installment of The Dagger’s Q & A with candidates in the 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election features the Republican candidates running for the Harford County Council District C seat, representing the Bel Air area.
Incumbent county councilman James McMahan faces Eric Daxon and former Bel Air Town Commissioner candidate David Mitchell in the Republican Primary Election to determine who will advance to face Democrat Gina Kazimir, who is unopposed, in the race to represent Distrct C on the county council. Their answers to The Dagger’s three questions appear below. (Note: Mitchell did not respond to any of multiple attempts to reach him.)
Dagger: County council members often make decisions in areas where they may not have expertise, such approving tax increment financing proposals, expanding the development envelope, or approving multi-million dollar capital projects. Briefly describe the experience/skills you would bring to the county council and how you make decisions in areas outside your expertise.
Daxon: Eric Daxon graduated from Towson University in 1997. Eric Daxon has been married for 14 years to his college sweetheart, Nancy. He has two children, a 5 year old daughter and 1 year old son. Eric Daxon is a lifelong Republican, political activist and community organizer. Eric Daxon took Verizon’s buyout in December of 2013. He is currently a partner in Technos Compliance, Inc. Eric Daxon and his team are creating a software program to help healthcare providers deal with HIPAA regulations.
In his free time Eric Daxon, like everyone, reads other countries Constitutions, the US Constitution and the Federalist Papers. America may be one of the youngest countries in the world but holds title to the oldest working constitution. Eric Daxon studies history; his favorite subjects are the Jamestown Colony, President George Washington, President Abraham Lincoln and President Ronald Reagan. In his business partnership Eric Daxon reads and rewrites government laws.
Eric Daxon has always felt strongly about the need for lawsuit abuse reform and protection of property rights. In 2009, Eric Daxon supported and assisted the Prigel Family Farm to raise money for their legal defense. The Prigel Farm was fighting an endless battle with a few wealthy neighbors for the right to build their creamery. Prigel Farm Fest raised $35,000.00 and 1200 people supported and attended the community cookout. As a county councilman, Eric Daxon will work hard to protect your property and push for legal system reform in Harford County.
Eric Daxon will take seriously his oath to uphold the Constitution. Eric Daxon will work with experts in their field to deal with issues outside of his expertise. Eric Daxon will always put people first before politics and special interest.
McMahan: First my formal Education. BA from Western Md. College – Attended University of Baltimore Law School – University of Maryland “Fellow” from the Academy of Excellence school of Public Policy. Graduate studies from U of MD AE School of Public Policy in Budgets. To my knowledge no public official was EVER elected due to their expertise. Politicians are supposed to be managers by gathering information from staff, applicants and the public hearing process to make decisions. That is why the elected body is supposedly made of everyday citizens from the electorate.
Mitchell: No response.
Dagger: Please cite a previous decision by the Harford County Council with which you either strongly agree or disagree, and why.
Daxon: Eric Daxon strongly disagrees with the rain tax. When David Craig asked for it’s repeal, Eric Daxon would have taken action.
Harford County Executive and Gubernatorial Candidate David Craig gave the Harford County Council the opportunity to repeal the rain tax. Rather than repeal the rain tax, my opponent questioned David Craig’s political motives for the request.
Eric Daxon would never question someone’s motive for giving tax relief to Harford County residents. The rain tax was ruled unconstitutional in a federal court and yet was passed by Maryland tax and spend politicians. Common sense democrats and republicans in Pennsylvania and Virginia did not pass the tax.
Harford County government, citizens, developers and taxpayers have done their part to protect the bay. We have enacted new building codes, restrictions and requirements to protect the bay from run off. For example, every new development has a water runoff pond.
There are people who will never think we spend enough money nor do enough to protect the bay. Common sense people at some point have to say enough is enough. The Maryland Department of the Environment’s own research shows that around 50% of the bays pollution problem comes from the sediment behind the Conowingo Dam. The rain tax does nothing to address a major source of the bay’s problem.
Eric Daxon will aide in the process of requesting federal government funds to dredge the Conowingo Dam. While working to fix the real problem affecting the bay, he will work to repeal the rain tax.
McMahan: I strongly support incubator activities for new businesses in Harford County that create jobs. As much as I do not like the county being in the banking business I would much rather see the Economic Development Commission administer low interest loans to companies to expand or build but I am STRONGLY AGAINST grants of tax payer money that we never get back. Loans are repayable so the money can be used again and again to help other businesses. THAT MAKES BUSINES SENSE. My voting record supports my statement.
Mitchell: No response.
Dagger: The Harford County Council is charged with certain responsibilities. Among them are: Enacting legislation, adopting the budget, overseeing the redistricting process, and serving as the Zoning Board of Appeals. Looking ahead, what issues within the council’s purview are of specific interest or concern to you and why? Please cite two issues.
Daxon: There are a number of bad bills on the council’s agenda. They are asking for new energetic and passionate leadership.
Bill No. 14-021 Council Abdicates Zoning Process Bill
Eric Daxon’s opponent Mr. McMahan is sponsoring legislation Bill 14-021 to remove the council from the zoning process. By removing the council from the process, zoning issues would skip the council and go to the circuit court.
he council basically is saying they do not like dealing with hard issues with constituents taking an active role in the political process. This bill represents the council basically abdicating a 40 year responsibility in Harford County’s zoning process.
The people of Harford County need to contact their council representatives and tell them not to support this bill. The voice of the people can’t be silenced just because zoning is hard work.
http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/council/index.cfm?ID=882
Bill 12-19 Taxpayer Funded Giveaways
Crony capitalism or government picking winners and losers in business using taxpayer funds has to end in Harford County. Taxpayers and voters need to be concerned when the county’s finest teachers and deputies have not had raises in years, while the county council gives out free money to individual businesses.
While my opponent questioned the necessity of these free loans, he still voted for the bill, and later voted to give $650,000 in Maryland state (our tax money)and county money (our tax money) to Smiths Detection, a large international corporation. To this date, the Harford County Council continues to be very generous with taxpayer money (your money) going to a few companies.
Eric Daxon would never vote to give away taxpayer money in the form of a give away to an individual or business. Government should help businesses in Harford County by lowering taxes and cutting red tape. Harford County should not be giving money away, when teachers and deputies have not had promised modest wage increases.
Eric Daxon will always work hard to research and resolve problems. Eric Daxon looks forward to serving Harford County residents. If you have a problem or concern, feel free to contact Eric Daxon.
McMahan: Legislation will be before the voters to abolish the County Council sitting as the Zoning Board of Appeals. In this day and time with the complexities of legal issues the council made up of laymen lack the knowledge of the law to sit as this specialized appeal board. It is my hope that the voters ratify the charter amendment to remove this process from the County Council.
On the budget, the council should have LINE ITEM VETO BUT THEY DO NOT. The public is unaware of the STATE laws that govern the budget process, especially when it comes to the role the council plays in the adoption of the Bd of Education Budget. The Bd of Education is a State of MD agency not a Harford County Agency, and yet Harford County has to provide generally half or more of this funding.
And one final note on the RAIN TAX. Even though the County Council approved a minimum charge of $12.50, we are currently being informed that Federal and State mandates are NOT being met by Harford County Government. This lack of compliance could expose county taxpayers to huge fines and penalties.
Mitchell: No response.
Previous Entries:
Harford County Council President – Democratic Candidates
Harford County Council President – Republican Candidates
Harford County Council District A (Edgewood/Joppatowne) – Republican Candidates
Talk about having to choose between the lesser of two evils.
All it takes for one to discern who is the true conservative in this race is to read the responses. Time to retire Capt’n Jim ([sic]– it’s “CAP’N” Jim!!!)
The Captain needs to go.
We need a change. The Captain must go.
Never sure if these comments are on the up and up or if candidates are just sitting there making up boo hiss on the other guy stuff. Incumbents are always great targets. I think Captain Jim is wrong giving away the board of appeals role. – We’re turning our democracy over to executive orders and judges. Hopefully after the last council meeting the captain will change his mind on that one. As far as Daxon and the rain tax – that’s an empty promise – if it’s a mandate – we are screwed and he can do squat to fix it. So there’s a boo on both of them. The one thing about Jim, he’s not going any higher and he doesn’t want to. He’s always loved Bel Air being a permanent hometown boy and I think he really wants to do what is best for the area. Can’t be sure of anyone else – look at the way the others are jumping ship – Billy leaving to be Barry’s chief of staff at a nice salary, Mary Ann trying to go higher, etc, etc. So if Daxon is already just blowing smoke over an emotional issue, I’ll stay with Jim.
Phil, Don’t assume that there is nothing we can do about the Rain Tax. Carroll County commissioners have put themselves on the line to protect the citizens in that county from government overreach by unelected bureaucrats and unending taxation. Personally, I’m looking for an elected official with the backbone and stamina to stand up to this kind of nonsense.
“Captain” Jim has had his time.
I hear you Vicki – I don’t like the rain, the gas, the air tax any of them. When 47% of all marylanders would move if able -you know something is wrong. I just have been burned before by candidates who have said if elected I’ll get rid of this or that. So they get elected and find out they really can’t do anything about what they promised and still ask for my vote again. The Chesapeake Bay foundation asked the Feds to impose the rain tax, so we’re being burned from within. But now that the Feds are in play what is to keep them from coming down on Carroll County at some point? Next hot button topic – what’s going to happen when the landfills are closed in Harford? more taxes going up. I guess I would rather go with the known in the district C race as Jim has listened to constiuents in the past and even changed his mind from original positions when constiuents have spoken. If he backs off the board of appeals issue and helps kill the current bill I’ll be staying with him.
“Capt’n” Jim doesn’t “listen to his constituents” Phil, he votes how the developers and the Office of Economic Development want him to vote until he gets too much flak for it. Then he does a 180 and starts voting the opposite, acting as if he’s done it the entire time.
How can a politician say he’s against grants of taxpayer money, and his voting record shows it, when he voted to give $750,000 to Smiths Detection? Or $600,000 to Bizerba Label Solutions? A $100,000 workforce training grant is still a giveaway. And state giveaways are STILL Harford County taxpayers’ money too – where does he think Maryland got the money from?? Ughh.
We have 5 Republicans on the County Council. Most times I can’t even tell.
The Captain needs to go. He is the first one to grand stand on his issues and accomplish nothing.He has riden on his fathers coattails for entirely to long. If you look at his list of experience including the army,the radio and college the captain should be standing next to General Custer and be one hunderd and fifty years old. If you keep him in office will end with the same result for the tax payers of harford county.
Captain Jim really does not understand the proper role of government in a free society and it appears Eric Daxon does. The Captains misguided support of “incubator activities” destroys free markets and corrupts the political class, The economic development team needs to be dismantled. Governments are not capable of making these types of decisions and money is best left in the hands of those who earned it…
I got my RINO Captain Jim postcard in the mail last night from the Aberdeen Tea Party – whoever they are. I don’t mind records being exposed I just wish nameless / faceless cowards wouldn’t hide behind organizations. If reminds me of the white hoods the KKK would wear while they were lynching people.
Phil, I’m very disappointed! I can understand your need to draw a connection between actual people and their comments. I too feel that if you have something to say you should not hide behind a false name and sling mud. However, your comment seems like an attempt to associate TEA Party principles with racism and violence. White hoods, KKK, lynching???!!! Come on. Many have tried to tarnish the movement with that perception and have come up short of real examples to back up their claims. Just innuendo and smarmy high school sneering. I have not seen the flyer you are talking about but if the information that it shares is true then what is the problem? Voting records are easy to verify. I do not expect every person associated with an organization to be listed by name on each piece of literature. When Planned Parenthood, Code Pink and Media Matters send their stuff out there are many names that will be missing. When was the last time you saw George Soros’ name on campaign lit?
of course this Tea Party group whoever they are not the same ilk as violent/racist groups of the past/present. and there’s no problem in my mind with a pac exposing a record if they are man enough to clearly identify themselves. the card in question – the name of the group so small and obscured you almost have to have magnification to see it. – that’s the gutless part to me – like hiding under a sheet.
I tried to post an earlier, longer comment, but my computer went haywire. 🙂
I believe that Eric Daxon is the man for the job, and I do say that with some bias, as he is my friend.
Captain Jim does love Bel Air and Harford County. My mom would have the radio on when I was a kid, and I remember hearing his radio show in the background. He’s someone that many Harford Countians will remember. I grew-up in the neighborhood next-door to him.
At some point though, it is time to make a change. And this is change that I can believe in. And you can also. Eric Daxon is the Freedom Candidate. I believe that he has the integrity and principles of Delegate Michael Smiegel (R-Cecil County and Eastern Shore) and County Commissioner Richard Rothschild (R-Carroll County). He’s been a Republican his entire life. And more importantly, he has the principles to do what is right, even when he is the lone voice in the wilderness.
If and when Eric is elected, we need to hold him accountable too. NO one gets a free pass. And guess what? Once Eric has spent some time on the Council, or within govenment, it will be time for him to pursue something else too, away from government. Our government is too full of lifetime-elected officials — at all levels, even local.
Eric has the guts and integrity to stand-up to Anthony Brown, the Democratic Machine, corruption and inefficiency. If you don’t know him, just send him an email or give him a call. He’s perhaps the most approachable person I’ve ever met. And he has the sweetest family!
I can see that many people are energized by Daxon, but what is unclear is what being a so-called freedom candidate has to do with local, weekly governance. It is nice that he and others feel that he can do something to shake up Annapolis. I don’t judge my local politicians in that regard, but it is okay that others do.
I’ve received his campaign literature and once one gets past the mumbo-jumbo about “fighting the man”, he seems like a decent candidate. Obviously, his greatest concerns are about finding ways to fully fund our educational system, bring some rationality to our zoning and traffic concerns, and to act as a check against the County Executive. Unfortunately for some of his supporters, that is more about taking on the Republican machine than the Democratic one.
Daxon is pro term limits. Nuff said.
Capn has been in too long. New ideas are needed. Throw all the cronies out.
No action was taken on the Bel air walmart, and a number of this other bad zoning choices. A bunch of spineless politicians were scared to take a stand for the people. Now the council doesnt want to deal with it at all? I’m looking forward to voting em all out.
At least the Captain voted for doing something about the Wal-Mart with Bill 13-15. The others lost their nerve once they figured out that they’d have to explain themselves to Wal-Mart and its local quislings. (I’m not saying that alone should keep him in office, but he did a better job on it than Slutsky, Lisanti, and Shrodes, all of whom were opposed to 13-15 every step of the way. I can’t explain what the co-sponsors of the bill were thinking when they changed their votes to “nay”.)
Right Keith, Except that now the Zombie Capt’n just voted to absolve the County Council of responsibility in zoning cases i.e. WalMart. Seems the Capt’n wants to wash his hands of any liability for his brain dead decisions. What a phony. You’d think at the Capt’n’s age he would want to retire quietly into that good night. But no. Capt’n needs to keep suckling that gummint teet. Cap’tn is a true zombie. See no evil. Hear no evil, Speak no evil. Pass the developer cash.
I like Wal-Mart
That’s good for you. You will have 3 super ones and one empty one to choose from for some time. Thanks to the State Highway Administration, it may not take you very long to get to one.