The next installment of The Dagger’s Q & A with candidates in the 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election features the Democratic candidates running for the Maryland State Senate District 34 seat, representing southern Harford County.
With Sen. Nancy Jacobs’ decision not to seek re-election, the race to fill her District 34 seat pits former state senator Arthur Helton, Jr. of Aberdeen against Del. Mary-Dulany James of Havre de Grace in the Democratic Primary Election. The winner will advance to face the lone Republican candidate, former county councilman Bob Cassilly of Bel Air, in the General Election. Their answers to The Dagger’s three questions appear below.
Dagger: State senators often make decisions in areas where they may not have expertise, such as decriminalizing marijuana, legalizing same-sex marriage, or approving a stormwater runoff fee. Briefly describe the experience/skills you would bring to the State Senate and how you make decisions in areas outside your expertise.
Helton: I have a wide ranging set of experiences that make for a very unique fit in my ability to serve as Senator representing Harford County citizens. Having successfully served as a member of the Harford County Council and the Maryland Senate have given me a broad prospective on public service and representation. With over 40 years of ownership in several business and serving on Boards of Directors of national and regional companies have given me thorough exposure and experience in the private sector. I have also continued to serve my community as a volunteer and supporter of many charitable and civic organizations. I have learned to rely on advice that I have sought in all of these endeavors from experts and citizens knowledgeable in a wide range of experiences. I go to Annapolis as Senator without obligation or loyalty to any special interest group or lobbyists.
James: When I became a lawyer at 26, I honed skills that came to me naturally; intense and thorough researching, sorting through often conflicting information and data, considering multiple perspectives, and understanding peoples’ interests and differences. I have also had the great opportunity to work for two of the finest federal judges and learn what is necessary to develop what is often called a “judicial temperament,” being fair and balanced, a master of law and facts, and the ability to judge people’s veracity, all while being restrained and respectful even when faced with disagreement. I loathe the proverbial “bull in a china shop” approach to anything, including politics – which at its best is “the art of possible” – not permission to be bombastic and abusive.
Now for the past 16 years I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve Harford County in the House of Delegates, which requires considerable collaboration. Despite being the only Democrat elected to represent Harford County for the majority of my career, I learned at the knee of my father that you do not get to choose with whom you will work. Despite dealing with some occasionally combative colleagues, over time they mostly settled down and I try to find areas of consensus, while at the same time going it alone to protect and help the people of our great County through the only bill we must pass each year – the State Budget – which is where ALL State funding for public schools, community colleges, hospitals, four year institutions, transportation, land preservation, the Chesapeake Bay, and more; comes from.
No one in Harford County running in any race at the State level has as much experience or has met with as much success as I have and it would be wise of your readers to research the archives of the Aegis and Baltimore Sun from 1974 to 1982 to get the real facts on the dismal tenure of my primary opponent. Self-serving revisionist history should be revealed by that simple exercise.
For me, I listen to all sides of an issue, including not only experts in the relevant field, but also the people whose interests I represent. I don’t pretend to know it all. I do, however, have the skills and intellectual curiosity, along with a keen sense of obligation to my constituents, to learn all that I can and use my best judgment when voting.
Dagger: Please cite a previous decision by the Harford County delegation to the Maryland General Assembly with which you either strongly agree or disagree, and why.
Helton: I have a very serious disagreement with our current delegation in Annapolis due to their lack of team work directed at putting forth a united and aggressive approach to representing our citizens. Generally speaking, they have NO CREDIBILITYas a group. They have been widely criticized for their lack of unity and ability to work together. They are viewed as the worst county delegation in Annapolis.
James: A majority (but certainly not all) of the Senators and Delegates have missed many opportunities to work better together and deliver better results for Harford County. Some have been far too focused on partisan infighting and an inexplicable need to listen to the most rabid elements of the extremists in the Republican party, instead of finding common ground. An example was the local hotel tax. Despite overwhelming local support, including support from most of the hotels and motels, I introduced several versions of a hotel tax bill that the balance of the Delegation, presumably because the bill had a tax in its name, would not come together to support it. The good news is that Sen. Barry Glassman and I finally worked in a bipartisan fashion to insert enabling language in the omnibus Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2014 to allow Harford County to establish a hotel tax, which by the way is a surcharge not on our own residents, but on our visitors. Now, finally Harford County citizens will stop being the only people, not only in Maryland, but in the Northeast, that pay a hotel tax wherever they travel outside the County, but do not receive the same contribution from visitors to the County. The tax is used to support the tourism industry in Harford County. Given the services visitors use when coming to Harford County; it is only fair a fee is assessed and our people don’t pay twice.
No one in politics has the right to hold a grudge and as I have seen more and more cooperation this past year within the House and Senate Delegations, I remain optimistic that with time and experience many of the Delegation members are realizing that good government is good politics.
Dagger: The Maryland General Assembly is charged with certain responsibilities. Among them are: Enacting legislation, proposing amendments to the state Constitution, reviewing redistricting plans, and levying taxes. Looking ahead, what issues within the delegation’s purview are of specific interest or concern to you and why? Please cite two issues.
Helton: The most critical issue is to establish credibility as a Senator and a delegation. The State budget is made up of many items serving our citizens. Many formulas are in the budget that represent distribution of our tax money back to Harford County in the way of services, i.e. Education, Highway, Road and Infrastructure, Police and Library Funding. As a credible Senator, I know that I can have an impact on how Harford County is dealt with in receiving a FAIR SHARE of our State taxes.
James: Despite vague, unsubstantiated charges to the contrary (which are not backed by any facts – as none exist), during my 16 years as a Delegate, Harford County has received more education funding from the State than ever before in its history (far more that my opponent ever did, including his votes against our public schools, community colleges, and 4 year institutions around the State); funding for classrooms, new schools, and renovations to improve the facilities and quality of education our children receive. These are undisputable facts and you can see the full list of all State aid I have brought back to Harford County by visiting my website. I have also supported education in Harford County by making it possible for our children to receive a 4 year college degree right on the campus of Harford Community College (“HCC”). Through a partnership between Towson University and the community college, students will be able to receive a degree from Towson while taking classes at a new state-of-the-art building located on HCC’s campus. As I expect to be on the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, it will be entirely in my purview to ensure that our County continues to receive its fair share, as it is time to revisit the landmark education funding formula (Thornton) in the next term.
Likewise, with my 16 years on the House Budget Committee and the strongest record of any legislator (past or present and even including my wonderful father) of working with the military and veterans to create homegrown made in America (made in Harford County in fact) jobs, this past session, I wrote the law creating the Northeastern Maryland Additive Manufacturing Innovation Authority (“NMAMIA”), which according to the President of the United States, the Department of Defense, and our own Aberdeen Proving Ground (“APG”) leaders, has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in Harford County and the State. The NMAMIA is meeting on July 8 of this year to announce its first two public/private partnerships with local businesses, unlocking the $70 million of assets and infrastructure located at the Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center (“ECBC”) on APG and making them available to the private sector. Our goal is to expand to $1.3 billion and this will be one of my highest priorities over the next four years as Harford County District 34’s new Senator.
Maintaining and increasing State support for education and job creation, both in my purview, will be two of my highest priorities for the next four years. I have a proven track record of accomplishing both, and the know-how and respect of the House and Senate to guarantee both will continue in my next four years as your Senator.
Previous Entries:
Harford County Council President – Democratic Candidates
Harford County Council President – Republican Candidates
Harford County Council District A (Edgewood/Joppatowne) – Republican Candidates
Harford County Council District C (Bel Air) – Republican Candidates
Harford County Council District D (North Harford) – Republican Candidates
Harford County Council District E (Aberdeen/Churchville) – Democratic Candidates
Harford County Council District E (Aberdeen/Churchville) – Republican Candidates
Harford County Council District F (Havre de Grace) – Republican Candidates
Harford/Cecil County State Senate District 35 Republican Candidates
Harford/Cecil County State Delegate District 35B Republican Candidates
Art Helton LIES about where he lives. How can he even type the word credibility. But, Lying Crooks seems to be all thats out there these days. I wave to him often when he drives home to DARLINGTON.
Im writing in Brian Goodman.
Jennifer, I know for a fact Art Helton lives in Aberdeen.
I also know for a fact that Mary-Dulany James does not live where she says she lives. Her residence is at 13 Devon Hill Road, Condo Unit C5, Baltimore, Maryland, 21210 with her husband, John Zink, who is a member, with MDJ, of Joseph Snee’s law firm. Her ex-husband lives in the house at 550 Old Bay Lane in Havre de Grace, where she claims to maintain residence (but does not).
That’s not what a court ruled. And I haven’t seen where that court has been overruled. So the Democrats are putting up TWO candidates who are not qualified to run for office in the district as your choices for state senate in D34. Nice. I guess this is what we should expect from Democrats, since their fearless leader in DC makes up the laws as he goes along.
That’s pretty creepy, are you some sort of professional stalker?
Hey “Loyal Harford Dem” (aka Art Helton), just because you currently “live” at 3 S. Rogers Street in Aberdeen (on a technicality, and with the assistance of your “friends” that purjured themselves on your behalf), doesn’t mean that you ACTUALLY live there. You will return to 3069 Harmony Church Road in Darlington as soon as you lose yet another election (your track record proves that!). Anyone reading this (if they need their memories refreshed) should go back in The Dagger a few months ago and read the lengthy article written by Brian Goodman, accompanied by the entire election judges’ ruling on the Art and Ann Helton residency case). And throwing bad information (lies) out there about your opponant is a typical Art Helton sleaseball campaign strategy. “I know for a fact” that Mary Dulany James is NOT married to John Zink (they are, in fact dating), and as an adult, IF she decides to spend an evening with him at his place on occasion, well then….whatever. But to say that she doesn’t live at Old Bay Farm is just asinine (and you’re an ass for trying to accuse her of doing what you have done for 20 years!). We’ve all heard the term “well if that’s not the pot calling the kettle black”, well….you (Mr. Helton) continue to take hypocracy to a higher level on a daily basis!
Oh, and by the way readers, being a carpet-bagger is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to legitimate reasons to NOT vote for Art Helton!.
I am not Art Helton. I am a longtime supporter who just wants to see Harford represneted by competenet legislators, something which we do not have.
Helton won his appeal, as he has always done when his residency has been challeneged. Brian Goodman’s “reporting” is not that good. If it was, he would have followed up and found that Helton won his appeal, which is why he can now run for Senate in the district that he lives.
The Baltimore Sun has been following this appeal because unlike the Dagger, the Baltimore Sun is a real news site. All Goodman does is cut and paste press releases and emails he receives he receives from candidates. I have not seen one instance of actual reporting Dagger has done in the last three years.
Did you ever think that the reason why Helton is targeted ad nauseum is because he is a threat to the status quo? It is widely known throughout the district that the Republicans and MDJ are in the pocket of wealthy developers and out-of-state contributors, who want to turn this county into their personal money-making cash cow at the expense of the hard-working people who live here. Helton has been seen around the community. He has attended church services, supported businesses along the I-95-Rt. 40 corridor and shown up at community events. MDJ has not done that up until the beginning of last year, when she announced that was running for Senate.
Keep in mind that Democrats, which are a huge makeup of the District, like Helton. Otherwise, he would have been unsuccessful in his recent primry challenge. Also, keep in mind that in 2010, Helton beat Nancy Jacobs in Harford County. It was only in Cecil County wehere she outperformed him and Cecil is no longer in the district. If Helton is so disliked, then why are his elections always so close in terms of margins?
Anyway, you keep drinking the Kool-Aid that people like Fred Simmons, Steve Wright and Brian Goodman are shoving down your throats. Have fun pointing to the fact that the only Democrats who are against him are Barbara Kreamer and Mike Hiob, a mentally disturbed disbarred attorney and bitter political has-been who throws temper tantrums. It sounds like you’re having fun just floating along like a jellyfish in the waters of the GOP/Tea Party/NRA or whatever you are while there are people who don’t think like you actually working to improve this county.
I believe Steve Wright passed away several years ago.
You can recognize a quality comment when the specter of a long-dead politician serving Kool-Aid from beyond the grave isn’t even the most outrageous claim.
Funny. Art’s biggest contributors other than himself are developers. Oh, thats right, Art is a developer,so I guess most of his money came from the “hardworking people of Harford County”.
I can see now why you couldn’t even cut it at The Aegis, Goodman. Your “reporting” and follow-up skills both suck.
And “Some Guy,” Art’s “development” has brought Harford new businesses, hundreds of jobs and revenue, something which the Harford delegation in Annapolis (MDJ included) has not done.
“Loyal Harford Dem” IS Art Helton (take it from somebody “In The Know”!) 🙂
I KNOW FOR A FACT HE DOESN’T LIVE IN ABERDEEN
THIS IS VERY CORRECT! I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY HE’S A LIAR, A THIEF, DOESN’T PAY TAXES AND HE BLACK MAILS WOMEN! RECIEVES SEXUAL FAVORS FROM TENANTS THAT CAN NOT PAY THEIR RENT
Thank you for your show of support.
“A journey of a thousand miles starts with one vote…”
The funny thing is, Art is the king of dirty politics and the MDJ camp stole his book of dirty tricks and used it against him. Sure Art lives in Aberdeen, he just goes to Darlington to tend his sheep. His sheep are the four legged kind, not the ones who only follow him blindly.
Is this the seat Norman and Cassily are running for on the Republican side? If so Helton and James can figure out where they live when the voters keep them / return them to private life.
No thanks, will not vote for either…!
Hypocrite, carpetbagger , dishonesty and Helton’s annoying signs plastering the county are enough reason to vote for someone else.
Gosh…all roads seem to lead to Snee. Snee must really care about our county because he makes sure to befriend the politicians at the top of the food chain…those that can help our county the most because that’s just the kind of guy he is. I’m sure when he approached Ms. James about joining the firm they talked about the good of the county and balancing the needs of everyone. I’m sure Ms. James made sure to tell him that her votes and attention would need to be independent of the firm and she could never push legislation that might benefit her personally through the firm because heck yea she knows that would be wrong. Snark, snark.
So, these comments are indicative of the new electorate… No one actually comments on the positions taken by the candidates just talks about the drama and the “LIES” AND of course the slander. Politics is utilitarian, meaning the greatest good for the greatest number. In the case of Art, he just wants his 4 more years to get his pension full… He won’t help Harford County because the dem leadership in annapolis hates him. Delegate James would actually help the people of Harford County… So she does political wrangling… NO KIDDING… REALLY? smh
Explain to me how this James character is an “attorney”?
When I search on the maryland case search, it looks like she jumped ship from practice of law in 1998, back when she was elected to the house of delegates. So no “practice of law” as an attorney of record, but can be paid as of counsel to go to annapolis on behalf of her boss and push legislation that directly and in probably uncovered indirect ways that the voters/taxpayers aren’t sleuthful enough to figure out.
So she went from being what appears to be a “real attorney” (although real attorney means she averaged being the attorney of record on about 3 cases per year) to being a bought and paid for pawn in the down and dirty game of political kick backs and favors.
Do these candidates have to file financial disclosures, tax forms, etc? The voters deserve to know to what degree she is providing for herself off the kick-backs of her political vote selling.
If you graduate from law school (she graduated from U of MD with honors) and pass the bar you are a real attorney. If you investigated you would find that she has a firm and is of counsel to another firm. Looking at her bills for this past session she attempted to bring jobs and tax credits to a wide range of those within Harford County- i.e. HB 1060. Looking through her bills on the General Assembly’s site I question where you are deeming that she is bringing money to Snee? The bills she sponsored were very broad in who they would affect.
HB 1060 is all about growing the size of government in Harford County. It’s a bill to increase the number of government works and the psycophants of government workers and in the long run that fundamentally changes the tenor of this county and to my mind not in a good way. It shows a real lack of imagination on the part of most of our local politicians, including James and including Craig that the first lever they press when they want to crow about job growth is begging for more government workers. Of course Mr. Snee doesn’t like the population trajectory as is so he wants to artifically increase the economic and population base of the county because how the heck will he profit? Doesn’t matter if they’re repubs or dems all of them are in the party of “green” and not in the environmental sort of way. Mary Dulaney-James clearly has decided that she wants to make “politician” a career so the fact she’s aligned herself with a law firm or two is highly suspicious. Why? To say they all do it is a complete cop out.
Elect Art Helton and he’ll end pollution, landfills, big box development, pipelines, and anything else that homeowners find offensive. He’ll take NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) to a new level since he has backyards all over the county.
How many brain surgeons does it take to figure out why Art Helton has failed in the last six elections he has contested in the past couple (or is it now three) decades. Simple poll: ask the “average person on
the streets” of Aberdeen what they think of Art Helton. Ask them what’s the first world that comes to mind
\when they hear his name.
Cheat?
Wife Beater?
In it for his own personal gain?
Did MDJ really just brag about a hotel tax? Yes, no locals ever use a hotel… except for parties, receptions, weddings, when out of town guests come in, when business associates visit, oh, yah you get the idea.
Art Helton’s a tool. Everyone knows that. The guy doesn’t even live in the district and he will say anything to get elected. But, c’mon Mary, you’re really bragging about voting to raise taxes?
Sorry to the voters of LD34.
If you want to know about the REAL supporters of Mary-Dulany James, just watch this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoDzkti7_vA
That is truly precious Loyal! You/Art/Steve should have included pictures of Hitler, Stzlin, Mussalini and Idi Amin. Everyone knows she loves the nazis and communists. We need real honesty in our gum mint! If we elect Art we can be sure to get nothing but the truth and honesty.
Well seeing how it looks like frick and frack both lost, I would suggest they really get something done and start taking down all those damn signs they have been putting up for the past 18 months