From Barry Glassman for County Executive:
Harford County Executive-elect Barry Glassman launched the transition to his administration Wednesday, announcing plans for a restructuring to improve county services, save money and enable a return to competitive wages for county employees. The newly elected county executive will take the oath of office in a December 1 inauguration at Harford Community College. He plans executive actions on December 2 to initiate the restructuring and propose an early retirement incentive for employees.
“The purpose of this restructuring is to rightsize local government and build a culture that puts people first. Despite fiscal pressures, my objectives are to provide efficient, customer-driven services for our citizens and to reinvest in our county workforce,” Glassman said.
Glassman wrote in a November 5 email to all county employees that his incoming administration will seek efficiencies in the county departmental structure and identify potential savings. Assuring workers that the process will be respectful and as transparent as possible, Glassman wrote that he plans to present executive orders for the first phase of the restructuring, along with proposed legislation on an early retirement incentive, at the County Council’s regularly scheduled legislative session on December 2, 2014. Glassman concluded that his goal for the first six months of 2015 is to reinvest in the county workforce, most of whom have not had salary increases in six of the past seven years.
In preparation for the reorganization, County Executive-elect Glassman assigned transition teams Wednesday to review and analyze county departments and report back to him, by November 21, their recommendations for the structure of his administration.
The transition teams are comprised of a diverse and inclusive group of volunteers, including professionals and subject area experts from the business community, labor unions, the non-profit sector, the NAACP, religious organizations, and importantly, people who are customers of the county department that they will review. Each team will have approximately three to five members.
“I have created these transition teams to include citizens who interact with county government and to give them a voice in its reorganization,” Glassman said.
A total of 15 teams, each assigned to one county department, will meet with their respective department director to review the transition binders prepared by directors to assist incoming administrations. These meetings will include an exchange of ideas for improving efficiencies and service.
Glassman met with the transition team chairpersons Wednesday afternoon. He has directed team members to conduct their work with the utmost respect for all county employees. He also plans to attend several of their meetings.
Recommendations from the teams to the county executive-elect will be limited to the organizational structure of his administration. The teams’ work will not include personnel recommendations about department directors or other individual employees.
County Executive-elect Glassman will announce any new department director nominees for his cabinet when decisions and the related vetting processes are completed. Announcements may begin as early as next week. Cabinet nominees are also subject to confirmation by the County Council.
Regarding his selection process, Glassman said, “It is no secret that I have been preparing myself for a long time to be county executive. Throughout my 30 years of public service, I have spotted talented people for my cabinet, while other candidates have reached out to me. As I make my final selections, I have set a high bar for public servants who must be ethical, competent and accountable to the people of Harford County.”
Harford County Executive David R. Craig and County Executive-elect Barry Glassman Hold Transition Meeting
From Harford County government:
Harford County Executive David R. Craig and County Executive-elect Barry Glassman met today at the Harford County Government Administrative Offices to facilitate the transition between their respective administrations.
County Executive Craig is term-limited and ending his second and half term after nearly a decade in office. County Executive -elect Glassman is an experienced legislator, most recently representing Harford County in the Maryland Senate. He was elected county executive on Tuesday and takes the oath of office on December 1, 2014. Both Craig and Glassman are Havre de Grace High School Alumni.
The cordial meeting included a brief tour of the administrative offices located at 220 South Main Street in Bel Air. Additionally, to enable continuity for county business, County Executive -elect Glassman signed the printing plates used to authorize checks issued by the Treasury Department.
Sounds like the new CE has an even handed approach and method to his decision making process. So far he has kept everyone (employees) in the fold as far as his next moves. I am impressed with his first step to communicate with employees and explain his methodology and planning process. He seems to at least have some understanding that fine employees will be rewarded and those that don’t fit will be let go. Kudos to him so far.
I look forward to Glassman doing a good job. I like the open communication he started with on Wednesday. However, as a County employee with 20 plus years of service, who voted for him as County Executive, I was stunned to read that I may lose my job. Basically – thanks for your service, now we’re going to fire some people to save money.
If he wants to save money, have his “inauguration” at the County Admin offices. Why spend all that money for some hoopla when he’s already saying the County is so financially strapped that people are going to lose jobs.
I seriously doubt any county taxpayer money paid for that hoopla. Perhaps there is a reason your job is in jeopardy.
It’s refreshing to see a CE that recognizes the county has too many workers doing nothing and the ranks need to be pruned of the dead wood.
Jim…shame on you! I have an excellent service record with the County. The only reason my job would be in jeopardy is because of my longevity – the County can fire me and hire someone else and pay them half my salary.
I would like to know exactly what money is funding the inauguration.
I wonder if you are one of those “wonderful” citizens who complains whenever something in the County doesn’t get done to your liking due to staff shortages? Have to wait in line at the landfill? Guess it must be all of those high paid, do nothing employees, huh? Need your road repaired? Again, those damned good-for-nothing employees. Have to wait in line to pay your water bill? Those pesky overstaffed, underworked employees must not be doing their jobs again!
Speaking of road repairs I was traveling one of the beautiful recently tar and chipped harford county roads. They were putting down those little white dots so the stripping crew could later install the double yellow line. Bet you can’t guess how many highly paid skilled county workers it takes to spray paint that white dot do you.
Well it takes 7 county workers.and 3 vehicles for that sort of craftmanship.
The whole lot of you have never worked an honest day.as far as I’m concerned and the sooner the ranks are reduced by Barry the better. The fact you are posting comments on the Dagger during working hours complaining about your job, is a prime example that you need to be replaced at half the cost by someone more qualified and dedicated to their job.
JIMBO
County government is a 7/24 operation for some departments but most administrative jobs are 8 to 5 and it includes 1 hour unpaid lunch break. I don’t think you really know that time an employee is on or off the clock.
You are suggesting that county employees are operating county vehicles while acquiring a meal and not on the clock?
Where do I sign up for my time to get a county vehicle for free use?
Mostly Blue we have determined long ago you are a life time government teat sucker. Please stop now these discussions never end well for you.
“Where do I sign up for my time to get a county vehicle for free use?”
You need to stop hanging out at Wawa counting county vehicles and workers, head to HR in Bel Air, and drop off an application. Once you’re hired you can join all those “lazy” county workers at the Wawa and get paid for it.
If it’s such a an easy and well paying gig then what are you waiting for?
You obviously know nothing about County Government. People have been leaving for years to get out of Maryland or because the employees have seen no raises for years. A lot of county employees work more than one job to make ends meet. I personally do the work of about 2-3 people and I can’t get any help. It takes a lot of people to maintain roads, provide water and sewer , inspect building projects, maintain parks and many other functions you don’t think about as you meander around the County bashing those who provide you with the means to live here. Next time your street gets plowed thank a county employee or you would have to it yourself.
You should probably contact Barry ASAP because apparently you have iside information he does not. Hope that doing the work of 3 people gets you to keep your government job.
Harold,
Jim from Hickory relishes the fact that other people want to argue with him because he doesn’t actually have to give you any facts just his mere opinion. He is the type we see everyday at county offices. He probably pays taxes but he thinks his dollars have more value than they actually do. He is a complainer and there isn’t anything we can do to please him. Hopefully, he will move to PA or VA and leave Harford County. He regularly scouts Wawa stores and counts employees, trucks and he knows exactly how much staff it takes to do any job. Jim is quite a character.
Yes I was in the WAWA in falston just a few days ago at 8:15 AM. It was full of parks and rec workers and a few water and sewer non workers all waiting for their breakfast.
I just wish someone would pay me by the hour to eat a meal cause I could potentially become a millionaire.
Jim apparently also doesn’t realize that employed people also get a vacation. What a concept that I could actually read, think, and make decisions on MY time and not county time. He probably also can’t fathom the dedication it takes to come in to work early and stay late – not because we get extra money, but because the job needs to get done and most of us “lazy” employees have pride.
And if anyone is at a Wawa at 8:15am in any properly spelled community of the county, it may be because, by law, they are due breaks during their work day. Driving from a job site back to their work shop to get their own personal vehicle to drive to Wawa would be counter productive. Of course, that would just give Jim another reason to b!tch and moan.
Dawn your government entitlement mentality is shining bright this morning. Sad news for you, there is no law in the state of MD requiring breaks. And who starts work at 7:30 and drives them self in someone elses vehicle to WAWA for an 8AM break? LAZY PEOPLE!.
Face it,you couldn’t make it in the public sector.
A combination of cost-saving measures and a modest increase in taxes should be enough to give all county employees a raise. It is long overdue, and I’m no fan of raising taxes.
Amen to that William S.F.! Barry has an opportunity right now to set the tone for the next eight years. Let’s hope that he does his best for the employees, as well as for all of Harford County (politics be damned!)
Modest tax increases? You are out of your bloated government mind. Cut. Eviscerate. Fire. Remove.
I’m sure there is a lot of fluff in the current budget. First get ride of al the Craig family and friends plan and if needed only hire 1/3 as many positions. Stop wasting money tearing down good buildings because they are a couple years old. Start making county employee’s accountable. Reign in the fire departments excess spending habits.
Seriously? I’m sure it’s that simple. Let’s just cut and give everyone a raise. What a plan.
Fire Departments excess spending habits? You are quite uneducated about the counties Fire and EMS system I see.
Fire Says, maybe you should read CE Craig’s Fire Study. It’s all spelled out in the report.
They pay the firefighters in Harford County way too much money! How dare they go and get something to eat, they should be working all day and use the bathroom and eat after work!
“Family and friends” that’s all Craig has done hire his family and friends, what a disappointment he was!! Thank God for elections!!!
“That’s all” Craig has done? Mmmmm K.
Your right. Craig had done a lot for the county. Nearly bankrupted it, hired many family members, promised a new high school in his home town, building a new library in his home town and bailed out his friends by buying a contaminated piece of waterfront property that the poor citizens of Havre de Grace will have to pay to clean up.
Paul says thank God for elections. What does that have to do with his apparent dislike of David Craig vis-a-vis the incoming administration?
Voters elected a PRO-Education advocate who will stand up for Harford County Public Schools and support our hard-working teachers. Educators voted for Barry Glassman at the polls to thank him for always supporting teachers/schools through out the years. Good Luck Barry. Please visit our schools during American Education Week November 17-21.
The voters will find out soon enough that the CE won’t be able to just let go of staff that isn’t appointed. Classified employees have rights and downsizing can indeed happen but seniority has its perks and one is that first one in, last out. That’s why he is proposing a retirement incentive to encourage those making more money for the same job to leave. He could introduce legislation to change the classification system, he could merge departments or order a reduction in force, but the county workforce will be better for it, but I don’t think the taxpayers will see a reduction in their property tax rates. Most of what he can do will also depend on the economy, the State of Maryland and other factors which affect expenses and revenues. As an employee I just hope that fairness reigns and political payoffs are kept to a minimum. For example, I hope the proposed retirement incentive isn’t offered to those with less than 10 years of county employment, part-time employees or grant funded workers as well outgoing Directors or upper management that is appointed to office and would have to resign anyway..
Spoken like a true government life time worker with an entitlement attitude.
I can only hope your job is the first to be eliminated, your previous government double dipping retirement cut and your wifes business shut down by regulation and all your taxpayer benefits cut so finally you must take some personal responsibility for your existence.
Jimbo, you are too much! I am not worried one bit about losing my job and in fact the more regulation the more some business get to work. CPA’s, contract law and compliance is big business as well as go of course, government! My level of experience, knowing where the “bones are hidden” and expertise/skill set is suited for both government and industry. Did I ever tell you that most of my colleagues outside of government make more $$$ on average than I do! My job is safe at good old HCG as there are at least 5 people junior in seniority. My pension, thanks to the Army is safe and secure, guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the US Government, whatever that means. Double dipping would infer that I am “taking more than my share” which is of course, ridiculous because I worked and earned my first pension and I am fully employed and working for the county now. I am not getting any more than what I am worth, as the free market for government work still functions under the supply and demand model as it does in the private sector, albeit with more security, better benefits but generally less pay (I know you can give me a ton of studies that generally say something else) but I am talking specifically about my job, not compared to janitors, public works or water/sewer folks. I do feel entitled to get the most I can get as any red blooded American would.
Jim in Hickory is still worrying about customers of WaWa?
You’d think as many times as the whistle has been blown on this major incident, we’d have our own CSI episode TV show right here in Harford County!!!
I just chalk up to odd, peculiar social bhavoir that reeks of a form in mental illness by stalking people.
Jimbo,
I went to lunch today and stopped at Wawa and in your honor I counted 2 county trucks and 7 private company trucks too. We do get paid 15 minute breaks depending on what union or classification in place. There isn’t a law mandating its implementation. More like a work procedure or just something that has been allowed. They are rather informal than formal depending on the department, I guess. What would be the correct procedure to taking a break or a lunch break? there is a give and take for everything. Even though I start work at 8 am usually, most of the time I am there 15 minutes early and sometimes leave a little later too, I never leave before my shift is over (military training, I guess) because that isn’t what I would do. I seldom call out even though we are allowed personal days. I have over 1200 accumulated sick leave because I use annual leave or personal leave instead. Don’t worry it isn’t a use or lose it event! When I retire with HCG, I can cash it out or opt to add it as a credit to yet another pension.
I have no dog in this fight but am curious but what would private company vehicles have to do with cut backs in county employees being let go to reduce waste?
Sarcasm doesn’t translate on paper? Just pointing out to Jim in Hickory that there are other vehicles at the Wawa parking lot as well. I expect all kinds of cars to stop at Wawa at anytime of the day. To Jim though, seen cars idle makes him feel like his taxes are being wasted as if county employees don’t get hungry, use bathrooms or just stop by to get some liquid nutrition.
?
Clearly you aren’t smart enough to work for the county. Rule #1, read the rule, Rule #2, apply the rule, Rule #3, the government is always right. You might want to start by reading prior posts before going about comparing public vs. private (this wasn’t the discussion), nor was it about “waste”, but more about savings and efficiency so the county will have enough money to pay the teachers someday since raising taxes is a big no no in good all hazard county (sarcastic post) but you will get offended too!
Jim in Hickory
taxpayer losing sleep
counting the county fleet
for all the world to see
Hickory is the one to know
The Dagger has been thrown
Jim will find those lazy foes
Private sector heroes we are not
Lazy bums sipping coffee
taking breaks long and plenty
while he toils to the tax
if only he had an ax
Jim don’t worry your selfless mind
come and join us if you can
show the way of the working man
Please help Barry get it right.
They need to stop the accumulated sick leave crap and just start dumping people. Shift all pensions to a 401k. Fire the double dippers first. Get rid of all the lazy asses before they croak the host organism.
Many county workers can’t recognize they are the problem. Just like dead people don’t know they are dead and stupid people don’t know they are stupid. But Barry Glassman sees the problem and is tackling it head on, That’s why he got my vote.
Glassman is spot on sending in transition teams to expose the inefficiencies and remove them. Valuable workers who have been doing their job should be excited about the new County Executive because he knows what it’s going to take to get them the raises they deserve.
The letter from the CE did not speak of individual assessments. You are reading what you would want to see happen. He spoke of his first phase which would be to assess each department and report back to him. I think it is a prudent move, he won’t just cut stuff for your satisfaction. The county still needs to function and complete their duties. There are functions that could be merged and have less upper management or middle management fluff and there are functions that can’t be changed due to the nature of their function. In some cases the county charter may have to be amended prior to making drastic changes as each department exists because of legislation from local, state or federal mandates. While the regular public sees all spending as one budget, the reality there are multiple budgets from different things and some budgets can’t be changed because there is a formula or revenues are mandated for that purpose. I would like to see him separate water and sewer from the county budget as well as trash moving to private hands in the future. Parks and recreation can be part of a wider community services department and community services should be about that, not any of the fluff such as the office of drug control which probably should be part of the Sheriff’s office or Health Department. Human Relation should be merged with the Housing department. and why is there a housing services department when there is already a housing department? Other counties have the housing component separate from county government.
Never said it did speak of individual assessments, you are the one reading what you want. It’s real clear, the recommendations for cuts will not be coming from currently employed county workers. Barry knows there are big problems within the current structure and he’s going to get to work on December 2nd solving them.
Go Barry go!
Henry, you said “Many county workers can’t recognize they are the problem. Just like dead people don’t know they are dead and stupid people don’t know they are stupid. But Barry Glassman sees the problem and is tackling it head on, That’s why he got my vote. Valuable workers who have been doing their job should be excited about the new County Executive because he knows what it’s going to take to get them the raises they deserve” in prior post.
Now you said:
“Never said it did speak of individual assessments, you are the one reading what you want. It’s real clear, the recommendations for cuts will not be coming from currently employed county workers” Which is it?
Are you sure you aren’t a politician speaking from both sides of your mouth?
I think you been sipping the tea bag a bit more, and Glassman never identified himself as one since he is a career politician.
Well professor if you can’t understand both those statements, there is nothing I can do for you. Perhaps an english comprehension class might help.
Perhaps if you mouth the words and follow them with your reading finger it would help.
That’s because the county took housing over, as well as other private services they had no business meddling in. It should return to the way it was.
Drug Control Policy should me moved over to law enforcement, downsized and the manager should retire. Time for a dynamic leader.
Glassman isn’t a private person coming into county government for the first time. He is a politician and his job is to steer the ship, not to ground it. He isn’t going to cut sick leave or change benefits, in fact he may add to it!. We are a local government that has to compete with other local governments for qualified personnel. The changes you are seeking are predictable and unsustainable because the county still needs to complete its mission. Changes would be probably no more than a 10% reduction in personnel due to merge and consolidation, attrition or retirement incentives to those in seniority. This may translate into $$$ that will be used for raises in the future. I don’t see or think an increase in property taxes would happen. Harford County voters won’t support any such moves and the new republican administration and council wouldn’t propose it, it is not in their DNA.
Could we just stick with the facts? What you would like to happen or guessing at what will happen has no bearing on what Mr Glassman is actually doing.
Government competing with other governments for qualified people? What are they doing? – each running around with a tape measure trying to get the widest ass to hire?
There are literally 100’s of county jobs that can not be filled because no one will work for that little money.
Then let’s lower the pay on a lot more county jobs. Sure looks like a way to save money. Imagine the additional fiscal crisis if we had 100 more leeches draining the system. Wow!
Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, or stirring the pot…