Former Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane is set to take over a new role later this month as Bel Air’s interim town administrator.
Mayor Rob Reier said Bane will serve a six-month stint, which he likened to a “trial” period for both sides ahead of a possible permanent commitment.
The former sheriff takes over from Jim Fielder, who was selected in December as Governor-elect Larry Hogan’s Secretary of Appointments. Fielder’s last day with the town is Jan. 20; a vote to appoint Bane to the interim position is scheduled for the same night.
“We were in a work session, I guess you could say brainstorming, and his name came up.” Reier said Wednesday night. “We took the ball and ran with it from there.”
Bane served two terms as sheriff, from 2006 until this fall, when he was defeated by challenger Jeff Gahler.
As town administrator, Bane will wield broad powers over the day-to-day operations of the town and will serve as the director of all of its departments. In that role, he will also be reunited with Jack Meckley, who recently served as a Sheriff’s Office major under Bane and has been Bel Air Police Department’s acting chief since October while Chief Leo Matrangola is on medical leave. Bane did not return a call for comment Wednesday night.
Reier emphasized that the “interim” label was applied to Bane’s position by mutual consent, with the hope that the former sheriff would assume the role on a permanent basis.
“It’s something both parties wanted to do. It’s really twofold…we wanted to get someone in place, and have a quick turnaround,” Reier said. “[And] it’ll give the sheriff time to get a feel for the job.”
From the Town of Bel Air:
Bel Air, Maryland – The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners is announcing that L. Jesse Bane will serve in an interim capacity as Town Administrator. The current Town Administrator, James D. Fielder, Jr., Ph.D., accepted an appointment to Maryland Governor-Elect Larry Hogan’s Cabinet as Secretary of Appointments. Dr. Fielder’s last day with the Town of Bel Air is January 20, 2015. The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners is scheduled to vote on the appointment of Jesse Bane to the position of Interim Town Administrator at the Town Hall Meeting on January 20, 2015 at 7:30 p.m., at Bel Air Town Hall, 39 N. Hickory Avenue, Bel Air, MD.
Dafuq?!
I’d like to hear more about his qualifications for this position.
Most important qualification – being friends with whomever makes the appointment. You have to laugh at this – haha.
This appointment is a bad joke on both the employees,and the taxpayers in Town. I liken Jesse to the floor cleaner “Once N Done.” Go retire, please.
Might want to take a look at your headline. Believe it should be Administrator vs Commissioner.
Thanks, fixed.
This job is being given to Jesse Bane as a repayment favor. Jesse Bane appoints Ed Hopkins to HCSO#2 position. Banes looses election but as a Thank You Bel Air Town Commissioner Ed Hopkins gets Banes appointed as Town Administrator. The mere act that this is happening is a slap in the face to the residents of Bel Air Town. It’s likely that No one will say anything because they love Eddie and Uncle Jesse so much. Don’t say Lenny didn’t warn you after uncle Jesse runs Bel Air into the ground like he did HCSO.
Congratulations to the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on their selection of Jesse Bane as the interim Town Administrator. You are getting a perfectly qualified candidate for that position. Well done!
What makes Bane “qualified”? I see a man who couldn’t be honest during the election. Making up stories about his opponent firing a bunch of people that was completely false! Saying his opponent never proposed working in partnership with the sheriff was completely false! Claiming to have not promoted the best candidate for a lieutenant’s job because he knew the deputy was retiring, also proven to be completely false! What kind of vetting as the Town of Bel Air done before putting this guy in the seat? I think a lie detector should be his first stop!
He was not “vetted”. He was just chosen because he was and is friends with commissioners etc. It is the good old Harford County Boy Network. It is as simple as that. One reason HC is in such trouble – people chosen for these positions are mostly totally inept, out of touch, and without experience or education to do a good job. This has been going on for many years in all the higher positions. And the sad thing is that most HC citizens do not have a clue and do not care as long as they sit in their nice houses and are not impacted.
You’re kidding me right? With the antics committed by your Gahler Grand Poobah, that’s what they call him now, right? False crime stats; bringing in Manny, Mo and Jack (oh, I mean John??) from other counties; alliances with an AA County tarnished political figure. Jesse had tons more integrity than your leader.. Now go click your little red thumbs in your Sheriff’s Office, or now called the Ba Da Bing Offiice, cubicle.
Say what you want, but at least Sheriff Gahler and his majors aren’t afraid to hit the streets with patrol at any hour of the day any day of the week like Bane was.
In the 8 years of Bane in office I never once saw him or heard of him responding to a call for service, backing up a deputy on a traffic, or rolling up on something while out on patrol that resulted in an arrest, especially at night. The one time I’m aware of Bane being out with patrol on midnights (as a ride along and being about as useful on calls as a civilian would be) he had no idea how to deal with anyone they came across or how to deal with some dirtbag screaming in his face and after a couple hours called it quits and went home.
Sheriff Gahler and Major Davis have been out multiple times on every shift, backed up deputies on traffic stops, responded to calls, and while out patrolling on New Year’s Eve night rolled up on some jackass shooting off a shotgun in edgewater village who ended up getting arrested. While Sheriff Gahler didn’t handle the actual arrest, essentially that guy got arrested by the sheriff. The last time Bane arrested someone or was directly responsible for someone getting arrested was probably in the 70’s or early 80’s.
Bane was a pure politician wearing a police uniform. So far, I’d say Gahler is a cop who also happens to be a politician. There’s a huge difference, especially to deputies working patrol. We’ll see how things go over the coming months and years, but so far I’d say he’s doing an excellent job.
While you might think all of that sounds fantastic it is doing nothing to make Harford county safer or doing what the sheriffs office needs to be doing.
What’s next a Gahler signal light in the sky when we need him?
If you don’t believe more boots on the ground help bring about a safer community and is not doing what the Sheriff’s Office should be doing, just what is it you suggest the HCSO be doing?
I would agree that having the Sheriff out on patrol is not the only answer to providing a safer community but it is more than the previous Sheriff was willing to do along with his senior command staff.
As in most instances, actions speak louder than words. Sheriff Gahler’s actions so far have demonstrated that he is a man of his word and is willing to hit the ground running….literally!
Yea and the CEO of fedex needs to deliver my packages when the Christmas rush delayed them.
Apparently problem solving is number 2 priority, publicity seems to be number 1.
New boss same as the old boss.
So why doesn’t the sheriff spend time at the jail on a shift. It’s great to see him riding around for hours on end and making “arrest”, but have him work at the jail and see what his deputies go through. How many people can be cussed at, spit at, and threatened and still remain professional. There are more jobs, in the HCSO,then riding around in a patrol car and interacting with the public. Bane only paid lip service to the jail and allowed the ship to run itself and he never worked there, as sheriff, to see what goes on.
Sheriff Gahler has been at the Jail already more than the previous Sheriff was in 8 years. That included Christmas Day and just yesterday he attended our 4-12 roll call.
Wow at the jail making harford county safer 1 cell at a time. Maybe he can spend all his days at the jail, that will really solve the sheriffs office and harford county problems.
You people really don’t get it do you.
@huh
He is sheriff of all of the operations of the HCSO. The jail is no lesser a partner in keeping Harford County Safe. How many “deputies” would work at the jail if they didn’t get to keep their car. It’s nice to patrol the streets, but the real work is in the jail. Try dealing with these people on a 24 hour basis. the people of harford get it and you have no clue.
The reality here is the average citizen is clueless about the inter workings of the sheriffs dept. Gahler knows this and is already glad handing and politicking his way for re election by way of keeping the minion deputies thinking they actually matter.
We have murders and armed robberies on the rise but the deputies are happier than a pig in schit cause boss man sez they look pretty.
Jesus you guys are being played.
I am very thankful that I don’t live in Bel Air. This old dog needs to be put out to pasture. Warning to the employees – kiss your job goodbye as you know it. This hateful old man will be gunning for you for no reason. The only upside is at least now another agency will know first hand that everything written on the Dagger about this old goat is true. So sorry Bel Air.
Wonderful news for the town Bel Air! Glad we’ll have someone like Jesse Banes – he’ll be a valuable asset in taking care of and supporting the citizens of this town.
You have so much confidence in someone that you don’t even know his name!?!? It’s Bane not Banes. Another informed citizen! Sad.
You are so out of touch. It is truly sad how inept and totally illogical some citizens are. No clue whatsoever what is actually going on.
I almost feel out of my chair. Are you kidding me. This is the same guy who told the deputies that you know what you are getting when you re-elect him. He is one who doesn’t know how to manage people and keeps score as to who is not on his side. Just look at the detention center. He kept Capasso from getting the top job and kept a captain, promoted to major, that was worthless. She felt it more important to not worry about the running of the jail and more about her fake relationships with staff. Here is a guy who appointed Eddie to Chief Deputy and look at what job Bane gets. Amazing. I am sure Bel Air will be happy to have a man who didn’t even say good bye to his own deputies (LE and Corrections). He is going to act like he knows what he is doing and will create his own imaginary enemies. I feel for the town and especially the employees of Bel Air. Also, have fun with Meckley, another bane supporter, and someone who is just like him. I’m sure they both have a mirror on their desks to keep looking at themselves. I sure hope Bel Air does the right thing and sees what type of manager this person is. Oh, BTW, he was elected to sheriff and not promoted on his ability to run an agency.
I live in Bel Air and I am extremely unhappy with this decision. I will not be going to the meeting to speak as it will do no good. However I do vote in every town election and know many family and friends who do the same. I will express my dissatisfaction with this decision by casting my ballot in the next election. I will be watching to see who votes to approve this and I think that Eddie Hopkins should excuse himself from the vote due to a conflict of interest. The next town election should be very interesting that’s all I am going to say.
I’m not surprised, given the amount of corruption in our local government. I hope that in time, ethics and doing the right thing will prevail among those who make the permanent selection. By the way, what are Bane’s credentials that would remotely qualify him for this position?
He is friends with Eddie. Same ship, different chairs……Hope bel air likes the way government hires people without advertising and im sure they did that with Meckley…what a joke
Just a good ol’ boys, wouldn’t change if they could, corrupting the system in a way that could lead to no goooooood…..
Making their waaaays, the only way they know how, taking all the money that Mayor Rob Reier allows….
Just a good ol’ boys, the people’s money they spend, ask them for some and they willl say “there is none to lend……”
Have fun with that Bel air residents. He is a vindictive, corrupted politician with no morals. I hope you all flood the town meetings to voice disapproval of his new position. Eddie Hopkins is now seeing the fruit of him selling his self to the devil in taking the position under Bane.
Harford Counties appointment of Bane and the rational behind it reminds me of this reasoning.
Hey, the sheriff’s election is over. The Howard Walter (I mean Gahler) team won. Sheriff Bane has been a long time resident of Harford County. He graduated from Bel Air HS and as a youth was employed by the Hub store on Main St. He cares about the county and the town of Bel Air and will try to administer the town the best he can. Did he make some mistakes as Sheriff? Yes he did. The difference between him an Gahler is Bane will make a decision even if it is perceived as being not popular. Gahler on the other hand was completely directed and controlled by former Colonel Walter. When Gahller was first contemplating running for Sheriff he asked his long time good friend Capt. Chuck Moore to be his second in command. That excited many in the law enforcement community because of everything that Moore could bring to the table. Howard approached Gahler and suggested that his wife would be a better fit for number two and Moore was gone. So much for the allegiance of age old friendships. As the result Gahler, a Republican, lost his first bid for sheriff in a county where most any republican should be a a lock. The saving grace for the Sheriff’s office is the appointment of Colonel Bodway. He is a strong willed professional who will keep Gahler from being further bullied in to bad decisions which will damage the agency. Back to Bane….. He is a man who will attempt to do a good job for the town of Bel Air. He has managed huge budgets and knows politics. Give him a chance and re-evaluate his performance in 3-6 months. Remember, the Sheriff’s race is over.
Nice story, but much like Bane, not heavy on facts. To note a few:
1. a bunch of democrats won their races in the last election including Bane who just barely squeezed out a win,
2. Gahler was clear that he would have never put a trooper in the no. 2 spot and hasn’t,
3. A good friend (Mr. Moore) wouldn’t have taken a job he knew he wasn’t qualified for, but did so to damage his “long time” friend’s chances of becoming sheriff,
4. Bane was unable to make any decisions absent those forced down his throat by the all powerful and unbeatable deputy sheriffs union (past tense of course),
5. Most everyone was against Bodway being the colonel, but Gahler made a decision anyway.
And, back to Bane, who said Gahler fired 70 troopers to get that union endorsement (false), who said Gahler never proposed a joint investigation unit (false) and who said he passed over promoting the best qualified person to lieutenant because he knew the guy, Dave Betz, was retiring (false). The town of Bel Air has hired an individual who feels free to make things up and can be bought by union dollars. Obviously a complete background check and lie detector are not required for his new job. This does not reflect well on the town commissioners and hopefully voters will send them the same message they sent Bane next time around. That message is an overwhelming goodbye.
@ Insider
I see (5) bulleted replies to my post. What I don’t read is a dispute of the influence that Walter has over Gahler. .Interesting. I guess you want to stay away from that one. In fairness it doesn’t change Bane’s qualifications to be a town admin.one way or the other.
6. All the naysayers said Gahler was lying and he would be bringing Howard or Teresa Back to the office. Wrong again and again Gahler proved to be a man of his word. Now can you explain how a liar is qualified to be hired in a position of public trust?
Town Administrator is a position of trust?? Come on already!! 🙂
Mr Galer, shhhh, I mean “Insider”, here are some responses to your bullets. Sorry to butt-in “Wait and See.”
1. You can thank Governor Hogan, O’malley and Brown who helped greatly with your victory
2. I believe “Wait and see” concerning the false promises to Mr Moore. Simply look at your campaigning tactics to see where the credibility lies.
3. Also, typical narcissistic view on Moore’s quals and motive to want the job simply to ruin your chances. Im so sure he really took the job for that reason. Also, what are your quals to be sheriff and to run the jail. Your reasoning is flawed.
4. Your negativity about the Sherif’s Union is laughable. You sure did your best to deceive the public in thinking you had their support with those star signs, didn’t you?
5. Blah, blah, 70 troopers. You’re the only one who cared about this alleged lie. Alot of nerve on your part to question Bane’s character considering your actions – deceptive signs, questionable hirings, made up crime stats, etc, etc, etc.
6. Doesn’t a Walters still work at the HCSO? It would be interesting to see what his rank is after all said and done. Or was he already kinda promoted?
BTW, speaking of “inside information” how is that relationship with another “long time friend?” Yeah, word is your treasurer is trying to distance himself from your campaign? Hmmmm, i wonder why?
Not worried, Mr Karma will be paying you a visit.
Be sure to wear your hats brothers and sisters.
Keep on digging. Not Gahler or Galer, but close enough to know the truth. Maybe I can get Jeff to sign a star just for you.