From the New Harford Democratic Club:
NEW HARFORD DEMOCRATIC CLUB
MEETING MINUTES
August 03, 2016
MINUTES OF THE Aug. 3, 2016, MEETING AT THE ABERDEEN HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS.
Board member Art Helton called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Helton led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Helton explained that President Steve Johnson was out of town tonight and couldn’t participate in the meeting. He then asked those present to introduce themselves.
Helton noted the minutes of the previous meeting had been circulated via email and asked for approval from those present. A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Helton asked George Harrison to present a treasures report. Harrison stated that the current operating account has $12,035.24 as of this date. A motion was made and seconded to approve the report. The approval was unanimous by voice vote.
Helton introduce member Lenora Robinson who had been selected by the board to be a member of the board. He asked for a motion to accept her membership. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Committee reports:
Voter registration: Art Helton stated that registration efforts are on hold until after the conventions.
Fund raising: Helton noted that we are still waiting for confirmed dates for a speaker.
Issues and Legislation: George Harrison and Art Helton noted that there are several issues the club is concentrating on locally, including the school system budget and the land use plan recently approved by the council.
Website: Helton noted that Jack Barham is out of town due to a death in the family and would not have a report.
Helton introduced the night’s speaker: Aaron Penman, Vice President of the Harford County Deputy Sheriff’s Union, who was accompanied by union treasurer, Scott Johnson.
Penman spoke on the recent efforts by the union to seek a referendum on their proposal to be able to negotiate with binding arbitration with the county government on pay scales. Penman stated that the Deputies were forced to stop collection of signatures from the citizen when the Attorney General’s office ruled that the county does not have the authority to negotiate with the Deputy Sheriff’s because the deputies are considered state employees, even though it is the county that funds the Sheriff’s Office.
He said their only path forward would be to have legislation passed in the state legislature authorizing such negotiations.
Penman stated that pay scales for most Sheriff’s deputies have been static for the past nine years and many have had difficulties paying their mortgages and properly providing for their families. He said the union has no leverage with county government as it now stands. He asked the club to support their efforts in the next legislative session. There was much discussion of the issue from club members and a motion was offered from the floor and seconded. It stated:
“The New Harford Democratic Club supports the Harford County Deputy Sheriff’s Union in their efforts to achieve an equitable pay plan for our underpaid Deputy Sheriffs that would put them on par with other jurisdictions, including whatever legislation is needed to achieve their goals.”
The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote.
There being no further business, Helton adjourned the meeting at 8:36p
Submitted by George Harrison, acting secretary.
Your support means a great deal to the men and women of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. This is truly a top notch Law Enforcement agency and the citizens in this county support the blue more than any other county in this country I truly believe that. Now it’s time for the HARFORD COUNTY Government to make things right and make the HCSO salaries competitive again across the board.
Too bad the hard working and dedicated civilians do not get the same consideration.
Yeah civilians, corrections and retirees are getting screwed.
Correctional Deputies are apart of this collective bargaining plan. Both Unions were working together in this effort.
too bad the decent retired deputies that made it through the jungle of their career aren’t getting any more help with their pensions and benefits as well. Not speaking about the double dippers , shamed out ex chief deputies/ wardens, disgraced ex chief deputies or crooks who stole from Home Depot or other crimes, the good ones….honest and paid their dues. Some are medically retired and still can’t make ends meet. Lets try doing something for them as well…..
Is there an average annualized salary amount for those medically retired?
No set annualized salary. I hear that some retired deputies are living at the poverty level. Very sad. I do think the active deputies should get a raise but absolutely nobody looks out for retirees.
Hard to imagine. Figure a lot of people who retire move to a state that doesn’t tax their retirement, and states that don’t have a state income tax. The average 20 year retiree can start another career, or the least get a job to add to their pension.
Don’t forget the top notch health care benefits, even at 20 years.
Most people have a spending problem not an earning problem.
People live way beyond their means, hence why there are trillions of dollars in debt.
Hey Johnny Boy Winkie,
First off its 25 years, 30 for some of them. And why should they start a new career at 50 plus years old? Why work here all or most of your life and then move away out of state? Shows a lot of the ‘County Pride” huh? The health care coverage has become a joke and costs them more? Not a spending problem, a making it on nearly nothing now problem……unless you got and steal from Home Depot or something?
We are all sure you have a nice furnished home living high off the hog, right?
People can retire whenever they want, pension and health care varies early versus late.
Yes, a lot of people retire and move to say, Florida. The real estate can be much cheaper, there is no stat income tax, and it’s warm/humid year round.
It doesn’t have anything about “county pride.” It’s common sense.
Going to build your “dream home” in Maryland. Get real. LOL
Why should a 45-50 year old retired career law enforcement officer get another job/career? No idea. Youd have to ask everyone personally.
They do have a skill set that a lot of private sector companies would love to recruit for a nice air conditioned job, no? Think about that.
Wee Willie Winkie: Try having a stressful career, not getting a raise of any substance for 9 years. The paltry raise that the deputies got doesn’t even cover the increasing costs of health care. The civilians got nothing. People who have careers here put down roots, raise their kids and the only thing you can say is move to Florida. You are a blowhard buffoon.
I didn’t say they should move to Florida. You must be a product of Public school in this area? Can’t read? I know.
I was echoing the common trend is people move to less tax, cheaper to live states once they finish their career/get older around here. It’s not what everyone does but ive known a lot of people who have moved on to other states once they retire from their first career and kids graduate college, primarily Carolina’s and Florida, and Texas.
It does indeed pay to get out of Maryland. An analysis of MD’s tax structure, cost of living, etc, places this state in the bottom 5 of the country. Until this State shakes off the death grip that the Dems have on the legislature, it will never rise up beyond where it is.
Look up Freedom in the 50 States.
John C. Winkie making an attempt to blast public schools in the area, and completely falls on his face with spelling, grammar and general understanding of the English language.
LOL! What a putz.
Try spellcheck, bro.
You must be a John Carroll guy, huh?
I’m not blasting anything. You can’t read, either I guess. Public school graduate.
“You must be a product of Public school in this area? Can’t read? I know.”
Quite the superiority complex. He went to a four-year college, so Community Colleges are inferior. He went to Gilman, so John Carroll is inferior.
Wow!
You are quite impressed with yourself, aren’t you, “Community College”?
A bit off topic guys and gals. Another display of the fine quality of comments from certain posters here. In the words of Rodney King:” Why can’t we all get along?” perhaps stay on topic with your comments instead of all the personal attacks directed toward each other?
You are correct, Mr Lane. I allowed myself to be pulled down the that level. I *try* to not do that, but obviously I am not always successful.
My apologies.
NeverCease2BeAmazed: Apology accepted graciously, as we should all have found respect in your post for your admission. We are all human and rarely seem to realize we are not all perfect. I respect that and your post. Take care and keep posting sensible responses. I enjoy them.