87 responses so far ↓

• 1 GoldwaterGOP // Sep 16, 2006 at 3:54 pm

  Agreed that we have to look at each race and ask if the Democratic is better than the Republican running. This is particularly true of the County Executive’s race. Ann Helton versus David Craig makes me hope that maybe Mark Fisher will run as an Independent. While I am not a fan of the Helton clan, David Craig has been shallow, at best and right-leaning Republicans should have a choice other than two moderates.

• 2 Sharks // Sep 17, 2006 at 12:31 am

  On a side note, not to take away from the discussion, but I was on the nicer of the Democrat blogs and Harfordrepublican.com was the “google ad”. Kind of comical.

• 3 Sharks // Sep 17, 2006 at 12:35 am

  Also, if someone is going to be County Executive and not have any government experience, shouldn’t they have experience in managing a budget? or some sort of social service experience? I don’t mean to disparage Mark Fisher or mechanical engineers, but I see a big difference between a strict numbers approach and the realization that each budget component has an affect on the people that live here.

• 4 GOPerative // Sep 17, 2006 at 6:59 am

  Sharks,
  I put that ad on Google Adsense several months ago. It floats in and out of google ads on sites that focus on Harford County. That is funny that it showed up on the dem site.

  You said, “shouldn’t they have experience in managing a budget?” I understand where you are coming from but I disagree with the premise. Throughout the history of this country regular people have stepped up to lead. I think managing your own personal finances well is sufficient. I don’t spend more than I make. I have zero debt except for my mortgage. I would run the government the same way. I have never managed a multi-million dollar budget but that should not deter me from running for high level office. I don’t want a government of elites. I want a government of you and me. I think many times we give the President, Governors, and County Executive, too much credit for budgets. They have entire divisions of their governments dedicated to creating the budgets. Yeah Craig walks in every once in a while and says, “We need more for schools.” But then he walks out. These high level leaders are not staying up all night crunching the numbers. Our high office holders may set the vision but they aren’t necessarily finding the money and keeping the books.

  So I understand why you say they should have some experience managing a budget, but I think we put too much weight on that experience.

• 5 ConservativeCathy // Sep 17, 2006 at 8:53 am

  Check out the baltimoresun.com website , Harofrd section. (I refuse to buy the Sun but check it out online) concerning the article about Democrats feeling they have a chance because of the choices of Harford County Republicans. THe Dem’s think we are weak!
  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.aftermath17sep17,0,6348142.story?coll=bal-local-harford
  Let’s prove them WRONG!

• 6 welcomebackguthrie // Sep 17, 2006 at 11:03 am

  Not to beat a dead horse ConservativeCathy, but Dion Guthrie got more votes Tuesday than the TOTAL amount of Republicans that voted. THE TOTAL AMOUNT.

  Tell me how that article isn’t a little bit accurate. They smell blood in the water and are motivated. ESPECIALLY after looking at those numbers.

  And it’s not just those numbers. Look carefully at Ann Helton’s numbers, Jesse Bane’s numbers, Kilby’s numbers. You guys don’t think for a SECOND that the Maryland Democratic Party is going to pump serious money up here because they don’t have to in Baltimore City, Montgomery County, and PG County. The Republicans aren’t going to be able to match that.

  If you’re not worried, then you’re not paying attention.

• 7 Don't Let the Door Hit You // Sep 17, 2006 at 1:52 pm

  I for one and a little disgusted by two recent letters to the editor, one by Mr. Dan Earnshaw in Sunday’s Baltimore Sun and the other by Chris Pate in Friday’s Aegis.

  Mr. Earnshaw and Mr. Pate both have the mentality that because their candidate (or themselves) lost that they are taking their ball and going home. That the voters are to blame and since they can’t be the winner, they will have no part in the party.

  Mr. Earnshaw who was a big backer of Christoforo and Price (both good men) stated that he was leaving the Republican Party. For the past several years Mr. Earnshaw’s candidates have lost and so he is taking off. That is not the attitude to have, we need to galvanize, just as GOPerative was talking about, behind our candidates over the Dems.

  Mr. Pate in his recent letter to the Aegis screwed Glen Glass by heaping praise on Democrat Delegate James (who voted for a billion dollar tax increase) in what I can only guess is an attempt to keep Glen Glass from winning.

  If either of you read this, you guys might have lost, but you should not be abandoning your ideals or your party because you didn’t win an election. That is not the point of a primary election. The point is for the party to put forward the strongest candidate for the General. I don’t want to condem a candidate for why they lost, but I am condeming both Mr. Earnshaw and Mr. Pate for abandoning their party.

• 8 RealGOP // Sep 17, 2006 at 4:14 pm

  DLTDHY-
  I don’t know the deal with either of these guys, but I have to say, if I was Pate, I’d be pretty miffed that I lost most likely because my opponent had illegal signs everywhere. I agree that the praise of Mrs. James was unnecessary, and he didn’t even mention or congratulate Glass. Although Pate should have worked harder at getting HIS signs out there, the situation has got to be frustrating when you try to play by the rules and the other guy doesn’t, and wins.

• 9 Shhhhhh // Sep 17, 2006 at 5:58 pm

  Experience isn’t necessary managing the budget? Ok…then explain the BLOATED budget put forth by Craig. The only thing that tried to clamp down on the budget was the experience and leadership on the council…which has been turned over and booted out by the strong united GOP! Weak links will be exposed when GUTHRIE and LISANTI win.

• 10 popgothedems // Sep 17, 2006 at 6:05 pm

  welcomebackguthrie, now you know the Republicans stayed home last week because the statewide candidates were unopposed. November will be a horse of a different color. The GOP will set a turnout record and they won’t be voting for your kind, I promise you. Hopefully, Mrs. Helton has another gig lined up because, as swishy as Mr. Craig is, he’s still got that “R” after his name and people around here like that. Bane may do a little better, but he’s still got that “D” after his name and “D’s” aren’t synonymous with crime fighting or any kind of fighting for that matter. As for spending money, you dems will need every penny you’ve got to win the Governor’s mansion and the U.S Senate seat and that money certainly won’t be coming to Harford County for a couple of countywide offices.

• 11 Goldwater GOP // Sep 17, 2006 at 8:51 pm

  To the fake GoldwaterGOP, Your use of my handle is about one of the lowest and most distasteful tricks in the book. How dare you take someone elses identity and make it your own! To anyone reading this post, someone else has decided to use my handle to impersonate GoldwaterGOP. This deciteful tactic must not be allowed, and the perpurtrator should be blocked from this site.

  As for the FAKE Goldwater GOP’s comments. I have been clear in the past about my take on Fisher’s candidacy. If anyone has seen this man talk over the course of the campaign, you would clearly realize that he is not living in reality. This so called conservative is all about getting his property zoned correctly so he can get water and sewer provided to his property. Mr. Fisher used the GOP affiliation to run a primary against David Craig. He lost, so now he is going to abandon the GOP to run as an independent write-in candidate (I am sure with plenty encouragement from the Helton Camp). He tried to use this party as a platform to launch his campaign to further his own agenda. He used us and is now off trying to find another venue to continue his senseless campaign. David Craig’s 74% is a clear mandate from this party, Baltimore County’s Jim Smith, a 2-term Democrat had similiar numbers against his primary opponent. There will always be the standard protest vote, and that is what we saw. David Craig has a voting record in Annapolis that would show that he is a true conservative and a real genuine GOP. This guy has been a Republican since day one. Anyone even questioning Mr. Craig’s republican credentials clearly does not know the man. Let’s move on and unify so we can kick some D’s! They see that they might have an opportunity to pick up a seat or two…we must not let that happen!

• 12 Anonymous // Sep 17, 2006 at 10:48 pm

  The government we have now is corrupt and needs to go. As a lifetime Republican, I cannot support the group we have any longer. I have been a “team player” for more than a decade and all I have been given in return for my loyalty is betrayal.

  I am sickened by politicians asking for my money, asking for my vote and my loyalty, and giving nothing in return.

  I can tolerate no longer my party leaders selling off my representation to the highest bidder.

  Do you think Harford County is better today than it was before the current regime? I do not.

  That is not a Republican versus Democrat question.

  We have self-serving politicians in power now. Billy Boniface is the beginning of a movement away from that — I hope.

  Republican voters in Harford County have failed themselves this primary. Rightly so, Democrats in Harford will surge this election because of the poor candidates our party has put forth.

• 13 welcomebackguthrie // Sep 18, 2006 at 1:02 am

  popgothedems, I’ve got some reality to shed on you my friend.

  1) Democrats have about 1000 or so registered voters over Republicans in Harford County. Go look it up. It’s not the Republican bastien it used to be. So while I support David Craig, he’s not a lock to get back in.

  2) This primary was more important than you think. Statewide candidates weren’t all that was at stake here. Council President, Sheriff, and House of Delegates were important races. Seemed important enough to get the Dems out to vote. But I’m sure you don’t understand the energy the Dems have out here now.

  3) You talk about money but you forget something. Democrats don’t have to spend money in PG, Montgomery, and Baltimore City. They have money that they can now shift into Harford County. And believe me, if you read the Baltimore Sun this weekend, that’s exactly what’s about to happen. In the meantime, I happen to know that there was a good bit of money spent by Republicans just on the primary.

  4) Using funny words like “your kind”, shows the type of shallow person you are and just why Democrats are fired up to keep their current Council seat, pick up a second, possibly a sheriff, and maybe a suprise or two no one is expecting.

  But by all means keep believing there aren’t 58,890 Democrats to 57,944 Republicans in the County now.

• 14 GOPerative // Sep 18, 2006 at 6:05 am

  Welcomebackguthrie,
  How quickly you have forgotten the KKT vs. Ehrlich numbers. Dems may have a numbers advantage but they vote for Republicans not by the hundreds but by the thousands. I hope the dems waste their money in Harford County. O’Malley will get destroyed here no matter how much they spend. You also forgot that Craig is running against a Helton. Unless you are new to Harford County you already know that we are very familiar with the Heltons and we like to say NO to them. We have been doing it for decades. Decades! Biggs will give Guthrie a run for his money. Guthrie may prevail but it will not be a cake walk.

• 15 Don't Let the Door Hit You // Sep 18, 2006 at 7:44 am

  The criticism of Glass’s illegal yard signs is weak. Do you really think people vote based on yard signs? I don’t. I think yard signs littering the roads actually turn people off.

• 16 Common sense // Sep 18, 2006 at 8:44 am

  Biggs can’t give Guthrie a run for his money. Here’s why, Nancy Jacobs won’t be doing his campaigning for him this time. She has a race to run now, and Biggs will be on his own. Guthrie will destroy Biggs in the general election.

• 17 welcomebackguthrie // Sep 18, 2006 at 9:13 am

  GOPoperative, I already said I supported Craig. But Biggs vs. Guthrie will be no contest. I’ve heard that all over the place. Heck, even people here say the only way he can be comptetitive is to go “hardcore negative”, and I’m telling you right now the voters are not going to go for that.

  And you can say that dems come out and vote Republican, and yet Guthrie, a Democrat, is sitting in district A’s seat. And I know an AWFUL lot of Republican friends who aren’t voting Republican in some races this time around.

  Things change, even in decades. No one thought there’d be a Republican Governor in the state of MD. So to be naive enough to think that Republicans will just sweep through the county again is dangerously short-sighted.

• 18 Harcodem // Sep 18, 2006 at 9:28 am

  Hey GOPerative.

  I really liked the quality of your second paragraph! It was pointed and earnest. It provided some good advice while maintaining your true form. Bravo to you and your excellent writing.

  (Republicans/Conservatives: Don’t take this as a way of me saying “All Republicans are going to win, I’m just handing a public compliment to a blogging colleague. And if things can stay civil, I can lend an additional, yet modest perspective around here.)

• 19 GOPerative // Sep 18, 2006 at 10:30 am

  The Real GoldwaterGOP,
  I knew that was not you. Thanks for clarifying. I was going to write to you today to ask. I will watch for more comments from the fake Goldwater. That was unacceptable.

• 20 GOPerative // Sep 18, 2006 at 10:44 am

  Thanks Harcodem. Feel free to attempt to keep us “grounded.” The fact is we may see some democratic gains in Harford County.

• 21 TerenceCox // Sep 18, 2006 at 10:46 am

  This is Terence Cox. I am a candidate for County Council District D. I would like to share some information about myself. I am a controller for an aerospace manufacturer located here in the county. My expertise includes manufacturing, budgeting, finance and contracts. One third of my companies revenues are from the defense department and NASA. I am pro business, pro manufacturing, and pro defense. I have been to the last two military appreciation luncheons at APG and have sponsored tables through the Chamber of Commerce which I am an active member. My community involvement includes North Harford High School Endzone Club President and Dublin/Darlington Baseball President. I have also coached my four children in many different sports over the years. Reasons I am running for office: rezoning issues, the NHHS reconstruction fiasco, our county budget which will grow to over $1 billion in the next 4 years, and to protect property owner rights. I do not support eminent domain. I am not a liberal democrat. My views are middle of the road. I believe in a helping hand, not hand outs. I am a member of St Mary’s Church in Pylesville where I was a lector. I graduated from Towson State U with a BS degree in Business Administration. In the primary I was endorsed by both the Sun and Aegis and hope to get those endorsements in the general. Thanks for the postings.

• 22 ReaganAgain08 // Sep 18, 2006 at 2:15 pm

  GOPerative,

  All right, I’ll bite: What is a “fake Goldwater?”

• 23 Harcodem // Sep 18, 2006 at 2:18 pm

  TerenceCox, since the general IS coming up, I want to know where you differ from Shrodes?

  What makes you more qualified? Can you handle budgets (where Lisanti has much experience)? What are your views on growth? Manage it? “Halt” it?

  To ‘win over’ Independents and even Republicans, you have to prove how, “…middle of the road…” you are.

• 24 PolJunk // Sep 18, 2006 at 2:47 pm

  Terence

  I suspect that you’ll get plenty of crossover votes when folks learn more about you. You may actually be MORE conservative than Chad. Your success will directly correlate to how effective you get out your message. I’d guess that you are behind the 8-ball as of now. Although your community involvement is duly noted, you’ve still got some work to do. Until you and your positions (by that I mean that we want detail, not generalizations) become better known to the electorate, this is Chad’s district to lose.

• 25 DownwithDion // Sep 18, 2006 at 3:12 pm

  welcomebackguthrie,

  In the 2002 primary Dion received 1,542 votes. All three Republican candidates received 1,545. Yet your man Dion only won by 60 votes in 2002 in the general. Look at the numbers. There are 4,491 more Democrats registered in district A then Republicans. Democrats make up 54.88% of all registered voters in the district. But this does not lead to a Baltimore City like disparity in results. Many Harford County Democrats vote for the better candidate, despite party. And Chris Biggs is the better candidate.

• 26 TerenceCox // Sep 18, 2006 at 4:23 pm

  Thanks for the replies.

  Harcodem – budgets and forecasts are some of my strengths. I do annual budgets and have also done 5 year plans. My financial skills have been audited by the Department of Defense, NASA, Boeing, General Electric…just to name a few. Maryann Lisanti and I are friends and we compare notes. We both have number crunching backgrounds. Like I said are county budget will soon be over $1B. I do consider myself a leader.

  PolJunk – 50% of my financial contributions came from registered republicans in the primary. I do need republican crossover votes and independent votes to win the general. This district D has 2,500 more registered republicans then registered democrats.

  I would not have entered the political race if I felt I didn’t have a chance of winning. I have the support and votes of several of the republican candidates that lost in the primary. I hope they post on this site.

  I wish I could say I can stop growth, but I can’t. I also entered this race on a rezoning issue that went from AG to GI in a rural village. Should not have happened. Farms – I look at farms as a farmers 401K or retirement account. If a farmer wants to sell some of his/her property for lots and create cash flow, then that is the farmer’s right. I do enjoy horse racing and try to support the local breeders and trainers.

  I don’t vote party lines. I look at each candidate. Background, education, knowledge, leadership, why they are running, etc….

  I hope people will take a serious look at Candidate Cox.

• 27 Anonymously_Speaking // Sep 18, 2006 at 4:48 pm

  Some interesting goings-on at the Unity Breakfast today, to say the least.

  Kudos to all those who didn’t win their respective races but who did show up at the breakfast. Hopefully, this will go a long way towards restoring unity in the party.

  Interesting that “Consensus Builder” Boniface didn’t have much to say to his former rivals. Here’s hoping Boniface does, indeed, become a uniter.

  What’s up with Helton emailing certain Republicans (including this one) about how “poorly” Craig did in his primary against Fisher?- while also including Helton’s public schedule in the email? I know, as do we all, that Craig has some serious fissures and leaks in his organization, but does Helton really expect staunch Republicans to toss their allegience to her?

• 28 Harcodem // Sep 18, 2006 at 6:03 pm

  “Many Harford County Democrats vote for the better candidate, despite party. And Chris Biggs is the better candidate.”

  Whether he is or not is never been at question. In politics, perception is everything. Dion looks more competent, because he won’t hesitate to tell the electorate EVERYTHING he’s had his hand in. Not to impugn (sp?) Biggs, but on a head-to-head, he will ‘appear’ outgunned.

  Biggs has an uphill climb, but it’s not impossible.

• 29 welcomebackguthrie // Sep 18, 2006 at 6:12 pm

  He is DownwithDion? I know quite a few REPUBLICANS that already disagree with you. And I’ll leave it at that.

• 30 Common sence // Sep 18, 2006 at 6:12 pm

  DownwithDion, Biggs will not have Nancy Jacobs to fight his battles this time around. She did in the primary because she ran unopposed. Now she has an opponent in the general election, someone who is a real threat to her seat. She won’t have time to hold Biggs’ hand this time. Biggs is on his own. Biggs is standing in the middle of the street without a clue, and Guthrie is an 18-wheeler coming at him at 100mph. I have heard both Biggs and Guthrie speak in person. Biggs’ lack of experience really shows. In a debate Biggs doesn’t have a prayer. By the way before you guys start throwing out how Guthrie barely won the popular vote last time, remember this, Bush lost the popular vote in 2000, and did far better in 2004. Just because Guthrie barely won last time means nothing this time. If we used your train of thought as fact, John Kerry would be president right now.

• 31 richard o'hearn // Sep 18, 2006 at 8:15 pm

  nuts!

• 32 Fight For A // Sep 18, 2006 at 8:20 pm

  Welcomebackguthrie, you sound like a Mullis. The only republicans I know considering supporting Guthrie are the losers from the primary. What a disappointment they have turned out to be.

• 33 welcomebackguthrie // Sep 18, 2006 at 9:16 pm

  Fight For A, is that the best you got? That’s your answer? Now you’re going to insult Biggs’s opponent? This is the type of thing we Dems love to see, because it shows us just what kind of person people of “your kind” are.

  That’s ok. I don’t know Paula Mullis personally, but judging by her website she has a lot more class than you do.

• 34 Michael Mullis // Sep 18, 2006 at 9:33 pm

  See, now I have to get involved again. I was sitting back and enjoying what I was reading, and now a piece of garbage coward hiding behind an alias has to come out and start bashing my family.

  Let me explain something to you. You don’t know thing one about my family, my mother, or what is going on. I wish I could tell you the amount of calls, emails, comments from hits to the website my mother has gotten from Republicans, Democrats, fellow candidtates, and people who wouldn’t normally give someone like you the time of day over the last week. So when I read something like “What a dissapointment they’ve turned out to be”, I laugh heartily because I can tell you most of the people who are more important than you will ever be disagree with you.

  Since the primary is over, and I don’t have to worry about what anyone has to say about the election, and living in Baltimore City looking from the outside in, let me also give you a little bit of facts. I was at the Edgewood Forum. I was out poll-watching on Tuesday with my family. I walked door-to-door with my mother. Chris Biggs was the wrong guy to back. And you know how I know that? Because I heard first hand how many Independants and Democrats told her that while they couldn’t vote for her in the Primary, they would in the general. Oh yeah, and many of them had signs in their yard. I know because I put some of them out. Many of those people now have Dion signs now. She had the support from the other side that Chris won’t get. Chris had people walking around and campaigning for him. My mother EARNED every single vote she got, and Chris can’t say that.

  Dissapointment huh? You know what’s disappointing? The fact that Dion will get his seat back because “The Machine” backed the wrong horse. And they’re about to find that out. Many people outside of Joppa/Edgewood know it.

  BTW, next time don’t be a coward and use your real name. You have a problem with my family, michael.mullis@nlgaming.com is where you can reach me.

• 35 Dave Tritt // Sep 18, 2006 at 10:11 pm

  Goldwater GOP (the real one),

  While I do not affirm nor condemn Mr. Fisher running as a write-in candidate, I must say I disagree with your analysis of his campaign. I have had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fisher on the campaign trail and can attest to his conservative beliefs. I believe he is a good man, he has run a clean campaign, and is running because he wants to make things better. You have painted a picture of Mr. Fisher running for selfish reasons (water and sewer) which I believe is inaccurate. The insinuation that he is in with the Helton camp lacks merit. A quick scan of his website will quickly change the image you have left with us. I have enjoyed many of your comments on this blog, but I consider Mark a friend and could not let your comments stand unanswered.

  As for Mr. Craig, congratulations on your primary victory! Mr. Craig is a true statesman. He even called ALL of the candidates personally the day before the election. What a class act. I wish Mr. and Mrs. Craig and family all the best, and our deepest sympathy for their recent loss.

• 36 Michael Mullis // Sep 18, 2006 at 10:14 pm

  BTW, I forgot to let you know that you’re also a bold faced liar. I’ve talked to my mother about a great many things this week, and coming out and backing Dion Guthrie was not one of them. My mother is supporting the Republican party. For you to suggest otherwise is more proof you don’t know a damn thing about a damn thing.

  But that doesn’t mean there aren’t people that were backing Paula that aren’t backing Chris. Hate to tell you, but it’s true. If that upsets you, that’s just too bad. The fact is it’s true, and you can cry about it all you want.

• 37 Fred A. Mullis // Sep 19, 2006 at 12:29 am

  Fight For A;

  I have been a Republican for longer than you have been in this world. I will be a Republican long after you grow up. I have and do support the Republican Candidates.

  Now if you really want to work for the party then get off this negative high horse you are riding and get out into the field along with my wife and myself and put your efforts to a positive use.

  I am and will always be a friend of Dion Guthrie. He is my neighbor. Neither of us expects the other to support a candidate from another party. Our friendship is not that of a fair weather person. We can sit and break bread and still disagree on political differences and remain friends. That will never change. I hope you can say the same of some of your friends from the other side. If not I feel for you.

  Today at the Unity Breakfast my wife and I pledged our allegiance to the Republican Party and to working for the Party.

  I guess the other big difference between you and I am that I am not ashamed to put my name on something I write and my Paula Mullis is far from a loser. She stepped up to the plate and ran a great campaign. Clean, up beat, and hard fought. The voters made their choice and we accept that. We congratulated Chris Biggs on his well run campaign and will be working with the candidates to insure a Republican victory in November. Join us and help the Republican Party victorious.

• 38 Greg Johnson // Sep 19, 2006 at 10:01 am

  I love the attempt by Democrats on this blog to now act civil and play nice so that they can steal votes away from our Party. These are the same people who have a hate page for me on their blog and have my picture aside a Kamikaze pilot crashing and burning. So much for cultural sensitivity, right? Why are we even allowing them a chance to talk? Throughout history, every time Republicans offer an olive branch to them, they stab us right in the back– not just locally, but nationwide. For the past four years, Maryland Democrats have abandoned their responsibility in Annapolis to represent the interests of their constituents, instead focusing on making a Republican governor look like a do-nothing. This is the only motivation of Democrats in the United States. They have become a party of vitriolic, nasty, and overly pessimistic simpletons. They have no hope for the future; no plan to point to in order to attract voters. Just attack after attack against our President and our Governor.

• 39 Harcodem // Sep 19, 2006 at 1:15 pm

  Hold on Greg Johnson-

  Are you referring to me (HarCoDem) or Harfordem? I don’t know the guy and many locally think of him as a radical. I do not post frequently and you will tell with time that I am generally civil.

  I’m not going to lie…I don’t know you from Adam.

• 40 PolJunk // Sep 19, 2006 at 1:20 pm

  Why anyone would throw barbs at the Mullis family is beyond my comprehension. Not only is an unfounded accusation like that in poor taste, it shows me that the poster has never had the good fortune to meet the Mullis’ in person.

  Terence…I will certainly be looking more into your candidacy with peaked interest.

• 41 John Kantorski // Sep 19, 2006 at 1:32 pm

  Why does everyone look at Dion Guthrie as the 800 pound gorilla in the room? Four years ago, he beat Sue Heselton, who spent ZERO money, by 60 votes.

  Why can’t the party fight him by just talking about him trying to swindle $14k with a signed Ripken baseball… or how he claims some role in Redner’s coming to Joppa, even though he had NO INFLUENCE over Cordish’s decision or their timeline… how in the same four years that he’s been “fighting” to bring a Lowe’s/Klein’s/Food Lion/Weis/etc to Joppatowne Plaza, he’s now letting the Giant Food leave Edgewood – a shopping center that is barely worth visiting now anyway – which is a BIGGER blow to the community, and will just turn it into a mirror image of the shopping center across the street… how his APF has PROTECTED areas like Fallston/Bel Air from development, while exposing Joppa/Joppatowne to receive nearly ONE THOUSAND new homes over the next couple years… how he only mentions crime/gangs in the election year… how he has a secretary send out a half-dozen forwarded e-mails a day, including ones for business scams… how he pushed and promoted those apartments built by APGFCU in Edgewood, only to have them become a regular on “CSI”… How the people who built those same apartments were donors to Dion’s campaign.

  Sure, I would have enjoyed the chance to face him, just as Paula would have. But the primary was not decided by 6 absentee votes. Chris Biggs was overwhelmingly chosen to be the candidate. To not support him, or say that he has no chance, or say people have switched allegiances, only weakens and cheapens his selection by the community, and helps to hand the election to his opponent.

• 42 Fight for A // Sep 19, 2006 at 2:14 pm

  Poljunk, the Mullis family said “piece of garbage coward,” “Dion will get his seat back because “The Machine” backed the wrong horse,” “bold faced liar,” “you don’t know a damn thing about a damn thing,” “after you grow up.” All I said was that they were a disappointment. Clearly these people are not stable and have no business in county government. They can’t handle even the slightest amount of criticism. When you do criticize them they immediately say you don’t know what you’re talking about and belittle you and call you a coward when 99% of the people on this blog use anonymous screen names including the site owner. I have met Mrs. Mullis and to be honest it’s not her I’m worried about.

• 43 Fred Mullis // Sep 19, 2006 at 2:39 pm

  Fight For A;

  If you are concerned about me then use my name. do not lump my family into it. And yes, if you attack my wife I do get hostile. If you would like to talk to me my number is listed in the verizion phone book. I will be glad to discuss your issues with me at anytime.

• 44 Anon // Sep 19, 2006 at 3:12 pm

  Memo to those in the dark -KKT is not running. O’Malley will get more votes than she did.

• 45 PhillyD // Sep 19, 2006 at 4:31 pm

  Eyes on the prize. John Kantorski “Amen” brother.
  Let’s all put this energy into focusing the only Democrat left in local government in Harford County. Dion has led the Council astray, and been a constant thorn in the side for 2 County Executives now. The primary is over and done, period. Now let’s get together and help get rid of Dion for goodness sakes. Talk to neighbors, friends, and help them understand his failed record. The man has done NOTHING for Joppa or Edgewood in 4 years! No plan to stop gangs or crime, increased development in the area with his APFO, done absolutely nothing to improve the school facilities in District A, and even voted against a 2 cent property tax reduction.
  Focus, focus, focus on the goal — making Dion Guthrie a private citizen within a few weeks. Joppa / Edgewood will be a better place for it.

• 46 DisapointedREPUB // Sep 19, 2006 at 6:30 pm

  terrance, you had my vote when Gallion didn’t get in.

• 47 TerenceCox // Sep 20, 2006 at 6:30 am

  Candidates Night Thursday 9/21 7pm @ Darlington Volunteer Fire Department. Excellent opportunity to hear the candidates in District D
  Sponsored by the Dublin/Darlington Community Assoc.
  Come up and introduce yourself to me especially if you have responded
  on this site
  Thanks for the vote
  Candidate Cox

• 48 Common sense // Sep 20, 2006 at 11:57 am

  John Kantorski, looking at all the election results on the likn on this site, everyone looked like an 800 pound gorilla next to you. Neuman got 2x the votes you did, Mullis over 3x the votes, Coates over 4x the votes, Biggs over 6x the votes, and Guthrie over 15x the votes. Yes Biggs did win the nomination for his party by over 300 votes over Mullis, and over 600 over you, finishing around 800 total votes for Biggs. Guthrie had around 1900 votes, over 3x the runner up in his party. More votes that all 3 Republicans put together! If you don’t think that gives him momentum, then you are fooling yourself. I am nore trying to be rude, but wake up. The numbers speak for themselves. Democrats came out in much larger numbers than Republicans. Guthrie had the largest margin of victory. None of this is opinion, but all fact.

  Just because he barely won 4 years ago has no bearing on this election. Just ask Bush, he didn’t even win the popular vote in 2000, yet he still won in 2004. So that right there sinks your theory about Guthrie win by 60 votes last year.

• 49 DownwithDion // Sep 20, 2006 at 1:15 pm

  Common sense,

  I’m not sure if you know this, but we don’t have an electoral college for county council elections.

• 50 PolJunk // Sep 20, 2006 at 2:42 pm

  Hesleton was the incumbent in ‘02. Guthrie came from relative obscurity (at least from my perspective) to defeat her by 60 votes in a democratic district (incumbency does usually have its advantages, and I’d bet he would have done much better had the seat been open). Being that he’s the incumbent in ‘06, it stands to reason that he’ll have a much less stressful go of it in the General this time, but I really don’t have much of a feel for that district.

• 51 Common sense // Sep 20, 2006 at 3:50 pm

  DownwithDion, I am aware of that, the point I was making was that final vote totals mean nothing from one election to the next. What someone won or lost by in one election has absolutely no bearing on the next election. A lot changes in 4 years. Dion has a lot more supporters than 4 years ago.

• 52 Northern Harford Wake Up Call // Sep 21, 2006 at 12:52 pm

  Is anyone at all skeptic about a democratic candidate coming on this discussion board and trying to sway republican voters? What would we do if one of our candidates was kissing up to the dem blog readers? Doesn’t it seem interesting that Cox has said “I have the support and votes of several of the republican candidates that lost in the primary,” which to me clearly points to (his daughter’s boyfriend) Gallion? If Gallion is supporting Cox, is he just throwing away his ties to the Republican Party? Ask yourselves some questions, people. If it seems sneaky, think about it.

• 53 PolJunk // Sep 21, 2006 at 1:42 pm

  ^ Maybe Gallion just knows what Shrodes/Gore is all about?

• 54 TerenceCox // Sep 21, 2006 at 2:17 pm

  Candidate Cox is just speaking the facts. I also said several republican candidates are voting and supporting me in the general. I think Jason Gallion has been a republican for a long, long time and will stay a republican for a long, long time. Anybody who has attended the Candidate Nights will know that my daughter is dating Jason. He mentioned it and I mentioned it. Nothing sneaky here.

• 55 stunned // Sep 21, 2006 at 3:03 pm

  Cox has my vote. Didn’t support Gallion in the primary. Didn’t support Shrodes either (and I think anyone who has met him personally – which I encourage ANYONE to actually speak with the guy). Won’t give my vote to Shrodes even if I do have to vote for a Democrat.

• 56 harfrep // Sep 21, 2006 at 5:44 pm

  NHWUC-

  I don’t know if I would call it sneaky. Perhaps Mr Cox is trying to reach across party lines and let others know were he stands on the issues, and feels that this could be a forum to speak to the other side. I thought this was America and we all have the right to free speech. You can certainly choose not to read his or anyone else’s posts for that matter. As far as you dragging the mans daughter into the blog, I, for one, don’t know why it matters who she is dating. You insinuate a connection between Mr Cox and Mr Gallion and indicate some type of subterfuge afoot. What if Mr Gallion would have won the republican nomination?, he would be running against Mr Cox. Would it matter then who his daughter was or was not dating. Perhaps they would work out a plan where they would both win and share the council seat! I think bringing the issue up in the first place is “sneaky” on your part. My read on Mr Coxs post never mentions Mr Gallion. You, on the other hand, are quick to charge, try, and convict Mr Gallion and now have sentenced him to throwing away ties to his party, a party that he has worked hard for in the past. At least Mr Gallion is now, and was in the past, a registered republican. I think I will ask a few questions and become skeptical as to your motives……………..

• 57 TerenceCox // Sep 22, 2006 at 1:53 am

  I enjoyed the Candidates Night tonight at Darlington Volunteer Fire Company. I wish it was televised on cable. What a great forum!!
  I have changed my mind on several candidates. The District D race is the most critical for Harford’s long term future. District D races I am voting for include 10 local candidates. I am casting five votes for the democrats and five votes for the republicans. I vote based on a candidate’s background and platform and most importantly integrity. Voters should attend as many candidates nights as possible.
  Nobody attacked my family verbally tonight which includes my daughter and her boyfriend and myself at the forum. Instead they want to attack behind a web name. I was handed a mailer tonight that a republican candidate sent out before the primary to District D republican voters that was below the belt in my humblest opinion. If District D voters want that kind of represenation……..come on out to the next meeting and I’ll show you the flyer.
  Candidate Cox

• 58 Donna Stifler // Sep 22, 2006 at 7:10 am

  FYI: At last night’s candidate forum in Darlington, Jason and Amy Daney both pledged their 100% support to my campaign. They offered to help me in any way. This also includeds Jason’s girlfriend, Jessica Cox. This doesn’t sound like party-switching to me. Thank you to Jason, Amy, and Jessica. I will take you all up on your offer.

• 59 TerenceCox // Sep 22, 2006 at 10:26 am

  Endorsements:
  House of Delegates 35A – Vote for 2
  Craig DeRan – Democrat
  Donna Stifler – Republican

  Those are the 2 candidates that have my vote.

  Donna – you may put a sign on my lawn. Place it next to the DeRan sign on Dublin Road. Nice reference about the bible last night. It was perfect.

  Thanks to all who are defending my daughter’s honor and Jason’s reputation.

• 60 harfrep // Sep 23, 2006 at 9:21 pm

  hey NHWUC-

  What happened to you…fall asleep?????

• 61 Northern Harford Wake Up Call // Sep 25, 2006 at 11:58 am

  Please look at the post – I never said anything about Terry’s daughter! Yikes. I also take back what I said about Jason Gallion getting behind Cox’s campaign. You’re right, there is nothing to prove this.

  My point of frustration is that this blog has become something of an anti-Shrodes board and I think the negativity has gotten to me. Chad Shrodes has worked harder than any of his competitors and for the last four years has worked and worked HARD for the Republican party. I don’t think that switching parties in your twenties makes you a bad person, I think it makes you smart. The “Keep Us Rural” slogan that he’s adopted could mean that as a resident of the northern part of the county, he would rather keep the beauty of the area than look at beautiful farmland full of townhomes. There’s nothing wrong with that. I can’t think of many of us in this part of the county who don’t want that. If you do your research on the two candidates, you’ll find that Chad supports the rights of property owners. You have to be realistic, especially with a background in Harford County’s Planning & Zoning department.

  I guess my point was this… If Ann Helton came on this site trying to “reach across party lines and let others know were (s)he stands on the issues,” are you all telling me you wouldn’t have any problem with that? Come on.

• 62 harfrep // Sep 25, 2006 at 3:27 pm

  NHWUC-
  I guess your right about Ms Helton posting on the site, I am sure it would cause a stir. I for one don’t mind hearing from more of the local candidates as there is not as much information out there about them. I would like to see all of the candidates post here to explain their positions and give their ideas on the issues. Although sometimes these types of forums can get a little out of hand and the candidate could spend their time in heated exchanges.
  As for the “keep it rural” slogan. I think we all know where the slogan came from and the implication that it brings. While most folks certainly don’t want to look around and see hundreds of townhouses, I think it gives the impression that you are from the KUR camp and against any type of land development. Most of the KUR folks do not approve of “any” development, landowner rights be dammed. I think any person from the Northern section of Harford knows that and would not use the wording unless they wanted to hide or mis-lead. I just found it interesting that the slogan was used. I also don’t think it gives the impression that the user of the slogan is a supported of land owner rights or the slogan definitely would not have been used. I am not bashing here, just opining.

• 63 Where's Waldo/Chris? // Sep 26, 2006 at 10:36 am

  Last night at the Edgewood Senior center, the Community and most of the canidates running for office showed up to meet the Gaurdian Angels and to here them talk of their plans to come to Edgewood. Chris Biggs was a no show. I for one am very curious as to why he wasn’t there. I checked his website over, and there were no other community events listed for that date. And since the meeting was talked about at other events he was at, as long as he was paying attention, he knew of this meeting. Why miss such an important community meeting?

• 64 Trent // Sep 26, 2006 at 1:24 pm

  How about Joe Steffen, helping Donna Stifler. Now we know why things are such!

• 65 Susan // Sep 26, 2006 at 7:35 pm

  I’ve been reading for a while and now have some questions for you guys who comment and seem well versed. I’m not naive enough to trust every post from a candidate, but the blog seems like a perfect place to learn about them. No? Dems have the right idea by reaching across party lines to at least tip their hat. Maybe our candidates should do the same.

  Also, what’s this about Joe Steffen helping Donna Stifler? She has so much promise–why would she taint her campaign? She still has my vote, but many won’t be happy about the link.

• 66 MARK FISHER // Sep 27, 2006 at 12:51 pm

  Letter to the Editor:
  I have decided not to run as a write-in candidate for Harford County Executive. This was a difficult decision. However I am a realist. My evaluation shows that I would need approximately 10 to 15 thousand dollars within the next 2 weeks to mount an effective campaign. Since I did not use “voter vault” to target likely Republican voters, I talked to all citizens of Harford County equally, there may be an additional 4,000 supporters who couldn’t vote for me in the primary election. Even with this assumption, I would still need to get 50 percent of all the additional voters who come to the general election. That is unlikely.
  I would like to thank all of the 4282 people who had the confidence to vote for me, and all those who may have been waiting to vote for me in the general election. I would like to encourage all those who have thought about running for office to get out and try it. I think I have shown that it does not take a lot of money to run a campaign. In the words of Fran with Harford’s Heart, “every citizen – has the right (and possibly the obligation) to try to point out concerns that they feel the governing officials should address. By bringing these issues to the attention of their fellow citizens as well as the attention of the County government – one is not just exercising their Right as a citizen, they are also fulfilling their Obligation to BE a “good citizen” and to take responsibility for their place as a member of a free society”. The best part of my campaign has been the people I met, the newfound friends, and the thought that I could really make a difference in peoples lives, and change things for the better.
  I will keep my site up, as “The Harford County Watchdog” to make sure that whoever wins will spend our money wisely. Feel free to E-mail me at votemarkfisher@yahoo.com with important information and concerns you have regarding our government in the future.
  A few parting thoughts for my former opponents:
  David Craig is planning a new office building for his office while we have children in school trailers. That is the wrong use of our money right now. I would find a lower cost alternative. Even if it meant I would have to work out of a trailer until all school trailers are gone.
  I like that Ann Helton is helping to revitalize the route 40 corridor and preserve our natural resources, but I would like to know more about her detailed plan for dealing with crime, drugs, overcrowded schools, and under performing schools. I’d also ask David Craig what are the details of his plan for dealing with the above issues.
  Again, I would like to thank all those who supported me and to remind all voters that our government should be of the people, for the people and by the people of Harford County.
  Let’s remind whoever wins this election that they work for all the citizens of this county and will be held accountable to supply the solutions, and for every penny they spend.

• 67 Trent // Sep 27, 2006 at 5:14 pm

  You have got to admit, he did an amazing job. It was exactly like Ehrlich’s first primary win! He is a master!

• 68 independent educator // Sep 27, 2006 at 8:11 pm

  Susan-
  Trent is “blowng it out his (or her) skivvies”. If I were a suspicious person I would wonder if the name “Trent” has any significance in Joanne Parrot’s life… Trent appears to be a sore loser. I wouldn’t attach any credibility to such unsubstantiated, bitter commentary.

• 69 Susan // Sep 28, 2006 at 10:11 am

  That’s the trouble with the new internet age–no one has to look you in the eye anymore. Donna Stifler posts every once in a while, (at least I hope it’s really her!). I’ll ask her directlly:

  Donna,
  Did you bring on Joe Steffen to advise on your campaign?

  I am rooting for you–what can I tell my friends about your platform that’s not on your web site? From what I’ve heard, your being a teacher is a HUGE boost. You get it–we are concerned about our kids in classroom trailers, we need someone who knows what that is like! Where did you teach? Were you in a trailer?

  Again, I don’t mean to be naive–I just want to use this blog for good and not evil! Better to share positive information than ugly accusations. Remember people, the Dems have internet too.

• 70 Toni // Sep 28, 2006 at 5:28 pm

  Well, this is pretty obvious… Independent Educator sounds like a Stifler aka trying to divert attention by attacking the poster named Trent. Hitting a little too close to home??

• 71 Trent // Sep 28, 2006 at 6:06 pm

  Susan, Why do you think that Steffen’s work for Stifler taints her?

• 72 Liz // Sep 28, 2006 at 6:49 pm

  Hey there Educator – I disagree with your characterization. Del. Parrott was the FIRST and I think only County Council President. You are disresptful!

• 73 Liz // Sep 28, 2006 at 10:16 pm

  Stifler’s long-term career as a Pharmaceutical Saleswoman is very impressive. I bet those commission paid pretty well too!

• 74 hmmmm // Sep 29, 2006 at 6:59 am

  Ok, can anybody tell me what the major campaign issues were that led to Joanne Parrott losing? I know that she was pretty disliked for a while and that she had barely any real supporters. Was that what it was that led to her loss?

• 75 independent educator // Sep 29, 2006 at 7:04 am

  Oh Boy! Now I get to be a character in a conspiracy theory. ROFL!
  I actually have never met anyone from the Stiffler campaign- don’t even reside in that district. I DO however know JP. And she has been KNOWN to be “Hands On” vindictive. No “disrespt”- just a reality based observation.

• 76 Donna Stifler // Sep 29, 2006 at 7:36 am

  Susan,
  I did NOT use Joe Steffen in any way in my campaign. My campaign manager is Kevin Igoe. I have honestly never met Mr. Steffen.
  Thank you for your encouragement. I will continue to keep my website updated. Feel free to contact me directly via that site.

• 77 Susan // Sep 29, 2006 at 8:52 am

  I think the reason’s why it looks bad are obvious. But, are we sure he works on her campaign? It’s a waste of time to speculate about what we don’t know is true.

  Still waiting for confirmation from the source. Donna?

• 78 PolJunk // Sep 29, 2006 at 3:07 pm

  If Donna had contact with Steffen in a public venue around others, there is no way she would be so unwise as to categorically deny knowing or ever meeting him. This allegation appears false to me until supportive photographic evidence is produced. I say this only as a casual observer. I don’t even know if my second vote will go to her or Mr. DeRan just yet, so I’m hardly a staunch supporter trying to defend my candidate.

• 79 Think // Sep 29, 2006 at 5:30 pm

  Did anyone ever stop to think that “if” they did talk, that they didn’t exchange names? I have met a few of the canidates, and I know I didn’t even say my name to a few of them. So they would have no idea that they even talked to me. Besides it’s also “if” they did meet it’s possible that Joe only gave his first name. I’m sure Donna has met dozens of guys named Joe over the past few months, believe it or not it is a very common name.

  Donna,
  I would reccomend that you stop lowering yourself to posting in this blog. Most of the people that post here don’t have a clue as to what they are talking about. Also no matter what you say they will continue to make up things about you. Your time will be much better spent getting your message to the people, and not on this site talking to uninformed people with too much time on their hands whose opinion you won’t change no matter what you say. Good luck in the general election, you have my vote.

• 80 RepublicanTeamPlayer // Sep 29, 2006 at 9:49 pm

  Think,

  So true about this site. Very negative about Republicans. Donna would be wise to take your advice.

• 81 GOPerative // Sep 30, 2006 at 9:58 am

  RepublicanTeamPlayer,
  Donna is comfortable in her skin so I don’t think she needs to worry about her posts here. I have no respect for politicians who do not talk to regular people. It is true that some politicians should remain silent because they do not know how to control their emotions. Donna is not one of them. Most politicians stay in their bubble away from the commoners. Stifler has nothing to hide. This is a forum for her to discuss her ideas and issues. If she withdraws from the conversation she loses a decent size audience who want to hear what she has to say. I encourage all candidates to participate in the discussions here. Even if they use a different name. Encouraging someone to withdraw from the conversation is simply bad advice. Your comment about this site being negative about Republicans is just not true. I would never promote a democrat over a Republican on this site but I will be critical when I think it is necessary. It sounds like you would have us ignore our problems only to have them blow up in our faces in November. We have some serious problems as a Party and they need to be discussed. Your comments have been positive up to this point and I would not leave the discussion simply because you don’t like some of the remarks. We need to be tougher than that. We need to try to work together even when we disagree about certain things.

• 82 independent educator // Sep 30, 2006 at 11:30 am

  I so agree with Goperative on this one. Donna, please continue to be engaged. Many of us are here to become enlightened voters. We want to “hear” from our candidates.

• 83 Casual Observer // Oct 2, 2006 at 7:26 pm

  What is the story with this letter to the Sun about Reilly? I knew Reilly was a switcher, but so is everyone else.

  http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-ha.letter01oct01,0,1577727.story?coll=bal-local-harford

• 84 stunned // Oct 3, 2006 at 4:04 pm

  NHWUCS:

  What info do you have to support Shrodes’ extra “hard work”… which puts him in front of any other candidate’s efforts. I see a lot of family influence and money pushing him to where he is… and for the life of me can’t find a single attribute that I like. I keep going to the open forums hoping to change my mind… but it just seems to reinforce my original opinions. I think it was a name recognition campaign and can’t see it any other way. Has anyone other than myself spoken to him directly to get his views first-hand? Has anyone else heard him talk? He is “out there”…

  please someone – convince me otherwise… I want to hear from you..

• 85 Where's Waldo/Chris? // Oct 3, 2006 at 5:34 pm

  For the second week in a row Chris Biggs was a no show at a very important community meeting. This one was held by Jesse Bane where he presented his detailed plan the fight crime and gangs in the Edgewood area. Many othere elected officials were there, both Republican and Democrat, and those running for office. Once again there was no other events scheduled on his website. So where was he? If he wants to represent the people in the Joppatowne/Edgewood area, then he needs to make an appearance every once in a while. Right now, he is showing that he really doesn’t care enough to show up. This is not the person who I want to represent my community.

• 86 TerenceCox // Oct 5, 2006 at 9:14 am

  Harford Cable Network Information

  Program Details – Harford County Candidates Forum 2006

  Next Air Date: Sat, October 7 at 7:00 pm

  Details: Sponsored by the American Association of University Women and the League of Women Voters in Harford County in association with Harford Cable Network, candidates seeking to fill the positions for Harford County Council,Harford County Council President, Harford County Executive & Harford County Sheriff answer questions on how they intend resolve issues facing Harford County.Held on Thursday, September 28, 2006.
  ——————————————————————————-
  Additional Air Dates & Times:
  Sat. October 7, 2006 7:00 pm
  Sat. October 14, 2006 7:00 pm
  Sat. October 21, 2006 7:00 pm
  Sat. October 28, 2006 7:00 pm

  I pasted this from the HCN website.
  As a reminder I am running for the County Council District D seat.
  This was an excellent forum for candidates to get their message out.

  Also, my website is http://www.voteterencecox.com to help voters make an informed choice.

• 87 Where's Waldo/Chris? // Oct 12, 2006 at 12:01 pm

  Chris Biggs has pushed his string of no-shows to 3 weeks in a row by not attending the Edgewood Community Council. You know, the council he claims to be president of(even though he lied). Are you still running Chris? Do you care? Do you think you just going to walk into office without any effort? There are quite a few people who want to know why they should vote for you if you don’t even care enough to show up.

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