Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly delivers county address to local business community

Jason Fontelieu, The Aegis, Bel Air, Md.
·2 min read

Feb. 24—Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly delivered a State of Harford County address to the local business community at a Thursday luncheon hosted by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.

Cassilly said he's been busy "defending the county charter," referring to the ongoing litigation against Harford County Council member Jacob Bennett, who has been blocked from attending council meetings by the Harford Circuit Court. A lawsuit filed by the county challenges Bennett's eligibility to serve on the council while employed as a Harford County Public Schools teacher.

"Our county charter says you can't serve on the Board of Education and also on the County Council," Cassilly said.

The charter provision in question states a "council member shall not hold any other office of profit or employment in the government of the State of Maryland, Harford County, or any municipality within Harford County." The lawsuit has largely revolved around whether or not an HCPS teacher is considered a government employee, whether it be the state or county government.

"I know some jurisdictions in the state say, 'That's OK,'" Cassilly said. "We don't say that in Harford."

Cassilly also discussed other goals as county executive, including enhancing minority participation, overhauling 911 and EMS operations and prioritizing various types of tourism, including agricultural, sports and waterfront tourism.

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The Morning Sun

He also discussed the Southern County Task Force he's assembled to prioritize issues in the southern part of the county.

"No one can convince me that we don't have unique, both challenges and opportunities, along the Route 40 corridor," Cassilly said.

He also discussed his goal of strategic growth, including the recently introduced County Council bill that, if passed, would place a temporary moratorium on warehouse development in the county.

Cassilly also discussed current economic uncertainties.

"Our local economy seems to be chugging along pretty nicely, but there's some issues on the horizon," he said. "Inflation is here, and talk of a recession is not letting up in anything that I'm reading."

Cassilly said the county has a structural deficit of $57 million and he's operating with "fiscal austerity."

"We're not looking at laying off any employees, but what we are looking at is, the sugar high is over," he said.