🗳️ Election Moves & Political Positioning
- Bel Air Board of Commissioners: Two seats are up for grabs in the November 4, 2025 election. Candidate filings are open until September 19, and the race is expected to draw attention given recent zoning and development debates.
🧨 Feuds, Flashpoints & Fallout
- County Executive Bob Cassilly:
- Sent legislation to approve 18 of 65 zoning change requests under the 2024/25 Comprehensive Zoning Review.
- Proposed increased impact fees on developers to fund school expansion.
- Continues to clash with the Sheriff’s Office. Especially after the rescue of 44 dogs from deplorable conditions in Whiteford. Sheriff Gahler called it “the most disgusting case we’ve dealt with”. No arrests yet, but charges may be coming.
- Board of Education:
- Voted to ban Flamer, an award-winning illustrated novel, sparking protests from parents, teachers, and advocacy groups. The decision was made in a closed-door session and is the first formal book ban under a new review process.
🏛️ Legal & Legislative Ripples
- Harford County Schools:
- Selected as one of six “bellwether” cases in a national lawsuit against social media companies for alleged harm to children. This could bring national attention. Not to mention scrutiny of the district’s leadership.
- Wrongful Conviction Lawsuit:
- John Norman Huffington, who spent 32 years in prison, is suing Harford County and estates of former officials for allegedly wrongfully convicting him twice. He was framed for a crime ythhat he did not commit by States Attorney Joseph Cassilly the brother of the current County Executive Robert “Bob” Cassilly.
I incorrectly mentioned Deputy Aaron Penman and the issues he has with CEX Cassilly. Penman had nothing to do with this. He is a good guy and sooner oor later I will find out why Cassilly fears him.
🌟 Good News & Community Moves
- Public Works Director Joe Siemek was named 2024 Engineer of the Year by the County Engineers Association of Maryland.
- Sheetz Grand Opening in Bel Air drew crowds and donations of $2,500 each to the Maryland Food Bank and Special Olympics of Maryland.
- Park System Plans: Harford County released public input on a proposed 1,200-acre park system between Aberdeen and Havre de Grace.