The Harford Park Community Association in Parkville held a candidate forum for the District 8 candidates for House of Delegates (Democratic Delegates Nick Allen, Harry Bhandari & Kim Ross and their Republican opponents Glen Geelhaar and Steve Riemer) and the Maryland State Senate (Democratic Senator Carl Jackson and his Republican opponent Yahu Blackwell)
The rules of the event included candidates were not allowed to attack each other as this was not a debate.
The moderator asked questions pertaining to the Parkville area, countywide issues and all of Maryland.
Some of the topics included housing. school, overcrowding, energy costs and crime.
Allen said the number one issue that causes an increase in the cost of living is housing.
“We need to build more housing. Marylanders need to live where they work,” Allen said.
Riemer believes the best way to improve housing is by not raising taxes and fees but lowering property taxes.
The topic of the overcrowding of Overlea High School was discussed. Jackson said something needs to be done since there are 18 trailers at Overlea and wants the county to build a new northeast high school.
Geelhaar took a different approach to alleviating school overcrowding. He suggest turning the old Golden Ring Middle School on Kenwood Avenue into a trade high school.
According to Geelhaar, there is not enough money in the budget to build a brand new high school.
There was discussion on juvenile crime. Ross wants to address the police shortage in Baltimore County.
Jackson wants more accountability on juvenile crime. He said legislation has been passed but wonders if it’s working
“I would like to see more teeth on some of the legislative we passed,” Jackson said.
His Republican opponent Yahu said the school systems failed youth and explained students need to learn more skills in school.
“Education is pipeline from school to prison,” Blackwell added.
Riemer said juveniles are not punished enough for committing crimes.
“The juveniles committing adult crimes are still being treated as juveniles,” he added.
Higher energy costs were also discussed. Jackson stated today’s high rates are a result of deregulation of BGE in the early 2000s.
Geelhaar and Blackwell disagreed and blamed the rate increase on legislation passed such as the Climate Solution Act and they believe more power plants need to reopen to help create more energy in Maryland.
After the forum, a meet and greet was held with community members
“The District 8 team joined the Harford Park Community Association’s candidate forum this week to talk about safety, housing, affordability, and more. Thanks for the opportunity to share some of my work on your behalf and my vision for District 8,” Ross said after the forum.
Blackwell also appreciated the opportunity to meet with the community.
“I truly enjoyed that we did get the opportunity to collectively speak to so many of our constituents in District 8,”
Blackwell told eastcountytimes.com.
“Sometimes it’s important to lay eyes on who your representatives are, and have the opportunity to hear our voices and witness live interactions, That was important for me.”