Office Sought:   County Council District E           

Name:   Richard C. Slutzky   

Age:   63

Marriage Status:   Married  

Website:   www.coachslutzky.com                                                        

Education: 

BS & MS Syracuse University, +30 Towson University

Work Experience: 

39 years Teacher, Coach, Department Chairman, 31 years at Aberdeen H.S.

Political Offices Held: 

Harford County Council Dist. E,  2 years Council Vice-president 

Brief Biography: 

I was born in St. Louis , Missouri in 1943, one of three sons of Mary and Jerry Slutzky.  I attended school in California and New York , graduating from Plainedge H.S. in 1960.  My college experience was at Syracuse University , attending on an athletic scholarship.  Upon graduation I served in the United States Marine Corps and started my careen in education.  My wife Linda and I have three sons and four grandchildren who live in Harford County . 

1.   Why are you running for this office?  

I have always believed in the American democratic process of representative government.  I ran in 2002 because I believed I could be an advocate for the citizens of District E and be an effective legislator.  I Think that I have been successful for the most part and want to continue to work for the people of Harford County.

2.   If you are elected, what do you intend to do to improve the quality of education in Harford County ?

The most effective thing I can try to do to improve Harford County education is to put a capable, qualified, and content teacher in every classroom, and give them adequate facilities to work in.  In order to attract and retain these quality professionals I will work to keep their salary schedule competitive with other districts in the region and I will continue to work to improve the retirement conditions.  It will also be imperative to try and develop a revenue stream that can provide funding for additional school capacity requirements. 

3.  What do you intend to do to prepare Harford County for the influx of 30000 new jobs from BRAC? 

If re-elected I intend to work closely with the next Council to evaluate a comprehensive rezoning plan that can balance the needs of residential and commercial development required for BRAC with the quality of life expectations of Harford citizens.  If we want to put development inside the “envelop” we will have to build school capacity to come out of moratoriums.  If we want to reduce traffic congestion and commute problems we will need to improve roads and provide alternate transportation methods.  None of this will be easy or cheap.           

4.   What in your mind is the biggest problem facing Harford County as it enters the twenty first century and how do you expect to correct this problem?  

The most difficult problem facing County Government in the extended future is to balance the growth issue with the rural-agricultural heritage of Harford County .  We will need to increase our efforts to preserve farm land and to develop park land.  Government will have to figure out how to re-develop run down areas, how to attract more preservation dollars, and how to keep the  agricultural economy viable.  I don’t have the answers to how to accomplish these ends but I will work with the best and the brightest to find workable solutions.