On Thursday, Harford County Executive Barry Glassman delivered his final public address as county executive after two terms in office. The speech took place at the Harford County Chamber of Commerce’s “Finishing Harford Strong” luncheon.
By county law, Glassman was unable to run for a third term. A Republican, Glassman is running for state comptroller against state Del. Brooke Lierman, a Democrat.
In his speech, Glassman touted his various accomplishments in office, such as the historically low rates for selling bonds. He said he is most proud of the opening of the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center to help combat opioid addiction, and the work he’s done with historic preservation.
“The next county executive, we’ve left them in a very good fiscal posture,” Glassman told The Aegis. “When I came into office, we literally worried about how we we’re going to keep the [Master Water and Sewer Plan] operating.
“[The next county executive is] going to have a great deal of opportunity in front of them, but we do have a lot of work to do with the new economy, figuring out as a growing suburban county how we’re going to build a job base for the next generation.”
State Sen. Bob Cassilly won the Republican primary for county executive over Glassman’s chief adviser Billy Boniface. Cassilly, who has strong countywide support, will face Democrat Blane Miller III in the general election.
Cassilly was in attendance at the luncheon. During his address, Glassman spoke direct to Cassilly saying, “I’m sure you’re going to do a good job.”
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Glassman, who won the 2018 general election with 67.4% of the vote, then thanked the crowd for allowing him to live out his dreams of being a public servant, to which the room responded with an overwhelming standing ovation.
Theresa Felder, president of Harford Community College, followed Glassman’s address by announcing the Barry Glassman Public Servant Scholarship, to be awarded annually to an HCC student studying political science and wishing to pursue a career in public service.
Felder said $50,000 had already been raised toward the $100,000 endowment goal, and Angela Rose, president and CEO of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce, announced a pledge of $1,000 toward the scholarship.
Glassman was also presented with a governor’s citation on behalf of Gov. Larry Hogan, who was invited but could not attend the luncheon.
As he prepares to leave office, Glassman said he felt “content.”
“It is a tough job,” he said. “It’s 24/7. If you’re not doing something, it’s on your mind. I’ve enjoyed it. I have no regrets. I’ve enjoyed every day.”