HARFORD COUNTY, Md. — Harford County Executive Barry Glassman announced a 32 percent decline in opioid fatalities, unprecedented partnerships for public safety and coastal resilience in annual State of the County.
While reviewing the county's fiscal condition, Glassman said that Harford was "one of the few suburban counties to regain its standing following the great recession without levying new taxes or raising tax rates."
He stated that education remains a top priority as Harford County's $10.7 million increase for public education this year was the fourth highest in the state.
Reporting the latest state figures on opioid overdoses, County Executive Glassman said that "fatalities in Harford had declined 32% in the first nine months of 2019 versus the same period in 2018. The drop was the largest of the “Big 7” Maryland jurisdictions. Nonetheless, the county executive remained vigilant."
Glassman also announced a partnership among his administration, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the city of Havre de Grace on a living shoreline project.
On another point, he announced Maryland’s first student loan repayment assistance program for college graduates who serve as volunteer fire or EMS responders in Harford County.
“Instead of dividing people by their politics, race and religion, Harford County is choosing to build bridges,” he said. Quoting Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to always keep moving, County Executive Glassman added, “Indeed, Harford County will move forward together in this new decade.”
