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Residents urge support for Churchville library, sports complex

First Harford County Council budget hearing sparsely attended

BY BRYNA ZUMER

Posted 5/04/11

A group of parents and teenagers asked the Harford County Council to increase funding for the county library system so a project to build a Churchville branch along with a sports complex can move forward.

The group of about 18 people with plenty of signs made up the majority of attendees at the council’s first public hearing on its proposed 2012 budget, held Wednesday night at North Harford High School.

Steve Cornelison, a Bel Air resident who said he has worked for parks and recreation in the gymnastics department for 28 years, asked the council to support the longtime, original plan for the Churchville complex.

Harford County Public Library announced recently that any work on a Churchville branch will be postponed until 2017 because of tight finances.

“There has been a lot of support that has been quietly percolating,” Cornelison said, adding he has a petition with more than 500 signatures.

“I believe we can get many more than this,” he said.

Although most of the audience members were with the gymnastics program, Cornelison said support for the complex was coming from a variety of sports programs.

Stephanie DuCote, of Pylesville, said she heard the library was considering building a science center at the Aberdeen branch instead of in Churchville, but she said Churchville would be the perfect site, with its proximity to Harford Community College.

“I am all for the current location, as it stands. I think it’s ideal,” she said.

Other than the Churchville library supporters, only a handful of residents came to North Harford to speak about the budget.

A couple people talked generally about fiscal conservatism, but even their comments seemed to acknowledge that the county is doing fairly well as far as fiscal matters go.

Pat McGrady, of Aberdeen, reminded the council that many people are still out of work, but did not have much criticism.

“I thank you for the fiscal responsibility you all have shown,” she said.

She urged council members to continue trying to conserve resources.

“I don’t have all the answers,” she said. “I do appreciate that you guys are listening.”

Randy Cerveny, head of the Harford County Education Association, asked again for raises for teachers and general support for the county’s educators.

He reminded the council that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week.

“The human element, the teacher, is the difference,” he said about what makes for student success.

Cerveny said Harford teachers are the third least paid in the state, and the least paid in the Baltimore area.

Several others also talked in support of the library system.

Stephanie Stone, of Street, said the Whiteford library is a major asset for her area and encouraged the council to keep funding it.

“The Whiteford library is a pillar of our community,” Stone said. “The library is an amazing resource. It’s pleasant, the people really want to help you... I find that amazing.”