Columbia resident David Hlass said Thursday that he will seek the Republican nomination for Howard County Council?s District 2 seat, but the Republican Party isn?t exactly thrilled.
Hlass, 52, was voted off the Columbia Association board of directors in 2005 after a contentious term.
Brian Harlin, chairman of the Howard County Republican Party Central Committee, said many in the party support Fulton candidate Gina Ellrich.
Harlin said Hlass asked him recently to tell Ellrich to step aside.
“I called around and asked, and the people who do know him cringed,” Harlin said.
“He thinks he can win a district-wide race, when he can?t even win in his own neighborhood.”
While on the association?s board, Hlass was:
» Banned from the Long Reach Shopping Center after the center?s owner said Hlass threatened him.
» Suspended from Columbia Association health clubs afterarguing with a gym?s manager during a bike class.
» Banned from the Howard County Public School System.
Hlass was found guilty March 23 in Howard County District Court of second-degree assault and trespassing on school property after he attempted in September to see his estranged daughter, who works at a Howard County school, court documents state. Hlass made an initial appearance in Howard County Circuit Court on Monday, appealing that decision.
Hlass said he was unfairly treated in each case, and he merely was standing up for what?s right ? going to bat for mistreated shopping center employees; insisting that proper gym rules be followed; and trying to see his daughter at her school.
In an interview Thursday, Hlass, a former U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, said that he was the best candidate, and that his opponents are inexperienced. He compared himself to current Council Members Kenneth Ulman, Christopher Merdon and Guy Guzzone. “I?ll put my credentials with Ulman, Merdon, Guy Guzzone and any candidate,” he said.
Ellrich and Democratic Council Member Calvin Ball, the incumbent in District 2, said they welcome the comparison to Hlass.
“Anybody can take a look at our qualifications and make the decision themselves about who is more qualified,” Ellrich said.
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