Former county police officer and longtime County Council Member Vincent Gardina, who represents the Perry Hall area, announced Monday night that he plans to run again for his fifth term.
The civil engineer, who has yet to formally file for election, announced his intentions Monday in a Perry Hall restaurant after touting his in-office accomplishments, including a community plan for Honeygo, seven new parks in Perry Hall, a Towson revitalization initiative and legislation to manage rental properties.
“I have made a significant difference and am very proud and humbled to have been such an important part of so many people?s lives,” said Gardina, a Democrat. “I have the experience and the record of accomplishment and know that I can continue to contribute my abilities to work for the communities in the fifth council district.”
Gardina will face Republican Wayne Skinner, a state employee who ran unsuccessfully for re-election in 2002 after serving on the council for one term. Skinner said Gardina?s announcement ended rumors that the incumbent was running for a seat in the state?s House of Delegates.
“He?s been in the council for 16 years and it?s time for change,” Skinner said. “We need fresh ideas and leadership.”
Skinner named the county?s development process and school overcrowding as top concerns, the latter also the target of one of Gardina?s initiatives. Gardina recently convinced county officials to audit school records to ensure non-county residents stay out of county schools.
OPPONENTS SO FAR
» District 2: Lisa Marquardt
» District 4: Penny McCrimmon
» District 5: Kathy Reiner Martin
» District 7: Bernice Myer
? Source: Baltimore County Board of Elections as of Monday
