FALLSTON, MD — Stephanie Flasch of Fallston has spent the past 15 years involved in community advocacy, nonprofit leadership and local boards, focusing on issues she considers important, such as traffic, schools and overdevelopment. She is running for Harford County Council District B.
Patch posed questions to each candidate running for office. Below you will find Flasch's responses, verbatim:
Name: Stephanie Flasch
Age on Election Day: 56
Hometown: Fallston, MD
Political affiliation: Republican
Email address: flaschforcountycouncil@gmail.com
Campaign website: stephanieflasch.com
Do you have any previous political experience? If so, please state and explain how that experience will influence your time in office if elected.
Over the past 15 years, I have been involved in community advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and local boards, focusing on issues including traffic, schools, and overdevelopment.
As part of the “Build It Now” campaign, I worked on the community outreach team to support efforts to fund and build the new Youth’s Benefit Elementary School, contributing to the efforts that resulted in approvals for a modern facility that opened in 2017, creating a safe, updated learning environment for students and teachers.
In 2019, when Harford County Public Schools faced a $15 million budget shortfall, I helped launch the “Fund 15” campaign. We brought the community together, including high school students, to advocate for school funding and worked with local leaders to secure $5 million, helping reduce cuts and protect classroom resources. I am committed to our communities priorities and have a proven track record of working with residents to address the issues that matter most and turn advocacy into action.
What do you believe is the single-most important issue facing voters in the district you’re looking to represent? How do you intend to address those issues?
Growth impacts nearly every concern residents raise—from traffic congestion and crowded schools to the loss of farmland, open space, and community character. If growth is not planned properly, infrastructure falls behind and the qualities that make Harford County a desirable place to live are put at risk. To address this issue, I will focus on three priorities: Protect. Plan. Preserve.
Protect our communities by directing development to appropriate areas where infrastructure already exists and by safeguarding farmland, forests, and natural resources from incompatible development.
Plan growth so roads, schools, public safety services, and other infrastructure keep pace with development. I will support land-use decisions that follow the County's Master Land Use Plan and Development Envelope rather than encouraging sprawl into rural areas.
Preserve Harford County's agricultural economy and rural character by working with farmers, agricultural leaders, and community stakeholders to protect productive farmland and strengthen local decision-making on land-use issues, including state policies that affect agricultural land.
Protect. Plan. Preserve. is the framework I will use to address this issue and guide my decisions on the County Council.
How do you differ from other candidates running against you?
What sets me apart is more than 15 years of community service, advocacy, and leadership on issues that directly impact our quality of life, including schools, infrastructure, land use, and responsible growth. I currently serve as the appointed Chair of the Fallston Community Advisory Board, which provides a forum for residents to share community concerns, encourages citizen participation, and serves as a liaison between residents and county government. I also serve on the Harford County Planning Advisory Board, where I provide input on capital projects, land use planning, and other matters based on the principles and goals established in the Harford County Master Land Use Plan.
In addition, I serve as President of Friends of Harford, a nonprofit organization dedicated to informing residents about land use and planning issues while coordinating community outreach and encouraging public participation in County Council decisions. I also served more than twelve years in the Army National Guard, earning the rank of Captain. That experience instilled a lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and accountability. Together, these experiences have provided me with a proven record of community service,
leadership, and advocacy.
How would your work experience benefit the goals/objectives you’ve outlined in your campaign and/or the office you’re seeking?
My experience has prepared me to serve on the County Council because I have spent more than 15 years working with residents on issues that affect our daily lives, including schools, roads, infrastructure, land use, and community growth. Through my work with community organizations, advisory boards, and local government, I have learned how to listen to different perspectives, bring people together, and work toward practical solutions. I understand how county decisions affect families, neighborhoods, and taxpayers.
As a County Council member, I will continue to listen to residents, ask questions, and make informed decisions that put our communities first. My goal is to be a strong voice for District B and ensure residents are part of the conversation before decisions are made.
What is your opinion of the work being done by the current office holder, and how will you improve on it?
I appreciate anyone who is willing to serve the community, and I recognize that the current office holder was appointed to fill a vacancy on the County Council. However, I believe there is an opportunity to strengthen communication between the County Council and residents and to involve the public earlier in the decision-making process.
For more than 15 years, I have worked alongside residents on issues involving growth, development, roads, and other community concerns. Through my work with local advisory
boards and community organizations, I have seen how important it is for residents to be part of the conversation and have their voices heard before major decisions are made.
If elected, I will focus on improving communication between the County Council and the communities it serves, making it easier for residents to stay informed and participate in the
decision-making process. Building public trust starts with listening to residents, sharing information early, and making sure community concerns are considered before decisions are
made. I also believe residents should have confidence that their elected officials are working for them. That is why I am not accepting developer contributions. County Council decisions should be guided by community priorities first.
How do you feel about the school system in your area and what improvements would you like to see be made?
Harford County is fortunate to have dedicated teachers, staff, and families who care deeply about student success. While the Board of Education oversees the school system, the County
Council is responsible for approving the county budget, including funding for our schools.
Education is one of the largest investments we make as a county, making those budget decisions especially important.
One improvement I would like to see is stronger coordination between development decisions and school capacity. Communities should not be surprised by overcrowded classrooms or strained resources because growth outpaced infrastructure. Growth, school capacity, and infrastructure should be considered together so we can plan responsibly for the future.
As a parent of an HCPS graduate and someone who has served in PTA leadership roles and worked in communities throughout Harford County, I understand the importance of providing students with a strong learning environment. As a County Council member, I will support long-term planning that helps ensure our schools and communities remain strong.
How do you feel about crime in your area and what steps can be taken to reduce it?
District B is generally a safe area, based on reports presented by the Harford County Sheriff's Office at Fallston Community Advisory Board meetings. Maintaining public safety requires
continued support for law enforcement, fire, EMS, and other public safety services, along with ongoing community involvement.
What do you think about the economic climate and business sector in your community, and what initiatives could propel it forward?
Harford County has a strong and diverse economy supported by small businesses, APG-related industries, agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. To keep our economy growing, we should continue supporting local businesses, attract new job opportunities in industries that are
compatible with our communities, strengthen workforce partnerships with our schools and Harford Community College, and make sure infrastructure keeps pace with job growth.
Farming remains an important part of Harford County's economy, heritage, and community character. I would like to see continued support for agriculture, local markets, and the growing agri-tourism sector, which creates opportunities for small businesses while helping preserve open space and rural character.
How do you feel about transportation options in the area and what, if anything, should be improved upon?
Transportation is a growing concern for many Harford County residents. Traffic congestion, road safety, and infrastructure that has not always kept pace with growth continue to affect daily travel throughout the county. We have also seen serious crashes on county roadways, making safety an important part of transportation planning.
Transportation planning should be closely connected to growth and development so infrastructure keeps pace with community needs. Priorities include supporting improvements
that address traffic congestion and safety concerns at intersections and roadways, while working with state agencies on major transportation corridors.
Funding should focus on maintaining and improving core infrastructure while ensuring growth, transportation, and long-term planning are considered together.
What else would you like voters to know about you?
I have a consistent record of standing up for our community. Harford County has been my home for more than 30 years. I've raised my family here, served 12 years in the Army National Guard, volunteered in our schools and community organizations, and spent more than 15 years working on land-use, planning, and community issues.
Long before I ever became a candidate, I was attending public meetings, asking questions, organizing residents, and working with elected officials to make sure community voices were
heard. I’ve spoken up when I believed decisions would negatively impact our neighborhoods and advocated for growth that reflects the priorities of the people who live here.
I’m running because I believe residents should have the strongest voice in shaping our community’s future, not developers or decisions made behind closed doors. That belief has guided my involvement for years and is the reason I am running for County Council District B.
Voters don’t have to wonder where I stand on issues because I already have a proven track record. My positions are not campaign promises made during election season; they are
positions I’ve consistently taken through years of community advocacy, outreach, and service. Harford County is my home. I am committed to protecting the character and quality of life of our communities. My focus is simple: protect our neighborhoods from overdevelopment, plan growth that fits our roads, schools, and budget, and preserve the farmland and open space that make Harford County special.
That’s also why I’m not accepting developer contributions. Residents deserve confidence that land-use and development decisions are being made independently and in the best interests of the community. My campaign is funded by the people of this community, and that’s exactly who I’ll represent on the County Council.
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