Election Guide for Town of Bel Air 2015

Want election results emailed to you as soon as they come in? Sign up for the Bel Air Patch newsletter.

The municipal election for the town of Bel Air is upon us.

This year, there are five people running for three spots on the board of town commissioners:

• Susan U. Burdette
• Philip L. Einhorn
• Brendan P. Hopkins
• Diane E. Simmons
• Hunter M. Smith

Burdette is the only incumbent in the race. The two other incumbents whose terms are expiring—Edward Hopkins and Robert Reier—are not seeking reelection.

When and Where to Vote

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at Bel Air Town Hall, 39 North Hickory Avenue, in Bel Air.

To cast their ballots, citizens must be registered voters who have lived in the town of Bel Air for at least three weeks preceding the election and are not constitutionally prohibited from voting.

Meet the Candidates

Susan Burdette’s background includes a 35-year career at the Harford County Public Library, ultimately as the system’s community relations specialist, according to her biography. As a commissioner, she has worked with the cultural arts commission, downtown alliance, tree committee and planning commission. She lives in Major’s Choice.

Philip Einhorn has managed insurance employees professionally and worked with town commissioners locally on the effort to install a traffic light near his neighborhood of English Country Manor, according to The Aegis. He hopes to ensure police are well equipped and to keep an eye on taxes for the citizens, the paper reported.

Brendan Hopkins is a retired corporal with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office, The Aegis reported. According to the paper, his priorities include preserving open space and supporting local businesses in Bel Air, and he lives in Major’s Choice; he is reportedly unrelated to incumbent Edward Hopkins.

Diane Simmons wants to work on Bel Air’s downtown area and filling its vacant spaces, according to The Aegis, which reports she lives on North Reed Street.

Hunter Smith is pursuing a dual degree in legal studies and cybersecurity from the University of Maryland University College, according to his biography. He says he wants more people interested in government because it affects them. The 2010 graduate from C. Milton Wright describes himself as a fiscal conservative. He’s the only candidate who has a website and Facebook page for his campaign. The Harford County Education Association has endorsed him.

See the Ballot

What a Commissioner Does

Commissioners serve four-year terms, which are staggered. Elections happen every two years, on the odd-numbered years.

The job of the board of town commissioners involves overseeing planning, development, zoning, annexation, historic sites, historic rehabilitation and the town’s comprehensive plan, according to the town code.

Candidates must have lived in the town for at least six months immediately before the election and be at least 18 years old.

For more information about the Bel Air municipal election, call Town Hall at 410-879-2711.