The Harford County Council convened Monday to meet with three nominees for the vacant District A council seat after the November removal of former member Dion Guthrie.

The nominees, Nolanda Robert, Heather Kantos and Zack Frink, had three minutes each to speak before the council before answering questions posed primarily by council member Jacob Bennett, a Democrat who represents District F.

Council members are scheduled to vote during their next legislative session on Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 212 S. Bond St., Bel Air on who will fill the remaining two years of Guthrie’s term. Council members earn $54,112 annually, according to the county’s fiscal 2025 budget.

In November, Guthrie entered a plea of “no contest” to charges that he stole funds from a union in Baltimore County that he led for more than 50 years, triggering his removal from the council by order of the state constitution.

Nominees were selected by the Harford County Democratic Central Committee which, after an application period, selected candidates on Dec. 18. Per county charter, since Guthrie was a Democrat, the Democratic Central Committee was expected to submit at least three nominees to the council for their consideration.

Nolanda Robert 

Robert ran against Guthrie and Maryann Connaghan Forgan for the District A seat in the 2022 primary election, and lost to Guthrie by 352 votes.

During her comments, Robert said she worked in the courts for 18 years in Cecil County where she managed budgets that exceeded $500,000. She said her background in managing budgets has helped her understand that every dollar in a budget must be used “wisely, equitably and strategically” to foster long-term growth.

Robert said she also has more than 30 years of experience advocating for under-served communities, creating impactful programs and managing resources.

“I understand our community’s challenges — especially in District A,” Robert said. “I understand the [county] budget constraints mean we cannot fully fund every initiative, but we can ensure that every initiative receives fair and meaningful support.”

Examples of initiatives Robert gave were improving transportation to connect residents to each other, jobs and resources; increased school funding to provide better opportunities for students; mental health services and addiction recovery services to support struggling families; affordable housing initiatives; and enhanced school security.

Robert, who owns her own therapy business, said her vision for District A is increased economic growth and sustainability that brings increased revenue and more jobs to not only the district, but the county.

Robert is the vice chair of the Harford County Democrat Club, a member of the Harford County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Advisory Council and a board member of the Harford NAACP. She is also the president of the Maryland Chapter of the Association of the Family and Conciliation Courts.

“I am ready to bring my decades of experience in budget management, program development and advocacy to the Harford County Council,” Robert said. “Together we can address our challenges, unlock economic opportunities and build a stronger, more inclusive and sustainable future for District A and all of Harford County.”

Heather Kantos 

Kantos runs her own daycare business and serves as a legislative aide to District F council member Jacob Bennett.

Through her work as a legislative aide, Kantos said she has assisted in drafting and reading legislation; navigated budget cycles; participated in community engagement; and advised Bennett on policy strategies while working to address constituents’ concerns.

“I have developed good working relationships with our County Council members and their aides, the rest of the staff and directors of various county departments,” Kantos said. “Because of this, I have knowledge of the County Council operations that will allow me to hit the ground running and be an effective leader from day one.”

Kantos has volunteered in Edgewood and runs the Adopt a Road and Adopt a Park program on Brookside Drive near the Edgewood Community Center. She has also volunteered with the PTA at Old Post Road Elementary, the NAACP, the Cub Scouts and has partnered with 755 Alliance on community cleanups.

If appointed, she said her priorities would be:

  • Community development and neighborhood revitalization.
  • Collaborating with the Southern County Task Force to advocate for the needs of District A through federal funding.
  • Revisiting the livability code to ensure it enforces timely repairs and better protections for tenants.
  • Economic development and job creation to address empty storefronts.
  • Advocating for the Joppatowne community center as well as transportation enhancements.
  • Working to protect Abingdon Woods from distribution centers.
  • Promoting public access to waterways and environmental stewardship.
  • Focusing on smart growth and zoning to find inconsistencies that have led to more comprehensive rezoning requests in the Joppatowne area.

“I am ready to hit the ground running, leveraging my experience with the County Council and my relationships in the community and my passion for service to make a meaningful impact from day one,” Kantos said.

Zach Frink 

Frink is a former news producer and communications specialist and works as a union organizer.

“I want to serve on the County Council to ensure that Harford remains a place where I can raise my family,” Frink said.

Frink said he has led a statewide coalition focused on drug decriminalization; formed a union at his workplace; and organized research meetings with legislators in the General Assembly.

Frink has served as a public relations specialist for school systems and local governments; provided communication consulting services for small businesses and nonprofits; worked as a local news producer; and served as a communications manager for a city council candidate.

Before Monday night’s meeting, Frink said he took time to talk with council members and their staff and said a recurring theme was the need for improved communication among officials.

“My background in communications has prepared me for this challenge,” Frink said.

With unionization efforts at Harford Community College and a variety of other unions under the various sections of the county budget, Frink said supporting unions will be one of his priorities, should he be appointed.

“I support the right to organize whether it is county employees or the private sector,” Frink said. “One of my priorities would be increasing union density in Harford.”

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