Harden Calls Tax Issues 'Ancient History'
Gordon Harden started an interview Friday with a question of his own:
"Do you think I am a tax cheat?" Harden asked me.
For the next hour the newest of two candidates for the board of the Baltimore County Revenue Authority revisited with me his business-related tax issues. Those court filings were part of his unsuccessful 2010 County Council campaign and have resurfaced as his appointment is being considered.
Those issues have also caused some elected officials to question the appointment and threaten to disband the authority.
Harden, a former independent insurance broker, was subject to 60 state and federal tax liens he said stemmed from essentially 12 cases. There's also the issue of housing code violations related to garages on properties he owned in Baltimore City.
A bad economy, a divorce and his own pride contributed to his problems, he said.
In a sometimes emotional interview, Harden said he made no excuses and blamed no one but himself for his problems. He said he understands why the public might question his appointment.
"I understand people are going to be skeptical," said Harden. "I understand people are going to be pissed, too."
"In a convoluted way, I managed my business," said Harden. "I managed it with the assets I had and I got through it. I don't recommend it though."
Harden paid off the last of the tax issues in 2006 and later sold the business.
"In my mind it's ancient history," said Harden. "It's behind me."
Also in the interview, Harden talked about his love of planning—he was a member of the county Planning Board for 13 years—and how the Revenue Authority could be involved in building more parking garages for mixed-use developments and draw people into downtown Towson.
He also said he disagreed with a decision by the authority to sell a parking lot in Parkville known as the Lavender lot, saying that the public and area businesses opposed it.
"The biggest thing is that it's the people's lot and the people in the community did not want it sold," said Harden.
I'll have more on the Harden interview later.
JDStuts
2:33 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
"In a convoluted way, I managed my business," said Harden. "I managed it with the assets I had and I got through it. I don't recommend it though."
That's kind of the point. I think we are looking for a candidate with a better record of success to manage public assets. If he screws up here he walks away and the taxpayers foot the bill for the shortcomings of his own "pride."
johnny towson
2:48 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
Considering Mr. Harden's life since those issues, he is a decent man, a good person; not to mention tough. JD, my dollar says he rises to the occasion on this one and serves Baltimore County well. Mr. Harden's biggest challenge will be his decision to speak up or shut up. My guess is he will speak up and bring more than a rubber stamp.
Bart
8:49 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
It seems as though Mr. Harden has been through some tough times and has come out with his head up.
He has some enemies in the County. Before the 2010 primaries, I received, in the mail, a packet of copies of all of Harden's tax and property records, sent by an anonymous source. I thought it was sleazy for whoever sent the information to try and run this guy through the mud. After reading this interview, I feel much better about Mr. Harden, and I wish him well.
He just might be someone with a strong enough backbone to move Baltimore County away from the same old, same old.