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March 10, 2010 - Campaign Marches Forward with Latest Event!

Our campaign continues to march forward with our latest event in late February. Hosted by David and Mary Marker, longtime respected Democratic activists in Howard County, our campaign nearly doubled its cash-on-hand and received enthusiastic support from a broad cross-section of supporters. On hand were State Delegates Guy Guzzone (who introduced Byron), Shane Pendergrass, and Frank Turner (District 13), as well as County Council member Jen Terrasa (District 3), Columbia Democratic Club President Abby Hendrix, candidate for the House of Delegates Maryann Maher (District 9A), numerous members of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, and dozens of active Howard County Democrats. We were extremely grateful for such an immense outpouring of support. As Byron stated during his remarks:

Democrats need to stand united in this election so that we can continue doing what Democrats do best: change government in a way that improves the daily lives of our friends and neighbors.

Take a moment to look at some pictures from the event:

marker event photo

September 23, 2009 - News of Our Campaign Reported by the Howard County Times

I have officially filed as a candidate for Register of Wills, and the Howard County Times is the first to report on our campaign and the upcoming election.

Democrat throws hat in ring for Register of Wills
By Sarah Breitenbach for the Howard County Times (Link to Article)

Byron Macfarlane, a Democrat from Woodstock, is the first to file his candidacy in the 2010 Register of Wills election.

Macfarlane, a member of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, said if elected he will revamp the Register of Wills' Web site and make the office more visible to the public.

"The infrastructure is already there in the state to do that," he said. "I feel that better educating the public and making the office more visible and accessible are things that I would do differently than were done in the past."

The register's office appoints representatives to manage estates of the deceased and serves as the clerk to the county's Orphans Court.

Macfarlane holds degrees from the University of Baltimore School of Law and the University of Maryland.

He also served as legislative director for then-state Del. Peter Franchot, of Montgomery County, from 2004 to 2006.

"I'm running because I want to take the office to the next level," Macfarlane said. "I have a passion for estate law. It's what I studied in law school. For me it's (about) protecting people."

Incumbent Kay Hartleb, a Republican from Ellicott City, has not filed for re-election, but said she plans to run for a seventh term.

"I love my job and I just want to continue giving the good service my office is famous for," she said.

Hartleb cited technological advancements, including converting paper records to electronic form, as among her administration's accomplishments.

"I think anybody who has dealt with our office will tell you we try to be so helpful and caring in dealing with someone who has recently lost a loved one," she said.

August 28, 2009 - Fun in the Sun Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who helped make the "Fun in the Sun" fundraiser a great success. We had a great time and it was a great day for pictures (click here to see more)! Hope to see all of you at the next one!

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July 24, 2009 - What is the Register of Wills?

This is the first question most friends and neighbors ask when I mention our campaign. The Register of Wills is the clerk of the Orphans’ Court, charged with appointing personal representatives to administer estates and for overseeing the proper and timely administration of these proceedings. The Register assists and advises the public in the preparation of all required forms, maintains and preserves a permanent record of all proceedings, tracks estates and refers delinquent matters to the Court, collects inheritance taxes and probate fees, and audits estate and guardian accounts. The office of Register of Wills is a constitutional office and has been held by such notable statesmen as Governor Edwin Warfeld.