Sgt. David Betz, who has been with the Harford County Sheriff's Office for the last 20 years, has been named the department's new spokesman, authorities announced.
Since 2000, Betz has been the coordinator at the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, which investigates allegations of child molestation or abuse.
Betz was scheduled to begin his duties yesterday.
Lt. Christina Presberry, the previous spokeswoman, was promoted from sergeant and assigned new duties at the Southern Precinct.
Tax preparation training offered
The Harford County Department of Community Services will hold a training session for service providers to help low- and moderate-income families and individuals to learn about tax benefits they may be missing.
The session will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Aberdeen library branch.
Reservations are requested at 410-638-3389.
Hearing set for preservation plan
The Department of Planning and Zoning will hold a public meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Highland Presbyterian Church, 701 Highland Road, Street, to receive comments on the proposed Priority Preservation Area Plan.
The plan, which will become part of the county's Master Plan, is required by the Agricultural Stewardship Act of 2006.
The act requires that all counties participating in the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation program identify and establish a Priority Preservation Area as a condition for continued eligibility for land preservation funds.
The selected area has to be capable of remaining 80 percent preserved and must meet the requirements identified under the legislation.
The county is proposing to designate a portion of the Lower Deer Creek Valley as its Priority Preservation Area because almost 50 percent of the land is already protected by various preservation programs.
Information: 410-638-3103.
Tourism Advisory Board created
The Harford County Council recently enacted Harford County Bill No. 08-01, establishing a Harford County Economic Development Tourism Advisory Board, effective April 19.
It is a nonbinding advisory board consisting of 16 members to be appointed by the county executive, subject to confirmation by the Harford County Council.
