Bel Air Voter Guide 2025: Town Commissioner Candidates, Polling Hours

BEL AIR, MD — Residents will head to the polls Nov. 4 to fill two seats on the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.

Candidates include chair Paula Etting, whose four-year term ends next month, and she is seeking another term.

Current board member Mary Chance is not seeking re-election, but Matthew Gullion and Gavin Hanley are both running for a seat on the board.

Polls will open Election Day at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. at Bel Air Town Hall, 39 North Hickory Ave.

Town Clerk Michael Krantz told Patch that unofficial results will be announced in person and shared with the candidates at Town Hall after they are counted, then posted online later Tuesday night. Official results will not be available until a couple of weeks later.

The following individuals have completed the certificate of candidacy, financial disclosure statement, been approved by the Board of Ethics and paid the filing fee, declaring their intent to run for the office of Town Commissioner in the upcoming election:

• Paula S. Etting *incumbent
• Matthew F. Gullion
• Gavin O. Hanley

Etting, 66, an attorney said these issue(s) are most important to Bel Air residents and how she would address them:

"The most pressing issue facing our town is managing growth while preserving our small-town family-friendly character. If re-elected, I will continue to work:

• to protect our small-town values
• to keep our town a family friendly place to live
• to encourage economic growth that maintains our town’s character
• and to support our police in keeping our streets and neighborhoods safe."

" We chose Bel Air to raise our children because it is a safe and welcoming community. I am running for re-election because I want to preserve that same experience for future generations," Etting said.

Gullion, 43, an associate pastor, said these are the most important issues to residents:

• Responsible growth and development – Balance future development with common-sense planning that protects small-town charm and revitalizes key properties like Harford Mall.
• Public safety and staffing – Address upcoming retirements in police and public works with proactive recruitment, retention, and leadership development.
• Infrastructure preparedness – Strengthen roads, services, and safety systems to meet growing demands.
• Senior support – Develop initiatives for senior safety, accessibility, and community connection.

"I believe in hands-on preparation and training, strategic staffing and sensible planning to keep Bel Air thriving."

Hanley, 28, a software developer for a defense contractor, said these are the most important issues to residents:

"The rapid rate of residential growth in Bel Air and the surrounding area has led to increased strain on public services and infrastructure, while also threatening the small-town charm for which Bel Air is known. With much of the recent residential growth being in the form of large, high-density multifamily rental dwellings that are not consistent with the town's existing character, the Board of Commissioners must continue working to incentivize smart, sustainable development that serves to benefit town citizens. I do not want the town to continue the trend of increased rentership; rather, I would like for any new residential growth in town to be opportunities for ownership, which I believe fosters strong communities and builds wealth."

All eligible residents interested in voting must be a registered voter in the state of Maryland.

Absentee mail-in ballot request forms and ballots must be picked up in person at Bel Air Town Hall after Oct. 28. Ballots must be postmarked or received at Bel Air Town Hall before the close of the polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day.