This Is It: What I Stand For

I SUPPORT

I support the implementation of the Downtown Plan. http://www.columbiamd.com/plan/faq/

I support the Inner Arbor Plan and Trust for the revitalization of Symphony Woods

http://www.columbiaassociation.org/SymphonyWoodsPark/InnerArborFAQ.pdf

I support the Bridge Columbia Project as a positive step contributing to the revitalization of Oakland Mills through an enhanced connection to Downtown, with significant improvements to walkability,bikeability and transit.

http://bridgecolumbia.org/

I support the work of the Oakland Mills Revitalization Task Force,

and the ongoing implementation of the Village Master Plan.

http://www.oaklandmills.org/pdf/OM_Master_Plan_Final.pdf

I WILL ADDRESS

I see our biggest challenges as:

rethinking our infrastructure as we choose how to use our available funds: to make it sustainable for generations to come, as well as new and exciting for those who have yet to experience what Columbia has to offer.

educating and involving younger and newer residents about Columbia,thus increasing a sense of ownership and civic involvement.

(in reference to Oakland Mills) continuing the work to make our Village better all the time, a place that appeals to new families--welcoming, vibrant, safe, attractive.

I COMMIT

As the Columbia Council Representative for Oakland Mills, I will:

1. Participate in Village Board meetings with candor and openness.

2. Share the results of these meetings with colleagues on the CA Board.

3. Work to create partnerships that will benefit Oakland Mills and Columbia.

4. Report the results of CA Board Meetings in a timely fashion.

5. Use already established channels of communication to keep Oakland Mills residents up to date.

I BELIEVE

If Oakland Mills wants to have a place at the table as Columbia's future is being planned, our representative must be willing to negotiate, form partnerships,examine new ideas, and make compromises. This is my goal as Columbia Council Representative--to participate fully in the process with an open mind,and to represent all of the residents of Oakland Mills: children, teens, young adults, young professionals, parents and grandparents. Our differing views and needs should be a part of the ongoing conversations about both our day-to-day lives and our plans for the future.

Comments

Teacher Gifts

Today is the last day of school before the Winter Break. It’s a good time to remember the far-reaching nature of our public school system. You may not have children. You may have sent your children to independent schools. It matters not. You will be impacted one way or another. Yesterday I read a long thread on Facebook about several waves of illness in the schools right now. There’s influenza A and norovirus, I believe. And of course there’s COVID. Apparently in some individual schools the rate of illness is high enough for school admin to notify parents. When I was little the acceptable holiday gift for a teacher was one of those lovely floral handkerchief squares. (I don’t know what it was for male teachers. They were rare in my elementary years.) These days the range of teacher gifts is wider and I have fond memories of Target gift cards which I have written about before. I think it’s safe to say that giving one’s teacher Influenza, norovirus, or COVID is not the ideal holiday...

Getting Fresh

One of my favorite days in the Spring comes when this year’s list of Farmer’s Markets is released. That happened this week. New this year are markets in Old Ellicott City and the “Merriweather Market” which, according to the address, will be located here . I mistakenly thought at first glance that it was in the new-construction part of the Merriweather District. I find the name confusing considering its actual location. I’m going to guess that this market is an initiative of the Howard Hughes Corporation because the name seems chosen more for branding purposes than anything else. Alas, the market in Maple Lawn is gone. The thread on the markets on the County Executive’s FB page will provide you with quite the education in who actually runs the Farmers Markets vs what people often think is going on. Short answer: they are not chosen nor run by the county. Each market is an independent entity, sometimes started by community volunteers, other times supported by local businesses...

They Can Wait

This is not a typical Saturday post. That’s because, in my community, it’s not a typical Saturday. Oakland Mills High School, after years of deferred repair, needs massive renovation. It’s pretty simple: when you don’t fix a problem it gets bigger. The school system itself said the the OMHS school building was "no longer conducive to learning" back in 2018. 2018 . But Thursday the Boad of Education voted to push it out of the lineup of important projects which will be given the go-ahead to proceed soonest. In my opinion it’s a terrible decision and sets a dangerous precedent. To explain, here’s the advocacy letter I sent in support of Oakland Mills High School. I was rather proud of it. I am writing to ask you to proceed with needed renovation at Oakland Mills High School in the most timely and comprehensive manner humanly possible. I have read the letter sent to you by the Oakland Mills Community Association and I am in complete agreement. You are extremel...

Village Green/Town²

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