Village Green/Town²

Today I am sharing this statement from David Nitkin, a Mount Hebron parent. It speaks so eloquently to the situation we now find ourselves in. I wanted these words to have a wider audience, and Mr. Nitkin has graciously allowed me to share them here. It is my hope that they can add to the discussion we desperately need to have for the good of our children and our entire community.   *****   A Few Words About the Video:   I am a white man, married to a white woman, who has sent two white children to Mount Hebron High School. The words and thoughts in the video that circulated this week are shocking, disgusting and sad. I cannot fathom the place from which they come. How does a high school student come to believe one race is inferior to another? Especially in one of the best educated, wealthiest communities in the nation, how has this wrong-headed train of thought not been wiped out generations ago? How has it not been proven wrong by the accomplishments of all races, by da...

Yesterday saw a backlash against a student who took it upon herself to share a racist video so it could not be ignored. Some examples: if you go down to the south it's all over the place, one drunk boy from hoco says it you act like everyone here racist it was deleted till you and E. decided to post it and his coaches and principals email... just admit he made a mistake, there are people dying for the black lives movement and you talking about a white boy from hoco... you need to chill you f'ing ruined a teenagers life and you're ruining the view of Howard county and Hebron Too tame for you? How about this?   Ladies and gentleman of Howard County, these are our children.      

Parents in Howard County received a troubling email last night. The Superintendent reached out with a letter with the heading, A Call to Action. In it, she relayed the news that: ...one student videotaped a classmate making inflammatory, insensitive, and racist comments. The details of the video are disturbing. The video was posted on several social media platforms and has already been shared hundreds of times, offending many people of all races, and reflecting poorly on students directly involved and those who chose to stand silent. This behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. As a parent, this hurt my heart, and as a member of the community it made me angry that we keep struggling with incidents of racism in this place we want to believe is free of it. It made me think of the appearance of a Confederate flag at a football game. It made me think of recently reported data that African American students are seven times more likely to be suspended than their white counterpar...

The parking lot was well cleared. The sidewalks were beautifully shoveled. The guards who handled the check-in were friendly.   I don't ever want to go there again. Sitting in court and watching the proceedings is educational. It's kind of like what you see on tv but not at all. It is a liturgy unto itself. The lawyers and the judge know the words of all the prayers and sometimes it seems as though the lawyers speed through them just to get them said. There are requirements. The requirements must be fulfilled. Sitting in court and watching if you know the people involved is an entirely different experience. In the grand scheme of things I have done very little of this and just that little bit has been too much for me to handle. I feel crushed. I have absolutely no idea how people who have to endure an entire case drag on, over years, can survive. Yesterday one such unimaginably long and painful case came to an end. Morgan Arnold was sentenced for her part in the murder of Denni...

It's all in how you look at it. In the comments following The Baltimore Sun article about the politics of plowing, I caught this remark: My neighbor and I shoveled out our block and thus were able to get out. Assume the plows are not coming and start shoveling. Also every family should have at least one four wheel drive vehicle. 6 hours after we shoveled out the block a plow came by and we had to do more shoveling. Unless you are 70+ stop whining and get to work. A little tip of the hat to Marie Antoinette, here? (Yes, I know she gets a bad rap.) "Every family should have at least one four wheel drive vehicle." Exactly where are they handing these out so I can be sure to have one? As I wrote on Monday: Complaints about County services right now are divided. Divided in some cases between East and West, Columbia and HoCo, main streets and side streets, and yes, Democrats vs Republicans. (Why not? Everything else is.) In one way or another, we all have a limited ...

Here is a sto ry that I thought had nothing to do with me: the closing of Laurel Regional Hospital. But I was talking to a friend yesterday who wondered how Howard County General was doing during the storm. "Why?" I asked. "With the closing of the Laurel Hospital, HCGH is in a dire situation. I heard they were completely full even before the storm." Wow. I hadn't thought about that. People who need hospital care will have to go somewhere. Their health needs don't magically become ambulatory just because their local facility decides to pursue a different business model. So this isn't just Laurel's problem, or Prince George's problem. It's our problem, too. During the storm the hospital was very likely providing shelter to staff who couldn't get home, plus patients who had been discharged but couldn't go anywhere. I have no idea what that looked like if they were already full before the storm even started. Where did they put eve...

After the Big Snow, the Big Dig is not a smooth one as some folks get plowed right away and others are still completely snowed in. People are cranky, and frustrated, and quick to take offense. I'm not sure I blame them. We live on a well-traveled street that is plowed quickly and frequently, so I have no right to complain about anything. If I have any suggestion it's that we all get together and participate in a ritual burning of The County Snow-Plow tracker. Complaints about County services right now are divided. Divided in some cases between East and West, Columbia and HoCo, main streets and side streets, and yes, Democrats vs Republicans. (Why not? Everything else is.) As I looked over old posts to see what I was doing previous years on this date, a photo caught my eye. From Monday, January 27, 2014 Who Is My Neighbor? It's Monday morning. We've had a rough weekend but we keep moving forward. I drink my coffee as I scan the morning tweets. @kenulman: Pls use the h...

If you are reading this post in, or anywhere near, Howard County, Maryland then we have something in common. Snow. The white stuff. A big old thump of Winter that registered as a record for Baltimore at 29.2 inches. With houses and cars snowed in and even the best plowed roads only barely passible, we shared homebound pictures and anecdotes on social media. I laughed when I saw this comment on Twitter:   Conclusion from all your #snow photos: nobody puts their deck furniture away. My immediate response:   Where would we put it? Putting away deck, patio, or lawn furniture assumes a place to put it. In our compact little quadroplex with no basement, attic, and a purchased shed big enough for a rake and a shovel, that's just not happening. And so it serves as a lovely backdrop for my series of snow photos, gradually disappearing as the day progresses.   Those photos are a way we document not just falling snow but the passing of time as well. Hours and hours go by, with the s...

'Way back in May of 2014 I sent letters to the County Council and the County Executive pleading that they: ...do everything in your power to require that 1) the school system delay the implementation of this {Elementary Model} initiative by at least one full year, 2) the data from Ducketts Lane be shared openly once a full year is completed and 3) the school system follow its own protocol for allowing public community presentations on this initiative and requiring stakeholder input. To put it in a positive light, I ask you to declare this initiative "worthy of study" and not "ready for prime time." Right away I heard from my councilman, Calvin Ball, who explained to me that the Council wasn't really permitted to get involved in the affairs of the school system in the way that I had requested. It just wasn't done. I heard from the County Executive, through Candace Dodson Reed, who confirmed what Dr. Ball had said. She also invited me in to discuss my con...

I see you, Martha Butt. Of course I don't know if that is your real name or if you are even a woman, but I want you to know I see you and I refuse to let your words go unnoticed. I was rereading this article by Lisa Philip in the HoCo Times, " School boards neighboring Howard believe in election districts for members" and I continued on to read the comments. The first was from Christine McComas, mother of the late hcpss student Grace McComas . In her comment she shared her personal reasons for supporting the proposed legislation. And then, this: marthabutt @cdmccomas you are a publicity hound, a revenge seeker. You have tried to attack every public official and administrative person possible for your daughter's suicide. The only subjects left for you to identify are the medical professionals that tried to treat her.There are several sides to your story that have been floating around for years. This makes me sick. Someone has taken the opportunity, und...

Last night, before it began to snow--around dinner time--we considered the possibility of going to the grocery. For about two seconds. Social media was filled with horror stories and accompanying photos of panic at the supermarket. In the face of such craziness we shrank back and decided to punt. We went to Burger King. I'd say we probably go to Burger King no more than four times a year. McDonald's and Wendy's are closer to where we live, for one, and we try to limit fast food trips overall. Since the BK on Centre Park Drive closed (no surprise) the only one left is on Snowden River Parkway, in a little strip mall/shopping center with no discernable name. I've never been convinced by this particular shopping center. I'm guessing it's located in the Land of Outparcel, but wiser folks than I know the boundaries here. It just feels sketchy. Last night, as we approached from Snowden, was no different. The various shops with their red light-up lettering looked less...

The old (well, not that old) saying goes, "Don't read the comments." But sometimes they can be educational. Take the case of the comments from signers of the petition asking the Board of Education not to renew the Superintendent's contract. Those are some truly enlightening comments . Not all of the sentiments resonate with me, personally, but they are definitely worth the read. Then there is the case of the mysterious Mr./Ms. hadda_nuf who found this article so completely offensive. After reading "Optimisim lifts Kittleman into second year in office" is commenter begins: The quality of print journalism has been in steady decline. The Jan 14 article Optimism lifts Kittleman into second year is a most egregious example. Despite an uplifting title, the article is a blatant hatchet job with no attempt at objectivity. I found that rather startling because, from my perspective, the article definitely leaned positive. Combined with the paper'...

The tweets seemed to come like a summer rainstorm, first one, then another, then a pause, then another, then several, then the onslaught. County Executive Allan Kittleman's Twitter feed was hopping this past weekend. As I watched on Saturday, little drips and drops built up to a steady rhythm of public engagement: references to the recent article in the HoCo Times about his first year, the accompanying editorial, the announcement with Governor Hogan of the widening of Route 32... The Kittleman administration came in clunky and flatfooted when it came to social media. (Of course, the Ulman administration was a tough act to follow in that regard.) I've got to hand it to the Kittleman folks, though. They have improved by leaps and bounds. They were certainly working overtime this last weekend. As I watched this unfold, I began to wonder what the point was. And then it was revealed. I regret that I can't show you the actual tweet, but Twitter isn't cooperating right now.  ...

I have a friend who likes to use Facebook as a way to get recommendations. She crowdsources suggestions on restaurants, travel, family daytrips, repair professionals, and more. It's amazing the information she is able to gather this way. She just puts it out to the universe and the universe almost always comes through. In abundance. This was her most recent request. ISO: A general dentist who is ; Rich enough so he wouldn't think we are his only source of holiday funds, Old enough to be kind and experienced with his chosen profession, and last but not least Young enough to know the new studies,and open to talk about more than one option. Do you know such magical person around HoCo? If you do please share her/his name with us.   She got over twenty-five responses. Most were overwhelmingly positive. I don't think I have ever seen so many good words about going to the dentist in the same place. My takeaway on this is that there a lot of people in Howard County that like their ...

Thursday's Board of Education meeting discussion of the calendar didn't unfold exactly as expected. Most people thought this was going to be a decision between Option 1 or Option 2. Option 1, as you may recall, was keeping the calendar as it has been with school closing on the Jewish High Holy days, and Option 2 was to have school in session on those days, with school closed only on state-sanctioned holidays. This proposal at a December board meeting caused a good deal of community concern, followed by a large turn-out at a subsequent board meeting. People had plenty to say about how the school calendar treats the holy days of various religions in Howard County. Now, before we get into Thursday's drama, let's talk about the Calendar Committee. Yes, there is one. And it is tasked with putting all the many variables that exist together into a workable school calendar. But they do not create the calendar plan and then give it directly to the Board. Au contraire, mes amis....

Tonight at UUCC in Owen Brown you can enjoy some music and do your bit to support social justice at their Music for Justice Concert. It starts at 7 pm. The performer is Jim Scott , and funds raised will go to the Penn North Children's Safe Zone . Soup and dessert will be served. There's just one thing. In keeping with their desire to reduce waste from the event, they're asking you do bring your own bowl and spoon with you. So, BYOB, and S. There will be a free will offering. Suggested donation is $20.00, but, as with many things, the UU's are flexible. Give what you can. Today and tomorrow the Youth and Teen Center at The Barn in Oakland Mills is hosting their annual clothing giveaway days. There's an article about the event here . The Youth and Teen Center runs a number of programs for local kids and offers a fun and safe after school environment. There are plenty of recreational events throughout the year and a special focus is placed on activities that develo...

Three things that defy logic this week. 1. School board suggests it will do away with Jewish High Holy Days on the calendar as a way of justifying not observing other holidays of other religions. Action provokes a large community outcry. Board reverses itself and says now we'll observe all the religious holidays! (Well, probably not all. But more than anyone ever expected.) What the heck was that all about? Your suggestions welcome. I'm particularly interested in whether you think it was a) a deliberate show, or b) a bungled mess. Or c) something I haven't thought of. 2. The County Executive and the Governor stage a press conference on a dangerous road to explain how dangerous it is. Good gravy! If that stretch of road is so dangerous, then holding a press event right in the thick of it can't be in the best interest of motorists, can it? (See more on decision to widen Route 32 here .) Not criticizing the decision itself, just the means of announcing it. 3. Cancer. Well,...

A year ago I wrote this piece about signing up for high school courses. Entitled "Exceptional", the post examines questions about what choices are best for students. It concludes: It's a fine line, isn't it? Like Lake Woebgon, in Howard County we want to believe that all our children are above average. But education should be about meeting the actual needs of the students. We should not be getting bogged down in a head game for adults. I'd like to hit a reset button on this one. My daughter is now planning her schedule for the next three years. She doesn't feel a need to pile on AP courses, and we support that. There are a few she is interested in but none for her sophomore year. As she enters her choices into the school-provided scheduling app, it suggests helpfully, "You could be taking more rigorous courses. Have you considered signing up for AP classes?" Oh, brother. Rigor, my favorite word. I'm not the only one pondering the question of ...

The final State of the Union address from President Obama is still swirling around in my head. But, nearby in Annapolis, the Maryland State legislative session is about to begin. I don't know anywhere near enough about how that works. I have friends who were or are in the thick of it, and I get by through their posts, and by asking a lot of questions. I'll admit that for many years I had very little idea what was going on in the State Legislature. The big turnaround for me came when a friend aspired to serve as a state delegate and spent a good deal of time articulating why that was important. It was a personal connection that drove it home to me. "This is why state government is important. This is why Howard County needs the very best representation in Annapolis." This year I am more focused on the legislative session than I ever have been, because of the two pieces of legislation drafted in response to problems in the Howard County Schools. Due to the hearing at the...

Sunday afternoon, in the way home from grocery shopping at the Food Lion, I noticed a piece of paper fluttering on my windshield. Someone had tucked a note under my wiper blade. I was puzzled. It didn't look like the usual full- or half-page adverts one sometimes gets while parked. When I got home I quickly retrieved it. It was a torn-off piece of stationery or notepad, with red and black decorations around the edge. In curly cursive handwriting were these words: Please learn how to park correctly . Wow, was I ever embarrassed. And because I was already home I couldn't even look to see what I had done wrong. I don't have any sense of superiority or righteousness about my parking. Most of the time it's fine; sometimes it could be better. If I get out and see it's outrageous, I get back in and fix it. What had I done? What had I done that prompted someone to stop, fish around for paper and a pen, and leave me a note? I'll never know. And to my mystery note-writer:...

I'd like to recommend this post to you: "A Healthy Harvest AND a Healthy Dose of Inspiration " by Susan Garber. Yes, that Susan Garber. After her moment in the HoCo political spotlight was over, she started a blog, How Come? I haven't said anything about it here up until today because I have found it to be more of the same anger and negativity for which its author is locally famous. But this post is different. Read it and you will see why. The piece is ostensibly about Howard County start-up Hungry Harvest , which recently won investment funds on Shark Tank. As you you read you'll see that it begins with one of Ms. Garber's notable actions, a letter to the editor. But then it takes a turn. She sends an email to Hungry Harvest and they call her right back. I don't want to spoil it for you. You must read it for yourself. This piece is honest, informative, and most of all, humble. Ms. Garber concludes: "Moral of the story: Reaching Out rather than Mou...

Okay, so I have previously been schooled by Scott Ewart that public figures probably aren't running their own social media accounts. So I'm not going to blame this on Alan Kittleman. RT @HoCoGovExec "Watch as I announce the release of the #HoCoMD Bicycle Master Plan! Click here: " It's only because of my own age, juxtaposed with that of whoever wrote the tweet, that this immediately came to mind. I'm guessing it's not a cultural reference for them. But it certainly is for me. And now it cannot be unseen... I will never again be able to see The County Executive without thinking of Bullwinkle Moose. Oh, well. There are worse things. Like maybe having to do the Bicycle Master Plan announcement outdoors on one of the coldest days of the year. Or bringing in schoolchildren for a press event so David Ramsay of hcpss could extol the benefits of Bicycle Master Plan to them. On one of the coldest days of the year. Of course I'm a big fan of supporting methods ...

Yes, I am going to buy a Powerball ticket. As I told my son-in-law, aside from a few personal splurges my goal would be to become a full-time philanthropist. The idea of being able to help causes and projects I believe in is a fantasy well worth the two-dollar price of a ticket. High on my list of projects to fund: Bridge Columbia Blessings in a Backpack Bridges to Housing Stability A certain local baker's dream for a better kitchen in Oakland Mills Merriweather Park in Symphony Woods Last night I had the opportunity to see the musical Matilda at the Kennedy Center in DC. Maybe it has something to do with my age, but I am much more profoundly moved by the vision and work it must have taken to create the Kennedy Center itself than anything else about the experience. Arts spaces are so important to our culture, a sign of who we are. It must have taken a lot of money and a lot of political will to bring the Kennedy Center into being. I thought a lot last night how it is ha...

Well, more like Friday Links*, actually. Just got a little excited there. Headline : After fire and mold, Glenwood Middle students to be relocated . To my knowledge this is the first news headline that assumes mold as a given, rather than "worries of mold", "suspicion of mold", and others of the like. Although moving students off-site in response to the fire damage may take the focus off of the school building, I have a hunch that there's plenty of mold-related news out there ready to break. Headline : George Wallace's family, former staff: Donald Trump is doing what he did. Remember that piece I did on demagoguery ? It seems I wasn't too far off the mark. Headline : Move to gender-neutral graduation dress sparks debate in Howard County. This is an excellent move by the school system. Wearing a graduation robe is a sign of academic achievement. It has absolutely nothing to do with gender. We don't have boy diplomas and girl diplomas. But if you read ...

You may have heard that Wegmans had filed the paperwork to reapply for that license to open a liquor store and then thought better of it. The continuing saga of Wegmans, that upstairs space, and Howard County regulations fascinates me. As far as I am concerned it is worthy of a multi-part Frank Hecker analysis. That space at Wegmans cries out for a multitude of creative uses. One such use was the Columbia Association's World Language Café. From David Greisman, Columbia Association’s (CA) World Languages Café began in early 2013 as a way to provide great evenings of conversations and culture in more than a dozen different languages. Now, as the popular program approaches its third anniversary, the World Languages Café will start 2016 by moving to a different location and a different day of the week. So, no liquor store at Wegmans, and no World Languages Café either. Okay... I haven't been brave enough to attend one of the Café events. Have you? I'm not sure how far I could...

It's cold. Big surprise, right? You knew that already. But, in a winter which has been on-again, off-again it is suddenly and bitterly cold. Last week we were worrying about confused plants starting to bloom. Now it is 14 degrees. What the heck? It's rather stunning, almost as though we had forgotten what Winter was like. Maybe Winter just won't come this year, we thought. I'm sitting in a comfy chair under a soft blanket and our heat is churning away. Nice and toasty. My husband and daughter went into the morning chill reluctantly, but bundled up with winter outerwear: heavy jackets, hats, scarves, gloves. Winter is here with a vengeance, at least for now. And there are people in Howard County who are more than surprised. They are unprepared. Children without warm clothing, senior citizens without adequate heat, people who have no homes at all. It is incomprehensible to me that we have people living outside in tents in Howard County, but I don't think we have been...