Appropriately enough, that is the cover headline on today’s Howard section of the Sun. The article discusses Barbara Russell’s decision not to run for reelection to the Columbia Council. I could not have said it better.I usually put aside my differences when someone announces that they are retiring from public service and thank them for their service to the community. In Barbara’s case I make an exception. Enough is certainly enough.
The article cites Barbara’s proudest accomplishments during her eight year tenure as establishing a cap on assessments and preventing the community of Emerson from becoming Columbia’s eleventh village. The legacy of those “accomplishments” is the sad state of affairs of Columbia’s public spaces. She also led the charge to remove Maggie Brown as the Columbia Association president which will create a serious leadership vacuum just as she leaves office. Barbara’s tenure on the CA board has been divisive and highly detrimental to the health and well being of Columbia.
Her departure does not mean that things are likely to get better either. Alex Hekimian, the president for life of the Alliance for a Better Columbia (or as Jud Malone calls it “The Alliance of Bitter Columbians”) is running for her council seat in the village of Oakland Mills. That is akin to jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
2 comments:
Well done!
Almost every year, someone with longer and/or more distinguished service leaves the CA Board. Certainly, the same could be said of members of village boards who retire. Not to mention elected officials. Where is Josh Feldmark's CA career retrospective. How about a recounting of Chris Merdon's time on the County Council following his election loss??
BR never met a headline she didn't like, and I can only imagine how proud it must make her to engineer one more headline.
You will notice how bereft the article is of accomplishments she performed on behalf of Oakland Mills residents. Because representing Oakland Mills was never a priority for her. Just ask the current board chair. Or the vice chair. Or any member of the OM village Board.
It's hard to imagine a more self-absorbed person in all of Howard County.
Bravo, BR, Bravo.
And now a person who has ignored the Villages while leading ABC for over a decaded wants to represent Oakland Mills. Hopefully, the Village will be able to elect a person who cares about the village in the upcoming election. Alex would be a total disaster for the people of Oakland Mills, not to mentionmwhat he would do to CA.
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