When I stopped in the Old Mill Bakery and Café for coffee this morning they were debating whether to call 911. From their parking lot you could see the black smoke rising from the hill above Ellicott City.
“It would have been nice if someone had told us,” one of the clerks replied.
Actually I thought Howard County had done a pretty decent job getting the word out, at least in my neighborhood. Even before I drove past the action on Weavers Court I knew what was going on. Earlier in the week I received alerts from both my community email list and from Notify Me Howard.
“That figures,” she said, “we’re in Baltimore County and they don’t tell us anything.”
Later in the day I drove past the controlled burn again but this time the fires were out and the trainees were busy rolling up hoses and packing up their gear.
Andrew Metcalf with Patch reported from the scene.
It was the storm with no name. Despite the fact that yesterdays
weather event included 13 tornadoes in eight states, no one has given it a name,
not yet anyway. It was certainly worthy of a name. According to this story by
Becky Kellogg on The Weather Channel, over “a hundred homes and businesses in Laurel,
Md. wereevacuated Thursday
afternoon after heavy rains prompted the opening of nearby dams. A commuter
rail station in Laurel
was also closed because of floodwaters. Roads in Montgomery County,
Md. are closed, and some
are even buckling, due to the heavy rain and high water."Wind gusts up to
81 mph were clocked in southern New England early Thursday, including gusts
over 60 mph at New York's LaGuardia Airport and Boston's Logan Airport,"
says weather.com Senior Meteorologist Jon Erdman.”
In HoCo it appears that Ellicott dodged the flood bullet
this time around. The bridge crossing the PatapscoRiver
was closed as a precaution but this morning the river was still running under
the bridge instead of over it.
It was right at the deck though. Walking across from the BaltimoreCounty side this morning, Dave Carney
remarked that crossing over with the river so high made him feel a little
nervous.
On most occasions, watching a county council legislative
hearing is akin to watching paint dry. Every once in awhile however there is a
bit of political theater that causes the paint to jump right off the
wall. Last night, in his testimony in
support of the latest attempt at a growth tiers fix, Council Bill 1-2013, Lambett Cissel provided one of those moments.
Yesterday, in the county council work session on a developers request to permit drive thru lanes in a Transit Oriented District,
Marsha McLaughlin pointed out that the Planning Board voted along gender lines
in rejecting the change. Jacqueline Easley, the sole female member of the five
member board, pointed out that drive thrus are helpful when you have three kids
in the car. She cast the only vote in support of the change.
The three women on the council seemed to empathize, though
Calvin Ball and Greg Fox both pointed out that they were dads and therefore not
unsympathetic to the challenge of dealing with three kids in the car. Greg
appeared to support the Planning Boards decision.
The bottom line is that drive-through lanes, particularly
for fast food, are bad. According to this post on the Sierra Club blog, cars
idling in drive thru lanes are a big waste of energy.
“Taking the fast-food industry as an example, and taking
into account that the average McDonald's drive-through wait is 159 seconds, we
can calculate that the company's consumers burn some 7.25 million gallons of
gas each year. The figure for the entire U.S. fast-food industry? Roughly 50
million gallons.”
There is also the health issue. It seems to me that getting
those three kids out of the car and moving around is a good way to negate the impact
of eating fast food.
Preston Sheffenacker Properties is trying to tweak the commercial component in the Oxford Square project in Elkridge. The TOD zoning that
they successfully attained for the 120 acre development two years ago allows for a variety of
commercial uses including apartments. Now they want to add town homes into the
mix. They also want to be able to have stand alone fast food restaurants complete with drive thru lanes.
Both of these are significant changes to the TOD zone. This is supposedly a pedestrian orientated zoning district and there is nothing pedestrian oriented about a drive thru lane.
Last night Councilperson Greg Fox asked David Sheffenacker,
if there was some reason for doing this now since we are just getting ready to
embark on comprehensive rezoning in which we’ll be dealing with issues like
this throughout the county.
“It’s sooner,” he replied
Greg pressed him further, “What’s compelling as to why this
needs to be done now?”
Last night, during a marathon legislative public hearing,
Christine McComas, the mother of Grace McComas, testified during the consideration of Council
Resolution 169-2012, an anti-bullying initiative introduced by Courtney Watson.
The bill calls for “encouraging” the General Assembly “to provide the necessary
resources to appropriate agencies to implement the use of multidisciplinary
teams to address bullying, harassment, and intimidation among students.”
Christine told the council that the system is a big part of
the problem. In scathing testimony she indicted the states attorney, the
police and especially the school system for failing to help her save her daughter.
When she was finished Courtney asked
her if she was in favor of the resolution.
‘When I wrote my statement last night my intention was to
fully support Resolution 169. However, as I went to bed and thought about it more…the
very groups that are supposed to help, the police, the states attorney, and the
courts, didn't.”
She never did say whether or not she supported the resolution.
For a brief moment, at 3:35 PM, we lost power. Miraculously
it came back on in less than ten minutes. I figure we’re living on borrowed time
here so I’d better get up another post while I still can.
This is what Frankenstorm looks like in my backyard with 17
mph wind gusts.
The winds are beginning to wreak their havoc too. Right now 5,744
BGE customers in HoCo are without power. The good news is that 2,772 customers
have had their power restored. I wonder if our litte ten minute outage counts in that restored number?
At WSw the relative pressure is now 28.46 inHg and still
going down. Sustained winds of 11 mph are out of the northwest with gusts up to
17 mph.
If you have HoCo loco Frankenstorm pictures you like to
share send them to me at wordbones@verizon.net.
I’ll put up as much as I can as long as I can.
You might think that,with the long awaited and much debatedColumbiaTownCenter
redevelopment process finally underway, the county council would be celebrating their accomplishment and working to move things forward as smoothly as possible.
Hardly. Last night, two of the council members got fairly testy with the developer over what appears to be a fundamental misunderstanding of business , capital and risk.
In a work session on the enabling legislation
for a new Commercial District Management Authority (CDMA) for TownCenter,
tempers were raised and threats were implied over the issue of who will control
this authority. As it has been proposed by the exec, the
Downtown Columbia Partnership would be governed by a board of seven members,
four of whom would be from the Howard Hughes Corporation, giving HHC majority
control.
Jen Terrasa and Calvin Ball seem to think that's a bit too much. They expressed a certain discomfort with allowing a developer to have so much
control over the TownCenter redevelopment program, even though it isn't the county's money at risk.
This is a potential deal killer for HHC.
They are the ones putting real money into Downtown Columbia Partnership, both in new commercial development fees and in funding public amenities. In addition to immediately stroking a check for $1.5
million for affordable housing, HHC will be funding the renovation of
Merriweather and a variety of transportation and environmental initiatives.
Estimates of their total investment in TownCenter
runs into the tens of millions.
Of course they want to control the authority, at least initially.
They are the only ones with real skin in the game. As John DeWolf told the
council, HHC is still committed to the project as long as they can manage the risk. He further suggested that they are uniquely qualified to accomplish that.
He wryly pointed out that when HHC took over this project “there wasn’t anyone else lined up outside the door to buy this (TownCenter redevelopment) separately.”
Greg Fox and Courtney Watson seemed to get that. They
attempted to get their council colleagues to give HHC some sort of reassurance
that they’d work this out. HHC is up against some critical dates in the development process and needs to have this resolved sooner rather than later. Calvin and Jen balked. Mary Kay Sigaty, the current
council chair, was silent.
At yesterday’s Board of Education meeting, school board
member Brian Meshkin urged his colleagues to vote down the latest APFO chart. He suggested that voting down the chart would "drop a turd in the punch bowl" and compel the council to adopt a better way to deal with school planning. The
Adequate Public Facilities Act requires that the school board approve a chart
that designates which schools in which neighborhoods are “closed.” A “closed”
school essentially closes that school district to new residential construction.
Brian doesn't like APFO chart as an effective mechanism
for school planning. While he acknowledged that is currently the law, he believes it is a flawed law that nobody likes. He said it is even unfair to developers. “I love development,”
he said.
Brian loves development so much he's willing to contribute to the overcrowding of Wilde Lake Middle School to accommodate it.
Under the current chart WildeLakeMiddle
School is open. Under the chart that Brian wants
to vote down, WildeLake would be “closed.” If a new chart isn't passed, the existing chart prevails.
In other words, if this chart gets passed, a proposed TownCenterredevelopment project and the new apartments at Wilde Lake Village Center would be held up until Wilde Lake Middle School gets some relief. If it isn't passed, those projects would be allowed to proceed.
Board member Cindy Vaillancourt believes the board should leverage their vote to get free land from the developers impacted by the chart. She told her colleagues on the board that she used to work in development and that this type of thing is done all the time. Given all the community enhancement projects and affordable housing fees that the Town Center redevelopment legislation already calls for, it is highly unlikely that there is anymore blood to squeeze from that rock. Some might call this extortion.
The APFO chart requires five votes to pass and last night the vote was four in favor and three opposed. Brian, Cindy Vailancourt, and Allen Dyer all voted against approving the new chart. Ellen Flynn Giles, Janet Siddiqui, Sandra French and Frank Aquino voted to pass the chart.
Yesterday Brian won and the parents, students, and teachers at Wilde Lake Middle School lost.
Earlier this week I had a conversation with one of Brian's estranged former business partners at Salugen, a Dr. Kenneth Blum. Dr. Blum described Brian to me as the "worst human being you want to know." Some HoCo loco parents may soon find themselves in agreement with that sentiment.
CORRECTION: I mistakenly noted that Frank Aquino voted for the APFO chart. He didn't because he was not in attendance. The fourth vote in favor was actually Tomi Williams, the student member of the board.
I had not paid too much attention to the debate over creating a single fire tax district in HoCo until tonight. I was aware that some folks in the rural west we’re not happy with this idea but I had not taken the time to better understand the issue. To get up to speed, this evening I watched the county council public hearing on the legislation (CB9-2012).
It’s gotten a little ugly. In his testimony before the council, HoCo Fire Chief William Goddard openly accused the Lisbon Volunteer Company of being more concerned with their own fundraising than the general welfare of HoCo.
After listening to the testimony from both sides, I come out in support of this initiative. Hopefully the lads and ladies in Lisbon will come around on this too...eventually.
If you think most voters don’t pay attention to the school board races, it is even worse for the Circuit Court judge’s race. Incumbent judges running for reelection in a non partisan race have a disproportionate advantage due to their extensive loco network from serving on the bench. That is certainly case for Lenore Gelfman and William Tucker. Yesterday I caught this loco politico all star ad for their reelection.
Apparently no one wants to run risk of getting on the wrong side of a judge.
They do have a challenger though. Columbia attorney Clarke Ahlers would like to replace at least one of them. According to this story by Andrea F. Siegel in The Sun Ahlers “said his effort to win a judgeship is not a reflection on Gelfman and Tucker. Rather, he said, he'd like to bring efficiencies he sees in other courts where he's had cases and fresh perspectives to the court.”
Before even watching this group, I had already decided that Ellen Flynn Giles was someone I’d like to see reelected. Over the past year I have witnessed her in action and had the opportunity to talk with her one on one. Watching her performance in the candidates’ forum only reinforced my belief that she is well suited to serve on the school board.
As for the others, no one else in this group stood out for me, except Olga Butler. I really liked what I heard from her but the problem was I didn’t hear enough. I wish she had jumped in on more of the questions. Ms Butler is someone who definitely warrants a closer look.
What was it about her that impressed me?
Olga Butler struck me as someone who is capable of working collaboratively with an open mind. This is a quality that I believe makes for a good board member. It is important to bring new ideas to the table but in order to turn good ideas into action you need to build consensus from a majority of your fellow board members who may a have a good idea or two of their own worth considering.
Allen Dyer used every opportunity he had to attack his fellow incumbents and former board member Pat Gordon. He attempted to distinguish himself from the “current board majority” saying “we need a new majority.”
Before I go any further, let me first take a moment to acknowledge that it takes a certain amount of guts to put yourself out there in the public arena, especially in a crowded field. All of the candidates are subjecting themselves to scrutiny and judgement of their fellow citizens. Democracy works best when elections offers multiple choices. A wag of the wordbones tail goes out to all fourteen of them for being part of an important process.
I didn’t like the format. The moderator would ask a question and then wait for one of the candidates to respond. It seemed as if each question was followed by an awkward silence as the candidates exchanged sideways glances to see who was going to bite. I know that it is difficult to create a format that allows equality for all, but I think this one needs a little fine tuning.
Janet Siddiqui was the only incumbent in this first group and she, along with her fellow board members, were the subject of a verbal assault from Bob Ballinger. A couple of the others were critical of the boards perceived dysfunction, but Bob opened up with both barrels. He also called Brian Meshkin “my friend.”
Corey Andrews wants to see regular board meetings moved around to the different high schools to make the board meetings more accessible. The board meetings are already available 24/7 online because they are held in a facility that is set up specifically for this purpose. Great idea.
Recently I had a conversation with another member of the school board. They pointed out the irony of the argument that the board is a just a rubber stamp of the Superintendent yet when the board has disagreements the same people call them dysfunctional. Indeed.
The one candidate that really stood out in the pack for me was David Gertler. I found him to be enthusiastic and passionate about learning. He’s a teacher too, an adjunct professor of math at Towson.
I’m writing a check to his campaign tonight. He’s now on my short list..
Tomorrow night, the fourteen candidates vying for three open seats on the HoCo school board, will participate in a candidates forum sponsored by the HoCo League of Women Voters. This will be the best opportunity get to learn more about the candidates and more importantly, how they conduct themselves in a public forum.
In other words, it will be a big night for HoCo loco poltico wonks, like me. In addition to the working press, the forum will be attended by a few members of the HoCo loco blogging community. 53 Beers on Tap has already weighed in on five people he won’t be supporting so presumably he’s going to learn more about the other nine.
Unfortunately, I won’t be attending due to a prior commitment. Fortunately, I’ll still get chance to view the proceedings. The LVW is planning to tape the forum and make it available online. I’ll provide a link here later in the week.
And yes, I will watch the whole thing. Besides, Ellen Flynn Giles, the only other candidate that I really have a strong opinion about is Allen Dyer. I am supporting Ellen but not Allen. If Allen loses in the primary, it may provide an early end to the impeachment drama and I’m all for that. That leaves two more choices for me to make before the primary on April 3rd when the field of fourteen will be winnowed to six.
The LWV forum will be held tomorrow night at the School Board Meeting Room in the Board of Education headquarters on Route 108 in Columbia from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Last night the county council held a public hearing on a bill that would amend the current zoning for the Inn at Peralynna Manor in Columbia. The inn began as a small boarding house in 1996 but has expanded over the years to the consternation of some neighbors. According to this story by Lindsey McPherson in Explore Howard the inn on Route 108 near the Iron Bridge Wine Company “has been operating as a nonconforming use since late 2001, when a change to the county's zoning regulations eliminated the Lynn's boarding house special exception.”
One neighbor claimed that recently a guest was staring into her yard from a balcony at the inn making her uncomfortable about wandering around her yard in her housecoat or pajamas.
Much has already been written about the marathon Board of Education meeting last week where Brian Meshkin’s whiny antics dominated the proceedings. He told his fellow board members that he was “heartbroken” and his “feelings were hurt,” at the way he was treated for asking the board to accommodate his absence. Brian is the CEO of a strugglingmedical supplement company based in Los Angeles but he lives in Maple Lawn. How he ever thought he could adequately perform his board duties while traveling the west coast every other week is beyond me.
But that issue has already been addressed in this post on HoCo Rising.
The best part of the evening, as far as I'm concerned, was when Allen Dyer tried to make this board blow up all about him. Board member Ellen Flynn Giles was having none of that and gave him a pretty solid smack down.
Ellen is running for reelection this year. In the primary on April 3rd, the field of fifteen candidates for the three open board seats will be winnowed down to six. Though I plan to wait until after the candidates forum on March 5th to make my final choice of two, one spot for me has already been filled by Ellen Flynn Giles. She has easily earned my vote for reelection.
Last night the HoCo County Council tabled the councilmanic redistricting legislation (CB 57-2011) after failing to come to an agreement on the changes recommended by the Redistricting Commission. According to this story by Lindsey McPherson in Explore Howard, after attempting to iron out their differences in a recent work session, “the council had still not reached consensus on what, if any, changes should be made to the commission's plan.”
“Council Chairwoman Mary Kay Sigaty, a Columbia Democrat, council member Greg Fox, a Fulton Republican, and council member Courtney Watson, an Ellicott City Democrat, all filed amendments to the plan that are in conflict with one another.”
By tabling the bill the council is basically kicking the can down a very short road. If the council fails to reach agreement to any changes by March 15th, the recommendations of the Redistricting Commission become law.
And perhaps that will provide enough political cover for all concerned.
His argument centers around a case from seven years ago when Bruce Venter, the school systems chief business officer, was fired by then superintendent John O’Rourke. According to this story by Hanah Cho in The Sun, Venter was dismissed in 2003 for “not informing the superintendent, senior school administrators and the school board that the construction of MarriottsRidgeHigh School was off schedule.”
"Venter said he had pointed that out several times and claimed his dismissal was arbitrary and did not comply with state regulations governing the firing of educational professionals. Venter, who now works for the Isle of Wight school system in Virginia, appealed to the HowardCounty school board.
The school board in December upheld Venter's firing but also chided O'Rourke for his handling of Venter's dismissal."
Venter retained Allen Dyer to contest his dismissal. At that time Allen was not a member of the board. Judith Bresler represented the board in defending the superintendent’s action. Since becoming a board member Dyer has repeatedly attempted to gain access to the notes and minutes of the boards meetings with Bresler regarding Venters dismissal.
Once again, Allen only sees things his way. He argues that Carney Kelehan should have disclosed this case when they were asked to disclose “existing or potential conflicts of interest” that would interfere with their continued representation of the board. An action from seven years ago hardly qualifies as “existing or potential”
Here is a small sampling of what Frank Aquino accurately described as Allen's "tortured view" of the issue.
My sister Kelly sent me this video from facebook. There is another perspective from further down the street on HoCo Rising. John Collins on WBAL TV dubbed this storm the “rain train.”
Indeed.
I was down at the bottom of Main Street around 4:00 PM after the water receded. A police officer at the barricades told me that the bridge over the Patapsco would remain closed until the engineers checked it out. At that time the water was still licking the deck.
