Weekend Open Thread

I am out of town with my son - playing!

Talk about what you want.  Keep it clean and play nice.

Ken Ulman’s Curriculum Vitae II

My previous post on this topic Ken Ulman’s Curriculum Vitae

First, Ken worked in the Office of the Secretary of State in the Charities Division and then in Intergovernmental Affairs, serving as a liaison to local governments and municipalities across Maryland. Later, Ken served as the Governor’s Director of the Board of Public Works and Special Projects, as well as Secretary of the cabinet.

No one has provided any answer to the question.

What is the Director of Public Works and Secretary of the Cabinet?

Why do I bring this up again?  I read on Evan Coran’s blog about the County Executive race.  Someone posted the following comment:

Straight Talk said

Ulman’s website says he was “Secretary of the cabinet” in Maryland. Really? No record of this in the Maryland state archives! Below is a link to a list of state Departments – which agency did Ulman head up? http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/08conoff/html/01coun.html

I’d vote for the candidate with the real record of accomplishment. If this guy wants a future in politics, he should dispense with the distortions…

Ken Ulman’s website biography

It got me thinking again and wondering why no response?  I get a lot more readers now than I used to so maybe someone can finally answer this question.  Does anyone who reads this blog know what those offices Ken references are?  Do they still exist?  Who has those positions in the Ehrlich Administration?  Under Glendening what were the responsibilities? 

Ken Ulman doesn’t describe or explain what his responsibilities were in those roles anywhere that I can find and they have been attributed to him since he first ran for County Council in 2002.  In additiona, it is on the Maryland Democratic Party website, it is on the Howard County website, and the Howard County Democratic Party website.

I found a reference in the Columbia Flyer (Sept 19, 2006) that said Ken Ulman worked in the office of the Secretary of State.  There is a Business Monthly Article from 2002 that says Ulman “served as the staff member for the Board of Public Works.”

Business Monthly, January, 2006

Ulman, a lawyer like his well-known father Lou Ulman in the field of elder law, had served as cabinet secretary and Board of Public Works liaison for Gov. Parris Glendening.

Ok, that is different thant Director of the Board of Public Works.  Cabinet Secretary – Sectretary of the Cabinet?  Maybe it was a subcabinet position?  Maybe the office is now defunct?

Anyone have a clue?  Is Straight talk onto something?  Is Mr. Ulman distorting his record and dressing up his resume?  Anyone want to drive down to the state archives and look this up for me?

It is as if Comp Lite Never Happened

Update: As of yesterday (September 28, 2006) Calvin Ball has stated he will withdraw CB75-2006 

Don’t we ever learn?  Seriously, it has been brought to my attention that Councilman Calvin Ball has submitted legistlation CB75-2006.  Apparantly a public hearing has taken place and the Council will vote on this on Tuesday.  I plan to be there.  I want to see how they all vote.  Maybe Gina Ellrich should debate Calvin Ball on zoning.

What is this about?  The bill amends the Charter of the Howard County Housing Commission contained in the Howard County Ordinances from this:

Sec. 13.1315. Planning, zoning, sanitary, and building laws.

(a)   Subject to County Laws:  All housing developments of the commission shall be subject to the planning, zoning, sanitary, health, fire, housing, subdivision, and building laws, or, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations applicable in Howard County, unless otherwise provided by law. 

(b)   Government Structure:  For the purposes of the Zoning Enabling Act of Howard County and the zoning regulations promulgated thereunder, a housing development that is wholly owned by the commission shall be a use permitted as a matter of right in any business or commercial zoning district. 

to this

Section 13.1400. Planning, zoning, sanitary, and building laws.

(a) subject to county laws: all housing developments of the Howard County housing commission shall be subject to the planning, zoning, sanitary, health, fire, housing, subdivision, and building laws, or, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations applicable in Howard County, unless otherwise provided by law.
(b) government use: for the purposes of the zoning enabling act of Howard County and the zoning regulations promulgated there under, a housing development shall be considered a government use permitted as a matter of right in any business or commercial district if the housing development is:
(1) wholly owned by the Howard County housing commission;
(2) owned by the Howard County housing commission in partnership with a private entity in order to provide affordable housing controlled and managed by the Howard County housing commission; or
(3) located on land wholly owned by the Howard County housing commission and leased to a private entity in order to provide affordable housing controlled and managed by the Howard County housing commission.

The operative term in this change is “GOVERNMENT USE”.  What does that mean?    Let me refer you to the Howard County Zoning Regulations which in almost every zoning district (as in this case) the following is granted:

Uses Permitted as a Matter of Right

Governmental structures, facilities and uses including public schools and colleges.

This would allow current commercially zoned property, and maybe all property, as long as it is owned or in partnership with the Housing Commission to become high density residential for affordable housing.  More importantly, it would allow the property to be considered a “government use” which allows it to skirt some of the requirements of the normal development process.

Good news.  This is a great way to get more affordable housing.

Bad news.  It is an outrageous skirting of the zoning process.  This is zoning with out public input.

Aren’t any of these people listening?  Calvin Ball where have you been?  This is comp-lite all over again.

I have been told that this legislation targets a specific piece of property “a 2.5 acre property adjacent to Quest Fitness on Route 40/144 although it is another ’blanket’ legislation that would affect the entire county.  Any commercial property involved in a current or future relationship with the Howard County Housing Commission would be affected by this law. ”

Who owns this property?  Let us follow the money trail.

Did you get that?  Not only is it targeting a specific property it will open the flood gates.  If the owner of Normandy Heights Shopping Center sold out to or partnered with the Housing Commission they could put up a zillion low-income and moderate income housing right behind my house without giving me the opportunity to speak out on the issue.  I would have no say what so ever.  Neither would my neighbors, the people across the street, the people up the street in a moderate income development, or you.  Period.  End of story.  “We are the Government this is for Government use we are going to do it now please go away.”

This is not what people want.  Haven’t we heard time and again that people are sick and tired of County Council skirting the zoning process.

As the writer points out this is ill conceived for the following reasons:

• It allows rezoning outside of the comprehensive process and public review

• It allows a affordable housing development to be classified as Government use which allows it to skirt the normal process

• It is blanket legislation written with one property in mind- but affects ALL commercial property in Howard County

• It allows for dramatic density- not allowed in other uses

• It creates dense pockets of affordable housing rather than integrating it throughout the community

• It will have a significant density impact on our Route 1 and Route 40 corridors where the bulk of our commercial land is to be found and where our public facilities are least adequate.

• It is contrary to the Route 40 and Route 1 Task Force recommendations

• It sacrifices commercial property tax base for residential

Now didn’t Calvin Ball sign on to and co-sponsor the zoning window dressing legislation that was alleged to have increased citizen input into the zoning process?

Haven’t people been upset about the way comp-lite was handled (illegally).

Isn’t their a process that currently exists to for addressing zoning requests?

Does this bill circumvent those processes and completely ignore the citizens?

Will Gina Ellrich take Calvin Ball to the woodshed on this?  I hope so!

I want to hear him explain this!!!!

Contact your county council member and let them know how you feel.

http://co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CC_HomePage.htm

An open letter to Ken Ulman & Steve Wallis

In case you didn’t catch it this letter appears in The View Newspapers today September 28th.  It seems to have been written and sent to Mssrs. Ulman and Wallis shortly after September 14th.

Candidates Should Hold Discussion on Growth

To: Ken Ulman

From: Christopher J. Merdon

cc: Steven Wallis

I recently read an article in the Washington Post (September 14, 2006, headlined “Executive Race Rivals Eye General Election”) concerning the issue of growth in Howard County. You are quoted as saying, “I’m ready for this discussion. I’ve been waiting for it for quite a while.”

You should not have to wait any longer and neither should the citizens of Howard County. I would like to propose that you join me in a focused public discussion concerning growth. If you agree, I suggest that we invite Independent candidate Steve Wallis to join us.  Howard County’s voters deserve a full and honest discussion of this very important issue.

Our respective campaign teams can work out the details for such a public discussion to suit all three candidates. Please contact me to begin this process.

This letter was referenced in a Baltimore Sun article on Sunday, September 24th

Invitation to debate

Republican county executive candidate Christopher J. Merdon said Friday that he had sent a three-paragraph open letter dated Sept. 19 to Ken Ulman, his Democratic rival, with a copy to independent candidate C. Stephen Wallis, suggesting a public discussion on the issue of growth.Merdon said that while the three candidates have participated in numerous candidate forums, and more are scheduled, “I want to have a debate just on growth and development.” The forums mix all the issues, he said.

Ulman said he would be happy to debate growth, and he said he and Merdon have spoken privately about debates apart from forums. But Ulman said Friday he had not seen Merdon’s letter, and he wondered why his fellow county councilman didn’t just call him directly.

“He has my cell phone number, and I have his,” Ulman said.

Ulman said the letter was ” a bit disingenuous.”

“I’m not going to respond to any letter,” he said.

Wallis said he knew nothing about the letter until called by a reporter.

“It’s ridiculous,” he said. “It’s nothing less than a political ploy. Growth has come up at virtually every forum.”

I would not be surprised if the letters were thrown out unopened because they were mistaken for campaign literature.

As to Mr. Wallis’ complaint that the issue has come up at every forum.  He is correct.  My problem is that it doesn’t get enough time or attention.  I think a one hour debate on growth in Howard County and only on growth in Howard County is a great idea. 

How much attention does it get in a forum?  Ten minutes?  Twenty minutes tops?  And that would be between all the candidates represented at the forum not just Mssrs. Merdon, Ulman and Wallis.

I hope they accept the invitation.  They can have it at my house if need be.

Don’t need no ticket

I read Hayduke’s post, People Get Ready, and have been thinking about it ever since.  It was thought provoking and a very introspective piece of writing.

Yes Hayduke, I am interested in what you have to say whether it is partisan or not.

Introspection is a very very good thing.  We all should indulge ourselves in what truly is a very selfish act.  That it is selfish is a fact, but that doesn’t mean introspection is wrong.  It is actually very healthy and I don’t think enough people spend enough of their time indulging themselves.

Introspection is about oneself.  A review of what you have been doing.  For a lot of different reasons I have been indulging myself lately.  There’s a train a-commin’ and I can hear it.  Did you ever have that feeling?  I am sure you have.  I think at one time or another we feel a change is in order whether we initiate it or are just swept up in it, and I ain’t talkin’ politics.

Relative to partisanship dear reader, if you haven’t figured it out yet this is a partisan blog.

When I started this blog it wasn’t because I am a partisan.  I started this as a challenge to myself to keep up on issues that are effecting me and my family here in Howard County.  I have always had a keen interest in politics and I blame my father.  Local politics is where Government mostly effects one’s life on a daily basis.  Whether it is trash or snow removal, tax increases, or new programs at you kids school, or tax breaks for senior citizens.

This is a partisan blog.  I can’t help it and I don’t apologize for it either.

Even though I am a partisan I firmly believe we are all trying to achieve the same things regardless of political affiliation.  Ninety-nine percent of us are inherently good people and we don’t want to see people suffer and we want to lend a helping hand.  To me it is about who should be helping lift people up.  Other people or Government?  It is easy to let Government do it.  The cost comes out of my paycheck and I never really see it.  It is kind of like paying an indulgence (pardon the pun).  Problem is Government doesn’t do it very well.  My church does it better so I would rather have my tax dollars back and give it to my church and go volunteer to help out.

I believe in the ideals of the Republican Party which to me is primarily limited government.  The United States first form of government was defined in the Articles of Confederation (post revolution and pre-Constitution) which envisioned a very weak Federal Government.  When Congress wrote the Constitution it envisioned a stronger Federal Government because the States were bickering with one another and even refusing to execute the laws passed by Congress.  For the reasons stated in the anti-federalist papers, and because of the experience of many people and countries before we came to be many people were adamantly against a stronger Federal Government.  A government with too much power is a threat to civil liberties and States rights many argued.  The reason for the weak Articles of Confederation drew upon the experience of the times.  Our founders were of a time when the memory of Oliver Cromwell, over 100 years after his death, was still a vivid memory.  They were experienced with the abuse of so much power in the hands of only a few people (namely the King of England) so far away.  They were concerned about a dictator.  Which is why I admire George Washington so much.  President Washington could have been President for life and he knew it.  He left the trappings of Washington because he loved this Country and its experiment more than himself.

To that end the US Constitution seeks to limit the authority of the Federal Government.  It reserves a great deal of power to the States.  Since the Constitutions adoption we have seen an erosion of State’s rights and thus civil liberties.  I am not going into specifics.  I will say that I often thought that Newt Gingrich and the ACLU had more in common than they had differences.

That does not mean I don’t believe in government.  I think the US Constitution is brilliant.  I believe in it strongly.  I believe that the Feds should provide for a strong national defense, regulate interstate commerce, but that those things not enumerated in the Constitution should be left to the States.

Now, I don’t claim that the GOP is the only party that feels this way, and it certainly isn’t its only platform issue.  I also don’t confuse the ideals of the Republican Party with policy – with which often times I disagree.  I believe that Republican’s believe in limiting the power of the Federal Government more than the current power structure in the Democratic Party.  To that end I am a Reagan Republican.

I don’t think I am so partisan that I can’t be persuaded.  I often am.  I want to be fair minded, and I don’t want to be closed to new ideas, or perspectives, or new ways to think about something.  My God, who would want to be condemned to a life of mediocrity like that.  That is not to say I don’t get hot about an issue, or passionate about a discussion.  Whew you should see my family go at it.  The in-laws can’t stand it because they are convinced a fist fight is going to break out in the middle of the family reunion.  Not to worry.

The other reason I started this blog is because I wanted to run for County Council District One.  I decided it wasn’t the time to do so having just adopted two children.  Given my interest in the position, politics, and the issues facing Howard County I thought that writing about those things would be a great way to stay informed, research the issue, get to know more about how this County works.  I never thought I would learn so much about how County Government works.  I would never have thought how easy it is to piss some readers off.

It has been a great experience and I think I am doing what I set out to do even if I didn’t know that is where the train was headed.

Now, did I expect to be a vocal advocate for people running for office.  At the time no.  But when I have something to say about a person I have known for a long time who is running for office I am going to say it.  I don’t think it is partisan but I am willing to argue about it. 

These writings are my thoughts wrapped tightly around my beliefs and relationships so it is natural that my bias will be apparent.  This is not a newspaper.  Although I don’t intend to be partisan (all the time) I am sure that from any number of readers perspective I appear to be partisan and doing it on purpose.  That is fine.  Perception is reality and who am I to deny someone their perceptions?  Call it emotional baggage.  The fact is it is me.  That is why I write.

Oh, and like Hayduke I wanted to become a better writer.

In the end, Hayduke I was hoping you would play too because I was counting on you to keep me honest.  Although I do respect your decision I felt we balanced each other out, and I liked to be challenged – it makes me introspective.

Register of Wills

Here is an office that not many people think about unless they have had a death in the family.  Even then if one is not charged with overseeing the estate of a loved one one might never have a reason to to think about this elected position.  If a loved one doesn’t have a will then survivors will become very familiar with this office.

I have a co-worker who was the primary care giver of her Aunt.  Upon her Aunt’s death she spent a lot of time working with the Montgomery County Register of Wills to straighten out the estate.  She said that the help they provided was priceless.

Our current Howard County Register of Wills is Kay Hartleb.  She has held this office for many years and the reason being is that she has done a fantastic job.

What does the Register of Wills do?

The Register of Wills is responsible for appointing personal representatives to administer decedents’ estates and for overseeing the proper and timely administration of these proceedings. We also perform the following duties: assist and advise the public in the preparation of all required forms; maintain and preserve the permanent record of all proceedings; serve as the Clerk to the Orphans’ Court; track estates and refer delinquent matters to the Court; determine and collect inheritance taxes and probate fees/court costs; audit accounts of personal representatives and guardians; mail various notices and court orders to interested persons; and, verify compliance with court orders.

In short the Register of Wills is where one goes to register your will.  If the estate has no will they represent the decendents and the State in the distribution of the estate’s assets.

In a time such as the death of a loved one and where the oversight of the distribution of an estate’s assets are concerned I can think of no other more qualified person to fill this role than Kay Hartleb.

Throughout her tenure we have never had a hint of scandal or problems.  That is because of the office staff and Kay Hartleb’s leadership.

Kay has lived in Howard County for 45 years, is married with 3 children and 7 grandcildren.  She has conducted post graduate studies in Advanced Estate Administrationm, and is on the Executive Committee of the Maryland Register of Will’s Association and a Member of the Maryland Judges of the Orphans’ Court Association.

Kay is running for re-election and if experience counts in any race it counts in this one.

In 2002 Kay did not have a challenger in the General Election because people know that this is one of the most effecient offices in Howard County.  It is tough to beat such a well respected person.

In 2006 Kay does have a challenger.  Mr. Lawrence Blickman.  he is a recent newcomer to Howard County who registered to run for the office on the last possible day.  On that day Kay Hartleb received a call from the Board of Elections.  They asked her a question to this effect.  “Mrs. Hartleb, their is a gentleman here who is asking what your position pays in terms of salary.”  If anyone asks I can produce witnesses.  I couldn’t believe it.  Is this guy fishing for a job?  Why didn’t he ask “What does the job entail?”

So, I believe it is in the best interest of all of Howard County residents to keep an experienced, dedicated and principled leader in the roll of Howard County Register of Wills and ask that you vote for Kay Hartleb on November 7th too.

Parris Glendening Who?

Lets take a poll.

In 1994 Prince George County Executive, Parris Glendening, won the Governor’s race by a slim slim margin.  In fact, he lost Howard County in that election 46% to 54% .  The race wasn’t settled for months.

In 1998 Glendening ran for re-election and won Howard County by practically reversing those numbers 53% to 47%.  The power of incumbancy played a large role in that he only won by 5,500 votes while Robey won re-election by over 8,200 votes (of course that was before Robey went on a tax and fee binge).  Glendening won despite the fact that his approval ratings were slipping at this time.

One must wonder with the high approval numbers Ehrlich has at this time can he repeat what Glendening managed to do?

When Glendening left office he did so with a 37% job approval rating just one month before the General election.  At the time Bob Ehrlich had a 58% favorable rating in Howard County and 60% State wide.  Glendening watched on the sidelines as his protoge KKT lost the Governor’s race to Bob Ehrlich. 

Governor Glendening has kept a very low profile since he left office and I wonder if we might see him in the 2006 General Elections.

Governor Glendening’s legacy is certainly a mixed bag, but I think by most standards he accomplished little during his term.  His keynote initiatives were Smart Growth and The Chesepeake Bay.

He also left a gapping $1billion hole in the State budget (the same practice he employed in Prince George County).

He will also be remembered for divorcing his wife and marrying an assistant while serving his second term.  I understand it was not the first time that we had two first ladies at the same time.

If you are old enough to remember share with the rest of us your thoughts on Gov. Glendening and his legacy.

Election Year Posturing???

I stole this entire post from David Wissing at The Hedgehog Report not only because I couldn’t say it any better, but because I am really busy today and very lazy about blogging.

THE HEDGEHOG REPORT

I haven’t been really commenting on it much, but Republican candidate Chris Merdon, in recent weeks, has been coming out with new initiatives he hopes to accomplish when he is elected as County Executive. There are located on his website. It started last months with proposals for a 311 Call Center and a Senior Tax Relief Plan and has been followed up after Labor Day with proposals for Middle School Competitive Athletics Programs and, earlier this week, a forward-looking environmental plan for Howard County.

The initiatives have been getting rather positive coverage in the past week. The Senior Tax Relief plan even managed to garner these headlines from the two liberal daily newspapers, The Baltimore Sun and The Washington Post.

Warm Greet for Plan to Cut Senior’s Property TaxSeniors Back Tax Cut Plan

Not unexpectedly, the Democratic candidate, Ken Ulman, has immediately criticized Merdon for these bold proposals despite the fact that he actually admits they are good ideas in some cases. In fact, in a Baltimore Examiner article from earlier this week in regards to Merdon’s environmental plan, he had this to say:

Ulman attacked Merdon’s move, saying it was “cynical to announce a plan 50 days before an election.”“Some of them aren’t bad ideas, but voters see through this election-year posturing,” he said.

So reading this quote from Ken Ulman, one would be under the impression that no candidate should be allowed to propose any ideas within 50 days of an election because it is nothing more than “election-year posturing”. That is what his quote is implying, right?. So imagine my surprise when I read this in this morning’s Baltimore Sun.

Zoning and child care are subjects that don’t often intersect, but as Howard County’s three-way race for county executive heats up, Ken Ulman, the Democratic nominee, staked out new positions on both this week. Ulman said he wants before- and after-school programs in Howard County to expand and to eliminate a 448-child waiting list countywide, helping working parents.
….
At the luncheon, Ulman said he now favors a separate county Zoning Board — a position closer to one held by Angela Beltram, a former county councilwoman and a leader of the Comp Lite opponents.

Wait a minute…is Ken Ulman proposing a plan within 50 days of an election? Would Ken Ulman consider this “election-year” posturing? Never mind the fact that Ulman is obviously trying to pander to Angie Beltram, a former Democratic councilwoman who threatened to vote against anyone who voted for Comp-Lite (which includes Ulman), by switching his position within 50 days of the election. Is that “election-year posturing”?

By the way, questions are starting to be raised about certain items on Ken Ulman’s website resume. Apparently, he may be claiming job titles that he never quite had. I’d be curious to see if the media picks up on this….

Posted by Dave Wissing

Fundraiser Maryland Democratic Party

Where
at the home of Bonnie Bricker and Adil Shamoo.

When
October 08, 2006

Cost:
$50.00

Details Here

Going Negative Already III

Someone filed an ethics complaint against County Councilman and County Executive candidate Chris Merdon for a mailer he sent to Howard County residents encouraging their testimony is support of his Senior Citizen Property Tax Cut proposal.

I haven’t seen the mailer but from press reports it contained two pages.