A Ray of Light

From the Baltimore Sun on Sunday regarding redevelopment of Town Center attributed to Ken Ulman.

And while he embraces the idea of developing downtown Columbia, he does not support the idea of authorizing 5,500 housing units there.

Ulman says he does not have a fixed figure in mind. But “5,500 units is ludicrous,” he says. “It will never happen. It’s too intense. There’s no way we can handle it.”

Any long time reader of this blog knows that I have consistently said Here and Here that the exisiting infrastructure of Town Center will not support this level of development.  Ken Ulman has finally said so – at least in the papers.  I have not seen a clearer statement from him.

Some people may want to over build in Columbia in an effort to spare us sprawl and crowded roads in other parts of the County.  They even cite enviromental concerns.  That is fine.  It is a good arguement.  However, it is only a part of the arguement.  Unless we are willing to spend hundereds of millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements it is becoming clearer and clearer that the kind of “infill” development that has been envisioned for Town Center is not going to work.

Given other pressing needs megatropolis is going to have to wait.

Pre – Columbia History

Was there a Columbia before there was a Columbia?  If so what was it?

This is the topic of “Finding History Where You Live”

Thursday, December 7, 2006

7 P.M. at the Wilde Lake Village Center

The program will highlight Columbia’s ties to its agrarian past and the Civil War as well as its more recent history that includes well known artists, architects and musicians, local celebrities and Columbia firsts. Barbara Kellner, Manager of Columbia Archives, will share some of the tidbits and treasures she has found in a slide show tour. The program is free and registration is encouraged.

For more information and to register, contact Barbara Kellner at columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.com or call 410-715-3103.

Calvin Ball for Chairman

The Baltimore Sun says that “Ball seems likely choice as council chairman“.

They are probably right.  However, I think Courtney Watson would make an excellent Chairman too.  If she were to pursue the position I think she could persuade Mary Kay Sigitay to support her bid.  That would leave the tie breaking vote to Greg Fox.

As the lone Republican Greg would find himself in a very enviable position.

My view of the Council is that we have three voting blocks.  Ball and Terresa, Watson and Sigitay, and Fox.  I think with the democrats split along those lines Greg Fox will have more influence than most people originally thought.

Despite the disparaging remarks directed at Greg during the primary – he has the skills to negotiate the halls of County Council.

Updated:I think Calvin Ball will be elected Chairman.  Not much doubt in my mind about that.  I hope he distinguishes himself in the role.  With Guy Guzzone off to the House of Delegates Calvin Ball might actually be able to act as his own person rather than suffer under the undue influence of Mssrs. Guzzone and Ulman. 

Since Mr. Ulman will now be occupying a suite of offices on the 3rd floor Mr. Ball might find it difficult to avoid Mr. Ulman’s patronizing. I can hear it now:

“Now, now Calvin.  After all I am the County Executive and have 4, count them 4, years of Council experience.  Besides Calvin, now I have hired my best friend to make up for my lack of executive and management experience so I will still have plenty of time to direct err help you.  What is that Calvin?  Never mind how much I am paying him.  Remember it costs a lot of money to make me look good and my opponents look bad.  Now just get the bill passed in the new council that authorizes his position.  What Calvin!  Don’t worry how much money it will cost Calvin!  This is a quality of life issue for God’s sake.  No Calvin, not MY quality of life!  Do you want to be Chairman or not?”

If Calvin Ball can not demonstrate his independence and distinguish himself then I don’t think he will be able to pull what Guy Guzzone did – three years as Chairman.  If the other council members (save one) see Calvin Ball continuing to do the bidding of Ken Ulman – he is out after 12 months.  That would be the best outcome for Calvin because it moves him out of the limelight for the next three years, and gives him time to repair his image as a lackey so he can win re-election in 2010.

In the end this could be what some people are counting on.  Let Calvin continue to exercisebad judgement.  ie: continues to propose bad legislation, challenges the recently passed senior tax cut as a surrogate for Ken Ulman, etc. and let him remove himself from relevancy.

The County Council will be sworn in this evening at Centennial High School at 7PM – maybe I will see you there.