Something Rotten in Denmark (Howard County)

Well, it’s a been while since I last posted on this blog.  But something that happened about 2 months ago caught my eye, and then a related event happened just last week, and I decided I could not sit by and not comment on these events any longer. 

 The first event was the article I read about in the Howard County Times, on February 12, 2008, written by Nate Sandstrom.  The article was titled “Executive Proposes to Renovate County Offices”.   Granted, the title itself does not really divulge a much more interesting plot that one only is aware of if one reads the entire article.  Now, I know some people like my self glance headlines and decide what articles to read.  If I had stuck to my normal routine I would have passed this one by.  But something made me read it, and I’m glad I did, for what I read thoroughly bothered me.   Not that I enjoy being bothered, but I truly believe a well informed society makes for a better society.  And, sometimes, hearing about improper activities or improper behavior sparks enough outrage in the citizenry to take action against the perpetrators.  

The latter part of the article talks about a site development plan for the Oakland Mills Village Center.  Great – a plan to reinvigorate and redevelop an ailing village center.   What could be bad about that?  Only this.   It turns out that the developer, Metroventures/USA, Inc., based out of Baltimore, Maryland, was given approval by the Planning Board to count public, ON-STREET parking as part of their required parking. 

Why is that bothersome, you may ask?  Well, let me explain.  In Section 133 of the Howard County Zoning Regulations, there are requirements for how many parking spaces are required for various “uses”, such as retail, office, gas stations, movie theaters, and so on.  In the first set of subsections, the Regulations clearly state that only OFF-STREET parking may be counted toward the required parking. 

The Planning Board has NO AUTHORITY whatsoever to approve on-street parking for a private use.  Not ever. 

What’s really bothersome about this, is that the article by Mr. Sandstrom goes on to quote Ms. Kimberly Flowers, the DPZ Ombudswoman, in response to why this was approved:  “such approvals are not unique”.    Hmmm.   I wish Ms. Flowers would elaborate on what plans she’s talking about.  This is the ombudswoman who was brought on by County Executive Ken Ulman to restore public trust in the development process, to provide transparency to the process, to bring back legitimacy to the process.  Oh really.  It sounds like Ms. Flowers is nothing more than a political puppet of Mr. Ulman’s, making lame excuses in a sorry attempt to justify her boss’s inappropriate conduct by saying “it’s been done before”.  How pathetic.

 Now, to be clear, I don’t think that DPZ is to blame for this plan being approved.  I lay the blame squarely at the feet of Ken Ulman and the Planning Board.  After all, the Planning Board is appointed by Ken Ulman, and the Chairperson is a neighborhood friend, political contributor to Ulman, and a political ally of his who has had a tendancy to deviate from standard Planning Board procedures in the past, either on her own or at the direction of political superiors.   And, Metroventures USA is also a heavy contributor to Ken Ulman – some $5000 between 6/15/2006 and 4/30/2007, according to the UMBC Campaign Finanace Database.   But, I’m sure there’s no quid prop quo going on here. 

But wait, I’m leaving out the other half of this bothersome fiasco.   The speech that Mr. Ulman just gave about proposing new zoning laws to help revitalize the town centers throughout Columbia (although since he can’t seem to follow current laws I don’t see the point in proposing new laws).  Here’s the part that really gets me. 

“WHETHER IT IS THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE FROM STAFF IN THEDEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND ZONING, INVESTMENTS IN NEEDED INFRASTRUCTUREIMPROVEMENTS, PROACTIVE COMMUNITY POLICING, AS THE FACILITATOR BRINGINGALL PARTIES TO THE TABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARD SOLUTIONS, OR BYINVESTING DIRECTLY IN VILLAGE CENTERS WHEN OPPORTUNITIES ARISE, WE ARE

COMMITTED TO MAKING VILLAGE CENTER REVITALIZATION SUCCESSFUL.

 This brings up the part about Ken Ulman taking it upon himself, without County Council approval, to buy 15,000 square feet of this office building, for $4 million, or roughly $267.00 per square foot.   I know enough about real estate to know that that amount is over the going rate for office space.  So, is this an investment to benefit the citiznes of Howard County (by overpaying for unneeded office space that isn’t even tied into the County offices) or is it about giving a political payoff to big campaign contributor?

If Ulman is all about investing in opportunities, shouldn’t he be ponying up $4 million (or some equitable percentage) for EVERY office/retail project in the County?  Shouldn’t ALL developers be allowed to count on-street parking in their site plans, and thereby significantly increase the size of their buildings?   If I were other developers, I would certainly be wondering those questions.

If there’s one thing Ken Ulman should understand as a lawyer, and the same goes for Ms. Flowers and the Planning Board Members, the government is supposed to apply the law equally to EVERYBODY.  A government that is arbitrary and capricious, can not govern and can not be trusted.   Shame on all of them for creating the stench that eminates from the third floor of the County Office Building.  Maybe the citizens of Howard County, all of those that are disgruntled by this kind of behavior, like the newly formed Howard County Land Use Coalition, will start really calling these officials to task for their misdeeds.  Then, maybe there will be true change in the process, and integrity and honesty can be restored to the process.  One thing is for sure though, as long as certain current officials are in their posts, the garbage will continue to mount. 

Stop It – You’re Killing Me

Oh those Maryland Democrats, they make me laugh harder than Jim Carey, Robin Williams and Leslie Nielsen combined.

A couple of weeks ago, while trying to justify large raises for top bureaucrats, Gov. O’Malley compared Maryland state government to a large publicly-traded corporation that needed expertise in a variety of fields.  The publicly-traded corporation most comparable to Maryland would have to be Enron.  Then last week – stop me if you’ve heard this one – MOM announced that the settlement hammered out with BGE was the best that could be obtained because the costs of energy were going up and the state was powerless (no pun intended) to stop it.  I could just hear his smirk over the radio as he recalled what he said during the 2006 campaign.

And yesterday I’m reading a pompous article in the Baltimore Sun & Fish-Wrapper about the effectiveness of the liquor lobby and about how evil those people are:  “‘It’s enormously frustrating,’ Del. William A. Bronrott, a Montgomery County Democrat who supports raising alcohol taxes, said of the industry’s power. ‘We’re talking pure greed versus the public interest.’”  Is this guy as funny as he intends to be? Isn’t it pure greed on the state’s part to grab as much revenue as it can from whatever source doesn’t squawk loud enough (e.g., the IT industry)? I guess letting people keep some of their own money isn’t really in the public interest.  As long as the state gets the money he doesn’t see the irony of his statement.  It really must be fun to live in your own fantasy world where the normal rules of economics don’t apply, and the MSM nods in agreement.

Simple, but effective PSA – can you pass the test?

(h/t Laura W. – Ace of Spades)

John Adams – HBO series begins tonight.

HBO is airing a 7 part series based on the book John Adams by David McCullough. Episodes 1 & 2 air tonight (and throughout the week.)

By most accounts, the series does a good job of recreating the hardships faced at the birth of our county through the story of our second President.

[Update: Sunday - 4/20/08]

The series concludes tonight at 9:00 PM EDTwith part 7, Peace Field. HBO is also showing the entire series starting at 1:00 PM EDT.

1. 1:00 PM – Join or Die
2. 2:30 PM – Independence
3. 4:00 PM – Don’t Tread on Me
4. 5:00 PM – Reunion
5. 6:30 PM – Unite or Die
6. 7:30 PM – Unnecessary War
7. 9:00 PM – Peacefield (will also air throughout the week.)

Loss of a Priceless Howard County Asset

Barry Tevelow died suddenly Monday, March 10, 2008. He was only 49 years old. We are all heartbroken.

I have been composing this announcement in my head as I lie awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. I am inadequate to the task. Barry deserves the brilliance of Jefferson, or the eloquence of Emerson.

Barry Tevelow was a singular individual. He was a thoroughly decent human being who acted when most stand idly by. He spoke truth to power for the benefit of others, sometimes at significant personal expense.

For those of you who do not know him by name, you probably know him by deed – or at least have felt the positive effect his efforts had in Howard County. Barry was an early and vocal opponent of former School Superintendent John O’Rourke. He was active in working with young people – including helping teens effectively close down an advertising campaign which was offensive to young people.

Along with his wife and fellow extraordinary human being and community activist, Carla, Barry worked locally with charitable foundations, various elected officials, committees, and organizations to improve the lives and opportunities of all of us.

As an early computer and internet proponent Barry was instrumental in connecting the Howard County community through Internet List-serves for Public Education and Political Activism. He gave voice to many disparate and under-represented groups through these efforts as well as publishing conventional newspapers.

He organized forums for Howard County residents to meet local candidates, and “Socrates’ Cafe” meetings for folks to get together and discuss philosophy, politics and “whatever”.

For the past few years Barry has been working on developing a fully self-sufficient farm in North Carolina, complete with self-sustaining power. Where most of us think “I’d like to….” Barry acted.

I am struck in the face of this loss with a happy realization that Barry crammed more into his 49 years than most people do in twice as much time. It is a small consolation.

Depending on which mystical belief system you subscribe to you may have an idea of where Barry is now. I’d like to think he has been speaking with Thomas Jefferson, and having a real “cafe” with Socrates. I hope he has all the answers to all the questions he ever had. I don’t know where he is for sure, except that he will always be in my heart.

Barry leaves his wife Carla and two college age children, Keith and Lauren , along with a legion of loved ones who will miss him terribly.

Of all the poignant quotations from the world’s best minds which would fit this fine man, I can find none so on point as one from Barry himself. Delivered during his eulogy to his brother-in-law who also died too young not long ago, “We wanted more”.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 1:00 at the Sol Levinson Funeral Home in Pikesville.

Cindy Vaillancourt

Technology Tax

I don’t think I had to go to grad school to learn how regressive taxes can be to the economy.  One of the models we used last semester measured the effect of taxes on supply and demand.  Granted it was only a model (much more reliable than some of the climate change models – do you hear me Dr. Manns) but the point was that when misapplied taxes are growth killers.

That is why I think it is odd that while heading into recession (a growth killer of its own) Martin O’Malley needed to raise taxes.  Did the state of the current economy creep up on us?  No it didn’t.  We saw this coming – but instead of digging in and slashing spending it was decided that the best way to tackle an economic slow down was to take more money out of the economy.  If we are hurting now why not pile it on!

In economic terms Government spending is called an investment in the economy.  Many people will take that little piece of knowledge and try to beat fiscal conservatives over the head with it.  They want to twist that little piece of news into good news.  What they don’t want to hear is that private investment in the economy is much better and sustainable than Government spending.  In addition, there is less danger to freedom if Government is not permitted to grow.  That is what true conservatives really care about.

We are already seeing a decline in sales tax revenue because of the double whammy of higher taxes and the economy.  What kind of revenue increase do you think Annapolis is going to realize in new technology taxes?  They can only project that information.  They also projected that they will realize less jobs in this sector, which means smaller pay rolls, and lower income and sales taxes.  How do you think they balance those kinds of decisions?  These are smart people.  They know that the industry will suffer negative consequences and that this is a wealth redistribution scheme.  Do you think they cared about these technology workers and employees, and the companies (and those employees) who buy from them?  No, they felt it was an acceptable risk.

We are talking about the well being of real people.  Supporters of these taxes say it is for the greater good!  Sorry, I don’t buy it.  It is a money grab.  The business people have it and O’Malley wants to redistribute it among HIS priorities.

Today technology is not an option for a lot of companies, but there is a lot of discretionary spending in technology.  There are lots of substitute available in the market (just look on eBay).  Buyers can decide to postpone buying decisions – and according to game theory they likely will postpone buying decisions.  With the current economic environment and these taxes they are going to see a drastic slow down in technology spending.

Will the technology sector recover?  Eventually.  It usually does but it lags the rest of the economy.  The point is this.  Martin O’Malley just made the recession a lot worse for a lot of little guys in the technology business whether they work for Cisco, SAP, or are the owner of Tom’s LanWarehouse.

In the mean time he is doling out $600,000 pay raises.  Does anyone else find that to be ironic?  Do you really think Martin O’Malley cares?  He is a nice person, but he really is not thinking about these employees and small business people he is thinking about all the spending promises he made.

I voted for Ehrlich.

Maryland Computer Services Sales Tax hearings in Annapolis

Meetup: http://taxreform.meetup.com/27/calendar/7472261
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11240944457
Follow us on Twitter @TCMMdBio

When: March 12, 9:00 AM

Where: Lawyer’s Mall Annapolis, MD (directly in front of the State House and next to the Governor’s Mansion)

Why: This new tax, which takes effect July 2008, will put many Maryland businesses at a severe disadvantage. Small businesses — the least able to sidestep the tax — will be particularly affected.  This tax will hurt the welfare of industries beyond the Tech sector and will also drive some businesses out of state! Imposing a 6% sales tax on computer services like computer facilities management, network maintenance and custom programming is bad policy.

RSVP: Brian Levine BLevine@techcouncilmd.com, Facebook or Meetup.

—–

Please mark your calendar to SPEND THE MORNING IN ANNAPOLIS Wednesday, March 12. The rally will crescendo just before 10 a.m. as legislators walk past the rally to their floor sessions in the State House.

Later that afternoon, Tech Council of Maryland staff and volunteer leaders will testify in hearings on the six percent Computer Services Sales Tax issue in both the House and the Senate. If you care about this issue, please mark March 12 on your calendars. We will need a huge business presence in Annapolis for the hearings.

Fight Tech Tax Coalition members include Tech Council of Md, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Baltimore Tech Council, the Charles County Tech Council, Montgomery County Chamber and Howard County Chamber. Thank-you for your support!

Enough Tragedy To Go Around

I love our local police. I love the State troopers I have encountered. When Cpl. Scott Wheeler was killed in the line of duty I teared up while reading about him and his family. Such a sad, sad thing.

I also felt terrible for the young woman who hit and killed him. What a terrible thing to have to live with.

I have not seen any reports or information that she was doing anything out of the ordinary. She wasn’t fleeing arrest, driving impaired. She apparently wasn’t even on the phone. She was just driving down the highway and encountered a “speed trap”. We’ve all seen what happens when drivers realize they are being clocked. Break lights, lane changes, all manner of controlled chaos. Even when I am not speeding I find these situations stressful and dangerous.

Add to that a human being in the travel lanes and that sad, but inevitable, accident that finally occurred irreparably alters dozens of lives. So very sad all around.

On March 5 a grand jury decided not to hand down an indictment for manslaughter. The 24 year old will be fined for traffic citations for negligent driving and speeding.

I do not know how the family or the police feel about this decision. However, I hope they will be o.k. with it.

This young woman’s life is certainly changed. When they release her name and personal information she will probably make some kind of public expression of her endless sorrow and guilt over the event. Time will tell if she devotes her future to traffic safety, police benevolent causes, or just leads a productive and worthy life. Any of those would be preferable to the time and resources all around that would have been spent on a trial and possible incarceration.

This seems to have been a tragic accident that was reasonably foreseeable and heartbreaking all around. I think the correct decision was made here. I hope all the parties will find some comfort in the close of this chapter. I hope the next chapter will bring additional comfort as this young woman goes on to justify this decision with good works and a worthwhile life.

My thoughts are with all those who have been touched by this senseless and tragic accident.

Cindy Vaillancourt

More evidence of climate chage?

NASA has released orbital photos of ice and dust falling down a 2300 ft cliff taken by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. (Press release a full resolutions images here)

Amazingly, this image has captured at least four Martian avalanches, or debris falls, in action. It was taken on February 19, 2008, by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

The image to the left shows the context of where these avalanches occurred, with white boxes indicating the locations of the more detailed image portions shown to the right. All images are false color. Material, likely including fine-grained ice and dust and possibly including large blocks, has detached from a towering cliff and cascaded to the gentler slopes below. The occurrence of the avalanches is spectacularly revealed by the accompanying clouds of fine material that continue to settle out of the air. The largest cloud (upper images) traces the path of the debris as it fell down the slope, hit the lower slope, and continues downhill, forming a billowing cloud front. This cloud is about 180 meters (590 feet) across and extends about 190 meters (625 feet) from the base of the steep cliff. Shadows to the lower left of each cloud illustrate further that these are three dimensional features hanging in the air in front of the cliff face, and not markings on the ground. Sunlight is from the upper right.

Closer to home, the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change / The Heartland Institute has released a report Nature, Not Human Activity, Rules the Climate. From the foreword:

In his speech at the United Nations’ climate conference on September 24, 2007, Dr. Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic, said it would most help the debate on climate change if the current monopoly and one-sidedness of the scientific debate over climate change by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were eliminated. He reiterated his proposal that the UN organize a parallel panel and publish two competing reports.

The present report of the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) does exactly that. It is an independent examination of the evidence available in the published, peer-reviewed literature – examined without bias and selectivity. It includes many research papers ignored by the IPCC, plus additional scientific results that became available after the IPCC deadline of May 2006.

The report seeks to address the following issues:

The present report by the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC) focuses on two major issues – the very weak evidence that the causes of the current warming are anthropogenic (Section 2) and the far more robust evidence that the causes of the current warming are natural (Section 3) – and then addresses a series of less crucial topics:

• Computer models are unreliable guides to future climate conditions (Section 4);
• Sea-level rise is not significantly affected by rise in GH gases (Section 5);
• The data on ocean heat content have been misused to suggest anthropogenic warming. The role of GH gases in the reported rise in ocean temperature is largely unknown (Section 6);
• Understanding of the atmospheric carbon dioxide budget is incomplete (Section 7);
• Higher concentrations of GH gases are more likely to be beneficial to plant and animal life and to human health than lower concentrations (Section 8); and
• Conclusion: Our imperfect understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change means the science is far from settled. This, in turn, means proposed efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing GH gas emissions are premature and misguided. Any attempt to influence global temperatures by reducing such emissions would be both futile and expensive (Section 9)

Are the people who wrote this report correct? Assertions to the contrary, it seems the scientific debate may be far from settled.
(h/t Powerline: Voices of Sanity on the Climate)