Editor’s Note: This article was updated after it was originally posted. All new information was added to the end of the original story.
For years now the Route One Corridor (U.S. Route 1) in Howard County that extends into Baltimore County in the north and Prince George’s County in the south has been a hot topic of discussion for years, especially in regard to potential development and nagging crime.
The road passes through North Laurel, Savage, Jessup, and Elkridge. Many residents in these areas often express thoughts regarding neglect by county government. The corridor is one of the common threads that binds all of these communities.
Recently, the Savage Community Association headed by Susan Garber, and the Howard County Citizens Association with Stu Kohn as president, sponsored a debate with all of the candidates in Howard County Council Districts that impinge on the Corridor.
Districts one, two and three were represented on the panel. In District 3, Christiana Rigby (D) presented her views despite running unopposed in the general election. In District 1, Raj Kathuria (R) and Liz Walsh (D) attended the debate. For District 2, Opel Jones (D) and John Liao (R) attended.
The debate was held at the Savage Community Center where an estimated 90 residents attended. Stu Kohn moderated the event asking some questions from the floor before yielding to audience participants who asked their prepared questions.
Opening Remarks
Kathuria is a real estate agent and the owner of a bistro. A naturalized citizen, originally from India, he has lived in Howard County for 32 years, he explained in his opening statement. He set himself apart from the other candidates by claiming to be the first one on the panel to accept the idea of High School #13 “while everyone else was just talking about it.”
Walsh has children in the first and third grades and promotes herself as a change agent. She set herself apart by revealing that she has taken no special interest money to support her campaign.
Jones, who has a background as a teacher in Washington, DC called for full funding for schools and good salaries for public servants. He expressed concerns about redistricting and public safety. He shared that he was a volunteer with the Alpha Achievers, a group that mentors teen boys.
Liao has lived in the United States for 20 years and 10 years as a resident of Maryland. A Long Reach resident, he said he has a vision for new leadership with emphases on job creation, inclusion, and development.
In her opening statement, Rigby shared about her service to the community as a member of the Kings Contrivance Village Board and the Howard Eco Works Board. Her concerns include the Hammond High School renovation project and promoting a comprehensive approach to development.
Differences Among Candidates
To the question, how do you differ from your opponent, Rigby pointed to her ability to work with others. Liao said, “I am very open to a lot of different ideas.” He said he is able to work across the aisle and across boundaries.
Jones responded, “I love people and people generally love me. According to Jones, he has support from teachers and police unions.
Walsh highlighted her technical expertise and her reliance upon data to make critical decisions. She described herself as “always critical.” She said that there “always has to be a reason [for making decisions].
Kathuria described himself as a business person who is a good negotiator.
New Legislation
To the question, what legislation are you looking to submit, Liao said he wanted to streamline zoning rules and make government more transparent.
Jones said he wanted to find a way to enforce the county’s minority business goals. Walsh called for strengthening the environmental and ecological buffer zones. She said that she would like to eliminate construction development waivers.
Kathuria said he would push to move forward with High School #14, which he noted as a top priority. Rigby said that she wants to look at taxes and fees, such as impact and transfer fees. She said, I want a comprehensive review because it’s all piece meal.”
Development Along the Corridor
Regarding increased development in the county, Jones emphasized that development in the eastern half of the county is “moving too fast.”
Walsh said, “It’s too much development. We need to invest in the communities where the development is happening.”
Kathuria responded, “Let’s look 10 to 15 years ahead of us, not just one or two years.”
Rigby placed blame on County Executive Kittleman for some of the blight in Route One communities. She accused Kittleman of taking away funds earmarked for Route One development.
Liao said he would install more traffic light in Elkridge and push for improved traffic flow by synchronizing the lights.
A New Council
The candidates were asked to list potential improvements to bad legislation that had been approved by the current council.
Walsh said, “Adequate public facilities should be taken into account before we get into these massive developments.”
Kathuria echoed Walsh’s sentiment, indicating that the county should examine the needs of the community before development is allowed.
Rigby indicated her concern regarding funds transfers from one project to another. She gave as an example money targeted for downtown Columbia that was moved to assist with county flooding problems.
Liao said, “There’s too much development in some areas and not enough in others.” He gave as examples the lack of development in Oakland Mills and Gateway.
Jones reflected on the bill designed to provide tax relief to mobile home owners. He said that the initiative should have passed. He agree with the other candidates that a review of adequate public facilities needed to be addressed.
A Vision for Route One
Kathuria said that the county does have a vision for Route One, when asked by an audience member, but the vision did not include a transit plan.
Rigby, on the other hand, said no. “The county does not have a vision for Route One. We don’t get the attention that other parts of the county get.”
Liao pointed to the improvements in Elkridge, including the new fire station and library, but he added, “We need to respect the quality of life.”
Jones was less approving. “Route One is all throughout the General Plan, but no one in the County Council has done anything about it.” He plans to address his constituents issues, if he wins, by planning quarterly town hall meetings.
Walsh referred to the plans for Route One as “an election year ploy.” She said, “This is not good government. That is not good planning.”
What Changes Would You Recommend?
Liao stressed the importance of targeting all areas of concern regarding adequate public facilities in high density locales.
Kathuria highlighted the need to ensure that the needs of first responders and hospitals take precedence.
Rigby pointed out that new building designs in Howard County call for upgraded fire and rescue equipment. She contends that the needs of the county’s fire fighters are not being met.
Walsh agreed with Rigby citing that the “minimum requirements” are not being met for the needs of the fire fighters. She added, “We need retail facing the streets, inviting tax payers.”
What About High School #14?
“We need High School 14 now,” said Walsh. “We shouldn’t wait for catastrophic failure. Push state lawmakers and the county.”
Jones said, “High School 14 should definitely be discussed.” He added, “What needs to happen earlier than High School 14 is redistricting.”
Kathuria leaned on the government to stop lingering on the idea of a new high school. He said, “Leadership is working on it, not thinking about it.”
Rigby clarified the process. She noted that the County Executive sets the budget number, but it is the County Council who has the power to shift funds from one line item to another.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article had County Executive and County Council transposed in the above paragraph. In a note sent to the Guilford Gazette Rigby stated, “I said the reverse, the county executive sets the budget and the county council approves the budget.”
Route One -The Road Ahead
Rigby complained that the County is not fully taking advantage of state highway matching funds. She called for a large show of people to show their support for improving roads using this method.
Walsh said that the death toll on Route One is too high. She said, “It has become a very dangerous corridor.”
Jones advocates working more closely with state legislators and holding constituent town hall meetings. He said, “We need to hold developers responsible.”
Kathuria said, “We need to work on Route One safety. Although we have a plan now, we need to work on that.”
Liao called for working closely with the County delegation and conducting a tour to give state legislators a better sense of the needs on the Corridor.
Students with Disabilities
A member of the audience asked what the candidates would do to help students with disabilities. Rigby said, “I will do a lot to support students with disability and to help them with housing.”
“I am about innovation and inclusion,” said Liao. He concluded, “As a resource person, my door is always open.”
Jones told the questioner that he would sit down with him to discuss the needs of the disabled student population if he is elected.
Kathuria relayed a personal story about a 40-year-old relative of his who is disabled. He said, “I understand that situation.”
UPDATE
55+ Housing
In regard to housing designated for those who are 55 years of age or older, Rigby said that she does not support the idea of senior living facilities being erected in isolated areas away from necessary amenities such as grocery stores and cleaners. She said, “It is important that we have options for seniors.”
Jones called for slower growth, while Walsh balked at the construction exemptions that often apply to these properties. She said, “There is an entitlement there so the rules need to apply. Just being 55 plus should not exempt [these projects].
Kathuria noted that such facilities should be available. “We all should be able to retire in Howard County,” he said.
Liao suggested that the County needs to “rewrite the zoning.”
Drawing a Correlation between Data and Development
Walsh pushed for having subject matter experts work with the Howard County Depart of Planning and Zoning on some of the thorny issues. She said, “With DPZ they just accept this is how thing are done.”
Rigby suggested that under the current system, “we are all at risk.”
Kathuria maintained that with Plan Howard and other development forecasts, the County has never truly followed the blueprint. “We’ve never acted on it,” he said.
Imminent Domain for School Constrution
Regarding the use of imminent domain as tool for school construction, Rigby called for more detailed and advanced planning regarding schools, which would decrease the need to consider imminent domain.
Jones is not in favor of using imminent domain to take residential areas, but for commercial areas he left open the possibility. Again he emphasized redistricting as a solution for over-populated schools.
Walsh said that imminent domain should only be used as a last resort, while Kathuria said, “I believe in property rights.” Liao agreed saying, “It should never happen.”
DPZ Ambiguity and a Construction Moratorium
One audience participant suggested that DPZ rules are confusing and wanted to know if candidates would support a construction moratorium. Liao said, “There are too many zoning codes in one area. I would look into the codes we don’t need.”
Jones said he is unsure whether he would fight for a moratorium, but guaranteed that he would look for the best solutions for the people.
Walsh said, “A moratorium is a drastic measure.
Closing Statements
Jones thanked the organizers and the audience (as did all of the candidates) and ended his closing statement on a positive note, saying “I do believe that we’re all going to work together.” He was speaking of the working relationship of the next Council.
Kathuria said, “This election determines the future of Howard County. We need to bring in smart development.”
As part of his closing remarks, Liao made it clear that the “Route One Corridor is very important to me.”
Rigby promised not to simply “standby when the County Executive takes away millions of dollars from Route One.”
UPDATE: Rigby sent a note of correction to the Guilford Gazette: “… the money I mentioned that was moved to assist [Ellicott City] came from Owen Brown fields.”