Candidates vying for Howard County Council share similar views on education
But
If
The five winners, elected by districts, are expected to have to grapple with school overcrowding and construction, funding for and
These are the stories of the nine candidates for
The controversy emanating from
This lack of representation, on the bill and on the council, "haphazard developments" popping up in the district without infrastructure to support it and school overcrowding prompted Kathuria to throw his hat in the political arena.
Kathuria, 53, is endorsed by Kittleman. He named school overcrowding has a big concern of his constituents.
"We need to get the student count [under] control," Kathuria said, suggesting this can be done by hiring more teachers and increasing funding.
Kathuria, who is an agent for
If elected, Kathuria would represent historic
"I know there are a lot of people that are unhappy about the [removal] of the historical buildings ... and I think we should definitely save those .... by moving them ... potentially to the new parking lot," Kathuria said.
Walsh, 47, has lived in
The Democrat, who is endorsed by the
"[This issues are] related ... and are borne out of this process that seems like it happens ... largely behind closed doors, without a lot of independent input with the same five or six routine player that seem to call the shots at every opportunity. It's not how good government works," said Walsh, who ousted incumbent councilman,
Walsh said she hopes to make the process more transparent and truly consider public input.
Walsh is skeptical of the county's plans to raze buildings in historic
"Anything that I can do to hasten fully developing, vetting and funding alternatives-- that's where my focus will be," she said.
The Republican, 33, is an executive assistant at Moy Cheung Financial, an accounting firm, and has lived in
Another motivation for running stems from a concern that immigrant and minority communities are not having their voices heard. An example of this, for Liao, came amid the attempt to make
"I don't think [the bill] had the component to help or address the issues of these immigrants," Liao said. "Instead, it divided the community."
The bill, which was introduced after the election of
"I look forward to introducing something that would really address the needs [of immigrant communities] without, probably, using the word sanctuary," Liao said. As councilman, the Republican says he would look to create "programs within the legal framework of the county and the state" that would create job opportunities for undocumented immigrants.
Liao also hopes to boost the Oakland Mills neighborhood and its schools. He said
Liao is for environmental and historical preservation "as much as we can." But he said the current plan "will ensure minimal casualties and damages."
Liao would want to move the buildings "worth saving" elsewhere when the time comes.
Jones, 41, moved to
Jones, who is a lecturer at
The Democrat lists public and personal safety, community vibrancy and education as his top issues.
Jones believes he is uniquely qualified to represent the district because he has seen the qualms of many in the county in his role on the
Jones declined to take stance on the county's five-year flood mitigation plan.
Despite being the unofficial councilwoman-elect of
Rigby, 34, currently stay-at-home parent with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, has the support of Councilwoman
Rigby was in 2016 supportive of efforts to make
"These types of codified protections lead to safer communities for all residents by improving community and police relations."
Rigby has concerns about the county's five-year flood mitigation plan.
"I'm concerned about the loss of buildings and that we aren't mitigation enough floodwater," Rigby said. The deadly 2016 flood pushed more than 8 feet of water onto lower
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Kim, 46, is the only candidate to be elected to a legislative body.
She served two terms on the
Kim, the owner of Docket Masters, a legal advertising and marketing company, has a deep appreciation for bipartisanship.
"I don't see party. I don't react to party. I don't govern by party," Kim said. "I do whatever I think is best and whatever party it falls on, so be it."
The Republican, who has lived in
Kim believes the county is not allocating enough money to road infrastructure and wants to continue to "prosecute even low level crimes so as to sustain our valued quality of life," her website said.
Kim is also concerned about the county's approach to development. She is supportive of plans to rewrite the county zoning codes but wants to insure the closure of "existing loopholes."
Kim said she understands of the desire of many who don't want to see buildings in historic
"But we've got to do what we have to do to save lives and businesses," she said. "[This plan has] to be done swiftly...we no longer have a luxury of time to sit back and find a resolution that suits everyone" because of how quickly the floods come, she said.
"I would love to save every building," Kim said. "I wish we weren't in this position at all."
Jung, 62, wants to increase access to public transportation, keep hold the "school system accountable for its budget proposals," manage the county's growth by ensuring infrastructure keeps up with new development and maintaining the county's environment.
"The combination of overdevelopment and climate change are having a big impact in
Jung is endorsed by outgoing Councilwoman
Jung declined to take a stance on the county's five-year flood plan, adding that she wants to "have had the opportunity to look at everything," before making a decision.
"
This district is a unique place. It houses suburbs and the rural west and is the most conservative part of the county.
Yungmann, who is a team leader at
Yungmann, 51, said he hopes to address government spending, rewriting archaic zoning codes and finding ways to support agriculture.
A way to support agriculture is by getting younger generations interested in farming, he said. This can be done through agriculture education and connecting farming with something like craft beer-- something younger generations are interested in, he said.
Yungmann wants to preserve the wide range of living environments
He wants to see the west stay rural and allow for the expansion of downtown
Yungmann said he supports the county's five-year flood plan that he believes can make
Williams, 45 and a freelance travel writer, has lived in the district since 2016 and is endorsed by the
Williams was opposed to a bill to regulate large-scale mulching operations that failed earlier this year and is concerned about the strain volatile commodity prices put on farmers.
The Democrat in 2016 wrote a letter to Councilman
Williams said she finds the county's current policy-- to engage immigration status with federal law enforcement during suspected criminal activity-- has "achieved a good compromise," she said.
Williams said tearing down buildings in historic
"I wish there were alternatives," Williams said. "I'm sympathetic to the preservationist's desire to have alternatives. There have been some plans suggested though they have engineering drawbacks."
Williams is skeptical about how the proposed parking garage "will fit in with the look of the area."
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