County Executive Allan Kittleman is making good on a campaign promise to continue his campaign town hall meetings across the county as County Executive. And the first such town hall meeting will be this coming Tuesday, March 31, starting at 6:30pm at The Other Barn in Oakland Mills. It's recommended that if you want to speak, that you sign up early.
This is a terrific opportunity for people in Columbia, or anywhere in the county, to have their voice heard on whatever topic they want to speak about in Howard County. Rest assured that the turnout from people in Columbia will be compared to other town meetings to come in other parts of the county. So it would behoove us all to come out in full voice, and force, on the 31st.
Thus ends the fun part of this post. Now begins the necessary part.
I've understood that those who are opposing my candidacy for Oakland Mills Village Board have been saying mean things about me in their little meetings at Second Chance, in people's homes, and over their little email lists. As I'd imagine these people will soon be campaigning for themselves-- in fact they are already-- I have to wonder if any of these people will have the guts to look me in the eye and say these things.
My guess is not, because they have very little positive to say of their own positions, accomplishments or records. But please allow me to address the things I've heard are being said about me, and please use this blog post as my response. And in fact, the truth.
1. Bill Woodcock is against development in Oakland Mills.
That's a fascinating claim, as during my time on the village board I worked to bring the Food Lion, Second Chance (and its predecessor, Fire Rock Grill), and the Walgreen's to Oakland Mills. And worked on the development of Blandair Park and have supported other ideas which unfortunately did not succeed here, such as the development of the old Exxon lot into a senior housing community, then into a corporate campus. And I was village board chair throughout the Oakland Mills revitalization. I have proven experience in bringing new businesses to Oakland Mills.
And in fact, I support the redevelopment of downtown Columbia, and my support of the Inner Arbor project at Symphony Woods, which will be a key part of the downtown redevelopment which will increase property values in Oakland Mills, was criticized by the current village board leadership. Oh, and I was involved in the downtown charrette which resulted in the Downtown Columbia Redevelopment Plan.
What I do not support is new development that displaces any current residents. We need to continue to be a diverse community and that includes full spectrum housing.
2. Bill Woodcock was on the village board that kept the news of the Verona sale from Oakland Mills residents.
This just a simple lie. I was on the village board during the 2013-2014 board year. I recall the village board chair, Bill Gray, bringing up at a board meeting that Howard County Housing Director Tom Carbo "wants to talk (with him) about the Verona". We suggested that Bill find out more specifics about Tom's ideas and bring them back to a village board meeting.
When we learned that the plan was for the Verona to be purchased by the Housing Commission, we were informed immediately and unanimously, the board decided to call a community meeting. And that's the meeting that happened in November, 2013. Which the members of the current village board who were/are members of the Oakland Mills Improvement Association will claim was their meeting, but it wasn't. It was a meeting called, organized, and run by the village board. We did allow the OMIA people to take over the meeting and that was a mistake.
However I do want to thank my opponents for starting the conversation on my convictions and commitment to the community. That must be why as board chair, I worked as part of a great team of activists, on and off the board, in Oakland Mills to perform the first revitalization effort and write the Oakland Mills Master Plan. This also would be why as a board member, I worked with the community and local and state elected officials to prevent a planned methadone clinic from coming to Oakland Mills. I support the cause of those in recovery from addiction, but the location was a bad one and the community came together to voice its opinion on that important issue.
And speaking of my commitment to the community, here's the last one.
3. Bill Woodcock doesn't live in Oakland Mills.
This one would be funny if it wasn't pitiful. Here's the truth.
I am separated and working towards my divorce being finalized. That's been my situation since April, 2011. From April, 2011 until October, 2012, I lived in Dorsey's Search in an apartment. However, I have remained an Oakland Mills property owner the entire time-- my name was, is, and always has been on the deed of my house on Orient Lane, where I live-- and as such, I cast my household's vote for Oakland Mills office in 2011 and 2012. I have no plans to leave Oakland Mills.
I have raised two children here, through Stevens Forest Elementary School, Oakland Mills Middle School and through Oakland Mills High School. Besides my village board service I have been an active PTA member (including two years on the board of the OMHS PTSA), and youth sports coach for children in Oakland Mills. Add to this my other community experience and service, and truly, this claim is bizarre and laughable.
Throughout my time on the village board, and in fact, many times during my personal and professional lives, I have had to make tough choices. Difficult choices. And sometimes, unpopular choices. But, always, choices guided by what my common sense and my gut told me was the reason why people have put their faith in me to lead their community.
I haven't had a perfect community record, but I am proud of so many chocies I made. Like to hire Calvin Ball as the village's first community organizer. And hiring Ben Hunter as the second. By having all board members become members of all the Oakland Mills schools' PTSAs. By working on interesting programming for the village with Sandy Cederbaum and her staff. By going through two reviews of the Oakland Mills architectural guidelines during my time on the board.
I've been privileged and honored to do a lot on this village board. But the work is not yet done. I have more to give and to allow me to do the job I know Oakland Mills deserves, I need your vote.
Thanks, everyone. Let's be careful out there.
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