The 1990s saw precious little go on in the world of community and social justice in Howard County. This was because, with the election of Chuck Ecker as County Executive, one of the "Good ol' boys" was back into office and the focus of local government could be not on social justice, on issues of diversity and inclusion, but on issues of reigning in the excesses of local government, and on making Howard County "friendly to business".
I love the concept that Howard County is ever not "friendly to business". That kinda all is what Howard County is. Howard County is not a "company town". The largest private employer employs about 7,000 people and not all of them are county residents. Even more, as an affiliate of a local university, it's a nonprofit organization.
So, without a large private employer to prop up the tax base, Howard County has been about two types of business these last 50 years: 1) Development and 2) Small business. The latter will be discussed later, but since the formation of Columbia, development and developers have been Howard County's necessary evil. And quite often, it's necessary good as well.
There's little doubt that developers get a good deal in Howard County, with it's great location, schools, and quality of life. And there's little doubt that the development community has always had it's finger on the scale in local affairs and civic life. But there's also little doubt that the reason Howard County has become that way is because of--- developers! So it generally remains true that if your party is out of power in Howard County, you hate developers and development. But if you're in power, you love them! So it has been; so, I believe, it always shall be.
Back to the Howard County government at the start of the 21st Century. As David Parrish alludes to in his book "Losing Jon", Jim Robey has been a good guy, growing up in an environment where scratching each other's back was just what happened. So his election did not herald a return to the liberal, empire-on-the-Patapsco character of the Bobo government. Nor was it as frugal and thrifty as the Ecker regime.
The Robey administration was more a place where public service regained respect, the bleeding of the local civil service stopped, and while it was still acknowledged that Howard County needed to be "business friendly", there was a realization that good people in good government brought good outcomes. His was two terms governed with a middle temperament.
And County Executive Robey made what I believe was the best hire ever by a Howard County Executive, when he hired Sang Oh into his administration as his executive assistant in 1999. Why, you may ask? This was an important appointment. It was important for the County Executive to acknowledge the changing face of Howard County, especially the growing Korean population. While having served the county previously as an Assistant State's Attorney, bringing Mr. Oh back into such a public facing role-- and his service in the ensuing years under Mr. Robey was sparkling and characterized by high energy and dedication-- showed keen insight and sent a signal that this administration would recognize that people other than whites lived in Howard County.
Robey easily won re-election in 2002, defeating local businessman Steve Adler, the man behind Savage Mill, in the general election. Adler was what one kindly calls a "sacrifical lamb" in local politics; someone who runs and hopes to catch a lightning bolt that, 99% of the time, doesn't come.
The 2000s was also marked in Howard County development as the decade where non-Columbia no longer envied Columbia. In fact, the opposite became true. The "village center" concept that made Columbia notable came to western Howard County in the form of Waverly Woods Town Center, and to southern Howard County in the form of Maple Lawn. Another very similar development, Lyndwood in Elkridge, also had risen. And the last village of Columbia, River Hill, came into it's own-- dense, upscale, no apartment-having River Hill. River Hill had it's own Columbia Associated gym and pool, and all of these development boasted new or freshly renovated schools nearly. In other words, non-Columbia Howard County had it's shiny new things at last. And in 2006, in the last year of the Robey Administration, the 160-acre Western Regional Park in Glenwood was complete. The county outside of Columbia had all of it's new stuff, and it was very happy. Meanwhile, beset by incompetent management in the Columbia Association throughout much of the 2000s, and the threatened closure of Merriweather Post Pavilion, and the closing of many businesses in Columbia's village centers, the concept of Columbia appeared by some to be on the decline.
The 2006 local election saw a race between two County Council members, Republican Chris Merdon of Ellicott City against Democrat Ken Ulman of Columbia. The freshman Democrat Ulman bested the veteran Republican Merdon behind a well-financed, energetic campaign. Such were the hallmarks of hailing this new generation of leadership, as Ulman was only 32 years old when elected. This was seen as a shot in the arm by generations of Columbians as the start of something new and exciting in Howard County, while seen with skepticism by those outside of Columbia, especially with a veto-proof majority of four Democrats on the County Council. It was perceived by some that the era of big, Bobo-style government was back in Howard County.
They weren't completely wrong. Ulman did place a new emphasis on local government to provide high quality services for its citizens. As well as the best schools in the state for its children. And he funded both. But he also asked for something more.
Should I ever make these posts into a book, I plan to ask Ken Ulman if he saw this coming. But early in his first term, Ulman asked the people of Howard County to embrace a new means of public discourse. He invited all to "Choose Civility".
"Choose Civility" was inspired by a book by a professor at Johns Hopkins University, P.M. Forni. Dr. Forni spoke to Howard County Library staff, who then worked with their colleagues at Howard Community College and the nonprofit Leadership Howard County, to host Dr. Forni at the kickoff of the "Choose Civility movement" in February, 2007.
I credit the below to the Choose Civility website:
"Interest in Choose Civility grew exponentially. For the community, a Choose Civility initiative would serve as a reminder of the importance of civility in a world becoming less civil and would promote positive and respectful behavior. Nearly 50 government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and school and education systems quickly became partners to encourage others to choose civility in their personal and work lives. In the spring of 2008, the first Choose Civility Symposium attracted nearly 350 community leaders and individuals. Thanks to the generosity of major sponsors – the grassroots initiative has distributed more than 70,000 Choose Civility car magnets and window decals; distributed 2,000 copies of Dr. Forni’s book through HCLS, school system, and community college; created numerous events and discussions; and sparked interest for similar initiatives in communities around the country.
As the initiative evolved, Howard County Library System assumed the leadership role. Choose Civility falls squarely within HCLS’ educational mission to deliver equal opportunity in education to everyone in Howard County, including its Partners. Howard County Library System’s curriculum comprises three pillars:
- Self-directed Education: Through its collection of one million items available in print and online, customers can borrow civility-related books from HCLS.
- Research Assistance & Instruction for individuals and groups: HCLS instructors offer personalized research assistance and teach or facilitate civility-related classes.
- Instructive and Enlightening Experiences: Participants enjoy the cultural and community center concepts; events, such as the Choose Civility Symposium; and the partnership itself."
I'm fascinated to understand the extent to which County Executive Ulman directed this movement, and also, how much it directed him. Because Choose Civility, and those little green bumper magnets that advertised it, were certainly what he was known for.
But would it stand the test of time? The 2010s would bring the answer.
