For the sake of today’s entry, let us re-conceptualize the
campaign season as an extended job interview process. Albeit one with slightly more hand shaking,
parade marching and door knocking compared to the amount of each undertaken by
your average applicant for a corporate gig.
Howard County has the opportunity to hire a new County
Executive this year. With that in mind,
the electorate – as the hiring authority – may wish to consider one question
above all others: “Of the two candidates
for the position, who is best equipped to move Howard County forward over the
next four years?”
In my estimation, the answer is Courtney Watson. Here is why:
1) Her background is much stronger for the County Executive position.
Given the specific responsibilities of the office, her
experience on the Board of Education and her long – and ongoing – service on
the County Council have provided her with the expertise that Howard County
needs when Ken Ulman leaves the post. It
is my belief that her knowledge of, and involvement with, the issues and
solutions that directly impact the lives of Howard County citizens are
considerably more extensive compared to her opponent, Senator Allan
Kittleman. I am not calling the Senator
a slouch. I am simply articulating my
perspective that Watson’s record of relevant accomplishments is quite impressive. Our schools and our county are widely
respected, and that isn’t by accident.
It takes brainpower, hard work and resolve. Watson has all of those attributes. Of course, one can neither credit – nor blame
– the state of the County on any one individual. But when it comes time for our next County
Executive to sit at the table, tackling serious challenges with community
members, business owners, government officials, and others, I have a great deal
of confidence in Watson’s ability to find solutions that improve our quality of
life in Howard County.
2) Her vision for the County is thoughtful and well attuned
to the needs of our residents.
I have read through both of their platforms. Watson’s successes and proposals underscore
her readiness for the County Executive post.
For example, education is an enormously important matter, and Watson’s
ideas on enhanced technology utilization in the schools, support for an
International Baccalaureate program, and combatting funding inequities are bold
yet realistic…and demonstrate that she fully understands the need to address
current challenges while keeping an eye on future.
By comparison (since competitive elections, by their nature,
compel them), Kittleman articulates some decent suggestions. However, I wonder about his ability to
accomplish what he says he wants to achieve.
I think Watson is better positioned to turn her ideas into actual
programs and services that benefit Howard County residents. Moreover, he champions a couple of activities
on his website that strike me as being a little…off. For example, he mentions his sponsorship of
“Right to Work” legislation. I can see
that playing better in other parts of Maryland, but not so much in Howard
County.
Winding back to the original metaphor, I believe Watson
delivers a better answer to the key question, “If hired, what do you want to
accomplish?” If I had to grade their
replies to that query based on the body of work presented thus far, I would
likely assign Kittleman a B or B- with Watson receiving an A (sorry, I don’t
give out A+s).
And this is Howard County…why not choose excellent
when excellent is an option?
So, I would extend the job offer to Ms. Watson via my vote
for her for County Executive. It is my
hope that a majority of Howard County voters will do likewise.
Stay tuned, as more will follow.
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