Given that bringing people together in community is central to Y work and to our history, we were delighted to host a Howard County Executive debate last Thursday at the Dancel Y in Ellicott City between Calvin Ball (D), the incumbent, and Allan Kittleman (R), who served as County Executive prior to Ball.
The debate, moderated by Marc Clarke, host of BMORE Lifestyle on WBFF Fox45, drew over 200 Howard County residents who listened to how each candidate would handle issues such as housing, workforce development, healthy food options, health equity, resource officers in schools, and managing further development in the county. The audience also submitted questions on how each candidate would describe the events of January 6th at the US Capitol, whether they would support a Planned Parenthood in Howard County, their plans to support older adults living on fixed incomes in Howard County, how they will support the Asian American community, and Ellicott City flood protection, among other topics. The audience reflected the diverse population of Howard County and was sponsored by the Howard County chapter of the NAACP.
The lively and spirited debate and audience questions reflected exactly what the democratic process is all about and was emblematic of community building at its best. When people from varying backgrounds and with differing opinions come together in good faith and in the name of improving their community’s quality of life (regardless of how widely divergent their views may be), everyone benefits. The process keeps our elected officials on their toes and inevitably brings new ideas and perspectives into the public discourse. Perhaps most importantly, it also highlights that the way to resolve our differences is through debate, participating in free and fair elections, and a commitment to democracy. What I witnessed last week, during the debate, and in the time I spent with both candidates beforehand (believe it or not, they hung out together quite comfortably in a conference room before the debate), Howard County is in good hands however the election turns out.
I am proud that the Y partnered with the NAACP to facilitate this important event and appreciative of all the people who helped make it happen, including Dawn Crystal-Wolfe, the Senior Executive Director of the Dancel Y in Ellicott City, Jeff Bowers, the chair of the Y Community Leadership Board in Howard County, and Y Community Leadership Board member Willie Flowers, who serves as President of the NAACP, Maryland State Conference.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland