Having problems with message search?
* * * * * R E M I N D E R * * * * *
Thank you to those who testified "live" at the recent Rec &Parks Public Hearing, or sent emails to Rec & Parks Director Gary Arthur and other key local officials last month.
This potential partnership development is key: Gary Arthur stated on Nov 19 that a partnership between the county and the Columbia Association (CA) might eventually lead to redevelopment of CA properties currently underutilized, with the Revenue Authority issuing bonds as one funding source (note that R.A. bonds' interest and principal are paid by the revenue generated from the project which is financed by the bond. Like a home mortgage, debt service is paid over the life of the bond. It is NOT paid by taxes! Many other local jurisdictions have local revenue authorities.) This is where YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IS CRITICAL! We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and go away. Instead, WE NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING ON OR BEFORE DEC. 18 (Ulman's budget hearing - details below; online testimony link below) -- * Take advantage of every opportunity (public hearings, online testimony) to EXPRESS CONTINUED SUPPORT for a public aquatic facility and emphasize the need for one that can accommodate many different user groups simultaneously, and provide something completely lacking in our county -- such as a 50-meter pool -- which would add true value to the local aquatics offering by enabling important and varied PROGRAMMING (such as High School Swimming, Competitive Swimming (practices and meets), swim lessons, water safety training, fitness classes, lap swimming, water polo program, synchronized swimming program, etc.). * THANK local officials for listening to citizens on this issue and express support for their willingness to partner with CA and the Revenue Authority, but REQUEST AN EXPANSION OF PARTNERSHIPS to include other potential key users such as the public schools (HCPSS), the Dept. of Health, the community college (HCC) and the hospital (HCGH). * REQUEST a token amount SEED MONEY be placed in the FY10 Capital Budget (for something like demolition or site preparation) to signify commitment to this project, particularly in light of the potential for CA offering land. Please help this ongoing effort! Particularly if you have young swimmers, you will likely benefit from such a facility that can support programs like high school swimming. But this project will never happen if we fail to express continued support at each and every opportunity. HERE ARE THE DETAILS FOR HOW YOU CAN PARTICPATE THIS "ROUND": * Testify "live" at County Executive Ken Ulman's "FY10 Citizens' Budget Hearing" on Thursday, Dec 18, 7:30pm @ Department of Education, Board Rm., 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City. (NOTE: Location is NOT at county headquarters, since they are being renovated). Sign-ups begin at 6:30pm (1-hour prior to meeting). * Submit ONLINE BUDGET TESTIMONY by 12/18 at http://howardcountymd.gov/DOA/BO_GiveTestimony.asp and you'll be given the option of submitting written testimony only, or of checking a box to say you also plan on speaking live in addition to written testimony. * Send emails similar to your testimony to OTHER key officials (try to write in advance & mail to the list below; then cut-n-paste the text to Online Budget Testimony link above): Rob Goldman, Columbia Association - VP-Sports & Fitness rob.goldman@... HC Revenue Authority atz.pga@... HCPSS Board of Education (all 7 members) boe@... Howard County Council (all 5 members) councilmail@... Ken Ulman, County Executive KUlman@... Dr. Peter Beilenson, Health Officer at Dept. of Health: PBeilenson@... Dr. Kathleen Hetherington, President of HCC khetherington@... Thank you for your past, present and future support of this important project. Your participation has been critical to the progress made thus far.
Offline 
Send Email