Election results (one-year terms): President – Cathy Hudson (Elkridge); Vice-President – Stu Kohn (Laurel); Secretary – Bridget Mugane (Columbia); Treasurer – Walter Carson (Woodbine); At-Large Directors – Brian England (Columbia), J.D. Smith (Columbia), Ros Williams (Ellicott City)

A general discussion by attendees cited these concerns: impact of development on traffic and public services; need for new initiatives to facilitate aging in place; stormwater management, and the future adequacy of well water; the relatively weak role of the Citizens Task Force in the General Plan process; affordable housing; better access to land use information including dates of hearings; and transparency of government processes.

Members of the public are invited to report any concerns or suggestions on local or county matters.

The new board of directors will hold its retreat in June to plan for the coming year including specific projects it may undertake.

Cathy Hudson, President

I have enjoyed serving as HCCA President  this past year and wish to continue to help ensure that the voices of the citizens are heard with the writing of the General Plan and the update of the zoning maps and uses.

My involvement in the community has been in the following areas:

• I requested HCCA work with the County and Hospital officials to inform the public on the Emergency Room services for the purposes of reducing the waiting time and yellow/red alerts.  HCCA formed an Emergency Room Committee whereby all parties are working together in this effort.
• Worked with SHA and Delegate Guy Guzzone to make Route 32 safer by adding the wording “At All Times” regarding the “Mandatory Headlight Signs.
• Active role in testifying on development in the County (Emerson, Maple Lawn and Route 1)
• Testified against the Trash Fee
• Worked with SHA to get rumbled strips installed on Route 216 near Maple Lawn
• Member of the County Executive’s Transition Team
• Suggested County Executive’s Annual Town Meeting
• Requested artwork by Howard County students be updated annually in the George Howard Building - Bannecker Room
• Member of the Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition Task Force
• Worked with Howard County Health Department to post earthquake procedures on their website
• Worked with Howard County Health Department to have a listing of Urgent Care Centers posted on their website

Strategic planning, common sense, and execution are the essence of a successful community. My objective is to be involved and play a role in making our County a place where we can all be proud to live.

In testimony and meetings we have had significant success in strengthening residents’ roles in land use, ensuring the Downtown master plan is feasible, and working to preserve the rural west.  Additionally, in response to HCCA’s request, the County Executive boosted the priority of the Route 40 Design Manual.

On the public health front, the HCCA has been instrumental in helping to reduce wait times and address residents ‘problems with the local hospital Emergency Room.

An excellent board of directors, webmaster and listserve moderator have made these successes possible, and member participation in e-mail listserve discussions has provided guidance and advanced our understanding of issues.

In addition to serving as HCCA Treasurer, I serve on the Howard County Public Adult Guardianship Review Board. I am admitted to practice law in Maryland. I work for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I’m also on the Board of the Howard County Historical Society and am second vice president of that organization. And, I serve as the secretary of a newly organized group known as “Concerned Citizens of Western Howard County, Inc.

Three years ago I was on the “Public Engagement in Land Use” task force. In the last few years I have been involved in promoting health care reform, giving input from a small business point of view. I am on the “Health Information Exchange” policy board, “Health Care for All” board, “Healthy Howard” board and the “Local Health Implementation Plan” task force. I was part of the HCCA Emergency Room committee that produced a comprehensive report on the Emergency Dept. and other urgent care facilities in Howard County. I am interested in land use issues and helped with the Hickory Ridge village plan.

In addition to Downtown, other issues of importance to me are: Ensuring that County officials’ activities and fiscal policies are in the best interests of the residents of Howard County; maintaining the safety of our streets, playgrounds and shopping areas; enhancing and maintaining a walkable/bikeable pathway system; and encouraging political leadership in improving and sustaining the county’s natural environment. Being a semi-retired Organization Development consultant, I bring both communication skills and time to devote to the HCCA board.

 She earned both a B.S in Chemical Engineering and M.B.A from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.  With a background in Corporate Marketing, and specifically, Brand Management, Ros has worked in several industries including Industrial Gases, Pharmaceuticals, Energy, Home Improvement, and Telecommunications.  She recently launched her own marketing business, Asage Marketing, in 2009, specializing in Marketing Strategy, Inbound Marketing, and New Idea Generation.

Having lived and worked in four other counties in Maryland – Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Harford, and Prince Georges, she has found Howard to be her favorite.  Ros recently re-launched her public service work here in Howard County, serving as Communications Director for Mt. Hebron Parents of African American Students while her children were in high school and as Council Coordinator for the Howard County Council of MoveOn during 2009/10.

 Ros believes in and supports HCCA’s mission.  She helped with the 2011 HCCA website updates and looks forward to participating on the HCCA board in order help ensure Howard County citizens continue to have a voice in helping the county to sustain the type of values that propelled it to its place as one of the best places to live in the country.

The centerpiece of this year’s Annual Meeting will be an open discussion at to what is right with our County and what needs improvement.  Your presence is needed to bring ideas and suggestions for consideration by the community and to shape HCCA’s activities for the coming year.  Some possible topics are:

• Growth in the County
• Traffic and transportation
• Timely emergency medical care
• The County’s proposed General Plan
• Expansion of the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO)
• Downtown Columbia
• The environment (preservation and open space)
• Affordable housing
• Access to land use information and the opportunity to influence decisions (PELU)
• The right of referendum

Please come to the meeting ready to actively participate in a lively and full discussion and to raise any concerns in which you have an interest.  We look forward to seeing you.

Cathy Hudson
HCCA President