Director – Kristy Hartman Mumma

My husband and I moved to Howard County in late 2003, when we combined households after getting married, and not wanting to move again for decades. We picked Howard County for its school system and the quality of life. We picked Elkridge due to its proximity to everything, but still with a small-town feel. We picked our home as a compromise; with my wanting to live in a condo and my husband wanting a farm. A half-acre lot, that backs to a forest, fits the bill!

In early 2006 Courtney Watson, a candidate for District 1 for the County Council was canvassing my neighborhood. She was the first local politician to knock on my door. I was out back doing winter clean up on my property, my dog alerted me to her presence, and we had a long, in-depth conversation about the health of HCPSS, the County, and growth, budget, and environmental concerns.  From that conversation, I realized I had to pay attention more, and be an active participant in my local government, to ensure the school system and the quality of life and services, remained stellar.

My opportunity for stepping into local engagement came in 2006, when invited by my neighbor to attend a Greater Elkridge Community Association meeting. There, I met so many amazing Elkridge & Hanover residents, all who cared deeply about their community, its rich history, and had a common goal – to protect and provide a strong quality of life for the area. I quickly learned what I had casually observed was on the mind of many residents; shared concerns about increased density, citizen opportunities for development direction and feedback often come too late and protecting the quality of life of the citizens. Over the years I went from quiet member of GECA, to active participant in issues research, testimony to the BoE, testimony on budget or council matters, testimony to the Planning Board, and eventually a director and then an officer of GECA. For almost a decade, it was my privilege to serve the community, get to know such a diverse group of neighbors and follow the workings of the county (as best I could). My interest in Land Use and Zoning grew as the effects of Comp Zoning (completed in 2003-2004) were being felt and I was seeing changes to my community and across the county that raised concerns. I was honored to be selected to the PlanHoward Academy’s inaugural class in 2017. I have also served on the naming committee Thomas Viaduct Middle School in 2013 and the Elkridge High School Task Force in 2018-2019.

As Howard County ages, there needs to be thoughtful planning to ensure tight management of the county’s fiscal, and alignment of public services (education, transportation, safety) with safeguarding environmental resources and quality of life as the county transitions from mostly new development to redevelopment and revitalization.

I am honored to join the HCCA Board and privileged to be able to learn from and engage with such astute and deeply engaged community members.