In the early ‘90s, I had a growing business helping homeowner associations in their communications. It was then that I discovered the intensity of emotion people often felt in relation to local governing bodies: such as the people, decisions and issues impacting their specific home and neighborhood association.
When I started local blogging, I wasn’t that surprised to discover engaged bloggers in my hometown’s local blogging scene. (Personally, I don’t spend too much time pondering whether this zoning issue or that new development is critical, but others do.) And as election campaigns and the conversations about who should — or shouldn’t — be elected comes to an apex, the local bloggers and their readers are amping up the discussions.
Particular to Howard County, the more active local political bloggers are Hoco Rising, Hoco Politico and — while not “officially” a political blogger, Tales of Two Cities. Reading these three bloggers’ sites will help anyone in The Hoco who wishes to get a beyond-the-canned campaign messages perspective about the issues and candidates. Added to the list, though less prominent, are 53 Beers, Free Market and Howard County Maryland Blog, the latter winning the award for creative naming.
In his own category for amazing-ness in the local blogging scene is Frank Hecker, who somehow manages to be a researcher, analyst, philosopher and All-Around-Good-Man with his exquisitely local, informative and exploratory posts.
Equally in their own category are the producers and talent of And Then There’s That …, a biweekly podcast about “people, politics and punditry” in Howard County. Found on hocomojo.com, the podcasts are easy to access on a computer, any time, anywhere.
As election day comes closer, if you find yourself wanting more perspective — perhaps even some endorsements beyond the typical sources — check out the local blogging scene. Hocoblogs.com is a good starting point for anyone in The Hoco.
Rock on.
