Howard County Council candidates differ on how public transportation should grow and improve for people who are disabled and elderly.
Two candidates at Thursday?s forum disagreed on whether public transportation should take people out of the county or just to locations within Howard.
“We need to have a link to the Baltimore and Washington subway and light rail lines,” said Adam Sachs, a Democrat running for the District 2 seat and a former Baltimore Sun reporter.
But Howard County police Chief Wayne Livesay, a Republican candidate for District 5 seat, said, “We need transportation within our community. It can be difficult for people to get to go shopping, and do all the things they need to do.”
Most candidates backed more funding for the Howard Area Transit System; however, Courtney Watson, a Democrat running for District 1, said the neighbor ride program should be expanded.
The community-based service, in which drivers volunteer to give rides to seniors, currently operates on a $77,000 budget.
“Imagine what that program could do with a $300,000 budget,” said the Howard County school board member.
Josh Feldmark, a Democrat running for District 4, said a study should be used to determine what is missing from the county?s transportation system.
“The transportation system needs to be comprehensive, affordable, reliable and accessible to all residents,” said the former Columbia Association board member.
All the candidates agreed that transportation is one of the
greatest challenges facing the disabled and elderly in Howard County.
“My best friend drives for HATS; she said about 85 percent of her customers are seniors. Because of that, I know how important good transportation is. Seniors shouldn?t have to leave senior centers before their activities end because of transportation,” said Donna Thewes, a Republican running for the District 3 seat and a former PTA president at Murray Hill Middle and Laurel Woods Elementary schools.
The forum at the Bain Center in Columbia was sponsored by the Homes for Life Coalition, Commission on Disability Issues and Commission on Aging.
