A Howard County Council member is part of the legislative branch of county government.
The council?s major responsibility is approving the laws for Howard County. The council is responsible for the authorizing the county?s operating and capital budgets, as well as approving the tax rate. The council members also comprise the Zoning Board, which guides future growth in the county, and the Liquor Board, which issues and revokes licenses to sell alcoholic beverages.
What makes you qualified to serve on the Howard County Council?
County Council candidates
Calvin Ball: “Experience as a current [County] Council member and Zoning Board member, chairman, Howard County Liquor Board; actively worked through $1.2 billion county budget; actively worked through tax credit for senior homeowners.”
Tom D?Asto: “I?ve lived in Howard County nearly two decades. I?m a professional engineer with degrees from Purdue and Hopkins. I?m the candidate with a plan to avoid the overdevelopment of Columbia.”
Don Dunn: “My educational background, years of experience as an activist on community and family issues. This record of accomplishment as a citizen will be enhanced as a member of council.”
Gina Ellrich: “My professional experience as a senior executive and [spokeswoman] for UPS and American Red Cross. My roles as a community activist, 35-year county resident and mother of three.”
Greg Fox: “I served on Howard County?s Public Works Board for five years, the final year as vice chairman, and its task force on child care as well as graduating from Leadership Howard County.”
Tony Salazar: “I strive to be approachable, have broad practical, legal, business and nonprofit experience and extensive local knowledge as a 14-year Ellicott City resident. I will be reliable, responsive and realistic.”
Mary Kay Sigaty: “School board experience: Creating policy, negotiating union contracts, overseeing a $500 million budget; 34 years of community participation including early work on Downtown Columbia zoning; proven commitment to open government.”
Jen Terrasa: “I am an attorney, former Planning Board member and 33-year county resident. This and my record of community activism and leadership experience qualify me to serve on the council.”
Donna Thewes: “My 18 years of community activism, standing up for and serving the community as police liaison, substitute teacher, special education assistant, secretary to the Board of Appeals and State Delegation.”
Courtney Watson: “Fifteen years as a citizen activist working to slow growth; four years on the school board overseeing a $500 million budget; private sector vice president for a regional company; MBA.”
County executive candidates
Chris Merdon: “Chairman of the County Council, bi-partisan leader with eight years experience … ; [vice president] of computer technology company with management and budgetary experience; growth, education and environmental plans [are my] priorities.”
Ken Ulman: “I have a strong record of accomplishment. With leadership, creativity and collaboration, I will work tirelessly to preserve our quality of life and improve upon Howard County?s tradition of excellence.”
Stephen Wallis: “N/A, as I am not running for the council. Nonetheless … as you may know, I favor replacing the council members with a professional of experts, immune from undue political influence.”
Howard County Executive:
Chris Merdon (R)
Ken Ulman (D)
Stephen Wallis (I)
County Council:
» District 1: Ellicott City, Elkridge and Hanover
Tony Salazar (R)
Courtney Watson (D)
» District 2: Elkridge, Ellicott City, Jessup and Columbia Villages of Long Reach and Oakland Mills
Gina Gabrielle Ellrich (R)
Calvin Ball (D, incumbent)
» District 3: Allview/Arrowhead, North Laurel, Savage, Guilford, Jessup and Columbia Villages of Kings Contrivance and Owen Brown
Donna Thewes (R)
Jen Terrasa (D)
» District 4: Columbia Villages of Dorsey Search, Harper?s Choice, Hickory Ridge, River Hill, Town Center and Wilde Lake, and parts of Clarksville, Highland and Fulton
Tom D?Asto (R)
Mary Kay Sigaty (D)
» District 5: West Howard County
Greg Fox (R)
Don Dunn (D)
Source: Howard County Board of Elections
