My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the two victims from last evening's shooting at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Ellicott City.
I didn't want to write about this today, but every time I tried
to think of something else, the shooting just got louder in my head. So
I guess this is what it will be.
I don't buy into the "we're not as safe as we thought we were" or
the "suburbia shattered" narratives that tend to float up after a
tragedy like this. Frankly, I find those sentiments offensive and
disrespectful to the families who have lost. This doesn't change
anything about Howard County. It is just so sad.
I recently met with a friend in Columbia to lament the lack of
interest in serving on leadership roles for the Village and CA Board.
To paraphrase, she noted that people are rarely moved from their inertia
by something positive. They are motivated by the negative.
I think we can expect our community to come together for our
neighbors after last night. It will be one of those fleeting moments
where we reflect on just how much we care about and support one
another. There will be piles of flowers, candles, and teddy bears.
Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail have yet to replace that much.
Maybe this is an evolutionary trait. When tragic violence
occurs, the community retracts and defends. Don't let anything I say
take away from that. But observe it as it occurs. Be present in what
is actually happening. Realize that the true loss is something
experienced by few, but felt by many.
What am I even saying? I don't know. I'm just sad this
happened. I'm sad that we are on the cover of the Baltimore Sun for
something like this. I'm angry that this is the fastest way for Howard
County to get on the front page nowadays. "Look. See. Not perfect."
LINKS
Former GOP candidate for Howard County Executive, Horizon Board Member, and local business leader Steven Adler has filed a $3,000 breach of contract action against Board of Education member Brian Meshkin in Howard County District Court.
You think anyone from the Obama Administration heard the news that 8 men were arrested in a Laurel prostitution sting the same day as the Secret Service held their ethics training nearby?
Baltimore City Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld will be resigning from his post as of August 1.
He leaves behind a very interesting legacy. There were no shortage of
scandals (i.e., Tow-gate, Select Lounge Shooting of Plain-clothes
office), but he also served as top dog while the City had its lowest
homicide total in thirty years. Personally, I will always remember him
for having a Gregg Bernstein sign in his front yard while working with
then current State's Attorney Pat Jessamy. That's my kind of guy.
A mere hours after Bealfefeld's announcement, Mayor SRB's top crime adviser Sheryl Goldstein announced that she too will be stepping down.
"Correlation is not causation" will be on the lips of every City
official going into the weekend. Everyone else will be wondering what
the heck just happened in City Hall.
In other weird coincidences, Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs and Yankees all-time saves leader Mariano Rivera both suffered ACL tears on the same day. (That is the only way I could write about Sizzle's injury without turning into a sobbing mess).
Congrats weed dweebs, the maximum punishment for misdemeanor marijuana possession has been decreased from one year to 90 days. The maximum fine has been reduced from $1,000 to $500. Party on and be excellent to one another.
Featured Blog Post of the Day: Matt reflects on his first month in Columbia. Come on Harper's Choice, invite the man out for a beer/coffee/frozen custard. And don't worry, Matt. I love my Village, but Dorsey's Search is rarely anyone's destination...for just about anything. We kind of like it that way.
That's all for today. Crazy busy weekend with Cinco De Mayo landing on a Saturday (be careful out there). The Hope For the Homeless 5K is tomorrow morning as well, which raises money for the Route 1 Day Center. This is a really great (hard) course and I hope to make it out.
Have a fantastic Friday doing what you love!
