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Allan Kittleman: All Howard County citizens will have a seat at the table

Allan Kittleman

I am Allan Kittleman, and I am writing to you to ask you to please consider me for County Executive when you vote this upcoming Tuesday. As a Howard County native, I am running for County Executive to give back to the community that has meant so much to my family and me over the past 50 years.

I have experience in both our local and state government. Having served on the Howard County Council for six years and in the Maryland State Senate for 10, I understand how the County works and the burdens placed upon it by the State. You need a County Executive who has the ability to work with, as well as stand up to, the State. I have earned a reputation for being able to work with members of both parties throughout my time in the Senate. It is not surprising, therefore, that I have been endorsed by Senator Lisa Gladden, a Democrat from Baltimore City, and Senator Bobby Zirkin, a Democrat from Baltimore County.  We need a leader who will look beyond party to do what is best for our entire community.

Senator Allan Kittleman (Wikipedia)
Senator Allan Kittleman (Wikipedia)

If elected to serve as your County Executive, I have plans to improve the quality of life from the youngest Howard County residents to its growing aging population. Although Howard County is a wonderful place to live, we cannot be complacent, but must strive for excellence in every area.

As a father of four Howard County Public School system-educated children, I recognize the great importance of excellent education to this community.  Despite having one of the best school systems in the country, there is still a persistent achievement gap. We need to address this by focusing on the needs of children and families beyond school hours. My 24/7 Education Plan is designed to address the challenges families face every day through a series of targeted community supports.

Howard County also needs an economic climate that will allow it to continue to prosper. If elected I will allow for this by eliminating the rain tax, strive to expand the commercial tax base to at least 20 percent , work to develop economic centers like Downtown Columbia and Gateway, and explore reestablishing vocational programs at the secondary and collegiate levels.

Additionally, Howard County’s senior population is projected to exceed 20 percent of our total population by 2025. As County Executive I will give our aging community the attention it deserves by making the Office on Aging a cabinet-level department.  The new Department of Aging will work to expand property tax credits so our seniors can afford to stay in their homes, and be a catalyst with the hospital and health department to ensure seniors get the health services they need.

Our health services also need to be expanded to address the issue of mental health in Howard County. Our current health system is lacking the assets it needs to proactively and effectively serve those individuals.  As County Executive I plan to improve access to mental health treatment and reform our criminal justice system so I can appropriately respond to persons with mental health issues who commit crimes.

If elected County Executive, my first priority will be to serve you, the citizens of Howard County. Above all I want you to have the ability to hold my fellow elected officials and me accountable for our actions. Openness, transparency, and accountability will be the hallmarks of my administration. This is why I have proposed HoCo Stat, a countywide system performance measurements system that will allow you to monitor how your tax dollars are being spent, and allow us to monitor and improve upon how efficiently they are being spent.

In my administration, all Howard County citizens will have a seat at the table, not simply those with money and power.  For these reasons, I respectfully ask for your vote on November 4th and embark on the journey with me to make Howard County a place where all citizens can thrive.