September 29, 2025 • 43 mins
In this episode, the Hot Topix Podcast team interviews Mrs. Makeda Scott, candidate for the Baltimore County Council, to discuss her vision for the future of the county, the issues that matter most to residents, and what inspired her to step into public service. From education and public safety to economic development and equity, Makeda shares her priorities, her personal story, and her plans to bring inclusive, community-focused leadership to the Council. Tune in for a thoughtful and candid conversation about the challenges facing Baltimore County — and the bold solutions Makeda Scott hopes to bring to the table.
Follow us on your favorite platforms:
YouTube, Apple Podcast, Podfriend, Overcast, Spotify, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Podchaser, Goodpods, Jio Saavn, Podcast Addict, Castbox, Pocket Cast and more...
Become an exclusive supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
Follow us on your favorite platforms:
YouTube, Apple Podcast, Podfriend, Overcast, Spotify, Spreaker, iHeart Radio, Deezer, Podchaser, Goodpods, Jio Saavn, Podcast Addict, Castbox, Pocket Cast and more...
Become an exclusive supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podca...
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Hot Topics podcast. We'll cycle forty
eighty one, the Lovely Lady, Lamb Shop and fabulous is
Blonious Feather. Let's get into it. Welcome everyone to another
episode of the Hot Topics podcast. This is Cycle forty
eighty one, and I'm here with Lamb Chop, Lamb Chop,
(00:29):
Lovely Lady, Damn Chop, and Bloonnious Feather is missing an action.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Don't talk about her like you know.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
I was gonna come up with a story.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I know you were. I knew it. I knew it.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
So some yeah, she didn't. I'm gonna say she got
rested for shoplifting.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
And or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
That's not right and Ice didn't get her.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
So well, today we have a and I always said
we have a different episode today, but today we have
a guest here who's running for the Baltimore County Council
District for council seat. Right now, there's gonna be a
new district lines drawing, and I'm not sure if they
(01:15):
haven't already set, I'm not sure yet, So we'll wait
and see how that goes. But she was graciously enough
to join us and let us know her position on
becoming a counselman, a councilwoman.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I'm sorry, counsel woman.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And her name is her name is missus? Did I
ask you? Is it missus? Missus Mikita Scott? You know
I never bothered to ask all these years.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
I thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Yeah, thank you so much for I mean, I really
appreciate it. Wonderful. This is a great opportunity, so looking
forward to talking. I am filed to run for the
council district as it currently stands four. However, with the
last amendment and the changes, it is currently council District three,
(02:20):
but it will be. Yeah, so the final they had
until the deadline of October first, So assuming there are
no more changes or anything, the new districts are actually
in and it's on the Baltimore County website, and my
district will be the new councilmanic District three. So I
(02:41):
previously ran for school board in District four as it
exists right now, and if you go when you look
at the filing, I am filed for District four because
that's how it currently exists as of last week. I
can't remember which day it was was when the amendment
came through. It was called the Urtel Patoka Amendment, and
so that's what changed the districts, change the map to
(03:04):
what you see currently today. So I can explain, you know,
let me know how much you would like me to
go into that. But basically, the district I'm running in
is the new third and it's comprised primarily of Owings
Mills and the If you're driving towards I believe Marionsville
on the right hand side of Liberty Road, so it's
(03:26):
Liberty Yeah, it's so it's Owings Mills the right hand
side of Liberty Road up until you get to where
it used to be the old Ollie's Rolling Road. That's
called it the cross roads where Sonic is going back
towards like Baltimore City, that is going to be the
new district for which would include Pikesville. And then on
(03:48):
the right hand side, going towards the city of Rolling Road,
that would be the new district too.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Okay, is it that they change the districts or no?
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Well, I think what is going to happen is I
believe there's been a lot of confusion, and I believe
that there will be a lot of voter confusion unless
we get out there and let people know what these
districts have changed into. I believe that the way that
it was rolled out was not advantageous to the voters,
to people who are going to vote not know where
(04:22):
their polling places are, where their districts are. For myself
as a candidate, has been very difficult because people don't
know where they're voting. I don't know who's in my
district up until the other day. I'm running, and I
don't know what district I'm running at, so it has
been quite a challenge with fundraising speaking to people. So
(04:46):
it's two parts. I feel I have to let everyone
know that I'm running, but it's also doubly an education
campaign to let them know that they're going to be
voting in the new district. Three feedback, they're like, why now, why,
why is this happening. I've been in the same district
for fourteen years and so yeah, I'm actually outdoor knocking now,
(05:10):
so it's it's it's you know, I'm just coming off
the doors. So I've heard a lot of feed that
from people, and it's basically the regular everyday voter. I'm
not sure what's going on. Why it's going on. So
I am hopeful that there will be town halls, form
community meetings to let people know where they're voting, what
(05:34):
their new districts are, and what this means.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
And mailers help too, So I hope they're on top
of that with mail mailers as well.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Yeah, mailers, because I won. I heard from some seniors.
They were saying, you know that they've moved into senior
centers and their address on their license hasn't changed because
they haven't had a reason to change yet. So are
how are they going to be notified if they're sent
to a new polling location. So yeah, just those kind
(06:03):
of things that are very important to make sure that
we have an educated, knowledgeable, voting populace so that they
can go out and know who they're voting for and
know where they're voting.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, that's really important for our seniors because our seniors vote. Yeah,
that's really important.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Mm hmm yeah yeah. So yeah, So that's that's a
lot of of of what I'm of, what I'm doing,
what I've been doing. It's a very different race from
when I ran for school board because there wasn't this
redistrict thing going on, So I could talk about myself
and my background and everything. So but yeah, I I
(06:38):
appreciate opportunities like this to help to uh spread the
word about my own campaign, but also with give some
updates as far as what's going on.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
So what inspire you to run specific specifically I can't
talk today in this district.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Well, it inspired me to run because I've always said,
when you want to see something happen, or you have
ideas about how things can be better, instead of just
talking about it, I believe you should put yourself out
there and do it. And I wanted to. There are
a lot of ideas that I had for school board,
a lot of ideas that I have for counsel and
(07:16):
I wanted to be the person to make those things happen.
I didn't just want to talk about it or complain.
I felt, you know, if I want to see change,
I have to be that change. So that was just
initially what put me out, got me to want to
run and to put myself out there. And I feel
that I have been able to be effective in making changes.
(07:37):
And most notably, I'm very proud of the work I
did on the school board. I became the first black
woman chair in two hundred and fifty years. So that
was they never had a black female chair, which fascinating. Yes,
that's another word for it. So I was happy to
(07:57):
do that. But I also say, and when I speak,
I say, you know, black women leading should be the norm,
not the exception. Absolutely, So that's also, you know, what
inspires me to make it normal for people to see
black women in charge. Black women leading. We have not
had a black woman on the council. That doesn't determine
from running for that position. But I believe it's not
(08:21):
just our color or our sex, but also our qualifications.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Sorry, go ahead, Oh that's all right, I'll keep going.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Well, my next question was how does your life experience,
what in your life brings you to this position, and
how do you feel like your life experiences are going
to help you with this new council woman, See.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
There we go. Don't put that out to this new council.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Yes, yes, so real quick.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
They added two new districts. Correct, okay, so it was
one on the west side and one on the east side. Yes, okay, okay.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
So I feel that what prepares me for this is
my background. I started out as a I worked at
ass me as as an organizer. Then also, I'm a
former Capitol Hill staffer. I've worked for Congressman John Sarbanes,
where I really learned the importance of constituent services, how
to do it well and effectively. I was his first
(09:28):
communications director. And I also prepared myself because I knew
I wanted to run. I knew I was doing a
lot of I'd also worked for the British Foreign Office.
I worked abroad in the UK. I worked for Climate
Change Campaign, and I saw that I was doing a
lot of work internationally nationally, but there were a lot
(09:48):
of things that I live in Owen's Mills, I live
in Baltimore County. I'm a mother of three, and I
saw there are things that weren't happening here at home.
And so that's when I said, you know what, I
I want to take my knowledge and my experience and
my work and what I've seen and apply that locally
and make changes happen where I lived. I went through
(10:09):
the Emerged Training Emerged Maryland. I was a part of
that first class, and I also attended a campaign school
at Yale so that I could also get training. And
I feel that my experience running and winning and working
on the school board has helped me also prepare because
I've worked with the council. I've worked with budgets, getting
(10:29):
our budget past the operating budget and the capital budget
to make sure that our schools are properly and adequately funded,
and then having that go to the council, working with
the council to then get that funding funded so that
we could see it in our school And I think
seeing schools being built like I was just up the
street at Deer Park and knowing that I had something
(10:51):
to do with, you know, that's just one of many,
and the impact that's had on children and hearing parents
say thank you. You know, this is a great school.
All if my children went to BCPs public schools. My
daughter most recently graduated from Newtown. They have a wonderful
IV program there, you know. And working with the superintendent
and the administration to ensure that children in this community
(11:16):
have good schools, good programs to go to and then
use as a platform to go out into the community
is very important for me. So I think all of
that has prepared me. It's inspired me and invigorated me
and made me ready to not only run for this position,
but to come there and hit the ground running. I
believe that experience is not based on age, like I said,
(11:37):
or sex or anything like that. It's experience is based
on experience, and that's what I have and that's what
I bring.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
That's a pretty good So with this new district formerly
district for whatever, Yeah, what do you see as the
most urgent issue facing the new district and what would
be your first step to address it?
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Yeah? And so for me, someone who lives here, one
of the first things that I want to address is
constituent services. I want to basically have an office that
is a resource because there are a lot of issues
that need to be addressed. What I've been hearing on
the doors is I've been talking to people. A big
one is understanding how the permit process works, which was
(12:28):
something I hadn't thought about prior to wanting being able
to a lot of people have unfortunately our federal employees
and have lost their jobs. So a lot of people
are doing you know, small markets or pop up shops
and they were having confusion with the permit process. So
working to simplify that or having workshops where it can
(12:49):
teach people who are trying to supplement their income with
how that process works. In addition to that, I see
issue with making sure that our schools are adequately funded.
That is, I know, a continued that didn't begin and
end with me. That's something that has to continue, and
we have to make sure that our schools in the
fourth as it is now in the new third, are
(13:10):
going to get the proper funding so that we can
produce well educated children who can go to if it's
a trade school, if they would like to go to
work or go to college, but they have the necessary
experience in school and the necessary education to do that.
Another big issue is also affordable housing, making sure that
(13:32):
people are able to afford to live and buy and
stay in this district, in this community. So if that's
a senior who would like to, you know, continue to
stay in their home, making sure that they're adequate resources
to help with that. But also if someone is young
and they want to become a home buyer, making sure
that there's a pathway to that, or if you just
(13:54):
need assistance in staying and maintaining your home, having an
office that's a resource that can help give you. I
just talked to someone who their AHOA isn't functioning and
they have an issue with the pond and people putting
dirt and trash to breed back there, and they want
to know who do we go to to fix that.
(14:16):
Our property value is being is going down? Is that
a council issue? Can we call somebody? And that's what
I said, absolutely, so addressing those kinds of issues, all
which are around housing. I believe in a holistic approach.
It's not just one thing. It's multi layered, and I
want to have a team where we can pivot and
(14:37):
adjust and work on all those different levels.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Okay, I actually like that answer because some of the
things when we discussed with people before, they try to
give a one one approach, one prong approach when it
has to be multiple multi prong approach to solve problems.
But yeah, I like that.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Because it's it's just levels the housing, different stages of housing.
I also I worked I used to work for the
Enterprise Foundation started by Jim Rouse and he's the person
who coined the for a shopping mall and he built
Columbia and so I learned firsthand with the redevelopment of
Stantown Winchester. I was a national coordinator for Communication, so
(15:21):
I would go out and look at different areas and
I and that's where I learned in affordable housing, housing redevelopment.
It's different layered, it's smallti layered, and you have to
be holistic in your approach.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Absolutely so, a lot of citizens are concerned about, you know,
rising crime in these areas Rangdallstown, Woodlawn. What strategies do
you think that you would like to see put in
place to be effective, you know, and to help out
citizens to be effectively equitable.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Absolutely yes. I feel that it's important to work with
the police force. I believe in community policing. I've worked
on several community policing projects, but I don't believe that
you should police the community. I believe that it should
be a partnership working with the police department and having
as I've gone to many community meetings where a police
(16:18):
officer comes tells you what's going on, but also seeing
the police in Like my daughter used to play basketball
and the police will come to the our beautist community
center and play basketball with them. And I remember a
young lady said, wow, you know, the police are fun
and they don't have a dunk do the jelly and
(16:40):
do you know? And it made them see the police
in a different light, and I think more of that
has to happen so that it's community policing were working together.
I also think there should be pathways for police officers
to live in the communities that they work in. I
think that's important because then it's not it's coming in
(17:01):
and working in a community that you are not a
part of. I think living having the ability to live
here to work here is something that's beneficial, So I'm
a big proponent of that. And also the police of
course in the schools, that was something that is also
I think very good, very useful, and it helps young
(17:21):
people engage with the police in a different environment on
a different level.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Well. Fortunately in the past I've been able to be
a part of that all that you mentioned, whether it
be with PAL community outreach or you know, just being
interactive with community and community groups. So I do think
that's a great benefit to improve you know, community police relationships.
So aslutely now going back to schools, yeah, I know
(17:50):
there's been some you know, new building and stuff like that,
and people had expressed to me here and there that
they had some challenges with over crowding, so I know
you're being from the school board, I know you're a
big advocate of the schools in this area. How would
you address the overcrowding and the aging infrastructure things.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yeah, that's the question, because yes, I'm proud of the
work that I've done and our schools over here, and
I've had, like I said, children who have gone through
these schools, so we've lived through some of what you're
talking about, the overcrowding, which doesn't benefit anyone. I believe
that has to do with the looking at the master
plan and building and development. Where is it being development
(18:40):
and then what impact is that going to have on
that school and or the schools around it? And I
feel that we could do a better job of working
with the school system, a council and if it's the
board or the superintendent as to when something is being developed,
looking at what impact will that have on the around
(19:00):
in community, primarily the school because over development that leads
to overpopulation of schools, school buses running late traffic is
not beneficial for any community. So again I believe that
goes back to development. How are we developing? Are we
doing smart development or are we just developing to develop
(19:21):
and not taking into consideration the impact that's going to
have on the schools and on the surrounding community.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
Okay, so that would you said the plan, that's the
tenure plane.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
I look at the ten year plan.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Yes, okay, so yeah, two thousand and thirty.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Now we're in twenty.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Thirty five. Because we're in twenty.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Five, okay, well I thought it started making twenty every time. Okay,
that's good, that's good.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
I would make sure Bob would look at that.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yes, plans and development for uh just the always mills
in a woodlawn area, What planes and developments do you
have for those? And like you said, you talked about
displacing long term residents, and that's important.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
I want to just place long term residents. But now,
so Woodland would not be in the new third. But
one thing that I would do is work with the
I believe it's important to work with the other council
members can't work as an island. So whichever district representatives,
whichever council people were representing Woodland, I would definitely work
(20:35):
with them to see, you know, how we could support
each other with development. But over here, I believe that
we need more public spaces. I would like to see
a park public park that's accessible, community centers, wellness centers,
places that are free and easy to get to something else.
I'd also like to look at is and I believe
this has been addressed, but I'd like to look at
(20:56):
a little bit more as far as public transportation just
in the area, so that seniors and young people can
get around like a circulator or of sorts. I think
those kinds of things are important, But definitely more public
spaces where people can have community gardens, outdoor spaces. I
(21:18):
believe that we could use and need more of those
kinds of areas in the new third. Actually I will
stay in the fourth, but definitely in the third.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Now, you touched on affordable housing, and I know that's
probably one of the more difficult things because I know
as a as a resident, we try to put that
responsibility on our government. But what's your stance on affordable
housing projects in the new district?
Speaker 4 (21:52):
Now?
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Are you saying public housing projects or affordable house.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Afford affordable housing whether it be public or private. I
know you can't do too much with private, right.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Yeah, because I was to say I can't do too
much with private, but making sure that there's pathways for
people to understand the process to get a loan to
be able to afford a home. Public housing, which is
which is different. I believe that that should not be
concentrated into just one area. I believe that should be
spread out so that it's when you have pockets of
(22:25):
concentrated public housing that leads to other sorts of sort
of like what could happen is if they're zoned to
one school, and I believe that should be spread out
around the county so that it is an issue I
believe of equity, so that it's not just concentrated in
one area. I don't believe that it should be concentrated
(22:48):
in one area. Okay, no more primarily the.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Fourth Okay, no more pockets of poverty as they call it, right.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Right, correct, Because when you have pockets or as I
would call it, concentration of poverty that also, you know,
like we were talking about the schools, then you have
to have the resources specifically to addressed everything else that
comes along with those pockets of poverty, and so that
can be overwhelming. So I think if it's spread out,
(23:15):
you know, we can make sure that it's addressed throughout.
And that's something I would work with other council members
to make sure that we're working on all of those things.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Okay, Yeah, what's your vision for reducing traffic congestion and
approving road safety in the area, because that is just yeah,
especially road safety, especially road safety. Yeah, and just that
that Liberty Road can be yeah nuts.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Well yeah, as someone who commuted for years, I would
drive to Hail for it, driving to DC, So I know,
I know, I know what you mean about that traffic. Yes,
So I mean my idea for that, not just the
Liberty Road that he been like, you know, going owning
smells both of our painters mill trying to get out
(24:05):
of here in the morning is interesting. So I just
think that we it would be good to do a
traffic study to work with different departments in the county
to look at ways, because there are experts who study
this and I would like to work with them to
look at ways that we can maybe change traffic patterns,
(24:26):
different things that can be done to reduce traffic. But
also definitely doing a traffic study to see where we
can put down speed bombs and where to Speaking to
the issue you talked about safety, what kinds of things
can we do that can increase our safety measures as
far as lack of speeding, like I said, speed bumps,
(24:48):
but also are there ways that we could redirect traffic?
But I would like to see I'm a big person
on studies. What has Maybe something has already been done,
but what has been done? If not, then what can
we do and how can we work together to change
that and to improve it?
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Okay? Yeah, for what I've seen with my expensive experience
driving around this, people just don't I don't even think
the speeding is that big a deal. Is the fact
that they just disregard traffic control devices like the red
lights and the stop signs is like ever since COVID,
(25:27):
it seems like everybody's like, I don't care, They're not
going to pull me over anything like that. So I'm
looking forward to seeing that.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
Yeah, I've seen skating. I have seen spating so and
then I do remember up at I think it's a
security where they were doing donuts or something. Yeah, so
I've there is I believe something that we can do
about that. I think that that should be looked into
more and addressed.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Good because I can hear them from my house, So
if you can hear them from your house, you know,
I'm hearing them from yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
So getting into the economy part. Parts of this district,
and we say District three District four have historically been
underserved in terms of economic opportunity, and I know there's
been some recent movement in that direction. How would you
support local small businesses and attract sustainable development, and that's
(26:23):
been I think a topic for the last I guess
three council persons.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Right right, Well, I think our local small businesses need
to be supported, working with the Business Development Office of
the county to come up with ways to I know,
like right now they go into the library and they
talk with small business owners and give them advice. I
would see expanding that, but that would be putting money
(26:50):
into that so that it could be expanded so they
could get more supports. Like I also talked about the
permit process because I think we're having a growing population
of independent small business owners that may not have a storefront,
but maybe doing it, like I said at Farmers Market,
So supporting that growing population through the department process, through training,
(27:16):
but also attracting businesses to the area I think is
important and I feel that we should take a more
active approach in attracting businesses to come here instead of
waiting for them to come to us actually going out there,
and I look at ways that I could do that
also working with the community. I saw a way I
(27:38):
believe they did this. It was either at Mondomen where
people brought it, bought into an area, they've paid in
a percentage, and then businesses matched it and agreed to
come there. I could see maybe doing something like that
that I've seen that happen in Baltimore City, but I
believe there's areas out here where we at least could
(27:59):
look at the possibility of doing something like that. So
the developers would see that the or the business would
see that the community is pouring into and has bought
into that area, so then they would come in and
know that it was a partnership between the community and
the business.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
I think that's a really good idea. I have a
vision of, you know, having a liquor store in every corner.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Stop talking to me, Stop talking to us? How about that?
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Now?
Speaker 2 (28:29):
He is so special? All right?
Speaker 1 (28:33):
So what role should the county council play in reducing
economic disparities across the district? And then you basically mentioned
that too. Just now so I guess that would be
your the county council as a whole. I guess you
would have to come together, well, the whole, Yes.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
Working together, coming up with a plan, looking at the
ten year plan, and then looking at ways we can
partner and work together as a whole, because I believe
it benefits us not to work individually. We have to
work together to make sure that we are giving economic opportunities.
I don't feel that it doesn't help that if it's
(29:15):
being done in one area of the county and then
this area, it's not happening. It should happen everywhere because
we all live downhill and if one area is doing
bad and not getting the resources they need, having the
schools funded, having an increase in crime, it will impact
all of us.
Speaker 1 (29:31):
Okay, So.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
Howbout you address housing insecurities and rent stabilizations or landlord accountability.
How can you, you know, put some time and effort
into those areas because those areas are really important. We
have a lot of renters in that areas, in those
areas in that district.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
I should say, yeah, we have a lot of home
owns mm hmm, a lot of renters, and I think
that making sure that our policies are effective and in place.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
We need to have strong policies. I believe we need
to review those, look at them to make sure that
we are adequately that we have policies to address the issues,
but that we're also adequately enforcing those and looking at
them to make sure that people are not being slighted
taken advantage of. And again it might I feel that
(30:27):
we should maybe even put more money so that we
can have someone specifically maybe even oversee that and look
at that a little bit more and focus in on that.
But then also making sure that renters know their rights,
you know, letting them know, you know, what their rights
are and how they can access those resources and if
(30:49):
they do need help. So I think it's going to
be being more proactive about that, but again making sure
from the county side that the policies are there and
that they're properly being in forced, and then at education
letting the renters know what they are, what their rights are.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Yeah, that's very important, very very important. That's that's how
people will get over on other people because they don't
lose right and any any you know, spectrum. But now
you've mentioned before something you worked with an environmental group
or uh, the environmental agency.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
So I worked with the Enterprise Foundation, but I worked
with British Embassy and we did a climate change campaign.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Okay, climate change good.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
Yeah, that's yeah.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
It was in preparation for Tony Blair coming into at
the time, he was coming into head the G eight
and there were a lot of people said, oh, climate
change doesn't exist. So we did a big campaign to
let people know what it is, it's coming, this is
how it will impact you. Snowcaps are melting.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
That kind of people are denying science, yes, but those
with that said, there's been some you know, flooding, storm
water runoff in certain neighborhoods. Obviously that's expected with this
climate change thing. How would you ensure the county invests
in environmental resilience for your district.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
I think working with the state and also making sure
that I mean putting money into the budget so that
we are making sure that we address that, that it
is properly and adequately funded. That's I think a lot
of things go back to funding, making sure that we
have the funding in there and that it is coming
to this district to address that. But also I believe
(32:39):
working you know, with the state to see what funding
can come from there so that we can make sure
but again that would be the whole county, but making
sure that it specifically comes to my district, right right,
that's important.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
It's very important. You talked about, you know, having gardens
and parks that just green space. How can we keep
the green space that we have currently without you know,
developers stanching up because I feel like every time I
turn around, I see a patch of trees torn down
for something. So, you know, is that a concern of yours?
(33:15):
And how would you address It's.
Speaker 3 (33:18):
A concern of mine? Because that was some of the
reasons why we moved out here because of the green space.
And as someone who does I do farming, I have
I have areas where I do plants and do farming,
and I would like to see those areas continue. I believe,
like I had said before I spoke to that, I
(33:40):
don't believe in developing for the sake of development. There
has to be a purpose and a benefit to the community.
So what I would do is look at where we
are developing, what are we developing, what are we bringing here,
but also protecting those green spaces, protecting those environmental spaces
and they can or that we don't develop in those areas.
(34:02):
Also getting input from the community, you know, where would
they like to see a part where it Do they
feel it's maybe over developed? Do we need sidewalks here
those kinds of things, you know, or do we want
to keep it a green space? But I believe community input.
But also making sure that I'm looking at the layout
of my district where the spaces are green, where can
(34:25):
we increase that? And then what development is coming and
where is it going? But it has to it has
to benefit the community. Is it going to bring jobs,
Is it going to provide a resource? Is it a
youth center? Are we building a wellness center? But not
just some I've just never, Like I said, my background
with the Enterprise Foundation taught me there's smart development and
(34:47):
you and community development, which is what I'm big on,
and being strategic in what and how we bring to
the community.
Speaker 1 (34:55):
Okay, now you have a you have a pretty good,
uh background on community engagement. So would you commit to
having regular town halls, community walkthroughs, or even district newsletters
or e letters?
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Absolutely? I mean I do that now with my campaign.
What I would commit to is having one community meetings,
standing community meetings. But some of the things that I'm
already doing right now, I'm doing community on your corner.
So I show up at I call it council Woman
on your Corner, and I show up in front of
supermarkets and just put down a table and just talk
(35:32):
to people so I can hear what their concerns are.
That's something I'd like to continue once I'm in office,
having you know, council woman on your corner where people
can come to us. And because everyone can come to
the district office, so I believe you have to go
to where people are so face to face in person,
but also virtual town halls in person town halls of course,
(35:55):
the newsletter, but all of those you have to be
you have to have multi layered communication because people receive
information in different ways. So I don't believe then there's
just a one size fits off.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Yeah, I learned that as a community president. No matter
what you tried, you know, you always had to have
another extra layer of communications for people who didn't. You know.
That is not technically savvy as everybody else. But now
I'm going to ask you two questions, and these are
kind of I guess controversial questions. Right, what is your
(36:32):
position on the Baltimore County Inspector General and the controversy
over their hiring process. You know what the but the
last nominee or person that they hired and it went
before the county council. What's your position on that? Should
they have kept the last person or or uh, let
(36:57):
me cut you out? You good now?
Speaker 3 (37:01):
Okay? Sorry? But on that question, that's where I cut out, right,
That's an important position. Like I said, when I was
on the school board, I worked with the State Inspector
General for the school board and the Office of Auditing.
I feel that that position needs to happen. They made
(37:23):
the decision that they did. I'm not sure of all
the process and everything that went on behind it, but
I mean, I support the position and I support the
person in the position. So I don't really have much
to say about how it went about because I wasn't
a part of it. But I believe that that position
is important and necessary.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Now do you think or do you support giving the
the IG more autonomous power. That's that's where the big
part is, right.
Speaker 3 (37:56):
I believe it passed where the i G would also
have power over the school system. And I believe that's
going to Annapolis. What I my question about that is,
I did not see how that would factor into there's
already a state I G and then there's the Office
of Auditing, And I wasn't sure how that third layer,
(38:20):
if the county also had if the county IG was
also over the school system, how that would all work together.
That's that That's what I what I didn't see. That's
what I would want to know. How will those three
layers work together? Will they will they work together or
will they work independently? Is it another layer of bureaucracy? Also?
(38:43):
Is there a cost impacting component to it? So in
order to take on those additional roles, would there then
have to be additional money put into that office? And
so that those questions haven't been answered for me. So
I would just need to know that information and then
I think I could speak better or make an opinion
(39:04):
about it.
Speaker 1 (39:05):
Okay, So they'll be coming a little bit further down.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
The line, yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
Yeah, right, And speaking on transparency, yes, zoning, I know
I don't want to beat up developers, right right, we don't.
We's just stance on transparency and zoning decisions. Developer contributions
and political accountability, and those three actually tieing together for
(39:32):
this particular question.
Speaker 3 (39:36):
Yeah. No, I mean I believe there should be transparency.
So I think that's a simple answer. Yes, I mean
there should be transparency in development contributions. I'm doing the
public the public financing option, so yes, I do feel
that there should be transparency. I would like to see that.
Speaker 4 (39:58):
M hm.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
So what do you think District four that's the new district, right,
District three is the new district. Okay, I'm gonna get together.
District three is gonna look like four years from now
when you're elected.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
So I feel it will have more green space, we
will have more walkable communities, more sidewalks. I believe we
will be doing smart development, have development that works for
the community, not to development on the community. I feel
that we will have a public circulator transportation so that
(40:36):
there can be less striving, more people getting around who
do not have cars that could use public transportation and
so therefore release to less traffic. Will have wealth funded schools,
educated children, graduating job going into trades. That that's how
(40:57):
I would how I would like to see it.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Okay, that's that is fabulous and it absolutely sounds like
you got your feet on the ground and you're moving forward.
And again, thank you, thank you for sharing.
Speaker 3 (41:10):
So last, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
Final question, and I don't know if you could answer
this now because I don't know if anybody else has
put their name out there for this particular position. So,
but the question was why should voters trust you to
represent their interests over the other candidates that have not
put their name up.
Speaker 3 (41:33):
Four. I feel that I have experienced that manners. I'm
experienced and my experienced manners, and that's important. I have
been a grassroots community active is working in this community,
and I've been a former PTA president, I was a
member of the board, i became board chair. So I've
(41:55):
been working and bringing money into our schools, making sure
our schools are funded, making sure that we have programs
for our children. But in addition to that, I also
worked on different levels of government. I've worked on the
county level, I've worked with the county council. I've also
worked on the federal level. I've worked in nonprofits, so
(42:15):
I'm able to work and form partnerships with our legislators
in Annapolis, with our members of Congress, and also won
the Council because I believe it's going to take all
of us, all of us working cohesively together to protect
this community from everything else that's going on. So I
(42:37):
feel that that's why I'm the best choice. I have
the experience, I'm ready to hit the ground running, and
I have a plan, and together I feel that we
can really do some big things. I think we're at
the precipice of being able to take this community and
take our district to the next level. Very good.
Speaker 1 (42:58):
I like that plan you have. Yeah, well, I want
to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule.
That's human out there too. You're out there the community. Yes,
and I said good luck to you and I for
now I hope to see you make that seat.
Speaker 3 (43:15):
Yes, yes, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (43:19):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 3 (43:21):
That wonderful meeting you both.
Speaker 1 (43:22):
You too, and I finally learned after all these years
as missus Yeah, you know, I figure I've been here
for so long I knew everything about everybody. It's like, huh,
miss all right, thank you.
Speaker 2 (43:42):
Thank you family for listening to the latest episode of
Hot Topics. As usual, listen, like, share, subscribe, t
You're listening to the Hot Topics podcast. We'll cycle forty
eighty one, the Lovely Lady, Lamb Shop and fabulous is
Blonious Feather. Let's get into it. Welcome everyone to another
episode of the Hot Topics podcast. This is Cycle forty
eighty one, and I'm here with Lamb Chop, Lamb Chop,
(00:29):
Lovely Lady, Damn Chop, and Bloonnious Feather is missing an action.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Don't talk about her like you know.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
I was gonna come up with a story.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I know you were. I knew it. I knew it.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
So some yeah, she didn't. I'm gonna say she got
rested for shoplifting.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
And or anything like that.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
That's not right and Ice didn't get her.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
So well, today we have a and I always said
we have a different episode today, but today we have
a guest here who's running for the Baltimore County Council
District for council seat. Right now, there's gonna be a
new district lines drawing, and I'm not sure if they
(01:15):
haven't already set, I'm not sure yet, So we'll wait
and see how that goes. But she was graciously enough
to join us and let us know her position on
becoming a counselman, a councilwoman.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I'm sorry, counsel woman.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
And her name is her name is missus? Did I
ask you? Is it missus? Missus Mikita Scott? You know
I never bothered to ask all these years.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
I thank you so much for joining us.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Yeah, thank you so much for I mean, I really
appreciate it. Wonderful. This is a great opportunity, so looking
forward to talking. I am filed to run for the
council district as it currently stands four. However, with the
last amendment and the changes, it is currently council District three,
(02:20):
but it will be. Yeah, so the final they had
until the deadline of October first, So assuming there are
no more changes or anything, the new districts are actually
in and it's on the Baltimore County website, and my
district will be the new councilmanic District three. So I
(02:41):
previously ran for school board in District four as it
exists right now, and if you go when you look
at the filing, I am filed for District four because
that's how it currently exists as of last week. I
can't remember which day it was was when the amendment
came through. It was called the Urtel Patoka Amendment, and
so that's what changed the districts, change the map to
(03:04):
what you see currently today. So I can explain, you know,
let me know how much you would like me to
go into that. But basically, the district I'm running in
is the new third and it's comprised primarily of Owings
Mills and the If you're driving towards I believe Marionsville
on the right hand side of Liberty Road, so it's
(03:26):
Liberty Yeah, it's so it's Owings Mills the right hand
side of Liberty Road up until you get to where
it used to be the old Ollie's Rolling Road. That's
called it the cross roads where Sonic is going back
towards like Baltimore City, that is going to be the
new district for which would include Pikesville. And then on
(03:48):
the right hand side, going towards the city of Rolling Road,
that would be the new district too.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Okay, is it that they change the districts or no?
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Well, I think what is going to happen is I
believe there's been a lot of confusion, and I believe
that there will be a lot of voter confusion unless
we get out there and let people know what these
districts have changed into. I believe that the way that
it was rolled out was not advantageous to the voters,
to people who are going to vote not know where
(04:22):
their polling places are, where their districts are. For myself
as a candidate, has been very difficult because people don't
know where they're voting. I don't know who's in my
district up until the other day. I'm running, and I
don't know what district I'm running at, so it has
been quite a challenge with fundraising speaking to people. So
(04:46):
it's two parts. I feel I have to let everyone
know that I'm running, but it's also doubly an education
campaign to let them know that they're going to be
voting in the new district. Three feedback, they're like, why now, why,
why is this happening. I've been in the same district
for fourteen years and so yeah, I'm actually outdoor knocking now,
(05:10):
so it's it's it's you know, I'm just coming off
the doors. So I've heard a lot of feed that
from people, and it's basically the regular everyday voter. I'm
not sure what's going on. Why it's going on. So
I am hopeful that there will be town halls, form
community meetings to let people know where they're voting, what
(05:34):
their new districts are, and what this means.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
And mailers help too, So I hope they're on top
of that with mail mailers as well.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Yeah, mailers, because I won. I heard from some seniors.
They were saying, you know that they've moved into senior
centers and their address on their license hasn't changed because
they haven't had a reason to change yet. So are
how are they going to be notified if they're sent
to a new polling location. So yeah, just those kind
(06:03):
of things that are very important to make sure that
we have an educated, knowledgeable, voting populace so that they
can go out and know who they're voting for and
know where they're voting.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Yeah, that's really important for our seniors because our seniors vote. Yeah,
that's really important.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
Mm hmm yeah yeah. So yeah, So that's that's a
lot of of of what I'm of, what I'm doing,
what I've been doing. It's a very different race from
when I ran for school board because there wasn't this
redistrict thing going on, So I could talk about myself
and my background and everything. So but yeah, I I
(06:38):
appreciate opportunities like this to help to uh spread the
word about my own campaign, but also with give some
updates as far as what's going on.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
So what inspire you to run specific specifically I can't
talk today in this district.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Well, it inspired me to run because I've always said,
when you want to see something happen, or you have
ideas about how things can be better, instead of just
talking about it, I believe you should put yourself out
there and do it. And I wanted to. There are
a lot of ideas that I had for school board,
a lot of ideas that I have for counsel and
(07:16):
I wanted to be the person to make those things happen.
I didn't just want to talk about it or complain.
I felt, you know, if I want to see change,
I have to be that change. So that was just
initially what put me out, got me to want to
run and to put myself out there. And I feel
that I have been able to be effective in making changes.
(07:37):
And most notably, I'm very proud of the work I
did on the school board. I became the first black
woman chair in two hundred and fifty years. So that
was they never had a black female chair, which fascinating. Yes,
that's another word for it. So I was happy to
(07:57):
do that. But I also say, and when I speak,
I say, you know, black women leading should be the norm,
not the exception. Absolutely, So that's also, you know, what
inspires me to make it normal for people to see
black women in charge. Black women leading. We have not
had a black woman on the council. That doesn't determine
from running for that position. But I believe it's not
(08:21):
just our color or our sex, but also our qualifications.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Sorry, go ahead, Oh that's all right, I'll keep going.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Well, my next question was how does your life experience,
what in your life brings you to this position, and
how do you feel like your life experiences are going
to help you with this new council woman, See.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
There we go. Don't put that out to this new council.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Yes, yes, so real quick.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
They added two new districts. Correct, okay, so it was
one on the west side and one on the east side. Yes, okay, okay.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
So I feel that what prepares me for this is
my background. I started out as a I worked at
ass me as as an organizer. Then also, I'm a
former Capitol Hill staffer. I've worked for Congressman John Sarbanes,
where I really learned the importance of constituent services, how
to do it well and effectively. I was his first
(09:28):
communications director. And I also prepared myself because I knew
I wanted to run. I knew I was doing a
lot of I'd also worked for the British Foreign Office.
I worked abroad in the UK. I worked for Climate
Change Campaign, and I saw that I was doing a
lot of work internationally nationally, but there were a lot
(09:48):
of things that I live in Owen's Mills, I live
in Baltimore County. I'm a mother of three, and I
saw there are things that weren't happening here at home.
And so that's when I said, you know what, I
I want to take my knowledge and my experience and
my work and what I've seen and apply that locally
and make changes happen where I lived. I went through
(10:09):
the Emerged Training Emerged Maryland. I was a part of
that first class, and I also attended a campaign school
at Yale so that I could also get training. And
I feel that my experience running and winning and working
on the school board has helped me also prepare because
I've worked with the council. I've worked with budgets, getting
(10:29):
our budget past the operating budget and the capital budget
to make sure that our schools are properly and adequately funded,
and then having that go to the council, working with
the council to then get that funding funded so that
we could see it in our school And I think
seeing schools being built like I was just up the
street at Deer Park and knowing that I had something
(10:51):
to do with, you know, that's just one of many,
and the impact that's had on children and hearing parents
say thank you. You know, this is a great school.
All if my children went to BCPs public schools. My
daughter most recently graduated from Newtown. They have a wonderful
IV program there, you know. And working with the superintendent
and the administration to ensure that children in this community
(11:16):
have good schools, good programs to go to and then
use as a platform to go out into the community
is very important for me. So I think all of
that has prepared me. It's inspired me and invigorated me
and made me ready to not only run for this position,
but to come there and hit the ground running. I
believe that experience is not based on age, like I said,
(11:37):
or sex or anything like that. It's experience is based
on experience, and that's what I have and that's what
I bring.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
That's a pretty good So with this new district formerly
district for whatever, Yeah, what do you see as the
most urgent issue facing the new district and what would
be your first step to address it?
Speaker 3 (12:04):
Yeah? And so for me, someone who lives here, one
of the first things that I want to address is
constituent services. I want to basically have an office that
is a resource because there are a lot of issues
that need to be addressed. What I've been hearing on
the doors is I've been talking to people. A big
one is understanding how the permit process works, which was
(12:28):
something I hadn't thought about prior to wanting being able
to a lot of people have unfortunately our federal employees
and have lost their jobs. So a lot of people
are doing you know, small markets or pop up shops
and they were having confusion with the permit process. So
working to simplify that or having workshops where it can
(12:49):
teach people who are trying to supplement their income with
how that process works. In addition to that, I see
issue with making sure that our schools are adequately funded.
That is, I know, a continued that didn't begin and
end with me. That's something that has to continue, and
we have to make sure that our schools in the
fourth as it is now in the new third, are
(13:10):
going to get the proper funding so that we can
produce well educated children who can go to if it's
a trade school, if they would like to go to
work or go to college, but they have the necessary
experience in school and the necessary education to do that.
Another big issue is also affordable housing, making sure that
(13:32):
people are able to afford to live and buy and
stay in this district, in this community. So if that's
a senior who would like to, you know, continue to
stay in their home, making sure that they're adequate resources
to help with that. But also if someone is young
and they want to become a home buyer, making sure
that there's a pathway to that, or if you just
(13:54):
need assistance in staying and maintaining your home, having an
office that's a resource that can help give you. I
just talked to someone who their AHOA isn't functioning and
they have an issue with the pond and people putting
dirt and trash to breed back there, and they want
to know who do we go to to fix that.
(14:16):
Our property value is being is going down? Is that
a council issue? Can we call somebody? And that's what
I said, absolutely, so addressing those kinds of issues, all
which are around housing. I believe in a holistic approach.
It's not just one thing. It's multi layered, and I
want to have a team where we can pivot and
(14:37):
adjust and work on all those different levels.
Speaker 1 (14:40):
Okay, I actually like that answer because some of the
things when we discussed with people before, they try to
give a one one approach, one prong approach when it
has to be multiple multi prong approach to solve problems.
But yeah, I like that.
Speaker 3 (14:57):
Because it's it's just levels the housing, different stages of housing.
I also I worked I used to work for the
Enterprise Foundation started by Jim Rouse and he's the person
who coined the for a shopping mall and he built
Columbia and so I learned firsthand with the redevelopment of
Stantown Winchester. I was a national coordinator for Communication, so
(15:21):
I would go out and look at different areas and
I and that's where I learned in affordable housing, housing redevelopment.
It's different layered, it's smallti layered, and you have to
be holistic in your approach.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Absolutely so, a lot of citizens are concerned about, you know,
rising crime in these areas Rangdallstown, Woodlawn. What strategies do
you think that you would like to see put in
place to be effective, you know, and to help out
citizens to be effectively equitable.
Speaker 3 (15:56):
Absolutely yes. I feel that it's important to work with
the police force. I believe in community policing. I've worked
on several community policing projects, but I don't believe that
you should police the community. I believe that it should
be a partnership working with the police department and having
as I've gone to many community meetings where a police
(16:18):
officer comes tells you what's going on, but also seeing
the police in Like my daughter used to play basketball
and the police will come to the our beautist community
center and play basketball with them. And I remember a
young lady said, wow, you know, the police are fun
and they don't have a dunk do the jelly and
(16:40):
do you know? And it made them see the police
in a different light, and I think more of that
has to happen so that it's community policing were working together.
I also think there should be pathways for police officers
to live in the communities that they work in. I
think that's important because then it's not it's coming in
(17:01):
and working in a community that you are not a
part of. I think living having the ability to live
here to work here is something that's beneficial, So I'm
a big proponent of that. And also the police of
course in the schools, that was something that is also
I think very good, very useful, and it helps young
(17:21):
people engage with the police in a different environment on
a different level.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Well. Fortunately in the past I've been able to be
a part of that all that you mentioned, whether it
be with PAL community outreach or you know, just being
interactive with community and community groups. So I do think
that's a great benefit to improve you know, community police relationships.
So aslutely now going back to schools, yeah, I know
(17:50):
there's been some you know, new building and stuff like that,
and people had expressed to me here and there that
they had some challenges with over crowding, so I know
you're being from the school board, I know you're a
big advocate of the schools in this area. How would
you address the overcrowding and the aging infrastructure things.
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Yeah, that's the question, because yes, I'm proud of the
work that I've done and our schools over here, and
I've had, like I said, children who have gone through
these schools, so we've lived through some of what you're
talking about, the overcrowding, which doesn't benefit anyone. I believe
that has to do with the looking at the master
plan and building and development. Where is it being development
(18:40):
and then what impact is that going to have on
that school and or the schools around it? And I
feel that we could do a better job of working
with the school system, a council and if it's the
board or the superintendent as to when something is being developed,
looking at what impact will that have on the around
(19:00):
in community, primarily the school because over development that leads
to overpopulation of schools, school buses running late traffic is
not beneficial for any community. So again I believe that
goes back to development. How are we developing? Are we
doing smart development or are we just developing to develop
(19:21):
and not taking into consideration the impact that's going to
have on the schools and on the surrounding community.
Speaker 1 (19:28):
Okay, so that would you said the plan, that's the
tenure plane.
Speaker 3 (19:33):
I look at the ten year plan.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Yes, okay, so yeah, two thousand and thirty.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Now we're in twenty.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Thirty five. Because we're in twenty.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Five, okay, well I thought it started making twenty every time. Okay,
that's good, that's good.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
I would make sure Bob would look at that.
Speaker 2 (19:55):
Yes, plans and development for uh just the always mills
in a woodlawn area, What planes and developments do you
have for those? And like you said, you talked about
displacing long term residents, and that's important.
Speaker 3 (20:12):
I want to just place long term residents. But now,
so Woodland would not be in the new third. But
one thing that I would do is work with the
I believe it's important to work with the other council
members can't work as an island. So whichever district representatives,
whichever council people were representing Woodland, I would definitely work
(20:35):
with them to see, you know, how we could support
each other with development. But over here, I believe that
we need more public spaces. I would like to see
a park public park that's accessible, community centers, wellness centers,
places that are free and easy to get to something else.
I'd also like to look at is and I believe
this has been addressed, but I'd like to look at
(20:56):
a little bit more as far as public transportation just
in the area, so that seniors and young people can
get around like a circulator or of sorts. I think
those kinds of things are important, But definitely more public
spaces where people can have community gardens, outdoor spaces. I
(21:18):
believe that we could use and need more of those
kinds of areas in the new third. Actually I will
stay in the fourth, but definitely in the third.
Speaker 1 (21:32):
Now, you touched on affordable housing, and I know that's
probably one of the more difficult things because I know
as a as a resident, we try to put that
responsibility on our government. But what's your stance on affordable
housing projects in the new district?
Speaker 4 (21:52):
Now?
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Are you saying public housing projects or affordable house.
Speaker 1 (21:55):
Afford affordable housing whether it be public or private. I
know you can't do too much with private, right.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
Yeah, because I was to say I can't do too
much with private, but making sure that there's pathways for
people to understand the process to get a loan to
be able to afford a home. Public housing, which is
which is different. I believe that that should not be
concentrated into just one area. I believe that should be
spread out so that it's when you have pockets of
(22:25):
concentrated public housing that leads to other sorts of sort
of like what could happen is if they're zoned to
one school, and I believe that should be spread out
around the county so that it is an issue I
believe of equity, so that it's not just concentrated in
one area. I don't believe that it should be concentrated
(22:48):
in one area. Okay, no more primarily the.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Fourth Okay, no more pockets of poverty as they call it, right.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Right, correct, Because when you have pockets or as I
would call it, concentration of poverty that also, you know,
like we were talking about the schools, then you have
to have the resources specifically to addressed everything else that
comes along with those pockets of poverty, and so that
can be overwhelming. So I think if it's spread out,
(23:15):
you know, we can make sure that it's addressed throughout.
And that's something I would work with other council members
to make sure that we're working on all of those things.
Speaker 2 (23:23):
Okay, Yeah, what's your vision for reducing traffic congestion and
approving road safety in the area, because that is just yeah,
especially road safety, especially road safety. Yeah, and just that
that Liberty Road can be yeah nuts.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Well yeah, as someone who commuted for years, I would
drive to Hail for it, driving to DC, So I know,
I know, I know what you mean about that traffic. Yes,
So I mean my idea for that, not just the
Liberty Road that he been like, you know, going owning
smells both of our painters mill trying to get out
(24:05):
of here in the morning is interesting. So I just
think that we it would be good to do a
traffic study to work with different departments in the county
to look at ways, because there are experts who study
this and I would like to work with them to
look at ways that we can maybe change traffic patterns,
(24:26):
different things that can be done to reduce traffic. But
also definitely doing a traffic study to see where we
can put down speed bombs and where to Speaking to
the issue you talked about safety, what kinds of things
can we do that can increase our safety measures as
far as lack of speeding, like I said, speed bumps,
(24:48):
but also are there ways that we could redirect traffic?
But I would like to see I'm a big person
on studies. What has Maybe something has already been done,
but what has been done? If not, then what can
we do and how can we work together to change
that and to improve it?
Speaker 1 (25:06):
Okay? Yeah, for what I've seen with my expensive experience
driving around this, people just don't I don't even think
the speeding is that big a deal. Is the fact
that they just disregard traffic control devices like the red
lights and the stop signs is like ever since COVID,
(25:27):
it seems like everybody's like, I don't care, They're not
going to pull me over anything like that. So I'm
looking forward to seeing that.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
Yeah, I've seen skating. I have seen spating so and
then I do remember up at I think it's a
security where they were doing donuts or something. Yeah, so
I've there is I believe something that we can do
about that. I think that that should be looked into
more and addressed.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
Good because I can hear them from my house, So
if you can hear them from your house, you know,
I'm hearing them from yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
So getting into the economy part. Parts of this district,
and we say District three District four have historically been
underserved in terms of economic opportunity, and I know there's
been some recent movement in that direction. How would you
support local small businesses and attract sustainable development, and that's
(26:23):
been I think a topic for the last I guess
three council persons.
Speaker 3 (26:28):
Right right, Well, I think our local small businesses need
to be supported, working with the Business Development Office of
the county to come up with ways to I know,
like right now they go into the library and they
talk with small business owners and give them advice. I
would see expanding that, but that would be putting money
(26:50):
into that so that it could be expanded so they
could get more supports. Like I also talked about the
permit process because I think we're having a growing population
of independent small business owners that may not have a storefront,
but maybe doing it, like I said at Farmers Market,
So supporting that growing population through the department process, through training,
(27:16):
but also attracting businesses to the area I think is
important and I feel that we should take a more
active approach in attracting businesses to come here instead of
waiting for them to come to us actually going out there,
and I look at ways that I could do that
also working with the community. I saw a way I
(27:38):
believe they did this. It was either at Mondomen where
people brought it, bought into an area, they've paid in
a percentage, and then businesses matched it and agreed to
come there. I could see maybe doing something like that
that I've seen that happen in Baltimore City, but I
believe there's areas out here where we at least could
(27:59):
look at the possibility of doing something like that. So
the developers would see that the or the business would
see that the community is pouring into and has bought
into that area, so then they would come in and
know that it was a partnership between the community and
the business.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
I think that's a really good idea. I have a
vision of, you know, having a liquor store in every corner.
Speaker 2 (28:23):
Stop talking to me, Stop talking to us? How about that?
Speaker 3 (28:28):
Now?
Speaker 2 (28:29):
He is so special? All right?
Speaker 1 (28:33):
So what role should the county council play in reducing
economic disparities across the district? And then you basically mentioned
that too. Just now so I guess that would be
your the county council as a whole. I guess you
would have to come together, well, the whole, Yes.
Speaker 3 (28:54):
Working together, coming up with a plan, looking at the
ten year plan, and then looking at ways we can
partner and work together as a whole, because I believe
it benefits us not to work individually. We have to
work together to make sure that we are giving economic opportunities.
I don't feel that it doesn't help that if it's
(29:15):
being done in one area of the county and then
this area, it's not happening. It should happen everywhere because
we all live downhill and if one area is doing
bad and not getting the resources they need, having the
schools funded, having an increase in crime, it will impact
all of us.
Speaker 1 (29:31):
Okay, So.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
Howbout you address housing insecurities and rent stabilizations or landlord accountability.
How can you, you know, put some time and effort
into those areas because those areas are really important. We
have a lot of renters in that areas, in those
areas in that district.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
I should say, yeah, we have a lot of home
owns mm hmm, a lot of renters, and I think
that making sure that our policies are effective and in place.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
We need to have strong policies. I believe we need
to review those, look at them to make sure that
we are adequately that we have policies to address the issues,
but that we're also adequately enforcing those and looking at
them to make sure that people are not being slighted
taken advantage of. And again it might I feel that
(30:27):
we should maybe even put more money so that we
can have someone specifically maybe even oversee that and look
at that a little bit more and focus in on that.
But then also making sure that renters know their rights,
you know, letting them know, you know, what their rights
are and how they can access those resources and if
(30:49):
they do need help. So I think it's going to
be being more proactive about that, but again making sure
from the county side that the policies are there and
that they're properly being in forced, and then at education
letting the renters know what they are, what their rights are.
Speaker 1 (31:05):
Yeah, that's very important, very very important. That's that's how
people will get over on other people because they don't
lose right and any any you know, spectrum. But now
you've mentioned before something you worked with an environmental group
or uh, the environmental agency.
Speaker 3 (31:24):
So I worked with the Enterprise Foundation, but I worked
with British Embassy and we did a climate change campaign.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
Okay, climate change good.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
Yeah, that's yeah.
Speaker 3 (31:35):
It was in preparation for Tony Blair coming into at
the time, he was coming into head the G eight
and there were a lot of people said, oh, climate
change doesn't exist. So we did a big campaign to
let people know what it is, it's coming, this is
how it will impact you. Snowcaps are melting.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
That kind of people are denying science, yes, but those
with that said, there's been some you know, flooding, storm
water runoff in certain neighborhoods. Obviously that's expected with this
climate change thing. How would you ensure the county invests
in environmental resilience for your district.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
I think working with the state and also making sure
that I mean putting money into the budget so that
we are making sure that we address that, that it
is properly and adequately funded. That's I think a lot
of things go back to funding, making sure that we
have the funding in there and that it is coming
to this district to address that. But also I believe
(32:39):
working you know, with the state to see what funding
can come from there so that we can make sure
but again that would be the whole county, but making
sure that it specifically comes to my district, right right,
that's important.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
It's very important. You talked about, you know, having gardens
and parks that just green space. How can we keep
the green space that we have currently without you know,
developers stanching up because I feel like every time I
turn around, I see a patch of trees torn down
for something. So, you know, is that a concern of yours?
(33:15):
And how would you address It's.
Speaker 3 (33:18):
A concern of mine? Because that was some of the
reasons why we moved out here because of the green space.
And as someone who does I do farming, I have
I have areas where I do plants and do farming,
and I would like to see those areas continue. I believe,
like I had said before I spoke to that, I
(33:40):
don't believe in developing for the sake of development. There
has to be a purpose and a benefit to the community.
So what I would do is look at where we
are developing, what are we developing, what are we bringing here,
but also protecting those green spaces, protecting those environmental spaces
and they can or that we don't develop in those areas.
(34:02):
Also getting input from the community, you know, where would
they like to see a part where it Do they
feel it's maybe over developed? Do we need sidewalks here
those kinds of things, you know, or do we want
to keep it a green space? But I believe community input.
But also making sure that I'm looking at the layout
of my district where the spaces are green, where can
(34:25):
we increase that? And then what development is coming and
where is it going? But it has to it has
to benefit the community. Is it going to bring jobs,
Is it going to provide a resource? Is it a
youth center? Are we building a wellness center? But not
just some I've just never, Like I said, my background
with the Enterprise Foundation taught me there's smart development and
(34:47):
you and community development, which is what I'm big on,
and being strategic in what and how we bring to
the community.
Speaker 1 (34:55):
Okay, now you have a you have a pretty good,
uh background on community engagement. So would you commit to
having regular town halls, community walkthroughs, or even district newsletters
or e letters?
Speaker 3 (35:10):
Absolutely? I mean I do that now with my campaign.
What I would commit to is having one community meetings,
standing community meetings. But some of the things that I'm
already doing right now, I'm doing community on your corner.
So I show up at I call it council Woman
on your Corner, and I show up in front of
supermarkets and just put down a table and just talk
(35:32):
to people so I can hear what their concerns are.
That's something I'd like to continue once I'm in office,
having you know, council woman on your corner where people
can come to us. And because everyone can come to
the district office, so I believe you have to go
to where people are so face to face in person,
but also virtual town halls in person town halls of course,
(35:55):
the newsletter, but all of those you have to be
you have to have multi layered communication because people receive
information in different ways. So I don't believe then there's
just a one size fits off.
Speaker 1 (36:09):
Yeah, I learned that as a community president. No matter
what you tried, you know, you always had to have
another extra layer of communications for people who didn't. You know.
That is not technically savvy as everybody else. But now
I'm going to ask you two questions, and these are
kind of I guess controversial questions. Right, what is your
(36:32):
position on the Baltimore County Inspector General and the controversy
over their hiring process. You know what the but the
last nominee or person that they hired and it went
before the county council. What's your position on that? Should
they have kept the last person or or uh, let
(36:57):
me cut you out? You good now?
Speaker 3 (37:01):
Okay? Sorry? But on that question, that's where I cut out, right,
That's an important position. Like I said, when I was
on the school board, I worked with the State Inspector
General for the school board and the Office of Auditing.
I feel that that position needs to happen. They made
(37:23):
the decision that they did. I'm not sure of all
the process and everything that went on behind it, but
I mean, I support the position and I support the
person in the position. So I don't really have much
to say about how it went about because I wasn't
a part of it. But I believe that that position
is important and necessary.
Speaker 1 (37:45):
Now do you think or do you support giving the
the IG more autonomous power. That's that's where the big
part is, right.
Speaker 3 (37:56):
I believe it passed where the i G would also
have power over the school system. And I believe that's
going to Annapolis. What I my question about that is,
I did not see how that would factor into there's
already a state I G and then there's the Office
of Auditing, And I wasn't sure how that third layer,
(38:20):
if the county also had if the county IG was
also over the school system, how that would all work together.
That's that That's what I what I didn't see. That's
what I would want to know. How will those three
layers work together? Will they will they work together or
will they work independently? Is it another layer of bureaucracy? Also?
(38:43):
Is there a cost impacting component to it? So in
order to take on those additional roles, would there then
have to be additional money put into that office? And
so that those questions haven't been answered for me. So
I would just need to know that information and then
I think I could speak better or make an opinion
(39:04):
about it.
Speaker 1 (39:05):
Okay, So they'll be coming a little bit further down.
Speaker 2 (39:07):
The line, yeah.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
Yeah, right, And speaking on transparency, yes, zoning, I know
I don't want to beat up developers, right right, we don't.
We's just stance on transparency and zoning decisions. Developer contributions
and political accountability, and those three actually tieing together for
(39:32):
this particular question.
Speaker 3 (39:36):
Yeah. No, I mean I believe there should be transparency.
So I think that's a simple answer. Yes, I mean
there should be transparency in development contributions. I'm doing the
public the public financing option, so yes, I do feel
that there should be transparency. I would like to see that.
Speaker 4 (39:58):
M hm.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
So what do you think District four that's the new district, right,
District three is the new district. Okay, I'm gonna get together.
District three is gonna look like four years from now
when you're elected.
Speaker 3 (40:13):
So I feel it will have more green space, we
will have more walkable communities, more sidewalks. I believe we
will be doing smart development, have development that works for
the community, not to development on the community. I feel
that we will have a public circulator transportation so that
(40:36):
there can be less striving, more people getting around who
do not have cars that could use public transportation and
so therefore release to less traffic. Will have wealth funded schools,
educated children, graduating job going into trades. That that's how
(40:57):
I would how I would like to see it.
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Okay, that's that is fabulous and it absolutely sounds like
you got your feet on the ground and you're moving forward.
And again, thank you, thank you for sharing.
Speaker 3 (41:10):
So last, thank you for having me.
Speaker 1 (41:12):
Final question, and I don't know if you could answer
this now because I don't know if anybody else has
put their name out there for this particular position. So,
but the question was why should voters trust you to
represent their interests over the other candidates that have not
put their name up.
Speaker 3 (41:33):
Four. I feel that I have experienced that manners. I'm
experienced and my experienced manners, and that's important. I have
been a grassroots community active is working in this community,
and I've been a former PTA president, I was a
member of the board, i became board chair. So I've
(41:55):
been working and bringing money into our schools, making sure
our schools are funded, making sure that we have programs
for our children. But in addition to that, I also
worked on different levels of government. I've worked on the
county level, I've worked with the county council. I've also
worked on the federal level. I've worked in nonprofits, so
(42:15):
I'm able to work and form partnerships with our legislators
in Annapolis, with our members of Congress, and also won
the Council because I believe it's going to take all
of us, all of us working cohesively together to protect
this community from everything else that's going on. So I
(42:37):
feel that that's why I'm the best choice. I have
the experience, I'm ready to hit the ground running, and
I have a plan, and together I feel that we
can really do some big things. I think we're at
the precipice of being able to take this community and
take our district to the next level. Very good.
Speaker 1 (42:58):
I like that plan you have. Yeah, well, I want
to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule.
That's human out there too. You're out there the community. Yes,
and I said good luck to you and I for
now I hope to see you make that seat.
Speaker 3 (43:15):
Yes, yes, I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (43:19):
Thank you, thank you.
Speaker 3 (43:21):
That wonderful meeting you both.
Speaker 1 (43:22):
You too, and I finally learned after all these years
as missus Yeah, you know, I figure I've been here
for so long I knew everything about everybody. It's like, huh,
miss all right, thank you.
Speaker 2 (43:42):
Thank you family for listening to the latest episode of
Hot Topics. As usual, listen, like, share, subscribe, t
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com