Sigaty Speaks At SGA Leadership Series

Friday afternoon after their weekly meeting, the students of Howard Community College's Student Government Association received a visit from Howard County council members Dr. Calvin Ball & Mary Kay Sigaty.

"I was definitely excited to hear them speak, all of their insight was incredibly inspiring and interesting," says SGA president Linda Morris. "We're really grateful that they took the time to come speak at our meeting too . . . and their words were so motivating. Its great for students to connect with their community leaders and to see that they really are working to serve us."

The county council members answered questions about experiences and expectations, role models and recommended reading. Dr. Ball even brought his books with him, at the top of his list is Dale Carnegie's How To Win Friends & Influence People.

The SGA discussed ideas for fund raising and community activism in the surrounding neighborhoods of Harper's Choice, Hickory Ridge and Town Center.

Q & A With Greg Hamm

I First met Greg Hamm at the March 5th public hearing for ZRA-113. I had seen him before at other hearings nestled in the back with his cadre but had never approached him. When I informed him of my intentions he agreed to do the interview. I'm thankful for the opportunity.

Inside General Growth Properties is a labyrinth of meeting rooms, offices and corridors. I set up the GL-2 in a large conference room lined with window panels taller than most men, overlooking the lake front. Despite what I've been heard about Hamm in previous interviews, I find him to be affable, conversational and highly intelligent.

In fact we a sort of philosophical discussion after the interview in which I found Hamm to be a classicist. In the unfortunate event that GGP does go under, I have no doubt he will find a job teaching the love of wisdom to eager college students.

(Left) Bankruptcy Concerns ::::: (Middle) Debt To Pay ::::: (Right) Barbara Russell

(Left) 10 Year Phases ::::: (Middle) Keeping The Vision ::::: (Right) Housing Units

(Left) Night Life ::::: (Middle) Business Strategy

John Boyle & communal mailboxes

As an Owen Brown resident, I'm interested in what goes on. I don't have the time or desire to walk Elkhorn when it's dry and 45 F outside. It'd be cool if Patuxent Publishing Company delivered an Owen Brown weekly straight to my communal mailbox?

John Boyle has a communal mailbox too but with the Internet he delivers to a niche audience with Owen Brown News, a hyper-local blog. Boyle has a voice in his writing and tells you what's going on, straight up.

“My blog is about the Village of Owen Brown. The activities within the village, local issues that may affect village residents, calls to action or volunteer opportunities that neighbors can help with, etc. I blog because there's a fair amount of information out there that folks are interested in, but (because we're all busy) aren't likely to find on their own. I just pull the information together so that IF folks are interested, they can see what's going on.”

Boyle acts like a virtual village peg-board. He says it's not original reporting but he interprets the need to know from the noise, clean and free.

“Right now, I'm primarily pulling information from other sources (blogs, newspaper and government websites) and getting info that's passed along information from the Owen Brown Village Board. I also have some neighbors who are catching on to the fact that this is a good way to get the word out about activities that they're involved with that affect Owen Brown residents.”

Boyle and I both use Hoco blogs like a virtual communal mailbox. Ask Novello or Newburn about the Analytics but like the concrete and metal boxes, the neighbors don't get their mail at the same time.

Boyle links to other community activists and blogs with pertinent interests and keeps tabs on his friends. Not literally.

“I'd say that Wordbones (A Tale of Two Cities) is the blogger that I follow the closest. I always find his posts worth reading.”

Boyle's advice; find a point of view, let the focus of your content evolve and pace yourself.