Jud Malone

Jud Malone lives in Town Center. He moved from Atlanta to Columbia in 1994 with his wife. Malone grew up in Thomasville, in the segregated south. College deferment kept Malone out of the draft and motivated him to earn a degree in marketing.

Malone is a member of the Urban Land Institute and considers himself to be an advocate for affordable housing and a community activist. He also works with a community group called Columbia Tomorrow.

Malone now works with Columbia Tomorrow on issues such as cultural preservation, Symphony Woods, zoning regulation amendments and the revitalization of downtown.

Delegate Bobo's Voting Advice

During my interview with Elizabeth Bobo, she pointed out that prior to 2008, only stationary with a delegate's printed name was restricted from personal use. After 2008, the restriction was amended to include e-mail addresses.

Click HERE to listen to Bobo's response to the complaint filed by Jud Malone. The e-mails in question

Bobo says its up to the ethics board to decide whether or not she has done anything wrong. In my opinion when anyone asks you who they should vote for, your answer should be "research the candidates and make your own decision!" When a party affiliated politician offers advice about candidates, that candidate will most likely recommend the candidate who is either affiliated with their party or shares a similar view on the issues.

Jud Malone, who filed the complaint against Elizabeth Bobo, provided me with copies of the 2007 & 2008 e-mails, Ethics Committee letter and PIA request. Click HERE to view these documents.

When I walk into the polls at the Owen Brown interfaith center, I don't want people coming up to me and telling me who I should vote for. Only Bobo knows if people e-mailed her or if she e-mailed them but as Bobo said "there are opinions and there are facts," and the fact remains that she influenced the decisions of others using a state appointed email address.

I'm a journalist, not a politician so I don't know what is common practice in Annapolis but I don't agree with Bobo's actions. Is it right for any incumbent to use resources paid by the tax payer to influence elections of any kind?

Jud Malone On Bobograms

I just finished interviewing Columbia resident Jud Malone. Part of our discussion concerned Elizabeth Bobo & her (un)ethical e-mail controversy. From a journalist's perspective, one of the greatest benefits to reporting through a blog is being able to skip the editorial process. With that in mind, HERE is my conversation with Malone concerning Bobo. Tune in tomorrow for Bobo's response.