Elkridge Asks County Executive for High School, Park, Traffic Light, Library
Howard Johnson, president of the Greater Elkridge Community Association, outlined his wish list at Ken Ulman's public forum Monday.
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The need for planning and land acquisition were messages County Executive Ken Ulman heard from Elkridge during a July 23 public forum in Columbia.
“We already see a crunch—we can’t find school sites, we can’t find places to put our fire department, or put a new police department in place, and I think if we wait much longer…it’s going to be even more difficult to find property,” said Howard Johnson, president of the Greater Elkridge Community Association (GECA).
“We did actually add more money to land acquisition this year for that very purpose,” said Ulman in response.
Johnson was one of more than a dozen people who testified at the county executive’s sixth annual public forum. Concerns ran the gamut—from sewer systems to military spending—and GECA’s message focused on infrastructure needs in Elkridge, including along the Route 1 corridor.
- High school for Elkridge. “I ask you to support our effort, our new superintendent of schools and the Board of Education...to bring a high school to the Elkridge area and Route 1 corridor," said Johnson.
- Full-color signal on Route 1 at Ducketts Lane. “I’d like you to work with our state representatives to get a light at Route 1 and Ducketts Lane. We cannot possibly put a school with 600 students where the majority of them will be bused, most likely on the Route 1 corridor, and get to that school and not have a light there,” said Johnson. “The flashing light is not going to cut it.”
- Funding for a new Elkridge library. “I know you’ve had to make some adjustments other places so we do get our library," said Johnson. "Please keep that in the budget so it stays on track to open soon."
- Funding for Troy Park. “Please ensure we have the funding we need in bonds through the state so they can get the park online...so we can make some impact [on] the needs of the various leagues and recreational facilities in the area,” said Johnson.
RELATED ARTICLES
State Highway Official: ‘We Haven’t Said No’ to Ducketts Traffic Light
Ducketts Lane School Construction Heightens Traffic Concern
Troy Park Concept Needs Scaling Down
Letter to the Editor: Plea for Elkridge Met with Silence
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Adam R
6:19 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
How about updating the traffic light and put in walkways for crossing rt.1 and Montgomery Road? Can we start small and knock this out first? If you can't picture what I am saying drive to Lynwood Giant and look at the difference!
Howard Johnson
9:44 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Hello Adam
How do you want the cross walk to work at Rt. one? There is Ped crossing from the west side of Rt. 1 to the East side. Then from that corner north accross Montgomery Rd. I will go to Lynwood to get a better idea of what you see there that the county can install at Rt1 and Montogomery Rd. thank you for the idea to address this intersection
Adam R
1:31 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The cross walks are not line out properly, the equipment for pedestrians are old and out dated, and there are not 4 ways to cross at the intersection like HC put in at Lynwood. I see people every day not know where and how to cross RT 1. I would like the county to do it right. It is a major intersection and the safety of pedestrians must be taken into account by the HC Engineers, and then make the intersection right.
Sandy Baker
8:19 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thank you Howard for all of the hard work and support you give to Elkridge
Jeanne DeBoy
8:26 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Thank you Howard! I would also like to see the addition of SIDEWALKS, along Hanover Road and Montgomery Road (near EES/ELMS). The kids in our community should be able to WALK to our schools, library or throughout the community safely.
Howard Johnson
9:54 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Jeanne
Additional sidewalks are needed along all the road you mention. Some may be more difficult to do than others. Do you know of any common areas between the developments along Hanover Rd. that could be connected for pedestrian and bike use. Connecting the neighborhoods with paths off the main road would be much safer. Efforts to straighten Hanover Rd. and add sidewalks by the county have been thwarted in the past as residents see the curvy road as a deterrent to speeders and heavy trucks.
Val McGuire
8:30 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Way to go Howard! I hope Ken remembers we also need a larger senior center and a community center! For those of you who read this and are not a member of the Greater Elkridge Community Association (GECA) please join at geca-elkridge.org.
Matt Ruzicka
9:24 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Yes, thank you Howard! Why not use the open space where the drive-in was for the high school? Though I'm not sure there is enough room left. I'm so tired of "mixed use" development going in. The only thing that ends up happening with mixed use is a pizza place and a nail salon.
Elizabeth Janney
10:57 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Does everyone agree that Elkridge needs a high school? The school board isn't totally convinced, from statements in public meetings.
Leslie Kornreich
11:03 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Because of worsening overcrowding in our area elementary schools, a new elementary school is being built on Duckett's Lane. Several Board members and central office staff have agreed that one school will not alleviate long-term overcrowding and that we will need another elementary school built in this decade. All four of our middle schools have exceeded 115% capacity, necessitating a new middle school at Oxford Square. Two high schools serve the greater Elkridge community -- Howard and Long Reach. Howard HIgh School is currently at 117% capacity, not to be relieved by redistricting until 2016, sending more Route 1 corridor students to Long Reach. I cannot imagine, given these numbers, how anyone can deny that we need a high school in Elkridge, and we need to acquire the land for it IMMEDIATELY, before there is no land left large enough to accommodate a high school out here.
Richard Nordeck
4:38 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I'm so pleased to learn the Greater Elkridge Community Association (GECA) has taken the responsibilty to speak for the citizens of Elkridge ... he wrote facetiously. I don't recall being asked for my opinion and neither do any of my neighbors (who actually reside in Elkridge). I guess "Father (and Mother) Knows Best" is alive and well. Another sad case of "in loco parentis".
Howard Johnson
9:38 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Mr. Nordeck GECA will have another opportunity to speak to a representative of the County Executives team this Wednesday. You bring up a good point, we do not always hear from enough people on a subject and I welcome your input on what you and your neighbors see as needs in Elkridge. We will gladly pass them onto the Executives office. We do our best to reach our members through mailings, email and the Patch has become a great resource to reach more residents. I welcome you and your neighbors to join GECA. Go to our web page www.geca-Elkridge.org and ask to join. More voices in GECA will produce better out comes that will address more issues in the greater Elkridge area.
Christopher George Dick
9:11 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I AGREE ELKRIDGE NEEDS A HIGH SCHOOL
Sandy
10:35 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Richard, the July 23rd meeting was a public forum. You and your neighbors were not excluded, and could have spoken if you wanted to. In addition, GECA has asked for, and received, public comments on many occasions. If you are feeling disengaged, please get involved. GECA is an organization of your neighbors, volunteering their time, doing their best to help make our community the best it can be. There is no element of Father knows best. All are welcome.
Concerned Elkridgean
6:34 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Good job Howard! Keep it up.