'This Charade Could Very Well Be the Demise ... of the County Executive’s Meteoric Political Career'

October 12, 2011

Dear Editor:

Well, as I see it, Ken Ulman’s grab for greater executive power will have to wait for another day. It appears that the voters of Howard County still cling tightly to the notion that they live in an elected representative democracy.

Last night, the on a bill—introduced by Del. Frank Turner—, and which would have granted County Executive Ulman with a shameful power to appoint school board members. These would have been members that were formerly elected by the voters. But, following an amazing hue and outcry from the public, . The barbarians' assault on the public’s right to vote was turned back.

The result of this charade could very well be the demise, or at least the diversion, of the County Executive’s meteoric political career. With a string of other autocratic shenanigans (similar to the ones last night), Ulman has consistently lost credibility as a leader: 

• His eminent domain attempt to take property in Clarksville from two businesses (Kendall’s Hardware and Pizza Hut) for the benefit of a third business, a developer.
• He’s created, supported and financially sustained a “Healthy Howard” program which, while popular on its surface, has managed to hide the dirty little secret that its cost-per-patient is a multiple of what normal insurers would charge.
• In his first term, he tried to push through the county purchase of a 15,000-square-foot condo in Oakland Mills, at a cost of $4 million, while taking an end around traditional approval channels.

These attempts at executive overreach have been all-the-more aggravated by Ulman’s determination to complete his mission without paying heed to the signs along the road. It is this overconfidence that will ultimately be his own downfall.  

He’s often failed to include major county stakeholders in the discussion at hand. When the school board decisions were being made, failed to consult with or seek input from either the School Board or the county PTAs. He’s shown a tin ear from the community concerning the Clarksville eminent domain debacle. And his efforts to generate other major changes in Howard County have often been conducted as an orchestrated fait accompli, with the end result pre-determined, and the “assessment” process serving as mere cosmetic window dressing.

This will not serve him well as he finishes out his second and final term. And going forward from here, Ken Ulman will likely reach a political glass ceiling as he looks upward to higher office. I respect Ken Ulman’s youth and vigor as a County Executive here in Howard County. Although I am a steadfast Republican, I understand the motivation that he feels to “get something done” while he’s in office. But, in the long run, Ken Ulman will not succeed—as an executive or as a candidate—as he runs roughshod over his fellow citizens, politicians and public servants without the diplomacy necessary to pull it off.

Sincerely,

Jeff Robinson

President, Howard County Republican Club

Patch has contacted the County Executive's Office for comment and we will be publishing a separate story with his response.