`Woods' project could damage area watersheds In his...

`Woods' project could damage area watersheds

In his column "On the Bay," Tom Horton wrote eloquently and effectively about the impact of development on our streams and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay ("Death for streams lies in the pavement," Oct. 6).

How I wish he could have testified against the proposed "Woods at Park Place" development at the recent Howard County Planning Board hearings ("Board divided on Pfau development," Sept. 22).

The points that Mr. Horton made were the same ones that opponents of the project spoke to.

The Woods at Park Place would be built in a historic and environmentally fragile area. Its opponents testified that stormwater ponds in the area have failed and that the addition of another could have disastrous effects on the Sucker Branch, which flows to the Patapsco River and to the bay.

Opponents testified that the Howard County Planning Board must begin thinking more globally when evaluating environmental criteria -- that they must look beyond the developer's boundaries when considering impacts.

Mr. Horton wrote about the impact of adding impervious surfaces to a watershed area. The "tipping point" where impervious surfaces begin impacting a watershed is "around 10 percent," which is equal to single homes on 1- to 2-acre lots.

The Woods at Park Place would clear cut 50 percent of the 15 acres in the proposed development for 18 super-sized houses.

I hope the Planning Board will read Mr. Horton's column before it reconvenes Oct. 25.

Sally S. Bright

Ellicott City

Pat Gordon belongs on the school board

This November, two Board of Education seats are available, with four candidates running. Please do not miss your opportunity to vote in the upcoming election.

As an educator whose professional area of focus is student learning and achievement, and as a parent of children who have progressed through the county's schools, I urge you to choose Pat Gordon to fill one of the positions.

A major challenge of the Howard County school system is to close the gap in learning and student achievement associated with socioeconomic and minority status.

As a former teacher, guidance counselor, principal and member of a school board (in New York area neighborhoods), Mr. Gordon fully understands the importance of focusing substantial efforts and resources on the early years of childhood to close these gaps.

The board needs a member who truly understands the many needs of the older schools in Columbia. Mr. Gordon does understand this and will be open to all views.

Although the board race is non-partisan, I believe it is important that Mr. Gordon is the only Democrat among the four candidates running -- because Democrats have always been strong advocates for financial support for education.

Ronnie Koppelman

Columbia

Bounds has shown courage on landfill site

As president of Parents For Safe Schools (PFSS), I would like to announce our group's endorsement of Stephen Bounds for the Howard County school board.

Our mission is to compile and disseminate complete, accurate information concerning the health effects of locating schools in proximity to the New Cut Landfill to assist the board of education in making sound decisions.

Mr. Bounds has listened to our concerns in person, taken our phone calls at home and been a positive voice for our children at school board meetings.

Mr. Bounds recently announced his opposition to the new Northeast Elementary School being built at the New Cut Landfill site and we applaud him for that.

This demonstrates that he is a man with the courage to speak out against a site that no one questioned just two months ago. Mr. Bounds has proved that he is working every day to make sure our children are safe.

As parents of children affected by this decision, we are grateful to have Mr. Bounds on the board and we wish to keep him there.

James Stephens

Ellicott City

Don't use schools to sell real estate

Every weekend, newspapers are full of real estate ads for homes for sale. Some of these ad list the high school to which that home is districted, particularly when home is in the Centennial or River Hill High School district.

This feature is disturbing for a number of reasons.

Howard County has a countywide school system. The tremendous growth in our county has resulted in constantly shifting school boundaries. When you buy a home in Howard County your children are entitled to an education in Howard County, not in a particular school district.

A new high school is opening in Fulton in 2002, Reservoir High School. Many students from River Hill will be redistricted to Reservoir (and possibly other schools) as the school board draws boundary lines to fill the new school.

Being redistricted to a new school is never easy for the students or parents, but the problem is compounded when the family made a housing decision based on a particular school.

School districts are not carved in stone or an amenity like a pool or an updated kitchen. They really do not belong in real estate ads.