[1 Car] Good Neighbors

1 Car has posted a new item, 'Good Neighbors'

I am unaccustomed to running into my neighbors at HoCo politico events. It just
doesn't happen. Over the six yearswe'velived in our current neighborhood, its
only happened three times. The third time occurred last week at Courtney
Watson's event in Columbia whenI ran into my next door neighbors, the good ones.
Seven years ago, as our side by side homes were being built, I first met Hatem.
Later we would become introduced to his wife and two children. Maha now brings
her homemade baklava to our 3rd of Julyparties. When they traveled back to visit
family in Egypt, we kept an eye on their house.

At the party, Hatem told me that he was on the board of the Howard County Muslim
Council and explained some of the work that the council is doing in the
community. He made a point to mention that Courtney regularly attends their
functions and has been supportive of their efforts.

I loved this moment. I often lament about the sad state of loco civic engagement
and awareness. When I suddenly discovered that, right next door, another
neighbor was quietly doing his part to make HoCo a better place to live, it made
me happy.

In contrast, on the other side of my house is a family that has also moved in at
the same time. They have two daughters and after seven years I dont even know
their names.

We spoke a little about the plans for a Muslim school and worship center in
western HoCo. I told Hatem that a friend of mine is on the executive board of
Residents for the Responsible Development of Woodmont, which opposes the project
currently proposed by Dar-Us-Salaam of College Park because its size and
intensity are far in excess of what RRDW believes is reasonable for the Rural
Conservation district and the rural west of Howard County

I sincerely hope that the Dar-Us-Salaam community and the greater Cooksville
community can reach some sort of mutual accommodation on this. There are good
people on both sides of this zoning debate so there is good reason to be
hopeful.


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