I am running for County Council
Hiruy Hadgu
When I was in the 12th grade, I thought about what I could do to combat climate change because I was worried about the impact that carbon emissions would have on the environment. I found out that nuclear power plants do not emit any pollutants and provide reliable, dense energy. So I asked my Physics teacher at the time, Mr. Hackborn, what he thought about me getting a nuclear engineering degree. He told me that if I can get a degree in nuclear engineering, I could do anything. Seven years later in May 2010, I graduated with a Masters in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences.
I share this story for two reasons. First, I have put my energy and time to combat climate change for many years. I recognized at an early age that climate change is a threat and turned it into an opportunity for me by pursuing an education that helps combat it. Second, when I set a goal, I do everything in my power to achieve it. For a very long time, I have had concerns about the state of our communities and I have always known that someday I will put myself in the arena to fight for the values we hold dear: opportunity, equality, and representative government.
Howard County is home to the best schools in the country. The stories of smart and socially conscious students who have taken it upon themselves to stand up for values of equality and fairness is inspiring. It is also home to residents who are environmentally conscious and consider themselves stewards of the environment. These are important to residents of Howard County and are the values we need to preserve and encourage going forward.
I believe that this is a pivotal moment in human history. What we do now will reverberate for decades to come. The quality of our schools, whether we care for the vulnerable and speak for the powerless, how we treat each other regardless of our differences, how we deal with the issue of climate change, these are all the most challenging issues of our time. To me, it's all hands on deck and I believe that we can resolve these issues and turn the challenges into opportunities.
I am launching my campaign with $3,000 of my own money. In order to maintain my independence and work only for the residents of Howard County, I will be relying on small donations from individual donors, because I have chosen not to accept contributions from developers who hold sway on many county issues. At the outset, this puts me at a disadvantage. The amount that I put in will not nearly be enough to mount a competitive campaign in a primary with at least four candidates. Some have projected around $80,000 to $100,000 per candidate. I need your help. If I received a donation of $50 per person, I will be able to start off the campaign with a strong footing.
Ideally, I will spend most of my time doing a deep-dive on county issues, reading various commission reports and meeting with voters. Your help will allow me to maintain focus to ensure that my proposals are relevant and substantial. Please do not hesitate to contact me on my website, Facebook, Twitter or just give me a call!