We Can, and Must, Do Better

Posted on March 24, 2024March 24, 2024 by Jenny

I was born and raised on the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, attending Worcester County public schools. Worcester County is rural and working class, with a median household income that is roughly half that of my current home of Howard County. More than half of Worcester County’s student population county-wide receives free and reduced-price meals. Thirty years ago, Worcester County public schools had modest offerings. My high school offered only five AP classes. There was no orchestra, only...

Perspective

Posted on September 21, 2023September 21, 2023 by Jenny

When I was a teenager, I was up before the sun every morning. I’d put on my shitkickers and take my flashlight out to the barn, where I’d feed animals, muck out stalls, and collect eggs. In the winter, I’d be out there breaking ice on water buckets and checking for frozen pipes. Then, I’d grab breakfast, get ready for the day, and make the 8 ½ mile trek into town to get to school by 8 AM. On the weekends – and all summer long – I had to be up even earlier to make it to my job in town by 7:30...

I Was Born in a Small Town

Posted on July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 by Jenny

Well, I was born in a small town And I live in a small town Probably die in a small town Oh, those small communities "Small Town" John Mellencamp I think John Mellencamp sang a better song about small towns. Jason Aldean, not so much. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t know whereof he speaks. After all, Mr. Aldean reportedly grew up in the city of Macon, Georgia, population 157,000, and spent summers in the Miami-area city of Homestead, Florida, population 80,000. Then there’s me:...

What Does Our APFO Accomplish?

Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by Jenny

Guys, we need to talk about APFO in Howard County. Specifically, we need to talk about the fact that our Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) isn't doing anything to help school capacity, and it's creating a barrier to affirmatively furthering fair housing. So what does it accomplish? Has it put us on a sustainable path? APFOs are intended to help jurisdictions manage growth by making new development approval contingent on the existence of adequate public facilities such as roads, ...

My HoCo By Design Testimony

Posted on June 16, 2023June 16, 2023 by Jenny

This past Wednesday, I testified in person at the Howard County Council's first public hearing on the HoCo By Design general plan update. While I ran short on time and had to skip over a few parts toward the end, this was largely what I stated (and sent) to the Council: Good evening, council members. My name is Jennifer Solpietro, and I am on the Board of Directors of the Howard Progressive Project and a member of the Howard County Housing Affordability Coalition. I am a resident of Harper’...