From North Laurel to West Friendship, from Elkridge to Clarksville, Howard County residents went to the polls today to make their voices heard on who should be president, whether slot machines should be legal, who will serve on the county school board, and more.  Here’s what some of those voters had to say.

Presidential

Nickki Johnson, 34, of Elkridge brought her two 13-year-old children along with her to her polling place at Elkridge Landing Middle School in part because of the historic nature of the event, but also to inspire them, she said. “This is history in the making,” said Johnson, a supporter of Barack Obama. “I want them to see and be a part of it.”

She said she supported Obama’s views on alternative energy, taxes, health care and the economy, but also liked that he came from humble beginnings. “He was just an average guy and he worked his way up to the top,” she said. “It gives me hope that my son could make it that far.”

Paul Greene, 66, of Ellicott City, an employee at Van Dyke and Bacon Shoes, has never missed voting in a national election since he was 21. He injured his leg recently and had to use a walker and the help of his wife, Faye, to get to the polling place at Waverly Woods Elementary School. He voted for Obama.

"I didn't make up my mind 'til the last minute," he said. "I would've voted for (John) McCain. I like what he's done as a person. But I voted for Obama mainly because of (Alaska Gov. Sarah) Palin. I just don't go for hockey moms for vice president."

Added his wife, Faye: "We didn't like how nasty the McCain campaign was getting, either."

Shawn Naze, 43, of Ellicott City, a government employee, said his decision was similar.

"It was tough. The big deciding factor was Palin. She lacks experience, and to be honest, she was just a gimmick. I believe the Republicans were just showing one-upmanship, and I didn't think that is a valid reason for picking someone to run."

William Jones, 71, of Elkridge, said he has been a lifelong Republican and was torn about whom to vote for. He remained undecided up until the last minute, he said, before deciding to vote for Obama. “I was undecided driving down,” he said. “When I parked, I’d made up my mind.”

Ultimately, McCain’s age and his vice presidential pick were deal breakers for him, he said. “McCain did two things that changed my mind,” he said. “He turned 72 and he picked Palin.”

Said Joanne Locke, 60, of Ellicott City, who volunteered for Obama's campaign -- the first campaign she has volunteered for: “If he runs the country like he’s run this election, we’re in good shape.”

Dave Myers, 19, of Ellicott City, a political science student at Loyola College, voted for Republican candidate John McCain.

"I mainly voted for him because of his economic policy. I didn't like Obama's tax cut plan. I think he's going to take us toward socialism."

Said Lu Brady, of Sykesville, who works in the defense industry: “I voted for McCain. I liked the fact he was a war hero and I don’t want those guys to go forgotten.”

His wife felt the same way. “I voted for McCain because I do work for a defense company and he is a war hero,” said Diane Brady.

Chase Valentine, 45, of Ellicott City, who's in the environmental consulting business, chose Obama "because of his message of change. I like his anti-war message, health-care reform plan, and his message of inclusion. When I saw his rallies at the DNC, the crowds were so diverse."

Dannie Paige, 67, of Ellicott City, said he supported Obama in part because “he’s going to tax those who make the most money.”

Another Obama supporter, Tom DeBoissiere, 48, of Columbia, said: “I couldn’t stand another four to eight years of what Bush did.”

Kris Baker, 39, of Ellicott City, a registered nurse, voted for McCain, because "I like his experience better. I feel that his tax plan is better."

Jim McQuarrie, a 42-year-old carpenter from Ellicott City, also voted for McCain: "The experience factor, and we didn't get an answer from Obama on half of the issues. We didn't get any answers from him."

Steve Polsky, 66, of Columbia, said he voted for Obama because he wanted to keep a clear separation between church and state. “There are non-Christians out there who don’t appreciate the evangelical surge by the Republican party,” he said.

Joan Dubbs, 67, of Ellicott City, a resident of the county for 45 years and a medical secretary, was succinct about her vote for Obama: "Just for the change."

Miles Booth, 45, of Ellicott City, a computer programmer who switched from Republican to Democrat two years ago: "I'm a former Republican. We need change."

T.J. Hartkey, 20, of Ellicott City, a student at Howard Community College who works as a supervisor for
the restaurants at Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, also thinks Obama can make a difference. "I believe that he can bring change. I haven't liked what I've heard from McCain in the debates."

Chad Galford, of Woodstock, a first-time voter at 18, voted for Obama, too, but not because of change. "I believe he brings hope, not so much change, but hope,” Asked about his first time being allowed to vote, Galford said, ‘I think it’s pretty special because it’s a huge election.”

He also voted differently than his mom. “I voted for McCain because I didn’t like Obama,” said Barbara Galford.

Nancy Villella, 48, of Ellicott City, a registered dietician, also voted for Obama. "We see him as hope for the future who can right the wrongs that have been committed during the past eight years. I'm ready for a change."

Janel Radford, 37, of Ellicott City, who's a stay-at-home mom, voted for McCain. ""I believe in republic principles of smaller government and getting the government out of families. And, I don't believe in socialism, which is where the Democrats are moving toward."

North Laurel resident John Bright, 42, said he voted for McCain because of his stance on taxes, health care and gun rights. “I just felt it was really important to get out and vote for the candidate I support,” he said, adding that he backs McCain because of “the fact that he’s not talking about raising taxes ad he’s not going to socialize health care.”

When asked whom she had voted for, Barbara Gumpert, 54, of Ellicott City, said, "Are you kidding? I voted for Barack Obama."

At Swansfield Elementary School, Christina Clark, 28, of Columbia, said, "I voted primarily Republican. I'm a minority in this state."

Slots

“I do believe that if the gamblers are willing to spend their money on the slots, then why not tax it?” said Connor Van Lent, 20, of Ellicott City.

“I think that it’s going to bring more social problems. We’re going to add gamblers. They’re going to come to our state,” said Gladys Novak, 45, of Ellicott City who voted against the slots proposal.

Kris Baker, 39, of Ellicott City, a registered nurse, voted for slots. "I think we lose a lot of revenue to other states, and I hear the money would go towards education, which is a big plus."

Dave Myers, 19, of Ellicott City, a student at Loyola College: "I'm not against slots. I'm just against the referendum."

Chase Valentine, 45, of Ellicott City: "It would bring more revenue for the state. It's up to the individual to be responsible for his or her gambling habits. We're losing money to West Virginia, Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania."

Jim McQuarrie, 42, of Ellicott City, a carpenter: "I'm not necessarily against slots. But I'm against the way they worded the amendment. They need to get it right, then pass the law."

Joan Dubbs, 67, of Ellicott City: "I figure people are going over to other states to play. And, it would be nice to have that money coming into our state."

Miles Booth, 45, of Ellicott City: "It was a toss-up. If people are gonna go there, they might as well come here."

Tom Marcellino, of North Laurel, said the statewide slots issue was what drew him to the polls at Murray Hill Middle School. “If a man wants to gamble, then he should have the right to gamble,” said Marcellino, 65. “I don’t like anybody telling me what to do or what I can’t do.”

T.J. Hartkey, 20, of Ellicott City: "I don't like the idea of having any more gambling in Maryland. We already
have Pimlico. Also, I don't think supporting our school system with that money is appropriate."

Anne Williams, 39, a homemaker from Elkridge, was opposed to the slots amendment. “I am more concerned about gambling addicts than anything else, and the crime,” she said.

Ray Trahan, 72, of Elkridge, said he voted for slots because he felt it would keep his tax bill lower. “I’m retired and 72 and keep paying too many taxes,” he said.

Richard Yost, 65, a computer consultant from Columbia, said he voted for slots in part because of the support it garnered from teachers and firefighters unions. “They must know what they’re doing,” he said, though he expressed concern that the program will not end up putting the money in schools as proposed.

Randall Scott, 53, of North Laurel, said he is opposed to the legalization of slots for several reasons. Although he believes it could be a boon to the horse industry, he is skeptical of whether the initiative would produce as much money for schools as projected, he said, adding that he also believes “the ills it will bring aren’t worth it. It’s a quick fix to try to raise money, and I think it will fail.”

Michelle Moreno, 40, of Columbia, said she was a former resident of Delaware, where there were slots and she did not vote for the amendment. "I didn't see a lot of money coming to the community. It just wasn't a really good atmosphere for children," she said.

“I’m a blackjack man as opposed to slots,” said Tom DeBoissiere, 48, of Columbia who voted against legalizing slots.

School board

Anne Williams, 39, a homemaker from Elkridge, stood out in the drizzling rain around noon at Elkridge Landing Middle School to stump for school board candidate Betsy Grater. “I heard a lot of good things about her and her experience. I definitely want to see a better school system.”

Susan Goldberg, 50, of Clarksville, said she supports school board incumbent Janet Siddiqui because of her well-rounded approach to school matters. “I find her to have a holistic approach to education,” said Goldberg, whose son attends River Hill High School. “As a pediatrician, she’s interested in supporting everything from their nutrition to their physical health to their academic education.”

“I like the way she encompasses the whole spectrum,” said Gladys Novak, 45, of Ellicott City who also voted for Siddiqui. “She’s not only a mother, she’s also a pediatrician who knows how to take care of children.”

After voting at Hammond Elementary School, North Laurel resident Randall Scott, 53, said he backed school board incumbent Ellen Flynn Giles, in part because he knows her father. “From everything I’ve read, she’s been a really solid citizen and I like what she’s done,” said Scott, the father of two children who attend Atholton High School.

Dave Myers, 19, of Ellicott City, a student at Loyola College: "Ellen's been doing a good job on the board already, and I think Allen (Dyer) will shake things up."

Kris Baker, 39, of Ellicott City, a registered nurse, voted for Diane Buter. "I'm familiar with her, but not with the others."

“I voted for Allen Dyer because, by what I’ve read, he’s a good guy, and he’s teacher-endorsed,” said Bruce Kenauff, of Woodbine. 


Congress

Clarksville resident Carolyn Jordan Alexander said she’s a “longtime supporter” of Rep. Elijah Cummings, adding that he showed “independence of thought” when grappling with the government’s bailout of the U.S. financial industry earlier this fall. “When you do things right, it’s hard to be challenged,” she said. “He had the guts in the initial bailout to vote against it when so many Democrats were voting for it. He votes for his constituents as opposed to voting down a party line. I like independence of thought."

“I’d much rather have a Democratic Congress than a Republican Congress because it will allow change to happen (more quickly)," said Connor Van Lent, 20, of Ellicott City, who also voted for Cummings.

“He’s a very religious person,” said Dannie Paige, 67, of Ellicott City, who voted for Cummings, saying that he knew Cummings personally.

“I will not vote for an incumbent, I am fed up with the way the economy is,” said Paul Vettori , 64, an Ellicott City attorney who voted for Michael Hargadon, a Republican, for Congress.

Kris Baker, of Ellicott City, also voted for Hargadon. "He's a Republican."

Dave Myers, 19, of Ellicott City, a political science student at Loyola College: "Cummings has been in the position for too long, and he didn't do enough for Howard County."

T.J. Hartkey, 20, of Ellicott City, voted for Cummings: "I voted for him to continue what I've seen so far."

Nancy Villella, 48, of Ellicott City, voted for John Sarbanes. "I'm a Democrat, true at heart."

William Jones, 71, of Elkridge, is a Republican who ended up supporting Sarbanes even if he is a bit liberal for his tastes, he said. “He seems to be doing a good job,” Jones said.

Richard Yost, 65, a computer consultant from Columbia, said he voted for Republican Thomas “Pinkston” Harris over Sarbanes. “I just don’t like Sarbanes,” he said. “I didn’t like his father (former Sen. Paul Sarbanes) either.”

Reporters Jennifer Broadwater, Jenni Choi, Medina Roshan, Mike Santa Rita, Derek Simmonsen and Joe Vassalotti contributed to this report.

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