Patch has compiled the most blunt, thoughtful and outrageous comments on Howard County Patch sites this week. Readers talked the most on how to find the right dog for your family, Gov. O’Malley’s gas tax proposal, the Great Pool Debate in Columbia and how the community of Savage has embraced Burmese families.

Community to CA: Keep Jeffers Hill Lap Pool Open "People will not accept pool closures as a result of shoddy accounting. They will also not accept closures that unfairly burden the four oldest villages in Columbia with the most economic challenges while heaping more resources onto the more affluent villages." — Don Taskitsnoneofyourbusiness

Choosing the Right Dog For Your Family “Fabulous! A dog will change your life. My dog gives me a reason to get up every day. Wonderful article and thank you for letting people know what a serious responsibility it is when you get a pup. Great job.” -  michele c dimity

O'Malley Rolls Out Gas Tax, Highlights Tough Choices “Way to go Maryland Democrats! How can you continue to vote for people like Gov. O'Malley, Sen. Miller, Del. Busch, and all the other tax and spend liberals who are so far out of touch with the trials and tribulations of the citizens of Maryland?” – JustABill

Savage Opens Arms, Classrooms to Burmese Families “Impoverished people come to Howard County? What is wrong with this picture: ‘I spread out the news about Howard County, so they came here,’ Hmung said. ‘Back in my village, there is no transportation, there is no electricity, there is no water supply–there is no bank at all…So here, everything is new.’ - hmj