Dear Friends, 

Last week, we launched the transformational Complete4Success Scholarship, a $3.5M investment in our students at Howard Community College (HCC). Across our nation, higher education enrollment suffered in recent years. Students were faced with desperate situations—having to address both their academic and emergency needs such as digital access, books, food, and transportation. For some, it was difficult to finish just that last class to get their degree or credential.

The Complete4Success Scholarship will cover tuition and fees, emergency needs, and training in critical industries for 2,000 eligible students so students can get their credits to complete their degrees and jump into jobs and careers.

Thank you HCC President Dr. Daria J. Willis and her team, Fran Trout and the Office of Workforce Development, and every person who works hard to ensure our students are successful. Due to these partnerships, we are making sure all our students can become their best selves and create best future for all.

Read more about this program here. 

Make Your Plan to Vote

The 2022 Gubernatorial election is underway. Early Voting runs through November 3rd, with the polls open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

On Election Day, the polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. To ensure your entire ballot counts, you must always vote at your assigned polling place. Find your polling place here. 

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is November 1st. To request your ballot and learn more about voting by mail, please click here. 

Making Progress, Together 

I’m truly humbled to receive the Best Elected Official for 2022 in Howard Magazine’s Best of Howard County Readers' Choice awards. During the last year, we have worked tirelessly to create endless opportunity for those who live and work in Howard County. None of our progress would have been possible without your support, advocacy, and partnership. 

While this recognition may have my name and title on it, it is something we share as a community. 



Congratulations to all our winners who are exceptional in so many ways. Together, we are ensuring every resident has access to the best quality services to live their best life.

See all the winners here.

Reducing Emissions 

Howard County is the first County in the nation to receive a LEED Platinum designation under the current version of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Cities and Communities certification program.

Howard County is a national leader in Energy and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions performance, with GHG emissions per capita significantly better than the local average. Our critical facility resiliency planning, BGE's time-of-use rate schedules and reliability performance monitoring, and the state of Maryland's Renewable Portfolio Standard helped Howard County achieve an excellent score in this section. 

We are becoming more energy independent and protecting our environment for current and future generations!

Visual Storytelling

As Black Fine Arts month comes to an end, I’ve been honored to visit and highlight some of our incredible local black artists. One phenomenal artist is Jereme Scott, who has a studio at Howard County Center for the Arts where he showcases some of his exciting work.  



Beyond having some of his pieces featured throughout the County, for instance the mural inside Long Reach High School, Jereme also creates art for himself and for his eager audiences. His inspiring artworks address various cultural and social issues in order to trigger the viewers’ awareness. Although often popular culture is a leading factor in his choice of subject matter, he says that it is the narrative and storytelling that truly guide the direction and intention within his work.  

This month and every month, we are thrilled to amplify the voices of Black artists in this county. You can find out more about Jereme at his website here.

Improving Main Street Elkridge

We remain committed to investing in infrastructure to add resources, improve communities, and increase accessibility for our residents of all ages and abilities. That is why we provided funding for improvements on Main Street in Elkridge from Old Washington Road to Brumbaugh Street. Replacement and improvement to curbs, gutters, and sidewalks is scheduled to begin next fall.

Age-Friendly Ambassadors

The Community Ambassador program equips residents across the county on key issues and topics so they, in turn, can help bring important information and help to the entire community.

The Office of Aging and Independence and the Office of Human Resources and Equity recently hosted a roundtable on Age-Friendly resources. The Age-Friendly initiative will help us create a more livable community and ensure Howard County continues to evolve as a great place to grow up and to grow older. Our Community Ambassadors will serve a critical role in carrying this initiative forward. 

Be on the lookout for Community Ambassadors throughout the County. Each has a special pin that identifies them as key leaders and servants across our community.  

Saving Camp Ilchester

On September 30th, the land acquisition of the Camp Ilchester property, removing 105 potential housing units from the pipeline, was finalized.



Spaces like Camp Ilchester connect neighbors and friends and allow close access to nature. Our purchase ensures that Camp Ilchester will always be green space, preserved as part of the Howard County Recreation & Parks system.

Exploring the World Artistically 

Cori Bowen is a Maryland native, whose inspiring work has been featured in many local galleries. She recently placed at Art Howard County, 2021, the Howard County Art Council’s Juried Exhibit, as well as more recently in Celebrating the Art of Self Care, a 2022 Black History Month exhibit at the Columbia Art Center.  

During Black Fine Arts Month, I’m glad for the opportunity to see her recent work, which is a series of mixed media abstract paintings. Her work depicts spatial illusion and perspective by using architectural symbolism and geometric form. Cori does this through her own brilliant techniques and the result is a landscape of what she describes as “yin and yang, hard vs. soft, free vs. confined, and depth vs. shallow.” It’s her articulation of the dualism she sees in the world, I am glad that she was able to share it with me.  

See more of Cori and her brilliance on her website here.

Maintaining Security 

Cybersecurity is an increasing necessity for all businesses. With strategic processes and protection systems, we are able to protect against cyber attacks and limiting access to vulnerable information. I had a wonderful time welcoming the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) to Howard County. They engaged in a vital discussion on the importance of ensuring our cybersecurity strategies are innovative and efficient. 

Our partnership with the Howard County Economic Development Authority has helped us not only support our current local businesses and entrepreneurs, but also helped us open over 300 new businesses in Howard County in the recent years. During Economic Development Week and beyond, I applaud our amazing EDA and their Board for their leadership and partnership in ensuring we create an environment where every business has the opportunity to grow and thrive.

Welcome Tocar Spa!

We are so grateful to see our local Howard County businesses grow and thrive. I had a great time joining Stephen Conti to celebrate the grand opening of Tocar Spa in Columbia. Stephen was a graduate of the first HoCo Higher cohort where he won first place in the pitch competition. As a result, he received $15,000 in seed money to help open this location.

Congratulations, and I wish you the best!

Making Dreams a Reality

The Howard County Association of Realtors has been a great partner in working to bring families’ dreams to a reality. I was pleased to them join at their annual gala. Together, we helped over 2,500 households avoid eviction, distributed $23.4 million in federal, state, and local funds for past due rent and utilities, and we’ve also distributed over $2.3 million to nearly 96 households facing foreclosure.

Thank you to Past President Sarah Anderson for your dedication to the association and for your service to the community. Congratulations to incoming President Robyn Harris and the new officers who will bring their Strategic Plan to fruition, with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion and education. I look forward to our continued partnership to promote the best quality of life for all! 

Taking Fine Arts International 

With the Black Fine Arts Month in full swing, I was honored to visit the incomparable Dr. Camellia A. Blackwell-Taffel. In 1992, she founded a gallery and art education organization - the International Center for Artistic Development, Inc. (ICAD). She has had incredible and prolific pursuits throughout her career in the arts and showcases some of her amazing collection of art from all over the world, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia, and Europe. Likewise, I was grateful to see some of her own astonishing mixed media, collagraph, lithograph, photography, and hand drawn transfer print pieces, as well as some of her conservation works.

Find more information on ICAD at their website here.

LEED-ing Through Innovation

ICYMI: Howard County is the first LEED Platinum community in the Country under the current version of the LEED for Cities and Communities certification program.  

We were able to achieve this distinction due to our strong innovative practices, leading us to receive the maximum number of Innovation points! Over the last four years, we have prioritized creating more inclusive playgrounds for all ages and abilities, increasing pollinator habitat and becoming a Bee City, expanding local food programs and supporting our local farmers, implementing effective climate solutions, reducing single-use plastics, and expanding our use of solar to become more energy independent, which all contributed to our high score.

Handmade with Love



If you knit or crochet, our Department of Community Resources and Services’ (DCRS) Office of Veterans and Military Families (OVMF) initiative, Handmade with Love, needs your support. OVMF is currently collecting homemade scarves and hats to send to our deployed military members. Scarves should be four to six inches wide by 48 to 50 inches long (no fringe), while hats should fit an adult-size head. Materials can be wool, acrylic or non-flammable fleece in subtle shades of blue, brown, olive, gray, maroon and black. Red/white/blue combinations are also acceptable.

Handmade items should be dropped off by no later than this Friday, November 4^th at one of designated locations listed HERE. Please be sure to pin a note to each scarf or hat with the yarn fiber contents listed, and feel free to include a personal note for the recipient if you would like. As you can imagine, our soldiers are deeply touched by the care and effort when they receive gifts, especially handmade items from supportive fellow Americans. 

For more information, contact Lisa Terry at 410-313-0821 (voice/relay) or email veterans@howardcountymd.gov.

Champions of Change Conference

On Saturday, November 19^th, DCRS’s Office of Children and Families and Office of the Local Children's Board will host its 2022 Champions of Change Conference, "Cultivating Change to Advance Equity for All”. Champions of Change focuses on increasing capacity and collaboration among early educators, human service providers, community members and youth. Champions of Change concentrates on the interconnectedness of racial equity, mental health and trauma, social and emotional well-being, child/youth development and collective impact. We believe that by increasing our knowledge, awareness and attention on the unconscious, we can begin to create change within ourselves, our organizations and in our collective communities.

This year’s main event will take place at the Turf Valley Conference Center in Ellicott City on the 19^th from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will feature two engaging keynote speakers, 16 educational break-out sessions and a vendor resource fair. There will also be a bonus pre-conference workshop and happy hour offered the night before (November 18^th) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Turf Valley.

Those interested in attending can register HERE; the registration cost is $60. The registration fee includes both Friday’s opening reception and Saturday’s main event. However, young adults age 16 to 21 are welcome to attend at no charge, and volunteer opportunities for service hours are also available. For details, please contact Kim Eisenreich at 410-313-1461 or email kaeisenreich@howardcountymd.gov. 

For more information about this event, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/champions or call 410-313-6400.

Support the Virtual Diaper Drive

Did you know, one in three families struggle to afford diapers for their children. No family should have to choose between paying for food or clean diapers for their children.

Help give local parents peace of mind this holiday season by donating today to this year’s Virtual Diaper Drive. Hosted by DCRS’s Office of Children and Families (OCF) and the Community Action Council of Howard County, Inc., this project provides free diapers and wipes to low-income families so they don't have to make those difficult choices.

For questions and/or more information about the Drive, contact OCF at 410-313-2273 or email children@howardcountymd.gov.

Office of Emergency Management 

Public Meeting to Review Hazard Mitigation Plans

Our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, November 17^th from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the Dayton Room at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97 in Cooksville, to gather public input and discuss the County’s All-Hazards Mitigation Plan and Flood Mitigation Plan. These plans define goals and actions that can be taken to mitigate impacts from a variety of hazards, including flooding, within the County. Every five years, the County is required to update these plans.

Staff members from OEM and County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will be on hand to explain both plans, answer any questions, and gather public comments.

Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the information and/or have questions regarding the All-Hazards Mitigation Plan should contact Ms. Lauren Chilton with OEM at 410-313-6030 or by email at emergencymanagement@howardcountymd.gov. For information and/or questions regarding the Flood Mitigation Plan, please contact Mr. Mark S. Richmond with DPW’s Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-6413 or by email at stormwater@howardcountymd.gov.

An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested seven working days prior to the meeting. Please call DPW at 410-313-3440 (voice) or use Relay at 7-1-1, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

For questions or more information about the meeting, contact Ms. Lauren Chilton, OEM, at 410-313-6030 or email emergencymanagement@howardcountymd.gov.

Department of Fire and Rescue Services

Halloween Fire Safety Tips

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) decorations are the first thing to ignite in 800 reported home fires each year. More than one-third of these fires were started by a candle.

Keep your little ghouls and goblins and home safe this Halloween with these tips from our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS):

• Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick inside your jack-o-lantern instead of an open flame;
• Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters;
• Choose costumes that don’t have long trailing fabric;
• Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them; and
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes.

Help Train a Firefighter by Donating Your Unwanted Car

If you are looking to get rid of an unwanted car, DFRS would love to take it off your hands. DFRS is currently seeking donations of unwanted cars to help its personnel train and prepare for incidents involving motor vehicles. If you have a vehicle you would like to donate, email cardonations@howardcountymd.gov today and be sure to include the location of the vehicle and contact number.

In addition to providing an invaluable training opportunity for our firefighters, your vehicle donation is tax deductible and even better, if you live in county (or within a reasonable distance), HCDFRS will tow your vehicle away for free.

Howard County Health Department

Have You Gotten Your Flu Shot Yet?

HCHD is encouraging people of all ages to get a seasonal flu shot from a healthcare provider, local pharmacy, retailer or big box store. The flu vaccine can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits and missed work and school (even virtual school) due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths, and is particularly important for people with a chronic medical condition who are most vulnerable to developing serious complications from the flu. According to the CDC, nine out of 10 adults hospitalized last flu season with the flu, had at least one reported underlying medical condition.

If you or someone you know is still in need of their flu vaccine, visit HCHD’s "Seasonal Flu" website today for details regarding its flu vaccination clinics.

Department of Housing and Community Development

Applications Now Being Accepted for MIHU October Open Enrollment Period

Today is the last day to submit your application for our Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) continues to accept applications for its Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program October open enrollment period. MIHU homeownership applications are now available online and completed applications can be either submitted online, mailed to 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 224, Columbia, MD, 21046, or dropped off at DHCD’s Patuxent Woods Drive office by appointment only. Applications are being accepted through 4:00 p.m. today, October 31^st.

Held quarterly, DHCD’s MIHU is an inclusionary zoning program that offers quality new homes at reduced sale prices and rents to income eligible families.

To purchase an MIHU home, individuals must apply to DHCD during an open enrollment period to be placed in the database. To qualify, an applicant’s household income may not exceed 80 percent of Howard County’s median income (example: maximum $96,928 for a four-person household to as much as $127,945 for an eight-person household). Applicants must meet credit score requirements and household income must be sufficient to qualify for a mortgage based on industry standards. Sale prices for available MIHU homes, currently range from $254,985 for a new condominium to $384,916 for a new townhouse. Actual sale prices may vary depending on the size and amenities of the unit. More details regarding our MIHU homeownership program will be available HERE or contact DHCD at 410-313-6318 (select option two) or email housing@howardcountymd.gov.

To rent an MIHU unit, a qualified applicant’s household income may not exceed 60 percent of the Howard County median income (example: maximum $50,887 for a one-person household and $72,696 for a four-person household). MIHUs are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, are interspersed throughout each community and residents enjoy the same amenities of community life as market rate tenants. Visit DHCD’s MIHU rental website for more information.

 OHRE Listening Sessions

Tonight (October 31^st) at 6:00 p.m., our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) will wrap up its month long listening session series at the County’s Gary J. Arthur Community Center. Responsible for protecting and promoting the human rights of all people, OHRE’s listening sessions have offered residents the opportunity to share with OHRE how it can better serve the people of our great county. It is important to the County that we hear from people of all backgrounds, lifestyles and belief systems as your voice matters in creating an equitable and inclusive community.

To register for tonight’s listening session, click HERE.

For questions and/or more information about these listening sessions, contact OHRE at 410-313-6430 or email ohre@howardcountymd.gov. 

Department of Planning and Zoning

Planning Board Meeting

Our Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Planning Board will be holding a virtual meeting via WebEx, starting at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday, November 3^rd, to hear the following agenda items:

• FDP-204-A-1 5005 Straight Street Place – A request to amend the FDP to permit an accessory apartment use at 5005 Straight Star Place pursuant to Section
• 125.0.F.2 of the Howard County Zoning Regulations.
• ZRA 203—Demirel Plaza, LLC – A request to amend the Office Transition (OT) zoning district (Section 117.3.C) to include Age-Restricted Adult Housing (ARAH) in Use 13 “one square-foot of residential space for each square foot of commercial space located within the same structure” land use category.

To register to testify, click HERE. Registration must be completed prior to 7:00 pm the night (November 2, 2022) before the scheduled meeting to participate. If you do not wish to testify, but simply to watch the meeting, click HERE to watch.

A five-member board, the Planning Board makes recommendations to the Zoning Board or County Council on matters related to planning and zoning and renders a final decision on selected development proposals. Before recommendations or decisions are made, the Board holds a public meeting or hearing to provide interested persons the opportunity to provide comment. For details about procedures for testifying at a Planning Board meeting, click HERE.

To learn more about Howard County’s Planning Board and upcoming meeting dates, click HERE.

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Also, this Thursday, November 3^rd, DPZ’s Historic Preservation Commission will be holding a VIRTUAL meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. The meeting agenda and instructions on how to join/participate in Thursday’s meeting can be found on the Commission’s website. Please note, to register to join Thursday’s meeting through your computer to view and hear the presentations, you will need to register by noon on November 3^rd. Once registered, further instructions and a call-in attendee number will be provided via email.

Police Department

Crime Trend

In recent months, our Howard County Police Department (HCPD) has seen an increase in vehicle thefts, specifically 2016-2021 Hyundai and 2011-2021 Kia models that are started by a key, all part of a national trend occurring across the U.S.

HCPD is urging these vehicle owners to consider taking the following preventive measures:

• Purchase a steering wheel lock or club. These are relatively inexpensive and are an excellent visual deterrent to thieves.
• Purchase a security kit recently released by Hyundai. Contact a local dealership for more information. 
• Practice standard vehicle theft safety measures such as parking in a secured access lot or personal garage if you have one.

HCPD Is actively investigating these thefts and believe a majority are being committed by a small number of people, mostly juveniles and young adults. If you have any information, please contact HCPD at 410-313-STOP or HCPDCrimeTips@howardcountymd.gov.

Halloween Safety Tips

On average, twice as many child pedestrians are killed while walking on Halloween compared to any other day of the year.

While Howard County Police Department (HCPD) will be out and about in full force this evening to help ensure a safe and fun Halloween for all, HCPD is encouraging parents to take a moment to go over these Halloween safety tips with their superheroes, pirates, firefighters and princesses before heading out for an evening of trick-or-treating.

• Children under 12 should trick-or-treat and cross streets with an adult.
• Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the side as possible.
• Remind children not to take shortcuts through backyards, alleys or playing fields.
• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Parents should remind children to watch for cars that are turning or backing up.
• Encourage children to trick-or-treat with a group, and before dark. After dark, an adult chaperone should carry a flashlight and choose well-lighted streets.
• Wear costumes that are short, snug and flame retardant. Flowing sleeves, capes and skirts can be a tripping hazard and can catch fire if they brush against candle flames. Also be sure to wear light colors or reflective tape and avoid masks that can obstruct your vision.
• Teach children they should NEVER go into a stranger’s home or car.
• ·        Remind children not to eat treats before they have been inspected by parents. NEVER eat candy that has been opened.
• Leave porch or other outside lights on to make clear that trick-or-treaters are welcome. Do NOT let children approach homes that are dark.
• Remove objects from your yard that might present a hazard to visitors.
• Drivers, please drive slowly all evening – you never know when a trick-or-treater may dart into the street.

Officers will be on the lookout for vandalism, theft and destruction of property, as well as speeding and drunk or impaired drivers to help ensure everyone has a safe and fun evening.

Properly Disposing of Unwanted Medication All Year Long

While this past Saturday, October 29^th was National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, with HC Drug Free hosting its annual event from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot (near the Swim Center), did you know you can properly dispose of unwanted prescription and over-the-counter medications ALL YEAR LONG thanks to four permanent drop-off locations set up by HCPD. You can find drop-off boxes inside the front doors of the following four County locations:

• Northern District, 3410 Court House Drive, Ellicott City
• Southern District, 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel
• Community Outreach Building, 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
• Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 MD 97, Cooksville (business hours only)

By properly disposing of medication you no longer need, you are helping us in the fight against the opioid crisis in our area.

If you are looking to properly and safely dispose of medical sharps (needles, syringes, EpiPens) throughout the year, please visit our Bureau of Environmental Services website for details on how to do so.

Preventing Package Theft this Holiday Season

With some big retailers already starting their holiday sales, HCPD is taking this opportunity to remind residents when online shopping, be sure to plan ahead to avoid becoming a victim of package theft.

Here are some helpful tips from HCPD to follow:

• Always order from reputable/secure websites.
• Request that the delivery service leave the package in a less-obvious location, like a side or back door, that cannot be seen from the sidewalk.
• Track your shipments and try to be home when they are scheduled to arrive. If you won’t be home, ask a trusted neighbor or friend to take the package inside until you get home, or use an alternative delivery option like Amazon lockers.
• If you are home, bring them inside right after delivery.
• Look out for your neighbors. Report suspicious activity on your street by calling 911 or the non-emergency number at 410-313-2200. One call could help your neighbors from being victimized.

C.A.T. Program is Back!

After a more than two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HCPD’s Collision Avoidance Training (C.A.T.) program is finally back and ready to teach our young drivers (age 16 to 20) once again how to better handle their vehicles in various situations. Developed by the National Traffic Safety Academy and adapted from law enforcement training, to participate in this one-day, defensive driving and vehicle control course, drivers must possess a valid Maryland "Class C" driver’s license (no learner's permit) and have a registered vehicle to drive during the practical exercises. Howard County residency is NOT a requirement.

While its November and December classes quickly filled, I strongly encourage parents and guardians of teen drivers to keep an eye on HCPD’s “Youth Programs” website for its 2023 C.A.T. program dates. Note, the cost to participate is $95; however, scholarship opportunities are available.

For questions and/or more information about this program, email HCPD's C.A.T. program at catprogram@howardcountymd.gov.

Coffee with a Cop

Come meet face-to-face with HCPD's Community Outreach Officers on Tuesday, November 15^th from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Decadent, located at11710 E Market Place in Fulton, to discuss issues, ask questions and build relationships one cup of coffee (or other beverage) at a time. For more information and/or questions, contact HCPD's Community Outreach Division at 410-313-2207.

Department of Public Works-Construction Report

Below are details regarding new, upcoming, completed and/or delayed Capital Projects and/or maintenance project(s) that have been announced.

Laurel

• Whiskey Bottom Road Sidewalk (Capital Project K-5061-52C) – Project to extend the sidewalk along eastbound Whiskey Bottom Road to Moonshine Hollow and Old Lantern Way. Currently, the sidewalk coming east from All Saints ends at Moonshine Hollow. This project will close the gap with an Americans with Disabilities Act compliant walking route to the next existing sidewalk, west of Old Lantern Way. Additionally, a concrete waiting pad will be added at the existing RTA bus stop at the intersection of Whiskey Bottom and Moonshine Hollow. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by early December.

Scaggsville

• Marylee Lane Sewer (Capital Project S-6601) – Project to rehabilitate existing sewer services located along Marylee Lane, Glen Hanna Drive and connecting side streets. The existing sewer pipes will be stabilized using cured-in-place pipe lining (CIPP lateral lining) to extend the overall usefulness of the pipes. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late March 2023.

To learn about our Department of Public Works (DPW) projects currently underway, click HERE. Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.

If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA)  “Project Portal” website.

Bureau of Environmental Services

Holiday Slide Schedule Not in Effect Next Week

While Howard County Government offices will be CLOSED next Friday, November 11^th in observance of Veterans Day holiday, there will be REGULAR Friday curbside trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap collection on the 11^th. The County’s holiday slide schedule will NOT be in effect next week as Veterans Day is not one of the six holidays that affect curbside collection. Those six holidays are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. To learn more about the County’s holiday slide schedule, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule.

Sunken Pumpkin?

Not sure what to do with the sunken pumpkin(s) sitting on your front steps? Instead of tossing it out with your trash and sending it to rot in the landfill, I encourage residents to compost their pumpkin(s) through our Bureau of Environmental Services “Harvest Heap” program.

Beginning tomorrow, November 1^st and continuing through Friday, November 11^th, residents can drop their pumpkins off at Clark’s Elioak Farm (10500 Clarksville Pike in Ellicott City) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or at Mary's Land Farm (4979 Sheppard Lane in Ellicott City) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition, pumpkins (and other food scraps) are always accepted at the Alpha Ridge Landfill's Residents’ Convenience Center, open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. When at the Center, look for the Hungry Green Hippo food scrap drop-off container. Households with curbside food scrap collection can place their pumpkin(s) in their green bin.

It is estimated that Americans toss out more than one billion pounds of pumpkin with their trash each year. When left to rot in a landfill, organic materials like pumpkins let off methane gas as they decompose.

To learn more about this program, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HarvestHeap.

Leaves, Leaves, Everywhere

As the leaves continue to fall, our Department of Public Works is reminding residents to keep the following in mind when dealing with those fallen leaves. 

Do not blow or rake leaves into the roadway in hope that they will be swept up by County street sweepers. Our sweepers are NOT designed to pick up leaves as large quantities of them will clog the sweeper's filters and result in the leaves being spread over a large area. Sweeper operators will in fact avoid areas of curb containing an excessive number of leaves.

Also, while Howard County crews work hard to maintain storm drains along more than 1,000 miles of County owned roadways, there are some simple approaches residents can take to help keep our storm drains free of debris to prevent roadway flooding and harmful nutrients from reaching the Chesapeake Bay:

• Rake and collect your leaves in paper bags or reusable containers for yard trim curbside collection.
• Mulch your leaves with your mower; they can help nourish your lawn.
• Mix your leaves with grass clippings and vegetable refuse to make compost.
• Participate in the Rake-and-Take program where “rakers” (residents who rake and bag leaves and grass) are matched with “takers” (people who want leaves and grass for composting).
• When rain is in the forecast, check nearby storm drain grates and clear them of debris.

Our Department of Fire and Rescue Services is also reminding residents the burning of leaves, trash, yard waste, refuse and building materials is NOT PERMITTED in Howard County.

Fitness for 55+

Did you know that our team at our Department of Recreation & Parks has fitness programs for residents of all ages? For our Active-Aging community, I encourage you to check out LaBlast – a revolutionary, ballroom dance, partner-free, fitness program based on the dances seen on hie hit TV show, Dancing with the Stars. LaBlast fuses dance into a calorie-burning workout, while taking participants mind, body and soul through ballroom dances from different countries and cultures. With classes set to begin this Wednesday, November 2^nd, to register for this six-week program, click HERE. 

School’s Out this November

Parents and guardians, Recreation & Parks has you covered this November when schools dismiss early or are closed. Whether it’s sports, art, chess or magic, there’s plenty of programs to choose from to make sure your young ones are staying active on that day off from school. 

Check out the offerings on some of our upcoming days:

• November 2 (early dismissal)
• November 8
• November 21 (early dismissal)
• November 22 (early dismissal)
• November 23
• November 25

Now Hiring!

Recreation & Parks is seeking energetic, talented, active and positive staff for its Before and After School Child Care Programs located throughout the county at local elementary schools. If you like being active, working with school-aged kids, making a positive impact in your community and are an early bird or need a flexible work schedule, then this employment opportunity might be just for you!

Work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 to 9:30 a.m. and/or 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. It is preferable that potential candidates be available for morning AND afternoon shifts. However, if not, interested candidates must be available every morning OR afternoon for program consistency. To apply, click HERE.

Office of Transportation

Public Comment Sought on Shared Electric Scooter Pilot

As the pilot period for our shared electric scooters in Downtown Columbia comes to an end, our Office of Transportation is seeking public feedback on the program. If you missed our Multimodal Transportation Board meeting this past week, you can now share your feedback and input on our Shared Electric Scooter Pilot program with Transportation via this short survey. The survey will remain open until Friday, December 23^rd.

Cranksgiving – A Food Drive and Biking Event in One

This November, Transportation has once again joined with the Downtown Columbia Partnership to host its annual Cranksgiving. A national initiative dubbed “a food drive on two wheels,” Cranksgiving provides residents the opportunity to participate in active recreation, while raising awareness about our county’s bikeable pathway system and generating food items for individuals and families in need.

I invite all to join Transportation next Saturday, November 12^th from 9:00 a.m. to noon for a bike ride from home to the Cranksgiving 2022 drop- off site at Azlon Plaza, located at 6100 Merriweather Drive in Downtown Columbia. On their way to the drop-off site, participants will have a variety of route options to choose from and will be tasked with picking up various food items along the way at nearby grocery stores.

To register for this year’s event and/or to learn more, click HERE. The first 200 participants will receive a t-shirt.