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Dear Friends,
This past Tuesday, I announced new legislation that will help Howard County public school teachers repay their student loans. This is the first repayment program of its type in Maryland. Howard County Council Bill 14-2023, known as “Student Loan Assistance Repayment Program for Teachers,” provides $1.5 million over five years for student loan repayments. Full time teachers with a minimum of five years of service within the Howard County Public School System will be eligible for the program. Additional qualifications for teachers include a degree from an accredited college, board certification and no defaults on existing loans.
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Our educators deserve our respect and should not only be valued but feel valued. This $1.5 million dollar investment will help ensure our educators can work to pay down their student loan debt faster and potentially reallocate those payments to other critical needs. | |
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Searching For New Heights!
It was a joyous occasion as we celebrated the graduation of our Howard County Project Search cohort, which was the largest graduating cohort in the entire state.
Through this transformative program, our students with disabilities have the opportunity to learn critical life skills during the last year of high school. This year, 46 mentors at 14 different sites provided these incredible students with employment opportunities that will help set them up for success in life.
Thank you to our amazing partners Howard County Public School System, The Arc of Howard County, Howard County Autism Society, Maryland State Department of Education Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory who collaborate with us to create more opportunity for our young people of all abilities.
Congratulations to all our graduates, and I wish your ongoing success! I’m confident that you will continue to make us all proud throughout your future endeavors.
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Celebrating Our Asian Cultures
It was a pleasure to host the second annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Festival at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. Howard County is the proud home to so many diverse and dynamic traditions and cultures. This beautiful celebration was a remarkable snapshot of our cultural vibrancy.
From the delicious food to the exciting performances, this event could not be possible without the efforts of my AAPI Liaison Joanna Chen, our Howard County AAPI Commission, Nina Basu and the Inner Arbor Trust, our Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, and all our other phenomenal partners who helped make this event a success.
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A New Neigh-borhood Ring
It was a pleasure to join many community members to open the newly renovated equestrian ring at Schooley Mill Park in Highland. These upgrades build upon our recent investments at Schooley Mill Park, which include the new inclusive playground that opened in February, the cricket pitches, miles of trails, basketball courts, ballfields, tennis courts, and an indoor facility.
This new ring was designed to provide better drainage and improve the footing material for the horses at this well-used park amenity. Other enhancements include the addition of new gates and fencing around the ring. Horse-back riders can now experience a smoother surface that can be available to them more days each year because of the improvements to this ring.
Thank you to all of the wonderful equestrian groups around the state for their partnership and advocacy. This was only possible because of our amazing team at Howard County Recreation and Parks for your efforts to bring these new improvements into fruition!
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A Berry Good Time!
Howard County has a rich and diverse agriculture industry, and it’s important that we continue to support our local farms. I had such a wonderful time joining the Moore Family to celebrate the 50th year of Larriland Farm Homepage as a pick-your-own fruits and vegetable farm.
There was no better way to celebrate than by picking some juicy, sweet strawberries, which are only in season for a few more days. However, blueberries, raspberries, and more will be ready for picking in just a few weeks!
Please, join me in congratulating the Moore family on 50 years of this incredible family-run operation! Continue to support our local farms and businesses, every day of the year. Learn more here.
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A Prideful Prom
The Howard County Public School System hosted its inaugural Pride Prom for all high school students in Howard County! In honor of Pride Prom, Pride Month, and all our LGBTQIA+ neighbors, the George Howard Building was lit up in rainbow colors throughout the weekend.
In lighting the building rainbow, we reaffirmed that every member of our LGBTQIA+ community, including our students, should feel safe to live authentically in Howard County.
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Soaking Up Collaboration
It was a pleasure to join Howard EcoWorks for their inaugural Soak it Up! Benefit in Ellicott City. For more than a decade, we have been steadfast partners with Howard EcoWorks to advance critical stormwater management projects, create green jobs, and restore our local environment.
Through our collaboration with EcoWorks, we have cleared more than 31 tons of debris from the waterways in and around Ellicott City as part of our Safe and Sound Plan. EcoWorks has also helped the County maintain 17 of our vital stream restoration projects to reduce sediment and nutrient pollution and improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Our community, our workforce, and our ecosystem are all better for our future generations because of the ongoing efforts of EcoWorks.
Congratulations to Lori Lilly, the EcoWorks board, and all members of the EcoWorks family on this exciting milestone. Wishing you many more years of environmental partnership and progress with our community!
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Focusing on Men's Health
Prioritizing men's health is important to everyone. We held a Men's Health Fair at Colorburst Park at Merriweather where our community partners and service providers were on hand with a wealth of valuable information.
Additionally, our Department of Recreation and Parks had exciting games for everyone- young and less young- to enjoy!
It's vital to encourage all of your fathers, brothers, uncles, and the important men in your life to learn more about how to make their health a priority!
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Inspiring our Students to Use their Voices for Change
As an educator, it brings me joy when our students embrace and explore their intellectual curiosity. It was such a pleasure to join these bright students on their journey at the annual Middle School Achievement Expo, which inspired our students to use their voices for change. I'm pictured here with Karen Sanderson, Resource Teacher for the Gifted and Talented Program for HCPSS. To all our young people, use your gifts to harness your vision and use your voice boldly and courageously. Our collective future is brighter and better because of the efforts made to change today for a better tomorrow.
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Creating a Space to Honor our Veterans
Our veterans are the guardians of our freedom and protectors of the way of life we so dearly cherish. It’s beyond time that we create a space to remember and honor them each and every day, and there’s no better place than right next to Bailey Park. I was honored to join our Howard County Veterans Foundation for the unveiling of the monument's design. As this video details, it will surely become a landmark for all of us to gather and pay tribute to all our Howard County veterans who have served our country.
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The Magical Yet
Reading stories to our young people helps to stimulate their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It was exciting to stop by Swansfield Elementary School to read The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi to our fifth graders. While we may be presented with many challenges, we must do our best to find the positives about what we can’t do ... yet!
Thank you to Principal Anthony Esposito and Toni Sommerville for welcoming me to Swansfield to spend time with our students.
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National Homeownership Month
June is National Homeownership Month and a great time to recognize all the benefits that homeownership has on households, growing generational wealth and strengthening our county’s economic health.
As we recognize the importance and benefits of homeownership this month, I wanted to share information on Howard County’s homeownership programs that are available for you to participate in. If you currently work or rent in Howard County, you may be eligible to participate in our Moderate-Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program or our Settlement Downpayment Loan Program (SDLP). These initiatives are designed to help make homeownership more affordable and assist with a down payment and closing costs for individuals of qualifying income.
I invite you to join our Department of Housing and Community Development this June for some of its upcoming webinars and information workshops to learn more about the homeownership assistance opportunities that are available. All events are free, but registration is required:
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Tuesday, June 13th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.: Webinar – Settlement Downpayment Loan Program. To register, please email housing@howardcountymd.gov.
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Wednesday, June 21st from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Webinar with Making Change – Information on MIHU and SDLP programs. To register, click HERE.
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Tuesday, June 27th at 4:00 p.m.: Webinar – Reinvest * Renovate * Restore (RRR) rehabilitation loan program, for those who already own a home in Howard County. To register, email tshelton@howardcountymd.gov.
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Thursday, June 29th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.: In-Person MIHU Workshop at 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive. To register, email moderateincomehousing@howardcountymd.gov.
If you have any questions regarding any of these opportunities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Department of Housing and Community Development by emailing housing@howardcountymd.gov.
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Reaching the Highest Heights
Education is the backbone of our community, and higher education helps many of us continue to reach the highest heights. However, less than 50 percent of first-time college students finish their degrees in six years due to financial difficulties and poor academic preparedness. As an educator in higher education, I understand the importance of every aspect of obtaining a higher education degree.
That is why I’m so grateful to have a partner in Dr. Daria Willis at Howard Community College (HCC). As Howard County’s only higher education institution, HCC continues to be instrumental in helping students achieve their dreams. Through our work together, we have invested more in our future workforce, ensured our Dragons have greater access to health care, increased scholarships to complete their degrees and supported more students to make it across the finish line.
I have been honored to work with many leaders in higher education around our state and beyond to help people become their best selves. On Higher Education Day and every day, we celebrate our shared commitment of building our next generation of community and industry leaders.
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Commemorating Our Brave Soldiers
This past Tuesday, June 6th, we commemorated the 79th anniversary of D-Day, often referred to as the “beginning of the end” of World War II. On June 6, 1944, 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Nazi controlled Normandy, France. At the time, the D-Day invasion was the largest naval, air and land operation in history. Within two months, all of northern France had been liberated from Nazi forces. By spring 1945, World War II ended with the defeat of Germany.
We honor and commemorate the brave soldiers who fought for the freedom we can enjoy today. It is a reminder we must remain vigilant to uphold our values of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.
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World Environment Day
World Environment Day reminds us that our actions on plastic pollution matter. Last year, Howard County took major steps to reduce single use plastics through our Plastic Reduction Law and previously through our Plastic Bag Fee Program in 2020. Both programs have shown reductions in plastic use across the county, which helps us to prevent the harmful effects that plastic can have on our environment.
Join us to #BeatPlasticPollution and check out steps you can take to protect marine and human health at Live Green Howard. Together, let’s ensure that our environment is clean and energy independent for all current and future generations.
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Enjoy an Island of Flavors, No Passport Required
Howard County’s diverse culinary scene is one of the best in the nation, and we are so proud to welcome new flavors and businesses to our community. One of our newest restaurants is Guigui's Kréyol Flavors at the Common Kitchen in the Clarksville Commons. This tasty restaurant uses natural flavors which transports customers to an island of flavors, with no passport required.
Congratulations Guirlene, and I wish your ongoing success!
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The Power of Reading
Readers who feel included, recognized and a part of the world are engaged readers. It was a pleasure to spend time with some of our youngest readers at Ducketts Lane Elementary School Students for their guest reader day. I joined Ms. Sauder’s class for an engaging reading of Z is for Moose by Kelly Bingham. This fun, boundary-breaking story helps teach our youngest about inclusion and patience while learning the alphabet.
After spending time with these engaged learners, I’m certain that our Owls will continue to shine throughout their educational journey!
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Tell Us, HoCo!
Tell HoCo is an easy way for anyone in Howard County to report non-emergency issues while on-the-go, such as potholes, damaged street signs, graffiti, street maintenance, street light issues, damaged trees, and more. Since its launch, Tell HoCo has received and addressed more than 62,000 issues. By working together, we can resolve the small problems before they become big ones.
Submit a report by clicking here.
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Grow and Expand Your Business with Us!
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Mondays, June 12th, June 19th, June 26th, July 3rd, July 10th & July 17th, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Social Capital Building: The SCES Academy is a one-of-a-kind, six-week program designed to help entrepreneurs increase their social capital with key “Opportunity Guides” – experts in marketing, sales, contract procurement, law, accounting, business development, hiring, financing, and more – who can help your businesses grow.
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Thursday, June 22nd, 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. – The Future of Howard County’s Economy: Spend an afternoon getting insight into Howard County’s economic forecast, and hear economist Anirban Basu’s three-year strategic plan for the Howard County Economic Development Authority, along with a presentation from former NFL executive and current podcast and TV host Michael Lombardi.
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Join My Team!
My office is currently looking to fill several vacant positions. To learn more and apply, please click the respective link below.
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Structural Bridge Engineer, DPW - Advanced professional engineering work at the full performance level involving overseeing and directing the activities of County or consultant engineers, surveys, inspectors, contractors and/or other professionals in the course of implementing the approved capital projects.
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Engineering Specialist II, DPW - Maintain the safe and efficient operation of the County road system through traffic engineering.
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Administrative Support Technician III, DRP – This position is responsible for providing advanced technical level administrative work for the Bureau Chief of Parks in the daily operation of the Bureau.
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Fiscal Specialist II - Finance – This position is responsible for performing professional accounting work and intermediate professional level financial administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.
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Fiscal Manager I - Finance – This position is responsible for performing mid-management and advanced level financial administrative work under the general supervision of the Chief, Bureau of Reporting.
I encourage interested persons to apply today! To find a full listing of available positions, please click here.
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Department of Community Resources and Services | |
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Help Protect Vulnerable Older Adults from Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation
Elder abuse refers to intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual that causes harm to a vulnerable elder. Elder abuse can occur anywhere, and it can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and exploitation, emotional or psychological abuse and neglect (including verbal abuse and threats), abandonment, and self-neglect.
To help raise awareness about the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults, we join communities worldwide this Thursday, June 15th to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and call for an end to elder abuse. Additionally, in Maryland this week, June 12th to June 16th, is PROTECT Week, a statewide awareness and public education campaign focused on protecting older Americans from financial exploitation.
In honor of WEAAD and Maryland PROTECT Week, our Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) is hosting a FREE three-part Community Education Series this month to provide county residents with an opportunity to learn more about the signs of elder abuse, so together, we can do a better job of protecting our older residents.
DCRS kicked-off the series on June 1st with a presentation by Maryland Department of Human Services’ Adult Protective Services Director Melisha Harris, on the hidden signs of older adult neglect, whether self-inflicted or by others. The event was livestreamed and can be viewed on DCRS’ Facebook page.
On June 8th, DCRS’s Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) Administrator Tracy Rezvani was joined by representatives from the Howard County Police Department and Office of the State’s Attorney for Howard County to discuss the life of a financial fraud or scam report, from initial investigation through prosecution. The event was also livestreamed and can be viewed on DCRS’ Facebook page.
Finally, DCRS will wrap-up this three-part series from noon to 2:00 p.m. this Thursday, June 15th at our Bain 50+ Center, with the Founder of the Center for Elder Justice and Education, André Lingham. André will deliver an interactive presentation on financial exploitation using actual cases involving Howard County residents, followed by a 30-minute question and answer session. To register to attend this event in person, click HERE, or to watch live from the comfort of your home, visit DCRS’ Facebook page.
For more information about this series or to request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to participate, contact the County’s Maryland Access Point office at 410-313-1234 (voice/relay).
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Current Scams and Fraud
Each year, millions of older Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud, including tech support, romance, lottery and sweepstakes scams. For a list of common scams which target older adults, check out the Office of Consumer Protection’s (OCP) Senior Scams fact sheet, available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean.
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A Community Resource Fair for the Whole Family
Join DCRS’ Office of the Local Children’s Board this Saturday, June 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Laurel Woods Elementary School for a fun-filled family event geared towards building community connections, while sharing important resources. This Community Resource Fair will feature:
- Recreation, games, face painting, magic shows, music and more;
- 30 to 40 onsite vendors and service/resource providers focused on health, human/family services, economic support, employment and housing opportunities;
- Free health screenings;
- Free fresh grocery box of food (limit one per family); and
- Food truck onsite to purchase meals.
For questions and/or more information about this fair, please contact Ben Barnwell at 410-313-0221 (voice/relay) or email bbarnwell@howardcountymd.gov.
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Parents, Are You (and Your Kids) Ready for Summer?
Summertime gives children a much-needed break from daily school schedules and assignments; however, it doesn’t mean kids have to stop learning during their summer break. For ideas of how you can help support your child’s continued learning this summer, check out the June issue of DCRS’ Office of Children and Families’ Parent Pages newsletter.
In addition to the newsletter, OCF will also be hosting parent workshops all summer long. In fact, here are two FREE virtual workshops OCF has coming up:
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Today, June 12th, 7:00 p.m. – Parenting Apart: A Path to Cooperative Co-Parenting in Divorce and Beyond: Individuals facing divorce and separation can learn to create a plan that minimizes conflict and promotes a positive co-parenting relationship. To register, click HERE.
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Tuesday, June 20th, 12:30 p.m. – Managing Parenting Anger and Frustration: Parenting can be challenging when children don’t listen or have meltdowns. This workshop provides tools to navigate a child’s anger and frustration and coping strategies for you as well. To register, click HERE.
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SCAMO! A Fun, Interactive Way to Learn about Scams and Fraud
Patterned after Bingo, SCAMO is a fun and interactive way to learn about scams and fraud, consumer protection issues and your rights as a consumer. I invite all to join OCP next Thursday, June 22nd from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the Studio Room at Howard County Library System’s Central branch for the office’s latest round of SCAMO. Participants will learn how to protect themselves against scams and fraud, while earning prizes.
To register to participate, click HERE. For questions and/or more information, contact OCP at 410-313-6420.
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Office of Emergency Management | |
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2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season is Underway
Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomenon. With hurricane season now underway, Howard County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is reminding residents that early preparation and understanding your risk are key to being hurricane resilient and climate-ready. This Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1st for November 30th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is predicting near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year. NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which five to nine could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher) and of these, one to four major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).
To make sure you, your family and home are prepared should a hurricane affect Maryland this season, visit OEM's website to learn more about our local hazards, including hurricanes. You can also find helpful information and tips about what to do before, during and after a hurricane, by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website: www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
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Department of Fire and Rescue Services | |
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Always Training
In case you notice them high in the sky over the next several weeks, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services' (DFRS) Special Operations team is currently conducting its advanced rope and rigging skills TRAINING EXERCISE atop a 160-foot crane near Lake Kittamaqundi in Downtown Columbia. For this particular TRAINING EXERCISE, a crane operator has experienced a medical emergency and is unable to climb to the bottom on their own.
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Trainee Class 38 Applications
If you are interested in becoming a firefighter with DFRS, mark your calendars! The department will begin accepting applications for its Trainee Class 38 at 8:00 a.m. on July 31st and will accept applications until 5:00 p.m. on August 4th. During this time, the link to apply will be available at https://governmentjobs.com/careers/howardcounty.
In the meantime, to learn more about a firefighter career with DFRS, check out the department’s “Recruitment” website.
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Office of Human Rights and Equity | |
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Queering Faith: A Conversation with Reverend Angela Wells
This Wednesday, June 14th, I invite you to join our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) at 5:00 p.m. for a conversation between Christ United Methodist Church Pastor Reverend Angela M. Wells and OHRE’s Claudia Allen about the negativity, discrimination and violence LGBTQIA+ persons often experience from faith communities.
During their conversation, Claudia and Reverend Angela will explore the faith of LGBTQIA+ persons and the kinds of faith communities that are safe for them to worship with. Reverend Angela will touch on her own personal experiences with discrimination in her faith community, as both an LGBTQIA+ person and a clergyperson.
To learn more about LGBTQIA+ people, what it means to truly be affirming and inclusive, and the ways we can continue to support and make our LGBTQIA+ neighbors feel safe in all spaces, including faith communities, be sure to tune in to the County’s YouTube channel on the 14th.
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Thinking Different: Embracing a Neurodivergent Community
Join OHRE’s Marla Moore this Thursday, June 15th at 6:30 p.m. at our North Laurel Community Center for a workshop – “Thinking Different: Embracing a Neurodivergent Community,” to explore how we can all create more inclusive environments for people who are neurodivergent.
Like a person’s fingerprints, no two brains are the same as everyone’s brain develops in its own, unique way. Neurodivergent simply describes people whose brain differences affect how their brain works. As a Neurodivergent person herself, Marla is passionate about helping people understand how to interact with, respect and empower persons who think differently.
Whether you are, know or work with someone who is Autistic, ADHD or has any other kind of differing cognitive abilities, this workshop will help attendees better understand persons who think differently, while teaching how to integrate their contributions in substantive ways.
To register to participate in this FREE informative training, click HERE today.
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Caribbean Heritage Month Celebration
I invite all to join us next Sunday, June 25th as we celebrate Caribbean Heritage Month at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center. Set to take place from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on this 25th, this family-friendly festival will feature mouthwatering Caribbean cuisine, live music and an array of vendors showcasing the Caribbean culture. So, be sure to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on this fête.
For questions and/or or more information about this event, or if you are interested in being a vendor, contact Claudia Allen at 410-313-6430 or email ohreoutreach@howardcountymd.gov.
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Reading Human Rights: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Reading Human Rights is an award-winning monthly book discussion group hosted by OHRE and Howard County Library System (HCLS) that encourages literary exploration and community dialogue around a variety of human rights concerns. It explores works of fiction and non-fiction to teach community members the various ways individuals, cultures and communities celebrate their identities and combat injustice.
For its June discussion – to be held in person at HCLS East Columbia branch on Tuesday, June 27th at 6:30 p.m., OHRE and HCLS will discuss Glennon Doyle’s memoir Untamed. Untamed is a story about a woman discovering her own identity, sexuality, navigating divorce and forming a new blended family. In Untamed, Doyle encourages her readers to understand that the brokenness or wholeness of a family depends not on its structure, but on each member’s ability to bring their full self to the table. Join us for this powerful conversation on the experience of this LGBTQIA+ author.
To secure your seat for this month’s discussion, click HERE today to register.
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Nominees Sought for Human Rights Commission’s 2023 Awards
If you know an individual or community organization who has made significant contributions to human and civil rights in Howard County, I encourage you to nominate them today for our Human Rights Commission's 2023 James E. Henson, Sr. and Jean W. Toomer Individual, Dr. Murray Simon Student and Colette Roberts Organization awards. To learn more about these awards and/or for a nomination form, visit HERE. The nomination deadline is Thursday, August 31st at 5:00 p.m.
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The Community Athletic Program’s Traveling Trailer is Back!
Howard County Police Department's (HCPD) Community Athletic Program (CAP) is back and coming to community area near you this summer! Residents of all ages are invited to meet up with HCPD School Resources Officers at locations throughout the county this summer to check out all the fun, FREE activities CAP's traveling trailer has to offer.
HCPD will kick off its 2023 CAP summer next Tuesday, June 20th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the County’s Blandair Park East baseball field pavilion. To learn more about this program and/or for a complete summer CAP schedule, check out its "Youth Programs" website today!
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National Night Out 2023
Save the date! National Night Out (NNO) 2023 is set to take place on Tuesday, August 1st. This annual community-building campaign aims to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement by promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie in an effort to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
HCPD will kick-off this year’s NNO with a community party at Wilde Lake Middle School from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will feature food trucks, police and fire displays, DJ, child-friendly activities, games, giveaways and more! All are invited to stop by this kick-off event, or if you are interested in hosting you own community-sponsored, neighborhood party, click HERE to register your party with HCPD. Please note, if you are interested in requiring HCPD or DFRS attendance at your party, you must register by Wednesday, July 5th. Visits from Police and Fire are only available as calls for service allow.
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Steps to Take to Prevent Theft from Your Vehicle
With recent vehicle break-ins at park parking lots and trailheads - some even during the middle of the day, Howard County Police Department (HCPD) is reminding residents of the following to help prevent theft from vehicle:
- Never leave your vehicle unlocked;
- Never leave your purse, wallet or other valuables in your vehicle;
- Keep any packages and shopping bags out of sight and in the trunk; and
- Be aware of your surroundings and people near your vehicle.
As always, to report suspicious activity, please call 911.
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2023 Collision Avoidance Training Program Schedule Announced
HCPD’s Collision Avoidance Training (C.A.T.) program is an advanced defensive driving and vehicle control program geared towards licensed teenage drivers, age 16 to 20 years old. This one-day program is designed to provide young drivers with the knowledge and understanding of vehicle dynamics, as well as practical exercises that demonstrate how one’s vehicle responds in a given situation and how to regain control of the vehicle.
To participate, students must possess a valid Class C driver’s license (not a permit) and have a car they can use for the driving portion of the program. The cost of the program is $95 and advance registration is required.
For more information, including the 2023 C.A.T. schedule, and/or to register, click HERE. For questions, contact the C.A.T. Program at 410-313-2207 or email CATProgram@howardcountymd.gov.
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Department of Public Works | |
Bureau of Environmental Services | |
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Flag Day is June 14th
Did you know that you can respectively dispose of old American flags at the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services’ Alpha Ridge Landfill? Located in the Landfill’s Residents' Convenience Center is a Flag Retirement drop-off, where worn or tattered flags that can no longer be flown are then collected by representatives from the American Legion Adams, Hanna, Moore Memorial Post 156 to be disposed of in a dignified fashion as required by the U.S. Flag Code. In fact, since this programs inception in 2015, more than 3,000 flags have been retired.
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Holiday Slide Schedule Not in Effect Monday, June 19th
While County Government offices will be CLOSED next Monday, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth National Freedom Day holiday, the County’s Alpha Ridge Landfill will be OPEN and there will be REGULAR Monday curbside trash, recycling, food scraps and yard trim collection. The County’s holiday “slide” schedule will NOT be in effect the week of June 19th to June 24th.
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Know Before You Throw: Compostable Products
If you participate in our Feed the Green Bin program, you may already be familiar with the terms “BPI Certified” or “ASTM D6400.” These two specifications indicate whether a product is certified compostable in an industrial composting facility. The Composting Facility at our Alpha Ridge Landfill is in fact able to accept packaging that meets either of these specifications. If you see the BPI logo or ASTM D6400 designation, feel free to add these materials to your green bin at home for curbside collection or drop them off at the Landfill’s Residents' Convenience Center.
With that, our Bureau of Environmental Services is reminding residents that biodegradable and compostable have two very different meanings. Unlike certified compostable products, those labeled “biodegradable” don't need to meet the same timeframe requirements for biodegradation. In addition, many non-compostable items are marketed as “biodegradable” causing significant confusion among consumers as well as contamination at industrial composting facilities. For those reasons, it’s important to always check for the BPI and ASTM D6400 labels before disposing your items in your green bin.
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Residential Water Meter Replacement Program Resumes
EFFECITVE IMMEDIATELY, DPW’s Bureau of Utilities has resumed its residential water meter replacement program. As existing water meters in the system are approaching their useful life, with some already failing resulting in the need to estimate water bills, it is vital these meters (at no cost to county water customers) be replaced to ensure accurate and timely water usage data is obtained.
To complete the water meter replacement program in a timely manner, the County has contracted with Vanguard Utility Service for assistance. Residents will receive notification in the mail prior to meter installers arriving in their neighborhood. This notification will include contact information for Vanguard Utility Service so residents can schedule their water meter replacement appointment. Appointments are currently available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday appointments will also be available, but on a first come, first-served basis. Appointments should last no more than 20 to 30 minutes.
To learn more about this program and what to expect, click HERE.
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Public Works Construction Report | |
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To learn about 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.
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Maryland State Highway Administration | |
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On-Road Emission Study to Begin
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has begun its biennial Remote Sensing Device (RSD) study of on-road motor vehicle emissions throughout the state. Beginning this month, MDE RSD vehicles will be set up along the shoulders of I-95 in Howard County to measure the exhaust emissions of passing vehicles. These emissions sensors are specially designed analyzers that measure vehicle exhaust emissions in a fraction of a second as vehicles pass the roadside sensors. The equipment will be safely positioned out of the traffic pattern and will not alter traffic flow or the vehicles’ mode of operation at the selected monitoring site. Additionally, the monitoring equipment will be staffed by at least one trained operator at all times.
For questions and/or more information about this program, please contact MDE.
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Department of Recreation and Parks | |
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Making Memories at Summer Camp
With summer camp season upon us, Recreation & Parks remains at the ready to keep your camper’s mind and body active, entertained and learning all summer long. While Recreation & Parks has experienced record enrollment numbers for its summer camps thus far, there are still plenty of opportunities to keep your child moving, learning and making new friends this summer. To check out this summer camp offerings, click HERE.
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Roger Carter Community Center 10th Anniversary Celebration
Happy Birthday! Join us this Saturday, June 17th from noon to 2:00 p.m. as we celebrate our Roger Carter Community Center’s 10th anniversary! The event will feature FREE open swim, indoor laser tag sponsored by Next Level Gaming, climbing wall, refreshments and giveaways. While registration will not be required for this event, space available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, attendees 16 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. For questions and/more information about this event, please contact the Roger Carter Community Center at 410-313-2764.
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A Summer Solstice Celebration
This Sunday, June 18th, I invite you to join the staff at our Robinson Nature Center for a Summer Solstice Celebration from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Participants will make solar prints, enjoy a popsicle break to stay cool and take a nice shady stroll to the Middle Patuxent River for some water games. The Howard Astronomical League will also be in attendance to allow guests to safely observe the sun!
The cost to participate is $10 per person and children must be accompanied by a registered adult. To register for this event, click HERE or call the center at 410-313-0400.
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Time for Teens to Kick Back
Attention teens, age 11 to 17 years old! If you are looking for a fun way to spend your free time this summer, be sure to check out Recreation & Parks FREE drop-in program for teens at its three community centers and new Harriet Tubman Cultural Center. Drop-in activities include free pizza and snacks, sports, video games and more. Below, you’ll find the dates, times and locations for this summer’s teen drop-in program:
For more information, click HERE or contact Anthony Lyon at 410-313-0456 or email alyon@howardcountymd.gov.
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Office of Transportation
Resilience 2050 Public Meeting
This Thursday, June 15th, our Office Transportation is co-hosting a public meeting with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council on the draft long-range transportation plan, Resilience 2050: Adapting to the Challenges of Tomorrow, as well as the draft short-range 2024-2027 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the draft Air Quality Conformity Determination. The meeting will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room in the County’s George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City.
With a projected population growth of 12.6 percent by 2050, the region’s transportation system, which includes roads and bridges, transit, sidewalks, bicycle and shared-use paths, will face significant factors such as increased demand, changing user needs and climate impacts. The investments detailed in the Resilience 2050 long-range plan will help our region meet these challenges within the limits of anticipated funding. Whereas the projects in the 2024-2027 TIP are closer to being implemented thanks to committed funding and ongoing or imminent design and development.
Both plans are now available for public review and comment through next Tuesday, June 20th. To learn more about these plants and/or to share your thoughts, click HERE.
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