Dear Friends,
Our world, our nation, our state, and our county, are all mourning the loss of United States Congressman Elijah Cummings – an incredible man of deep convictions, a dedicated public servant, and a trailblazing historic figure.
Although he became one of our nation’s preeminent Congressional leaders, for many of us in Howard County, he was always simply “our Congressman” and we could not be prouder of him. He served Maryland's 7th Congressional District for more than 23 years as an honorable and humble individual. He represented every one of his constituents with dignity, respect, and integrity.
Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with Congressman Cummings’ family and, specifically his wife, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, as well as friends, staff members, and all those he influenced and helped become their best self.
I have lived in Congressman Cummings’s district my entire life. I still clearly remember the support and wisdom he gave me after I was first elected to office, and that continued over the years. He was more than a mentor to me - he was a friend, a confidante, and a role model. Congressman Cummings was someone who would take my call whenever I needed him, provided the best advice, and was always gracious and kind. He treated me and my family, like he did all his constituents, as if we were his family.
I never witnessed any politician transcend politics like he did. He would make every person he met feel special- no matter if they were Democrat or Republican, young or old, rich or poor, from Baltimore, Howard County, or anywhere else. Congressman Cummings would often say, “Diversity is our strength,” to inspire us and “We’re better than that” to motivate us, when our nation needed it most. These simple thoughts represent both the spirit and reality of Howard County, Baltimore and the entirety of our state.
Yet, the legacy I will remember most and pledge to continue is his unwavering commitment to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. He was a fighter, and he was our fighter.
We will fly the flag at half-staff out of respect for his memory. I am asking all Howard County residents to take a moment of reflection and remembrance for the Cummings family and to join me in continuing his legacy by remaining ever vigilant in our fight for freedom, peace, and prosperity for all.
There is a memory book in the lobby of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043, for those who wish to pass along good wishes and condolences to the Cumming' family.
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Forest Conservation Plans
Our forests are critical to our natural ecosystems, powerful tools in the fight against climate change, and a necessity for human life. The state of Maryland passed the Forest Conservation Act to safeguard our forest resources during land development.
I firmly believe it is our responsibility to finally make sure Howard County is not only compliant with this legislation, which had not been updated since the 1990s, but that we also go further. We must ensure that the future of development in Howard County is smarter, more transparent, and more environmentally conscious. We will now take a major step forward to protect our forests and our future. Read more about my plans for Forest Conservation
here and watch my announcement
here.
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Fighting the Opioid Epidemic
Howard County remains committed to helping individuals struggling with substance abuse disorders. Since 2017, we have confronted over 200 opioid-related overdoses per year, and there have already been 149 overdoses through September 2019. While this crisis persists, we have continued to build our continuum of care so that people in need can access treatment quickly.
Thankfully, Howard County has seen a 45% reduction in opioid-attributable deaths through the first 9 months of 2019 when compared to the first nine months in 2018, but there is more to do. In May, I was pleased to open Howard House, the first County-owned treatment facility for individuals on the path to recovery. We are also currently building the county’s first residential treatment center through a public-private partnership with
Delphi Behavioral Health Group. This new center will provide full, residential treatment that allows those in need to stay close to home and recover in Howard County.
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Free Tree Giveaway
To celebrate my 44th birthday, I wanted us to plant 44,000 trees in Howard County this year. Due to the help of our community, we were able to surpass that goal. Thank you to all community members who came out to pick up their free tree this weekend!
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Little Free Pantry
It is distressing to know that some of our neighbors don't know where their next meal is going to come from. I'm grateful for the grassroots efforts by our community who decided they needed to do something to help. This Little Free Pantry is aimed to help our neighbors in need, as well as those who want to help.
Thank you to
Columbia Town Center Village and
Columbia Association for launching this Little Free Pantry so we can continue our shared mission of "feeding neighbors and nourishing our neighborhoods." Learn more about the pantry
here.
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HoCo DASH
Last week, I launched the Howard County Data Analytics and Statistics Hub (HoCo DASH) to increase efficiency, accountability, and transparency across our government.
I’m proud to have HoCo DASH as a place to show how well we are doing as a County through performance measures and community indicators. I encourage you to
interact with the site, use the information for projects, and have fun learning more about the County.
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Alleviating Traffic
As I drive around our county, it's clear to me that transportation infrastructure needs to be a priority. Alleviating traffic congestion around our County is important to our quality of life, and we need to decrease the time that we spend in cars and increase the time that we spend with our families, in the workplace being productive and just living our best lives. Read more about my ideas for transportation
here.
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Welcome Data Canopy
Howard County is committed to ensuring we maintain a robust business community. I was glad to join
Data Canopy for the grand opening of their new location.
By leveraging scalable infrastructure, Data Canopy delivers “data center solutions” for the new economy.
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Fire Prevention Month
As a former firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician, I know the importance of strong relationships between residents and first responders.
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Howard County's First Small Business Summit
Local businesses in Howard County are a pivotal driver in our local economy. Whenever possible, Howard County procurement dollars should be spent to support the local businesses that serve as a strong pillar in our economy.
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Proposed School Redistricting Plan
As we take on tough challenges, we can remain empathetic for one another, we can disagree without being disagreeable, and we can engage in respectful dialogue. Right now, there is a lot of understandable passion in the community conversation around Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael Martirano’s proposed school redistricting plan. If we listen to understand, speak to contribute, and act to unify our community, we can create a brighter future for every child and educator.
Although the Board of Education (BOE) has concluded their public hearings on Dr. Martirano’s plan, you can still send testimony to the board by emailing
Redistricting@hcpss.org. The BOE has begun their work sessions on the attendance area adjustments and the proposed plan, among other items, and will make a final decision on November 21st.
Read my op-ed in the Baltimore Sun
here.
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NAACP Charity Night
Looking at education, Howard County public schools are among the best in the nation and our graduation rates typically lead the region. Unfortunately, the data shows an achievement gap when we break down that graduation rate across demographic groups.
I was pleased to join
Howard County NAACP for their charity night as we work to bridge this gap. If we can target our efforts to the meet the needs of our entire student population, we will only see positive results.
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Deputy Administrator -Office of Purchasing
The Office of Purchasing is looking for a Deputy Administrator. We’re looking for a purchasing professional with supervisory and project management experience that will assist the Purchasing Administrator in managing the activities of the office. If you, or someone you know, may interested,
apply today!
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Communications Professional
The Office of Public Information is looking for a communications professional to assist in crafting important messages for a variety of platforms that we use to reach our residents. Interested applicants should apply
here today.
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Administrator - Office of Consumer Protection
The
Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services
Office of Consumer Protection is currently looking for an Administrator. The office is looking for a leader with strong leadership and problem-solving skills, who is an innovative and creative thinker with the ability to set and articulate a vision for the office. If you're interested, apply
here
today.
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Department of
Community Resources and Services
Howard County is home to many remarkable female community leaders who help contribute to a better quality of life for others. Help us honor these women, by nominating them today for induction into the Commission for Women 2020 Women’s Hall of Fame (WHOF). This annual event honors women who have made significant contributions to the lives of others in our great county, the State of Maryland and/or the nation through their leadership, professional and/or community service. I encourage you to nominate a leading Howard County woman today who you believe deserves recognition for being a positive influence in our community.
To obtain a copy of the WHOF nomination form, visit the Department of Community Resources and Services’(DCRS) website at
www.howardcountymd.gov/cfw
or contact DCRS at 410-313-6400 (voice/relay) or email
women@howardcountymd.gov
. The nomination DEADLINE is Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.
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Do you or your child need a winter coat? Join our DCRS’
MultiService Center
is holding a fall and winter clothing giveaway this coming Saturday, October 26
th
from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road in Laurel. FREE coats and clothing for all ages, infant to adult, will be available. All are welcome. For questions and/or more information, contact the MultiService Center 410-313-0220.
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Howard County middle and high school students, our Commission for Women is sponsoring an essay contest to mark National Women’s History Month in March. The 2020 theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote,” which celebrates women who fought for a woman’s right to vote in the United States and the centennial of the 19th Amendment. Essays may either discuss the accomplishments of women from the original suffrage movement and/or highlight 20th and 21st century women who have continued the struggle – such as fighting against poll taxes, literacy tests, voter roll purges and other more contemporary forms of voter suppression – to ensure voting rights for all.
Essay contest winners will be recognized by the Commission at its 2020 Women's Hall of Fame induction ceremony in March 2020. The DEADLINE to submit your essay entry is January 10, 2020. For essay contest rules and more, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/cfw
.
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Did you know that 85 percent of a person’s brain is developed by the time they are FIVE years old? Early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and life. Join DCRS’ Office of Children and Families on Saturday, November 16
th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the
North Laurel Community Center
for “Thrive by Five,” a
Family Institute
essential parent conference. The event will feature early childhood experts, including a keynote by Frank Kros, resources, prizes, breakfast and lunch, and child care for ages two and up (spaces are limited, so registration is required for child care). Admission is free, but
pre-registration is requested
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Now through Friday, November 8
th
, our Office of Veterans and Military Families is collecting homemade scarves and hats for our military members. Scarves should be four to six inches wide and 48 to 50 inches long (no fringe please), and hats should fit an adult-size head. Items can be dropped off at DCRS’s main office, located at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia, at one of the County’s
50+ Centers
or at
Postal Xpress N More
. Send some love to our service men and women this season with a handmade scarf or hat.
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SAVE THE DATE and please join our Commission for Veterans and Military Families and myself on Sunday, November 10
th
as we gather to celebrate Veterans Day with a parade and ceremony. To learn more, visit
www.howardcountyveterans.org/parade/
.
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Office of Emergency Management
Join our Office of Emergency Management this November (the 21
st
to be exact) for its next Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meeting. Designed to help businesses and community members increase their resiliency by providing information and training to increase preparedness, November’s LEPC meeting will focus on Winter Safety and will feature a presentation by our Department of Fire and Rescue Services about staying warm and safe during the cold winter months.
Comprised of representatives from local government, private businesses, non-profit organizations and residents, the County’s
LEPC
strives to enhance Howard County’s preparedness and response to hazardous material incidents by working together to plan and prepare for such scenarios. The LEPC generally meets quarterly to provide updates related to the County’s emergency management and preparedness, and discuss topics of interest to the preparedness community.
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Department of Fire and Rescue Services
In an emergency, every second counts. Fire hydrants that are blocked, concealed or difficult to access due to snow, ice or other obstructions can impede emergency fire response. Help ensure our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) has quick and easy access to the fire hydrant(s) in your neighborhood by
adopting a hydrant
today.
To adopt a hydrant, simply send an email to
outreach@hcdfrs.org
with your name, address, email and the tag number for the hydrant you’d like to adopt. Once registered, you’ll received an “adoption certificate” from your local station identifying your hydrant.
As the adoptee, you’ll be in charge of clearing a three-foot area around the hydrant following a winter weather event and ensuring there is a path to the roadway, so the hydrant is visible and easily accessible. However, please exercise caution when clearing around the hydrant. Be cautious of vehicle traffic nearby, do not stand in the street and be careful not to slip and fall out into the roadway. Also, please DO NOT paint, personalize or change the appearance of your “adopted” fire hydrant.
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Health Department
The 2019-2020 flu season is here. Have you gotten your flu shot yet? Join the Howard County Health Department on Saturday, November 2
nd
for a FREE
public flu vaccination clinic
at St. John Baptist Church, located at 9905 Tamar Drive Columbia, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (OR until all vaccines are gone). No appointment is necessary and participants must be older than six months of age to receive a vaccine. Please note, the church is holding a 5k Run, Walk & Roll for Sickle Cell Anemia that morning as well, so parking may be limited.
For additional clinic dates and tips on additional ways you can protect you and your loved ones this flu season, check out the Health Department’s “Seasonal Flu Information”
website
.
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Join in the fight against the opioid epidemic by learning how you can help save someone’s life from an opioid overdose. The first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., on a drop-in basis, at Department’s headquarters in Columbia. Simply show up and a Health Department employee will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. To learn more on how you can get trained, click
HERE
.
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Department of Housing and Community Development
With less than two weeks to go for the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program October open enrollment period, there is still time to apply for your chance to call Howard County home. An inclusionary zoning program, MIHU offers quality new homes at reduced sale prices and rents to income eligible families. As part of October’s open enrollment period, Housing is hosting a number of MIHU workshops to explain the program’s eligibility requirements and the application process. Today,
October 21th
and Thursday,
October 24th
, Housing will host its final two “MIHU Homeownership Information Workshop.” These workshops are free and open to the public; however, registration is required.
For more information about the workshops and MIHU home-ownership program, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/MIHU_openenrollment
. The last day to submit your application for this open enrollment period is Thursday, October 31, 2019.
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Police Department
Did you know you can
register your bicycle
with Howard County Police Department (HCPD)? Several times a week, our officers and auxiliary officers recover unattended bikes that may be lost or stolen. Registering your bike with HCPD can help us return it to you quickly if it has been lost or stolen.
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Department of Public Works
Managing storm water is a critical piece of our plan to mitigate dangerous flooding in Ellicott City. This Wednesday, October 23
rd
, DPW is hosting
public meeting
to present plans for the construction of a flood mitigation facility (Pond H-7) that is part of my
EC Safe and Sound
plan. DPW plans to construct a pond within the northeast loop ramp of the interchange of US 29 and US 40 in Ellicott City. The objective of the new pond is to capture stormwater runoff from the upper parts of the Hudson Branch Watershed and then detaining the stormwater for longer periods to reduce the peak discharge for extreme rainfall events. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2020.
The informal meeting will include a brief overview of the project and draft construction drawings will be available for viewing. County staff and the project’s design consultant team, Century Engineering, will be on hand to answer any questions. Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the plans and/or have questions should contact Mr. Avinash Dewani with the DPW’s Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-6417 or email
adewani@howardcountymd.gov
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Our Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a
public meeting
this Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of Clarksville Middle School, 6535 South Trotter Road, to present plans to restore approximately 1,300 linear feet of the Carrolls Branch and 700 linear feet of two unnamed tributaries, and to restore and create approximately 4.76 acres of primarily forested wetland ecosystem in the area. The project will reconnect Carrolls Branch and its tributaries to the floodplain through the removal of floodplain fill, realignment of the stream channels and the addition of vegetation/trees stabilization and enhancements. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2020.
The informal meeting will include a brief overview of the project and draft construction drawings will be available for viewing. Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the plans and/or have questions should contact Ms. Michele Monde with the DPW’s Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-0844 or
email
.
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In case you missed it in last week’s newsletter, over the next three years, our Bureau of Utilities will be
replacing 45,000 water meters
located inside county homes as part of its planned water meter replacement initiative. These old units are reaching the end of their useful lives and replacing these meters are essential for ensuring accurate and timely water usage data is obtained. The County has contracted with KEYSTONE UTILITY SYSTEMS to support us with this major system upgrade. As these water meters are located indoors, access to your home by appointment will be needed. Residents will receive a notification letter in the mail prior to meter installers arriving in their neighborhood. This notification will include a phone number to call to schedule your appointment, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or Saturday's, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about our Water Meter Replacement Program, check out the Bureau's
website
.
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Maintaining and progressing a robust public works infrastructure is a priority of my administration and the Public Works Board is critical to achieving those goals. This board plays a vital role in our government by providing recommendations regarding the County’s public works policies and practices. For those interested in serving their community, I encourage you to apply today to service on the County’s Public Works Board. To learn more about the Board, eligibility requirements and how to apply, click
HERE
. The DEADLINE to apply is Friday, November 15, 2019.
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Department of Public Works Construction Report
Below are details regarding new, upcoming, completed and/or delayed Capital Projects and/or maintenance projects. For a full list of previously announced projects, please refer to the
October 14, 2019
newsletter.
Past Project Updates – Completion Date Change
Elkridge
- Dorsey Road Water Main Installation (Capital Project W-8600) – Project to extend the water main at the intersection of US 1 and MD 103. Originally expected to be completed by late August, weather permitting, this project is now expected to be completed by late October.
Past Project Updates – Projects Completed
Clarksville
To learn more about DPW Capital Projects currently underway, visit
https://bit.ly/2V6K5B6
. 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
website
and search by “County” to learn more about State road projects in Howard County.
Also, be sure to follow the County’s
Facebook
and
Twitter
pages every Monday morning for upcoming maintenance projects happening that week, weather permitting. On these social media pages, you’ll also find information regarding the county’s
street sweeping
schedule, which generally begin in the months of January, April, July and September.
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Department of Public Works' Bureau of Environmental Services
As the leaves begin to fall, DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services is asking residents to keep the following in mind. Please don’t blow or rake leaves into the roadway in hope that they will be swept up by one of our street sweepers. Unfortunately, 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 our crews work hard to maintain storm drains along more than 1,000 miles of County owned roadways, there are a number of simple things our residents can do 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.
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DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services has submitted its annual Community Rating System (CRS) recertification to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Under the CRS, flood insurance premiums may be discounted based on community actions that help reduce flood damage to insurable property, strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP and demonstrate a comprehensive approach to floodplain management. To participate in the CRS, communities confirm annually that they are performing the necessary flood mitigation efforts to uphold the current rating status for flood insurance premiums. This recertification will help us maintain a Class 6 rating so our residents can continue receiving flood insurance reductions in their rate. To learn more about this announcement, click
HERE
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Department of Recreation & Parks
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On or about Monday, October, 21
st
, the
red steel bridge at Centennial Park will be CLOSED
to park visitors as Recreation and Parks crews replace the steel structure with a new, low maintenance, environmentally friendly fiberglass one. As the bridge site will be closed during construction, detour signs will be in place to guide park visitors around the site so they may continue walking the lake loop. Weather permitting, the project is expected to take three to four weeks to complete
For questions or concerns about the project, please contact Project Manager Jeff Hull with Recreation & Parks’ Capital Projects, Park Planning and Construction Division at 410-313-4631 or email
jhull@howardcountymd.gov
. For more information on Centennial Park, check out its
website
.
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Just in time for Halloween, Recreation & Parks is hosting two fantastic outdoor events at Rockburn Branch Park, co-sponsored by the Elkridge Adult Athletic Association. On October 25
th
and 26
th
, older children (and adults) are invited to come along on an eerie ride through the woods for Recreation & Parks’
the Haunted Experience
. For the little ones, a not so scary experience they’ll find along aboard the
Happy Haunted Hayride
on October 27
th
. Tickets to the Happy Haunted Hayride are $5 and tickets to the Haunted Experience are $10 (cash-only at entry).
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As expected, advance tickets to this year’s annual
Truck or Treat
event at the
Gary J. Arthur Community Center
are currently sold out. However, keep your eyes peeled to Recreation & Parks
Facebook page
this week as an additional batch of tickets may be released that can be purchased at the door.
A western Howard County tradition, Truck or Treat allows kids to get up close with trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and more, while hunting for candy. The event will be held on Saturday, October 26
th
, from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tickets are $2 (admission is free for children under 2 years).
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Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the county. To meet the growing demand, our Recreation & Parks is adding six pickleball courts to
Alpha Ridge Park
. The new pickleball courts will share space with the park’s target archery range. This area will become a multi-use facility and the pickleball courts will be available when the range is not in use. To read more about this announcement, click
HERE
.
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Looking ahead to November, Recreation & Parks will be hosting a
disc golf clinic and cleanup
event at Rockburn Branch Park on Saturday, November 6
th
, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This FREE event is a great opportunity to learn or practice disc golf fundamentals and help Recreation & Parks with sprucing up the Rockburn disc golf course. We’ll be meeting at 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road in Elkridge (meet at the pavilion near holes 3, 4 and 5 near the sand volleyball court). Please note, all participants must register by November 13
th
to take part in this event.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Now through November 30 - Historic Savage Mill Ghost Tours
Fridays and Saturdays, now through November 30
th
, come brave an hour-long ghost tour of Historic Savage Mill in your date with costumed tour guide and mill historian Marty Schoppert. Created for fans of history and the paranormal, this tour is not for the faint of heart. For more information or to book tour, click
HERE
. Cost is $15.00 per person.
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September through October - Ye Haunted History of Olde Ellicott City Ghost Tours
I double dare you to walk the streets and learn more about the past inhabitants of Historic Ellicott City, one of the oldest and most haunted locales in America, with Howard County Historical Society. The lady in white of Tonge Row, the Civil War soldier who stalks the lower end of Main Street, the vigilant firefighter of Station 2, the Oak Lawn "Cooking Ghost" and the Girl Ghosts of the Ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute invite you to hear their stories during our frightfully fun ghost tours. Tours are held Fridays and Saturdays through the end of October and are not recommended for children under 6. Reservations are required, as space is limited. To learn more, visit
http://hchsmd.org/events-tours/
.
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October 21 - MIHU Homeownership Information Workshop Session #2
Prospective buyers are ENCOURAGED to
register
to attend this FREE information session. Attendees will become knowledgeable of Housing’s Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program requirements and the application and selection processes. Housing will address the importance of credit and how it impacts the home buying process. The workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. and on time arrival is strongly suggested. For questions and/or more information, contact Housing at 410-313-6318 and select option two.
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October 23 - November 13 - Howard County General Hospital’s Living Well with Chronic Disease
This six-week workshop (Wednesdays, October 9
th
to November 13
th
) is designed for those living with or at risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, depression, arthritis, lung disease or other long-lasting health concerns. Participants will learn techniques to cope with feelings of frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation, develop skills to communicate more effectively about their health and learn exercises and healthy eating habits to maintain and improve well-being. To register, caregivers are welcome to register as well, visit
www.hcgh.org/livingwell
.
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October 23 - Mental Health Film Festival
Join the Horizon Foundation for the
2019 Mental Health Film Festival
, an event to build awareness and compassion for members of our community living with mental health challenges. Attend one of four film screenings, each followed by a time for attendees to reflect, ask questions and connect with others. This event is FREE; however, registration is required. Interested participants are asked to register for ONLY one film as each film will run at the same time and space is limited. Click on the link above for more information and/or tickets.
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October 23 - Ellicott City Flood Mitigation Pond Project Public Meeting
DPW to hold a public meeting on Wednesday, October 23
rd
to present plans for a flood mitigation facility (Pond H-7) to be constructed as part of my
EC Safe and Sound plan
. The pond will be located within the northeast loop ramp of the interchange of US 29 and US 40 and will help mitigate flooding in Historic Ellicott City by capturing stormwater runoff from the upper parts of the Hudson Branch Watershed and then detaining the stormwater for longer periods to reduce the peak discharge for extreme rainfall events. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2020. To learn more about this meeting and project, click
HERE
.
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October 24 - November 14 - Howard County General Hospital’s Cancer Self-Management
This six-week workshop (Thursdays, October 10
th
to November 14
th
) that provides information and practical tools to help individuals self-manage symptoms, challenges and day-to-day tasks in a small, supportive group setting. Participants include those living with cancer, those who have been affected by cancer and caregivers. To register, click
HERE
.
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October 24 - MIHU Homeownership Information Workshop Session #3
Prospective buyers are ENCOURAGED to
register
to attend this FREE information session. Attendees will become knowledgeable of Housing’s Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program requirements and the application and selection processes. Housing will address the importance of credit and how it impacts the home buying process. The workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. and on time arrival is strongly suggested. For questions and/or more information, contact Housing at 410-313-6318 and select option two.
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October 24 - Charter Review Commission Public Hearing
Under the County’s Charter, the County Council is required to establish a Charter Review Commission every eight years. Comprised of 15 county residents, the Commission is tasked with reviewing and making recommendations concerning the Howard County Charter. This past March, the Council approved
Resolution No. 18-2019
appointing the 2019 Charter Review Commission. As part of its review, the Commission will host public hearings to gather public input. The Commission’s next public hearing is scheduled for October 24
th
at 7:00 p.m. at the
Gary J. Arthur Community Center
. There will be signup sheets available for members of the public to use when they arrive at a public hearing. If possible, those planning to testify are asked to bring 20 copies of written testimony for distribution at the public hearing/ Please note, any testimony submitted to
charterreviewcommission@howardcountymd.gov
48 hours prior to a public hearing will be forwarded to the Commission members. For more information and upcoming meeting dates, click
HERE
or call 410-313-2001.
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October 24 - Windy Knolls Wetland, Stream Mitigation Project Public Meeting
DPW to hold public meeting on Thursday, October 24
th
to present plans to restore approximately 1,300 linear feet of the Carrolls Branch and 700 linear feet of two unnamed tributaries, and to restore and create approximately 4.76 acres of primarily forested wetland ecosystem in the area. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2020. For more information about this public meeting, click
HERE
.
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October 25 & 26 - HallowRead
Bringing authors and readers together for a hauntingly good time, Hallowread is an annual book festival for authors and fans of paranormal, urban fantasy, steampunk and horror. This year’s festival will feature writing workshops, ghost tours, authors tea and panels, book signings and paranormal investigations. For tickets, attending authors and more information about HallowRead, visit
www.hallowread.com
.
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October 26 - Truck or Treat
See above under “Department of Recreation & Parks” for details regarding this year’s event.
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October 27 - Happy Haunted Hayride
It’s cute, it’s friendly and not so scary, this
Happy Haunted Hayride
is for fun and not fright. Hosted by our Department of Recreation & Parks, the hayride will take place at Rockburn Branch Park and is geared towards children, ages two to seven. The cost is $5.00 per person at the gate (cash only).
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October 28 - North Laurel Connections Public Meeting
Join our Office of Transportation on Monday, October 28
th
at 6:30 p.m. at the
North Laurel Community Center
for an open-house style community meeting to present revised concept plans for the full route and design plans for the two pathway segments of the North Laurel Connections pedestrian and bicycle project. For more information about his project, click
HERE
.
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October 29 - 17
th
Annual Celebration of Sports
Join our Department of Recreation & Parks and me as we honor those in our community who have made a difference through sports. The event will include the induction of five new members into the Howard County Community Sports Hall of Fame and the presentation of the GoodSports awards. The keynote speaker is former Baltimore Ravens’ Linebacker Jameel McClain. For more information and tickets, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/celebrationofsports
.
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October 30 - Oakland Mills Road Complete Streets Study Public Meeting
Join our Office of Transportation for a public meeting on Wednesday, October 30
th
at 6:30 p.m. at
Christ Episcopal Church
as they share the findings and concepts developed through the Oakland Mills Road Complete Streets Study. To learn about this study, click
HERE
.
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October 31 - Drop-In Opioid Overdose Response (Narcan) Training
Join in the fight against the opioid epidemic by learning how you can help save someone’s life from an opioid overdose. The first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., on a drop-in basis, at Health headquarters. Simply show up and Health Department employee will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. Click
HERE
to learn more.
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