March 29, 2019

Dear Friends, As Women’s History Month ends, I ask that we continue to recognize and honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women across the County. Our work to build an equitable, gender-balanced world must continue every month moving forward.    As we leave March behind and welcome April, we celebrate, not just warmer weather, but Financial Literacy and Autism Awareness. I am passionate about Financial Literacy Month because it is an opportunity to prevent or aid those suffering from debt, bankruptcy, and poverty. I launched our county’s first financial literacy summit because I wanted every person to achieve their financial goals.   We also commemorate Autism Awareness Month this April. According to the Autism Society this month will “promote autism awareness, inclusion and self-determination for all, and assure that each person with ASD is provided the opportunity to achieve the highest possible quality of life.” The Howard County Autism Society has a full list of events here .

This Week in HoCo

One of the Top 10 Healthiest Counties! I'm honored to announce that Howard County is among the Top 10 Healthiest Counties in the nation according to rankings by U.S. News & World Report. We continue to invest in innovative health initiatives, partnerships and programs to make us a model healthy community and that’s one reason so many people want to live in Howard County. While we have already made progress building a healthier and stronger community, with access to quality care, we can and will do better. Read more about our ranking here .

Supporting the Arts On Saturday, Shani and I were honored to support the arts at the 22nd Annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County at Howard Community College. It’s important to understand the importance of the arts and how it positively impacts our quality of life.  #SupportArt   #HoCoArts Maryland Day Monday, we celebrated the 385th anniversary of the founding of our beautiful state. As session is slowly coming to a close, let us honor and thank our Howard County representatives in Annapolis who are working tirelessly for our community. #MarylandDay   Special thank you to my Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, and Maryland Day celebratory partner, Maureen Evans Arthurs for her hard work and tenacity during session and beyond.

Congtatulations to our Award Winning Poets! Please  join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the County Council to celebrate three of our county's prestigious young poets; Hanna Al-Kowsi, Poushali Banerjee, and Jaylen Barrett. They swept the floor at the regional level of a national poetry recitation contest.   Join us at 4:45pm on April 5th in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Dr. to celebrate them and hear their award-winning pieces.

Letter to President Trump in Support of the Chesapeake Bay Earlier this week, I sent a letter to President Trump, on behalf of the residents of Howard County, to urge him not to cut funding for the vital, Chesapeake Bay Program. Originally created under President Ronald Reagan, this program has been a model of a bi-partisan, effective partnership since its inception. It combines scientific research on the Bay with matching grants for local efforts to cut down on pollution. Federal funding for the program has been a key driver of the Bay’s restoration, made even more critical in our era of climate change. To view my letter to the President, click here. Practice Howard Initiative I’m honored to stand with Howard County General Hospital President Steve Snelgrove to launch our Practice Howard. This initiative is a targeted recruitment program for Primary Care Providers (PCPs) that provides funding for loan repayment, practice support, and additional specialized training. We all need a health professional who knows about us as individuals and cares about our well-being. Together, we can make Howard County the healthiest place in America! You can read more about the importance of this program in my op-ed with Steve Snelgrove here.

Legislative Matters

In the County On Monday, the County Council participated in a work session to discuss CB9-2019 , CB10-2019 , and CB11-2019 . For a list of all pre-filed legislation, visit the County Council’s website .   CB49-2019 Last week, I announced my pre-filed legislation with the County Council to move forward on the final phase of landsite acquisition for the future site of the County’s 13th high school set to be located on Mission Road in Jessup. Once approved by the Council, this legislation will grant my office authority to sign a "Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement" with the companies that own the property, so we can start building.

In the State On Wednesday, I attended the last MACo legislative committee meeting of the 2019 session. I'm grateful for the leadership of my dear friend and past President, Frederick County Executive Jan H. Gardner, and newly installed President, Harford County Executive Barry Glassman. Through bipartisanship, we have worked together on important issues such as Prescription Drug Affordability and the federal shutdown.   I am proud to serve as Treasurer on the MACo Board and I look forward to growing my relationships with leaders in other jurisdictions around the state.

Education News

Yesterday, I was honored to start my morning by celebrating four of our prestigious educators for their dedication to providing our students with the best education. You can read more about the awardees here and here.

MASSP Principal of the Year  Congratulations Principal Nick Novak of Howard High School for being named Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals! We are inspired by your leadership and values to providing our students with the best education possible.

HCPSS Principal of the Year  Giving our sincerest congratulations to Principal Josh Wasilewski of Long Reach High School for being named Howard County Public School System’s 2019 Principal of the Year! We are grateful for your commitment to building strong, positive relationships among our Long Reach community.

HCPSS Teacher of the Year Congratulations to Ms. Sylvia Hennessie of Guilford Elementary School for being name one of Howard County Public School System’s 2019 Teachers of the Year! Thank you for your tenacity in building connections with our students to empower their creative learning. HCPSS Teacher of the Year Our sincerest congratulations to Mr. Greg Murach of Mt. Hebron High School for being named one of Howard County Public School System 2019 Teachers of the Year! He is truly admired by many of his students, colleagues, and community members. Thank you for being an inspiration to us all.

Departmental News

Department of Community Resources and Services Last night, I joined the County’s Commission for Women to recognize this year’s inductees into Howard County Women's Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Georgia Eacker and Cathy Hudson on this momentous honor. Your achievements in philanthropy, environmental education and historic preservation, are truly an inspiration for future generations. To learn more about this year’s inductees, click here . 

Office of Community Sustainability   Since its inception in 2010, more than 15,700 people have participated in the County’s annual 20 Minute Cleanup initiative. With Earth Month upon us, I implore you to take just 20 minutes this April to step outside to pick up litter around your neighborhood, school or office complex. It’s truly amazing what a difference just 20 minutes can make to our surroundings and the health of our environment. To learn more about the 20 Minute Cleanup and how easily you can get involved, click here .

Office of Fire and Rescue Services   It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Retired Fire Chief James Heller. The Department of Fire and Rescue Services seventh fire chief (1993 to 2000), Chief Heller began his career in the fire service in 1960 as a volunteer in Baltimore County. Upon moving to Howard County in 1967, he joined the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Company, serving as a firefighter, ambulance attendant, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and finally their fire chief in 1973. Hired as a lieutenant and director of training for the Department of Fire and Rescue Services in 1974, Chief Heller became the first career lieutenant for the Department.   A strong advocate of technology in the Fire Service, Chief Heller pioneered Automated Vehicle Location (AVL), the use of a map-based CAD system, Mobile Data Computers and the 800 MHz radio system. He was also instrumental in the creation of a Geographic Information Services team in the County and initiated the Department’s original fax-based Medical Incident Report system and Safe Kids Program.   Chief Heller also utilized early generation GIS to illustrate the need and proposed locations for additional fire stations to better serve Howard County’s growing population. One such station was Station 13 – Glenwood and a 12 th station (Waterloo) is in the planning phase.   In addition to his service to Howard County, Chief Heller was also a field instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute.   I ask that you please keep the Heller Family in your thoughts and prayers.

Department of Housing and Community Development   Starting this Monday, April 1 and running through the end of the month, the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development will be accepting applications for its next Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program open enrollment period. During the month of April, the Department will host three MIHU workshops ( April 17 , April 18 and April 25 ) to explain the program’s eligibility requirements and the application process. The workshops are free and open to the public; however, registration is required.   Open enrollment periods for the MIHU homeownership program are held quarterly. To learn more about this program, click here .

Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) A five-member board of Howard County residents, DPZ’s 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.   This coming Thursday, April 4, DPZ’s Planning Board will be holding a meeting in the George Howard Building’s Banneker Room starting at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following items: ASDP-87-76c Combined Columbia Glade, LLC – For the Planning Board to approve an amendment to the Site Development Plan (SDP-87-076c) to allow Apartment Building “H” to Encroach by 2.5 feet into the 40-foot building restriction line. Chase Land, LLC and Howard County Maryland – Advisory determination by the Planning Board regarding the proposed Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement between Chase Land, LLC and Howard County, Maryland for consistency with the General Plan   To learn more about Howard County’s Planning Board and upcoming meeting dates, click HERE .

Police Department (HCPD)   REMINDER: The Deadline to apply for HCPD’s Citizens Police Academy is TODAY, March 29. Open to Howard County residents ages 18 and older, this free, interactive, 12-week course gives participants an inside look into HCPD’s day-to-day operations and training exercises. Set to start May 6 and held every Monday through July 29, classes are taught by police instructors in a police academy setting at the County’s James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Marriottsville. As space is limited, I encourage you to apply today. Applications are available online . For more information about the Citizens Police Academy, call 410-313-1364.

Department of Public Works Construction Report Below are new underway/upcoming Capital Projects. Details about this project can be found below. Additionally, for a full list of current projects, refer to March 22, 2019 newsletter. Columbia Wilde Lake Water Transmission Main Project (Capital Project W-8322) – Start of Phase I of project to install a water transmission main along Green Mountain Circle near Twin Rivers Road in the Village of Wilde Lake’s Bryant Woods neighborhood. Brief and temporary lane shifts, as well as sidewalk closures in the current phase area, can be expected during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Weather permitting, Phase I is expected to be completed this July, with the entire project likely to be completed by late November 2020. Snowden River Parkway Lane Addition Project (Capital Project J-4222) – Project to add a lane to westbound Snowden River Parkway in the Village of Owen Brown. Lane shifts and temporary lane closures can be expected during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., as. In addition to daytime construction work, there will also be approximately 10 nights of after-hours work expected to take place in the median. The night work will also result in temporary lane closures. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late August. Past Project Updates - Completion Date Change Columbia Bright Passage Storm Drain Outfall Stabilization (Capital Project D-1158) – Project to restore and stabilize a heavily eroded storm drain outfall channel near 11840 Bright Passage in the Village of Hickory Ridge. Originally expected to be completed by mid-March, weather permitting, this project is now expected to be completed by late April. Ellicott City   Ellicott City Interceptor Sewer Siphon (Capital Project S-6282) – Project to replace theh 12-inch diameter Bonnie Branch interceptor sewer. Originally expected to be completed by March, weather permitting, this project is now expected to be completed by early April. Past Project Updates - Projects Completed Ellicott City Ashton Woods Stormwater Pond (Capital Project D-1160) – Project to repair a storm water management pond near 8401 Oakton Lane. Governor Martin Court Stormwater Pond (Capital Project D-1160) – Project to provide stormwater quality treatment to the existing detention pond in the vicinity of 3339 Governor Martin Court. Jessup Heritage Woods Stormwater Pond (Capital Project D-1160) – Project to provide stormwater quality treatment to the existing retention pond in the vicinity of 8754 Cheshire Court. 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.   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.

Department of Public Works - Bureau of Environmental Services The County’s yard trim curbside collection RESUMES this Monday, April 1. When preparing your yard trim for collection, remember: yard trim should be bundled or tied together using sturdy string; bundles may not exceed 40 pounds in weight, 18 inches in diameter and four feet in length; and yard trim can also be placed out in paper bags and/or reusable containers. Items placed out for pick-up in plastic bags, including biodegradable bags, or a County issued blue recycling cart/bin will NOT be collected. Don’t forget, while curbside recycling and yard trim collection do occur on the same day, there are separate trucks that come for each anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions about yard trim collection or for more information, contact the Bureau at 410-313-6444 or visit www.howardcounty.gov/yardtrim .

Department of Recreation & Parks  The County’s Department of Recreation & Parks began a construction project this week to repave the roadway and parking lots in Centennial Park’s North area, located at 9801 Old Annapolis Road in Ellicott City. During paving preparation work, the North area of the park will remain open to the public. However, while paving operations are taking place, weekdays, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the North area will closed, reopening each evening at 5:00 p.m. While the project was originally expected to be completed by this coming Monday, April 1, weather permitting, the project is now expected to be completed the week of April 8 th.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

March 30 - Howard County Black History Site Tour Take a tour of some of the important sites in Black History within Howard County’s black history sites with the Howard County Recreation & Parks’ Living History and Heritage Program on March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Starting from the Patapsco Female Institute, participants will tour historic sites in Ellicott City, including the Ellicott City Colored School Restored, and then continue to sites around the county. For more information and/or to register, click HERE or call 410-313-7275.

April 4 - Coffee with a Cop Join Howard County Police Department (HCPD) for its monthly Coffee with a Cop on April 4 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Mad City Coffee, 10801 Hickory Ridge Road #101 in Columbia. Come meet face-to-face with HCPD's Community Outreach Officers in an informal and neutral space to discuss issues, ask questions and build relationships one cup of coffee at a time. As always, coffee and conversation are on the house. For more information and/or questions, contact HCPD's Community Outreach Division at 410-313-2207.

April 6 - Saturday Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection RESUMES Many products we use in our homes and routinely throw away with our trash, such as all-purpose cleaners, furniture polish, nail polish remover and rug cleaners, are considered HHW. These products are similar to regulated hazardous wastes produced by business and industry. If used, stored or disposed of improperly, HHW products can pose a risk to us, our pets and our environment. Beginning Saturday, April 6 through November, county residents can properly dispose of HHW at the Landfill's Residents' Convenience drop-off area (Saturdays ONLY) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To learn more about HHW disposal, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HHW .

April 8 - Veteran's Resource Fair With more than 20,000 veterans residing in Howard County, I am pleased to join the county’s Office of Veterans and Military Families and Commission for Veterans and Military Families to host a Veterans Resource Fair. Geared toward all veterans and their families (active, guard, reserve and dependents), the fair provides attendees with a convenient, one-stop shop where they can meet face-to-face with the organizations and nonprofits that provide services, support and jobs. This year’s fair is set to take place on Monday, April 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Howard Community College’s Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building. Admission is free. To learn more about this year’s fair, click here or call 410-313-0821.

April 13 - GreenFest Join me at Howard Community College’s Science Engineering and Technology Building on April 13 th for the County’s annual GreenFest . Set to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine, the year’s event will feature approximately 70 vendors, exhibits, free workshops, demonstrations, outside activities for kids and a native plant sale. The “Green Community Leadership” and “Business Recycling and Waste Reduction” awards will also be presented. Back by popular demand is the County’s FREE shredding event. From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (or until the trucks are full), residents will be able shred up to three bags or boxes of paper documents in Parking Lot B. GreenFest is free and open to the public. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.HCGreenFest.org .

Tweets of the Week

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