Greetings! March is
Women's History Month
,
allowing us an opportunity to focus on and c
elebrate women's contributions to history, culture, and society. Our very own Barbara Mikulski was critical to the designation of March as Women's History Month when in
February 1980, she and Senator Orrin Hatch co-sponsored a Congressional Resolution for National Women’s History Week.
As you may have realized from the above picture, I played a small part in trying to achieve the historical passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Illinois (1980) during the time that I served as a community organizer for the National Organization for Women. We lost by one vote; it took Illinois almost 40 years to revisit this issue, which they did last spring when they finally ratified the ERA. The year before that Nevada ratified the amendment, so that means 37 of the 38 states needed for ratification are in place, although it is unclear how the passage of time will treat the ratification effort. This year, Virginia legislators were hoping to be the final state to ratify the ERA. Instead, the Republican majority on the committee refused to report the ERA bill out of committee and the attempt to bring it on to the House floor failed on a vote of 50:50. Yet, women know that giving up will not get the job done. It took 70 years for women to obtain the right to vote (19th amendment); maybe it will only take 50 years to get the ERA passed!
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Come join me at my next
Coffee Chat
Would you like to have a chat with me about your concerns and ideas for a fantastic District 4?
March 16, 10am-12pm
,
Bagel Bin, River Hill
April 13, 10am-2pm
,
Sidamo Coffee & Tea, 8180 Maple Lawn Blvd, Fulton
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April is budget season for FY2020. See the public meeting schedule
here
.
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State Delegation Bills to Watch
HoCo 03-19
School Facilities Surcharge – Rates
was passed with amendments, including exemptions for senior and affordable housing, on February 22, 2019. Read more
here
.
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Kirwan Bill
The long-awaited Kirwan bills (
SB 1030/HB1413
) have been introduced in the General Assembly.
These bills emerged from the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission, which researched academic success and education funding models. The following sections of the bills involve funding grants to the counties:
- $248,833 to each school for FY 2020 and 2021 with 80% of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals
- $75 million in a Teacher Salary Incentive Program to each jurisdiction if the county funds a 3% salary increase above COLA
- Counties that fund above Maintenance of Effort in FY 2020 will have that excess counted toward any funding obligation arising from Commission recommendations in FY 21 and beyond.
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Potholes Be Gone
Got potholes and other road and infrastructure repair requests? Report the problem and track the solution through
SeeClickFix
. Create a login, set your location, and rest assured that the county is working on it for you.
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Feed Me Seymour: the Green Bin Is Hungry
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The County's food scraps recycling program is expanding to more Columbia residents. By participating in this voluntary program, you can turn your moldy bread into plant fuel.
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FIRN is a nonprofit organization in Howard County, Maryland that empowers immigrants, refugees, asylees and other foreign-born individuals by helping them to access community resources and opportunities. FIRN provides immigration counseling and citizenship classes, interpreting & translation services, English tutoring, information and referrals and a variety of workshops.
Read more about FIRN
here
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Shout out to our Villages and HOAs. Thanks for all that you do.
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The Council held a legislative vote on March 4 that included passage of the following bills:
- CB5 - Amending the Local Children's Board
- CR18 - Establishing a Charter Review Commission.
UPCOMING LEGISLATION:
Along with Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby, I am proud to have introduced
CR36
, a resolut
ion to support civil action related to the implementation of the NextGen system at BWI
on behalf of all Howard County citizens who are suffering from unhealthy plane noise levels. I would also like to thank Councilmember Liz Walsh for co-sponsoring the legislation.
Along with my fellow Democratic colleagues and the County Executive, I am introducing
CB8
, which repeals the mobile home rental tax. And I am co-supporting Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby and Councilmember Liz Walsh on
CB11
, which will help protect our natural infrastructure and the aesthetic beauty of our county.
LEGISLATION AT-A-GLANCE:
- CB8 - Repealing the mobile home rental tax
- CB9 - Authorizing the county to establish charges to recover costs generated by emergency medical services
- CR36 - Supporting the County's civil action regarding NextGen aviation system at BWI
- CB11 - Amending the minimum forest buffer and road access on new developments along Scenic Roads.
A public hearing on these bills will be held on March 18 and a legislative vote on April 1.
Read the press release on CB11
here.
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What is the Charter Review?
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Every eight years, a Charter Review Commission assesses potential changes to the County Charter, the legislative document that defines the powers and privileges of the governing bodies of the County. The Commission consists of 15 residents of Howard County. Five of the members must be selected from a list of ten names submitted by the County Executive. The remaining seats are selected directly by County Council members. No more than ten of the members of the Commission may be of the same political party.
Thanks to Stu Kohn and Judy Center, who graciously accepted my appointment offers. You two will do great work for the county.
Read the Howard County Charter
here
.
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State of the County
The County Executive addressed the County at the 50
th
anniversary of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce on February 27, 2019. The address acknowledged the county’s many challenges, including the achievement gap, income disparities, the aging population, mental health and substance abuse, and infrastructure shortfalls.
Proposals included the following:
- Increase the fire tax
- Provide safe access to roads for all modes of transportation (also known as Complete Streets)
- Invest in better bus transit routes
- Resurface and repair roads
- Replace the aging detention center
- Build high schools #13 and #14 by 2025
Many of these investments can not be realized through county funding sources alone. State funding is critical and the following grants have been secured:
- $4 million for early childhood education
- $1 million for a 24-hour Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center dealing with opioid overdoses.
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Pre-Submission Meetings & Public Hearings
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3/20 - Assisted Living, 8367 Sand Cherry Lane, to allow 16 or fewer beds
Visit the county's interactive
pDox
tool for more.
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Cedar Lane Water Transmission Main Extension
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Water transmission mains along southbound Cedar Lane in the Hickory Ridge Village of Columbia is scheduled to begin on or about
Monday, March 11
. The project will include the installation of approximately 1,000 linear feet of 12-inch and 16-inch diameter PVC water mains between Hilltop Lane and Cedar Wood Drive. Trench repair, milling and paving, will also take place. The new mains will serve the future Cedar Lane water pumping station.
The anticipated completion date is late May.
During the project, the two southbound lanes of Cedar Lane will be closed Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
A single lane of southbound traffic will be diverted to the center turn lane, while the two northbound lanes will remain open. Flagging operations will be in place.
For questions or concerns about Capital Project W-8328, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email
publicworks@howardcountymd.gov
.
Public Meeting: Wilde Lake Water Main Replacement Project
Thursday, March 14 at 6:30 pm
Wilde Lake High School, Cafeteria, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia
The Wilde Lake water main project will replace 17,000 linear feet of corroding water mains along Green Mountain Circle at Twin Rivers Dr and is scheduled to begin mid-March. The public is invited to view the design plans and discuss the project with staff members.
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Making Your House an Accessible Home
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Did you know that you can make certain accessibility improvements on your home and receive a tax credit in return?
Eligible alterations and installations include:
- entrance ramps
- bathroom grab bars
- widened hallways and doorways
- railings
- first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms
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Howard County Police Department Needs You
Serve your community with a career in one of the most progressive police departments. The Howard County Police Department is recruiting new talent; the force is small enough to offer specialized training and flexibility and boasts state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
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Below are some of the events and meetings I have recently attended. Let me know about your community activities so I can stop by, if my schedule allows.
02/20 - MACo Education Subcommittee Meeting
02/21 - New Courthouse Community Outreach Meeting
02/23 - Evening in the Stacks
02/24 - Howard County Historical Society Membership Meeting
02/27 - State of the County
02/28 - Consumer Protection Forum w/ Van Hollen & Frosh
03/02 - Chocolate Ball
03/04 - Meeting with U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen
03/05 - CBA Information session, Columbia Association
03/06 -
MACo Legislative Meeting
03/11
- Special DAAC Announcement
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Let me tell you, I've been a busy Councilmember in the month of February. From community meetings to social events, I've brought my passion and desire to serve. I continue to build relationships with my fellow councilmembers and to reach out to all groups so that we know and care about each other on a personal level.
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Young People's Concert
March 16, 2018,10:30am & 1:00pm
Jim Rouse Theatre
5460 Trumpeter Rd, Columbia
Adult (18 & up) - $15
Children - FREE
-Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade (excerpts)...-Badelt: Pirates of the Caribbean
-Peck: Playing With Style...Greg Jukes, narrator....Dance Connections, Jennifer Aversa, Director
Musical Instrument Petting Zoo 11:30am - 1:00pm
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Soup'r Sundae
Grassroots Fundraiser
March 17th, 11am -2pm
Wilde Lake High School
5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia
- $20 for adults
- $5 for children under 12
- All You Can Eat Ice Cream - Make Your Own Sundaes
- Silent Auctions
- Entertainment for Kids
click
here
for details and registration information
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Spring 2019 Job Fair
Howard Community College
March 22,
10am-1pm
Athletic and Fitness Center, Howard County Community College
Howard Community College (HCC), in cooperation with Howard County Chamber of Commerce, will host the annual Spring Job Fair on Friday, March 22, 2019, in the . A wide range of representatives from businesses, government agencies, and organizations will be on site to discuss employment opportunities, accept applications, and schedule interviews. Admission is free and open to the public.
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CA Open House
March 23rd, 7am - 6pm
6310 Hillside Court, Suite 100, Columbia
Free
Family, Friends, Fitness & Fun!
Admission is free and open to the public! Some activities may require a fee to participate. Bring your friends and family to enjoy fitness classes and challenges, special activities and more as we look forward to spring! Special events just for kids; fitness and fun for adults; plus activities and special offers that all ages can enjoy. In addition, membership specials and several local vendors will be featured throughout the day.
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22nd Annual Celebration of the Arts in Howard County Gala!
March 23 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Columbia
Sample tantalizing delicacies from area restaurants and caterers, bid on beautiful works of art by local artists, and enjoy live musical performances in the Studio Theatre. Then, join us in the Smith and Studio Theatres for the live presentation of our annual Rising Star Performing Arts Competition as emerging performing artists aged 18-35 compete for a $5,000 cash prize. The evening will also include the presentation of the 2018 Howie Awards.
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Free Yoga and Barre Classes at Barre
The Mall in Columbia
near Lululemon and Yoga - near Williams Sonoma
UPCOMING CLASS DATES: March 30, April 27, and May 25,
9am - 10am
Come join free Barre and Yoga classes on the last Saturday of the month thru May
Barre
- Upper level near Lululemon
Yoga
- Lower level near Williams Sonoma
By: HAVEN ON THE LAKE
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