March 22, 2019

Dear Friends, The last time we built a new high school in Howard County was 2005. Since then, our county has grown and many of our school buildings have become overcrowded.  Yesterday, I 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. I look forward to providing this much needed relief to alleviate school overcrowding in that part of Howard County. Find out more about the bill here.

This Week in HoCo

Stream Debris Clean-Up Keeping our waterways in and around Ellicott City clear of debris is a critical element to ensure the safety of our residents, business owners, and visitors during severe weather events. Yesterday's rainfall triggered the second enhanced stream debris removal action since I unveiled my Safe and Sound plan. Under the enhanced inspection program, once the sites have been inspected by crews from Howard EcoWorks, its staff along with DPW crews will remove all identified debris within 14 business days. You can follow the clean-up progress on this interactive map. Inspections and debris removal of nine streams are ordered anytime the County has a rainfall of two inches or greater in a 24-hour period, or after an hour of sustained winds more than 30mph. Read this press release for more information.

Art Loan Program Starting tomorrow, March 23, the Howard County Library System will launch a new Art Education Collection as a signature component of the HCLS Central Branch. This new innovative program will promote art and cultural education for all while creating greater access and exposure to art in our community. The framed artwork is packaged in protective, easy to transport bags. The collection is only available at HCLS Central Branch, and customers must be 18 years of age or older to borrow artwork. Customers may only borrow two items from the collection at any given time for a four-week period. The artwork cannot be reserved or renewed. To see a selection of available art, visit the HCLS website .

Congratulations, Sunny Yoo! Please join me in congratulating Ellicott City resident and Centennial High graduate Sunny Yoo on his gold medal and “Best in Show” win at an international competition in Germany for his shoemaking skills. Judged by a jury of experienced Master Shoemakers, Sunny defeated nearly 50 other shoemakers from 12 other countries! To read the article and view the accompanying video, click here. Towson Tiger Pride As a Towson University Alum and former faculty member, there is so much I learned during my time there. An integral part of my foundation, I was honored for the opportunity recently to walk down memory lane and reflect on my time at Towson. You can follow along by reading my interview here. In other great Towson news, tonight at 7:00 p.m., Ellicott City native Mariah Gray and the rest of Towson’s Women’s Basketball team will take on UConn in the program’s FIRST EVER NCAA tournament appearance. The team punched its ticket this past Saturday when it defeated Drexel in the Colonial Athletic Association’s championship game. I wish Mariah, Coach Diane Richardson and the rest of the team the best of luck tonight. As a Towson Alum, I know who I have slated to win in my March Madness bracket.  Donate to a Great Cause! As you start your spring cleaning efforts, now that spring is finally here, I encourage you to consider donating your new or gently used professional clothing to our collection drive. In conjunction with the county’s Veterans Resource Fair, set to take place on April 8 (click HERE to learn more), I am leading an initiative to collect donations of suits and professional attire to be distributed free of charge to those at the Fair currently engaged in the job search process. Now through April 3, these items can be dropped off at the county’s Department of Community Resources and Services’ Headquarters (9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia), at the George Howard Building (3430 Courthouse Drive in Ellicott City) or at Success in Style/Phil’s Closet (8600 Foundry Street #4 New Weave Building in Savage).

UM School of Pharmacy Seeks Help with Opioid Crisis Survey Just in the past week, Howard County Police Department and Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services have responded to two suspected opioid overdose deaths and three non-fatal overdoses. This year alone, there have been a total of 45 fatal and non-fatal overdoses.   In an ongoing effort to address the opioid crisis in our county and state, the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy seeks the public's help in completing a 10-minute survey. The objective of the survey is to capture statewide perceptions, attitudes, beliefs and practices surrounding prescription opioids and heroin. If you are 18 years of age or older and live in Maryland, I encourage you to take the survey today by going to https://bit.ly/2BEG1k7 . Responses will remain anonymous.

Legislative Matters

In the County On Monday, the County Council held their March Legislative public hearing. Visit the County Council website for more information on the bills that were heard.

CB8-2019 An estimated 1,100 county mobile home residents pay an average of $45 a month in mobile home taxes. This is money that is better spent putting food on the family table, clothes on their back, and put toward costly medical expenses. I'm honored to work with members of the County Council to create a better life for our most vulnerable residents.

In the State  Last Monday was crossover day in session. Crossover day is when the House of Delegates and state Senate send each other bills they plan to pass during the legislative session. Visit the General Assembly of Maryland’s website for more information on the status of introduced legislation.

Departmental News

Department of Community Resources and Services Did you know? Now through April 15, AARP and the IRS are offering Howard County residents FREE personal 2018 income tax preparation at six of County’s 50+ Centers: Bain, East Columbia, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Glenwood and North Laurel. This service is available to all middle and low-income taxpayers, with an emphasis on those age 60 and older. Participants are asked to bring a photo ID, their Social Security card, 2017 Federal and State tax returns and all 2018 tax documents. Self-employment returns with more than $10,000 in expenses and other complex returns are not eligible for this service. To schedule your appointment, please contact your nearest 50+ Center today. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/50pluscenters for contact information.

Department of Finance   In case you missed it last week, now through the summer, counselors with Maryland Access Point (MAP) of Howard County will be offering free assistance to residents and business owners interested in learning more about and taking advantage of the county’s various tax credits . MAP counselors will help identify tax credits available to you, as well as offer guidance on completing the required applications. Counselors are located in the Cashier’s Office in the County’s George Howard Building and the Bain 50+ Center in Columbia. For a schedule and/or to learn more about this assistance program, click HERE .

Department of Fire and Rescue Services   Thanks to the Howard Hughes Corporation for the use of its American City Building in Downtown Columbia, the county’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) will be conducting Live Fire Training exercises at the facility over the next several weeks. A rare occasion to acquire such a large structure, these training exercises will assist our fire and rescue personnel in preparing for real-life emergencies that may occur in high-rise structures. The use of the American City Building will allow DFRS to provide its personnel the safest and best experience possible under both realistic and controlled circumstances. To learn more about this training exercise, click HERE , follow DFRS’ Facebook and Twitter pages (particularly for training dates and changes to the schedule) or call 410-313-6000.

Department of Planning and Zoning   Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Design Advisory Panel process encourages excellence in project architecture and site design to improve design compatibility with surrounding development, to promote revitalization and to enhance property values. This coming Wednesday, March 27, the Design Advisory Panel will be hosting a meeting in George Howard Building’s Columbia/Ellicott City Room starting at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Downtown Columbia’s Sheraton Lakefront Hotel. Wednesday’s meeting will discuss the proposed renovations and additions to the hotel. To learn more about DPZ’s Design Advisory Panel and the meeting on March 27 th , click HERE .

Police Department (HCPD)   There is only ONE WEEK left to apply for HCPD’s Citizens Police Academy. 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 ; DEADLINE to apply is March 29. For more information about the Citizens Police Academy, call 410-313-1364.

Are you or someone you know interested in a career in law enforcement or Cadet service? If so, join Howard County Police Department (HCPD) on Monday, April 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the County’s James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Marriottsville of its next informational session. The session will provide participants with details about the outstanding benefits and opportunities of HCPD service, as well as exercises to help you improve your chances of passing HCPD’s physical abilities test. If you have questions and/or for more information, I invite you to call 410-313-HCPD today!

Department of Public Works Construction Report Below is one new Capital Project now underway. Details about this project can be found below. Additionally, for a full list of current projects, refer to March 15, 2019 newsletter . Ellicott City Fels Lane Paving Project Underway (Capital Project H-2014) – Project to mill and repave Fels Lane. While this project is not expected to impact the flow of traffic, signs are posted and flagging operations in place to advise motorists of the construction. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late March.   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 With just under two weeks to go until curbside yard trim collection resumes on Monday, April 1, our Bureau of Environmental Services is offering this friendly reminder on how to prepare your yard trim for collection. For collection, 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. Yard trim can also be placed out in paper bags and/or reusable containers. However, keep in mind, items placed out for pick-up in plastic bags, including biodegradable bags, or a county issued blue recycling cart/bin will NOT be collected.   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  With Earth Day only a month away, I encourage you to take part in one of these Earth Day efforts the county’s Department of Recreation & Parks is hosting this year.   On Saturday, April 20, the Department is holding an Earth Day Tree Planting Celebration from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Rockburn Branch Park. Participants will take part in a reforestation project by planting, mulching and providing shelter for native trees! All ages are welcome. To register for this volunteer event, click HERE or contact Melissa Byrne at 410-313-4704 or email mbyrne@howardcountymd.gov .   The Department’s Historic Ellicott City Earth Day Clean-Up will take place the following Sunday, April 28 from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Come celebrate Earth Day by lending a hand to help pick up litter and clean up along tree lines, historic properties and parking lots. The event will kick-off at the Roger Carter Community Center with a continential breakfast. To register for this volunteer event, click HERE or contact Cody Peach at 410-313-2747 or email cpeach@howardcountymd.gov .

Upcoming Events and Meetings

March 28 - Howard County Premier of "Heroin Still Kills" Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman will be joined by Carroll County Health Officer Ed Singer to discuss the ongoing opioid crisis affecting our county and nation on March 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Road in Ellicott City . Following the discussion, will be Howard County’s premier of the film “ Heroin Still Kills .” Produced by the Office of the State's Attorney for Carroll County, with the assistance of the Carroll County Health Department, the film follows the story of a local girl’s addiction and how it grew from prescription pain pills to heroin use.

March 28 - 3rd Annual Howard County's Women's Hall of Fame Induction All are invited to join myself and the county’s Commission for Women for this year’s Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This year, the Commission has selected three outstanding Howard County women for induction: Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Georgia Eacker and Cathy Hudson. This year’s ceremony will take place starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. The event is FREE and open to the public. To learn more about this year’s inductees, click HERE .

March 30 - Howard County Black History Site Tour Take a tour of some of the important sites in Howard County Black History 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.

Tweets of the Week

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