April 5, 2019

Dear Friends, 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 taking place this coming 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.

This Week in HoCo

Business Appreciation Week Howard County contains businesses of all types and sizes; it’s one of the ways we are so diverse. Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) invites you to take part in the 2019 Business Appreciation Week. Each year, teams of ambassadors comprised of department heads, government officials, community organizations, and employees of HCDEA visit various businesses to listen to ways we can improve the business community. Join me as we visit Howard County businesses, of all types, to learn more about their impact to our county. This year, Business Appreciation week will take place from April 22 to 26. To learn more and/or register, visit HCEDA’s website or call them at (410) 313-6500.

Autism Awareness Day Autism Awareness Day is a day to speak out against discrimination, celebrate our diversity, and strengthen our commitment to inclusion. As a community, we can work together to ensure we are promoting inclusivity, fighting stigmas, and raising awareness. Together, we can create a healthier environment where all our community members can thrive.

Thank you to Board of Education member Vicky Cutroneo, Howard County Autism Society, and all Howard County Government staff for supporting the importance of raising awareness for our community members living with ASD. We were honored to #LightItBlue with the Howard County Autism Society during their visit to the George Howard Building.

FY2020 Capital Improvement Budget Despite the fiscal challenges we face, the proposed budget provides necessary support to the strategic priorities of the community. These include investing in building new and expanded school buildings, the Ellicott City flood mitigation plan, facilities for our senior residents, transportation improvements (including roads, bikeways, sidewalks, and bus stops), new fire stations, technology infrastructure, and more. I am confident that we have delivered a well-thought out proposal that supports the priorities of this community and balances our fiscal constraints. The Howard County Council will hold a public hearing on the CIP budget on April 9 at 7:00 PM in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building. The FY 2020 CIP budget can be reviewed here .

Save the Date I appreciate the extensive participation and input from the community during the last several months. Ellicott City remains one of Howard County’s most important cultural and economic resources and its safety and security are critical to our county’s future. We are working together as a unified Howard County to address the multiple challenges facing this very special place. On April 16th, I will announce Phase II of my EC Safe and Sound plan. On May 2nd at 7:00pm, I will hold a public input session at Howard High School to receive community feedback on this phase. More details forthcoming.

Practice Howard The Practice Howard initiative comes amid a concern that an aging doctor population will create a gap and leave Howard residents with longer wait times to receive care or schedule appointments. We all know that our community is a wonderful place to call home, and through the Practice Howard program, more doctors will be coming home to Howard County. You can read more about Practice Howard here . Watch a FOX 45 News report here .

Legislative Matters

In the County On Monday, the County Council passed a series of bills during their Legislative Hearing. For a full list of current legislation, visit the Council’s website . CB8-2019 I'm glad to see that the County Council passed the Mobile Home Tax Repeal. This is important legislation ensuring that we aren't unfairly taxing some of our most vulnerable residents, including many seniors who live on a fixed income. Thank you to the County Council members who voted for this legislation to help our residents have more money to put food on their family's table, clothes on their back, and put toward costly medical expenses. Together, we can work towards creating opportunities for economic stability for all our neighbors.

In the State Last week, I had a productive meeting with Maryland House President Mike Miller and advocated for Howard County’s capital school construction needs. I also testified in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on the Build to Learn Act of 2019, HB 727 . We need adequate infrastructure to continue serving our educators and students. I was honored to sit amongst five other fellow County Executives to support this historic $2.2 billion statewide investment in school construction.

Education News

Howard County Public Schools will be on spring break April 15-18. During this time, HCPSS will provide free meals to anyone under 18 years-old from 11:30am – 1:00pm. These meals will be provided at the Bain 50+ Center, Howard County Library East Columbia Branch, and the North Laurel Community Center. There is no application, nor enrollment needed. For more information, visit the HCPSS website .

If you have a senior graduating high school this year, you will be excited to know that HCPSS announced the official high school graduation schedule. All 2018-2019 graduations will take place at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with the exception of Cedar Lane School. For a full list of the ceremony schedules, click here .

Departmental News

Office of Community Sustainability   This April, help promote a greener, healthier earth by participating in the County’s 20 Minute Cleanup initiative. Gather up your friends, family, classmates and colleagues, and together, step outside for just 20 minutes this month 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 .   Explore science and our environment at the County’s 12 th annual GreenFest on Saturday, April 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Howard Community College’s Science, Engineering and Technology Building. This free event offers something for all ages, featuring exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, outdoor activities and practical tips for easy ways to “green” your home, workplace and lifestyle. Also, back by popular demand is the county-sponsored spring shredding event, where residents can shred up to three bags or boxes of paper documents per person for FREE from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ( or until the trucks are full ) in Parking Lot C. For more information and the day’s event schedule, visit www.HCGreenFest.org .

Department of Fire and Rescue Services   The Department of Fire and Rescue Services  is NOW accepting applications for its 1st Alarm Fire Camp. Geared towards kids, ages 9 to 14, the camp offers participants a chance to learn more about the fire service and what it takes to become a firefighter. This year's camp will take place the weekend of July 20 and 21 at the County's James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in Marriottsville. To learn more, click HERE .   You may have noticed the County’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services stationed outside the American City Building in Downtown Columbia and wondered what was going on . Thanks to the Howard Hughes Corporation, the Department has been conducting Live Fire Training exercises over the last several weeks at the facility. These training exercises are assisting our fire and rescue personnel in preparing for real-life emergencies that may occur in high-rise structures. To learn more about this training exercise set to run through the end of this month, click HERE , follow DFRS’ Facebook and Twitter pages (particularly for training dates and changes to the schedule) or call 410-313-6000.

Department of Housing and Community Development   Come home to Howard County. Now through April 30, the County’s Department of Housing and Community Development is accepting applications for its next Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program open enrollment period. As part of the open enrollment period, 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. To learn more about the MIHU program, click HERE .

Office of Human Rights   Are you interested in helping coordinate activities and ceremonies to celebrate the birthday, ideals and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? If you’ve answered “yes,” I encourage you to apply today for the county’s the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission. The Commission is currently seeking to fill adult and student member positions. Adult voting members serve five-year terms, whereas student non-voting members serve one-year terms from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 3, 2019. To learn more about the Commission and how to apply, click HERE .

Police Department (HCPD)   With spring cleaning underway, don’t forget about your medicine cabinets. According to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly one-third of people aged 12 and over who used drugs for the first time began by using a prescription drug. To help residents quickly and easily dispose of unwanted medicines, HCPD has four permanent drop-off locations, available year-round, at: Northern District Station, 3410 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City (available 24/7) Southern District Station, 11226 Scaggsville Road, Laurel (available 24/7) Community Outreach, 10741 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia (available during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)  Gary Arthur Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville (available during business hours)   Got sharps? On Saturday, April 27, HC DrugFree will host a drive-thru collection event where residents can safely dispose of medical sharps (needles, syringes, EpiPens). The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Wilde Lake Village Center parking lot, 10451 Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. Medication will also be accepted that day/location. For tips on how to properly dispose of sharps year round, click HERE .

Department of Public Works (DPW)   DPW will hold a public meeting on Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the Media Room at Mayfield Woods Middle School, 7950 Red Barn Way in Elkridge, to present the final plans for a nearby pond repair project. DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services plans to repair the principal spillway of the stormwater pond located south of the intersection of Mayfield Avenue and Grassy Garth in Elkridge. Modifications will be made to the Mayfield Manor pond to comply with current standards. Construction is expected to begin in late summer or early fall 2019. For more information about this meeting, click HERE .

Department of Public Works Construction Report There are no new Capital Projects this week. For a full list of previously announced projects, please refer to the March 29, 2019 newsletter .    To learn more about DPW Capital Projects currently underway, click HERE . Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details and 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 find information regarding the county’s street sweeping schedule, which generally occur in the months of January, April, July, and September.

Department of Public Works - Bureau of Environmental Services New to the county’s food scrap collection program? Learn more about what items are and are not accepted on the Bureau of Environmental Services “Feed the Green Bin” website . In addition to fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells and coffee grounds – just to name a few, you can also place your grass, leaves and other yard trim items in your green bin. And speaking of yard trim, the county’s curbside yard trim collection resumed this week. The Bureau is reminding residents that while curbside recycling and yard trim collection occur on the same day, there are separate trucks that come for each anytime between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. To learn more about yard trim, such as what items are accepted and how to properly prepare them for pickup, click HERE .

This Saturday, April 6, Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Days resumes at the Alpha Ridge Landfill, located at 2350 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville. Saturdays ONLY from April through November, Howard County residents can properly dispose of HHW items at the Landfill. Corrosive, flammable, reactive or toxic, most HHW items can be found in our homes, garages and workshops. If used, stored, or disposed of improperly, these products can pose a risk to our safety, health, and our environment. To learn more about HHW, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HHW .

Department of Recreation & Parks  April is Autism Awareness Month. Did you know, Howard County Recreation & Parks offers a wide variety of programs, activities and camps geared towards individuals with disabilities? The Department’s Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion Services strives to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities by providing community recreation, leisure opportunities, and promoting lifelong skills. To learn more about camps, TRIO (Therapeutic Recreation Inclusion Opportunities) and inclusion and accommodating services offered by the Department, click HERE . For a list of therapeutic recreation programs, such as fitness and creative arts programs, social groups and community outings currently being offered by the Department, check out pages 38-40 of the 2019 Spring/Summer Activity Guide where you can choose your fun!   Soon school will out for spring break! If you are still looking for something to do with your toddler, child or teen this April 15 to the 22, I recommend checking out all the programs offered by our Department of Recreation & Parks. From dance classes to drama workshops, arts and crafts, chess, Bricks4Girlz LEGO®, ultimate sports and more, there is something to keep everyone active and engaged this spring break. Click HERE to learn more or call the Department’s Program Info and Registration line at 410-313-PARK.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

April 8 - Veteran's Resource Fair 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. I encourage you to support our veterans.

April 10 - Blossoms of Hope Cherrybration Kick-Off Tree Dedication Ceremony Join me as I help Blossoms of Hope kick off its "Cherrybration" season with a tree dedication honoring former State Senator, Howard County Executive and Howard County Police Chief Jim Robey and his wife Janet. Jim played an instrumental role in championing Blossoms of Hope in 2004, while Janet has served on the Blossoms of Hope’s Board of Directors since its inception. The ceremony will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the lower parking lot of the County’s George Howard Building complex, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. To learn more about Blossoms of Hope and this year’s Cherrybration event season, click HERE .

April 13 - GreenFest Join me at Howard Community College’s Science Engineering and Technology Building on April 13 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. GreenFest is free and open to the public. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.HCGreenFest.org .

April 13 - County-Sponsored Spring Paper Shredding Event Back by popular demand at this year’s GreenFest , County residents will be able shred up to three bags or boxes of paper documents for FREE from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (OR until the trucks are full), in Parking Lot B at Howard Community College. For questions about the County’s paper shredding event or to learn more about what items are and are not accepted, click HERE or contact our Bureau of Environmental Services at 410-313-6444.

April 15 - Howard County Police Department Career Information Session Interested in a career in law enforcement or Cadet service? 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. For questions and/or for more information, call 410-313-HCPD.

April 16 - North Laurel Stream Restoration Project Public Meeting The Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center, to present plans for a nearby stream restoration project. DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services plans to complete a stream restoration project on an unnamed stream, a tributary to the Patuxent River, located in the wooded open space area on the western side of the North Laurel Community Center and Park. Restoration is scheduled to begin in summer/fall 2019. For more information about this meeting, click HERE .

April 19 - Good Friday Holiday Closings Howard County Government offices, 50+ centers and the animal shelter will be closed in observance of the Good Friday holiday on Friday, April 19. However, the courts and the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open and regular trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim services will be in effect. The County’s holiday slide schedule will NOT be in effect on the 19. For a full list of what’s open and closed this Good Friday, click HERE . As always, our 9-1-1 Center, Police and Fire departments remain staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For emergencies, call 9-1-1; for non-emergencies, call 410-313-2200.

April 28 - Money Matters Fair Stop by the Howard County Money Matters Fair on April 28, 2019, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Columbia Mall (1 st floor outside Lord & Taylor). Local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits will be on hand to provide consumer counseling, financial planning, and other financial education services free of charge. A wealth of information will be available, along with interactive financial education geared toward people at every stage in life, from children through retirees. Registration not required.

Tweets of the Week

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