Dear Friends,
This Thursday we will celebrate our Nation’s independence across Howard County. On the Fourth of July and every day, I am so grateful to be an American and to celebrate our right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
I believe Howard County exemplifies so many of the wonderful things about our country: our diversity, our achievement when we work together, and our commitment to creating a better quality of life for all.
On Thursday I hope to see you as we celebrate America as one community. My family and I will be attending the parades in River Hill/Clarksville, Allview, and Longfellow, before heading to the Columbia Lakefront for the evening fireworks. I look forward to seeing you there and enjoying a beloved American tradition, together
.
|
|
We want to hear from you!
Howard County residents deserve a user-friendly website that is more secure and makes it easy to find important information, access government services, and promote transparency. Help us improve our County site,
www.HowardCountyMD.Gov, by completing a 2-minute survey, found
here.
|
|
|
|
Celebrating PRIDE
During PRIDE, we honor members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer+ communities all around the world and throughout our history.
Accordingly, the theme of our festival is “Remember, Resist, and Rejoice.”
We will remember those who fought for justice. We will resist those who would turn back the clock on equal rights and we will rejoice because of the LGBTQ+ love we have in our community.
|
|
|
|
Veterans Memorial Groundbreaking
Last weekend, we broke ground for Howard County’s Veterans Memorial and Free-Speech Park. This memorial is in honor of Lt. Vivian C. Millie Bailey who is a WWII Veteran and an incredible community leader. It will serve as a reminder to us all of the sacrifices our veterans made, and continue to make, for our freedom.
|
|
|
|
Howard County Apprenticeship Programs
I believe education should serve the needs of every learner and those who want to learn a trade through our robust vocational programs will be vital to our economy and quality of life.
As an educator, I encourage our students to consider a pre-apprenticeship in electrical work. Our community should value the skilled trades and I’m proud to support programs that pass on these important skills. Read more about Howard County’s Apprenticeship Programs
here.
|
|
|
|
Summer Food Programs
No one in our community should be forced to choose between air conditioning during these hot summer months, paying their rent, and having enough food on the table. We are getting the word out about our Summer Food Programs to make sure every family knows, in Howard County, healthy meals are available and accessible to anyone who needs them.
|
|
|
|
Columbia Orchestra Free Summer Pops
I was so glad to join the Third Annual
Columbia Orchestra Free summer Pops concert in the
Chrysalis at Symphony Woods. Nights like this - with a lawn full of people from all over the County and beyond of all ages and backgrounds - is why we partnered with the
Columbia Association and the Inner Arbor Trust to build the Chrysalis and to create this Downtown Columbia focus on the arts.
For 41 seasons, the Columbia Orchestra has been our community's music. This immensely talented group of fabulous musicians volunteer their time to encourage a lifelong appreciation of music. Thank you to Jason Love for your 20 years of dedication of being our conductor and for teaching me some of your skills.
|
|
|
|
Soulful Symphony
It was a pleasure to attend the Soulful Symphony Opening Reception last night. Thank you to
Downtown Columbia,
Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission and Soulful Symphony for this spectacular event. Our arts and culture add to our vibrancy of Downtown Columbia which is why I’m glad to have programs like Arts in Residence which supports our local artists.
|
|
|
|
Welcome Moorenko's Ice Cream
Please join me in welcoming
Moorenko's Ice Cream
to Main Street, Ellicott City. Their ice cream is rich, decadent, and made with lots of happiness
.
|
|
|
|
ICE Activity in Howard County
We have learned that there was ICE activity in Howard County recently, with many rumors swirling that led to understandable fear. To clarify, this activity was part of a specific, standard criminal enforcement operation, not a raid or sweep. Howard County Police were not involved in the operation in any way.
Though I want to put a stop to any misinformation, I also want to reassure every resident that Howard County opposes the criminalization of undocumented people and our priority continues to be the safety and security of everyone in our community.
I want to be clear, Howard County Police do not and will not assist ICE in the enforcement of civil violations of federal immigration laws. Officers in Howard County do not ask residents about their immigration status, nor do they contact ICE if they learn of a civil violation of federal immigration laws.
Previously, I joined with other elected officials across the region to speak out on behalf our immigrant communities and on the importance of safeguarding our civil rights. Today, I stand firm in those beliefs and will continue working to protect the dignity and safety of all our residents. In Howard County, we believe diversity is our strength and we will always value inclusion above division.
To all residents of Howard County, undocumented or documented, I assure you that your County government will keep working to put your public safety first. To know your rights and help protect your neighbors, I encourage you to use
this resource from the National Immigration Law Center.
Our community will not be baited by fear and we must hold tight to our shared value of compassion. Howard County stands united against hate and in solidarity with one another.
|
|
|
|
Holiday Closings
Howard County Government offices, courts, animal shelter, 50+ centers and Alpha Ridge Landfill will be closed in observance of the
Independence Day holiday
on Thursday, July 4. As there will be no trash, recycling, yard trim or food scrap pick-up on Independence Day, the County’s
holiday "slide” schedule
will be in effect; i.e. Thursday pick-up will take place on Friday and Friday on Saturday. In addition, Cedar Lane and Schooley Mill Activity Rooms, the Gary J. Arthur and North Laurel Community Centers, county historic sites, Kiwanis-Wallas Hall, Meadowbrook Athletic Center and Robinson Nature Center will also be closed on Independence Day. County parks and the Roger Carter Community Center will however be open on the 4th.
The Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) will operate on a “Sunday” schedule. For more information on RTA, call 1-800-270-9553 or visit www.transitrta.com. Howard County parking fees will not be enforced on Thursday, July 4.
The 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, please call 410-313-2200. County offices will re-open at regular business hours on Friday, July 5.
|
|
|
|
In the County
The Howard County Council has a legislative session tonight, July 1st, at 7:00pm. You can watch it live
here and see the agenda
here.
|
|
|
|
Department of Fire and Rescue Services and Police Department
Synonymous with July 4
th
, fireworks are extremely dangerous. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), on average, 280 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4
th
holiday. With July 4
th
fast approaching, the County’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services and Police Department are encouraging residents to keep their celebrations safe and lawful.
In Howard County, party poppers, ignitable “snakes” and “snap ’n’ pops,” and handheld sparklers remain legal. However, the sale, possession and use of ground-based sparklers is strictly prohibited. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $1,000. Those who purchase legal fireworks should follow these
safety tips
from the CPSC. However, the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a display conducted by trained professionals. For more information on Howard County Recreation and Parks' July 4
th
Fireworks, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/july4th
.
|
With summer heat finally making its way to Maryland, our Department of Fire and Rescue Services and Police Department are reminding residents to NEVER leave a child or pet alone in a car, not even for a minute. Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. A child's body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult's, and a body temperature of 107 degrees is fatal. According to the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration, 52 children died in vehicular heatstroke incidents in 2018. Even when the outside temperature is cooler than 80 degrees, heatstroke fatalities have occurred.
As for our furry friends, animals can sustain organ damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes and beating the heat for dogs is extra tough because they can only cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.
REMEMBER to ALWAYS look before you lock.
|
|
|
|
Health Department
Beat the heat this summer heat by keeping these safety tips in mind:
- If you must be out in the heat wear light-colored, light-weight, loose-fitting clothing, a hat and sunscreen.
- Stay hydrated. Drink water and caffeine-free liquids. Alcoholic beverages do not keep you hydrated.
- Stay out of the sun during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
- Take frequent rest breaks in air conditioned or shaded environments.
- Check on elderly friends, family and neighbors. Be aware of the symptoms of heat related illness: extreme weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, possible vomiting or fainting, dry red skin.
- Residents should call 911 if they encounter a heat related emergency.
|
|
|
|
Department of Housing and Community Development
Starting today, July 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 July, the Department will host three MIHU workshops (
July 11
,
July 17
and
July 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.
|
|
|
|
Office of Human Rights
Last week, I welcomed Yolanda F. Sonnier, Esq. to my team, as the new head of the County’s Office of Human Rights. Our communities deserve a Human Rights Administrator with the experience and passion to make positive change and I am proud to announce Yolanda as that champion. She brings her stellar legal background, leadership on diversity issues, an innovative approach and compassion for the vulnerable to this post. She has a proven track record of capable leadership and, on behalf of everyone in Howard County, we are excited to begin working with her to help ensure we are a model office for civil and human rights.
To learn more about Yolanda, click
HERE
. To learn more about our Office of Human Rights, click
HERE
or follow the Office on
Facebook
and/or
Twitter
.
|
In case you missed it, Howard County’s Human Rights Commission is currently accepting applications for the position of Student Commissioner to serve a one-year term from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 as a non-voting member on the Commission. To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a student under the age of 18, a Howard County resident, have an interest in human/civil rights and be able to attend the Commission’s meetings on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Howard County Community Resources Campus, 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. I encourage any eligible student looking to make our community a better place to apply. For details on how to apply, click
HERE
. The deadline for applications is Friday, July 19, 2019.
|
|
|
|
Last week, Howard County Police Department’s (HCPD) Community Athletic Programs’ Mobile Rec Center started making it summer rounds to a neighborhood near you. Weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., now until August 16
th
(expect July 4
th
and August 5
th
-9
th
), HCPD’s Mobile Rec Center will be stopping by the locations listed below, with HCPD school resource officers onboard ready to play basketball, baseball, flag football, Xbox or just hang.
- Mondays – East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
- Tuesdays – Talbott Springs Pool, 9660 Basket Ring Road, Columbia
- Wednesdays – Blandair Park, 5750 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia
- Thursdays – Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia and Mayfied Woods Middle School, 7950 Red Barn Way, Elkridge
- Fridays – North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
No need to register in advance. Just show up for some good, old fashion fun.
|
|
|
|
Department of Public Works
The County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, July 9 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Worthington Elementary School cafeteria located at 4570 Roundhill Road, Ellicott City, to discuss shut down of the New Cut Landfill’s groundwater treatment system later this summer.
DPW originally installed the groundwater collection and treatment system in 2000 and coordinated closely with the Maryland Department of the Environment to develop the shutdown plan. Based on county corrective actions, all recovery and monitoring wells at the site have met drinking water standards for six years, so the treatment system is no longer necessary. Existing groundwater monitoring will continue for the foreseeable future and safeguards are in place to restart treatment if necessary. All residents living near the site (now referred to as Worthington Park) are on public water and this change does not impact any public water service or quality.
For more information on this project and meeting, click
HERE
.
|
Department of Public Works
Bureau of Environmental Services
The upcoming Independence Day holiday is one of the six holidays that affects the County’s curbside trash, recycling, food scrap and yard trim collection program. As there will be no curbside collection on Thursday, July 4, the county’s holiday slide schedule will be in effect the remainder of that holiday week; i.e. Thursday pick-up will slide to Friday and Friday to Saturday. Wondering what the other five holidays might be that affect curbside collection? They are Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Memorial Day. To learn more about the holiday slide schedule, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule
.
|
Keep it loose, lose the bag! As a reminder, the County’s Bureau of Environmental Services is
no longer accepting curbside recycling placed out in plastic bags
. Improperly set out material will be tagged and left until items are set out correctly for the next collection. The Bureau is also reminding residents that loose plastic bags, plastic film, flexible packaging and wrappers have never been accepted in curbside recycling. For more information regarding how to properly recycle these items, visit
KnowBeforeYouThrow.org
. For questions and/or more information about curbside recycling, please feel free to contact the Bureau at 410-313-6444 or
help@howardcountyrecycles.org
.
|
Department of Public Works Construction Report
Below are details regarding new Capital Projects and maintenance projects. For a full list of previously announced projects, please refer to the June
24, 2019 newsletter
.
Clarksville
- Ten Oaks Road Patching – Project to patch Ten Oaks Road from the intersection of Ten Oaks Road, Linthicum Road and Green Bridge Road to just before Highland Road. Work is set to resume today, July 1 and will take place weekdays, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. While two-way traffic will be maintained through the work zone, flagging operations will be in place to direct traffic. Motorists are encouraged to travel with care through the area. Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed by the end of this week.
Ellicott City
- Ellicott City Stream Restoration Project (Capital Project D-1158) – Phase II of project to restore and stabilize approximately 1,300 linear feet of the Little Patuxent River from Frederick Road and extending upstream in Ellicott City. The project is not expected to impact the flow of traffic; however, signs will be posted in the area to alert residents of the project. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late November 2019.
Mount Airy
- CSX Watersville Road Railroad Crossing Maintenance – CSX Railroad will begin maintenance on the railroad crossing at Watersville Road in Mount Airy on or about Wednesday, July 17 starting around 9:00 a.m. While the crossing is closed, traffic will be detoured via Flag Marsh Road, Newport Road, Woodbine Road, Old Frederick Road, East Watersville Road and West Watersville Road. A recorded message at 410-313-3638 will carry details and updates. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19.
Past Project Updates – Projects Completed
Brookeville
- Old Roxbury Road Widening (Capital Project J-4239) – Project to widen both lanes of the 4300 block of Old Roxbury Road to conform to Howard County standards.
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.
|
|
|
|
Department of Recreation & Parks
|
July is Park and Recreation Month. This month, our Department of Recreation & Parks and the National Recreation & Parks Association invite you to get your game on through a variety of family-friendly activities. From a free Stop-to-Play event at the Roger Carter Community Center to the Robinson Nature Center’s popular Wild for Water Day, an outdoor screening of “The Lion King” at Belmont Manor and complimentary snow cones every Friday at the North Laurel Community Center, there is something for all ages and abilities. For a full list of activities, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/recandparksmonth
.
|
This Thursday is Howard County’s annual July 4
th
Fireworks celebration! I encourage you to join myself and our Department of Recreation and Parks at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront for this fireworks spectacular, featuring food vendors, a virtual reality Camaro display and a musical performance by the
Columbia Big Band
, as we celebrate our nation's independence. The celebration will run from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., with the fireworks show beginning after dark.
Those wishing to place a blanket or sheet to mark their spot at the Lakefront may do so beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the 4
th
. In order to protect the grass, those wishing to place a tarp or chair(s) on the grass may do so beginning at 3:00 p.m., and no earlier, that day. Boats will not be permitted on Downtown Columbia’s Lake Kittamaqundi from Wednesday, July 3 through Friday, July 5. Free parking is available in the parking lots at the mall or off of Wincopin Circle; however, attendees are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion. Additionally, Little Patuxent Parkway from Governor Warfield Parkway to South Entrance Road will close at approximately 7:00 p.m. on the 4
th
and will not reopen until the conclusion of the fireworks.
In the case of inclement weather, call 410-313-4451; the rain date for fireworks ONLY is July 5. To learn more about this year’s event, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/july4th
.
|
Next week, the Department of Recreation & Parks will kick off the musical portion of its 2019
Summer Concerts Series
with a Sunset Serenades concert Wednesday (July 10) night at Centennial Park, followed by a Saturday (July 13) morning Traveling Band concert at The Chyrsalis in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods.
On Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m., from July 10 through August 7, swing by all
Centennial Park
south for Sunset Serenades and enjoy a beautiful evening of music by the lake. Also, the Department’s Traveling Bands mobile bus is back this summer, making a pit stop at a concert venue or park near you from July 13 through August 9. The Department will also be hosting two Lakeside Movies @ Centennial Park events this summer, the first on June 26 (
The Sandlot
) and the second on August 28 (TBD: people’s choice).
|
Solar Fest
returns to the County’s
Alpha Ridge Park
this Saturday, July 13! Our Department of Recreation & Parks has once again teamed up with the
Howard Astronomical League
for a fun evening of science, engineering, arts, crafts, games, astronomy and much more. Fun for all ages, cost is $8 per participant between the ages of 5-11 years old (if you register by July 5) and $10 beginning July 6. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. For more information about this event and/or how to register, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/solarfest
.
|
COMING SOON! Howard County Recreation & Parks’ 2019 Fall Activity Guide will be available
online starting July 12
and at Recreation & Parks headquarters starting July 17. Online registration for Howard County residents is set to start at 6:00 p.m. on July 31.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events and Meetings
|
|
July 1 - Howard County Arts Council Exhibit Reception: Paint It! Ellicott City 2019 & Persona
Join
the Howard County Arts Council for a free reception for two exhibits: Paint It! Ellicott City 2019 and Persona. Paint It! Ellicott City 2019 features artwork created by juried artists during Paint It!, an annual plein air paint-out in Historic Ellicott City, Maryland. The juror for Paint It! Ellicott City 2019 is award-winning artist Nancy Tankersley. Persona features artworks by Oluwatobi Adewumi, Wynston Edun, Charlotte Mann, and Leah Taylor. These four artists create expressive, figurative works which broaden the conversation on how portraiture can evoke persona. To learn more, click
HERE
.
|
|
July 2 - Opioid Overdose Response (Narcan) Drop-In Training
On the first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings, on a drop-in basis from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. All you have to do is show up and the Health Department will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. For questions and/or more information, contact the Department’s Bureau of Behavioral Health at 410-313-6202 or email
orpresponse@howardcountymd.gov
.
|
|
July 4 - Fireworks
Join our Department of Recreation & Parks for a firework celebration honoring our nation’s independence. Featuring fireworks, food vendors and musical entertainment brought to us by Columbia Big Band, this year’s firework spectacular will start after dark. For event details and parking information, download the free “HoCo July4th” app or visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/July4th
.
|
|
July 4 - Community Parades
Come celebrate of our nation’s independence with a 4
th
of July parade.
- 20th Annual River Hill Independence Day Parade – This year marks the 20th Annual River Hill Independence Day Parade, and it’s going to be BIG! The parade will start at 9:00 a.m. and take place along Great Star Drive in the Village of River Hill.
- Longfellow 4th Of July Parade – The 48th annual Longfellow Friends of the Traditional 4th Parade will take place rain or shine, at 10:00 am. The parade begins to gather at 9:15 a.m. in the parking lot of Longfellow Elementary School and will travel from one end of Hesperus Drive to the other, and return to the school via Eliot’s Oak Road.
- Allview Area Community Association Independence Day Parade – The parade begins at noon and starts on Donleigh Drive at Atholton Park and the route goes west before turning sharp left onto Westleigh Drive then proceeds east to Greenleigh Drive, turning left and back to the park.
|
|
July 10 - Sunset Serenades Concert:
Rhythm Nation
(Funk/R&B/Soul)
Join our Department of Recreation & Parks' for its first Sunset Serenades concert of the 2019 summer concert season. Held Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. at Centennial Park South, this year's Sunset Serenades concert series will run from July 10 to August 7. So grab a blanket or lawn chair, bring your family and friends, and come enjoy a picnic dinner while listening to the sounds of summer by the lake! For a complete concert schedule and more information, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/summerconcerts
. While the concerts are free, attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Howard County Food Bank.
|
|
July 11 - Coffee with a Cop
Join Howard County Police Department (HCPD) for its monthly Coffee with a Cop on Thursday, July 11 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at River Hill Village Center’s Claret Hall, 6020 Daybreak Circle in Clarksville. 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.
|
|
July 13 - Traveling Bands Concert:
Barry Louis Polisar (Children’s Music)
Our Department of Recreation & Parks' Traveling Bands showmobile bus will be making a pit stop this evening at The Chrysalis in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Downtown Columbia. So come on out with your family and friends, bring a blanket and/or lawn chair and come enjoy the sounds of summer! For a complete summer concert schedule, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/summerconcerts
.
|
|
July 13 - African Cultural Experience: A Trip to Africa
African Cultural Experience presents “A Trip to Africa” at Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage. This festival celebrates diversity in our community by showing the unique arts, music, fashion, food, games, dance and folktales from various countries. Grab your FREE tickets, bring your appetites and your dancing shoes, and come take part in this cultural experience! For more information, click
HERE
.
|
|
July 13 - Solar Fest
Our Department of Recreation & Parks has teamed up with the Howard Astronomical League for an evening of science, engineering, arts, crafts, games, demonstrations, astronomy and more. Come enjoy the many vendors providing interactive and dynamic STEAM activities geared towards kids 5 to 11 years old. The cost is $8 until July 5 and $10 after July 5
th
and pre-registration is required. To register and/or for more information, visit
www.howardcountymd.gov/solarfest
.
|
|
July 13 and July 14 - Christmas in July Maryland
Held rain or shine, this
annual craft fair
at the Howard County Fairgrounds showcases a variety of vendors selling unique items for that perfect occasion. There will be raffles and giveaways, as well as a visit from Santa. Cost is $6.00 for and kids under 10 are free.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
