Greetings! This was the
Week of Winners!
I attended the ceremony for the 2019 inductees of the Howard County Women’s Hall of Fame. The Howard County Women's Commission selected three outstanding Howard County women for induction: Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Georgia Eacker, and Cathy Hudson.
As County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball stated, “Their stewardship of our community has contributed to a better quality of life for county residents. Their achievements in philanthropy, environmental education, and historic preservation are truly an inspiration for future generations.” What a perfect way to bring Women's History Month to a close!
Saturday night was the Howard County Council of the Arts 2019 Celebration of the Arts. I loved watching and listening to Curtis Bannister win the Rising Star Performer award for his dynamic rendition of “Make Them Hear You” from
Ragtime
by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Curtis is a Wilde Lake graduate and is pursuing a theater career in Chicago. The Celebration also featured one of the County's biggest arts' enthusiasts, former District 4 Councilmember Mary Kay Sigaty, who served as honorary chair of the event.
Next month we begin the budget process and we will be steeped in numbers and budget requests for the next two months. I'm looking forward to seeing this side of the County and delving deep into what makes Howard County such a great place to live.
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Come join me at my next
Coffee Chat
Tell me about your concerns and ideas for a fantastic District 4.
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
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The General Assembly session is coming to a fast conclusion. Of the many bills moving through the process, we are watching this education funding bill closely:
HB727/SB 731
Build to Learn Act of 2019
The only surviving school construction bill includes $2.2 billion additional dollars from the Educational Trust Fund. If it passes, Howard County is set to receive 4.5% of the total plus additional funds for a high number of relocatables.
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Tax Credit Help
Get help filing for County tax credits. A Maryland Access Point (MAP) counselor
will be available at the Cashier’s Office at the George Howard Building on the following dates:
- March 14, 8am-5 pm
- April 10, 8am-5pm
- May 15, 9am-1pm (Korean language assistance available)
- July 15, 9am-1pm
- August 7, 8am-5pm
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Merriweather Post Pavilion's new resident symphony:
Soulful Symphony
.
The residency period begins in the summer and will have at least three performances.
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Pre-Submission Meetings & Public Hearings
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4/4 - Columbia Glade - 2.5ft encroachment into the 40 ft setback
4/9 - Community Ecology Institute, project request
4/16 - Pierce Property - Six single family units
5/2 - Village of Wilde Lake, Right-of-way setback reduction for construction of parking garage.
5/8 - Columbia Community Church, parking lot expansion
6/7 - RLJ Lodging Trust (Double Tree)
Visit the county's interactive
pDox
tool for more.
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Wilde Lake Water Main Replacement Project
Phase I of the water transmission installation project along Green Mountain Circle near Twin Rivers Road will start on April 1.
Brief and temporary lane shifts, as well as sidewalk closures in the current phase area, can be expected during construction hours, 8am-5pm Monday-Friday.
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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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The Council held a public hearing on March 18. CB 11 (Scenic Roads) received the most public testimony with five in opposition and two in support.
A work session on March 25 was held to discuss the following bills:
CB9
- Authorizing the county to establish charges to recover costs generated by emergency medical services
CB10
- Allowing the County authority to enter into private buildings, structures or premises in the event of water passage impediments
CB11
- Amending the minimum forest buffer and road access on new developments along Scenic Roads.
At the work session, councilmembers discussed amendments to CB11 that would avoid unintended impact on agricultural properties. The final vote on these bills is April 1.
PRE-FILED LEGISLATION AT-A-GLANCE:
- CB14 - Requiring diaper changing stations in certain buildings
- CB17 - Increasing the number of consecutive years a project must be retested under the school capacity test of APFO.
Thanks to Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby and Councilmember Opel Jones for introducing CB14 (requiring diaper-changing stations). I am honored to be a co-sponsor on the bill because it expands access to these facilities to all caregivers.
Read the
press release
.
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Women’s Hall of Fame Inductees
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On March 28, the Women's Hall of Fame inducted three new members to its list of outstanding leaders. Bravo to these women who make such a huge difference in our community.
Also, at the induction ceremony, the following students were recognized for their prize-winning essays on the topic
Visionary Women - Champions of Peace and Nonviolence
.
Essay Prize winners
Naomi Ling – Clarksville Middle School
Maram Eltibi - Elkridge Landing Middle School
Srikar Bala – Clarksville Middle School
Jordan Kreh – Hammond High school
Shannon Hill – River High School
Maryam Beg – Atholton High School
Names in bold are students at District 4 schools.
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National Poetry Recitation Contest Winners
Three Howard County students won the top spots at the regional competition, March 2, at the Baltimore Museum of Art.
- Hanna Al-Kowsi – Marriotts Ridge High School
- Poushali Bannerjee – Centennial High School
- Jaylen Barret – Reservoir High School
First Robotics Challenge
Atholton Space RAIDers
won
the Innovation in Control Award at the 2019 First Robotics Challenge.
Middle School Debate
On March 25, HCPSS middle school debate teams competed against each other. This year, the debate topic was "Be it resolved that MD should institute a junk food tax to help curb the obesity epidemic." Students did their own research and took their own notes on the research. Congratulations to the following District 4 schools who participated:
Clarksville Middle School
Wilde Lake Middle School
Harpers Choice Middle School
Limekiln Middle School
Celebration of the Arts
The Celebration audience cast their ballots for their favorite Rising Star performance, selecting
Curtis Bannister
for his dynamic rendition of “Make Them Hear You” from
Ragtime
by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
He is a Wilde Lake graduate and is pursuing a theater career in Chicago.
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At the Celebration of the Arts with the Rising Star award winner.
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Local Children's Board Report
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The Local Children's Board (LCB) recently released its
Access to Opportunity in Howard County: Making the Case for Equity
to County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball.
Data is clear that youth of color in Howard County, especially African American and Hispanic/Latino youth are more likely than their white peers to experience negative outcomes and less likely to benefit from opportunities. Racial and socioeconomic equity should be significant considerations when planning and developing policies and practices that impact public services, programs and initiatives.
Rodia Research Inc. held 16 focus groups in community's with students and families in order to gain qualitative data. Howard County is viewed as an affluent county but not all residents are able to access or share in that success. Here are the impediments that families and community members identified:
Parents described moving here to get their kids into better schools but they become financially stressed in doing so. Foreign-born and undocumented residents struggle to access available resources (insurance, medical care) as well as fair wages and working conditions.
Financial impediments include access to affordable housing and high cost of rent, and long housing waiting lists. Children often don't have access to extra curricular activities due to cost, transportation, and location. There is a lack of affordable or free after-school programs, long waiting lists, difficulty registering for public and private providers that often dependent on internet access. High demand and high-quality programs close within minutes of opening.
What is the Local Children's Board?
Every county has a Local Children's Board to consider policy questions related to children. Howard County's LCB comprises relevant department directors from recreation and parks, housing, HCPSS, police, and community services.
County Fast Facts
- 32.8% of the county residents are under 25 years old
- 14% of county residents has only a high-school degree
- median house value is $434,700
- 37% of renting household's income goes to rent
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Losing a Turn on Red: Gaining Friendlier Streets
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Way back in June 28, 2018, drivers passing through the intersection of Little Patuxent and Broken Land Parkway lost their turn-on-red privileges when heading eastbound and northbound. The revocation of this "right" to then idle at a traffic light often feels like a personal offense.
But there is a method behind the meanness. Unrestricted right turns are one of the primary conflict points between cars and pedestrians and cars and bicycles. In order to build a more walkable and bikeable Howard County, intersections like this one need to be friendlier to all modes of transit not just cars. So the next time you long for your turn on red, remember that you are doing your part for Complete Streets.
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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.
3/14 - Wilde Lake water main replacement Public Meeting
3/16 - Coffee Chat, River Hill
3/17 - Soup "R" Sundae Grassroots Fundraiser
3/17 - Solidarity Event at Dar Al Taqwa
3/18 - Conversation with Association of Community Services
3/18 - Fire Ops Prep
3/23 - 22nd Annual Celebration of the Arts
3/28 - 23rd Annual Induction Ceremony, Women's Hall of Fame
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March has been a blast. I met with constituents in River Hill for my coffee chat series, suited up in firefighting gear for my upcoming Fire Operations exercise, and chatted with the non-profit community.
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A Pretty and Polished Affair
March 30th, 9am - 2pm
Atholton High School
6520 Freetown Road, Columbia
Ladies are invited to a true boutique experience. Each shopper will receive help from a personal shopper and access to hundreds of dresses, accessories, and expert fashion, hair, and makeup advice. Get everything that you need to, 'Say Yes to the Prom Dress!'
(Groups and organizations are welcomed!)
For more information, contact APPA@zphiblgz.org or beccascloset@gmail.com.
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The boutique is FREE and is open to all young ladies.
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Angst Film Screenings and Discussions
April 2nd, 6:30pm - 8pm
Howard High School
8700 Annapolis Road, Ellicott City
Parents and guardians are invited to a free documentary screening and panel discussion about anxiety in youth. This 55-minute film features candid interviews with children and young adults who struggle, or have struggled, with anxiety — including Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. This film explores the causes, symptoms and effects of anxiety and stress, and encourages youth and their families to seek help. Middle and high school students are invited to attend with a parent or guardian.
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Color Fest 2019
April 6th, 11am – 3pm
The Chrysalis, Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods
10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
THE BIGGEST INDIAN FESTIVAL HOLI CELEBRATIONS
Indian Origin Network of Howard County (IONHoCo) & Band Baaja Entertainment Present'
Color Fest 2019 - Free Entry & Free Parking
Colors - Dance - Music - Kites - Food - Ice Cream - Soda - Kid & Family Entertainment
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
- click
here
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Each congregation provides chili tastings at their decorative table and attendees vote for their favorite chili by placing donations in the congregation’s tip jar. The event will also include raffle prizes and a silent auction. All proceeds will help support Bridges to Housing Stability, Inc., a local Howard County nonprofit working to prevent and end homelessness in Howard County through affordable housing solutions and advocacy.
entry is FREE
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For more information about the Resource Fair or the Office of Veterans and Military Families, contact Lisa Terry at 410-313-0821 (voice/relay
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Veteran's Celebration and Resource Fair
April 8th 4-8pm
Howard Community College
RFC Student Services Bldg. 4th Floor
10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
Also new this year, the fair will offer attendees access to free medical screening by Premier Health Express Urgent Care, a Warrior Centric Health Clinic, including blood pressure and biometrics; glucose check; dental screening; and medical and physical therapy consultations
Governor Larry Hogan has declared 2019 as the Year of the Veteran in Maryland to raise awareness of the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. More than 380,000 veterans live in Maryland.
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Howard County’s 12th Anniversary “
GreenFest
”
April 13th, 10am - 4pm
(rain or shine)
Howard Community College
10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia
Science Engineering and Tech Bldg.
Paper shredding from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (or until the trucks are full)
C
ontact:
Alan Wilcom, Bureau of Environmental Services, 410-313-6444
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Do-It-Yourself Skill Share Fair
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Rain Barrel Workshop and Give Away
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GreenFest
is free and open to the public. For more information and a schedule of events, visit
www.HCGreenFest.org
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