September 3, 2019

Dear Friends,   We have lots of great news for Ellicott City and all of Howard County!   Recently, I pre-filed two resolutions that would strengthen development regulations and fees to protect our Tiber Branch and Plumtree Branch watersheds and mitigate flooding in Ellicott City. The legislation would require developers to meet higher standards for storm water management, addressing the short duration, high-intensity storms that caused recent, devastating flooding in 2016 and 2018, and establishing a more rigorous process for permitting the use of fees-in-lieu. These resolutions represent significant action to strengthen environmental protection in our watersheds and plan for the future with previous storms in mind.   Also, I recently joined Governor Larry Hogan as we broke ground on the county’s new Waterloo Fire Station (video from the event can be found HERE ). Strategically located off US 1 and near MD 175 and I-95, the new station will be housed on an almost six-acre site at 7777 Washington Boulevard in Jessup. The station will allow our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) to improve its response times to all emergencies in the areas of Waterloo, Jessup, East Columbia and the surrounding communities.   This new station was made possible through an agreement reached between Governor Hogan and myself. The state only charged us $1 for the land so $3.5 million in cost savings could be used to fund flood mitigation projects in Ellicott City. The station represents an important win-win for public safety in our great county. Thanks to Governor Hogan, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and Maryland State Treasure Nancy Kopp, we will be able to improve our emergency response services, while also investing in a safer future for Ellicott City.

This Week in HoCo

Hurricane Preparedness As Hurricane Dorian begins its turn away from the Bahamas and toward the U.S. mainland, we are reminding residents of the importance of being prepared. While Howard County is currently not in Hurricane Dorian’s “cone of uncertainty,” i.e. the possible path a hurricane could take based on current weather forecast models, we may experience wind speeds of 39 miles per hour or greater from Dorian’s outer bands. I encourage you to take the necessary steps now to ensure your family has a plan and your home, vehicle and workplace are equipped with a disaster supplies kit. Also, if you have not done so already, make sure you sign up to receive NOAA weather alerts straight to your mobile device and/or email. Visit www.weather.gov/subscribe , where you’ll find a list of available email and mobile application alert services. Please continue to monitor the weather and know what to do should Dorian’s path shift inland. Remember, hurricanes can affect areas more than 100 miles inland.   To assist with Dorian response and recovery efforts, Howard County’s own Firefighter Dain Yakich, Firefighter Barry Griffin and our Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits Director Bob Frances, have deployed to Florida with FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Maryland Task Force One. Thank you Yakich and Griffin for their service to our county and your willingness to assist those affected by Dorian. I, along with all of Howard County, wish you a safe and speedy return.

Stanford Boulevard Gas Explosion At approximately 8:00 am on Sunday, August 25 th, a natural gas explosion in the 8800 block of Stanford Boulevard rocked Columbia. It was so powerful it could be heard in communities many miles away. I am appreciative for the quick and professional response by crews from  Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services and  Howard County Police Department. As they responded to multiple reports of hissing sounds coming from a large crack in the parking lot of the building, they promptly assessed the situation, worked to ensure the buildings were not occupied and that evacuations were not necessary, and set up a perimeter. Fortunately, because of their actions and because this happened on a Sunday morning when no one was inside the building, there are no reported injuries at this time. I have mobilized our team from the  Howard County Economic Development Authority to assist those businesses and workers who may find themselves displaced by this event. We will do everything possible to minimize the impact of this explosion for those who are affected by it.

In Case of a Gas Emergency The recent gas explosion is a reminder for us all to do our due diligence to ensure our community's safety. If you suspect a gas leak or have any gas concerns where you live or work, I urge you to get to a safe location and report it to BGE immediately by calling (877) 778-7798 or by calling 911. BGE is active 24/7 to investigate and ensure the situation is safe. For additional information about gas safety and what to do in a gas emergency, please visit  BGE.com/gassafety

Tree Planting in Howard County My birthday is this week and the best present I could ask for is a planted tree! Planting trees is just about the best thing we can do for the environment. Trees reduce erosion, clean the air and water, lock down carbon from the atmosphere, provide habitat and much, much more. Check out our video and join us in our effort to break records and protect our environment

Carrying Out His Dream   Last week marked 56 years since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that “our nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.” He had a dream that all people would be treated equally, no matter their welfare or race. He dreamt that the American dream would be achieved by all people living in the United States.   Today, we work to expand this dream, so our tomorrow will represent every person and every community. Although we have made progress, we still have work ahead to ensure equal justice, equal rights, and more opportunity for us all. Together, let us continue fighting to make his dream, our reality.

Talking Howard County I joined  Tom Rodgers WBFF FOX45 Baltimore for an insightful conversation on "Your Voice" about Sunday's gas explosion, Back To School, and Opioid Awareness Day. Watch the full interview here .   I also stopped by WBAL to talk to C4 about our work and WAMU’s Politics Hour for a spirited chat on current issues

Howard County Night at Camden Yards I’m excited to invite all our residents to join me for Howard County Night at Camden Yards! On Friday, September 20 th , Howard County residents can purchase discounted tickets to watch our Baltimore Orioles take on the Seattle Mariners.   Don’t miss out on the fun! Buy your tickets here

Thank You Local Businesses In Howard County, we pride ourselves on the diversity of businesses who choose to come, and stay, in our county. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn more about these businesses, like  Universities Space Research Association  and  Biggs & Featherbelle . Thank you for your contribution to our economic development!

Article About Recreation and Parks Director, Raul Delerme Howard County has the best local parks in our nation thanks to our dedicated staff who serve as model stewards of our environment and ensure a high quality of life for all residents.   Read more about our new  Howard County Recreation and Parks  Director Raul Delerme in this Baltimore Sun article . Thank you for your stellar leadership Raul!

New Merriweather Fire Station  Our public safety needs have grown over the decades. Working together, we acted with a sense of urgency to build and open a new Merriweather Fire Station that will improve our emergency response time and save lives. Thank you Chief Uhlhorn,  The Howard Hughes Corporation, and every member of our  Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services team for supporting this project and our community. Our new fire station will support our first responders, as they continue to keep us all safe. Watch the grand opening here.

HCC Renovations  As an educator, I know the importance of ensuring our students have access to the best education possible. With institutions like  Howard Community College , I know we can make any student’s dream a reality.   Thanks to the partnership and leadership of Dr. Kate Hetherington, HCC's Board of Directors, educators, students, and elected officials, HCC re-opened Howard Hall and Academic Commons in time for the fall semester. With these renovations, our students are sure to get there, from here.

Project Search MOU Signing  Project SEARCH is our program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their last year of high school. The project connects our participants to jobs, but more importantly the program promotes self-determination, independence, and full inclusion.   I recently signed an MOU to commit to growing this important program for years to come, in order to make Howard County a model, inclusive community. Our community continues to be a place where we support all our students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and I remain committed to ensuring they have everything they need to achieve individual success.

National Association of Counties Achievement Awards Winners  National Association of Counties  (NACo) represents 3,069 county governments across the nation. This year, Howard County received a record 7 awards from NACo for our good governance and exciting new programs   Criminal Justice and Public Safety Award: Guilford Transition House Transportation Award: Bridge Columbia Survey and Outreach Program Information Technology Award: CAREAPP Project Children and Youth Award: School-Based Telemedicine Program Finance Award: UtilliCX Mobile Billing Application Health Award: Roving Radish Civic Education and Public Information Award: PlanHoward Academy   These awards demonstrate the unparalleled dedication, ingenuity, and innovation of our employees. I am grateful to everyone who works every day to make Howard County the best county in our country.   We will build our reputation as the most innovative and effective government in the region by solving the problems of today with the ideas of tomorrow. View more pictures of the awardees here .

Back to School Backpack Giveaway  As our kids start schools today, it was with great pleasure to join  Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services for their backpack and bag giveaway last night to ensure our students have the supplies they need to start the school year off right. Thank you Continental Sehl Chapter and Neighbor Network/Aging Resources for providing this important resource to our Howard County students in need.

Howard County General Hospital Seeking Volunteers There are many benefits to volunteering – fulfillment from helping those in need, training that leads to new skills, discovering local resources and more. If you are 18 or older, Howard County General Hospital (HCGH) is currently seeking Community Companion volunteers to provide nonmedical support, such as transportation and companionship, to patients.   Patients are often older adults who live alone, experience functional impairment and have multiple chronic conditions, such as lung disease or cancer. Community Companion volunteers receive training and are paired with patients based on schedule and need.   Interested persons are invited to join HCGH at one of three upcoming Community Companion information sessions – September 21, October 12 and November 16, held from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Trellis Center, 10760 Hickory Ridge Road, Suite 206 in Columbia. For more information, visit HCGH.org/j2bhvolunteer , call 410-720-8788 or email hcgh-j2bh@jhmi.edu .

Departmental News

Department of Community Resources and Service I envision a Howard County that fully values every student’s abilities and provides diverse college, career and community opportunities to help them achieve individual success. Together, with the help of the Commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities, we can promote opportunities for students and young adults with disabilities to exercise self-determination, achieve independence and become fully included in our community. If you share my vision, I encourage you to apply today for the Commission. The Commission is currently seeking a student with a disability and agency provider who serves individuals with disabilities to fill current vacancies. To learn more about the Commission and how to apply, click  HERE . The deadline to apply is this coming Friday, September 6.   Need to get ahead of your current situation? Our Department of Community Resources and Services’ (DCRS) Getting Ahead groups meet twice a week for 16, two-hour sessions to explore the causes of poverty and what changes it; identify where you are now and what you want your life to be in the future; work with a team to make concrete plans for economic security; learn to solve problems and be in control of your life. Getting Ahead group members receive $25 per session ($400 for all sessions) plus assistance with child care and transportation. The next session starts September 16 th and runs through November 20 th. The session will be held Monday and Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Laurel Woods Elementary School in North Laurel. To learn more about the program, click HERE or to register, contact DCRS’ Getting Ahead Program Coordinator Marchelle LeBlanc at 410-313-0225 or email mleblanc@howardcountymd.gov. With just over six weeks to go until the debut of the County’s “Master Aging: Engage, Educate and Inspire” (the new and improved 50+EXPO) DCRS is pleased to announce the event’s keynote speaker, Bethesda-based author Kerry Hannon !   Don't miss her address "Never Too Old to Get Rich" at Master Aging on Saturday, October 19 at 11:00 a.m. in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College.   Set to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the 19 th , this conference-style event will feature all day seminars and workshops covering lifelong learning and leisure, technology, exercise and a showcase of activities at Howard County 50+ centers, as well as vendors and a performance by the always popular Capitol Steps. Free onsite parking is available. Admission is $1.00. For more information about the event, check out DCRS’ Master Aging website or follow DCRS on Facebook . Come learn about Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss at Howard County Community Forum on Alzheimer’s, a community-focused listening session on September 12 th at 6:00 p.m. Hear about the basics of Alzheimer’s and available local resources, services and programs. Bring a friend and share your thoughts about how the Alzheimer’s Association and the County’s Office of Aging and Independence can help support you in your journey. Light refreshments will be provided. To register for the forum, click HERE or call 1-800-272-3900. To request ADA accommodations to participate, call 410-313-5955 one week in advance. Taking care of yourself is a critically important part of taking care of others. At its “Elder Empowerment Summit,” held in partnership with the NAACP Howard County Branch #7020, Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition and Howard County Health Department, participants will learn how to exercise wisely and successfully over the age of 50 and for better health, where to access valuable resources when caring for your loved one either at home or in a program, and how to maintain a healthy brain road map. Scheduled to take place Saturday, September 28 th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at our North Laurel Community Center , this FREE event will also feature a continental breakfast, light lunch, expo with community resource partnership and blood pressure screenings. To register for the Summit, click HERE .

O ffice of Emergency Management September is National Preparedness Month. National Preparedness Month promotes family and community disaster and emergency planning now and throughout the year. This year’s theme is “Prepared, Not Scared.” All month long, OEM will be sharing preparedness tips and facts on its social media pages ( Facebook and Twitter ), as will our main Howard County Facebook and Twitter accounts. I encourage you to follow along to learn all that you can to make sure you and your family are prepared for when disaster strikes. You can also learn about our local hazards here in Howard County and how to prepare for them on OEM’s “ReadyHoCo” website , as well as more information on National Preparedness Month and over preparedness information on FEMA’s website at www.ready.gov/september .   This National Preparedness Month, our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will be hosting its first-ever Emergency Preparedness Summit on Thursday, September 12 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center in Columbia. The summit will feature our Department of Fire and Rescue Services' Hands-Only CPR and Stop the Bleed training's, as well as Howard County Health Department's Opioid Overdose Response (Narcan) training. OEM will also present on "Emergency Preparedness 101," the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) will discuss "Staying Safe from Weather Threats in Howard County" and our Police Department will give a presentation on "Active Assailant Awareness." OPEN to all, registration for this event is FREE, visit. If you are in need of accommodations to participate in the summit, please contact OEM at 410-313-6030 or email emergencymanagement@howardcountymd.gov by close of business this Thursday, September 5. Often, "conducting an insurance check-up" is not including on our disaster preparedness checklist. However, having the right type and amount of insurance is a crucial component of disaster preparedness, and the best way to maintain a healthy financial future following a disaster. To make sure you and your family are ready, OEM, in partnership with the Maryland Insurance Administration, is bringing back its popular “Disaster Insurance” presentation on Tuesday, September 17. Participants will learn what to do to prepare for a disaster, what insurance will and will not cover and what resources are available to help. For more information and/or to register for this FREE event, click HERE .

Department of Finance CONGRATS to our Department of Finance, who has received the Investment Certificate of Excellence Award from the Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada (APTUSC). According to the APTUSC, this recognition assures “all the stakeholders in the community you serve, that you are abiding by professional standards established to ensure prudent management of public funds.” The award also states that our Department of Finance abides “by professional standards established to ensure prudent management of public funds.” I want to thank Director Janet Irvin and our entire Department of Finance for their commitment to fiscal responsibility and for strengthening our reputation as a county government.

Department of Fire and Rescue and Police Department TIME AND LOCATION CHANGE. Our County's September 11 th Remembrance Ceremony will now take place at 10:28 a.m. (marking the time the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed) on Wednesday, September 11 in the courtyard of our George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. I hope you all will join myself, my fellow elected officials and members from our Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Police Department and Howard County Sheriff's Office, as we gather to honor and pay tribute to all who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including the four victims from Howard County – Master Sgt. Retired Max Bielke, Col. Ronald F. Golinski USA Retired and Lieutenant, Junior Grade (Lt. J.G.) Darin Pontell, and Sarah Clark, with a remembrance wreath laying and flag raising ceremony. May we always remember and never forget.

Department of Fire and Rescue Services In preparation for start of this school year, HCDFRS has been teaching it’s “Stop the Bleed” bleeding control program to Howard County Public School System nurses and middle school and high school Health Education teachers throughout the county. The Health Education teachers will be able to train their students on how to save a life using techniques such as applying pressure to wounds, using dressing/gauze, and utilizing a tourniquet. To learn more about this FREE program and upcoming training dates, check out www.howardcountymd.gov/stopthebleed . Did you know, HCDFRS’ EMS/BC3 is an added resource that helps the department serve Howard County. EMS/BC3 provides several functions, including first response to Advanced Life Support medical emergencies, medical oversight and advanced procedure support for serious medical emergencies and rescues, management of complex incidents (incident command), and provision of a number of other command support functions that may be assumed or assigned depending on the incident. Stationed out of Glenwood, the unit operates seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., is comprised of two shifts and each shift is staffed with one Battalion Chief and one paramedic officer. Just one of the many tools HCDFRS has at its disposal to help educate, protect and serve all who live, work and play in Howard County.  Please join me in congratulating HCDFRS Trainee Class 31! They have successfully graduated from the Academy and are now ready to serve all of Howard County.

Health Department  The Howard County Health Department will host a pair of Back to School Vaccination Clinics on today, September 3 rd and this Thursday, September 5 th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Health Department offices, located at 8930 Stanford Boulevard in Columbia, to help Howard County Public School System students get up-to-date on required vaccinations. For questions or for more information, call 410-313-7592. Join in the fight against the opioid epidemic by learning how you can help save someone’s life from an opioid overdose. The first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., on a drop-in basis, at Department’s headquarters in Columbia. Simply show up and Health will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. To learn more on how you can get trained, click HERE .

Office of Human Rights Parenting for Resilience and Inclusion is an upcoming 6-part workshop series sponsored and created by Kittamaqundi community church and the Howard County Office of Human Rights. In this workshop, parents, grandparents, and guardians will be given concrete tools/training for establishing worthwhile and fruitful relationships with our youth. The goal is to equip parents, guardians, and grandparents with the framework and mindset needed to confront the tough realties that our young people have to face/interact with during their daily lives. This process is achieved by creating shared experiences, leaning into uncomfortable or often contentious topics (racialized society, gender dynamics, mental health, allocation of resources, politics, sexuality, etc.), and unpack the implications it has on the way we interact and connect to each other.

Department of Planning and Zoning This Thursday, September 5, DPZ’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will hold a meeting in the George Howard Building’s Columbia/Ellicott Room starting at 7:00 p.m. The Commission’s meeting agenda typically consists of a variety of applications, including tax credits for restoration, floodproofing projects and County projects in Ellicott City. To view meeting agendas, applications, meeting schedules and historic district guidelines, visit the Commission’s website .  A five-member board, the HPC makes recommendations to the Planning Board, Hearing Examiner and DPZ Director on matters related to historic resources, mainly historic structures being impacted by development proposals. The HPC also renders decisions for any exterior alterations to both historic districts, Ellicott City and Lawyers Hill.  Additionally, this coming Thursday, September 5, DPZ’s Planning Board will be holding a meeting in the George Howard Building’s Banneker Room starting at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following items: ASDP-78-72C— Village of Hickory Ridge, Section 1, Area 1, Lot J-7 – To approve an Amended Site Development Plan (ASDP) to replace an existing deck with a new 305 square foot deck, that reduces the 7.5-foot rear setback to 2.0 feet. PB 445—(SP-19-002) Lawyers Hill Overlook / Land Design & Development LLC – Continuation to approve Preliminary Equivalent Sketch Plan SP-19-002 for Lawyers Hill Overlook, a 17 lot and one open space lot subdivision, consistent with Section 107.0.F. of the Howard County Zoning Regulations. SPECIAL SUBJECT - Letter Requesting Revisory Action for PB 435—Downtown Lakefront Core Neighborhood Phase I (FDP-DC-L-1) A five-member board, the Planning Board makes recommendations to the Zoning Board or County Council on matters related to planning and zoning, and renders a final decision on selected development proposals. Before recommendations or decisions are made, the Board holds a public meeting or hearing to provide interested persons the opportunity to provide comment. For details about procedures for testifying at a Planning Board meeting, click HERE . To learn more about Howard County’s Planning Board and upcoming meeting dates, click HERE . This summer marked the completion of renovations to the historic Carroll Baldwin Hall in Savage. The project restored the historic Foundry Street and Williams Street facades while also making the facility more accessible to users with disabilities. It also renovated the building’s interior, which once served as the county’s Savage Branch library, by replacing its aging flooring and HVAC system. The project was initiated by the County’s Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) and received $70,000 in grant funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community as part of its Sustainable Community Program, a neighborhood revitalization initiative that provides funding opportunities for community enhancement projects. DPZ engaged the community to identify and prioritize revitalization projects and the Carroll Baldwin project was selected by community members as the top priority. Improvements to the site’s exterior along Williams Street include constructing a new ramp to bring the building into compliance with the federal American with Disabilities Act; installing a new underground storm drainage system; and upgrading deteriorated walkways that lead into the building. Improvements along Foundry Street include replacement of the building’s deteriorating porch, stair, and patio. The project began in January and was completed in July. Carroll Baldwin Memorial Hall was built in 1921 by the Baldwin family to honor the life of Carroll Baldwin, the supervisor of neighboring Savage Mill until his death in 1918, and "for the welfare and happiness of the whole community."

Police Department School buses in Howard County make thousands of stops every day. With the start of a new school year underway, HCPD is reminding motorists that when following or approaching a school bus, to slow down when the yellow lights flash and stop when the red lights flash and the stop sign is extended. Motorists must stop in both directions unless you are on the opposite side of a roadway divided by a physical barrier. Officers will be following school buses to watch for drivers who fail to stop. In addition to points, the fine for this violation is $570.   Remember, children expect that you will obey the law. So, do your part to keep our roads safe for our children by stopping for stopped school buses. Like school year’s past, HCPD is again working to ensure that our children, parents and teachers arrive safely to school each day. Through its continuing back-to-school program known as H.A.S.T.E. (Helping Arriving Students Through Enforcement), HCPD is focusing on enforcing speed, seat belt and child safety seat laws in school zones. Over the next two weeks, traffic patrols will be in place on roadways surrounding elementary, middle and high schools. Our officers will be working to identify drivers who are speeding in those areas, as well as checking for seat belt and child safety seat use to ensure that all children, teenagers and adults are properly restrained.   HCPD will also continue to rotate its speed cameras among various school zones in the county. A list of school zones scheduled for speed camera enforcement can be found posted in advance on HCPD’s “Automated Speed Enforcement Program” website .   Finally, in addition to keeping our roads safe around schools, HCPD will also be working inside the schools to address driver safety. HCPD is again conducting school-mandated traffic safety seminars for students applying for school parking permits, who must attend with their parents. CONGRATULATIONS to Howard County Police Academy 43, who graduated from the academy this past Thursday night after 30-weeks of training. This class includes 14 Maryland natives; three former members of the United States military; 13 graduates from Maryland colleges and universities; and three who have been with Howard County Police Department (HCPD) in different roles prior to joining the academy. As part of HCPD’s Academy, each class raises funds in support of a community initiative. For its community initiative , Academy 43 chose Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, raising $15,658 to go towards creating the Center’s New Beginnings Stabilization Program. The New Beginnings Stabilization Program is a 24/7 walk-in program for individuals requesting services for opioid and other substance use. The room for the program is currently under construction, and when finished will provide assessment, counseling and peer support, supervised opioid detox, and connections to treatment to get patients on the road to recovery. We are so very proud of all that you have achieved and wish you all the best of luck as you work to protect and serve the people who call Howard County (and beyond) home and all who travel through each day. Just in time of the start of a new school year, HCPD officers joined FIRN (Foreign-Born Information and Referral Network) to hand out backpacks and school supplies to more than 40 children this past Friday! Thanks to generous donations to the department from Target and Costco, HCPD and FIRN were able purchase the supplies to give away. As this picture shows, there were definitely plenty of smiles all around. Heads up Laurel. HCPD has added has added a new school zone, North Laurel Road at Washington Avenue, to its list of those eligible for possible automated speed enforcement. In May 2011, the Howard County Council passed Council Bill 13-2011, authorizing the use of speed cameras by HCPD in school zones within Howard County. The overall goal of the speed camera program is to change driver behavior in school zones. The program utilizes manned mobile systems to enable HCPD to be both proactive and reactive to the continuing problem of speeding in school zones. By statute, enforcement can take place Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enforcement will take place on specific roadways, at specific times, based on the data collected from the department’s speed studies, as well as complaints HCPD continues to receive from a variety of sources. Citations issued through the program are civil violations that carry a $40 fine and no points. A citation is issued to the owner of the vehicle. All monies raised go back into the administration of the program and funds above costs are designated for public safety programs only. For more information about the program and/or for the current speed camera enforcement locations, click HERE .

Department of Public Works Construction Report Below are details regarding new, completed, and delayed Capital Projects and maintenance projects. For a full list of previously announced projects, please refer to the  August 19, 2019  newsletter. Columbia White Acre Road Sidewalk Closure (Capital Project C-0287) – As part of a Howard County construction project to implement complete street improvements, the sidewalk along the north side of White Acre Road between Stevens Forest Road and Basket Ring Road. Signs will be in place to direct pedestrians and students, once the school year starts, to use Stevens Forest Road to reach Stevens Forest Elementary School. Crossing guards also will be stationed at the intersections of Stevens Forest Road with White Acre Road and Stevens Forest Road with Kilimanjaro Road. The complete street project will improve mobility, access and safety for vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and is expected to be completed in late fall, weather permitting. Savage  Foundry Street Bridge Rehabilitation (Capital Project B-3853) – Project to rehabilitate the Foundry Street bridge over the Little Patuxent River in Savage is underway. During the project, Foundry Street traffic will be restricted to a single lane over the bridge between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. On-street parking restrictions will be enforced. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed by late October. Past Project Updates – Completion Date Change   Elkridge Dorsey Road Water Main Installation (Capital Project W-8600) – Project to extend the water main at the intersection of US 1 (Washington Boulevard) and MD 103 (Dorsey Road). Originally expected to be completed by late August, weather permitting, this project is now expected to be completed by late September 2019. 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 Public Works Bureau of Environmental Services  The Labor 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 Monday, September 2, the county’s holiday slide schedule will be in effect the remainder of that holiday week; i.e. Monday pick-up will slide to Tuesday, Tuesday to Wednesday, Wednesday to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, Friday to Saturday and Saturday on Saturday (no that last one is not a typo). Wondering what the other five holidays might be that affect curbside collection? They are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day and Independence. To learn more about the holiday slide schedule, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule .

Department of Recreation & Parks Department of Recreation & Parks’ has once again launched its managed hunt program this fall and winter. Part of its deer management program, Recreation & Parks’ managed hunt program gives specially-screened, approved hunter’s daytime access to various parks with a combination of archery equipment or shotguns. Those parks included in this year's hunts will be closed on its scheduled managed hunt days for all other uses from dawn until noon.   To learn more about our deer management program, including our ongoing tick control study with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and University of Maryland, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/wildlife or call 410-313-1675. For property owners in areas where our managed hunts are not possible, Recreation & Parks has developed a “Deer Management Reference Manual” to help you live in harmony with white-tailed deer. The manual, which is available in all Howard County Library System branches , contains information on how to use deer repellents and fencing to protect crops and property, how to avoid deer-auto collisions and how to prevent contact with Lyme Disease carrying ticks. Wildlife Spotting’s in Howard County.   Sue Muller with our Department of Recreation & Parks’ Natural Resources Division, recently spotted these young Green Herons at Guilford Park . A small member of the heron family, the Green Heron is named for the dark green coloration of its crown feathers. Green Heron’s mostly eat fish and invertebrates, but will also feed on frogs, snakes and other amphibians. While the Green Heron’s travel range is listed across the state of Maryland, they are much rarer than the Great Blue Heron. So, next time you are in Guilford Park, be sure to be on the lookout for these two unique creatures before they head south for the winter. Talk about blending in! This beautiful Wood Frog was recently photographed by Kevin Heffernan at Patapsco State Park. A common species in Howard County, the Wood Frog is easily identified by the chocolate-colored markings on its face. Check out the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ “Field Guide to Maryland’s Frogs and Toads” website , for tips on how you can find the Wood Frog next time you are out for a hike. For over two decades, our Department of Recreation and Parks has offered a highly successful Recreational Travel Program. Our trips vary from affordable day trips to weekly excursions. Whether you set your sights near or far, there’s bound to be a trip on Recreation & Parks’ itinerary that might interest you. Come enjoy sightseeing, shopping, dining and entertainment with us. Transportation and accommodation fees are included in the trip cost. Bring friends, family or just explore on your own and make new friends! Upcoming trips include a photography tour of the U.S. Botanic Gardens , Philadelphia Museum of Art , Library of Congress Tour and Cape May Seaside Holiday excursion . For more information and a full list of trips and tours event, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/tripsandtours . Come on out this October to Belmont Manor & Historic Park for a spooktacular evening with “ Monster Mash Murders ” Mystery Dinner Theatre. On Wednesday, October 30, enjoy a spine-chilling meal with Ovation Dinner Theatre, as its little monsters, princesses, ghouls and super heroes come out to play. During the evening, guests will be tasked with solving a creepy comedy murder mystery starring a familiar cast of spooky characters. Tickets are $85 per person and include cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets and a three-course meal. Tickets are going fast, so grab yours today before it’s too late. To register, call 410-313-7275. HEADS UP! This fall, the existing Disc Golf Course at Rockburn Branch Park will be undergoing realignment and renovations in order to protect the floodplain and forest conservation areas on the site. Existing holes within the environmentally sensitive areas will be removed or re-aligned and several new holes will be created to replace existing holes that are within the sensitive areas. Holes 1 through 6 will remain in their current locations. All of the existing, re-aligned and new holes will be updated with new concrete tee boxes, signage and baskets. For updates on this project, visit Recreation & Parks’ Rockburn Branch Park website .

Office of Transportation Back in August, I joined Howard Community College (HCC) for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new HCC Connector, as well as announce forthcoming legislation to enact my “Complete Streets” vision for transportation in Howard County. By opening the Connector, we are ensuring a safe, inclusive and convenient way for students, faculty and staff to get around the campus and for bus riders, bikers and all residents to get around their community. This project was made possible thanks to funding we received from the Maryland Department of Transportation through a Maryland Bikeways Grant. As for my “Complete Streets” policy, my vision is to ensure that Howard County is a place for individuals of all backgrounds to live and travel freely, safely and comfortably, and that our public and private roadways are safe and convenient for residents of all ages and abilities who travel by foot, bicycle, public transportation or automobile, ensuring sustainable communities countywide. The scope of this policy would cover every transportation project, whether new or retrofit, capital improvement, or subdivision and land development. To learn more our Complete Streets policy, click HERE .

Upcoming Events and Meetings

August 10 through September 14 - Living Well: Diabetes Self-Management (formerly Living Well with Diabetes) A community-based workshop to help adults manage Type 2 diabetes or for those who are pre-diabetic. Held Saturdays from August 10 through September from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Elkridge 50+ Center , to register for this FREE workshop, visit hcgh.org/events or contact Nicole Becerra at 410-313-3506 for more information.

August 31 - through October 26, every Saturday - Ellicott City Old Town Market Come soak in the atmosphere at Ellicott City’s weekly farmers' market, 9321 Main Street, Ellicott City, open 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. It’s a great way to ease into your weekend with live music, great food, plus local artisans in Ellicott City's Historic District. The season's freshest, locally grown products are featured, including fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, humanely-raised meats, locally baked bread, pastries, prepared foods, soaps, health & beauty, art and more! For information call the Ellicott City Partnership, 443-240-2060.

September 3 - Drop-In Opioid Overdose Response (Narcan) Training ­ Join in the fight against the opioid epidemic by learning how you can help save someone’s life from an opioid overdose. The first Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program (Narcan) trainings between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m., on a drop-in basis, at Health headquarters. Simply show up and the Health Department will teach you how to administer Narcan, the opioid reversing medicine. Click HERE to learn more.

September 5 - A Brush with History at B&O EC Station Museum Join the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum for their monthly painting workshop. Local artist Wiley Purkey will guide this month’s workshop in creating a scene of the Thomas Isaac Log Cabin and Old Courthouse. No experience needed, all materials provided with $35 class fee. Info: https://tinyurl.com/BrushWithHistorySept2019.

September 6 - Dr. Chiara D'Amore's Closing Art Reception Join us for a free reception on September 6th at 6:00 pm to mark the close of Dr. Chiara D’Amore’s nature art display at the Robinson Nature Center. Enjoy light refreshments as Dr. D’Amore discusses her fascinating artwork, which will also be for sale at the reception. Info: 410-313-0400.

September 7 - Wine Bin Movies: BlacKkKlansman Tells the story of an African-American Jerry Ellworth who is a Los Angeles jazz musician with a white girlfriend. In an Alabama diner during the Civil rights movement a young black man attempts to exercise his civil rights by sitting at a local diner. When the Ku Klux Klan learn of this, they firebomb a church, killing Jerry’s daughter. When he learns of this, Jerry moves to Alabama to infiltrate the group responsible for his daughter’s death. He becomes a member of the inner circle, befriending the local leader and his daughter, and soon exacts his revenge. The Wine Bin is located at 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043. Movie will begin at 8:00 pm. Popcorn will be available for a donation to Howard County's  Voices for Children. For information: 410-465-7802.

September 8 - 28 th Annual Howard County Police Pace Join myself and Police Chief Lisa Myers at the 28th Annual Howard County Police Pace. Every September, the Howard County Police Foundation hosts Police Pace, a 5K race and one-mile fun walk at Centennial Park. Proceeds from the event benefit several charitable initiatives supported by the Police Foundation, including scholarships and funding for special needs of the police department that are not met through the annual budget process. For information visit: http://policepace.com/race-info/ .

September 11 - 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony Join myself, my fellow elected officials and members from HCPD, HCDFRS and Howard County Sheriff’s Office, as we will honor and pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including four victims from Howard County, with a remembrance wreath laying and flag raising ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Wednesday, September 11 at 10:28 a.m., marking the time the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed, out front the County’s George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City.

September 12 - Howard County Community Forum on Alzheimer’s Come learn about Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory loss at this community-focused listening session on September 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the County’s George Howard Building. Hear about the basics of Alzheimer’s and available local resources, services and programs. Bring a friend and share your thoughts about how the Alzheimer’s Association and the County’s Office of Aging and Independence can help support you in your journey. Light refreshments will be provided. To register for the forum, click HERE or call 1-800-272-3900. To request ADA accommodations to participate, call 410-313-5955 one week in advance.

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