Dear Friends,

Chief Lisa Myers has led our Howard County Police Department for a transformative three years and has gone above beyond to keep our community safe and ensure our residents feel safe. As she prepares for her retirement at the end of the month, we are reminded of her commitment to community policing and efforts to bring more transparency to our police force which has reinforced our Department’s reputation as one of the best in the Nation.

Since 2019, Howard County has seen decreases in aggravated assaults, robberies, human trafficking, burglaries and auto theft, among other categories. Watch this video for more reports from her tenure.

We wish her the best in her upcoming retirement.

We are making incredible progress to mitigate COVID-19 in our community as we continues to see a decline in our COVID-19 cases and hospital utilization metrics. As of 9:00 a.m. today, our 7-day average positivity rate is 1.80% and our 7-day average case rate per 100,000 of our population is 7.3. There are currently 4 COVID-19 patients in both ICU and Acute Care units.

 

As the holiday season approaches, and more folks are gathering indoors, it’s vital to have a highly vaccinated community. We are determined to reach every eligible resident and encourage vaccination as other COVID-19 variants continue to be a concern. Howard County continues to be a leader in the state with our COVID-19 vaccination rates – with 95.4% of residents 12+ receiving at least one dose of a vaccine. 

 

Join us tomorrow, November 9th, at 11:00 a.m. for a COVID-19 update on our efforts to vaccinate our children between the ages of 5 and 11. Residents can watch live on Facebook. 

 

To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic near you, including those offering booster shots, visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov, call 410-313-6284, or contact your medical provider.

Do you need a COVID-19 vaccine booster or 3rd shot?

The FDA and CDC have recently authorized booster shots of the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines for certain individuals. COVID-19 Third Doses (Pfizer and Moderna) are meant for those individuals who are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised.

Talk to your healthcare provider about your medical condition to help determine which dose is appropriate for you. For more information, and to find a clinic, please visit vaccine.howardcountymd.gov

If you have:

I strongly encourage you to get tested as soon as possible. Please remember that it is possible to have COVID-19 and not have any symptoms.

For more information, please click here.

Howard County remains one of the best places to live, work, play and grow within the nation and we are proud of the progress we’ve made and the future we will shape together. 

I invite you to join me for the 2021 State of the County Address on Tuesday, November 16th, at 6:00 p.m. where we will highlight the progress we’ve made, together. For accessibility, a sign language interpreter will be available. 

Register to watch here.

Howard County is one of four winners of the competitive 2021 Culture of Health Prize awarded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This prestigious honor is a testament to the hard work of our team and our community in Howard County to positively impact the health and well-being of all our residents.

This award would not be possible without all of our partners. This success is our shared success!

In June 2019, we re-opened the Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP) after the program was shut down by the previous administration in the summer of 2019. We were able to responsibly restore this important program and update the scoring system used to determine the easement price. Applications to the ALPP were accepted once the County Council approved the revised scoring system in July 2020. The first property in the current acquisition cycle, comprising 35 acres, settled in June 2021.

Last week, I signed a bill to acquire an agricultural preservation easement on property that is currently owned by the Dickey family but will be purchased by the Sharp family. The easement of 128 acres adds to the almost 23,000 acres of farmland that is already in the Agricultural Land Preservation Program (ALPP).

Read more about the program and investment here.

During National Veterans and Military Families Month, we recognize and thank military families for their contributions and recognize all the ways they support our service members. As we approach this season of thanksgiving, we send our gratitude to millions of spouses, partners, children, caregivers and survivors of our service members and veterans. 

As a son and grandson of veterans, I understand the sacrifices our veterans and their family make in service to our country. Throughout the month we will be posting veteran resources and highlighting veteran owned businesses to increase awareness and provide support to the military community.

Howard County is home to more than 20,000 veterans – who have served our nation and ensured our freedom, peace, and prosperity. I was proud to honor them at the 7th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony. It is essential that we honor their commitment and sacrifice today, and frankly every day. Because every day, our men and women in uniform keep our country safe and support the strength of our community. 

Thank you to Congressman John Sarbanes, the Howard County Delegation, The Howard County Veterans Foundation, Inc., Columbia Association, Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services - Office of Veteran and Military Families, Commission for Veterans and Military Families, The Howard Hughes Corporation, and Legion Post 156 for their partnership on this important event for our Veterans. 

It was a special honor to recognize our Honorary Grand Marshal, Edward Lawrence “Larry” Killen. He served as a firefighter, Maryland Army National Guardsman 1st Sgt. and a remarkable advocate for our Veterans. His service reminds us of how we are deeply indebted to our veterans, and their loves ones.

We're so grateful to our Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services Office of Veterans and Military Families’ “Made with Love” program and groups including the Tom Thumb Square Dance Club, St. Francis of Assisi, and our local Rotary Clubs of Howard County that participated in the effort, producing hundreds of scarves and even some wool hats. 

Our community continues to inspire me with its generosity and concern for others. Thank you to our amazing volunteers who assembled care packages with hand-knit and crocheted scarves for our actively deployed military. I’m humbled by your commitment of time and energy that makes others smile.

Howard County has consistently been recognized as an innovative county as demonstrated through our NACo Awards, our recent National Culture of Health designation, and more. I’ve been fortunate to build upon a solid foundation following the Ulman administration. During his time in office, former County Executive Ken Ulman was a champion of business, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He was also a key supporter of the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship program.

This is why it is befitting to dedicate and rename the Gateway Building to the Kenneth S. Ulman Innovation Hub. We are so grateful for the progress made under County Executive Ulman, and we will continue our work to foster innovation for generations to come.

It was amazing to attend the ribbon cutting for “A Gallery of Art,” a new temporary gallery located in the old Ellicott Theater on Main Street for the holiday season.

The gallery is hosted by the Fund for Art in Ellicott City and supports the installation of a piece of public art in Old Ellicott City for the 250th anniversary. Be sure to stop by the next time you’re on Main Street!

Opening hours are:

Tuesday - Friday 3-7 pm

Saturday 11-7 pm

Sunday 11-5 pm

Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Dr. Daria Willis as the new President of Howard Community College. Dr. Willis previously served as President of Everett Community College in Washington. Howard Community College is a pillar of our community and I’m certain Dr. Willis will continue to build upon its legacy.

I’m so grateful for the leadership of my dear friend Dr. Kathleen Hetherington who served as president for 14 years. Thank you to Lynn Coleman, Vice President of Administration and Finance, for stepping into the role as interim president during the search.

Learn more about Dr. Willis here.

I was excited to celebrate the opening of Savage Park's new, inclusive playground. Howard County is known for our amazing parks and outdoor spaces. and this new playground continues that tradition.

It’s so vital that as we maintain and upgrade our facilities we are building structures and parks that are inclusive and meet the needs of children of all ages and abilities. The new playground was designed to increase interaction, encourage conversation, and promote language skills for children ages 2 to 12.

Read more about this playground here.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve redoubled our efforts to ensure that our families have the support systems in place for childcare, and our students have the resources needed to thrive. Put simply, we’re investing in our future generation now.

We work tirelessly to find solutions to support our students, parents and educators, and we’ll continue to work towards a community where all our children have the resources and support needed to thrive. Read more in my piece in the Baltimore Times.

Progress and transformation are not possible without imagination, and we want to continue to do our part to support and encourage innovative ideas. I'm proud to launch the Transform Howard Innovation Grants, which is $500,000 in grant funding for non-profits to design and implement forward-thinking, emerging, and creative ideas to support the community. These grants will accept applications for five categories focused on students, infrastructure, residents, cybersecurity, and the environment.

Applications are open through November 19th and can be completed online here.

We are so grateful to have incredible restaurants who contribute to Howard County’s amazing culinary scene. Congratulations to Walker’s Tap & Table on their second anniversary! Located in Glenwood, residents can enjoy incredible scratch-made American food with cocktails and an amazing local Draught list. 

I encourage residents to continue supporting our small, local restaurants and businesses. To see Walker’s menu and to order carry out, please click here.

Howard County has been allocated $63.2 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan. We invite Howard County residents to provide input on how this funding should be used. The survey should take less than 5 minutes.

Open Enrollment for Medicare’s 2022 health and prescription drug plans is now open, running through December 7^th. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries are able to add, drop or switch their plans. Residents who are in need of assistance with reviewing their Medicare Prescription Drug coverage options are encouraged to contact DCRS’ State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) team. To schedule a remote counseling appointment by phone with a certified SHIP counselor, call 410-313-7392 (voice/relay) today. 

Veterans should be wary of any unsolicited callers purporting to be from the VA asking for personal information, offering help to increase benefits or access government programs. For more information, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/scam-alerts.

Coordinated by the Caregiver Action Network, the theme of this year’s National Family Caregivers Month is “#CaregiverAnd.” This year’s theme encourages family caregivers to celebrate all the roles and responsibilities which make their lives complete. Caring for others, while juggling the demands of family, home and work life can be overwhelming, that's why it's oh so important for caregivers to incorporate components of self-care into their daily routines to prevent burnout and depression.

As part of National Family Caregivers Month, DCRS’s Office on Aging & Independence’s (OAI) Caregiver Support Program will present a virtual webinar for caregivers, “Explaining the Process: How OAI Supports Our Caregivers, Our Heroes,” on Tuesday, November 30^th from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn more about caregiver support options offered through OAI's Home and Community-Based Services, including: Caregiver Support Program; Maryland Access Point; Community Living Program; Senior Care; Medicaid Supports Planning Unit; and Assisted Living and Nursing Home Placements. To register for this FREE event, visit https://oaicaregiverwebinar.eventbrite.com.

For more questions and/or more information, please contact DCRS’s OAI Caregiver Support Program Manager Kathy Wehr at 410-313-5955 (voice/relay) or email kwehr@howardcountymd.gov.

DCRS’ Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) is a proud sponsor of the Beacon Virtual 50+EXPO, an online event which features an interactive website with information and resources geared to older adults. Now through January 31^st, visitors can access content on demand 24 hours a day from https://beacon50expo.com/. Log on anytime to visit more than 100 exhibitors and sponsors, including OAI's Bronze-level sponsors, Lorien Health and Maryland Vascular Specialists; engage with speakers; attend online classes; and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment.

As you changed your clocks back one hour yesterday with the daylight-saving time coming to an end, did you also remember to check your smoke alarms? Whether you have the sealed-in, 10-year/long-life battery-operated smoke alarms or hardwired smoke alarms (with battery backups), it is always good to check your smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning properly. Our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) is reminding us that our first line of defense against a house fire is a working smoke alarm. Per the National Fire Protection Association, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Ensure your family's safety by checking your smoke alarms this weekend.

For questions and/or more information about home and smoke alarm safety, reach out to DFRS’ Community Outreach Division at 410-313-2616 or visit its website.

In an emergency, every second counts. Fire hydrants that are blocked, concealed or difficult to and/or your business is interested in helping ensure DFRS has quick and easy access to the fire hydrant(s) in your neighborhood, consider adopting a hydrant today.

To adopt a hydrant or to learn more about this program, email DFRS to outreach@hcdfrs.org with your name, address, email and the tag number for the hydrant you’d like to adopt.

Make sure your kids know about fire safety too. If you have not already, I encourage you to check out DFRS’ Safety Squad. Through videos and worksheets found on their website, the Safety Squad talks about emergencies, smoke alarms, get low and go, bedroom safety and kitchen safety.

DFRS would love to take it off your hands as the Department is currently looking for donations of unwanted cars. These donations help our firefighters train and prepare for incidents involving motor vehicles. Benefits of donating your old car include: a tax deduction; DFRS will tow your car for free; and the knowledge that you are providing an invaluable training opportunity for our first responders. To learn more, click HERE.

The results from Howard County Health Department’s (HCHD) 2021 biennial Howard County Health Assessment Survey have just been released, revealing several new focus areas. The goal of the study was to assess health-related behaviors and risk factors among the adult population of Howard County. A total of 2,031 residents over the age of 18 were surveyed.

Misplaced you COVID-19 Vaccination Card? Never fear! You can easily request your vaccination records the Maryland Department of Health’s “Maryland MyIR” website. Maryland MyIR is a free website service that allows residents to view and print copies of their official vaccination records directly from ImmuNet, Maryland's immunization information system. ImmuNet is used by healthcare providers to securely maintain vaccination records for Maryland residents of all ages.

OHRE Book Club’s Native American Heritage Month Book Discussion

November is Native American Heritage Month (NAHM) and our Office of Human Rights and Equity’s (OHRE), Howard County Library System (HCLS), local business Nava Be Diné and I have partnered together to recognize the culture, traditions and history of American Indians and Alaska Natives. I invite residents of all ages and backgrounds to take part in a variety of activities being offered this month to celebrate NAHM.

Next Thursday, November 18^th, OHRE and HCLS will also be hosting a book discussion group on the 2021 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Night Watchmen, by Louise Erdrich. Come travel back to 1953 with OHRE and HCLS, as a night watchman fights against Native dispossession from rural North Dakota all the way to Washington, D.C. A bestseller based on the extraordinary life of Louise Erdrich’s grandfather, this is a masterpiece and conversation you do not want to miss. Set take place HCLS’s Central Branch starting at 6:30 p.m., to register to participate, click HERE to place a hold request using your HCLS library card.

 NAHM Lunch & Learn: “Two Spirits: Native & Black Intersectionality”

Finally, in continuation of its series exploring intersectionality, OHRE will wrap up its celebration of NAHM with a virtual Lunch & Learn: “Two Spirits: Native & Black Intersectionality,” featuring Karelle Hall, a Black and Native American PhD Candidate studying Anthropology at Rutgers University. Hall will present on the history and experience of those who racially and ethnically identify as Native and Black American. Hall’s presentation will be feature on OHRE’s Facebook page and the County’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, November 24^th. 

Tomorrow, November 9^th, our Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board will hold a meeting, both in-person in the Ilchester room (2nd floor) of the George Howard Building (masks are required) and virtually via WebEx, starting at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to attend virtually, you must pre-register. Once registered, further instructions and a call-in attendee number will be provided via email. For those wishing to join the meeting via telephone only, i.e. those who only want to listen to the meeting and are not providing testimony, should call 1-650-479-3207 at the meeting time. When prompted, enter 2302 669 1812# as the event access code.

The agenda for tomorrow’s meeting can be found online.

DPZ’s Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a meeting this Wednesday, November 10^th starting at 7:00 p.m. VIRTUALLY to hear the following items:

To register in advance to participate in this meeting, click HERE. If you only want to listen to the meeting, call 1-650-479-3207 at the meeting time. When prompted, enter 2307 842 7485 as the event access code.

The DAP process encourages excellence in project architecture and site design to improve design compatibility with surrounding development, to promote revitalization and to enhance property values. You can use DPZ’s DAP interactive map to see which properties may be subject to DAP review. For DAP’s Rules of Procedure, click HERE. For questions and/or more information about DAP, contact the DPZ at 410-313-2350 or email dap@howardcountymd.gov.

Following its latest school bus camera video release, Howard County Police Department (HCPD) is once again reminding residents that all Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) buses are equipped with external cameras in order to ensure student safety by discouraging motorists from passing buses illegally. Should you choose to illegally pass a stop bus, you will face a $250 fine. While HCPSS bus routes are planned to limit students’ need to cross the street, they may still have to do so.

So please, help keep the roads safe for our children by stopping for that stopped school bus. If you are not sure when you have to stop for a stopped school bus, check out HCPD’s “External School Bus Cameras” website to learn more.

To learn about DPW 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 (SHA) “Project Portal” website.

Beginning tomorrow, November 2^nd and continuing through Saturday, November 7^th, residents can drop their pumpkins off at Clark’s Elioak Farm, located at 10500 Clarksville Pike in Ellicott City, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In addition, pumpkins (and other food scraps) are always accepted at the Alpha Ridge Landfill's Residents’ Convenience Center, open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. When at the Center, look for the Hungry Green Hippo food scrap drop-off container. Households with curbside food scrap collection can place their pumpkin(s) in their green bin.

To learn more about this program, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HarvestHeap.

Reminder, the County’s holiday slide will NOT be in effect this week, despite Thursday’s Veterans Day holiday as Veterans Day is NOT one of the six holidays that affects the County’s curbside trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap collection services. So, while County Government offices, courts, animal shelter and 50+ centers will be closed this Thursday, November 11^th in observance of the holiday, there will be REGULAR curbside collection that day and the remainder of the week. Also, the Alpha Ridge Landfill will be open on the 11^th.

Household Hazardous Waste Season Ends November 27^th

REMINDER: The Bureau’s final Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) day for the 2021 is on Saturday, November 27^th. While the HHW season normally runs from April through November, the Bureau does plan to offer special Saturday collections during the winter off-season. Stay tuned to the Bureau’s HHW website for details. The 2022 HHW season will reopen on the first Saturday in April.

In case you missed it, last week I joined Howard County Recreation and Parks and community members to celebrate the opening of Savage Park’s new, inclusive playground, designed to increase interaction, encourage conversation and promote language skills for children ages 2 to 12.

Join our Department of Recreation & Parks’ this Saturday, November 13^th from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. for a Historic Ellicott City Autumn Clean Up. Participants will meet at the Roger Carter Community Center and then get to work beautifying our Historic Ellicott City community by picking up litter in and around Main Street, as well as the County’s historic properties in the area. All are welcome to participate. To register for this wonderful volunteer event, visit www.hocovolunteer.org by no later than Saturday, November 6^th.

If you would rather “opt outside” for your holiday shopping this year, check out our Recreation & Parks Mistletoe at Midday Makers Mart” next Saturday, November 20^th from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Robinson Nature Center (RNC) in Columbia. This FREE sustainable shopping event will feature local artisans showcasing their handmade, nature-inspired and eco-friendly wares at tables outside and inside the Center.

During the event, participants can also take advantage of a special 10 percent discount off purchases from RNC’s gift shop. The Center will also offer science, space and nature-themed children’s gifts and limited-edition holiday gift kits. For more information and/or to register, click HERE.

Come enjoy Recreation & Parks’ new Adult Seek & Stroll program! On November 12^th, participants will embark a nighttime, nature-based scavenger hunt at Robinson Nature Center from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Using the GooseChase app, participants will complete a series of missions during which you’ll learn about the stars, nocturnal animals and evening phenomenon. Warm up indoors with a planetarium program. Singles, couples and teams of adults, age 18 year and older, are welcome to partake. Preregistration is requested as space is limited. For questions and/or more information, contact RNC at 410-313-0400.

Join Recreation & Parks on December 3^rd as they venture to Longwood Gardens to see the conservatory transformed into a holiday wonderful full of poinsettias, magnificent trees, fragrant flowers and more. Enjoy walking the grounds while viewing special exhibits and seasonal plants. Outside, colorful fountains dance to festive music, strolling carolers herald the season with song and a half-million twinkling lights await your arrival. Cost is $109 per person; to register, click HERE. 

Finally, mark your calendar and join Recreation & Parks on December 19^th, as its Trips and Tours team travels by bus to The Kennedy Center for “Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations.” This electrifying new musical follows The Temptations' extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty and betrayal is set to the beat of the group's well-known hits, including “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone” and so many more. Tickets are $159 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. The Kennedy Center now requires that patrons present their vaccination card for admittance.

If you missed our Office of Transportation’s virtual public meeting this past Thursday, where is discussed the design plans for the County’s Complete Streets improvements along Dobbin Road in Columbia, I encourage you to check the project webpage to learn more. The design calls for a shared use pathway, new sidewalk segments and signalized pedestrian crossings along Dobbin Road from Oakland Mills Road to Old Dobbin Lane. Residents can share their feedback with Transportation about the project via a short survey. Please note, the deadline for public comment is this Thursday, November 11^th.

This project supports Howard County’s Complete Streets policy to make our roads safe and usable by all modes of transportation, which in turn, promotes community health, sustainability and fiscal soundness. The recommendation also implements portions of Howard County’s Bicycle Master Plan, BikeHoward and Pedestrian Master Plan, WalkHoward.

If you have questions, please email Transportation at transportation@howardcountymd.gov. If you require reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please email Transportation at transportation@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-4312 at least five business days before the event.

Our Office of Transportation will be hosting a virtual public meeting this Wednesday, November 10^th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., to discuss proposed bike lanes on Guilford Road, Gerwig Lane and Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia. Improvements include bike lanes and sharrows along segments of these roadways.

To pre-register for this meeting and/or review design plans and the construction schedule for the different segments of the project, visit the project webpage today. You can also share your feedback with Transportation via a short survey, which will be available on the project webpage following the November 10^th meeting; the deadline for public comment is November 24, 2021.

If you have questions or require reasonable accommodations to participate in this event, please email Transportation at transportation@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-4312. Accommodations requests must be made at least five business days before the event.

This November, our Office of Transportation has partnered together with the Downtown Columbia Partnership to present Cranksgiving 2021. A national initiative dubbed “a food drive on two wheels,” all are invited to join Transportation on Saturday, November 13^th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for a bike ride from their home to the Cranksgiving 2021 drop off site: Azlon Plaza, 6100 Merriweather Drive in Downtown Columbia.

Participants will have a variety of route options to choose from and will be tasked with picking up various food items along the way at nearby grocery stores. There will be t-shirts for Cranksgiving 2021 participants, as well as prizes for those who donate the most food items by the end of the event. To learn more and/or to register for this event, click HERE.

With SPIN permitted to begin providing shared e-scooter service to the Downtown Columbia and Gateway Business Park communities, our Office of Transportation and Downtown Columbia Partnership will be offering an e-scooter demo day on Saturday, November 13^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 10227 Wincopin Circle in Columbia (the lot where the American City Building once stood). SPIN will be on side to demonstrate its e-scooter program, with service set to launch in 2022. Attendees will have the opportunity to try out an e-scooter, learn more about SPIN’s program and ask questions. Attendees are asked to please bring a helmet. If necessary, a rain date of November 14^th will be announced by 3:00 p.m., November 12^th. For more information, click HERE.

As part of the development of its Transportation Demand Management Plan for Downtown Columbia (DTC), the Office of Transportation is working with the Downtown Columbia Partnership to survey those who live, work and play in DTC. The purpose of the survey to develop a better understanding of the transportation needs and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on travel patterns of those who live, work and play and this area. Your responses will help Transportation design new transportation options and strategies to address current needs as well as into the post-COVID period. To take the survey, click HERE.