Greetings!
Welcome to our June 2022 Newsletter!
In June, we celebrate Pride Month. This is a time to uplift our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors. Howard County is home to many organizations that support LGBTQ+ people, including HoCo Pride, PFLAG Howard County, Community Allies of Rainbow Youth, and HCPSS Pride. I am so grateful for their work in Howard County, and I encourage you to learn more about their involvement and efforts in our community. As we witness attacks on LGBTQ+ people and harmful policies being passed in other jurisdictions across the nation, we must continue to stand up and support our LGBTQ+ community.
Please don't hesitate to contact my office if you are experiencing any issues in your community or would just like to get in touch. We are here to help with your concerns and listen to your feedback.
Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy June!
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
she/her/hers
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On June 6th, the County Council convened for our June Legislative Session. The County Council took action on several pieces of legislation, including the following:
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CR45-2022 through CR51-2022: These seven resolutions are appointing nominees to Howard County's new Police Accountability Board. These resolutions passed unanimously in a 5-0 vote. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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On June 6th, the County Council convened for our June Legislative Session. Several new pieces of legislation and resolutions were introduced, including the following:
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CR99-2022: A resolution adopting the Housing Unit Allocation Chart for Fiscal Year 2023 pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR100-2022: A resolution adopting the School Capacity Chart, pursuant to the Adequate Public Facilities Act of Howard County, to designate the elementary school regions, and the elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools constrained for new residential development during each of the following ten years as based on the definition of program capacity as defined by Howard County Public School System policy. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CR102-2022: A resolution requesting Governor Hogan to immediately release specified funds for the Abortion Care Clinical Training Program established under Maryland law. Introduced by Liz Walsh. Co-sponsored by Christiana Rigby and Deb Jung.
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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FY23 County Budget Wrap-Up |
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On May 25th, the County Council voted to approve the FY23 Operating and Capital Budget for Howard County. I was very proud to vote in favor of this budget, which funds a number of important projects and efforts in Howard County for the upcoming year.
Some of the budget highlights include:
- Significant investments in the HCPSS operating budget, including funding for educator salary increases, special education staffing and supports, community liaisons, and implementation funds for the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.
- School Construction funds to complete Hammond High & High School 13, as well as funding to address deferred maintenance in HCPSS buildings and schools.
- Over $8 million in funding for Complete Streets and bike/pedestrian projects, including priority projects in East Columbia and North Laurel.
- Seed funding to establish a maternal health partnership for Howard County residents who are uninsured or underinsured.
- Major investments in parks and open space, including funds for the purchase of Camp Ilchester, improvements to Savage Park, and continued progress at Blandair Park.
- Implementation funds for Howard County's Climate Action Plan, as well as investments in environmental protection efforts.
- $5 million in seed funding to establish a Housing Opportunities Trust Fund in Howard County to advance our county's affordable housing goals and initiatives.
Thanks to community input and advocacy, we were able to defeat many of the proposed amendments that would have made cuts to Complete Streets, affordable housing initiatives, and nonprofit partnerships.
I am so grateful to County Executive Ball, our County Departments, and our Council staff for the work that went into creating, deliberating, and approving these budgets. I look forward to seeing the impact of this funding in the upcoming year!
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On June 19th, we celebrate and observe Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans on June 19th, 1865, when Union forces arrived in Galveston, Texas after the end of the Civil War to free enslaved people in the state of Texas. Juneteenth is now celebrated as a national holiday in the United States.
This year, you are invited to join the Howard County Center of African American Culture on Sunday, June 19th from 2pm - 4pm, for a celebration of Juneteenth at Wilde Lake High School. You can find more information on the event by visiting the Center's Facebook Page.
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Oakland Mills Complete Streets Begins |
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Construction of the long-awaited Oakland Mills Road Complete Streets Project is now underway!
This project will make improvements along Oakland Mills Road (from Dobbin Road to Old Montgomery Road) to improve pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety. Through this project, Oakland Mills Road will feature new and improved pedestrian crossings, a protected bike lane, and other improvements.
This project will be done in two phases and weather permitting, is expected to be completed by mid-September. To learn more about this project and the construction schedule, please read this County press release or visit this project website.
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Leishear Road Closure & Detour |
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A developer project to lower a portion of Leishear Road in North Laurel in order to meet sight-distance requirements, will begin on or about Monday, June 20th.
During the project, Leishear Road between Graeloch Road and Mary Lee Lane (opposite the entrance to the new Wellington Farms subdivision) will be closed to through traffic. Signs will be posted at the project site to advise motorists of the road closure. Traffic will follow a clearly marked detour using MD 216, US 29, Johns Hopkins Road and Gorman Road. A recorded message at 410-313-3637 will carry project updates.
Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed in late July 2022.
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MDOT East-West Corridor Study |
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The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently announced the start of the public feedback period for the Regional Transit Plan (RTP) East-West Corridor Study. MDOT has been studying seven potential new transit options (called Alternatives) that would best serve the high transit demand between the East and West Baltimore region, including a connection to Howard County.
MDOT MTA and its Regional Partners will be selecting a few Alternatives to receive further study. Your feedback will help inform this decision - please consider visiting MDOT's East/West Corridor website to provide your comments and input! There are also several public meetings on these Alternatives taking place later this month. Feedback is due by August 1st.
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Celebrating Kings Contrivance's 45th! |
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Join us this Saturday, June 18th, from 5pm - 7pm to celebrate the Village of Kings Contrivance's 45th Anniversary Celebration!
There will be a community celebration in the courtyard of the Kings Contrivance Village Center, accompanied by live music, face painting, free balloon making, and more!
I hope to see you there as we come together to celebrate this milestone for the Village of Kings Contrivance.
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Summer Concert Series - Glen Mar UMC |
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Glen Mar UMC is bringing back their summer concert series with the Quantico Marine Corps Brass Band and Jazz Combo on Friday, June 17th from 7pm - 8pm.
Admission to the concert is free. You can learn more by visiting Glen Mar UMC's website.
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Vaccine and Booster Update
While nearly all residents have received a first and second dose of the vaccine, many eligible residents have not yet received their booster shot. The most recent data available indicates that 67% of individuals over the age of 12 have received their vaccine booster shot.
The COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot are highly recommended as a proven method to counter the spread of the virus and provide protection against serious illness and death.
If you haven't received your vaccine or booster shot yet, there are many opportunities to get immunized! The Health Department is offering vaccine clinics at locations across the County, including appointments for anyone age 5 and older. You can find a full list of vaccine appointments on the Health Department's website.
Not sure if you are eligible for a booster shot? You can check your eligibility for a booster shot from visiting the CDC's website.
COVID-19 Testing
The Howard County Health Department and our private partners are continuing to offer COVID-19 tests across Howard County on a regular basis. If you would like to get tested, please visit the Health Department's website for a list of nearby testing clinics and locations. You can also request free rapid tests be mailed to you from the federal government.
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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There are currently no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
410-313-2001
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Colette Gelwicks
Special Assistant
410-313-2421
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Felix Facchine
District Aide
410-313-3108
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Please feel free to contact us by email or phone. Plus, you can stay up-to-date with Christiana by following us on social media, where we post regular updates on county news, legislative priorities, and community initiatives! |
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