As we approach the holiday season, Council business will be quiet through the end of the year. Following the Council installation on December 5, we will be in recess until January. The District 5 staff will still be available for questions or issues that you may have.
There are upcoming commission and board appointments to be made, some of which may be specific to District 5 residents. Be on the lookout for announcements if you are interested in becoming more involved. The different boards and commissions can be found on the County website, and interested individuals can submit letters of interest to Kim Pruim in the County Executive's office.
I hope that you will share our newsletter and will encourage others to sign up so they can stay apprised of what is happening around the community and in county government. Be sure to like the District Five Facebook Page to keep current on news and announcements.
Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends!
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David Yungmann
Howard County Council, District 5
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There is no current legislation under consideration. New legislative efforts will begin again in January. |
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Over the last several months, the HoCo By Design project team has released draft planning theme chapters one at a time for community review and feedback. We are now working on the full draft plan, which will be released later this year.
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Upcoming Pre-submission Meetings
Project Name: Flagship Carwash
Project Address: 9450 Baltimore National Pike
Date of Meeting: November 22, 2022
Time of Meeting: 7:00 pm
Location: Roger Carter Community Center; 3000 Milltowne Dr.
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You can likely name several not-for-profits in the local and regional area that actively recruit volunteers to ensure their services reach community members in need. But did you know our county government Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS) and its team members provide vital human services through nine county offices and 10 boards and commissions? From assistance with housing issues and emergency food needs, to human trafficking prevention and consumer protection, DCRS serves all members of our diverse community.
Howard County is fortunate to have such a talented and knowledgeable group of professionals and volunteers helping those in need. Led by Director Jackie Scott, this county agency provides residents tailored services, a variety of events and a plethora of resources. If you don’t already follow DCRS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube (@HoCoCommunity), do so to stay informed about activities for our 50+ community; scams and threats targeting individuals; services for veterans, children and families, and those with disabilities; and, much more. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to its newsletter, as well.
The DCRS team also serves as the county’s liaison between public government programs and local, independent philanthropic groups. In addition to its many community partnerships, DCRS also manages the volunteer opportunities of the 10 boards and commissions created to address specific issues and needs.
Whether you are looking for assistance for yourself or a family member, or for volunteer opportunities in the community, DCRS is your one-stop shop for the needs of multiple generations. Its staff works hard every day to ensure all Howard County residents have the resources they need to grow, thrive and live with dignity.
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Complementing the DCRS mission and goals are the myriad of community partners that carry out the work of, and provide volunteer and donation opportunities for, our residents. One of our long-standing partners, the Community Action Council of Howard County (CAC), offers services in four core areas: Early Childhood Education; Energy and Weatherization; Food Assistance; and Housing Assistance.
Perhaps best known for their operation of the Howard County Food Bank, this organization was one of the first in the country to install a neighbor-choice shopping model identical to navigating a grocery store. This allows families to shop with dignity and to have the same choices available to everyone in the community. Thanks to the many locally based farms, as well as CAC’s very own community garden, a variety of fresh and healthy options are offered as well as household and personal hygiene products.
CAC also operates an Early Childhood Education program that offers high quality education to three- through five-year-olds from income-eligible families who reside in Howard County. Offering the County’s only Head Start program, CAC alleviates the challenges that children, and their families, living in financial instability are more likely to experience. The goal of the program is for children from underserved families to walk into their classrooms on the first day of kindergarten as well-positioned to succeed as classmates who grew up in more stable households. The program serves 362 children and their families through four Early Childhood Education Centers located throughout Howard County.
CAC also offers housing assistance to income-eligible Howard County families. Assistance includes eviction prevention, first month’s rent, and assistance with other housing emergencies. In addition to keeping families in their homes, CAC also provides energy assistance to prevent utility cutoffs, and weatherization assistance to reduce monthly bills for residents.
By the end of fiscal year 2022, CAC had served thousands in the community. The Howard County Food Bank provided over 46,000 points of service, CAC kept over 700 households from being evicted, provided energy assistance to over 2,500 households, weatherized more than 550 homes, and educated over 300 children and their families. As Howard County’s designated anti-poverty agency, CAC is the go-to place for people to find refuge in their times of struggle.
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What You Need To Know Before 3G Service Is Gone
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Did you know that after December 31, 2022, the 3G network will permanently shut down? Many older cell phones will be unable to make or receive calls and texts, including calls to 911, or use data services. This will affect 3G mobile phones and certain older 4G mobile phones that do not support Voice over LTE (VoLTE or HD Voice). Contact your mobile service provider for more information on upgrading your service plan and device. For more information about the 3G shutdown, visit the FCC website.
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Calling all young drivers...
Want to put your driving skills to the test? Designed especially for newer drivers who want more specialized experience, this one-day training teaches hands-on techniques to help maintain control on the road. Learn more here.
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The planned replacement of the bridge deck on MD 94 (Woodbine Road) over I-70 in Lisbon is underway. The above link to the project will provide additional details as this project progresses.
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Work continues on Centennial Lane with the outside lanes blocked off using concrete barriers to allow crews to safely work on pipe installation as part of area drainage improvements.
For more information on this project, you can find updates here.
For all updates on major state roadways projects, check the Maryland State Highways Administration website. For county projects in District 5, check our website.
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Want To Be More Involved
In Howard County?
Howard County Boards and Commissions play an important role in fostering citizen involvement in our government. Opportunities cover a wide variety of topics ranging from the environment, fire and rescue services and cable, just to name a few.
A listing of the different boards and commissions can be found on the County website. Many of the appointed positions are highly competitive, so getting involved with and attending meetings for those in which you have interest is recommended.
Interested residents should send a resume and a brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Board to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Kim Pruim, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043.
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Looking For Events in Howard County?
Ellicott City is celebrating 250 years. Check out what has been planned.
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