Dear Friends,

I recently joined our State’s Attorney’s Office, Police Department, and Sheriff’s Office to announce the indictment of several individuals from the “59 Hoover” criminal gang. These indictments come at the end of a lengthy investigation that began in late 2020 when police investigators recognized that many of the most serious crimes in Howard County could be linked to the same group of people. These individuals put our residents, our neighbors, our friends and our families in danger and that is unacceptable.

We are now one step closer to holding these suspects accountable for providing some closure on crimes that have disturbed our community going back a decade. Due to the thorough and cooperative work of our team over the last several months, our residents will be safer.

I’m truly appreciative of the conscientious work of our police officers, Sheriffs, and state’s attorney partners. They have once again demonstrated diligence, professionalism and made our community proud by delivering a significant blow to violent crime here in Howard County.

Read more here.

Last week, we marked two years since Howard County saw its first confirmed COVID-19 case. As we look back on the past 24 months, it is important to reflect on what we’ve lost, think about what we’ve learned, and move forward with purpose. Howard County has always been a leader in our region, and how we’ve handled this crisis is no exception.

We’ve already implemented 14 out of 15 key recommendations from our HoCo RISE Collaborative. Ranging from working to close the digital divide, to providing equitable access to vaccines, and leveraging big data to provide relief and support to different sectors.

This is your government working innovatively and efficiently to keep people safe and stay focused on create the best quality of life for all. We are now confident that when Howard County faces a new threat, no matter who is serving in our various roles, we know we can meet the moment to help our community recover and rise.

Read more about our progress here.

Howard County is grateful to have phenomenal businesses which helps our economy thrive. During Women’s History Month, we salute and recognize our women owned businesses who are committed to making Howard County the best place to live, work, play, and grow for all such as Herablooms, Boujee Naturals, and AppleCore's Bake Shoppe who are members of The 3rd, which is spearheaded by inspirational Founder and CEO Laura Bacon. 

Watch this video for more.

Entrepreneurship is a critical building block of our economy, and it reminds us the importance of innovating, growing, and competing to encourage growth. I was excited to see this first hand at the Howard County Economic Development Authority Pitch & Mingle at the Innovation Center. Thank you to our judges, Cyndi Gula, Kimberly Mentzell, and Jack Minor, and all of the companies that competed. 

Through our work together, we will continue to advance our community by advancing our businesses. Congratulations to Klohverleaf Dancewear, Mindgrasp and Empathy Employer on winning!

As we celebrate this beautiful festival of colors, may you be gifted with all the colors of life, colors of joy, colors of happiness, colors of friendship, colors of love and all other colors you want to paint your life with.

Happy Holi!

I'm so very proud to congratulate our Lions at Howard High School on their fantastic season. They accomplished something most basketball teams only hope for – a fantastic 44-game winning streak. I’m inspired by their perseverance and determination and congratulate them on their stellar season.

I was so excited to join my dear friends Jennie and Steve Kwon for the grand opening of Blowfish Poke’s new location in the River Hill Square. I’ve known Jenny since she was a student at the Howard Community College and she has continued to grow on her entrepreneurship road. This new location will ensure more residents have access to their delicious food. 

Learn more about Blowfish Poke here.

I’m constantly impressed by the young leaders in our community who see an obstacle as an opportunity, and work together to provide a solution for their neighbors. BJ King is an exemplar of a young leader who created sensory kits for the transport of autistic patients.

I was so proud to join Troop 757, our first responders with Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, and BJ's family to celebrate his project which helped him achieve Eagle Scout. Congratulations BJ, and I’m so exited to see what your future holds!

Due to the commitment of our child care providers, families in Howard County are growing and thriving. I was pleased to join the Howard County Family Child Care Association for its annual conference to show my appreciation and support for our providers.

The childcare community sometimes goes unrecognized, but your efforts to maintain continuity and keep children and families safe during the pandemic has been truly heroic. By working together, we're ensuring all our children and families have the opportunity to be successful.

I stopped by the Jewish Federation of Howard County’s 30th Annual Purim Palooza. I enjoyed catching up with friends and seeing all of the creative costumes. Congratulations to the Jewish Federation of Howard County for another successful Purim Palooza. Thanks for all you do for our community!

We have now passed two years since we saw our first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 15 in 2020. Since then, we’ve lost 350 members of our community. Our hearts are with their friends and family. Our improving metrics remind us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. According to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Howard County’s positivity rate is 2.09% and our 7-day moving average case rate per 100k is 6.32. In addition, there are currently 5 COVID-19 patients in both the ICU and Acute Care units at Howard County General Hospital. 

Howard County is a state leader with 90.5% of our residents 5+ fully vaccinated, with two doses. However, nearly 33% of our eligible residents have not yet received their booster or third shot. Vaccination, including boosters, work by significantly reducing serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

Viruses constantly change through mutation and sometimes these mutations result in a new variant of the virus. As we begin to see more reports regarding a new COVID-19 variant, it’s important to keep getting tested. Howard County has dozens of testing locations. Find one near you here. Please remember, people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should always wear a mask. 

Getting vaccinated continues to be the best way to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19. Please get vaccinated and boosted if you have not already. Find a vaccine near you at vaccine.howardcountymd.gov.

This Women’s History Month, we’re honoring and recognizing the trailblazers who helped move Howard County forward. We wouldn’t dare celebrate Women’s History Month without applauding one of the key figures in Howard County, Liz Bobo. In 1976 she began her impressive political career on the Board of Appeals. After a year in the position, she was appointed to the Council, where she continued to do meaningful work.

Then, in 1986, she made history by being elected to be the first and only female County Executive to serve Howard County. She served diligently for two terms and then went on to work in the Maryland House of Delegates for 20 years. County Executive Liz Bobo emulates the saying, “she said she could, so she did.” This is #HERstory.

I visited Red Bird Bar and Grille in Glenelg to purchase lunch and support a fundraiser for Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church. A few weeks ago, under the cover of darkness, a vandal cut down a multi-colored sign on the church lawn that read “Everyone is Welcome Here!” The church is raising funds to replace the sign. 

Crimes of intolerance and hatred have no place in our community. Thanks to pastor Gayle Annis-Forder, her staff, and the team at Redbird for coordinating today’s event and showing that Howard County is always welcoming of everyone!

March Issue of The 50+ Connection Now Available

Our Department of Community Resources and Services’ (DCRS) Office on Aging and Independence’s (OAI) The 50+ Connection newsletter is now available online. Published monthly as a two-page insert in the Howard County Beacon, this newsletter provides valuable information regarding programs, services and events of interest to older adults. You can find the current and past issues on OAI’s “Publications & Reports” website or join OAI’s email subscriber list to receive the current issue each month straight to your inbox. Subscribe today to ensure you are among the first to hear about upcoming OAI special events and informative programs.

Reading Human Rights Monthly Book Discussion Group, Featuring The Island of Sea Women

In conjunction with Women’s History Month, this month’s book discussion this Tuesday, March 22^nd at 6:30 p.m. at HCLS’ Central branch will feature The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. The Island of Sea Women explores the complexities of female friendship and introduces readers to the remarkably strong and spirited female divers of Jeju Island. It’s also an eye-opening portrait of a country ravaged by decades of conflict and unrest, and a searing examination of the effects that foreign intervention can have on the evolution of a nation and of course individual lives. As spacing is limited, I encourage you to reserve your virtual seat today!

This Women’s History Month, OHRE is excited to offer a virtual discussion, “Until I Am Free”, this Thursday, March 24^th about women in leadership – like Fannie Lou Hamer, championing civil rights. Panelists Claudia Allen (OHRE’s Community Outreach Supervisor), Dr. Denise Boston (OHRE’s Equity and Restorative Practices Manager) and Glendora Hughes (General Counsel for the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights) will explore the challenges and contributions of women in the work of civil and human rights. This event will streamed live on the OHRE’s Facebook page and the Howard County Government’s YouTube channel at noon on the 24^th.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, I invite you to join OHRE and OAI’s North Laurel 50+ Center next Tuesday, March 29^th for trivia game event! Come test your knowledge on and showcase what you know about the contributions of important women in history. The fun will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will take place at the 50+ Center located within Recreation & Parks’ North Laurel Community Center at 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road. To register for this event, either call 410-313-0380 or sign-up at the 50+ Center’s front desk.

ORHE offers a quarterly certification training in Bystander Intervention and Cultural Awareness (BICA). This is an excellent training that will help participants learn how to protect and promote the humanity of those who are being targeted or harassed in their presence. This quarter’s upcoming BICA training will take place virtually on April 5^th. As space is limited, reserve you spot today by clicking HERE. 

Once each decade, we update the County’s General Plan, a long-range, visionary document that guides land use, growth and development decisions. As part of its process to create a new General Plan, called HoCo By Design, our Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) has been leading a community outreach effort to ensure we hear from every voice as it strives to create one vision for our county's future.

This week, DPZ’s project team will hosts its first planning theme chapter meetings. The first chapter – “Dynamic Neighborhoods: Maintaining and Supporting Vibrant Living for a More Equitable Future”, contains draft housing policies to address the needs of current and future residents and create more equitable neighborhoods for all. To read the chapter, click HERE.

DPZ will host its first meeting, a hybrid (in-person and virtual) meeting, today, March 21^st from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The in-person portion of the meeting will be held in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room of the George Howard Building, located at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. As space is limited for this meeting, registration is required. To register for this in-person option, click HERE. If you registered to participate in this meeting virtually, but did not receive the auto-generated link, or you did not register, you’ll want to visit DPZ’s HoCo By Design website for the meeting link.

In addition to today’s hybrid meeting, DPZ will also host a Dynamic Neighborhoods Evening Virtual Meeting this Wednesday, March 23^rd from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Again, if you registered to participate in this meeting virtually, but did not receive the auto-generated link, or you did not register by the March 20^th deadline, you’ll want to visit DPZ’s HoCo By Design website for the meeting link.

For more information on DPZ’s HoCo By Design’s Draft Chapter Release: Dynamic Neighborhoods, visit www.hocobydesign.com/dynamic-neighborhoods, or contact DPZ’s Community Planner’s Kate Bolinger at kbolinger@howardcountymd.gov or Sarah Latimer at slatimer@howardcountymd.gov.

Also this Wednesday, March 23^rd, DPZ’s Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a virtual WebEx meeting at 7:00 p.m. VIRTUALLY to hear the following agenda item:

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 2318 578 6047 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

In case you missed it, back on March 11^th, I announced that I am seeking members for the County’s Police Accountability Board. Established last month, the Board will be comprised of seven voting members - two at-large members and one from each of the five councilmanic district. Once fully operational, the Board will review the outcome of complaint investigations against Howard County Police Department personnel to determine discipline and identify trends that could improve policing. For more information about this Board, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, click HERE. Note, the DEADLINE to apply is this Friday, March 25^th.

Geared towards Howard County students heading into the 9^th grade, HCPD’s P.L.E.D.G.E. (Pride, Leadership, Education, Diversity, Growth, Evaluation) Leadership Camp is a FREE, one-week day-camp that helps participants develop leadership skills prior to entering high school. Lessons and activities challenge campers’ ability to make critical decisions, focus on core beliefs and values, recognize diversity, and work toward a common goal. This year’s P.L.E.D.G.E. Leadership Camp will offer two sessions, the first from June 27^th to July 1^st and the second from July 25^th to July 29^th.

For residents age 15 to 18 who are looking for a one-of-a-kind experience this summer, HCPD’s YPA is for you. YPA is a FREE, one-week overnight-camp (July 10^th to July 15^th) that introduces campers to what it’s like to be a police officer. Campers will train and learn like HCPD’s Police Academy recruits, while exploring career and leadership opportunities and building life skills.

For more information about either program and/or to submit an application, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/police/youth-programs today. Please note, applications are DUE by April 15^th.

Please remember, HCPD and HCSO will NEVER demand payment over the phone. If you receive a call like this, IT IS A SCAM. Hang up and do not provide any personal information.

If you are interested in serving on the County's Animal Matters Hearing Board, I encourage you to apply today as we are currently seeking applicants. Comprised of seven voting members, the Board is responsible for ruling on appeals for animal control law violations, issued orders and declarations related to the enforcement of animal control laws. Members also make recommendations to the County’s animal control facility and review the facility’s proposed budget. To learn more about this Board, eligibility requirements and how to apply, click HERE. Please note, the deadline to apply is Friday, April 1st.

The County’s Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Stormwater Management Division will hold a public meeting on Monday, April 4^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room of the George Howard Building, located at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, to present plans for a pond decommissioning, a pond retrofit and a stream stabilization and restoration project.

The three project sites are located south of MD 103 between Chatsworth Way and Wheatfield Way. The Manors of Oakwood Pond, located in the open space behind 4618 Chatsworth Way, will be removed and the area restored to a natural vegetated state. The Brampton Hills pond at 4715 Widdup Court will be retrofitted to accommodate the removal of the upstream pond and to bring the pond into compliance with current standards. The unnamed stream, located in an open space extending downstream approximately 800 feet behind several lots and beginning adjacent to 8504 Autumn Harvest, will be stabilized and restored to provide safe conveyance of the runoff. This project is expected to begin by winter 2022.

Those unable to attend this meeting who would like to view the plans and/or have questions regarding Capital Project D-1159 (Manors of Oakwood Pond Decommissioning/Brampton Hills Retrofit) and/or Capital Project D-1158 (Autumn Forest Stream Stabilization and Restoration), should contact Mr. Brian Cleary with the DPW’s Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-6455 or email bcleary@howardcountymd.gov.

To learn about Department of Public Works (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.

Alternatively, you can also sign up online at FeedTheGreenBin.org or by contacting the Bureau at 410-313-6444 or emailing help@howardcountyrecycles.org.

Next Monday, March 28^th, DPW’s Bureau of Environmental Services’ curbside yard trim collection will resume for the season for residents in yard trim collection areas. Please keep in mind, during our curbside yard trim season, the Bureau will only collect your yard trim items on your scheduled yard trim collection days. To find out your yard trim collection day, click HERE. To review the Bureau’s yard trim collection guidelines, including what is and is not collected and how to prepare your items for collection, click HERE.

To learn more, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/documentshredding.

REMDINER: Our Department of Recreation & Parks’ Centennial Park East Area, located off of Woodland Road in Ellicott City is currently CLOSED for resurfacing/repaving work. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed by this Friday, March 25^th

Saturday, March 26^th, at the County’s North Laurel Community Center (NLCC). Hosted by Recreation & Parks the hunt will take place from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., starting at NLCC and then following the path through North Laurel Park where participants will be on the hunt for golden coins. Prizes are available to all participants after the hunt has finished. All ages are welcome and the cost to participate is $10 for NLCC members and $15 for nonmembers. For more information and/or to register to participate, visit https://tinyurl.com/GoldRushNLCC.  

Saturday, April 2nd is World Autism Acceptance Day. To help spread kindness, increase autism awareness and celebrate the day, Recreation & Parks is co-sponsoring "Autism in the Park", along with HCPD, the County’s Department of Fire and Rescue Services, the Howard County Autism Society and Equipment Connections for Children. This FREE event will feature interactive play, entertainers, face painting, music, ice cream, opportunities to visit with first responders and a chance for residents to learn more about our amazing autism community. The event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Blandair Regional Park’s Laura’s Place Playground (north area) in Columbia.

Opened last year, Laura’s Place “play-for-all” playground was designed from the ground up to encourage children of all ability levels to be able to play together and boasts unique features designed to accommodate cognitive, communicative, social/emotional and sensory disabilities. These include a fence that surrounds the playground, non-verbal communication boards donated by the Howard County Autism Society, and other Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant accessibility items.

To learn more about "Autism in the Park, click HERE. For more information about Blandair Regional Park, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/blandairpark.

Also on April 2^nd, Recreation & Parks will be hosting an afternoon of nature exploration and campfire fun geared towards Howard County’s deaf and hard of hearing community (age nine to 14) at its Robinson Nature Center. Held in partnership with Howard County’s Therapeutic Recreation (TR) program, Robinson Nature Center naturalists will be assisted by ASL interpreters and TR staff to take participants on a guided hike through the grounds. Afterwards, participants will roast marshmallows over the campfire and have a chance to socialize. Tickets are $10. For more information and/or to purchase your ticket, click HERE.

Join Recreation & Parks, Howard County Health Department (HCHD), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Maryland Chapter (AFSP) and Bullseye Running on Friday, April 8^th for Light the Night 5K for Suicide Prevention Run/Walk. More than just a race, this event will serve as a county-wide acknowledgment that we support and care for those impacted by suicide. Between 2014 and 2016, suicide was the leading cause of death for youth ages 15 to 19 in Howard County and in 2018, HCHD reported that one in six high school students seriously considered attempting suicide. To note, this data was gathered before the pandemic and does not depict the effects of isolation-related depression and financial stressors on families.

For more information and/or to register for this event, visit https://tinyurl.com/lightthenight5k.

If you are a looking for activities for your child to participate in when schools are closed, I encourage you to check out the variety of one-day camps our Department of Recreation & Parks offers that your child is sure to love. For the Howard County Public School System’s upcoming spring break (April 11th to April 15th and April 18th), be sure to check out these camp offerings.

Embark on a nighttime, nature-based scavenger hunt at Recreation & Parks’ Robinson Nature Center on April 29^th from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Using the GooseChase app, participants will complete a series of missions, learning about spring-time natural phenomena, including constellations, migrating animals and evening wildlife rituals, along the way. The evening will end with a program in Robinson Nature Center’s planetarium.

Participants must be 18 and older to participate and singles, couples and teams of up to five people are welcome. Tickets are $20 a person and preregistration is required as space is limited.

Recreation & Parks is looking for volunteers to help coach. If you enjoy working with others, thrive in a team setting and want to share your knowledge of a particular sport, I encourage you to sign-up to volunteer today to become a coach with Recreation & Parks. There are opportunities in a variety of sports including, but not limited to, baseball, basketball, field hockey, tennis and volleyball. To learn more, visit www.HoCoVolunteer.org. 

To the more than 250 residents who attended our Office of Transportation’s Active Transportation Open House (ATOH) virtually the week of February 12^th to February 18^th, we thank you for your participation and feedback. If you were not able to join us, no worries, you can find a summary report of the Open House, survey results, discussions, highlights, Open House materials and more on Transportation’s ATOH website.

For questions and/or to speak to someone further about ATOH, please feel free to contact Transportation at transportation@howardcountymd.gov.