Dear Friends,

Even if you don’t produce a lot of food waste – every little bit counts. Last year 900 tons of food scraps were diverted from the landfill through our program and turned into nutrient-rich compost. Last week, we announced a major expansion of the county’s food scrap curbside collection program coming this spring that, when implemented will mean that 53 percent of households will be able to help the environment by diverting food waste from landfills and turning it into compost. 

Under the expansion, 5,635 households in Wilde Lake and Centennial Lane areas will have access to green bins that allow for food scrap collection, bringing the total households served to more than 34,000. Howard County is leading the way in Maryland to create a clean and sustainable environment, and this is an easy and sustainable way for everyone to do their part.

Read more about this program here. 

I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Mary Ellen Duncan, our beloved President Emeritus of Howard Community College, and the first woman to serve as the college's president. Dr. Duncan was an incredible educator, leader, advocate, and friend. She always put the needs of students first and encouraged everyone around her to grow personally and professionally. During her tenure, she doubled enrollment, improved the overall academic experience, and quadrupled the physical plant.

My most sincere condolences are with her family, friends, and all who have been inspired by her. Her legacy will continue to live on in the lives of every person she touched, including me. May she rest in peace. She will be missed!

We provided more than $8 million in American Rescue Plan funding for cash bonuses for our educators – to show how much we value what they have accomplished for our children in these unprecedented times.

I was gratified when the Howard County Board of Education met the challenge and matched the contribution, for a total of $16.1 million that will pay for bonuses of $1,800 for nearly 8,400w educators in the county public school system. This will be one of the highest bonuses for educators during the pandemic in the entire state.

Read more here.

According to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), as of today, February 14, Howard County’s positivity rate is 4.5% and our 7-day moving average case rate per 100k is 15.8. While we are seeing a decline in the COVID-19 positivity rate, hospitalizations and cases remain high around the state. There are currently 28 COVID-19 patients in both the ICU and Acute Care units at Howard County General Hospital. While Howard County community transmission level remains high or substantial, indoor masking in public places in recommended.

Howard County has high vaccination rates with 89 % of our residents 5+ fully vaccinated. Approximately 34% of our eligible residents have not yet received their booster shot. Please get boosted if you have not yet received a booster shot. Vaccination, including boosters, work by significantly reducing serious illness, hospitalization, and death. 

We have the power to stop the spread the COVID-19. We can only do this through increased vaccination, getting boosted, and continuing to practice the mitigation strategies we have all become accustomed to: stay home if you are sick, get tested, wear a high-quality mask, and please get vaccinated and boosted if you haven’t already. Find a vaccine near you at vaccine.howardcountymd.gov. 

This Black History Month, we’re recognizing the significant accomplishments of our local leaders, like Delegate Frank Turner. Yet another pillar of the Howard County community, Frank S. Turner, represented District 13 in the Maryland House of Delegates for 24 years. Throughout that time and beyond, he was committed to teaching his students at Morgan State University. 

His brilliance has been continuously noticed by all, as seen by Governor Hogan honoring him with a Distinguished Public Service Award and the Legislative Black Caucus of MD awarding him a Legislative Service Award. A Columbia resident, we praise Delegate Turner for his exceptional commitment to public service and representing the people of Howard County, Maryland, and beyond.

Do you have a big, bold idea? 

Our Design Thinking program will take your idea from concept to opportunity. The next session begins this Wednesday, February 16th, with Howard County Economic Development Authority at the Maryland Innovation Center. Your journey to success, starts today! 

Register today at www.mdinnovationcenter.com.

Congratulations Howard County Public School System Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano! 

It takes a strong team and a clear vision to build the best public education system for the students of Howard County, and Dr. Martirano has been a focused and able partner as we have worked together on important priorities. 

Together, we have provided the resources needed to create the best possible learning environment in our schools, increasing capital funding by 25% over the prior four-year average, and providing nearly $60 million annually to advance the new High School #13, a replacement for Talbott Springs Elementary School and a renovation of Hammond High School into construction. Under Dr. Martirano’s direction, these projects will facilitate learning for thousands of students and staff. 

We have also worked together to put the school system on a more solid financial footing by eliminating a $40 million deficit in the education health fund. 

Dr. Martirano and I value our classroom teachers, which is why we collaborated to provide bonuses of $1,800 per person during the height of the pandemic, as educators were grappling with changing conditions and health and safety concerns.

The Board of Education took the right step by deciding to continue Dr. Martirano’s leadership, and I look forward to working with him and his team – on behalf of our students – for years to come.

I had the chance to show my appreciation, with the help of Nothing Bundt Cakes, to our healthcare heroes at Howard County General Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Howard County Health Department. These heroes have worked tirelessly on the frontlines of the pandemic for our community - taking daily risks and balancing their own family obligations. During the last two years, they've saved many lives, but also seen the loss of so many who did not make it. We applaud their daily commitment and sacrifice.

I declared last week, Healthcare Heroes Week in Howard County. Please join me in thanking all our heroes for keeping our community safe, and healthy.

The last two years have been a difficult for many in our community, particularly for those who are struggling with isolation, depression, or a mental health condition. There are many available resources and services for those who are struggling. Please be sure to check in on one another and offer a helping hand.

I encourage residents to follow these tips to help during times of struggle and isolation.

In 1980, the African Art Museum of Maryland became one of the first museums founded in Columbia. This Museum is one of three in the United States focused exclusively on African art. Of those three, it is the only one founded by an African American. 

In March 2020, the museum returned to Columbia and is now located in the Long Reach Village Center. As we continue our Black History Month Celebrations, I was honored to join founder and visionary Doris Ligon for an exclusive tour of the exhibit. Watch this video to see all this museum has to offer!

The deadline to enroll for a health plan has now been extended to February 28th. Don't wait to enroll, now's the best time to sign up.

Find a plan that works for you at MarylandHealthConnection.gov.

Tomorrow, February 15th, our Department of Community Resources and Services' (DCRSP Office of Community Partnership (OCP) will be conducting its Howard County POINT IN TIME (PIT) Count. A PIT Count is a count of sheltered (emergency shelter, transitional housing and safe havens) and unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness during a single night. On the 15th, OCP staff and volunteers will be out in the community engaging with homeless individuals to collect information and connect them to services. 

Please keep in mind, if you or someone you know is living outside, in a car or any unlivable place, we urge you to call the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center's 24-hour crisis hotline at 410-531-6677 for assistance.

The Howard County Commission for Women is seeking nominations for its “SO SHE DID” initiative, which highlights Howard County women who are making positive changes throughout the county. Positive changes include the promotion of economic, social and political equality of women. “SO SHE DID” is part of a well-known quote – “She believed she could, so she did.” — which expresses the belief that a determined woman can do anything she sets her mind to. 

Next month, during Women’s History Month, the Commission and DCRS will be spotlighting the selected 2022 “SO SHE DID” initiative women each week who empower equity through volunteerism, education, public service, entrepreneurship or mentoring. 

Nominate someone today here. Please note, the DEADLINE to submit your nomination(s) is 5:00 p.m. this Friday, February 18th.

Age-Friendly communities foster independence and allow residents of all ages and abilities to have great access to our amenities and services. Recently, I announced that AARP has approved the Howard County Age-Friendly Action Plan. A transformational document and critical milestone to join the AARP Network of Age Friendly States and Communities, this plan includes 80 recommendations across eight domains that influence the health and quality of life of our residents. With AARP’s stamp of approval, we can move forward confidently over the next three years to work to ensure all recommendations can be implemented.

Join Howard County’s Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) virtually next Thursday, February 24^th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. for its upcoming meeting focused on community preparedness and mental health. The meeting will feature Lynn Hottle, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Red Cross volunteer. Lynn is the National Capital Greater Chesapeake Disaster Mental Health Regional Lead, which serves Maryland, Delaware, DC, and Northern Virginia, and is a Facilitator for the Red Cross Service to Armed Forces, Disaster Action Team Member in Howard County and a Pillowcase presenter. Topics to be discussed at the February meeting include prevention and education; installation of smoke alarms; response to mass casualty events; disaster action team for fires; and health services, mental health and more.

This meeting is free and open to the public, and completely virtual. To register for this meeting, please click HERE. To request accommodations to participate (at least five business days before the meeting) and/or for questions about LEPC, contact the County’s Office of Emergency Management at 410-313-6030 or email to emergencymanagement@howardcountymd.gov. 

To learn more and/or submit an application for the program, click HERE. Note, the application window will close at 11:59 p.m. on February 25, 2022.

Our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) has partnered with DCRS’ North Laurel 50+ Center to host “An Afternoon with Harriet Tubman” this Friday, February 18th at 11:00 a.m. The event will feature a performance by storyteller and griot Janice Curtis Green, who will do a monologue acting as Harriet Tubman.

To register for this event, call the North Laurel 50+ Center at 410-313-0380 or sign up at the 50+ Center’s front desk.

Join our Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) this Thursday, February 10^th at noon for a talk on “Everyday Racism”: Navigating Racial Microaggressions. This Black History Month, join OHRE’s Community Outreach Supervisor Claudia Allen as she shares tips and tools on how to navigate racial microaggressions. And in case you are wondering what are racial microaggressions and how does one professionally respond to racial microaggressions in the workplace, well, you’ll just have to tune into OHRE’s Facebook page or the County’s YouTube channel on the 10^th to find out. 

Facilitated by OHRE and hosted by the Howard County Library System (HCLS), “Reading Human Rights” is a monthly book discussion group aimed at encouraging community dialogue on issues of race, displacement and religious bias. “Reading Human Rights” also aims to foster conversation on how different community’s approach human rights advocacy and community engagement. The discussion group introduces participants to a variety of books from varying genres. This month’s discuss group – set to meet virtually on February 23^rd, HCLS and OHRE will be discussing Caste by Isabel Wilkerson in celebration of Black History Month. As spacing is limited, to reserve your virtual seat today for this month’s discuss group, click HERE.

 The Crown Act: Exploring Race, the Law, & Appearance Discrimination

OHRE invites you to close out Black History Month with a virtual webinar exploring how African Americans deal with illegal discrimination based on personal appearance, especially concerning their hair texture and style. This one-hour lunch and learn on February 24^th will educate attendees on the history of Black hair and its importance to African American culture, expose the various kinds of discrimination African Americans face because of their hair and illuminate the protections offered to Howard County residents. Moderated by OHRE Administrator Yolanda Sonnier, this webinar promises to be informative and practical. Reserve your virtual seat today by clicking HERE.

Our Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Planning Board will be holding a VIRTUAL meeting this Thursday, February 17^th at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following agenda item:

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. To register for Thursday’s virtual meeting, visit HERE prior to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, February 16^th. 

Howard County Police Department, in conjunction with the Maryland 9-1-1 Board, is warning residents who possess older cell phones with 3G service that their service may cease operating this year due to the retirement of 3G networks and support for phones using 3G service. This may also include devices that use 3G connectivity, such as some medical alert devices, tablets, smart watches and home security systems. The nation’s three major wireless carriers – AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, each announced they plan to discontinue 3G service in favor of 4G (LTE) and 5G service in 2022. According to the Federal Communication Commission’s website, AT&T will discontinue service in February, T-Mobile/Sprint will discontinue service between March and July, and Verizon will discontinue service at the end of 2022.

Low-income individuals who are concerned that their 9-1-1 only phones may no longer be supported should consider applying for service through the federal Lifeline Program. Information about this program, particularly eligibility and participating providers, can be found online at www.lifelinesupport.org.

Additionally, if you or someone you know will be affected by this 3G service discontinuation, you may qualify for a Howard County Health Department’s FREE smartphone program, available to eligible foodstamp and Medicaid recipients. To learn more about this program, click HERE or call 410-313-7504 or 410-313-5845.

While the process is underway to have cameras on uniformed officers as soon as possible, supply chain issues have caused a delay in HCPD receiving its body worn camera equipment. Despite this delay, HCPD continues its necessary preparation to ensure the department is able to hit the ground running once it has the technology in-hand. 

To learn more about HCPD's body worn camera program, please click here. 

Our Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting on Thursday, February 24 (inclement weather date is Wednesday, March 2^nd) from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in the cafeteria at Thomas Viaduct Middle School (masks are required), located at 7000 Banbury Drive in Hanover, to present plans for a road relocation project in Jessup.

Those unable to participate in this meeting who would like to view the plans and/or have questions, should contact Mr. Abdul Akbari with DPW’s Transportation and Special Projects Division at 410-313-6146 or email aakbari@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.

While Howard County Government offices will be CLOSED on Monday, February 21^st in observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday, there will be REGULAR Monday curbside trash, recycling and food scrap/yard trim collection on the 21^st. The County’s holiday slide schedule will NOT be in effect the week of Presidents’ Day as the holiday is not one of the six holidays that affect curbside collection. Those six holidays are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. To learn more about the County’s holiday slide schedule, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/holidayschedule. 

Online registration, mail-in, phone and walk-in registration for Howard County residents for Recreation and Parks' 2022 Summer Camp Guide is now open! To view the Summer Camp Guide and/or for the registration link, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap today

Our Department of Recreation & Parks is currently hiring and looking to fill a variety of job vacancies, ranging from childcare to camp counselors, score keepers, park maintenance workers and more. For a full list of available jobs, to learn more about each job and/or to apply, click HERE.

Join Recreation & Parks’ Robinson Nature Center on February 26^th and 27^th for this family-friendly, deliciously sweet and sticky event about the art of maple sugaring, i.e., when the sap from trees is collected to make syrup. Participants will have the opportunity to hike around Robinson Nature Center’s property to explore tapped trees and partake in a cooking demonstration and syrup tasting. Preregistration is recommended for this sweetly popular event; to register, call 410-313-0400 or sign-up HERE. Cost is $7 for Robinson Nature Center members and $10 for general admission. Please note, this program is recommended for those three and older as it takes place along unsurfaced trails which are not stroller accessible.

If you are not able to join our Robinson Nature Center staff on the 26^th or 27^th, Recreation & Parks is also offering a take-home maple sugaring kit. This interactive kit includes video chats from a Nature Center naturalist about the tradition of maple sugaring and materials for a seasonal craft, themed scavenger hunt and a half-dozen cookies, maple-flavored icing and decorations for a family cookie-decorating activity. This kit is geared towards children age two to seven. To secure your “Take Nature Home: Maple Sugaring Season” kit today, click HERE. Cost is $55.00 per kit.

On Saturday, our Office of Transportation kicked off its second annual Active Transportation Open House (ATOH). Held virtually through 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 18^th, this Open House will consists of three sections – discussions, a self-guided tour and online surveys, and will focus on biking, walking, micromobility and Complete Streets. The Open Hous will also include updates to the County’s BikeHoward projects, e-scooters and Complete Streets implementation activities.

For questions and/or to learn more about this year’s Open House, including topic-specific discussion sessions, visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/ATOH2022 or email the Office of Transportation at transportation@howardcountymd.gov (please include “2022 ATOH” in your email subject line).

This past Sunday, February 6^th, the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA) implemented planned service adjustments affecting routes: 301, 403, 404, 405, 406 and 503. For details regarding these adjustments, please visit www.transitrta.com/february2022/. RTA Mobility Services are NOT affected by any of these adjustments