Howard County is a model community, not only across our region, but across the nation. Whether it’s from the President or from an organization, here are the national accolades Howard County received in 2022. 

Recognition by the President



In February, President Biden singled out Howard County during a speech to National Association of Counties leaders in Washington. He praised our efforts to devote American Rescue Plan funding to keep our educators and bus drivers on the job, such as our $1,800 bonus for 8,395 HCPSS educators and staff.

It is gratifying to be recognized as a national model. By working together, we are delivering results for our community and will continue to lead with innovation to support our educators, create jobs, and move our community forward.

Happiest in the East

Columbia was named the second happiest city in America, and it is the only city on the East Coast in the top 25. This recognition speaks to our concerted efforts to improve the quality of life for all our residents here in Howard County.

People want to live, work, play, and grow here because of our connected green spaces, quality schools, robust businesses, and the strong sense of community. Howard County’s focus on building a diverse and inclusive community makes it a great place to live and thrive.

Safest City in America

Since becoming your Howard County Executive in 2018, I have remained committed to creating the safest communities through inclusive outreach and comprehensive investments in public safety, while improving transparency and accountability. This accolade is a testament to the excellent quality of life we cherish in Howard County.

I especially thank our police officers, firefighters and paramedics, social workers, community advocates, and engaged residents for working together to achieve this honor for our community once again. Public safety and keeping our community safe remain a top priority. I recognize that we still have work to do to make sure every community in Howard County is and feels the safest it can be.

Perfect Points for Diversity

Howard County remains a place where diversity and inclusion are more than just talking points, they are fundamental principles by which we strive to live. I'm thrilled that Columbia received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index. 

While we have made incredible strides over the last four years, we still have more progress ahead to advance civil rights for LGBTQIA+ persons. Every resident deserves the right to live openly as their true selves and not be discriminated against for who they are and who they love. This score from the Human Rights Campaign affirms we are making that vision a reality. 

Best City for Jobs

Howard County continues to be an ideal location for many business owners, companies, and entrepreneurs – people want to live, work, and stay here. Howard County has proven repeatedly – we are resilient. The recognition as the Best City for Jobs is a huge testament to the hard work of our business community to be at the forefront of emerging markets, and to our commitment to providing a strong quality of life for all our residents.

Supporting People with Disabilities

In recent years, we have made investments so that residents of all ages and abilities can thrive, such as adding 150 additional special education teachers this year, building accessible housing or implementing programs to ensure that vaccines are available to all. Its humbling that Columbia has been named the Best City in Maryland for People with Disabilities.

It is gratifying to receive national recognition for our work, and we will continue our efforts to make our playgrounds, trails, transportation system and more the best in the country, for all our residents.

Our incredible education system in Howard County attracts many parents and families who wish to grow their family. By investing in education, we’re investing in our future. Here is a look back at how our education was supported in 2022.

Our 13^th High School

This new high school, the first to open since 2005, will help address years of overcrowding and will provide capacity for nearly 1,700 students. Slated to open in 2023, High School #13 has received nearly $100 million in funding between County and State sources following the approval of my Capital Budget last May. This new school is on track to receive a LEED Silver designation, making this facility yet another Green school in Howard County.

Join me, Howard County Public School System Superintendent Michael Martirano, and new Principal Josh Wasilewski for a behind the scenes look at the progress underway. This 77-acre site is extensive, and there’s more to see here.

Tour of Hammond

We are excited about a new renovation and expansion of Hammond High School, which, when completed in December 2023, will add capacity for an additional 200 students, increasing the size of the school by 235,000 square feet, and helping to address overcrowding. We are so excited for this project, and how it will serve our Golden Bears. Watch this video for a sneak peak of the renovations!

A New School in Our cOMmunity

I was ecstatic to celebrate the much-anticipated ribbon cutting for the new Talbott Springs Elementary. This new building will accommodate nearly 590 of our students with a unique layout that offers access and convenience. It will provide students, educators, and families with a new modern energy efficient building that we expect will be certified as LEED silver and it is 34,000 square feet larger than the school it is replacing, allowing for a more robust education program to serve all our pupils.

Howard County is a premier place to live and grow, which is why families choose to raise their children here. As the father of daughters who both attended Talbott Springs Elementary School, this celebration is especially exciting as our community starts its 50th year with TSES.

Thank you to our local advocates, Talbott Springs Elementary School PTA, Howard County Public School System, Board of Education, our state and local officials, Oakland Mills Village, and our phenomenal Principal Nancy Thompson who helped push this project forward! Through our work together, we are building facilities that will foster excellent environments for teaching and learning, and I cannot wait to see the new heights our Eagles will continue to reach in this brand-new facility.

Making Progress on Turf Valley Elementary School

Ensuring our students and educators have access to the best teaching and learning environment remains a priority. Our work to purchase land for the future Turf Valley Elementary School took years of sustained effort, with $4 million allocated over multiple budgets to fund the purchase, environmental assessment work completed, and ongoing negotiations needed to secure this property for our students and educators.

More Bonuses for Educators

During 2022, I 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, and remain, 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 8,400 educators in the county public school system. This was one of the highest bonuses for educators during the pandemic in the entire state.

School Based Mental Health

Even before the pandemic exacerbated the mental health crisis, we recognized the gap in these services, especially for our students and young residents. Connecting our students to the care they need is vital, and we are investing in wraparound services to ensure our students have the academic, social, and emotional support they need to be healthy and successful. Our commitment of more than $2 million to provide student mental health services for all our students can make a difference — and save lives.

Every Howard County student - which means nearly 58,000 kids in every school - now has access to mental health services. Additionally, with this funding we’re filling the gap for children and families who historically have difficulty accessing this critical, live-saving mental health care. Everyone deserves the same access to mental health services.

Closing the Gap

The past two years have been especially challenging for our students, families, and educators. The pandemic exacerbated already existing disparities in student learning levels. We povided a $2 million investment in support services for students and families to help close the achievement gap. The funding will support HoCo STRIVES (Strategies to Reach an Inclusive Vision and Equitable Solutions), which is an umbrella for the many initiatives in place to address the achievement gap, and now to address learning loss brought on by the pandemic.

This vital initiative includes afterschool and summer programming, mental health services, and free meals. The investments we are making now will have a positive impact on our children and families, especially those who have less opportunities and ensure they have the resources to be successful. 

Battle of the Books

It was so great to be back in person at the 2022 Battle of the Books! After two years of participating in the competition virtually, it was energizing to see everyone’s happy faces together again at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Over the years, I’ve been a coach and a judge and I’m so proud that Howard County offers such great opportunities to encourage reading and celebrate the achievements of our young people.

STEM Awards

Honoring our Middle and High School students and their mentors, teachers, sponsors, and family who have been motivators, testers, and an incredible support system for their achievements in STEM brings even more hope for a brighter future. In June, I hosted our STEM Awards to recognize multiple teams for their successes in representing our phenomenal schools, community, and all of Howard County in their local, state, and national competitions. Whether it was in a Science Olympiad, First Robotics or university invitational, our students demonstrated admirable creativity, determination, and tenacity.

Crossing the Finish Line

In October, we launched the transformational Complete4Success Scholarship, a $3.5M investment in our students at Howard Community College (HCC). Across our nation, higher education enrollment suffered in recent years. Students were faced with desperate situations—having to address both their academic and emergency needs such as digital access, books, food, and transportation. For some, it was difficult to finish just that last class to get their degree or credential.

The Complete4Success Scholarship will cover tuition and fees, emergency needs, and training in critical industries for 2,000 eligible students so students can get their credits to complete their degrees and jump into jobs and careers.

A greener community is a healthier community. I’m so proud of the incredible efforts we have taken to protect our environment and remain energy independent. From saving green space to flood mitigation, here’s a snapshot of how our community stayed green.

LEED-ing the Way

One of our most significant accolades received during 2022 was when Howard County became the first county in the nation to receive a LEED Platinum certification under the current version! This is the highest designation possible, under the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for Cities and Communities certification program. 

This recognition is an acknowledgement of efforts we have undertaken to become the most sustainable community in the nation, such as dedicating ourselves to solar power, transit, and electric vehicles, and building infrastructure to make walking and bike-riding easier. We have held ourselves accountable; we have a road map for moving forward and we will continue to identify new places to lead and to make positive change for all.  

Saving Camp Ilchester

Spaces like Camp Ilchester make up the fabric of our community – connecting neighbors and friends and allowing more of our residents’ close access to nature. On September 30th, the land acquisition of the Camp Ilchester property, removing 105 potential housing units from the pipeline, was finalized. Our purchase ensures that Camp Ilchester will always be green space, preserved as part of the Howard County Recreation & Parks system.

This could have only been possible due to the efforts of every single person who advocated and supported this initiative. Watch the video from our celebration, which featured many of our Girl Scouts and their families! 

Keeping Ellicott City Safe and Sound

We received $75 million in federal funding to construct the Extended North Tunnel in Ellicott City. The 5,000-foot-long tunnel will be the largest and most impactful flood mitigation component of our Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan.

After devastating floods in 2011, 2016 and 2018, we have put together a comprehensive package of solutions backed with $167 million in federal, state, and local dollars that will greatly reduce the impacts of storms that are becoming more intense due to climate change.

This game-changing project will carry 26,000 gallons of storm water per second, away from streets and foundations in Old Ellicott City and the West End and directly into the Patapsco River. That's about the amount of water in an average in-ground pool, moving through the tunnel every second!

This tunnel will be one of the most important and impactful public works projects in the history of Howard County. We are writing a new chapter in the long history of Ellicott City, making it a national model of resilience. Even in the face of the most complex challenges, we will continue to support our town and work to make Ellicott City safe and sound for generations to come.

H-7 Retention Pond

This Fall, I was joined by Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, Senator Katie Fry Hester, and Delegate Courtney Watson to cut the ribbon on the H-7 retention Pond. This pond was the first major public works project to be completed through our Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan and is one of the largest and most important projects in the history of Howard County. 

While we can never eliminate the risk of flooding, we can do all we can to reduce the toll of devastating storms. Through our collaborative efforts, we are making Ellicott City a national model of resilience.

Food Scraps are Good Scraps

Even if you don’t produce a lot of food waste – every little bit counts. We produced a major expansion of the county’s food scrap curbside collection program that resulted in 53 percent of households will be able to help the environment by diverting food waste from landfills and turning it into compost.

Under this expansion, 5,635 households in Wilde Lake and Centennial Lane areas now 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.

Protecting Our Agriculture

Since re-opening our Agricultural Land Preservation Program in 2019, our team has been hard at work to ensure our green space is preserved for current and future generations. We were so grateful to work alongside Alan Sharp to preserve nearly 130-acres of land in Western Howard County, protecting this beautiful property from future development. Together, we are prioritizing the preservation of our green space and agricultural land to protect our environment for current and future generations.

Tree Giveaway

Building upon the success of our annual tree giveaway program, which was launched in 2019, this year we are pleased to have offered a record number trees for our residents. Over the last four years, together, we have planted over 60,000 trees in our community. This year, through our efforts to give away 3,000 trees, we brought our grand giveaway total through this program alone to 9,225 trees, allowing more residents to play a part in increasing our county’s tree canopy.

By continuing to plant thousands of trees each year, we are using one of the most effective tools to become more energy independent and protect our environment while improving our community’s health and beauty.

More Accessible Trails for all

We continue to make historic investments for our parks to be more functional and accessible to all. Last week, I was proud to announce the completion of a 1,250-foot universal access pathway at Haviland Mill Park that allows visitors to view the Patuxent River from an observation deck. 

This pathway, with its boardwalk, bridges, natural surfaces, and dry stack stone walls creates a fully accessible trail loop that will allow visitors of all abilities to better enjoy our treasured wetlands.

TODAY on Freetown

Freetown Farm was once a dream and now it is a vibrant and growing reality as our only farm in East Howard County. I’m so happy to see it received a well-deserved recognition on the Today Show! Freetown Farm is so important because it doesn’t just feed peoples bellies, but it feeds their souls. 

Congratulations to my friend and visionary Dr. Chiara D’Amore and everyone at The Community Ecology Institute for your constant dedication and commitment to helping our community thrive! Watch the segment here.  

We know that when businesses advance, so does our community. The state of our business is resilient, robust, and relentlessly moving ahead to embrace the future. I truly believe the potential of Howard County is unlimited due to the framework created by our fiscal strength, our pandemic response, and our vision for future jobs.

Home to Thriving Businesses



Howard County is where businesses are born, where businesses can get access to capital, and where businesses grow. Howard County is where businesses are in the ideal location for success, home to a highly skilled workforce, and overcoming the challenges of the pandemic. Howard County is where businesses thrive and where advancing business advances our community! 

Please listen to some of our amazing business owners to hear more about their experiences. This has been a challenging time for everyone, and we are well on the road to recovery. Please keep supporting our small businesses.

David’s Natural Market is here to stay!

Over thirty years ago, David’s Natural Market was founded on the idea that people should have access to healthy foods, local organic produce, high quality vitamins and nutritional supplements, and informed and engaging customer service–all under one roof.

As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, it's important for us to continue supporting our small, local businesses who have made significant contributions to our community. Thank you, David and Courtney, for choosing to stay in Howard County.

Naz's Halal

I was so happy to welcome Naz's Halal Food to the Normandy Shopping Center in Ellicott City. Cousins Naz and Kareem brought their love for New York street-style food to our community, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! This is their second of four upcoming Maryland locations, and we’re so grateful they chose Howard County as their home.

Po Boy Jim



I was excited to also welcome Po Boy Jim Bar & Grill, which is located near the Mall in Columbia. This new restaurant serves New Orleans-themed dishes and adds even more diversity to Howard County’s culinary scene. Thank you, Ian Reid, for expanding your business to Howard County!

AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar



Twenty years ago, Joe and Mary Barbera followed their passion for food and wine which led to the creation of AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar. For two decades, they have provided our community with a warm, dining experience. While we are saddened that they will be closing their doors on January 28th, I wish them the absolute best in their future endeavors. 

The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar



We also welcomed a new crazy new business in town!

We welcomed Robert and Erin of The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar Old Ellicott City to our community! With so many great shakes, desserts, and ways to customize them, the choices are endless. I encourage residents to stop by to grab a crazy creation of their own, while also supporting our Main Street businesses.

Lime & Salt Taco Bar



Howard County’s culinary scene reflects the diversity of our community and we’re so glad to continue to expand our pallets. We welcomed Lime & Salt Taco Bar to Columbia! Inspired by Mexican street food, they use the best ingredients and provide a unique atmosphere. Congratulations to Yampier and Taylor on this new endeavor!

Cindy’s Soft Serve



One of my favorite places to stop by after a long day is Howard County’s very own Cindy's Soft Serve in Elkridge. To celebrate National Ice Cream Day, I visited them to get their famous soft serve twist. I also was inspired and honored to have spent time with Cindy and her dad Claude to learn more about how this community staple was born.

Sunflowers of Lisbon



The farm at the Sunflowers of Lisbon consists of beautiful, yellow blooms and is the perfect place to visit with family and friends for a fun photoshoot or to simply enjoy some time with nature. These tall and brightly colored flowers even have an abundant source of nectar for our pollinators. Every year, Derek and Jenny bring this sunny attraction to Western Howard County while also bringing a bright smile for all.

Clarks Ace Hardware



For over 175 years, Clarks Ace Hardware has provided our community with exceptional services. It is one of the oldest same family-owned hardware stores in America, and I’m excited to see its continued expansion. In September, we welcomed their second store to Columbia, which added 20 jobs and is an investment of $2 million.

Snowball Stand in Woodstock



Since 1974, The Snowball Stand in Woodstock has been serving delicious cold treats to our community. I stopped by on a hot day to show appreciation for their efforts in serving our community. At the Snowball Stand, they have perfected the art of serving snowballs with the right amount of syrup and ice.

Lauren’s Nursery

One of my big priorities is to ensure a clean and sustainable environment for our community. Someone who shares this priority is the wonderful Lauren Turner. I had the pleasure of visiting her nursery’s brand-new location in the historic Westwood Church building.

Lauren's Garden Service & Native Plant Nursery is an eco-friendly landscaper right here in Howard County with the goal of providing an alternative to traditional and sometimes harmful landscaping services. Once a home-based business, it now has a more permanent home. This new location has also paved the way for Cultivate at Lauren's Garden Service, a great spot for nature and gardening lovers to pick up various products. The nursery itself is the perfect place to pick up shrubs, trees, and regionally grown perennials.

In Howard County, we cherish our overall quality of life. This testament is only possible due to the efforts of those in service in both the Howard County Police Department, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, and every person who serves our community in uniform.

“59 Hoover”



This Spring, I 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 came 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.

Supporting Our Volunteer Firefighters



Our County’s dedicated volunteer firefighters are a critically important piece of our public safety infrastructure and have been for some time. Howard County has six phenomenal volunteer fire companies that play a key role in our County’s emergency response services. At fires, medical calls, and other emergency events, volunteers work side by side with their career counterparts. 

Our Fiscal Year 2023 budget included $500,000 in grant funding to support our volunteer fire departments in Clarksville, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Lisbon, Savage and West Friendship. In addition, our approved budget included over $4.5 million in operating support for our volunteers, an increase of over $250,000 from last year alone. Our volunteer firefighters have supported our Howard County community through our most challenging times, which is why I was so thrilled to continue to show my support for them.

Implementing Body-Worn Cameras



Together, we took a giant leap forward and implemented the body work camera program. After years of planning, it is gratifying to reach the point where we are fully implementing a program that will bring immediate benefits to our officers and our community. 

Two years ago, my budget included $2.8 million to fully implement the body worn camera program. I also included $4.7 million in my Fiscal Year 2023 budget, which started last month, to continue operations. Uniformed HCPD officers who regularly interact with members of the public are required to wear and operate body worn camera, this includes Patrol, Community Outreach, School Resource Officers, Traffic Investigations, and Tactical. 

This camera program is a critical step toward increased transparency and accountability in Howard County. Howard County, home of the Safest City in America, is now one step closer to being even safer for all. 

Our investment in infrastructure has added resources, improved communities and increased accessibility through a truly multi-modal transportation system that better connects Howard County to the Baltimore-Washington regions. These new buildings and programs help improve our overall quality of life in Howard County, and ensure that every person can live their best life.

Waterloo Fire Station



The new Waterloo Fire Station is the result of historic investments during the last four years to maintain and grow our public safety infrastructure. After years of back-and-forth negotiations, we worked on a plan and acquired the property from the state in 2019. We then expedited construction to help our fire and safety personnel improve emergency response times in Elkridge, Jessup, East Columbia, and surrounding communities.

This project represents our bipartisan partnerships and collective efforts with Governor Larry Hogan to deliver resources for our first responders and our community. It is second newly established fire station to open since 2019, building on our efforts to make sure Howard County remains the best place to live, work, play, and grow for all.

6^th Cricket Pitch



Cricket’s popularity has grown dramatically in recent years in Howard County and throughout our nation. We opened the 6^th pitch at Lake Elkhorn Middle School, which is foundational for the growth of our youth cricket league. We have some of the best sports fields and engagement in our state, and we look forward to expanding Howard County’s national reputation as the place to play cricket.

Harriet Tubman Cultural Center



In recent years, we have made significant investment in preserving our history and learning about our past. The Harriet Tubman School, which is now open, has seen record investment in the last four years and will serve as a historic, educational, and cultural space. 

In four years, we’ve committed more than $6.7 million in County funds and worked with our State delegation to secure an additional $1 million in funding. Together, that comprised more than 83% of the funds required to transform the building from a painful stain of segregation into an impactful cultural center that will enrich our whole community. Our substantial investment in this project reflects our commitment to learning from our past and creating an even brighter future, full of more opportunity for all.  

Retaining this legacy of early African American education in Howard County is important history for current and future generations of all races and backgrounds.

A Bikeable cOMmunity



In 2022, Howard County adopted its first Complete Streets Design Manual based on a Complete Streets Policy from 2019 that rated a score of 89 out of 100 by the National Complete Streets Coalition. The most recent project to benefit from this new approach to roadway design in Howard County is on Oakland Mills Road from Old Montgomery Road to Dobbin Road.

This street was redesigned with new bicycle facilities and pedestrian crosswalks which build on our efforts to increase our modes of transportation. Here are some tips for what to look out for when driving, cycling, and walking on the newly completed street.

Maternal Health Initiative



Howard County is one of the healthiest communities in our nation, but we still have challenges to address. As we examined data related to maternal care in Howard County, we saw some clear opportunities.

In the most recent Howard County Community Health Needs assessment, the data showed that almost 12% of Hispanic mothers and 8% of Black mothers in Howard County received late prenatal care, or no prenatal care at all. That disparity is simply not acceptable.

My budget included $1.3 million for the Maternal Health Initiative to support underinsured and uninsured mothers to access quality prenatal care in Howard County, significantly reducing systemic barriers to care while also promoting favorable health outcomes for all mothers and babies.

Smashing Courts



We broke ground on eight dedicated pickleball courts at Western Regional Park.

We are pleased to add more pickleball courts here in Howard County because we recognize the popularity of the sport as well as the need for increased outdoor activities in our communities. Our residents, especially those who are part of our active-aging community, enjoy the exercise, competition, and camaraderie that pickleball provides.

Using Your Voice, Making Your Choice

We provided a major investment for expanded reproductive health services in Howard County, committing $1 million in funding over three years to ensure that students at Howard Community College have improved access to care. Reproductive health care has become weaponized across our country, especially since the repeal of Roe v. Wade. 

Under a pilot program being established through a partnership between HCC and the Howard County Health Department, the expanded HCC clinic will offer more hours, as well as telemedicine; a full complement of contraception; treatment of sexually transmitted infections and more. I will continue to unequivocally support the right for women to use their own voices and make their own choices for their reproductive health care and family planning needs.

Howard County is only the best place to live, work, play, grow, and grow older for all due to the efforts of every single community member who pushes to achieve the impossible. From community events to making history, we are so thankful for every person who positively contributes to our overall quality of life.

Building the Best Community

From Day One, we have laid out a bold, transformational vision to build the strongest community possible. We have prioritized our highly ranked and fully funded school system. We are award-winning environmental stewards. Our communities are safe, strong, and accessible. We have thriving businesses that are the backbone of our community.

Please listen to some of our neighbors about our collective progress on creating a safer and more accessible community for all abilities, ages, and backgrounds; preserving more of our lands, and supporting local entrepreneurs.

Providing Solutions



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 excited to see what your future holds!

Celebrating Bathukamma!



Bathukamma is a floral festival celebrated every year by predominantly Hindu women from the Indian state of Telangana. I was so glad to join MD Bathukamma at Gary J. Arthur Community Center to celebrate this auspicious celebration, filled with dancing and blooming flowers.

Congratulations Mae Beale



We're so proud of Howard County resident, Mae Beale, who persevered and received her bachelor's degree from University of Maryland Global Campus at 82 years young.

Mae has been an active advocate and tireless community leader for decades, serving on many boards including Maryland Tourism and Promotion, the Restaurant Association, the Festival of the Arts, and the Columbia Bright Minds Association. Mae said it best when it comes to following your dreams, "expose yourself to as many possibilities as you can because you never know what life will present."

Recognizing Juneteenth

Each year on June 19th, communities across our County, State and Nation unite to acknowledge and celebrate Juneteenth. Around June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. Although the Emancipation Proclamation came 2½ years earlier on January 1, 1863, many slave owners continued to hold their slave’s captive after the announcement, so Juneteenth became a symbolic date representing African American freedom.

It was great to celebrate Juneteenth National Freedom Day at the Columbia Lakefront. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. In 2021, we celebrated our first Juneteenth, which became Howard County’s 13th holiday. This celebration, not just for African Americans, provides the opportunity for our entire community to continue striving for equal rights for all Americans.

Celebrating Independence



It was great to see all of our residents and visitors enjoying our spectacular 4th of July fireworks at the Columbia Lakefront! As a boy, I used to come watch the Columbia fireworks display with my father. This community celebration is the perfect way to bring families and our community together, while celebrating all that makes us great.

Columbia 55^th birthday



During 2022, I joined Lakey Boyd to celebrate Columbia’s 55^th birthday. Fifty-five years ago, James Rouse had a vision of creating a better place for all – to live, grow, and thrive in a garden for the growing of people. Columbia was recognized as the “Safest City in America” for the fourth year in a row, and the second Happiest City in America for 2022. Thank you to the Columbia Association and all who came out to celebrate our incredible community.

We are deeply saddened to have lost valuable leaders and community members in 2022 who helped move our community forward. The holes left by these individuals will never be filled. May their souls rest in peace.

Dr. Mary Ellen Duncan



In February, we lost 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.

Her legacy will continue to live on in the lives of every person she touched, including me. May she rest in peace. She is missed!

Vivian “Millie” Bailey



In May, our community has lost one of its most enduring and brightest lights - my dear friend Vivian C. “Millie” Bailey. She loved her country, she loved her community, and she taught us all so many lessons about service and giving back to our community. Millie was one of the first African American officers in the Women’s Army Corps and served as a commander of the Women's Colored Detachment. 

For more than half a century she collected, packed, and shipped CARE packages for U.S. Military service members. She was a huge supporter of our Police Citizens Advisory Council. She was a fierce advocate and fundraiser for Running Brook Elementary School, where she often raised more than 10,000 annually for the students there. Her laughter, her smile, and her can do attitude were infectious. 

Her legacy surrounds us, from the children’s park named after her alongside Lake Kittamaqundi to the student food pantry at Howard Community College. She lived a tremendously impactful 104-years. Please pause with me today to remember her amazing life. Like she always would remind many of us, in her memory, let's do a little more to help others.

Dr. Michael Edward Hickey



We also lost Michael Hickey, former Howard County Public School System Superintendent. As an educator and alumnus of Towson University, I appreciate his legacy even more. Dr. Hickey was a national authority in public education leadership, a gifted leader and a wonderful human being devoted to helping improve underserved populations and inner-city school systems. My heart remains with Nicole, his children, family, and every person whose life he has touched.

Deputy Chief Craig Ralston



It was saddening to lose Deputy Chief Craig Ralston of the Ellicott City Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Ralston was also a Master Firefighter with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA). Unfortunately, while in performance of his duties with MWAA Chief Ralston contracted COVID and passed away due to complications of the virus. 

A member of the ECVFD since 2002 he rose through the ranks and received many commendations. One of his greatest loves at Station 2 was Annabelle, the antique engine there. He also loved playing the department’s Santa, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, his beloved wife EMS Sergeant Kat Ralston. Please keep his wife, family, and everyone at ECVFD in your prayers.

Elliott Finkelstein



Giving to our world.

Giving the voiceless a voice.

Legacy lives on.

I was touched attending the dedication of a bench in Tiber Park on Main Street Ellicott City for Elliott Finkelstein, who was serving as the Chairperson of our Howard County Commission on Disabilities when he passed away in late 2021 and began every meeting with a Haiku. Elliott was a dedicated and impassioned advocate for individuals with disabilities and was always finding new ways to support our community. He served on the Planning Advisory Committee for HoCo By Design, was a tutor for the literacy project of Howard County Library System and served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Howard County. His impact will be timeless.

Charles Ware



It was truly saddening to lose my good friend and dear Brother Charles Ware. He was a leading attorney in Maryland, and the General Counsel for the Maryland NAACP. In addition, he hosted the extremely popular legal advice radio program “The Lawyer’s Mailbox”; the Number One (#1) legal advice radio program in the Mid-Atlantic Region, on WEAA, for eight years. My thoughts remain with his family, and every person whose lives he touched.

Dr. Bowyer G. Freeman



It was disheartening to lose my Brother, Reverend Dr. Bowyer Gates Freeman. He left a legacy of social justice, equality, inclusion, and empowerment for all. He was an avid Housing and social justice advocate through his work with New Saint Mark Baptist Church and the Howard County NAACP. Dr. Freeman, a good and faithful servant, served our community, and our neighbors in need. His dedicated compassion, integrity, and commitment to creating opportunity is sorely missed by all.

Last year, our community came together during a serious moment in our history - a pivotal moment of new beginnings. I am honored to, once again, serve as your Howard County Executive. Over the next four years, I know that, united, we can embrace the opportunity to boldly face the challenges of today and transform the world of tomorrow into the best embodiment of who we are, who we want to be, and who we can be. 

After enduring the shared difficulties of fear, anxiety, discomfort, and loss, many of us face fatigue. We are fatigued with division and negativity, fatigued with trying and not achieving, fatigued with fear. We were not and will not be defined by our fear. Rather, we choose to be defined by our works.

Throughout 2023, let us together embrace, activate, and expand the opportunity in this serious moment in our history. Let us together, despite our fear, be bold and be brave. 

Thank you for your continuous support, and I know that we will work hard to ensure Howard County is the best place to live, work, play, grow, and grow older for all.