March 3, 2023

The Office of Planning and Zoning is looking for feedback on region-specific draft strategies to implement the goals of Plan 2040. The majority of District 2 falls within Region 3, which has not yet started this region planning process. However we do overlap a bit with Region 4 which is currently in the comment phase. Click HERE for more information on the current regions and how to complete the surveys. Stay tuned for Region 3 kick-off information and how to participate.

Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes would like to invite you to learn more about their recently released draft legislation to designate a unified Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA) as part of the National Park System.

This fact sheet provides a summary of the proposal, which the Senator and Congressman are asking for stakeholder feedback on before they officially introduce the legislation. You can learn more about the proposal and submit any comments you might have at https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/cnra. The initial 90-day public comment period has been extended by additional 31 days and will be accepting feedback until Monday, March 13^th.

For additional information from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, click HERE to read their article "Four Ways the Chesapeake National Recreation Area Would Benefit You". Below are two proposed sites that would be part of the "string of pearls" concept of collection of several area locations that would make up the CNRA.

Board of Education Contact Information

Robert Silkworth:

AACPS Board of Education Member, District 2

443-534-5766

rsilkworth@aacps.org

Board of Education General Contact information:

BOE Office: 410-222-5311

boardoffice@aacps.org

The full list of Board of Education members can be found at this LINK.

Superintendent Mark Bedell Announces Process for Public to Sign Up for #BePresent Initiative

Families, alumni, business and community partners, and members of the public who want to help strengthen bonds with schools across the county as part of the new #BePresent initiative can indicate their interest in taking part by sending an email to bepresent@aacps.org. The email should include the school in which the sender is interested in volunteering as well as available times and pertinent contact information.

The full press release can be found HERE.

New Automated Lightning Detection System Enhances Safety

When Anne Arundel County Public Schools student-athletes take the field for the first day of spring sports tryouts on March 1, they’ll have additional protection thanks to an automated lightning detection system installed at all 13 comprehensive high schools. The Earth Networks Total Lightning Network will detect in-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning within an eight-mile radius of a site.

The full press release can be found HERE.

Interactive Redistricting Website

An interactive web tool is available online (at this LINK) for members of the public to review and comment on a pair of potential redistricting scenarios. 

Comments on the potential scenarios will be accepted through May 31, 2023. Comments to be considered must be left on the redistricting page, not on other social media pages.

Dr. Bedell will deliver his recommendation to the BOE this July. The Board has the authority to develop options other than the scenarios presented by the consultant or any recommendation from Dr. Bedell. The Board will select an option or options to take to public hearing this October before adopting a plan for Phase 1 (northern portion of the county) in November 2023. The plan adopted by the Board will go into effect in August 2024.

The full press release can be found HERE.

MDOT "Clean Sweep Maryland"

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has launched Operation Clean Sweep Maryland, a continuous effort across the State to remove litter along Maryland’s roads.

This new initiative will begin in the Baltimore and Washington regions and will focus on removing litter from the State highways prior to mowing operations. Due to a mild winter, the State Highway Administration anticipates mowing will be required earlier than usual and resources are being shifted to focus on litter pickup.

Beginning this week, the State Highway Administration team began initial sweeps through highly traveled areas to perform litter pickup and will continue to do so throughout the year. Additionally, we will reach out to local jurisdictions to coordinate clean-up efforts.

Operation Clean Sweep Maryland will require hiring additional resources and increasing the frequency of litter pickup. The State Highway Administration will also purchase additional mowing equipment and develop contract resources to enable increased mowing and litter removal cycles.

Citizens can help by reporting issues of litter and high grass on state roads by clicking HERE or by calling 410-545-0300. 

Next Phase of Bay Bridge Automated Lane Closure System

Starting the week of March 6th, motorists traveling eastbound during two-way traffic on the westbound span will experience the Bay Bridge’s new Automated Lane Closure System on the Western Shore along US 50/301. The new system is designed to enhance safety for motorists and workers by replacing the use of barrels to close off lanes with overhead signals and other features. Click HERE for additional information.

PAY ATTENTION, OBEY TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE

New system includes full-color dynamic message signs, larger overhead lane-use control signals, horizontal swing gates and illuminated pavement markers

Tax Assistance Available

Rec & Parks Eisenhower Golf Course Clubhouse Project Meeting

March 14th, 6pm at Rolling Knolls Elementary. See image below and this LINK for additional information.

Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County - Virtual Public Hearing

Notice is hereby given that a Virtual Public Hearing will be held on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. for comment on the Housing Commission of Anne Arundel County’s Annual Update of the Agency Plan to include the Capital Fund as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Plan will be available for review over the next 45 days at www.hcaac.com.

The Public Hearing will be held virtually. Virtual meeting login information will be available at www.hcaac.com prior to the meeting.