D1 Mid-July Update

Photo: Font Hill Wetlands Park (Howard County Recreation & Parks)

It's hard to believe we're almost halfway through July! Lots of things to do in D1 next week -- from enjoying great restaurants to voting on Election Day! Take a look below to find out more about legislation currently in front of the Council, community events, and information about your polling place.

Any questions about things going on at the Council level or in your community? Don't hesitate to reach out via email to [email protected] or phone at (410) 313-2001.

Liz Walsh Council Member pic with sig.png

Preserving Environmentally-Significant Land

This week, the County Executive proposed a new pilot program for Purchased Conservation Easements in a partnership with the Howard County Conservancy to help preserve more open land in the County. D1 is happy to see that the program's targeting environmentally-significant properties owned by non-profits within our borders. Since Liz took office in 2018, land preservation has been one of her top priorities (and one of our consistent requests to the County Executive come budget time). This program is a great step towards routinizing land preservation and environmental protection in our County. For more information, you can watch the County Executive's press conference with the Conservancy here and read CR112-2022 here.

Council Calendar

To sign up to testify at next Monday's public hearing, click here.

Monday, July 18th at 7 PM -- Public Hearing for July legislation

Wednesday, July 20th at 1 PM -- Work Session for July legislation

Wednesday, July 27th at 10 AM -- Legislative Session for July legislation

H-4 Pond Meeting Next Week!

The Department of Public Works will hold a meeting about the H-4 mitigation pond that's slated for construction at 8960-9000 Frederick Rd. next Wednesday, July 20th at 6:30 PM in the Columbia/Ellicott Room at the George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Drive. We'll be there to hear more about the plan and ask questions. You can find out more about the meeting here.

Food Truck Fridays are back in Elkridge till the end of the summer! Every Friday from 4:30-7:30, the Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department hosts food trucks and fun for the community. For more details on which trucks are available for food (it changes weekly), visit this link!

Restaurant and Craft Beverages Weeks!

Until July 24th (next Sunday), you can enjoy special menus and eats by joining in Visit Howard County's annual event! There are 30 restaurants to choose from with all different kinds of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks to enjoy. Whether you join the #SchnitzelGang at Rathskeller, get some delicious BBQ at Honey Pig, try some delicious donuts at Mochinut, or eat some place new, make sure you stop by one of the D1 restaurants listed below before the week ends! For more information, you can visit the official website for the event here.

Make Sure You Have a Voting Plan for the Primary!

Election Day is next Tuesday, July 19th. All polling places will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM, regardless of where they are in the County. If you're not sure where you're voting this year, you can find your polling place for the primary here.

If you received a mail-in ballot, you can go to any of the drop boxes located across the County to turn it in before 8 PM on the 19th. Here are the dropbox locations:

Howard County Library -- Elkridge Branch at 6540 Washington Blvd. in Elkridge

Gary J. Arthur Community Center at 2400 MD-97 in Cooksville

George Howard Building at 3430 Court House Dr. in Ellicott City

Howard County Board of Elections at 9700 Patuxent Woods Dr. #200 in Columbia

Howard High School at 8700 Old Annapolis Rd. in Ellicott City

Laurel Woods Elementary School at 9250 N. Laurel Rd. in Laurel

Long Reach High School at 6101 Old Dobbin Ln. in Columbia

Marriotts Ridge High School at 12100 Woodford Dr. in Marriottsville

Reservoir High School at 11550 Scaggsville Rd. in Fulton

and Wilde Lake High School at 5460 Trumpeter Rd. in Columbia

Think you may have got the wrong ballot in the mail? You may be in a different Council district this time around. The County's interactive map has a new feature that shows these adjusted (as of December 2021) boundaries. Type in your address here and click "Council - 2022" to confirm.