Dear Friends,

I was proud to express my support for Senate Bill 40, which would enable funding from the Built to Learn Act of 2020 to apply to all school capital projects, regardless of their cost. I have concerns that limiting projects to a minimum of $4 million will adversely impact completing necessary systemic renovations across Howard County, which is critical to creating the very best teaching and learning environment for all of our educators and students.

Though recently we have increased funding for systemic renovation by nearly 20 percent over the previous five-year average, we still have dozens of projects that require attention to ensure the equity of our school facilities regardless of zip code. I’m appreciative for the work of Senator Guy Guzzone and Katie Fry Hester, Maryland Senate D9 for their leadership on this effort.

Howard County continues to be one of the best places to live and grow in our nation in large part because of our incredible educational opportunities, made possible by the tremendous experience, commitment, and hard work of our educators.

Last month, I committed $8 million of our American Rescue Plan funding to provide bonuses for our educators, and I’m thrilled that HCPSS and our Board of Education matched these funds. Because of our collaboration, more than 8,000 educators will receive $1,800 in one time bonuses in February and June.

The education of our next generation is one of the most important responsibilities of a community, without education there is no growth, there is no innovation, there is less opportunity. I'm happy that our Superintendent and Board of Education have acted and joined me in demonstrating our gratitude for our educators as a reward for their hard work and dedication to our children.

Read more here.

I am wholly supportive of any measure that clarifies the process through which the Citizens' Election Fund program is administered that is done in a manner that is consistent with the intent of the legislation that created the fund. I fought to make this program a reality and will continue fighting to make it succeed.

Read my entire statement here.

As of 9:00 a.m. this morning and according to the Maryland Department of Health, Howard County’s positivity rate is 12.77% which is a decrease from 16% last week. and our 7-day moving average case rate per 100k is 63.73, which decreased from 114 last week. While we are seeing a significant decline in the COVID-19 case rate, hospitalizations and cases remain high around the state. There are currently 36 COVID-19 patients in both the ICU and Acute Care units at Howard County General Hospital. 

Howard County has high vaccination rates with 86% of our residents 12+, fully vaccinated. But approximately 44% of our eligible residents (12+) have not yet received their booster shot. I strongly encourage residents to get boosted if you have not yet received a booster shot. Studies show that antibodies are significantly reduced 6 months after the first initial series. Vaccination, including boosters, work by significantly reducing serious illness, hospitalization and death. 

We must continue 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.

It was wonderful to kick off Ellicott City’s 250th anniversary celebration this weekend!

As Ellicott City celebrates its sestercenntenial, we’re thrilled to welcome residents and visitors alike to share in the 250 years of collective memories here that have enriched our lives. Our beloved historic town is such a special community, a place where you can see the blending of old and new all along Main Street.

Throughout the year, there will be several celebratory events to honor and recognize the first 250 years of our town. Thank you to the entire EC250 team for their work to make this celebration come to life.

Please join me in welcoming Howard County Foot & Ankle to Columbia! It is a state-of-the-art podiatry practice led by Dr. Christina Bui. Along with her Practice Manager Ivy Wilson, they work to address foot & ankle health needs, help people regain mobility, eliminate foot pain, and more. 

Thank you so much for choosing Howard County as your home, and I wish you much success in the future!

Learn more about them here.

Our fantastic Howard County Food Bank provides food and essential items to residents in need. From fruits and vegetables to educational programs to support healthy eating habits, the Community Action Council of Howard County ensures all our residents have access necessary items to live their best lives. 

I was thrilled to join Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, my Sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, and Waring Mitchell Law Society for check presentations to the Howard County Food Bank. The meaningful donations by the members of these groups can be transformational for many families. By continuing our work together, we’ll ensure no resident goes to sleep hungry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant public health crisis, the effects of which continue to be widespread. These effects impact our most vulnerable deeply. I was so pleased to join Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated and Waring Mitchell Law Society to provide donations of undergarments and other essential items to our neighbors at the Leola Dorsey Resource Center.

As we continue to mitigate the pandemic and as it gets colder, it's vital that we don’t forget our neighbors or let our most vulnerable slip through the cracks. Howard County’s strength is in our commitment to serving those in need and protecting the vulnerable.

There is no question that Columbia runs on Dunkin!

I was excited to join Akash Bhalani for the grand opening of the new Dunkin Donuts on Old Annapolis Road. This Dunkin is near our new Circuit Court House on Bendix Road, and is Akash’s 10th location in Howard County. From coffee and donuts to tea, omelet bites and more, I wish them much success in the future!

No one should ever choose between putting food on the table or a roof over their head. If a household is unable to make rent, utility or mortgage payments, residents can apply for assistance here.

Please note, household income limits for rental and mortgage assistance programs vary. I encourage residents to share this information with family, friends, and neighbors who may find this helpful.

We have distributed 55% of funding for County managed assistance programs. Since our first round of CARES Act Funding in 2020, our team has worked diligently to get funding into the hands of our most vulnerable residents. Our distribution method is one of the most efficient and effective in the nation – and most importantly, more of our residents are able to stay safely housed during a pandemic.

We're so grateful for our partners at Howard County Housing & Community Development, Bridges to Housing Stability, United Way, Luminus, Community Action Council of Howard County, Springboard Community Services, and Friends of Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center for their efforts to get this vital funding into the hands of those who need it most.

If you or someone you know needs help with housing costs, funding is still available to pay rent and utility expenses. To learn more and apply, please click here.

Back by popular demand, our Department of Community Resources and Services’ (DCRS) Office of Children and Families (OCF) will host its annual Child Care Fair on Saturday, February 26^th (NEW DATE) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center; masks are required. While admission is FREE, attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or unopened pack of diapers or wipes to donate to the Howard County Food Bank.

Though not required, pre-registration is highly recommended so event organizers can contact attendees in case of inclement weather on the day of the event. For more information about the Fair, contact the OCF at 410-313-1940 or email children@howardcountymd.gov. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to participate, call at least one week in advance.

Registration is now open for vendors/exhibitors interested in participating in this year’s Child Care Fair on February 26^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center. For 30 years, OCF has hosted this Fair to give Howard County parents the opportunity to learn about preschools, child care programs and community resources in one single location. Sold on a first come, first served basis, registration will continue until all 60 tables are sold. The cost to participate for for-profit organizations is $75 and the cost for non-profit, 501c3 organizations is $50 with coupon code: OCFNONPROFIT. To register to be a vendor/exhibitor at this year’s Fair, click HERE.

For questions and/or more information about being a vendor/exhibitor at our 2022 Child Care Fair, please contact Georgia Ferentinos at 410-313-1943 or gferentinos@howardcountymd.gov.

To learn more about our efforts to combat human trafficking, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/OHTP.

To raise awareness and commemorate Human Trafficking Awareness Month, DCRS’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, in partnership with the Howard County Library System (HCLS) and the County’s Office of Human Rights and Equity, will hold a virtual screening and panel discussion of PBS Frontline’s documentary, Trafficked in America, this Tuesday, January 25^th from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Trafficked in America investigates how a group of teenagers from Guatemala were forced to work against their will at an Ohio egg farm and how their case illuminates the problem of labor trafficking in the U.S.

Those interested in participating in the panel discussion are asked to please watch the documentary in advance, which is available to stream for free with one’s HCLS card via Kanopy. Then on the 25^th, join the County and HCLS for a live virtual discussion via Zoom. To register for this event, click HERE.

DCRS’ OAI is a proud sponsor of the Beacon Virtual 50+EXPO, an online event which features an interactive website with information and resources geared to older adults. Now through January 31^st, visitors can access content on demand 24 hours a day from https://beacon50expo.com/. Log on anytime to visit more than 100 exhibitors and sponsors, including OAI's Bronze-level sponsors, Lorien Health and Maryland Vascular Specialists; engage with speakers; attend online classes; and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment.

In an emergency, every second counts. Fire hydrants that are blocked, concealed or difficult to and/or your business is interested in helping ensure our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) has quick and easy access to the fire hydrant(s) in your neighborhood, consider adopting a hydrant today.

To adopt a hydrant or to learn more about this program, email DFRS to outreach@hcdfrs.org with your name, address, email and the tag number for the hydrant you’d like to adopt.

If you or someone you know is still in need of their flu vaccine, visit HCHD’s "Seasonal Flu" website today for details regarding its flu vaccination clinics.

HCHD has awarded $15,000 in grants to five local organizations to assist with tobacco/vaping use prevention, education and cessation outreach efforts, with specific emphasis on populations/groups identified as at risk or having a known health disparity related to tobacco. The five organizations were:

To mark International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Thursday, January 27^th, OHRE has partnered with the Howard County Library System (HCLS) and Jewish Federation of Howard County to host a book discussion group on Nobel Peace Prize winning author Elie Wiesel’s novel Night. Night is a candid, horrific and deeply poignant autobiographical account of Wiesel’s survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps.

Join OHRE, HCLS and the Jewish Federation as they gather at the Central Branch at 6:30 p.m. to reflect on and discuss the importance of protecting and promoting the human rights of all people by remembering the human rights violations of Jews during the Holocaust.

To register for this free event, click HERE.

Every year, I look forward to the opportunity to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. This celebration is about acknowledging the students and community leaders serving, protecting, and advocating for all of us here in Howard County. Howard County’s strength is in our commitment to serving those in need, protecting the vulnerable, and advocating for justice. 

If you missed this year's virtual celebration, you can watch it here.

On Wednesday, January 26 at 7:00PM the Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a Webex Online Meeting to consider the following agenda items:

Register for the meeting here.

As reminder, through February 1, 2022, our Department of Public Works (DPW) is conducting a survey of septic system owners within the County’s Water and Sewer Planned Service Area. This voluntary survey will evaluate septic owners’ interest in connecting to public sewer and the information collected will only be used to help the County plan future projects. To learn more about this survey, click HERE.

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.

For more information on this program and what is accepted/not accepted, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HHW.

Calling all Howard County businesses, community groups and organizations, our Bureau of Environmental Services is now accepting nominations for its fourth annual “Business Recycling and Waste Reduction” and “Green Community Leadership” awards program. This annual awards programs recognizes businesses, community groups and organizations in Howard County that demonstrates efforts, projects or programs that help protect our natural environment and preserve its resources. Nomination forms are available online at www.workgreenhoward.org and are due (postmarked or delivered) by 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 11th.

Looking for a fun, ONLINE activity to do with your pets this winter? Check out Recreation & Parks’ first-ever winter pet parade on February 12^th! Dress up your furry (or feathered or scaled) family members and show them off for each other and our judges. Participants will be judged on fashion/costume, presentation, behavior and use of props. Of course, extra points will be given for special skills or tricks.

To secure your pet’s spot in this year’s parade, you must register your pet by February 4^th. For more information, please contact Ms. Karen Ehler at 410-313-4635 or email kehler@howardcountymd.gov.

If you are in need of a fun activity for your child to participate when school is out (January 24^th, February 1^st, February 21^st and April 11^th through the 18^th, be sure to check out Recreation & Parks one-day events when schools are closed. From LEGO to music to cooking, science and sports, and so much more, there is something to keep every child and teen active and entertained when school is not in session. For a full list of activities and to register, click HERE.

25^th Anniversary of Riverdance

Join Recreation & Parks for Riverdance’s 25^th Anniversary Show at the Kennedy Center on March 19^th. A celebration of Ireland's cultural heritage, history and mythology, Riverdance revolves around the intricate footwork of traditional Irish dance set to the haunting melodies and rousing rhythms of the nation's musical identity. Initially featuring Irish dancing champions its principal dancers, Riverdance is now a training ground for Ireland's top dancers as well as the rising stars of Flamenco, Russian and Tap Dancing. To learn more about this fun-filled event geared towards the entire family and/or to purchase your ticket(s), click HERE.

Our Department of Recreation & Parks is seeking your input Howard County for its Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP), a comprehensive plan produced every five years that guides the department on key issues, trends and plans for managing and enhancing the systems of preserved public lands, parks and recreation facilities. To learn more about the LPPRP or to provide your input, click HERE.

Every year, Howard County updates the County’s list of transportation priorities for the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Consolidated Transportation Program. The list, known as the Priority Letter, is developed based on input from the public and county staff, as well as elected and appointed officials. The update is sent to the Maryland Secretary of Transportation, along with project questionnaires. For the County’s FY2023–FY2028 Priority Letter, our Office of Transportation will hold a public meeting virtually on Thursday, January 27^th at 6:00 p.m. to gather public input. To register for this meeting, click HERE. Comments and questions can also be submitted to Transportation via email at transportation@howardcountymd.gov.

For more information about the County’s FY2023-FY2028 Priority Letter, including copies of past priority letters, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/transportation/priority-letter.