Dear Friends,

Despite unprecedented challenges posed by the pandemic during the past two years, this proposed budget provides historic support for our shared priorities while continuing a fiscally responsible management approach.

We have an ability now to make historic investments in education, public safety, physical and mental health care, the environment, transportation, and economic development. 

My proposed FY23 Operating Budget is a landmark spending plan that leverages lessons learned during the pandemic and invests boldly and strategically in our children and our community. We are meeting our obligations, fulfilling our promises and building for the future. 

Read more about my proposed FY23 operating budget here.

Howard County is a premier place to live and grow, which is why families choose to raise their children here. Through responsible management and strong partnerships, we can now invest more than $105 million in school construction during the next year, the highest amount in more than two decades. We are building facilities that will foster excellent environments for teaching and learning. 

The historic investment also includes over $30 million in total funding for systemic renovations, including:

Read more here.

The highly anticipated and long-sought replacement for Talbott Springs Elementary School, will be open for the 2022-23 school year. Put on your hard hat, and for the next few minutes, come along on a sneak peek tour.

My proposed Fiscal Year 2023 capital spending plan fully finds the Board of Education’s capital request, builds on the strong foundation of our exceptional education system and seeks to expand opportunity for all. Containing an historic $105.9 million for school construction – the most in at least the past 20 years, we are creating the best teaching and learning environment. 

Since I was a County Councilman representing this district, I have been a strong advocate for our students in Oakland Mills having an adequate facility in which to learn and thrive. As your Howard County Executive, I remain committed to providing the needed resources that create a nourishing environment allowing our students and educators to flourish. Thank you to our Howard County Public School System, Board of Education, our state and local officials, and all our advocates who helped push this project forward!

Join us on Thursday, April 28th for an Environment Town Hall at the Robinson Nature Center where we will discuss the progress we’ve made to make Howard County a regional leader in protecting our environment and dialogue on what the future holds. Together, we are finding bold solutions to sustain our resources to combat climate change!

RSVP and send questions in advance to TownHall@howardcountymd.gov

Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic calendar, and it’s a time of unity, reflection, and renewed dedication. After two years of a pandemic, I was so honored to host our annual Iftar Dinner with many of our local and regional Muslim leaders. As we near the last ten nights of Ramadan, which are considered the holiest of the year, I pray that it brings all in our Muslim community closer to God and to each other. 

A huge thank you to our Howard County Recreation and Parks, Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity, and Böro Kabob for their efforts to make the event a success!

Our community always steps up to help in times of crisis and emergency, and is now rallying to support freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe. I am so grateful to Chief Administrative Officer Lonnie Robbins, Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Chief Louis Winston, and Howard County Police Department Chief Gregory Der for rallying our public safety teams to donate surplus equipment to Project Joint Guardian. 

The non-profit organization is composed of firefighters working to help those in need around the globe. With our donation of firefighting and rescue equipment, medical supplies, and protective equipment, we are supporting public safety efforts in war-ravaged Ukraine.

As the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time to gather with friends and enjoy the great tastes of Howard County. This week, we’re excited to launch Food Truck Thursdays at the Long Reach Village Center. Come out to support our local favorites like T&J Waffles, Althea’s Almost Famous, Bullhead Pit Beef, and Apple Core’s Bakery on April 28th from 5-8 p.m.

Food trucks will come to the village center every week, with a variety of vendors to satisfy our every craving. Be sure to check it out! 

I had a wonderful time with the Howard County Farm Bureau at their Annual Legislative Dinner. As the fifth largest economic driver in Howard County, agriculture plays a vital role in our community and our Farm Bureau is critical to improving the quality of life for our farmers. I'm so grateful for the efforts of each of our farmers who work tirelessly to help our community remain sustainable and thrive. 

Special thank you to the Farm Bureau President Leslie Bauer for her leadership, Future Farmers of American and the Agriculture Preservation Board. Congratulations to Vicky Cutroneo for winning the Friends of the Farmer award.

It's always a beautiful day to join Girl Scout Troop 10329 to celebrate their fantastic fundraising for the Grow-it-Forward program. These inspiring young leaders sold vintage toys on eBay and donated the proceeds to help fight food insecurity and support our local farmers. I’m both inspired and humbled by the dedication of our youth. I was thrilled to join them as they presented their check at Howard Community College this morning. Great job, ladies!

Thank you to HCC President Dr. Daria Willis, all the staff at HCC - Anne Johnson, Katelyn Brown, Olivia Joy, Tiffany Holtzman, Michelle Adamson - and Katie Fry Hester, Maryland Senate D9. If you would like to donate please email pantry@howardcc.edu.

Howard County is home to some of the most amazing educators in the nation. I was thrilled to visit our cOMmunity to surprise Oakland Mills High School Principal Dr. Jeff Fink for being named the 2022 Principal of the Year! Since stepping into this role in 2018, Dr. Fink helped establish the welcome hOMe initiative to promote dialog about belonging while fostering empathy. 

He has now been nominated as a Washington Post Principal of the Year, and I couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations!

Happy Anniversary Wilde Lake Village Center! I was thrilled to help the village center ring in its 55th anniversary this afternoon. It was lovely to see Wilde Lake Village Center business owners and community members commemorate the village and how amazing it has become. 

I look forward to the center serving as a gathering place for the Wilde Lake community for decades to come!

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, who I was happy to recently meet.  

Last week, 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. 

It was a wonderful day to celebrate Ellicott City at the annual SpringFest celebration where I was thrilled to introduce The Rebels for a musical performance! Our charming historic town has withstood its challenges and our businesses and residents here continue to innovate, move forward, and thrive.

Thank you to Jillian Joseph, the Ellicott City Partnership and all our local businesses and restaurants for making this year’s event a success. I encourage you to join the festivities before they’re over at 8:00 p.m. tonight.

Our educators are the backbone of our school system, who help encourage our students to achieve new heights. I joined Long Reach High School Principal Josh Wasilewski to surprise Jorden Lim as one of our Teachers of the Year! As a Lightning alumnus herself, this recognition highlights her remarkable leadership skills and commitment to her students and our community. 

She is now a 2022 Maryland State Department of Education Teacher of the Year nominee. Congratulations!

Holi is the festival colors which welcomes the arrival of Spring after winter. I was thrilled to join Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, IONHoCo, Gujarati Samaj of Baltimore, Vaardari, and Baltimore Fest for a celebration of Holi and our South Asian culture. 

May this new season of spring bring happiness, prosperity, and unity in our community and beyond. Happy Holi!

Since 2002, Jessica Palad has inspired and motivated our students. I joined Pointers Run Elementary Principal Julie Schruefer and some of our Pointer Dogs to congratulate her on being named one of our 2022 Teachers of the Year! 

She has been nominated as a 2022 Washington Post Teacher of the Year, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Congratulations!

Earth Month is the perfect time to recommit ourselves to building a green and sustainable future. I had the pleasure of joining inspiring green organizations and vendors at Clarksville Commons for their annual Earth Day celebration. 

It was great to spend time with businesses and individuals that share a commitment to preserving and promoting a clean and sustainable environment in Howard County and across our state. Together, we can continue to bolster bold solutions to fight climate change.

It was an honor to attend and present citations to each of the Beaus at the Jack and Jill of America, the Columbia MD Chapter’s 21st Biennial Beautillion. This year’s theme was “Charting Our Path. Controlling Our Destiny.” I’m certain that these young men now have the tools to write their phenomenal life stories. I wish them all much success in their future endeavors. 

Congratulations!

The foundation of Howard County’s nationally recognized quality of life is our exceptional education system. One of my most meaningful responsibilities as county executive is to provide needed resources that create a nourishing environment allowing our students and educators to flourish. That is why I invested historic funding for school construction in my proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget.

Read more in my op-ed here.

It’s our final Money Matters Monday for April and we’re spotlighting futures planning. There are three FREE workshops, the first of which is on Wills and Estate Administration. With the rise of Cryptocurrency, we hope you’ll tune in for our session which will provide both an Introduction to Cryptocurrency but how to avoid digital asset scams. Lastly, we’ll offer Financial Aid 101 for those looking for more details on how to access higher education and financial assistance available.

We hope you’ve enjoyed Money Matters Month in Howard County. If you weren’t able to make a session, all were recorded and available to view on our website any time here.

We are conducting an online survey of County residents. We want everyone to have an opportunity to share their opinions with County Government on the services we provide. This survey is one way for us to assess how we are doing and identify areas for improvement. The survey will be open until 11:59 p.m. on May 31st.

The survey is available here.

Howard County is a proud home to a diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander community. I invite you to join us on May 1st for our first annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival at the Chrysalis in Downtown Columbia. Let’s come together to celebrate our unique culture which helps Howard County thrive.

Get your free ticket today here.

According to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), Howard County’s positivity rate today is 6.88% and our 7-day moving average case rate per 100k is 17.68. Cases continue to increase due to the BA2 subvariant which is highly transmissible. Residents, especially those with at high risk for complications from COVID, should consider wearing a mask indoors when physical distancing is not possible.

Residents with symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested and isolate if possible, per CDC guidelines. There are currently 6 COVID-19 patients in the ICU and Acute Care units at Howard County General Hospital. We’ve sadly lost 352 of our residents to COVID-19 and we continue to keep their loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.

Howard County is a state leader with 91% of our residents 5+ fully vaccinated. However, nearly 33% of our eligible residents have not yet received a booster or third shot. Being up to date with COVID vaccines is critical to reducing the severity of COVID-19 disease, including preventing hospitalization and death. Please get boosted to stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination.

Please continue to get tested if you are displaying symptoms or have been recently exposed to the COVId-19. Howard County has dozens of testing locations. Find one near you here.

Getting vaccinated continues to be the best way to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19. Please get vaccinated and boosted if you have not already. Find a vaccine near you at vaccine.howardcountymd.gov.

Our Age-Friendly Howard County Action Plan spells out more than 80 action steps to create a more inclusive, accessible, safer and healthier community for all. To implement these steps, DCRS needs your help. Whether you are in school, working full- or part-time, or retired, your skills and input are invaluable to help to make the 80 action steps a reality. To find out how you can be involved, as well as receive news and updates straight to your inbox, click HERE to register for DCRS emails.

In the meantime, to learn more about the County's Age-Friendly Action Plan, check out www.howardcountymd.gov/agefriendly.

Available to all ages, infant to adult, our DCRS’ Multiservice Center with be hosting a FREE spring-summer clothing giveaway this Saturday, April 30^th from 10:00 a.m. to noon (or while quantities last) at Recreation & Parks’ North Laurel Community Center, located at 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road. For more information about this event, please contact the MultiService Center at 410-313-0220.

I invite you to join Erin Anderson, nurse, mother and Assistant Director of Nursing at the Howard County Health Department, as she discusses childhood immunizations tomorrow, April 26^th from noon to 1:00 p.m. Learn more about a child’s immunization schedule and how the Health Department can help get you back on track. To register for this virtual workshop, click HERE.

Ready to Hatch: Early Literacy for Baby-to-Be

Ready to Hatch is an interactive early literacy program for expectant parents, providing participants an opportunity to learn more about their baby-to-be through songs and fun activities. Offered by DCRS’ Office of Children and Families and the Howard County Library System, this month’s Ready to Hatch session on Wednesday, April 27^th will teach participants about how babies exposed to books and reading grow up to become children who perform better in school. Participants will also learn how reading and singing helps their baby’s brain and language development, and how reciting nursery rhymes and singing songs helps their baby get ready to learn to read.

To register for this April 27^th session, set to take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at DCRS’ offices at 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia, click HERE or call 410-313-5992. 

On Maryland Law Day, May 2^nd, volunteer attorneys will offer free preparation of Maryland medical decision documents at all Howard County 50+ Centers from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Ensure your preferences for medical treatment are honored should you become incapacitated or unable to express your wishes. As appointments are limited, I encourage you to contact the 50+ Center nearest you as soon as possible to schedule an individual or couples appointment.

April is Maryland Flood Awareness Month and before this month ends, our Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is encouraging residents to set aside some time to learn more about flood safety awareness, understanding the risks and being prepared and ready to act should the need arise. It is especially important to be prepared as flooding is the number one hazard in Maryland and the risk of flooding extends to all Marylanders, no matter where you live. To learn more about floods and how to prepare, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready “Flood” website at www.ready.gov/floods.

You can also find helpful information about Howard County’s Hazards and resources on OEM’s “ReadyHoCo” website or on the County’s Department of Public Works’ Stormwater Management Division’s “Flood Protection” website (from this page, residents can look up whether their property is in or near a flood zone).

Aged 50+? It's second booster time and Howard County Health Departments (HCHD) clinics are officially approved and prepared to offer second COVID-19 vaccine booster doses to those recommended by the CDC. To determine whether you are eligible, I encourage you to check out the CDC’s full announcement. In general, second boosters are available to certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least four months ago.

If you are eligible for a second booster, visit an HCHD vaccine clinic today. For a list of upcoming clinic dates and location, click HERE.

HCHD and the NAACP of Howard County collaborated on a public service announcement about colorectal cancer prevention and the importance of getting screened at age 45. According to the American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer occurs at a higher rate in Black Americans than any other racial or ethnic group. Take a look at the video to learn more about colorectal cancer prevention and screenings.

Interested in calling Howard County home? Our Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is now accepting applications for its Moderate Income Housing Unit (MIHU) program April open enrollment period. Held quarterly throughout the year, this inclusionary zoning program provides individuals and families the opportunity to purchase quality new homes at reduced sale prices and rents to those eligible. Applications will be available online and completed applications can be submitted either online, mailed to 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 224, Columbia, MD, 21046, or dropped off at DHCD’s Patuxent Woods Drive office by appointment only. The DEADLINE to apply is 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 30^th.

As part of its April MIHU open enrollment period, DHCD will be hosting a virtual MIHU Homeownership informational workshop next Wednesday, April 7^th from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. via Webex. For details about the workshop and how to sign up, visit DHCD’s “Open Enrollment” website. Additionally, from DHCD’s “Open Enrollment” website, visitors can also find presentations from previous homeownership and rental informational workshops, as well as frequently asked questions and answers explaining the program’s eligibility requirements and application process.

Please keep in mind, if you are interested in DHCD’s MIHU rental program, prospective renters may apply directly to a participating rental community at any time during the year. For more information on the MIHU rental program, including a list of participating communities, visit DHCD’s MIHU rental website.

For questions and/or more information about the MIHU program, contact DHCD’s Housing Opportunities Programs Division at 410-313-6318 and select option two, email housing@howardcountymd.gov or visit DHCD’s open enrollment website. 

This month’s Reading Human Rights event, scheduled to take place April 26^th at 6:30 p.m. at HCLS’ Miller branch, will discuss Anita Hill’s Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence and is co-sponsored by HopeWorks and DCRS’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention. To register for this month’s event, click HERE.

Together with OHRE, the Howard County Asian American Pacific Islander Workgroup, Inner Arbor Trust, and a host of other businesses and organizations, I encourage you to join us on May 1^st at the Chrysalis at Merriweather Park as we celebrate the unique cultural contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders. The Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and will feature performances, food trucks, family-friendly activities and more! To learn about this year’s festival, click HERE.

Conversations about race in America tend to focus on White Americans and African Americans to the exclusion of the racialized experiences of Asians, Hispanics or Latinos, Jews and other ethnic groups. That is why I invite you to join OHRE this Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish-American Heritage Month for a historical, cultural, and legislative exploration of the racialization of Asians, Latinos or Hispanics, and Jews. Set to take place Thursday, May 12^th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Recreation & Parks’ North Laurel Community Center, come learn more about these groups’ experience with race and racism in America. To register for this event, click HERE.

Reading Human Rights Featuring Cathy Park Hong’s Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning

For its May Reading Human Rights monthly book discussion and in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, OHRE and HCLS will discuss Cathy Park Hong’s autobiographical book of essays, Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning. To secure your seat for this event, set to take place Tuesday, May 24^th at 6:30 p.m. at HCLS’ Miller branch, click HERE.

This Wednesday, April 27^th, our Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Design Advisory Panel (DAP) will hold a meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. VIRTUALLY to hear the following item:

To register in advance to participate in this meeting, click HERE. If you only want to listen to the meeting, call 1-650-479-3207 at the meeting time. When prompted, enter 2316 879 8809 as the event access code.

The DAP process encourages excellence in project architecture and site design to improve design compatibility with surrounding development, to promote revitalization and to enhance property values. You can use DPZ’s DAP interactive map to see which properties may be subject to DAP review. For DAP’s Rules of Procedure, click HERE. For questions and/or more information about DAP, contact the DPZ at 410-313-2350 or email dap@howardcountymd.gov.

This Wednesday, April 27th, the County’s Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Stormwater Management Division will hold a virtual public meeting at 6:30 p.m., to discuss plans to replace the principal spillway of an existing pond west of 8242 Preston Court in Jessup. The informal meeting will include an overview of the design for this pond improvement project, followed by an open discussion. County staff and the project’s design consultant will be on hand to answer any questions and gather public comments.

To participate in the meeting by computer, go to www.webex.com and click “join;” the meeting number is 2312 083 1181 and “Stormwater” is the password. To participate by phone, call 650-479-3207 (note, fees may apply) and enter the access code 2312 083 1181.

Those unable to participate who would like to view the plans and/or have questions, should contact Mr. Avinash Dewani with DPW’s Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-6417 or email adewani@howardcountymd.gov.

To learn about 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.

Our Bureau of Environmental Services is pleased to announce the Master Gardeners are back with its backyard compost demonstrations! This year, demonstrations will be held at Miller branch library, Robinson Nature Center, Alpha Ridge Landfill and Savage branch library. Attendees will receive a FREE backyard compost bin as well as helpful tips and tricks to creating this valuable soil amendment. For the 2022 schedule, click HERE and/or for more information about backyard composting, click HERE.

An important reminder from our Bureau of Environmental Services following this this past Friday morning’s recycling truck fire, please remember, flammable materials, including batteries, electronics, compressed gas tanks and non-empty aerosol containers should NEVER be set out for curbside collection. To ensure proper disposal, these items should be taken directly to the County’s Alpha Ridge Landfill in Marriottsivlle, open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For specific disposal information or questions, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/public-works/residents-convenience-center or contact the Bureau at 410-313-6444 or help@howardcountyrecycles.org.

Embark on a nighttime, nature-based scavenger hunt at Recreation & Parks’ Robinson Nature Center on April 29^th from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. Using the GooseChase app, participants will complete a series of missions, learning about spring-time natural phenomena, including constellations, migrating animals and evening wildlife rituals, along the way. The evening will end with a program in Robinson Nature Center’s planetarium.

Participants must be 18 and older to participate and singles, couples and teams of up to five people are welcome. Tickets are $20 a person and preregistration is required as space is limited.

Set to run the weekend of May 21^st and 22^nd at Symphony Woods in Columbia, this year’s Wine in the Woods event will not only feature around 20 wineries, 22 specialty food vendors, 30 artisans/crafters and 12 musical acts, but NEW THIS YEAR, will also feature a selection of Maryland breweries on tap, including Oliver Brewing Co., Heavy Seas Beer, Pub Dog, Sapwood Cellars, and Hysteria Brewing Co. Beer will be available for purchase only, no samples.

To learn more about this year’s event and/or to purchase your tickets, visit www.wineinthewoods.com.

For up-to-date information on this event, please refer to Recreation & Parks' Wine in the Woods website: www.wineinthewoods.com.

Clean out your basements, closets and garages and join Recreation and Parks this Saturday, April 30^th from 8:00 a.m. to noon at its North Laurel Community Center for a community yard sales. For those looking to sell, reservations are required, are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the cost is $20 per space. To reserve your spot today, contact Carrie Byrum at 443-583-3946 or email nlaurelyardsale@gmail.com. The event is free for shoppers.

Whether you’re an avid gardener or wondering if you have a green thumb, Recreation & Parks’ Native Plant Palooza at its Robinson Nature Center in Columbia has something for everyone! As native plants have evolved regionally, they require little maintenance once established, efficiently use water, provide habitat for wildlife, and, of course, make a beautiful addition to your home and garden. This Sunday, May 1^st I encourage you to swing by the Robinson Nature Center from noon to 4:00 p.m. for a one-stop shop of all your native plant needs.

Due to parking limitations, Recreation & Parks cannot guarantee spaces except to pre-registered participants. To sign up for this FREE program, call 410-313-0400. For more details, click HERE. 

This year’s annual Bike to Work Central Maryland week celebration will take place Monday, May 16^th through Sunday, May 23^rd with our Office of Transportation’s in-person event on Friday, May 20^th from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Color Burst Park in Downtown Columbia. This year’s registered participants will qualify for free t-shirts (limited to the first 1,500 riders), giveaways and prizes, all while discovering the advantages of a cleaner and healthier commuting option. Participants may ride any time during the week to anywhere and pick up their event shirt at any participating bike shop (Patapsco Bicycles and Trek Bicycles) or our Office of Transportation’s pit stop on the 20^th. To register for this year’s event, click HERE.