Dear Community Leaders and Members of Anne Arundel County,

Happy International Women's Day! This day is to commemorate and honor women's accomplishments, raise awareness about gender disparities and discrimination, as well as promote global support for women. There are many ways to celebrate this day, including sharing an inspirational quote on social media, recognizing a special woman in your life, or supporting a woman-owned business. March is Women's History Month, to learn more, please visit aacounty.org/whm.

On Wednesday, March 29, our office will host our Women's History Month event in partnership with the Caucus of African American Leaders, the Michelle Obama Awards. This event is designed to recognize women in Anne Arundel County who have had a tremendous impact on the community. The honorees will be announced soon, please visit aacounty.org/moawards to learn more.

We have a lot of updates for you below. Please take some time to check them out.

Sincerely,

Vincent Moulden

Office of the County Executive

Director, CECS

1/2. Annapolis St. Patrick's Day Parade  3. | Groundbreaking for the new Crownsville Fire Station 6. | 4. Launch of Turnaround Thursday

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health announced the departure of Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kaylanaraman to assume the role of Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services at the Maryland Department of Health. Dr. Kalyanaraman’s last day is March 21, 2023. 

“We all knew that Dr. Kalyanaraman was a superstar when we hired him, and he turned out to be exactly the leader that we needed. Dr. Kalyanaraman led with compassion, strength, and brilliance, integrating public health into every corner of local governance, and leading our defense against a virus that took the lives of 1,255 county residents,” said County Executive Pittman. 

“I am thrilled that the Moore administration recognized Dr. Kalyanaraman’s talents and is putting him into a position where he can continue to deliver not only for the nearly 600,000 residents of our county, but also for the 6 million residents of Maryland. I look forward to working with him in his new role.” 

Read the full announcement here.

County Executive Pittman announced additional personnel changes would include Karen Henry serving as the permanent Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Edith Harrison taking on the role of Acting Director at the Department of Social Services. 

“Public Works is a huge, complex, and essential component of county government,” said County Executive Pittman. “We knew that Karen Henry had the breadth of experience to manage it, but during her time as Acting Director, she demonstrated that she also has the leadership skills to do the job.” 

“I want to thank Edith Harrison for stepping in to act as the leader at Social Services,” County Executive Pittman added. “She has the experience and the passion to keep the agency moving forward, and it's good to know that Carnitra White is the Deputy Secretary assigned to work with county agencies.”

Click here for the full announcement.

County Executive Pittman and the Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) are seeking public feedback through a questionnaire on draft strategies for Regions 2, 4, and 7 plans. The deadline to complete questionnaires is April 3, 2023.

“We need to get back to the community-based planning that we used to do in this county, and the questionnaires are an important step in the region planning process,” said County Executive Pittman. “My hope is that everyone will take advantage of this opportunity and others we will have in the future to really have a say in the future of their communities.”

Click here to read more.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department is excited to announce that we officially broke ground on the new Crownsville Fire Station 6 in Crownsville, Maryland, earlier this week. On March 1, 2023, six golden shovels held by County Executive Steuart Pittman, Fire Chief Trisha Wolford, Acting Department of Public Works Director Karen Henry, Manns Woodward Studios Representative Jessica Sweigart, and Current Station 6 Captain Jen Robertson signified the start of this much anticipated public safety improvement for the Crownsville area.

Crownsville Fire Station 6 will be more centrally located in Crownsville on the North East Corner of Generals Hwy and Sunrise Beach Road. The new location will add fire and EMS service in less than 8 minutes to over 8,000 more residents in Crownsville.

Read the full announcement.

Next Phase of Bay Bridge Automated Lane Closure System Begins

Starting the week of March 6, 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.

In November, the Maryland Transportation Authority began phased implementation of the new lane closure system on the Eastern Shore of the bridge. Since then, motorists traveling westbound during two-way traffic on the westbound span have been guided by overhead lane-use control signals and accompanying system features, including full-color dynamic message signs, horizontal swing gates, and illuminated pavement markers to alert and guide motorists when lanes are opening and closing to accommodate traffic operations.

Read the full announcement here.

Anne Arundel County Police Department - Western District Coat Drive

During the months of December to February, Western District collected and donated approximately 150 coats, jackets, and winter items for those in need. These coats, jackets, and winter items were given to those who used the police station as a warming center. Other items were donated to the "Hope 4 All" foundation which assists families, veterans, the elderly, and individuals who need community support during crucial times in their lives. Thank you to everyone who assisted and donated; it meant a lot to the community and the recipients.

If you missed this opportunity to help your community, Eastern District is collecting various items to donate to our adult assisted living communities. If you have extra word puzzles, small games, notebooks, and personal care items, please drop them off to Eastern District Station, located at 204 Pasadena Road, by March 15th. 

County Council Meeting - March 20, 2023

Below is a list of legislation receiving a public hearing at the upcoming County Council meeting. Let your voice be heard during the public comment period for each of these!

Resolution 2-23: RESOLUTION approving the determination of certain improved County-owned property, known as 100 Summit Avenue in Glen Burnie, Maryland, as surplus property (to be withdrawn)

Bill 12-23: AN ORDINANCE concerning: Conveyance of Surplus Property – Improved County-Owned Property – Part of the Dorsey Run Road Right-of-Way in Annapolis Junction, Maryland

Bill 13-23: AN ORDINANCE concerning: Licenses and Registrations – Special Events – Permitting

Bill 14-23: AN ORDINANCE concerning: General Provisions – Fair Housing – Denial of Rental Application – Notice

Bill 15-23: AN ORDINANCE concerning: Zoning – Residential Districts – Business Complexes as a Conditional Use

Please note: the legislation scheduled to be heard at the next County Council meeting is subject to change. Click here for an up-to-date list and to see other legislation that has been introduced but is not scheduled for a hearing at the next meeting.

AACPS Comprehensive Redistricting Process

Comments accepted through May 31, 2023

An interactive web tool is available online for members of the public to review and comment on a pair of potential redistricting scenarios developed in the first phase of a comprehensive redistricting initiative that will span the next three years.

Users can see school assignments for their residence and how they may be impacted in either scenario. A dropdown in the upper right corner allows users to translate the entire page into Spanish.

The web tool can be accessed through a link here.

Need help finding grant opportunities? Visit the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library to access free resources! 90% of U.S. Foundations don’t have websites, but you can find information about these funders with Foundation Directory Online Professional, a fundraising database where nonprofits can find potential funders targeted to their project areas. Or search Grants to Individuals, a database with information on more than 10,000 foundations that give grants or scholarships to individuals. As a Funding Information Network partner, the library offers quarterly events about grants and nonprofits. You can also sign up anytime for a One-on-One Training to learn the basics of searching these resources. Find the right funders for you, so you have the best chance to win your grant! 

Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration

Application Deadline: March 16, 2023, at 4:00 p.m.

The Anne Arundel County Watershed Restoration Grant Program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Anne Arundel County Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration, and the City of Annapolis. This award program aims to improve water quality in the County’s local streams and waterways, as called for in the County’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit and County and City of Annapolis’ Stormwater Management Inventory and Watershed Improvement Plan, which require reductions in storm flow volume and pollutants entering the County’s waterways.

Learn more.

BGE Energizing Small Business Grants Program

Application Deadline: March 24th, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.  

Through the BGE Energizing Small Business Grants Program, eligible businesses located in BGE's service area will have the opportunity this year to apply for grants of $20,000.

Applicants must be a for-profit business and an existing BGE electric and/or gas customer with positive BGE credit history. BGE values diversity, equity, and inclusion, so preference will be given to minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

Click here for additional eligibility criteria and to apply.

Anne Arundel CountyArts and Cultural Resources Grant Program

Application Deadline: March 31, 2023

Applications will be accepted from organizations located in the City of Annapolis that provide programming for the citizens of Anne Arundel County. This funding opportunity is the result of a partnership between the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County and Anne Arundel County and provides funding for programming that utilizes heritage resources in Anne Arundel County in a new or innovative way, increases public access to historic sites, improves or enhances how the public engages with heritage resources, and encourages the maintenance and preservation of important heritage sites.

Learn more.

CFAAC Helping Our Neighbors Grant

Application Deadline: March 31, 2023

CFAAC provides grants to local nonprofits that assist individuals and families in need by providing emergency assistance, such as covering immediate living expenses like paying rent to prevent eviction, utilities to prevent shut-off, fees for transportation to work or car repair, or for essential medication and medical care to return to or maintain their health.

Click here to learn more. 

Copperleaf



Property Location:

7245 & 7247 Forest Avenue; 7500, 7502, 7510, & 7512 Race Road; 1757 Simms Lane and 1727 Maple Avenue

Hanover, MD 21076

Meeting Date:  2023-03-08

In-Person | Time:  7:00 PM

1214 Reece Road



Property Location:

1214 Reece Road

Severn, MD 21144 - 1.28 acres

Meeting Date:  2023-03-08

Virtual | Time:  6:00 PM

Comcast - Anne Arundel New Building

Property Location:

815 MD RT 3 North Lane Gambrills, MD 21054

Meeting Date:  2023-03-14

Virtual | Time:  6:00 PM

Mountain Road, P.189

Property Location:

4320 Mountain Road & Temple Drive

Pasadena, MD 21122

Meeting Date:  2023-03-15

Virtual | Time:  6:00 PM

Galesville Market Project

Property Location:

1000 Main Street

Galesville, MD 20765

Meeting Date:  2023-03-16

Hybrid | Time:  7:00 PM

Fair Oaks on the Magothy, P.371

Property Location:

334 Fairtree Drive

Severna Park, MD 21146

Meeting Date:  2023-03-16

Virtual | Time:  6:00 PM

County COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Visit the Department of Health's website for more information.

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Newsletter edited by Vincent Moulden & Tameka Smith.

For media inquiries, please contact Renesha Alphonso.