February is Black History Month, a time used to focus on the contributions of African Americans both in the United States and throughout the world. In Howard County, it is believed that there were a number of people who played an important role in the history of the Underground Railway. Although it is difficult to corroborate, some Howard County historians believe that Harriett Tubman was one of the people who led groups of slaves from Howard County plantations to freedom in other northern locations.
According to
The Beacon
, "local historians believe the community of Simpsonville was an important stopover point in the county’s Underground Railroad connections.' Simpsonville was a logical community for runaway slaves, because the slaveholder Nicholas Worthington freed his 17 slaves and gave them each land in the community,' according to the HoCo Connect blog site. The community was called Freetown because of Worthington’s act in 1845."
Do these names sound familiar to the residents of District 4: Simpsonville Road, Freetown Road, and Harriett Tubman Lane? On Saturday, February 23, you can visit the Harriett Tubman School
(8045 Harriett Tubman Lane)
, the County's High School for African American students from 1949-1965, at which time Howard County schools became desegregated. There will be a celebration of black history from 10am-2pm. Hope to see you there.
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Coffee With Deb
Would you like to have a chat with me about your concerns and ideas for a fantastic District 4?
Come join me at one of my Coffee Chats.
March 16, 10am-12pm,
Bagel Bin, River Hill
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April is budget season for FY2020. See the public meeting schedule
here
.
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State Delegation Bills to Watch
The Delegation's next work/voting session will be held on
Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at 8:30am
in the Lowe House of Delegates Building, Room 218, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401.
HoCo 03-19
School Facilities Surcharge – Rates
Vote tabled on February 22, 2019. Amendments to exempt affordable and senior housing and technically complete projects are being considered
.
Other bills on the agenda include:
Howard County - Ethics - Limit on Developer Contributions, Ho. Co. 12-19; Sponsored by: Delegate Miller
Howard County - Dep. of Corrections - Authority to Establish Programs, Ho. Co. 29-19; Sponsored by: Chair, Howard County Delegation
Howard County - Collection and Allocation of County Transfer Tax, Ho. Co. 30-19; Sponsored by: Chair, Howard County Delegation
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Have you noticed flag markers along Harper’s Farm Road and Cedar Lane? BGE is installing 18,000 linear feet of fiber optic cable to improve communication between BGE facilities. Some cable will be hung on existing poles and some will be buried in the County right-of-way.
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Potholes Be Gone
Got potholes and other road and infrastructure repair requests? Report the problem and track the solution through
SeeClickFix
. Create a login, set your location, and rest assured that the county is working on it for you.
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The Mission of the
National Association
for the
Advancement of Colored People
is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.
Become a
member
to join the fight. Branch meetings are the 4th Thursday of the month at Wilde Lake High School.
Please
donate
to support our mission.
News and updates for members found
here
.
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Voices of the Villages & HOAs
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The council held a public hearing on February 19, 2019. We have a fairly light load this session with a variety of bills dealing mainly with appointments and process. Legislation coming in the next two
cycles includes the following:
- CB8 Repeal of the mobile home site rental tax
- CB11 Altering the minimum forest buffer along scenic roads
- CR36 Supporting the administration's civil action against FAA's Next Generation system at BWI.
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Public Safety Issues Briefing
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The next Issues Briefing will be
Monday, February 25, 2019 at 1:30 pm
in the Banneker Room, George Howard Building. The topic will be public safety. View the agenda
here
.
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Listening Session By the Numbers
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Get a recap of the County Executive's Listening Sessions with this helpful
infographic
.
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Public Meeting: Wilde Lake Water Main Replacement Project
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Thursday, March 14 at 6:30 pm
Wilde Lake High School, Cafeteria, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia
The Wilde Lake water main project will replace 17,000 linear feet of corroding water mains along Green Mountain Circle at Twin Rivers Dr and is scheduled to begin mid-March. The public is invited to view the design plans and discuss the project with staff members.
Contact Paul DiMarco with DPW’s Utility Design Division at 410-313-6126 or email
[email protected]
if you’re unable to attend or have additional questions.
In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be rescheduled for Thursday, March 21, same time and location.
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Pre-Submission Meetings & Public Hearings
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Columbia Crescent Phase 1, Area 3, Phase 2 will hold its rescheduled pre-submission hearing on
March 7, 2019, 7pm,
Howard Community College, Monteabaro Recital Hall – Horowitz Center, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway.
Review amendments to the Final Development Plan FDP-DC-Crescent-1A and Site Development Plan 18-005. The amendments include
- develop Parcel D-7 with a hotel containing up to 215 guest rooms and related amenities and facilities
- increase the number of residential units on Parcel D-8 from 423 units to up to 440 units, including the provision of affordable housing
- increase the amount of retail/restaurant space on Parcel D-8 from 42,360 SF to up to 65,000 SF
- increase the maximum building height permitted on Parcel D-7 from 15 stories or 170 feet to 15 stories or 180 feet
- other related site modifications.
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Environmental Awards: Nominations Now Open
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Business Recycling & Waste Reduction Award
This award recognizes Howard County businesses for their recycling and waste reduction efforts.
Green Community Leadership Award
Recognizes a community group or organization that protects Howard County's natural environment and preserves its resources.
Green Apple Award
Teachers throughout the county are recognized for their efforts to increase student awareness to environmental issues.
Nominations
are due April 1, 2019.
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Summer Academic Enrichment Scholarship
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Carlessia Hussein Minority Scholarship
is
available
to middle school African American, Latino, and Native American males who are enrolled in a Howard County middle school. The scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and related expenses associated with participating in a program that provides the student with opportunities to gain knowledge, skills and unique experiences to enable them to successfully complete school and become life-long leaders in their community.
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Below are some of the events and meetings I have recently attended. Let me know about your community activities so I can stop by, if my schedule allows.
02/12 - North Columbia Fire Station Town Hall
02/13 - MACo Legislative Meeting
02/13 - Chief Myers Swearing-In Ceremony
02/16 - Coffee with Deb
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Thanks to everybody who came out for my first Coffee with Deb. We had fantastic conversations about all the ways in which District 4 can improve. I'm so thankful to be serving this community.
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Free Yoga and Barre Classes at Barre
The Mall in Columbia
near Lululemon and Yoga - near Williams Sonoma
February 23rd, March 30, April 27, and May 25
9am - 10am
Come join free Barre and Yoga classes on the last Saturday of the month thru May
Barre
- Upper level near Lululemon
Yoga
- Lower level near Williams Sonoma
By: HAVEN ON THE LAKE
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Howard Community College Diversity Film Festival
February 25, 2019 - March 1, 201
9
12pm - 7pm
Monteabaro Recital Hal
l
10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
***
FREE
EVENT***
call (443) 518-1500 for details or click
here for details
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THE MARYLAND SPORTING DOG SHOW
March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
8am - 5pm
2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship
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SkillShareFair & Repair Cafe!
March 2nd
1-4pm
The Barn - Oakland Mills Village Center
5853 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia
Want something fixed? Pre-register your broken item
here
.
click
here for
Time Bank mini workshops on Do-It-Yourself tasks
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Monthly Youth Group Tour (FULL)
March 7th
6, 7 or 8 p.m
Police Headquarters
3410 Courthouse Dr., Ellicott City
Attention all youth groups, scouts and student organizations! Want to see behind the scenes at HCPD? Due to popular demand, the Howard County Police Department hosts monthly tours of the police station, 911 center, and county emergency operations center for organized youth groups who register in advance.
Learn about fingerprinting and forensics, and how law enforcement operates in Howard County.
Register your group using this request form.
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