As I settle in to this job, I am pleased to see the level of community engagement on various issues around the County. I will do my best to be present and respond to your requests for assistance when asked and be proactive when it is clear that community input is needed. Your concerns are important to me.
On a different note, winter weather is upon us and I was pleased to see that our snowplowing efforts were very effective. To follow the snow plows, you can click
here
. Stay warm out there!
Deb
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Current legislation
was introduced to the public on January 7, 2019. The majority of the bills are County resolutions or bills requested by the County Executive. CB3 and CB4 are sponsored by County Councilmember Liz Walsh, District 1, and deal with historic districts and disturbances of steep slopes, respectively.
Watch the archived livestream
here
.
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Health & Housing
County Council's Issues Briefing Series
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The Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) works in conjunction with the Howard County Police Department to provide therapeutic support when responding to calls involving mental health issues. Health-related organizations urged the council to expand the service to 24 hours.
The hospital analyzed EMS data to identify people who called for transport to the hospital on a frequent basis in an effort to offer in-home comprehensive care that is more cost effective than ER visits. Patients who volunteered to participate often needed more supports at home than their families and friends could accommodate.
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Calling All Faith Centers
The hospital needs your help to keep Howard County healthy. The faith community has long assisted their followers with prayers and support during illnesses and hospital stays. Through the
Journey to Better Health
program, the hospital would like to partner with faith-based organizations in District 4 . Are you working with the hospital to keep your congregation healthy? Click on the link below to learn more.
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The new County Council is holding a series of briefings with county and community partners on the following issues:
- Health & Aging
- Arts
- Business and Economic Development
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Environment and Agriculture
- Public Safety
- Transportation
The first session focused on Health and Aging on Monday, January 7. Panelists for this session included representatives from the Health Department, Howard County General Hospital, Horizon Foundation, NAMI Howard County, and the Commission on Aging.
Health Priorities:
- Reducing opioid addiction and overdose
- Preventing suicide, which is the leading cause of death in 15-19 year olds in the county
- Increasing appropriate health-care access and equity
- Decreasing stigma and increasing awareness of mental health issues
- Supporting aging residents, the fastest growing group in Howard County
Health Recommendations:
- More outpatient treatment providers who accept insurance
- Peer recovery supports
- Increased facilities for detox and crisis services
- Access to mental health supports in the school
- More public awareness
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Next Briefing: Business & Economic Development
The next Council Issues Briefing will be on Business and Economic Development on January 28th, 12pm.
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Welcome to the New Chiefs
County Executive Dr. Calvin Ball appointed Lisa Myers to be the first female African American to lead the Howard County Police Department. My council office is excited to work with this experienced and accessible leader.
I'm also honored to be working with Christine Uhlhorn, a third-generation firefighter and the first female to lead the Howard County Fire and Rescue Services. She has already proven herself to be a valuable collaborator by agreeing to meet with the community about the new North Columbia fire station. Details about this meeting will be announced soon.
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Environmental Sustainability Board Legislative Breakfast
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The Howard County Environmental Sustainability Board, which provides environmental policy advice to the county, sponsored a legislative breakfast on January 8, 2019 that included board members, elected officials, and environmental advocates. The board's chair, Dr. Mark Southerland, and featured speakers gave an overview of state-level bills and initiatives, ranging from climate change mitigation and adaptation to plastic-use reduction and forest conservation. A question and answer discussion with elected officials followed.
The primary environmental issue facing the state is climate change and how to adapt and mitigate for it. Legislative efforts aim to reduce carbon emissions and sequester carbon in agricultural soils and forests, produce and consume renewable energy, reduce food waste, and improve public education. The following bills are being pursued this session:
- Clean Energy Jobs Act - Sets a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030
- Healthy Green Amendment - Guarantees citizen's rights to a clean and safe environment in the state constitution
- Plastic bag fee in Howard County
- Ban on expanded polystyrene
- Forest Conservation Act - Reform of the fee-in-lieu forest bank program and definition of a forest
- Bird Safe buildings - Building requirements to reduce bird collisions
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The Price Tag of Climate Change
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In 2017, $306 billion worth of damage was related to natural disasters associated with climatic changes.
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Pre-Submission Meetings & Public Hearings
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Pre-submission meetings and public hearings in and around D-4 include
- Resubdivision of Cherry Brae, Lot 1, 1/17/19
- Highland Office Building, infill application, 1/25/19
- Howard Research & Development Corp., administrative appeal, 1/25/19
- Good Hope Presbyterian Church, conditional use, parking spaces, 2/11/19
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County Executive's Listening Session
Wilde Lake High School
January 16, 7-8.30pm
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Happy Korean-American Day
The County Executive and the County Council passed a resolution to celebrate Korean-American Day, which marks the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. in 1903. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin attended the ceremony along with leaders in the Howard County Korean 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 possible.
01/02
- Winter MACo conference
01/05
- Annual League of Women Voters Luncheon
01/08
- Environmental Sustainability Breakfast
01/08
- Harper's Choice Village Board Meeting
01/10
- New Fire Chief Pinning
01/12
- Columbia Athletic Club Grand Reopening
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Here I am celebrating Howard County's Korean-American Day with our local leaders in their traditional
hanbok
dresses. The official ceremony was followed by a homemade Korean lunch. Thanks for treating us to such wonderful hospitality.
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This Month's
Non-Profit
Spotlight
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The Korean Society of Maryland
was founded in 1972 by John JongUn Chang and is a service-based organization for the Korean community in the state of Maryland.
KSM empowers Korean-born and Korean-American individuals by providing programs and direct services that help them access community resources and opportunities, as well as arts, cultural and ethnic awareness.
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Founded in 1997
to serve as a helping hand for the Korean American community in Maryland, the
League of Korean Americans (LOKA)
is proudly promoting civic engagement, education, and leadership that encourages Korean Americans to partake in all facets of American life.
Strong ties with county governments, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations help in sponsoring and supporting summer internships and mentoring programs.
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Potholes Be Gone
Got potholes and other 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 for you.
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January 19th - 7:30pm
Jim Rouse Theatre
5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia
The 14th annual Jazz at the Lake concert featuring Brazilian guitarist Chico Pinheiro. Pinheiro will play with Alex Brown on piano, Zach Brown on bass and Eric Doob on drums. The award-winning Wilde Lake High School Jazz Ensemble will open the show, and perform one piece with the guest artists. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. (Golden Opportunities passes are not valid for this special concert.)
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Voices of the Villages & HOAs
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