Greetings!
February is Black History Month! During the month, we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. This year's theme "African Americans and the Arts," calls upon us to explore the key influence African Americans have had in visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, language, film, music, architecture, and more.
I encourage you to celebrate Black History Month by reading books written by Black authors, watching movies that highlight Black stories, and supporting Black-owned businesses. The Howard County Library System complied a collection of books for children, teens, and adults. And, throughout the month of February, the Library is hosting many different events and book clubs centered around Black History Month. To find the list of books and events, please visit the Howard County Library System website.
As we progress through the year, please do not hesitate to contact my office if you are experiencing any issues or would just like to get in touch. We are always happy to help with your concerns and listen to feedback. Wishing you a safe, happy, and healthy February!
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Christiana Rigby (she/her)
Councilwoman, District 3
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January Legislation Wrap-Up |
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On February 5th, the County Council convened for our January Legislative Session. The Council took action on several pieces of legislation were introduced, including the following:
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CB4-2024: An act repealing certain provisions of law that provide optional methods for a developer to provide moderate income housing units under the zoning regulations and that allow a developer to request permission from the Director of Housing to use alternative compliance to certain optional methods; repealing certain provisions of law relating to market-based required alternatives to the moderate income housing unit obligation; repealing certain provisions of law relating to alternatives to moderate income housing unit obligation in certain zones; repealing certain provisions of law relating to the sale of moderate income housing units; repealing certain provisions of law relating to the rental of moderate income housing units; altering certain definitions and certain regulations; and generally relating to the sale of moderate income housing units. This bill failed in a 2-2 vote. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.
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New legislation was introduced at the February 5th Legislative Session, including:
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CR19-2024: A resolution adopting a permit fee for the Publicly Accessible Electric Scooter Sharing System. Introduced by the Chairperson at the request of the County Executive.
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CB8-2024: An act amending the process for approving waivers which allow for alternative compliance to protections of wetlands, streams, and steep slopes; requiring the Departments that grant the waivers to adhere to certain requirements; and generally relating to the alternative compliance for protection of wetlands, streams, and steep slopes. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.
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CB9-2024: An act amending the Public Protection Services title of the Code to require Motor Vehicle Fueling Station operators to add the highest price on their fuel pricing signs; and generally relating to Motor Vehicle Fueling Stations. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.
At the upcoming Public Hearing, on February 20th at 7:00 PM, residents can offer testimony on this legislation. The legislation will be up for a vote at the Council's Legislative Session on March 4th at 7:00 PM.
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Community News, Events, and Updates |
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Family Home Start Program |
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Howard County's Department of Housing and Community Development is partnering with Bridges to Housing Stability to support families and students within the Howard County Public School System who are facing homelessness.
The Family Home Start Program aims to help families attain long-term housing stability by offering security deposits and rental assistance.
To learn more about the program and apply, visit Bridges to Housing Stability's website.
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New Central Branch Library Community Meetings |
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Howard County Executive Ball is hosting four upcoming community meetings to discuss the New Central Branch Library. These meetings are a great opportunity to provide input about how a future library can benefit Columbia and Howard County.
The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 27th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Galleria at Howard Community College.
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The Bureau of Environmental Services is accepting applications for the "Business Recycling and Waste Reduction" and "Green Community Leadership" awards program. Any business, community group, school, or organization that aims to protect the County's natural environment and preserve our resources can be nominated.
Nomination forms on due by March 1st. Awards will be presented at Howard County GreenFest on Saturday, April 13th at Howard Community College.
Learn more and make a nomination at Work Green Howard's website.
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The Savage Community Farmer's Market is coming to Carroll Baldwin Commons in Mary! I'm so excited to see this market come to fruition. 🍇🍉🍎
To make this farmer's market a reality, we need farmers and vendors. Interested farmers and vendors are encouraged to apply by March 1st.
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Kings Contrivance CARES is hosting an Environmental Town Hall on March 12th at 7:00 PM at Amherst House. I am happy to announce that the Office of Community Sustainability's Administrator Tim Lattimer and myself will be joining this meeting to answer your questions and provide updates regarding environmental efforts at the legislative and executive branches.
Please RSVP to this event by emailing kcvillagecares@gmail.com. Due to limited capacity, this event is currently for King's Contrivance residents only.
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District 3 Business Spotlight |
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Welcome to a new feature in my newsletter, the District 3 Business Spotlight! I'm excited to share highlights from one of the many amazing small businesses in District 3. If your business would like to be featured here, please email me at crigby@howardcountymd.gov.
This month, I am featuring AppleCore's Bake Shoppe. Read below to learn more about AppleCore's from founder Aisha Applewhite.
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AppleCore's Bake Shoppe
I am Aisha, the founder of AppleCore’s Bake Shoppe. In 2020, I made the leap from a corporate executive role to pursue my passion for creating indulgent desserts that bring people together. At our bakery, we specialize in crafting a variety of treats, including cheesecakes, pound cakes, bread pudding, and more. We offer both traditional and inclusive options for vegans and those with gluten sensitivities. Why? Because Everyone NEEDS Faith, Hope, Love, and…DESSERT!
Explore our mouthwatering selections and conveniently place your orders online. Then swing by our Columbia location at 9693 Gerwig Ln Suite F, Columbia, MD 21046 for curbside pickup. Visit www.applecorebakes.com for more information.
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Christiana's Climate Corner |
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Within my team, we often share out interesting links, podcasts, and books that we have come across. Below you will find a book review of The Story of More by Hope Jahren, written by my District Aide, Paige Goldscher. If you have something you think we should read, watch, or listen to, please it send our way!
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The Story of More, written by Hope Jahren, encourages readers to thoughtfully examine their carbon footprint and make incremental changes to reduce our individual impact.
The book is broken up into four parts: Life, Food, Energy, and Earth. The Life section begins with an explanation of human population growth and how this had led to an increase in our consumption of food, energy, and the earth's resources.
The Food section of the book explains the change in how we grow and eat food. Over time, humans have been perfecting growing methods for our crops, and our meat. Meat consumption has increased so much, particularly in American, that if Americans cut down their meat intake by half, the world's food-grain supply would increase by 15 percent. Our food waste is another contributor to climate change as 20 percent of American waste is edible food.
In the Energy section, Hope Jahren writes about the world's rise in energy use from vehicles, airplanes, electricity, gas, and more. Our overreliance on fossil fuels, and energy in general, makes it challenging to convince many countries that we all need to limit our energy use and find new sources. Renewable energy sources from wind, solar, and hydro power are great options but could not meet the world's energy needs. While nuclear energy is promising, there still exist waste and unknowns.
In the final section of the book, Earth, connect our food consumption and energy use back to climate change. The air that we breathe is changing, the temperature of the earth has increased, ice is melting, water levels are rising, species are rapidly going extinct, and all of this is because of our actions. Thankfully, there is hope for us. We have made impressive strides to protect and preserve land. Scientists around the globe are working on innovative solutions to stop polar ice from melting.
While, of course, we need large scale reforms and changes to reduce the impacts of climate change, each of us, right now, can modify our daily habits and minimize our carbon footprint.
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If you need assistance, Howard County can help. Read below to learn more about programs offered by the County and State. |
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District 3 Pre-Submission Meetings |
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There are no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3. |
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Stay Connected with Christiana! |
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Christiana Rigby
Councilwoman, District 3
crigby@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2001
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Colette Gelwicks
Chief of Staff
cgelwicks@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-2421
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Paige Goldscher
District Aide
pgoldscher@howardcountymd.gov
410-313-3108
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