Margery,

Last week, County Executive Ball announced a new and exciting program to support local businesses in Howard County - the Local HoCo campaign. Local businesses are truly the backbone of our economy. When we shop locally, 50% more of our money remains in the community and helps support jobs and the economy.

The new Local HoCo campaign is a partnership between Howard County Government, Visit Howard County, the Howard County Economic Development Authority, and the Howard County Chamber of Commerce to provide incentives to businesses to encourage residents and visitors to shop local. Local HoCo raises awareness and increases exposure for small and local businesses in Howard County. At the Local HoCo website, residents and visitors can search in a directory specifically for local businesses. Business owners will be able to access various free branding and marketing resources.

All Howard County businesses are encouraged to participate in the Local HoCo campaign to showcase local goods and services and encourage consumers to shop, dine, and play locally. Businesses interested in joining the campaign should visit the Local HoCo business participation website for more information.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact my office if you are experiencing any issues in your community or would just like to get in touch. We are here to help with your concerns and listen to your feedback.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and cool July!

On July 1st, the County Council convened for our July Legislative Session to vote on the budget legislation. The Council voted on several pieces of legislation, including the following:

• CB37-2024: An act to alter the school facilities surcharge for single-family detached dwellings in accordance with Chapter 744 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2019; and generally relating to the school facilities surcharge. This bill was tabled in a 4-0 vote. Introduced by Councilwoman Christiana Rigby.

New legislation was introduced at the July 1st Legislative Session, including:

• CB47-2024: An act establishing the Office of the Inspector General; specifying the selection, term, qualifications, and responsibilities of the Inspector General; providing for the referral of certain matters; specifying the funding and powers of the Office of the Inspector General; requiring certain reports; establishing the Inspector General Advisory Board; specifying the composition, powers, and duties of the Inspector General Advisory Board; specifying the selection, term, and responsibilities of the Inspector General Advisory Board; and generally relating to the Office of the Inspector General. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

• CB48-2024: An act supporting the creation of the Office of the Inspector General; amending the process for whistleblower complaints; repealing certain duties of the County Auditor; amending the composition of the Howard County Ethics Commission; and generally relating to supporting the Office of the Inspector General. Introduced by Councilmember Liz Walsh.

A Public Hearing on all legislation is scheduled for July 15th at 7:00 PM. The legislation will be up for a vote at the Council's Legislative Session on July 29th at 10:00 AM.

The County Council is Hiring

The Council is hiring a County Auditor! We are looking for an exceptional candidate who wants to make a positive impact through their work and will serve their community proudly.

The County Auditor is an officer of the Legislative Branch, appointed by the Council County. In the role, the Auditor monitors the affairs of the Executive Branch, ensures public funds are spent in accordance with the budgets adopted by the County Council, and performs other functions and provisions of the County Charter and County Code.

For more information about this position, visit the Howard County Career Page.

Serve as a Commissioner

The Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity has open positions on all five OHRE Commissions. By serving on one of these Commissions, you will have the opportunity to be a powerful voice for residents, drive change, and shape a more inclusive future for Howard County. The Commissions with openings are listed below:

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission
• 4 adult commissioners
• Human Rights Commission
• 2 adult commissioners
• La Alianza Latina Commission
• 1 college/trade student commissioner
• LGBTQIA+ Commission
• 3 adult commissioners
• 1 college/trade student commissioner
• Asian American Pacific Islander Commission
• 1 college/trade student commissioner

Apply today on the Boards & Commissions website. Applications will remain open until the positions are filled.

HC Drug Free Life Skills Class

HC Drug Free is hosting another round of Summer Life Skills Classes! These classes are taught by Howard County college students and have an evidence-based curriculum that promotes positive health and personal development for students in 6th through 9th grade.

Classes are online via Zoom and will take place on July 15th, 26th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th.

Visit HC Drug Free's website for more information.

Public Garden Survey

The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is seeking community input for the design of our first public garden. Residents interested in making their voices heard are encouraged to attend the focus group meeting on Wednesday, July 17th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Department of Recreation & Parks' Headquarters, located at 7120 Oakland Mills Road in Columbia. During the meeting, each resident will have up to three minutes to speak.

Please sign up to attend the meeting or to provide input online now through Friday, July 19th at 6:00 PM.

For more information, please visit Recreation & Parks website or email publicgarden@howardcountymd.gov.

Free Concert at Glen Mar Church

The Soldiers' Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band will perform on Friday, July 19th at 7:00 PM at Glen Mar Church. Travel across breathtaking natural landscapes, meeting the warm and hospitable people who are the fabric of the United States of America. Through exciting music and stunning visuals, be inspired by the beauty and diversity of this great nation while honoring the veterans who answered the call to defend it.

Admission is free and donations are suggested. Learn more about the Summer Concert Series at the Glen Mar Church website.

Racial Equity Survey

The Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity has launched a Racial Equity Perception Survey for community members! The goal of this survey is to gather valuable insights from the community, better understand racial equity within Howard County, and inform our strategies to address it. Your participation in this survey helps to shape Howard County's approach to racial equity and directly influences the County's actions.

Please take the survey by Monday, July 22nd.

Where's Waldo?

Throughout July, residents can take part in a scavenger hunt to find Waldo across 23 Howard County businesses, including Queen Takes Book, Bagel Bin, Wild Birds Unlimited, the Charmery, and more!

1. Pick up your official stamp card from Queen Takes Book or any of the participating locations.
2. Find Waldo in each of the participating stores and have your card stamped or signed to show that you've found him.
3. Visit Queen Takes Book once you have completed the search for Waldo to claim your prize.
4. Join the party on Saturday, August 3rd at 3:00 PM at Queen Takes Book.

For more information and to see a list of all participating businesses, please visit Queen Takes Book's website.

Free Summer Meals

To continue supporting the needs of Howard County families and children, the Howard County Public School System's free summer meal program runs until August 2nd. Meals are served Monday through Friday from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at the following locations around the County:

• Atholton High School, 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia
• Bollman Bridge Elementary School, 8200 Savage-Guilford Road, Savage
• Ducketts Lane Elementary School, 6501 Ducketts Lane, Elkridge
• Ellicott Mills Middle School, 4445 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City
• Hammond High School, 8800 Guilford Road, Columbia
• Howard High School, 8700 Old Annapolis Rd., Ellicott City
• Lake Elkhorn Middle School, 6680 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
• Oakland Mills Middle School, 9540 Kilimanjaro Rd., Columbia
• Swansfield Elementary School, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia
• Wilde Lake Middle School, 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
• Howard County Library System, East Columbia Branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
• Howard County Library System, Elkridge Branch, 6540 Washington Blvd, Elkridge

More information about the free summer meals program can be found online.

In this section of the newsletter, I'm excited to share 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.

Nabaiee's Family Martial Arts

Nabaiee’s Family Martial Arts is a family owned and operated school proudly serving the Howard County community for almost 20 years. We teach self-defense, fitness, and important life skills to children and adults from ages 3 to 103. 

We believe that training in the Martial Arts is much more than a physical activity. It’s a way of life. By investing time each day to the development of mind, body, and spirit, an individual will foster self-fulfillment.

At Nabaiee’s Family Martial Arts, we are committed to providing quality service. We strive to provide a center where families and individuals can get energized, focused, and find balance. Our mission is to optimize the quality of life for the individual, the family and the community.



We teach using a Mixed Martial Arts curriculum which incorporates elements of different styles. However, each of our Martial Arts programs share the three major components of Black Belt excellence: self-defense, fitness, and most importantly, character development.

Stay connected with us by visiting our website, www.nfmarespect.com.

It's Getting Hot in Here!

The summer heat is in full swing. But when did it get so hot? It feels like almost every time I go outside now, I come back more exhausted than ever. Simple tasks like walking with my kids to the park or trying to clean up the lawn take so much energy. And it’s because of the heat. Especially with multiple heat waves in the past few weeks, we all must know how to prepare for extreme heat.

Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. These high temperatures are dangerous because our bodies must work overtime to maintain a normal temperature. When this occurs, we are at risk for heat related illnesses such as sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Below is a list of ways to prepare for extreme heat:  

1. Slow down! Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. 
2. Dress appropriately for the heat. Wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing best helps to regulate body temperatures. 
3. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
4. When possible, spend time in air-conditioned places like your home, libraries, or community centers.
5. Never leave children or pets unattended in a parked car or other hot environments. 

The most dangerous heat-related illness is a heat stroke. Therefore, it is important to know the signs and ways to respond. Some of the signs include the following: 

• Body temperature above 103 degrees F
• Red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat 
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Dizziness, confusion, or unconsciousness

If you or someone you know begins to experience any of these symptoms and suspect heat stroke, please call 911 or seek medical care. 

To support residents with staying cool, Howard County Government provides cooling centers at the following locations: 

• Howard County Library System Branches
• Central Branch: 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia
• East Columbia Branch: 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia
• Miller Branch: 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City
• Savage Branch: 9525 Durness Lane, Laurel
• Elkridge Branch: 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge
• Glenwood Branch: 2350 Maryland Route 97, Cooksville

• Howard County Recreation and Parks Community Centers
• Gary J. Arthur Community Center: 2400 Maryland Route 97, Cooksville 
• North Laurel Community Center: 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel 
• Roger Carter Community Center: 3000 Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City 
• Robinson Nature Center: 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia
• Kiwanis-Wallas Hall: 3300 Norberts Way, Ellicott City 

Lastly, it is important to bring attention to the root cause of increased extreme heat - climate change. Our changing climate contributes to the intensity and frequency of heat waves. In order to stay cool, many of us are using more energy than normal. Because of this, it is important to diversify energy sources and become climate resilient. One way that I have been working to make Howard County more sustainable is with the implementation of solar canopies, through my bill CB39-2023. Solar canopies generate solar power, which reduces energy costs, while allowing functional use of the space underneath. Previously, solar canopies could be installed in parking lots, but the many setback restrictions made it impractical to do so. Because of these changes, the County is preparing to install a solar canopy over the parking lot for the East Columbia Library and East Columbia 50+ Center. This solar canopy, which should be fully installed by the Fall, will generate useful energy while creating shade in Owen Brown. 

Ultimately, the effects of climate change are far-reaching and threatening, therefore, action is needed to mitigate these effects.

There are no community pre-submission meetings scheduled in District 3.