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Courtney Watson
House of Delegates
District 9B
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Hello Friends,
I hope you're staying cool this summer, enjoying the best of the season. Speaking of season's treats, don't forget to stop by the Howard County Farmer's Market at the Miller Branch Library on Wednesdays to pick up fresh fruits, veggies and much more! Not only do you get the freshest produce, but you help support our local farmers. See below for times.
I can't wait to have a deep-fried Oreo at the Howard County Fair! It runs August 6 - August 13. A schedule of events can be found here.
It's helpful to be able to spend time outdoors during the latest upsurge in the COVID rates in our county (and around the country). Please see below for the latest guidance from the Howard County Health Department.
Take care and stay safe,
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The Font Hill Neighborhood Association does a wonderful job celebrating the holidays, and I appreciated the invitation to join in the car parade for their Independence Day procession through Font Hill and Dunloggin. It was a spectacular show of community patriotic spirit. Thank you to the many organizers and participants!
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Stop by the Miller Branch Library on Wednesdays for a Taste of Summer |
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Howard County Library – Miller Branch Farmers’ Market
9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City
Wednesdays, May 4 – November 2, 2022
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
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FROM THE HOWARD COUNTY
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
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Coronavirus Statistics
Community Levels are back at HIGH. According to the CDC's weekly update Howard County is now at a “high” community level. We expect case numbers and levels to continue to change. Checking the CDC transmission rate and community level are tools you can use as you decide how to protect yourself. For more, visit howardcountymd.gov/health/covid-19.
Additional recommendations:
- Wear a mask indoors in a public setting.
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If you are immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection
- Have a plan for rapid testing if needed (e.g., having home tests or access to testing)
- Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, PrEP, and monoclonal antibodies
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If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for severe disease
- consider self-testing to detect infection before contact
- consider wearing a mask when indoors with them
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and boosters.
COVID Vaccines – HCHD continues to hold vaccination and booster clinics for residents of all ages. Check our COVID vaccination page to find out how you can get up to date on your vaccine!
Need your COVID Vaccine Immunization Records? – Sign up at MarylandMyIR to get your COVID-19 and other immunization records.
Are you a Senior in Howard County? Ever wonder what services the Health Department has for you? Our new campaign "We're Here for You" provides information about the programs and services we have to Keep Our Seniors Healthy! Next time: "Keeping Your Family Healthy".
Have you heard of CAREAPP? CAREAPP is a platform that lets you search for programs and services for food, housing, work, financial assistance and more right here in HoCo. Go to findhcresources.org.
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HoCo Dept of Public Works Hosts Public Meeting on Landing Rd Sewer Extension Project |
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Howard County’s Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Utility Design Division will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room of the George Howard Building, located at 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, to present plans for a sewer extension project.
The proposed project includes the installation of approximately 400 linear feet of sewer main along a portion of Landing Road in Elkridge, to connect the property at 5667 Landing Road to the County’s sewer system. The project is expected to begin in spring 2023.
The meeting will include a brief presentation of the project to the Public Works Board to request funding approval. The public will have the opportunity to add comments and County staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the current schematic should contact Mr. Sanjay Kulkarni with DPW’s Utility Design Division at 410-313-2040 or email skulkarni@howardcountymd.gov.
An interpreter for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be available if requested seven working days prior to the meeting. Please call DPW at 410-313-3440 (voice) or use Relay at 7-1-1, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For questions or more information about Capital Project S-6698, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.
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HoCo Commission on Disabilities Seeks
Nominees for 2022 Employer Awards
The Howard County Commission on Disabilities is now seeking nominations for its 2022 Employer Awards. These awards recognize Howard County employers who, as evidenced by hiring practices, staff development, advancement possibilities and accommodation practices, value diversity and provide equal opportunities for employees with disabilities. The nomination deadline is noon, Friday, August 19, 2022.
The nomination form can be found online or a hard copy or copy in a alternate format can be requested by contacting Ms. Erica Lewis at 410-313-6402 (voice/relay) or emailing ealewis@howardcountymd.gov. Self-nominations are accepted.
For questions and/or more information about these awards,
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FROM THE HOWARD COUNTY CHAMBER |
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HoCo By Design Draft Chapter:
Supporting Economic Prosperity
Over the coming months, the goal of the HoCo By Design project team is to release draft planning theme chapters one at a time for community review and feedback. The fourth planning theme chapter is Supporting Economic Prosperity: Creating Opportunities for Business to Innovate and Thrive. The policies presented in each chapter are draft statements based on data, best practices, and community feedback received to date. The project team is seeking feedback from the community to further refine draft policies.
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Second Annual Howard County
Black Business Celebration
Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Office of Human Rights & Equity on Saturday, August 13th from 11:00am-4:00 pm for the 2nd Annual Black Business Celebration. This event will feature local vendors, engaging speakers, tasty food trucks, and informative workshops in an effort to promote and amplify the importance of Black entrepreneurship, financial literacy, business enrichment, and cooperative economics. This program is free to the public.
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Library Celebrates Park and Recreation Month |
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Did you know that July is Park & Recreation Month? This July we’re recognizing all of the ways that parks build strong, vibrant, and resilient communities. From protecting open spaces and vital natural resources to providing gathering spaces and activity opportunities for all people, we’re grateful for the many ways that parks and recreation have enhanced our lives.
To celebrate the parks, community centers, and recreation facilities in Howard County and throughout the United States, we’ve created lists of materials from our collection for you to borrow. Visit national parks of the USA from the comfort of your living room this month with your HCLS card and one of these books. From travel guides about the Grand Canyon to meditations on nature to novels set in the Everglades, we’ve got something for everyone.
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National Suicide Prevention Hotline is no longer the lengthy 1-800 # it used to be, but simply 988
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In 2020, Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act which authorized a new, three digit dialing code, 988, for suicide and mental health crisis support. The shift to the new 988 crisis hotline on July 16, 2022 marks a significant step forward in the transition to a crisis care system for mental health. This short number is intended to make access to help regarding mental health crises easier and more accessible, and will hopefully become cemented into the American conscience the same way 911 is.
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be:
- Thoughts of suicide,
- Mental health or substance use crisis, or
- Any other kind of emotional distress.
People can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help.
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How Verizon's Migration from Copper to a Fiber Network May Impact Landline Users |
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Verizon has chosen to replace its traditional copper network in certain communities and is migrating customers to a fiber network. Customers receiving landline phone service may be impacted by the transition and should be aware that some features and functionalities on the copper network may differ on the fiber network.
As a Verizon customer, once migrated to a fiber network, the price you pay for your current calling plan for landline telephone service will remain the same, until you decide to change. The landline telephone service delivered over a fiber network is not the same as Verizon’s FiOS digital voice service. If you are migrated, check your bill and look for any changes in cost.
To learn more about what changes might occur if you are migrated from the copper to fiber network, check out OPC's guide: https://bit.ly/CopperToFiber.
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Governor Hogan Announces Project Restore Now Accepting Additional Applications from New or Expanding Maryland Businesses |
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Second Round Of Program Will Provide $25 Million In Incentives
Governor Larry Hogan today announced the opening of the second application round for Project Restore, an economic recovery initiative that provides financial incentives for small businesses and commercial developers to revitalize vacant retail and commercial space.
Through Project Restore, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will administer $25 million in rental and operational grants to new and expanding Maryland small businesses to assist with startup costs and incentivize commercial investment in vacant spaces. Launched last year by Governor Hogan, Project Restore has already assisted more than 350 Maryland businesses.
Project Restore provides two grant opportunities for businesses, including nonprofits, that are expanding, moving to or opening in a property that was previously vacant for at least six months.
The Property Assistance Grant provides up to $30,000 for one year to support costs associated with rent, mortgage payment or property improvements as applicable.
The Business Operations Grant provides up to $250,000 per calendar year to support capital costs like property improvements and equipment, as well as operating costs such as staff salaries, marketing, and inventory.
Applicants can apply for Project Restore assistance beginning Thursday, July 7, 2022. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
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BGE's Energizing Small Business Grants Program Accepting Applications |
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Eligible businesses can receive grants of $20,000
to assist with pandemic recovery
Small businesses located within BGE’s service area can now apply for a BGE Energizing Small Business Grant of $20,000 through August 26, 2022. This grant program is part of BGE’s $15 million pledge to assist small businesses with COVID-19 relief and recovery and is a multi-year commitment expected to run through at least 2023.
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Maryland Begins Issuing Digital Driver's Licenses, ID Cards, Mobile IDs in Apple Wallet - Acceptable at BWI and Reagan National Airports |
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The TSA has been working with Apple and several states since last year to enable the use of the digital version of credentials at airport security lanes. Maryland is the second state to offer the option. Read more here. |
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Bring a Little Magic to Your Summer with
the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
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Harry Potter™ Film Concert
at Merriweather Post Pavillion
on August 14th!
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HOW TO CONTACT MY OFFICE
Your thoughts are always welcome. Please contact me by email (see below). When requesting help for constituent matters, please include "constituent" in the subject line.
Delegate Courtney Watson
Howard County District 9B
Member, Economic Matters Committee
Member, Banking, Consumer Protection, and Commercial Law Subcommittee
Member, Property and Casualty Insurance Subcommittee
Chair, Workers' Compensation Subcommittee
Vice Chair, Democratic Caucus
Maryland House of Delegates
6 Bladen Street, Room 350
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-841-3077 / 301-858-3077
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