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Courtney Watson
House of Delegates
District 9B
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Hello Friends,
This November, I am grateful for all of you. Thank you for your renewed confidence in me. It has been my honor to represent you in Annapolis and I will continue to work hard for District 9B
and all Marylanders.
Wishing you and your family a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Take good care,
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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Veteran's Day Closures
- Women in Apprenticeship Event
- Cybersecurity in Business Video
- From the Office of the Howard County Executive
- Update from the HoCo Health Department
- Midnight Madness in OEC
- Scholarship for Community College Students
- New Land Preservation Program
- Help Wanted
- ... and more!
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Howard County Government Closings for
Veterans Day Holiday on November 11th
Closed on Friday, November 11
- County Government Offices
- Courts
- Animal Shelter
- 50+ Centers
- Belmont Manor & Historic Park
Open on Friday, November 11
- All trash, recycling, yard trim and food scrap services
- Alpha Ridge Landfill
- County parks
- Gary J. Arthur, North Laurel and Roger Carter Community Centers
- Robinson Nature Center
- Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum
- Historic Sites
- Meadowbrook Athletic Complex*
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Cedar Lane and Schooley Mill Park Activity Rooms*
- Kiwanis-Wallas Hall*
- Harriet Tubman Cultural Center*
- RTA regular weekday schedule
* Facilities open for scheduled programs only
All parking regulations and fees will be in effect.
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Howard County Women in Apprenticeship
Thursday, November 17, 2022
12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
The Howard County Office of Workforce development will host an IN-PERSON event to recognize business women running apprenticeship programs, and inspiring individuals to become Apprentices. Are you a woman business leader, entrepreneur, or minority business owner challenged to recruit and retain your workforce? Discover what Registered Apprenticeship can do for your business and explore opportunities in the Howard County area.
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The Maryland Insurance Administration held a virtual event Cybersecurity for Businesses: Managing Your Risk with expert panelists from the Maryland State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Maryland Department of Commerce, the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and the insurance industry. You can watch the video by clicking below.
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FROM THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE |
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Howard County Department of Public Works to Host Public Meeting on Stonehouse Drive Outfall Stabilization
Howard County Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Stormwater Management Division will hold a public meeting on Monday, November 21st at 7:00 p.m. in the Patapsco Room at Howard County Library System’s Miller branch, located at 9421 Frederick Road in Ellicott City, to present plans for a project to stabilize the stormwater outfall drainage along Stonehouse Drive in Ellicott City.
The proposed project includes repairing an eroded slope at the existing stormwater drainage outfall and constructing additional underground stormwater drainage pipes to discharge water at a stable location along the unnamed tributary to the Patapsco River.
This informal meeting will include a brief overview of the project by DPW staff and design consultant McCormick Taylor, who will remain on hand afterwards to answer any questions.
Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the plans and/or have questions, should contact Mr. Brian Cleary of the Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-6455 or email
For questions or more information about Capital Project D-1158/Construction D-1176, contact Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.
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Howard County Department of Public Works to Host Public Meeting on Maple Forest Stormwater Pond Repair Project
Howard County’s Department of Public Works’ (DPW) Stormwater Management Division will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, November 29 at 6:30 p.m., in the Avalon Room at the Howard County Library System’s Miller branch, located at 9421 Frederick Road in Ellicott City, to review the proposed Maple Forest stormwater pond repair project.
The proposed project will include replacement of the old metal outlet structure with a new concrete outlet structure.
This meeting will include an overview of the project and presentation of the proposed repair work. DPW staff, as well as representatives from the design consulting firm, will remain on hand afterwards to take comments and answer any questions.
Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the plans and/or have questions, should contact Mr. Bill Liu of the Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-6416 or email bliu@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.
The project is partially funded through the County’s Watershed Protection and Restoration Fund.
For questions or more information about Capital Project D-1177, contact Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email
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Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Seeks Members for Asian American Pacific Islander Commission
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants interested in serving on the newly established Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 18, 2022.
Comprised of a minimum of 17 members, with a maximum of 25 members, the Commission will organize, educate and mobilize the AAPI community through coalition building and coordinate with individuals, groups, organizations and businesses. They will provide an annual report to both the County Executive and County Council identifying best practices to include and affirm members of the AAPI community; policy and programs that advance health, business, safety, education and workforce development; policy and programs impacting Howard County including intercultural education, inclusion, belonging, government outreach and access; and improve outcomes for underserved and at-risk segments of the AAPI population. The Commission will also support, plan and execute programs, events and initiatives to celebrate and affirm the AAPI community.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be Howard County residents 18 years of age or older, represent the AAPI community and be able to attend the commission meetings. The meeting dates and times will be established at the inaugural meeting. Specific member qualifications include: at least one business representative; at least one representative from the health care provider community; at least one representative from the early childhood, education, or workforce development industry; at least three (3) from various nonprofits that serve the AAPI community; at least three (3) Howard County residents from the AAPI community; at least one high school student and at least one student who resides in Howard County and attends a college, university or trade school.
Applicants should send a resume and brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Commission to Kimberly Pruim either by email to kpruim@howardcountymd.gov or by mail to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Kimberly Pruim, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. When applying, applicants should include which member qualification(s) criteria they meet. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for approval and then to the County Council for confirmation.
For more information about the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/OHRE or call the County’s Office of Human Rights and Equity at 410-313-6430.
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FROM MAURA ROSSMAN, HEALTH OFFICER |
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Since August, COVID case rates, test positivity, and new hospital admissions due to COVID have continued to trend downward. The COVID Community Level is LOW. As a reminder, Community Levels are categorized as low, medium, and high based on the number of COVID-19 cases in a given community and the impact of severe disease on community-based healthcare systems. The Omicron subvariant known as BA.5 remains the most dominant, with subvariants slowly increasing in Maryland. While COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths remain lower than earlier in the year, we do expect an increase in the coming months. To prevent serious illness, continue with the strategies we have learned over the past 2½ years. These strategies include vaccination, masking, testing, isolating when sick, and use of medications when prescribed. CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get the bivalent booster when eligible.
While the COVID Level is currently LOW, our community is seeing a significant increase in other viruses that are especially impacting children. Influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are causing many young children to develop severe respiratory disease requiring emergency room treatment and hospitalization. Our Maryland pediatric hospitals are experiencing a surge in patients causing some children to be transported to other states for care. Schools are seeing high absenteeism due to these viruses among older children.
To help keep you and your families healthy and out of the hospital, follow these strategies:
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Annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older offers the best protection against flu and its potentially serious complications, especially among individuals with certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart conditions.
- If you or a family member is immunocompromised or high risk for severe disease:
- Wear a mask that provides you and them greater protection when in public or group settings.
- Consider avoiding non-essential crowded indoor activities where exposures can occur.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you or your family member are a candidate for treatments like oral antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies if you become sick or if you are exposed to someone who is sick.
- Have a plan in case you or a family member become sick or get exposed:
- Stay home from work and school if symptomatic and get tested for COVID-19 with a PCR or a rapid antigen test. Ask your medical provider if testing is recommended for other viruses like flu or RSV.
- If you test positive, ask your medical provider about medications to treat your illness.
- Remember Respiratory Etiquette:
- Use a tissue to cover your sneezes and coughs.
- Sneeze or cough into your sleeve if you do not have a tissue.
- Clean your hands often.
- Cleaning and Sanitizing:
- Clean high touch surfaces at least once a day using soap and water.
- Sanitize or disinfect surfaces with an EPA approved product to reduce and kill viruses and bacteria if someone is sick at home.
New and updated information will be posted on our website,
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FIND YOUR HOLIDAY HAPPINESS AT THE
OEC 44th ANNUAL MIDNIGHT MADNESS!
Friday, Dec 2, 2022
5:30 pm - 11:55 pm
Come enjoy the holiday magic of OEC! There's a tree lighting ceremony at B&O Plaza starting at 5:30. Santa, his Elf and the Grinch are rumored to be attending. Live music happens all night long throughout town with Mount Hebron HS Chamber Choir, Long Reach HS Madrigals, Catonsville HS Steel Band and the Heart of Maryland A Capella Chorus. Local favorites, Work in Progress will be playing at Wine Bin.
At the tree lighting ceremony, get your $10 OEC Holiday Bucks from Ellicott City Partnership friends! The 80+ shops and eateries of OEC can't wait to dazzle you with the perfect holiday gifts and delicious treats to sip and savor. Free shuttle service too!
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The Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship is a last dollar scholarship that is available to students who enroll at a Maryland community college. Eligible students can receive up to $5,000 to cover any remaining tuition and mandatory fee expenses after Federal or State financial aid has been applied.
Students must be within the required adjusted gross income limits of $100,000 if the applicant is single or resides in a single parent household and $150,000 if the applicant is married or resides in a two parent household.
After completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Maryland State FInancial Aid Application (MSFAA) by March 1, eligible applicants must submit certain documentation for further consideration of the award.
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Saving Our Lands
In partnership with the Howard County Government, the Howard County Conservancy is thrilled to launch a landmark effort to save environmentally sensitive property in Howard County. This preservation program, the first of its kind in Maryland, offers financial incentives to nonprofit property owners to permanently protect their lands.
Any non-profit that owns property in Howard County is eligible to apply.
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UPS in Burtonsville is Hiring 1,660 Seasonal Employees |
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Join the ARC of Howard County Team |
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CONTACT MY OFFICE
Your thoughts are always welcome. Please contact me by email (see below). Please include "constituent" in the subject line when requesting help for constituent matters.
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Delegate Courtney Watson
Howard County District 9B
Member, Economic Matters Committee
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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