March 13, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today officially marks one hundred days in office for Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, since his swearing in on the evening of December 3, 2018. In that time, his administration has improved government services, announced major climate action, developed plans for Ellicott City, assisted those affected by the federal government shutdown, and much more. Watch our “100 Days in 100 seconds” video here. Find our 100 Days infographic here.
“I am so proud of our team for all of their hard work,” said Ball. “I came into office with ambitious goals and I’m excited by all the progress we have made already.”
Ball first conducted nine, public listening sessions (plus one on Twitter) and received over 550 comments from Howard County residents. He also formed a transition team, who were the first in the state to release their comprehensive report of governing recommendations.
To help Ellicott City, Ball’s administration developed the “EC Safe and Sound Plan.” Ball enhanced inspection and debris removal of nine waterways and plans to purchase devices for an advance, emergency notification system. Ball launched a committee to explore developing an Ellicott City Community Development Corporation and filed legislation to access private land to remove debris from waterways. He launched the website ecsafeandsound.org so the public could monitor progress.
To assist residents and businesses impacted by the historic, 35-day federal government shutdown, Ball suspended water shut offs, made sure families that had to make Recreation and Park payments could make arrangements, and ensured schools would offer free and reduced lunches to impacted families. Ball also worked with BGE to provide options for paying electric bills, made sure the library system temporarily lifted fines, and created a system to distribute groceries directly to impacted families. He also made time to meet with federal workers and contractors, listening to their fears and frustrations.
As an environmental champion, Ball signed Howard County onto the “We Are Still In” Declaration, a promise to world leaders that Americans will not retreat from the global pact to reduce emissions and stem the causes of climate change. He made Howard County the first county in the nation to formally accept the United States Climate Alliance’s Natural and Working Lands Challenge, which calls on jurisdictions to reduce emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Howard County was also named a “Maryland Smart Energy Community” by the Maryland Energy Administration.
On transportation, Ball has improved RTA bus service by implementing route changes, expanding service, and improving connections based on passenger and community input. Starting May 5th, passengers can count on more frequent, reliable and punctual buses, more Saturday service and even Sunday service on specific routes. Ball is also addressing noise complaints from BWI by filing legislation against the FAA.
To promote public safety, Ball appointed Christine Uhlhorn, a third-generation firefighter who served with the county for nearly 30 years, as fire chief. He appointed Lisa Myers, a 27-year veteran and former police captain, as police chief. Ball is also supporting next generation 9-1-1 technology to bolster public safety.
Ball has also taken action to address addiction and promote mental health. To fight the opioid epidemic, he announced a $1 million dollar grant from the State of Maryland to establish 24-hour crisis services at the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center. He then launched a proactive alert system that targets specific warnings to impacted communities, to prevent overdoses. Ball also announced a new, comprehensive Youth Suicide Prevention Plan.
To promote equity and affordability, Ball has filed legislation to repeal the burdensome mobile home tax and he supports raising the statewide minimum wage to $15. To help seniors who cannot afford rising drug costs, Ball testified in support of state legislation to create a Prescription Drug affordability board.
During the week marking his first 100 days, Ball announced the new “Soulful Symphony” orchestra at Merriweather Post Pavilion, the designation of a “Koreatown” in Ellicott City, and signed an MOU for the Gateway Innovation Center in Columbia.
“Our first 100 days have set a tone of urgency for the administration and laid out our vision going forward,” added Ball. “Our time is now, and we are just getting started.”
Advancing a Safe and Sound Ellicott City
- Developed the Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan.
- Enhanced inspection and debris removal of nine waterways.
- Purchasing devices for an advance, emergency notification system.
- Launched a committee to explore developing an Ellicott City Community Development Corporation.
- Filed legislation to access private land to remove debris from waterways.
Bolstering Public Transportation
- Improved RTA bus service by implementing route changes.
- Expanding RTA service with more Saturday and some Sunday service.
- Improving RTA connections based on passenger and community input.
Acting on Climate Change
- Signed the “We Are Still In” declaration, a commitment to the climate action of the Paris Agreement.
- Became the first county in the nation to formally accept the United States Climate Alliance’s Natural and Working Lands Challenge.
- Named a “Maryland Smart Energy Community” by the Maryland Energy Administration.
- Announced a plan to convert nearly 8,000 streetlights to energy-efficient, long-lasting LED lights.
- Announced a plan to implement a routine, systematic, and detailed investigation of energy use at all County buildings to identify and address energy inefficiencies.
- Announced plans to increase the target efficiency of the new circuit courthouse from LEED Silver to Gold status.
- Pursuing installation of at least 25 new electric vehicle charging stations at libraries, parks, community centers, senior centers, and County offices over the next five years.
- Committed to making our communities more resilient to climate change through our land use planning and disaster risk management efforts.
Ensuring Public Safety
- Appointed Christine Uhlhorn, a third-generation firefighter who served with the county for nearly 30 years, as fire chief.
- Appointed Lisa Meyers, a 27-year veteran and former police captain, as police chief.
- Advocating for next generation 9-1-1 technology.
- Successfully handled 9 storms so far this winter.
Promoting Public Health
- Launched a Youth Suicide Prevention Plan.
- Announced a $1 million dollar grant from the State of Maryland to establish 24-hour crisis services at the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center to fight the opioid epidemic.
- Enhanced a proactive alert system that targets specific opioid warnings to impacted communities, to prevent overdoses.
Advocating for Affordable Living
- Advocating for a statewide minimum wage of $15.
- Filed legislation to repeal the mobile home tax.
- Supporting state legislation that will create affordable housing.
- Supporting a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that will review and establish fair and affordable drug costs for Marylanders.
Improving Government Services
- Assisted and aided our residents and businesses impacted by the federal shutdown:
- Suspended water shut offs.
- Made sure families that had to make Recreation and Park payments could make arrangements.
- Made sure schools would offer free and reduced lunches to impacted families.
- Made sure Howard Community College worked with students regarding their tuition.
- Worked with BGE to provide options for those to pay their electric bill.
- Made sure our library system temporarily lifted library fines.
- Created a food distribution system and provided groceries directly to impacted families.
- Most importantly, we met with and listened to federal workers and federal contractors about their fears and frustrations.
- Addressing noise complaints from BWI by filing legislation against FAA.
- Reviewing and reforming our Office of Human Rights.
- Committed to building High Schools 13 and 14.
- Accepted a $4 million grant from the Maryland State Department of Education for early childhood education.