Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the first enhanced stream debris removal action is concluding under Phase One of his EC Safe and Sound Plan, which was implemented in December 2018. As part of his plan to ensure public safety, Ball ordered inspections and debris removal of nine streams any time the County has a rainfall of two inches or greater in a 24-hour period, or after an hour of sustained winds more than 30 mph. A wind storm on February 25 triggered this first action.

A Howard County construction project to install water transmission mains along southbound Cedar Lane in the Hickory Ridge Village of Columbia is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, March 11. During the project, the two southbound lanes of Cedar Lane will be closed Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A single lane of southbound traffic will be diverted to the center turn lane, while the two northbound lanes will remain open.

Phase II of a Howard County construction project to rehabilitate a portion of the public sewer house connections in the Kings Contrivance Village of Columbia is expected to begin on or about Monday, March 11. Disruptions to residential water and sewer service are expected to occur in blocks of approximately two to three hours during construction hours, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Gear towards all veterans and their families (active, guard, reserve and dependents), the County's Veterans Resource Fair provides attendees with a convenient, one-stop shop where they can talk face-to-face with the organizations and nonprofits that provide services, support and jobs.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will further endorse proposed legislation to create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board along with the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative and other local leaders at an event in Annapolis MD tomorrow. Prior to General Assembly hearings in the Senate Finance and House Health and Government Operations Committees, the group will launch radio and social media ads featuring local officials, including Ball, and residents negatively impacted by drug price gouging. Ball and others are scheduled to testify before the committees beginning at 1 p.m.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s Public Calendar for the week of March 4 to March 8, 2019

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Howard County Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby announced “It’s OK To Ask,” a plan developed by the Howard County Health Department to reduce youth suicide. The county faces a public health emergency, as suicide was the leading cause of death for youth ages 15-19 in Howard County between 2014-20161. Using proven approaches that reduce stigma and engage the community, this campaign will utilize evidence-based, multi-level strategies to bring prevention to the forefront and save lives.

Media tip sheet showcasing Howard County Government happenings for the month of March 2019.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball delivered his first-ever State of The County Address before the Howard County Chamber of Commerce at Turf Valley Resort. The theme of the speech, “Our Time Is Now,” reflected his sense of urgency in improving Howard County and his commitment to building a truly equitable and inclusive community. The full text of the speech can be found at https://bit.ly/2NBEtw8. Video of the event can be found at https://youtu.be/M_CyiCoALX0.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and County Council Chair Christiana Mercer Rigby will announce a new youth suicide prevention campaign, developed by the Howard County Health Department. The county faces a public health emergency, as suicide was the leading cause of death for youth ages 15-19 in Howard County between 2014-2016. Using proven approaches that reduce stigma and engage the community, this campaign will utilize evidence-based, multi-level strategies to bring prevention to the forefront and save lives. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball made a series of environmental commitments that will make the County a leader in environmental sustainability, reduce emissions and stem the causes of climate change. The news conference was held at the County’s Robinson Nature Center, a LEED Platinum facility operated by Howard County Recreation and Parks.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will deliver his first “State of the County” address on Wednesday, February 27, at a luncheon hosted by the Howard County Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon is a ticketed event and to find out more or to register visit https://bit.ly/2Ey0toI. 

County to pledge support for goals of the Paris Climate Agreement - In light of the devastating effects of climate change on communities including Historic Ellicott City, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will make an important announcement about the County’s commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball reminds residents that the Office of Emergency Management will hold the first of three public meetings next week regarding the Emergency Public Alert System proposed for Historic Ellicott City. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 25, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City, to review plans, answer questions and gather community feedback.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and the Howard County Commission for Women today announced the 2019 inductees for the County’s Women’s Hall of Fame. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball pre-filed legislation with the County Council to repeal the County’s 40-year-old mobile home tax, effective with the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, 2019. Ball co-sponsored a bill to repeal the tax last year, but it was defeated on a 3-2 vote by the previous Council. 

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball pre-filed two pieces of legislation to preserve local history by adding nine sites to the Historic Sites Inventory and two sites to the Cemeteries and Grave Sites Inventory. Since the 1970s, the County has made extensive efforts to document historic properties, buildings and resources.

Howard County’s Department of Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 14 to review and discuss the Wilde Lake water main project, which will replace 17,000 linear feet of corroding water mains along Green Mountain Circle at Twin Rivers Drive and is scheduled to begin mid-March.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will pre-file legislation this week that, if passed, will allow county workers to access streams on private property to remove debris that has the potential to cause flooding.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball testified before the House Transportation and Environment Committee in support of House Bill 428 (HB 428) which would authorize the Maryland Department of the Environment to use the comprehensive flood management grant program to award grants to subdivisions that incurred infrastructure damage caused by a flood on or after January 1, 2009.

County Executive Calvin Ball’s Public Calendar February 16-22, 2019

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will hold his second Citizens’ Budget Hearing for the FY2020 budget cycle on Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is reminding businesses affected by severe flooding on May 15-20, 2018, that U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations. Deadline to apply is Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Howard County’s Department of Public Workswill hold a public meeting on Thursday, March 7 at Mayfield Woods Middle School in Elkridge, to discuss the planned improvements to the MD 103/US 1 intersection in Elkridge.