50 years of charter government
County executives gather to commemorate the change from county commissioners
AT A GLANCEHoward County Executive Calvin Ball joined with three other former county executives in a ceremony Monday marking 50 years of charter government in the county. Voters adopted the charter and elected Omar Jones as the first county executive in November 1968.
In a press release, Ball said, “It is important to remember our beginnings and ensure that we honor and enhance the values of our democracy for all.”
Former executives Ken Ulman, James Robey and Ed Cochran joined in a ceremonial cake cutting at the George Howard Building.
“We have come a long way from my time on the school board and desegregation,” said Cochran, the second county executive, from 1974 to 1978, in the release. “It’s been a great experience to grow up and live in the county because everything has changed. I don’t know where else you could live where you could experience the kind of civic change that occurs with the institution of charter government.”
Former executives Liz Bobo and Allan Kittleman did not attend, but each sent statements marking the occasion.
County officials noted that prior to 1968, Howard County was governed by three elected commissioners with four-year terms. The late Sen. James Clark first proposed the charter form of government in 1965. The initial referendum to change to charter government did not pass.
Maryland foreign trade zone expands to Howard Maryland’s most active foreign trade zone will add Howard County to the designated area that already includes Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil and Harford counties, according to the Baltimore Development Corp., which administers this zone.
Foreign trade zones are areas where international goods can be stored and turned into products without becoming subject to taxes or duties until they are put on the U.S. market. They can also be re-exported. The U.S. Department of Commerce approved the expansion of the zone, called FTZ 74, to Howard, as well as Queen Anne’s County.
“The Foreign Trade Zone program assists companies doing business globally by deferring certain taxes until their products are ready for the U.S. markets, therefore improving their cash flow,” William H.
Cole, president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corp., said in a statement.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said the county is looking forward to “expanding our global footprint while utilizing our attractive brand for the economic benefit of the region.”
And Lawrence Twele, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, called the county’s addition to the zone a “valuable resource.”
The zone is one of four in Maryland and has 18 operators managing facilities supporting 193 warehouse and distribution companies in their service areas. The zone directly supports more than 750 jobs, according to the BDC.
The economic development agency cited a report by the Foreign-Trade Zones Board that found Maryland ranked eighth nationwide in zone merchandise received.
Howard County launches restaurant promotion Howard County kicked off its annual Winter Restaurant Weeks promotion this week, which runs until Feb. 4.
More than 30 restaurants are participating, with many offering special fixed-price, multi-course chef’s menus.
On Tuesday, Executive Calvin Ball and members of the County Council took part in an event at La Palapa Grill & Cantina on Main Street in Ellicott City to promote the event.
Officials emphasized the need to patronize local restaurants, emphasizing the establishments have been hurt by the partial federal government shutdown.
This season, a drawing conducted via text will offer diners the opportunity to win restaurant gift certificates.
More details and a list of participating restaurants is available at visithowardcounty.com/howard-county-restaurantweeks. VOLUNTEERING Volunteer Center The Volunteer Center serving Howard County has listings for many volunteer opportunities. To view current openings and apply, go to volunteerhoward.org.
Meals on Wheels The organization is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to home-bound residents in Central Maryland. The distribution site is located at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia. Meals are picked up by volunteers and delivered between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Volunteers are asked to commit to driving a minimum of twice a month. Information: 410-730- 9476 or howard@mowcm.org.
Junior Achievement Adult volunteers are needed for flexible, school-based engagement opportunities in middle and high schools implementing financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work-readiness programs. Information: 410-753-3290, email lkirby@jamaryland.org or go to jamaryland.org.
Voices for Children The group is seeking volunteers to be advocates for abused and neglected children in Howard County. Volunteers must be 21 or older. For more information or an application, call 410-740-0933 or go to voicesforchildren.org.
In a press release, Ball said, “It is important to remember our beginnings and ensure that we honor and enhance the values of our democracy for all.”
Former executives Ken Ulman, James Robey and Ed Cochran joined in a ceremonial cake cutting at the George Howard Building.
“We have come a long way from my time on the school board and desegregation,” said Cochran, the second county executive, from 1974 to 1978, in the release. “It’s been a great experience to grow up and live in the county because everything has changed. I don’t know where else you could live where you could experience the kind of civic change that occurs with the institution of charter government.”
Former executives Liz Bobo and Allan Kittleman did not attend, but each sent statements marking the occasion.
County officials noted that prior to 1968, Howard County was governed by three elected commissioners with four-year terms. The late Sen. James Clark first proposed the charter form of government in 1965. The initial referendum to change to charter government did not pass.
Maryland foreign trade zone expands to Howard Maryland’s most active foreign trade zone will add Howard County to the designated area that already includes Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil and Harford counties, according to the Baltimore Development Corp., which administers this zone.
Foreign trade zones are areas where international goods can be stored and turned into products without becoming subject to taxes or duties until they are put on the U.S. market. They can also be re-exported. The U.S. Department of Commerce approved the expansion of the zone, called FTZ 74, to Howard, as well as Queen Anne’s County.
“The Foreign Trade Zone program assists companies doing business globally by deferring certain taxes until their products are ready for the U.S. markets, therefore improving their cash flow,” William H.
Cole, president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corp., said in a statement.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said the county is looking forward to “expanding our global footprint while utilizing our attractive brand for the economic benefit of the region.”
And Lawrence Twele, CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, called the county’s addition to the zone a “valuable resource.”
The zone is one of four in Maryland and has 18 operators managing facilities supporting 193 warehouse and distribution companies in their service areas. The zone directly supports more than 750 jobs, according to the BDC.
The economic development agency cited a report by the Foreign-Trade Zones Board that found Maryland ranked eighth nationwide in zone merchandise received.
Howard County launches restaurant promotion Howard County kicked off its annual Winter Restaurant Weeks promotion this week, which runs until Feb. 4.
More than 30 restaurants are participating, with many offering special fixed-price, multi-course chef’s menus.
On Tuesday, Executive Calvin Ball and members of the County Council took part in an event at La Palapa Grill & Cantina on Main Street in Ellicott City to promote the event.
Officials emphasized the need to patronize local restaurants, emphasizing the establishments have been hurt by the partial federal government shutdown.
This season, a drawing conducted via text will offer diners the opportunity to win restaurant gift certificates.
More details and a list of participating restaurants is available at visithowardcounty.com/howard-county-restaurantweeks. VOLUNTEERING Volunteer Center The Volunteer Center serving Howard County has listings for many volunteer opportunities. To view current openings and apply, go to volunteerhoward.org.
Meals on Wheels The organization is seeking volunteers to deliver meals to home-bound residents in Central Maryland. The distribution site is located at 5470 Ruth Keeton Way in Columbia. Meals are picked up by volunteers and delivered between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Volunteers are asked to commit to driving a minimum of twice a month. Information: 410-730- 9476 or howard@mowcm.org.
Junior Achievement Adult volunteers are needed for flexible, school-based engagement opportunities in middle and high schools implementing financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work-readiness programs. Information: 410-753-3290, email lkirby@jamaryland.org or go to jamaryland.org.
Voices for Children The group is seeking volunteers to be advocates for abused and neglected children in Howard County. Volunteers must be 21 or older. For more information or an application, call 410-740-0933 or go to voicesforchildren.org.
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