At a forum last week in Columbia, Howard County residents and officials shared their thoughts and experiences regarding recent race-related issues in the county.

A crowd filled Smith Theatre at Howard Community College for “Stand Up, Speak Up Howard,” hosted by U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Democrat whose district includes parts of Howard.

The goal of the event, Cummings said, was to encourage dialogue and bring the community together in what was billed as a “safe-space conversation.”

He compared the country to a rope that is strong with each thread that is intertwined, saying: “We are stronger when we are together. When you take us apart, we are as strong as our weakest link.”

Community and government leaders — including Cummings, Dels. Vanessa Atterbeary, Frank Turner and Terri Hill, and County Councilman Calvin Ball — listened as residents shared stories and concerns about incidents they say reflect intolerance or racism in the county.

Last month, County Executive Howard Allan H. Kittleman announced the start of #OneHoward, an initiative designed to promote community dialogue and reinforce the county’s shared goals of diversity and inclusiveness. The first #OneHoward event took place Dec. 3.

In recent months, county schools have responded to several incidents on social media involving students, including one in which an Oakland Mills High School student created what the school system deemed a “racially offensive social media post.”

Other instances included a social media post depicting an Atholton High School student in blackface with a caption that included a racial epithet, and another in which a photo was posted of a white student from River Hill High School holding what appeared to be a handgun and also including a caption with a racial epithet.

The school system’s Office of Cultural Proficiency has launched Student Voice Circles, a program designed to help students discuss issues and concerns about the schools and school communities.

During the Tuesday night event, Griffin Diven, 18, a senior at Wilde Lake High School and the student member of the Howard County Board of Education, said he believes students in the county are ready to address such issues, but said adult leadership is needed to help guide the way.

Kittleman seeks to grant rebate for septic pumping

County Executive Allan H. Kittleman said this past week he will file legislation with the County Council that would offer $100 rebates to homeowners to regularly pump out their septic systems. Officials said the incentive is part of the county’s overall effort to improve stormwater quality and provide relief to taxpayers who pay the county's stormwater fee.

To qualify for the credit, homeowners would be required to submit an invoice showing completed work and use a hauler that maintains a current septic scavenger permit.

Residents would be able to apply for the incentive every three to five years.

Officials said that the Maryland Department of the Environment recognizes septic tank pumping as an alternative approach to meeting the state’s mandate to treat 20 percent of its impervious surfaces by 2019. Kittleman said if all septic users in the county took part in the program, the county could obtain about 570 acres of impervious treatment credit, or about 30 percent of its 2019 permit treatment goal.

The $100 credit represents about 40 percent of the average cost to pump a septic system in Howard County. A maximum of 1,000 homeowners may participate in the program during the first year.

—Baltimore Sun Media Group

Atholton senior to perform in Bands of America

Music for All, a national provider of music education programs, has chosen Divya Singh, a senior at Atholton High School, to perform as a member of the Bands of America Honor Band in the 2017 Tournament of Roses Parade.

The band is a national ensemble consisting of 300 high school musicians from more than 30 states.

Singh, a piccolo player, was chosen from hundreds of applicants across the nation and will rehearse one week in Southern California before performing at the Tournament of Roses Bandfest at Pasadena City College.

He will also perform at the Jan. 2 parade.

— John Fischer, Baltimore Sun Media Group

Principal, teacher award nominees sought

Nominations are now open for the Howard County school system’s Principal of the Year and Teacher of the Year awards. Submissions for both must be made by Jan. 17, 2017.

Nomination packets can be found on the HCPSS website. For more information, contact the HCPSS public information office at 410-313-6682 or publicinfo@hcpss.org.

— John Fischer, Baltimore Sun Media Group