Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Howard County Council member plans group for elected officials at the county level.
Howard County Council member Calvin Ball has teamed up with the Maryland Association of Counties to announce the creation of the Minority County Elected Officials Caucus. In a press release announcing the decision Monday, Ball wrote that fewer than 25 percent of local elected officials are of minority descent, despite census figures that show the growth of minorities in comparison with non-Hispanic whites in Maryland. As of 2011, Howard County's population consisted of 58.5 percent non-Hispanic whites, 18.2 percent black, 14.9 percent Asian and 6 percent Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census data. In Maryland, the population numbers were 54.4 percent white, 30 percent black, 5 percent Asian and 8.4 percent Hispanic or Latino, …
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The pros and cons of term limits for members of the County Council was a topic of discussion at Monday's public hearing.
Howard County citizens debated the finer points of term limits at the June 18 County Council meeting during a discussion on legislation that would ask voters to change the current council term limits from three 4-year terms to four 4-year terms. The argument hinged on two issues: Council member Calvin Ball began discussion of the legislation he submitted by saying that two-thirds of Maryland jurisdictions don’t use term limits for their council. The legislation, if approved, would put the issue before voters as a charter amendment. Alice Giles, the co-president of the League of Women Voters of Howard County, said her group supported Ball’s legislation. “We oppose term limits,” said Giles. “Elections provide the best and only necessary …
Friday, June 8, 2012
The free event will feature health screenings and education on Saturday.
Guys, take care of yourselves. You guys are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And you're suffering because of it: high cholesterol, diabetes, heart failure—men are more likely to suffer from complications related to these medical problems simply because they're less likely to visit a doctor. You can get a jump start on your health this weekend in Howard County. Council Member Calvin Ball will be hosting the fourth annual Howard County Men's Health Fair on Saturday at Howard High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will feature free screenings for blood pressure, body mass index, kidney health, dental, vision, prostate, …
Monday, May 28, 2012
The bill would ask voters to change the county charter.
Howard County Council member Calvin Ball submitted a bill last week to ask voters to change the county charter to allow council members to serve four four-year terms, rather than the current three four-year terms. “I think it’s important to have a community conversation on term limits,” said Ball. “Most jurisdictions around the state have no term limits and the few that do have some sort of alignment with the county executive.” The county executive’s position is limited to two four-year terms. As a result, County Executive Ken Ulman, who was elected in 2006, will be forced to step down in 2014. Currently, all five members of the county council would be forced to step down in 2018, if re-elected in 2014, because they began serving their …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
"I'm humbled and honored," said Ball, who was recognized for his work assisting local residents and increasing community pride.
Howard County Council Member Calvin Ball was awarded the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award Wednesday in Ellicott City. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot presented the award to Ball for his work assisting local residents, enhancing opportunities and increasing community pride. “I’m humbled and honored," said Ball. "It’s particularly fulfilling to receive an award that reflects what we should all really be involved in doing and that’s actually helping people.” The awards were created in honor of William Donald Schaefer, who died in April of 2011. Schaefer previously served as the mayor of Baltimore (1971-1987), governor of Maryland (1987-1995) and state comptroller from (1999-2007). Ball’s recent work includes teaming up with …
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
A "freeze mob" on Tuesday at Howard High was one of several events aimed at bringing awareness to the emotionally charged topic.
After Glenelg student Grace McComas, 15, killed herself on Easter Sunday, her friends began a movement called "Blue4Grace" in which they wore blue at her wake to take a stand against bullying. Grace's parents said she was harassed online for months, according to The Baltimore Sun. "Can children not take a minute and realize they’re killing each other over petty things?" wrote one commenter on the Blue4Grace page. Students at Howard High School took more than a minute on Tuesday. Time stood still between second and third periods as they collectively paused during what is called a "freeze mob" while the song "Lean on Me" played. The demonstration is one of several events in Howard County over the next two weeks to combat bullying. “Our …
Eric S.
3:56 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Careful, he'll keep changing the rules mid-game! (Before anyone thinks I'm getting political, this is a Calvin and Hobbes reference.) more ›