Adrian for Laurel

» Laurel Board of Trade new HQ Ribbon Cutting «

It was good to gather with members of the Laurel Board of Trade (LBOT) on March 14 as they unveiled their new headquarters at 13 C Street, Suite A. The rooms were freshly painted, smartly decorated, and abuzz with small business owners and members of the community there to mark the occasion. I even got to share a little about LBOT’s mission and impact during an interview spot with LaurelTV, below.

» Selbourne House Community Meeting «

I was honored to be invited to visit with the Selbourne House senior community on Main Street on March 20 as they held their community meeting. One of the focuses of the agenda was street crossing safety at the adjacent Main Street crosswalk, and staff of the Department of Public Works were on hand to review recent safety enhancements as well as discuss next steps ensure everyone feels safe crossing the street. A reminder to all drivers along Main Street: help us all stay safe be staying below the posted speed limit and also keeping an extra eye out at all crossings for people walking.

» Laurel Multiservice Center ENOUGH Grant «

On Thursday, March 27, I joined with members of the City, County, and State leadership to celebrate the receipt of the ‘track 1’ of Governor Moore’s ENOUGH Grant program. The $65k grant is part one of a program the Governor has envisioned to alleviate child poverty and funds first steps for the Multiservice Center partners to assist children and their families from Deerfield Run Elementary (around 86% of whom qualify for free school lunches). Sometime in the next 6-12 months, the LMSC hopes to apply for and receive ‘track 2’ of the funding around $500k to implement ideas that were developed during ‘track 1’.

In talking with Maryland Secretary of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, Paul Monteiro, I also learned more about the Maryland Corps program he oversees which enables those completing high school or seasoned workers looking to pivot in their career to enter a year of service with sponsoring business, non-profits, or government agencies. Check out the link above for more info, and let me know if you’d be interested to apply for the group forming now.

» Laurel Volunteer Fireman Robert Coulson «

It was an honor to join with family, volunteer firefighters, and the community on February 21 to honor the life and service of Laurel Volunteer Fireman Robert Coulson. I expressed my condolences and appreciation to his siblings and adult children, and also asked to learn how Mr. Coulson first got involved with LVFD. His son shared that his dad had bumped into a LVFD member and expressed interest in joining, shortly after moving the family from Savage to Laurel so he could join, and from that day, served 60 years as a volunteer fireman. Thank you Mr. Coulson for carrying a banner of service to our community! And I encourage anyone who likewise feels a call to this line of service, please reach on out to LVFD as our community needs your help to stand in the gap.

» LARS No Address Premiere «

Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS) hosted a special red-carpet premiere of the movie No Address highlighting the realities and challenges of homelessness, and that none of us are immune. I was glad to be present for the special screening event on February 27, to speak and share with one of the members of LARS’ permanent housing program, and to talk with members of LARS staff helping to alleviate this challenge both in Laurel and in the greater PG County community. I hope you get a chance to see the movie if you haven’t already, and you can contribute to the cause with your effort and donations through LARS’ many programs.

»Joanne Barr Retirement after Serving 36 Years«

Although we’ve only had the opportunity to work together briefly, I was appreciative for the opportunity to join in the retirement celebration for Joanne Barr and to thank her for her 36 years of service! Most recently as Deputy City Administrator, helping guide, develop, and direct the City staff. And many years with the Parks & Recreation Department, including as its head. What a great testament to the institutional knowledge and community caring Joanne is, and I hope she remains no stranger around town – I was warmed by her comments that ‘Laurel truly is home for her now’ and we’ll look forward to greeting her at coming events! :)

»Laurel Board of Trade Small Business Roundtable«

Thank you to the Laurel Board of Trade (LBOT) for sponsoring, and thank you to the City Department Heads for making themselves available, as small business owners and non-profits from around Laurel gathered at Council Chambers to learn the resources available to them from the City and to share ideas and connections on enabling small businesses to flourish in our town. Many great and candid conversations were had both in general session and afterwards, and I was encouraged by the commitment and drive of our small businesses to impact the Laurel community for the better. (Side note: My heart was very much warmed by one attendee’s comment that we’re ‘courting her to Laurel’ with the support and encouragement provided here.) 🙂 And I know there’s even more good to flow from this meeting.

»Black History Month Celebration«

What a powerful and heart-filled program put together by Council President Kyla Clark bringing together so many members from across our community to remember the past and celebrate the future during Black History Month. The spoken-word poem recited by KayKiara, the keynote by Joanne Awuor Oport of Africans for Mental Health, the singing by Laurel High School choir, historical notes from our Mayor, the featured non-profits, the small business vendors, and more were so uplifting. And not to mention the Electric Slide dance and music at the end. It’ll be hard to top this one next year and thank you to all who were involved in making it a great success! (P.S. You have to checkout the video of the event online produced by the LaurelTV crew.)

»Laurel Town Hall Listening Session«

The Mayor held his second annual Town Hall Listening session on Feb 7 to both have Departments share about key accomplishments from this past year and to take notes of residents' ideas and concerns for helping make Laurel even better. It was a pleasure getting to meet those who were present in person, both to hear the ideas they shared from the podium, and also converse with them before and after the session on topics on their mind and ideas/ questions they have. Definitely want to encourage residents to reach out any time, either via email or I always enjoying meeting folks in person (e.g., at in-person Council Meetings the end of each month). As I shared during the Town Hall, you really are the beating heart of the City and you are the builders of community we are all trying to serve, so never hesitate to connect and let the City know how it can help.