Laurel news
- Updates on Main Street’s Outback Leather plans to come back even better than before after their recent fire (and ability to help displaced tenants via GoFundMe).
- Pics on Laurel High School’s new and slick $7 million athletic field.
- Uncovering of a beloved racing horse’s gravesite at Laurel Park.
- Great information on ways to volunteer in community organizations and the City via City’s Volunteering webpage.
- The Farmer’s Market is in its final month, every Thursday until Sep 26 at the Quill Lot on Main Street.
- Leaf vacuuming coming Oct 7; Main Street Trick-or-Treat coming Oct 24; and other fun City calendar events.
- And more!
- Updates from resident journalists covering their five Laurel areas,
- Fascinating snippets and reminisces from Laurel’s history,
- A warm send off for my predecessor, Councilman Carl DeWalt,
- Coverage of City of Laurel government developments,
- And more!
- New Maryland law passed outlawing “exhibition driving” and sponsored by our District 21 Maryland Delegate Mary Lehman
- A new President elected for The Woman’s Club of Laurel. (Proud to say my mom was a member many moons ago before her passing.)
- Coverage of our City’s Juneteenth celebration
- And other great articles of interest.
- Exercises good financial stewardship of the monies entrusted to the City by its residents
- Thinks to the future on how to lay a foundation on which residents can build true community
- Promotes a spirit of unity and collaboration
- Serves as a personal connection residents can reach out to for answers and to know that their voice is heard
September Laurel Independent edition is out!
The September edition of The Laurel Independent is out — Some items that caught my attention:
Check out articles on Streetcar Suburbs News website and a full digital, flippable version should be posted soon to their Streetcar Suburbs News Issuu page — Physical copies also come via mail and are available in many hotspots around town. Thanks TLI!
Multi-service Center launches today
Today is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Laurel Multi-Service Center and the August edition of The Business Monthly newspaper has a great write-up describing the origins and plans for use of the space.
… providing a central location for a variety of human services and space for new self-sufficiency and transitional housing programs. It’s designed to streamline service provision, limit transportation barriers, and improve access to services.
Among the services identified:
catering and prepared meals, mail services, a barber and hair salon, a food pantry, a job training and learning center, a medical suite, clothing distribution center, laundry room, and shower facilities.
There is also a gymnasium side of the building that houses shared office space and provides a venue for health fairs, fundraisers, and other community activities. On the housing side of the building is a men and women’s shelter space featuring cots and other amenities that will provide respite on excessively cold or hot days, and overnight, temporary shelter during the winter months (the Winter Haven program you may be familiar with).
Both City Departments and local nonprofits like Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services (LARS) and FISH of Laurel will collaborate to provide the services.
Additional details are available in the article linked above, and be sure to tune in to City media channels to see more of the ribbon-cutting event, and look for various of the operations to come online over the months ahead. This looks to be a great service to the City and its people!
New Laurel 'Thrive Small Business' Grants open in September
Thinking about opening a business in Laurel? Or maybe moving your business to Laurel?
Well, keep your eyes peeled for a new city grant program intended to give you some financial support to accomplish – The new Laurel ‘Thrive Small Business’ grant applications will open in September, so not much longer now. Details will be released by the Department for Economic & Community Development, so check in with them when the time comes.
I really believe small business are a key part of the unique personality that makes Laurel – a huge thank you to all the small businesses that build that community here, and happy to see the City continuing to create paths and space for the small business community to truly thrive!
Reminder: Council in Recess for August
Reminder that the Laurel City Council is in recess for the month of August, and our next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be the Work Session on Wednesday, September 4, followed by the Council Meeting (virtual) on Monday, September 9. (I’ll share details for these as separate posts once available.)
Many of the City’s Boards and Commissions are also in recess for the month, such as such as the Board of Appeals or the Historic District Commission.
Of course, there’s still plenty going on around town this month, and one of the places you can checkout is the Community Calendar maintained by The Laurel Independent (scroll towards the bottom and click on “Laurel” to expand).
Hope you’re enjoying your August & the final weeks of summer! 😃☀️
Take Survey by Aug 30 for What Businesses to Have in Westside Development
The Mayor is soliciting input from the community on the types of businesses that would be most helpful to residents in the new Westside Development – That’s the one near the intersection of Van Dusen Road and Konterra Road.
Whether you’re from Ward 2, Ward 1, or the greater Laurel area, be sure to complete the online survey by Aug 30 – Around 6 simple questions that take 3 minutes, so pop on over there now to complete. :)
Voices of Laurel, Summer 2024 edition is out
It’s one of those months where both of Laurel’s newspapers hit stands, and Voices of Laurel’s latest quarterly issue contains a host of topics including:
Voices of Laurel is always an interesting read where you can discover something new, you feel like you grow closer to Laurel’s past and present, and it is well produced by a committed group of volunteers. Check out this latest edition online, pick up a paper copy (my preference) at a local newspaper stand, and consider donating to the cause direct from their website.
The Laurel Independent, Jul 2024 edition is out
The latest monthly edition of The Laurel Independent is out with lots of good information for goings-on in Laurel. This month’s edition includes yours truly with coverage around my election and swearing-in, while also containing much more helpful information 😉 like:
One of the sections I like to peruse is the City’s Insert pages highlighting legislative actions as well as a handy Community Calendar where you can see what activities are coming up this and next month – For example, I see “Touch-A-Truck” is scheduled for July 23 from 6:30 - 8 p.m at Emancipation Park and it’s always a favorite of my little guys to come out and climb around rescue vehicles, tow trucks, John Deere tractors, and more.
For this and more, be sure to check out the edition in your mailbox, local retail store, or right online. And to donate to this community-supported journalism effort, be sure to visit the website of the non-profit publishing the paper, Street Car Suburbs.
Amazing, surreal, honored
Amazing, surreal, honored. Three of the many emotions I felt tonight in the process of being selected to fill the vacant Ward 1 seat on the City Council.
Thank you to the Council for your confidence. And thank you to the voters and residents for your support in last fall’s election - Although we came up just short at the time, your strong support in the last election cycle (highest among all unseated candidates) was a major factor in tonight’s result. Please accept my heartfelt thanks! :)
During my closing statement, I shared my vision for the role of a Councilmember - One who:
I now take it as my task to live these out on behalf of you and our City. And I want to encourage us all to continue building our friendships, churches, neighborhood organizations, small businesses, hobby clubs, civic organizations, and more — Each one of the small moments shared between people is truly what makes Laurel great!
And happy 4th of July! :)
(Photo credit: City of Laurel)
