Transportation panel plans `listening sessions'
The Howard County Public Transportation Board will hold the first of several "listening sessions" to hear concerns, comments and recommendations for the future of Howard Transit, the county's local bus service.
The first session will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 in the Tyson Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City.
The sessions will begin a six-month to nine-month process to prepare a transit development plan for the next five years. The plan will examine the existing route structure, frequency of service, condition of the vehicles, customer service and other factors.
It will also evaluate demand based on projected residential and employment growth.
Ridership on Howard Transit is expected to exceed 900,000 trips during the current fiscal year.
To request a sign-language interpreter for the meeting: 410-313-6401 (TDD). Requests should be made at least three days in advance. Requests for transportation should be made at least three days in advance: 410-313-1921.
Deadline for registration in Feb. primary is Jan. 22
Deadlines are approaching for the 2008 presidential primary election. The deadline to register to vote and the deadline for certain voters to request a change in polling place is 9 p.m. Jan. 22.
To vote in the primary, election, Maryland residents who are eligible but not yet registered (including 17-year-olds who will be 18 on or before by Nov. 4) must complete a voter registration application and mail or hand-deliver it to a the Board of Elections.
A hand-delivered application must be received by the local Board of Elections by 9 p.m. Jan. 22; a mailed application must be postmarked by Jan. 22.
Registered voters who have moved since the last election must provide their current address information to the local board by the same deadline.
To request a voter registration application: 800-222-VOTE.
Arts celebration to be held April 26
The Howard County Arts Council has announced its 11th Celebration of the Arts in Howard County, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 26 at Jim Rouse Theatre for the Performing Arts in Columbia.
The gala will feature a reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a silent auction of work by local artists, gourmet food from area restaurants and caterers and musical performances on the Main Street Stage.
