District Updates with Senator Charles Sydnor III

Education

It always delights me to share some of the past months happenings around the district; and July didn't disappoint. In fact, July was quite a month, we had an opportunity to award $56,000 to constituents pursuing higher education, we welcomed a new development to the Upton community, and one of our district's principals was recognized as one of the Baltimore Sun's best!

Government

Finally, as you know, last month after years of service, Delegate Keith Haynes resigned from the House of Delegates, effective as of July 15th. Last night, the Baltimore City Central Committee selected Roxane Prettyman as its nominee for Delegate. District 44A is now one step closer to having a delegate to secede our former delegate. You can read about it Ms. Prettyman and the selection process here. With this portion of the process complete, we will now look to the Governor to make his appointment as quickly as possible.

Honored to Honor Our District 44 Scholars

On July 21st I held my annual Scholarship Awards Program, virtually. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to speak with and learn from some of our best and brightest students that will be engaged in higher education in the coming years.

Seventeen high school graduates were awarded scholarships, as well as twelve students already pursuing various degrees: undergraduates, graduates, and law school. Our high school graduates represented: Academy for College and Career Exploration, Baltimore Design High, Catonsville High, Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, Cristo Rey, Milford Mill Academy, Mount St. Joseph, Western High, Western Technology, and Woodlawn. In all about $56,000 was awarded this year. However, the total value of the awards amounts to $224,000, because each of the awards automatically renews each year for a total of four years! Congratulations again to all of my awardees!

Please remember, applications for the 2022-2023 academic year will be available in January 2022 when the legislative session begins.

Upton Welcomes Marshall Garden

On July 14th I had the opportunity to attend the grand opening-ribbon-cutting ceremony of Marshall Garden, hosted by The Community Builders Inc. With a nod to one of the communities most famous residents, Thurgood Marshall, he new rental development is an 87unit development located at 1700 Division Street in Central West Baltimore. This development will be available to tenants making up to 40 percent of area median income as well as workforce and market-rate housing. The Community Builders believe that the redevelopment efforts in Central West Baltimore will create a healthier and more stable community. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development allocated Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, provided a $1.5 million rental Housing Program loan, and approved a $1.2 million Project C.O.R.E. grant for infrastructure development. During my visit, I was able listen to new residents sharing their excitement about the new housing and how it will make a positive impact on the entire community.

Baltimore Sun’s Best: Kirk Sykes

On July 6, 2021 District 44’s own, Kirk Sykes, was highlighted in the Baltimore Sun’s Best: Readers’ Choice 2021 people & media. This recognition is voted by the Baltimore Sun’s readers who vote on what’s best in the region. Mr. Sykes a Baltimore native, became Head of School at SEED Maryland, located at 200 Font Hill Avenue on July 1, 2020 and a former principal of Woodlawn High School. For the readers of the Dispatch, Mr. Sykes should not be a stranger, he was featured in our newsletter soon after he became SEEDS' Head of Schools. SEED staff and school mission supporting students and their individual strengths. We are honored to have great leadership in our district and look forward to hearing more about the innovative ways Mr. Sykes will not just be helping the SEED school but also our community. Additional information about Mr. Syke’s work can be found here. Again, congratulations Mr. Sykes!

Woodbridge Valley Pool Named Pool of the Month

I would like to congratulate the Woodbridge Valley Pool club on receiving the honor of June’s Pool of the Month. This award was provided by the American Pool company, this honor is awarded to pool clubs who excel in safety focus, service oriented, and operation excellence. The Woodbridge Valley Pool club is located at 2301 Chantilla Road in Catonsville. You may find out more about the club and its latest events and efforts here.

Baltimore County Development, Zoning Hearings and Meetings

ZONING HEARINGS - 518 KENT AVENUE Tuesday, August 10, 2021 10:00am - 11:00am Case Number: 2021-0176-SPHA Location: West side of Kent Avenue, 499 ft. north of Woodsdale Road Legal Owners: Scott & Theresa Faust Contract Purchaser/Lessee: Maxim Building Group, Inc. Special Hearing to confirm a merger did not occur between lots and to allow a buildable lot with 4800 sq. ft. in lieu of the required 6,000 sq. ft. Variance to permit a proposed dwelling with both side yard setbacks of 5 ft. in lieu of the required 10 ft. and a lot width of 40 ft. in lieu of the required 55 ft. To call in to the hearing, dial US toll 1-415-655-0001, Access Code: 172 872 8982

ZONING HEARINGS - 433 INGLESIDE AVENUE Tuesday August 10, 2021 1:30pm - 3:30pm Case Number: 2021-0177-SPHA Location: West corner of intersection of Ingleside Avenue and Woodsdale Road Legal Owners: Kirk Bauer Special Hearing to request a Special Hearing to confirm a merger did not occur between the lots. Variance to allow an accessory structure to have a 0 ft. setback in lieu of the required 2.5 ft. setback. To call in to the hearing, dial US Toll 1-415-655-0001, Access Code: 172 639 4368

Events Around the District

Baltimore County's Precinct 2 Community Outreach and SOY Baltimore invite you to Unity in the Community SOY's second annual Building Bridges Bike Ride and bookbag giveaway on Saturday August 7th from 8am to 1pm. Check in for the bike ride is from 7:45am-8:30am. The Bike Ride starts promptly at 9am. A book bag giveaway begins at 11am; you MUST register for a book bag. Go to 4410online.com or go to the graphic above to register. You do not have to participate in the bike ride to receive a book bag but MUST register as book bags are first come first serve. Any questions contact the Precinct 2 Community Outreach Team at 410-887-4714. If you know a young person who enjoys basketball, the Baltimore County Police department and our very own Officer Keith Boone (Wilkens Precinct) has started a clinic just for you! On August 16th through 19th the Baltimore County Police Department will be hosting their second basketball clinic of the summer. Kids ages from 8-14 will be able play basketball while learning more about police officers and the jobs they provide for our community. The first session was held last month at Leadership Through Athletics in Halethorpe and everyone who participated had a wonderful time. You can see the WBAL story here. To register for the clinic, click the graphic above! http://www.charlessydnor3d.org/