Last year’s news featured political flaps about air conditioning in county schools, tugs of war over development and reduced funding for education. Take a step back into time and review some of the more significant happenings affecting the northwest.
Changing of the Guard
Maryland’s 2015 legislative session, which began in January of that year, ushered in a new era of government under Gov. Larry Hogan, as well as a new lawmakers representing new District 44B. Sen. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, a five-term delegate who had previously represented District 10, and newcomers Delegates Charles Sydnor III and Pat Young won election in the newly drawn territory, which covers Catonsville, Windsor Mill and Woodlawn. In the redrawn District 10, first-term Delegates Ben Brooks and Jay Jalisi won election and joined veterans Sen. Delores Kelley and Del. Adrienne Jones.
On a local level, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz returned to office for a second term. In the contest for County Council, newcomer Julian Jones won on his second try for the District 4 seat. Tom Quirk of District 1 and Vicki Almond of District 2 returned for another term on the council.
Final Sale at Macy’s
Who would have thought that Macy’s would finally lock its doors at the once-affluent Owings Mills Mall location? Shoppers grabbed the last of the merchandise before Thanksgiving. The mall, which had been dying a slow death for years, had closed the entrances to the inside weeks prior. J.C. Penney remains for now. Watch for more changes and development to the mall.
New Shopping Options Ahead
A battle between elected officials and developers about commercial development on Reisterstown Road got resolved and Foundry Row began taking shape on the former Solo Cup factory in Owings Mills. Set to open in September 2016, Wegmans is to be one of the first stores to come to the $140 million project.
Nearby Choices, Competition
Not far away off Painters Mill Road, Metro Centre is making progress. Local branches of the Community College of Baltimore County and public library, which opened in 2013, have been joined by eateries. The mixed-use transit-oriented project, in proximity to the subway station, is also leasing an apartment building, as well as retail and office space.
Is the Red Line Dead?
The Hogan Administration put the kibosh on the 14.1-mile light rail project when the Governor announced in July he would not provide State funding, in effect rendering it dead. The line would have run from Social Security Administration in Woodlawn to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in east Baltimore.
A New School House
The county’s newest school, Lyons Mills Elementary, opened in Owings Mills in August, in time for the current academic year. The $31.3 million school was constructed to relieve overcrowding in the northwest and can seat 700 students.
More School Construction
Baltimore County Public Schools broke ground for two Catonsville-area elementary schools to relieve overcrowding in the southwest. Catonsville Elementary and Westowne Elementary will be replaced with a new building and Westchester Elementary will get a new classroom addition.
Police Body Cameras
Baltimore County Police announced in September that the department is implementing a program to equip its 1,435 officers with body cameras. The first 150 will begin wearing them in July 2016, with the remainder of the force to receive the body cameras the following July.
New Test, Disappointing Scores
The results are in for the state’s newest test for students, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). And they were not good across-the-board, including for Baltimore County students. While most acknowledge disappointment, calling the scores abysmal, most tried to stay positive by considering them a baseline with lots of opportunity for improvement.
Prepared for Protests
Baltimore County Police responded to reports that Baltimore City protests over the Freddie Gray death were going to move to locations in the county, such as Security Square Mall.
Local Case
A Woodlawn murder case that has gained national attention and notoriety through a podcast will be reopened, as a result of a Nov. 6 court decision. Adnam Syed, a Woodlawn High School student who was convicted of strangling his classmate and ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lin, in 1999 will get a new hearing for another trial. The hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 3, 4 and 5, and will be limited to certain issues. Now 35, Syed is currently serving a life sentence.
2016
Looking ahead, let’s keep our eyes on what impact is being made on our schools, community and government. Get updates at nwvoicenews.com.