District A Happenings: Introducing HarfordNEXT; Spotlight on SARC

From Harford County Councilman Mike Perrone Jr.:

Introducing HarfordNEXT

Harford County is in the process of updating the 2012 Master Plan and Land Use Element Plan. Section 701 of the County Charter states: It shall be the function and duty of the Department of Planning and Zoning to prepare and propose master plans from time to time. Such plans may be initiated by order of the County Executive or by legislative act of the Council. In April 2015, the County Executive called for the updating of this plan.

Section 702 of Charter tells the elements which must be included in the Master Plan. With update to the Master Plan, the County Executive has decided to take a streamlined approach and incorporate other Maryland state required Element Plans into the new plan and make one cohesive document called HarfordNEXT: A Master Plan for the Next Generation. The plan will include the Natural Resources Element Plan, Priority Preservation Area Plan, Historic Preservation Plan and Transportation Plan.

The process was kicked off with a public forum at Harford Community College in April. In May and June, presentations were made to the various Community Advisory Boards. Throughout the process the public has been encouraged to provide input through the County’s Planning and Zoning Website. Periodically new questions are posted with the most recent ones being updated on October 5th. Visit the HarfordNext site to answer the questions. All the input will be compiled into a draft document which will be available for public review. The goal is for the document to be released in late fall or early winter.

The Master Plan, if approved by the County Council, should provide a guide for development in Harford County. Since this plan is the first step as we head toward a Comprehensive Rezoning review, it is important to have your voice heard. Visit the HarfordNext site here to be a part of this process.

First Annual 5k Fun Run/1 Mile Walk

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a rare and rapidly progressing neuro-degenerative disorder. There is no treatment or cure and the disease is invariably fatal. CJD is a prion disease in the same family as ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. All proceeds go to The Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Foundation, Inc. general fund which supports advocacy, medical education, family support and research programs.

When: October 31, 2015
Come dressed in your costume and take a chance on winning a
prize. Everyone in a costume will get a raffle ticket to enter.

Time: Fun run starts at 9:00 am
1 mile walk at 9:30 am

Where:
Mariner Point Park
100 Kearney Drive, Joppa, MD 21085

Sponsorship Levels:
Gold ($1000), Silver ($500), Bronze ($250) and Friend ($100) Sponsor logos and names of friend sponsors will be displayed on shirts provided to runners and walkers across the country and on our website and signage.

Go to www.strides4cjd.com and go to the Maryland satellite run and to their friend raising page link. Register before September 30 and the cost is $30.00 for adults and $20.00 for kids under 12. After September 30th it is an additional $5.00.

You can also register to walk from your own neighborhood and post your pictures along with us on Instagram@strides4cjdmd

Contact/Questions: Maryann Forgan at strides4cjdmd@gmail.com
CJD Foundation is a registered 501 (c)(3) non profit organization

Spotlight’s on: Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC)

The Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC) is Harford County’s lifeline to victims, potential victims, and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking. Working within the community, the organization is a catalyst for the eradication and prevention of violence.

SARC was established in 1978 after a year-long, grassroots effort by Harford County residents reacting to a lack of services and support for victims of sexual violence.

The focus very quickly included victims of domestic violence whose presence in Harford County was consistent with the national numbers at that time. The Harford County Commission for Women was instrumental in arranging funding for a new center. In the spring of 1978, funds from a federal grant, a state grant, and the county made it possible to open the center in the Community Services Building in Aberdeen. The existing hotline service was merged with the rape crisis/battered spouse hotline and was covered by trained volunteers.

During the next decade, SARC moved twice and is now located in Bel Air. The agency has grown to include a domestic violence program, a sexual violence program, a legal advocacy program, a 28-bed shelter, community outreach and education services, 24-hour Helpline, and administrative staff.

All of SARC’s services are offered in a confidential environment of trust, respect, and mutual accountability without regard to race, creed, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or economic circumstances.

All services are offered free of charge to the clients. In order to continue providing the numerous resources to those fleeing the abuse in their lives, SARC relies on community support. SARC offers a wide variety of opportunities to support their mission of coming together to end abuse.

To learn more about the different opportunities for involvement, visit the SARC website