Latest news with #SteuartPittman
CBS News
01-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Protest held outside Anne Arundel County library over Trans Day of Visibility
An Anne Arundel County library provided a safe space on Monday for members of the transgender and non-binary communities despite backlash from outside protesters. The Glen Burnie branch hosted its Trans Day of Visibility event with crafts and other activities. "The library is one of the last free safe spaces," said Christine Feldmann, with the Anne Arundel County Public Library. "There are trans and non-binary people under attack. They're under attack in their communities and at the federal level. We are here as a safe place where they can come and be supported, because the library is for everyone." Those in favor of the event say it creates a safe space for everyone to learn and be themselves. Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement that the county's libraries have "always created environments where everyone feels valued and protected. Any attempt to politicize this event and threaten federal funding undermines this work." The library says it will continue to hold trans events like this moving forward. The library's Trans Day of Visibility event divided many in the Glen Burnie and Anne Arundel County communities. Protesters and counter-protesters were lined up outside the Glen Burnie library, holding up signs and chanting. Those against the Trans Day event say there are only two genders, and they accuse the library of grooming children. "Statistically, transgender people, whom I love many, and homosexuals, whom I love many, statistically, 1% end up engaged in pedophilia," said Anne Arundel County resident Brad Stern. "The odds of them at a library with children is exceedingly high, and I don't want to see children hurt."
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Cyber incident' continues to impact public services in Anne Arundel County, officials give update
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. () — A 'cyber incident' continued to impact Anne Arundel County public services Wednesday after some services went down Saturday afternoon. Officials noted that the cyber incident came from an 'external origin.' It has disrupted multiple public services, including the ; however, 911 and 311 have remained operational. County buildings were closed Monday but In addition, officials limited access to the Internet until the services were restored. 'Cyber incident' impacting public services in Anne Arundel County, officials say As of Wednesday morning, residents were still unable to pay their bills online. In response to the cyber incident, county executive Steuart Pittman released the following statement in a post on social media, saying, in part: 'Thank you for your patience as Anne Arundel County works to recover from the cyber incident impacting County government IT services. As we have shared previously, County officials are working diligently with the Anne Arundel County Office of Information Technology, public safety officials, cybersecurity specialists, and each department to conduct a full investigation. While the investigation is underway, the County is taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of our systems. This includes limiting access to the internet and some systems until we are able to return to full operations. While we have made some progress with securing and restoring our systems, we cannot share more details about the incident yet for several reasons: we are still working to understand the scope and impact of the incident, we do not want to potentially provide information to the potential threat actors, and we are working to recover from the incident as quickly as we can. When it is prudent to do so, we intend to share the full details surrounding the incident, including how it happened, departments and systems that were specifically impacted, as well as what we are doing to learn from the incident and to prepare for the future. We cannot yet give a timeline for when we will have recovered from the incident. Rest assured, we want to answer these questions and provide a full picture of what happened.' County executive Steuart Pittman Pittman noted that residents concerned about the due date for their water or tax bill can reach out to the Office of Finance at 410-222-1734 and that the county will make accommodations 'as appropriate' for any late payments resulting from the disruption. 4 arrested after bystander shot during robbery attempt at Waterfront Metro Station, police say Customers can also pay by phone at 833-277-8723 with a credit card or e-check; however, convenience fees apply. The following cashier offices are also open, accepting payment by check or cash (credit cards not accepted): 44 Calvert Street, Annapolis, Md. 101 North Crain Highway, Glen Burnie, Md. 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis, Md. In addition, the following services are also open: The Permit Center at 2664 Riva Road County parks and recreational centers Senior centers Aging and Disabilities customer service centers 'I want to thank our Office of Information Technology for working around-the-clock to restore services, our Office of Emergency Management for leading us through our Cyber Incident Coordination Plan, and all our county staff who have found innovative ways to continue delivering services to our residents during this disruption,' Pittman added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
13-02-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Anne Arundel County finalizes plan to transform infamous psychiatric hospital into education, health center
BALTIMORE -- Anne Arundel County leaders shared their final plan to transform a psychiatric hospital with a troubled past into a center for mental health care and education. Crownsville Hospital opened in 1911 as a Black psychiatric hospital and was desegregated in 1963. Patients experienced neglect, violence and poor living conditions while at the hospital. Some had medical experiments performed on them, the Associated Press reported. According to the Maryland State Archives, the hospital's "lack of adequate staff" contributed to patients not getting proper care. The hospital's population continued to decline from the 1960s until it closed in 2004 due to budget concerns. The state of Maryland sought to redevelop the hospital and solicited proposals for the campus in 2008. Anne Arundel County took over the property from the state in 2022 and renamed it Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park (CMP). The county then began its effort to transform the property. Bowie State University later joined the county as a partner in the project to bring educational and research programs to the new center, along with wellness initiatives. "We have now a partner that is going to bring young voices, Black voices, academic voices into this process that has a history with Crownsville Center," Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said. Community input In 2024, project leaders held public meetings to hear from the community about the future of Crownsville Hospital. Leaders discussed including open spaces with multi-purpose trails, sports fields, a community center, and a place for people to meditate and learn. Diane Phillips LaGuerre said her father, Dr. George McKenzie Phillips, was a superintendent at the hospital and helped pull the facility out of poor conditions at one point. He was also the hospital's first Black superintendent, according to the CMP master plan. "It was important to him that these people recognize it was community that they need, it's connections that they need and so, to try to get more people to see, to open their eyes, that those who suffer from mental health challenges are not as alien as they seem. They're really just like you and me," Phillips LaGuerre said. She suggested the revitalized property be spiritual in nature and meditative. "...but I also believe that there's a place within the grounds where there could be activity," she said. Master Plan The county released its final master plan for CMP on Wednesday, detailing its 14-month process, which included investigations into the property's landscape, history, utilities and traffic. During the process, project leaders also conducted a cost analysis and shared final recommendations for facilities and activities. According to the final plan, construction for the project is estimated to cost more than $67 million, not including landscaping, or engineering and public fees. The cost will be reevaluated following more studies and could further change when construction begins. Through its engagement efforts, CMP project leaders developed the following principles for the new center: It will focus on mental and physical health and wellbeing It will be intentional and equitable in providing access It will be truthful about its past It will preserve and celebrate its natural beauty It will protect and restore its environment It will cultivate educational opportunities "Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park (CMP) represents more than just a transformation — it is a reclamation of a difficult and often painful past, reshaped into a beacon of healing, reflection, and community well-being," leaders said in the master plan. During the planning process, an equity subcommittee was created to guide decisions about future programs and preservation efforts. The planning process also included an inventory of the Crownsville Hospital site to determine historic significance. In 2022, the site was determined to be eligible for listing in the Maryland Inventory of Historic Places (MIHP) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The process would require additional research and documentation, but once listed, the site would be eligible for preservation grants. According to the master plan, the site will use energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies to reduce environmental impact. The site will also feature security measures such as surveillance cameras. Through the CMP's Art and Sculpture plan, Black artists will be able to contribute to telling impactful stories about the hospital's history and enrich the landscape with large sculptures or subtle features. The site will be broken up into 10 districts, including Campus Core, which will have significant historic buildings with a new museum. The East Campus district will expand the site for Hope House, a nonprofit that offers substance use and mental health services, and the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. There will also be an Active Recreation district which will include athletic facilities, indoor spaces and a nature-based playground.
