Commissioners Seek County Residents for Board, Commission Vacancies

The Charles County Commissioners are seeking County residents to fill vacancies on the following boards and commissions: Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board), Cable Advisory Commission, Heritage Commission, Homeowners’ Association Dispute Review Board, Nuisance Abatement Hearing Board, Tri-County Youth Services Bureau, and Women’s Commission.

There is an at-large vacancy on the five-member Liquor Board for a four-year term, from July 1, 2006-June 30, 2010. The Liquor Board meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. in the County Government Building to review and approve the issuance and renewal of liquor licenses in the County, and to establish penalties for violations. Applicants with experience in the licensed beverage industry are preferred, but not necessary.

The one vacancy on the five-member Cable Advisory Commission is for an unexpired four-term. The Commission meets at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of every other month in the County Government Building to review applications for franchises, encourage use of access channels, audit franchise records as necessary, evaluate cable systems, review regulations for cable systems and operators, and address cable subscriber issues that arise. More on the duties of the Advisory Commission can be found on page 81, Section 17 (c) of the Cable Ordinance, which can be accessed on the County web site at www.charlescounty.org.

There is one vacancy on the nine-member Heritage Commission to fill an unexpired four-year term, which ends December 31, 2007. Members meet as needed at the College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, to manage, procure, preserve, and disseminate materials relating to the County’s history.

The vacancy on the seven-member Homeowners Association (HOA) Dispute Review Board is to fill an unexpired three-year term, which ends December 31, 2007, for a professional homeowner association manager. The Board meets on an as-needed basis in the County Government Building to hear and resolve disputes between a homeowners association and a homeowner regarding the covenants or restrictions of an HOA.

There is one vacancy on the five-member Nuisance Abatement Board to fill an unexpired four-year term, which ends on June 30, 2009. The Nuisance Abatement Board addresses citizens' complaints about excess accumulation of trash, garbage, junk, and/or grass and weeds on private property. Meetings are held as needed in the County Government Building.

The two vacancies on the Tri-County Youth Services Bureau are for three-year terms that end June 30, 2009. The Bureau assists troubled youth prior to contact with law enforcement agencies. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every other month.

There are two vacancies on the 19-member Commission for Women. One is to fill an unexpired four-year term, which ends December 31, 2007, and the other is for a four-year term that ends December 31, 2010. The Commission serves as an information and referral source and advocate for programs and services for women and families. The Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the County Government Building Lunch Room.

If you are interested in serving on any of these boards, please contact Denise Ferguson, Clerk to the County Commissioners, at voice phone number 301-645-0554 or 301-870-3000, or by e-mail to: fergusod@charlescounty.org to obtain an application or for more information. You may also download an application form at: http://www.charlescounty.org/boards&committees_application.pdf
on the Charles County Government web site. Applications for all boards will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2006.

Please complete both sides of the application form, sign it, and mail it to: Clerk to the County Commissioners, P.O. Box 2150, La Plata, MD 20646. Please do not attach résumés or certificates to the application.

More information on Commissioner-appointed boards and commissions is available at: http://www.charlescounty.org/commissioners/pio/brds_comm_bklt.pdf on the County Government web site.