The Charles County Board of Commissioners would like to inform citizens that the next public forum will be held on Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Sign-in will begin at 6:30 p.m. outside the Commissioner Meeting Room. Public forums are open to the general public.
While offering a public forum is important to the Commissioners, it is also necessary to ensure that the Commissioners are allowed enough time to conduct other County business. Therefore, the following guidelines have been established for public forums:
-- Any person wishing to speak during the public forum segment must sign the sign-in sheet upon entering the room.
-- Individuals are free to speak about any topic affecting Charles County residents.
-- Comments should be concise and to the point and limited to three minutes. The actual time limit will be at the discretion of the Commissioner President based on the agenda for the evening and the time available.
-- Making a presentation using slide projectors or overhead projectors is not appropriate for public forum. Individuals with topics that require more time or who desire to make a more formal presentation than is allowed under these guidelines, contact the Clerk to the County Commissioners at 301-645-0550 for further information related to the Commissioner meeting agendas.
-- Engaging in active debate with the Board of Commissioners or audience members will not be allowed. All comments and questions must be directed to the Board.
-- Public forum is not to be used as a candidates' forum.
-- Remarks must be respectful and courteous, free of name-calling and personal attacks. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Comments presented in a dignified manner have more credibility.
-- Comments to the Board of Commissioners do not constitute formal complaints, are not considered requests for records under the Public Records Act, and do not require staff response unless directed to do so by the Board.
The Board of Commissioners appreciates the cooperation of citizens in honoring these guidelines, and looks forward to hearing from the public.
Dates and times for upcoming public forums will available on the Commissioners' published meeting agenda. Commissioner meeting agendas are available online at: http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/ .
For more information, contact Ms. Crystal Hunt, Public Information Officer, at 301-645-0580 or HuntC@CharlesCounty.org. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
County Commissioners to Hold Town Hall Meetings in May
The Charles County Commissioners invite the public to attend May town hall meetings as scheduled below. The purpose of the Commissioners' town hall meetings is to take questions from those in attendance and to discuss items of importance to the citizens and the community.
Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2)
Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m.
Sartik's (7670 Hawthorne Road, La Plata)
Candice Quinn Kelly, Commissioner President
Topic: Veterans (Meeting will be videotaped for online viewing)
Tuesday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.
Hughesville Volunteer Fire Dept (15245 Prince Frederick Road, Hughesville)
Reuben B. Collins, II, Commissioner Vice President (District 3)
Monday, May 20, 7:30 p.m.
Capital Clubhouse (3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf)
Ken Robinson (District 1)
"Coffee with the Commissioner" (Meeting will be videotaped for online viewing)
Friday, May 31, 11 a.m.
Charles Street Bakery (507 Charles Street, La Plata)
"Facebook Town Hall Meeting"
Friday, May 31, 4 p.m.
Online - To participate in the meeting, you must go to http://www.facebook.com/CommissionerKenRobinson and like the page.
Bobby Rucci (District 4)
Commissioner Bobby Rucci will meet with any citizen at any available time or through email, text messaging or telephone, to discuss issues of concern. He may be reached at RucciB@CharlesCounty.org or by calling 301-645-0550.
For more information, contact Ms. Crystal Hunt at 301-645-0580 or HuntC@CharlesCounty.org. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Artists Showcase Creativity at Annual Senior Citizens' Arts Event
Winners of the 2013 Senior Arts Competition pose for a picture in front of a wall display of their artwork on May 8 at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center in La Plata. (Photo courtesy Charles Co. Government)
Creativity took center stage Wednesday, May 8 at the 2013 Senior Arts Competition awards ceremony, held at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center (1210 Charles Street, La Plata). The annual competition is an opportunity for Charles County's seasoned artists to shine and show off their beautiful artwork.
This year's winners by category are:
BEST IN SHOW
"Reflecting Hibiscus" by Nancy Owens
OIL/ACRYLICS
Best in Category
"Reflecting Hibiscus" by Nancy Owens
Portraits/ People
1st: "Ocean Breeze" by Mary Barrasso
2nd: "Iridescent Angel" by Gwen Springer
3rd: "Uncle Ben" by Dorothy Crown
Landscape/Seascape
1st: "Sunrise Glory" by Carole Facey
2nd: "Deserted Barn" by Nancy Owens
3rd: "West Virginia" by Rosanna Di Dominico
Animal/Wildlife
1st: "A Hurried Stop on a Rainy Day" by Virginia De Bolt
2nd: "Hunting Dog" by Dorothy Crown
3rd: "Nature Trail" by Theresa Barnett
Birds
1st: "Setting up Housekeeping" Virginia De Bolt
2nd: "Together" by Penelope Gold
3rd: "Snowflake" by Rosanna Di Dominico
Still Life
1st: "White Fragrance" by Mary Barrasso
2nd: "Bowl of Pear" by Dorothy Crown
Floral
1st: "Reflecting Hibiscus" by Nancy Owens
2nd: "A Touch of Fall" by Henry Foster
3rd: "Peace Rose" by Rosanna Di Dominico
WATERCOLOR
Best in Category
"Lady" by Sandy Rohde
Portraits/People
1st: "Lady" by Sandy Rohde
2nd: "On Point" by Carol Corbette
3rd: "Who's it From" by Bert Stevenson
Landscape/Seascape
1st: "Lonely Place" by Carol Corbett
2nd: "Sunset at Big Bend" by Norita Park
3rd: "A Light House" by Patty Gyorda
Animal/Wildlife
1st: "Bosom Buddies" by Lydia Purnell
Birds
1st: "Feeding" by Theresa Barnett
2nd: "First Flight" by Lydia Purnell
3rd: "Bird on a Splintered Tree Trunk" by Virginia De Bolt
Still Life
1st: "Golden Pear" by Norma Baretinicic
2nd: "Apples" by Theresa Barnett
Floral
1st: "Hibiscus" by Carol Facey
2nd: "Magnolia" by Sandy Rohde
3rd: "Night Flowers" by Bert Stevenson
MIXED MEDIA
Best in Category: "Restful Retreat" by Mary Jenkins
1st: "Shades of Green" by Mary Kercher
2nd: "The Stream" by Patty Gyorda
3rd: "Hillside Living" by Carol Corbett
OTHER MEDIA
Best in Category: "Landscape in Coffee" by Norita Park
1st: "Portrait of a Man" by Patty Gyorda
2nd: "Crystal Elegance" by Mary Kercher
3rd: "Two for Coffee" by Mary Jenkins
ORIGINAL ART
Best in Category: "Poppies" by Norma Baretincic
1st: "Golden Pond" by Mary Jenkins
2nd: "Untitled" by Sandy Rohde
3rd: "Clearly it is Spring" by Lydia Purnell
The "Best in Show" winner received a "Best in Show" ribbon, trophy, artist pin, $25 Michaels arts and crafts store gift certificate,and a certificate and membership from the Charles County Arts Alliance. "Best in Category" winners received a "Best in Category" ribbon, art key chain, $10 Michaels gift certificate, and a certificate and membership from the Charles County Arts Alliance. First place winners received first place ribbons and an artist pin. Second and third place winners received ribbons.
The winning artwork is on display at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center until Friday, May 31.
Bridge Work and Inspections Continue on Nice Bridge
Temporary Lane Closures and Alternating Traffic Ongoing
The Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in Newburg is currently reduced to one lane with flagging operations alternating northbound and southbound traffic during the following overnight off-peak hours: Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following morning and Friday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Daytime flagging operations are during the following off-peak hours: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trucks greater than 10-feet wide will not be permitted to cross the bridge during flagging operations. Every effort will be made to cross all vehicles exceeding 10-feet from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Drivers of vehicles exceeding the width restriction must call 301-259-4444 to obtain approval and schedule an escort. Calls must be made one hour prior to arrival at the bridge and will only be accepted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
May 8 Length of Service Award Program Public Hearing Rescheduled
The public hearing on proposed Bill #2013-10, Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) scheduled for Wednesday, May 8 has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 22 at 5:30 p.m. The Charles County Commissioners will hold the public hearing on May 22 in the County Commissioner's Meeting Room located in the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata).
The proposed bill would temporarily suspend the computation of certain benefits based on the Consumer Price Index or Cost of Living Index, and provide that the respective benefit shall be a set amount; and amend the death benefit beneficiary.
Citizens wishing to make oral or written comments are encouraged to attend the hearing. Those individuals or representatives of groups wishing to speak must sign in. Speaker sign-up will begin 30 minutes (½ hour) prior to the hearing and will end at the commencement of the hearing. Each speaker will be allotted three (3) minutes.
Written comments may be submitted in lieu of oral testimony, or to expand upon oral testimony, to the Department representative listed in this notice. The County Commissioners reserve the right to extend the time frame allotted for the hearing.
Proposed Bill #2013-10 is available for review in the County Commissioners Office in the County Government Building. For further information, contact the Clerk to the County Commissioners at (301) 645-0554.
Those citizens with special needs please contact Ms. Crystal Hunt at voice phone number (301) 645-0580 or Maryland Relay Service TDD 1-800-735-2258.
In the event that the notified meeting is canceled due to inclement weather or acts of nature beyond the control of the County, all items scheduled to be discussed or heard at the meeting shall be rescheduled.
Charles County Government Facility Closures for Memorial Day Holiday
The Charles County Commissioners wish to remind residents of the following offices and facility schedule changes for Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 27.
The following offices will be closed for normal business hours:
-- All Charles County Government offices and the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville will be closed.
-- The Charles County Landfill and Recycling Center on Billingsley Road in Waldorf, and the Pisgah Recycling Center on Route 425 in Pisgah will be closed.
-- VanGO services will not be operating
-- All Senior Centers are closed
-- The Nanjemoy Community Center, Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center, Port Tobacco Recreation Center and all other Community Centers are closed.
-- Curbside recycling will be pushed one day ahead for the first part of the week. Monday pickups will take place on Tuesday and Tuesday pickups on Wednesday. There are no changes to Thursday and Friday routes.
The following offices will be open for normal or modified business hours:
-- The Crain Memorial Welcome Center located at 12480 Crain Highway in Newburg operating normal hours.
-- Lackey and North Point High indoor pools will be open from 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
-- Charles County Parks operating normal hours