Charles Co. Gov. News Briefs


Volunteers Needed to Fill Compensation Commission

The Charles County Commissioners are seeking county residents to fill vacancies on the Compensation Commission pursuant to Chapter 27, Sec 2 of the county code as amended.

The Compensation Commission has five citizen member vacancies. A citizen member residing in each Commissioner district and one at large member is needed. Applications will be accepted until Saturday, Aug. 31.

The Commission will review the salaries of the elected Judges of the Orphans' Court, and the elected County Commissioners, and will recommend modifications to compensation, if any, to the Commissioners on or before Dec. 1, 2013. Members will serve a six-month term.

The first meeting of the Compensation Commission will be scheduled for Sept. 2013.

Applications are available at http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov or by contacting Ms. Carol DeSoto at 301-645-0691 or DeSotoC@CharlesCounty.org.

Tool provides access to available properties and demographic data at MeetCharlesCountySites.com

Businesses considering investing in Charles County have a new, high-tech resource to help them make smarter decisions. The Charles County Department of Economic Development and GIS Planning announced today the launch of a cutting-edge economic development tool at http://www.MeetCharlesCountySites.com.

Using Geographic Information System (GIS) software, the free website provides immediate access to dynamic real estate, demographic and industry data and displays available commercial properties on an interactive heat map.

MeetCharlesCountySites.com allows visitors to:

-- Search for available buildings and sites using very specific criteria, and display properties on an interactive map that can also show specific points of interest, demographic information and more.

-- Explore existing businesses in Charles County by general and specific industry classifications, and by size and performance.

-- Find locations in Charles County that match specific demographic, labor force, transportation and geographic profiles.

-- Easily save property, demographic, community and business reports.

Kwasi Holman, Director of Economic Development, said, "With the launch of GIS Prospector today, the County's initiatives to attract and expand business have achieved an important milestone. We will have real time site information available to our business prospects in partnership with our real estate community. We will continue to enhance our website to provide real time sites and data to our businesses to market our County's many advantages as an ideal location to grow and expand jobs for County residents."

San Francisco-based GIS Planning created the online software that powers the new system.

"Nearly all initial site selection screening is done on-line now, and the new Charles County web tool provides immediate access to critical business intelligence that businesses need to make an investment decision," said Anatalio Ubalde, CEO of GIS Planning. "We've taken a process that used to involve weeks of research and reduced it to minutes."

The GIS-powered website is built using state-of-the-art site selection mapping capabilities including ZoomProspector Enterprise and Google Maps technologies.

County Leaders to Focus on Maryland Tourism and Economic Growth at Annual Conference

The Charles County Commissioners, senators, delegates, and other representatives of Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City will gather in Ocean City, Md., for the 2013 Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference, Aug. 14-17. Local government officials make attending the MACo summer conference a priority because they gain knowledge and understanding of the most important issues facing local governments. At the conference, they are able to share ideas and find solutions to challenges at home.

The theme of the 2013 conference is "Bringing it All Back Home," focusing on tourism as an economic driver, ways to plan for and encourage economic growth, and how cooperation among different levels of government and the private sector can result in bringing new business to Maryland.

During the opening session, The Charles County Commissioners and MACo officials will present a Hall of Remembrance at the Dockside Hall, dedicated to all Maryland POWs/MIAs who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

"MACo's Summer Conference is an opportunity for counties across the State to come together and share meaningful ideas. This year's conference will focus on economic development and tourism in Maryland. Business development and tourism opportunities are key to driving economic recovery for our State and our County," said Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly.

Commissioner Vice President Reuben B. Collins, II (District 3) said, "Attending the MACo conference is an opportunity to learn from leaders throughout the state. This year's emphasis on economic development is especially important to me because that means jobs in Charles County. Another focus will be tourism and that means bringing home the dollars needed to lessen the burden on our citizens. We have so much history in our county and throughout Southern Maryland that it only makes sense to send a message globally about the cultural and educational attractions we have to offer."

"I have always found attending MACo events to be an invaluable resource. I am excited that this summer's conference will focus on tourism, as Charles County has some dynamic ideas to expand our marketing plans that will enhance and promote the county as a destination. As a fan, I love that MACo will be using the title of a Bob Dylan album to highlight tourism as an economic engine for Maryland jurisdictions," said Commissioner Ken Robinson (District 1).

MACo is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that serves Maryland county governments by articulating their needs and ideas to the Maryland General Assembly.

Commissioners Declare Day of Non-violence on Aug. 22

On Tuesday, July 30 the County Commissioners declared Aug. 22, 2013, as a Day of Non-violence in Charles County. During the last decade, America's problems with violence within our society have escalated, not abated. Violence affects families in every walk of life and threatens our national security and the safety of children, youth, adults, seniors, and families. Black Women for Positive Change, a national, civic, volunteer organization is calling for a National Summit on Nonviolence and Day of Nonviolence in collaboration with faith-based leaders, national organizations, elected officials and community leaders on Aug. 22.

Free Scrap Tire Disposal Event for Charles County Citizens

Did you know that in addition to being unsightly, scrap tire piles can spark fires and are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes? The Charles County Environmental Resources Division invites residents to get rid of those tires free of charge at the Scrap Tire Drop-off Day event on Saturday, Aug. 17. Collection times are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 5370 Piney Church Road in Waldorf. (Vacant lot across from the Regency Stadium)

Charles County residents are encouraged to recycle up to 10 scrap tires from passenger, light truck, and agricultural vehicles. Commercial vehicles and business tires are not accepted. Each person dropping off tires should be prepared to show proof of residency; one visit per resident.

Citizen Scrap Tire Drop-off Day is sponsored by the Maryland Department of the Environment and Maryland Environmental Service.

For more information, call the Charles County Department of Public Works, Environmental Resources Division at 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778, or the landfill and recycling information line at 301-932-5656. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

Charles County Commissioners to Hold Town Hall Meetings in August

The Charles County Commissioners invite the public to attend August 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.

Reuben B. Collins, II, Commissioner Vice President (District 3)

Monday, August 26, 7:30 p.m.

Capital Clubhouse (3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf)

Candice Quinn Kelly, Commissioner President

Commissioner Kelly will not be holding a town hall meeting during the month of Aug. but will resume in Sept.

Ken Robinson (District 1)

"Coffee with the Commissioner"

Commissioner Robinson will not be holding a "Coffee with the Commissioner" during the month of Aug. but will resume in Sept.

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.

Future town hall meeting dates are available at http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.

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.

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