Charles Co. Gov. News Briefs


MTA Open House to Discuss Commuter Bus Route Changes

Comments requested on route nos. 901, 906, and 907

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) invites the public to attend an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center (3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf). During the open house, managers from MTA Commuter Bus Service, The Martz Group, and Keller Transportation will provide details of reconstruction plans for Route Nos. 901, 906, and 907 with new Route Nos. 610, 620, 630, 640, and 650.

If unable to attend, email concerns to commuterbus(at)mta.maryland.gov.

Location is accessible for those with disabilities. Anyone requiring special assistance or additional accommodations should contact the MTA Office of Customer and Community Relations one week in advance to make necessary arrangements at 410-767-3999 or TTY 410-539-3497.

For more information, contact Mr. Glenn Saffran at 410-454-7255 or commuterbus(at)mta.maryland.gov.

Public Forum Rescheduled for Oct. 1

The Charles County Board of Commissioners would like to inform citizens that the next public forum has been rescheduled to be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Sign-in will begin at 6 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: www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.

For more information, contact Ms. Crystal Hunt, Public Information Officer, at 301-645-0580 or HuntC(at)CharlesCounty.org. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

Charles County FallFest Exhibitor Opportunities Available

Celebrate Charles: FallFest is taking place on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2 - 6:30 p.m. at Regency Furniture Stadium (11765 St. Linus Drive, Waldorf).

Local artisans and crafters are invited to participate at FallFest to sell goods and showcase their talents. Spaces are available for $10. Register today to secure a spot at this family-friendly event. Registration is available online at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.

For more information visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov, or contact Ms. Rachel Reynolds, Promotions Specialist, at 301-645-0601 or ReynoldsR@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Oct. 5

The Charles County Department of Public Works would like to remind citizens that the next household hazardous waste collection for this year will be held on Saturday, Oct. 5. The household hazardous waste collection site is located in the parking lot of the Department of Public Works building, located at 10430 Audie Lane, off of Radio Station Road in La Plata. Collection hours are 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Items accepted free of charge include: pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer, gasoline, oil-based paint, cleaning supplies, pool chemicals, batteries, expired prescription drugs, fluorescent lights, mercury thermometers, and other poisons found in the home. Please remember to mark any container that does not have a readable, original label.

Unacceptable materials include bio-medical waste (sharps, needles, anything with bodily fluids) and ammunition. Used motor oil, anti-freeze, propane tanks, and batteries are accepted on a regular basis at various collection sites. Latex paint is not considered hazardous waste and can be placed in your household trash as long as it is solidified. This can be accomplished by adding kitty litter, shredded paper, or sawdust to the liquid latex paint to aid in drying it out.

Household hazardous waste collection will occur on the first Saturday of each month through December. Upcoming 2013 collection dates are: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, and Dec. 7.

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.

Commissioner, County Employees Graduate from Academy for Excellence in Local Governance

On Sunday, Sept. 15, Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2), Deputy County Administrator Deborah Hall; Department of Human Resources Director Steve Brayman;; and Department of Public Works Director Bill Shreve graduated as 2013 fellows from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. The graduation ceremony was held at the Memorial Chapel on the University of Maryland College Park campus.

Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2) said, "I am honored I had the opportunity to participate in the Academy and to expand my knowledge of public policy. The skills I learned from this program will allow me to better serve the citizens of Charles County."

During the graduation ceremony, more than 100 Maryland public officials received an academy certificate. To achieve this honor, Academy Fellows completed classes to meet their professional needs as municipal or county officials in local government. Academy Fellows are given the opportunity to not only enhance their understanding of local government issues and ethical standards for public service, but to develop also a foundation for informed policy making and effective governance.

The Academy, which began in 1998, is supported collaboratively by the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, the Maryland Municipal League, and the Maryland Association of Counties.

The School of Public Policy, a 25-year-old program, is recognized as one of the country's premier programs in public policy and management. The school specializes on delivering acclaimed leadership development and public policy programs to public (federal, state, and local) clients, as well as nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies from abroad.

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