Charles Co. Housing Authority Earns High Performer Designation from HUD for Sixth Consecutive Year
The Charles County Commissioners are pleased to announce that Charles County Department of Community Services Housing Authority has been designated as a "high performer" under the Housing Choice Voucher Program for the sixth year in a row by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly said, "It is rewarding to see a department recognized for their hard work, especially when it directly benefits Charles County residents."
This recognition was awarded from the result of scores on numerous indicators that HUD uses in determining performance. This designation confirms that the Housing Authority is in compliance with the Housing Choice Voucher rules and regulations regarding waiting list and program administration, including ensuring that all units meet housing quality standards, that all participants are re-certified annually, and that all funds are being utilized for the benefit of program participants.
In addition to demonstrating compliance, the high performer designation indicates that the Housing Authority not only meets basic performance standards but, in fact, demonstrates an exemplary level of competency in program administration.
2013 Charles Co. Charter Board Meeting Schedule
The Charter Board was established to draft a charter form of government. The Charter Board will draft a charter for publication by the Charles County Board of Commissioners and then to a referendum election by the voters of Charles County.
The Charter is a document that will change the present Code Home Rule commissioner form of government to Charter government if approved by the voters. The proposed charter document will define the duties, powers, rules, procedures, structure of local county government, and the rights of our voters/citizens.
The proposed charter will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners in July 2014. It will be published twice within 30 days of submission to the Commissioners, and then will go before the voters at the 2014 General Election.
The Charles County Charter Board will meet on the following dates: Thursday, Nov. 7, Thursday, Nov 21, Thursday, Dec. 5, and Thursday, Dec.19
Meetings will be held at the Charles County Government Building (200 Balitmore Street, La Plata) in the Charles County Conference Room at 6:30 p.m.
For additional information, contact Ms. Melody Weschler at 301-645-0555, or CharterBoard@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Commissioners to Highlight Fiscal Year Objectives at State of the County Event
The Charles County Board of Commissioners invite the public to a State of the County event on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room located in the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). This event is an opportunity for Commissioners to share highlights and achievements of Charles County Government from the past fiscal year.
Also during the event, the Commissioners will outline their goals and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
The State of the County event coincides with the release of the Commissioners' fiscal 2013 Annual Report to the citizens of Charles County.
For additional details, call 301-645-0691, or email DeSotoC@CharlesCountyMD.gov.
2013 Charles Co. Compensation Commission Meeting Schedule
The Charles County Compensation Commission will meet on the following dates: Thursday, Nov. 14, Thursday, Nov. 21, Thursday, Dec. 5, Tuesday, Dec. 10, and Tuesday, Dec. 17 .
Meetings will be held at the Charles County Government Building (200 Balitmore Street, La Plata) in the County Attorney Law Library at 6:30 p.m.
For additional information, contact Ms. Lisa Bailey at 301-396-8865, or BaileyL@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Friendship Landing Boat Ramp Construction Scheduled
Boat ramp re-construction at Friendship Landing (Friendship Farm Park) was scheduled to start on or about Friday, Nov. 1. Construction activities will necessitate a complete closure of this Nanjemoy Creek water access facility. Local boaters will need to use alternate boat ramp options.
The estimated time for project completion is 150 days. It is anticipated that Friendship Landing will reopen for public use by April 1, 2014.
For more information, contact the Dept. of Public Works' Parks and Grounds Division at 301-932-3470. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Attend the Nov. 14 Senior Summit to Learn About State and County-Level Initiatives for Seniors
The 2013 Charles County Senior Summit will be held Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Clark Senior Center (1210 Charles Street, La Plata) from 10 a.m. to noon.
Commissioner Vice President Reuben B. Collins, II (District 3) will welcome the attendees and discuss county-level initiatives for seniors. The Honorable Gloria Lawlah, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging is the keynote speaker. Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to ask speakers questions relevant to senior and aging issues.
Exhibitors will be onsite from noon to 1 p.m. Exhibitors include Maryland Access Point; VanGO Public Transit Service; Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living; The Light House Gift of Life, Inc.; Charles County Department of Health; Hospice of Charles County; Charles County Nursing Rehabilitation Center; Visiting Angels Home Care; and Senior Services, Inc.
The event is free and open to seniors, caregivers, and advocates for our aging population. The registration deadline is Thursday, Nov. 7. Attendees who wish to stay for lunch must select the senior center lunch program at the time of registration.
This summit is sponsored by the 2013-14 Area Council on Aging Members.
To register, contact Ms. Janice Hamby at 301-609-5702. For additional information about the summit, call the Charles County Department of Community Services at 301-934-9305 or 301-870-3388.
Commissioner Kelly Honored in Greater Baden Celebration
Greater Baden Medical Services selected Charles County Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly as an honoree for their 41st Anniversary celebration. In a celebration held Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Martin's Camelot in Upper Marlboro, Greater Baden recognized Commissioner President Kelly for her dedicated work to improve the health of Charles County.
The theme of the event was "Our house is your medical home; Mi casa es su casa." This theme identifies Greater Baden Medical Service's desire to ensure all members of our community, including the uninsured and underinsured, have a place to call their medical home.
Commissioner Kelly said, "I am proud to be selected as an honoree. Health care is such an important aspect of our community's well-being. I appreciate all that Greater Baden is doing to ensure this care for all citizens."
Other distinguished honorees included: Lt. Governor Anthony Brown; Prince George's County Councilwoman Karen Toles; Kaiser Permanente Director of Community Benefit and Safety Net Partnerships Mindy Rubin; and Pastor John Jenkins of First Baptist Church of Glenarden.
Commissioners Celebrate Bryans Road Park Opening
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Charles County Commissioners celebrated the opening of the Bryans Road Town Center Water Quality Park (3200 Olde Village Drive, Bryans Road) with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The development of this park involved installing storm water retrofits to improve water quality within the community. The park, which is constructed above an underground detention pond, serves as a community amenity and focal point for the Bryans Road Town Center.
In attendance were Mr. Richard Polk, Vista Design, Inc.; Mr. Michael Snyder, Engineer, Dept.of Planning and Growth Management; Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2); Mr. John Stevens, Chief of Capital Services, Dept. of Planning and Growth Management; Commissioner Bobbi Rucci (District 4); Commissioner Vice President Reuben B. Collins, II (District 3); Commissioner Ken Robinson (District 1); and Mr. James Sandy, Sandy Excavating, Inc.