LA PLATA, Md. - In recent days, the Charles County Government has announced numerous personnel changes, departmental restructuring, and a relocation. Director of the Charles County Department of Utilities, Jerome (Jerry) L. Michael, retired and was replaced by acting Director William A. Shreve, Sr. On the same day, the County's Director of Public Facilities, Michael (Mike) Mudd announced his retirement effective July 31, 2007. Mudd was temporarily replaced by Willis (Bill) Proper, current Chief of Capital Projects, Buildings and Trades. County officials also announced that the Deputy County Administrator position has been replaced with an Assistant to the County Administrator position and the number of overall departments will be reduced from eleven to eight. The Department of Community Services will also move into their new building on Monday, July 30.
On July 17, 2007, the County Commissioners announced the retirement of the Director of the Charles County Department of Utilities, Jerome (Jerry) L. Michael, effective August 10, 2007. Michael served Charles County since 1977 when he began his career in the Public Works Department as the Plant Superintendent at the Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant. Michael worked his way through the ranks and became Director of Utilities in 1997.
On July 24, Charles County Administrator, Paul Comfort announced the temporary appointment of William A. Shreve, Sr., currently Environmental Systems Regional Supervisor for the Southern Region Water and Wastewater Division with the Maryland Environmental Service in Millersville, Maryland, as the Acting Director of the Department of Utilities. Mr. Shreve's term began Monday, July 23, 2007.
Shreve began his career over 31 years ago and he has experience in operating, directing, and managing public utility organizations in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, and St. Mary's County. He has been an active member of several organizations, including the Water and Waste Operators Association of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. He is the current Chairperson of the Maryland Board of Certification for Water and Waste Systems Operators (Gubernatorial appointment and Senate confirmed) and is the Chair of the Training Review and Evaluation Committee of the same board. He also actively participates on various boards and committees at the State and local level, including an appointment to the St. Mary's County Commission on the Environment.
Shreve, a resident of Park Hall, Maryland, is a graduate of Anne Arundel Community College with an Associates Degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis on water quality of the Chesapeake Bay Region. He is currently working toward his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Management at the University of Maryland University College and holds W, 4, 5, S, A Wastewater Treatment Licenses.
Also on July 17, the County's Director of Public Facilities, Michael (Mike) Mudd announced his retirement effective Tuesday, July 31, 2007. Mudd began his career with Charles County in 1974 as the Assistant Supervisor and Grounds Manager at the White Plains Golf Course. In January 1990, Mudd was appointed to the position of Director of Public Facilities.
The following day, on July 18, Charles County Administrator, Paul Comfort announced the appointment of Willis (Bill) Proper, current Chief of Capital Projects, Buildings and Trades, as the Acting Director of Charles County Department of Public Facilities. Proper's term began on July 18. The County Commissioners stated that they would begin recruiting immediately for a new Director of Public Facilities.
Proper began his career almost 16 years ago with Charles County in October of 1991 as a Maintenance Mechanic. Several years later he became Chief of Buildings and Trades. Following a reorganization of County Government back in the mid-1990s, Proper was named Chief of Capital Projects, Buildings and Trades.
Proper, a resident of Charles County since June 1978, is a graduate of the Community College of the United States Air Force with an Associates Degree in Applied Science. He later earned his Bachelor's Degree in Management and Business from Park College in Parkville, Missouri. Proper has a son and two daughters, as well as 8 grandchildren.
The county also announced a reorganization of some departments to provide for a "more streamlined reporting structure." At a Press Conference on Wednesday, July 18, the County Commissioners announced that the Deputy County Administrator position has been replaced with an Assistant to the County Administrator position. The new position will provide management and coordination of major county projects under the direction of the County Administrator. Roy Hancock, who had been serving as Acting County Administrator will serve in that capacity in an acting role.
The County also announced that they will reduce the number of overall departments from eleven to eight. To do this, the County Administrator announced that the current Departments of Fiscal Services, Information Technology, Purchasing and Human Services Partnership will be combined into a new Department of Administrative Services. The position of Director of Fiscal Services will be elevated to serve as Director of Administrative Services. Recruitment for this position will begin immediately. No new positions are to be created from this reorganization.
County Commission President Wayne Cooper said, “I expect this new reorganization to help us provide a more efficient reporting structure for our new County Administrator.”
Finally, the Charles County Department of Community Services' new building at 8190 Port Tobacco Road, Port Tobacco, is nearing completion and the Department is preparing to move. The Department, as well as their in-site child care program and discount ticket sales office, will be closed on Friday, July 27.
The Department will reopen on Monday, July 30, at their new location. Normal operating hours are from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The normal operating hours for the on-site child care program are from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Discount ticket sales will also be resuming on Monday, July 30, at the new location.
The Department's offices at 101 Catalpa Drive will officially close on Thursday, July 26, at 4:30 p.m.; and 6 p.m. for the child care program. For more information, please contact the Department at 301-934-9305.