Back row L-R: Chief Filer, Medic Hiponia, EMT Fox, Chris Thompson, Medic Kidder, Medic Hayes, EMT Ellis, Medic Moore, ES Director William Stephens. Front row L-R: Commissioner Graves, Commissioner Patterson, Commissioner Cooper, Commissioner Hodge, Commissioner Collins.
On January 27, Charles County Emergency Services Personnel received commendation by Charles County Commissioners for their efforts in the Hurricane Gustav deployment to Louisiana. Team leader Chris Thompson, EMT-B's Missi Fox and Nick Ellis and medics Patrick Moore, Meghan Hiponia, Aaron Kidder and Mark Hayes deployed August 30, 2008 as members of the Maryland Strike Team.
Commissioners Proclaim Catholic Schools Week in Charles County
The Charles County Commissioners present a proclamation to Ms. Judy Delucco, Principal of St. Peter’s Elementary School, Ms. Judy Melvin, Development Director at Archbishop Neale School, and several Catholic school students, designating Sunday, January 25 through Saturday, January 31 as Catholic Schools Week in Charles County. The proclamation recognizes the four Catholic elementary schools in the Charles County region of the Archdiocese of Washington for providing excellent educational programs, promoting moral and spiritual values, and nurturing self-discipline based on respect. (Photo: Crystal Hill)
Charles County Commissioners Celebrate Korean Lunar New Year
At the Korean American Association of Southern Maryland (KAASM) 4th Annual Lunar New Year Festival, Commissioner President Wayne Cooper and Commissioner Vice President Edith J. Patterson presented a proclamation designating January 24, 2009, as Lunar New Year 4707 in Charles County. (Pictured l. to r.: Mr. David Lee, Senior Executive, Governor O’Malley’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; Ambassador Tae-Myon Kwon, Consul General, Embassy of Korea, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Edith J. Patterson, Charles County Commissioner; Mrs. Chong “Tammy” Pantages, President of KAASM, Chairwoman of the Korean American Cultural Arts Foundation, and member of Governor O’Malley’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; Mr. Wayne Cooper, Charles County Commissioner; Mr. Ki-Mo Lim, Deputy Consul General, Embassy of Korea, Washington, D.C.)
Commissioner President Wayne Cooper said, “Say Hay Boke-Mahn He Pah Du Say Oh,” (which literally means 'many blessings to you in the New Year') when he greeted an overflow crowd at the fourth annual Korean Lunar Festival.
Cooper was joined by Commissioner Vice President Edith J. Patterson, along with civic and community leaders, who all came together at the Waldorf Jaycees Community Center in celebration of one of the most important holidays in Korean culture.
Commissioner Cooper cited current census trends that show Korean Americans represent 3.5 percent of Charles County's total population.
“I think these figures say a lot for our County and its attractiveness...not only to Korean Americans, but to all races and nationalities,” he noted.
Cooper and Patterson presented a proclamation and gifts from the County heralding the significance of the Korean Lunar Festival, and the many contributions made by Korean Americans.
“This festival represents a visual display of the extraordinary talents and artists of the Korean community. I continue to be amazed at the verve of the youth, and view this event as a venue for all of us to broaden our cultural horizons,” said Patterson.
The Korean Lunar Festival is jointly sponsored by the Korean American Association of Southern Maryland and the Korean American Cultural Arts Foundation. Additional sponsors included the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, The Maryland Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, the Black Leadership Council for Excellence, the Charles County Department of Community Services, Clark Senior Center, and the Charles County Department of Health.