St. Mary's Co. Gov. News Briefs


Commissioners Will Host Public Forum on December 3

The St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners will host a Public Forum on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The forum will take place in the Commissioners meeting room inside the Chesapeake Building, 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, Maryland. Citizens are invited to attend the forum and address the commissioners.

The Public Forum will air live, and be videotaped for subsequent broadcast, on St. Mary's County Government TV 95 (SMCG TV 95). The forum can also be viewed on the county's website at http://www.stmarysmd.com. Simply click on Videos.

Anyone wishing to speak at the Public Forum will be allowed up to three (3) minutes to address Commissioners. Those wishing to provide more detailed comments may do so in writing via email or regular mail.

The Board of County Commissioners can be reached by e-mail at bocc@stmarysmd.com or by mail at Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.

Sponsors Needed to Assist Families Participating in Annual Christmas Caring Program

The St. Mary's County Department of Aging & Human Services, Division of Human Services, in partnership with the Department of Social Services, Mike's Bikes and Toys for Tots, presents the 2013 Christmas Caring Program. The program consists of individuals, businesses, and organizations donating gifts of toys, clothing and/or food to families in need.

Due to current economic conditions, the need is substantial and sponsors are desperately needed. Nearly 200 families have requested assistance through the Christmas Caring Program. That number is expected to rise as the Division of Human Services continues to receive requests through the month of December.

Organizations are asked to consider sponsoring a family this Christmas season. If you are interested, please contact the Division of Human Services at 301-475-4200, extension 1680 as soon as possible so families can receive assistance by December 23. The deadline to sponsor a family is Friday, December 20. A gift request form, completed by families in need of assistance, will be forwarded to you. The form provides information about each child's age, clothing size, gift preferences, etc. Sponsors are asked to deliver the gifts or contact the families to arrange pick-ups. If you are unable to sponsor a family please consider donating a gift to Toys for Tots. Donations can be placed in a drop-off station at your local Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Dress Barn.

Keep in mind for some of these families the gift form they complete is merely a "wish list". Parents often request items their children have asked for, but they simply cannot afford to purchase. However, both parents and children are most appreciative of whatever they receive. Sponsors should not feel compelled to purchase everything on the list unless they are able to do so.

For more information please call the office at 301-475-4200, ext. 1680. Thank you in advance, for your generosity and Christmas spirit.

Maryland Energy Administration Increases Funding Levels for "Fuel Up Maryland" Service Station Energy Resiliency Grant Program

$1.7 million grant program to offer $25,000 for service station owners along evacuation routes

The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has announced new funding levels for the 'Fuel Up Maryland' program, an initiative which began in August 2013, to provide back-up power to service stations in the event of weather-related and other emergencies.

The $1.7 million grant program will provide funding for service stations to pre-wire for back-up power generation from portable generators, fixed generators, and/or batteries. To qualify for the $25,000 grant the gas station must have fuel storage of more than 10,000 gallons, sell at least 75,000 gallons of fuel per year and be one of the 850 service stations located within one half mile of an on or off ramp along a Maryland evacuation route. Owners of multiple service stations can now receive up to ten grants.

"Smart energy investments begin with keeping the lights on in our homes and businesses and ensuring our citizens will have mobility options in the wake of an emergency," said Abigail Ross Hopper, MEA Director. "Increasing the size of the grants and number of service stations eligible should serve to expedite the implementation of the program and make the State more energy resilient in an emergency."

The new funding levels opened November 25 and will continue through June 2014. Applications will be accepted until all grant funds have been awarded. For more information and how to apply, please visit: http://energy.maryland.gov/Business/fuelupmd/ .

Maryland Emergency Managers Release App to Help Residents Prepare for Emergencies

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has released MARYLAND Prepares, the state's official emergency management mobile app. The tool is designed to help Maryland residents better prepare for emergencies.

Families can create interactive emergency kits, customized communications plans and view preparation guides so they are more informed on what to do before, during or after an emergency. The app is available for Apple and Android devices.

The St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services & Technology Emergency encourages all citizens to be better prepared for emergencies.

For more information on Emergency Preparedness visit http://prepare.stmarysmd.com/ .

2013 Technology Handbook Now Available

Following months of preparation the St. Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has released the 2013 Technology Handbook for St. Mary's County.

The handbook is a directory of over 200 technology businesses located within the county and provides detailed profiles of local technology firms and support organizations. The primary goal of the handbook is to help businesses network and partner with key service firms and assist them in their future growth and success.

Each company listed in the handbook will receive a complimentary copy. Those interested in receiving a printed 2013 Technology Handbook should contact Cheri Noffsinger at cheri.noffsinger@stmarysmd.com or by calling 301-475-4200, ext. 1400.

As part of the handbook's production, DECD held its annual cover art contest. The contest, sponsored by The Patuxent Partnership, offered a $500 prize and attracted many entries.

Jessie Wyrick, a senior at Leonardtown High School, submitted this year's winning design. Wyrick, currently attending the James A. Forrest Technology Center, is in her second year in the Graphic Communications program. Upon graduation, Jessie plans to attend an art college, where she hopes to earn a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design. The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners recognized Wyrick with a commendation at their February 5 meeting where the 2013 Handbook was unveiled.

Artists had to reside or be employed in St. Mary's County to participate; submissions were also received from graphics communications students at the James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center.

Printed annually since 1995, the Technology Handbook is also available online in PDF format or as a searchable database at http://www.stmarysmd.com/decd/handbook. The 2013 Technology Handbook will be uploaded by Friday, February 8. The handbook is one of the tools produced by the Department of Economic and Community Development. For more information on the Department and doing business in St. Mary's County, log on to http://www.stmarysmd.com/decd.

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