Current Vacancies for Commissioner-Appointed Boards, Committees, and Commissions
Citizens Encouraged to Get Involved in Local Government
The Charles County Commissioners are seeking county residents to fill vacancies on the following boards, committees, and commissions:
-- Adult Public Guardianship Review Board
-- Animal Matters Hearing Board
-- Area Council on Aging
-- Charles County Pension Plan Committee
-- Disadvantaged Business Loan Review Committee
-- Ethics
-- Grants Advisory Panel
-- Heritage Commission
-- Historic Preservation Commission
-- Homeowners' Association Dispute Review Board
-- Library Board of Trustees
-- Neighborhood Traffic Calming Task Force
-- Nuisance Abatement Board
-- Planning Commission
-- Wicomico Scenic River Commission
There is one vacancy on the Charles County Pension Plan Committee for a retiree member. The Charles County Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan sponsored by the Charles County Commissioners. This committee meets on the first Thursday of every other month.
There are two vacancies on the 10-member Grants Advisory Panel for members of the business community and four vacancies for citizen members. The panel reviews applications for grants and makes recommendations to the County Commissioners regarding the amount and type of funding to be awarded. Members serve two-year terms.
There is one vacancy on the seven-member Planning Commission for a four-year term beginning Dec. 31, 2013. The members are "citizen planners" as they are chosen from all walks of life. Formal planning experience or training is not required. The Board members receive a stipend. Meetings are held twice monthly on Monday evenings.
There is one vacancy on the seven-member Nuisance Abatement Board for a citizen member. The Nuisance Abatement Board conducts hearings pertaining to citizen complaints regarding unsightly accumulation of paper, junk, vehicle parts, trash, garbage, leaves, etc. and if grass, weeds, uncultivated vegetable growth, briars, bushes, and plants are more than one-foot high on private property.
Positions remain open until filled. Applications and a detailed list of all current vacancies are available on the Charles County Government website at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov or by contacting Ms. Carol DeSoto, Commissioner Specialist, at 301-645-0691 or DesotoC@CharlesCountyMD.gov. A separate application must be submitted for each membership for which you wish to apply.
Charles County to Hold Health Care Information and Enrollment Events
On Oct. 1, the Affordable Care Act went into effect. Uninsured Maryland residents now have the opportunity to register for expanded health insurance options through the Affordable Care Act and the Maryland Health Connection. To help individuals learn about, compare, and sign up for health insurance policies, Charles County is hosting a Health Benefits Fair on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the College of Southern Maryland (8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata) in the Center for Business and Industry.
Residents will receive information and speak to experts about coverage options, and register to receive health insurance benefits, which will take effect on Wednesday, Jan. 1. A small business expert will be on hand to discuss health insurance coverage options for small businesses.
Anyone unable to attend the Fair on Dec. 14 is encouraged to attend one of the following events to receive health care registration and assistance:
Health Partners Clinic (7030 Crain Highway, Waldorf)
Monday, Dec. 2; Thursday, Dec. 5; and Friday, Dec. 6
9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Charles County Department of Health (4545 Crain Highway, White Plains)
Main Building Conference Room
Tuesday, Dec. 10
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Bel Alton Community Development Center (9501 Crain Highway, Bel Alton)
South end of building
Thursday, Dec. 12
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All Charles County residents who do not have health insurance coverage are urged to take advantage of this free event. Appointments are not required but an appointment slot can be reserved in advance by calling 800-975-2965. For more information, visit http://www.CharlesCountyHealth.org or call 800-975-2965.
Commissioners to Hold Town Hall Meetings in December
The Charles County Commissioners invite the public to attend December town hall meetings as scheduled below. The purpose of the Commissioners' town hall meetings is to take questions from those in attendance and to discuss items of importance to the citizens and the community.
Ken Robinson (District 1)
"Coffee with the Commissioner" (Meeting will be videotaped for online viewing)
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, 11 a.m.
Starbucks
6675 Crain Highway, La Plata
Bobby Rucci (District 4)
Commissioner Bobby Rucci will meet with any citizen at any available time or through email, text messaging or telephone, to discuss issues of concern. He may be reached at RucciB@CharlesCounty.org or by calling 301-645-0550.
Meeting for Local Nonprofits, Businesses Needed to Assist with Plumbing Program Rescheduled for Jan. 13
The Department of Community Services Housing Authority would like to notify local nonprofit agencies and businesses that the kickoff meeting to assist eligible homeowners without indoor plumbing has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the County Government Building in the Commissioners Meeting Room (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata)
This newly structured program will provide opportunities for local nonprofit agencies and businesses to act as advocates for eligible homeowners, assist homeowners with the application process, and work with contractors to complete necessary construction/repairs. Participating nonprofit agencies and businesses may be awarded up to $2,000 for each referral of a homeowner that successfully completes the program.
For more information, call 301-934-9305 or visit http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CS/Housing/RHI.
Commissioners Proclaim November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Charles County Board of Commissioners proclaimed November as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. Hospice and palliative care empowers people to live as fully as possible, surrounded and supported by family and loved ones, despite serious and life-limiting illness. Patients and family caregivers receive the highest quality care delivered by an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals including physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, counselors, health aides, spiritual care providers and others who make the wishes of each patient and family a priority.
Every year, hospice saves Medicare more than $2 billion by providing solutions for physicians, care to patients and comfort to over 1.65 million patients and their families anywhere, at any time. In 2013, Hospice of Charles County celebrates 30 years of providing hospice and palliative care to Charles County citizens.
In attendance were Commissioner Bobby Rucci (District 4); Dr. Krishan Mathur, Hospice Medical Director; Commissioner Vice President Reuben B. Collins, II (District 3); Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2); Commissioner Ken Robinson (District 1); Ms. Nancy Bowling, Hospice President/CEO; Mr. Mike Bellis, Hospice Development Coordinator; Ms. Desiree Holkon, Chairman-Elect of the Board; Ms. Angela Thornton, Board Member; and Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly.