Public Forum Scheduled for Jan. 28
The next public forum will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Sign-in will begin at 5:30 p.m. outside the Commissioner Meeting Room. Public forums are open to the general public.
While offering a public forum is important to the Commissioners, it is also necessary to ensure that the Commissioners are allowed enough time to conduct other County business. Therefore, the following guidelines have been established for public forums:
-- Any person wishing to speak during the public forum segment must sign the sign-in sheet upon entering the room.
-- Individuals are free to speak about any topic affecting Charles County residents.
-- Comments should be concise and to the point and limited to three minutes. The actual time limit will be at the discretion of the Commissioner President based on the agenda for the evening and the time available.
-- Making a presentation using slide projectors or overhead projectors is not appropriate for public forum. Individuals with topics that require more time or who desire to make a more formal presentation than is allowed under these guidelines, contact the Clerk to the County Commissioners at 301-645-0550 for further information related to the Commissioner meeting agendas.
-- Engaging in active debate with the Board of Commissioners or audience members will not be allowed. All comments and questions must be directed to the Board.
-- Public forum is not to be used as a candidates' forum.
-- Remarks must be respectful and courteous, free of name-calling and personal attacks. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Comments presented in a dignified manner have more credibility.
-- Comments to the Board of Commissioners do not constitute formal complaints, are not considered requests for records under the Public Records Act, and do not require staff response unless directed to do so by the Board.
The Board of Commissioners appreciates the cooperation of citizens in honoring these guidelines, and looks forward to hearing from the public.
Dates and times for upcoming public forums will available on the Commissioners' published meeting agenda. Commissioner meeting agendas are available online at: www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.
For more information, contact Ms. Crystal Hunt, Public Information Officer, at 301-645-0580 or HuntC@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Jan. 9 Liquor Board Meeting Canceled
The Charles County Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board) meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 9 was canceled.
Liquor Board meetings are generally held on the second Thursday of every month, unless otherwise noted. The next regular meeting of the Liquor Board is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m., in the Commissioners’ meeting room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore St., La Plata).
For more information, contact Ms. Lisa Bailey, Clerk to the Liquor Board, at 301-396-8865 or BaileyL@CharlesCountyMD.gov.
Volunteers Needed for Point-in-Time Survey
On Wednesday, Jan. 29, the annual “Point-in-Time” survey will take place. The survey is a count of every sheltered (living in shelters and/or transitional housing) and unsheltered (living on the street, in a vehicle and/or hand-built structure) individual throughout Southern Maryland.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the survey in Charles County. Available volunteer opportunities are:
Material Distribution Volunteers
When: Monday, Jan. 6 – Wednesday, Jan. 29
Various Times
Where: Local businesses, churches, organizations, and public places
What: Volunteers will distribute all marketing material to local businesses, churches, organizations, and other public places.
Item Assembly Volunteers
When: Monday, Jan. 27 – Wednesday, Jan. 29
Various Times
Where: LifeStyles of Maryland, Inc. Office (101 Catalpa Drive Suite 103, La Plata)
What: Volunteers will assemble items for handout to the homeless population on count day.
Command Center Volunteers
When: Monday, Jan. 27 – Wednesday, Jan. 29
11 a.m. – Midnight (four-hour shifts)
Where: Lifestyles office (101 Catalpa Drive Suite 103, La Plata)
What: Volunteers will help answer phones and pinpoint where surveyors have been.
Street Outreach Team Leaders
When: Wednesday, Jan. 29
Three shifts: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: Throughout Charles County
What: Volunteers will go throughout Charles County to conduct surveys with our local homeless population, and to provide everyone counted with information on resources available, and lead a team of four volunteers.
Street Outreach Surveyors
When: Wednesday, Jan. 29
Three shifts: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: Throughout Charles County
What: Volunteers will go throughout Charles County to conduct surveys with our local homeless population, and to distribute blankets, gloves, and other supplies to the homeless population.
Street Outreach Drivers
When: Wednesday, Jan. 29
Three shifts: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.; 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: Throughout Charles County
What: Volunteers will transport our volunteer teams throughout Charles County during the count.
The Point-in-Time survey will provide agencies with important data on the homeless population, which is critical for federal and state grant applications and for potential HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers for Southern Maryland. Results can lead to the homeless population, which includes veterans, receiving much needed housing. There are more than 1,000 individuals and families who experience homelessness annually in our region.
For more information or to register as a volunteer, contact LifeStyles of Maryland, Inc. at info@lifestylesofmd.org or 866-293-0623.
Commissioners Proclaim Jan. 6-12 as Charles County Saves Week
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Charles County Commissioners proclaimed the week of Jan. 6 through Jan. 12, as Charles County Saves Week. America Saves is a national social marketing campaign to persuade, encourage, and motivate Americans to take financial action in building wealth through saving money and reducing debt.
The Assets for Financial Independence Foundation, Inc. (AFFIF) is a partner in the America Saves campaign, and is committed to helping Charles County residents take immediate financial action to “Build Wealth, Not Debt.”
Charles County Saves in partnership with the Charles County Library, Mt. Sinai AME Church in Waldorf, Wells Fargo Bank in La Plata and Farmer insurance in White Plains is hosting the following free seminars:
-- Jan. 25: Dollars and Sense Seminar for Youth (youth ages 13 and up)
-- Jan. 18 and Feb. 8: Financial and Social Challenges of College Life (high school juniors and seniors and college freshmen)
-- Jan. 11 and Feb. 22: Developing Money Smart Habits (Ages 25 and up)
-- Feb. 1: Roadmap to Developing a Budget and Eliminating Debt (Ages 25 and up)
-- Feb. 15: Building Wealth: Preparing for a Homeownership (Ages 25 and up)
All seminars are held at Waldorf West Library (10405 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf) from 9:30 a.m. to noon and registration is required. To register, visit http://affif.ticketleap.com./