St. Mary's Co. Gov. News Briefs


Members Sought for New Transportation Advisory Committee

The St. Mary's Board of County Commissioners seeks volunteers interested in serving on the newly formed Transportation Advisory Committee.

The Transportation Advisory Committee will advise and assist commissioners with matters concerning public transportation, with respect to preparation of the St. Mary's County Transit Development Plan, planning of service and policy changes for Locally Operated Transit Systems and coordination among specialized transportation providers. The Committee will also serve as advocates for the community regarding public transportation.

Membership will include patrons of public transportation, private transportation providers, citizens from diverse economic populations, minority populations and the physically challenged.

Citizens interested in applying can download an application from the county's website at www.co.saint-marys.md.us/voluntr/. All applications must include a resume and be submitted no later than February 7, 2014.

For more information contact Diane Gleissner at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1700.

Healthy St. Mary's partnership seeking community action to address substance abuse prevention

Dr. Meena Brewster, the county's Health Officer and director of the St. Mary's County Health Department, is calling for community-wide action to address substance abuse prevention and control.

"Our community needs to come together to address this issue. Our health care providers are working hard to treat those who seek help with their substance abuse problem, but this community problem goes beyond just treatment,” stated Brewster. “We need to also identify ways to prevent substance abuse from starting and to teach families and others how to detect it early on before it advances. We need to improve the ways people can access care, navigate the health care system, and stay clean for the long-haul. This is a chronic issue and we have to look at it as a community issue, not just something 'someone else' is dealing with."

Parents and families are encouraged to attend the upcoming Drug Summit for Parents: An Open Discussion on Pills and Heroin in St. Mary's County, scheduled for Friday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, to learn more. The Drug Summit for Parents is organized by several community partners, including the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, Walden Sierra Behavioral Health, and the St. Mary's County Department of Aging and Human Services. More information about the summit is available at www.HealthyStMarys.com/DrugSummit.

Dr. Brewster is calling for community organizations and residents to voice concerns and be part of the solution through St. Mary's local health improvement coalition, the Healthy St. Mary's Partnership. This coalition has identified "Behavioral Health" as one of its top priorities - this includes substance abuse prevention and control as well as mental health. The Partnership is in the process of developing collaborative community action that can prevent substance abuse and decrease the burden of substance abuse in St. Mary's County. The next meeting of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership’s Behavioral Health Action Team is scheduled for Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in MedStar St. Mary's Hospital’s Outpatient Pavilion Health Connections Meeting Room. More information on the Healthy St. Mary's Partnership is available at www.HealthyStMarys.com

2013 Leonardtown Our Town Award

Charlie (left) and Chris Guy (right) of Two Guys Collision Center accept the "Our Town Award."
Charlie (left) and Chris Guy (right) of Two Guys Collision Center accept the "Our Town Award."

At the January 13 Town Council meeting, the Commissioners of Leonardtown presented the "Our Town Award" to Charlie and Chris Guy of Two Guys Collision Center for their outstanding contribution to the promotion of Leonardtown Events.

Annually, the Commissioners of Leonardtown recognize a group or individual who has demonstrated service, commitment, leadership, and pride for our Town and is making a real difference in our community, by presenting the "Our Town Award". This national program is sponsored locally for the Town of Leonardtown by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Michael K. Gardiner, President/Funeral Director.

The Council recognizes Two Guys Collision Center's service to the Community through their contributions of media sponsorship and event support. Partnering with the Town in their efforts to promote Earth Day, Beach Party on the Square and the Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas on the Square, Two Guys Collision Center has invested an amount exceeding $10,000 a year for the past two years to completely cover the costs of radio advertising, live remotes and appearances by on-air personalities.

By providing County-wide advertising and live coverage of Leonardtown events, Two Guys Collision Center assists the Town in continuing the proud tradition of offering quality, family-friendly, large-scale events free to the public.

Invitation to the Public 2015 Draft Budget Presentation

On Thursday, January 30 at 6:00pm, Sheriff Tim Cameron and members of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Command Staff will present the Sheriff's Office Fiscal Year - 2015 Draft Budget to the Sheriff's Office Citizen's Advisory Board. During the presentation, each Division Commander will provide an overview of their division's projected needs for FY - 2015.

The presentation will be held at the St. Mary's Governmental Building, Chesapeake Room, in Leonardtown.

The public is invited to attend and encouraged to review the proposal, ask questions, and comment.

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