Animal Shelter to Feature “My Furry Valentine” Event
Forget flowers and boxes of candy; come to the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville to pick out your very own sweetheart at the “furry valentine” adoption event. The Tri-County Animal Shelter will be holding the “My Furry Valentine” adoption event from Friday, Feb. 14 through Friday, Feb. 28. Come adopt a new cat for a sweetheart of a deal! Cats will be available for adoption for a reduced fee of $45.
Come and visit our free roaming cat room. The cats would love for you to play with them, pet them or just sit back and watch them play. You can also view our cats on our cat cam at http://www.charlescountymd.gov/es/tcas/catcam.
The Tri-County Animal Shelter is located at 6707 Animal Shelter Road in Hughesville. Shelter staff can be reached at 301-932-1713 or 800-903-1992. Adoption hours are Monday through Friday, noon - 5 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. To view animals available for adoption, visit http://www.charlescountymd.gov/es/animalshelter/tri-county-animal-shelter or http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD112.html to find your furry pet.
Commissioners Receive Local Government Insurance Trust Training Grant
On Tuesday, Feb 4, the Charles County Commissioners received a $3,500 grant award from Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT). This training grant is awarded to support safety driver training, and will be used for the Charles County Government Truck Rodeo.
In attendance were Commissioner Vice President Reuben B. Collins, II (District 3); Commissioner Ken Robinson (District 1); Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2); Joane Gulvas (Safety Officer, Charles County Government); Commissioner Bobby Rucci (District 4); Tim Ailsworth, (LGIT); and Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly.
Junior Golf Program offered at White Plains Golf Course
The Charles County Commissioners are pleased to announce that White Plains Golf Course will offer golf memberships for youth between the ages of 8 and 17 years old (as of Jan. 1, 2014).
Two memberships for junior golfers are available:
-- Yearly Pass - $200 (April 1 to March 31)
-- 3-Month Pass - $150 (June 1 to Aug. 31)
The registration fee and occasional volunteer hours allow junior golfers access to basic golf etiquette classes and golf privileges. Beginners are welcome.
This is a popular program. Early registration is encouraged. For more information, contact the White Plains Golf Course at 301-645-1300.
White Plains Golf Course is located on St. Charles Parkway, south of DeMarr Road.
Public Forum Scheduled for Feb. 26
The Charles County Board of Commissioners would like to inform citizens that the next public forum will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata). Sign-in will begin at 6 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 (at) CharlesCountyMD.gov.
Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Tri-County VFW Honors CCSO Officers for Bravery
Three Charles County Sheriff’s officers were honored Jan. 5 at the Second Annual Tri-County Veterans of Foreign Wars Officer of the Year Ceremony. Cpl. John Freeman and officers Michael Armstrong and Jena Hatfield were recognized for their brave actions while responding to a call regarding a male suspect armed with a shotgun and threatening to harm his family.
The officers responded to the call in December 2012 and when they first encountered the suspect in a detached garage with his mother and her husband, the suspect racked his shotgun and ordered the officers to leave. While the officers tried to diffuse the situation, Officer Armstrong entered the suspect’s line of fire to move the suspect’s mother to safety. The suspect retreated to a stairwell leading to the second-level of the garage and refused orders to drop his weapon. As the situation worsened and it became apparent that deadly force was imminent, Cpl. Freeman instructed his K9 partner, Brix, to engage the suspect. Brix obeyed his handler’s command, allowing the officers to disarm the suspect and diffuse the situation. The suspect was taken into custody and after being evaluated at a hospital, he was transported to the Charles Count Detention Center, where he was charged for his offenses.
“These three officers bravely subdued a dangerous and unpredictable suspect in a high-pressure environment and their actions saved lives,” said Sheriff Rex Coffey. “They are a credit to their profession and to our community, and I am grateful to the VFW for recognizing them.”
Cpl. Freeman attended the ceremony and accepted the award on the group’s behalf.