Feb. 24 Planning Commission Meeting Canceled
The Charles County Planning Commission meeting, originally scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24, has been canceled.
Planning Commission meetings are generally held on the first and third Mondays of every month, unless otherwise noted. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Monday, March 10 at 6 p.m., in the Commissioners’ meeting room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata).
For more information, contact Ms. Theresa Pickeral, Clerk to the Planning Commission, at 301-638-2409 or PickerTh (at) CharlesCountyMD.gov.
Maryland Warns Consumers Not to Eat Cheeses Made By Roos Foods Due to Possible Health Risk
As part of an ongoing investigation, testing of cheese products by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is presumptively positive for Listeria bacteria. The products were made by Roos Foods of Kenton, Del. While confirmatory testing is underway, DHMH advises consumers not to eat any cheese products made by Roos Foods, or foods that have been made with these cheeses. Roos Foods include the following brands: Santa Rosa de Lima, Amigo, Mexicana, Suyapa, La Chapina, and La Purisima Crema Nica.
Listeria bacteria can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Listeriosis is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria, and typically occurs within 3 days to 10 weeks (usually within 3 weeks). Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions which can be preceded by nausea or diarrhea. Listeria infection can be treated with antibiotics. Listeriosis in pregnant women may cause fever and other flu-like symptoms which can be mild. However, because Listeria infection can cause premature labor, premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe infection of newborns, it is especially important that pregnant women avoid these products.
Other persons at higher risk for disease include:
-- Newborns
-- Elderly persons
-- Individuals with a weakened immune system (for example: persons with AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or kidney disease)
If a person has any of the above symptoms and has consumed cheese from Roos Foods, they should consult their health care provider. More information on listeriosis can be found at: http://phpa.dhmh.maryland.gov/SitePages/Listeriosis.aspx
Vote for Your Favorite Snakehead Name by March 20
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Charles County Commissioners invited citizens to participate in a Snakehead Naming Contest. From more than 400 entries, a judging panel selected the top three entries to move forward in the contest. Go online to http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/Snakehead-Naming-Contest and vote for your favorite.
The top three entries are:
-- Chesapeake Bay Channa Fish
-- Asian River Fish
-- Spotted Channa
Channa is a genus of the Channidae family of snakehead fish.
The final, winning name will be sent to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for consideration as the snakehead’s new, “official” name.
Commissioner Ken Robinson (District 1) said, "The public's response and global media attention to first phase of this contest has been great for Charles County. I always consider part of my job to be a cheerleader for the county and to sometimes engage the citizens with something fun. The snakehead contest has achieved both those goals and then some."
Cast your vote today at http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/Snakehead-Naming-Contest. Only one submission per individual will be accepted. Voting ends Thursday, March 20, 2014, 11:59 p.m. EST.
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom (at) CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.
Board of License Commissioners Meeting Rescheduled for Feb. 27
The Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board) has rescheduled portions of their Thursday, Feb. 13 hearing which was canceled due to inclement weather to Thursday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at the County Government Building in the Commissioners Meeting Room (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata)
A copy of the amended Agenda can be found on the County's Boards and Committees webpage.
For more information, contact Ms. Lisa Bailey, Clerk to the Liquor Board, at 301-396-8865 or BaileyL (@) CharlesCountyMD.gov.
Deadline to File Financial Disclosure Statement for Candidates That Filed in 2013 for the 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, is the deadline for a candidate that filed a Certificate of Candidacy in calendar year 2013 to file a 2013 Financial Disclosure Statement.
State Government Article, Section 15-605 states that a candidate that filed for office in a non-election year shall file in the election year a Financial Disclosure Statement for the previous calendar year on or before the last day for withdrawal of candidacy, Feb. 27. The State Board of Elections is required to notify in writing delinquent candidates that file a Financial Disclosure Statement with the State Ethics Commission that if the candidate does not file within 20 days, the candidate is deemed withdrawn and removed from the ballot. State level candidates as well as Clerk of the Court, Register of Wills, Sheriff and State's Attorney's are subject to this provision.
Many local laws include similar provisions for other local offices. Please check with your local Ethics Commission for the deadline.
The 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2014, and the 2014 Gubernatorial General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Additional election-related dates and forms are available at http://www.elections.maryland.gov. For more information, contact a local board of elections or the State Board of Elections at 1-800-222-VOTE (8683) or http://www.elections.maryland.gov.
Community Services Spring GUIDE Available March 5
The Charles County Department of Community Services spring edition of The GUIDE will be available March 5 online at http://www.CharlesCountyParks.com. The GUIDE is a convenient resource listing current activities offered by the Department of Community Services. The GUIDE features classes, trips, camps, programs, and amusement park discount tickets. Read the GUIDE to learn more about fun events like Tot Olympics, leisure classes, swim lessons, and sports programs.
Printed copies are available at local community centers, indoor pools, Elite Gymnastics and Recreation Center, and the Department of Community Services. Online registration for most programs is available.
Check us out at http://www.facebook.com/CharlesCountyParksRecreation.
For more information on other events and opportunities offered by the Dept. of Community Services, visit http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CS or call 301-934-9305 or 301-870-3388. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.
Charles County Commissioners’ March Town Hall Meeting Schedule
The Charles County Commissioners invite the public to attend March 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.
Reuben B. Collins, II, Commissioner Vice President (District 3)
Monday, March 24, 7:30 p.m.
Capital Clubhouse (3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf)
Ken Robinson (District 1)
“Coffee with the Commissioner” (Meeting will be videotaped for online viewing)
Saturday, March 1, 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@CharlesCountyMD.gov or by calling 301-645-0550.
Future town hall meeting dates are available at http://www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom (at) CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.