Charles County 2014 Annual Report Now Available
The Charles County Commissioners are pleased to announce the 2014 Annual Report to the Citizens of Charles County is available online and in print. The 2014 Annual Report highlights the County Commissioners’ legislative actions during fiscal 2014, budget allocations, county government projects and initiatives, and important messages from the Commissioners.
New this year is an online 2014 Annual Report companion video that provides a summary snapshot of fiscal 2014 accomplishments included in the printed report. To view the video, visit: http://youtu.be/Q0hO52-nVas.
To view or download a Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the 2014 Annual Report, visit
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov (Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files).
Printed copies of the 2014 Annual Report are available on request. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the report via U.S. mail, contact Ms. Donna Fuqua at FuquaD
[at] CharlesCountyMD.gov or 301-885-2779. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Commissioners Encourage Local Shopping on Small Business Saturday
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the County Commissioners presented a proclamation for Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, as Small Business Saturday in Charles County. Small businesses contribute largely to the economy and our community. The Commissioners encourage citizens to support independently-owned shops and restaurants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year.
The La Plata Business Association (LPBA) will hold an inaugural “Shop La Plata” celebration on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the downtown La Plata business district.
Participants can shop for holiday gifts, including fine jewelry, fashion eyewear, baby accessories, home décor, vintage music instruments, and portrait frames. Participants will find health and wellness, spa, and yoga specials at Alchemy the Salon, La Bella Viso, Live Out Loud Yoga Studio, New Moon Bodywork & Botanicals, and Rejuvenation Medi-Spa.
Other participating small businesses include: Centerpiece Boutique and Home Design; House Boutique; Joson Fine Jewelry and Home Boutique; Optical Shoppe of La Plata; Tangles Hair Salon; The Loft Salon; World Gym; Island Music Company; Hooks and Hangers; Bernie’s Frame Shop; and Wireless Junkies.
Shoppers are encouraged to dine out at Casey Jones Restaurant & Bar and Charles Street Bakery. During the event, canned and nonperishable food items will be collected for local food pantries.
Shop La Plata event partners are: LPBA, the Business Alliance of Charles County, Charles County Chamber of Commerce, Charles County Department of Economic Development, Charles County Tourism Office, the Town of La Plata, and other local champions.
For additional information, contact Christine Parker, co-chair of “Shop La Plata” at 301-751-7553.
Commissioners Announce 2014 Waldorf Beautification Photo Contest Winners
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the County Commissioners announced the winners of the Autumn Colors of Waldorf: With Pride, We Prosper” photo contest. Photos depicted the beauty of Waldorf during the autumn season. One winner was selected in each of three categories— residential, commercial, and open space/recreational area — along with several honorable mentions:
Residential
First Place Winner:
Michael Lucchesi , "Orange Spectrum"
Honorable Mentions:
Ann Young, “Splendid Autumn Day”
Shaun Carney, “Shadow Creek
Commercial
First Place Winner:
Glenn Macaranas, "Fall Harvest"
Honorable Mentions:
Andre Barnes, “I'm Not Ready to Leaf”
Donna Reagan, “Looking Beyond the Price of Gas”
Open Space/Recreational
First Place Winner:
Felicia Dew, "Pond Trees"
Honorable Mentions:
Gloria Occhipinti, “Hampshire Lake Panorama”
Oliver Cukor, “St Charles Parkway”
Lisa Elliott, “Fall Leaves”
Lauren Thrift, “Ducks Near Pond”
Photos of winning entries are available at
www.flickr.com/photos/charlescountygovernment/sets
Commissioners Recognize World AIDS Awareness Day
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the Charles County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Monday, Dec. 1 as World Aids Day in Charles County. We encourage residents to be become educated on AIDS and HIV by attending the upcoming World Aids Day events. The Charles County Department of Health will conduct on-site HIV screenings.
Monday, Dec. 1
New Life Church, (9690 Shepherds Creek Place, La Plata) 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
HIV/AIDS spokeswoman Kimberly Canady Griffith from Love Heals, the Alison Gertz Foundation for AIDS Education, is a featured presenter. She will share her personal story of learning she had AIDS at the young age of 10.
Free HIV testing is available during this event.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
College of Southern Maryland, (8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, BI Building, Room 113E) 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Love Heals Speakers Niko Flowers and Douglas Hill will share their story of learning they were HIV positive while attending college.
Free HIV testing is available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (BI Building, Room 101)
Thursday, Dec. 4
College of Southern Maryland (8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata)
Free HIV testing is available from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (CC Building, Room 100A)
Thursday, Dec. 18
LifeStyles (101 Catalpa Drive, #103, La Plata)
Free HIV testing is available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Point of Change Jail and Street Ministry Inc. began the HIV/AIDS awareness program after discovering that Maryland’s correctional system has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS cases in the United States. There are approximately 35 million people living with HIV/AIDS globally, and nearly 36,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Maryland. Although there is no cure for HIV, effective treatment with antiretroviral drugs can control the virus so that people with HIV can enjoy healthy and productive lives.
Makeba Clay from the College of Southern Maryland, a World Aids Day event partner said, "HIV/AIDS is a silent killer; providing students, faculty and staff the opportunity to hear from young adults who are HIV-positive puts a face on the epidemic. It is our responsibility to provide the information so that people can live lives of prevention, and in the event they or family members are impacted they can understand the role of an advocate."