Commissioners Appoint Hall as Acting County Administrator
Acting county attorney and acting economic development director positions filled
The Charles County Commissioners announce the appointment of Deputy County Administrator Deborah Hall as acting county administrator, effective Thursday, Dec. 18. In this role, Hall will oversee all county departments and be responsible for the day-to-day management of county government, in accordance with the policies and directives of the Commissioners. Hall began working for Charles County Government in October 2007 as director of Administrative Services.
“I look forward to working with the Board of Commissioners in this acting role. While changes have been made, we are all committed to achieving the Commissioners' goals and objectives and getting business done to serve the citizens,” said Hall.
The Commissioners appointed Elizabeth D. Theobalds as acting county attorney and Marcia Keeth as acting director of Economic Development, effective Thursday, Dec. 18. Hall, Theobalds, and Keeth will continue serving in their acting roles until replacements are appointed. The Commissioners plan to conduct a competitive screening process to fill the positions.
Commissioner Vice President Ken Robinson (District 1) said, “All three individuals are uniquely qualified for the roles they have been asked to fill. They have been with county government for years, and they each possess the expertise required for county operations to continue in a seamless fashion. I applaud them for stepping up.”
VanGO Announces New Transit Service Starting Jan. 5
Starting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, VanGO is starting a new St. Charles D Route to service the Gleneagles South community in Waldorf, White Plains Regional Park, St. Charles High School, and Regency Furniture Stadium. Service will begin at 6:30 a.m. and end at 10 p.m., operating Monday through Saturday.
In addition to the new route, service on the Indian Head Route will increase from every hour and thirty minutes to every hour. The increased service will give patrons more transit options and better connections to other routes at the Waldorf transfer point.
Visit www.go-vango.com to view VanGO route information or call the Department of Community Services, Transportation Division at 301-934-9305. Citizens with special needs who wish to donate may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
“Fill the Fire Truck” Food Drive
Beginning Monday, Dec. 15, the Charles County Department of Emergency Services in partnership with the Charles County Volunteer Fire and Emergency Medical Services Associations will accept donations of canned goods and other non-perishable food items on behalf of the Southern Maryland Food Bank. Donated items can be dropped off at the Charles County Department of Emergency Services, 10425 Audie Lane, La Plata, or any one of the 18 participating volunteer fire and EMS stations within the county. Visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/maps/volunteer-fire-and-ems for the location nearest you.
The “Fill the Fire Truck” food drive will conclude on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 with a weigh-in at the Charles County Landfill on Billingsley Road. Your donations will benefit individuals and families in our community.
For more information about this even contact: Ginger Barnes, Public Education and Community Outreach Coordinator at 301-609-3470 or Barnesg@CharlesCountyMD.gov or Bill Smith, Volunteer Fire/EMS Coordinator at 301-934-3581 or smithb@ccvfireems.org. Citizens with special needs who wish to donate may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Winter Trips and Tours Announced
The Charles County Department of Community Services offers many trips and tours throughout the calendar year—bus trips, overnight trips, and "Fly Away" trips in which you travel to far away destinations.
Upcoming Trips and Tours (All Ages):
Philadelphia Flower Show, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Date: Saturday, March 7
Registration Deadline: Feb. 7. Fee: $104/pp.
Free Travel Slide Presentation, Department of Community Services – Date: Thursday, March 12
Registration Deadline: Feb. 23. Fee: FREE
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, Liberty State Park, NJ – Date: Saturday, March 28
Registration Deadline: Feb. 27. Fee: $103/pp.
Discover Tuscany, Italy- Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29 to Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015
Registration Deadline: March 23, 2015. Fee: $3,959 double/pp; $4,259 single/pp before March 23
Call for brochure.
Upcoming Trips and Tours (Seniors Citizens, age 60+):
The Addams Family, Toby’s Dinner Theater, Columbia, Maryland – Date: Wednesday, March 25
Registration Deadline: Feb. 25. Fee: $90/pp.
Funny Girl, Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, Lancaster, Pennsylvania – Date: Thursday, April 16
Registration Deadline: March 18. Fee: $104/pp.
Joseph, Sight and Sound Theater, Strasburg, Pennsylvania – Date: Wednesday, June 3
Registration Deadline: April 17. Fee: $130/pp.
Online registration is available at www.CharlesCountyParks.com. Registrations for trips are accepted at the Department of Community Services (Port Tobacco). Senior trip registrations are also accepted at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center (La Plata).
For more information other events offered by the Department of Community Services, visit www.CharlesCountyParks.com, 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: 800-735-2258.
Indian Head Joint Land Use Study Public Forum Scheduled for Jan. 15
Area residents are encouraged to participate in a public forum for the Indian Head Joint Land Use Study (JLUS), a cooperative land use planning effort, on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Village Green Pavilion at 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head.
The Indian Head JLUS, in collaboration with Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head, the Town of Indian Head, and Charles County, is investigating how changes in land use around the installation could affect the Navy’s mission, as well as how current and future operations at the base may impact the surrounding areas.
“The community’s help is needed to identify impacts and find solutions,” says Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management. “The public is a vital participant in the JLUS, and your concerns and recommendations will help shape the JLUS, ensuring it is responsive to your needs.”
The public forum will present information on the JLUS process and give area residents an opportunity to share their thoughts on Navy operations and surrounding land use.
Through the JLUS, the community and NSF Indian Head are working to identify potential conflicts and strategies to maintain compatibility between community development and Navy missions. The study’s goal is to sustain the Navy mission while supporting continued economic and community growth, as well as protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Compatibility issues may include:
-- Community Growth
-- Land Restrictions
-- Energy Compatibility and Availability
-- Frequency Spectrum Interference
-- Height Restrictions
-- Noise and Vibration
-- Impacts from Blasts
-- Current and Planned Range Operations
-- Unexploded Ordnance and Munitions
-- Transport of Hazardous Materials
-- Security (Anti-terrorism and Force Protection)
-- Endangered Species and Critical Habitat
-- Water Quantity and Quality
-- Wetlands Protection
-- Marine Resources
-- Historic, Scenic, and Cultural Resources
-- Viewshed Protection
To learn more about the Indian Head Joint Land Use Study or to provide input, visit www.indianheadjlus.com or contact Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Department of Planning & Growth Management, at 301-645-0650 or BlessingA@CharlesCountyMD.gov.
The Indian Head Joint Land Use Study is sponsored by Charles County and funded by a Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant.