Commissioners Celebrate Spirit of Aviation
In tribute to the aviation industry, the Commissioners of St. Mary's County paused to acknowledge the many accomplishments made in that industry during a proclamation ceremony.
It was back in 1939 when President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed August 19 to be National Aviation Day. The day is observed nationwide each year celebrates the history and development of the aviation industry
"Patuxent River Naval Air Station continues to provide readiness for research, development, testing and evaluation, acquisition, engineering and fleet support to the entire range of manned and unmanned naval aircraft, engines, avionics, aircraft support systems and ship/shore/air operations." Said Commissioner Mike Hewitt, (District 2).
St. Mary's County Regional Airport serves as the base of operations for the Maryland State Police Medevac, Washington Hospital Center MedStar, Civil Air Patrol, Experimental Aircraft Association, Piedmont Flight Center, general aviation and is expanding to include a University of Maryland research and development facility for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
It was also noted that the Young Eagles Rally, held June 6 and June 13, provided 145 local youth with free plane rides. A Young Eagle's rally, specifically for the youth of St. Mary's County First Responders, will take place on August 8.
The ceremony took place the prior to the First Responder Drone Symposium in Leonardtown, which highlighted the potential uses of drone technology as a tool for first responders. Drone Technology is seen as a vital component to diversifying the county's future economy.
Commissioners encouraged citizens to take an interest in and take advantage of opportunities in aviation and aviation - related activities in the county.
Commission for Women Cancels August Meeting
The August 10 Commission for Women Meeting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Room 14 inside the Potomac Building, has been canceled.
The Commission's next scheduled meeting will be Monday, September 14, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in Room 14 inside the Potomac Building.
For more information, please contact the Division of Human Services at (301) 475-4200, extension 1680.
Digitized Newspapers Now Available Online
Full editions of The Enterprise and Saint Mary's Beacon now available on Library's website
The St. Mary's County Library announced the availability of digitized newspapers on the St. Mary's County Library website, www.stmalib.org. Full editions of The Enterprise from 1952 to present, and the Saint Mary's Beacon from 1923 - 1984 are available for the public to search from anywhere with internet access. Customers can search by keyword the entire collection of The Enterprise or the Saint Mary's Beacon at one time. It is also possible to search individual editions or years.
Sara Stephenson, Virtual Services Coordinator for St. Mary's County Library, has been instrumental in this project. "Initially, those who wanted to access historical St. Mary's County newspapers had to do so in person via a microfilm reader at the Lexington Park Library," she explained. "Then, in the fall of 2014 we were able to provide searchable digital files on computers at all three library branches. Today, we are excited to make available a searchable archive that researchers can access from anywhere they have an internet connection. This resource will allow both local residents and those researching St. Mary's County from afar to access valuable information about our county and its history."
The transition from microfilm to searchable digital files was completed in 2014 by St. Mary's County Library staff in partnership with Balance Imaging Solutions, LLC; The Enterprise and Post Community Media, LLC; St. Mary's College of Maryland Library, St. Mary's County Library Board's Midge Cannetti Fund; St. Mary's County Historical Society and St. Mary's County Genealogical Society. Once the newspapers were digitized, the Library Board contracted with Creekside Digital from Glen Arm, Md. to create a searchable, online database. Jim Studnicki, owner of Creekside Digital, has partnered with the Library to create an easy to use product for customers in St. Mary's County and beyond.
"The Library Board is proud to have been able to allocate a portion of the library's operating budget for this very important local history project," said Joan Springer, Library Board President. "We are committed to funding the ongoing costs to maintain this service."
Deadline Approaching to Sign Up for 2015 Citizens Academy
Applications for this year's St. Mary's County Government Citizens Academy class continue to be accepted, however time and available space are running out. The deadline to apply for this year's class is Friday, August 21.
The Citizens Academy is open to all St. Mary's County residents, 18 years of age and older and is limited to 25 participants. The program provides participants with an inside look at the inner workings of local government.
This year's Academy will kick off with an overview of county administration. Other sessions, focusing on the departments of Aging and Human Services, Economic Development, Land Use and Growth Management, Recreation and Parks, Public Works and Transportation and Emergency Services and Technology will follow in subsequent weeks.
The Academy meets on Tuesday evenings, between September 8 and October 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at various county owned locations.
Citizens interested in participating can go to www.stmarysmd.com/SMCG-Citzens-Academy.asp to download the brochure and submit an online application. For more information, contact Tony Jones, St. Mary's County Government Public Information Officer, at 301-475-4200 ext. 1342.
School Age Care Job Openings Remain for 2015-2016 School Year
The St. Mary's County Department of Recreation & Parks continues to accept applications for part time positions within the School Age Care (SAC) programs for the upcoming 2015 - 2016 school year. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Recreation & Parks is seeking people with varying degrees of childcare experience.
The following positions are available:
• Child Care Director (Salary Range: $14.94-16.23/hour)
• School Age Child Care Teacher (Salary Range: $9.79-$12.36/hour)
• Teen Group Leader (Salary Range: $9.79-$12.36/hour)
• Child Care Assistant/Substitute (Salary Range: $8.25-9.79/hour)
The School Age Care program is offered at the following schools:
• Banneker Elementary*
• Evergreen Elementary
• Green Holly Elementary*
• Hollywood Recreation Center serving Hollywood Elementary
• Leonardtown Elementary
• Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary*
• Oakville Elementary
• Carver Rec Center 21st Century Grant Program serving Park Hall Elementary
• Piney Point Elementary
• Esperanza Middle* (SAC Site: Hollywood Recreation Center)
• Leonardtown Middle* (SAC Site: Hollywood Recreation Center)
• Spring Ridge Middle* (SAC Site: Hollywood Recreation Center)
*Transportation provided through SMCPS from Dynard to Banneker; Mechanicsville & White Marsh to Lettie Dent; Town Creek to Green Holly. Middle Schools provide transportation to Hollywood Recreation Center.
The program operates mornings, from 6:30 a.m. to the start of the school day and afternoons, from the close of school day until 6:30 p.m. (teen program is offered afternoons only). Out of School Camps will operate at Hollywood Recreation Center on teacher in-service days. Activities include homework time, a.m. and p.m. snack, group games, arts & crafts, dramatic play, music, cooking, science experiments, nature and much more!
For more information on employment opportunities with School Age Care, please call 301-373-5410 or visit http://www.stmarysmd.com/docs/rpjobopenings.pdf which will take you to the job descriptions and application process.