Citizens Reminded to be Wary of Flooded Roadways
The Department of Emergency Services & Technology reminds citizens to "Turn Around Don't Drown." With the forecast calling for heavy rains over the next few days, roadways may become flooded. Avoid roads already flooded or prone to flooding.
Roads may be washed out under flood waters. Turn Around Don't Drown when you encounter a flooded road. Many drivers over estimate their ability to navigate flooded roads, putting too much stock in their "heavy" vehicles. In reality, most motorists lose control of their vehicles, including SUVs, in just six inches of water, while 18-24 inches of moving water will force a vehicle off the road. The menace is buoyant force. When the buoyant force is greater than the vehicle's weight, the vehicle will move with the moving water. Besides the buoyant force, erosion is another significant concern. Moving water is very powerful and can undermine the integrity of a road. A motorist will be unaware he is driving into a scoured out section of the road.
Be especially cautious when driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Free Mulch now Available for County Citizens
The St. Mary's County Department of Public Works & Transportation is once again sponsoring the free mulch program while supplies last. County residents are welcome to pick up mulch free of charge at the St. Andrew's Landfill. Mulch is available between the hours of 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The St. Andrew's Landfill is closed on Sundays.
Customers are responsible for the loading and transportation of the mulch and are asked to bring a shovel, pitchfork or similar hand tool to load the mulch. Covering the load with a tarp prior to transporting is recommended in order to minimize material from blowing off the vehicle.
If assistance is required, special needs exist or additional information is requested, please contact the Department of Public Works & Transportation at 301-863-8400. Additional Recycling/Solid Waste Program information is available on the web at www.stmarysmd.com/dpw/.
Full Cycle Siren Test to be Conducted
The St. Mary's County Department of Emergency Services & Technology, in cooperation with Calvert County Emergency Management and Exelon Calvert Cliffs, will conduct a full-cycle test of the alert and notification sirens throughout southern Calvert and St. Mary's counties on Monday, October 5, at noon.
The full-cycle test includes a three-minute activation of all sirens within the 10-mile area around Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. All citizens are asked to remember the scheduled testing and relay the information to friends, family and neighbors.
The testing is conducted to enhance siren operation and increase public awareness of the alert and notification siren system. If the sirens sound at any other time, residents should tune to one of the local radio stations listed below for information and instructions.
Emergency Alert System stations include: WPTX 1690 AM, WYRX 97.7 FM, WTOP 103.5 FM, WKIK 1560 AM, WKIK 102.9 FM, WPRS 104.1 FM, WSMD 98.3 FM, WNNT 100.9 FM, WGOP 540 AM, WCEM 1240 AM, WCEM 106.3 FM, WCEI 96.7 FM, WRAR 105.5 FM, WEMD 1460 AM.
For more emergency or disaster preparedness information, contact the Department of Emergency Services & Technology at 301-475-4200, option 6, option 3.
Additional emergency preparedness information can be found by visiting prepare.stmarysmd.com.
Entries for 2015 Veterans Day Parade Now Being Accepted
Registration is now open for those wishing to participate in the 40th annual Veterans Day Parade in Leonardtown. Floats, bands, schools, scouts, clubs, cheerleaders, bikes, vintage cars, horses are some of the entries which will be accepted.
The parade will step off at 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11 from Ryken High School. The line of march with proceed along Fenwick Street to the Leonardtown Town Square. The event provides a great opportunity to honor our Veterans, participate in a proud tradition and promote your group.
For more information or to request a 2015 Veterans Day Parade Entry Form, log on to the Town of Leonardtown's website at http://leonardtown.somd.com/ and click on "Parade Entry Form" in the Veterans Day Parade 2015. Information regarding Parade guidelines can also be found in the same section of the website. Entry forms should be returned to Connie Pennington, Parade Organizer, by Friday, October 23. Entries received after October 23 will not be accepted.
Public Invited to Address Commissioners at October 6 Public Forum
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County will hold their final Public Forum for 2015 on Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. The forum will take place in their meeting room, inside the Chesapeake Building, at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown.
Citizens unable to attend the forum in person, and wishing to voice a concern, can take to social media to pose their issue or question. Citizens are invited to post comments or questions using the hashtag #CSMCforum to the county's Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/StMarysCountyGovernment) or twitter feed (@StMarysCoGov.) Time permitting, comments and questions will be read at the forum. Citizens should include their full name and mailing address when posting to social media as the comments will become part of the official record.
Commissioners of St. Mary's County Public Forums are televised live on St. Mary's County Government TV 95 (SMCG TV 95) on Metrocast Cable and streamed live for online viewing on the county's website at http://www.stmarysmd.com/broadcast.asp. Click on the LIVE link at the top of the page (note: this feature is not available on Apple or mobile devices).
A rebroadcast of the forum will be aired on SMCG TV 95 on Sunday, October 11 at 7 p.m. Forums are also available for viewing on demand on the county's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/StMarysCoMDGov?feature=mhee.
Individuals wishing to speak at the Public Forum will be allowed up to three (3) minutes to address the Commissioners (those representing a group will be allotted five (5) minutes to speak.) Anyone wishing to provide more detailed comments may do so via email or regular mail.
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County can be reached via e-mail at csmc@stmarysmd.com or by U.S. mail at Commissioners of St. Mary's County, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.
Commissioners Continue to Seek Individual to fill Board of Education Seat
As of September 30, the Board of Education for St. Mary's County will have a vacancy for a member-at-large position.
The Commissioners of St. Mary's County continue to seek interested applicants for this nonpartisan position. Applicants must be a registered voter and reside in St. Mary's County. Appointees will be expected to attend Board of Education meetings held during the remainder of the vacant term (currently December 2016.) The appointee is subject to the St. Mary's County Board of Education Ethics Regulation, which includes a required financial disclosure. The appointee will receive a stipend of $6,000 per year.
Applications are available on the County's website for download at www.stmarysmd.com/voluntr/. All applications must include a resume and be submitted no later than Monday, October 26, 2015.
Interested citizens with questions or desire additional information may contact Diane Gleissner at 301-475-4200, ext. 1700 or Sue Sabo at 301-475-4200, ext. 1107.
Health Department Seeking Organizations to Educate Retailers on Youth Access to Tobacco
The St. Mary’s County Health Department is seeking organizations to educate local merchants on Maryland’s Youth Access Law for tobacco sales. Tobacco retailers play a large role in keeping tobacco products out of the hands of Maryland youth and limiting the negative effects of tobacco use on those too young to make an informed decision about using tobacco. Education on the law, in addition to proper product placement within stores, is vital to assist in this effort. Funding for this award is provided through the Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund. For more information about this request for proposals, please visit the health department’s website at www.smchd.org/rfp.