Tiny Elves & Santa's Workshop Kicks Off Holiday Season
As a kickoff to the holiday season the Department of Recreation and Parks has invited Santa to visit St. Mary's County early!
The Tiny Elves Workshop & Santa's Workshop will take place on Saturday December 5 from 9 - 11 a.m. Geared toward children ages 14 years and younger, the event will be held at the Hollywood Recreation Center. Santa's helpers will transform the center into a Winter Wonderland. All children will receive a professional photo 5x7 photo with Santa. All children must pre-register as space will be limited. The cost will be $35 per child, $25 for each additional sibling.
All Tiny Elves are welcome to Santa's Workshop! Children will have a chance to tell Santa what they would like for the Holiday. Holiday themed activities will be available, including a bubble wrap dance floor! Parents are required to attend this event with their tots.
This will be a unique experience for children. Santa's Workshop will provide parents a chance to enjoy a kid-free shopping day. Children will participate in holiday themed crafts, gift making, games, and activities. Pizza and other snacks will be provided. The big man himself, Santa, will make an appearance. Every child will have their picture taken with him.
To register online go to www.stmarysmd.com/recreate or in person at the Recreation & Parks office in Leonardtown. For more information call 301-475-4200 ext. 1800 or 1801.
Commission on Aging Meeting Location Change
The location for the November 23 Commission on Aging meeting has been changed.
The meeting will now be held at Cedar Lane Apartments, 22680 Cedar Lane Court in Leonardtown. The commission will meet from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Positions Now Available for 2016 Winter Youth Basketball Program
Applications are now being accepted for part time positions for the 2016 Winter Basketball Season. The St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks will continue to accept applications until all positons are filled.
The following positions are available:
Basketball Referees - Grades 3 - 8 Basketball Program (salary: $15.30 per game)
Instructional Basketball Instructors - (salary $10.20+/hr. for instructors; $8.50/hr. for aides)
Scorekeepers - (salary $8.50/hr.)
Complete information about these positions can be found at on the sports link at: www.stmarysmd.com/docs/rpjobopenings.pdf
Recreation and Parks is also seeking volunteers to coach grades 3 through 8 (all locations - Northern, Central & Southern). Candidates must be 21 years of age and pass a background check. No experience is necessary and training will be provided. Applicants must enjoy working with youth.
For more information contact Sports Coordinator, Kenny Sothoron at 301-475-4200 ext. 1830.
New Division Director for Public Health Preparedness and Response at St. Mary’s County Health Department
The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has appointed Terry Prochnow, MSN, MBA, RN, as the Director for its Division of Public Health Preparedness and Response. Ms. Prochnow previously served as program director for Infectious Disease Control at the health department.
“Ms. Prochnow brings a broad range of clinical and public health experience to her new role,” stated Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “Her expertise in monitoring, investigating and responding to infectious disease cases and outbreaks in our community is an essential qualification for her new role, and will continue to be a valuable asset to residents of St. Mary’s County.”
The SMCHD Division of Public Health Preparedness and Response is responsible for several critical public health functions, including infectious disease prevention and control, planning for and responding to emerging community health issues and emergencies, patient care clinical services for residents, coordinating key school health responsibilities, and employee health. The Division works closely with many key community partners in successfully addressing these core responsibilities.
For more information about the role of the health department’s Division of Public Health Preparedness and Response, please visit the agency’s website at www.smchd.org.
Code Home Public Hearings Coming in 2016
Code Home has been part of the Maryland Constitution since 1966. It would not significantly change the familiar county commissioner form of government. Rather, it would authorize County Commissioners to enact local laws on a number of subjects without having to await action by the Maryland General Assembly. Under Code Home Rule commissioners would not have the authority to enact any new taxes or regulatory fees.
Under the current system, enacting a local law could take as long as 21 months, even when the Commissioners, legislators and the public agree that a new law is a good idea. Under Code Home Rule, the Commissioners would have legislative authority throughout the year. Public hearings on legislation would be held in Leonardtown, rather than in Annapolis during winter months. The public would also have the right to demand a referendum on any new public local law, something which does not currently exist. St. Mary's County is one of six counties in Maryland which has not adopted some form of home rule.
St. Mary's County voters would have to approve a referendum to adopt Code Home Rule on the ballot in the November, 2016 general election.
The following is the list of remaining Code Home public hearings:
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Bay District Volunteer Fire Department
46900 South Shangri-La Drive
Lexington Park, MD 20653
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department
22733 Lawrence Avenue
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Second District Volunteer Fire Dept.
45245 Drayden Road
Valley Lee, MD 20692
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Golden Beach Volunteer Fire Department
29848 Therese Circle
Mechanicsville, MD 20659
All hearings begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.
More information about Code Home Rule can be found at www.stmarysmd.com/pio/codehome.asp Questions and comments can be sent to: CodeHomeRule@stmarysmd.com.