Charles County 2015 Annual Report Now Available
The 2015 Annual Report to the Citizens of Charles County is now available online and in print. The report highlights the County Commissioners’ legislative actions during fiscal 2015, budget allocations, and county government projects and initiatives.
The report features an online companion video summarizing fiscal 2015 accomplishments. To view the video, visit:
youtu.be/8ZFhPTwSVYw.
To view or download a Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the report, visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files.
A limited quantity of printed copies of the 2015 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@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.
Charles County Circuit Court Receives Grant to Fight Heroin/Opioid Addiction
The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) awarded the Charles County Circuit Court a grant totaling $98,554 to prevent heroin/opioid misuse. The funds will support the Family Recovery Court (FRC) program, which assists families needing services due to parental substance abuse. The grant will fund Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), and short- and long-term residential treatment.
“I am pleased the Circuit Court was awarded the GOCCP grant to fight the heroin/opioid epidemic. This funding will provide second chances to parents and their families,” said Commissioner Bobby Rucci (District 4).
“The Circuit Court is excited about the opportunities presented by the new grant funding. The Family Recovery Court provides intensive services to parents who are trying to overcome addiction. Services are also extended to support their families and children. We look forward to using the grant funding to reach even more families and help them become more stable and healthy,” said Circuit Court and the Family Recovery Court Judge Helen I. Harrington.
The FRC began operating in October 2010. The FRC has served 305 individuals, including 110 parents and 195 children. More than half of active FRC participants are opioid dependent and have a higher need for inpatient treatment and MAT. The FRC uses a holistic approach to support parents and families through consistent monitoring, intensive treatment, referrals to ancillary services, and collaborative efforts of a drug court team. The FRC program is an intensive case management program. Typically, it takes approximately 18 months for clients to successfully graduate from the program.
In addition to the GOCCP award, the FRC received grant funding from the Office of Problem Solving Courts via the Maryland Judiciary and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. For more information about the FRC, contact Jennifer Murphy by email at Jennifer.Murphy@MDCourts.gov or by phone at 301-932-3426. For more information about the GOCCP, visit
www.goccp.maryland.gov. Citizens with special needs, contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Nighttime Cargo Delivery Will Impact US 301 Traffic Thursday, Dec. 3
Convoy will travel 5 mph on 20 miles of US 301 in Charles County
An overnight hauling operation will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, for the CPV St. Charles Energy Center on Billingsley Road in Charles County. The hauling route extends from the Aqualand Marina in Newburg to White Plains.
Coordinated by Roll-Lift USA, a convoy of nearly two dozen trucks will move the large cargo to the St. Charles facility that is under construction. The convoy will travel approximately 5 mph and use both northbound lanes of US 301 from Orlando Park Drive, located just north of the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge, to Billingsley Road in White Plains.
Motorists will not be able to pass the convoy. If traffic delays become significant, the convoy will stop at one of nine pause point locations where police will direct traffic past the convoy. Transport is scheduled between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Thursday night through early Friday morning.
Motorists will encounter delays on northbound US 301 during the hauling operation. State Highway Administration (SHA) and law enforcement suggest travelers avoid the area. If the roadway remains closed after 5 a.m., notice of the extended closures will be posted on the
county website. The County will also send notification via the Citizen Notification System (CNS).
Portable variable message signs will be in place along US 301 and Billingsley Road to advise motorists to expect delays during the heavy haul convoy. Roll-Lift USA is coordinating the haul with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration and local emergency responders to ensure the haul is conducted safely and with minimal impacts to the community and traveling public.
The large piece of equipment arrived at Aqualand Marina by ship. From there, it will be placed on specially designed heavy haul vehicles for transport to the CPV St. Charles Energy Center on Billingsley Road. CPV St. Charles Energy Center, a natural gas-fired power plant under construction, will generate enough electricity to power about 700,000 homes while reducing sulfur, nitrogen and carbon emissions by 65 to 99 percent compared to other plants. More information about the plant is available HERE. For additional information about area highways, customers may contact the SHA District 5 Office in Annapolis at 410-841-1020 or 1-800-331-5603.
Commission for Women Announces Launch of New Television Series
The Charles County Commission for Women (CCCW) launched its new television series, WE (Women’s Empowerment) Matters. The bi-monthly television series airs on Charles County Government’s cable television station (CCGTV), which broadcasts on Verizon channel 10 and Comcast channel 95. The series first aired in September 2015.
Each 30-minute show focuses on issues important to women in Charles County. The series emphasizes the role of the Commission for Women in the community and introduces members to the county. In the most recent show, the topic was domestic violence. Upcoming scheduled topics include homelessness, the Affordable Care Act, Title IX, and diversity.
Commission for Women Chair Sonya Ford, Ed.D. said, “We hope to raise awareness of issues affecting women and families by serving as a conduit between women and existing services and advocating for programs, education and legislation. We hope Women’s Empowerment Matters enlightens and empowers our viewers to make a difference in the community.”
The CCCW was established in 1996 to better define and identify services needed for the county women. The Commission works to raise awareness of issues affecting women and their families by serving as a conduit between women and existing services and advocating for programs, education, and legislation. The Commission’s four initiatives include partnerships, advocacy, homelessness, and youth.
For more information about the Commission for Women, visit
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/CCCW,
www.twitter.com/CharlesCoWomen,
www.facebook.com/CharlesCountyCommissionforWomen, or email at cccw@CharlesCountyMD.gov.
Commissioner-Appointed Board, Committee, and Commission Vacancies Open
The Charles County Commissioners are seeking county residents to fill vacancies on the following boards, committees, and commissions:
• Adult Public Guardianship Review Board
• Alarm Review Board
• Area Council on Aging
• Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board)
• Board of Appeals
• Board of Social Services
• Commission for Women
• Disadvantaged Business Loan Review Committee
• Ethics Commission
• Gaming Permit Review Board
• Grants Advisory Panel
• Heritage Commission
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Homeowner’s Association Dispute Review Board
• Housing Authority Board of Charles County
• Nuisance Abatement Board
There is one vacancy on the Board of Appeals. The board hears appeals of decisions made by the Planning Commission, requests for approval of special exceptions, and requests for approval of variances. All applicants must complete the State of Maryland online training course for Planning Commission/Board of Appeals members. You will find this online course at:
planning.maryland.gov/YourPart/EducationWelcome.shtml. In order for your application to be considered you must complete this online course and send a copy of your certificate of completion, along with a completed application by Monday, Nov. 30.
There are three vacancies on the Commission for Women. The Commission serves as a referral agency for women needing assistance; support and encourage volunteer programs of benefit to women; Publicize activities and services of interest to women; encourage educational and job training opportunities for women; Promote public forums on women’s needs and problems; and publicize newly passed legislation that affects women.
There is one vacancy on the Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board) for a District 3 Representative. The task of this Board is to review and approve the issuance and renewal of liquor licenses in Charles County, and establish penalties for violations.
There is one vacancy on the Nuisance Abatement Board. This board conducts hearings pertaining to citizen complaints regarding unsightly accumulation of paper, junk, vehicle parts, trash, garbage, leaves, and if grass, weeds, uncultivated vegetable growth, briars, bush and plants are more than one foot high on private property.
Positions will remain open until filled. A separate application must be submitted for each vacancy. Applications and a detailed list of all current vacancies are available on the Charles County Government website at
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov or by contacting Carol DeSoto, Commissioner Specialist, at 301-645-0691 or DesotoC@CharlesCountyMD.gov