Staff Appointments for Public School System
Superintendent of Schools, Mr. J. Scott Smith, announced the administrative appointments made by the Board of Education at its meeting of January 13, 2016.
Ms. Kate Eggert has been appointed Supervisor of Student Services. She most recently has served as a Pupil Personnel Worker in the Department of Student Services. Since joining St. Mary's County in 2004, she also served as School Counselor at Chopticon High School. Ms. Eggert earned her Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
Ms. Susan Fowler has been appointed as Acting Director of Special Education. Ms. Fowler most recently has served as Elementary Accountability Officer in the Office of the Superintendent. Since rejoining St. Mary's County Public Schools in 2007, she has also served as Principal of Lexington Park Elementary School. Ms. Fowler earned her Master's degree at George Washington University and her Bachelor's degree at Louisiana State University.
These appointments will become effective Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
Proposed Expansion of Mattapany Rural Legacy Area Postponed
The Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust (PTLT) has postponed a request seeking Commissioner support for the expansion of the Mattapany Rural Legacy Area boundaries. A public information meeting was held on January 6, 2016 with over 100 people in attendance where the proposal was discussed.
Postponing the request will allow additional time to solicit community input and address property owner inquires and concerns. Property owners who expressed interest in seeking a conservation easement in the proposed boundary will be eligible to apply pending formal approval of a boundary change. The County will continue outreach efforts over the next year, including conducting an additional public information meeting.
Rural Legacy Areas are designated by the State based on requests from land trusts and local governments. Owners of larger parcels located within a designated area are eligible to apply for a conservation easement which restricts development on their property in exchange for compensation. This allows property owners to maintain ownership of their land while ensuring that large tracts of land will forever be rural in nature. Applying for an easement is voluntary.
There are two State-designated Rural Legacy Areas (RLA) in St. Mary's County. The Huntersville RLA is located in the northern end of the County. The Mattapany RLA is located just below and surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Both areas protect rich farmland, forests, wetlands, historic sites and wildlife habitat. Conservation within the RLAs provides water quality benefits to the Chesapeake Bay and the Saint Mary's River watershed, which has been described by the Smithsonian as the most beautiful and pristine estuary on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. Protection of property in this Area also creates an open space buffer to reduce residential and commercial encroachment on the Naval Air Station. PTLT's proposed expansion of the Mattapany RLA boundary is intended to limit future development in the areas surrounding the Navy's Webster Field Annex.
Each year, property owners with sufficiently sized parcels in an RLA may apply for a perpetual easement to be placed on their property. The County Commissioners review the Land Trust's application on behalf of these property owners and, if in favor, write a letter of support.
The application, along with the County's support letter, is submitted to the Maryland Rural Legacy Board, which considers applications once per year. This year's Rural Legacy application is due February 6, 2016. Although the proposed expansion is being postponed, the Commissioners of St. Mary's County will consider an application from PTLT on January 26, 2016 for property owners within the current Mattapany RLA boundary.
For more information about the Rural Legacy Program, contact Donna Sasscer, Manager, St. Mary's County Department of Economic Development, Agriculture and Seafood Division at 240-309-4021.
St. Clement's Island Museum to Host Appraiser Fair
Do you know what are your precious heirlooms are worth? Come to the Appraiser Fair on Saturday, January 23 to find out. The St. Mary's County Museum Division will host the Appraiser Fair at the St. Clement's Island Museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's almost like the Antique Roadshow!
Expert appraisers will be on hand representing the following categories: fine arts, antique and vintage dolls, coins, clocks and medals. The fine arts category encompasses a broad spectrum of items to include ceramics, pottery, glassware, artwork/paintings, music boxes, and curiosity items. Items in this category are limited to two items per person at a fee of $5 per item. Other category fees are $5 each for the first two items and $10 per item thereafter. Attendees are asked to only bring items which can be carried by hand. Space is limited and items will be viewed on a first come, first serve basis. Appraisals are not certified, however one can make arrangements for a certified appraisal at a later date and time.
Appraisers who will be on hand include Henry Lane Hull of Commonwealth Antiques and Appraisals, independent appraiser Dorie Lear, William Parron of Parron Coin Company, and Linda Neeley of the Southern Maryland and Black-eyed Susan Doll Clubs.
Members of the Washington Conservation Guild will also be available to offer free professional preservation guidance for the items guests bring to the Appraiser Fair. The guild's mission is to promote public conservation education for art and antiquities.
For directions or for more information, call the St. Clement's Island Museum at 301-769-2222 or log onto
www.stmarysmd.com/recreate/museums.The St. Clement's Island Museum is managed by the Museum Division of St. Mary's County Department of Recreation and Parks and the Commissioners of St. Mary's County. The museum is located at 38370 Point Breeze Road, Colton's Point, MD. The building and grounds are handicap accessible.
Mardi Gras Fun Coming to Great Mills Pool
Residents unable to travel to New Orleans for Mardi Gras can enjoy some of the carnival fun here in St. Mary's County.
The Department of Recreation and Parks will host the first ever Mardi Gras Pool Party at the Great Mills Swimming Pool. The event takes place on Saturday, January 30 from 6–10 p.m. and is open to the entire community.
There will be games, relays, contests, themed arts & crafts, a pizza party and a DJ! Participants can swim the night away (the pool will remain open until to 10 pm) and everyone will receive beads when they arrive.
The cost is $10 per person (for those who pre-register) and $15 at the door.
Proceeds from the event are used to fund the adapted aquatics program run through the Paralympic Sports Club. Mechanicsville Moose Lodge and Alexander Chiropractic are title sponsors for the event.
For more information or to register please
visit
this page or call 301-475-4200 ext. 1800.