New VanGO Bus Tracking App Available to the Public
The Transportation Division is pleased to announce the new VanGO app, DoubleMap, is now available to the public. Residents can now view the location of VanGO buses along routes and the estimated time the next bus will be at a chosen stop.
DoubleMap is available on smartphones, as well as on the computer. To access online, visit vango.doublemap.com, select your desired routes, and select a stop nearest you to view estimated time of arrival.
To access the app on your smartphone, search "DoubleMap Bus Tracker" on your app store, and download the free app. Once downloaded, select a system from the Charles County list. You can customize your view, choose specific routes, and select a stop to view estimated time of arrival. View "Announcements" for messages related to delays and closures.
Call the Transportation Division at 301-934-9305 for more information. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Department of Health Invites the Community to Participate in the Annual Recovery Celebration
The Charles County Department of Health Substance Use Services invites residents to the annual Recovery Celebration 5K and 1 mile walk on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon at the Indian Head Rail Trail off route 301 and Theodore Green Boulevard in White Plains. Bring your family and friends to this free community event to show your support of those in recovery.
There are more than 20 million people in recovery from substance use disorders. Half of all adults over the age 18 know someone in recovery from an addiction to alcohol, illicit drugs or prescription drugs. The event will honor loved ones we have lost to this disease. Come out and enjoy free raffles, food, music, games, giveaways and information about recovery and other community resources.
Vendor fair will take place at the Charles County Health Department (4545 Crain Highway, White Plains).
For more information, contact Maria Medina at 301-609-6661. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
STRT1UP Road Show Coming to Indian Head Sept. 16
Local entrepreneurship advocates and Startup Maryland are bringing the STRT1UP Road Show to Charles County. The event will take place on Friday, Sept. 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Indian Head Village Green (100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head). This year marks the fifth annual state-wide STRT1UP Road Show tour.
The program is an opportunity for technology businesses, start-ups, and anyone interested in innovation to pitch ideas, network, and learn about the Town of Indian Head, the Naval Support Facility Indian Head, and Charles County organizations that support business growth and development. STRT1UP will showcase the work currently going on in Indian Head and coordinated efforts to grow business near the Naval Support Facility Indian Head.
"We had a great Startup Maryland event last year with community support. This year, the entire Charles County entrepreneurial ecosystem is pulling together to support the event," said Kim Mozingo, the Energetics Technology Center's manager of Technology Business Growth and the TechFire incubation program. "With the energy growing around the Town of Indian Head and the Base, holding the event this year at the Village Green Pavilion just makes sense."
During the event, entrepreneurs are invited to climb on the Startup Maryland bus and pitch their idea/business in a mobile video studio. Videos are uploaded to YouTube and then open to public viewing/voting, allowing the entrepreneurs, sponsors, investors and tour hosts to activate social networks for even broader awareness and celebration. Entrepreneurs are provided coaching, guidance, and support from business mentors and other leaders from academia, incubators/accelerators, economic development agencies, and service providers as well as active angel investors.
"We're excited to be hosting STRT1UP Road Show this year," said Indian Head Mayor Brandon Paulin. "We are encouraged by the local collaboration of the town's revitalization efforts and support from the base at Indian Head, one of the county's largest employers.
This year's STRT1UP Road Show stop in Charles County is a collaboration of the county's entrepreneurial ecosystem partners, including: Energetics Technology Center and TechFire, Charles County Department of Economic Development, College of Southern Maryland's Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute, Charles County Chamber of Commerce and the Military Alliance Council, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Town of Indian, Maryland Technology Development Corporation, Small Business Development Center Southern Region, and the Southern Maryland Innovation and Technology initiative.
For more information about the event and to register to pitch your business idea, contact Kim Mozingo at 301-645-6637, ext. 711 or kmozingo@etcmd.com or visit startupmd.org/startup-maryland-announces-2016-strt1up-road-show/.
Preliminary 2017 State Legislative Package Public Hearing to be Held on Sept. 13
The Charles County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 13 to accept oral and written comments on the legislative proposals to revise or amend existing state law. The hearing will be held at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners' Meeting Room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata).
Thirteen proposals have been submitted to date and will be available for viewing at www.boarddocs.com/md/chrlsco/Board.nsf/Public. The author of each proposal is asked to attend the public hearing to present a brief synopsis of the initiative and to answer any questions that may arise from those in attendance. Work sessions will be scheduled following the public hearing to review the legislative proposals and determine which ones will be included in the County Commissioners' 2017 General Assembly Legislative Package and forwarded to the Charles County Delegation for their consideration.
The following is a list of the proposals:
• Expand law to create tiered system for veteran benefits.
• Regulate animal breeders and mandate spay and neuter of Southern Maryland animals.
• Implement Maryland House Joint Resolution 8 from the 2016 General Assembly session to amend the U.S. Constitution to affirm the right to vote, reserve inalienable political rights, and regulate contributions and expenditures aimed to influence elections.
• Amend law to require scrap yards to report cell tower batteries.
• Expand law to prohibit manufacture, sale, and use of BB and air pellet guns that look like authentic firearms.
• Expand law to require funding for all law enforcement to participate in De-escalation Training.
• Expand law to require funding for affordable after-school programs at community centers.
• Amend law to require licensee or designated supervisor is certified by alcohol awareness program and present on premises at all times.
• Amend law to remove $750 fine cap for first offenders selling alcohol to underage individuals.
• Expand the law to include foreclosing lenders in the definition of owner.
• Amend law to authorize collective bargaining for full-time public safety officers.
• Amend law to levy a development tax on new residential development.
• Authorize the county to offer additional business tax credits
For more information, contact Ms. Lisa Bailey, Office of the County Attorney at 301-645-0555 or BaileyL@CharlesCounty.org. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
The 16th Annual Nanjemoy Heritage Day Event Scheduled for Oct. 8
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the 16th annual Nanjemoy Heritage Day will be held at the Nanjemoy Community Center (4375 Port Tobacco Road) from noon until 3 p.m.
The Department of Community Services Aging Division is requesting old family photos and Nanjemoy artifacts to showcase. If you have a piece of Nanjemoy heritage to share, or you would like to be part of the parade with a classic vehicle or antique farm equipment, contact the Nanjemoy Community Center coordinator at 301-246-9612.
The festivities will begin with a lively parade. Following the parade, participants will enjoy live music, crafts for the kids, face painting, area artists, local heritage displays, classic cars, games, and more. Refreshments and souvenir t-shirts will be available.
For more information, call 301-246-9612. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD at 800-735-2258.