Public Invited to Dec. 15 Concert Series Featuring Local Students
Charles County Government invites the public to the upcoming Lunch Time Concert Series on Thursday, Dec. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata) in the Commissioners' Meeting Room. The concert will showcase Maurice J. McDonough High School's "Madrigal Lords and Ladies," a group of 20 talented A Cappella singers. The Lunch Time Concert Series offers county employees the opportunity to enjoy their lunch while listening to a live concert. Lunch is not provided, but you are welcome to bring your lunch to the concert.
If you have musical talent you would like to share for our Lunch Time Concert Series, please contact Kim Pelczar at 301-645-0563 or at PelczarK@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Dec. 8 Commission for Women Meeting Canceled
The Charles County Commission for Women meeting originally scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 8 is canceled. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. at the Department of Economic Development (10665 Stanhaven Place, Suite 206, White Plains). The meeting is open to the public.
Visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/commissioners/boards/commission-women for Commission for Women agendas and minutes. For more information, contact Ms. Lucinia Mundy at 301-885-1340 or email MundyL@MeetCharlesCounty.com. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Landfill and Recycling Centers to Close Dec. 8 at Noon
The Department of Public Works wish to remind residents that the Charles County Landfill (12305 Billingsley Road, Waldorf) and all county recycling centers will close at noon on Thursday, Dec. 8. Normal operations will resume on Friday, Dec. 9. For a listing of these locations visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/pw/recycling/recycling-centers.
For more information, call the Department of Public Works, Environmental Resources Division, at 301-932-3599 or 301-870-2778. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
County Awarded $375,000 Community Policing Grant
Federal funds allow sheriff to hire three officers
Charles County will receive a $375,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office. With this grant funding, the Charles County Sheriff's Office can hire three additional officers.
"Supporting local law enforcement in their mission to keep our communities safe is one of the most important things we do as Commissioners," said Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy. "I am pleased the Department of Justice approved the county's application for COPS grant funding, which will help the county and its residents."
The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. The COPS Office is the component of the Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation's state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources.
Grant funds will be awarded to the county over a three-year period with a local matching requirement of approximately $380,000.
2016 MACo Winter Conference to Focus on Prevention, Preparation, and Service Delivery
The 2016 Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Winter Conference will be held Dec. 7-9 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, Maryland. The theme of the 2016 conference is "An Ounce of Prevention." Participants will learn about issues faced and solutions used by different departments of county government. Sessions will cover topics such as public health, maintaining infrastructure, and strategies to be sure counties are ready for emergency scenarios, developing trends, and long-term changes.
As in past years, Charles County will have a presence at the conference. Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy is attending the conference and Commissioner Amanda M. Stewart, M.Ed. (District 3) will moderate a panel entitled, "Academy Core Session: Open Meetings."
New this year is the County Elected Officials Luncheon Roundtable Discussion where elected officials can participate in a peer-to-peer post-election discussion of county environmental requirements including the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load and Environmental Protection Agency stormwater mandates. There will also be an in-depth session on active shooter defense where attendees will learn how to prepare for and survive an active shooter situation.
Also being featured at the conference are courses from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance certificate program, 55 table-top exhibits of vendors offering cost-saving services and products to local governments, and several Association meetings and government briefings. Educational and networking opportunities at the conference allow attendees to learn about issues facing local government and the resources and strategies for successfully meeting those challenges as they prepare for the upcoming legislative session.
MACo's Winter Conference is an annual event where county elected officials, county staff, state and federal officials, and business representatives convene to study best practices in local governance and explore partnerships through which to better serve the people of Maryland. Local government officials make attending the MACo Winter Conference a priority because they gain knowledge and understanding of the most important local government issues and they are able to share ideas and find solutions to challenges at home.
Dr. Mann Appointed as Emergency Services Medical Director
Charles County Administrator Michael D. Mallinoff announces the appointment of Darin Mann DO, MBA as the part-time jurisdictional medical director for the Department of Emergency Services. The jurisdictional medical director is a new position reporting to Director of Emergency Services William Stephens. Dr. Mann began his employment with Charles County Government on Oct. 3.
As jurisdictional medical director, Dr. Mann oversees the quality of patient care provided by the Emergency Medical Services Operational Program (EMSOP), composed of the Charles County Department of Emergency Services and the Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services. Mann provides medical expertise, including planning, development, and operations, to EMSOP.
Stephens said, "We are extremely pleased Dr. Mann agreed to serve as the jurisdictional medical director for our emergency medical service operational program. His extensive experience and impeccable credentials will greatly enhance our ability to provide top quality, pre-hospital patient care."
Dr. Mann continues his employment with University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, serving as vice-chair of the Emergency Department, director of pre-hospital care, and director of patient satisfaction. Dr. Mann brings to the county experience in the emergency medical services area, along with intensive care, teaching, and supervisory skills. At the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, Dr. Mann supervises physician assistants and nurse practitioners, handles administrative duties, manages day-to-day clinical operations, and reviews Emergency Department quality assurance.
"The process of defining scope and selection of our new medical director has been fully engaged and a shared responsibility between the county administration and the Volunteer EMS Association. As volunteer EMS county chief our volunteer emergency medical technicians and paramedics in Charles County are very pleased to welcome Dr. Darin Mann as our new medical director," said county Volunteer EMS Chief David Siviter.
"I am honored to have been selected as the Jurisdictional Medical Director and given this opportunity to serve Charles County. Continuing improvement of emergency medical care provided to our citizens will be my primary focal point as my family too lives in our community. I would like to ask all constituents of Charles County to don't be a bystander; be a life saver, get involved!" said Dr. Mann.
Dr. Mann holds a Bachelor of Health Science degree from Campbell University in Buis Creek, North Carolina, and a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Pikeville College in Pikeville, Kentucky. Dr. Mann completed his residency at Oakwood Southshore Medical Center in Trenton, Michigan. He also has an Executive Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.