PRSTD STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 145 Waldorf, MD
Thursday, March 22, 2007 • St. Mary’s County, Maryland
Inconsistencies Plague Rural Preservation Task Force Adam Ross Staff Writer The St. Mary’s County Commissioners appointed five people March 13 to explore an array of protections for the county’s agriculturally rich land, two of whom served on a committee for transferable development rights and others who might have conflicts of interest once financial disclosure statements are returned. Commissioner Kenny Dement (R- Callaway) selected John K. Parlett Jr., who served on the Adequate Public Facilities Task Force and another that reviewed transferable development rights (TDRs) despite his own sharp criticism a week earlier over selecting citizens who recently served on other task forces. “You need some new blood,” said the often quiet Dement. “I don’t care who they are, but they need to give some insight and ideas that are maybe a change from what the other committees have already proposed.” Yet Dement followed the lead of his fellow commissioners and nominated a familiar name. When asked about the inconsistency Dement said he “would rather not comment but [he has his] reasons.” “I wasn’t real interested in having another task force,” added Dement on Monday. “I waited to see what the other [commissioners] were considering, if they would have went differently, I probably would have went differently.” During the March 6 commis-
sioner meeting, Dement said he was “not against having this task force, I just have a concern with the process.” Commissioner Lawrence Jarboe (R- Golden Beach) said it would be appropriate to have “new blood as well as old blood making decisions that are going to impact the future.” Meanwhile, according to the St. Mary’s County ethics ordinance, because the RPD task force is considering land use regulations, financial disclosure statements must be provided from members to avoid conflicts of interest. Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr., (D- Leonardtown) selected planning commission member Merl Evans, while Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D- Great Mills) selected attorney and developer Phil Dorsey. Jarboe appointed James “Bubby” Knott, who also served on the TDR task force and is the former president of the local farm bureau. County Administrator John Savich said he did not expect any ethical interest conflicts with the members chosen, but that financial disclosure statements had been mailed and should be returned shortly. “This group will not be looking at specific property,” added Savich, “but county-wide policies, and under those criteria you don’t have the direct conflicts as if you were talking about a particular community.” See Preservation page A-
Established 2006 • Volume 2 • Issue 12 • FREE
Board of Education Prepares to Delay Charter School’s Opening
Photo by Emily Finch
Construction Crews work on the 46 construction related steps that need to take place before the new Chesapeake Public Charter School can open by next school year. CPCS is located on Great Mills Rd. in Lexington Park, and the soon to be renovated building formerly served as the George Washington Carver Elementary School Annex.
By Adam Ross Staff Writer The “to-do” list of the Chesapeake Public Charter School project in Lexington Park is growing, much to the dismay of the St. Mary’s County Board of Education (BOE), which has the final say on whether the elementary school will be running next school year. BOE. member William M. Mattingly said he counted 65 steps that need to take place between now and the school’s opening, and 46 of those were related to construction of the facility.
“If you guys can do that, you’re good,” he added. Meanwhile, during a multilateral meeting Monday between the charter school’s governing board, the BOE, and representatives from the transportation company providing school busses, Superintendent Michael J. Martirano made it clear that he is beyond his level of comfort and is one step from “pulling the plug.” The meeting turned somber after Margaret Meringolo, a member of the charter’s governing board, revealed the school had only raised $20,000 of its $105,000 target. She and other members said they were unaware that the See Charter School page A-
Index No Changes For Art A-8
Tennis B-1
Op.-Ed ..........Page A - 4 Obits .............Page A - 7 Police ............Page B - 5 Classifieds.....Page B - 7
County Healthcare Benefits By Adam Ross Staff Writer With healthcare costs skyrocketing, leaving millions uninsured or underinsured, it was a relief for St. Mary’s County when CareFirst BlueCross-BlueShield offered a healthcare proposal that could save thousands of dollars. Working collaboratively, county government and St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) awarded
the county’s healthcare contract to CareFirst March 14, saving SMCPS $300,000 in administrative costs alone, according to Mark Lynne, the county’s healthcare consultant. As the county schools’ healthcare provider for “many years,” according to Daniel L. Carney, SMCPS chief financial officer, and the Board of Education’s representative on the joint committee, CareFirst offered the “best value,” not just the best price.
The committee, consisting of representatives from the county government, SMCPS and Bolton Partners, factored network size, size and scope of area doctors and discounts offered, including administrative costs. “CareFirst made it pretty easy because of those three factors,” said Carney at last week’s Board of Education meeting. “And they sharpSee Healthcare page A-
Spring Sport’s Preview
See Preview page B-8
For Continual News Updates Visit: somd.com Local Weather Friday T-Storms 66° Saturday T-Storms 67° Sunday Sunny 62°
Chris Bell
Photo by Emily Finch
Youth for Art By Emily Finch Contributing Writer The Women’s Club of St. Mary’s County, Inc., in conjunction with the St. Mary’s County School Board, sponsors a “Youth for Art” program every year. “We talk to art teachers from middle and high schools, both public and private,” said Joan Springer, member of the Women’s Club. “We ask them to have their students submit their best artwork to be judged and possibly win prizes.” Students’ artwork is shuffled into four classes. Class one is middle school artwork, class two, high school artwork, class three is photography and class four is graphic design. The works must be the students’ original idea, and created no earlier than one year prior to the admission deadline. Students from Esperanza, Margaret Brent, and Leonardtown Middle Schools, Great Mills, Chopticon, Leonardtown and Ryken High Schools, as well as James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, Holy Angels, Sacred Heart, Little Flower and St. Michaels participated this year. “We had a great turnout this year,” said Springer, “and I’m so proud of all the participants.” Judges came to the Carter Building in Leonardtown where the student’s artwork has been on display for a month. “Qualified judges come in and rate the students artwork,” added Springer. “They chose three winners from each class, as well as a couple honorable mentions.” All participants received a certifSee Art page A-
The County Times
Section A -
Thursday, March 22, 2007
In Your Community Archaeological Presentation On March 26 at 7 p.m., Dr. James G. Gibb, a historical archaeologist and adjunct professor at Anne Arundel Community College, will give a presentation about what life and death were like in Maryland during it’s found-
ing years. Entitled “Life and Death in Seventeenth Century Maryland” the presentation is hosted by The St. Mary’s County Genealogical Society and the Maryland Humanities Council. It will be held at the Garvey Senior Center in the St. Mary’s County Governmental complex in Leonardtown. Admission is free and all are invited to attend.
Underage Drinking Forum The St. Mary’s County Government Division of Community Services is sponsoring an open community forum focused on the ways society allows and encourages children to drink alcohol, as well as the effect it has on
our community. This forum will be held in the auditorium of Building A at the College of Southern Maryland Leonardtown campus from 7 - 8:30 p.m. on March 28.
Basket Bingo Northern High School will host a basket bingo on the evening of March 24 in the cafete-
ria of the school. Doors open at 5 p.m., Early Birds start at 6 p.m., and regular games start at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $20 which includes a book of 20 regular games extra books are $5 each. Specials are $5 for 5 games and Early Birds are $3 for four games. Extra raffles, pull-tabs for baskets and food concessions will be available. There will be a special drawing for advanced registration. To make a reservation, call 301-812-0278. All proceeds benefit the Northern High School Baseball Team and Avon Breast Cancer Foundation.
Chili Cook-off and Auction Good Samaritan Lutheran Church of Lexington Park is sponsoring a Chili Cook-Off and Auction Saturday, March 24. Chili judging begins at 5:30 p.m., and the Aauction will immediately follow. Admission is free. All proceeds will benefit the Habitat for Humanity house Good Samaritan congregation members will help build this summer. For more information call the church office at 301-863-4740.
Benefit Dance
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There will be a benefit dance for 12 year-old Darnell Holt March 24 from 2-6 p.m. at the Brass Rail Banquet Hall in Great Mills. There will be two live bands, door prizes for adults and children, concessions for sale and a 50/50 raffle. Darnell is suffering from Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy and Osteopenia, for which there is no cure. The proceeds and donations from the benefit dance will help the family will pay for the overwhelming medical costs. If you do not plan to attend the event, but would still like to make a donation, or for event information, please contact Dwight A. Owens Jr., at 240-682-0958
Maryland Day The St. Mary’s County Museum Division invites everyone to celebrate Maryland’s 373rd birthday at the St. Clements Island Museum with a commemorative program honoring the first Maryland colonists who landed at St. Clements Island March 25, 1634. The program will begin at 5 p.m. and will conclude with a wreath-laying by the St. Clements Island historical marker. Light refreshments will be offered inside the museum. This event is free and open to the public. The museum and grounds are handicap accessible. This event will be held outdoors so dress for the weather. In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved inside the museum and space will be limited. For more information, contact the museum at 301-769-2222.
Fishing Fair The Southern Maryland Chapter of MSSA will hold it’s 14th Annual Fishing Fair at Solomons Volunteer rescue Squad and Fire Department Hall off Route 2 in Lusby. The event will be held March 24 and 25 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. There will be more than 80 vendor tables, 30 boats, and door prizes and raffles drawn hourly. Concessions will be available for sale including breakfast sandwiches, hamburgers and beer. Admission is $2 per person. Visit www.mssasmc.com for more information.
Texas Hold’em Tournament American Legion Post 255 in Ridge will hold a No Limit Texas Hold’em Tournament on March 24. Signup begins at 1 p.m. with play scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Top prize will be $2,000 based on a limit of 80 players. There will be a $60 buy-in. Interested players can call 301-904-8244 for more information or to pre-register. Concessions will be available for purchase. All proceeds go to our Community and our Military Families.
Shrimp Dinner The Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 274 in Lusby will sponsor a shrimp dinner from 5 – 7:30 p.m. March 23. The cost is $10 per person and dinner includes half a pound of steamed shrimp, a baked potato, vegetables, coleslaw and a roll. For more details call 410-326-3274.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
The County Times
Annapolis Buzz By Adam Ross Staff Writer Delegate Anthony J. O’Donnell (R- 29C) and Senator Nancy Jacobs (R- 34) led the charge for Jessica’s law during a special session last June, which was stripped of some key elements before it overwhelmingly passed both chambers. Jessica’s Law is named for Jessica Lunsford, a 9-year-old Florida girl who was brutally raped and killed by a registered sex offender in 2005. Florida lawmakers passed a comprehensive package of laws that most contentiously mandated first-degree rape offenders to remain in jail for 25 years, and second-degree offenders for 20 years. The House and Senate passed the bill, 126-0, and 40-5, respectively. Jessica’s law remerged in this year’s General Assembly, as Senate Bill 413, and was introduced to strengthen penalties against convicted sex offenders and eliminate the possibility for parole. This bill enjoys strong bi-partisan support, with 23 co-sponsors, 10 of which are Democrats. However, the bill is opposed by the two committee chairs in the House and the Senate, who according to O’Donnell hold “great power� over the final vote. Hearings were held in both chambers last week, where many advocates from around the state came to testify. According to the Citizens For Jessica’s Law In Maryland website, they waited over five hours to testify in the Senate, calling it a “total slap in the face to the children of Maryland.� O’Donnell said a similar injustice occurred in the house where people waited well into the evening to testify, and when they finally did, the committees’ Chair, Del. Joseph F. Vallario, Jr., didn’t even stick around.
Senate Bill 836 Entitled: Creation of a State Debt – St. Mary’s County – Shelter for Women and Children Committee: Budget and Taxation Synopsis: Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $250,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of Leah’s House, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, and capital equipping of a shelter for women and children; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; requiring the grantee to grant and convey an easement to the Maryland Historical Trust; etc.
Section A -
Beyond Farming, MCE Offers Learning Tools for County Residents By Adam Ross Staff Writer For almost 100 years the Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE), a non-formal education system within the college of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, has contributed free educational lessons to the citizens of St. Mary’s County. In front of the St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, representatives from MCE showcased its versatile structure, and persistence to educate farmers, children and families throughout
the state. “We engage communities, groups, associations and agencies to try and achieve good goals,� said Benjamin Beale, extension educator for MCE. “Our motto is, ‘educate people to help themselves.’� Beale deals directly with the agricultural division of MCE, which reaches out to farmers to solve problems, and provide hands-on training. Beale works for the betterment of the agricultural community through a mixture of twilight tours, trial runs of old and new growing techniques, information resources and one-on-one consulting.
Senate Bill 885 Entitled: State Ethics Commission – Regulated Lobbyist – Fees Committee: Education Health and Environmental Affairs Synopsis: Increasing from $50 to $100 the fee that a regulated lobbyist must pay each time the lobbyist files a specified registration form with the State Ethics Commission.
Senate Bill 886 Entitled: Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2005 – Calvert County – Old Wallville School Committee: Budget and Taxation Synopsis: Amending the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2005 to change the authorized uses of a specified grant to the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Old Wallville School, Inc.
Senate Bill 899 Entitled: Creation of a State Debt – St. Mary’s County – Tudor Hall Committee: Budget and Taxation Synopsis: Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $150,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of the St. Mary’s County Historical Society, Inc. for the repair and renovation of Tudor Hall; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; requiring the grantee to grant and convey a specified easement to the Maryland Historical Trust; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc.
See Learning Tools page A-
Know who’s
entering
your home
Senate Bill 849 Entitled: Creation of a State Debt – St. Mary’s County – SMARTCO’s Computer Technology Learning Center Committee: Budget and Taxation Synopsis: Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $50,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to Board of Directors of The Southern Maryland Applied Research and Technology Consortium, Inc. (SMARTCO) for the planning, repair, renovation, and capital equipping of the SMARTCO’s Computer Technology Learning Center; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc.
But the depth of MCE far exceeds its agricultural development curriculum. MCE engages the community to exercise better nutrition with its Food, Nutrition and Health program, and teaches families the sometimes lost, but innate interpersonal skills with its Family Life and Community program and 4-H Youth Development program. “This is not just for the children, it involves the entire family,� said Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. of the 4-H program. “I encourage people if never exposed to go, it’s a great way to learn
Make sure any technician performing heating or cooling service in your home has passed a criminal background check. It’s for your safety and the safety of your family. A recent bill introduced in the State of Georgia General Assembly (House Bill 620), advocates criminal record background checks on workers entering your home. If its important enough to be Kelly Weeks, Operations Manager considered for legislation, it’s important enough for you to make sure you select a company that REQUIRES complete background DON’T TAKE CHANCES. checks as well as drug testing of all its technicians who enter your PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. CALL US TODAY home. At Winters Heating and Cooling that’s exactly what we FOR YOUR HEATING AND do. So you can count on us for guaranteed satisfaction as well as COOLING NEEDS. peace of mind. In fact, we’ll email you a photo of our technician scheduled to service your home so you’ll know exactly who to expect at the time of your appointment.
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Senate Bill 904 Entitled: Consumer Protection – Personal Information Protection Act Committee: Finance Synopsis: Requiring a business to destroy or arrange for the destruction of records that contain specified personal information in a specified manner; requiring a business that compiles, maintains, or makes available specified personal information of an individual residing in the State to implement and maintain specified security procedures and practices; requiring businesses that compile, maintain, or make available specified records to notify specified individuals of a breach of the security of a system under specified circumstances, etc.
Senate Bill 983 Entitled: St. Mary’s County – Board of County Commissioners – Personal Service Contracts Committee: Education Health and Environmental Affairs Synopsis: Authorizing the Board of County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County to enter into specified personal service contracts for specified non-merit positions; providing that a specified personal service contract shall end within a specified period of time; and requiring a specified personal service contract to include a specified provision.
Senate Bill 1030 Entitled: Critical Areas – Applications for Variances – Local Jurisdictions Committee: Education Health and Environmental Affairs Senate Action: Motion Rules Suspended for late introduction (Senator Dyson) Adopted Synopsis: Clarifying that specified provisions of law apply to a local jurisdiction during the consideration, processing, and decision on an application for a specified variance notwithstanding any provision, or lack of provision, in the local jurisdiction’s local laws and ordinances; etc.
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The County Times
Section A -
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Editorial & Opinion Defending Property Rights When the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of the City of New London, Conn., in a case regarding private property rights, every one of us, whether we rent or own, was done a grave injustice. We must all live in constant fear now, fear that the government will take away our homes to give the land to private interests they feel will generate more tax revenues. For those unfamiliar with the case, in short, the City of New London wanted to seize property in order to give it to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to build a complex. The city justified the taking of this land through the power of Eminent Domain in the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Eminent
Domain allows government to seize private land for necessary public projects, such as schools and roads, but has never before been interpreted to include taking land from one private interest and ceding it to another. Another provision of Eminent Domain is that land cannot be seized without giving just compensation, another part of the Supreme Law of the land that was violated in this case. The entire justification of taking the land from the citizens was that the City would see far greater tax revenues from Pfizer than from those private landowners. That being the case, does it not stand to reason that those landowners are getting the short shrift? Had they had the chance to negotiate with
Pfizer privately, they could well have sold their land for far more than any value the government deemed “fair.” In simple terms, if the landowners accounted for a hypothetical $500 per year to the New London budget, and Pfizer was expected to produce $50,000, then fair value for that land would have to start at $50,000, annually, if not more based on future earning potential. The New London government could never give those homeowners anything close to the amount they expected to take in, otherwise, there would be no reason to kick them out and set Pfizer up. So that was the first clear violation. But the second is even more subtle and insidious. For the first time in his-
Big City Boy, Small Town Heart Strike Three; You’re Out… By Adam Ross Staff Writer
Public Charter School has to address before opening. The Board of Education You would be crazy to serves as its watchful eye, and root against the Chesapeake you can’t blame them for apPublic Charter Schools’ open- plying pressures that have eving next year, and you would erything to do with fostering a be even crazier to think the safe, adequate and productive Board of Education has any- institution for learning, and thing but its best intentions at nothing to do with money. heart. The charter will come on Bottom line, the school line with the county’s other is attempting the near im- public schools, and although possible, and is immersed in some of the teaching philosoextremely tight deadlines. phies are different, its purpose Dream up any and every and link to the county’s pubbuilding permit, code, instruc- lic school system is virtually tion and detail, right down to indistinguishable. The school the color of the carpet, and it’s will help alleviate overcrowdsomething the Chesapeake ing, albeit by a small amount,
Spring Cleaning
Patrick Dugan O’Brien Realty
Well, well, spring is here. As of 8:07 p.m. this past Tuesday we finally left winter and entered into one of the most exciting seasons there is. And while a young man’s fancy may assuredly turn to love as we embark on these most precious months, it is also true that our homes require the same love and tenderness because of the winter’s treacherous blow and
but it also makes the county a more desirable place to raise children, offering another alternative for families to choose. Our elected officials, and superintendent, if nothing else, want the charter to be a flagship enterprise, to prove the capabilities of a county willing to change and offer alternatives for the good of our students who will attend. Therefore, holding the school to the same rigorous opening day standards as any other school, seems like the first step in a long line of processes. If the school does not
dampening scars. I’m not just talking about getting ready to sell either, I am talking about normal maintenance that will make your house last longer, cost you less in repairs, and yes, help your house sell before the neglected one down the street. But before we talk about the maintenance let’s look at what would really help us get ready to work. Let’s look at clutter. I always say that the
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tory, the government has been awarded the right to decide who gets what land. Now, the government, be it federal, state or even local St. Mary’s County government, can kick anyone out of their home at any time. It could happen to you. And all they would need to do is pay you a “fair market value” for your home and demonstrate that taking your home and giving it to WalMart, or Target, or any other super corporation would generate more revenues for the county, thus contributing to the “public good.” This principle is in direct conflict with what the founding fathers intended when they required that any government seizure of land be done only with just compensation. The clause was not written in to protect the government’s ability to take land for public projects, but to protect citizens against the government seizing their land.
And without one of our most basic rights, the right to property ownership, protected, the door is cast wide open for government abuse. Think of a case where a person is highly and publicly critical of a local government. What happens if that local government decides to tell that person if they do not shut up, their property could be seized for the so-called “public good?” Perhaps that seems farfetched, but with the government having unlimited power to seize private property, it is a possibility, and offers another way for the government to exercise control over the populace. As long as this court decisions stands, the United States is not a free nation. As sad as it seems, we apparently need a constitutional amendment to explain what the meaning of the Fifth Amendment is. Since that has not happened, and little federal ac-
tion has been taken, the best we can hope for now is that our states will at least pass laws protecting us from this abuse by amending their own constitutions. A simple bill is not enough to protect our land, since a bill is subject to change any time a simple majority is present. Only by enshrining our private property rights in the state constitution, a difficult body to amend, can we sleep safe in our homes. Del. Anthony O’Donnell led a charge to do just this during the 2006 Maryland General Assembly session, but for political reasons it never passed. This law is under consideration again this year, and again O’Donnell is on the front line. So is our local Senator Roy Dyson who is co-sponsoring the bill on the Senate side. This time it must be passed so we can all rest assured that our homes will not be “here today, corporate business parks tomorrow.”
open with overwhelming success, it is not the charter that is accountable to the state and parents; it’s the St. Mary’s County Board of Education. That said, there is no way this charter is opening on time. Parents with children all but signed on the doted line, and I hate to drive the dagger in before the official announcement next month, but the school is not ready, and if the indications are correct, it won’t be for at least another year. The facility might be finished in time, but the fundraising effort is months behind schedule, and if Senate Bill 669, which would lower the county’s per-pupil cost is passed, the amount the charter group needs to fundraise will rise out of reach for its July 1 deadline. The meeting Monday was a candid slap fest by the Board of Education to the charter’s governing board. And even though it was done politely, with good intention, the reality of this novice group’s experience, and the workload that is packed into a tight 12month period, are starting to become problems.
Superintendent Michael J. Martirano is the one we ought to be listening to. From what I gather, he is the only one with hands-on experience opening new schools, and he says that process takes minimally, 1824 months. When the man with experience tells you he is “uncomfortable,” and that the timeline is too ambitious, you start listening. All along he’s been saying this, yet the charter continues to push forward. But god knows what is being overlooked. When you start to gauge the steps beyond the construction; the curriculum and philosophy, integrating those two vital roles into a nonexistent educational director or teacher, the idea is scary. The school doesn’t even have an academic calendar. When Board of Education member Mary M. Washington asked how the children were going to get exercise, if the school planned to have a playground, the answer from the governing board was “no.” Instead, they said exercise wouldn’t be the focal point of playtime, and that no play-
ground would be installed. Now I’m no expert in the field of child psychology, but because I was in elementary school not all that long ago, and I remember my playground, if I didn’t have it I would have probably run off or lost my head running into a wall. Elementary school without a playground is like television without cable; it’s practically impossible to watch. Kids are going to be everywhere, keeping them in one place without a center for entertainment is just a crazy idea to me. Not all kids like basketball or foursquare, but all kids sure love things to climb on. There are some inherent inadequacies with this charter school, and I, as do many, hope it opens sooner than later, but it has to be said that this is school is not ready. Unless there is some divine intervention that goes on in the next five weeks, those who won their spots in the lottery will need to wait a a while before they cash in their winning tickets.
first thing you should do is THROW STUFF OUT! Go into the garage, attic, crawl space and closets, wherever you store that useless stuff. Ask yourself, “Have I used it in the last year?” If the answer is no, throw it out! Obviously you have to have some items in storage; once-a-year holiday decorations, camping gear, and other seasonal items come to mind. But, do you really need everything in your house? Probably not. By clearing out the home you are making the house feel larger. You’re also making it easier to clean and maintain that newly found open space. Aditionally saving yourself a lot of time and frustration looking for things that get lost in the clutter of a mismanaged home. One Mom I know told me about her child said “I can’t find anything because of all the stuff I have.”
This is a classic problem. We all want stuff. We all become attached to stuff, but do we really need it? Now, you may play the junk drawer card and pretend you need that 1987 busted walkie-talkie. You may even try to lie to yourself to make it easier, but it won’t work. And while it’s easy for me to tell you to throw stuff away, who am I when it comes to your stuff. Try this instead: RENT A STORAGE UNIT FOR ONE YEAR. If after a year you go back to the storage unit and you again have not needed or used what is in it, THROW IT OUT. I know this sounds crazy to some people but it works. It’s too bad my advice doesn’t come with a money back guarantee. Wait, this newspaper is free. Anyway, it will make your life less cluttered as well as your home. I can’t
offer you money, but I can offer the promise that this idea will make your life easier to manage. Next week I’ll share everything you need to know about the repairs you can now execute because all that junk is gone. As always, send all questions and comments to patrick.dugan@obrienrealty.com and put “County Times” in the subject line. Happy tossing!
James Manning McKay - Publisher Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Adam Ross - Government Correspondent...............adamross@countytimes.net Andrew Knowlton - Sports Correspondent....... andrewknowlton@countytimes.net
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The County Times
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Section A -
you ate. And since you were a good little child, you did so. She may have reminded you a bazillion times, but eventually you started doing it on
your own. Then you became all adult and grown-up and stopped washing your hands. How do I know this? I know this because every day I see
people in restaurants and public bathrooms NOT washing their hands. Ugh. You know mothers are always right and science and
medical research have proven her wisdom in this area. If you’ve noticed, there are now signs in a lot of public bathrooms with instructions on how to properly wash your hands. Part of me thinks this is a sad state of affairs, but the practical part of me is glad that there are instructions. Now if only the senseless people would follow them. My question is – why are there adults not washing their hands after using the bathroom? What possible reason or excuse can you have? Do you not realize the germs you’re picking up and spreading? Colds, the flu, norvo virus, gastrointestinal distress. You use the bathroom and don’t wash your hands and then you’re touching all kinds of things that other people have to touch. You go buy a cup of coffee and hand the poor clerk money with your dirty hands. Now you’ve passed on your bad hygiene to this unsuspecting person. They give change to someone else and it’s passed on again. Just think about it for a minute. I am often harassed at work because the guys all
The unanimous approval on March 14 marked the end of a yearlong competitive procurement process. Under the new agreement, benefits and costs for county employees, teachers and administrators will not
change, Carney said. The contract was also approved at the March 6 Board of County Commissioners meeting unanimously for county government employees who receive healthcare benefits. SMCPS’ budget in brief for fiscal year 2008
set aside $2 million for what was an expected increase in healthcare premiums, but now that is not the case, and Carney can increase the budget by $1 million, and set up a $1 million escrow account for future hikes. “I think all of us can be happy to take a million off the budget,” said Cathy Allen, a board of education member, “and that there is no change in coverage for employees.” One of the advantages of choosing CareFirst is that future costs rely largely on the actual usage by employees, Lynne said. “You pay for the healthcare usage plus fixed costs,” he added. However, commissioner
Thomas A. Mattingly, Sr. felt the plan’s advantage was that “it affords employees the ability to do solid preventative care.” “We certainly monitor abuse of the system, and I don’t think we have that,” Mattingly said. “But if we can have a healthy work force, we will be able to keep that number low and see some real savings.” The contract was awarded for a period of six years, but must be renewed annually. Either side can opt out of the contract each year, but Carney scoffed at the idea of CareFirst dropping a $20 million client. Carney said the renewal option is good for both sides
Ramblings From A Country Girl
Wash Your Hands! By Terri Bartz Bowles Contributing Writer I know your mother taught you to wash your hands before
Healthcare Continued from page A-1 ened their pencil and actually reduced administrative costs that they are currently charging us.”
think I’m a germ-a-phobe. I have my little hand wipes that I use when we go out to eat and they think that’s pretty funny. I think the guys are pretty gross. Recently, a group of us were on travel and eight or nine of us went out to dinner one night. At the restaurant, not one of them got up to wash their hands nor did they use a hand wipe (even though I offered!). Their reasoning was that they had washed their hands before leaving the hotel. Okay, you wash your hands before you leave your hotel room then you touch: your door knob, the front door of the hotel, the car door, the restaurant’s front door, the menu that has been handled by countless other unwashed hands. Yeah, sure, I can see how your hands are clean after all that! Call me a germ-a-phobe or a clean freak or whatever you want; I’m buying stock in the company that makes my little hand wipes – I have to protect myself from you dirty, germ-ridden people who are too lazy or too stupid to wash your hands. You know, Howard Hughes wasn’t completely crazy…
because it allows CareFirst to look at the county’s usage and trends in the medical industry, while the county can hold a competitive procurement each year if it chooses. “Remember that this is something we are constantly looking at,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano. “This is translating into real dollars, and I’m pleased with the results of this report.” The Board of Education unanimously approved the contract allowing Carney to notify the county’s contracting office to release the paperwork for signing.
(Formerly Tavern at the Village in Wildewood Retirement Center)
Open to the public Enjoy elegant meals We host private parties Photo by Emily Finch
Carefirst Blucross-Blueshield booklets like these will explain medical benefits to St. Mary’s County and Public School employees. Carefirst won the procurement bid to provide the county’s health benefits by offering a plan that will save the county at least $300,000.
Learning Tools Continued from page A-3 about Southern Maryland and life beyond farming.” The 4-H program offers a slew of youth programming, from after school care to a livestock auction event. MCE currently offers after school programs at Lexington Park, Green Holly and Carver Elementary Schools. MCE is also working collaboratively with public schools to implement a Food Stamp Nutrition Program, which provides educational programming to food stamp participants and those eligible
for the stamps to make healthier food choices, develop skills in food preparation, handle food safely and increase their physical activity. But the crowning achievement for 4-H was its participation in last year’s St. Mary’s County Fair, according to Stephanie Guy, a 4-H program assistant. “More than 1300 exhibits were entered at the fair,” said Guy, “and more than 130 projects in animal, human and environmental sciences.” Commission President
Francis Jack Russell, fond of the agricultural initiatives of MCE especially those dealing with children praised the MCE representatives for their hard work and focus to youth programming. Aboard his skipjack, Russell too takes part in passing along environmentally important lessons to grade school students throughout the county each year. “I think at least every kid should learn how to milk a cow at least once in their lifetime,” said Russell.
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Mother’s Day is coming! On May 3, 2007 The County Times will publish a special pull-out section to honor Mother’s Day! We would like you to write to us in 50 words or less, why your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, etc. are so special to you. Deadline for copy is April 12th.
Mail To: 43251 Rescue Lane, P.O. Box 250 Hollywood, Maryland 20636
Chaptico Chargers 4-H Club makes contribution to the Three Oaks shelter in Lexington Park, Md., on Feb. 21, 2007. Members of the club delivered flashlights, blankets, bed linens, and first aid kits to residents of the shelter.
Or Email To: eileenmcdonald@countytimes.net
The County Times
Section A -
Charter School Continued from page A- entire sum of money had to be raised by July 1, and if not the school would be unable to balance its budget and open. “That’s something we have been saying over and over again,” said Cathy Allen, a BOE member. “It’s not something we just popped up with right this second.” Allen said later she expected the school to have raised $75,000 to $80,000 by now, and such a small number “was a shock.” To complicate matters further, legislation filtering through the Maryland Legislat u r e
The lottery was an important step in moving the charter forward, as is the construction of the site, which according to John B. Norris, Jr., a professional engineer for the school, is on target. Still, many questions remain unanswered for Martirano and the BOE, who feel the project is “down to the wire.” “I don’t get comfortable until everything is truly in the bank,” added Martirano. “The legislation is the wild card, if that gets passed than I would recommending the schools’ delay for another year,
would, if passed, decrease the BOE’s spending per pupil from 98 to 86 percent, which according to Dan Carney, SMCPS chief financial officer, levy an additional $300,000 to the charter’s fundraising efforts. “If Senate Bill 669 went through it would make their fundraising effort unrealistic,” added Carney. On March 8, the charter school held a formal lottery filling 160 kindergarten through fifth-grade school seats, and was able to secure 100 additional students on its waiting list.
minimally.” In the past, Martirano has had a hand in opening two public schools that needed up to two years to open successfully, and those institutions didn’t need to fundraise or deal with other variables the first-time Chesapeake Public Charter School group is contending with. “I think another year might be beneficial for all of us… The worst thing is we are led down the path of thinking things fine, and then we are stuck when we’ve engaged teachers, families and transportation,” added Martirano. “We are proceeding with caution, but with risk taking too.” As of Monday, CPCS had not hired an educational director, or any staff, although
a number of teachers throughout the county have applied. A somewhat dejected Meringolo and CPCS project manager Stacy Maffei, openly admitted the project is on shaky ground, and said after the meeting that even if the opening was delayed they would continue to see the project through. “Some days I’m high, and then there are days you look and it takes the wind out of your sails,” said Maffei. “There are things when you get down to the nitty-gritty that make me nervous.” If the BOE decided to delay the opening another year, Chesapeake Public Charter School (CPCS) would not lose its charter.
T h e BOE will make a final recommendation to move forward or delay the charter’s opening another year by the middle of next month, Martirano said. L o c a l boards of education act as the primary chartering authority for charter schools, which are held to the same academic standards as the county’s public schools.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
BRAC Discussions Continue Aberdeen, Maryland - Two of Governor Martin O’Malley’s top cabinet secretaries will be featured speakers at the Maryland Economic Development Association’s (MEDA) Spring Conference, “Groundwork for the Future,” where issues related to Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process will be discussed. The conference will be held Wednesday, April 11, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the J.T. Daugherty Conference Center in Lexington Park, St. Mary’s County. Secretary of Business and Economic Development David W. Edgerley will review his direction for the department in the keynote speech at 12:30 p.m. Secretary of Transportation John D. Porcari will focus on the new administration’s transportation priorities in his presentation at 10:30 a.m. “MEDA is fortunate to be able to hear directly from two Administration leaders who will shape the state’s economic development and transportation programs over the next four years,” said MEDA President John Savich. “Our
partnerships with state government are critical to our efforts to bring jobs and capital investment to Maryland.” The conference also will feature two panels that will focus on the growth expected in Maryland later this decade as a result of the BRAC process. At 9 a.m., attendees will hear from a panel of experts who learned valuable lessons from Southern Maryland’s rapid growth in the mid- 1990’s as a result of an earlier BRAC round. Panel members will include Delegate John L. Bohanan, Jr.; Gary V. Hodge, Charles County Commissioner; Todd B. Morgan, vice president og Egan McAllister Associates, Inc.; and Timothy S. Smith, director of Technology Systems & Business Solutions, LLC. At 11:15 a. m., another expert panel will focus on how the private sector can capture incoming investments and deal with increased competition as a result of the BRAC – related growth. Panelist will include Joanne P. Evans, Senior Business Development Manager, SAIC; Gino Gemignani, Jr., Senior Vice President, The
Workers construct the outer walls of the new CPCS from top to bottom.
Whiting- Turner Contracting Company; James Mirabile, Director BRAC Initiatives, BGE; And Catherine W. Ward Senior Vice President, Asset Management and Leasing, Corporate Office Properties Trust. Following the formal program, conference attendees can participate in a tour of the Leonardtown Wharf development, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. MEDA enhances the knowledge and skills of its 460 members and encourages partnerships and networking among those committed to bringing jobs and investment to Maryland. In addition to quarterly conferences, members have access to opportunities, discounts and scholarships for professional development, and can participate in awards programs that recognize the best economic development projects or programs, redevelopment projects or programs, and marketing efforts in the state of Maryland.
Photo by Emily Finch
Preservaton Continued from page A-1
Photo by Emily Finch
Photo by Emily Finch
There are 244,000 acres of farmland in Southern Maryland, with 61,153 of that in St. Mary’s County.
Raley asked whether it would be a conflict of interest for a committee member living in the RPD to study RPD land value. County attorney Christy Chesser said it would
be advantageous to have a mix of people living in and out of the RPD, and that zoning is broad enough to eliminate that concern. Among the issues the
task force will consider are a mandatory or voluntary agriculture overlay; suggestions to put value on farmland; easement programs; and other techniques to preserve agri-
COME TO AVENUE & COLTON POINT! Holy Angels Seafood Dinner, March 25th, Noon to 4. (301-769-3332) - Holy Angels Hall 21335 Colton Point Road (RT. 242) Avenue, MD Maryland Day Mass & K of C Living Rosary @ Holy Angels Church - Sun., March 25th. Rosary 9:45 am/Mass 10:30 am – Fr. John Barry Md. Day Ceremony, 5:00pm – St. Clement’s Is. Museum (@Colton Pt.) - Riverfront, with County Officials and Featured Speaker-- Dr. Martirano. April 8th, Easter Sunrise Mass, 6:30am, Colton Point Riverfront - Holy Angels Church Masses for Easter: 8:00 am and 10:30 am (choir) School Registration @ Holy Angels Sacred Heart Pre-K - 8th Grade Registration Needed NOW $3,800 per pupil ($400 less in-parish) Website:www.ha-sh.org , 301-769-3389 busses to L’town/Mech’ville Directions: Take Rt. 234 (Budds Creek RD.) to 4-way stop in Clements (Pilkerton’s Gas Station), turn on Rt. 242 (Colton Point RD) to Potomac. Go 10 min.to Avenue. School, church and hall are past the post office. Museum/Colton Pt. waterfront is five minutes past Holy Angels on 242.
Photo by Emily Finch
Many farms in St. Mary’s County raise animals and crops for personal, rather than commercial, purposes.
cultural farmland. The commissioners delayed their appointments by a week due to uncertainty of the size and scope of the task force.
“My concern is that that we are able to grow in the development districts, but at the same time those environmentally sensitive areas are preserved,” said Jarboe. “People
who live in the [RPD] should have incentives to maintain that lifestyle.”
The County Times
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Obituaries John “Jackie” Paul Bell, Sr., 69 J o h n “Jackie” Paul Bell, Sr., 69, of Leonardtown, Md., died March 17, 2007 at his residence in Leonardtown. Born April 7, 1937 in Leonardtown, Md., he was the son of the late Paul A. and Edna Marie Woodburn Bell. He was the loving husband of the late Margaret Loker Bell whom he married June 7, 1958 in Our Lady’s Church, Leonardtown, Md., and who preceded him in death on April 2, 2003. He is survived by his children; John P. Bell, Jr., William A. Bell, David M. Bell, P. Daniel Bell, all of Leonardtown, Md., and Susan B. Cousineau of Hollywood, Md., siblings; Mary Edna Bowles of Leonardtown, Md., Lois Ann “Potsie” Dement of California, Md. and Margie Quade of Leonardtown, Md.. He is also survived by his 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Bell was a life-long resident of St. Mary’s County and was employed as a newspaper distributor. He enjoyed farming, hunting, trapping, softball, crabbing, the Baltimore Orioles and belonged to the Farm Bureau and AARP. The family received friends on Monday, March 19th 2007 at the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, Md. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, March 20th, 2007 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady’s Catholic Church, Leonardtown, Md., with Fr. Thomas LaHood officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Johnny Bell, Billy Bell, David Bell, Danny Bell, Davey Bell and John Leskinen. Honorary pallbearers were Jay Cousineau, Billy Bell Jr., Daniel Bell, James Goddard, Jake Bell, Scott Cousineau and Gary Quade Jr. Contributions may be made to the Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD, 20650. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Marguerite “Mocky” Elizabeth Brubacher, 87 Margue rite “Mocky” Elizabeth B r u b a c h e r, 87, of Medley’s Neck Rd. in Leonardtown Md. died March 16, 2007 at her residence in Leonardtown. Born June 3, 1919 in Medley’s Neck, Md., she was the daughter of the late Walter Aloysius and Clotilda Abell Woodburn. She was the loving wife of Werner “Johnny” Brubacher, whom she married on September 15, 1940 in Leonardtown Md., and who preceded her in death on October 10, 1971 in Leonardtown Md. She was also the loving wife of Harold D. Brubacher, whom she married on December 1, 1973 in Leonardtown Md, and who also preceded her in death on August 28, 2000 in Leonardtown, Md. She is survived by her children; Daniel C. Brubacher of Alexandria Va., Mary Jane Perigo of Leonardtown Md., Johanna Malone of Midland, Va., Agnes Hardcastle of Leonardtown, Md. and Wayne Brubacher of Cheyenne Wy., 10 grandchildren, and 8 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sibilings; Leonard Woodburn, Abell Woodburn, Jimmy Woodburn, John Woodburn, Regina Garner, Agnes Norris, Libby Newton and Suzie Woodburn. She was a life-long St.
Mary’s County resident and homemaker who liked to play pitch with family and friends, gardening, traveling and was active in Our Lady’s Church. The family received friends on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 10:00 AM in Our Lady’s Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas LaHood officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Darren Brubacher, Mathew Brubacher, Brian Malone, Nathaniel Malone, Michael Perigo and Dan Bluntzer. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tommy Newton and James Francis Garner. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s , P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
John Albert “Honey Boy” Combs, 81 John Albert “Honey Boy” Combs, 81, of St. Inigoes, Md. died March 17, 2007 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center, Leonardtown, Md.. Born September 29, 1925 in Great Mills, Md., he was the son of the late Thomas Leonard Combs and Martha Mary Thomas Combs. He is survived by his two sisters, Teresa Combs and Veronica Combs Johnson. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Madeleine Agatha Combs and three siblings, Mary Noemi Thomas, Agatha Wildoner and Thomas Leonard Combs, Jr. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 22, 2007 from 10 - 11 a.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md., with a Memorial Service conducted at 11 a.m. Reverend Joseph R. Sileo of Holy Face Church, Great Mills, Md. will conduct the service. Inurnment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, in Great Mills, Md. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Christopher Darron Hayes, Jr., 36 Christopher “Darron” Hayes Jr., 36, of Leonardtown, Md., and formerly of Bethany Beach, Del., died March 14, 2007 in Lexington Park, Md. Born January 27, 1971 in Prince George’s County, Md., he was the son of Christopher Darron Hayes Sr.of Leonardtown, Md. and Donna Jeanne Hayes of Laurel, Md. He was the loving husband of Christa Marie Hayes, whom he married on Sept. 22, 2001 in Hollywood, Md. He is also survived by his children; Xan Hayes, Mya Hayes, Allie Hayes, all of Leonardtown, Md., Kayla Hayes of Crownsville Md., his siblings; Lindsey Hayes of Guam, Elliot Hayes and Krysten Hayes, both of Edgewater Md., and Terri McLaughlin of Charlotte, NC. He graduated from South River High School, class of 1989 and moved to St. Mary’s County in 2005 from Bethany Beach. He was a Chef and Kitchen Manager for Bon Appetit, and he enjoyed music and gardening. The family received friends on Monday, March 19, 2007 at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church with Fr. John Dakes officiating. Pallbearers were Lindsey Hayes, Steven Crawford, Greg Richards, John Jen-
nings, Brian MacEnroy and Elliot Hayes. Honorary pallbearers were Colin Dye and Doug Hayes. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Paul S. Mattingly, 90 Paul S. M a t t i n g l y, 90, of Hollywood Md. died March 18, 2007 at St. Mary’s Hospital. Born October 26, 1916 in Oxon Hill, Md., he was the son of the late Carroll and Edwardina Mattingly. He was the loving husband of Mary M. Mattingly of Hollywood Md. He is also survived by his children; Dorothy Lawrence and her husband Cal and Gregory P. Mattingly, his stepchildren; Janet Pelle and her husband Rick, and Jean Fram and her husband Frank, and his grandchildren Susan and Katherine Lawrence. Paul was enlisted in the US Army and moved to St. Mary’s County in 1980, and was employed as a mechanic. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and loved golf, gardening, and fishing. The family will receive friends on Thursday March 22, 2007 at the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00 PM with prayers being said at 7:00 PM and Knights Of Columbus prayers at 7:15 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 23, 2007 at 10:00 AM in St. John’s Catholic Church with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in the Fort Lincoln Cemetery at 1:00 PM. Contributions may be made to the St. John’s Building Fund, 43297 St. John’s Road, Hollywood, MD 20636. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Fr. Robert B. Riedel, 73 Fr. Robert Benedict Riedel, 73, of Lusby, Md. died March 15, 2007 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown Md. Born May 8, 1933 in Maryland he was the son of the late Robert B. and Edna Pulles Riedel. The receiving of the Body took place on Tuesday March 20, 2007 at St. George’s Catholic Church in Valley Lee, Md. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday March 21, 2007 at St. George’s Catholic Church with Archbishop Wuerl officiating. Interment will take place on Thursday, March 22, 2007 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Johnstown, Pa. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Roy Mendell Taylor, 57 Roy Mendell Taylor, 57, of Mechanicsville, Md. died of lung cancer on March 15, 2007 at his home surrounded by his family. Born June 11, 1949 in Nashville, Tenn., he was the son of the late Johnnie Zebedee Taylor and Olivia Eudora (Gentry) Taylor. He was the youngest of three children. He graduated from East Nashville Senior High School in 1967 and joined the Air Force on August 28, 1967. He served four years as an Aircraft Mechanic, stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War. In 1975, Roy received his aerospace engineering degree from Saint Louis University, Parks College. Roy started working for Naval Air Test Center in July of 1975, where he met his wife Leslie Durst, whom he married on June 14, 1986 in Leon, WV. Roy recently retired after 31 years of government service at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and pursued a second career with Dynam-
ics Research Corporation. He is survived by his wife of 20+ years, Leslie D. Taylor, four children; Michael Roy of Alexandria, Va., Philip Anthony of Salisbury, Md., Anthony David of Mechanicsville, Md., and Beverly Lauren of Mechanicsville, Md., a sister Lenora Jean Taylor Napier of Nashville, Tenn., a brother, John Robert Taylor and his wife Margaret of Nampa, Idaho, and three grandchildren, Charity, Tristen and Ian Taylor of Nashville, Tenn. He will be sadly missed by his other relatives, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Hilton Napier. The family received friends on Sunday, March 18, 2007 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. A Christian Funeral Service was conducted on Monday, March 19, 2007 in Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Laurel Grove, Md. Reverend Phil Ayers conducted the service. Interment will be at Creston United Methodist Church Cemetery in Evans, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to the O.P.I.S. Unit, St. Mary’s Hospital, P.O. Box 527, Leonardtown, MD 20650, HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, or Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 27108 Mt. Zion Church Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Eleanor Ross Hendrick Uglow, 83 Eleanor Ross Hendrick Uglow, 83, of Lexington Park, Md. died March 6, 2007 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, Md., following a long illness. Born September 30, 1923 in Campbell, MO, Eleanor was the daughter of the late John William and Minnie (Perry) Hendrick. She graduated from Holcomb High School, in Missouri in 1942 and then attended Business College in Memphis, Tenn. It was here that she met her future husband, Norman R. Uglow, of Chambersburg, Pa., who happened to be in Memphis attending a Navy ordnance class. They were married December 3, 1944 in Oakland, Cal. As a military wife and homemaker, she enjoyed assignments with her growing family in California, Hawaii, Florida, Maryland, back to Hawaii, back to Maryland, and in between these assignments were frequent trips back home to Missouri and Pennsylvania. Their final military move brought them to Patuxent River Naval Air Station in 1957 where they settled down in Ridge. Eleanor worked at Pax River and jokingly said she was “just a secretary,” though she knew her efforts were truly appreciated by the people for whom she worked. After retirement from civil service in 1989, Eleanor began volunteering at Ridge Elementary School, the same school her children and many of her grandchildren attended throughout the years. She assisted as a teacher’s aide in the first-grade class for 15 years and made many little friends. She took great pride in her volunteer work and loved spending time with the children, whom she loved and cared about very much. Many of the children there that first year have long since graduated from college. In addition to her volunteer work, she also enjoyed watching Jeopardy, working crossword puzzles, traveling, books, and delving into her family history. She was committed to
Section A - helping build the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC and contributed much time and money toward that effort. She is survived by her six daughters; Terry Dunn and her husband, Louis of Lexington Park, Md., Kathryn Bridgeman and her husband, Randy of Lexington Park, Md., Susan Uglow of Forest, Va., Sharon Harwood and her husband, John of St. Inigoes, Md., Letty Cyrus and her husband, Ray of Ridge, MD and Tracey Uglow and Bob Chapman of Dameron, Md., eleven grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and one sister, Johnnieve Whitmore of Kansas City, MO. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Norman R. Uglow, who died on January 9, 1992, an infant son, and a brother, Earl Hendrick. The family received friends on Friday, March 9, 2007 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. A Funeral Service was conducted on Saturday, March 10, 2007 in First Friendship United Methodist Church, Ridge, Md. Reverend Keith Schukraft conducted the service. Serving as pallbearers were grandsons; Patrick Dean, Kevin Dean, David Goddard, Carl Dunn and nephews; Ken Brunner and Ben Dansberger. Honorary pallbearer was littlest grandson, Nicholas Uglow. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, First Friendship Methodist Church, P.O. Box 133, Ridge, MD 20680 or Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680. The family wishes to thank the many friends and family who assisted in her later years, especially Melanie Sanchez. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Mary Frances “Fran” Woodall, 88 M a r y F r a n c e s “Fran” Woodall, 88, of Avenue, Md. died March 5, 2007 in Avenue, Md.. Born May 26, 1918 in Avenue, Md. she was the daughter of the late John Benjamin and Mary Roberta Ellis-Brown. She was preceded in death by her husband George Kelly Woodall on October 2, 1969 in Avenue, Md. She is survived by her children; Anna Christine Kotowski and her husband Ted and Dorothy Ann Faunce and her husband Dickie both of Abell, Md., James Ernest Woodall and his wife Linda of Avenue, Md., Ellen Marie Woodall of Lexington Park, Md. and Michael Anthony Woodall and his wife Edith of Hughesville, Md.; sister Lucy Nelson of Clements, Md., her 11 grandchildren, Stacy Kotowski , Christopher Kotowski, David Kotowski, Alex Kotowski, Ritchie Faunce, Kelly Faunce, Jamie Woodall, Chrystal Finley, Michael Woodall, Lisa Stephens, and Katie Woodall, 15 great-grandchildren, Hunter Woodall, Kayleigh Finley, Caleb Faunce, Josh Faunce, Jake Faunce, Travis Faunce Jordan Faunce, Katlin Thompson, Amanda Kotowski, Emily Kotowski, Jessica Kotowski, Stephen Kotowski, Nancy Kotowski, Christopher Kotowski and Katie Rose Kotowski. She was also preceded in death by her sons John Irvin Mattingly and Clarence Benjamin Mattingly; siblings Mary Edith Bowles and Joseph Daniel Brown and great granddaughter Bianca Faunce. She was a life-long St. Mary’s County resident and graduate of Margaret Brent High School. The family received friends on Friday,
March 9, 2007 at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, March 10, 2007 in Holy Angels Catholic Church with Msgr. John Brady officiating. Pallbearers were Christopher Kotowski, Alex Kotowski, Ritchie Faunce, Kelly Faunce, Jamie Woodall and Michael Woodall. Honorary pallbearers were: Stacy Kotowski, David Kotowski, Chrystal Finley, Greg Finley, Kayleigh Finley, Lisa Stephens, Billy Stephens, Katie Woodall, April Woodall, Hunter Woodall, Tina Woodall, Jenifer Faunce, Josh Faunce, Jake Faunce, Caleb Faunce, Travis Faunce, Jordan Faunce, Michelle Thompson, Katlin Thompson, Jessica Kotowski, Amanda Kotowski, Emily Kotowski, Stephen Kotowski, Nancy Kotowski, Christopher Kotowski and Katie Rose Kotowski. Contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Anna “Ann” Hyndman Wright, 76 A n n a “Ann” Hyndman Wright, 76, of Lexington Park, Md., formerly of Alamosa, Col., died March 6, 2007 in Bayside Care Center, Lexington Park, Md. Born February 21, 1931 in New York, NY, she was the daughter of the late James and Sarah Hyndman. In 1950, Anna married Franklin K. “Pete” Wright, Sr. and she devoted herself to raising 7 children. Anna spent the majority of her life caring for her family. She enjoyed going to church, traveling the country, bowling, camping, and gardening. She is survived by her companion of many years, Jack Lacey of Alamosa, Col., three sons, Kenneth B. “Ken” Wright and his wife, Linda of California, Md., Franklin K. “Keith” Wright, Jr. and his wife, Pam of Eldersburg, Md., William W. “Bill” Wright and his wife, Mary “Chris”, of Fort Mill, SC, four daughters; Cheryl A. Wright of Fort Mill, SC, Deborah J. Wright, of Rock Hill, SC, Karen W. Ladner and her husband, Lionel “Tony” of California Md., Teresa L. Wright of Lexington Park, Md., nine grandchildren; Mark, Lora and Kevin Wright, Katrina Foster Brookover, Lauren and Rebecca Ladner, Rhianna and Michelle Miller, and Anaka Wright, five great-grandchildren; Kaylee, Aliyah, Tanasha, Jarred and Jacob, two brothers; Samuel Hyndman and his wife, Joan of Long Island City, NY, and James “Jim” Hyndman and his wife, Jennie of Long Island City, NY, two sisters; Florence “Flo” Speedling of Massapequa, NY, and Sarah “Sadie” Brownand her husband, Earl of Rockledge, Fla. and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a grandchild, Charles and a great-grandchild, Sebastian. The family received friends on Monday, March 12, 2007 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Pastor Randy Acord conducted the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Southern Maryland Office, P.O. Box 1889, LaPlata, MD 20646. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
The County Times
Section A -
Art Continued from page A-1 icate during a ceremony held March 19. The winners, in addition, received a monetary prize: $25 for third place, $50 for second, and $75 for first.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
The winning pieces are taken to the district festival, and all others will remain on display on the first floor of the Carter building until spring break.
Photo by Emily Finch Photo by Emily Finch
Photo by Emily Finch
CSM Students Get The Real Deal on Career Opportunities “We call this occupational boot camp,” said Tracy Sewell as she described the College of Southern Maryland’s “The Real Deal,” a one-day interactive employment workshop held on each of CSM’s campuses to help prepare students who will soon seek employment. “Right now the students are practicing their interview techniques with different members of CSM’s staff and faculty. This portion of the day’s activities generally runs overtime. It is such a helpful exercise, the students don’t want it to stop,” said Sewell, who watched as six “couples” worked through nerve-wracking questions such as, “what do you know about this position?” and “how do you see yourself fitting into this organization?” “I liked the interview portion because the interviewers gave me immediate feedback on my responses and how I could tweak my answers to make them stronger,” said Jennifer Wright, who attends CSM with her sister Naomi. “Today’s activities, particularly the interview and the personal profile, give the students a chance to learn how to articulate who they are. Learning to talk about yourself is awkward and something most of us are not good at but it is a key skill you need to practice when you are looking for a job. Going into an interview you have to be able to communicate the skills you have,” said Lisa Warren, CSM’s career services coordinator. Part of learning how to
Photo by Emily Finch
Photo by Emily Finch
Top left: Top winners and students who received honorable mentions display their artwork before it is shipped out for judgment at the district level. Top right: Participants in the Women’s Club’s Youth for Art Program from Esperanza Middle School show off their certificates. Bottom left and right: The remaining artwork will be on display until spring break on the first floor of the Carter Building in Leonardtown.
communicate about job skills is for the students to determine which ones they possess and how they apply to the job being sought. The program provides the students with a skills checklist that lists nearly 200 transferable job skills the students may have. The workshop proctors help the students whittle the list of skills to the Top Five skills they enjoy using the most. These five, whether knowing how to manage people, compute data or organize tasks, are the skills students should look for when they are reading job descriptions. “One of the biggest mistakes you can make is applying for a job you have no interest in,” said Warren, as she conducted the Strength in Skills portion of the workshop. “For example, if the job description lists repetitious tasks as a desired skill and that is something you don’t enjoy, don’t apply. You are not going to enjoy the position. Instead, use your job skills list to screen for jobs you will enjoy doing on a daily basis,” Warren continued. After determining their skill set, the students participated in four career workshops focusing on matching employee skill sets, recognizing strong work ethics, knowing and negotiating salary, and developing resumes specific to the position being applied for. The students then observed an interview demonstration by CSM Career Services staff. Those who had been practicing putting
their best foot forward all day, laughed appreciatively as CSM’s Career Services Specialist Jayne Mignogno interviewed a now less-thancareer-ready Warren, who committed such interview faux pas as showing up late, bad-mouthing her current and former employers and answering her cell phone, not once but three times. At the end of the interview, the students evaluated Warren’s performance. “She was confident but she did everything else wrong,” one student offered. “When she talked negatively about her current employer, you could see the interviewer’s body language change,” said another stu-
dent. “Yeah, she lost the job right there,” another student confirmed. For their final task, the program participants practiced their personal profiles. A personal profile is a combination of an employee’s top five skills, three work ethics currently possessed, and a combination of practical computer, management or office skills. Together, these create a profile introduction employees can use when they meet a prospective employer. A well-practiced personal profile would flow easily such as, “Hi, my name is John Smith; I’m currently a website developer with Jane Doe Electronics in Smithville. I have experience in ColdFusion,
Photo courtesy of College of Southern Maryland
Java Script and multiple software applications. I am looking to move into a web design management preferably with a local defense contractor...” “You were great. Very confident, and obviously experienced,” said Mike Harrison, a CSM student from Bushwood, to his profile partner. “I’ve held a number of jobs but today was still a learning experience. I learned that I need to go into my interviews knowing what I expect from an employer in terms of benefits, working conditions and salary and that I have control over how I promote my job qualifications,” Harrison continued. “The Real Deal provides our students with the oppor-
tunity to explore career development skills in a handson environment and receive immediate feedback to their questions and observations,” said Sewell, who noted that the Career Services Department is looking to provide more The Real Deal seminars in the future. “It’s applicable to anyone. Are they changing careers, returning to the job market, a member of the military moving into the private sector employment, a recent college grad or someone looking to be semi-retired? The Real Deal allows participants to evaluate themselves and break away from that idea that their last or current job is all they are,” said Warren.
Photo courtesy of College of Southern Maryland
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