PRSTD STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 145 Waldorf

PRSTD STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 145 Waldorf, MD

Thursday, June 14, 2007 • St. Mary’s County, Maryland

Established 2006 • Volume 2 • Issue 24 • FREE

Community Domestic Dispute Leads To Feeling Fatal Barricade Scenario Relief After Drug Raids

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Residents of the Leonard’s Freehold rental community say things have changed for the better since county deputies, with assistance from Charles and Calvert county law enforcement officers, initiated local drug raids last month.

They said before the deputies took action, the community had suffered from constant drug trafficking and raucous behavior.

One resident, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal from lingering drug dealers, said before police came, the problems persisted for about a year.

“You could make a turn into here and they’d [drug dealers] swarm your car,” the resident said. “They had a lookout on each end of the street… they all had cell phones.”

The resident said he had left a rental community in Lexington Park that had similar problems in hopes of finding a better community at Leonard’s Freehold.

“We thought we’d left it behind,” the resident said. “But that was a joke.”

Since the May 31 drug raids though, another anonymous resident said the drug dealers have gone elsewhere; at least for now.

“It’s getting better,” the other resident said. “It’s been pretty quiet; I didn’t see them [drug dealers] hanging around.”

Lt.RickBurris,commanderofthecounty’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said the drug raids were the result of community complaints about drug trafficking in the

Sheriff’s deputies responded to the second barricade situation in as many months Sunday evening, but the suspect shot himself to death before emergency responders could talk him out of his Mechanicsville residence.

This is the second fatal barricade situation in St. Mary’s in the past seven months.

Information from the Sheriff’s Office showed that the suspect, George Robert Farrell, 33, of Mechanicsville, became embroiled in a domestic dispute that turned into an assault in the late evening of June 10.

Lt. Daniel Alioto, commander of the Division of

Patrol, said Farrell pointed a handgun at his wife and when deputies arrived, threatened himself.

“There was a family dispute that went from verbal to physical,” Alioto said. “He threatened to harm himself or to have police officers harm him.”

Members of the county’s Emergency Services Team deployed to cordon of the home on Mechanicsville Road and crisis negotiators tried for several hours to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the standoff.

Deputies were also careful because of the weapons, two long guns, that Farrell had access to, Alioto said.

See Dispute page A-

Next Phase of Three Notch Trail Underway

Index Brewers B-1

By Adam Ross Staff Writer

of the trail, broke ground on the project June 9 that will extend from the county’s Northern Senior Center to Deborah Drive in Charles County.

The county government’s vision is to connect the southern and northern ends of the county via the Three Notch Trail System that will be built in phases over the next several years.

The St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners set the Wicomico Shores Golf Course clubhouse renovations in motion Tuesday after three months of additional delays to a project in planning for over six years.

Director of Parks and Community Services Phil Rollins said in January that renovations to the 40year-old building would begin no later than March, but as of Tuesday it had only been gutted.

Value engineering, a practice designed to reexamine costs and save money is the culprit for the delay, according to Rollins.

“Value engineering took a little longer than expected,” Rollins said.

See Trail Underway page A-

See Golf Course page A-

Bicyclists from St. Mary’s and Charles counties attend the ground breaking of the Three Notch Trail’s second phase of construction in Charlotte Hall. The trail will benefit bicyclists as well as hikers and others who want to enjoy the outdoors on a scenic route.

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds will soon be able to extend their treks into neighboring Charles County as the second phase of the Three Notch Trail in Charlotte Hall is completed.

County and state officials, as well as supporters

County Teacher County Government a Top Wrapped in Hope Hope Swann Award State Employer Winner named

By Adam Ross Staff Writer

Softball B-1

Op.-Ed ..........Page A - 4 Obits .............Page A - 7 Police ............Page B - 5 Classifieds.....Page B - 7

For Continual News Updates Visit:

Golf Course On The Move New clubhouse set to go forward despite changes to the plan

Photo by Guy Leonard

See Drug Raids page A-

Photo Courtesy Mattingly Gardner Funeral Home

George Robert Farrell

St. Mary’s County Government earned the highest achievable award Tuesday from the Maryland Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for supporting employees who also serve in the Army Reserve or National Guard.

“We have set policies in place that are not required by the law,” said Sue Sabo, director of the county’s department of human resources. “That’s how we ended up getting the award.”

Prompted in part by Congress’ authorization of billions more for the Iraq war, life as a National Guardsman or Army Reserve solider can be rather unpredictable, especially in the face of fresh troop escalations.

As such, St. Mary’s County Government has set in place pay differential to combat any wages lost from potential pay cuts, 120 hours of paid yearly leave if assigned to active duty and a paid leave of absence for military training. In addition, the county

See Hope Swan page A-

See Top Employer page A-

somd.com Local Weather Friday Iso T-Storms 77° Saturday Partly Cloudy 84° Sunday Mostly Sunny 90°

Photo by Adam Ross

Cmdr. Gary Whipple, left alongside Lt. Christopher Medved, and Sabrina Hecht thank the county commissioners for their continued support towards county employees serving as military reservists.

Photo by Adam Ross

Kim Weaver finishing up her 26th school year, enjoys the warm weather and recognition of winning the annual Hope Swann Award.

Section A -

The County Times

Victims of Domestic Violence Caught in the Middle Leah’s House Feuds with Three Oaks Center

By Adam Ross Staff Writer

Today, without the necessary funds, St. Mary’s County is lagging behind, with just 26 beds, according to Lanny Domestic violence is a global epi- Lancaster, director of Three Oaks Center demic from which St. Mary’s County in Lexington Park. Beds are so limited is not exempt, but the county’s plan to that Lancaster said he spends $17,000 a combat home violence might be the first year to put domestic abuse sufferers in step toward recovery. hotel rooms, or to ship them to Angel’s The “good guys” are represented by Watch Regional Shelter in Calvert Couna variety of public and private officials ty when room permits. and entities. In fact, the Family VioHowever, things just might be looklence Coordinating Council of St. Mary’s ing up with Lancaster well on his way to County consists of members from the adding 20 beds to Three Oaks Center, community, Sheriff’s Office, State’s At- and the up and coming services of Leah’s torney’s Office, Board of Education, So- House, a shelter in the community special Services, Circuit and District Court, cifically designed for women. religious institutions, crisis and intervenThe Family Violence Coordinating tion counseling services and healthcare Council met with the Board of County providers.

Commissioners last week to update them “We have a strong board that is well on their current progress. attended,” said Dr. Kathleen O’Brien, The discussion focused on the availwho chairs the council. “We’re fortunate ability of beds, the first avenue available to be turning a complex problem into a for domestic abuse sufferers to step out workable framework.” of the shadows of violence.

But name recognition doesn’t guar“If you build it they will come,” antee success, especially when success is O’Brien said. “Women living in violent defined in the bylaws as the abolishment circumstances gain courage to go someof domestic violence in the county. where safe.”

For that to happen, communicaCommissioner Daniel H. Raley wontion is essential, cross training is almost dered why there were not more coordimandatory and money is the underlying nated efforts with “other good groups” backbone that makes it all possible. in the community that might not be But there is not enough money, ac- members of the council, namely Leah’s cording to O’Brien, who says the coun- House. cil is consistently competing for federal, While the answer is not completely state and county dollars to build more clear, Leah’s House and Three Oaks shelters and offer more services.

Center have allegedly spent more time

sparring than collaborating.

In January Marguerite Morris, founder of Leah’s House, told The County Times Lancaster had made a number of inappropriate comments and attempts to “undercut Leah’s House,” and that Lancaster was afraid the addition of another shelter would affect his funding.

“There should be room in the community for both shelters,” Morris said.

“We can’t be enemies, we need to share resources.”

Lancaster vehemently denied the accusations during an interview in January, saying he had met with Morris and “encouraged her and offered [his] experiences.”

However, Lancaster did admit to saying “white bread started this organization” to Morris in September of 2005, in reference to who started Three Oaks Center.

Morris said she found the comment offensive, and that Lancaster “lacked cultural sensitivity.”

“It probably wasn’t the smartest thing in the world,” Lancaster said, “or the best way to describe the intent at the time.”

The feud may be tied into what O’Brien characterizes as a separation between Leah’s House and the council. “Sometimes they have beds available,” O’Brien said “and sometimes there isn’t… There’s not been an official conversation.”

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Advanced Life Support Unit Stretched Thin

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

The new chief of the St. Mary’s County Advanced Life Support Unit (ALS) says volunteer members there are feeling the strain of being the only paramedic unit in the county with an increasing demand for extreme emergency services.

“We have some of the best trained and educated volunteers on the planet,” said ALS Chief Tom Hesbach.

“But when they pull a shift they take week to recover.”

Hesbach said the demand for ALS services in the county has stretched his crews to their limit, and they are only coming in to fill their minimum shifts required by the ALS squad and not signing on for extra duty.

Hesbach said the ALS regularly receives one call every two hours, with each call taking about one-and-a-half hours to run.

The changeover between volunteer shifts left little time to breathe as well, Hesbach said.

“When I come in on my shift the other guy going off duty throws me the keys and I start running [calls,] Hesbach said.

While his unit is feeling the strain, he said, it’s no different from other rescue squads, whose members comprise part of ALS, who are feeling the same pressure to respond to increased calls.

“We’re trying to work collegially to find a solution county wide,” Hesback said.

“We’re no more special than Bay District Fire Department or Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad.”

The ALS unit, which is funded by the county, asked for paid assistance in the fiscal 2008 budget by way of staff to help run the station and maintain vehicles.

But that request was taken out of the budget.

Larry Trader, a 20-year ALS veteran, said the strain on resources and manpower at the unit could result in sePhoto by Guy Leonard rious consequences for those Marguerite Morris works the lock to what will soon be a new and improved Leah’s House woman’s shelter for domestic abuse sufferers in St. Mary’s suffering from several seriCounty. ous medical emergencies, like cardiac arrest, that regular rescue squads may not able to deal with.

“The real possibility is that ALS calls could go unanswered even if there’s a medic unit on duty,” Trader said, using his lone status at the station June 8 as an example. “I could be tied up on another

By Guy Leonard Janice Walthour, a local having trouble dealing with sentative for the second group call.

Staff Writer and a teacher at Leonardtown NAACP representative and that one student.

“We’re pretty busy in this Some of the 25 or so as- Middle School, said that the county.” speaker for one of the groups, After nearly two months said that the opening up of ed- sembled group members county school and governCounty Commissioner of deliberating amongst them- ucation opportunities would stared in disbelief at the story ment officials and business Thomas Mattingly said the selves, three study circles of benefit the working poor in and couldn’t understand how leaders should seek to groom unit’s call for paid personnel county residents who were the county, particularly those a teacher had difficulty relat- minorities for leadership po- to assist their operations was tasked with talking about who are unskilled. sitions through internships, taken out because the county, ing to a young student. county race relations and how “The haves are really Walthour also said her scholarships and mentoring. through its Emergency Serto make the county more in- moving forward but the have- group also found that there The media should also be vices Task Force, is looking clusive shared their ideas for nots are not,” Walthour said. was a dearth of recreational encouraged to report a diverse for solutions to dealing with improvement.

While these were the activities for young people in range of stories on minorities manpower and demand probThe groups, after some main concerns of the Multi- St. Mary’s. in the county, Mathis said. lems with all branches of the deliberation at a meeting June cultural Study Circles, there In the coming weeks the emergency services.

Building more teen drop7 at the Dr. James A. Forrest were myriad other issues that in style centers like the one at study circle members will Mattingly said the county Career and Technical Cen- they came up with during their Chancellors Run Park would meet to better define their rec- wanted to avoid what hapter, came up with three areas weekly night time meetings. help give them something ommendations and take them pened in Charles County that should be the main focus Tracy Slack, a teacher at constructive to do in the eve- to government officials in the when they hired about 10 of efforts to make the county Greenview Knolls Elementa- nings and on weekends and hopes that their concerns will paid personnel to staff their more inclusive to minorities. be heeded. ry School said her group came help them avoid trouble.

ALS unit. The paid staff soon Those efforts were to pur- up with another concern: that Francis Jack Russell, pres- mushroomed and pushed out Eliminating or reducing sue recruitment and retention teachers and school staff may activities fees would also help ident of the Board of County volunteers. of minorities within county need more training to better young people participate who Commissioners, and member “Experience has shown government, sheriff’s office relate to minorities. did not have a lot of money. of one of the study groups, [hiring paid personnel] had and the school system, ad“Our children want peoBut, she said, community said that the success of the a negative impact on volunvocating for more affordable ple they can relate to,” Slack members have wanted the groups’ efforts would depend housing in the county and to said. county to take action on some on their ability to persuade. offer more technical and ca“It’s creating relationShe relayed a story where of these concerns before but reer training opportunities to a white teacher at another to little avail. ships, that’s the key,” Russell students as early as the mid- school went to a vice principal “Over and over again said. “You can’t mandate this dle school years so they could to seek help in dealing with a these things crop up,” Wal- stuff.” have more opportunities upon black student, the only one thour said. high school graduation. in her class, because she was Adrienne Mathis, a repre-

Groups Target Ways To Make County More Minority Inclusive

teers,” Mattingly said. “It’s one thing to say you’ll hire 10 people, but when demand increases and you hire 80 or 90 more people… it’s a pretty significant impact on the budget.”

Unlike volunteer rescue squads that have their own territory they are responsible for, with calls sometimes to assist in other areas if needed, the ALS unit has to respond to serious medical emergencies throughout the entire county.

“You’re looking at officially on duty, the only paramedic for St. Mary’s County,” Trader said that Friday. “I’ll run calls for Golden Beach to Point Lookout if needed and if available.”

Trader said, however, that paramedic emergency equipment was available at every rescue squad around the county, and that a paramedic on duty at a rescue squad could respond to an emergency call even if they were not on duty at the ALS unit.

Hesbach said that equipment availability allowed for paramedics to respond from home or work even if the station wasn’t manned.

“That’s been key to advancing health care in the county,” Hesbach said. “It allows people to come out of the woodwork and answer calls.”

The personal cost of working on the ALS unit was considerable, too, Trader said.

“We’re so busy people are getting burnt out,” Trader said. “I personally want to slow down. I come in and do the shifts I have to and don’t sign on for any more.”

Trader recalled that May 11 was a particularly tough shift.

He said he ran 17 calls in a 24-hour period, transporting 10 patients to St. Mary’s Hospital Center with only the aid of a driver and an emergency medical technician (EMT).

“That’s not so unusual anymore.”

Hesbach said that measures like a revitalized program at College of Southern Maryland that has trained 12 additional paramedics, plus the free training the unit’s 44 paramedics could get from St. Mary’s Hospital Center helped them deal with the strain of the extra calls.

But as the community grows the grassroots must answer the call to service.

“The community needs to step up and provide people to take the training,” Hesbach said.

Mattingly said the county government would wait and see what the task force had to say on solving the demand problems on volunteer emergency personnel before considering hiring paid personnel.

“We want to make sure it’s the right decision,” Mattingly said. “We’re looking for the best solution for our community.”

Trader said the county and volunteers always had to keep the best interests of the community first.

“I don’t care how we get the people,” Trader said. “If we have to ship in 20 volunteers or if we have to pay a couple of people, just as long as we get the service out that the people deserve.

“It’s not about us.”

Photo by Guy Leonard

Larry Trader, a member of the Advanced Life Support Unit, gets ready to answer an emergency call.

Leaders at the unit say they are strained with a high call volume and are looking for more volunteers to become paramedics.

The County Times

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Local Student Chosen for National American Miss Pagent Local Student Payton James will be participating in National American Miss pageant. The pageant will be held on August 8, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston. Miss James activities include cheerleading, band, and writing. She is sponsored

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Section A -

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The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Editorial & Opinion Family Fun This Summer? Try Your Own Back Yard With the kids out of school, the days long and gas prices high, this is a great summer to discover what Southern Maryland has to offer for you and your family. While tourism has seen considerable growth over the last 5 years in this region, it remains one of the best-kept secrets in Maryland as well as the eastern United States.

Unfortunately, the secret is not all that well known even among the residents who live minutes from many of our regions great attractions. Stop by one of the Welcome Centers in Southern Maryland and plan a day or even a weekend full of new adventures without even leaving your own backyard.

Start this weekend, with more than just a celebration for dad on father’s day. One of our Nations premier sporting events will be taking

place right here in St. Mary’s County.

At Budds Creek Motocross Park located on Route 234 just north of Wicomico Shores you can spend the entire weekend experiencing up close the thrill of motocross racing. Starting Friday morning and going thru Saturday morning you can watch amateurs from all across the country, including some of the east coast’s best riders, many who live right here in Southern Maryland, compete on the pro track.

Then Saturday afternoon the pros take the track for qualifying rounds. The best professional racers in the world will be there for this huge event. On Sunday, 20,000 plus will make their way to Budds Creek to see the Pro-National Races. This is one of the largest sporting events in the state, held each

year right here in St. Mary’s County.

Returning to the Unites States after more than a 20 year hiatus will be Motocross of Nations. This world classsporting event will be held September 22 & 23 at Budds Creek Motocross Park. For more information about other racing events at Budds Creek just visit their web site at www.buddscreek.com.

Or maybe the arts are your thing. The St. Mary’s College Summer Concert Series is for you. Beginning this Friday evening and going each Friday through the end of July, take the family to St. Mary’s College located in historic St. Mary’s City. Bring lawn chairs and your own picnic basket, or enjoy food and beverage from one of the many fine vendors. Thousands enjoy this annual series as they gather on the lawn overlook-

ing the beautiful St. Mary’s River.

If festivals are your thing, there is plenty to choose from in Southern Maryland. This Saturday, June 16 at Freedom Park located on Tulagi Place in Lexington Park your family can enjoy the Juneteenth Celebration. This event is a celebration of African American Heritage featuring children’s games, music, vendors and food.

If parks are your thing St. Mary’s County has some of the best. From state parks like Greenwell State Park, Point Lookout State Park, or St. Mary’s River State Park to the many county parks located throughout the county, there is room for everyone.

The rich history of St. Mary’s County is something every family living here should experience. There are many museums and historic

sites each telling part of the story of one of our nations most important settlements.

The many museums include Cecil’s Mill Historic District, Drayden AfricanAmerican Schoolhouse, Piney Point Lighthouse and Museum, Historic St. Mary’s City, Old Jail Museum, Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, Point Lookout State Park Lighthouse & Civil War Museum, Sotterley Plantation, St. Clements Island Museum, and Tudor Hall.

For more information about any of these great tourist attractions and more, just visit the St. Mary’s County Government web site at www. saint-marys.md.us. Click on “visitors” then go to Tourism Department for information that can last the summer and fall.

One of the best days you and your family can spend

here is a trip to Leonardtown.

Established in 1708, Leonardtown is one of the oldest incorporated towns in Maryland as well as on of the oldest county seats in America. The town square is always buzzing with activities including concerts, parties, and seasonal events.

Enjoy the many fine shops and restaurants located in Leonardtown. Watch for the opening of the new Leonardtown Wharf Waterfront Park.

For more information about the many events visit www. somd.com/leonardtown.

With many great places to visit and much to do, why not stay home this summer and enjoy the many things our community has to offer without breaking the family savings?

Letters to the Editor If you wish to send a letter to the editor, please include your name, address and phone number for confirmation purposes. We will only publish your name and city of residence. We can withhold your name by request if circumstances merit it. We must receive all letters by Monday morning for publication in the next issue. Any letter received later than Monday will be held for the following issue.

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

P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, Maryland 20636

Guy Leonard - Community Correspondent................guyleonard@countytimes.net

News, advertising, circulation, classifieds: 301-373-4125

Eileen McDonald - Advertising Rep...............eileenmcdonald@countytimes.net

Summer Institute Draws Heavyweight Speakers

By Guy Leoanrd Staff Writer Newsweek magazine investigative reporter Michael Isikoff, former CNN correspondent and now University of Delaware professor Ralph Begleiter and Philip Crowley of the Center for American Progress.

These were just some of the prominent speakers, both civilian and military, the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the Patuxent Partnership, a business and government partnership fostering technology and development in St. Mary’s were able to bring together at their Patuxent Summer Institute.

The topic: how the military deals with the media, nongovernmental organizations and foreign militaries and how those relationships will affect its ability to be victorious in conflicts around the world.

Zach Messitte, director of the Center for the Study of Democracy, said the symposium was a sign of a growing cooperation between the U.S. Navy, perhaps the largest institution in St. Mary’s and the college.

“The two big employers and the two big institutions are the base and its contrac-

tors and the college,” Messitte said. “These are permanent and long term parts of the county’s DNA. “This is about how do you connect the military to the college. This kind of thing does that.”

In 2006 Messittee, who is a professor of political science at the college, helped put together the first Patuxent Summer Institute with an eye towards the future role of the U.S. Navy in the War on Terror.

The first three panelists, Isikoff, Begleiter and Crowley discussed how the military dealt with the media and also tackled the tough topics of how the media failed to adequately question the Bush administration’s lead up to the war in Iraq.

“It’s a vitally important relationship,” Crowley sad of the military and the media.

“The military now views the media as a reality.”

Crowley, also a U.S. Air Force veteran, said that the relationship was critical to “building an informed citizenry” regarding the military’s efforts in the War on Terror and the Iraq War. He said that the media was instrumental in revealing the chaos in Iraq after the toppling of Saddam Hussein and

Photo by Guy Leonard

Michael Isikoff, investigative reporter for Newsweek magazine, P.J. Crowley, of the Center for American Progress and former CNN correspondent and now journalism professor Ralph Begleiter were some of the noted speakers at the Patuxent Summer Institute sponsored by St. Mary’s College and the Patuxent Partnership.

in helping Americans at home understand that the insurgency was a real threat to peace.

That kind of reporting can sometimes be at odds with the military’s mission, Begleiter said.

“These two things aren’t always nice to each other,” Begleiter said. “But the media support the nation by questioning the war.”

Although the media often had to struggle to maintain its credibility in the eyes of the public, Begleiter said.

“The military is the most respected institution in the country,” he said. “Journalists are at the bottom of the public respect spectrum.”

Isikoff, who has co-written “Hubris: The Inside Story of Spin, Scandal and the selling of the Iraq War,” said that the media bought into controlled leaks by the administration supporting its case for war in Iraq, particularly the nuclear threat, without being able to see dissenting reports on that intelligence from within the government itself.

“The press should have been more skeptical,” Isikoff said.

Bonnie Green, executive director of the Patuxent Partnership, said the summer institutes served to help get people to pay more attention to critical issues of the military, especially since it was such an integral part of Southern Maryland.

“The public persona of the military matters a lot,” Green said. “Part of this is to get people to re-engage.”

Messitte said the re-engagement process between the military and the public and academia was important in overall community relations because “there’s usually a disconnect between ‘town and gown’.” “[Through the summer institutes] we’re learning from [the military and the public and you’re learning from us.”

Golf Course Continued from page A- “It took at least two to three months to go back and fourth and work through that.”

The commissioners unanimously approved to execute the $2.6 million project though three different funding mechanisms, which were also different than January’s proposal.

“We were originally thinking of a standard exempt financing,” said Elaine Kramer, the county’s chief financial officer. “Just doing exempt financing alone got tricky with the bank.”

Under exempt financing, the county was unable to terminate its funding agreement in case it obtained the funds to pay the loan prematurely, a scenario Kramer said she envisions.

“We really think this can be paid earlier than 20 years,” Kramer added.

Under the Tuesday’s approval, the golf course will fund the renovations through a 20-year bond, similar to an obligation bond, but can be paid in full any time. Additionally, the golf course will utilize funds from the county, the state’s open space funds and $700,000 of its own enterprise golf fund.

Rendering

While greens, carts and other equipment fees have raised slightly this season it is not to fund the renovations, Rollins said.

By selecting this financing option, the county and golf course could lose because the plan is backed with the county’s credit card at a higher rate of 5.62 percent. However, if the bond were paid in 15 years, as planned by Kramer, it would likely serve as the course’s best option.

“At fist you think that is a little scary,” said Kramer of putting the course on its back financially, “and it is.”

Financial planning wasn’t the only thing to change in the past three months. The cost of the clubhouse is also up $200,000 from its January estimate.

While Rollins was unable to pinpoint the cause of the excess cost, he did say $126,000 of it came from wasting money on design engineering of a new building.

The golf advisory board nixed the idea of tearing down the clubhouse and building new when it found the price tag to exceed its budget, but the preliminary evaluation still cost the golf course a con-

siderable fee.

“We weren’t reflecting that cost before,” Rollins said. “The other $74,000 I don’t know, I would have to dig back in my records to see what happened.”

The project’s next phase is to update and restructure the building’s interior electrical, heat and cooling systems.

Rollins said he estimates the project to be done in about a year.

Dennis Anderson Construction Inc. was awarded the $1,922,033 contract Tuesday to complete the renovations.

The project will expand the facility to 16,000 square feet, and offer a bar, kitchen, pro shop, banquet facility, outside sitting area and men’s and women’s restrooms.

Renovations will also address the failing heat and airconditioning systems, and the site’s lack of handicap accessibility, according to Kathy Bailey, executive coordinator for DRPCS.

Photo Courtesy of Wicomico Golf Course

The County Times

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Ramblings of a Country Girl Photo by Adam Ross

I Wish I Was.....

Terri Bartz Bowles Following a busy, chaotic week at work, with errands, tasks and commitments afterwards, I plopped on the couch one evening, mentally and physically exhausted. I

wish I was eight years old again, I thought. My mind wandered…….

When I was eight years old I had that greatest of treasures, a bicycle, which I spent endless hours riding. I also had my beloved Barbie dolls and

Drug Raids Continued from page A- neighborhood.

Those complaints led to a month-long investigation before the raids, he said, with the investigation into drug-related criminal activity in the area still ongoing.

“We did nine search warrants in the complex and that included apartments, vehicles and people,” Burris said. “We anticipate additional arrests.”

All nine of the warrant searches were carried out simultaneously in the neighborhood, Burris said, which made it necessary to get extra help from the emergency services teams in Charles and Calvert counties and from the Maryland State Police.

Canine units from St. Mary’s and Calvert also took part in the raid, along with drug sniffing dogs from the state police.

Narcotics investigators from BCI also took part in the action, Burris said.

The raids resulted in two

arrests, the seizure of $770 in crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, an undisclosed amount of currency and ammunition but no weapons.

Jerome A Herbert, 20, of Mechanicsville and Thomas A. Bush, 62, of Leonardtown were the two men arrested, Burris said.

Community residents, as well as Burris, said that Leonard’s Freehold apartments had become a magnet for narcotics buyers to come from outside the neighborhood to purchase drugs.

Burris could not confirm, however, which communities people came from to buy drugs at Leonard’s Freehold.

Taking out narcotics at the street level and at the organizational level has been a focus of Sheriff Timothy Cameron’s administration.

He has said he intends to make the narcotics investigative squad its own unit and to add investigators to help

we had a German Shepherd dog and my family went fishing on the weekends. I was in third grade – oh, wait – I had a teacher who was loud and stern and scared me to death in third grade. Hmmm, don’t want to go back there. Okay,

close a higher number of drug cases.

He has said he also plans to increase street-level enforcement of narcotics to relieve communities living with problems like the residents at Leonard’s Freehold experienced.

James Robey, a resident of Leonard’s Freehold, said the constant traffic in and out of the community as a result of narcotics sales was not such a problem anymore.

Before the raids, Robey said, property managers would attempt to get the drug dealers to leave but to no avail.

“The landlord would talk to them but it never did any good,” Robey said. “I know I never went out after dark.”

The noise that came with all the drug sales and traffic has abated too, Robey said, though he didn’t believe that drug dealers have made a permanent departure from his neighborhood.

“The sheriffs, they never will get rid of all the drugs,” Robey said. “[The raids] are a help anyway.”

Hope Swan Continued from page A-1

By Adam Ross Staff Writer Great teachers may or may not be a dime a dozen, but when a special one is found they are often recognized for their achievements, whether teaching from outside the box or inside the lines.

Kim Weaver, a teacher at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, builds bridges with her students both literally and figuratively, which has led to a newfound glory, albeit shared with another prestigious name: Hope Swann.

Weaver is the recipient of this year’s Hope Swann Educator’s Hall of Fame Award, a recognition originally crafted from the countless contributions Swann made inside and outside the classrooms of St. Mary’s County.

The award, established by the Margaret Brent High School Alumni Association, recognizes an outstanding educator who best exemplifies the strong character, standards and ideals of Swann.

“It’s hands on, minds on,” said Weaver of her success as an educator for 26 years, hopping from pre-kindergarten to second grade throughout her tenure. “They learn through their hands. I present some-

thing and I don’t give them models, they have to create their own systems.”

It is working.

Twelve years ago, Weaver’s supervisor made her an offer she couldn’t pass up.

“He asked me if I wanted to build bridges with my kids,” said Weaver. “Once I started I saw the science and engineering value of it.”

Today, her lesson plans are more in depth and thought out, in part from two published books she crafted; “Technology Starter: A Standard Based Guide,” published in 2002 and “Models for Introducing Technology: A Standard Based Guide,” published in 2003.

“Ms. Weaver is an incredible hands-on science teacher,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools.

“Her classroom is a laboratory of learning where children are fully engaged in ever minute of every school day.”

Depending on the day, one of Weaver’s classrooms might be completely empty as she and the students are engaged in engineering competitions in Baltimore or testing homemade sailboats against the wind.

But Weaver’s classroom does not just build on the Earth’s terrain, it also reinvents

I wish I was seven, seven was good. Bike, Barbies, dog, second grade. Stop the train – eye surgery. I had eye surgery when I was seven. The only good thing I recall about that was the neighbors bringing me a book and Tootsie Rolls;

Section A - a whole box of the big, fat Tootsie Rolls, my favorite childhood candy. Still, the Tootsies don’t make up for the surgery. No, seven won’t work either.

How about nine years old? Bike, Barbies, dog, fishing. All good. Yes, I wish I was nine again. I was in the fourth grade at Oakville Elementary School. It was a small school; if I remember correctly, there was one classroom for each grade level, K-5, a library and a multi-purpose room. The kids all called it the cafeteria, but the plaque over the doorway and the principal, Mr. Hazuda, stated “multipurpose room”. Mr. Hazuda was correct, of course.

There was a stage at one end, so it was an auditorium.

There was a piano in the corner where we had music class. The school store was located there in a small, locked room. It served as a gym for Phys. Ed. class and rainy recess periods. We watched movies in there.

Very multi-purpose. Anyway, Oakville was a great school of which I have fond memories and fourth grade held no problems or issues.

Summer was spent playing a lot and eating ice cream, Fudgesicles or two scoops of chocolate on a cake cone, please. I also spent a lot of time on the farms of my grandpar-

Top Employer Continued from page A- allows continuing contributions to employees’ pensions when on the battlefield instead of in the office, without sacrificing built-up leave.

There are approximately 15 employees in St. Mary’s County Government who serve part-time in the National Guard and Army Reserve, according to Sabo. Of those 15, one, Deputy Daniel Snyder, is currently deployed overseas.

“We’re trying to support all of our various employees within county government and their participation in military service,” Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (DLeonardtown) said. “The policies help ensure the families of our employees serving are able to remain comfortable and able to meet the financial challenges they might have.”

The county is just one of 220 business entities in the state to receive a Top Employer Award from ESGR. ESGR basis its awards on a five star system, one star being the lowest and five the highest attainable rating.

Because St. Mary’s County Government was considered

by ESGR to go “above and beyond” the federal requirements in supporting their

employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve, it earned its five stars. .

“Each of the commissioners pledged we would not deny employment or discriminate on leave of absence for military purposes,” Sabo said.

“We make that policy known throughout the organization.”

However, the policy wasn’t always in place.

The board adopted the new measures after attending an awards ceremony for local businesses doing their part in supporting military employees, according to Mattingly.

At the time, the board was under the direction of former Commission President Thomas F. McKay. ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve members and their civilian employers, and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment.

Larry Shanks, Prince Georges County ESGR Chairman, represented the committee Tuesday in awarding St. Mary’s County Government.

“I have not handled a single complaint in St. Mary’s County over the course of 25

ents, none of whom lived more than 15 minutes away. Mom and Dad had a small boat and we went fishing a lot. I was a small, skinny little thing, and even catching perch and spot was sometimes a bit of a struggle. Often as not, I’d just take something to play with and occupy myself with that while everybody else fished.

At nine, I was too young for any onerous chores, I didn’t have to clean fish or cut grass or anything like that. That’s a definite plus.

Yes, life was good. I loved my Barbie dolls and played with them for hours on end. They never had laundry that needed to be done, their house never needed cleaning. I had my play kitchen and plastic food and toy grocery store. That was much more fun than schlepping to the grocery store on the way home from work, then cooking supper when you’re tired out, and then cleaning up.

The only vehicle maintenance I had to worry about was getting Daddy to pump up my bicycle tires.

Sigh. I wish I was nine years old again. On second thought, after the week I’ve had, seven or eight don’t look so bad. The eye surgery was no worse than some of the meetings I’ve endured this week……

years as an ombudsman,” said Shanks.

During the ceremony, the commissioners renewed their efforts by signing the ESGR’s Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.

In uniform were three county government employees who have and currently serve as reservists including; Sabrina Hecht, a planner in land use and growth management, Lt. Christopher Medved from the sheriff’s office who served in Iraq and Kuwait in 2005, and Navy Cmdr. Gary Whipple, an engineer in public works and transportation.

“I was very grateful that the county did many of the things on that plaque,” said Medved, “for my family when I was in Iraq.”

The statement of support pledges that employment will not be denied or limited because of service in the Guard or Reserve, leaves of absence will be granted without the sacrifice of vacation and that the policies will be made known throughout the organization.

“We are providing the type of support our military needs and it’s showing,” said Mattingly. “We are standing behind our military personnel one hundred percent, that is what this is all about.”

and conceptualizes esoteric notions. Take Weaver’s trip to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston Texas, where she assisted in the development of literature on a lunar growth chamber. Soon her students were fostering their own chambers, complete with electrical and watering systems.

“It was an exciting experience,” she said. “When I first started teaching I didn’t get to do the hands on pieces, it was strictly reading from books…

“It certainly does have an effect on learning if you bring something into the classroom that is part of their world. It makes a big difference because they are excited about their world.”

According to Weaver, the Hope Swann Award was completely new to her, characterizing it as “neat.”

“I’ve come to understand [Swann] was an excellent teacher,” she added.

Along with the award, Weaver will receive $500 and have her name added to the Hope Swann Hall of Fame plaque located in the school system’s administration building.

Photo by Adam Ross

Larry Shanks, from Prince George’s County presents the Maryland Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Award to the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday.

The County Times

Section A -

In Your Community Summer School Review Courses Registration for the High School Summer School review courses will be held Monday and Tuesday, June 18 and 19, at Leonardtown High School, from 7:30 a.m. until noon. The high school summer school program is planned for public and nonpublic high school students presently en-

rolled in grades 9-12 who have received a grade of E in a course or have completed a course with a grade of D and wish to improve their skills.

Golf Tournament The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 11th annual golf tournament Monday July 9 at the Wicomico Shores Golf

Course. Shotgun starts at 9 a.m., in scramble – captain’s choice format. Cost is $65.00 per player, which includes fees, cart, lunch, beverages and prizes. For more information call Joe Cooper at 301-863-5362.

Art Reception The Lexington Park Library Art Gallery will be

holding an opening reception for the members of the Calvert Art Guild who have their artwork on display at library during the month of June. Reception is free, call 301-8638188 for more information.

2007 SOAPBOX DERBY SEASON STARTS

Thursday, June 14, 2007 The 2007 Southern Maryland Soap Box Derby, planned and coordinated by the Lexington Park Lions Club, will be hosted by the Town of Leonardtown on Saturday, June 9th. The Derby is an annual event, open to boys and girls, ages 8 to 17, from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties. Two Southern Maryland champions will automatically advance to the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, in July. All Soap Box Derby cars are built from pre-cut kits obtained from the All-American Soap

Box Derby Association. Individuals or organizations interested in purchasing a kit to construct for the 2007 Derby may contact the All-American Soap Box Derby at this address: All-American Soap Box Derby, Derby Downs, P.O. Box 7225, Akron, Ohio 44306. The Association can also be contacted by phone at (330) 733-8723, by fax at (330) 733-1370, or by e-mail at soapbox@assbd.org. Information is also available on the Derby web site at www.aasbd. org. . For local assistance in ordering a Derby kit or more information on how to enter or sponsor a car in this year’s event, please contact Chris Hayden, at (240) 895-7605, or (301) 934-3659. The local derby has cars to loan when specific eligibility requirements are met. Visit the Lexington Park Lions club web site for more information on this year’s race at www.Lexingtonparklionsclub.org.

CSM Twilight Performance Series

Bring Kids Club Card And Decorate Your Own Fathers’s Day Cake!

8” Round Cake Single Layer $1.00 Friday June 15th 4-8pm Saturday June 16th 11am-6pm

Calvert Dance Band. July 12, 6:30 p.m., Prince Frederick Campus, 115 J.W. Williams Rd, Prince Frederick, Md. As part of the Twilight Performance Series, the Calvert Dance Band will perform at the Prince Frederick Campus of CSM. This is part of the new summer performance series sponsored in part by the Arts Council of Calvert County, The Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The series will feature a different performance. Food available beginning at 6 p.m. or bring a picnic with a lawn chair or a blanket (no alcoholic beverages permitted). Free. 301-9347828, 240-725-5499, 443-5506199, 301-870-2309, Ext. 7828 or www.csmd.edu/FineArts.

Summer Space Camp St. Mary’s County Public Schools, in collaboration with the Patuxent Partnership, is pleased to offer its first Summer Space Camp. A total of four sessions of this camp will be held concurrently from July 16-27, 2007, and will run from 9:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. each day. Two sessions are designed for students entering grades 4-6, and two sessions will serve students entering grades 7-9. These 10-day camps provide opportunities for students to participate in hands-on, minds-on activities in the areas of science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. Students will explore topics such as earth science, engineering, rocketry, space citizenship, and space science through classroom activities and authentic field experiences at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Goddard Space Center, and the National Air and Space Museum. Applications for this program can be downloaded by visiting St. Mary’s County Public Schools’ website at www.smcps.org and clicking on the “Summer Activities for Students” tab.

Democratic Club Meeting The Democratic Club of St. Mary’s will meet on Monday, 6/18 at Lenny’s Restaurant in California on Rte 235, across from Wildewood Shopping Center. Representatives from the Form of Government Task Force will discuss their mission to evaluate different forms of government for St. Mary’s County. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. Come for dinner at Lenny’s at 6:00 and join informal table discussions prior to the meeting which begins at 7:00. For more information call Cindy at 301-737-3978.

Available Starting May 11th

Mechanicsville Carnival Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department – Annual Carnival 6/14-6/17 and 6/216/24

The County Times

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Obituaries Michael Ciske “Mike” Bond, 48

Helen, Md. Serving as pallbearers will be Rodney Briscoe, John Queen, Arthur Diggs, Mark Briscoe, Alfred Jordan, and A.J. Bond, Jr. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md.

Anthony Dennis “Toney” Bowman

Michael Ciske “Mike” Bond, 48, of Loveville, Md., died Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at Southern Maryland Hospital, Clinton, Md., following a short illness.

Born June 25, 1958 in Leonardtown, Md., he was the son of Shirley E. Bond and the late King Philip Bond, Sr. He was the third child of fourteen.

Mike was a life long resident of St. Mary’s County. He graduated from Chopticon High School in 1976. He was a faithful and dedicated member of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Church in Leonardtown, Md. Mike was employed by various general contractors during his career. He was employed by Jowett Construction Company for 26 years, and recently was employed

by R & R Construction Company. Mike was a member of the Local Labor Union 626.

In his past time, he loved dancing, hunting, gardening, traveling, and he especially enjoyed hanging out with his family.

Mike leaves to remember and cherish his wife, Sharron (Connie), two loving children, Derrick C. Mason, and Kristi Y. Mason, one stepson, Vaughn Clark, two grandchildren, Kayla Mason and Cameron Washington, thirteen siblings, King Philip Bond, Jr. (Sheila) of Mechanicsville, Md., Julius Bond (Rita) of Mechanicsville, Md., Terri Taylor (Arlin) of Forestville, Md., Deborah Austin (Arthur) of Newport News, Va., Sandra Fant (Frederick) of Mechanicsville, Md., Paul Bond, Sr. of Mechanicsville, Md., Gary Bond, Sr. (Michelle) of Perris, Ca., Eric Bond of Suitland, Md., Gail Bond of Leonardtown, Md., Kim Bond of Mechanicsville, Md., Norris Bond (Lynn), Brian Bond, Sr. (Latasha), and Kerry Bond, Sr., all of Leonardtown, Md., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.

The family will receive friends on Friday, June 15 from 9:30- 11 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, Md., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Father John Dakes will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery,

Anthony Dennis “Toney” Bowman, 40, Mechanicsville, Md., and died June 2, 2007 in the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Md. Born February 3, 1967 in Leonardtown, Md., he was the son of Thelma Elaine Bowman Johnson and the late Lester Scriber. He was the stepson of James Johnson of Mechanicsville, Md. He is survived by his daughter Anna Marie Lauppe of Fowler, KS, his siblings; Edward Bowman and Joyce Johnson, both of Mechanicsville, Md., and Carl Bowman, Sr. of Waldorf, Md. He graduated from Chopticon High School, Class of 1985 and attended Colorado State University. He was employed as a commercial and residential insulator for over 20 years. He enjoyed basketball, dancing and spending time with family. The family received friends on Thursday, June 7 at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial followed at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church, Chaptico, Md., with Fr. Timothy Baer officiating.

Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, Md. Pallbearers were Wesley Bush, Haskell Campbell, Ricky Thomas, Antonio Smith, Darrell Green and Carl (CJ) Bowman, Jr. Honorary pallbearers were Jonathan Veney, Byron Bowman, Joseph Wilson, Alvin Whalen, Roy Reed, James Bowman, Marcel Bowman and Tyvie Herbert. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

George Washington Hale, 79 George Washington Hale, 79, of California, Md., died June 8, 2007 at his daughter’s residence.

Born Apr. 22, 1928 in Alcorn, Miss., he was the son of the late George Washington Hale and Loraine Blankinship Hale.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy L. Hale of Annapolis, Md., five children, George Wayne Hale of Mechanicsville, Md., Darlene Mae Brown of King George, Va., Shawn Wilson Hale, Carlene Lynn Hale, and Tina Marie Hale, all of Lexington Park, Md., brother, Edward Lee Hale of Corinth, Miss., and nine grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Irma Taylor and his brothers, Lester and William Hale.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 14, 2007 from 10-11 a.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md.; with a Funeral Service conducted at 11 a.m. Reverend Dale Skurla will conduct the service. Interment will follow in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Md. Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE House c/o HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 37707 New Market Turner Road, Mechanicsville, Md. 20659.

Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Ann Elizabeth Hazel, 99

Ann Elizabeth Hazel, 99, of Hollywood, Md., died June 10, 2007 at her residence.

Born Aug. 5, 1907 in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late John and Martha McCluskey Kenny.

She was the loving wife of the late Joseph Raymond Hazel whom she married on Dec. 30, 1944. She is survived by her children; Mary Frances Demetro and Bernadette Barrett, both of Houston, Tex., Daniel Hazel of Leonardtown, Md., Ann Marie Danielowich and Anthony Hazel, both of Hollywood, Md. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Sharon Lawrence, Michael Demetro, Joseph Barrett, Dannette Martin, Deborah Demetro and Cindy Gardiner, as well as her great-grandchildren; Melissa Barrett, Samantha Lawrence, Shelby Gardiner, Skyler Martin, Tyler Gardiner, Luke Martin, Brooke Gardiner, Christopher Arnett and Talor Arnett. She was preceded in death by her son JR Hazel and her sister Martha Lynet.

Ann was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County as well as a homemaker.

The family received friends on Tuesday, June 12 from 5-8 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church where prayers were said. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, June 13 at

10 a.m. in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were be Robert Martin, Jimmy Gardiner, Scott Smith, Jay Johnson, Darren Dahlstrom and John Francis Smith. Honorary pallbearers were Tyler Gardiner and Luke Martin.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md. 20650 and/or Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, Md. 20636. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Phyllis Ann Hopewell, 66 Phyllis Ann Hopewell, 66, of Mechanicsville, Md., died June 8, 2007 in Civista Medical Center, LaPlata, Md. Born Jan. 29, 1941 in Oakville, Md., she was the daughter of the late Mary E. Jordan and Joseph Henry Jordan, Sr. She is survived by her daughter, Monica Renae (Jordan) Barnes and her husband, Joseph E., Sr. of Great Mills, Md., two grandsons, Joseph Eugene, Jr. and Phillip Brandon Barnes, step-son, Aaron Hopewell and his wife, Katrina, brothers, Lawrence Jordan of Fort Washington, Md., Gregory Jordan of Hinesville, Ga., and Michael Jordan of Leonardtown, Md., sisters, Joan Jordan of Oakville, Md., Rose Waters of Columbia, Md., Thelma Strickland of Mechanicsville, Md., and Bernadette Tyer of California, Md. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome Hopewell and brother, Joseph E. Jordan, Jr. The family will receive friends on Saturday, June 16 from 9-10 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, Md.; where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Father Keith Woods will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, Md. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Section A - 2006.

Cidney loved all animals, especially her dog, Mak. When she grew up, she wanted to become an animal protection police officer. Her favorite cartoon was Scooby Doo. She loved attending all of her brother’s Great Mills basketball games; she was his #1 fan. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by her siblings, Trae Jacobs, Ce’Drice Jacobs, Destiny Harper, all of Lexington Park, Md., and Tyree Harper of Kirkland, Wash., maternal grandmother, “Grandi”, paternal grandparents, Leroy and Gloria Harper, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family received friends for a Memorial Service on Sunday, June 10 at 11 a.m. at the Solomons Recreation Center, Solomons, Md. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Stacey Michelle Reintzell Lynch, 32

Stacey Michelle Reintzell Lynch, 32, of Lexington Park, Md., died June 4, 2007 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, Md. Born July 19, 1974 in Leonardtown, Md., she was the daughter of the late William Bernard Reintzell, Sr. and Mary Yvonne Reintzell.

For arrangements details please visit our website at www.mattingleygardiner. com.

A full obituary will appear at a later date.

Paul Alfred O’Brien, 88

Cidney Paige Jacobs, 11

Cidney Paige Jacobs, 11, of Lexington Park, MD died May 21, 2007 in Childrens Hospital, Washington, D.C. Born Aug. 24, 1995 in Coupeville, Wash., she was the daughter of Cedric Harper and Kari Jacobs of Lexington Park, Md. She graduated from Park Hall Elementary in

Strayer College before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1941 to serve during WWII. While in the service, he met and married Mary McCall O’Brien, his wife of 52 years.

She preceded him in death on March 26, 2002.

He was employed at the Internal Revenue Service for 30 years. In 1969, he was appointed the representative of the District Director for Southern Maryland before he retired in 1973.

Growing up he enjoyed his summers on the family farm in White Point and in 1952 moved his family there permanently. As a strong proponent of Catholic education, Paul played a prominent role in the early years of Father Andrew White, S.J. School and Ryken High School.

He is survived by his children, Mary Ann Smith of Merrimack, N.H., Paul O’Brien of Leonardtown, Md., Margaret Delis of Eldersburg, Md., Dorothy Hartley of Leonardtown, Md., Catherine O’Brien of Tucson, Ariz., Susan McCormick of Bel Alton, Md., Cynthia Wells of LaPlata, Md., Karen Maguire of Clear Spring, Md., Stephen O’Brien of Leonardtown, Md., Teresa Singer of Falls Church, Va., and Colleen Knepper of Catonsville, Md., sister, Helen Costello of Silver Spring, Md., 30 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Patricia O’Brien, sister, Mary Plant, and brothers, William O’Brien, Neil O’Brien, John O’Brien and Joe O’Brien.

The family received friends on Friday, June 8 from 5-8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Prayers were recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m. in Our Lady’s Church, Medley’s Neck, Leonardtown, Md. Father Thomas LaHood was the celebrant. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the O’Brien Memorial Fund c/o Our Lady’s Catholic Church, Medley’s Neck, P.O. Box 111, Leonardtown, Md. 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md.

Jerold Clair Parish, 65

Paul Alfred O’Brien, 88, of Leonardtown, Md., died June 7, 2007 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center, Leonardtown, Md. Born Oct. 31, 1918 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late William Patrick O’Brien and Mary Townley O’Brien.

He graduated from Eastern High School and attended

Jerold Clair Parish, 65, of Leonardtown, Md., died June 11, 2007 at his residence.

Born Mar 5, 1942 in Toledo, OH, he was the son of the late Clair Allen Parish and Helen (Kroetz) Parish.

He is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Black of Semmes, AL and Elizabeth Dorr of Leonardtown, Md., sister, Judith Debo of Swanton, OH, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

All services will take place in Ohio.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

The County Times

Section A -

Trail Underway

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Dispute

The current section of the trail now in use runs from New Market to the Northern Continued from page A- Senior Center in Charlotte Continued from page A- Hall and is just one mile. It The standoff ended when Proponents of the trail the woods. connects the Southern MaryFarrell fired two shots, one of The only thing to be con- land Regional Library, the system said the idea was inifatally wounded him. which tially controversial because cerned about was the Amish county’s farmers market, the Special tactics deputies then residents were concerned the community traffic, he said. welcome center, Charlotte took the house and found Fartrail would be used for ne“The worst thing we have Hall Veterans Home and the farious activities by criminals on our trails is horse apples,” communities of New Market rell dead.

Deputies were unsure Jarboe said. looking for a secluded place. and Charlotte Hall. where the other shot went, Coleman Hillman, anBut Dan Donohue, a cyPhase II of the project will Alioto said. cling enthusiast and No shots were fired by chair of the commitlaw enforcement in the standtee that helped overoff, he confirmed. see the project, said Alioto did not disclose residents were afraid specific details of events that they would have to led up to the barricade situagive up parts of the tion but said that these kinds trail that they had of incidents were becoming been using as part of more and more commonplace their own property. in the county and there were “A lot of it had to no guarantees as to how difdo with people takferent suspects would react in ing and using the land these encounters. for their own uses,” “It’s all how that person Donohue said. “A lot handles crisis,” Alioto said. of it was people be“This [barricade situations] is ing threatened with becoming more common, and having to change how with that will have to come they used the county’s more education and training land.” law for enforcement and the said, Donohue community. however, that the “It’s unfortunate.” county pushed ahead Connie Walker, head of with the project dethe National Alliance on Menspite skepticism from Photo by Guy Leonard tal Illness, Southern Maryland residents and even Sen. Roy Dyson (D-Dist. 29) joins county officials like Commissioner Kenny Dement chapter, said that this type of county officials, be- (D-Callaway) as well as Larry Jarboe (left) and Thomas Mattingly (right) and comcause of the numerous munity supporters of the Three Notch Trail as they break ground on the second phase potential benefits. of the trail, which will stretch from Charlotte Hall into Charles County.

“When this is completed w’ere going to get other member of the Three run for about two miles.

The third phase of the people coming in here, spend- Notch Trail Committee, said it ing money at bed-and-break- should provide a welcome re- project is planned to run from fasts, hotels and bike shops,” spite away from heavy traffic. California to Wildewood for “I’d like to see the trail about two miles and will be Donohue said. “The potential run all the way through the constructed by developers befor economic development is county away from the traffic,” tween 2008 and 2010. there.”

Phase IV will eventually County Commissioner Hillman, of Mechanicsville, Thomas Mattingly (D-Leon- said. “I’m just happy to be a connect Wal-Mart and Chancellors Run Road, as well as ardtown) said he is looking part of it.”

The trail concept was of- Chancellors Run Road to forward to the trail’s eventual fered to the public about three Pegg Road, while the other success. years ago as a means to pro- phases, five through nine, “There are always skepoutdoor recreation and which will stretch from Wilmote tics, but this next two-and-atourism in the county by us- dewood to New Market, will quarter miles is going to be the icing on the cake of our trails ing land that remained from likely be constructed between 2008 and 2015 depending on an old railroad right of way. system,” Mattingly said.

The entire right of way the availability of funds.

As to the crime concerns, Commissioner Larry Jarboe runs 28 miles, from Hughes(D-Golden Beach) intimated ville in Charles County, all that he wasn’t very worried the way down to the Patuxabout the trail in his neck of ent River Naval Air Station in Lexington Park.

incident emphasized the need for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model in St. Mary’s that has been replicated across the country as a way to deal with sensitive situations like this.

CITs are groups of highly trained officers who partner with mental health services to help calm situations where suspects may be distraught or suffering from a mental illness.

Walker said she did not know whether Farrell suffered from a mental illness, but he was likely severely distressed and unable to make clear judgments.

“Someone is obviously pretty desperate to even consider a situation like this,” Walker said. “They’re at a point where they aren’t thinking clearly.”

Walker agreed that the county would likely see more volatile situations like barricades and standoffs.

“With the county increasing in size there are increasing stressors on families and individuals,” Walker said. “This speaks to a more critical need for a CIT. “Hopefully a CIT can intervene before a situation can come to this.”

Last month a barricade

situation occurred on Baptist Church Road when a woman, naked, battered and bloody, dove out the first story window of the house where the male resident had brought her.

Police arrived after neighbors called in reporting the desperate woman, and were eventually able to coax the man, John H. Fore, III, out of his home where he was arrested for assault and false imprisonment.

On Christmas night 2006, James Emerick Dean, an Afghan War veteran and U.S. Army Ranger diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, became embroiled in a standoff with Sheriff’s deputies and State Police Tactical Teams after he barricaded himself inside his parents home and threatened to commit suicide.

Dean had become despondent and depressed, family members said, when he had received orders over Thanksgiving to serve in Iraq.

After hours of trying to negotiate his exit, and several incidents of Dean firing at officers, Dean was killed by a state police tactical marksman when he exited the house and leveled a shotgun at a state police armored vehicle.

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