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Thursday, January 17, 2008 • St. Mary’s County, Maryland

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Ryken Falls Short To Huntingtown

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If they continue to play like that, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win.”

- St Mary’s Ryken Assistant Coach

Hil Frankforter

See pg. A-6 For Story

Expansion Of Leonardtown Sewer Plant Delayed

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The Leonardtown town government will now have to prioritize approval of development in its limits since the announcement Monday that the expansion of the nearby sewage treatment plant has been delayed, according to town officials.

The town government was depending on three major housing developments, Tudor Hall Farms, Leonard’s Grant and Clark’s Rest, to pay much-increased impact fees that

would fund the expansion.

But with the bankruptcy of the Tudor Hall Farms development, town administrator Laschelle Miller said, the town no longer has the funding to ensure the build-out of the expansion by late this year.

“One-third of the funding is gone and Clark’s Rest is not moving ahead as fast as we expected,” Miller said. “We’re going to have to be diligent about what [developments] are approved in the next one or two years.”

This means that there are only about 100 equivalent See Sewage Delay page A-10

State Funds Providing Rental Assistance to Poor Reduced 60% The Board of County Commissioners approved a reduction in State funding from $50,000 last year to $20,000 this year for the “Rental Allowance Program” which helps people of low income make rent payments. Because of the reduced amount, Housing Director Denis Nicholson said that only about 6 families would be helped this year.

County Approves Spending $180,000 for Emergency Services Upgrades The Board of County Commissioners approved a plan presented by Emergency Management Director David Zylak to spend $34,500 to refurbish the County’s backup communication tower in Leonardtown and $45,500 to purchase 10 new hand held emergency radios.

Increase To Senior Meals Program The Board of County Commissioners approved a budget amendment to increase funding to the “Nutrition Services Program” through the County’s Department of Aging by $11,978. The additional funds are part of a federal grant award and will be used to increase the number of meals served each year to seniors.

Task Force Recommends Growth Policy A local citizens task force has recommended to the Board of County Commissioners an annual growth policy that would allow residential growth of 2.25% a year. The proposal has been sent to the Planning Commission for public hearing and Commission recommendation. The proposal also includes changes to the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance effecting school capacity determinations.

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Board of Education May Reduce Graduation Requirements Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Educators reacted with surprise and concern when they were presented with an issue at the most recent meeting of the St. Mary’s County Board of Education. According to data presented by Charles Ridgell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Scott Smith, Director of Secondary Instruction at Tuesday’s meeting, 3.7% of students in the graduating class of 2007 were not able to receive their diplomas because they did not earn

the 23 credits required by the county to graduate.

This may not have surprised so many in the room if those same students had not met the state requirements for graduation, which include four credits of English, three credits of social studies, three credits of math, three credits of science, See Reduction page A-

Former Local Lawyer Pleads Guilty To Theft

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Julian J. Izydore, a well-known attorney who practiced law in St. Mary’s several years ago before being investigated for improperly handling a client’s estate pleaded guilty to theft in Circuit Court before visiting Judge Arthur Ahalt.

Izydore also pleaded to one count of using trust money from a client’s estate for purposes other than what it was intended.

Izydore was indicted in August of last year for stealing money from the estate of Gail I. Wood during 2001 and 2002.

According to the plea agreement that Izydore consented to Tuesday he also filed false adminis-

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Education Center Plans Third Building The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Tackle Box Robbery Accomplice Planning Commission, Developer Still Sentenced To 15 Years

By Adam Ross Staff Writer

en by Powell and Joseph F. Some classrooms would be Anderson, chairman of the set up more traditionally with board of governors and a for- platform seating, Powell said.

The Southern Maryland mer county commissioner, The estimated cost for the Higher Education Center of- outlined the center’s 10-year building is $15 million. fers 97 academic programs, master plan. Over that time, Commissioner Lawrence but its further growth cannot the plan calls for a total of Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) be realized without adding a five buildings. The current asked what sort of opportuniBy Guy Leonard the murder through either court wards prison sentences.” third building according to property has two single story ties the center was offering for Staff Writer testimony or by the aiding Thomas’s records, Abrams Mel Powell, executive direc- buildings, whereas pro-in finding future electrical engineers, to evidence against him. said, showed charges for battery, tor of the institution, during a posal for building three calls which Powell answered that

By Guy Leonard ter & sewer lines.

One of the men accused of Young pleaded guilty to The malicious destruction of property, recent presentation. for a two-story structure. there are 43 classes currently Staff Writer Commission members said that taking part24-acre in last year’s robbery Tacklesaid Boxthe robbery last October theft and trespass.

The facility in of offered inassault, the program.

ComAnderson two-story they wanted to make sure that the defirearms from The Tackle Box, one as well.

Court testimony California houses 35 classbuilding would in no way im- missioner Daniel H. Raley also revealed Members of the St. Mary’s County paid their fair share of impact velopers was used the county’s of whichwhere Thomas the that Thomas has cenin the past abused rooms 2,149in students Mills) said the pact the When operations of theentered St. (D-Great Planning Commission again delayed fees. only homicide days later, and marijuana. courtroom last week, with ter Judge attended classesjust in Fiscal Year was Mary County Airport, which was acocaine tremendous asset to approving the agreement governThe county wants the developers to 15 years prison for sentenced Abrams that while ThomKarenjustAbrams (FY) 2007, and theinschool is located across thepresiding, street the he community, andsaid unoffiing the construction of the St. Mary’s to pay $5,909 per dwelling unit in imhis crimes.to grow. Roughly fromsmiled at his family members; he supported responsible for as was not continues the center. cially thedirectly addition Crossing development at their Monday pact fees for traffic improvements; the Antonio Thomas, The wouldproposal later ask to year’s only homicide in St. halfTerrell the students come from is spend for a few ofmoa thirdlast building. night meeting. developers say that $2,808 per unit is 21, pleaded robbing the outside St. guilty Mary’sto County, to the side his family to ments Mary’seducation County,cenhe contributed “green building,” withwith a grass The higher The commission and representa- more reasonable for traffic improvemeaninggoods the center not only roof see andone other ter will betocompeting state the murder storeisback in Octosporting allowed of hisenvironmennewborn children. events thatfor tives of the Suitland-based developer, ments based on their calculations and a local fixture, funds with other to state univertally mitigating features. ber of lasteducational year, according to court weapon be out on the streets.

“Since I’ve been The incarcerated St. Mary’s Crossing, LLC, began ne- that is what they’ve agreed to pay. but draws students from the sities, including the Univerfirst floor would likely have a documents, and entered the court I haven’t seen my kids,” Thomas “You’re part of that,” Abrams gotiating around the developer’s rights The development proposal would entire Jan. state11 as after well. spending time sity of Maryland.

The school largesaid. conference room built room if you hadn’t been said. “Maybe “That’s affected me a lot.”

Staff Photo and responsibilities agreement (DR- include 868 housing units, up from the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center calculatedof citihas byrequested for happened to hold That 400 guests, in a “We’ve state Department Correcthere $900,000 it would’ve request banquet was denied ARA) but got bogged down when the original plan of 717. zens facility of St. inMary’s and engineerAn auditorium wouldwitharchitecture Jessup.County style.Abrams tions after consulting pris- differently.” developer’s representatives began to About 150 units would be specifihaveThomas, not driven some 60 milalso be included in the plan, ing in FY 2009, butsentence needs of 20 years along with Johnton- on guards.

Abrams’ object to some of the county’s condisetmore aside than as work housing. cally justforce an educational building, in part, because the support for the project. lionYoung milesand andCrutien savedBryan, over alapprovalinfrom thewas Maryland while theWhile second Thomas’s floor wouldattorney, na suspended downremains to prison certain impact fees andaother tionstoforcomCommission member Shelby “We have number of center, we are a true commucenter open a million hours of time 11 classrooms, many used a pellet gunnot and have a Troy legedly 15 with five years of supervised Hansen, said his of clientGeneral was Assembly. construction issues.

Guazzo saidcenter that one of the county’s munity groups as well.

The non–profits that make use of nity as well.” driving,”bat Powell said.

Anderson stressed im- gets out of thema only in ana lookout executive baseball to steal firearms from for style the other two probation oncethe Thomas heads tonight,” topnoconcerns should be traffic safety commissioners sent a“We letterbutted to the facilities for said little or The presentation, givconference room format. portance of adding the third the Tackle Box in late February of men accused of the armed rob- prison. commission Steve Reeves. onare St. Andrews Church Road, where the assembly expressing their Chairman cost,” Anderson said. “We “We were fighting for compromise. the traffic situation is only getting last year. bery, Abrams still imposed more Judge Abrams gave Thom“They seem to say either we get more congested.

Young later used one of the time in prison than what State’s as credit for seven months of in October of 2005“This ment, in the plea what we want orStation we walk.” is ainformation commuter corridor for stolen firearms, a 9mm Glock 19 Attorney Richard Fritz had origi- time he has already served in and sold all five kits over that agreement stated.

During the nearly four-hour meetthe county,” Guazzo said.

“It’s the bussemi-automatic handgun, to kill nally requested. incarceration. ing John Norrissummer III, representative for iest on the on-line auc-intersection According informaat one endto[with Route Kenneth James Walter while at“This is so troubling,” Abrams “We haven’t had a lot of vioSt. Mary’s Crossing, LLC, said that 235] in the entire county. tion house eBay using seller tion also found in the plea tempting to steal items from the said of charges against Thomas lent crime, but it’s growing and the more conditions the county wanted “I don’t think you mitigate pubaccounts that he had estabagreement, the sales of the victim’s car. while he was a juvenile. “You you’re part of that,” Judge Abrams to place on the development, which is lic safety; you find something else to lished there. equipment were partially in Young was convicted of Wal- have several pages of juvenile cas- told Thomas before being led out to provide more work force designed mitigate.”

Baylor was employed the United States but also in ter’s killing last fall in county Cir- es… that’s involvement with the of the court. “I hope you learn housing and a with donatedtheschool site to firmResidents who live incountries commucontracting other unspecified Court.Leonard cuit system. something, hope you trict turnCourt your in Greenbelt

By Guy pleaded guilty in federal of unmanned air Ivehicles Nov.the AAI the county, more expensive housnities off St. Andrews Church Road Corporation. abroad.

Both Bryan and Thomas aidedcourt to“It’s a progression. life around.”

Staff Writer stealing and selling You’ve back in 2005.

9 and is scheduled receive ingtocould become. Employees at the remain worried about the increase in base According to informaauthorities in convicting Young ofgovernment been building towards this… toequipment used Matthew Baylor, 29, his sentence Jan. 11 The of next school site’s value is estimated traffic hazards if the development was had first noticed the kits tion in the plea agreement, A St. Inigoes man has in the testing and evaluation made his plea in U.S. Dis- year, according at million, which the county to $5 informaand improvements like constructed missing from would the supply the items went for between receive free of the deal. stop lights and road widening did not tion from U.S. Attorney Rodas part locker that were used to cali- $30,000 and $70,000 on the burden do you think take place.

J. Rosenstein’s office.“How muchbrate the systems of the U.S. open market. people out there who are looking the informaThe meeting came to a close at According to Navy’s unmanned Baylor faces a maxia home afford to Pioneer bear,” Norris about 10 p.m. Jan. 14 with a ruling to tion in Baylor’s for plea agree-can air vehicle and investigamum 10 years federal said the school site hold the publicofrecord asked. Norris openinfor more ment, the defendant stole also tors later found that they had prison for the thefts followed donation would provide school seats in comment.

The next meeting on the St. five test and evaluation kits been sold to another con- by three years of supervised the development district where most Crossing development is set for Mary’s from a locked storage facil- tractor, Global Test Equip- release. ity at Patuxent needed, Naval with Air out having to dig for wa- Feb.25.

Wrangling Over Project

Contractor Pleads Guilty To Stealing Government Technology The

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Homestead Tax Credit Auction Of Ridge Applications Sent Grocery Store Delayed Andrea Shiell Staff Writer

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Over 700,000 homeowners in Maryland have The planned auction of received a new piece of paRaley’s Town and Country per to fill out with their tax grocery store in Ridge assessment notices, and has ofbeen delayed by the current ficials are urging them not owner Donnie to set those pages Tennyson’s aside. This filing of chapter 11received bankyear, homeowners ruptcy before the notices store was their assessment in scheduled to be sold(Leonardoff, Tenthe 3rd District nyson town), said.

6th District (HollyThe 2ndmortgage wood), District holders (Valley Lee),former 9th District (St. George and owners of the Island), and Commissioner the northern store County section H. of Raley the 8th(D-Great District Daniel (California).

Mills) and hisIncluded cousin with Ray the assessment an applicaRaley and otheris Raley famtion members, for the Homestead Tax ily started legal Credit. proceedings in March beNew cause the legislation Tennysonspassed were during Asnot ablethe to 2007 makeGeneral their morthas established a new sembly gage payments. policy forwas the Homestead Tax This after the TenCredit, now requiring an nysons had tried to findap-a plication filled out off for buyer for to thebe store to pay the tax break, whereas before their creditors the process automatic.

“We gotwas behind in the

The Homestead Tax payments to the Raleys,” Credit is a state law requirTennyson told The County increases for ishoming that“We Times. said ‘This difeowner occupied properties ficult and it’s not working; cannot exceed morethis than 10 we just have to sell place percent per year. Each of the 23 counties can determine a lower percentage of increase, and in St. Mary’s County the cap for increases is 5 percent. The credit is applied to primary residences for all homeowners in the state of Maryland, but it is no longer automatically applied.

“A lot of people don’t even look at their bill to see that there’s a credit on there,” said county treasurer Jannette Norris. But as she pulled up her own tax assessment to illustrate, they should. Property tax assess-

ments in St. Mary’s County have skyrocketed by 49 perand you theoff.’” since last evaluation cent pay The store wasThe up average for nine three years ago. months, Tennyson said, but annual increase for homes there were no buyers that apin St. Mary’s County has peared to take ownership of been 16.3 percent.

County the store. government’s most recent The show bankruptcy profigures that the averceedings that assessed the fate age home mean has been of store could be in limbo at the $293,250, resulting in a for tax years. bill of $2,679. Norris “Underthat a homeowners [chapter 11 explained bankruptcy] havetheuptax to who do not you receive five the busicredityears will to seeturn a substantial increase in their bill oversaid. the ness around,” Tennyson next few if property “For now years it’s business as continue to rise. we’ll values it’s usual; very possible until Norris expressed be here we retire.” someTennyson doubts about the new estimated that system, that it might he owedsaying the Raley’s about more workload than create $1.8 million. revenue. “I this is goThe storethink has served the ing to population do more harm than local in Ridge good,” she said. communiand surrounding officials the ties for But decades as thein only state legislature disagree. grocer nearby.

The Raley new system, which was said that the aucapproved by unanimously tion of the store could remove the General Assembly last a valuable resource from the year, was put in place to stop community especially in homeowners from collecting light of stronger competition creditsbusinesses on properties from like theother new than their primary residencWal-Mart Super Center in es; i.e. homeowners who rent California. their properties or collect credits on vacation homes.

Primary residences are defined as properties where homeowners spend at least six months of their year, and the Department of Assessments and Taxation has the authority to check where recipients file their taxes, where they are registered to vote, and to check electric usage to verify residence.

Norris pointed out that St. Mary’s County has not had a big problem with people double-dipping the tax credit, stating that only three

or four have been discovered each year, but she admitted hurt evthat “Wal-Mart the problemhas extends far erybody,” Raley’s said.

“If beyond the county’s borders. this Sean store Powell, isn’t here… at Supervi6p.m. on a Monday evening sor of Assessments for St. when youCounty, find out said there’sthat no Mary’s lunch for the kids the next the problem was less about day they’ll have to drive people cheating on their taxmore an hour of round es, butthan ignorance the trip tax for bread milk.”He cited credit in and general.

Ray law Raley to the new as adeclined good way comment on the of deterring tax bankruptcy fraud, and of the store.a more consistent developing Bryan Dugan, system, pointing outattorney that all other credits required for the tax Raley’s said that since an process.

“It the application Tennyson’s filed in bankbrings the proruptcy uniformity court they to must now cess of all the credit applicasubmit a reorganization plan tions,” said. the Raley’s, that thehe creditors, order to handle can In offer comments on. the workload generated Any decision on by the the funew process, a ture application of the business must division in charge separate now be made in bankruptcy of Homestead Tax Credit court, Dugan said.

Applications beenalladd“They’ll has pursue leed, for which the office has gal remedies in bankruptcy been hiring. court,” Dugan said on behalf “We don’t“We’re want waiting people of his clients. freaking out if they haven’t to see what the Tennysons rereceived theirplan credit applicaorganization will be. tions,” Powell said, recalling “The ball’s in their some court.”worried phone calls his office had received. He explained that a third of homeowners are set to receive their notices and credit applications each year, so that all applications can be processed by the year 2012.

Applications are included with a self-addressed return envelope, or they can be downloaded and mailed.

Homeowners can also apply for their tax credit online by logging into the department’s website at www.dat. state.md.us.

“People just need to pay attention and get it done,” Norris said.

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Thursday, January 17, 2008

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The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Editorial & Opinion Political Retaliations Should Take Backseat to Public Good Government of the people, for the people, and by the people is not only the basis of our free society; it is one of the most difficult forms of government to hold true to its hierarchy.

To start with, political leaders are often elected into office by just over 50% of the voters who vote, which often represents less than 70% of those eligible to vote. Often, only about 30 to 40 percent of our population is electing our leaders. However, once elected, those leaders are elected to represent the entire population, to be their representative in carrying out the constitutional requirement of government of the people, for the people, and by the people, not just the people who voted for them.

Additionally, government on all levels, federal, state, and local is filled with people who have dedicated their lives to public service. These people are dedicated to perform-

ing their jobs on a day to day basis as instructed by those in charge at the time, believing that these policies and procedures represent the intent of the elected official representing the very population they serve.

So it is not without merit that when the people change their elected official, that change in the management and supervision of government employees can often follow.

With the election of Martin O’Malley as Governor of Maryland, it was expected that he would replace Governor Ehrlich’s appointed cabinet members with people he believed would better serve him as he attempts to carry out his mission to serve as the governor for the people.

These O’Malley appointees are then responsible for supervising the many state government employees to reflect the peoples vote.

But not all key govern-

ment positions fall into the category of serving at the pleasure of the Governor. One such position is that of State Superintendent of Schools.

The Governor does not appoint this position. It is generally believed that the operation of the State Education System should rise above politics and be held to standards that do not favor any political party or other special interest.

This June Maryland Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick is set to start her fifth term as State Superintendent. She is one of the longest serving State School Superintendents in the Nation. Governor O’Malley along with his political partners, Senate President Mike Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch have all publicly expressed their desire that Grasmick be replaced.

In fact, the three have promised legislation this session that would change the long-standing policy whereby

the school superintendent is not a political appointment and turn this authority over to the Governor. If a Republican were still Governor, they would be looking instead for ways to take all appointments away from the Governor. In fact, during Governor Ehrlich’s term, the Democratic controlled legislature spent several million taxpayer dollars investigating that subject.

O’Malley has decried Grasmick as a ‘poster child’ for President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” legislation and has called Grasmick a “pawn” of the Republican Party.

O’Malley became upset with Grasmick in 2005, when he was Mayor of Baltimore City. Baltimore City has the worst performing school system in the State. After years of allowing Baltimore City to address and improve the public school system, which proved to be unsuccessful, State Superintendent Grasmick decided that the State

was compelled to take over the operations of the 11 worst performing schools in the Baltimore City system.

Grasmick probably considered taking action similar to that taken in Washington, D.C. where the entire school system was taken over by the City government after years of failures similar to Baltimore City. Instead, Grasmick chose to walk softly, taking what appeared to be a small step in addressing a huge problem. concerned O’Malley, more about his upcoming run for Maryland Governor than the welfare of a few thousand children in 11 schools, became infuriated with Grasmick because of the attention this move would bring to his failing school system.

Instead of searching for a solution to educate children, O’Malley called the move a political ploy by then Republican Governor Ehrlich. It was easy to get the Democratic controlled legislature who wanted badly to regain control of the Governor’s mansion in the upcoming election to support O’Malley and quickly passed legislation to stop Grasmick.

Ever since, O’Malley has

promised revenge against Grasmick.

Last week, Maryland’s School System was ranked as one of the top three schools systems in the United States.

Education Week, the nations leading education newspaper released its annual “Quality Counts” study and found that Massachusetts, New York and Maryland have the best school systems in the country.

Grasmick is to be credited with leading a system since 1991 that serves to educate the children of Maryland as well or better than any other State in the Nation. Grasmick is also to be credited for attempting to help students who suffer from poor performing schools in a State where most children are benefiting.

If the Senator and Delegates from St. Mary’s County allow O’Malley, Miller, and Busch to get rid of Grasmick to satisfy their political vendetta, more than just Grasmick will be wronged, the citizens of Maryland will be wronged.

To replace Grasmick would be government of O’Malley, for O’Malley, and

by O’Malley.

To The Editor:

County Commissioners Cardin & Global Warming Tour Workforce Housing Developments

While most of Congress has been dragging its feet on the global warming issue, Sen. Cardin should be applauded for pushing for aggressive global warming solutions.

Last year Sen. Cardin worked to strengthen the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. The bill would make real progress in cutting global warming pollution, but it still falls short of what’s needed to prevent the worst ef-

fects of global warming. Sen. Cardin’s efforts were critical in strengthening the bill prior to its committee passage in December.

But the science is clear on the pollution cuts necessary to avoid the worst impacts of global warming, and—despite Sen. Cardin’s courageous efforts—the Lieberman-Warner bill still doesn’t get us there. Environment Maryland applauds Sen. Car-

din for his hard work so far to strengthen this bill, and we urge him to continue working to strengthen it as it moves through the Senate this year.

-Tommy Landers Environment Maryland Field Organizer Baltimore

County commissioners braved a freak snowstorm on Tuesday to venture out into a few communities in Lexington Park on a tour of workforce housing developments. Their first stop was Columbia Colony, presented

by Lincoln Military Housing, which boasted an impressive model of their new homes for senior enlisted men and naval officers. The site, which is located right behind First Colony Shopping Center on Three Notch Road, will include 92 single-family homes for military families.

They also took a driving tour of the Hunting Creek development off Willows Road in Lexington Park, which includes apartments and duplexes for low-income families, and The

Gateways, a new condominium community for low-income families off Lexwood Drive.

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Visitors arrive at Columbia Colony to tour one of the homes.

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Captain Glen Ives, Commanding Officer at Pax River points out ofher houses during tour.

Photo by Andrea Shiell

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 Andrea Shiell - Government Correspondent......andreashiell@countytimes.net Chris Stevens - Sports Correspondent............... ........chrisstevens@countytimes.net

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

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The County Times

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Ramblings of a Country Girl

Soul Food Terri Bartz Bowles My soul was sated this weekend in various and sundry ways. My tummy was well-fed, too, but my soul enjoyed a veritable buffet. It’s

awfully easy in the busyness of every day life to let our souls become malnourished.

It’s not good for us, I’m convinced of that. I am so guilty of soul malnourishment, though! There are always

things I ‘have to do’. And the older I get, the worse it gets.

How do I make it stop? Mars and Jupiter and all the planets aligned this weekend, though, and my soul sucked it up like the starving thing it was.

Lexington Park Man Faces Rape Charge

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A 53-year-old man from Lexington Park has been charged with raping a young woman who lives near his home, according to charging documents from the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Detectives arrested Charles Anthony Clinton Jan. 11 and charged him with seconddegree rape for an incident that allegedly occurred the previous day.

According to charging documents filed against Clinton, detectives responded to a report of the alleged sexual offense and interviewed the female victim.

The victim claimed to have been raped by Clinton while both she and the suspect were inside his residence.

According to charging documents the victim came in contact with Clinton outside his residence.

After talking they went inside the residence and, charging documents state, the victim said she was forced to remove her clothes

and engage in sexual intercourse against her will.

The victim in the case said she did so under the threat of death from the defendant, court papers state.

Charging documents state that Clinton admitted to being alone with the victim and having sex with his accuser at his home.

A forensic examination revealed that the victim had injuries, which supported her claims of being forced to have sex, according to the charging documents.

The victim reportedly was in fear for her life when the incident allegedly took place, charging documents state.

Clinton was released from custody at the St. Mary’s County Adult Detention Center a day after his arrest on a 100 percent $10,000 bond.

Clinton is not listed on the Maryland sex offender registry.

If convicted of the second-degree rape charge, Clinton could spend up to 20 years in prison.

Rocco Aiello Named Teacher of the Year Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Mr. Rocco Aiello is a busy man. Between his work with students at Leonardtown, Chopticon, and Great Mills High School, he is finishing an article for the Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, finishing up logistics for a swimming field trip on January 23rd, and dropping off test scores.

“My wife is about to have my head,” he laughs.

But all of this activity is serving the students of St. Mary’s County quite well. Aiello, a certified adapted physical education teacher, has been named by the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) as the Easternº District Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year.

The Eastern District of the AAHPERD is comprised of Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the Virgin Islands.

After being named Teacher of the Year by the state in his discipline in the 20062007 school year, he is now being awarded for his distinction by the Eastern District, and from there he will compete with other district nominees for the national title, which will be announced in April.

“I’ve gone to Vegas and tried to play games and never won anything, so I’m honored to be recognized,” he says.

A graduate of Brockport State University in New

York, where Aiello earned his Bachelor’s degree and his Master’s in Adapted Physical Education, he worked at the New York State School for the Blind for a decade before transferring to St. Mary’s County.

Here he is fostering programs for disabled students that extend well beyond the classroom. His classes meet for 50 minutes every day, where his students learn health and wellness, games and activities, sports, and they participate in monthly Life Enrichment field trips to go swimming, bowling, and weight lifting, among other things.

This March, a recent partnership with fitness centers in the area will be establishing free lifetime enrollment for all of Aiello’s students, expanding

their opportunities for post-secondary physical education. He also runs an adapted aquatics program and conducts assessments on motor development.

Aiello cites the county’s attentiveness to rigorous instruction as the reason for his own success. “Just because we’re a small county, that doesn’t mean we can’t act as a model for the rest of the nation,” he says.

Despite his distinctions, Aiello remains humble. “I’m just a teacher. I love what I do,” he says. “The paraeducators that work with me are equally deserving of this award. I don’t consider it my class. It’s OUR class.”

Section A -

It started Friday after work when the girls and I got together for some scrapbooking. We only had a few hours - I was tired and didn’t get much scrapbooking done in the end. But we ate, we talked, we laughed, we shared and it was wonderful. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, women need to gather and spend time with each other. There is something essential about our connecting with one another that we cannot do without.

On Saturday, my husband and I headed “up the road” to D.C. to visit the National Gallery of Art. We went to see the Edward Hopper exhibit and were so glad we did. It was a large exhibit, there were nearly 100 pieces from all periods of his life and it was amazing. We knew the oils were going to astound us, we knew seeing them in person would be awesome. What we didn’t know was how incredible the watercolors would be.

They took us by surprise. We were drawn in, sometimes

speechless, just blown away by their magnificence. My husband says that seeing great art in person is like meeting a famous person and he’s right – to be in the same room with great works of art, to be able to stand mere inches from it, is a great thing. Hopper’s work is crisp and bright and seems illuminated from within. I don’t have the capability or capacity to convey to you in words the thoughts and feelings I have from this exhibit. But maybe that’s what art is all about in the end. Hopper himself said if words could explain everything, there would be no reason to paint.

Being in the nation’s capital is good for your soul, too.

The seat of democracy, the bustle of the city, the monuments, the great buildings and architecture, all teeming with life – I wouldn’t want to live there but it’s way cool to experience it. Somehow, you can’t help but be awed by the great buildings of our government.

And D.C. is a pretty city, surely we must agree on that

point. Not the entirety of the city maybe, but in general, it is a lovely place. We had a nice lunch, we wandered around for a while and thoroughly enjoyed our day.

On Sunday, our souls were fed sharing in the communion of our Lord’s sacrifice. And to top it off, the most adorable twins were baptized. As our pastor said, you just have to smile when you witness the little ones being received into God’s family. It truly does your heart and soul good.

So all in all, though it was a busy weekend, it was a nourishing weekend. In many different ways, my soul was refreshed and I’m ready for the week ahead. And there’s a chocolate cake in the oven right now. Does it get any better?

Well, yeah. Once those layers are cooled and frosted and we serve ourselves ridiculously large pieces, just because we can……mmmmmmm.

You can email the Country Girl at countrygirlramblings@gmail.com

Choosing A Realtor Patrick Dugan Last week we talked about the h.u.d. one statement, or settlement sheet. This week I want to talk about choosing your Realtor when it comes time to sell your house. Obviously I want you to choose me, but I thought I would pass on some questions that I and other agents I know have been asked by potential clients who were trying to decide on a Realtor.

The first one most people ask is “How long have you been in real estate?” When I started in this profession over 5 years ago, I feared this question the most. Now I realize it is actually one of the least important questions to ask. Yes, experience counts, but more important is hard work and a good plan of action. If your potential agent has a ton of years in the business that could be good, but what if your potential agent has a ton of drive? If they are going to be excited about your business and make sure they talk about it, and advertise it and really work hard, that may make up for experience.

I would say that once you get an offer for your home, that is where the experience factor is going to count the most. So if you do go with a Realtor who isn’t long on experience, make sure that he/she is a good negotiator and have a manager in the office who can help them if anything arises that they need advice.

More important questions to me are… ”What do you know about this area?” Is the agent familiar with all of your community amenities? Can they sell your neighborhood as well as your house? It is important that your agent be able to talk about the experience of living in that neighborhood. So it is important that they ask you questions, as well as answer them.

“What is your marketing plan” This is a great question and really one of my top three to ask. What is the agent going to do to sell your home? How familiar is the agent with internet advertising? The internet is where buyers start their search 81% of the time. Will they find your house when they start looking? What other kind of advertising do they do? Newspaper, radio, T.V., magazines? Do they do mailings of postcards, or flyers? This is all very important to be sure that they get your home in front of the highest number of buyers.

Next, maybe you could ask for some samples of the agents work. Have them show you some of their past ads, flyers and postcards.

This will help you decide who can present your home in the most positive fashion. How are the photos of the houses? Do they show the house in a positive way? Are the ads creative? Do they make you want to go see that property?

If the agent is good at marketing, this will help get more buyers through the house.

Ask your potential agent about a time line.

How long will it take to get your home into the multiple listing service? How long until they will have photo’s? How long until it appears on websites?

There are many questions you can choose to ask, how many active listings do you have?

How many are in this area. That last question can go two ways. If the agent has a number of listings in your area, they probably know the neighborhood well. They can have an open house and feature the whole neighborhood.

The downside can be that you may wonder if your agent is trying as hard to sell your home as they are trying to sell “the Jones’” home which is just down the street.

No matter what questions you ask, never forget that you are going to be working with that agent on a large financial deal, so definitely also consider how you think you will work with that person. Is the agent the type of person you will get along with, and the type of person you want to represent you in this deal?

There are many wonderful agents out there, so take your time; this is a very important decision.

As always, if you have any questions about this article, or suggestions for future ones, contact me at patrick.dugan@obrienrealty.com

Partick Dugan

St. Mary'sCity City St. Mary’s DATE Fri. Jan. 18 Sat. Jan. 19 Sun. Jan. 20 Mon. Jan. 21 Tue. Jan. 22 Wed. Jan. 23 Thu. Jan. 24

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Rocco Aiello has been named “Adapted Physical Education Teacher Of The Year” by the Eastern District of the AAHPERD.

HIGH 1/17 9:14 p.m.

1/18 10:18 p.m.

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LOW 3:09 a.m.

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HIGH 9:32 a.m.

10:36 a.m.

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1:31 p.m.

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LOCATION Breton Bay Bushwood Wharf Colton's Point Point Lookout Piney Point Wicomico Beach Solomons Island

HIGH "+31 min." "+45 min." "+50 min." "+1 min." "+9 min." "+58 min." "+42 min."

LOW "+29 min." "+45 min." "+24 min."

"-50 min."

"-8 min." "+63 min."

"-6 min."

LOW 4:31 p.m.

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The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, January 17, 2008 in the best interest of the students…It allows us to offer more remediation classes.”

Others expressed concern that schedule restraints imposed by the current policy may keep mainstream students from taking advanced placement courses, which would otherwise expose them to more challenging material. All agreed that a new policy would help. “I don’t think it changes our rigor in any way,” said board member Cathy Allen. “It gives (students) the opportunity to branch out.”

Superintendent Michael Martirano agreed that for students entering high school with remedial reading or math skills, and for other atrisk students, the county’s requirements might build what he called “an insurmountable wall of expectations,” and rob them of chances to bring their performance up to par. North commented that only 50-60% of students were passing algebra classes the first time, and many students were having to retake those courses in summer school to avoid blocking up their schedules the following year. “Not all kids pass all things,” he said. “This gives them some room to stub their toes.”

Also mentioned was the possibility of setting up an appeals process for those who had met the state, but not the county requirements in past

VH-71 Begins U.S. Flight Testing Reduction Naval Air Station Command Press Release The first two VH-71 helicopters built for the President of the United States have entered the flight test phase with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The Navy-owned test vehicles, TV-2 and TV-5, arrived at NAS Patuxent River in November and December, respectively, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane from AgustaWestland’s facility in Yeovil, England. The

government and industry integrated test team will use the aircraft primarily for structural and propulsion testing, and pilot training.

TV-2 and TV-5 are the first of four test aircraft built for the initial phase of the VH-71 program known as Increment One. Two more Increment One aircraft, TV-3 and TV-4, will undergo additional assembly and missionization at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, Owego, NY prior to being

TV-5 in flight

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy

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transferred to NAS Patuxent River this year for testing of the avionics and mission systems.

TV-1, an industry-provided test asset, has been in flight test since shortly after the contract award, and currently has 555 flight hours.

Over the next eleven months, all Increment One aircraft will be delivered to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., including the initial fleet of five presidential helicopters.

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Continued from page A- five elective credits, and one credit each of physical education, technology education, and fine arts. The state of Maryland graduation requirements place the credit count at 21, but St. Mary’s County requires the completion of 23 credits for graduation, which include one extra credit of social studies, and one extra credit of math.

Principle North of Chopticon High School said that the extra social studies requirement had been added in the 1970s to prompt better understanding of government and politics, and possibly encourage young people to vote. The extra math credit was added more recently in the hopes that four years of math would lead to better performance at the college level.

The concern is that those who have to take remedial courses in math, English, or preparatory courses to pass their High School Assessment tests, none of which count toward graduation, may lose valuable space in their schedules for necessary credits, as well as classes at the Technology Center, which provide at-risk students with career training and technology credits. David O’Neill, principal of Leonardtown High School, said, “I think it’s a good move

Theft Continued from page A- trative accounts while serving as the personal representative for that estate.

In court, Ahalt asked Izydore if he was pleading guilty for any other reason than what was stipulated in the agreement.

“Because I am [guilty],” Izydore said.

The plea agreement also notes numerous checks Izydore made out to third parties who did not have a legitimate claim to funds from the Wood estate.

Izydore also used money from the Wood estate to settle personal debts as well as to pay medical expenses of another client that should have come from that client’s own source of funds.

Izydore also failed to organize trust funds for several people noted in the will

of Gail Wood who should be beneficiaries of the estate, according to the plea agreement’s statement of facts, as well as to pay state and federal estate taxes.

The sum total of the Wood estate was about $800,000 according to court documents.

Ahalt released Izydore from custody, as he had already been free on bond before his plea hearing and set a sentencing date for 13 weeks hence, or about three months, after a pre-sentencing investigation had been completed.

According to Izydore’s attorney Robert Harvey, Izydore had already handed in two checks to pay for the restitution to the victims in the case: one check was for $128,000 and the other for about $8,000.

The total required restitution from Izydore as part of the plea agreement is $202,697, which is the same amount of damages awarded to the plaintiffs in the civil case against Izydore for the same

years, and had consequently not been able to graduate.

Though an appeals process is already in place, some at the meeting expressed a desire to see student records audited if the policy does go into effect.

Board member Mary Washington said, “I’d love to hear what the parents have to say about it.

Though the first reading of this policy met with strong approval, future meetings will have to be set up to address the problem. Tracey Heibel, principal of Great Mills High School, said that the High School Task Force headed by Scott Smith would most likely be addressing the issue in their meeting on Monday, and PTSA groups would be talking about it in their upcoming meetings.

Board member Cathy Allen commented that the two additional credits had been added in the hopes that they would better prepare kids for college classes, but reflected that though the board’s intentions were good, this might be hindering students from success. “We implemented this to better prepare students, but that has not happened,” she said.

So far, all have echoed the belief that rigor was the goal of the added credits, but members agreed with Martirano when he said, “It’s about quality, not quantity.”

impropriety filed back in 2005.

All told Izydore could spend a maximum of 20 years in jail if the court so chooses; the first count carries a possible 15-year sentence, while the second carries up to five years of incarceration.

Law enforcement interest in Izydore’s illegal activities began to increase last year when the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland petitioned for Izydore to be disbarred from practicing law in the state and won.

Izydore capitulated last summer by signing an Alford plea stating that if the commission held a hearing on his conduct enough evidence would have been presented to assure his guilt; in fact Izydore requested the disbarment order by his own consent.

Soon after his disbarment investigators here began building their case against Izydore and came out with an indictment in late August of 2007.

Man Serving Life Sentence Wants Murder Conviction Overturned

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Dana Russell Collins, the man convicted of a grisly murder here back in 1995, is seeking

to get his conviction overturned for a second time, arguing that while he was responsible for the death of Jerry Culbreath, a U.S. Navy petty officer, he did not premeditate the victim’s demise and should not spend the rest of his life behind bars.

He is requesting a new trial Collins made his latest appeal to Judge Karen Abrams in Circuit Court Jan. 11 and this time also claimed that evidence used to convict him in previous trials – bow strings from his crossbow the prosecution successfully argued was the murder weapon – had been switched or deliberately tampered with to wrongfully convict him of first-degree murder.

Abrams did not make a ruling, but took his request under adviment. Collins argued in the latest hearing, as he did before, that he used a crossbow bolt as a defensive weapon when he confronted the victim about his relationship with Collins’ estranged wife.

“I didn’t lay in wait for him, we fought,” Collins said of that November night in 1995. “I don’t know who’s switching the evidence but this isn’t it.”

Collins’ lawyer was provided by the state. “The condition of the bow strings and the theory of a shooting versus a stabbing creates murky circumstances at best,” said Margaret Lanier, Collins’ public defender, in her argument to Judge Abrams. “This all indicates something is fishy.”

State’s Attorney Richard Fritz argued that the jury who convicted Collins again in 2003 heard the same argument from the defense and rejected that theory in favor of the prosecution’s version of events.

Fritz told Judge Abrams that Collins’ assertions were “paranoid delusions.”

“I think Mr. Collins has an

overactive imagination,” Fritz said, adding that a state forensic examination supported the theory that Collins fired a bolt, rather than using it as a stabbing weapon.

A note made out by Collins denoting plans to kill Culbreath also helped convict the defendant, Fritz said.

Collins, an ensign in the U.S. Navy assigned to Patuxent River Naval Air Station more than 10 years ago, was first convicted of murdering Culbreath in 1996 by lying in wait and shooting him with a crossbow bolt.

But that conviction was overturned by the Court of Special Appeals in 2002, which ruled that Collins’ counsel failed to provide adequate representation.

Collins got a new trial in 2003, but was convicted of first-degree murder and given a sentence of life without parole.

Collins appealed that decision as well, arguing that the trial judge had both wrongly admitted and refused some evidence and testimony.

The Court of Special Appeals upheld Collins’ 2003 murder conviction and he has remained in prison ever since.

Collins’ attorney at that time, David Densford, testified at the Jan. 11 hearing that he noticed something “amiss” with the bowstrings at the 2003 trial but did not object to the evidence at the time.

Densford said, however, that his recollection of the condition of the events surrounding the bowstrings was not very clear.

Capt. John Horne and Senior Deputy First Class Mark Porter of the county sheriff’s office, who investigated the murder more than a decade ago, said procedures to safeguard the integrity of the evi-

dence were followed strictly.

The parts of the crossbow and the bow strings present at the Jan.11 hearing were the same as those they seized in their prior investigation, they said.

Collins also protested that a videotape of the search of the vehicle shown that day in court where the crossbow was found shortly after Culbreath’s murder was not the same he viewed last year in preparing for this case.

His own attorney assured him that the tapes were the same but Collins refused to believe it. He claimed the tapes were also somehow switched nefariously.

“You keep switching the evidence, it’s going to come out,” he told Fritz as he was being cross-examined, reiterating that the strings found in the truck search and presented at court in 2003 were not his.

“You’re digging such a hole for yourself.”

Collins, who admitted that he was going through mental health issues at the time of the killing, reiterated graphic details of the killing. In arguing that he used the crossbow bolt as a defensive weapon against the 6-foot, 6-inch Culbreath (Collins is only 5-feet, 7-inches tall) he got the victim in a kind of headlock and accidentally drove the point into Culbreath’s neck.

This occurred, Collins testified, after he confronted the victim and told him to leave Collins’ wife alone and Culbreath attacked him.

When he dismembered the body with a saw, Collins said, the blade caught onto the shaft and pulled the point deeper into the victims’ neck and into the spine.

This created the appearance, he said, of the victim being shot rather than stabbed.

The County Times

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Section A -

St. Mary’s County Man Extradited For Sex Offense Charge Legal Notices

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

NOTICE REGINALD SANDERS 11704 Maher Drive Fort Washington, Maryland 20744

Plaintiff vs.

SALONE PRICE 5907 8th Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20011 and SUDIE J. PRICE 5907 8th Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20011 and THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. MARY’S COUNTY, MARYLAND P.O. Box 653 Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 and GEORGE TUCKER, PRESEDENT Longview Beach Club Association P.O. Box 359 Chaptico, MD 20621 and ANY AND ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING AND INTEREST IN THE PARCELS OF LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN

Defendants In The Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, Maryland Case No. CA-08-38-FR TAX SALE The object of this Proceeding is to secure the Foreclosure Of All Rights Of Redemption in the following parcel of land located in the Seventh Election District of St. Mary’s County, Maryland that was sold by the County Treasurer to the Plaintiff at a Tax Sale held in Leonardtown, Maryland on February

15, 2006 and described as follows, that is to say: LOT NUMBERED TEN (10) in BLOCK FIVE (5) in the subdivision known and called LONGVIEW BEACH as per plat of said subdivision duly recorded among the Land Records of St. Mary’s County, Maryland in Plat Book CBG No. 1, Folio 80.

BEING the land conveyed

by Laverne Daniels to Salone Price and Sudie J. Price, husband and wife, by Deed dated June 12, 1980 and recorded among the Land Records of St. Mary’s County, Maryland on the same day in Liber MRB No. 72, Folio 191..

The Complaint To Foreclose Rights Of Redemption states,among other things, that the amount necessary for Redemption has not been paid, although more than six months and a day from the date of sale has passed.

It is thereupon this 10th day of January, 2008, by the Circuit Court For St. Mary’s County, Maryland, ORDERED that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in some newspaper having a general circulation in St. Mary’s County, Maryland once a week for three (3) successive weeks warning all Defendants and all persons having or claiming to have any interest in the said Real Estate to appear in this Court by the 17th day of March 2008, and redeem the property and answer the Complaint or a Final Court Order may be rendered Foreclosing All Rights Of Redemption in the Real Estate and vesting in the Plaintiff a Title free and clear of all encumbrances.

JOAN

W.

WILLIAMS

Clerk Of The Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, Maryland PUB 01-17-08, 1-24, 1-31-08

A Michigan man has been formally indicted in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court for a sex offense against a young relative allegedly committed back in 2005.

Detectives have extradited Gene Leroy Scofield, 71, from Macomb County for allegedly inappropriately touching the victim on two separate occasions while he and the victim were together on a weekend visit about two years ago according to court papers filed by investigators.

Charging documents state that in March of 2007, detectives with the St. Mary’s County Bureau of Criminal Investigations were advised of the alleged offense and began their investigation by interviewing the victim.

The victim told investigators that Scofield had allegedly touched the victim’s genitalia inappropriately on two occasions during the 2005 visit.

The touching occurred, the appli-

cation for a statement of charges states, while the victim was clothed.

In May of 2007, detectives traveled to the Macomb County jail to interview Scofield who was at that time incarcerated for a similar offense.

Scofield was charged in St. Mary’s County District Court in June of 2007.

According to charging documents, Scofield admitted to touching the victim twice inappropriately during the 2005 visitation.

Charging documents also state that Scofield stated he believed that his actions “were not hurtful, and that it was wanted attention.”

Scofield has been charged here with sexual abuse of a minor and second-degree assault for the alleged incident, and has been convicted twice in Michigan of sexual offenses.

In 1998 he was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. In 2007, he was again convicted of seconddegree criminal sexual conduct involving a person under the age of 13, according to documents from the Michigan

State Police.

Scofield is currently incarcerated in the St. Mary’s County Detention Center.

Gene Leroy Scofield

Board of Education May Revise Selection Criteria for Valedictorians Andrea Shiell Staff Writer The Board of Education discussed updating the selection criteria for valedictorians and salutatorians during Tuesday’s meeting, and all seemed to agree that the current system needed to be re-evaluated.

The current system for the selection of valedictorians and salutatorians (those ranked first and second in their class) relies not only on grade point

averages, but the number of “quality points” the students receive.

Quality points are awarded for extra, 0-period classes that are available to students before or after regular classes.

“The person who is valedictorian under the current system isn’t necessarily the one with the highest GPA,” said Tracy Heibel, principal of Great Mills High School, who explained that students could take these extra classes in addition to their regular academic schedules, and rank first in their classes despite a less

than perfect grade point average.

Board members noted that parents have expressed concern and confusion about the current system, and discussed revising the class rankings to reflect GPA only. They will revisit the proposal in a second reading.

“This system has been in place for a while,” said Michael Martirano. “It’s time we updated it.”

Board of Education Appointment Announced The St. Mary’s County Board of Education has announced the appointment of Mr. F. Michael Wyant to the position of coordinator of safety and security in the Department of Pupil Services. Wyant, a 1996 graduate of the Federal Bu-

reau of Investigation National Academy where he studied executive leadership and law enforcement, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice/ law enforcement from the University of Maryland, College Park. He spent 25

years with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and has been working as a self employed professional consultant for emergency management and workforce and personal safety. His appointment is effective immediately.

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The County Times

Section A -

“People of the Book” by Geraldine Brooks c.2008, Viking

$25.95 / $31.00 Canada 372 pages

The next time you hold something old – an antique, an heirloom, an artifact – imagine the stories it could tell if it could talk.

Someone bought that item new, or made it for a beloved.

Maybe it was carried across continents or states, tucked in a backpack or spirited beneath petticoats. No matter where the thing was or where it came from, it takes some serious sleuthing to find out the story of that which you hold in your hand.

Hannah Heath is a detective of sorts, specializing in antique books. In “People of the Book” by Geraldine Brooks, an old manuscript tells Hannah a story, and it’s not just the one printed on the pages.

It was the first illustrated manuscript discovered, and it rocked the antiquities world when it was found. Because Jewish belief forbade lush drawings in prayer books, the so-called Sarajevo haggadah, created in medieval Spain with vivid colors and detailed drawings, was rare and precious beyond description. It was the jewel of Bosnia, recently saved from the ravages of war. The U.N. asked rare book expert Hannah Heath to examine the ancient tome and to ensure that it deteriorates no further.

Carefully aware that politics are at the heart of this careermaking assignment, Hannah questions why she was chosen.

Surely her former mentor, Werner Heinrich, would have wanted to hold the haggadah in his hands. Amitai Yomtov, one of the most brilliant men in the field, would have leaped at the chance to examine it. Even the haggadah’s kustos, Ozren Karaman, was a more obvious choice.

But the U.N. wants Hannah, so she carefully unwraps the haggadah and finds a mystery. A small fragment of insect wing is imbedded in the book’s folds. There’s a trace of salt. A stain (wine?) mars a page corner. Holes were made for clasps, but clasps are missing. And curiously, an ebony-skinned woman is depicted in the illustrations, which defies what’s known about culture at the time the book was made.

Meant for seder, the haggadah holds more than prayers. If the book could talk, it would tell stories of war and persecution, sickness, bravery, and love. With her own personal problems distracting her, will Hannah listen?

“People of the Book” starts out slow; so slow, that I wasn’t sure I could make it through almost 400 pages. There’s a lot of set-up to make the story work, and not much happens for the first couple segments. In the end, I was glad I stuck it out.

With time-framing reminiscent of “Pulp Fiction”, some factual history, the existence of a real book, and a fictional char-

acter who is increasingly easy to like, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks takes you on a five-century trip from Bosnia to Venice, Vienna to Spain, inside mosques and Getos, churches and torture chambers. And with a list like that, what’s not to love?

If you like historical mysteries, antique-hunting, or “The

DaVinci Code”, pick up “People of the Book”. This bookabout-a-book is a double delight for anyone who craves the written word.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Obituaries Juanita Tarver Singleton Bonner, 50 Ju a n ita Tarver Singleton Bonner, 50, of Lexington Park died Jan. 5 in her residence.

Born June 15, 1957 in St. Charles, S.C., she was the daughter of Edgar and Almeta Davis Tarver.

She was an ordained and licensed pastor and was a covenant pastor of His Majesty’s House in Darlington, S.C..

She owned and operated several businesses in S.C. She is survived by her husband, Rodney Garnett Bonner, Sr. of Lexington Park, a son, Jason Singleton of Myrtle Beach, S.C., four sisters, Fredricka Johnson and her husband Moses of Darlington, S.C., Johnnie Mae Williamson of Darlington, S.C., Vivian Davis and her husband Robert, of Joliet, IL, Sherren Davis and her husband Eugene of Darlington, S.C. and a brother, Allen Bacote and his wife Mary of Darlington, S.C. The family received friends Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Life Celebration Chapel in Leonardtown. A Prayer Service was conducted at 6 p.m.

Interment will be Saturday, Jan. 12 in Darlington Memorial Gardens, Darlington, S.C. Memorial contributions may be made to El-Bethel Prayer Tabernacle, 5601 Bowleys Lane, Baltimore, MD 21206 or HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

John Mitchell Burroughs, 92 John Mitchell Burroughs, 92, of D i l lw y n , VA died Jan. 10 in Buck i ngham County, Va. Born Sept. 24, 1915 in St. Mary’s County, he was the son of the late William Webster and Josephine St. Clair Burroughs.

At the age of six months his family moved to Alexandria, Va., where he grew up.

He attended Catholic grade schools and George Washington High School where he was a member of its first graduating class. He attended Columbia Technical Institute, where he studied Architectural Engineering.

Upon graduating, he spent several years working with his father in his construction business in Alexandria.

He enlisted in the Army in World War II and served in the Philippines where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Because of injuries he was sent home in 1945. Shortly thereafter he married Elizabeth Ranson of Dillwyn, Va., who was a teacher in the Buckingham County School system. They made their home in Dillwyn and he owned a construction company for many years. He then became Superintendent of LeSueur-Richmond Slate Corporation in Arvonia, Va. He was a founding member of the Dillwyn Fire Department where he served as Fire Chief for twelve years. He also served for twelve years as Scout Master. He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1975 and attained the office of Captain of Division III. He received many awards for training aides he made for boating safety and training classes. He was a 60 year Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge #315 in Dillwyn.

In 1983, the Burroughs family returned to St. Mary’s and built on the grounds of “Waterloo,” previously owned by his parents. He belonged to the American Legion Post 221 in Avenue, and the Seventh District Optimist Club. He continued active membership in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was

a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue.

After the death of his wife, he returned to Dillwyn, Va. in 2005 to live with relatives.

He joined VFW Post #1734 in Buckingham, Va. Mr. Burroughs will be remembered as a talented, helpful and dedicated individual who served his country and fellow man well.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Joseph and William (Bill), his beloved wife of 59 years, Liz. He is survived by his daughter, Joyce Boteler of Alexandria, Va.; a sister, Elizabeth Cloonan of Canyon Lake, Calif.; three grandchildren: Betsy Loaiza of Alexandria, Va, Bonny Watter of Kapolei, Hawaii and Bryn Boteler of Alexandria, Va.; and five great grandchildren: Leigh Ann Lopos, Sarah Watter, Neil Loaiza, Marc Watter and Karly Loaiza.

Visitation and a Mass of Christian Burial were held at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Avenue, Saturday, Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens in Leonardtown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Seventh District Optimist Club, P.O. Box 53, Bushwood, MD 20618 or the Boy Scout Troop #6535, 15103 W. James Anderson Highway, Buckungham, VA 23921.

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

Mary Catherine Carter, 92 Mary Catherine Car ter, 92, of L e o n a rdtown, died Jan. 9 in St. M a r y ’s Nu rsing Center, Leonardtown.

Born July 24, 1915 in Clements, she was the daughter of the late Louis Alfred Thomas and Mary Louise Marshall Thomas.

She was a faithful member of St. Francis Xavier and St. Aloysius Catholic Churches and attended regularly until her health began to fail in 2007. Catherine was a kindhearted and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. The love she had for family and friends was evident by the warmth and the time spent preparing meals when all gathered at her home. Catherine liked to sew and made clothes for her children when they were young. She took much pride in working in her flower garden and beautiful flowers blossomed from the attention given. In addition, she loved music, playing bingo and cards and watching “The Price Is Right”.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ignatius Carter, whom she married Jan. 12, 1936 in Leonardtown. She is survived by five daughters, Mary Virginia Brown of Leonardtown, Elsie C. Lawrence (Nathaniel) of Callaway, Ann Berry of Mechanicsville, Grace Carter Tyer (Aloysius) of Hollywood, and Joan D. Thomas of Forestville, Md., five sons, Ernest S. Carter (Martha) of Abell, James Leroy Carter (Sylvia) of Hollywood, John Daniel Carter (Debbie) of Abell, William Rowland Carter (Carolyn) of Brandywine, Md., and Joseph (Bo) Thomas of Bushwood, three sisters, Elsie Catherine Butler of Chaptico, Florine Plater of Washington, D.C., and Lillian Young (John) of Loveville, and one brother, Phillip Thomas (Rose) of Chaptico, sisters-in-law, Bernice Barbour, Agnes Thomas and Ethel Thomas, two daughters-in-law, Bernice Carter and Barbara Carter, 44 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Catherine was preceded in death by two sons, Joseph F. and Thomas X Carter, five brothers, George F., James L., Joseph

The County Times

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Section A -

Obituaries A., Walter A. and Lawrence I. Thomas, sister, Annie E. Thomas, son-in-law, James E. Brown, two grandchildren, Cynthia G. Lawrence and Marc A. “Tony” Carter and a great granddaughter, Savannah R. Taylor.

The family received friends Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. The Reverend William Gurnee was the celebrant.

Interment followed in Sacred Heart Church Cemetery, Bushwood.

Serving as pallbearers were, Joseph Berry, Jr., James E. Brown, Nathaniel Lawrence, Jr., William Brown, Daryl Carter and David Young.

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

Francis Albert “Frank” Davis, 78 Fr a n cis Albert “Fra n k” Davis, 78, of Leonardtown lost his fight Jan. 11 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

Frank, as he was always known, was born in Chaptico, on Sept. 12, 1929, son of the late Henry Albert & Ella Simpson Davis.

Frank’s formal education was with the catholic school system. He attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School in Morganza for eight years and St. Mary’s Academy for four years, graduating in the class of 1947. In 1952, Frank was drafted by the U.S. Army, spending most of his enlistment on the front lines in Korea. After his discharge from the Army in 1953, Frank was employed by the C & P Phone Company (now Verizon) and retired in 1985 after 32 years of service.

In 1954, Frank married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Bowling (Betty).

They lived in Leonardtown for more than 50 years. After his retirement from C&P, Frank worked part time as a salesman for Raley’s Home Furnishings.

Frank was a volunteer with various organizations and spent many hours as a tour guide at the “Old Jail” in Leonardtown for the historical society, one of his favorite pastimes. He was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, where he devoted hours of his time each week to the needs of the parish. His memberships included the Knights of Columbus and The Arc of Southern Maryland. As an avid bowler, Frank belonged to various bowling leagues and bowled up to the time of his illness.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia Lynn Davis, his brother Lewis Henry Davis and his parents Henry Albert and Ella Simpson Davis. Frank is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann (Betty), his children Francis Michael Davis and his wife Deborah of Frederick, Md., Richard Albert Davis and his wife Monika and Nancy Gail Thompson and her husband Michael, all of Mechanicsville; five grandchildren, Shannon, Erin and Taylor Davis and Jessica and Christopher Thompson as well as his step-grandchildren Patti Hickey and her husband Jason and David Walker and his wife Angel and two stepgreat-grandchildren Bailey and Jacob.

The family received friends Monday, Jan. 14 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers were said at 7 p.m., followed

by Knights of Columbus prayers. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Church in Leonardtown, Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Rory T. Conley officiating.

Interment followed at the St. Aloysius Cemetery in

Leonardtown.

Pallbearers were Bill Bartlett, Calvin “Bucky” Bowling, Charles “Chip” Bowling, Jr., Charles “Peanut” Bowling, Francis B. Gough and Richard “Dickie” Pitcher. Honorary pallbearers were the grandchildren of Mr. Davis.

Memorial contributions may be sent to: Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650, and/or Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or The Arc of Southern Maryland, P.O. Box 1860, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Thomas Edward “Teenie” Hayden, 83 Thomas Edward “ Te e n i e ” Hayden, 83, of Hollywood died Jan. 9 in his residence.

Born June 18, 1924 in Hollywood, he was the son of the late Francis Roger and Gertrude Hayden.

He was the loving husband for 56 years of Thelma “Tookie” Hayden, whom he married in St. John’s Catholic Church May 30, 1951. He was the loving father of Patricia Ann Mattingly and her husband James L. of Chaptico, Deborah Jean Mattingly and her husband, Dennis of Leonardtown, Diane Hayden Koslofsky and her husband Les of Hollywood, and Robin Theresa Van Kirk and her husband Joe of Mechanicsville. He is also survived by his brother Joseph Aloysius Hayden of Leonardtown, as well as seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his siblings Ann Loretta Goldsborough, Mary Gertrude Dean, Francis Roger Hayden and Robert Wells Hayden.

He was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident who attended St. John’s School from 1st – 8th grades. He served in the United States Army from April 7, 1943 – January 19, 1946, where he fought in World War II and was stationed in Hawaii, Leyte and Okinawa. He worked for the federal government as a carpenter for more than 22 years and retired June 3, 1980. He played softball for Dean’s Sunoco Team and loved to play cards, go crabbing and mainly hang out with his friends at Dew Drop.

The family received friends Sunday, Jan. 13 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, where prayers were held at 3 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. in St. John’s Catholic Church, Hollywood, with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating and Msgr. Richard Burton co-officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Billy Long, Scott Mattingly, Jeff Koslofsky, Johnny “Hank” Hayden, Jimmy Hayden and Greg Dean.

Contributions may be made to St. John’s Building Fund, 43927 St. John’s Road, Hollywood, MD 20636, Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636 and/or Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

James Harold “Sambo” Herbert, Sr., 72 James Harold “Sambo” Herbert, Sr., 72, of Lexington Park, and formerly of Maddox, Md. died Jan. 13 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center.

Born Jan. 27, 1935 in Maddox, Md., he was the son of the late Nick and Mary Agnes Parker. He was the loving husband of the late Hilda Elizabeth Herbert whom he

married Dec. 7, 1957 in Sacred Heart Church and who preceded him in death March 30, 1987. He is survived by his children; James H. Herbert (Jimmy) of Maddox, MD., Rebecca T. Herbert (Sis), Mary E. Herbert (Mae), Julia B. Herbert, Harry W. Herbert (Sonny) and Barbara Y. Courtney (Barbie), all of Lexington Park, as well as 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Dennis A. Herbert (Butch).

A lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, James was educated by the St. Mary’s County Public School system. He was employed for Dean Construction Company for 25 years and was a driver for Walter Wise Trucking for twenty years, retiring in 1997.

The family received friends Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, where prayers were held at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, with Fr. Francis Early officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas Courtney, John Maddox, Jr., James Butler, Sr., William Butler, John F. Jacobs and William Scriber. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Hill, John Hill, Francis Hill, James Bonds, Alphonso Bowman and James Hill (Iggie).

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Brett Andrew Hudson, 19 Brett Andrew Hudson, 19, of Av e n u e , died Jan. 8 in his residence.

H e was born May 19, 1988 and lived in Charlotte Hall until 1994 when the family moved to Avenue.

He is survived by his parents: Donna and Dave Hudson; his brothers: Travis Hudson and his wife Tia of Clarksville, Tenn. and Kyle Hudson of Avenue. Other survivors include his great grandmother: Catherine Windsor of Croom Md.; his grandparents: Mr. and Mrs. Phil Lange of Brandywine, Md.; his aunts: Terry Windsor of Croom, Md., Connie Hudson of Vienna, Va. and Lori Buckler and her husband Gary of Brandywine, Md.; his uncle: Joe Windsor and his wife Sandy of North Beach, Md. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Donald and Sandra Windsor of Croom, Md. Brett attended Chopticon High School. He loved to fish, crab and work on race cars. He was active in the St. Mary’s County 4-H and was an acolyte at All Saints Episcopal Church. He will be missed by all who knew him, especially by his family and friends.

The family received friends Friday, Jan. 11 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said at 7 p.m. followed by Optimist Prayers at 7:15 p.m. A Funeral Service was held Saturday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. in All Saint’s Episcopal Church, Avenue, with Rev. Kathleen Price officiating. Interment followed in the Church Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to All Saint’s Episcopal Church, 22598 Oakley Road, P.O. Box 307, Avenue, MD 20609.

Pallbearers were: Travis and Kyle Hudson, Joe Windsor, Gary Buckler, John Rodgers and Daniel Robinson.

Honorary Pallbearers were Members of the 7th District Optimist Club.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

John Edgar Joy, Sr., 82 John Edgar Joy, Sr., 82, of Loveville died Jan. 8 in his residence.

Born July 13, 1925 in Loveville, he was the son of the late George Edgar and Anna Missouri Wathen Joy. He was the loving husband of the late Mary Rita Owens Joy whom he married Oct. 5, 1946 in Our Lady’s Chapel, Medley’s Neck, Md., and who preceded him in death on Nov. 14, 2001.

He is survived by his children; Ruth Joy Coombs and her husband Ira John, Betty Joy Thomas and her husband C. George, all of Loveville, and John Edgar Joy, Jr. of Prescott, Ariz. as well as seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sister Madeline McCreary of Baltimore, Md. He was a judge at the local election polls from 1947 to the early 1980’s. He was a driver for the State Highway Administration (SHA) for 17 years, retiring in 1986.

Many times, while working for SHA, he took prisoners to trash pick-up sites on the local highways and would oversee them, giving them advice on how to walk the straight and narrow path. They fondly called him Pappy. He raised English Setters, sold milk, eggs, firewood and livestock.

He worked as a construction foreman. He even did some bartending to make extra money in his younger years.

His passion, however, was working the land. He and his wife Rita bought the old Bishop Place in Loveville and turned it into a profitable tobacco farm. He dreamed of owning this land as a teenager and worked tirelessly to make his dream come true.

He retired from farming in 2001. His true claim to fame is his compassion, tenderness and strength, all of which he used to help others. He was a dynamic father and grandfather who will always be remembered as the tall, strong “Gindy” with the gentle hands.

The family received friends Friday, Jan 11 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, where prayers were held at 7 p.m. A funeral service was held Saturday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Keith Schukraft officiating. Interment followed in the Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown.

Pallbearers were Frankie Bussler, Chris Bistline, Tommy Alvey, Kim Bistline, Bryan Thomas Sr. and Linda Richards.

Honorary pallbearers were A.J. Bussler (HAT), Mary Dean, Gloria Jean Pilkerton, Ann Pilkterton and Glenn Pilkerton.

Contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 50, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Walter Francis Marshall, 70 Wa l ter Francis Ma r shall was born July 31, 1938. He slowly made his departure Jan. 3 at U n i o n Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, Md. Walter was the son of the late William X. and Elizabeth E. (Curtis) Marshall. Walter was preceded in death by his siblings: Gladys Marshall Johnson, Anne E. (Boogie) Marshall, James Joseph, John (JB) and Richard Marshall.

He received his education in the St. Mary’s County public system at Banneker School.

Walter worked construction

and maintenance at St. Aloysius Church and for 18 years he was employed by the St. Mary’s Pharmacy (formerly People’s Drug Store, now CVS Pharmacy).

In the early 1970’s he moved to Baltimore and worked in security at Lexington Market and the Greater Medical Center Hospital in Laurel Md. until his illness caused him to stop working.

Walter, known to all as “Cap”, enjoyed family gatherings and cooking. He loved showing off his culinary skills.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of twentynine years Nancy, daughter Sandra D. Marshall of Leonardtown, son Emmanuel Marshall of Baltimore, Md., Stepdaughter Donzella Townes also of Baltimore, Md., sister Dorothy A. Wise of Great Mills, and a brother Peter I. Marshall of Clements, as well as three grandchildren.

A host of family and friends will hold his memory dear.

Services were held Jan. 9 in St. Alyosius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, where an interment followed at the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Louis Thomas, David Herbert, Frankie Bannister, Adrian Young, Lawrence Hatton and Earl B. Neal.

Services provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Mark Lee O’Connor, 40 Mark Lee O’Connor, 40, a resident of Hollywood for 34 years, died Jan. 12 in his home.

He was born Sept. 11, 1967 in Millington, Tenn. to Nellie O’Connor Horton of Great Mills, and Frank R. O’Connor of Lake St. Louis, Mo. He graduated from Leonardtown High School in 1985. He was the only male cheerleader Leonardtown High School ever had. He was a comedian with a broad range of sound effects including a train whistle, crickets, elephants, cat and dog fight.

He was a swimmer for the Silver Dolphins and he made it to the Junior Olympics. He was best known as “Mark the Man of Star Karaoke and DJ,” entertaining many family and friends, young and old, in Maryland and Virginia. He loved working as a DJ with Star Karaoke and had many friends who followed his work. Mark was an outgoing, friendly person who would always make people laugh. His laughter and smile will be truly missed.

Mark is survived by a daughter, Ginny Rae O’Connor of Hollywood, a son, Mark Lee O’Connor of Summer Set, Ky., his mother, Nellie O’Connor Horton and Ray, his father, Frank O’Connor and Dianne, one brother, Shawn O’Connor and Laura of Sunderland, Md. and their three children and numerous cousins and family.

Relatives and friends are invited to Mark’s Life Celebration at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown Saturday, Jan. 19 from 9 – 10 a.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted at 10 a.m. in the Brinsfield Life Celebration Chapel. Monsignor Karl Chimiak will conduct the service. Inurnment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House, c/o HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Alma Catherine Plummer, 75 Alma Catherine Plummer, 75, of Lexington Park, died Jan. 9 in her residence.

Born Oct. 4, 1932 in St. Mary’s County, she was the daughter of the late Warren Dunbar and Cora “Susie” Ridgell Dunbar. Mrs. Plummer was a member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, St. Mary’s City. She had worked as an accounting supervisor in the telecommunications industry.

She is survived by her husband, Stuart M. Plummer of Lexington Park, a daughter, Mary Catherine Young

of Sterling, Va., three sons, Walter “Danny” Plummer of Sterling, Va., Alfred “Buck” Plummer of Brookton, Maine, Richard Plummer of Falls Church, Va., ten grandchildren, two sisters, Violet Hines of Lexington Park, Nancy Bryant of Brunswick, Maine and two brothers, Francis Dunbar of Charlottesville, Va. and Richard Dunbar of Idaho.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated Monday, Jan. 14 in St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in St. Mary’s City. The Reverend Damian Shadwell was the celebrant. Inurnment followed in St. James Cemetery, Lexington Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House c/o HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or the American Cancer Society, St. Mary’s County – Unit 350, P.O. Box 1032, Lexington Park, MD 20653.

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

Mary Ann Reed, 52 Mary Ann Reed, 52, of Dameron, fo r m e r l y of Glenn Dale, died Jan. 3 in St. Mary’s Hospit al, Leona rdtown.

She was born Nov. 25, 1955 in LaPlata, Md. to Virginia Jenkins Welch and the late John Welch.

Mary was the wife of Craig B. Reed, whom she married April 28, 1979 in College Park, Md. In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by her son, Robert S. Eurich of Salisbury, Md. and her daughter, Bridget N. Reed of Dameron. Mary also leaves her brother-in-law, Harry E. McGowan and his children, Kelli D. Baker of Chesterfield, Va. and Michael C. of Los Angeles, Calif., sister-in-law, Jean Erdmann and husband Rudy of Hollywood, and nephew Robert J. Smith and wife Beth of Great Mills.

Mary, along with husband, Craig and daughter, Bridget, owned Sunshine’s Buffalo Wings and Beer in Leonardtown.

She loved traveling, spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, attending live concerts and her cats, Boots, Cassie and Roz. The family received friends Monday, Jan. 7 in the Brinsfield Life Celebration Chapel in Leonardtown. A Memorial Service was officiated by the Reverends Henry and Renee Cole.

Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD, or the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 520, Ridge, MD 20680 or The Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, Ridge, MD 20680.

Mildred Elizabeth Wince, 81 Mildred Elizabeth Wince, 81, of Piney Point died Jan. 14 in St. Mary’s Nursing Center.

Born June 13, 1926 in Piney Point she was the daughter of the late Frank Joseph and Mary Katherine Adams Eberle.

The family will receive friends Thursday, Jan. 17 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where prayers will be said at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. in St. George Catholic Church, Valley Lee, with Fr. Joseph Sileo officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. For further information on Mildred Elizabeth Wince or to leave a condolence for the family, visit www.mgfh. com.

The County Times

Section A - 10

Sewage Delay Continued from page A- dwelling units, or EDUs, available for sewage treatment from the current plant, which treats about .68 million gallons of sewage a day.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

town.

Those fees shot up from $2,800 for sewage capacity per dwelling unit to $13,000 per unit, Miller said, in January of last year.

“We can’t put that burden on those 2,000 [in-town] residents,” Miller said of the projected $18 million expansion cost.

Miller said next month that town government staff would present it’s recommendations for development priorities to the town

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The expansion of the Leonardtown sewage treatment plant on Van Wert Lane has been delayed due to a lack of funding from development impact fees, town officials say.

EDUs are allocations for sewage capac- council for their consideration until the exity for a particular construction project that pansion can take place. the plant can bear. Projects larger than a sinMayor J. Harry Norris said that he felt gle-family home can take up more than one that the town should keep some of the sewage allocation units in reserve for schools EDU. The expansion is supposed to increase or other public necessities that could come the plant’s capacity to 1.2 million gallons of up as well as for further revitalization of the capacity each day, which could accommodate downtown area.

He predicted that the delay of the sewage more residential or business development.

According to town figures the average treatment plant would not be more than six number of EDUs allocated each year has months to a year.

“We’ve tracked our EDUs all along,” been about 35 between 2002 and 2006.

There have been significant spikes in Norris told The County Times. “I don’t think 2003 with 123 EDUs and 2007 with 53, but it will have a major effect.

“I don’t think it will be much of a extreme lows of allocations of 2002 and 2004 of two and four EDUs respectively. delay.”

Miller said that town officials went to the state Maryland Department of the Environment with their dilemma and got approval to delay the expansion.

The expansion is important not only to accommodate future development but to come into compliance with state mandates to move from the standard bio-nutrient removal system to an enhanced nutrient removal system for sewage cleanup by 2011.

The state would help pay for the system upgrade, Miller said, but the brunt of Photo by Guy Leonard the actual construction would have to come The expansion of the Leonardtown sewage treatment from the increased impact fees levied by the plant would increase the plant’s capacity to 1.2 million

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Whatever subject your child needs help with, from Reading and Math to Study Skills or Test Prep, Sylvan’s proven system inspires kids to learn. We pinpoint what skills they need to succeed and help them master those skills one by one.

Call Sylvan today. The sooner you act, the sooner we can make a difference.

Bring this ad in for $100 off assessment or $100 off SAT prep class valid 1/08-3/08. Visit us in California at 23415 Three Notch Road, Suite 2045 or call (301) 863-4862

READING • MATH • WRITING • HOMEWORK STUDY SKILLS • TEST PREP AND MORE!

Wildewood Shopping Center California, MD

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301-863-0400

23415 Three Notch Rd Wildewood Center California, Md 20619

*$50 off first and final rental payments. Offer good on new rental agreements only. Some restrictions may apply. See store manager for details. Some restrictions may apply. See store for more details. A rental-purchase transaction does not grant ownership until ownership terms have been completed. Other charges may include taxes, and/or processing fees. Some restrictions may apply. Products may be new or preleased. Specific merchandise, styles, and colors may vary by store. Simulated TV reception. All screens are measured diagonally. Not responsible for typographical errors.

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Buy One Lunch Buffet, Get One Free!

Not valid with any other offers.

Expires 2/17/08

www.petruzzis.com

Shiniques’ Design Hair Salon 301-866-5390 10% off Hair Services on Tuesdays and Wednesdays(with coupon)

Wildewood Medical Care

Telephone: (301) 737-7833 Fax: (301) 737-4865

2054 Wildewood Center California, MD 20619

J. Scott Tidball, M.D. Board of Certified Family Practice Nicole Brown, MSN, CRNP Family Nurse Practioner