Thursday, May 29, 2008 • St. Mary’s County

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Thursday, May 29, 2008 • St. Mary’s County, Maryland

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SHA To Update All Pedestrian Facilities Andrea Shiell Staff Writer The Joseph A. Carter Center Building in Leonardtown was sweltering on Tuesday evening as a small group of people met with the State Highway Administration to discuss handicap accessibility issues facing St. Mary’s County. As some representatives pondered the air conditioning, others brought in a fan to cool the room as

the group took their seats. “The goal of the meeting is for the SHA to identify deficiencies that can be corrected with capital improvements,” said ADA coordinator Christina Bishop, who is hoping that citizens can help to identify crosswalks, intersections, driveways, and sidewalks that may fall short of the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

See SHA page A-

Marcey House Golf Tournament A Success Athletes and dignitaries crowded onto the Wicomico Shores Municipal Golf Course on Friday with special guests Tubby Smith, the University of Minnesota Men’s Head Basketball Coach, and Kevin Hardy, retired NFL Linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Others present included Sheriff Timothy Cameron, County Commissioners Jack Russell and Daniel Raley, and Maryland Delegates John L. Bohanan and John F. Wood.

First place winners included Bob Richardson, JW Hall, Rick Smith, and Tommy Jameson.

“We had wonderful weather, great prizes, good company, and we should exceed last year’s mark of $17,000,” said Marcey House Representative Larry Harvey, who said that the money raised would go to support existing treatment programs for addicts and alcoholics provided by the facility.

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Intersections with pedestrian access like this one on Great Mills Road are part of the State Highway Administration’s new program to retrofit all crosswalks for ADA compliance.

County Approves Budget, Property Tax Revenues To Increase 20 Percent

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

EMS for Children Hosts Teddy Bear Clinic Employees from the St. Mary’s County Advanced Life Support Unit celebrated “EMS for Children Day” by gathering on the Governmental Center lawn on Wednesday to host educational presentations on fire safety for children, and to provide emergency treatment for stuffed animals. They hosted their first “Teddy Bear Clinic,” during which they patched and mended the toys while explaining the importance of proper band-aid usage to the children. Stopping by to give fire safety lessons was Sparky the Dog and the Safety House, where volunteers simulate house fires and kitchen safety for kids.

“It’s a good time to teach injury prevention, right before the summer,” said Beth Campbell of the Advanced Life Support Unit. “For us it’s a mixture of community outreach and recruiting. We really hope it’ll grow.”

The St. Mary’s County Board of County Commissioners passed a $337 million operating budget with no increase in the tax rates for fiscal 2009, but an increase in the real property assessments this year means that property owners will still be paying an estimated $14.5 million more in tax revenues, according to county budget figures.

The rise in revenues translates into a 20.5 percent increase in the property

tax collected, from $70.9 million total in 2008 to a projected $85.4 million for fiscal 2009.

Commissioner Lawrence D. Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) said that while the commissioners had made some efforts at reducing the overall tax burden to citizens, the property tax increase did not bode well for homeowners or businesses.

“In the long run the property taxes still bother me,” Jarboe said. “We’re facing some big challenges.

See Budget page A-

Students Celebrate Second Commencement Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Principal Robert Taylor grinned as he addressed a room packed full of graduating seniors, parents, siblings, teachers, principals from each of the area’s high schools, and members of the Board of Education at the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center on Wednesday. “We have a record breaking crowd this morning,” he exclaimed, nodding to more than 20 people standing along the fringes of the room for lack of seating. “Last year I think we had two empty seats,” said Taylor, adding that the school had even run out of programs for those attending.

This was not a typical high school graduation. There were no gaps or gowns,

no class rings, no brass and woodwind section playing Pomp and Circumstance, and no valedictorian speeches. Instead, seniors who had completed their programs at the tech center were dressed in a wide variety of outfits, some donning their uniforms for ROTC, others sporting chef’s coats, and still others who had dressed in their Sunday finest for the event. Close to 400 students attended the proceedings, which for them amounted to a second graduation, the first being from their home schools.

Taylor described this year’s graduating class as he would his own children.

“They’ll engage you in conversation before you engage them…they’ll explain to you how something was made…they wear Jimmy Hendrix t-shirts and know he will alSee Commencement page A-10

Gibson Won’t Face Charges For Friend’s Death In Car Crash

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Sean Thomas Gibson, 18, who police believe was responsible for the car crash that killed his longtime friend and Chopticon High School classmate Ethan Chewning will not face manslaughter charges according to the prosecutor who investigated the tragic case.

Assistant State’s Attorney Robyn Riddle said the decision not to prosecute Gibson for any offenses that would result in jail time came after a lengthy investigation, including talking to Chewning’s surviving family.

“There will be no manslaughter charges,” Riddle told The County Times last week. “They feel [Gibson] is suffering greatly already, because they were best friends.

“They did not prefer that he be charged with any offenses [that carried the penalty of incarceration.”

Riddle said the family’s wishes did not decide the outcome of their investigation, but they were in accord with the state’s attorney’s office findings.

“They are an exceptionally compassionate family,” Riddle said of Chewning’s relatives.

The accident occurred last April when Gibson was driving a 1998 Dodge Neon westbound on Sunnyside Road near the intersection with Colton’s Point Road when he lost control of the vehicle after failing to make a turn.

The car collided head on with a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am after crossing over the center lines of the See Charges page A-

Man Convicted Of Assaulting Former Girlfriend

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A man convicted of multiple counts last week in Circuit Court, including second-degree assault, firstdegree burglary and stalking his former girlfriend, could face more than 50 years in prison if sentenced to the maximum time allowed by law.

Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel J. White, who prosecuted the case, said Carrington Raphael Carter, 35, of Lexington Park carried out a pattern of abuse against Alice Lynn Wolinski that lasted nearly See Carter page A-

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The County Times

Section A -

Car Burglaries Have Sheriff Looking At Special Tactics

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer According to Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron, burglaries involving motor vehicles are a growing concern; so much so that his office will stake out special vehicles with items that attract potential burglars to help catch them in the act.

“My intention is to put out bait cars with GPS (global positioning systems) and satellite radios in them,” Cameron told The County Times. “Those are the kinds of things they are taking…they’re stealing anything of value left in the cars.”

Cameron said the rise in car burglaries

was detected using the sheriff’s office’s new computer-based crime tracking system.

“It’s not a big rise, but it is a trend we detected using compstat (computer statistics),” Cameron said.

Cameron warned vehicle owners that burglars were simply browsing around looking to find whatever mark was the easiest to take down.

High-priced electronics seemed to be the favored targets, Cameron said, including cell phones.

Det. David Alexander, the investigator in charge of coordinating anti-theft efforts in the county, said precious metal thefts were still a pressing concern.

These thefts consisted mostly of copper piping and wire stolen from abandoned structures, new and old homes as well as from vehicles used in construction and contracting trades.

“There are a lot of business vehicles out there with precious metals on board,” Alexander told The County Times. “They [vehicle owners] should find a way to secure them.

“They make easy targets.”

The costs of precious metals used for industrial applications and elsewhere has risen in recent years worldwide, due in part to building booms in China, India and the war in Iraq, and precious metal thefts have seen a subsequent rise.

“Precious metal prices are the highest they’ve been in history,” Alexander said, adding that thieves could make a quick turnaround on their stolen materials. “And it’s easy to get rid of.”

Cameron said several arrests last year that

Man Who Touched Girl At Party Sentenced To 18 Months Jail Time

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Mark Andrew Panowicz, the 49year-old man who was convicted in February of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl in his Mechanicsville home in 2006 was sentenced to a year-and-a-half of incarceration at the St. Mary’s County Detention Center last week.

Panowicz, who faces charges for violating his probation in a nearly identical case in Charles County, may also have to register as a sex offender if visiting District Court Judge Stephen Clagett so orders.

Judge Clagett gave Panowicz, who was authorized for work release and given three years of supervised probation upon his release, a lighter sentence than prosecutor Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel J. White had requested.

White pushed for a sentence of 10 years incarceration suspended down to five in prison, while Panowicz’s attorney James Papermeister said jail time would take his client out of rigorous treatment designed to suppress urges that caused him to commit the crime.

“Mr. Panowicz targets people who he thinks are weak,” White argued before Judge Clagett. “I think he’s a violent person who will hurt someone else if he’s left on the streets.”

Papermeister said his client had since admitted that he was responsible for the crime and had undergone rigorous testing designed for sex offenders.

“He’s not a predator, he’s not a bad man,” Papermeister said. “He’s come to terms with the fact that he has a problem.”

Panowics accepted responsibility for his crime during his sentencing hearing and apologized to his victim.

“What I did to [her] was wrong,” Panowicz said.

At his trial, Panowicz was also charged with eight other offenses, consisting of contributing to the delinquency of minors and furnishing alcohol to minors. But those charges were dropped during the trial.

At Panowicz’s trial back in February his accuser testified that he started to rub the small of her back when she was asleep in one of the rooms of his house. The victim

Thursday, May 29, 2008

testified that she and other teenagers, who had been invited there by Panowicz’s son, had been drinking heavily and became intoxicated.

The victim had to be carried to one of the rooms after she had become sick.

The victim testified that she awoke after feeling someone touching her and saw Panowicz on the f loor next to the bed when she turned around to see who was there.

At his court trial, Panowicz denied ever touching the girl inappropriately, but a recorded 911 emergency call from the victim’s cell phone after she ran out of his house, stunned, distressed and confused, convinced Judge Clagett of her truthfulness.

Judge Clagett reiterated his belief at Panowicz’s sentencing hearing.

“I was absolutely convinced that you did what that young girl said you did,” Judge Clagett said.

Panowicz was immediately taken into custody by the sheriff’s office to begin his incarceration after his sentence was handed down.

Funds provided by the State of Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration

resulted in the break up of an alleged catalytic converter theft ring highlighted the illegal demand for precious metals.

Rhodium, palladium and platinum were all precious metals used in catalytic converters installed on vehicles, Cameron said.

Rhodium has a current value of about $9,800 per troy ounce, while platinum costs about $2,200 per ounce. Palladium has a market value of about $460 per ounce according to the precious metals Web site www.kitco.com.

While some scrap metal dealers keep track of who sells them precious metals, some still do not, Cameron said, making it more difficult to track down possible suspects in precious metal thefts.

A measure that Maryland sheriffs lobbied for in this year’s legislative session in Annapolis that would have required scrap metal dealers to keep detailed records of sales transactions failed, Cameron said.

State Wants More Information On County’s Water And Sewer Plans

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) water supply branch says that it needs more information on the amount of water being drawn from aquifers to supply the Lexington Park area, as in years past the amount has, according to the state, exceeded that allocated for one of the most developed portions of the county.

The state made their concerns known to the county government in a May 21 letter.

“MDE’s Water Supply Program (WSP) indicated that water use in past years in the Lexington Park water system has exceeded the permitted water appropriation and the county MetCom (Metropolitan Commission) has applied to the WSP to increase the permitted water use,” the letter stated. “The county must explain to the WSP how it was determined that the Lexington Park water system had been judged to be adequate, considering past water use and provide to the WSP a water capacity management plan for the Lexington Park water system.”

Denis Canavan, director of the Department of Land Use and Growth Management said that the information requested by the state was needed to implement the new plan.

“With that information we’ll be in a better position to have them [the state] approve the water and sewage plan,” Canavan said.

Representatives with the MDE said that they would assist the county in making revisions to the plan.

“We’re trying to give them a little more time to make sure their water and sewer plan matches water capacity,” Kim Lamphier, MDE spokesperson told The County Times.

Steven King, director of MetCom said that while some portions of the Lexington Park water system have gone over their allocation of water usage, others have remained below and overall the system is working well within its limits.

“That’s not true,” King said of some of the statements in the MDE letter. “We’ve not exceeded the total appropriation for the Lexington Park water system.”

King said that the total allocation for the Lexington Park system was about 3.4 million gallons of water a day. The total usage in 2007 came to about 2.7 million gallons a day.

“The flow rate was a shade under 80 percent,” King told The County Times Tuesday. “That’s the level MDE recommends for their capacity guidelines.”

King said that the notion of putting together a water management plan for systems throughout the county had been under consideration for some time now.

It made sense to have the guidelines, King said, for the same reasons guidelines were in place to track the level of capacity at sewage and wastewater treatment plants.

“It’s to ensure the county doesn’t approve more equivalent dwelling units (the amount of water used by one dwelling unit a day) than the water supply can serve.”

The Lexington Park water system serves the area from Wildewood down to South Hampton, King said.

MetCom has been dealing with other issues concerning the Lexington Park area as well this past year, including whether to build an expansion for the Marlay-Taylor sewage treatment plant or, with the U.S. Navy’s permission and possible donation of land a completely new facility to keep up with the demand for waste water treatment from increasing growth.

The facility upgrades would also ensure that the county was coming into compliance with the state’s mandate to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous being released back in to the Chesapeake Bay. King said that weather patterns also played a role in how much water flowed through the system, including last years drought which caused residents to use more system water for things like irrigation.

“If it keeps raining like it has the past few months…

I expect to see flow rates decrease,” King said.

The County Times

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Section A -

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The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Editorial & Opinion Public Safety Should Not Be Used For Political Expediency Approximately once a year or so another letter from State Senator Roy Dyson will appear in a local newspaper where he questions the safety of the Thomas Johnson Bridge connecting St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties.

Recently, Dyson did it again, with a letter to the editor of a Southern Maryland newspaper, which was published May 18th.

Dyson evokes the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis where lives were lost and profoundly implies that he is concerned the same will happen with the Thomas Johnson Bridge, at

which he tells the public his reaction would be “I told you so”.

Is Dyson telling his constituents not to traverse the bridge or is he simply advising his constituents not to be on the bridge when it collapses?

What are we to make of our State Senator for the past 14 years saying: “ I don’t think the bridge is safe”?

In 2006, after Dyson claimed to see concrete falling off the bridge, then President of the St. Mary’s County Commissioners, Thomas McKay and Calvert County Commissioner President, David Hale asked then Maryland

Secretary of Transportation Robert Flanagan for a meeting at the site of the bridge to include experts from the bridge engineering and inspections divisions.

At that meeting, which Delegate Anthony O’Donnell attended but Roy Dyson did not, the experts from Maryland Department of Transportation reviewed the process and frequency for inspecting the Thomas Johnson Bridge.

They also reviewed the results of most recent inspections.

They assured the Commissioners and their constituents that no concrete had fallen off and the bridge was structur-

ally sound and safe.

After much discussion as to the safety of the bridge structure, the concerns among the group turned to problems of congestion and safety on the bridge, concerns that are legitimate. It was then that Secretary Flanagan agreed to ask Governor Ehrlich to include money in the transportation budget to begin the study process for a new bridge.

Here we go again, this time it’s not concrete falling off, it’s a bridge held up with “Band-Aid’s” and rotten pillars.

Even if Dyson believes the bridge is unsafe, how do letters of this type to the newspaper serve as problem solving? Wouldn’t it make more sense for Dyson to

work with the Maryland Department of Transportation to carefully review their inspections and analysis? Then, if Dyson still is not satisfied he could submit legislation to have an independent structural analysis performed. Maybe even two independent inspections just to be sure. Instead, Dyson for 14 years has chosen to simply scare the public into believing he knows what is best for them.

Thousands of jobs and a large part of the Southern Maryland’s economy are dependent upon that bridge.

What is achieved with these scare tactics? Without any evidence to the contrary, Dyson ignores the facts and constantly seeks to promote his political popularity by playing on people’s emotions.

The current Secretary of Transportation, John Porcari is in his second tour of duty

having served as Transportation Secretary for Governor Glendening and now for Governor O’Malley. Porcari appeared outraged that Dyson would write such a letter. He responded with his own letter saying: “Let me be direct and say to the people of Southern Maryland that the Thomas Johnson Bridge is safe” Does Dyson really believe he can better serve his district by alienating every Governor elected in Maryland? If its transportation dollars needed in Dyson’s district for things like new bridges, he would better serve his constituents by working together with other’s to bring solutions to real problems to the table. In the meantime, as Secretary Porcari said: “it serves no useful purpose for Sen. Dyson to raise unnecessary alarm regarding the condition of a bridge that is structurally sound”.

To The Editor: Join the Fight against Cancer Dear Editor: Cancer is the No. 1 killer of Americans under age 85. In Maryland alone, an estimated 10,360 people will die from the disease this year. As someone who has lost several loved ones to cancer, I hope we all find these numbers unacceptable. It is time to recommit our nation to the war on cancer -- and that challenge begins here at home. I’m writing to show that we can make real change through the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the sister advocacy organization of the American Cancer Society.

Dear Editor: Well, here we are approaching a “defining moment” election. The field, a choice between two of the most liberal candidates, and a guaranteed candidate from the Republican party, give us an opportunity to see just how much we believe in our electoral system at the Federal level.

We St. Mary’s citizens are affected by all levels of governmental control, from our post-Tommy McKay county elected, our state “What Was In Your Wallet” return to Democrat utopia, and the upcoming national promise of “change”. I have some facts that were gleaned by some great researcher regarding the consequences of our recent political dealings. There are three parts to the report. Here’s the first.

The second and third will be subjects of follow-on reports. Here goes Part 1: Remember the election in 2006? 1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high; 2)

Our members are committed to evidencebased policy and legislation that boosts cancer research funding at all levels, broadens access to cancer prevention methods, early detection tools and treatment; and, strengthens tobacco control measures. This summer and fall, the ACS CAN is bringing the cancer fight to our backyards through a nationwide bus tour called the Fight Back Express. The Maryland leg of the Fight Back Express is being dedicated to a beautiful young girl named Talia Marie Pleasant; Talia needs a miracle to defeat this horrid disease. Her story is chronicled by her mother at http://www.caringbridge.org/md/taliapleasant where she states, “in a way I feel that I have

Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon; 3) The unemployment rate was 4.5%. Since voting in a Democrat Congress in 2006 we have seen: 1) Consumer confidence plummet; 2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to over $3.70 a gallon; 3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase); 4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses); 5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars; 6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure. America voted for change in 2006, and we got it! Remember it’s Congress that makes law not the President. He has to work with what’s handed to him. Is it time for Bush-haters to finally shift their attention to Mz Pelosi and Boss Reid? Next-the tax situation, and then, “Is the Global War On Terror costing us too much?”

failed my daughter…” No one should ever feel as though they have failed a loved one because of a disease. We need to use the Fight Back Express to help make eradicating cancer a national priority. Then pain and suffering caused by this disease has to end. The ACS CAN Fight Back Express is making stops in 3 regions in Maryland on this 48-state tour, and will come to Southern Maryland at the Prince Frederick Wal-Mart on Friday, June 6 at 9 a.m. It will be on the road through Election Day, November 4; building a grassroots movement united in its mission to defeat cancer and determined to put cancer at the top of the nation’s agenda. Find out more about the ACS

CAN Fight Back Express at www.acscan.org and let your voice be one of the millions heard across the country this election season in support of making cancer a national priority. Too many of us continue to lose loved ones who fought valiantly to win their personal wars against cancer. It is time to fight back. If one person can battle this disease, the voice a nation can defeat it. It takes one vote, one voice, our voice to kick cancer to the curb! Please join the fight and visit the Fight Back Express!

A Letter of Thanks

sponsors: ALM American Construction, Inc. W. M. Davis, Inc.; Lott Enterprises of Maryland; Computer Sciences Corporation; Wyle Laboratories; Century 21 New Millennium; Robin Finnacom; and Cecil’s Country Store.

Damon’s Grill, Giant Foods First Colony and Walmart Superstore at Miramar also contributed to our event with special donations.

Finally, to the Zeiller family, who opened their hearts and home for a spectacular afternoon event.

Patuxent Habitat for Humanity looks forward to working with these individuals and businesses in the future to make a difference for working families in need of affordable housing.

Dear Editor The Board of Directors and Staff of Patuxent Habitat for Humanity would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the sponsors, donors and attendees of our recent fundraiser – Have a Taste for Habitat. So many generous businesses and individuals came together to help raise funds to build more affordable homes in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.

In particular we would like to recognize the businesses who contributed time and talents to create such a pleasurable event: Blue Wind Gourmet; Vincenzo’s Mediterranean Grille; The Tides Restaurant; CD Café; Port of Call Liquors; Solomons Island Winery; and Dee Peters – wine educator.

Additionally, our event would not have been possible without our generous corporate

Sincerely, Georgette B. Gaskin California, Md

Gary Williams President Patuxent Habitat for Humanity

Larry Lutz Lexington Park

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The County Times

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Ramblings of a Country Girl

The Simple Things Terri Bartz Bowles It’s when the simple things go wrong that life gets really frustrating. It’s the ordinary, every day things that you come

to depend upon. You expect them to work every day and they do and so you take them for granted. But when one of the workhorses goes down, it throws your life into a tizzy!

And of course, these things always happen at the most inopportune time! You’re in a hurry; you’re late, someone is waiting on you; you promised someone something at a

The Sky Is Not The Limit

Section A - and for years, you’re confident because you have plenty of spares for that fixture. But you lull yourself into a false sense of security because every time you pull out a bulb, you think how smart you were to stock up. Eventually, that stock is depleted and you’re flabbergasted – what happened to all those light bulbs I bought?!

There’s a direct proportion, too, regarding your frustration level and the urgency with which something needs to happen. You start getting angry at inanimate objects, talking to them, asking them why they’re letting you down.

You know you’ve done it, we’ve all done it. Then you tell yourself not to get all crazy, you’re an intelligent adult, you can figure this out. Except you can’t. You feel you should be able to solve this problem, but you just can’t. So you get more frustrated which makes you more stupid and less able to solve the problem. By now you’re so frustrated, you’re

certain time – that’s when the breakdown will occur.

The toilet never clogs when you get home from work and have the entire evening free, no, it clogs in the morning when you’re getting ready for work. You can’t leave it but you don’t have time to mess with it, either. You curse the toilet. It does not respond.

The internet goes down when you have a deadline to meet.

The internet never goes down when you’re just surfing around for fun. It only goes down when your timesheet is due in the next ten minutes and you can’t get into the website! Arrggh! It does this on purpose, it knows you’re under pressure and it wants to mess with you. It enjoys it.

The light bulb in the entry way burns out just before guests are due to arrive and you don’t have a replacement. You might have twenty light bulbs in the closet but none are the right wattage or the right size for that darn entry way light.

Then you go and buy several

“With the doors that opens up for you, it’s really a great future.”

“It’s always been there, it’s always been an option,” said Eastburg. Along with his cohorts, he said he was never pushed into the service, but rather encouraged by his own family’s involvement. He described the application process as a daunting one, having sent out four applications for nomination along with four different entrance essays. “It’s a great reward to go through the application process,” he said.

With some groups boycotting military recruitment centers and encouraging others to do the same in the wake of the Iraq war, these students instead embraced the idea.

“Compared to people not in a time of war…we know what we’re getting ourselves into,” said Adam Moran, who will be joining the Army ROTC program at Elon University. “My ulti-

Seniors Looking Forward to Careers in the Service Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Karen Rose sat at her desk in the Leonardtown High School career center and beamed at several young men as they sat down to discuss their recent acceptance to military academies across the country. “I’ve been doing this for 12 years, and we’ve never had more than two accepted,” she said, nodding to the 11 seniors in the room. These students comprise a record number of seniors who have been accepted into military academies from Leonardtown High School, where in previous years, two or three service-bound students would have tipped the scales.

School counselor Michael S. Loughran nodded proudly, saying, “I’ve been doing this over 30 years and I’ve never seen anything like this.” For an admission system that first requires a nomination from a congressman, a senator, or the vice president, it might even appear as a kind of fluke that so many young people from one school had secured their nominations and been accepted. “We’re all friends and we were all freaking out at the same time as were applying,” said Sean Buckley, who has been accepted into the Naval Academy, along with his friends Robert Nelson, Greg Eastburg, and Cameron Paul.

Charges Continued from page A- roadway.

Chewning, 16, of Chaptico died on the scene. Amber Russell, then 20, of Clements, who drove the Grand Am, was injured and treated at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda. Gibson, who was also incapacitated after the accident, according to police reports, received care for his injuries at the same hospital.

The passenger in the back seat of Gibson’s vehicle, Nathaniel Fitch, then 16, of Clements, received life-threatening injuries and had to be flown out by Maryland State Police helicopter to Prince George’s Hospital Center’s trauma unit.

For these students, not even the sky seems to be the limit, and flight is the first goal for many of these seniors. Andrew Svecz will be attending Valley Forge Military Academy and College and has already logged 39 hours in pursuit of his private pilot’s license. When asked which craft he would most like to man, he said, “I honestly don’t care…I just like flying.”

Robert Wilhelm and Daniel Brand are both hoping to fly the F-22 when they complete their training at the Air Force Academy. Joining the ROTC Navy program at Old Dominion University is senior Andrew Wright.

“Either F-18s or the F-35,” said Buckley, who said that he was partly prompted when he heard his grandfather and great-grandfather tell stories of their time at Pearl Harbor.

Many of those entering the Naval Academy came from military backgrounds.

“My dad went to the Naval Academy,” said senior Ryan Dishman, who will be attending the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey. He told about being five years old and spending his birthday eating McDonald’s and watching airplanes take off. “I’d like to fly the new F35…hopefully by the time I graduate they’ll be in full operation.”

“My dad went to the naval academy too…I’ve always looked up to my dad so I think that really influenced me,” said Buckley.

The death of Chewning, who was popular among his classmates, rocked the Chaptico and Clements communities.

Tearful memorials and candlelight vigils soon followed, and Chewning’s classmates memorialized him with messages at school that could be seen from the roadway.

Chewning was affectionately known as “ninja” for his affinity for the martial arts and was recognized for turning around lagging grades in his sophomore year at Chopticon High School.

Gibson made a tearful apology to Chewning’s family last year at a memorial service to the young man for the accident, which was accepted.

Gibson is set to appear in St. Mary’s County District Court in June on nine separate

ready to pop. One of three things then happens – the problem just fixes itself or you get an epiphany, a ‘viola’ moment and all is fixed and good and right with world. You feel ten feet tall and bulletproof. You’re the man, you’re the woman – you came, you saw, you conquered. Or the problem is totally and completely beyond your ability and you have to call for repair or customer service and that’s a whole other column.

If you were able to overcome the problem, never fear, some little something is going to happen soon to bring you right back down to Humbleville. You’ll try to be patient and earnest and convince yourself that this is a small stumbling block, not a major hurdle and you can overcome it. The next thing you know, you’re talking to that darn light bulb again like it’s going to understand you….

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mate goal is to not have any slack…to get all my men home safely.”

“I’m just hoping to go in there and make a career out of it,” said Eastburg.

“I want to do as many deployments as possible,” said Robert Nelson, also bound for the Naval Academy. “I’m looking to do what I was trained to do.”

Still others are just hoping to pick a path via the service. “I can basically do whatever I want going into the merchant marines,” said Jeffery Smith. “So I’m really conflicted right now between going into the Navy or the merchant mariners.”

All in the room seemed hopeful, confident, and proud, as did their principal, David O’Neill, who attributed part of the high acceptance rate to the county’s close partnerships with the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

“These guys are deserving…they’re great kids and it’s a privilege to be here with them.”

charges stemming from the April 4, 2007 accident.

Those charges include speeding, negligent driving Photo by Andrea Shiell and failing to control a motor From the left: Andrew Wright, Cameron Paul, Greg Eastburg, Andrew Svecz, Sean Buckley, Principal David vehicle to avoid a collision.

O’Neill, Robert Wilhelm, Adam Moran, Ryan Dishman, Jeffrey Smith, Robert Nelson, and Daniel Brand.

Virginia Quade, Chewning’s grandmother, said the family is still dealing with the We Pay $300 & Up For Un-wanted Vehicles Including Tow. loss of their young loved one.

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The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, May 29, 2008

selected by the AvCIP team for funding in July 2007. The AvCIP funding was combined with additional funding from the EA-6B Prowler Program Office (PMA-234) and a contract was awarded in September 2007.

The Air Combat Electron- ular solid state Band 4 transmitter on kind of teamwork we need across tect other aircraft carrying out This new component is more reliics (ACE) program office (PMA- the ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming Sys- the Navy/Services to get the warf- strike or close air support missions. able and repairable and will save 209) was part of a team that won tem. The ALQ-99 is presently used ighters what they need, when they The Crane Team, using Value En- the Navy more than $41 milthe Department of Defense’s on the EA-6B Prowler and also slated need it, at the lowest cost possible.” gineering Methodology, identified lion in total life cycle costs (fewer Value Engineering Award for for use on the new EA-18G Growler. The current component had a high the problem; analyzed potential spare parts, increased reliability).

2007 in the Special category. “I’m very proud of our AvCIP team failure rate and was difficult and alternatives used on other similar The fiscal 2007 Department of DeACE’sAvionicsComponentImprove- and their role in keeping the Prowler very costly to repair in a timely technology systems and developed a fense Value Engineering Achievement Program team worked with on the cutting edge of electronic at- fashion. When this component plan for buying the new component. ment awards will be presented in Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane tack,” said Capt. Silvernagel, Air did fail, it prevented the Prowler After receiving a contract proposal June to recognize the recipients’ outDivision’s Airborne Electronic At- Combat Electronics Program Man- from providing the offensive jam- from industry for the new compo- standing achievements through the tack Division to develop a new mod- ager. “This is an example of the ming mission role needed to pro- nent, the proposal was submitted and application of value engineering.

Air Combat Electronics Win DoD Award Naval Air Systems Command Press Release

Portnoy Assumes Command Of Air Combat Electronics Naval Air Systems Command Press Release Capt. Ralph I. Portnoy has assumed command as Program Manager, Air Combat Electronics Program Office (PMA-209).

In May 2006, Portnoy reported to PERS-43 Aviation Engineering Duty Officer Head Detailer and the Director, AIR-7.3, NAVAIR Total Force Strategy Management Department.

In September 2004, Portnoy was assigned as PMA-259’s Air-toAir Missile Systems Program Office, Advanced Development Team Lead. In 2001, he joined the F/A-18 Program Office, PMA265, initially as the head of F/A18 System Safety and then Hornet Weapon Systems Integration Integrated Product Team Lead.

He returned to the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron in Patuxent River, Md. as Head of the Carrier Suitability and Landing Systems Division and was then selected to be the Lead Navy F/

SHA Continued from page A-

A-18E/F Super Hornet Test Pilot during its Follow-On Test and Evaluation Program. While serving at Strike, Portnoy was also selected for the Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer program.

In 1994, Portnoy was selected to transition to the EA-6B Prowler and completed his Fleet department head tour as Squadron Operations Officer, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 138 (VAQ-138) making Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf deployments aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in support of Operation Southern Watch.

While on deployment and flying in support of Operation Desert Shield, he was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School and following graduation served as an A-6/EA-6B/A7 test pilot/project officer at the Naval Strike Aircraft Test Directorate, Patuxent River, Md. Portnoy is a native of Potomac,

Md. and a 1985 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

Designated a Naval Aviator in May 1987 and assigned to fly the A-6E Intruder, Portnoy served in Attack Squadron 196 (VA196) and made two deployments to the Western Pacific aboard USS Constellation (CV-64) and USS Independence (CV-62).

Portnoy has a Masters Degree in Computer Systems Management from the University of Maryland, University College Graduate School. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, three Navy Commendation medals and other various awards. He and his wife Janice have two children Jake and Elena. The Portnoy family resides in California, Md.

In the last two years, the State Highway Administration has taken on an extensive retrofitting program, surveying sidewalks and roadways in all 23 counties in Maryland, and transposing the data on aerial

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photography to create a system of maps showing which areas are compliant with ADA standards. “We had a whole checklist of items that are required for compliance,” said ADA Title 2 Coordinator Linda Singer, who works for the State Highway Administration. “We did a whole laundry list,” she said, adding that in St. Mary’s County, they have found 31 percent of roadways, sidewalks and crosswalks to be noncompliant, which includes inclines on curb cuts, ramps, and driveways. With over 1,000 miles of state road under the microscope, Singer described SHA’s plan as twofold, first involving their surveying system, and then involving residents themselves.

Tuesday evening’s turnout was low, but those who showed up seemed very concerned about rout 235 and Great Mills Road, and those two streets became the focus of the meeting.

Retrofitting projects include an ambitious program to add Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) to all crosswalks and intersections where pedestrian activation is appropriate, which would provide the cross-section of streets in brail, and tell pedestrians when to cross. “By 2016, every pedestrian signal will be updated,” said Singer. “It’s really neat technology and we’ve gotten a lot of positive reviews.”

Some in the room seemed particularly enthusiastic about this idea, including Angela Cummings, who has been blind her whole life and described the project as long overdue. “Sometimes if I miss the bus I have to cross Great Mills Road to catch the bus on the other side of the street,” she said, adding that unless there are other pedestrians present, she finds it difficult to navigate the intersections.

“That light only stays green probably only for ten seconds,” she said. Cummings was also pleased to learn that truncated domes lining the crosswalks will be added to assist people with canes in crossing the street.

Over 16 miles of state roads lined with sidewalks will be scrutinized, since many of those sidewalks are not wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, or have utility poles blocking passage.

“I have to be very quick witted about

negotiating such obstacles,” said Cummings. In addition to fixing sidewalks and crosswalks, curb ramps, curb cuts, median crossings, and ramps will be addressed.

Some remarked that there were many stretches of road without sidewalks, such as Chancellor’s Run Road. Julie Randall, former President of the Board of County Commissioners, described the roadway as a death trap for pedestrians. She described Great Mills Road and Chancellor’s Run Road as two of the largest veins in the county, providing access to shopping, parks, senior centers and residential developments. “Some of these roads and some of these sidewalks have been issues for 20 years,” said Randall.

“We’d like to do everything all at once, right away,” said Singer, “but that won’t happen…the higher priority needs will come first.” Singer explained that feedback from residents about the most frequented areas would help the administration establish priorities. “It’s a hard call. If this is your road then it’s a top priority,” said Singer. “The idea is to make things consistent.”

“This was a really neat thing to be a part of,” said Margaret Anne Stewart after the meeting, adding that her biggest concern was the height of the buttons on the poles and the lack of sidewalks along one side of the street near her neighborhood off of Great Mills Road. “They truly act like they want to help,” she said.

Singer said that the database system that the SHA devised to keep track of roadways and ADA compliance was the first of its kind, and that she hopes that priorities can be established soon.

Those interested in commenting on areas where handicap accessibility is a problem can contact ADA Coordinator Christina Bishop at 301-475-4200, extension 1802.

So far, the SHA’s timeline for completion is eight years. “I am concerned about where St. Mary’s County will fall on the list of priorities,” said Randall, who ref lected that the ADA transition plan had been on the books for many years. “But I’m confident that once this administration goes through this process of transition then St. Mary’s County will get their fair share.”

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The County Times

Odd News People for the Ethical Treatment of Everything A provision in Switzerland’s constitution recognizes the “dignity” of “animals, plants and other organisms,” and a federal Ethics Committee on Non-Human Gene Technology declared in an April report that vegetation has “inherent worth” and that humans cannot exercise “absolute ownership” over it but must treat it morally, measured case-by-case. For example, the committee said a farmer’s mowing his field is acceptable, but not the arbitrary severing of a wildflower’s bloom.

The committee would permit genetic engineering of plants, since they would still retain the “autonomy” to reproduce on their own.

My Mullah!

In what may be the most progressive move imaginable for a society that prosecutes drug addicts as criminals rather than people who need help, the Iranian government agreed in April to install vending machines offering inexpensive syringes (at about 5 cents each) in five city welfare shelters in order to keep addicts from sharing needles and spreading AIDS and hepatitis. Iran blames its festering drug problem on its common border with opium-producing Afghanistan.

She’s Not Loving It In April, according to police in Fort Pierce, Florida, 24 year-old Amity Joy Doss was so dissatisfied with her service at McDonald’s that she grabbed a young employee by her shirt and demanded to the manager that she be fired. As a call was made to police, Doss wandered outside, climbed a tree, hung upside down by bended knee for several minutes, then descended and lay down on the hood of her car before re-entering the restaurant and asking if the girl had been fired yet. She was arrested on several charges.

This Week’s Incompetent Criminals

rate-style sword through Macy’s flagship store in Manhattan is facing charges of criminal possession of a weapon. Police say 29-year-old Lawrence Jackson was brandishing the curved sword while visiting Macy’s Herald Square store Sunday with his girlfriend. He insisted that he was carrying the sword because he is a member of a kickball team whose players often wear pirate-themed costumes. He maintains he was on his way to a game when he was arrested.

German couple Try to Sell Their Baby on eBay Authorities in Southern Germany have taken custody of a seven month-old boy after his parents posted an ad offering to sell him for the equivalent of $1.57.

The ad said, “offering my nearly new baby for sale, as it has gotten too loud.”

The unidentified parents will now face an investigation into possible child trafficking. No offers were made for the child, and police were alerted by several people who had seen the ad, which was later deleted by eBay after they gave authorities assistance in tracking down the parents.

Liquor Store Owner Takes Shoplifters’ Shoes A Durango, Colorado Liquor Store Owner was tired of losing what he says was about $1,000 worth of merchandise a month in thefts, so he started telling shoplifters he caught that they had two choices: Give him one of their shoes or he’d call the police.

“I would suggest that he find a different option that doesn’t involve giving up property,” said police Capt. Micki Browning of owner Gabe Fidanque’s practice.

“What’s the difference between him saying, ‘Give me $20 and I won’t call the police’ or ‘Give me your shoe?”’

Fidanque was ordered to return the shoes to their owners - if he can find them, and he reluctantly agreed. But he stands by his work, which he said he started because people he turned in to police would return hours after being arrested.

Section A -

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Three men were arrested in New Orleans in February and charged with possession of almost two pounds of marijuana after police were called to a car on fire, which they said started when the men stashed their dope under the hood, and it overheated.

19 year-old Justin MacGilfrey was arrested for the attempted robbery of a Circle K convenience store in Daytona Beach, Florida. The clerk had chased him from the store when he realized that MacGilfrey’s only “weapon” was a pretend gun he made using his finger and thumb.

Macy’s Pirate A man who was carrying a rusted pi-

Carter Continued from page A- three months.

“We had three separate jury trials and he was convicted in every one,” White said.

“There were two different incidents as the bookends to the case and there was some violence in between.”

The first incident occurred June 13 of last year, according to charging documents against Carter, when he beat Wolinski; causing her two black eyes, a bloody nose and bruising on her upper arms and chest.

Deputies who responded to Wolinski’s residence June 18 of last year for another disturbance between she and Carter learned of the assault five days earlier after interviewing Wolinski.

According to a court transcript of Carter’s testimony about the incident that night, he testified he hit Wolinski once, in the face, after she had first lunged at him.

Carter denied causing the other bruising that had been documented in police photographs.

Carter was charged with second-degree assault stemming from that incident, according to charging documents.

Just a few days later, on June 22, Carter was again charged by sheriff’s deputies with violating an ex-parte order filed against him by Wolinski. The order had been granted June 20, charging documents stated.

Court papers state that Carter had engaged in “continued harassment via telephone” by calling Wolinski on his cell phone against the conditions of the ex-parte order.

Charging documents revealed that Wolinski also believed Carter had called her about 31 times from a private phone number in a short period of time.

Carter would be charged with violating a judge’s protective order three more times during the span of the case with Wolinski, White

said, and would also be convicted on each one of those counts.

The last serious incident of violence against Wolinski, court papers state, occurred Aug. 14 of last year when Carter attempted to force his way into Wolinski’s residence.

According to court documents, that evening Carter again attempted to call Wolinski and then went to her home and began to shake the doorknobs of the front and back doors of the home.

When he could not find his way in through usual means, court papers state, Carter began to unclip the air conditioning unit from the outside of Wolinski’s home nearest her front door.

Wolinski attempted to push back on the air conditioning unit but Carter, who weighed 250 pounds, pushed the air conditioning through the window slot, shattering glass.

Wolinski suffered cuts to her lip, chin and arms, charging documents state, from trying to thwart Carter’s entry.

In all, Carter was convicted of first-degree burglary, attempted first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, three violations of a judge’s protective order and stalking, White said.

The burglary convictions carry a maximum of 20 years in prison each, while the assault charge carries 10 years. The stalking charge could net Carter five years incarceration.

White said that if Carter had not been convicted, the outcome of the string of incidents could have been much worse.

“He was on probation at the time for assault on another person,” White told The County Times. “This could’ve gotten as bad as it gets; this had all the elements of becoming a fatal incident.”

Carter’s sentencing is scheduled to take place in June.

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The County Times

Section A -

Thursday, May 29, 2008

unteers,” she said, adding that close to 80 percent of adult and student volunteers in the county were acting as tutors.

Those who had contribceremony. “Whatever their level of need, we who had come to the event. try to touch the lives of all children.”

Cramer reflected on the different types uted the most hours were present that night, As of January 2008, St. Mary’s Coun- of volunteers who had been honored that eve- including parents and local children’s advoty Public Schools counted a total of 1,638 ning, as well as the hundreds who were not. cates, and Captain Andrew Macyko, who readult volunteers, who contributed close to “There are more people that volunteer that cently took the helm as Patuxent River Naval 22,000 hours of service, and 469 student vol- we don’t even know of,” he said. “There are Air Station’s newest Commanding Officer. unteers, who contributed almost 2,000 hours. people who bake, that go on field trips, that tu- He smiled as he accepted two awards from Academic Support Director Theo Cramer tor…some are giving more hours, but in some two different schools.

Martirano and members of the Board of said that he had heard estimates of the value cases there are literally hundreds of volunteers Education kept the proceedings short as they of a volunteer hour hovering between $16 and at each school, and their work is essential.” $17, and cited that over 2 million MarylandSince January, Parent Involvement Coor- handed out certificates and shook hands. “I ers had contributed over $2.3 billion worth of dinator Mary Bradford says that the number cannot thank you enough for all that you do,” work hours for the betterment school systems of volunteers has grown, but it would be diffi- said Martirano shortly before leaving the across the state. cult to estimate how much until the end of the stage to conclude the evening, letting those “Can you imagine if we tried to put that school year. “We thank them for the support who work with no pay take the rest of their in the school budget?” exclaimed Martirano they give for academic programs…most peo- night off. as he warmly greeted the group of volunteers ple don’t think of them as instructional vol-

Board Of Education Honors Volunteers Andrea Shiell Staff Writer National Volunteer Week may have ended in April, but that did not stop the Board of Education from recognizing the county’s most helpful citizens last week. Hundreds of volunteers for St. Mary’s County Public Schools were honored with a reception and certificates of appreciation by the Board of Education on Thursday night. After a long day of either working or volunteering, recipients sat back and enjoyed dinner and several sessions of pictures and rounds of handshakes for their hard work.

We all talk about all children,” said Superintendent Michael Martirano at the awards

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Volunteers were honored by the Board of Education for their hard work in the area’s schools Thursday evening.

Budget Continued from page A- “We’ll see things get steadily worse in the private

sector.”

Jarboe was the sole opponent of the budget and cast a “no” vote at Tuesday’s meeting.

One measure in the budget that passed was the reduction of the energy tax rate proffered by Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D-Great Mills). His proposal cut the energy tax rate in half, and thereby the projected revenue to be collected from $3 million to $1.5 million.

“It’s with great pleasure we’re putting $1.5 million back in the pockets of citizens,” Raley said.

Raley has said that instituting what is known as the constant yield property tax measure, which ensures that property tax rates go down if assessments go up to keep property owners paying the same amount of tax money would have hobbled county government in key projects and services like the expansion of the county jail and providing assistance with the new wellness center slated for construction at the Leonardtown campus of the College of Southern Maryland.

Raley estimated that the measure could have cost the county nearly $7 million in much needed revenue.

Implementing the constant yield rate on property taxes would likely mean having to raise tax rates next year Raley said.

“And that’s something I

do not want,” Raley continued.

“This budget reflects a true sense of fiscal conservatism.”

Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly (D-Leonardtown) said that the constant yield could have eventually returned county government to deficit spending, much like it was back when he took office nearly a decade ago.

“The constant yield is what got us into a deficit,” Mattingly said. “I don’t want us to get back into a deficit situation.”

Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell (D-St. George’s Island) said that the commissioners had debated other ways to reduce taxes, including the property tax, but decided to keep the revenue unchanged because of future fiscal challenges.

“This was the best way to keep the county fiscally sound and stave off raising taxes another time,” Russell said.

The projected revenue from county income taxes fell by about $1.5 million in the budget, to $63.7 million. Revenue sources from other local taxes and highway user fees also feel by between 2 percent and 2.8 percent, according to the latest budget figures.

The Office of the Sheriff got a $3.37 million increase in the budget for a total of $30.4 million, with an increase in detention center staff by 10 correctional officers to be hired by the first of October.

The county also started

Did You Know?

According to the American Lung Association (ALA), particle pollution is the most dangerous and deadly of widespread outdoor air pollutants. Formerly known as soot, particle pollution itself is not visible, though the haze it creates when the sunlight hits it is visible. Some of the main sources of particle pollution are ash, diesel exhaust (commonly from buses, trucks and heavy equipment), chemicals, metals, and aerosols. The ALA reports the city most polluted by short-term particle pollution in the United Sates is Los Angeles, including the surrounding areas of Long Beach and Riverside.

The greater Los Angeles area is followed by Pittsburgh-New Castle

Photo by Andrea Shiell

up the new Office of Human Services at a cost of $5.4 million, but most of that money is scheduled to come through grants.

The county Board of Education also received a $4.1 million increase in its county allocated funds for a total of $80.1 million.

While some considered the budget a good one, others in county government thought it was anything but that.

State’s Attorney Richard D. Fritz, in a letter written to the county commissioners dated May 15, lambasted the lawmakers for not approving pay raises for eight of his prosecutors, whom he stated had received no pay increase in the past three years.

“There can be little question as to why in the last three years I have lost four attorneys,” Fritz wrote. “To consider a total request of $26,621.23 too great of an expense to shoulder for eight attorneys who have now not received a pay raise in three budgets, but yet who stand for the protection of our citizens 24 hours a day, seven days a week is an insult.”

Both Raley and Commissioner Kenneth R. Dement (R-Tall Timbers) said that overtures to Fritz’s office were necessary to work out the issue.

“It’s in motion now as we speak,” said Russell.

and Fresno, and Bakersfield, California, as the cities most polluted by short-term particle pollution. While larger particles can be coughed or sneezed out thanks to the body’s natural defense system, smaller particles can be very dangerous.

That’s because they can get lodged deep in the lungs, remaining there andresulting in sickness or disease.

The cleanest area for short-term particle pollution in the U.S. is Baldwin County, Alabama, which is situated in southern Alabama along the Gulf Coast and includes 431 square miles of water. Of the remaining counties in the top 10 cleanest areas to live, four are in Arizona, including Cochise and Pima Counties, the latter of which includes the city of Tucson.

The County Times

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Section A -

Obituaries Matthew C. “MC” Aud, 85 Matthew C. “ M C ” Aud, 85, of Great Mills died May 23 in his residence.

Born June 13, 1922 in Great Mills, he was the son of the late Clarence Matthew and Estelle Coombs Aud. He grew up and lived all his life in Great Mills. He attended Little Flower School and Holy Face Church. He was a well-known lifelong farmer and trucker. He also owned and operated a sawmill on his farm.

He enjoyed building tobacco barns and his family home. For many years, he hauled groceries for Cecil’s General Store in Great Mills and Mattingly’s IGA in Leonardtown.

He is survived by his children; Mary Jane Carl of Harrisburg, Pa. and Charles E. Aud Sr. of Great Mills, seven grandchildren: Charles E. Aud, Jr., of Mount Airy, Md., George M. Aud of Baltimore, Md., Lisa Marie Aud of Leonardtown, Amy M. Aud of Great Mills, William M. Carl of Harrisburg, Pa., Brian D. Carl of Houston, Texas, and Carrie A. Morgan of Pensacola, Fla.; seven great-grandchildren: Ryan Aud of Lexington Park, Emily Aud of Leonardtown, Madison and Hanna Aud of Mount Airy, Md., Molly and Elisabeth Carl of Harrisburg, Va., James Morgan of Pensacola, Fla. and one great-great grandchild Aliyah Aud. He is also survived by ten siblings: Dorothy Schindler of Hollywood, Myrtle Abell of California, Teresa Trossbach of Hollywood, Mary Schindler of Flagler Beach, Fla., Marie Trossbach of Hollywood, Frances Trossbach of Leonardtown, Joseph Combs of Great Mills, Edna Trossbach of Browns Mills, N.J. Bernice Aud of Great Mills, and John Aud of Park Hall. He was preceded in death by his brothers Tommy and Junior Aud. His wife, Dorothy Schindler Aud, preceded him in death Sept. 12, 2002. His son Francis M. Aud was killed in the Viet Nam conflict in January 1970.

The family received friends May 26 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown.

Prayers were recited at 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, May 27 at Holy Face Church, Great Mills. Reverend Joseph R. Sileo was the celebrant. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Serving, as pallbearers were Charles E. Aud, Jr., George M. Aud, Ryan Aud, William Carl, Brian Carl and Charles Wise.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

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

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

Susan “Susie” S. Byler, 83 Susan “Susie” S. Byler, 83 of Mechanicsville died May 20 in her residence.

Born Dec. 14, 1924 in Upper Leacock Township, Pa., she was the daughter of the late John and Hannah Stoltzfus.

She was the loving wife of the late Chris Z. Byler who preceded her in death Nov. 18, 2007 and whom she married Dec. 2, 1947 in Mechanicsville.

She is survived by her children: Hannah, wife of Israel Fisher, Rachael, wife of Andrew Swarey, Rebecca, wife of Chris T. Swarey, of Cisne, Ill., and Benjamin Byler and his wife Lydia, Barbara Byler and Katie Byler, all of Mechanicsville; Mary Byler and Lydia, wife of Ivan Miller, all of Quarryville, Pa. and John Byler and

his wife Susie of Herndon, Ky., Samuel K. Byler of Cadiz, Ky., Henry Z. Byler and his wife Orpha of Pembroke, Ky. and Amos Byler and his wife Ada of Oakgrove, Ky. She is also survived by 60 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren as well as her siblings: Rachel, wife of Amos Stoltzfus of Bird in Hand, Pa., Levi Stoltzfus and his wife Mary, Amos Stoltzfus and his wife Rebecca, all of Mechanicsville, John Stoltzfus and his wife Fannie, the late Samuel Stoltzfus and his wife Lydia, all of Spring Run, Pa., the late Benvel Stoltzfus and his wife Fannie, Rebecca, the late wife of Christian Lapp, all of Danville, Pa. and Mary, the late wife of the late Mose Hostetler.

A funeral service was held Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. in the home of Benjamin Byler, Mechanicsville. Interment followed in Woodburn Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville.

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

Marian Joyce Clark Davis, 68 Marian Joyce Clark Davis, 68 of Holly wood, Md. died peacefully amongst family members May 24 in her home.

Born Sept. 26, 1939 in Welch, W.V. she was the daughter of the late Roland Glen and Edna Pauline Clark.

She was raised in the coal mining area of War, W.V., and attended Big Creek High School with the “Rocket Boys.”

Joyce then attended Concord College where she earned a BA degree in Home Economics and Library Science and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

She moved to Maryland in 1961 to be the librarian at the Leonardtown School, which included grades K-12.

In 1963, she became a stay at home mom until her children started school. Joyce loved being around and teaching children, and during the late sixties she volunteered, and was later selected as the librarian at Greenview Knolls Elementary School, where she served as both the librarian and acting principal in the principal’s absence. She also attended The George Washington University earning her MS in Library Science. She retired in1999.

She loved people. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, driving across North America six times, including three driving trips to Alaska. She loved to knit and crochet, making scores of baby blankets and afghans. Her cross-stitching won several first place awards. She also enjoyed gardening.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Brian Chamberlain Davis; her daughter Joni Maria Davis Cummins, her husband David Alan and daughter Shannon Nicole of Hollywood; son Scott Roland Davis, his wife Ruth Marie, their twin daughters Sarah Joyce and Jenny Marie, and step daughter Mary Parent of Hollywood; her brothers Norman Glen Clark of War, W.V.; Charles Roland Clark of Kemper, Texas; James Melvin Clark, his wife Jamie Rappaport Clark and son Carson of Leesburg, Va.; and sister Helen Clark Hickman, her husband Daryl, son Joshua and daughter Clark of Centerville, Va. She is also survived by numerous friends and relatives in Maryland, West Virginia, Maine, Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the U.S.A. and Canada.

Joyce, who had Myelodysplasia, foremost wished to publicly thank the Red Cross and its caring army of “blood donors” who gave over 700 units of blood she has needed this past 10 years. Furthermore,

she wished to publicly thank the excellent and caring staff of doctors and nurses including: Dr Kioumarce Yazdani and the Infusion Center of Calvert Hospital; Dr B. Douglas Smith, Nurse Practitioner Valerie Ironside and Mary Beth Collins, Ericka, Diane and the other 5A nurses of Johns Hopkins; St. Mary’s Hospital, and numerous other supporting friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to Joyce’s Life Celebration at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown Thursday May 29 from 5 – 8 p.m. Prayers will be recited at 7 p.m. A Funeral service will be conducted at the War Methodist Church in War, W.V. Sunday June 1 where the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until time of service at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at the Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross St. Mary’s County Chapter P.O. Box 387, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.

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

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.

Delbert Leon Ebeling, 88 Delbert Leon Ebeling, 88, of Sandgates, formerly of Circle Drive, Sykesville, Md., died Wednesday May 21.

He was born Nov. 13, 1919 in Indiana, the son of the late Elizabeth (Powder) and Russell Ebeling. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Cox and her husband Laudie Cox, his brother Herman Ebeling and Sister-in-law Angeline, brother-in-laws Paul, Gene, and Leon Holt, and a nephew David Ebeling. Surviving is his wife of 66 Years (April 11 1942), Margaret (Holt); two daughters, JoAnn Bryant of Mechanicsville and Jean Ebeling at home, and a son, James (Norma) of Tonapah, Nev.; 13 grandchildren, Dennis (Ann) Bryant of Smyrna, Tenn., James (Donna) Bryant of Clarksville, Tenn., Stephen (Julie) Bryant of Mechanicsville, Toni (Rob) Vargo of Mechanicsville, Jake (Heather) Kitzmiller of Purdon, Texas, Dusty (Lorene) Kitzmiller of Va., James (Errika) Cox of Lansdale, Pa., Kelly (Brian) LaHair of Randallstown, Md., Kim Ross of Jacksonville, Fla., Andrew Cox of Christiansburg, Va., Daniel (Michelle) Ebeling of Citrus Heights, Calif., Barry (Corrie) of Tonopah, Nev., and James (Christine) Ebeling of Fernley, Nev.; and 21 great-grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.

He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II (enlisting Nov. 29, 1941 and separating as a Technical Sergeant Oct. 22 1945) as an Airplane Mechanic, mostly on B-24 Liberators. He was a member of the 356th Bomb Squadron of the 302 Bomb Group, the 537th Bomb Squadron of the 382nd Bomb Group, and the 405th Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force. He served in the Pacific Theater (Dutch New Guinea, Philippines, and Okinawa) earning a Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon, Good Conduct medal with Clasp, Ribbon for the Liberation of Philippines, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic Service Medal, one Silver and one Bronze Star.

He was a carpenter in Washington DC, in Carroll County, at the Springfield State Hospital, and at the Southern Maryland Pre-Release Unit. Along with their present house and other homes, he helped build the Haight Funeral Home in Sykesville, Md. He is a past member of the Sykesville Volunteer Fire Department.

Friends will be received to pay tribute to Delbert and to celebrate his life at the Haight Funeral Home Sykesville, Md., Saturday, May 31 from 3-7 p.m., Sunday 3-7 p.m. and

Monday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Springfield Cemetery, Spout Hill Road, Sykesville, Md. Memorial Donations can be made to the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc. P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, MD 20636 or Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650

Robert Francis Farrell, 75 Robert Francis Farrell, 75, of Bushwood died Tu e s d a y, May 20 in St. Mary’s Hospit al, L e on a rd town.

Born Feb. 14, 1933, in Bushwood he was the son of the late William J. Farrell and Martha L. (Graves) Farrell.

Bobby, as he was known to family and friends, served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953-1954. When his tour of duty ended, he returned to St. Mary’s County where he worked for many years as a waterman. In recent years, he worked as a driver for a local florist. He enjoyed watching all sports events, especially football and car races. He enjoyed gardening and discussing current events, but mostly, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Bobby is survived by his five children, Belinda Phillips and husband Brad of Hollywood, Md., Robert Allan Farrell and wife Wendy of Prince Frederick, Md., Faye Wheeler of Clements, Jane Cusic and husband Ken of Compton, and Christopher Farrell and wife Brenda of Bushwood; five grandchildren, Ryan Wheeler, Heather and Kyle Cusic, Christopher and D’Anna Farrell, two brothers, Joseph Farrell and wife Betty of Hollywood, Thomas Farrell and wife Millie of Leonardtown, four sisters, Ann Cullison and husband Joe of Fairfax Station, Va., Jean Bean and husband Stephen of Leonardtown, Donna Farrell of Bushwood, and Susan Muth and husband Craig of Manassas, Va., and sister in law, Adele Farrell of Bushwood.

He was preceded in death by his brother James E. Farrell, and his sister, Louise Farrell.

Relatives and friends were received for Mr. Farrell’s Life Celebration Thursday, May 22, from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown. Prayers were recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, May 23 at 11 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood.

Father Keith Woods was the celebrant. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Serving, as pallbearers were James Farrell, Bill Farrell, David Farrell, Donovan Farrell, Brad Phillips, and Ken Cusic.

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

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

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

James Leon Jones, 69 Ja me s Leon Jones, 69 of Waldorf died May 24 in St. Mary’s Hospital.

Born Dec. 28, 1939 in California, he was the son of the late John Hillary Jones and Mazie E. Pilkerton Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandra Virginia (Valdenar) Jones whom he married May 9, 1962 in Va.

He is also survived by his sons James Thomas Jones of Waldorf and Johnny Thomas Houston of Port Republic, Md.; as well as his siblings: Anne E. Poe, John W. Jones, Jean F. Ashley and Catherine Lee, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Mary Lou O’Dell.

James was employed with the U.S. Government for 31 years as a superintendent of the Architect of the Capitol.

Friends were received Wednesday, May 28 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD where prayers were recited at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Goodwin officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Serving, as pallbearers will be Joe Mosher, Charlie Shelton, Larry Hills, Dons Ward, Ed Fielders and Winks Pilkerton.

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

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

Esther Elizabeth Kestenis, 69 Esther Elizabeth Ke st e n is , 69 of Lexington Park died May 23 in Solomons Nursing Center.

Born June 20, 1938 in Valley Lee she was the daughter of the late John B. Redman and Eva Gertrude (Evans) Redman.

Esther loved to do puzzles, make quilts, write spiritual songs and tend to her rose and flower gardens.

She is survived by her children Kevin Kestenis of Lexington Park and Kathy Burke of Lake City, Fla.; two grandchildren: Amber Burton of Lake City, Fla. and Elizabeth Kestenis of Gainesville, Fla.; one great grandchild Sarah Jean Burton; and her sister Rose Vinson of Leonardtown.

Esther was preceded in death by her husband Stanley Jack Kestenis, Jr. and eight brothers and sisters: George Wm. Redman, Leon J. Redman, Bernard A. Redman, Helen Genevieve Bean, Mary Wallace, Margaret Unkle, John C. Redman, and Theresa A. Norris.

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

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

James Edward “Jimmy” Meridith, Jr., 41 Ja me s Edward “Ji m my ” Mer id it h, Jr., 41, of Potterville, Mich. formerly of Mechanicsville, died May 17 in St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Born March 12, 1967 in Leonardtown, he was the son of James Edward and Anita Marie Battenfield Meridith, Sr. He is survived by his fiancée Linda Gill of Potterville, Mich. and his sisters Rachele Marie and Crystal Lea Meridith both of Mechanicsville.

Jimmy graduated from Chopticon High School, Class of 1985. He was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident, until 2003 when he moved to Potterville, Mich. He was an avid drummer and played with various bands such as “The Wanderers,” “Timberline,” “Ca-

sino,” “Murphy’s Law” and many others. He loved country and rock ‘n roll music, animals and fishing. He enjoyed telling stories and being a comedian.

The family received friends Friday, May 23 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where prayers were said at 7 p.m. A Funeral Service was held Saturday, May 24 at 10 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood.

Pallbearers were Charles Burch, Donald Nice, George Bowles, Sr., Tony Adams, Tom Kendall, Timmy Wood, William Ridgell and James Harvey Morgan, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers were Loren Nelson, Bobby Murphy, Randy Johnson, Jerry Burch, Jr., David Gatton, Pat Gatton and Mike Gatton.

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

Michael Aloysius “Mike” Pilkerton, 74 M i chael Aloysius “Mike” Pilkerton, 74 of Mechanicsville died May 22 in St. Mary’s Ho s pit a l.

Born Aug. 15, 1933 in Charlotte Hall he was the son of the late Alfred Raymond and Catherine Estelle Adams Pilkerton. He was the devoted husband of Doris Virginia Pilkerton, whom he married July 10, 1954 in Benedict, Md. He was the loving father of Kathy Harris and her husband Jimmy, Mary Pilkerton, Dianne Pilkerton and Joyce Wilkerson and her husband Willie, all of Mechanicsville, and Carolyn Stewart and her husband Louis of Great Mills.

He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Jennifer Groat and her husband Jeff, Jeremy Harris and his wife Wendy, Jason Harris and his wife Lawren, Heather Stewart, Amber Stewart and her husband Mike, Brian Bosse, Dennis Pilkerton and Adam Pilkerton; six great grandchildren: Emily Harris, Seth Bosse, Brittany Groat, Alex Stewart, Hunter Groat and Madison Gerritz. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sisters: Amanda Handley, Helen Higgs, Ethel Wheatley and Cecelia Smith and his brothers: Joe, Morgan, Archie, Richard, Jesse and Wilson Pilkerton.

Mr. Pilkerton was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident and graduate of Margaret Brent High School, Class of 1952; He was the owner and operator of Mabel’s Septic Tank Service for 40 years, retiring April 2003. He was also a member of the Southern Maryland Coon Hunters Association and the Southern Maryland Antique Power Association. He enjoyed NASCAR and blue grass music and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

The family will receive friends in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home from 9 10 a.m. Saturday, May 31 with a memorial service following at 10 a.m. with Deacon Bill Nickerson officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659 and/or Hughesville Volunteer Rescue Squad, 15245 Prince Frederick Road, Hughesville, Maryland 20634.

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

The County Times

Section A - 10

ery three students in this room has been awarded a scholarship,” said guidance counselor Diana Kraft, who said that the total amount of scholarship awards equaled $989,597 this year.

All of this may have at one time seemed unattainable to some of the students there, many of which had been drafted into programs at the tech center after having been identified as “high risk” students earlier in their academic career. “A lot of students

Commencement Continued from page A- ways be the man…they make people feel comfortable in the dental area…they will notice the day you get a new phone, and they’ll tell you what phone it is and what it can do…they know how to get things done and they have fun doing it.”

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Navy, where he will continue to study culinary arts. About his extra graduation, he smiled and said “it’s excellent because you get to experience the same thing twice.”

“These students get it,” said Taylor. “And you know that they get it when you ask them why they came here, what they’ve done, and what they’ll do when they leave here.”

One student did address his fellow graduates at the ceremony, and that was speaker Dean Austin. During his address he quoted Thomas Edison, saying “’if we did the things we were capable of, we would astound ourselves,’ and for me that’s what the tech center is all about.”

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Graduating seniors line up for their commencement ceremony at the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.

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Photo by Andrea Shiell

One senior receives her certificate of completion from Principal Robert Taylor during the Tech Center’s commencement ceremony.

School Superintendent Michael Martirano described meeting with some of the seniors in the masonry program at the tech center. “They said they had a gift for me, and I kept picturing a brick or something. I had no idea what that gift could be.” Instead of a single brick, the students had instead crafted the superintendent a 20-foot brick wall, laid with the words “Work hard and be nice,” which is Martirano’s motto. “I was so moved,” he exclaimed as he nodded to the rest of the seniors present. “Every student that participates in this program truly does work hard every day.”

The bulk of Wednesday’s commencement was taken up by the presentation of a wide variety of scholarships. “One out of ev-

have said if we weren’t here, they could have dropped out,” said Ken Smith, supervisor for career and technology education for St. Mary’s County.

The students themselves had come to the ceremony in the middle of their day, and many of them were rushing from one commencement exercise to another at their home schools. But some were able to stay and reflect on their experiences at the tech center. “The classes are interesting,” said Brian Baden, who had studied aviation technology at the center in addition to his regular curriculum at Leonardtown High School. “I’ve enjoyed going here.”

Nathan Slade clutched a certificate of excellence and spoke of his plans to join the

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Students from the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center crafted this wall, which includes the motto of St. Mary’s County School Superintendent Michael Martirano.

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As graduation approaches, it’s interesting to engage in an education retrospective and answer the question, “What’s been going on with students these days?” Check out these stats.

• 90 percent of high school seniors expect to attend college (National Center for Education Statistics, 2002) • 75 percent of high school graduates go on to secondary education within two years of receiving their diplomas.

(The Education Trust-West, 2002; The High School Diploma: Making It More Than an Empty Promise) • A growing number of college students are over the age of 25 • Women outnumber men on college campuses, and more women obtain college degrees than men • Demographic projections show that next year or the year after, the annual number of high school graduates in the United States will peak at about 2.9 million after a 15-year climb, say reports published in The New York Times • The number of white high school graduates will go down nationally in the future, and the number of AfricanAmerican graduates will remain relatively steady. But the number of Hispanic and Asian-American graduates will increase sharply, according to projections by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

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