PRSTD STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 145 Waldorf, MD
Thursday, May 24, 2007 • St. Mary’s County, Maryland
Established 2006 • Volume 2 • Issue 21 • FREE
Deputies Searching for Suspects Drivers Feel the Pinch at the in Racist Graffiti Spree By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Investigators are following up leads and looking for suspects in connection with a spate of racist graffiti found early Monday morning at Leonardtown Elementary School and in the surrounding neighborhood. Police and construction workers
at the site said as many as 10 to 12 racist slurs against Mexicans and African Americans were spray painted inside the school, which is currently undergoing a total renovation project. Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano was shocked at the incident. “I’m absolutely appalled and disturbed that this would happen,” Martirano told The County Times. “These kinds of
activities are hurtful to our community. Thank goodness these incidents are few and far between.” Maryland State Police patrols were the first to respond to the discovery of the graffiti by construction workers but police say that the vandals could have hit the school sometime between Saturday, May See Graffiti page A-
Pump; Help on the Way Mikulski Blows Gasket over Record Gasoline Prices By Adam Ross Staff Writer
Photo by Guy Leonard
Derick Brown, a utilities assistant for Leonardtown, takes down a stop sign spray painted with a swastika by vandals who also hit Leonardtown Elementary School with at least 10 separate racial slurs or symbols in the first spree of its kind at a school in recent memory. His supervisor, Jay Johnson, also helped in the clean up graffiti throughout the neighborhood next to the school.
Two years ago, three St. Mary’s County gas stations dropped their gasoline prices just below wholesale value, at the time approximately $2 per gallon. Because of a Maryland law that took effect in 2001 mandating stations to sell gas for a higher price than what they paid for it, the price dip was considered illegal. And today, those same gas stations – BJ’s Wholesale Club, Sheetz and two Wawa outlets – price with the same consideration to the law, but unfortunately for area drivers not at the same price margin. All three stations have gas prices at upwards of $3 per gallon, as does nearly every gas station throughout the county. So instead of price reductions, industry regulators and state politicians are focusing more attention to price gouging. Maryland’s average gas price soared to $3 per gallon, and the national single-day average reached a record high of $3.07 per gallon May 14, according to a statement issued by Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D- Md.). “We know people are nervous about rising energy costs and we know what it means to their families,” said Mikulski. “Oil companies need to know that we are watching and that price gougers will be caught.” In an attempt to curb the practice, Mikulski is cosponsoring the Petroleum Consumer Protection Act, which See Gas Prices page A-
County Ridge Rescue Index Homeownership President Rescued Out of the by Blood Banks Blood Drive Held in his Realm for Honor to Replenish Supply Working Class Memorial A-4
By Adam Ross Staff Writer
WCAC Champs B-1
Op.-Ed ..........Page A - 4 Obits .............Page A - 7 Police ............Page B - 5 Classifieds.....Page B - 7
For Continual News Updates Visit: somd.com Local Weather Friday Partly Cloudy 84° Saturday Iso. T-Storms 82° Sunday Partly Cloudy 87°
Homeownership in St. Mary’s County is out of reach for 61 percent of the county’s two-earner households, according to a report given to the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday from the Workforce Housing Task Force. The task force reported that of the $337,501 average purchase price of a single-family home in St. Mary’s, two earners would have to make over $80,000 collectively to be approved for such a mortgage. Without access to affordable housing, the county will continue to fall behind in hiring and retaining skilled workers. Pax River, the county’s current economic engine, is already feeling the pinch as it attempts to hire highly technical personnel most often found outside of the county. “We came to one conclusion after all this,” said Christopher Longmore, co-chair of the task force, of the two-year process the group went through. “That our concerns were confirmed. Quite simply, earning our county’s median income can no longer afford a median income house.” As of February there were only 200 homes in the county available for $325,000 or less. The task force targeted teachers and law enforcement officials as those who work in the county, but do not make enough to afford the available starting price for homes, usually in the $350,000 to $400,000 level. A starting salary for a sheriff or schoolteacher is approximately $34,000, according to human resources’ department job postings. Families that make more than $83,270 a year would not be eligible for workforce initiatives. “The American dream is to have your own home,” said Commissioner Larry Jarboe (R- Golden Beach), “and generally speaking a single family home.” The task force developed four recommendations to address the workforce housing needs of the county. The first, introduced by Robin Finnacom of
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer
Joseph Titus, president of the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad and volunteer firefighter at the Ridge station, has endured his share of torment these past few weeks. On April 23, severe internal bleeding from an ulcer forced him into St. Mary’s Hospital for five days and then Georgetown University Hospital until May 12.
The only thing that kept him alive was more than 50 units of blood, by his family’s count. Following his ordeal, Titus’ fellow emergency personnel, as well as friends and community members, turned out for a blood drive to honor their friend and replace the life-giving substance he had used up. “Once I found out about it I was overSee Blood Drive page A-
Photo by Guy Leonard
Clyde Tennyson, of Scotland helps to replenish the blood supply used by Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad President Joe Titus as Sean Connelly, a Red Cross phlebotomist from Temple Hills watches over him.
The County Times
Section A -
Mechanicsville Firefighters Take to the Water By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The volunteers at the Mechanicsville fire station are training to man a special rescue boat, marking the first time they have had a special unit to extract people from local waterways. The chief of Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, Company 2 and 22, said 11 firefighters are training right now to man a powered watercraft and that the boat will be in service sometime during the next month to month-and-a-half.
The boat should be delivered within the next two weeks and outfitted for its mission. “It’s so we can go into the smaller creeks where the larger boats can’t go,” Carol Craig said of the rationale for getting the boat. “We have water on both sides of our first due area and we just thought it would be a good idea to a have a special unit like that.” The craft is a 17-foot inflatable boat with a rigid hull that has a shallow draft and can carry about eight people. The craft is made by APEX, a small boat making
company specializing in inflatable craft. Craig said that the members of the special boat unit will continue with their normal firefighting duties, but will take on the extra task of water rescue. Their training now consists of steering a power driven craft and plotting a course using charts and global positioning technology, Craig said. The unit will be towed to an emergency site by one of the fire department’s utility trucks, Craig said, and will also help support rescue or flood evacuation missions undertaken by larger boats. The boat will be outfitted with flotation devices for victims, ropes for rescue and towing and cold water suits for rescue personnel to enter the water. The boat will also have trauma and basic life support equipment on board to deal
with wounds. In the past the Mechanicsville volunteers have had to wait for rescue boats from Solomons in Calvert County or Benedict in Charles County to effect a water rescue, but when it came to searching for people reported to have fallen off boats or piers in more shallow water, the larger rescue boats’ size became a liability. Vince DeMattia, a lieutenant with the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad said there were other times past when the APEX craft could have made their jobs
Thursday, May 24, 2007
much easier. During tropical storm Ernesto in 2006, fire and rescue personnel had to search for propane tanks that broke off and floated away from homes due to flooding, causing a potential fire and explosive hazard. “This boat could’ve been used to bring them back,” Demattia said. “There were quite a few of those calls that came out around the county; it was amazing.” The boat would have been useful to search for victims in the water and to look for other
damage following Ernesto. It would also have been useful for surveying the damage to shallow waterways and marshlands after the Chalk Point power plant oil spill of 2000. DeMattia said that rupture caused 111,000 gallons of oil to leak out into the Patuxent River and its tributaries, killing wildlife and soiling beaches. The boat, which cost about $12,500, was purchased with a matching grant from the Maryland Department of Natural resources.
Celtic Balladeer Captivates Local Students with Far Away Lore
Life Returns to Normal After Barricade in Mechanicsville By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Residents of Baptist Church Road in Mechanicsville have a quiet life once again after their peace was shattered last week when a bizarre assault turned into a two-hour barricade standoff where sheriff’s deputies swarmed into the neighborhood and closed down the only road in or out. “It was just crazy, I never expected it to happen,” said Doris Walsh, who lives across from the house where the incident took place in the early morning hours May 16. “I thought, ‘Oh, my God! What’s going on?” Police were called out to the scene of 26000 block of Walsh’s street to an assault call after a women dove out of a first floor window naked and screaming for help. Witnesses said they left their homes to talk to and care for the woman, later identified as Kathleen Judith Moore, to see if she needed help but communicating with her was difficult, they said. “It’s very odd, this never occurs in this neighborhood,” one resident nearby said. One witness recounted the woman having blood all over her face and hands. According to police charging documents, the homeowner, John H. Fore III, allegedly assaulted Moore after bringing her to his home from Charles County. The documents reveal a strange scenario that apparently led to the alleged assault and the barricade situation. In the report written by St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy Clayton Safford after
the suspect surrendered, Fore told law enforcement that he picked up Moore on the side of the road at an unspecified point in Charles County early that morning and that during the trip to his home crack cocaine was smoked in his vehicle. The charging documents do not state whether both occupants were smoking the illegal substance. In the charging documents, Fore claims Moore removed all of her clothing when she arrived at his home and become loud, whereupon Fore told her to quiet down. Fore became angry with Moore, the charging documents read, when she would not comply. Fore admitted to striking Moore when she would not leave his home, according to the charging documents. In the charging documents, Moore claimed that Fore would not let her leave his home and that he was trying to kill her. Fore’s wife and child were not in the residence, and had stayed at a relative’s house the night before. Moore was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital where doctors found multiple injuries on her face, arms and chest. A medical exam further revealed multiple broken bones in her face and that she was disoriented. About the same time, deputies from the Emergency Services Team along with crisis negotiators attempted to get Fore to leave his residence after he barricaded himself inside. The siege lasted about two hours, but Fore eventually surrendered after telling
deputies and negotiators he would leave the home several times but failed to do so. Deputies were cautious because of the volatile nature of the incident and because Fore had several firearms registered to him. No shots were fired in the standoff and no one was injured other than the first victim. Assistant Sheriff John Horne said the standoff was a good example of how volatile situations could be resolved peacefully. “Unfortunately this kind of incident is becoming more and more commonplace in our county,” Horne said. “But fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, we’re getting better and better at dealing with them.” Detectives later found that Fore had tried to clean up blood evidence inside his residence as well as wash bed sheets and clothes belonging to the victim in his washing machine, according to charging documents. Fore was released from the county detention center later that evening after placing $50,000 bail and receiving court orders not to approach the victim. He was charged with first and second-degree assault and false imprisonment for which he faces a combined maximum prison term of 35 years. Fore has a preliminary hearing scheduled in District Court May 30.
Photo by Adam Ross
Danny O’Flaherty plays the guitar, harp, fiddle, bagpipe, accordion and tin whistle for kids around the world.
By Adam Ross Staff Writer
Katrina card all over the country, but it’s still there for all of us,” said O’Flaherty a halfWorld-renowned Celtic hour before he put his “game Balladeer Danny O’Flaherty face” on for the kids. “My enchanted the students of Fa- wife and I went into bankther Andrew White Friday ruptcy, we had to.” with an array of ballads, sing He uses his plight even in alongs and dance moves. his performances, where he Using the guitar, accordi- educates students on the realon and tin whistle, O’Flaherty ity of hurricanes and the wettook the students on a journey lands of which are affected. across the Atlantic Ocean into O’Flaherty has since the traditions of his native moved from his New Orleans Ireland. home to Jasper Texas, a far From his knees, he shared cry from the urban landscape songs of leprechauns and fair- of the big easy. And although ies. The students clapped he lost O’Flaherty Irish Chanalong nodding their heads nel, the pub and cultural cento the rhythm and anxiously ter he built with his brother awaiting the words of the next Patrick to kick-start the Celtic verse. revival in Louisiana, he is “Ireland is a magical now back on his feet with a country,” O’Flaherty said to new website and polished muthe children just before he sical program. began strumming his guitar. “I’ve been blessed in “In recent years Ireland has many ways,” he said, “my become number three in edu- wife’s brother gave us a house cation and the seventh richest, in Jasper for six free months, yet we still believe in fairies.” which enabled us to fix our So much so, O’Flaherty home in New Orleans and sell said, if a fairy tree is spotted it.” in Ireland, the government But the past is just that for does whatever is necessary to O’Flaherty, and he knows it maintain and preserve it, even quite well, drawing on more redirecting the construction than 3000 years of Celtic hisof a highway once to maintain tory to inspire his lyrics. a tree’s natural location. Wearing khaki pants, Yet unlike his fellow soft looking brown shoes and countrymen’s stronghold on an off-gray shirt, O’Flaherty certain traditions, O’Flaherty opened his program pointhas repeatedly reinvented ing to central Europe on a himself, first after migrating world map just behind his left to the United States when he shoulder. He explained to the was 16, and again when Hur- roughly 60 students spanning ricane Katrina destroyed his over five grades that the Celtic New Orleans home and his people once lived in what is family business. today’s modern Austria. “I don’t want to play the “I’m not going to bore you
to tears with all the stories of the Celtic,” he said now walking towards the students lined in disproportional rows sitting Indian style on the floor, “I’m going to sing some songs.” As he sang, as is the case with many musicians, facial lines jump out at the audience as muscles continuously reshape to create the sounds and lyrics of what felt like O’Flaherty’s revival back from the lows of natural disaster. And behind O’Flaherty’s long face, which is anchored by a sharp chin, were two friends, Father James Myers who set the school gig up for him, and Daniel Rebarchick who hired him for another show at his restaurant in California Md. The two venues were far different from the high profile events O’Flaherty has played in the past, including an Inaugural Ball, a World’s Fair and numerous conventions. Father Myers has married both he and his brother Michael, and Rebarchick was a chef at a D.C. restaurant that O’Flaherty once played. “I’m still having trouble getting gigs,” added O’Flaherty, appreciative of his two old chums helping him to fly out and perform. But he’s not having trouble getting applause, which was apparent by the students’ reactions as they laughed, sang and danced their way through O’Flaherty’s performance Friday, a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Photo by Guy Leonard
Sheriff’s deputies pack up after ending a barricade situation peacefully on Baptist Church Road in Mechanicsville May 16. Negotiators worked to get the suspect, charged with assaulting a woman who dove out his home’s front window, to come out after a two-hour standoff.
Photo by Adam Ross
The crowd goes wild as Celtic Balladeer Danny O’Flaherty rocks the house at the Father Andrew White School in Leonardtown.
The County Times
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Section A -
In Your Community Golf Tournament
Bluegrass Concert
The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 11th annual golf tournament Monday July 9 at the Wicomico Shores Golf Course. Shotgun starts at 9 a.m., in scramble – captain’s choice format. Cost is $65.00 per player, which includes fees, cart, lunch, beverages and prizes. Open to the general public. For more information call Joe Cooper at 301-863-5362.
The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department is hosting Sunday Bluegrass on May 27 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets $15 each, children 12 and under for free. The event is featuring the bands, Phoenix and Gold Heart. Food and refreshments will be available by the Ladies Auxiliary. Event includes 50/50 raffle. For more infor-
mation contact Albert Johnson at 301-373-2295.
Memorial Day County Government Offices will be closed on Monday, May 28, 2007, in observance of Memorial Day. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 29, 2007. The St. Andrews Landfill and six (6) Convenience Centers will
Monday, May 28, 2007 and reopen on Tuesday, May 29, 2007.
be closed and the St. Mary’s Transit System (STS) will not be operating on Monday, May 28, 2007. The Landfill, Convenience Centers and STS bus service will be open for regular business hours during the weekend prior to the holiday and following the holiday on Tuesday, May 29, 2007. The three St. Mary’s County libraries will also be closed on
Glockner Leaves MWR for New Position After 12 years, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department Director, Kathryn Glockner, is leaving her post as the organization’s director. She’s been selected as the new Education Partnership Coordinator for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. Glockner
led MWR through its largest growth period when Pax River expanded as a result of base realignment and closure (BRAC) decisions. Her tenure is marked by the numerous construction and renovation projects which include the golf course, marina, the Energy Zone fitness center, Goat Locker, Patuxent Landing restaurant, waterfront pavilions and playgrounds, Rassieur Youth Center and Child Development Center.
USDA Choice 80% Lean Gound Beef
Blue Grass Concert A summer of music begins in downtown Leonardtown on May 26 when bluegrass and folk music on the Town Square kick off a series of four free early evening concerts scheduled in the town. The featured band will be The Smoke Creek Rounders, a bluegrass band made up of veteran local musicians Bill Thompson, Gary Rue and Bryan Deere. The Rounders will play from around 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Leading off the concert at 4 p.m. will be wellknown St. Mary’s County singer-songwriter David Norris. He will be followed at 4:45 by the big bluegrass band No Class Today, featuring eight members. At 5:30 Catfish Joe will being his eclectic brand of music on stage.
$
1.69lb
Sure Fine Hamburger Rolls 8pk .79cents Premium Tomatoes $
1.29lb
Celebration!
Alana Petett, a fifth grader from Green Holly Elementary School had had her artwork chosen by The Baltimore Washington International Airport to be hung up on the 6th floor/observation level. The theme was “taking flight,” where Petett’s crayon resist painting of an owl was chosen as the only representative of St. Mary’s County. Congratulations to Alana from the students and faculty of Green Holly Elementary School!
Jumbo Sweet Vidalia Onions
.99cents lb Dole Cello Lettuce
Yard Sale
$
1.29
A community yard sale at Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum in Waldorf Maryland is being held June 2nd, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The house is located at 3725 Dr. Samuel Mudd Road. He cost is $15 a space, and sellers must provide their own tables and chairs. Proceeds will benefit the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Society. For more information call 301-274-9358.
Sure Fine Gourmet American Cheese $
2.99lb
Parade The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary is having its 50th Anniversary parade June 30 starting at 3:30 p.m. Music and fireworks will accompany the parade. Music provide by the kings of classic rock, Great Train Robbery. Fireworks at dusk on the fire department grounds, food and refreshments available throughout. Fire related vendor space contact John Gatton, Jr., at 301-373-3602.
Vlasic Pickles Asst. Var. 16-46oz $
2 for 4 Heinz Ketchup
32-36oz
Hurricane Season
Hurricane Season officially starts June 1, but local officials are urging St. Mary’s County residents to take measures now to plan and prepare for the upcoming season. –
$
1.79
Excel Computer Class The Lexington Park Library is offering a free adult computer class on Microsoft Excel May 30 at 6 p.m. Learn the basics of Excel. Space is limited so register online at www.Stmalib.org or call 301-863-8188.
Route 5 & Mohawk Drive Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
301-884-5636
Art Reception The Lexington Park Library Art Gallery will be holding an opening reception for the members of the Calvert Art Guild who have their artwork on display at library during the month of June. Reception is free, call 301-8638188 for more information.
The Shops at Breton Bay Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-997-1828
Route 245 Hollywood, MD 20636
301-475-2531
Route 246 & Great Mills Rd. Lexington Park, MD 20653
301-862-7702
Wildewood Shopping Center California, MD 20619
301-866-5702
The County Times
Section A -
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Editorial & Opinion Promises Made; Promises Broken; Trashy Tax If it walks like a duck and it talks like a duck, it’s probably a duck! In order to keep promises of no tax increases, St. Mary’s County Commissioners Jarboe and Dement are hoping that you will be convinced that a duck is not a duck and a tax is not a tax, a tax is a fee! Of course, the other three commissioners are not really that concerned, tax, fee, or goose, it’s all-good to them! Last week, the Board of Commissioners passed a tax increase on the citizens of St. Mary’s County, a $60 fee (tax) for every household. May not sound like much, but consider that before this new tax the citizens of St. Mary’s were already being asked to pay an 8.5% increase in local property and income taxes. That amounts to an $11,231,929
increase over last year. With approximately 34,000 households in St. Mary’s, that amounts to an increase of approximately $330 per household. Add to that the new $60 tax and now you are up to a whooping $390 increase per household above last year. Some may want to argue that commercial and non-residential will pay some of that increase. Didn’t we solve this misunderstanding by politicians last year? When the Maryland Legislature imposed a 2% tax on Health Maintenance Organizations, some members of the legislature stated, “There was no evidence that business would pass this tax on to its customers”. Not so shocking to anyone except those certain members of the Maryland Legislature, soon after, the
tax was passed on to consumers. The lesson: the cost of doing business is passed on to customers. As for the new $60 trash tax, all households will pay the tax no matter if you use the service or not. If you use a commercial hauler to pick-up your weekly waste, you are not currently using the St. Mary’s County waste handling system. Those trash trucks you see throughout our county, they are collecting from residents that do NOT use the St. Mary’s County waste handling system. The residents of Leonardtown do not use the St. Mary’s system either. Yet all of these residents will pay the new tax that is why it is a tax and not a fee. Fees are something you pay when you use a specific service. For instance, when
Big City Boy, Small Town Heart Stuck in the Middle
By Adam Ross Staff Writer Moving is an expensive feat, even to the seasoned U-haul renter, master boxer, speed cleaner and weightlifting champion. For the rest of us, who have no such skills, the cost of moving becomes increasingly difficult to bear. Being that I’m relatively young, and can still carry a 150-pound box (I think), and
my threshold for pain is entirely too high, moving for all intents and purposes is manageable. But I hate it, and so do most of you. So when I heard the residents of the National and White Oak mobile home parks were being forced from their plots of land, I listened closely, mainly because I knew the costs were high while time and availability of new land to transfer to was low.
Sure enough, I was right. But it turns out there’s more; moving a trailer home, and not just the contents inside it, is a lot like moving any home except, you don’t get a chance to throw out everything but the kitchen sink – that too is along for the ride. Moving an entire house is rarely practiced by the everyday cross-county movers, one can only imagine the cost associated with such a venture. It’s no different for
you ride one of the county’s STS busses, you pay a fee each time. This fee does not pay the entire cost of the STS service; the rest is paid for out of taxes. When you apply for a building permit, you pay a fee. If you use public water or sewer, you pay a fee each month. If you use the county swimming pool, you pay a fee. In all of these examples and many more, you only pay the fee if you use the service. Since a large number of households in St. Mary’s do not use the counties 6 convience centers, this is a TAX. Now for most of us the issue is not whether the new charge is a tax or a fee, the issue is out of control spending that is being wrapped in rhetoric. When imposing the new tax, Commissioner Jarboe said the commissioners “had
no other choice”. Did you expect the commissioners’ to say, “We can’t control spending so we have to raise revenues”? Add the two million dollar trash tax to property and income tax increases and you have over $13,000,000 in NEW tax revenue coming into St. Mary’s County this year. While population is increasing less than 2%, county taxes are increasing nearly 10%. At a time when the cost of living in our County is becoming increasingly more difficult for middle and lower income families to afford, runaway government spending only compounds the problem. When families and individuals lose buying power because of increased costs, government will ultimately carry an even greater burden. Fewer people will send
their children to private or parochial schools, adding $10,000 to the cost of government for every child added to public schools. More people will need government housing and food assistance, increasing governments cost while ultimately lowering property values in those areas, decreasing government revenues. Government will be looked upon to provide more and more the cost of transportation when people have to choose between food and fuel. And as fewer people use the commercial services for trash removal, the burden for county government will far outpace the additional revenue from the new tax. More government spending is seldom the solution; it only weakens the private sector.
mobile home residents, especially those with those extra wide campers. At the Board of County Commissioners meeting last week, the soon-to-be displaced mobile home residents pleaded for assistance, citing costs of nearly $12,000 to physically relocate their trailers. In most cases, they’re hard working, blue-collar people who have never been handed anything for free, and they most certainly don’t have $12,000 to move. Well, unless they sell a couple kidneys on the black market. The commissioners received approval from the residents to apply for $360,000 in grant money from the state, which will go towards helping them relocate. But even if the money is allocated, with 160 misplaced households from both parks, that only averages to $2,250 per unit – far less than what would be needed. Now don’t get me wrong, prices aren’t set in stone. It’s
possible the costs cited by several of the parks’ residents were inflated or misquoted, but neither the commissioners or one of the park’s owners spoke out against the quoted prices. In fact, an owner of White Oak Park is already chipping in $3100 to each of the displaced residents. That brings the total of relief money to $5,350, if the grant money is received, still a shortfall. And part of the problem is all the question marks. Just how much should the county be responsible, if at all? Or how responsible are the management companies, who have sold the land for what one can only assume is a hefty profit. In many cases these residents have nowhere to go, citing other mobile home parks as “full,” or “unsafe.” Commissioner Daniel H. Raley sympathized with the residents last week, and offered support. Just what that support is, beyond the $360,000 in grant cash is still
unclear. Part of me expected a collaboration of minds last week, a brainstorm of different ideas the county could come up with to foster a solution for this unique quandary. But it never happened. Assistance is never guaranteed, especially when this sort of transaction is commonplace in our capitalistic society. But we owe it to these people to at least have the discussion. Simply frowning and playing public psychologist doesn’t do these residents any good. And the $360,000 doesn’t do them enough good. So, is the problem a lost cause or an opportunity? The commissioners again appear to be caught in the middle, a stance that is becoming commonplace for this newly elected board – only this time it’s costing people’s livelihoods.
James Manning McKay - Publisher Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Adam Ross - Government Correspondent...............adamross@countytimes.net Andrew Knowlton - Sports Correspondent....... andrewknowlton@countytimes.net
P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, advertising, circulation, classifieds: 301-373-4125
Guy Leonard - Community Correspondent................guyleonard@countytimes.net Jimmy Hayden - Advertising Director...............jimmyhayden@countytimes.net Eileen McDonald - Advertising Rep...............eileenmcdonald@countytimes.net
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.
Confederate Memorial Moving Toward Completion By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Members of the Point Lookout Prisoners of War Descendants Organization (PLPOW) are close to finishing the second stage of a private monument near Point Lookout State Park that honors, in their own way, the memory of Confederate prisoners who died there during The Civil War from 1863 to 1865. The monument, they say, is the result of a conflict with the Department of Veterans Affairs over the current cemetery monument for Confederate prisoners, at which the Confederacy’s battle flag was taken down in 1998 and barred from being flown there again. The Confederate stan-
dard has increasingly become a divisive relic, symbolizing racism and the oppression of slavery to many African Americans; but it’s also a reminder of heroism and the battle for states rights for Confederate sympathizers. The PLPOW members bought their own land so they could fly the Confederate battle flag, along with the flags of the 13 rebel states that fought in the Civil War, in memorial of their fallen family members. The private plot is just a few yards away from the federal cemetery marker. The group also claims the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will not add the names of all the Confederate soldiers that the PLPOW claims actually died there.
Official government records claims that about 3,500 to 4,000 soldiers perished there, while the PLPOW claims a much higher number reaching to 14,000 by some estimates. “Now we’ll have a place where we can say what we want to say and fly the [Confederate] flag 24/7,” said LaPlata resident and PLPOW member Jim Dunbar. Dunbar is the head of the Confederate Memorial Park, Inc., the group that actually is overseeing the project. “I’ve been working on it, just a little stone work and brick work,” Dunbar said about the slow moving project he hopes will pick Photo by Guy Leonard up very soon. “This is just Jim Dunbar, of La Plata, looks over the work done so far at a monument that will honor the Confederate soldiers See Memorial page A-
who died at Point Lookout from 1864 to 1865 when it served as a Civil War prison camp. The group Dunbar represents will fly the Confederate flag there daily.
The County Times
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Section A -
volcano and it’s a tree killer! Arborists everywhere agree – it’s a bad practice. One supposes this is being done because folks think a) it’s actually good for the tree; b) it looks attractive (beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after
all) or c) it’s less grass to cut and trim. However, it’s not good for the tree, it can lead to a lack of oxygen and moisture. Mulch piled against the tree can cause decay of living bark and root rot and rodents are just two of the problems that can arise. Mulch is good as long as it’s the right mulch and the right application. The purpose of mulch is to keep weeds out and hold moisture in but moisture can’t penetrate the volcano! The tree can’t get water or nutrients. And the wrong type of mulch, grass clippings for instance, can change the pH balance of the soil. We’ve established it’s not good for tree and it certainly looks unnatural. Isn’t the point of landscaping to create a natural beauty? If you’ve ever walked in the woods, you know there is natural mulch – trees drop their leaves, flowers, cones, etc. This debris is nature’s mulch and it breaks down over time becoming nature’s compost. But nature never creates a mulch volcano. Having less grass to cut and carefully trim is desirable in this busy world. However,
you don’t need the volcano to help, it can be accomplished by spreading a thinner layer of mulch, 2 to 4 inches deep, kept back 1 to 2 inches from the trunk. Spread mulch wide but not deep. You won’t need to use your weed whacker close to the trunk of tree which is dangerous. Too many “oops, I got too close” and the odds of your having a sick or dying tree go up. With the correct mulching job, you won’t need to get near the trunk with the whacker. You have control over the trees in your yard, of course, but what about the trees in green spaces, etc.? Well, if your neighborhood has a homeowner’s association that means your HOA fees are probably paying the landscaping service that cuts the grass and over-mulches the trees. So tell them to stop over-mulching. If they don’t, fire them when their contract is up and find someone who will do what you want. After all, you’re paying them. And if the landscape service that kills the trees also sells and plants new trees, well, you can figure out the rest…..
ers who construct workforce housing, which could be in the form of lessened restrictions on meeting school seat allocations, waiving the economic impact fee, or lessening the 50 percent open space requirement. However, some of those issues would require legislative action from Annapolis, said Raley. “This is a waste of land,” said Denis D. Canavan, director of Land Use and Growth Management of the 50 percent open space requirement. “It should be used more efficiently for development.” The next objective called to increase community awareness of the issue by dedicating staff to coordinate services and programs. The fourth and final ob-
jective is to establish an ongoing source of funding to sustain workforce housing initiatives. “Everything has a price tag to it,” added Jack Candela of the Patuxent Partnership, “and the only way a program can be successful is with ongoing support for it.” Raley called the report “timely,” because the commissioners are nearing the deadline for finalizing the years’ operational and capital budgets. The report also springs up at a time where the county is nearing a new transferable development rights (TDR) proposal, which too would add to the costs of buying a home. At $15,000 per TDR, without certain exemptions, developers have less incentive to build workforce housing. The com-
missioners have considered building in TDR exemptions to families giving away land to other family members. “If we are going to do that for family heritage, we should do it for the poorer people in the county too,” said Jarboe. The taskforce consisted of representatives from county government, the board of education, the teachers’ association, the sheriff’s office, nonprofits, defense contractors and faith-based organizations.
Ramblings of a Country Girl Photo by Adam Ross
Too Mulch of a Good Thing Terri Bartz Bowles All over the place, there’s a concerted effort underway to kill trees. The killer? Mulch. Well, mulch applied incorrectly by humans. I guess once the tree dies, it can
be turned into more mulch to kill more trees. Hmm, Killer Trees - sounds like a Stephen King novel, doesn’t it? You’ve seen the ring o’ mulch; the mounded ring surrounding defenseless trees in yards, parking areas, green
spaces, etc. The folks who know, arborists, call them ‘mulch volcanoes’. Homeowners are doing it, professional landscapers are doing it, everyone who is planting trees is doing it! They’re surrounding trees with the mulch
Graffiti Work Force Continued from page A-
Continued from page A-
19th and Monday May 21st. Several swastikas, defining symbols of the racist Nazi movement, were also found spray painted on surrounding sidewalks and on stop signs in the neighborhood. The words “White Power” were visible from the construction site on one of the inside walls of the school. The vandals apparently emptied a fire extinguisher as part of their spree, deputies said. “We have no suspects and no leads but we’re continuing to follow up,” said Lt. Rick Burris, commander of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation. “We take it seriously… this type of thing doesn’t happen often so we’re looking at every possible lead.” Burris said that the incident was being investigated as a hate crime. Monday maintenance workers attempted to clean up sidewalks where the racist graffiti was sprayed and they also replaced stop signs at intersections where the vandals also painted swastikas. Neighborhood residents were unsure of when the vandalism occured, only that it wasn’t welcome there. “I don’t care for it myself,” said Jake Mattingly, who lives right across the street from the school construction site. “We’ve got a quiet neighborhood around here; people just mind their own business and keep to themselves.” Mattingly, who has lived in there for 40 years, said that this is the first incident of its kind he’s ever seen in the neighborhood. “As far as the graffiti bit that’s the first time this has ever happened,” Mattingly said. “And we don’t need that.” The school system is cooperating with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, school officials said, and wants to find the culprits as well. “We’re concerned about it and hopefully we can find out who did it and get restitution for the site,” said Brad Clements, chief operating officer for St. Mary’s County Public Schools. Clements said that parents of students who would normally attend the school had been notified of the vandalism but that there had been no major outcries of concern over the incident. The students who would normally be housed in the school on Duke Street are now at a school system annex behind Benjamin Banneker Elementary School in Loveville. That annex consists of about 30 temporary classrooms and was not the target
Community Development Corporation, called to better preserve neighborhoods built before 1985 with 30 or more units; older homes generally offer lower values. The BOCC quickly jumped on the recommendation, proposing an allocation of $150,000 into the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) for the demolition of an abandoned health department building. Public Works and Transportation Director George Erichsen said the building would require over $2 million to repair. “It’s an eye sore and dangerous,” added Commissioner
Daniel H. Raley (D- Great Mills). The BOCC also directed staff to appropriate monies for the Patuxent Park revitalization effort, which would allocate monies into sidewalk, road, and water and sewer upgrades in Patuxent Park and South Hampton subdivision. The second objective outlined five ways to create new supplies of workforce housing including; incorporating “workforce housing,” into the county’s comprehensive zoning ordinance, which currently uses the term “affordable housing.” Further, to provide bonus incentives to develop-
Gas Prices Continued from page A- would target gasoline suppliers who continually raise gas prices and disseminate false or misleading information with the intent of gaming the wholesale market. The act would empower federal regulators, who at the moment have no such authority, to ensure greater market transparency and go after companies that manipulate oil and gas prices. It would also give the President the authority to declare national energy emergencies during which guilty price-gougers would be subject to new fines and criminal penalties. Just how gas prices reach these devastating levels is a topic of great debate. One explanation is that lower import levels and numerous refinery outages have slowed supply to the ever-increasing demand. The cost of crude oil and refining have a direct impact as well. But there’s also growing skepticism that unregulated energy trading allows oil companies to manipulate the market. “America needs affordable gas prices in order to keep rolling,” said Mikulski. “We need to make sure farmers can
of any graffiti spree, Clements said. Clements said that the physical impact of the graffiti spree was minimal and that construction was proceeding ahead as planned on the $17.5 million project. This was the first incident of racist graffiti in recent memory at a county public school, he said. “It’s somewhat of a surprise… but the graffiti was spray painted on walls that had not been painted; if it were in the finishing stages it could have hampered the completion of the project.”
put fuel in their tractors, that watermen and fisherman can put fuel in their tanks and go out to do their jobs.” If the bill is signed into law before the summer driving season begins, it remains to be seen whether it will actually bring prices down. Twenty-eight states have similar laws, but a federal ban is needed to truly prevent harmful market manipulation, according to Mikulski. In random sampling of 26 county gas stations from Friday to Monday, The County Times found the average county gas price for regular unleaded to be $3.056. The cheapest gas was located in the northern area of the county, near Charlotte Hall and Mechanicsville, where gas prices frequently dipped under $3. However, from Hollywood to Lexington Park, gas prices were consistently, if not always over $3. Commissioner Larry Jarboe represents the Northern district of St. Mary’s and said that the buying habits of different stations translate into different deals. However Jarboe acknowledged that there is no valid explanation to his district’s low prices, which at times during the sample dipped as much as 26 cents lower than in Southern parts of the county. Commission President Francis Jack Russell and Jarboe are both strong advocates of alternative fuel methods. Russell even drives a car fueled in part by vegetable oil. “My wife gets mad and says that it smells like a bowl of french fries driving down the road,” Russell joked. The highest price noted was $3.16 at the Shell Gas Station just before Gate 1 of Pax River off Three Notch Road; however, prices fluctuated, in some cases by the hour.
Commissioners Reconsider Education Funding By Adam Ross Staff Writer The $76.2 million earmarked by the St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners for education is suddenly on shaky ground as the latest budget workshop Tuesday raised a series of new questions to the school board’s funding priorities. The school board’s request for $9.1 million additional funding over last year had already been cut by $2.5 million in previous weeks, but that number could continue to fluctuate e as the commissioners await feedback on questions and concerns they have. “I’m not sure the $76.2 million is set in stone,” said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D- Great Mills). “It might have to be adjusted.” The board had submitted a six-item list to school board chairman Dr. Salvatore Raspa last month, however only three of the requested items had been forwarded back to the board. The lack of information added fuel to the new ques-
tions the commissioners had Tuesday, which were in reference to a variety of cuts made in order to meet the county’s proposed funding levels. Those cuts including $15,000 for textbooks and hundreds of thousands of dollars slated to hire new teachers and employees. “We hear all the time that students don’t have instructional material, yet here there is a reduction in instructional material,” said Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (D- Leonardtown). “I look at those things and wonder why they are doing that.” Chief Financial Officer Elaine Kramer suggested the commissioners take another look at how much they would allocate to the board of education, but it was unclear if that amount could go up or down. It was clear however that the commissioners were confused why the school board allocated money for three transportation supervisors when the system has not grown. Superintendent Michael Martirano is expected to receive the commissioners’
questions in the upcoming days, and both entities might sit down and hash them out, according to Kramer. Kramer added that if the issues weren’t worked out before the budget’s June submittal deadline, there could be some “operational difficulties.” Among a number of cuts, the school axed nearly half its funding for the Safe Schools initiative, and two mid-level administration positions. The current education funding proposal is an increase of roughly $8 million over the county’s portion last year. In other news, the BOCC reconsidered funding for Leah’s House, a privately owned and operated county woman’s shelter. The commissioners drew $25,000 from its future reserve funding to allow Leah’s House a chance to receive some assistance and prosper. “I know they are putting a roof over peoples heads right now as we speak without any help from county government,” said Jarboe. “If we can help out we should.”
The County Times Classifieds Are Here! n Get your list ready to sell all those unwanted items. n Selling your house, car or boat? We will list it. n Need Help? Our readers just may need extra cash to pay for that Christmas Debt. Call 301-373-4125 and list today.
The County Times
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Memorial Continued from page A- phase two and it’ll be a lot different in about a month.” Currently a monument with unfinished walkway and surrounding flag poles stands at the at the corner of Route 5 as visitors turn to go to the park and after the second phase is finished the organization hopes to have a bronze statue of an anonymous Confederate soldier, starving, ragged and dressed in tatters sans shoes, standing at the pedestal-like monument. The subject of Confederate soldiers at the prison camp has been controversial for the past several years, with members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, an another group that celebrates Confederate heritage, engaging in federal court battles with the VA over federal government censorship of remarks from speeches about what they claimed were lackluster upkeep at the federal monument and the government’s refusal to let the Confederate flag fly there year-round. Those attempts to reinstate the Confederate banner failed and the PLPOW decided it needed its own avenue of expression. Patricia Buck, of Newport News, Va, and the found-
ing member of the PLPOW, said that the VA continues to demand that she and others like her submit their speeches for review before speaking at any memorials at the federal cemetery. The PLPOW still attends these federally sponsored ceremonies but members are looking forward to having their own place to speak and fly the Confederate battle flag as they wish. “You don’t have freedom of speech there,” Buck said. Martin Sendek, an attorney in the Office of General Counsel for the VA, said that speakers are not required to turn in their speeches, but they are required to tell VA officials basically what they will say. He said any censorship of remarks was designed to retain the decorum one would expect in a cemetery and avoid personal viewpoints or partisan speech. “There are plenty of venues for that but a cemetery is not one of them,” Sendek said. “We require the decorum of shrines to be maintained and we like to know what’s going on in our own backyard.” When the group first dedicated their private park in 2005, about two years
after they purchased it, one prominent county official said he caught a great deal of flak from the public for coming out and attending the ceremony. County Commissioner Larry Jarboe (D-Golden Beach) said that soon after he made comments in support of PLPOW remembering their heritage messages came flooding in slamming him for being a racist. “It was like an organized E-mail event directed at me,” Jarboe told The County Times. “That always bothered me that people would consider it [honoring the Confederacy] a racist endeavor.” Jarboe had relatives who fought on the Union side of The Civil War with distinction but he agrees that those with confederate relatives who fought and died in that conflict have as much right to memorialize their history. “I hope they can get it completed,” Jarboe said of the Confederate monument. “They’re trying to recognize people who suffered a great deal. “They want to remember history and that’s important.”
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Mechanicsville Student Accepted into People to People Academic Program Joshua Thompson, a student at Leonard Hall Junior Naval Academy who resides in Mechanicsville, MD, has been accepted into the People to People World Leadership Forum. Thompson will join a select group of students in Washington, D.C., April 14-20 2008 to earn high school credit while studying leadership and exploring some of the United States’ most prominent monuments and institutions. From Capitol Hill to the Smithsonian Institution, and from Colonial Williamsburg to the National Museum of American History, Thompson will examine the characteristics of American leadership
during times of national challenge and prosperity. Forum delegates will also participate in small-group discussions and exercises to experience first-hand how successful leaders develop strategies, make decisions, build consensus, and foster change. Thompson was nominated and accepted for the honor based on outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential. The program is coordinated by People to People Student Leader Programs to fulfill the vision President Dwight D. Eisenhower had for fostering world citizenship when he founded People to
People during his presidency in 1956. For additional information please visit www. wlfleaders.org.
The County Times would like to Congratulate Judy MacWilliams on being named Maryland State Republican Woman of the Year by the State Republican Central Committee. Ms. MacWilliams is a former resident of St. Mary’s County who’s
parents and in-laws were also residents of St. Mary’s County. In addition at the LincolnRegan Dinner held on May 19th Doug Ritchie of Mechanicsville, MD was named Republican Man of the Year for St. Mary’s County. Elizabeth Lewis, a graduate of
St. Mary’s College was named Republican Woman of The Year for St. Mary’s County. Ms. Lewis’ documentary will air on Maryland Public Television June 15, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
few weeks,” Evans said sarcastically with a smile. “Oh, yeah. It’s been a great time. “We just keep on trucking, that’s all we can do.” Doctors at Georgetown were finally able to locate the rupture and seal it with medication during an endoscopic procedure because Titus’ other conditions made it too risky to perform major surgery. Titus can only recall pieces of his stay in the hospital in which he lost about 30 pounds, he said, from his large frame. “I’m just a shadow of my former self,” Titus said. “But I’m here and I’m walking.” Some of the time Titus was in the hospital was a blank to him. “I lost some days,” Titus said. “All I knew was that it scared me… I didn’t know what to think.” Titus said he may have had solid food three days of his stay and the rest was ice water. But there was the constant reminder of his condition when he saw orderlies hanging more blood for him. “Every time I turned around they were hanging a unit of blood,” Titus said. “I lost track.” Anne Raley, an American Red Cross volunteer for the Southern Maryland region and friend of Titus said the amount of blood he used up was staggering and the blood drive was critical to help replenish blood stores that always seem depleated. In the course of two
weeks, Titus had his nine-unit blood supply replaced about four or five times, Raley said. “This is probably the biggest blood drive we’ve had in St. Mary’s County since 9/11, that caused a huge hole in the blood supply,” Raley said. “We were having a blood drive the day the ambulance arrived [for Titus]. “The first 24 hours he was in St. Mary’s Hospital he used more than we collected that day.” Raley said blood banks in the Southern Maryland region were almost always critically low. According to information from the chapter Web site, supplies of O positive, O negative and B positive blood were in the shortest supply. All three of those blood types had one day or less of supplies on hand. Five to seven days worth is considered a safe supply and the Red Cross encourages donors to give blood even if their type is plentiful in blood banks. “The blood banks are virtually empty,” Raley said. “If you have a rare blood type you had better know who in your family who has that type.” While Titus did not need the blood that was being donated that day, Raley said, emergency conditions and the country’s being at war meant that blood was always in high demand. “It could go to a soldier in the next 30 days,” Raley said of where the blood taken in Titus’ honor could go. “It’s wherever the need is.”
Blood Drive Continued from page A-
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whelmed. Overwhelmed and excited,” Titus, 56, said when he came out to witness the blood drive in his honor at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department May 17. About 128 donors arrived out of more than 140 who signed up, and phlebotomists from the American Red Cross drew 77 units of blood from the donors. Janet Brundage, of California, knew Titus while working with him for 15 years at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, where he was in the federal fire service. When she heard about his plight she wanted to find a way to help. “I’ve known Joe for years and I wanted to do something for him,” Brundage said, who was shocked to hear he had fallen ill so quickly. “I just saw him two days before [his internal bleeding started] and he looked fine to me.” But Titus, who has diabetes and other ailments, was anything but fine. When he went to the hospital, doctors could not immediately find the rupture in his lower intestine and had to keep blood flowing into him to keep him alive. Marsha Evans, Titus’ daughter who is also a rescue squad member, said that the past few weeks for the family have been harrowing and they were glad to be through it. “It’s been an interesting
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Joe Titus, president of the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, talks with Red Cross volunteer and friend Ann Raley who helped organize the blood drive in his honor.
The County Times
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Obituaries Dorothy Ann BarberLowe Dorothy Ann BarberLowe, 68, of Califor nia, Md., died May 12, 2007 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, Md. Born Aug. 11, 1938 in Great Mills, Md., she was the daughter of the late John Francis Barber and Mary Katherine Barber. She went to school at St. Peter Claver. Dorothy was a dedicated homemaker and she babysat for many of the local neighbors’ kids. She worked in Annapolis, Md. for a while, doing laundry work. Dorothy loved to go shopping and her hobbies where gardening in the front yard, where she always managed to grow luscious plants and beautiful flowers. Anyone who came by the house would always find her in the garden or sitting in one of her kitchen chairs in front of the TV set. She loved talking to her children and being able to see her grandchildren everyday. Dorothy was the type of woman who would help anyone in need to the best of her ability. This generosity she had endeared her to many. She will be truly missed by all who knew her. Dorothy leaves behind her cherished husband, William Lowe, Sr. and her lovely children, Delores Carter of Lexington Park, Md., William Lowe, Jr. of California, Md., brother, Joseph A. Barber of Lexington Park, Md., sisterin-law, Lola Smith, daughter-in-law, Audonna Bonds Lowe, son-in-law, Francis Carter, 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a host of nephews and nieces, relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by three children, Joyce E. Brent, Charles Cutchember, and Steven W. Lowe, siblings, Mary F. Barber-Biscoe, Agnes M. Barber (Ferbie), Lucille Barber-Nolan, Jeannette Barber Brooks, John Barber, Herman Barber, Leonard Barber, and Paul Barber. The family received friends on Saturday, May 19 in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, Md., where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated. Father Jack Kennealy was the celebrant. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, Md. Serving as pallbearers were Francis Carter, Rodney Carter, Wayne Carter, Thomas Scriber and Lloyd I. Jones, Jr. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be James K. Biscoe, Myron Woodland, Carnell Biscoe, and Leroy Biscoe. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md. 20650.
Joseph “Plucker Brown” Walter Carter, Sr., 94 Joseph “Plucker Brown” Walter Carter, Sr., 94, of Mechanicsville, Md. died May 4, 2007 at his residence. Born April 9, 1913 in Bushwood, Md., he was the son of the late William Henry Carter and Annie Elizabeth Countiss. He was the loving husband of Agnes Genevieve Mills Carter, and had just celebrated 72 years of marriage on April 21st, 2007. He is survived by his children: Doris Jameson and Cordell Carter of Avenue, Md., Shirley Carter of Austintown, Oh. and Barbara McNair of Mechanicsville, Md. In addition to raising their 6 children, Joseph and Agnes raised 9 grandchildren; Sheila Bailey, John Carter, Tracey Scott, Sharon Chase, Glyceria “Sissy” Young, Jo-
seph Carter III, Ronald Carter, Virgil Carter and Francis Carter, 28 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and 48 great-great-grandchildren. He was the fifth of 13 children: Richard Barnes, John Frances Barnes, Aloysius Butler, Sylvester Butler, Henry Butler, Bernard Carter, Lucille Cooper, Sophia Thomas, Marie Bowman, Mary Carter, Grace Carter and Cecelia Carter all whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his children: James Carter and Joseph Carter, Jr. He was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident. He was baptized at an early age and truly believed in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. From childhood to adult life, he enjoyed farming, gardening and caring for those around him. Joseph received an extremely rich education through life experiences, human nature, natural talents and abilities and was a master at many trades. He worked at the Naval Ordinance Center for 10 years, The Oakville Day Care Center for 10 years, for Commander Frank Lofton for 11 years and then Maple Wood Park, Inc. until he retired. He had a sharp mind and a hard working spirit. Work was truly second nature to him and when he no longer worked for a paycheck, he continued to work at home. Joseph loved his family wholeheartedly. The very foundation of his life was his family and friends. He was a strong family man and took much pride in providing for his family. He was a father in the true sense of the word. So much so, throughout his life he took care of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and anyone else that needed a place to stay. Everyone knew that they were more than welcomed at Kavanaugh Road. Many have enjoyed his fellowship and continue to enjoy the love, food and fun at “Plucker’s” house. The family received friends on Thursday, May 10 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, May 11 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, Md. with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, Md. Pallbearers were his grandsons; Brian Carter, Kelvin Fuller, Ronald Carter, Joseph Carter, Jared Jameson, Jr. and Rodney Carter. Honorary Pallbearers were his granddaughters; Carmelita Brown, Debra Somerville, Francine Miller, Sharon Chase, Cheryl Tisdale and Yolanda Sharpe. Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, St. Mary’s County Unit, P.O. Box 1032, Lexington Park, Md. 20653. Arrangements provided by the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Suzanne Knight Gardiner, 86 Suzanne Knight Gardiner, 86, of Leonardtown, Md. died May 14, 2007 in Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C. Born Feb. 13, 1921 in Oakland, Ca., she was the daughter of the late Wilson Knight and Dorothy (Smith) Knight. In 1939, Mrs. Gardiner attended Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore, Md. and graduated in 1942. She worked at Patuxent Naval Air Station as a draftswoman during World War II and was a working artist for many years thereafter. She also operated the Breton House, a craft and design store in Leonardtown in the 1960s and early 1970s. She moved to St. Mary’s County in 1934. She married William Greenwell Gardiner
in 1948. Mrs. Gardiner was a member of the St. Mary’s City Historical Association and was also a docent there for many years. In retirement, she enjoyed frequent travel to places like Europe, Russia, Mexico, and Alaska and doing extensive volunteer work. She is survived by her two sons, William Greenwell Gardiner, Jr. and Richard Knight Gardiner, both of Leonardtown, Md., one daughter, Mary Carolyn Gardiner of Annapolis, Md., and one granddaughter, Danielle Gardiner of Leonardtown, Md. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, William Greenwell Gardiner, who passed away in 2004, and her brother, Robert Knight. The family received friends Sunday, May 20 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Prayers were recited at 4:30 p.m. A Funeral Service was conducted on Monday, May 21 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Reverend Paula Robinson will officiate. Interment followed in St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Leonardtown, Md. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Mary’s County-Unit 350, P.O. Box 1032, Lexington Park, Md. 20653. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Douglas “Dougie” Claude Haden, Jr., 35 D o u g las “Dougie” Claude Haden, Jr., 35, of Leonardtown, Md. died May 16, 2007 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Leonardtown, Md. after a long battle with kidney disease. Born Nov. 1, 1971 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the beloved son of Brenda Ann Mayor of Leonardtown, Md., and the late Douglas Claude Haden, Sr. He was a graduate of Leonardtown High School and the Institute of Security in Miami, Fla. He was employed by Southern Maryland Surveyors. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, shooting pool and darts, and playing cards. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sister, Michele L.H. Brinsfield and her husband, Trae, of Forest Hill, Md., niece, Makenna Ashley Brinsfield and nephew, Blake Edward Brinsfield, both of Forest Hill, Md., two grandmothers, Mary Teresa Mayor and Anna Gertrude Guy Haden, both of Leonardtown, Md., and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. The family received friends on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 from 5-8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Prayers were recited at 7 p.m. by Reverend Ronald Potts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at 11 a.m. in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, Md. Reverend Joseph Sileo will be the celebrant. Interment will be private. Serving as pallbearers will be Trae Brinsfield, brother-in-law; Allan Mayor, cousin; Jeffrey Mayor, cousin; Donnie Estevez, friend; Dan Liedschutz, friend; and James Dean Jr., friend. Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE House c/o HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md. 20650 or the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area, 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW Suite300, Washington, D.C. 20015. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md.
Walter Emmitt Hughes, 66 W a l ter Emmitt Hughes, 66, of Hollywood, Md., died May 20, 2007 at his residence. Born Nov. 26, 1940 in Greenbelt, Md., he was the son of Walter Everett Hughes of Gainesville, Fla. and the late Virginia Finnacom Hughes. Mr. Hughes served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1958 until 1968. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology Management from the University of Maryland. He worked as an Electronic Technician, Project Manager, for the U.S. Government at NESEA retiring in 1995. He worked part-time for Booze Allen Inc. from 1995 to 1997 and later for Sverdrup Technology, Inc. Mr. Hughes was a devoted husband and father. He loved to cook, garden, bird watch, fish and crab. He was an avid sports fan. He is survived by his wife Mary Rice Hughes of Hollywood, Md., five children, Ann Laigle (Mike Laigle) of St. Mary’s City, Md., Jil Howard (Jim Brincefield) of Camden, N.C., Joy Bowes (Tommy Bowes) of Valley Lee, Md., Anna Kenney of Greenwich, Conn., Eric Kenney of Boston, Mass., four grandchildren, one sister, Geraldine Foster of Littletown, Pa. and a brother, Michael Hughes (Diane Hughes) of Monrovia, Md. He was preceded in death by an infant son David Hughes. All services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to O.P.I.S. c/o St. Mary’s Hospital, P.O. Box 527, Leonardtown, Md. 20650 or Hospice House c/o Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md.
Murray Edwin Jackson, 89 Murray Edwin Jackson, 89, of Leonardtown, Md., died May 14, 2007 in Wa s h i n g t o n Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. Born Oct. 30, 1917 in Eldorado, Ill., he was the son of the late Ado Marion and Maud Ann (Stinson) Jackson. He was a 1950 graduate of Harvard University. He was a member of the Senate Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce from 1951-1953, U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Government Operations from 1953-1954, State Department beginning in 1954, American Legation, Tangier (International Zone) Morocco from 1955-1956, American Embassy, Rabat, Morocco from 1956-1957, American Embassy, Rome, Italy from 1957-1961, executive director, Executive Secretariat, Washington, DC from 19621964, National War College from 1964-1965, political adviser Military Airlift Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., from 1965-1967, consulate general Asmara Ethiopia from 1967-1970, director Office International Conferences, Washington, D.C. from 1970-1976, Retired May 31, 1976, Insurance Broker from 1978-1985, Served with United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1935-1939, Recipient Distinguished Civilian Service award, United States Air Force, 1967, Memorial American Foreign Service Association, Past president of the Lions Club, Past president of Taxpayers Association. He is survived by four children, Barbara Louise of Fort Pierce, Fla., Murray E. Jackson, Jr. of Rockville, Md., Dee Dee Tobin of California, Md. and Robert Jackson of Hollywood, Md., sister, Margaret Goodley of Eldorado, Ill., three grandchildren, Stephen P. Dowdney, Thomas
Section A - H. Dowdney, and Kathleen Jackson, and two great-grandchildren, Ashley Dowdney and Jackson H. Dowdney. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Zeller, whom he married on Sep. 6, 1939, and two brothers, Kenneth Jackson and James Jackson. The family received friends Thursday, May 17 from 5-8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Prayers were recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, May 18 at 10 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, Md. Father Thomas LaHood was the celebrant. Interment followed in St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Leonardtown, Md. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Joseph Henry Jordan, Jr., 63 Joseph Henry Jordan, Jr., 63, of Oakville, Md., died May 19, 2007 in Bayside Care Center, Lexington Park, Md. Born Mar. 10, 1944 in Oakville, Md., he was the son of the late Joseph Henry Jordan, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Gray) Jordan. He was known as “Buddy” to his siblings and “Jay” to his friends. Mr. Jordan served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. After leaving the service, he worked many years for the District Government and prior to his illness at CHVH. He married Blanche Plowden on Oct. 14, 1967. He attended St. Joseph’s School and Banneker High. He attended St. Joseph’s Church until his illness prevented him from doing so. His past time included carpentry, collecting old coins and antique articles. He enjoyed football and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, softball and baseball. His favorite TV station was the nature channel. Buddy looked forward to the school year when his nephews, Brandon and Joey, would be there in the early morning and the late afternoon. They were his helping hand. In addition to his wife, Buddy is survived by his son, Joseph Michael (Lenora) Jordan of Gaithersburg, Md., two grandchildren, Jaebyn A. and Joseph M., stepchildren, Charles Stanton and Christin Jordan, five sisters, Phyllis Hopewell of Mechanicsville, Md., Joan Jordan of Oakville, Md., Thelma Strickland of Mechanicsville, Md., Rose (Kenneth) Walters of Columbia, Md., Bernadette Tyer of California, Md., three brothers, Lawrence A. (Darlene) Jordan of Fort Washington, Md., James G. (Jacqualyn) Jordan of Hinesville, Ga., Michael J. (Christine) Jordan of Leonardtown, Md., sistersin-law, Juliet Young, Sandra Fenwick, and Catherine Munos, brother-in-law, James Plowden, aunts, Catherine Jordan and Martha Brooks, nieces and nephews, Renae, Todd, Moneta, Cheneda, Tomeika, James Gregory, Ernie, Kafi, Tara, Kenneth, Lawrence, Natalie, Shante, Preston, and Crystal, great-nephews, Joseph and Brandon, and a host of other great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 24 from 5-8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Prayers will be recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 25 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Morganza, Md. Father Keith Woods will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Md. Serving as pallbearers will be Todd Holt, James Gregory, Michael Jordan, Jr., Mark Fleming, Lawrence Jordan, and Ernest Jordan. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Barber, Richard
Kennedy, Thomas Thompson, Francis Nelson, Claude Medley, Howard Kennedy, and Andre Jordan. Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE House c/o HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md. 20650 and/ or 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, Md.
Thomas Michael Maroldy, 72 Thomas Michael Maroldy, 72, Commander U.S. Navy (Ret.) died May 20, 2007 at his home in Hollywood, Md. Born October 22, 1934 in Larchmont, N.Y., he was the son of the late John and Josephine Maroldy. CDR. Maroldy grew up in Tampa, Fla. He was a 1957 graduate of the University of Florida with degrees in Aeronautical Engineering and in Nuclear Physics. He was a member of Deta Chi Fraternity. Serving for 33 years in the U.S. Navy, he was designated Naval Flight Officer in 1958. He was a Plank Owner on the USS John F. Kennedy. His career included two tours of duty in Vietnam where he earned a Navy Air Medal with two gold stars and Combat V. He was a graduate of the Navy Test Pilot School, Class 54, and served as Operations Officer, then Executive Officer, Naval Air Station, Patuxent River. He retired from the Navy on July 1, 1984 with the rank of Commander. CDR Maroldy was an avid sailor, a founding member of Southern Maryland Sailing Association, and a long-time member and past Commodore of the Alberg 30 Association. He was the President and founding owner of Trident Yacht Sales in Solomons, Md. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Chepp Maroldy and three children of San Jose, Ca. The family will receive friends Sunday, May 27, 2007 from 1-3 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md., with a Funeral Service conducted at 3 p.m. Interment with full military honors will be conducted on Monday, July 23 at 3 p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Anyone wishing to honor Tom’s life is welcome to attend. Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE of St. Mary’s, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md. 20650.
James Vernon Mattingly, Sr., 92 James Vernon Mattingly, Sr., 92, of Hollywood, Md. died May 16, 2007 in Bayside Care Center. Born June 4, 1914 on the Sotterley Plantation in what is now known as the Mattingly House in Hollywood, Md. He was the son the late James Henry and Clara Mae Wallace Mattingly, Sr. He was the loving husband of the late Mary Ellen Mattingly who preceded him in death on Dec. 23, 1985. He is survived by his sisters; Alberta Mae Hare, Sister Eleanor, SCN, Eileen Barmer, Betty M. Hill, Peggy Keller, and many grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Dorothy Hope Vallandingham; his children Elsie Mae Mattingly Johnson, James Vernon Mattingly, Jr. and Thomas S. Mattingly as well as his siblings; Clara E. Mattingly, James Henry Mattingly Jr., George F. MatSee Obits page B-5
The County Times
Thursday, May 24, 2007
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