2014-10-23 The County Times by Southern Maryland Online

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

www.countytimes.somd.com

Photo by Frank Marquart

Candidates Flock to Oyster Festival

See Page 4

Hospital, Health Department Drilling For Ebola Outbreak See Page 5

Begins Today

The County Times Announces General Election Endorsements See Page 14

2014 POLITICAL GUIDE - Election Profiles, Pages 18-31

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Thursday October 23, 2014 Local News

10 Newsmaker 14-15 Endorsements Voter’s Information Guide

18-31

32 Letters 35 Education 36 Obituaries

38 “If there were several cases we could surge our capacity to handle it. We are the front line, we have to be prepared.”

Weather

Watch

37 Community 38 Entertainment Entertainment Calendar

39 Sports Community Calendar

40 42

Business Directory

Home Page

45 Games Classifieds

—Dr. Stephen Michaels, vice president of medical affairs at MedStar St. Mary’s on their capacity to treat Ebola patients.

46 Senior 46 History 47

Wanderings of an Aimless Mind

Joyce to the World

P.O. Box 250 Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifieds: 301-373-4125

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For staff listing and emails, see page 32.

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The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

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Local News Candidates Flock to Oyster Festival

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Leonardtown Attorney Reprimanded by Grievance Commission

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Photos by Frank Marquart With early voting starting on Thursday, candidates swarmed the 48th Annual St. Mary’s County Oyster festival, which was held last weekend. GOP candidate Larry Hogan enjoyed the festivities Saturday afternoon, among other candidates. “I love being in St. Mary’s County,” Hogan said during his visit. “I love getting out and meeting people, and I love oysters.” Hogan has made numerous stops to the county during his campaign for governor. Hogan says the concerns he hears from St. Mary’s County residents echoes what he hears throughout the rest of the state. “Whether I’m in St. Mary’s County or elsewhere in Southern Maryland, on the Shore, in Western Maryland, or even in Montgomery or Prince George’s Counties, people tell me they are fed up with tax-and-spend, politics-as-usual in Annapolis. They feel as though our elected leaders are not only not solving the serious problems that face us, but that they are actually making these problems worse.”

Daun Weiers, a longtime Leonardtown attorney who has been practicing on a limited basis, has been reprimanded by the state’s Attorney Grievance Commission for not removing from his trust account fees he had earned representing a real estate company and was also chastised for not cooperating fully with the body that polices attorney conduct. The commission filed the complaint in April of last year, alleging violations of the Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct. According to court filings the charges were a result of Weiers failure to keep time records, paying himself from a retainer with the Crescendo Realty, LLC company without getting his client’s permission, errors in his trust ledger and failing to withdraw the remainder of his retainer in a reasonable time frame. The ruling by Prince George’s Circuit Court Judge Cathy H. Serrette centered on a business relationship between one Van Hulamm, with the realty company and Weiers back in 2009 for legal services. Weiers was paid a $1,000 retainer fee and charged $150 per hour plus $30 per phone call and letter, according to the court ruling, for his legal services on the question of removing a fence from a neighboring property that blocked a parking lot used by the realty company. By early 2010 the fence was removed and Hulamm asked for the refund of the retainer fee, which was refunded in part to the tune of $500 but not until January of 2012. When the commission asked Weiers for records of the retainer agreement Weiers responded that he did not have a written agreement or time records, the ruling stated. A September 2012 letter from the commission to Wei-

ers stated he might be in violation of attorney conduct rules. The judge ruled that during the years long dispute Weiers actually wound up providing what amounted to free legal services to Hulamm. “[Weiers] was not faultless, however,” Serrette wrote in her ruling. “Respondant’s failure to keep time sheets and to bill accordingly led to Mr. Hulamm’s insistence that he was due a refund although respondant had earned his fee.” Moreover, Serrette stated, Weier’s failure to pay himself in a timely manner resulted in commingling of earned and unearned money in his trust account, which is forbidden under state rules. According to Serrette’s ruling Weiers had contended that the grievance commission had never actually told him how he had violated the rules of conduct. One of Weiers responses to bar counsel was called “inflammatory.” “I do not know what misconduct you are investigating and I don’t think you do either,” Weiers wrote according to court documents. “Your latest demand appears to be a desperate attempt to justify the time you have wasted so far… I don’t know if you are on a witch-hunt, a personal vendetta, a fishing expedition, or if you don’t have enough to do, but I’ve had my fill of you. So either file a complaint or get the hell off my back.” The ruling stated that Weiers failure to remove funds promptly from his trust account was not “motivated by a selfish desire” and further stated his actions did not cause any harm to his clients and that Weiers has no history of offenses with the grievance commission. Calls to Weiers listed office in Leonardtown were unsuccessful as the number was not in service. guyleonard@countytimes.net

STEVE GELRUD

FOR ST. MARY’S COUNTY

TREASURER

I have lived in St. Mary's county since 1949. Becoming Country Treasurer would grant me the opportunity to serve the public, to deal directly with local government officials, and to address the many evolving issues and help solve them quickly and correctly. I am proud to call St. Mary's my home, and after all that it has given me through the years, I look forward to serving our community as your treasurer. I ask for your vote on November the 4th.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor Of Science Degree from University of Maryland in Business • Opened SOMD's first video store "Stop, Look And Listen" in 1975 with my brothers • Opened and operated "Showtime Deli" with my brother Paul • Currently employed by The Big Screen Store Company • Opened five successful Big Screen Stores in Atlanta, GA

ENDORSEMENTS

JOHN MCCALLISTER • DON PEELING • FRANK TAYLOR TUBBY SMITH • DONNY BRYAN • PERRY ROTHWELL BILLY WILLIAMS • DR. BLAIR WOOD • NATE LAWRENCE • SAL RASPA • CHARLIE BENNETT • LINDA PALCHINSKY • JAMIE WILSON • RON AND KARON STRICKLAND BARBARA ROWELL • ALAN SIVAK • GEORGE HALL MICKEY BOWES • JAY SCOTT RIDGELL • BUTCH BAILEY NUMEROUS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, WHOSE NAMES CANNOT BE USED, & THOSE I FORGOT, THANKS TO EVERYONE. Paid for by Friends of Steve Gelrud for Treasurer

YOUR CONCERNS ARE MY CONCERNS!

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Hospital, Health Department Drilling For Ebola Outbreak By Guy Leonard Staff Writer St. Mary’s MedStar personnel as well as staff with the St. Mary’s County Health Department say they are ready for an outbreak of the Ebola virus with constant drilling to combat the spread of the disease as well as enhanced training to ensure health workers are not exposed to the lethal pathogen. While various public and private entities have been preparing to deal with an Ebola outbreak the Board of County Commissioners have yet to convene as the Board of Health to solely discuss dealing with the disease. The Board of Health met two weeks ago but only discussed Ebola as part of a larger agenda; at Tuesday’s meeting Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell mentioned it as a possible issue at the Harry Lundberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point. “That’s something they’re clearly aware of because they go all over the world,” Russell said, adding that leadership there was discussing how to deal with a possible infection case. Commissioner Todd Morgan said the health department, county hospital and emergency medical responders were coordinating well enough without the Board of Health convening. “They’re doing what they have to do,” Morgan said. “I have confidence in them. I have to put my faith in them. “I believe that the risk of Ebola happening here is not high enough to risk public panic mode.” Dr. Meena Brewster, the county’s health officer, said as new information comes in from the state so goes their strategy for a response; so far no patient with Ebola has been found in St. Mary’s County. “We’re constantly revising what our response will be,” Brewster said in a meeting between health officials and Sen. Roy Dyson at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in

Leonardtown. The hospital’s protocols for dealing with the virus are dictated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, said MaryLou Watson, vice president for nursing at the hospital. This includes personal protection equipment (PPE) for hospital workers who would come in contact with an infected patient, decontamination rooms and negative pressure hospital rooms for patients. Key to the preparations for an Ebola infected patient was to learn from previous mistakes that led to the infection of two nurses who worked at a hospital in Texas just about a week ago. Health workers had to exercise constant vigilance, she said. “The most vulnerable time for health care workers… is when they are trying to ungown,” Watson said of their condition after contacting an infected patient. “Any blood samples are triple bagged and any excretia would be solidified and bags and containers washed with bleach.” Hospital personnel have also been busy training first responders in the use of PPE gear, Watson said. Health workers are continuing to screen patients in emergency rooms for the virus but the danger did not stop there. “It could just as easily be found in a doctor’s waiting room,” said MedStar St. Mary’s CEO Christine Wray. MedStar St. Mary’s is ready for more than one case of Ebola, said Dr. Stephen Michaels, vice president of medical affairs and the hospital’s chief operations officer. “If there were several cases we could surge our capacity to handle it,” Michaels said. “We are the front line, we have to be prepared.” Brewster said contracting the Ebola virus was not easy to do; it can be passed by exposure to bodily fluids but only if the person infected is showing symptoms of Ebola. guyleonard@countytimes.net

News

Please Join Us

John Bohanan Maryland House of Delegates District 29-B

FREE Pancake Breakfast October 26th 9-11:30 am

American Legion • Ridge, Maryland

Donations accepted to benefit Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad

Information Call: 301-862-3669

Ebola Presentation Added to Health Fair Program In response to the recent Ebola virus outbreak the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services is coordinating with the St. Mary’s County Health Department to host a seminar on the Ebola Virus at the Health Fair this Friday, Oct. 24 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. The presentation begins at 2 p.m. Melanie Gardiner, Director of Public Health Preparedness and Response will offer information on the Ebola virus, such as background, transmission, incubation and prevention. She will also highlight ways St. Mary’s County is working to prepare for the virus. “We are so pleased to offer this important and upto-date information about the Ebola virus and how it relates to our community,” said Jennifer Stone, event coordinator for the Health Fair. “This topic is timely and relevant, and the Health Fair will serve as a great opportunity to educate the community about the virus. Knowledge and good preparation are the keys to remaining safe”.

Local

Authorized by Citizens for Christy Kelly, Ed Willenborg, Treasurer

By Authority: Anne Marum, Treasurer

Local News

The County Times

Small Business Development Center Welcomes New Director By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The Southern Maryland branch of the Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has welcomed a new regional director – Ellen Flowers-Fields. Flowers-Fields has a history in the county, having moved to Calvert 14 years ago. She spent 10 years heading federal workforce initiatives with the Tri-County, then went to work for the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation as the deputy secretary of workforce development. She brings her background to her work with the SBDC, an entity devoted to working with entrepreneurs and business owners of all experience levels. According to marylandsbdc.org, “since 1988, the seasoned staff of the …SBDC Network has provided sound advice, consulting and support to entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state. We are part of a national SBDC network—founded in 1979— that helps over 500,000 U.S. businesses annually.” For first time business owners, the SBDC offers a chance to meet with councilors to talk about starting a businesses, secur-

ing the funding needed. They are encouraged to go to workshops with other business owners. Everything the SBDC does is geared toward promoting and supporting businesses and business owners, Flowers-Fields said. “The SBDC Network is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Maryland and the University of Maryland, College Park. SBDC links private enterprise, government, higher education and local economic development organizations to provide high-quality training, confidential consulting and market and industry research to Maryland’s small businesses,” according to the SBDC website. Strengthening Maryland’s small businesses contributes directly to the growth of local, state and national economies. By regulation, the SBDC has to be associated with a higher eduation facility or an independent non-profit organization, Flowers-Fields said. The College of Southern Maryland hosts and supports the network in Southern Maryland, along with Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert counties providing some funding. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

RE-ELECT

Thursday, October 23, 2014

HSMC Remembers Ben Bradlee The Commission, Foundation, and staff of Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) were saddened to learn that our friend and champion, Benjamin C. Bradlee, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 21. In 1991, the recently-retired Bradlee was “shanghaied” by then-Governor William Donald Schaefer into taking the helm of a newly-reconstituted HSMC Commission, the governing body of the museum on the site of Maryland’s first capital. Under Ben’s leadership, the bounds and layout of the old city became visible, populated with re-constructed colonial buildings and ghost frames. Improvements to the 20th -century infrastructure, from parking to signage, provided guests a more satisfying visit. In the 90s, Ben’s influence and the recovery of three rare lead coffins from the foundation of the 1676 Brick Chapel catapulted the museum into the national news. “Ben was a great motivator,” HSMC Executive Director Regina Faden, Ph.D. commented, “It may be fair to say there hadn’t been this much activity in the City since the 17th century.” In 1997, the Maryland General Assembly enacted SB393, which established the Historic St. Mary’s City Commission as an independent agency with in the Office of the Governor. Ben took this as “a clear signal that we must move forward in a significant way.” The law formalized the museum’s affiliation with St. Mary’s College of Maryland in an educational partnership to preserve, study, and interpret the National Historic Landmark where the institutions are located and fostered a spirit of collaboration that guides museum endeavors today. Together, the two institutions developed the Maryland Heritage Project that includes new buildings and interpretive resources. Ben’s term as Chairman of the Commission extended until 2003; he continued lending his expertise and influence to the museum as chairman emeritus. “Ben’s legacy is tangible in the re-created City and in the interpretive programs that help visitors understand the state’s illustrious beginnings,” noted Faden. “His influence is reflected in the strength and mission of this institution. The museum could count on his good advice and support.” Ben’s gentle sense of humor, self-depreciating manner, intelligence, and generosity will be missed. He was a man of the highest class who was a true man of the people. We were lucky to have known him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Dan Slade for Delegate 29A

TODD MORGAN

COUNTY COMMISSIONER 1. Fiscal Conservatism 2. Jobs and Economic Growth 3. Ethical, Experienced, Executive Leadership With Integrity Thank you for the opportunity to proudly continue to serve as your County Commissioner By Authority of Deb Stone, Treasurer

I’ve spent my entire life living in and serving St. Mary’s County. I am running for State Delegate because the people of St. Mary’s County deserve to have a Delegate who knows St. Mary’s County. I am a fiscal conservative. I respectfully ask Endorsed by: for your vote to be your voice for responsive, Fraternal Order of Police effective representation. Let’s work together! Maryland Farm Bureau Delegate Johnny Wood - Dan Slade

Dan Slade – Putting St. Mary’s County First! Friends of Dan Slade for Delegate, Jo Ann Klear, Treas.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

MARIE DYSON’S FAMOUS RECIPE FOR STUFFED HAM

12 lb. corned ham or country cured ham 6 lbs. cabbage 3 lbs. onions

1 lb. kale Celery seed – 2 tablespoons Salt and black pepper to taste Red pepper

Blanche kale, chop cabbage and onions in small pieces (if you can stand the tears from the onions). Mix all together and add seasonings. Never measured red pepper in my life – just sprinkled on mixture until hands begin to burn slightly while mixing. Some of my neighbors scald their mixture before packing into holes. Guess I got too anxious to get the ham packed so I started packing as soon as I had it mixed. To get ham ready for packing, cut deep slits in the ham, opposite from the way you slice the ham. Pack and push as much stuffing mixture into holes as you can, covering top of ham if you have any left over. Put into clean cheesecloth bag. I use a pillow case because it’s easier to just tie at top and not much chance of stuffing falling out. Cook in large pot at least 4 hours and start timing when water begins to boil and keep boiling entire time. Place a rack (I use an aluminum pie tin) in bottom of pan, to prevent ham from sticking to bottom. Cool before slicing. Juice from pot, when ham is removed, is excellent for seasoning vegetables.

POLITICAL ENDORSEMENTS National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Maryland Farm Bureau • NRA Teacher’s Association of Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties Maryland Association of Realtors • AFSCME Maryland State MD-DC AFL-CIO Maryland Retailers Association Maryland Right to Life United Food & Commercial Workers Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition Maryland Horse Council • DirecTV By Authority: Linda Vallandingham, Treasurer

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

COMPTROLLER

PETER FRANCHOT Maryland’s Fiscal Watchdog. Your Independent Voice. • Returned tax refunds within 3 days • Collected over $3 billion from tax cheats • Led the fight in Annapolis against wasteful spending

VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4th www.Franchot.com /PeterFranchot @peterfranchot

Monday - WedneSday

10% off Military (must show Military ID)

10% off Senior Citizens Restrictions and limits apply.

By Authority: Friends of Peter Franchot, Tom Gentile, Treasurer

(301) 862-1350 www.haircitymd.com 22576 Macarthur Blvd • Suite 338 • California, Md.

PROTECTING FAMILIES OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY

State’s Attorney Richard Fritz has been a Prosecutor for 30 years. For 16 years, he has served as our State’s Attorney. Protecting our families, the young, and our seniors has always been his greatest priority.

Re-Elect Richard Fritz State’s Attorney on November 4

ENDORSED BY THE

FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

WHEN EXPERIENCE MATTERS By Authority: Barbara Rivera, Treasurer

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

CHRIS CHAFFEE FOR CONGRESS

For Liberty and Freedom For All Chris Chaffee Stands For

• Protecting Pax River • Securing Our Boarders • Protecting Our Veterans • Health Care that Works for All Americans • Bring Jobs Back from Overseas to Put Hard Working Americans Back to Work • Less Taxes and Regulations to Help All Small Business

God Bless You. Vote Nov. 4 Chris Chaffee for Congress

• Small business owner, promotes job growth • Volunteering in his community • Married to Amy for 29 years • Loving Father, Grandfather & Uncle • Practicing Catholic 301-855-9673 www.chrischaffeeforcongress.com chrischaffeeforcongress@gmail.com Mail To: 2385 Stoakley Rd. • Prince Frederick, MD 20678

SOLID LEADERSHIP

• Held county tax rates constant. • Streamlined county government. • Simplified county regulations. • Kept county school system among best in nation.

• Instrumental in bringing Univ. of Md. to county, expanding education and job opportunities. • Secured state highway intersection improvements.

COMMUNITY FIRST

Paid for and authorized by Chris Chaffee for Congress

PROTECT OUR FAMILIES As your next State’s Attorney, I will focus on the issues that unite us: healthy communities, safe streets, respect for victims and cooperation with law enforcement agencies. St. Mary’s County faces serious problems which need immediate action! I will focus on the following:

1. Stemming the tide of our heroin epidemic 2. Establishing a strong Domestic Violence Policy 3. Fighting Elder Abuse & Financial Fraud 4. Starting a Veterans Treatment Court Our families are our most precious asset. Can we afford four more years of broken promises and failed policies? We must act now. As your State’s Attorney, it will be my primary focus to protect our families. I will use a community-based approach, listening to and reaching out to citizens affected by the problems in our community, while continuing to prosecute violent offenders. If you’re concerned about the future of our families and St. Mary’s County, please vote for Shane Mattingly for State’s Attorney.

“I would appreciate your support and I will always strive to earn your vote.”

1928756

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

“We Just Want to Spread Any Awareness That We Can Because Even Though This is a Small County There’s an EB Baby Here.”

Newsmaker

EB Awareness Week, Oct. 25 - Oct. 31

By Lauren Procopio Staff Writer Epidermolysis Bullosa [EB] Awareness Week is Oct. 25 through Oct. 31 and this disease affects one in 20,000 children, according to informational website debra.org. This rare disease is a genetic connective tissue disorder and, according to the website, “EB is actually a group of disorders that share a prominent manifestation of extremely frag-

ile skin that blisters and tears from friction or trauma.” EB hits close to home. 13-month-old Teagyn, who lives in Southern Maryland, was born with this rare disorder. Teagyn has Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa, which is the type of EB that never goes away, according to Teagyn’s mom, Malinda Grant. Grant said there’s a one in 50,000 chance a carrier will end up with another carrier and every time her and her husband have another child, the baby is at risk for EB. “We didn’t know she was going to have this disease when she was born. She was born with no skin on her feet so they sent her away to Georgetown, where she was there for nine days. They took skin biopsies and blood work to finally confirm the diagnosis,” Grant said. Grant said the disorder also affects Teagyn’s mucus membranes, eyes, fingernails and her insides as well. Grant said she also believes Teagyn’s tongue is fused to the bottom of her mouth. “Her body doesn’t make the protein collagen so the layers of skin don’t have that glue to hold it together, so any type of rough touching or friction makes it blister up. If I just took

anything and rubbed it, it would cause all that to blister,” she explained. “For some reason where she was born with no skin on her feet is extra sensitive so I try to keep them wrapped,” she continued. “You usually want to pop the blisters as soon as you see them so they don’t grow because it’s not like a burn blister, where it’s good to keep it closed so it can’t get infection, with them you want to pop it because since there’s no glue, it’s just going to keep getting bigger,” she said. Grant said the blisters “definitely hurt,” but said some parents said the children get used to the pain. She said bath time is the worst because “everything’s open – it’s very sensitive, so air hitting it, the water hitting it, soap, of course rubbing it, it definitely makes it worse.” Grant said Teagyn went to Cincinnati six months ago to the EB clinic, where they specialize in this disorder, and saw around 20 doctors. “They all get together and talk about it and make up a plan of treatment and care for her. I’m hoping to go back at the beginning of next year,” Grant said.

She said the doctors performed a “swallow test,” which showed Teagyn’s esophagus flap not working properly. “They’re actually surprised she hadn’t gotten pneumonia from aspirating…. she’s strictly G-tube [gastric feeding tube] right now, hopefully that will change the next time we go up there,” Grant said. Along with the gastric feeding tube, Teagyn is on reflex medication and takes an extra amount of vitamins. “My goal was we’ll go out and somebody will see her and say it’s nice to see her rather than ‘What does she have’… I don’t mind answering questions, but I just don’t like when people assume certain things,” she said. “I rather people ask if they see her, ask rather than just stare, because sooner or later she’s going to notice,” she continued. For more information on EB, visit debra. org, Teagyn also has a Facebook page, www. facebook.com/teagynsEBcare. “We just want to spread any awareness that we can because even though this is a small county there’s an EB baby here.” lauren@somdpublishing.net

Philip H. Dorsey III Attorney at Law

- SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INJURY • Personal Injury • Wrongful Death • Auto/Truck Crashes

• Pharmacy & Drug Injuries • Workers’ Compensation • Medical Malpractice

LEONARDTOWN: 301-475-5000 TOLL FREE: 1-800-660-3493 EMAIL: phild@dorseylaw.net

www.dorseylaw.net

Your Online Community for Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties

New to the area? Lifelong resident? Over 250,000 Southern Marylanders can’t be wrong! • Stay abreast of local happenings • Check our highly popular classifieds • Speak your mind in the forums Stop by and see what • Enter our contests and Southern Maryland Online win terrific prizes has to offer!

www.somd.com

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Hours of Operation Mon-Fri: By Appointment Only Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

You're cordially invited to our

Fall Open House THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30

Rates Admission: $10.00 3 and Under FREE Group Rates Available (15 or more) Food & Refreshments On-Site Large Covered Picnic Area Air-Conditioned/Heated Restrooms

• 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

We Open Our Doors To You! For current clients and those who have yet to enter our spa, we invite you to enjoy an evening with us!

Bring a friend & you will be entered to win the Grand Prize worth over $2,500!

• Tour Our Unique Spa • Savor Delicious Foods And Spirits • Listen To Music • See Treatment Demos • Ask Questions • Win Wonderful Spa Prizes 225 Town Square Drive • Suite #2 • Lusby, MD 20657 • 410-326-0717

E VERYTHING AMISH Furniture For Life With winter quickly approaching, now is the time to protect man’s best friend with our everyday low prices on dog boxes.

We offer 3 sizes to choose from in many colors!

We have acres and acres of pumpkins available for a small additional fee

Admission to the Farm Includes

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LAST WEEKEND

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Located at the intersection of Route 234 and Pincushion Road in Clements, MD For more details visit us at:

Office: 301-475-2139

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Email: bowlesfarms@rcn.com

WEEKEND EVENTS Dog Flaps Available $19.99

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1/2 Mile North of the 231 Bypass

7700 Leonardtown Road Hughesville, MD 20637

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CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN & BLUEGRASS Sun. Oct. 26

Kids show up in your Halloween costume and get $1.00 Off general admission. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of Blue Grass Music (3-6) under our new covered pavilion.

y r a s r e v i Ann e l a S The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

3 Piece crAftmAster sectionAl

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WITH LA HILL BROy

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The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

month financing for 56 years in business! *

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*The Preferred Furniture credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Financial National Bank. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases of $1,200 or more charged with approved credit. The special terms APR will continue to apply until all qualifying purchases are paid in full. The monthly payment for this purchase will be the amount that will pay for the purchase in full in equal payments during the promotional (special terms) period. The APR for Purchases will apply to certain fees such as a late payment fee or if you use the card for other transactions. For newly opened accounts, the APR for Purchases is 27.99%. This APR may vary with the market based on the U.S. Prime Rate and is given as of 09/01/2014. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. Prior Sales Excluded. Pictures are for illustrative purposes only. *In select fabric & grades. Sale ends October 31, 2014.

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The County Times

General Election ENDORSEMENTS Governor: Larry Hogan; Anthony G. Brown Endorsement: Larry Hogan

Maryland’s economy is worse than most people believe, and most people believe it is pretty bad. About the only person in Maryland who is unaware that the O’Malley/Brown administration went too far when it came to spending and increasing revenues by soaking Marylanders is Anthony Brown. Hogan gives hope to Marylanders who are overtaxed and overregulated. Hogan wants businesses to create jobs and improve the quality of life in Maryland, while Brown wants government to be the job creator and giver of not just needs but wants as well. Hogan has run an excellent campaign, he has demonstrated an understanding of the issues and has clearly articulated how he will use the governor’s office to make Maryland a better place to live and work.

Comptroller: William H. Campbell; Peter Franchot Endorsement: William H. Campbell

Franchot has been a better Comptroller than most of us expected when first elected. Previously as a legislator he never saw a taxpayer penny he didn’t want to spend twice. He has moderated his spending habits because as Comptroller he has a fiscal responsibility to present facts, not legislative fantasy. Regardless, Franchot comes to the office with very few qualifications compared to the professional qualifications which Campbell would bring to the office. Rarely do voters have the opportunity to select someone so well qualified for a fiscal management position, and someone with such a strong background in fiscal and agency management. Campbell would give Maryland a truly qualified professional Comptroller, something Maryland has not had in a long time.

United States Congress: Chris Chaffee; Steny H. Hoyer Endorsement: Steny H. Hoyer Steny Hoyer has represented the Fifth Congressional District for quite some time. He has spent 33 years in the Congress. His position of leadership and the respect which he maintains on both sides of the aisle in Washington are needed now as much as ever here in Southern Maryland. While many make the correct argument that Hoyer is not the reason Patuxent River Naval Air Station has so much success, Congress does control spending and defense spending is very important to our region. Hoyer has always been a supporter of the military bases in Southern Maryland. While Chaffee should be commended for running a good race, his election would have little or no impact on our nation’s policy, and his ability to influence the protections of our military bases would no doubt be inferior to that of Hoyer.

Maryland Senate District 29: Steve Waugh; Roy Dyson Endorsement: Roy Dyson The County Times whole heartedly gives a strong endorsement to Roy Dyson in this race. St. Mary’s County is the mother county of Maryland. This district is comprised of all St. Mary’s County and just a small portion of southern Calvert County. It is essentially St. Mary’s County’s Senate seat. Calvert already has a senator, it is Mike Miller the Senate President, they don’t deserve to have two senators should Waugh win this seat, and St. Mary’s have none. Waugh lives in Calvert as does his close ally and mentor Delegate Tony O’Donnell. While he may well be a good candidate for the job, he is no better a candidate than Dyson, and St. Mary’s County should not surrender its lone senate seat to Calvert County. From a public policy standpoint, there is little difference between the two candidates. Dyson has voted against nearly every liberal tax and spend policy of the O’Malley administration, and against the liberalization of Maryland’s social policies as well. While Waugh likes to portray Dyson as a bleeding heart liberal, the record is clearly just the opposite. In fact, Dyson may be more conservative than even Waugh. In response to a questionnaire by the Catholic Church, Waugh indicated his

support of driver’s licenses and in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants, something Dyson has continuously opposed. In addition, Waugh indicated he would support increases in the state budget to fund additional food, housing and health care cost for low income residents, something Dyson has opposed. Dyson’s support from The Maryland Retailers Association, The Maryland Farm Bureau and Maryland Business for Responsive Government makes him a very attractive candidate in a state where job growth is nearly last in the nation. When asked how to make Maryland more attractive to business, Dyson was the only candidate to rightly point out that Maryland first needs to focus on small business and later look at ways to improve the climate for large businesses. Additionally, state and local government must constantly maintain St. Mary’s as a good place for the navy to do business, Dyson understands this. He constantly refers to the need for school construction money in St. Mary’s while Waugh fails to even mention its importance. Waugh has stated he wants to do away with funding for local capital projects. This is one of the smallest parts of the state budget yet it provides local communities the opportunity to get a small amount of matching dollars from state

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Maryland House of Delegates District 29A: Matt Morgan; Daniel A.M. Slade Endorsement: Matt Morgan The Republican Party, in its selection of Matt Morgan as their nominee for this seat, has already determined that lack of residency is not an issue, that not having a history of service to the community is not an issue, that inexperience in government and business is not an issue, that being funded to the tune of some $20,000 by a single special interest group in the primary is not an issue and that working for a public agency which this elected office funds is not an issue. While we strongly disagree with the Republican Party on these principles, we also strongly believe this seat should belong to a Republican in order to best balance St. Mary’s County’s representation in Annapolis. Therefore our endorsement goes to Morgan. Dan Slade, a fine gentleman and a very good candidate, would make a good delegate. Although he is an attorney by training, he has several small businesses and a good understanding of what it takes to meet payrolls and manage under the state regulatory environment. Slade’s idea to assure digital classrooms in our schools is an idea that needs to happen, as well as his strong promotion of furthering the Higher Education Center. Slade sounds more like a Republican than a Democrat, like many do this election season. Unfortunately, that will not play well to the many in Annapolis, especially his party leadership, who will spend four years punishing Slade.

Maryland House of Delegates District 29B: Deb Rey; John Bohanan Endorsement: John Bohanan There is no race that better secures the future of St. Mary’s County than this race. The loss of John Bohanan at this time would have the largest negative impact on business, jobs, and education in St. Mary’s County of any race local, state or federal. Bohanan has supported some policies which we do not agree with such as increases in gas tax, increase in minimum wage, and increase in sales tax. But all of these and other objectionable state policies would have passed even without Bohanan’s support. It doesn’t mean we don’t keep fighting, but we must understand that we live in Maryland, one of the most liberal states in the nation; and that is not going to change, no matter who we send to Annapolis. The ability to get legislation passed, the ability to modify and amend bad legislation, and the ability to protect the interest of St. Mary’s County is largely determined by Bohanan’s ability to maintain respect and a leadership position among 141 other delegates. He is strong in securing needs such as funds for road improvements which we see coming into our community, funding for the University of Maryland and their entry into St. Mary’s County, funding for our schools, and leading the way in protecting our largest employers and the challenges the navy faces doing business in this area. Bohanan chairs the committee that manages 50% of Maryland’s variable budget. The recent commitment for funding for the Higher Education Center and the University of Maryland to locate there simply would not have happened without Bohanan. Deb Rey is a very personable and hardworking candidate. However, her desire to increase Maryland’s sales tax by nearly 70% from 6% to 10% would have a very bad effect on our economy. Statics show that since Maryland last increased the sales tax from 5% to 6% retail sales in Maryland have decreased nearly $400 million annually. Surrounding states have seen significant gains as a result of Maryland’s high sales tax, making it 70% higher would be devastating. To be fair, this idea is promoted as part of a larger “tax reform” policy proposed by the libertarian talk show host and author Neal Boortz in his book titled “Fair Tax Book.” But Rey needs to be very careful here, because the policies proposed in the book don’t all add up and as many conservatives believe could very well have a disastrous impact on our economy. As Ron Paul (R-TX), considered the real friend of tax relief said, “the real issue is total spending by government, not tax reform”. We do like Rey’s desire to improve the communications between the constituents and their delegate, especially during the legislative session. In many ways she represents a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, her strong will to repeal large amounts of legislation, even legislation adopted by Republican Bob Ehrlich, would cast her as a conservative radical, something even fellow Republicans in Annapolis understand is not the way to get things done in Annapolis. St. Mary’s County has not had the benefit of a legislator with as much budget authority as Bohanan since Speaker John Hanson Briscoe. Many folks can recall the pain we sometimes had to endure re-electing Briscoe despite his policy agenda that often favored the liberal side of our state. But we always did, because we were smart enough to know, even back then, if we want state leadership coming from Southern Maryland, we enjoy the good and find alternative ways to deal with the bad. Bohanan will mitigate the bad with favorable leadership for our community. government to provide critical community infrastructure. Even if the state keeps these funds in the budget as they are sure to do, Waugh apparently would not allow St. Mary’s to be eligible for these funds. Waugh, like the other Republican candidates for state office, Deb Rey and Matt Morgan, are entirely focused on repealing Senate Bill 281, Maryland’s recently passed gun control bill. While it should be repealed, it won’t be, even if Larry Hogan is elected governor he has publicly opposed the repeal of SB281. Waugh seems to represent that Hogan may be misleading voters on this issue and he is willing to repeal the bill. We have no reason to question the credibility of Hogan.

Finally, here we are in 2014 already. The next census is just 6 years away and as a result of changes in population, redistricting will once again take place. St. Mary’s will have reached a population of over 120,000 people making it necessary to remove the small section of Calvert County from this Senate district much the same way Charles was removed during the last redistricting. Should Waugh be the senator at that time he would be redistricted out of the seat at a time when it would be hoped that his experience is most effective. This is most likely Dyson’s final term. The next senator to replace Dyson should be a St. Mary’s County resident.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

Maryland House of Delegates District 29C: Tony O’Donnell; Len Zuza Endorsement: Tony O’Donnell Tony O’Donnell is seeking his 6th term as state delegate representing parts of Calvert County and parts of St. Mary’s County. O’Donnell has been a very effective representative. His experience and dedication to the job has earned him the opportunity to continue to serve. O’Donnell has been the voice of opposition in Annapolis when it comes to increasing spending and taxes. He has been the voice of reason when it comes to social issues. And O’Donnell has stood steadfast in protecting citizens’ rights. Unfortunately, he has lost most of those battles against the liberal tide of public policy in Annapolis. O’Donnell insists that a few more conservative representatives in Annapolis will change the tide. O’Donnell has seen an ever increasing number of Republicans in the House during his past 20 years, yet the tide of liberalism has continued to flourish. There will most likely be more Republicans in the House as a result of this election, it remains to be seen if things change over the next four years. Len Zuza is a bright, hardworking man. He has waged a good challenge for O’Donnell. His experience as a budget analyst would serve him well when it comes to finding efficiencies in state government. He is an analytical thinker, not an ideologue. However, he has not made the case that he could represent St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties better than O’Donnell.

County Commissioners President: Randy Guy; Jack Russell Endorsements: Jack Russell During the course of elections, we sometimes find ourselves having to choose between two candidates, neither of which seem to fit as the right candidate for the job. During our evaluation process, these two candidates scored lower than any other candidates for commissioner in St. Mary’s, but Jack Russell emerged among the two, largely based upon his 8 years’ experience serving in the position. Russell at least had the benefit of knowing the issues even though he generally will not offer an opinion, especially when the issue is controversial. There is nothing wrong with getting as much public information as possible on an issue, but Russell clearly likes to follow, not lead on important issues. Russell sees his presiding over the meetings as his way of leading, leaving the vision and need for comprehensive solutions to others. Unfortunately, Randy Guy offers even fewer solutions as well as a lack of understanding about important issues of the day. Despite the county’s transportation plan that identified FDR Boulevard as important to the county’s economic future 10 years ago, Guy still does not support this vital transportation project today. Guy uses the same talking points as everyone else, saying he wants better economic development and diversity of the economy, yet offers no strategy to address infrastructure needs. Our community has seen a large increase in the use of drugs, leading to heavy pressure on our judicial system and jail to handle the ever increasing load. When questioned about programs to reduce the cycle of re-incarceration, Guy said, “the County Commissioners cannot do anything to reduce the cycle of re-incarceration.” We strongly disagree, and for that and many other reasons we recommend voters allow Jack Russell four more years.

General Election ENDORSEMENTS

County Commissioner District 2: Mike Hewitt; Bob Schaller Endorsement: No Endorsement

This race offers two of the best candidates among all races. Either Bob Schaller or Mike Hewitt would make very good commissioners. Hewitt seems to get the nod because of his private sector experience and his fiscally conservative posture. However, his desire to revisit the jail issue, his belief that the Lexington Park Development District is too large and desire to extend Pegg’s Road across miles of swamp land makes you wonder where he would possibly find the money. Hewitt talks about elimination of the energy tax which is fine, however, it does very little to help those struggling with a tough economy. The energy tax only affects home heating fuel and electricity and amounts to less than $3 per month for the average family. Still, Hewitt is a good candidate and would definitely serve the community well. Bob Schaller may be the hardest working guy we know. His commitment to the citizens of this community cannot be overstated. Building relationships is what Schaller is best at and his ideas about better relations with the school board and other county agencies would serve the community well. Schaller wants to find alternatives to incarceration and provide alternative programs in hopes of avoiding the necessity to build a new jail. He believes the Lexington Park Development District updated plan is not based upon the reality of the marketplace and we certainly agree. He wants to bring the actual property owners back into the equation. Schaller is a good candidate and would definitely serve the community well.

County Commissioner District 3: John O’Connor; Joseph “Tony” St. Clair Endorsement: Joseph “Tony” St. Clair

Joe St. Clair brings many years of community service here in St. Mary’s County to this position. He has a good understanding of communities across the county. His many years serving on the Planning Commission, Metropolitan Commission, Chamber of Commerce and many others has given him insight to problem solving and removing road blocks for local small businesses to grow that others just don’t have. His plan to bring back the Enterprise Zone with a fee in lieu of a property tax program to encourage investment back into Lexington Park is one of the best ideas anyone has proposed this election season. John O’Conner has run a good campaign. He is new to many of the issues affecting our community as most of his life has been spent working in Prince George’s County. He wants to put in place a county wide controlled growth ordinance, problem is, it already exists. He wants to limit the building of FDR Boulevard based upon private sector funding, but the problem is, it already has significant private sector funding and after 20 years getting all the pieces connected will take the will of county government. Being a former police officer, O’Conner takes the much anticipated position that the Sheriff’s department is underfunded and should grow larger. Yet in all other areas he wants to “trim the fat”.

County Commissioner District 4: Todd Morgan Endorsement: Todd Morgan

County Commissioner District 1: Tom Jarboe; Merl Evans

Despite being unopposed, we highly recommend voting for Todd Morgan to continue for another four years as county commissioner. Morgan has been the steady hand in county government over the past four years. While we may not agree with everything Morgan does, you can count on him to be consistent, knowledgeable, and looking long term. Morgan brings the experience, good fiscal capabilities, and thick skin that will be needed as a largely new set of commissioners take over. Look for Morgan to provide the much needed leadership the next board will need.

Endorsement: Merl Evans

States Attorney: Richard D. Fritz; Shane Mattingly

We believe both candidates in this race would do an excellent job as county commissioner. Merl Evans rose slightly above due primarily to his years of experience serving on the planning commission dealing with the most complicated portion of county government, land use. And his wide range of experience and contributions to many different organizations throughout the community. Over time, Evans has demonstrated his ability to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions that would be in the best interest of St. Mary’s County, rather than a few special interest groups. We always believe that the majority of folks stay silent on most issues hoping the elected officials will do the right thing. Evans has always shown he is willing to represent what he believes is in the best interest for the majority of citizens. Evans has paid his dues. He has spent many years contributing through public service and now has earned the right to bring that knowledge to the commissioner table. Tom Jarboe is a very well qualified candidate. He would bring a wealth of new ideas, most of which would need new funding. None the less, the potential payoff would be good. Jarboe is especially interested in helping new business get started, and brings a lot of ideas to the table with regards to leveraging the assets we have in the community. Jarboe’s concept to treat the Navy Alliance as a quasi-government agency for funding purposes is a long overdue concept and should be embraced by whoever becomes the next commissioners. There is no wrong candidate in this race and we hope both will find ways to continue to provide leadership to their community.

As in numerous other races, the citizens of St. Mary’s are fortunate to have two very good candidates to choose from for state’s attorney. Rick Fritz considers drugs to be a violent crime. Unfortunately, the state legislature does not see it that way, so Fritz has to be even more diligent in finding ways to combat the growing epidemic. He says his office is focused on putting violent criminals away, and he has the record to prove it. Fritz has a seasoned core of prosecutors working in his office, he understands their various skill sets and positions each one to their strengths so that the citizens are as well represented as the criminals. Fritz has earned the right to continue doing the work as the highest law enforcement officer in the county. Over the years he has handled nearly 50 homicide cases, 300 jury trials and over 1,000 drug dealer cases. If you commit a crime and need a defense lawyer, you want one with experience and a winning record. In the same way, when prosecuting those who commit the most violent crimes against us, we want a prosecutor who is experienced and wins, and Fritz fits that bill. While Shane Mattingly does not have the prosecutor experience that Fritz has, he is an excellent attorney and a very good candidate for this job. His four pillars are well thought out and provide a strategic platform, something not often seen in a race such as this. Especially interesting is his idea to establish a special fraud protection unit to deal with white collar crimes and crimes against senior citizens. There is no doubt Mattingly would bring new ideas to the office, but that does not mean they would all improve the service to the citizens. This is most likely Fritz’s last term, we believe taking advantage of his experience for four more years will pay off in the long run.

Endorsement: Richard D. Fritz

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

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The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

2014 Voter Information Guide Begins Here

Read Through Our Candidate Interviews to Help You to Make Informed Decisions at the Polls

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Congressional District 5

The County Times

Interview Questions: 1. If elected to Congress what is the single most important legislative initiative you want to see passed over the next four years? 2. The country’s economy continues to lag. What is your plan to reinvigorate the national economy and reduce the amount of government spending and debt? 3. Small businesses form the back bone of the nation’s economy. What is your plan to help foster small business growth and create jobs? 4. The Obamacare system continues to show flaws like policy cancellations and insurance companies and customers are complaining of rising costs. How do you propose to solve these problems? 5. The nation has been embroiled in two wars for about a decade in Afghanistan and Iraq and now we are seeing many gains dematerialize under the attacks from ISIS. How should the United States respond? Should we send in ground troops or continue airstrikes? Is there another option? 6. The administration has yet to stop air traffic from West Africa in the face of the Ebola epidemic. What should Congress do to help protect the United States from an outbreak of this or any other diseases that may be coming through our Southern border? 7. Illegal immigration is a continuing problem. How do we stem the tide of undocumented immigrants coming, which according to some reports leaves the border wide open to drug smuggling? 8. The Defense Department is facing continued cuts at a time when the country may need military options the most. What would you do if elected to bolster military spending? Are there any programs that could be cut as wasteful or any savings realized by efficiencies inside the Pentagon? Steny Hoyer

Age: 75 City: Mechanicsville Occupation: Congressman Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 25 Years

For a number of years now I’ve been focused on a bi-partisan effort… to get the country back on a fiscally sustainable path. If we do that it will enable us to address other issues facing our country and grow the economy.

Putting our country on a fiscally sustainable path and giving confidence to our consumers, stabilizing our spending posture that will be the single biggest stimulus we can give our economy. I have an agenda… that is about expanding manufacturing jobs and making sure we have a workforce that is able to expand those manufacturing jobs. We need to stop exporting jobs, but start exporting goods.

I’ve supported various tax credits to support small business, but that is best accomplished by growing the economy. I think raising the minimum wage is a big part of helping small businesses, putting more in consumers pockets.

The complaints… I’ve heard them for decades, they aren’t new. The costs have risen much less as a percentage increase over the last three years than they have in the past. So that’s progress. That does not mean that the Affordable Care Act is perfect… one of the things we need to do in a constructive way is to make sure the Affordable Care Act works better.

I believe the president is correct when he said that ISIS is… a threat to the United States and to the Western world in general. It must be confronted and it must be defeated. The world cannot countenance such [genocidal] behavior. We need to see boots on the ground but they need to be the ones who are in immediate danger from ISIS terror, the Iraqis themselves, the Saudis, the Turks and the Jordanians. [But avoiding putting American troops on the ground] may not be possible.

Clearly we need to marshal all the assets we have available to us to confront this threat of Ebola. While we need to protect ourselves at home, what we really need to do is eradicate it at its source… we need to be very attuned to ensuring that people don’t come into the country with Ebola.

We’ve had a substantial reduction over the last 10 years, but this summer we had a surge. It was a question of giving themselves up and seeking sanctuary from problems in their homelands. But America cannot be simply a place or destination for people just come to from all over the world. We need to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. The immigration system is broken. Our borders must be secure, you can’t come into the United States without authorization. They are more secure today than they have been.

I’ve been a very strong supporter of a strong national security and a strong armed forces since I was elected to Congress in 1981… that’s why I’m such a strong opponent of sequestration. That means we’re going to have to make choices among weapons systems, programs and personnel. There is no free lunch. If we want a strong national security we’re going to have to pay for it.

Chris Chaffee

Age: 53 City: Prince Frederick Occupation: Business Owner Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 20 Years

I would have to say we must get our borders under control. We’ve been talking about it way too long. And we have to move ahead to immigration reform.

2. We must do a joint effort between public and private businesses for tax reform immediately. Maryland’s is the 49th worst economy in the nation. How did we get there for an economy backed by the federal government? Our small businesses are being pushed out of Maryland. We have to get taxes under control and lift regulations. 3.

Less regulations is No. 1 and cutting taxes is No. 2, and making sure there is funding for these businesses is very important. It must come from private investment groups … but these banks are being over regulated by the federal government. These banks are just cutting [small businesses] off. It’s the federal regulations that are being put on these banks.

The Affordable Care Act does not work, it’s not affordable… It’s costing Americans way too much money. Does that mean we should throw the whole thing out and start with something new? I say yes. It’s OK for Congress to admit they made a mistake, but then fix it.

Unfortunately, there is no other option. We have to send in ground troops. ISIS is killing people that we promised to protect. If we’re going against our word it’s like going against our neighbor. Nobody likes war but it’ll get worse if we don’t stop it now.

The southern border needs to be shutdown, we need to move the military to the southern border to get it under control. The president is being irresponsible with this. As far as Africa is concerned… we have no control over what is happening over there. We have to stop the flights immediately.

If we move the military to the border that will shut the borders down. Both the Democrats and Republicans have dropped the ball and the president. We can’t give them amnesty… but we can find out who they are and make a system for them, possibly let them go home to see there families and let them come back the right way. Tax them. Right now they’re not being taxed. There’s a magnet drawing them here.

We must examine waste and fraud within the military. If we eliminate the waste and fraud we’ll find out we won’t need to cut anything.

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Maryland State Senate - 29 Interview Questions:

If elected, what would be your number one signature legislation that you would hope to have approved in the next four years? 2. Over the past eight years, we’ve seen a large number of tax increases. Do you feel the current tax level is sufficient to support future budget needs or would you recommend changes in the tax policy? 3. What areas of state government would you increase and decrease spending on? 4. How would you make Maryland more attractive to large businesses? How would you still maintain an atmosphere where small businesses can still thrive? 5. Last session, we saw a ban on assault rifles. Do you see further legislation limiting gun ownership and use in Maryland in an effort to curb rising crime in the state? 6. What type of legislation would you pass to curb the rising drug crime in the state? 7. What do you think is the highest education priority in the next session? What legislation would you propose to support it? 8. What do you think are the biggest transportation priorities in Southern Maryland? How would you work to secure funding for those in Annapolis? 9. Voters will be given a chance to vote on a referendum this November on a proposal to create a Lock Box restricting the use of transportation funds to only transportation projects, included in the legislation is a clause which allows a 2/3 vote of the senate and house to allow the lock box to be violated and allow the funds to be used other than for transportation projects. If the referendum passes, under what circumstances, if any, would you vote to allow transportation dollars to be used for projects other than transportation? 10. What plan do you have to secure jobs in Southern Maryland?

Roy Dyson

Age: 66 City: Great Mills Occupation: Senator Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 66 Years

1. I’m still working on the deer management problem. We have an overwhelming herd of deer and they’re destroying the farmers crops. I see that as an immediate need. And anything we can do to protect the existence of Pax River NAS, which is 80 percent of our economy. 2.

I didn’t vote for any of them. It gives the impression that Maryland is not business friendly. Just look at the tax free holidays, they are such a shot in the arm for our retailers and they are some of our most significant businesses outside of the military.

With deficits I don’t think you can look at the possibility of increasing anything.” Dyson said, however, that he was reluctant to consider decreasing education funding, especially when it came to providing for growth in St. Mary’s County. “No. 1 in my mind is education. We need more school construction here. I would like for Maryland to pay for the entire school construction program. That would get rid of the mobile classrooms.

Dyson said Maryland was already too focused on being attractive to large businesses and instead needed to do more for smaller entrepreneurs. “I would try to make Maryland more attractive to smaller businesses. If we’re to get out of this recession we have to promote our smaller businesses.” “Big business will come in here because of the base of our economy and that is the [Navy] base.”

5. Dyson said the legislation banning assault weapons has not affected crime in places like Baltimore, rather it was simply an empediment to gun owners’ rights who have to get fingerprinted to buy a handgun. “The gun legislation has not made any difference there. You have law-abiding people who are harassed more than anyone else but they’re going to do the right thing anyway. Guns are an easy target, they really are.” 6.

I would support that, I’m going to do anything I can to curb the problem,” Dyson said of mandatory sentences for convicted drug dealers but legislators needed to do more to strengthen laws on presciption medicine. “The law has not really caught up with that.”

Steve Waugh

Age: 50 City: Lusby Occupation: Engineer Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 10 Years

1. The most enduring priority is to reduce spending to cut taxes to grow jobs and the other is the repeal of SB 281. That has to be at the top of the list. It is a clear infringement of our Second Amendment rights. 2. I believe we’re on the back side of the power curb. We’ve overtaxed ourselves and are realizing lower revenues because the taxes are too high. The answer is to cut taxes and that will stimulate growth and increase revenues. 3.

Waugh said the government had to focus spending on key government services like transportation, education and public safety. “Those are the things government must do fully and must do first. The stuff that we like to do is where we start to trim.” Waugh also said he would cut bond bills for construction if there were no other way to cut spending, but admitted that would not be enough alone to cut the state’s deficit. “That’s not the longterm solution.” Stopping the Medicaid expansion, though, likely would make more of a deficit impact.

4. There are two significant burdens among many… this minimum wage is onerous. That was a really bad decision. The other part is the Obamacare implementation is changing… how small businesses have to give health care insurance. Changing the corporate tax policy would be one way to attract large businesses. Cutting it in half would make it more attractive to large businesses. Small business growth in the state is way down… and that’s concerning. 5.

I will fight everyday like a Marine on the beach for your Constitutional rights. It’s an important fight I’ve already drafted a repeal and have co-sponsors. Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown has explicitly stated he would expand SB 281 to include shotguns.

The answer lies in the aggressive enforcement of existing drug laws.” “The real problem is the explosion in heroin and we’re going to see that regularly come across our border.”

7. There’s a tremendous controversy over Common Core, it’s very controversial, some of our teachers’ associations don’t like it. I think we need to deemphasize some of the testing.

7. They [teachers and parents] all hate the Common Core; we have to do something to fix it but I don’t think we’ll get rid of it. The Common Core is too much of a stricture. The most important thing we can do for our students is set maximum class sizes and funding toward that.

The Thomas Johnson Bridge… for that we’re probably going to have to get federal help.

I probably would never do it unless we were in a worse recession than now. I endorse this idea, I like this idea. I want that money to go to my bridges and my roads.

10.

My plan starts with making sure we don’t have wind turbines on the Eastern Shore. That would clearly threaten the mission here at Pax River NAS. It’s been my life mission to protect it. That’s my No. 1 priority and it will continue to be.

The first priority is going to be getting our funding back. We used to get $8 milion, now we’re only getting $800,000 down here, and make sure we have the money to maintain the roads we have. I would argue passionately for the new Thomas Johnson Bridge. If we wait to get a failed inspection to fix it it will have disasterous consequences.

I cannot envision one… we’re already squandering money collected for transportation. There is no reason to take money out of it.

10.

Cut spending, cut taxes, grow jobs. It’s a simple formulation.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

Maryland House of Delegates - 29A Interview Questions: 1. If elected, what would be your number one signature legislation that you would hope to

have approved in the next four years? 2. Over the past eight years, we’ve seen a large number of tax increases. Do you feel the current tax level is sufficient to support future budget needs or would you recommend changes in the tax policy? 3. What areas of state government would you increase and decrease spending on? 4. How would you make Maryland more attractive to large businesses? How would you still maintain an atmosphere where small businesses can still thrive? 5. Last session, we saw a ban on assault rifles. Do you see further legislation limiting gun ownership and use in Maryland in an effort to curb rising crime in the state? 6. What type of legislation would you pass to curb the rising drug crime in the state? 7. What do you think is the highest education priority in the next session? What legislation would you propose to support it? 8. What do you think are the biggest transportation priorities in Southern Maryland? How would you work to secure funding for those in Annapolis? 9. Voters will be given a chance to vote on a referendum this November on a proposal to create a Lock Box restricting the use of transportation funds to only transportation projects, included in the legislation is a clause which allows a 2/3 vote of the senate and house to allow the lock box to be violated and allow the funds to be used other than for transportation projects. If the referendum passes, under what circumstances, if any, would you vote to allow transportation dollars to be used for projects other than transportation? 10. What plan do you have to secure jobs in Southern Maryland?

Dan Slade

Age: 41 City: Leonardtown Occupation: Lawyer/Business Owner Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 41 Years

We are over taxed and over regulated in Maryland and it’s adversely affecting the business environment, we need to change the attitude in Annapolis. We need to diversify the economy here. We need to develop commercial applications on the unmanned aerial vehicles and light manufacturing. We need to ensure that we work at the state, federal and local level that we get this done in the next four years so we can ensure not only our economical stability, but we can ensure the future for our kids.

2. We’re overtaxed and we have a spending problem in Maryland. We’re always running with a structure

deficit and we have to stop that. We have to stop raising taxes. We actually have to lower taxes for the economic stability of the state so we don’t keep losing businesses.

3. We need to increase spending in transportation. We have a bridge that needs to be replaced; we need to have that for stability. We have to increase on investment in transportation and infrastructure so we can meet our needs going forward. We need a vision ensuring we can have adequate transportation. We also have to spend money in education; it’s no longer a local economy or a national economy, it’s a global economy and we need to have digital classrooms so our kids are ready to be the next world leaders. It’s streamlining government. It is cutting out some social programs; it’s nice to have social programs, but we can’t afford to raise other people’s children, we have to ensure they have the best education, food in their bellies and go forward. Welfare should not be a lifestyle; it should be a helping hand. 4.

Let’s get some high tech jobs here that will be careers not only for us, but also for our children. We need to cut the corporate tax rate just to keep our local businesses survivability up and we need to invite businesses here. We need to have development areas. We have space for them in our development districts, we need to expand on that and invite these manufacturing companies in to build high-tech stuff, I’m talking about unmanned aerial vehicles. We need to focus our energy on developing that technology so we have commercial application. We have to lower our regulations; we have to cut back on taxes and we need to help our local businesses.

5. I would repeal the assault weapon ban. The next issue I see in the next legislative session is probably going to be dealing with people with mental health issues and only a very small percentage of those folks are a threat to public safety. You hear the horrible stories and that’s why we get bad legislation. We want to protect our children, but we have a constitutional right to bear arms. We have to enforce the laws in the books that punish people who supply criminals with firearms and when they use a weapon in a crime of violence they go to prison and that’s where they stay. I would write better legislation that would help keep the guns from people with the mental health illness. 6.

I know this issue pretty well and one year I lost 11 clients all under the age of 30 to opiates. I was the president of the Board of Directors at the Marcy House for five years, which was the premiere facility in the state; it dealt with people dually diagnosed. It didn’t cost much and it saved lives. This is a public health and safety issue. We need to expand our role in the drug epidemic. We have prisons; people who commit crimes are going to prison, but people who have an addiction need to be treated and we need to take a stronger approach. It’s cheaper to put them in rehab than it is to put them in jail. We need to focus on getting these people the treatment they need so they can be productive, taxpaying members of society. The ones who commit crimes, they can get treatment through the prison system.

Matt Morgan

Age: 41 City: Mechanicsville Occupation: Lead Tech CSM/Realtor Political Affiliation: Republican Length of District Residency: 15 Years

“Tax cuts to small businesses, pass through entities like LLCs. Relive the tax burden on the job creators.”

“I would recommend changes in the tax policy. We’ve had over 40 different tax increases and one thing that has done is drive businesses and families out of this state. We need to rein in spending and roll those taxes back one at a time. Now I’d be ultimately for and what most Republicans would like is clean legislation and what I mean by that is cross the board tax cuts to either the income tax or down to corporate income tax rate, but what I feel is going to have to happen is, they raised it a nickel at a time and you’re going to have to take it back a nickel at a time. I’ll take any tax cut for whatever reason possible because I know that people are better off with their own money in their own hands than in the governments hands. We need an income tax because we need to start rewarding people that work. I mean when you penalize people that work and reward people that don’t work you tend to get more people not working. So we need to incentivize work from that point we need to focus on businesses. The solution for state government because state government gets 27 percent of their revenue from federal government, which is income tax and they get 22 percent revenue from state income tax, so the more people we have working the better off state government is financially. We need to start putting in policies that enables businesses to hire people and expand.”

“I would like to overall limit the increase in state government to no more than the cost of inflation. So this year is 1.1 and a half inflation government as a whole should not have grown more than 1.1 and a half percent. I would like to increase money for mental health. Some of that was suppose to be tied to the alcohol tax increase and I believe the percentage of that money they promised never got there from that, that’s one of the dedicated funds we need to lock box.”

4. “We have to look at the health care cost. I think that’s a major problem for large businesses and my theory is majority of the people want health care what’s stopping them from getting health care is the cost so if we made it cheaper more people would have it. As far as bigger employment – we did lighten the load on taxes as far as like the Rain Tax it is very detrimental to big stores with big parking lots. Storm water management is another astronomical regulation that’s in the way of job growth. It’s going to be tough at the state level because you’re hamstringed by federal regulation, but we need to concentrate on a way to increase the amount of insurers that we have in the state. It’s just like supply and demand, if you had more insurers the rates would come down, basically I think we’re locked into two, Carefirst. So the prices are going to go up because there are no other options out there, but we need to concentrate on private options, not the expansion of Medicaid.” 5. “Yes, I see further gun legislation that I won’t be supporting because I believe that guns in the hands of legal gun owners actually reduces the rate of crime. I believe there’s an assault on our second amendment rights. You start seeing the legislation from Delegate Conway last year that actually requires you the duty to retreat in your own home if someone breaks in. I believe that legislation like that is against human nature and it should be stopped. There’s a study on the feasibility of putting GPS devices inside handguns, I believe that’s a waste of money.” 6. Curb immigration crisis, users need treatments, parents need education and dealers need long jail sentences. I would like to give the judges discretion, but if mandatory sentences would curb it then I would support it.

8. One is the bridge, I know it’s not in my district, but we have to have the bridge for the stability of the naval base and for economic diversity; we need to have better transportation there. I would work with the Maryland Transportation Authority to ensure that we get put right on track and at the top of the list because the longer we wait the more expensive it’s going to be. I’d work with state highway to improve our infrastructure here with what we have.

8. Securing funding is the number one problem; we need to make sure there is a lock box on transportation funding. We’re getting a billion dollar increase in funding as a result of the gas tax and we still haven’t restored local government funding.

We have to do everything in our power to increase higher education. Our children need to have higher education to have phenomenal jobs. I’m going to work with every piece of legislation that gets us a better education system here because it is going to help our economy.

None, that’s an investment in our future. We cannot allow our infrastructure to continually fail. That transportation money is in that trust for a reason to pay for our infrastructure to give us a new bridge, to help with these road projects, to relieve congestion.

10. We need to diversify our economy to secure jobs here; we can’t rely on the federal government. I want to ensure that we have enough economic stability here, from not only the military side but also a commercial, civilian application. I’m talking about high-tech, high paying careers here and if we can do that, not only are they going to be protected, but our kids are going to be protected. Closing Statements: I was born here, raised here and educated here. As a young boy my parents taught me the reason why you get involved in your community is to make it a better place. It’s now time my generation steps up and makes sure we have a future not only for ourselves, but for our children. I have no political agenda; I’m going to go up there and write legislation.

By making competition we can lower tuition rates. I’m concerned about higher tuition rates. I want CSM accredited as four-year colleges especially in specialized skills like nursing and IT and that wouldn’t cost a lot of money to get CSM accredited.

9. It would have to be an actual crisis, some type of natural disaster, Ebola, and environmental disaster like a spill. Other than that we should only use the money for transportation and if there is too much money then we should send the money back to the taxpayers. 10.

We need to incentivize businesses in Southern Maryland. We need to look at the storm water management regulations and make it easier for businesses to be able to build. Voters can know I will fight for them, even after the battle is lost, I will fight for voters. Voters can trust I can fight for them.

Closing Statements: I am a conservative Republican and I have a long successful history of fighting against bad legislation. To that end, over the past several years, I have worked to collect petitions that would allow voters to overturn bad legislation coming out of Annapolis. The public can trust me that my words are not just election year rhetoric. I hope that my track records gives voters the confidence and trust in me to know that I will work tirelessly to represent the values of St. Mary’s County and will fight for the priorities important to our community. I live, work, and am raising my family in St. Mary’s County; I am fully invested in this community and want what’s best for our area.

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Maryland House of Delegates - 29B Interview Questions:

John Bohanan

Deb Rey

Age: 56 City: California Occupation: Delegate Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 56 Years

1. First is going to be a continuation of the reduction in the state tax and we have a multi-year approach. We had a lot of push back within the Democratic caucus so I want to make sure we provide some leadership and get that bill through. 2. We have just gone through a $405 million write down, but we’re going to be able to manage through

that without any tax increases. We’ve maintained our AAA bond rating, I believe as we start seeing casino revenues come on board that we’re going to be able to actually lower some of the income taxes that we’ve done, but we’re not there. I think we went overboard in the income tax increases that we did and that’s at the upper level. You have to keep in mind 91% of our residents in St. Marys haven’t had an income tax increase, the perception is that they have, but we actually reduced it in 1998 and have not increased at all, but the upper income we definitely need to reduce.

Age: 47 City: Lexington Park Occupation: Retired Military Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 5 Years

1. I want to repel the Firearm Safety Act of 2013 so we go back to not being an anti-gun owner state. The Firearm Safety Act did nothing to improve public safety. 2.

Definitely recommend changes in the tax policy and one of the things we have to do is prioritize spending. We did it in the military. You got a budget, you got a certain amount of dollars and you put your priories down and you say ‘okay, these are my priorities, here’s the line this is what falls below the line if we get more money then we start going with what’s below the line. I want to repel that gas tax increase because I don’t like the fact that they tied the gas tax to inflation and I don’t like having the sales tax on there. I do understand having to have taxes on it to pay for the roads and the infrastructure and I’m fine with that, but to tie it to inflation, where the legislature and the governor never has to take another action to increase taxes on gas, I think is a wrong thing to do. The rain tax needs to be repealed. The septic tax should be repealed as well.

Higher Ed. has become more of our principal economic engines in the state so I want to maintain robust funding there. For K-12, I’m not sure adding more money is going to make it any better. We need accountability there. We need to take a good hard scrub and look at some of the existing functions that we perform and make sure they’re still relevant and when they’re not, we need to end those.

3. I would not increase spending. I’m not looking to increase spending at all in the state government. I think we spend too much so the thing would be to cut spending. I don’t want to see the state education office put in more overheads; I definitely want that money to go to the students and the classroom.

4. One of the things that we’ve heard repeatedly is good transportation and a well-educated workforce are two very important ingredients for large businesses and start-ups. We’re going to take a good hard look at things like the corporate income tax, but I’d say we’re more likely to look at some exemptions for past through income as a way to help small and medium sized businesses in our state.

4. I truly believe if we cut taxes the businesses come back, whether you’re cutting the corporate tax rate, income tax, I love to see income tax cut, if you bring those down people would want to come back and invest in Maryland regardless what business level it is. We need to cut some of the regulations on business to help them be successful.

5. I don’t. I voted against it, I worked hard to actually moderate some of the provisions and as Beretta pointed out, the house version ended up better than the senate version, I worked on that. That’s not a solution and if anything, if we’re successful, roll back some of the provisions of that owners gun bill.

5. If the people in Maryland don’t elect people to stop that then yes I see them going after additional firearms. I see them going after the ammunition and it won’t curb crime. It just won’t because the lawabiding citizens will abide by the law, the criminals won’t and the criminals will always find a way and that’s why I liked to see it repealed, the Firearm Safety Act. The Firearm Safety Act made you paid to exercise your second amendment rights and from my understanding there’s no other right that we have to pay to exercise.

6. We need some focus brought on it at the state level. Sometimes instead of looking for a bill you just need to make sure leadership rolls up the shirtsleeves and provides some focus and energy and with the incoming administration, we have the opportunity for a fresh start and some fresh energy and ideas to begin tackling the problem. We really need to address it. 7. Education priority for me is going to be continued emphasis on higher education. We got to make sure we have a work force that meets the requirements of companies and the kind of jobs that we’re producing. K-12, there will be an effort to expand pre-k and some other things in K-12, we need to make sure we can afford it before we get too far and we need to make sure that we have the kind of results that we deserve after more than doubling K-12 spending over the last eight years. 8.

For Southern Maryland, obviously the Thomas Johnson Bridge is my own priority because it’s my county, but we also have the Harry Nice Bridge being replaced. There are many relative small improvements that need to be made and I’m working hard to make sure those projects are funded. We now have a plan to fund the final segment of Route 5 to Point Lookout Road to widen that stretch. We have a project upgrade going on at Route 4 and 235 that I believe will relive some of the congestion or some of the backup on 235. The bridge is not going to be done right away so we got to look at some short-term solutions. I supported the new revenues for the gas tax; I now expect us to get our fair share and when I’ve asked, they’ve responded.

9. The fact is since I’ve been there, which is 1999, we’ve not used any transportation funds for anything other than transportation. I can’t imagine any scenario in which we would do that. There is a belief that we have raided that fund and not repaid it, I could get you the numbers that show we had more than repaid everything that came out of there. I will be supporting the amendment on referendum; we need to be transparent and very clear about how much we’re spending. We want to ensure that money is absolutely spent for the purchase for which it’s designed. 10. Diversification of our economy, less dependence on the federal government as our sole provider and that’s in all three counties, particularly here in St. Marys. We need to build the private sector and we need to begin making things. We need to take advantage of what any community in the country would die for, which is the almost $40 billion that flows through Pax and we need to capture more of it and keep it here for manufacturing purposes. We need to start building things and putting our people to work and we are now in the process of creating some jobs that are related to that. Closing Statements: I’m now in a position on appropriations to bring a lot of projects to our area. I see how we should be tapping more into the state resources for education and economic development and we haven’t done that. I want to lead the way in making sure we do that to create more jobs in our region as the federal government or the growth particularly at Pax River flattens or may even decline.

6. On this topic, I would need to talk to people smarter than me in this area on that. We would definitely want to look at other states to see what they’ve done, if they’ve been successful with it and to go from there. The whole drug situation is a topic that really needs a lot of public discussion, when they changed the laws on marijuana I thought they did it prematurely without a public discussion because I think there has to be more that goes into it than just changing the law, you have to look at the other end too. 7.

The highest education priority should be looking at Common Core and really determining if is it working or does it need to be stopped, repealed, adjusted. When your child bring homes math homework you were never taught, I know I wasn’t taught that way, and it says common core right on top then it’s more than just the standard, it is the basis of the education. Common Core has never been proven to work and the standards were accepted in Maryland before they were even completed being written.

8. The biggest one in the region is the bridge, getting a new Thomas Johnson bride, getting that replaced. I’d worked with the other Southern Maryland delegation to make that not only a region priority, but also work to make it a state priority. You have to go door to door to your fellow delegates and senators and explain to them why that is a critical node here in Southern Maryland. Down in District 29B is the Great Mills Corridor. 9. It should only be in emergency situations, but those emergency situations I can think of, a health crisis. Other crisis I would think is more along the lines of a natural disaster, but even then those are probably going toward transportation issues. 10. Lower taxes. It’s really funny to hear everybody talk about diversifying the jobs, but they bring in the same kind of jobs that are on the base, it’s like you’re bringing in business, which is great, but I don’t see that as diversifying jobs because it’s the same skill set needed behind the gate and outside the gate. I was lucky enough to sit in on a presentation about eCycling, which is breaking it down to its smallest components and making it a commodity (gold, platinum, silver, plastics) again and you sell them again on the commodities market. This type of recycling requires little to no skills and they’re good, paying jobs…that’s diversification of a economy. If I could work and bring companies here for that, that’s what I want to do. Closing Statements: I have really enjoyed running for office and the best part of it has been meeting the people. I really want to make Southern Maryland a better place to live, a less expensive place to live and I’m going to work hard for them. I want to, while session is going on, have a town session meeting every other week and give a briefing and say these are the bills I’m working on, here’s how I’m going to vote, give me feedback and what do you need me to work on and I’m going to be very accessible to the people so they don’t have to come to Annapolis to try and find me.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

Maryland House of Delegates - 29C Interview Questions: 1. If elected, what would be your number one signature legislation that you would hope to

Leonard Zuza

Age: 72 City: Lusby Occupation: Retired Federal Employee Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 10 years, 30 years as a property owner

1. Zuza’s number one priority is to move the design, engineering and replacement of the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge along. He intends to have it shovel ready as soon as possible. 2. Zuza intends to use his 23 years of experience in budget management to find waste and inefficiencies in the budget. He wants to meet with program heads to find out if their programs are meeting their goals. Any money he finds would be reinvested in the budget toward programs that are underfunded. 3. Zuza wants to look at the budget in depth before deciding where to increase and decrease spending. 4.

This is a matter Zuza has given a lot of thought to. Regulations are throttling small businesses and preventing big businesses, and some of the problem comes from the way officials and government employees interpret the regulations. Zuza wants to review regulations and find ways to protect both business and the environment and create a more flexible system for citizens to grow their businesses.

5. Zuza doesn’t see a need for additional regulations on guns. Instead, he recommends studying how well existing regulations are working. Some existing regulations may be unenforceable because there is so much paperwork involved, he said. 6. Zuza has years of experience as an analyst and plans to use that to take a serious look at the drug problem. Drug use is as much a health as a criminal problem, and it may make a difference to treat addicts as individuals with mental health problems and not criminals. He wants to work with the Tri County Council and other organizations to find ways to stem drug use. 7.

He believes the idea of starting children in pre-Kindergarten and building upon each consecutive year, is a good one, but he is concerned that the Common Core State Standards were implemented, believing it may have been too much too fast. He would want to look at the current system and find ways to improve upon it.

8. Zuza has been focusing part of his campaign on his first priority - the Governor Thomas Johnson bridge. He has witnessed and been involved in numerous traffic jams involving the bridge, and believes the bridge and associated access roads are economic matters – when business owners get tied up in bridge traffic, it costs them money. His second priority is Cove Point Road, which he said needs to be widened with shoulders. He has been campaigning by bicycle and there is nowhere to ride safely on Cove Point Road, he said. He would want to look at a lock box so funds can be accumulated for transportation projects. 9.

Zuza supports the referendum, believing there is a need to designate funds while retaining flexibility when faced with genuine crisis or emergency. He would oppose the appropriation of funds in anything short of a true emergency, such as a hurricane. As a professional budgeter, one needs to be more responsive to voters. When a tax has been levied, the reason needs to be clear and the money needs to be used for that reason.

10. “Education, education, education and, in case that doesn’t work, education.” Zuza is aware of the efforts of companies in St. Mary’s County, mainly defense contractors to find civilian applications for their technology. “We need an educated workforce here to support their desire to expand,” Zuza said. He would look to reinforce education in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties and regional higher education efforts, such as the College of Southern Maryland and the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center to offer classes that support employers in the area. Small businesses are the real job generators, Zuza said, and he would look at tax credits for narrowly focused, high tech startup businesses. “I think the combination of a trained workforce and an enlightened approach to taxes is something that will give small businesses the incentive to set up operations here,” Zuza said. The area has several advantages, including the St. Mary’s County Regional Airport, which could become part of building a multi-billion dollar industry in the region. Closing Statements: Zuza said he is more of an analyst than an idealog. He intends to rely on analysis and factual input to make decisions. He is committed to the environment, and wants to find a balanced approach to business growth and environmental preservation. As the president of the Southern Maryland Oyster Cultivation Society, he was able to leverage money and work with people from both sides of the aisle to accomplish his goal.

Tony O’Donnell

Age: 53 City: Lusby Occupation: Legislator Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 27 Years

1. O’Donnell believes Lily’s Law will rise to the top of his list this year. The bill is names for Lily Smith, a child in Leonardtown born with Krabbé Leukodystrophy. If the condition had been screened for at birth, instead of when symptoms presented, she could have been treated. Her parents appealed to O’Donnell to get it put on the list of conditions newborns are screened for. The bill dies in the 2014 legislative session, and O’Donnell plans to make it a priority in 2015. 2.

Taxes have been increased to quench an everlasting thirst for money, O’Donnell said. All manner of taxes, including increases in the gas and alcohol taxes, the creation of the rain tax and higher toll rates, have driven businesses and people out of the state. The government needs to cut back on the rate of growth of spending, O’Donnell said, and view businesses as a source of jobs and not a source of revenue. If the government tempers tax policy, businesses will remain in the state and revenues will continue to grow.

There is a need for across the board evaluations of spending. O’Donnell proposed limiting the rate of growth for spending to one or two percent, not the four to five percent rate it has been. This is not the time for big, new spending programs, such as a mandatory pre-kindergarten program. Maryland is in debt, he said, and it would be wise to hold back the rate of growth. What some in government call a cut is usually still an increase over the previous budget, O’Donnell said, it is just not as much of an increase as some planned on. There has been a history of “outrageous budget management,” O’Donnell said.

There needs to be a reasonable implementation of the state policies for small businesses, O’Donnell said. Right now, small business owners feel like they’re under the government’s thumb, which is a disincentive for them to expand. “If you talk to the small business guy, he’s being crushed,” O’Donnell said. He encourages the elimination of the Business Personal Property Tax, which would help small and large businesses alike.

5. O’Donnell has an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association. He is a strong supporter and advocate for constitutional rights, he said, but the bills passed in recent years have given people false hope. They have done little to stem violence in the state, which is home to one of the most dangerous cities in the country. There needs to be a greater focus on mental health and school security, he said. “The worst a government can do is offer false hope.” 6.

During the last legislative session, O’Donnell presented a bill that would have begun to address the heroin rate in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. It would have created a taskforce of Health Officers, law enforcement, teachers, delegates, treatment specialists and community members to find creative, out-of-the-box ways to address drug use and create a comprehensive strategy. The strategy would have included treatment, communications and outreach components. It was killed by local health officers, O’Donnell said, because they believed it was redundant.

7. The state needs to get a handle on graduation rates, O’Donnell said. Some jurisdictions have very low rates. Calvert and St. Mary’s counties have good graduation rates, but there is always room for improvement, O’Donnell said. Maryland is rated among the best states for education, but O’Donnell warned that is deceiving. More than 60 percent of students going to the College of Southern Maryland need some form of remediation, he said. He advocates for transparency from the Board of Education, the Board of County Commissioners and the government in general. 8. The Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge tops the list, O’Donnell said. Governor Bob Ehrlich got the project for a replacement bridge initial funding, but under the Governor Martin O’Malley administration, transportation funds have been raided over and over, and projects other than the red and purple lines have dried up. He recommends putting one of the mass transit projects on hold to get the replacement bridge, which will serve Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Dominion Cove Point and Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Plant, underway. 9.

O’Donnell lobbied to make the bill stronger, because those funds are currently raided by a 2/3 majority every year. He fought for language that would have mandated the governor declaring a fiscal emergency before the funds could be used. “It’s a lock box that can be picked very easily,” O’Donnell said.

10.

O’Donnell has a three step approach to securing jobs. The first step is securing approval of the liquefied natural gas facility at Dominion Cove Point, which will create thousands of jobs. The second step is to expand the St. Mary’s County regional airport. The third step is to change tax and regulation policy and get businesses into the Patuxent Businesses Park in Lusby.

Closing Statements: O’Donnell believes there is a need for balanced representation, which he can provide. He works with delegates and representatives from all parties in the best interests of his constituents.

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

County Commissioner President Interview Questions: 1. If elected, what would be your number one signature legislation which you would hope to have

approved over the next four years? 2. Considering the recent decrease in average household income in St. Mary’s which will most likely affect future income tax revenue, do you believe property tax rates and income tax rates are adequate to serve the future needs of county government? 3. St. Mary’s County per pupil funding for public education has fallen from 15th in the state in 2006 to 24th, last in the state today. Do you believe the current funding level for K-12 public education is sufficient and if not, what do you believe needs to happen? 4. What role should county government play in transportation needs for St. Mary’s and what county government projects do you support or oppose moving forward? 5. Do you support the Sherriff’s department request for expansion and upgrades to the county detention center, and what role can county government play in reducing the cycle of re-incarceration? 6. Do you feel the county’s development districts and town centers are sized and zoned sufficient to support the county’s growth with respect to providing for the needs of our employers including PAX River Naval Base and the diversification of our economy? 7. How would you reconcile property owner’s rights to develop new projects using public water and sewer with the property rights of nearby residents who want to keep their own wells and septic systems? 8. County government offers a limited amount of funding assistance to local nonprofits, do you support the current level of funding and if not what would you change? 9. Many people believe that local drug treatment programs and other social mediation programs are insufficient and not held to an acceptable accountability level. Some would argue this is due to a non-competitive environment where almost all state and local monies go to a single provider of services. Are you concerned about this and what are you planning to do as commissioner to better manage this? 10. St. Mary’s County government spends less per citizen for services provided than any other county in the Washington, Baltimore region, including Southern Maryland. How does this affect the long term ability to provide for a better quality of life, including education, transportation, law enforcement, recreation and so forth. How do you plan to address this issue?

Jack Russell

Age: 71 City: St. George Island Occupation: President of BOCC Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 71 Years

1. The success of the University of Maryland unmanned air systems coming here and strengthening our educational system… bring in an element of manufacturing into St. Mary’s County. I see that as a big deal for us. 2. I think they are. We haven’t increased any local tax rates over the last eight years. We’ve done belt tightening, we’ve streamlined county government. I’m not looking to raise taxes. I think we can work within our means.

3. It’s all a balancing act and how you allocate the resources. We increased our budget to the schools by about $7 million, that was $3 million above maintenance of effort. I think we adequately fund education. I think we do decently by our schools. 4. We’ve tried to leverage our office to get as much blacktop on St. Mary’s County roads from state highway. We’re going to look with Charles County at a conceptual rapid bus transit. FDR Boulevard is an integral part of our existing transportation package. 5. We’ve taken $100,000 and addressed it to the health department and they’ve

Randy Guy

Age: 67 City: Clements Occupation: Retired Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 67 Years

1. What I’m for is quality of life for all of our people. I really don’t have a signature piece of legislation other than improve economic development and a thorough plan for the Lexington Park Development Districting Master Plan. We don’t have a plan for Charlotte Hall either and we need to do that. 2. Real estate values are down. To maintain what we have is going to be tough. We have to look at spending. I really don’t believe in raising taxes, I think we’re taxing our people enough. We really need to look at senior taxation, that needs to be held down so we can keep more retirees here.

3. We’ve met maintenance of effort plus. Do we need to spend more? I firmly believe 100 percent in spending for education that is our primary responsibility is providing for the education of children. This country was built on good education. 4. I’d like to continue working on our town centers, that’s where the bulk of people who may not be able to afford transportation live… we need to concentrate on better transportation and that may mean for more resources going to STS buses. I’m still not totally sold on FDR Boulevard.

come up with five innovative approaches to stem drug use. A lot of it is educational and some of it is putting narcan and noxilone in the hands of sheriffs deputies and EMS providers. I supported expansion of the detention center. Now is the time. When the new board convenes it’s time to look at a new package, which might include a stand alone facility.

5. I don’t think the county can do anything [about reducing the cycle of recidivism] it’s go-

6. This is a work in progress. We’re going to soon finish [the development district plan] in Lexington Park and then we’re going to go on to Charlotte Hall and implement a master plan up there.

economy. Tourism probably is another thing we need to look at. We need to diversify more. I think they’re [development districts] zoned sufficiently, but we need to focus on town centers for the placement of water and sewer and we need to look tightly at that.

7. That is a policy we’re going to come close to resolving. It’s been suggested

7. We need to get better control of MetCom… To punish someone just because another

that somebody have an extended period of time before they have to hook up. It’s a work in progress, but this is where we’re going to have to take a big bite out of the bullet beyond what he said and she said about who has to hook up.

8. We were lucky to keep funding at around 2012 funding. I’d like to see our level of funding for non profits jacked up some but we need three votes.

9. We’ve got another drug treatment facility coming in. Walden has done a tremendous job over its life span of 40 years. We really can’t fault Walden Sierra for someone not putting one together [before now.]

10. We need to make our communities more appealing to businesses. That’s the key. We’ve got to try to address the quality of life. Probably we don’t tax our people enough when you get right down to it.

ing to be up to law enforcement and the judicial system to decide who goes to jail and how long they’ll be incarcerated. But if there’s a need for a new jail I’d support a new jail. It boils down to economics. Will it cost us more to keep the inmates in the county or out.

6. We need to stay closely in touch with the base because the base is 80 percent of our

subdivision needs sewer, I think it’s totally stepping on property rights. Right now we have very little control.

8. I know we have $5 or $6 million we give out to the local non-profits. They are a second priority as far as I’m concerned. I’m very active in the Lion’s Club and the American Legion in Avenue, we don’t have any government funding. We raise our own money and we give tens of thousands of dollars away every year.

9. It is a big problem [drug addiction.] [Drug abuse] is devastating to lives. Whatever we can do to turn lives around I’m all for it. I would think we need more than one [treatment provider.]

10. The only way you could spend more is to raise taxes and I’m not for that. The quality of life in St. Mary’s County is pretty darned good. I’m against raising taxes and fees.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

County Commissioner - Dist. 1

Interview Questions: 1. If elected, what would be your number one signature legislation which you would hope to have ap-

proved over the next four years? 2. Considering the recent decrease in average household income in St. Mary’s which will most likely affect future income tax revenue, do you believe property tax rates and income tax rates are adequate to serve the future needs of county government? 3. St. Mary’s County per pupil funding for public education has fallen from 15th in the state in 2006 to 24th, last in the state today. Do you believe the current funding level for K-12 public education is sufficient and if not, what do you believe needs to happen? 4. What role should county government play in transportation needs for St. Mary’s and what county government projects do you support or oppose moving forward? 5. Do you support the Sherriff’s department request for expansion and upgrades to the county detention center, and what role can county government play in reducing the cycle of re-incarceration? 6. Do you feel the county’s development districts and town centers are sized and zoned sufficient to support the county’s growth with respect to providing for the needs of our employers including PAX River Naval Base and the diversification of our economy? 7. How would you reconcile property owner’s rights to develop new projects using public water and sewer with the property rights of nearby residents who want to keep their own wells and septic systems? 8. County government offers a limited amount of funding assistance to local nonprofits, do you support the current level of funding and if not what would you change? 9. Many people believe that local drug treatment programs and other social mediation programs are insufficient and not held to an acceptable accountability level. Some would argue this is due to a non-competitive environment where almost all state and local monies go to a single provider of services. Are you concerned about this and what are you planning to do as commissioner to better manage this? 10. St. Mary’s County government spends less per citizen for services provided than any other county in the Washington, Baltimore region, including Southern Maryland. How does this affect the long term ability to provide for a better quality of life, including education, transportation, law enforcement, recreation and so forth. How do you plan to address this issue?

Merl Evans

Age: 63 City: Tall Timbers Occupation: Evans Enterprises, Inc. Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 63 Years

1. That would allow us to do a better job in the diversification of our economy. Whatever legislation required to allow the airport to expand is important. I think unmanned aerial vehicles are a great thing. It’s going to be required. We can’t continue to put all our eggs in one basket. 2. Yes, they are adequate. I have no interest in raising taxes. Clearly when those revenues come, you’ll look at them and live within your means. 3. Is that where we want to be? Absolutely not. The county contribution makes us 15th. The success of St. Mary’s County… is strictly because of the teachers. Should there be a commitment by the county to do a better job? There should be. 4. With regards to transportation, with regards to infrastructure we’re behind in that. I support the construction of FDR Boulevard. Some believe that money is poorly spent, I don’t believe that. I believe there’s opportunities for commercial expansion on FDR Boulevard.

5. I support the expansion. The upgrades are necessary; they have to fix the deficiencies in that building. The need for space for education needs for the inmates there is hugely important. We’re seeing an increase in the number of female detainees. We need to accommodate that need. I don’t know how you address that [reducing recidivism among inmates] but by education.

6. We haven’t done a very good job committing to them [development districts.] “All

Tom Jarboe

Age: 45 City: St. Mary’s City Occupation: International Trade Consultant Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 45 Years

1. That would be to open some business incubation in St. Mary’s County. That’s what you need to excite business development in the county.

2. I do believe they are adequate. I do believe in constant yield [for property taxes]. I do see a shortfall and that’s driven by defense cuts and they’re taking it out on defense contractors. The issue is we’re so dependent on the base that we’re not growing a business base. 3. If you look at the county funding we’re in the middle of the pack and people blame the commissioners all day long. If you want to point fingers do it to the state and federal government. They have woefully under funded St. Mary’s County education. 4. I support the continuation and the completion of FDR Boulevard. We’ve looked

at report cards from previous BRAC rounds [base realignment and closure] and one thing they really look at is road infrastructure. You’re going to have to work with some of the feeder roads we can fix to bleed off pressure [from Route 5 and Route 235.]

5. The idea to do only renovations is a waste of money. We should be proactively

looking to make the repairs now. It’s just a bad facility.” “What drives crime? Drug abuse is a huge one. The No. 1 thing they can do is support the Walden Sierras of the community.

the easy stuff is done. Now we have some difficulty with what you build and how you build. I don’t believe the infrastructure is adequate to support more development there.

6. I think it would be prudent to take another look at how we do zoning. Look at where community centers make sense, you need to draw circles and see what we need for those communities and then try to get the best prices. for land.

7. To have viable villages and town centers you’re going to have to have a commitment to service areas. People will hook up to water and sewer. Most people aren’t opposed to hooking up they’re opposed to the cost of it. Evans said that forward funding for hook ups could help defray costs and residents could pay it back as part of their bills over a period of years. “Leadership is about service… you do the right thing.

7. If you’re looking at the long term strategic approach you need to build the infrastructure and it’s going to require people to hook up who have good septic systems right now.

8. If not for volunteers the county would be in woeful condition. I view non-profits

and volunteers as a wonderful way to make the county better. It [funding] is adequate… I believe there might be other opportunities. What we need to do is take them on a case by case basis and the money we spend we have to account for to the tax payers.

9. The level of money… is probably not adequate. If I find a single source that does the work well and does it economically and efficiently I tend to gravitate to that person. Do I look beyond that from time to time? I do. 10. Because we don’t reach pay parity with other counties… a lot of it goes to other places. They follow the money. We simply need to do a better job of that.

8. The current level of funding is fiscally prudent given the budget they have. It

just boggles my mind that the Navy Alliance is treated like a non-profit. The do more for economic development than any other non-profit. They should be more adequately funded to complete their mission.

9. I don’t think there’s adequate funding… I’ve heard of many people being turned

away from services because they don’t have the resources to handle it and sometimes people go off, disappear and sometimes its’ a very tragic ending. Competition is great, it drives down costs.

10. It’s a long term solution. You have to improve the [local] economy, become less dependent on federal dollars and create a good environment for business growth. The rest will follow. You’re not going to solve your social ills until you grow your economy. It takes money.

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

County Commissioner - Dist. 2 Interview Questions: 1. If elected, what would be your number one signature legislation which you would hope to

have approved over the next four years? 2. Considering the recent decrease in average household income in St. Mary’s which will most likely affect future income tax revenue, do you believe property tax rates and income tax rates are adequate to serve the future needs of county government? 3. St. Mary’s County per pupil funding for public education has fallen from 15th in the state in 2006 to 24th, last in the state today. Do you believe the current funding level for K-12 public education is sufficient and if not, what do you believe needs to happen? 4. What role should county government play in transportation needs for St. Mary’s and what county government projects do you support or oppose moving forward? 5. Do you support the Sherriff’s department request for expansion and upgrades to the county detention center, and what role can county government play in reducing the cycle of re-incarceration? 6. Do you feel the county’s development districts and town centers are sized and zoned sufficient to support the county’s growth with respect to providing for the needs of our employers including PAX River Naval Base and the diversification of our economy? 7. How would you reconcile property owner’s rights to develop new projects using public water and sewer with the property rights of nearby residents who want to keep their own wells and septic systems? 8. County government offers a limited amount of funding assistance to local nonprofits, do you support the current level of funding and if not what would you change? 9. Many people believe that local drug treatment programs and other social mediation programs are insufficient and not held to an acceptable accountability level. Some would argue this is due to a non-competitive environment where almost all state and local monies go to a single provider of services. Are you concerned about this and what are you planning to do as commissioner to better manage this? 10. St. Mary’s County government spends less per citizen for services provided than any other county in the Washington, Baltimore region, including Southern Maryland. How does this affect the long term ability to provide for a better quality of life, including education, transportation, law enforcement, recreation and so forth. How do you plan to address this issue?

Bob Schaller

Age: 59 City: Leonardtown Occupation: Business Educator Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 59 Years

1. I want to get the Lexington Park Development District Master Plan done and not just as a set of drawings but as a template for redevelopment. That means working closely with property owners, which has not been done. We need to talk to the owners. We can bring to bear in a cooperative way things like roads. 2. Don’t take credence in the drop in median income shown by one data point

from 2010. This is not a good data point. What is real is that we have a median average income in the high [$70,000] but Calvert and Charles average $10,000 higher. They are willing to chase higher incomes. They are commuter counties. No candidate with half a brain will raise taxes in a depressed economy.

3. When wealth goes up the state contribution goes down. We’ve done well but we haven’t kept up with how much the state has dropped. My major concern is their fiscal reserve is effectively zero. How do we recapitalize this reserve? We have to squirrel away $8 to $10 million. 4. The role the county should have is the county transportation plan. FDR Boulevard has to get done. I would bring back Pegg Road. We have to have alternate routes back into the base. There’s a lot of connectors… that can be done. 5. I recommend we bring back, if there’s still time, the jail project. We’re a growing community and we need to expand. I hope to reconsider some kind of expansion, maybe not the full footprint, which is a lot of money. It’s not a direct responsibility of the commissioners [recidivism] but they can have some influence.

6. I think, in general they are. I think those borders are OK. 7. You have to have them in the discussion, the neighbors have to be at the

table. The best answer will come from neighbors sitting down. It won’t be from administrators in Leonardtown… we have to tax our LUGM staff and MetCom a little more [to come up with a solution.]

8. The last thing we do is non-county agencies [in the budget process].

Whether it’s adequate or not I don’t know. I don’t think you go in with a predetermined number, that says that is too much or that is too little.

9. I’m very concerned that Walden is the major provider. I don’t think it’s

directly a reflection of Walden. When you end up with a monopolistic power you get higher prices. We need to bring in other services… the market works.

10. It is what it is. What’s the major revenue source for a county? Property taxes. Our major employer pays zero property tax. What we need is to increase the commercial tax base. We’ve got to work hard to create opportunities to increase the commercial tax base.

Mike Hewitt

Age: 61 City: Hollywood Occupation: Small Business Owner Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 51 Years

1. I’d like to eliminate the energy tax, freeze the property tax for residents of 65 and over. It’s my opinion that the county has high fund balances, we can use some of that money for tax relief. 2. Yes, they are adequate. When these revenues are decreasing that means people are taking home less money. The cost of living is too high in St. Mary’s County and in Maryland. The county has to pull its belt tight and live within their means.

3. We’ve always funded above maintenance of effort. What I will demand is more fiscal transparency and accountability from the Board of Education. What we’ve seen this year has led us all to pause, with the budget issues, that we need to keep a better eye on the board of education. 4. The county hasn’t finished a road in a long time, we need to finish FDR Boulevard. There’s not enough big pieces left to allow the county not to finish it.” “We also need to revisit doing something to Pegg Road to alleviate traffic at Route 5 and Great Mills Road. It could be extended out to Callaway. 5. For the community to grow the infrastructure has to grow with it, to renovate the jail to its existing size does not do service to the citizens of St. Mary’s County. I would want to revisit the jail issue to make sure I understand the costs involved. I think it will cost more to build it than they’re projecting. How do you keep people out of jail? I do believe that education is the great equalizer. 6. We need to make sure it’s small enough to be manageable, the Lexington Park Development District has been described as too large. If we have water and sewer available in an area that area should be in the development district. If they’re on well and septic or in rural preservation they should come out. We could offer incentives to have people grow [businesses] into areas that are now declining. The key is safety, those areas need to be safe.

7. A compromise needs to be reached with MetCom. The people with frontage [on a line MetCom lays down] should not have to pay to hook up if their well and septic system is adequate. If MetCom … is going to require a frontage fee they should run the line right to your house.

8. I support county funding for non profits who leverage the money to get grants and other funds. That kind of leveraging is a good thing.

9. I’m concerned that a single group tends to get the majority of the money, you have to see

how effective they are at meeting those needs. Young people are dying and that’s something we need to take seriously. Recently the commissioners approved $100,000 [to come up with ways to reduce opiate overdoses…] but I don’t believe in just throwing money at the problem, you have to show positive results.

10. I don’t like being last in anything. There’s an economy that operates around Patuxent River Naval Air Station that’s a wonderful thing but that causes the average salary to be skewed too high. People who live outside the base are living on maybe half the money as those on the base. I think we’re doing the best we can with what we have. I’m opposed to tax increases and all new fees.

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

County Commissioner - Dist. 3

Interview Questions: 1. If elected, what would be your number one signature legislation which you would hope to have ap-

"Tony"

ElEct

Tony/Joe St. Clair

John Edward O’Conner

Joe st. Clair

Age: 65 City: Avenue Occupation: Businessman/Farmer Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency: 65 Years

Age: 33 City: Mechanicsville Occupation: Small Business Owner Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 8 Years

St. Mary's can be enriched, hold its charm and progress in the new century

county commissioner

1. I would want @tonyjoestclairan enterprise zone for Lexington Park with a TIF Findto establish www.facebook.com/stclaircountycommissioner out overlay… to encompass the small businesses. It will get the Lexington Park DeWebsite: www.joestclaircountycommissioner.com More: Plan Email: mail@joestclaircountycommissioner.com velopment District off to a good start and it’ll revitalize Lexington Park and it should bring in some non-DOD contractors. "I have been a resident of St. Mary's County for Known by many in the community as "Tony", Joe has seen the my entire life. I received my education in St. Mary’s County schools. I graduated from Chopticon high school and attended the College of Agriculture - University of Maryland, College Park. My wife Sheral and I own and operate Picker’s Paradise Antiques, Gifts, and Collectibles in Hollywood, Maryland. We own a 38 acre farm in Avenue, which is the home of Helpful Hooves Equine Therapy, Inc. Program for persons with disabilities.We have four grown children Susannah, Jessica, Maryann and J.W.” - tony

way that state and county government is headed; he wants to make a difference. "There are many reasons to run" says Joe, "lengthy permit processes, increased taxes, budget cuts, unfunded state mandates, costly environmental regulations, and other legislation coming out of Annapolis, along with lack of accountability. These things threaten the way of life in St. Mary's County." Joe believes that we need to diversify our economy by bringing in high tech companies and working closely with The University of Maryland, and Johns Hopkins for Higher Education in STEM programs. Joe believes that our children deserve good schools, schools where students can learn and teachers can teach. Vote Joe "Tony" St. Clair for Commissioner.

2. I believe [the tax rates] are adequate at the present time. If we develop businesses and we do the enterprise zone… revitalize Lexington Park that should stop us from having to increase property taxes or income taxes.

3. It’s all in how Volunteer we use ourorganizations resources, we’re really in the middle of the pack. If they have justifiable needs… if we can find the funding mechanism we’ll increase Board MeMBerships it. Advocate of teachers, technology and tablets in the classroom Believes in streamlining government • Electronic payment of county bills Member and Board of Directors, 7th District Optimist Club Member And Board Of Directors, St. Clements Hundred Past Chairman, Blackistone Light House Foundation

awards & reCognitions

Past Member and Chairman of Board St. Mary’s Metropolitan Commission Vice Chairman St. Mary’s Industrial Park Asso., Inc.

Past Chairman St. Mary’S County Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee

Elected Chairman St. Mary’s County Planning Commission 2006

Represented St. Mary’s County Economic Development Commission on Tri-County Council

Past Board of Directors St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce

Past Vice President Maryland United Cerebral Palsy

4. I support the finalization of FDR Boulevard. The money is there, it’s ready to Chamber of Commerce Member of Excellence Award Special Olympics Training for Life Award (Maryland Chapter) St. Mary’s County Human Relations Commission Community Awareness Award

go. Part of our promise to the Navy was to complete FDR Boulevard to relieve endorseMents traffic congestion. Jim Hodges, Treasurer

Endorsed by the FOP Teacher endorsement

Past President St. Mary’s County Economic Development Commission (2000 - 2003)

Charter Member Of The Agricultural Seafood Commission (1997 - 1999)

5. I’d like to take a new look at the detention center. The $9 million in renovations

is not going to serve the needs of the detention center. I’ve taken a tour there and seeing it speaks for itself. I’m concerned for the safety of deputies and the inmates there. There should be a program of education for the ones that are constantly coming back. If we educate them, maybe we can find them better jobs.

6. I’d like to take a look at a comprehensive plan when it comes to the Charlotte

Hall area and I’d like to have citizens input as to how they would like to see the northern part of the county developed.

7. If you have functional well and septic… I don’t feel it’s necessary for you to have to connect to [public water and sewer.] “You have the right to keep your well and septic as long as it isn’t failing.

8. This is an area I need to take a strong look at but many of them are under funded. If the funds are there I’d like to see it increased.

9. I did not know there was just one provider… I’d like to see more programs

to deal with it but not just throw money at it and make sure these programs are working.

10. I think we’re meeting the needs. Right now I don’t know of too many programs falling aside based on what we’re allocating right now.

1. I’d like to see a county wide controlled growth ordinance. I believe it’s important to have a plan to manage the growth in the county.

2. I believe they’re adequate now and my position is to hold the line on taxes. We have to look at our actual spending to meet the needs of those actually paying taxes. 3. I believe funding is sufficient at this point, that the county does add to that budget with the minimum effort. If there’s more money to put into the schools that’s always a possibility. [The state’s lack of funding] has to be called into question. Right now the Board of Education needs to be held accountable for their spending. 4. I can support FDR Boulevard if it’s properly planned and there is a split share between developers and taxpayers but it’s not a road that should be entirely funded by the county.

5. The renovation of the jail, it’s putting a Band-Aid on but it won’t stop the

bleeding. It’s an old facility, it’s overcrowded. We’re going to need a new facility. They do have programs in place like work release and home detention… to lower recidivism. They have a learning program [at the jail] they can better themselves in that way. Counseling helps.

6. I haven’t been able to find true plans for town centers for the north end

of the county. For Lexington Park I’ve seen multiple plans but nothing put into action. For north county we have to take Charles County into account. I support single family homes not the garden apartments.

7. Citizens should not be forced to hook up to MetCom… but I think MetCom is necessary for commercial development. You should not be forced to hook up and pay that fee.

8. I support the funding for non-profits, but there needs to be accountability

with the funding. I want to know what they spent that money on down to the last penny.

9. The help for those programs, they claim it’s under funded, but I don’t

know that it is. We need to see where the shortfalls are. It’s hard to make a decision right now.

10. We need to look at the budget… we need to trim the fat. You have to look at the programs that are wants and then focus on the needs. Public safety is one of the key factors; we don’t have enough deputies. We need to grow the sheriff’s office… we have to find the money to do it.

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Treasurer Interview Questions: 1. Why are you choosing to run for this office? 2. What qualifications do you have that you feel makes you the best candidate? 3. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your term? Carrie Swartz

Christy Kelly

Steve Gelrud

City: Lexington Park

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Political Affiliation: Republican

Political Affiliation: Unaffiliated

I am choosing to run for the office of treasurer because we need an effective leader that can transition the office from a four term treasurer into the future.

2. I am the best qualified candidate because I have the pulse of the community. I have the support of the current treasurer and staff. I am comfortable in an executive role. I have spent actual time in the office getting to know the job. Therefore, I am ready to represent this county as its next treasurer. 3.

If elected, I hope to earn the trust of the tax payers by taking exceptional care of the county treasury. I hope to bring in new ideas while maintaining the core values, which are autonomy and integrity. I plan to keep the office an elected position, ensuring that the people collecting your money are not the same people spending your money.

St. Mary’s County and the life we share here is my first motivation to run for this office. I welcome the opportunity to serve the citizens of St. Mary’s County as their treasurer because I enjoy working in an administrative environment. The work will involve achieving compliance with county and state statues related to this office which lends itself to my strengths. The training I received in the Navy gives me an attention to detail that works well with the processes used by the county for its tax collection.

Meet New, interesting People

2. Honesty, integrity and efficiency. These three characteristics are the core of who I am. I have worked as a professional in sales, a bookkeeper, a manager of a printing company and in merchandising. My 28 years of volunteering in organization here in St. Mary’s County allow me to bring experience to the office of treasurer as being a benevolence committee member, a church treasurer, a board member, a community events coordinator, a meals-on-wheels volunteer and a foster parent to 28 children. All have allowed me to develop compassion and great customer service skills while dealing with people in many walks of life.

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3. The treasurer’s office will be undergoing a

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change in technology in the next few months that will bring new services available to its citizens. Online access to real and personal property tax and online payment will be the main thrust of this change. I will work closely with the office staff, and other departments of the county and state government to see that these changes enhance the services of the treasures office. This is probably the biggest task I will face in the first year as your treasurer. The work will be consuming. I am up for the challenge and will work tirelessly to have as seamless a transition as possible for you and your tax records. As your elected official in this office, I will take seriously this mission and fulfill it to the best of my abilities on a daily basis. I will listen to the staff in this office and the citizens of St. Mary’s County for ideas and suggestions to improve services that are best for our community. I look forward to serving you, the citizens of St. Mary’s County, by working with honesty, integrity and efficiency.

I have lived in St. Mary’s County since 1949. This county is my home, and I have great love for it. Becoming Country Treasurer would grant me the opportunity to serve the public, to deal directly with local government officials, and to address the many evolving issues and help solve them quickly and correctly. I challenge the voting public to perform their own research and compare my experience and demonstrated qualifications against any that my opponent may or may not have for this office. This election for County Treasurer is my opportunity to “give back” to my home county that has offered so much to all of us over these many decades. Please grant me your vote. I will serve you well, and I will do so proudly.

2. I have the experience, knowledge, and personal discipline necessary to perform the duties of County Treasurer , and I will introduce a new and higher level of competence and responsiveness to the needs and requests of all in this community. I began my formal education at Lexington Park Elementary School and some will remember me as an explosive running back at Great Mills High School. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Maryland in Business Administration. Additionally, I have taken and taught many classes that trained people to solve problems and to succeed in business. I am currently employed by the Big Screen Store Company, which I have helped to thrive in both Maryland and Virginia. Additionally, I have, for the company, opened five successful Big Screen stores in Atlanta, Georgia. 3.

As your treasurer, I will concentrate on honesty and accuracy within a transparent department that will welcome the thought and opinion of our citizenry. As an example, I will fight for the convenience of taxpayers to file and view bills electronically. This is the twenty-first century, and our county must become and remain cutting edge in service. However, I will also increase everyone’s ability to personally contact my office – to encounter a friendly voice rather than remote, coldly automated voicemail. These are exceptionally difficult times, and we voters should look beyond party affiliations or “favorite son” candidates. We must select and vote for the most qualified. To settle for less than the best dishonors our first-in-heritage tradition and could result in expensive and damaging financial misjudgments.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

State’s Attorney

The County Times

What is the single most important law enforcement goal you want your office to achieve, if elected, over the next four years? 2. Domestic violence is a major component in many of the county’s most violent crimes. What would you do to ensure offenders get stricter sentences in those crimes? 3. The courts commissioner’s office has been criticized for providing bond for defendants charged with very violent crimes like armed robbery. What should the State’s Attorney’s Office do to try to counteract that? 4. Sex offense cases often go to plea bargains but shouldn’t there be more of a focus on going to trial to get sex offenders heavier sentences? 5. What is your plan to ensure that the current influx of prescription drugs and heroin is curtailed? What treatment alternatives should there be for drug addicts who are nonviolent offenders? 6. There has been at least one high profile case recently involving alleged misappropriation of funds at a local church that has been given to federal authorities to investigate. What can the state’s attorney’s office do to better be able to handle such local cases on their own.

Shane Mattingly

Richard D. Fritz

Age: 52 City: Lexington Park Occupation: Lawyer Political Affiliation: Democrat Length of County Residency:

1. The one that is most urgent is getting a handle on our heroin epidemic. I don’t think the current leadership is adequately addressing this. Obviously you vigorously prosecute drug dealers and pill mill operators. We can do more to reach out to the community… we will make it mandatory for anyone coming in for drug use to get treatment. 2.

We’ve had a spike in domestic violence over the last year. What we will do is make sure victims have a strong advocate and protector. The cases get put on the inactive list or dropped altogether. We need to have a person dedicated to this problem. Anyone charged with this particular crime will take an abuser intervention class. If somebody deserves the hammer they’ll get that.

The state has said the defendant has to have some kind of representation at the bond hearings. Train them a bit better about how to recognize a more serious case, you train them up. [Tell commissioners during training] we expect better, we expect you to be concerned about the safety of our citizens. You make state’s attorney’s available for these hearings.

Any case where there’s serious harm done needs to get an appropriate sentence. How many cases would you guess go to trial? About two a month on average. It’s not just a sex offense question. Is the public protected by having just two jury trials a month?

Age: 68 City: Leonardtown Occupation: State’s Attorney Political Affiliation: Republican Length of County Residency: 60 Years

1. What we’re seeing is the increased usage of heroin… we need to focus on that. One of the big problems we have with opioid usage is doctor shopping [the state database] allows us to see if they’re going to one doctor or 10 doctors. That’s a plus. Heroin dealers, quite simply, need to be jailed. 2. We just had a guy sentenced to life in prison for brutally attacking his girlfriend. We have a specially designated prosecutor that handles [that] 99 percent of her work is domestic violence. This is the first unit [of its kind] created in the history of the state’s attorney’s office. It’s being looked at very carefully by other state’s attorneys. We also have a designated docket for domestic violence, to pinpoint these cases. 3. One of the things that could be done to counteract it… they should hold more people over. They’re holding people less than 24 hours. Why don’t they hold them over out of an abundance of caution? The defense can be part of the bond hearing process, I hope the system can develop into where the prosecutor can show up. 4.

We’re getting some pretty heavy sentences now. Every case has to be looked at… when you prosecute a case it’s on the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. There are bad confessions, lost witnesses or forensic evidence can come back and tell you something other than what police thought. If a child can’t testify, you’d better have forensic evidence.

5. Non-violent first time offenders… I think treatment options should always be on the table. The goal is to get them out of the cycle of addiction. Violent malicious people need to go to jail, they need to be out of the community.

5. True addicts have to get treatment but have you have to hold that stick [incarceration] over their head. I consider drugs a violent crime even though [the law says] it’s not a violent crime.

6. What we’re going to do is establish a unit called the Elder Abuse and Financial Fraud unit. It will have a dedicated prosecutor and a dedicated investigator. Elder abuse… is probably one of the most underreported crimes we have. These crimes are particularly devastating because we’re talking about life savings being taken.

6. We are primarily oriented to putting violent criminals in jail. Yes, we investigate white collar crime, but when you’re talking about a long term violent crime you almost need forensic accountants to see where the lines go. When you get the bill for a forensic auditor… then why not use the [FBI’s] services if it doesn’t cost you a penny?

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Board of Education Interview Questions: 1. If elected, what would be your number one priority over the next four years? 2. Do you support a national search for a new school superintendent, or would you prefer a more local search?

3. Do you support the state’s efforts to impose Common Core requirements on our local school system and what changes would you recommend to the policy or its implementation at the local level?

4. St. Mary’s County public school system has substantially exhausted its fund balance over the past several years, does this concern you, what level of fund balance should the system maintain, and what are your plans to assure such a level is obtained and maintained?

5. School capacity issues have been resolved over the past several years for schools in the central and southern sections of St. Mary’s.

However, there remains an over capacity issue in the Northern section of the county and the county still has not retained property for a new high school site despite nearly a 10-year search. What plans do you have to resolve school capacity issues? 6. St. Mary’s County ranks last in total per pupil funding compared to all other Maryland jurisdictions. Are you comfortable with this level of funding relative to other jurisdictions, and what should be done to improve the funding level overall?

Rita Weaver

John Alonzo Gaskin

Karin Bailey

Brooke Matthews

City: Dameron

City: Mechanicsville

City: Chaptico

Political Affiliation: Non-Partisan

1. My priorities are: A budget centered on students and the tools teachers require for the classroom while using taxpayer’s money in an efficient manner. Have open and honest communication with staff, parents, and the community. Encourage all school board members to be available to hear concerns, issues, and ideas from the teachers, parents, staff members, community and act upon them. Work closely with other board members, interim superintendent, and superintendent to bring forward a positive working relationship with the county commissioners. 2.

The Board of Education should begin with a local search. There are numerous qualified educators within our own community. Employees have a vested interest and understand the strengths, weakness and areas which should be addressed. This will allow the new superintendent to hit the ground running and not take valuable time to learn the system. They will have insight in which to make informed decisions and changes. When the school system promotes from within it gives our teachers and administrators a reason to stay. If no qualified candidates are identified then a national search would be enacted.

Maryland has refined the Core Standards to meet their needs. Even with tailored revisions students are frustrated, parents have difficulty assisting their child with schoolwork, and teachers have little control over the curriculum. Teachers need to receive the support to implement changes. St. Mary’s County has a rich diverse population, with unique learning, and teaching styles. Teachers and staff will require support and training in order to implement the curriculum to meet students individualized needs.

An audit by McGladrey and Pullen in 2009 shows a $24 million fund balance. Today the current fund balance is $480,000. The reserve has been depleted with little account for its expenditure. A reserved/undesignated fund should be available for use to cover one major catastrophe or several minor unexpected losses. Policies and procedures should be developed stating the minimum amount to be placed in the reserve and how these funds may be procured.

Analyze existing schools to ensure the best use and function of space. Reconsider properties which have been excluded from previous proposed school sites. Reevaluate documentation to determine if any of these properties would now be suitable for a school site. Use unoccupied structures in the community and if needed bring the building up to code. The use of an existing structure will decrease expenses needed to procure land and construction of a new school.

6. According to the Department of Legislative Services School

Funding 2014: SMCPS ranks 13th in Federal Funding, 10th in State Funding, 15th in County Funding. St. Mary’s County is 13th in Pupil Wealth, down 0.2% from the prior year. Over the past several years the County Commissioners have provided funds over the required Maintenance of Effort (MOE). This year providing $3 million above MOE. The state continues to take our taxes to put toward schools in other counties. Due to the State and Federal Government reducing our funds, SMCPS has drop to an overall funding of 24th in the state. Statistics, documentation, and a strong voice by BOE members, County Commissioners, and State Delegates will need to be advocated in Annapolis to ensure our hard earned money is brought back to St. Mary’s County.

To make sure the budget process is fully transparent and communicated to all parties this will allow for the eroded trust to start the rebuilding process and honoring the commitment of using the tax payers dollars in the best means possible. To incorporate a formula for growth, compensation for the employees who delver quality programing year after year.

I do support a national search this allows for a comparison of candidates that is in the counties best interest.

3. I do support the overall need for a program like Common Core. The policy of Common Core is at the state level not the local level. I would like to see a extension of implementations process. This would allow parents and educators time to access and give feed back to the BOE on implementation. 4.

I can suggest a number but there are many variables at this time with our current situation any number would be nothing more than a guess. If a fund balance were to be based on the last budget projection I would say a start point might be $five million dollars.

The cost and complexities of this process, the continued growth of the county, the funding of Spring Ridge Middle School construction make this a decision that no one person or agency can make without coordination from all.

6. I would like to see increased funding for the schools this would allow for compensation of the school employees and the work of funding a new school. But the trust and transparency must also be addressed. First we must resolve the budgetary issues and then move forward.

My top priority would be to improve the communication and transparency of the Board of Education. The schools are funded with taxpayer money and there should be complete disclosure on the use of those funds. The budget deficits, the “special investigations”, etc., take time and effort away from the primary purposes of the schools….educating our children. This should be our primary focus to ensure the best education possible for our children.

I want our schools to be the best in the country, and we need to find exceptional leadership. If we can find the best person for the job close to home, that would be great. However, with a national search, we might find a native Marylander who is trying to return home. The criteria should be the best person for the job, not necessarily where they are living and working currently.

3. Common Core has some excellent ideas, but the “one size-fits all” approach doesn’t necessarily work for all students. Each child learns differently and our teachers need to have the training, flexibility, and tools to ensure the Common Core requirements are met. As we continue through the implementation, I think we need to ensure that we use our taxpayer dollars wisely and not put something into practice that is frustrating to both students and teachers. 4.

This concerns me very much. One unforeseen event, such as a school fire or roof collapse, could leave the school system in a poor financial position. We need to establish a benchmark amount for a reserve fund and then work with the County Commissioners to rebuild this fund. Poor financial decisions have placed the school system in this position and the elected officials need to work closely together to resolve this issue.

There are a lot of needs in this county, such as new schools, libraries, and recreational centers. The Maryland Department of Planning stresses community oriented schools with an emphasis on stakeholder involvement. Co-location of facilities encourages parent involvement, instills a sense of local pride, and builds connections between the school and community while saving taxpayer funds. Our school capacity issues are not an easy fix, but the Board of Education needs to involve other county agencies to ensure a community approach.

6. There are different statistics regarding per pupil funding amount, however, as a mother of two children in elementary school, I would like to see more funding for education. However, we need to first ensure that our taxpayer money is being used wisely and to the highest benefit for our students. Once the Board of Education regains the confidence of the public and elected officials regarding financial matters, then we can have conversations regarding funding increases.

First priority would be to make sure we choose the correct person to be our next Superintendent, and to continue to educate our community what adequately funding our schools should mean.

I feel we should cast a large net. As a Board member this is our number one priority so we need to make sure the right person is chosen.

SMCPS implemented the Maryland Standards for College and Career readiness (based on the Common Core standards) two years ago following the decision to require the standards made by the State Board of Ed. The standards simply state what is expected of students in math and reading/language arts at each grade level. Because such a large portion of our students are related to the military I feel a national standard is helpful. Not cheap or easy but a smart move.

4. The Fund Balance over the years has been used to help offset the non recurring budget items and shortfalls such as excessive snow removal and insurance overages. We need to work on getting it back to a level of around ten to twelve million. Continue to discuss what adequately funding our schools should mean. 5. When you have one of the fastest growing counties in the state you will have growing pains. Currently the BOE is negotiating a property in the northern end of the county that will help us fill our growing needs. We also need to keep a eye on the central part of the county that is also experiencing tremendous growth. 6.

NO! I feel that funding for education needs to be discussed more. If I were to take my daughter out of SMCPS and transfer her to Charles County she would have an additional $1,638. If it were to Calvert County she would have $1,397 more. I feel our kids in St Mary’s deserve better funding. I don’t care whether it comes from the State, Federal or the local it just does not add up to where we need to be.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Judge of the Orphans’ Court

The County Times

Interview Questions: 1. Why are you choosing to run for this office? 2. What qualifications do you have that you feel makes you the best candidate? 3. If elected, what do you hope to accomplish during your term? Bill Mattingly

Linda Dean

Dalton Wood, Jr.

Albert “Allie” Babcock

City: Chaptico

City: Mechanicsville

City: Lexington Park

City: California

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Political Affiliation: Republican

1. I am running for this office to help and support people who are going through difficult times with the loss of loved ones. Although the State of Maryland dictates the enforcement of the law, we, the Judges, must also adhere to the laws with integrity, common sense and compassion. When acting as judge you must keep in mind the wishes of the decedent. I have the experience needed to perform the duties required as it pertains to wills, trusts and guardianship of children. 2. I have over three years of ex-

perience as a current Judge of the Orphans' Court. I am a former police officer. I was also a District Court Commissioner under Judge C. Clarke Raley. I am also a former School Board Member, (Chairman for three years), at which time I protected the rights of our children. These experiences have helped with my duties as Judge of the Orphans' Court. The three current judges and the staff in the Register of Wills office work together very well. I have the experience and dedication for this position.

3. I will to continue to provide direction and guidance in the oversight of estates, wills and the guardianship of children. I will work with the other judges to administer the laws of the State of Maryland and to do so with integrity, common sense and compassion. Not much is heard about the job we do because we respect the privacy of the families we deal with. I will continue to protect that right.

1. I have personally found being an Orphans’ Court Judge to be interesting and rewarding, affording the opportunity to contribute to the community. The Court is charged with making sure that the distribution of assets of the deceased is in accord with the decedent’s wishes where there is a will, or in accord with State law in the absence of a will. The Court also rules in cases of contested estates and looks after the inherited assets of minor children. I feel that I have the appropriate experience and knowledge to continue to serve the deceased and his/her heirs. 2. I have served as an Orphans’ Court Judge since 2002, being the Chief Judge since 2006. Other life experiences: wife / mother / grandmother; public school teacher; coowner and financial manager of a small business and involvement in church and community activities. I have gained experience and knowledge to administer estates using mediation skills, good common sense, knowledge of Maryland Estates and Trust Law, objectivity, integrity and a sensitivity for the heirs and the wishes of the decedent. 3. I study each individual case before the Court and make impartial, lawful and fair decisions in keeping with the decedent’s will, or a decision based on State law if there is no will. I have the experience, dedication, commitment and ability to continue to do a good job. I have found that settling an estate can bring out the very best in some people and the very worst in others and the Orphans’ Court sometimes has to assist in closing the Estate.

1. It has been my privilege to serve 12 continuous years as a Judge on the Orphans’ Court. I wish to continue to serve the people of St. Mary’s county and the court, in this office. I have received the greatest satisfaction in being able to help people in there time of need after the loss of a loved one, beyond words and rewarding. 2. I believe 12 years experience in a particular job is the best qualifications you can achieve. I have this plus the many court cases and education in laws of administrative and judicial probate. I am thoroughly adverse in the administration of estates. 3. If elected I will continue to serve St. Mary’s county and the Orphans’ Court with simplicity in procedure and fairness in administration in all estates that come before the court.

Michael White

Political Affiliation: Republican Michael White did not respond to the email interview request by the County Times.

1. I once had the privilege of hold-

ing the position of Chairman of the St. Mary’s County Alcohol Beverage Board. It was one of the highlights of my career to be appointed as the chairman. It was with great pride I served the people of St. Mary’s County during my term there. I looked at all the positions that were coming up this election year and this was the one that caught my eye. I knew in my mind I could do an excellent job as one of the judges.

2. My career experiences as a military veteran, Deputy Sheriff, Pax River fire fighter, federal safety specialist, Natural Resources Reserve Police Officer, Chairman St. Mary’s County Alcohol Board, lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County and a family man, makes me feel I am one of the best candidates to be a Judge of the Orphans Court for St. Mary’s County. The discipline learned in the military as well as the investigative skills learned in both law enforcement and in the safety field, highly qualifies me to hold this position. 3. If elected, I will uphold the high standards expected by the citizens of St. Mary’s County along with my own high personal standards. This is what I want to accomplish and be able to say I did so proudly.

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Letters to the

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Tony St. Clair, Strong Community Person

Editor

State's Attorney Election

I have known Tony St. Clair all my life. He has always been a strong community person and eager to get involved in service to the 7th District and St. Mary's County. I believe he will be a great County Commissioner and I urge my friends and neighbors to vote for him on Nov. 4. Bernie Owens Mechanicsville, Md.

My name is Whitney Rupard. I'm a senior at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a volunteer with St. Mary’s County Public Schools. I’ve been paying very close attention to the local race for State’s Attorney. Shane Mattingly has made it a priority early in his campaign to talk passionately about domestic violence and his plans to effectively deal with its very serious consequences. Richard Fritz, the incumbent, has been touting that he and his office have also made dealing with domestic violence a cornerstone of his administration. Unfortunately, I know too much about this issue because I have been a victim of domestic violence. Allow me to share my story and how I was treated by the current State’s Attorney office. As a new wife, and expectant mother it was my worst nightmare to be placed in a traumatic domestic situation. My ex-husband suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after his multiple tours in the army. I feared that my ex-husband would harm himself, or me. After successfully obtaining a protective order that was consistently violated, I waited for the current State’s Attorney to provide the appropriate consequences. After the fifth violation passed with no repercussion, a total of 10 different charges, I became weary of the current justice system. I began to look for the reason I wasn’t being protected, and the official responsible for this continuing nightmare. When I started investigating I was notified that a special prosecutor was being assigned to the case. As we began to dissect the problems from the past, we found that multiple charges had been put on the stet docket or not prosecuted because of Mr. Fritz’s involvement. In many cases I wasn’t subpoenaed to give my witness account of the occurrences, ripping away my only opportunity to stand up for myself. The only evidence left in my file, faxed to the special prosecutor, read a letter from Richard Fritz saying he had some thoughts on this situation, and if anyone had any questions, to come see him. Saying that domestic violence is a priority is one thing, actually supporting and protecting its victims is another. I felt that Mr. Fritz’s office left me exposed to further harm. I was constantly in fear and I did not feel that I had a protector or advocate. I can only tell my own story but I wonder how many others went through the same thing. I am truly amazed and thankful my story has a happy ending. I was reluctant to come forward on this issue. I lead a wonderful, productive life as a new mother and I did not want to re-live a very painful time in my life publicly. However, this issue is too important and I believe that Mr. Fritz failed to protect me even though it was in his power to do so. For this reason, I enthusiastically support Shane Mattingly for State’s Attorney! Whitney Rupard Hollywood, Md.

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St Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Race I have been watching with interest the race for St. Mary’s State’s Attorney. As a former prosecutor for 20 years, with a special emphasis on battling white collar crime, I believe I have a unique perspective to offer. Included in the many cases I’ve prosecuted in my career was a case I handled about four years ago in St. Mary’s County as the Special Prosecutor. It was during this time that I met Shane Mattingly who was a lawyer for an important witness in my case. Although we were adversaries, I found Shane Mattingly to be fair, open-minded and ethical with a strong legal mind. He earned my respect. I was curious when I heard he was running for State’s Attorney. As a former prosecutor, I have very strong opinions as to what is necessary to lead that office. You must be fair. You must evaluate each case on its merits. You must also have compassion and know that our world is not always black and white. Both common sense and sound legal reasoning are required. Lastly, you need to be a true leader who provides guidance but is also not afraid to admit when he or she is wrong. With these guidelines in mind, I reviewed the platforms of the candidates. I found that Shane wants to move forward and handle cases that impact the citizens of St. Mary’s County. He knows how important it is to go out into the community and give people the

tools to protect themselves against drugs, domestic violence and elder abuse. Shane knows that the prosecution of cases shouldn’t be about partisan politics, it should be about the law and doing the right thing. A review of Mr. Fritz’s platform shows a strong reliance on a claim, based on statistics, that crime is substantially down. However, the 2013 Maryland Uniform Crime Report compiled by the Maryland State Police, does not support this claim. In 2013, Domestic Violence incidents in St. Mary’s County are 35% over the 5 year average and almost double those in Calvert County. Motor vehicle thefts increased by 36% from 2012 to 2013. Robbery cases rose from 40 incidents in 2010 to 62 incidents in 2013. There were 486 Breaking and Entering cases in 2010 and 641 in 2013. Crime is going up but the prosecutions are going down. Mr. Fritz claimed on a recent radio show that there is a downtick in domestic violence prosecutions yet the statistics show the incidents of domestic violence continues to rise. It is time to move forward with change and select the candidate with the legal ability, work ethic and integrity to protect St. Mary’s County. Based on my experience, I believe that Shane Mattingly is that person and sincerely endorse his candidacy. Isabel Mercedes Cumming Lusby, Md.

It’s Time for a Rational Discussion The tension between the Board of Education and the County Commissioners needs to stop. There has to be a working, non-confrontational relationship between both of these elected bodies. We should not forget the students, teachers, and most importantly the whole purpose for the school system. Isn’t it time for a rational, non-confrontational discussion of the issues. Yes mistakes have been made, but the students still need the best we can provide. Who can we count on to initiate and work with the School Board to make the large sums of money which are spent on education work for the benefit of the students of St. Mary’s County. I’ve had extensive conversations with Bob Schaller and have come away convinced that he can work with the Board of Education to re-

solve the issues which have divided these two elected bodies. This is a very important issue and impacts every aspect of life in our county. Will businesses remain here if the schools aren’t up to snuff? Will additional business come to our county if the schools seem to be in turmoil? This isn’t necessarily an issue of how much money but more an issue of getting the best bang for the buck. The Board of Education determines how the money gets spent while the Commissioners determine how much. These two entities need to listen to each other in a non-confrontation way and it is my opinion that Bob Schaller can make this happen. David Kelsey Hollywood, Md.

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

A Man of Service and Integrity It is with great enthusiasm that I write in support of Joe St. Clair for the office of county commissioner. Beyond a doubt Joe is one of the most qualified individuals to run for the commissioner position in years. Joe is a life-long resident of St. Mary's County who graduated from Chopticon High School and attended the College of Agriculture at the University of Maryland. He has worked as a farmer and small business owner throughout his career. Joe lives with his wife Sheral and son J.W on a 38-acre farm in Avenue. He also owns and operates a small business in Hollywood. On their farm they along with others members operate a non-profit group called Helpful Hooves Equine Therapy, Inc. The purpose of this group is to improve the lives of young adults with physical and mental disabilities using horses and horse related activities. All of theses programs are offered to the community at no charge and operates completely with a volunteer staff. Over the years Joe has served on numerous boards and commissions such as; the St. Mary's County Planning Board, St. Mary's County Econom-

ic Development Board, and St. Mary's Metropolitan Commission. Beyond his work with the boards and commissions, Joe is deeply involved in organizations such as; The 7th District Optimist Club, St. Clements Hundred, The Blackistone Lighthouse Foundation and the St. Mary's Hurricane Relief Fund. I've personally had the pleasure of working with Joe on a few projects such as a relief effort for the citizens of D'Iberville, Mississippi after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Whether it was collecting donations of toys and clothing from our St. Mary County Citizens or dressing as Santa and handing out Christmas gifts to children in Mississippi. Joe was always eager and ready to do more. Through Joe's tireless involvement in the abovementioned endeavors he has proven to be a man of service and integrity who truly wants the best for St. Mary's County and it's citizens. I therefore urge my St. Mary's friends and neighbors to cast your vote for Joe St. Clair for county commissioner. Donald E. Cropp Valley Lee, Md.

Vote With Your Conscience Nov. 4 is approaching quickly and on that Tuesday we will have at least three new County Commissioners and the race that most has my attention is the one for the 3rd District. We have a myriad of issues facing us as residents of St. Mary’s County and I feel that the best person to help guide us during these times is “Tony” Joe St. Clair. Tony is a St. Mary’s County native and he possesses a relentless drive to do what is best for the county and her citizens. As a member of many boards and committees over the years he has gained a wealth of knowledge that he is eager to put to work for our future. He is very active in the community whether he is working our church dinner, greeting patrons at

Optimist Club events, working with his nonprofit, Helpful Hooves or rebuilding a lighthouse. He is a study in perpetual motion but he always has time to greet a new friend, share a joke or most importantly, listen. As you head in to vote on the 4th remember, you need to vote with your conscience. Do not let your political affiliation be your only guide, vote for the person that you feel will do the best for all of us and in the 3rd District that person is without a doubt, ‘Tony’ Joe St. Clair. Mike Alderson Jr. Coltons Point, Md.

Two Notable Candidates The people of St. Mary's County are fortunate enough to have at least two outstanding candidates on the ballot this November. Christy Kelly is a candidate for St. Mary's County Treasurer. Christy is a long-time resident of St. Mary's County, and a Navy Veteran. She is extremely capable, selected more than once as employee of the year at her company because of her remarkable work ethic and her efficiency. But even more important than her work ethic and her efficiency, is Christy's commitment to integrity. She lives her life above reproach and inspires those around her to do the same. In short, Christy is a true woman of excellence. St. Mary's residents will benefit greatly with

Christy Kelly as Treasurer. Mike Hewitt is a long-time resident and business owner in St. Mary's County. He is currently a candidate for County Commissioner. During his time on the Board of Education, Mike served this county well. He proved himself to be an honest and diligent servant of the people. He is committed to investigating the facts, and making sound decisions based on those facts. As a businessman, Mike has built a reputation of integrity and exceeding customer expectations. As a County Commissioner, I know he will do the same. Michael Wagner Great Mills, Md.

If You Are Not Involved, You Cannot Expect Changes I am writing this letter in support of Joe St. Clair, candidate for County Commissioner in 3rd District, also known in St. Mary’s County as ‘Tony’ to those of us who have known him for a long time. Tony has lived his entire life here in St. Mary’s County. He is trustworthy and is a man of integrity. He believes in reaching out and has been involved in many activities to help those in need. Whatever endeavor he has started he finishes and it will be done right. Tony is a devoted family man and wants St. Mary’s County to be a better place for his grandchildren and neighbors. He believes if you are not involved

you cannot expect changes. Tony has been on a number of County Commissions and Boards which has given him a real insight into the challenges facing our County. He has also proved himself to be a good business man and can use those skills to help run a better county government. Going to the polls on November 4th is important. I have known Tony for many years and am confident he will do his best as County Commissioner for all of us. Sam Brown Avenue, Md.

Letters to the

Editor

We Need a Representative That Knows Business and Law

I have been a small business owner in District 29A since 2008. I am writing to urge the voters in this District to support and vote for Dan Slade to become their next representative in the House of Delegates. When I opened my business, I faced many obstacles. One of which was being an ‘outsider’ with no ties to St Mary’s County. One of the first people to reach out and offer support to me was Dan Slade. Dan doesn’t consider where you come from or what your affiliations are, he just wants to know who you are, and what he can do to help make your life better. Dan Slade is someone who you can trust to reach across the aisle and find compromise to resolve delicate issues. Business owners in Maryland are constantly challenged with regulations and changing tax codes. If we want small businesses to thrive in St. Mary’s County, we need a representative that has experience in all phases of running a business and interpreting the law. As an Attorney, Dan Slade works with and interprets the law on a daily basis. As a small business owner, Dan Slade understands the daily tests of meeting a payroll, paying corporate taxes and surviving in challenging economic times. In this election, I hope that the voters in District 29A will think long and hard about what is really important rather than just voting across party lines. Dan Slade is a lifelong county resident, a highly educated business owner, and someone who will look at all issues from all sides before making a decision. Dan Slade is the right choice to represent everyone in District 29A in the House of Delegates. Josh Mesh Leonardtown, Md.

Slade’s Ethics and Beliefs Much Like Delegate Wood’s For the past 28 years, it has been an honor and privilege to represent the people of St. Mary's and Charles Counties in the Maryland General Assembly. It is with a great deal of pleasure that I recommend Dan Slade for your consideration to represent District 29-A in the House of Delegates. I am supporting Dan Slade as his ethics and beliefs are much like mine. Dan was born and raised in St. Mary's County, graduating from St. Mary's College and the University of Baltimore School of Law. After the completion of his education he returned to St. Mary's County to establish his law practice in Leonardtown to serve those in Southern Maryland. I have known Dan and his family for many years and had the pleasure of serving with his father, former District Court Judge John Slade, for 12 years in the House of Delegates. Dan Slade is well-qualified to fill this position and I am confident that with his background and training he will make significant contributions to the deliberations of the Maryland General Assembly. I have found him to display the instructs of discretion and good judgement necessary for this position. He will represent the people of St. Mary's County and the State of Maryland as well. I am asking that you support and vote for Dan Slade when you go to the polls. John F. Wood, Jr. Delegate, District 29-A

Letters to the

The County Times

Editor

Self-Defense is the Right of Every Individual

Self-defense is the right of every individual. This basic human right is recognized in the U.S. Constitution as part of the Bill of Rights as the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment establishes the right of its citizens to keep and bear arms without infringement. Unfortunately, the lawmakers in Annapolis don’t recognize this Constitutional right and have passed a law (Senate Bill 281) which diminishes the ability of the individual to defend oneself. Specifically, law-abiding citizens who have a State of Maryland Handgun Qualification License are limited to defending themselves within their homes. Defending yourself with a concealed handgun outside the home is virtually impossible without providing justification to the state which requires approval. This is clearly an infringement upon the right of self-defense of law-abiding citizens. To rectify this injustice, I propose that concealed carry permits be automatically granted to Maryland residents who are in possession of a Maryland Handgun Qualification License and to military personnel with handgun training. I forwarded this proposal to John Bohanan over a week ago and asked for simple “yes” or “no” regarding his support. He never responded. Deb Rey did respond and she fully supports this proposal. I will therefore cast my vote for Deb Rey as State Delegate for District 29B. Phil Zalesak Tall Timbers, Md.

We Need People Like Bohanan in Annapolis In the past, I have stayed away from endorsing any candidate for public office. Not because I did not have views on a particular individual's qualifications for office or ability to serve but because, as a Naval Officer, I knew it was important to avoid the perception of favoring one candidate or party over another. However, as I watch the trends across the globe today, those within the US and particularly the issues that will affect our military and the civilian workforce that supports them, I feel compelled to speak out. This is a time for action and for electing leaders who can get things done. We need people like Del. John Bohanan to represent St. Mary's County in Annapolis. He has worked long and hard for all of Southern Maryland over many, many years. John understands the issues facing our military today and the impact those issues have on the civilian workforce and on the community as a whole. Issues like the drawdown of force levels, sequestration and tight Federal and State budgets. These are not easy issues to deal with and will require experienced leadership to represent us on these issues in Annapolis. We need leaders like John Bohanan who are not afraid to speak out and when they do so, their message will be heard, understood and acted upon. This is precisely the kind of involved leadership that John has demonstrated over and over again throughout his career. He has always been ready and willing to fight for St. Mary's county on issues like protecting our ranges and the facilities and jobs needed to support research, development, acquisition & test and evaluation. At the heart of it all he has consistently pushed for the continued economic, professional and educational growth of the region. John Bohanan is all about the people of St. Mary's County. He has made it his business to know and understand the issues we face. I think the most compelling case I can make for him at this time is that he doesn't have to learn the issues of our time. He is already actively working to solve them! i am proud to endorse John Bohanan for re-election and ask for your support of him as well. He walks the talk, is aware of the issues and knows how to get things done. He has a proven record of advancing the needs of St. Mary's county and deserves our support. VADM David Architzel USN (Ret) Norfolk, Va.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Obvious Choice to Remain in Office There are only a couple of weeks left before our November election. I hope that all of us who have registered will vote early, or on the 4th. It is our right and responsibility to do so. There are many new citizens running for office, but there is one gentleman who has represented us all very well and should be re-elected to his office. He’s Del. John Bohanan (D). In the past years John has listened to his constituents, and has worked hard to help with the problems that impact their community. His dedication to us and St. Mary’s County is what makes him the obvious choice to remain in office. He works well with the State Highway Administration, helping to move the plans along to finish the much needed road improvements to Point Lookout and road improvements to the Great Mills Corridor. He works alongside local and state represen-

tatives, and our biggest employer, the Department of the Navy. His time dedicated to the University of Maryland has brought the Drone Program to our county, by chairing the subcommittee that helped secure funds for the research park. John learned his public service from his parents, working in their store that anchored the Park Hall community. They were well respected amongst their neighbors. They passed on to him the spirit of dedication to look after his county. He and his wife Mary have taught the same to their sons. Please join me this election day to by voting for John to keep him where we need him, in Annapolis, to look out for our needs. Howard Thompson Hollywood, Md.

Why I’m Voting for Anthony Brown A decade ago, I directed legislative affairs for the American Council of the Blind of Maryland and it was in that capacity that I first encountered Anthony Brown who was then serving in the House of Delegates. The ACB of Maryland was determined to improve rehabilitation outcomes for blind clients of the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and to that end; Anthony Brown sponsored a bill which would have created a separate agency to serve blind Marylanders. Although the bill did not pass the General Assembly, DORS subse-

quently agreed to create a dedicated office to serve blind clients and thus improve service delivery. Through my experience with him, I know Anthony Brown to be a decent, caring person who is deeply concerned with the well-being of all Marylanders including people with disabilities. For this reason, I would encourage those voting in this year’s gubernatorial election to cast their votes for Anthony Brown. Robert A. Kerr Mechanicsville, Md.

Choose the Treasurer Based on Experience Throughout our history, local government has suffered because of "Good old boy" voting. Having the right family name and lengthy local residence has too often counted for more than has ability, experience, or on occasion, even basic honesty. Interested voters can note those antiquated voting preferences surviving, although in everlessening degree, here in St. Mary's County. Favorite Son candidacies should be relegated to the trash heaps of history. I will go further. For local elections, Political Party preferences should rate far behind choosing the best candidate for the job. I raise these points at this time because I suspect knee jerk, "My Pal" voting may occur in selecting a new County Treasurer. One might suppose that choosing an individual to oversee how our public money is spent or invested would automatically bring to the front the best candidate, but I sense other "low information" voting factors could edge aside education, ability and experience

in favor of much of the bad old habits mentioned above. Therefore, I will point out that although there are three Treasurer candidates, only one has extensive businesses and money handling experience, and over decades those involvements have developed skills, contacts, and awareness that the others cannot approach. Only one of the candidates for County Treasurer possesses the professional gravitas to meet the challenges of seeing our county through these unusually difficult times. For this election, go to your mind and your own common sense, not to your gut or your emotions. Reason intelligently and logically in seeking out the best candidate. Do that and you will vote for and elect Steve Gelrud as our next County Treasurer. Roy F. Chandler St. Mary's City, Md.

To Submit a Letter to the Editor, Email your to LET YOUR VOICE BEletter HEARD or mail To Submit a Letternews@countytimes.net to the Editor, Email your letter to to The County Times angiekalnasy@countytimes.net or mail to Hollywood,MD MD20636 20636 The County Times P.O. • P.O.Box Box250 250 • Hollywood,

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

Education

Big Minds in the Big Apple By Emily Charles Contributing Writer New York City is widely regarded as “the city that never sleeps.” Students who are members of Leonardtown High School’s Academy of Global International Studies (GIS) recently had the chance to experience the city for themselves. Students left from Leonardtown High School early on Oct. 15, and arrived the same day in New York City, ready and willing to experience all it had to offer. Over the course of four days, participating students visited important sites of American culture and history such as the United Nations headquarters, Ground Zero, Ellis Island, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Wall Street and even Broadway. Students who went on the trip were given new information and understanding regarding both American culture and the many cultures that assimilate or have assimilated into the United States as a result of immigration. “The New York City trip gave us more insight on not only other countries’ cultures, but also insight on how parts of our own country function everyday,” said Tim Kieber, a Senior in the GIS program. GIS is a humanities based program focused on exposing students to their own culture and its history and also other cultures and histories around the world. “GIS is a great program for those interested in learning about the international community, the historic background of nations and United States foreign and domestic policies,” said Theodore Schutz, another Senior GIS student, “The New York trip gave us a feeling for and information about a cultural and international center visited by millions a year, that being the city itself.” New York City is not the only trip GIS students have taken. Students were offered the chance to attend a trip to Boston, Mass. in March of 2013, where they visited historical landmarks along the Freedom Trail, visited

cemeteries and museums commemorating the persecution of witches and visited Lexington and Concord to learn about “the shot heard ‘round the world.” While such trips to New York and Boston are highly enjoyed by those who go on them, GIS students would like to see an international expansion of their out-ofstate visits. “I would much like to see the GIS program expand to trips outside of the U.S. to give us a better understanding of the Global/ International aspect of Global International Studies,” Schutz said. To be a member of GIS, students must apply for the challenging program their freshman year, and upon acceptance, become part of a student group that hopes not only to learn about other cultures, but to experience them, and even help to propose and advocate solutions to international issues. GIS works to teach students that there are more cultures than simply their own, and does its best to impress an understanding of these cultures upon its members, both through classes and through unique experiences like those involved in a trip to New York. To learn more about GIS, visit www. schools.smcps.org/lhs/g-i-s. news@countytiems.net

A top-rated Medicaid health plan for you and your family MedStar Family Choice is a Medicaid health plan for you and your family. It’s also one of the top-rated Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) in Maryland, based on a recent performance report from HealthChoice*. MedStar Family Choice is ranked #17 nationally among Medicaid Plan Providers by the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2014 - 2015. With MedStar Family Choice, you can get access to the best care from some of the area’s top doctors. We have everything you need to keep your family healthy, close to home. Everything we do is focused on you. Find out if MedStar Family Choice is the right choice for your family. Go to MedStarFamilyChoice.com to learn more. If you are a Maryland resident and would like to enroll, call HealthChoice at 800-977-7388. For the TTY/TDD line, call 800-977-7389. *HealthChoice is a program of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. MedStar Family Choice earned three stars (the highest possible rating in four of the six performance areas in the 2014 Performance Report Card for Consumers: access to care, doctor communication and service, keeping kids healthy, and care for adults with chronic illness).

The County Times

Obituaries David Allen Tippet, 71, of Leonardtown, Md. passed away on Sept. 25, in Annapolis, Md. He was born on Sept. 5, 1943 in Leonardtown, Md. to the late Beezie and Dennis Tippett, Sr. David is survived by his daughter Cheryl Tippett, grandchildren; Amber Tippett, and Michael Tippett, and great grandson Michael Smith, all of NC. Dave is also survived by his brothers Richard Tippett of Leonardtown, Md.; Jack Tippett of Hollywood, Md., and sister Gay Fowler of Avenue, Md. and many extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his daughter Debbie Tippett. In his early years Dave worked as a waterman and in construction. His later years were spent working at the Hotel Charles. Dave was an active member of AA and proudly celebrated his 40th Anniversary in April. He enjoyed watching sports especially car races and the Washington Nationals. Dave loved music and was an excellent dobro guitar player. It was a real pleasure listening to him play. Dave will be missed and remembered by many people. The family received friends on Monday, Sept. 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and prayers were recited at 7 p.m. in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, Md. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Catholic Church Avenue, Md. with Father Charles Cortinovis officiating. Interment was private. Pallbearers; Billy Bowles, Jamie

Thomas George Repasi, 69 Thomas George Repasi of Mechanicsville, Md., died peacefully at home on Oct. 1. He was born Nov. 18, 1945 in Braddock, Pa., the son of the late Joseph and Catherine Repasi. He served with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War era, worked for what was then DC WASA as a wastewater plant operator at the Blue Plains facility for 35 years, from 1969-2004, in Southwest Washington, D.C. until his retirement in 2004. Thomas then worked part time for St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works as an attendant mainly at the St. Andrew’s Church Road transfer station beginning in 2005 until retiring in 2011. He leaves behind to cherish memory his loving wife, Rose Marie Repasi, son Ronald Repasi and his wife Bonne of California, son Dennis Repasi and his wife Christine of Mechanicsville and daughter Jennifer Lamp and her husband Michael of California, and grandchildren Victoria Repasi, Steven Repasi, Thomas Respasi, Bailie Anthony, Nolan Repasi, Briana Padgett, Anna Repasi and Julia Repasi. Also survived by his brother Joseph Repasi of Hagerstown, Md., sisters Barbara Heron, Karen Repasi, Carol Sprankle of West Mifflin, Pa., Mary Louise Collins of Home-

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The County Times runs complimentary obituaries as submitted by funeral homes and readers. We run them in the order we receive them. Any submissions that come to news@countytimes.net after noon on Tuesdays may run in the following week’s edition. Fowler, Daryl Pilkerton, Joey Tippett, Buddy Tippett, and Michael Tippett.

David Allen Tippett, 71

Thursday, October 23, 2014

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stead, Pa., and Kathleen Andrey of Belle Vernon, Pa. Family received visitors on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with prayers at 4 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Rd., Leonardtown, Md. 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 29119 Point Lookout Road, Morganza, Md. 20660 with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Cemetery, 38888 Dr. Johnson Rd., Mechanicsville, Md. 20659. Memorial Contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary’s, Post Office 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, Md.

Joseph Donald Jarboe, 78 Joseph Donald Jarboe, born on March 16,1936 in Leonardtown, Md., was the youngest son of Mary Catherine (Connelly) and Ignatius Jackson Jarboe Sr. He died Sept. 18 in Lincoln, Neb. After graduating from Margaret Brent High School and briefly working at Ford Motor Co., Joe enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as soon as he was able. While in the military, he was stationed at bases all over the globe and stateside. He attained the rank of Master Tech Sgt. and eventually retired with over 20 years of service. A contributing factor to his death was agent orange which he contracted while serving in Southeast Asia. He was a loyal husband, father and provider. He was the father of Catherine Anne Jarboe, and her husband Troy Martin, both of Chicago, Ill. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret Ann Mehser of Lincoln, Neb. where they had made their home the past several decades. Besides his wife and parents he is also preceded in death by brothers John L., James A., Ignatius J. Jr., and sisters Ann E. Kurz, Mary G. Jarboe, and Virginia H. Jarboe. Surviving siblings are Margaret T. Tippett, of Leonardtown, Md., and Mary L. “Peggy” Stone, of Waldorf, Md. and a bevy of nieces and nephews. A memorial and inurnment service was held on Thursday, Sept. 25 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home. Donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

George Thomas Brandon, 86 George Thomas Brandon, 86, died on Sept. 27 at his residence in Bushwood, Md. Born Sept. 5, 1928 in Beacon, N.Y., he was the son of the late Ernest Clifford Brandon and Ruth George Brandon. In 1946 George enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country as a Cook until his honorable discharge in 1949. In 1956, he began working with the United States Postal service as a dedicated electrician until his retirement in 1989. He was a superb handyman,

and could fix everything. He built his own homes and helped his son and daughter with many home projects. He had a bountiful garden every year and was a fabulous cook. He and Denise enjoyed travelling, particularly to St. Thomas. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. George is survived by his children, Cynthia Barnes (Roger) of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Demrey Brandon (Joyce) of Pittsburgh, Pa.; his step-children, Denver Beaulieu-Hains, Dore Mobley (Darrell), Gregory Gaston (Sonney) and Teo Gaston; his brother, Williams “Bill” Brandon of Pittsburgh, Pa.; his sister, Lorraine West of San Jose, Calif.; his long time loving companion, Vivian “Denise” Gaston; 14 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Bettie Williams and his siblings, Ernest “Haney” Brandon, John “Appleseed” Brandon, Jean Upshaw, Merle Simpson, Patricia Rojas, and Margaret “Sue” Brandon. Family received friends on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. A Funeral Service was celebrated by Reverend Daniel Lindsey at 1 p.m. Interment followed at Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, Md. Serving as pallbearers were Claude Scott, Greg Gaston, Darrell Mobley, Teo Gaston, Phillip Caroth, and David Lindsey. Memorial contributions may be made to Stand Up To Cancer, P.O. Box 843721, Los Angeles, Calif. 90084-3721. Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.

Everard Lee Rawlings, 80 Everard Lee Rawlings, 80, of St. Leonard, Md. passed away Oct. 3 at Calvert Memorial Hospital, Prince Frederick, Md. Everard Lee was born in Prince Frederick, Md. on May 8, 1934 to the late Frank Rawlings and Evelyn M. Dove. He grew up in Bowensville and was raised by his mother and stepfather, Herman S. Bowen. He was an avid Ravens and Orioles fan. He is survived by his daughters Terry and her husband Bill Miller, Vicky and her husband Jeff Horsmon, and son Brad Rawlings. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Dale Elliott, Megan Horsmon and Cody Horsmon. The family received friends at the Rausch Funeral Home, 4405 Broomes Island Road, Port Republic, Md. on Sunday Oct. 5 from 1-5 p.m. A celebration of life was held on Monday Oct. 6 at the Broomes Island Wesleyan Church with Reverend Linwood Benton officiating. He will be laid to rest in Broomes Island Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Prince Frederick Fire Department.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

Community

Accolades for St. Mary’s Ryken Seniors Five Named National Merit Commended Students Two Named National Achievement Outstanding Participants

Health Fair The Way To Wellness

Naiyah Thompson, left, Chandler Smith, Eileen Walsh, Alexandra Ye, Michael Beckman, Lindsay Hanf, Brandt Potas, John Winslow and Principal Rick Wood.

St. Mary’s Ryken High School is proud to announce that five students in the Class of 2015 have been named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program and two students have been named Outstanding Participants in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Students earning Commended status are among the top 5% of more than 1.4 million high school students who entered the competition by taking the PSAT (Preliminary SAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Commended students are Michael Beckman of Great Mills, Brandt Potas of Leonardtown, Eileen Walsh of Great Mills, John Winslow of Hollywood, and Alexandra Ye of Great Mills. Chandler Smith of Port Tobacco and Naiyah Thompson of White Plains have been named Outstanding Participants in

ing Facebook on Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m. and a class on using Google more effectively on Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. Basic introductory classes to computers, Windows, Internet and email are being offered for adults on Mondays in Nov. at 2 p.m. at Lexington Park. Registration is required for all computer classes.

• BlueCross Blue Shield • Cedar Lane Senior Living Community • Charlotte Hall Veteran's Home • Circle of Care, LLC • Edward Jones--John Walters • Forever Eden Organics • Greenwell Foundation • MD Dermatology of Maryland • Minority Outreach Coalition • Morningside House of St. Charles • Personalized Therapy, LLC. • PNC Bank • Right At Home • Southern Maryland Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center • St. Mary’s County Wine & Design • St. Mary's Nursing & Rehabilitation Center • Studio 5 Hair Salon • The Charleston Senior Community • The Good Earth Natural Food Store • Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland

Starting a small business help provided Anyone interested in starting a small business is encouraged to attend an informative session presented by staff from the Small Business Administration at Lexington Park branch on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. No registration is required.

Friday, October 24, 2014 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The two students scored in the top 3% of more than 160,000 Black Americans who requested consideration when they took the PSAT (Preliminary SAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Earlier this month, senior Lindsay Hanf of Lexington Park, was named a National Merit Semifinalist, meaning she placed in the top 1% of the 1.4 million students. St. Mary’s Ryken is a Catholic, coeducational, college preparatory school community operated under the Xaverian Brothers’ sponsorship dedicated to academic excellence and individualized student growth. Each year, approximately 99% of graduates go on to college and the Class of 2014 earned $12.7 million in scholarships. St. Mary’s Ryken Press Release.

LIBRARY ITEMS Friends to hold book sale Friends of St. Mary’s County Library will hold a mini book sale at the Leonardtown Library on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many gently used books suitable for holiday gifts will be available. The rain date is Nov. 2. Spooktacular Halloween planned Children of all ages can come dressed up in their favorite costume (if they like) for not-so-scary stories and activities and then trick-or-treat through the library at the Spooktacular Halloween celebration planned on Oct. 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Charlotte Hall branch and at 2 p.m. at Lexington Park branch. Leonardtown’s will be on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. Paying for college options presented Options for paying for college, FAFSA, student loads, and scholarships will be discussed by Nadine Hutton, Director of Financial Aid for St. Mary’s College, on Nov. 3 at Lexington Park branch at 6:30 p.m. Facebook, Google and basic computer classes offered Lexington Park branch is offering a class for adults on getting started and us-

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Free webinar offered for grant seekers Grant seekers can register for a free webinar scheduled on Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. at Lexington Park branch that is designed to help them successfully manage life after the grant. They will learn about the best practices in managing reports and the communication required to build long term partnerships with foundations.

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The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

A Haunted Little Town

Twin Beach Players Present “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” By Sarah Miller Staff Writer There’s something spooky afoot in Sleepy Hollow…or is there? The Twin Beach Players version of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” adapted by veteran playwright Mark Scharf from the classic story by Washington Irving, is perfect for a family-friendly evening out. It most closely resembles the 1949 Disney adaptation, rather than the re-imagining by Tim Burton or the television version. The fright factor in the play is mostly mental – if you plant the seed of an idea in someone’s imagination, how long will it take for them to make it real? When Abraham “Brom” Van Brunt (played by Ethan Croll) takes a dislike to new schoolmaster Ichabod Crain (played by Justyn Christofel) and the attentions he pays to Katrina Von Tassel (played by Brianna Bennett), he decides to scare him with the legend of Sleepy Hollow’s Headless Horseman. Annoyed by Brom’s bullying demeanor, Katrina invites Ichabod to a party her family hosts every year for the sole purpose of making Brom jealous. Ichabod leaves the party following a confrontation with Brom and an uncomfortable conversation with Katrina, only to be accosted (and killed) by the Headless Horseman. Or was he? Go see “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and decide for yourself. Rounding out the play is Twin Beach Players regular Kirk Kugel, narrating the action in character as Washington Irving, Koral Kent as a mischievous spirit, and several other actors. The production will be at on stage Oct. 17 through Nov. 2 at the Boys and Girls’ Club in North Beach. For more information, visit twinbeachplayers.com or call 410-286-1890. sarahmiller@countytimes.net

Entertainment Calendar Wednesday, Oct. 22 Open Mic Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7 p.m. Wolf’s Blues Jam Blair’s Londontowne Pub and Grill (726 Londontowne Road, Edgewater) – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 George Dunn Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 Still Standing Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 8 p.m. Wolf’s Blues Jam Blair’s Londontowne Pub and Grill (726 Londontowne Road, Edgewater) – 7:30 p.m. Karaoke Plaza Tolteca (22768 Three Notch Road, California) – 9 p.m. Funkzilla ABC Liquor and Lounge (22741 Three Notch Road, California) – 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Mike Starkey Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse (16810 Piney Point Road, Piney Point) – 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 Thrill the World House of Dance (24620 Three Notch Road, Hollywood) – 5 p.m. Karaoke California Applebees (45480 Miramar Way, California) – 9 p.m.

Photos courtesy of the Twin Beach Players

Funkzilla Buckets Sports Bar (12020 Rousby Hall Road, Lusby) – 8 a.m. to midnight

Upcoming Performance Dates

Spoon Creek Anderson Farm (Clements) – 7 to 11 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 24 – 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25– 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26 – 3 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 26

Friday, Oct. 31 – 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 – 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 – 3 p.m.

Higher Standards Ruddy Duck Seafood and Alehouse (16810 Piney Point Road, Piney Point) – 11 a.m. Spoon Creek Bowles Farm (22880 Budds Creek Road, Clements) – 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27 Team Trivia Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 Open Mic Night Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 Dowell Road, Dowell) – 7 p.m. Wolf’s Blues Jam Blair’s Londontowne Pub and Grill (726 Londontowne Road, Edgewater) – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

Sports

Local High School Football Week 7 Review

Week 7 Football Review

The Leonardtown Raiders football team lost Friday’s home conference game against Westlake by a score of 44-42. The St. Mary’s Ryken football team won Friday’s home non-conference game against Maryland Christian by a score of 54-0. The Great Mills Hornets football team lost Friday’s home conference game against Huntingtown by a score of 38-6.

Photo by Jessica Woodburn

Photo by Michele Stratton

The Chopticon Braves football team lost Friday’s home conference game against North Point by a score of 49-35.

Photo by Michele Stratton

To submit photos of local high school football, email news@countytimes.net by 12 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to our Thursday publication.

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The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

To submit your event listing to go in our Community Calendar, please email news@countytimes.net with the listing details by 12 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to our Thursday publication.

October, Month Long Water Works Opal Fine Art Gallery & Gifts (41625 Park Avenue, Leonardtown) – Artist Reception Oct. 3, 5 to 8 p.m. Opal Fine Art Gallery & Gifts will host “Water Works”, an exhibit of work by Annie Compton beginning Oct. 3 and running through Oct. 31. Social Skills Group Lexington Park Elementary School (46763 South Shangri La Drive, Lexington Park) – Tuesdays at 11 a.m., Thursdays at 1 p.m. Tri-County Youth Services Bureau will offer a Social Skills group at Lexington Park Elementary School on Tuesdays at 11 a.m. to fourth graders, and Thursdays at 1 p.m. to fifth graders to help children transition by increasing their self-esteem, developing their communication skills, and making responsible and informed choices. Contact Territa Washington at 301-866-5992 or twashington@tcysb.org for more information. Lottery Book Fundraiser The Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary is sponsoring a Lottery Book fundraiser. There are over $12,000 in prizes. Cost is $25 per book. For more information contact 301-904-3098. Karaoke and DJ Friday Nights Brass Rail Sports Bar & Lounge (20331 Point Lookout Road, Great Mills) – 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Brass Rail Sports Bar & Lounge will host a Karaoke and DJ party every Friday night in October. Music by Scarlet Plus Entertainment. All for Fun and Fun for All! Halloween Costume Oct. 31! 5 Great prizes for the best costumes! Film Festival The First Annual Southern Maryland Film Festival Is Coming to Leonardtown! Friends of the Leonardtown Theater is partnering with the Southern Maryland Film Society to organize the Southern Maryland Film Festival, scheduled for Sat. July 11, 2015 in Leonardtown, Md. Filmmakers of all ages and all levels of experience are invited to submit their own films to be shown at various locations throughout the town. For more information on how to submit your film for consideration, or if you’d like to volunteer to help with the festival, go to www. smdfs.org. If you are a business in the tri-county area, and you would like to be a sponsor for the film festival contact Theresa at fotlt@outlook.com. After-School Youth Development Program Jarboe Education Center (21161 Lexwood Drive, Lexington Park) – 3 to 7 p.m. Tri-County Youth Services Bureau is offering an After-School Youth Development Program for children and youth up to age 18 at the Jarboe Education Center in Lexington Park, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. that focus on Anger Management, Social Skills and Youth Leadership Development. Homework assistance is also provided. Starts Tuesday, Oct. 7. Try Hockey for Free Registration Notice Capitol Clubhouse (3033 Waldorf Market Pl, Waldorf) – arrival by 7 a.m. USA Hockey and the Southern Maryland Sabres Hockey Club invite kids, ages 4 to 9, to try hockey for free! Register online: www.tryhockeyforfree.com The Sabres offer a range of ice programs including learn to play hockey, recreational teams, travel teams and skills sessions. For more information, visit: www.somdsabres.org

Thursday, Oct. 23 Emotional Management Program Jarboe Family Education Center (21161 Lexiwood Drive, Suite B, Lexington Park) – 4 to 5 p.m. Tri-County Youth Services Bureau is offering an 8-week Emotional Management Program for middle and high school students at the Jarboe Family Education Center in Lexington Park, Thursdays: Oct. 23 and 30, Nov. 6, 13, and 20, Dec. 4, 11 and 18, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. There is a $25 registration fee. Contact Territa Washington at 301-866-5992 or twashington@tcysb.org for more information. “Reapers in Red Coats: The Ghosts of Sotterly 1814” Historic Sotterley Plantation (44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood) – 7 p.m.

This year’s Ghosts of Sotterley “Reapers in Red Coats: The Ghosts of Sotterley 1814” will run on October 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25 with first performances beginning at 7 p.m. and running every 10 minutes. Advance reservations required – No Walk-ins. Tickets are $15 per person and may be purchased online: www.sotterley.org. Exclusive for Sotterley Members! Pay only $10 per person for performances on Thursday, Oct. 23! Advance reservations required - call 301-373-2280! Group rates are available by calling our office 301-373-2280. May not be suitable for young children. Dress appropriately for this spooky outdoor walking tour / production. NO refunds - held rain or shine.

Friday, Oct. 24 Showcase Recital Series College of Southern Maryland Leonardtown Campus (Building A, Auditorium, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown) – 8 p.m. Members of the CSM Piano Trio (Adina Vallandingham, Jenete St. Clair and Dr. Stephen Johnson) will be joined by clarinetist Takako Mato and violist Bernard Vallandingham in an evening of chamber music by Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. $5 in advance; $7 at the door. bxoffc@csmd.edu, 301-934-7828, www. csmd.edu/Arts. Decoding Dyslexia MD Leonardtown Library Meeting Room (23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown) – 10 a.m. to noon Meetings for the remainder of 2014 are listed below and parents, teachers and caregivers are invited to attend. Daytime Meetings: Friday Oct. 24 and Nov. 21 DD-MD Business Meeting, 10 a.m.- noon Leonardtown Library Meeting Room Decoding Dyslexia MD is a parent-led, grassroots movement driven by Maryland families concerned with the identification and access to educational interventions for students with dyslexia in Maryland public schools. Contact: Laura Schultz, DecodingDyslexiaMD@gmail.com, 703-477-4847 http://dyslexiasomd.weebly.com/meetings. html HomeSpun CoffeHouse Concert Christ Church Parish Hall (37497 Zach Fowler Road, Chaptico) – 7 p.m. The concert will feature Michael Kelly & Friends, including a guest appearance by renowned area folk singer-songwriter Lynn Hollyfield. The doors open at 7 p.m., and the music starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers. Refreshments are available (donation requested). For more information and directions, go to www.smtmd.org MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary Fall Bazaar St. Mary’s Hospital Lobby (25500 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown) – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary Fall Bazaar will be held in the hospital lobby on Friday, Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be handmade crafts, bake table, silent auction, and a raffle for a handmade quilt. Come support your community hospital! Open Mic Christ Church Parish Hall (37497 Zach Fowler Road, Chaptico) – 7 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the music starts at 7:30. The admission fee for this event is only $7, and performers are admitted free. Light refreshments will be provided (donations are suggested). For additional information, or to sign up to perform, please contact John Garner at garner@wildblue.net or call John at 301-904-4987. Visit www.smtmd.org for directions and more information.

Saturday, Oct. 25 Ghoulish Gala Carver Recreation Center (47382 Lincoln Ave., Lexington Park) – 5 to 8 p.m. For families with children of all ages. Come do the Monster Mash with us at Carver Recreation Center! The cost is only $5 per child and adult with kids 2 and under free. This not –so-scary event will be a unique experience for Parents and children

alike. Children & parents can dance their energy away on the dance floor with our DJ! There will be Halloween themed activities and games for children to participate in. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes so get creative! All children must be preregistered as space will be limited. Register online at www.stmarysmd.com/recreate or by visiting Recreation & Parks main office in Leonardtown. For more information call 301-475-4200 ext. 1800 or 1801.

and lots of items for children including some games and jigsaw puzzles. These are all books donated by the wonderful citizens of our county. Come early for the best selection. There will be no early sales. This sale is in addition to our annual book sale at the county fairgrounds which will take place in March 2015.

Spaghetti Dinner All-You-Can-Eat Second District VFD & RS Auxiliary (45245 Drayden Road, Valley Lee) – 5 to 7 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner All-You-Can-Eat; Saturday, Oct. 25, starts 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Cost for adults is $10; Children 6 – 12 - $5 & Children 5 & under are free; Menu consists of Spaghetti w/sauce or Spaghetti w/meat sauce, Green beans w/bacon, Garden Salad, Bread & Butter; Homemade Dessert Available for a donation; WEAR A COSTUME & GET A TREAT BAG! For more information call 301-994-9999.

Documentary Screening and Discussion College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus (Center for Business and Industry Building, Room 113-E, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata) – 7 to 8 p.m. ‘When I Walk’: Documentary Screening and Discussion. The documentary tells the true story of Jason DaSilva, who was 25 years old when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Sponsored by CSM Diversity Institute and Charles Regional Medical Center. Free. amorton@csmd.edu, 301-9347659, www.csmd.edu/DiversityInstitute/.

Concert Band College of Southern Maryland La Plata campus (Fine Arts Building, Theatre, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata) – 8 p.m. Southern Maryland Concert Band. 8 p.m., Oct. 25. College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Fine Arts (FA) Building, Theatre, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata. The Southern Maryland Concert Band (SMCB), under the direction of Michael Peerless, is a community ensemble that offers college credit to CSM students for their participation. $5 in advance, $7 day of event. bxoffc@csmd.edu, 301934-7828, www.csmd.edu/Arts. Nearly New Sale St. Paul’s Campus (25550 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown) – 7 a.m. to noon First Saints Community Church is having their annual Nearly New Sale. We have furniture, toys, video games, DVDs, household items and so much more. All proceeds go to support the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen. Trick-Or-Treat on The Square Leonardtown Square – 1 to 3 p.m. The the Town of Leonardtown, the Leonardtown Business Association, Friends of Cedar Lane, Wine & Design/Art Buzz Kids and Girl Scout Troop 6191 will be hosting Trick-or-Treat on the Square. Local businesses will have free treats available and there will be free pumpkin painting and crafting with pine cones in the Square. Children should be accompanied by an adult as the roads will not be closed for this event. For more information contact the Town Office at 301-475-9791. Haunted Ship Historic St. Mary’s City Waterfront (Start your evening at Farthing’s Ordinary: 47414 Old State House Road, St. Mary’s City) – 6 to 8 p.m. This event is free – donations will be accepted. Start your evening adjacent to the museum’s Shop at Farthing’s Ordinary (47414 Old State House Road, St. Mary’s City) Historic St. Mary’s City is a museum of living history and archaeology on the site of Maryland’s first capital in beautiful, tidewater Southern Maryland. For more information about HSMC or this program, contact the Visitor Center at info@digshistory.org , 240-895-4990, or 800-SMC-1634.

Sunday, Oct 26 Sacred Heart Church Annual Fall Dinner Sacred Heart Parish Hall (23080 Maddox Road, Bushwood) – 12 to 4 p.m. Menu includes; fried oysters, stuffed ham, turkey with dressing and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, parsley potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, rolls, tea and coffee. Cost is, Adults $25, Children 12 and under $6, and Drive-thru carry-outs $25. We will have a Cake Table, Country Store and Raffle. Please join us for good food and fellowship! (Sacred Heart Parish Hall is located at 23080 Maddox Road, Bushwood, Md. 20618.) Contact Info: Charlotte Morgan Mini Book Sale Leonardtown Library Parking Lot (23250 Hollywood Rd., Leonardtown) – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will have lots of gently used books to add to one¹s personal collection or for holiday gift giving. There will be a selection of fiction, non-fiction

Monday, Oct. 27

Tuesday, Oct. 28 Age Greatfully Global Village Community Center (17383 Global Village Way, Dameron) – 10 a.m. to noon Age Gratefully - Learn ways to stay active, healthy and involved Come and learn ways to stay active, healthy and involved and age gratefully! Light refreshments will also be included. This informative presentation is part of community outreach efforts by the Commission on Aging. Their goal is to make the community aware of programs and services for older adults and the young at heart. RSVP is not required, but is encouraged. For more information call 301-4754200, ext. 1051. The Patuxent Partnership Annual Meeting Keynote Speaker Southern Maryland Higher Education Center (Center Hall, Building 2, 44219 Airport Road, California) – 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mr. Jeffrey Wells, Founder and Executive Director, Connected Warrior Foundation, will share his efforts in support of our veterans. Register at www.paxpartnership.org/index. cfm?action=CL2&amp;Entry=1443 There is no cost for this program. Advance registration is requested to manage catering and seating. League of Women Voters of St. Mary’s To Hold Final Candidates’ Forum Lexington Park Library (21677 FDR Blvd., Lexington Park) – 6 p.m. A candidates’ forum will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. in the Lexington Park Library. The individuals running for Maryland State delegate and the State senate will be available for questions. Scheduled to attend are: Delegate candidates, Daniel Slade, Matt Morgan, John Bohanan, Deb Rey, Tony O’Donnell and Len Zuza. State Senate candidates scheduled are: Roy Dyson and Steve Waugh. Disabilities and the Inclusive Society College of Southern Maryland La Plata Campus (Center for Business and Industry Building, Room 103/104, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata) – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free. amorton@csmd.edu, 301-934-7659, www.csmd.edu/DiversityInstitute/.

Wednesday, Oct. 29 Final Speaker Series Presentation Sotterley Plantation (Barn, 44300 Sotterley Lane, Hollywood) – 7 p.m. October is an “R” month! Join us for our final Speaker Series presentation and film entitled, “SPAT: Bringing Oysters Back to the Chesapeake Bay” by Sandy Cannon-Brown. Your help with informing the public about this FREE event is much appreciated. Sotterley Plantation is proud to partner with The Boeing Company in announcing the upcoming 2014 Speaker Series presentation: Sandy Cannon-Brown “SPAT: Bringing Oysters Back to the Chesapeake Bay” This event is free to the public. Advance reservations are required due to limited seating. Call 301-373-2280 to make your reservation.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The County Times

SENIOR NIGHT

WEDNESDAYS FROM 12 - 9 P.M. 50% OFF For Our Guests 55 And Older. Dine-In Only.

KIDS EAT FREE TUESDAYS FROM 4 - 9 P.M. Purchase One Item Off The Regular Adult Menu, Receive Up To 2 KIDS MEALS FREE. Kids 12 And Under Only.

301-862-5209

21991 Three Notch Rd Lexington Park, Md 20653

CHURCH SERVICES DIRECTORY Running the 1st & 3rd Week of Each Month To Advertise in the Church Services Directory, Call The County Times at 301-373-4125

ANGLICAN

Victory Baptist Church 29855 Eldorado Farm rd CharlottE hall, md 20659

301-884-8503

Order Of gOOd news services

BAHA’I FAITH BAHA’I FAITH God is One, Man is One, and All Religions are One

Sundays - 10 AM 23928 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood MD, 20636 301/997-1235 www.redeemersomd.org

St. John's Anglican Church SUNDAY MASS 10 a.m. 26415 North Sandgates Rd. Mechanicsville, Md 20659 www.facebook.com/ StJohnsAnglicanMD stjohnsanglicanchurchmd.com

Discussions 3rd Wed. 7-8 Lex Pk Library, Longfellow Rm 301-884-8764 or www.bahai.org

sun schOOl, all ages…...............10:00 sun mOrning wOrship.............…11:00 sun evening wOrship….................7:00 wed evening prayer mtg.........…7:00

ProClaiming thE ChangElEss word in a Changing world.

BAPTIST CHURCH HUGHESVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH A member of the Southern Baptist Convention 8505 Leonardtown Road, Hughesville, MD 20637 301-884-8645 or 301-274-3627 Senior Pastor Dr. J. Derek Yelton Associate Pastor Kevin Cullins

• Sunday School (all ages) • Sunday Morning Worship • Sunday Evening Worship & Bible Study • Wednesday Discipleship Classes (Adults, youth & Children)

BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

9:15 am 10:30 am 6:00 pm 7:00 pm

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CATHOLIC CHURCH St. Cecilia Church

47950 Mattapany Rd, PO Box 429 St. Mary’s City, MD 20686 301-862-4600 Vigil Mass: 4:30 pm Saturday Sunday: 8:00 am Weekday (M-F): 7:30 am Confessions: 3-4 pm Saturday www.stceciliaparish.com

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Business

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Thursday, October 23, 2014

Business

The County Times

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The County Times Presenting the professionals' favorite properties on the market.

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To list a property in our next Realtor’s Choice edition, call Jennifer at 301-373-4125.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

How to Clean Up Carpet Glue Many a homeowner has moved into a new home and immediately begun to renovate the place to make it more their own. Carpeting is often the first thing to go when a homeowner is handed the keys to his or her new home, and many a homeowner has pulled up an old carpet only to discover beautiful flooring beneath. Pulling up carpet is a relatively simple task, but carpets that were glued down often leave their mark on the floor, turning even the most appealing hardwood floor into an eyesore covered in hardened clumps of glue. Such remnants may be harder to remove than the actual carpet, but with the right approach and a little elbow grease, homeowners will be enjoying their new hardwood floors sooner rather than later. • Get the glue right. All carpet glues are not the same, so before you can begin to remove the adhesive from the floor you must first determine which type of glue you will be removing, as this can dictate how you proceed with the removal. Tar-based adhesives are dark brown or tan, but if the floor is coated in a yellow-looking substance, then the carpet was glued down with a more general adhesive. • Choose the appropriate removal material. Once you have determined which type of adhesive was used on the floor, visit the hardware store to buy the appropriate removal material. Tar-based adhesives are best removed with mineral spirits, while general adhesives are best removed with a combination of elbow grease and adhesive remover. When removing a general adhesive, first try to scrape or chip off any glue spots. Be gentle when chipping, as you don’t want to scuff your wood floor. Scraping and chipping will likely only do so much, so once you have scraped and chipped as much as you can, you can then use your adhesive remover. Such products tend to be quite flammable, so exercise caution when using them. In addition, adhesive removers can be toxic, so keep the windows open while you’re working so you don’t get lightheaded or begin to feel sick. • Follow the manufacturer instructions. When using mineral spirits or adhesive removers, it’s imperative that you follow the manufacturer instructions. Oftentimes such products instruct users to apply them with a paintbrush or sponge in an attempt to dampen the glue. Once applied, these removers are typically left to sit for a predetermined period of time listed on the package. • Use the right tool. Once the recommended period of time for the remover to set

has passed, you can then begin to scrape the glue away. When doing so, be sure to use a plastic putty knife. You may not feel a plastic putty knife can be as effective as a metal alternative, but the plastic won’t scratch or scuff the floor. A plastic putty knife may or may not remove all of the glue, and chances are it won’t. You will still be stuck with some stubborn spots that the putty knife simply can’t remove. When such spots present themselves, apply a little more remover, wait the recommended time for it to set and then use an old towel to wipe away the rest of the glue. This can be hard, but stick with it to ensure the floor looks as good and glue-free as it possibly can. • Allow the floor time to dry. The floor will need time to dry after all of the glue has been removed, so at this point you can call it a day and finish the job the following day. If weather permits, you can expedite the drying process by opening all of the windows. This not only dries the floor more quickly but also allows you to air out the room, which many contain some lingering chemicals left behind by the removers. • Clean the floor. When the floor has dried, you can sweep and vacuum it to make sure it is free of debris. • Sand the floor. While the floor may look beautiful, you will probably still need to sand it. No matter how carefully and effectively you removed the glue, you probably left behind a few scuff marks or noticed a few that likely resulted from the carpet installation. Sanding can remove these blemishes and take you one step closer to enjoying your beautiful and now-glue-free wood floors.

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

CLUES ACROSS

Last Week’s Puzzle Solutions

1. Father 4. Greek gods physician 9. Emblem and/or insignia 14. Indicates near 15. Manila hemp 16. l836 Texas siege 17. Animal Planet 18. “Shadow Spell” author 20. Shaking 22. Office worker 23. Hit on which the batter scores 24. Catastrophes 28. Extinct N.Z. ratite 29. Indicates position 30. Cracking sound 31. Medieval oboe 33. Zurvanic priest 37. Pa’s partner 38. Organization of American States 39. Pearly ear shaped shell 41. Inventor Franklin 42. Atomic #3 43. Large sea snail 44. Nostrils 46. Supplements with difficulty 49. Periodic symbol for silver 50. Senior officer 51. German superhighways 55. Bromeosin 58. White person, Hawaiian slang 59. Strong magnet alloy 60. Bloomberg interviewer 64. Women’s ___ movement 65. Cover with wood 66. Slats 67. Sick 68. Rewards (archaic) 69. Heels, pumps or loafers 70. Yes vote

CLUES DOWN

1. Termination of life 2. Approval (Br. abbr.) 3. Befuddlements 4. Visual percepts 5. Town in Southeast Ghana 6. Auricle 7. Gum arabic genus 8. DEA agents (slang) 9. Naive persons 10. Signals 11. Make gloomy 12. Greenwich Mean Time 13. Winged goddess of the dawn 19. Talipot palm leaf strip 21. Cat cry 24. Kansas 67632

Games

25. Roman citizen 26. Chinese silk plant 27. Bridge breadths 31. European sole genus 32. 3 line Japanese verse form 34. Sounding disks 35. United Nations (abbr.) 36. Unlogical 40. Exist 41. So. Am. capital est. 1960 45. 7th C. BC King of Judah 47. C2H6 fuel 48. Glided high

52. Cotton pods 53. Boxer Muhammad 54. Ends of a loaf of bread 56. Very coldly 57. Titled peer of the realm 59. Arthur __, Wimbledon champion 60. Cost per mile 61. Own (Scottish) 62. Cheer 63. Word element meaning ear

CLASSIFIEDS Placing An Ad

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The County Times will not be held responsible for any ads omitted for any reason. The County Times reserves the right to edit or reject any classified ad not meeting the standards of The County Times. It is your responsiblity to check the ad on its first publication and call us if a mistake is found. We will correct your ad only if notified after the first day of the first publication ran.

Real Estate

Employment

Great home for a 1st time buyer or retirement home in Chesapeake Beach. Qualifies for USDA, 100% financing.The rooms in the home are all good sized, big kitchen, orig hardwood flooring and newer bathroom. All on one level. Awesome rear deck with steps that lead to the big back yard, play house and storage shed/ workshop. Awesome potential to build up or out. Price: $214,000. Call 301-832-1165.

Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant FULL TIME

Do you want more than $1,000 a Week? Excellent Monthly Bonus Program/ Benefits. Weekend Hometime you Deserve! Electronic Logs/ Rider Program. 877-704-3773

HOME FOR SALE

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Chesapeake Neurology Associates has a full-time position available for a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. Experience preferred, but our physicians are willing to train the right candidate. Candidate must possess proper Maryland Licensure or be board eligible for new graduates. Competitive salary; paid holidays. No phone calls accepted. Faxed resumes only to (410) 535-6030 or email contact@chesapeakeneurology.com.

Full Time position working with school age children ages 5 & up. Day Care located in Huntingtown. Please call 410-535-5232.

Experienced Line Tech. and Experienced Diesel Tech. needed. Plenty of work, Up to $30.00 per labor hr. If Ford certified, plus $2.00 per labor hr. retroactive over 40 labor hrs., and additional Blue Oval bonus,.paid vacation, Hospitalization available, we pay 50% of premium for employee and family. Must have own tools, valid drivers lic., and be HONEST AND DEPENDABLE. Contact: Rick Hunt. HUNT Ford INC. 6825 Crain Hwy. Laplata, Md 20646 301-934-8186.

Buy a Home with NO MONEY DOWN! 100% Home Financing! Get $5,000.00 towards your closing cost from the state of MD! Get up to $2,000.00 tax refund per year under the Maryland Home Credit Program!

Come to my seminar on Sept 2, 2014 at 6 p.m. to learn about these programs. Seminar will be held at my office at 24404 Three Notch Road, Hollywood, MD, 20636! Seating is limited to please reserve your space by calling 301-373-6640 or text the number of people attending to 240-577-3634. No child care provided. For more information visit my website at www.somdhomeloans.com or call me at 240-577-3634. Roseann Kraese Sr. Mortgage Loan Officer 798721

The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014

St. Mary’s Department of Aging Programs and Activities

Ebola Presentation In response to the recent Ebola virus outbreak the St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services has coordinated with the St. Mary’s County Health Department to include a seminar on the Ebola Virus at their Health Fair on Friday, October 24 at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center at 2:00 p.m. Melanie Gardiner, Director of Public Health Preparedness and Response will offer the community information on the Ebola virus, such as: background, transmission, incubation and prevention. More specifically, she will highlight ways that St. Mary’s County is working to prepare for the virus. Tickets to Enchanted Kingdom A limited supply of tickets is still available for the Friday, Oct. 31 event from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the Northern Senior Activity Center aka Northern Castle. Enjoy bingo hour, dancing and entertainment by Sir Mean Gene, a Photo Throne and Royal Show. All activities and roast beef feast are included with a suggested contribution of $8 per person. Stop by or contact the front desk to get your ticket while supplies last. 301-475-4002 ext. 1001. Jewelry with Sue During this class offered at the Garvey Senior Activity Center on Wednesdays, Oct. 29, Nov. 5, & Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. students will learn the popular jewelry making technique of chain mail. Students will also practice beading and make a bracelet. The cost for this series is $15; payable to Sue Peters. All materials will be provided. To learn more or to sign up, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1050. Tour of the Emergency Call Center (911 center) The Triad/SALT and the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services and will offer a tour of the Emergency Communications Center (911 call center) on Thursday, November 13, 2014. Lunch will be served at noon at the Garvey Senior Activity Center; the presentation and tour to follow. Lunch is $6.00 for those under 60; by donation for all others. When registering for this

SENIOR LIVING

presentation, please advise if you would like to opt out of lunch. A representative of the Emergency Communications Department (911 call center) will give you an inside look on what happens when you dial 911, how to prepare for an emergency and other invaluable inside knowledge that just might save you or a loved one’s life! Saturday time change for Enhance Fitness Saturday, Nov. 1, the starting time for Saturday Enhance Fitness class held at the Northern Senior Activity Center on will change to 9:30 a.m. Class is one hour and purchase of a fitness card for $30 for 10 sessions is required to attend. Hearing and Balance Function Pinpointing a particular cause for an individual’s hearing loss is not usually possible. Typically it is a combination of factors that have permanently damaged the hearing organ over time. But, did you know audiology isn’t only about hearing? Audiology is the discipline involved in the identification, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of hearing and balance disorders. On Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m., Dr. Gina Diaz, Audiologist at Hearing Professionals will discuss how hearing loss, dizziness, vertigo and tinnitus affect emotions, overall physical being and treatment options to minimize the impact on your daily routine. FREE. Register in advance for this program by calling 301-475-4200, ext. 1050. Tai Chi for Arthritis Tai Chi for Arthritis Part II is ideal for those who have completed the original program, both the Core Movements and the Extension Movements, and are looking for a more challenging course. In Part II, students will continue with learning the Sun Style, adding additional movements to those learned in previous classes. The class will be offered at the Garvey Senior Activity Center on Mondays, Nov. 3 – Dec. 29 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Participants must have completed both the Core Movements and Extension Movements in order to participate in Part II. To register, call 301-475-4200, ext. 1050.

Loffler Senior Activity Center 301-737-5670, ext. 1652; Garvey Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4200, ext. 1050 Northern Senior Activity Center, 301-475-4002, ext. 1001 Visit the Department of Aging’s website at www.stmarysmd.com/aging for the most up-to date information.

Early Lighthouse Keepers at Point Lookout By Linda Reno Contributing Writer Below is a listing of some of the early lighthouse keepers at Point Lookout. From time to time it seemed as if the job was a family affair as some of them were related by blood and/or marriage. James Davis (1773-1830) was the son of Joseph Davis (d. 1792) and Jemima Wimsatt (d. 1797). He married Mary Clarke, October 1, 1796. Children: Joseph (1797-1832); Charlotte (1798aft. 1860); Ann (1802-1849); Amos (1804-1850); Caroline (1808-aft. 1860); Mary (1808-1850/1860); Lucretia (1810-1840/1850). Ann Davis (1802-1849). Daughter of James Davis and Mary Clarke. Ann Davis assumed her father’s duties as lighthouse keeper after his death. She never married. Her niece, Mary Davis (daughter of Joseph Davis, her brother) was left in her care when he died in 1830. William Wood (1814-1859) married Susanna Heard, December 30, 1834. She was the daughter of Charlotte Davis (see above) and her husband, William Heard. William Wood was originally from the upper part of St. Mary’s County, around Mechanicsville, but was living in the first district by 1840. He was a car-

A Journey Through Time The

penter by trade. William Pinkney Baxter was born in 1814. He was the son of John Baxter and Elizabeth Medley. He married Mary Tarlton, daughter of Robert Tarlton and Elizabeth Cox on March 5, 1839. They do not appear to have had any children. Richard Dent Edwards (1782-1853) was also from the extreme northern end of St. Mary’s County. He married Lydia Dyson, daughter of Gerard Dyson of Charles County, on February 7, 1810. The family was living in Bryantown, Charles County, at the time of the 1850 census where Richard was listed as a tavern keeper. He was appointed keeper in April 1853 and died in office in July of the same year. Samuel Cullison (1794-1859) was the son of John Cullison (d. 1797) and wife, Mary. He was a Bay Pilot. He married Mary Cullison, February 23, 1824. Their son, George Henry Cullison moved to Baltimore where he was the Captain of a coasting vessel. Martha Ann Edwards (1835-aft. 1870) was the daughter of Richard Dent Edwards and Lydia Dyson. She resigned as lighthouse keeper on April 7, 1855 probably as a result of her upcoming marriage to Thomas J. Byrd, a native of Somerset County, on May 4, 1855. Martha was sent to the Maryland Hospital for the Insane in 1868 and was listed there at the time of the 1870 census. Permelia Edwards (1816-1893) was also the daughter of Richard Dent Edwards and Lydia Dyson. Ru-

Chronicle

mors abound about the service of Permelia Edwards. It is said that she kept prisoners or that she abused the prisoners at Point Lookout, but that’s highly unlikely. Permelia was a Southern Maryland girl and would have been pro-Confederate. In addition, her brother, Elkanah Edwards, was a known Southern sympathizer. William Moody (1836-aft. 1912). Mr. Moody was born in Massachusetts. He and his family were living in Baltimore at the time of the 1880 census. He was listed as lighthouse keeper in 1910 in St. Mary’s County.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Wanderings of an Aimless

Min

“Gearing up for Halloween” By Shelby Oppermann Contributing Writer I can’t believe Halloween is so close. Everyone knows that we love Halloween here at our house. We do the Spooky Trails every year. My husband does just about all the outside set-up, I help take creatures out of the storage boxes and work on appetizers for the gathering. I won’t be much help anyway with the lifting and doing so hopefully he has help again this year. It’s a lot of work done on ladders and lots of lighting arrangements. Luckily we still have five bales of last year’s hay to decorate with too, though we aren’t sure if it will make it all the way across the yard without breaking up. It would be nice to start setting up a week or two early but every time we try to do that the weather whips up a mini storm and tears down everything we have placed. So, like every year, my husband will have to wait until a few days before. There have been years where the weather has been so bad that we are still setting up up until the time the trick or treaters come. Each year, we add another creature to the family. This year we took one of our grandsons to Spirit Halloween in Waldorf to look through all of the motion activated figures. We thought we were early enough this year to leave with the one we wanted: a six foot scarecrow with lots of scary sayings and light up eyes. But like usual there was only one left and that was the display model. We were told to come back the next morning by 1 p.m. to pick it up. I am glad it was Friday when we picked it up since the store was set on fire on the following Monday. I feel so bad for them and for the fire at Fred’s furniture and hunting store. As a former business owner it really makes me sad for the owners and employees, especially before the holidays. I guess some people have nothing better to do than cause destruction. Until we start taking the figures outside the scarecrow is set up and plugged in in our guest room. It doesn’t matter if I know it’s there because every time I walk by the guest room to the laundry room he lights up and speaks and scares me. He will be a great addition this year. Originally, I thought this year’s Halloween Trails set-up was going to be easier for me since it was a year ago this month when I closed my shop in Leonardtown. I thought I would have plenty of time on the days leading up to it. Last year it was so crazy trying to move everything out of the shop, and to also be prepping for our big Halloween bash. But, it is still going to be iffy for me for set-up this year. My son and his fiancé are due to have their second child any time from now until the 28th. So I am on call and at the ready for little Carson’s appearance. Maybe he will decide to wait until the 31st, but he will be the priority. My husband said he and our friends will handle the Trails. Two of our other grandkids, Leigha and Logan and our friends’ children, Anthony, Blake, and Bryce, can give the tours and scare visitors better than me anyway. I’m not even sure what I am going to wear for Halloween yet anyway. I suppose it should be something that will be just as fitting for the trails as it will be for a hospital delivery room. Probably no creepy clowns or anything like that. And no ripped up and ghastly nurses uniforms either. Any thoughts? How about a witch doctor? To each new day’s adventure, Shelby Please send your comments or ideas to: shelbys.wanderings@yahoo.com or find me on facebook: Shelby Oppermann

The County Times

Three Syllables, Sounds Like Family Laura Joyce Contributing Writer

win. Before the first clue was halfway guessed, the cats had thrown us all wild-eyed glares and skittered from the room, dismayed at the loud shouts of disbelief, at the stomping feet and shrieks of protest and exasperated groans. Don’t get me wrong; it was still friendly—sort of—but it was also growing in intensity with each disputed loss and exultant win. Forgotten Middle Child Tim, always the peacemaker, rapidly came up with a plan whereby we’d vote after each team’s turn, to determine if the title had been a fair one. This followed the men’s demand that Sarah and I prove that “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” qualifies as a ‘well-known book’, and our own questions about “The Communist Manifesto.” Sure, it may be technically fair, we admitted, but really, is your goal to play a game or simply to watch us stand there looking like idiots, unable to think of a single way to act out the title? When the men— perhaps I should go back to boys— agreed that us standing there looking like idiots worked for them, we all reached a simultaneous unspoken agreement: perhaps a slightly milder

game, something like Scattergories, would be a better idea. The cats cautiously crept back into the room, relieved that we’d come to such a sensible decision. We played until midnight, the television and keyboards and cell phones silent throughout. Instead, the room was loud with shouts of laughter as we argued about whether “fresh towels” counted as an “F” found in hotels (yes) and whether caramel counted as a “C” found in a desert (no: a camel is found in a desert; caramel is found in a dessert). The evening felt like old times with a new twist: men where boys once stood, choice where circumstance once ruled. Given the choice, I’d choose the boys—these spirited, good, funny men—as the people I’d most want to spend my time with. The fact that they’re here, all together, and that they are family, makes it an amazing stroke of good fortune, and all the more wonderful.

Last weekend, we had an evening that is becoming increasingly rare these days on Testosterone Terrace. All three boys—really, I should say men—were home for the weekend. The boys’ dad was there, and so was Prince Firstly’s longtime girlfriend, Sarah, so when I wandered into the family room at around nine p.m., I discovered that it was living up to its name: there was family sprawled on every available sofa cushion and on all the prime floor spaces, as well. They were all engaged in some sort of e-activity: a video game playing on the television made the room sound like a shooting gallery; a Words-with-Friends competition was heating up on an I-Pad; and Baby Ben was texting on his phone as if he’d just discovered the meaning of life and had to pass it along before Twitter became obsolete. I love hearing from you; feel free I was born in the 60’s and raised to contact me at thewordtech@ in the pre-digital 70’s and 80’s, so I md.metrocast.net did what any self-respecting mother of teens and twenty-somethings would have done in my shoes: I got everyone’s attention (with great difficulty) and suggested a game of…Charades! To say that I was met with a deafening silence would redefine the historical meaning of quiet. I exited the room with as much dignity as I could muster. As I left, I was pretty sure that I heard the sound of the boys’ eyes rolling in the quiet that still remained. I’ve never been one to give up easily, though. When I returned with pens and blank index 13 month with cards and suggested that the ladies could kick the 1st FULL month gentlemen’s—well, it’s a FREE / 25 month family newspaper, so let’s say posteriors—the boys with first 2 FULL couldn’t resist the chalmonths FREE! lenge. Then too, through years of dealing with me when I have an idea, the QUIET boys knew that they might as well give in with grace, SAFE since resistance was futile. CONVENIENT I’d forgotten how competitive the boys can be, and I suppose I’d also forgotten that the Owned and Operated by trait raced in on both the Call For More Information: x and y chromosomes— Bella Bailey, Marketing & Leasing MGR. I’m certain that the x’s arrived first—so they got 23314 Surrey Way • California, Maryland 20619 a double dose of desire to

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The County Times

Thursday, October 23, 2014