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Illegal Hearing?
Board of Appeals Holds Hearing Despite Lack of Notice to Residents
By Adam Ross Staff Writer The. way. county. government. conducts.business.changed.forever.at. the.Jan..11.Zoning.Board.of.Appeals. (ZBA).meeting... Chairman.George.Allen.Hayden. and. the. rest. of. board. voted. unanimously. to. continue. a. hearing. on. a. proposed. elementary. school. at. the. end. of. Wildwood. Parkway. in. California,.despite.the.failure.of.Jacquelyn.V..Meiser,.a.lawyer.representing. the. Board. of. Education,. to. comply. with.a.county.ordinance.requiring.a. written. 15-day. public. hearing. notification for the surrounding properties, delivered via certified mail. According. to. Ms.. Meisers. sworn.testimony.at.the.Board.of.Appeals. meeting. Thursday,. six. homes. were.inadvertently.overlooked.... The.purpose.of.the.letter.was.to. notify.the.public.of.the.hearing.and. to. provide. adequate. time. to. gather. more. information,. according. to. St.. Marys. County. Public. Schools. Chief Executive Officer, J. Bradley Clements.... Meiser. said. she. visited. each. home.on.Jan..6,.to.hand.deliver.that. notification, giving property owners just.six.days.advance.notice...Meiser. said.she.was.also.available.to.answer. any.questions.those.property.owners. might. have. had. for. as. long. as. they. wanted. her. to. stay,. and. asked. the. board. to. consider. this. unique. circumstance.on.its.own.merits... The. six. [property. owners]. got. more.than.what.was.required,.Meiser said of the hand delivered notification. because. they. could. sit. down. and. question. the. proposal. with. her.. The.rest.got.just.the.requirements.. . County.Attorney.Christy.Chesser. said. there. was. evidence. in. the. case. log. to. suggest. actual. notice. is a sufficient substitute for written notification. All. twelve. people. residing. on. those six properties signed affidavits saying.they.understood.the.substance. of.what.was.going.on,.reviewed.the. plans. with. Meiser. and. had. enough. time.to.get.to.the.hearing.... All.except.for.one.member,.Rufus Boswell, who signed the affidavit,.but.did.not.have.an.opportunity. himself. to. sit. down. with. Meiser. to. review.the.concept.plan... Boswell.said.although.he.signed. the affidavit, he did not have time to properly.prepare.for.the.meeting.and. was.unaware.that.the.site.plans.were. public.record.. We. dont. have. any. information,.Boswell.said.to.the.board..We. have. no. information. whatsoever,. its. all. hearsay. and. thats. not. good. enough.. I. want. to. know. measurements.from.my.house.and.the.road. Hayden. told. Boswell. that. the. purpose. for. public. hearings. was. to. obtain. more. information,. and. there. was. no. way. he. could. have. gotten. more. information. on. the. project. outside of the notification of the hearing. Hayden.even.went.as.far.as.proposing. a. hypothetical. situation. to. Boswell,. asking. him. to. assume. he. was. unable. to. get. any. information. outside.of.the.hearing..Did.you.have. enough.time.to.physically.get.to.the. meeting?.. See.Appeals.page.A-3
New Governor Martin OMalley pumps his fist in excitement as he steps up to the podium to address the 200 person crowd packed into Solomons Pier Jan. 11. OMalley was upbeat and promised to keep Southern Maryland in mind as he governs for the next four years. Sen. Roy Dyson (D - St. Marys, Calvert, Charles) introduced the new governor.
By Bryan Jaffe Managing Editor Less. than. one. week. before. his. Inaguration.yesterday,.Jan..17,.Governor. Martin. OMalley. (D). paid. a. visit.to.Southern.Maryland.as.part.of. his.One.Maryland.tour.of.the.state. last.Thursday. Keeping. true. to. the. theme,. OMalley.reached.out.a.hand.to.the. region,. promising. that. Southern. Maryland.will.not.fall.off.his.radar. Charles,.Calvert.and.St..Marys. Counties.are.a.great.part.of.why.we. are. celebrating. today,. OMalley.
said. before. nearly. 200. supporters. packed into the second floor room at.Solomons.Pier..We.are.all.part.of. one. Maryland,. and. with. your. help,. we.won.the.battle..Now.we.have.to. secure.the.peace. OMalley.described.the.peace. process.as.involving.hard.work.and. accountability..It.also.includes.working.across.the.aisle.in.the.legislature.. He.said.it.is.important.to.respect.the. Republicans. in. government. and. to. work. with. them. because. different. policy.choices.do.not.make.them.bad. people.Keep.in.mind,.more.unites. us.than.divides.us. One. of. the. key. tasks. OMalley.
said.is.before.him.is.this.years.budget.. As. the. General. Assembly. is. underway,.he.said.he.has.about.two. weeks. to. review. it. and. work. it. out. with.them.. Its.funny.how.during.the.campaign. the. newspapers. kept. talking. about. budget. surpluses,. OMalley. said..Now.that.the.election.is.over,. they. are. talking. about. structural. deficits. OMalley.was.quick.to.reassure. his. supporters. that. they. would. not. shoulder.the.burden.of.these.projected deficits, however. We. will. not. raid. open. space. dollars, he said firmly, pounding his
fist on the lectern. Open space will be.fully.funded..We.will.not.raid.the. transportation.trust.fund,.he.added. emphatically. When. discussing. his. plan. to. head off these structural deficits, OMalley. did. not. discuss. taxes. or. slots,.two.of.the.major.issues.that.opponents. have. focused. on.. House. of. Delegates.Minority.Leader.Anthony. ODonnell.(R..29C).has.expressed. public. concerns. in. recent. weeks. about. tax. reform,. a. codeword. he. says.for.tax.hikes..ODonnell.could. not.be.reached.for.further.comment. See.Promises.page.A-8
Sports B-1
Op.-Ed.......Page A - 4 . Police ..........Page A- 6 Obits...........Page A - 7
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The.Saint.Marys.County.Sheriffs.Department.is.implementing. a. crime. prevention. program. in. Golden. Beach. that. blends. old-fashioned. tactics. with. new-age. community. policing.. The. program. is. called. Community Service Officer, and was kicked. off. Jan.. 11th. with. a. meeting. between.Golden.Beach.citizens.and. Sheriff.Cameron. I. think. police. work,. at. least. in. my. time,. is. a. lot. more. than. just. arresting. people. and. solving. problems,. explained. Sher. Golden. Opportunity Community Service Officer Protects. Golden. Beach. iff. Timothy. K..Cameron. The. purpose. of. the. program. is. for designated officers to focus on certain.communities.and.help.them. solve.problems.they.face. Photo by Andrew Knowlton The officers that would serve [in.the.program].would.be.the.con- St. Marys County Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron has a lot of ideas he is working to implement in the near future. The Community Service officer is his first step.
T h e. St.. Marys. C o u n t y. Board.of.Education.will.hold.a.budget.hearing.for.the.2007-2008.operating.budget.Jan.. 24.from.6..8.p.m..in.the.Board.of.Education.Meeting.Room.in.the.Central. Administration. Building. on. Moakley. street.. Community. members,. including.staff.and.school.improvement.teams,.are.invited.to.participate.in.
this. forum. to. set. the.budget.for.the. next. school. year.. A. sign-up. sheet. will. be. available. at. 5:30. p.m.,. with. individual. public. comment. limited. to. three. minutes.. . Speakers. are. encouraged. to. provide. comments. in. writing,. even. if. presented.at.the.forum,.so..the.school.board.can.consider.all.input...For.more. information,.call.301-475-5511,.ext..177.
Section A -
In Your Community
Stability Ball Exercise
Stability Ball Exercise is offered at the Garvey Senior Center in Leonardtown on Thursdays from 8:30 9:30 a.m. People of all ages and fitness levels can benefit from the use of a stability ball. This class is designed to help seniors improve in the areas of strength, flexibility, and balance. Try your first class for free. Purchase a fitness card for $30 and attend 10 classes. For more information, call Brandy at 301-475-4200 ext. 1062.
Fastpitch Softball
The 2007 fastpitch softball season is just around the corner. Are you in search of better competition? Would you like high quality instruction to prepare for high school and college softball? If you are 11 or 12, come to the Bayside Blues, now celebrating their 15th anniversary. Dont wait until its too late! Tryouts are
Book Discussion
There will be a discussion of Shakespeares King Lear today at 7 p.m. in the Leonardtown Library. The discussion will be led by Dr. Robin Bates, an English professor at St. Marys College. For more information, call 301-475-2846 or e-mail stmaps@stmalib.org.
Little League
St. Marys American Little League, a non-profit organization serving our youth atheltics in the community for more than 25 years, is looking for six volunteers for the 2007 season. Positions needing to be filled include Safety Offi-
cer, Player Agent, Vice President Minor League, Publicity Coordinator (web-site), Fund Raising Chairman, and Sponsorship Chairman. Most positions require four-six hours a month for this worthwhile effort in shaping the future of our children. Please contact John Kolb, President at kolb@
Legal Appointments
The Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. provides free legal counsel to persons age 60 and over. Appointments are available Jan. 19 and Feb. 16 at the Garvey Center in Leonardtown. Legal issues are limited to denial of public benefits, Living Wills, consumer problems, Social Security overpayments, and credit problems. To schedule an appointment call 301-475-4200, ext. 1064.
Yard Sale
The White Oak Secondary Center will host a community yard sale Saturday from 9 a.m. 1 p.m., at the school site at 20833 Great Mills Road. Along with the yard sale, baked goods will be sold. Donated items will be accepted. All proceeds from this event will benefit the schools Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) team. For more details, contact the main office of White Oak Secondary Center at 301-863-4092.
301-475-2531
301-862-7702
301-884-5636
301-866-5702
Section A -
cerned about setting a new precedent on the matter and expressed concern with continuing the meeting. Continued from page A- Since we have better than 90 percent [of the six Boswell told Hayden property owners] here I dont no, he did not have enough have a problem with taking time to prepare, or to physithe signed affidavits, Hayden cally get himself said in reto the meeting. sponse to Under the Delahays Maryland Public concer n. Information Act, We are documents in trying to do the development the best we and land use can with files, with some what weve exceptions, are got. I sugaccessible to gest to the the public, said board we Chesser. St. continue Marys Commisthis case sioner Thomas t on ig ht A. Mattingly Sr. As long as confirmed and we do it in said although Photo by Adam Ross he did not wit- Planning Commission Chairman George Allen Hayden expressed a view the spirit of the county, ness the hearing, that the public can only get public information during a hearing. and in acHaydens mescordance sage was not can, so at the public hearing with our legal council, I think accurate, and the public cer- they have enough information we are okay. tainly has the opportunity to to ask very basic questions. Hayden could not be review any documents. Raley added that if the reached for further comment. Boswell told The County decision were left to him he Delahay stopped his quesTimes he was not aware of would have erred on the side that, and at no point in time of caution, and [the appeals tioning and voted to continue did Hayden express that to him board] probably should have the meeting. Raley said he didnt understand why Deladuring the hearing Thursday. waited on it. The ZBA moved forward During the meeting, ap- hay changed his position. In a later interview with with the hearing anyway. peals board member Ronald Boswell, he admitted he was Schools have a large im- C. Delahay said he was con-
Appeals
pact on peoples properties, St. Marys Commissioner Daniel H. Raley said after viewing the testimony on television. The 15 days are there for a reason, so people can know about the meeting, adjust their schedules and if they desire to investigate, they
Clements said if two or flustered and caught off guard surgeries they had expressed by the meeting and the boards concern to her about being three of the property owners had voiced similar concerns to questions, but he could have able to make it. Hayden called the rest of Boswell, the Board of Educareally used the extra nine days the property owners up to the tion would have rescheduled legally afforded to him. Boswells wife, Janet podium and asked if they had the hearing. When the problem came Boswell, said her and her an adequate amount of time to husbands decision to sign show up for the meeting, and up we didnt want to delay a month because of the workthe affidavit was just being they all said yes. load of the [apdumb. peals] boards, O n e Clements added. other propWeve already erty owner been waiting sixand his to-eight weeks wife were and we have to unable get finished up to attend so we can put Thursdays the project to hearing. bid. We are not Meisser happy with what told the happened but we board betried to make cause the sure they were couple was aware. elderly and had Photo by Adam Ross recently Planning Commission Member Ronald C. Delahay questioned the decision undergone to hold the hearing, but voted to go forward despite his questions. separate
Volunteers and teams signed up to be part of this years Relay For Life at the kick-off event held at the College of Southern Marylands Leonardtown Campus Jan. 11.
emony, an event where nearly 500 candles, sheltered by paper bags, are lit in remembrance of people, each with a story to tell. Mortensen said shes been involved with Relay since 1999 and it was the least she could do for an organization that does a lot for individuals. Susie Womble, of Hollywood, is another survivor, fighting off Hodgkins disease and breast cancer for the last 13 years. It feels nice to be healthy enough to participate, Womble added. My husband and co-workers are on the team and they wanted to help me celebrate my success. According to Hayes, more than three million people relay throughout 4,400 American Cancer Society events each year. See Relay page A-7
Section A -
And maybe it already has been. I believe everybody in that meeting room knew it was wrong to continue the presentation. Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano knew it was wrong, chief executive officer J. Bradley Clements knew it was wrong, capital planner Kimberly Howe knew it was wrong, and the board knew it was wrong, yet they sat quietly in their chairs while the lawyers performed their magic to justify it all. Clements said in a later interview if more residents shared Boswells complaints, the board of education would have conceded to postpone the meeting. Apparently, one injustice wasnt enough to sideline a project that should have excellent impact for the community, but is still accountable to the same rules and procedures as all other developments. Member Ronald C. Delahay said it would set a new precedent. It did. One might be the loneliest number, and now Boswell is the one who has to live with that.
Bingo fundraiser Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., in the Leonardtown Fire House. Doors open at 6 p.m. Continued from page A-2 Admission is $20, with each sorted fruits, muffins and additional game pack costing juices along with coffee and $5. Special cards will be availtea. Cost is $13 per person able for $1 each. The evening and reservations due by Janu- will also include a raffle for a Medium Wash Day basket ary 12. Contact the library. filled with cozy comforts. Raffle tickets are $2 each, Commission for or three tickets for $5. Food Disabilities and drinks will be available throughout the evening. For The Commission for more details or to make resPeople with Disabilities an- ervations for a table of six or nounces that the regularly more people, contact Diane scheduled meeting for Jan. Vanderwest at 301-884-8621. 25, is rescheduled for Jan. 24. The Meeting will be held at Driver Safety for 4 p.m. in the Southern MaryOlder Adults land Higher Education Center located at. 44219 Airport A two-day AARP Driver Road, California, MD 20619 Safety class will be held Jan. If you need any addition29 and 30 at Garvey Senior al information please contact Center from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Christina Bishop at 301-475Fee for class is $10.00. Contact 4200, ext. 1802. Kathy Mather 301-475-4200 ext.1072 to register.
Community
ets are $30 per person which includes the show and a full buffet dinner provided by Thompsons Catering of Mechanicsville. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and show To the Editor: start at 7 p.m.. Reservations On New Years Eve, HyperSpace Fun Center held a celeare highly recommended. Call bration and fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. 410-326-3008 for information HyperSpace would like to express our sincerest thanks to and tickets. several local businesses who helped make this event possible. Tami K. Joy Mary K; Bonnie OConnell Mary Kay; Ricks Jewelers and W.R. Blair all donated items for raffles. Income Tax Their generosity in support of this worthy cause is greatly appreciated. Prep. Services
Dinner Theater
There will be a Dinner Theater at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Solomons. The Alumni Players community theater group will perform Who Poisoned His Meatball Feb. 9, 10, 16, and 17. This LHS Band years production is a Murder Mystery/Comedy, written by Booster Bingo RVFD Craig Sodaro and produced Scrapbooking by special arrangement with Join the Leonardtown Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., High School Band Boosters The Ridge Volunteer Fire Englewood, Colorado. Tickfor their Longaberger Basket
ern Senior Center in Charlotte Hall every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. to practice their individual skills and keep score of how well they are doing. The top bowlers for the month of December were Dallis Hill and Luke Johnson, who were neck and neck in the race for first place. Dalliss top score was 169 and Lukes top score was 167. Not far behind were Northern Big Time Eileen White with 141, Nellie Burch with 139 and Mike Bowlers Bessler with 127. Anyone inA fun loving group of terested in joining is welcome bowlers meets at the North- to come have some fun and
St. Marys County residents age 60 and over may have simple income tax returns prepared free of charge. Appointments will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Garvey Center beginning Feb. 13 from 1 - 4 p.m. Individuals who have business, farm, or rental income to report are not eligible for this service. For an appointment call 301-475-4200, ext. 1064.
Lynne Howard Manager, Hyperspace Hollywood meet new people. Just drop on by.
James Manning McKay - Publisher Bryan Jaffe - Managing Editor ..............................bryanjaffe@countytimes.net . Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager ...........................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Adam Ross - Government Correspondent ..............adamross@countytimes.net
P.O. Box 250 Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, advertising, circulation, classifieds: 301-373-4125
Andrew Knowlton - Sports Correspondent ...... andrewknowlton@countytimes.net Jimmy Hayden - Advertising Representative ...jimmyhayden@countytimes.net
Section A -
the needs of the community. As a county, I think we have some challenges. Growth is one of them. Affordable housing is one of them. Thats one of the greatest challenges, affordable housing. People talk about crime rates all the time, and the police and crime rates. Crime rates are affected by so much more than the police. Jobs, employment rates, affordable housing, educational incentives, educational availability, and program availability - so many things affect those crime rates. Were just one small part of it. But what weve learned, what the police profession has learned, is that we cant compete with other agencies. We have to cooperate with them, hence the Hotspot C-Safe program. Thats why it was so effective. It brought Criminal Probation, Juvenile Justice, Department of Social Services, States Attorney, State Police, and the Sheriff all together. We collaborated and its successful. CT: What are some of you goals as Sheriff? Sheriff: I want to increase the number of narcotics officers. Id love to do that every year until were really putting a great deal of emphasis on narcotic enforcement. I think drugs are significant in parts of all crime. Thats typically the common thread in crime. So Id like to put together emphasis from this office on drug investigation, enforcement and intervention. Theres absolutely a need for it. little indication from either Maffei or Morris of a delayed opening. But Morris did refer to the complexity of a project that utilizes a number of different governmental bodies and businesses to put together the pieces of the puzzle. Were receiving permits, architectural drawings, and mechanical engineering drawings, Morris added. [They] are all a part of putting things together and we can only proceed so far until the others have accomplished their piece. To date, a small amount of exterior work and the removal and mounting of wall studs has been completed at the site, Morris said. Martirano said he recognized the variables that went into the process and if anything goes awry you dont have a cushion put in, potentially foreshadowing a delayed ribbon cutting. Martirano said he would not hesitate in the slightest to push back the schools opening. Ive said it time and time again, Martirano added, I am responsible to make sure this school is going to be successful from day one. For Martirano, there is also the consideration of the school losing its charter, in which case all of the students are herded back into the St. Marys County Public School system. The clock is ticking and Im watching it everyday, he said. Meanwhile, Morris and Maffei remain upbeat. Morris said while there are certain items pending, the project is progressing along and nothing is critically behind at this point. The charter, located on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, is currently configured to have 25,007 square feet; enough for thirteen classrooms and 160 students covering kindergarten through fifth grades. CPCS plans to add a grade each year until it reaches Kindergarten through eighth grades. The building is an old tennis facility that, as of late November, 2006, was still being used despite its broken down walls and gutted offices. Renovations will take place on all 25,007 square feet, and the plans include a media center, computer lab, warming kitchen, art room, music room and science room.
Golden
Continued from page A- In the past, law enforcement often used crime prevention officers who would attend public events, speak to civic groups, and do neighborhood watch, Cameron added. Officers in the new program will do all those things, while also drawing help from other officers specialties to solve problems. So if [the officer] goes in there and theyre talking about some drug activity on certain streets if he, the of-
ficer, needs to do that, he will go in plainclothes and maybe he can get Narcotics to go down there with him and help him out. Or, hell come to his division commander and say hey, I need a couple people, Cameron said. The officer will be able to solve problems in the community without having to respond to calls holding. Our patrol force is faced with going in service in the beginning of a shift and responding from call to call to call, Cameron said. And its hard to solve problems when youre told you have a call holding.
The program started in Golden Beach primarily because of its location. Typically, there are three officers that work the north-end of the county, which spans from Rt. 245 all the way to the county line, Cameron said. So citizens in Golden Beach often have to wait longer periods of time when they call for help. While the response has improved over the last month, Cameron believes that Golden Beach needs more attention, and the program will be a good way to provide it. The citizens of Golden Beach will tell me if it works or not, Cameron said. Im
excited about the potential of this I believe it will work very well. Were very fortunate that this officer is perfect for this role. That officer will be Deputy Steve Simons, Cameron said. If the program generates success in Golden Beach, it will expand to other parts of the county such as Leonardtown and Lexington Park. Cameron will meet with citizens of Golden Beach again on Feb. 1 to get feedback on how effective the program has been so far.
Charter
Continued from page A- tion to the board, she said the site crew was working like gangbusters, and that the building looked like a completely different place. However, according to John Morris, a managing partner of Essex South Builders Inc., the company overseeing the schools construction, the building and demolition permits were only recently received, some as late as Jan. 2, and they have made very little progress. While there are a number of different timelines floating around between CPCS, the Board of Education and Essex South Builders, there was
Photo Courtesy of the St. Marys County Department of Aging Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
Keasha helps with resident children during the Day of Service, held on Martin Luther King Day.
Section A -
Police Briefs
Petty Theft Suspect Graham David Hockaday, 20, of no fixed address, was charged on a Criminal Summons for Theft less than $100. He was captured on video stealing from a California Store. The investigation was conducted by Deputy Robert Gill and the Criminal Summons was served by Deputy Martin Mumper. Protective Order Violation Sheriffs Office Deputy David Cowan responded to a Mechanicsville residence for a reported Violation of a Protective Order. Suspect Shawn Kelly Pate, 38, of Mechanicsville, had fled the scene, but was apprehended on a traffic stop a short time later. He was arrested and charged with one count of Violation of a Protective Order. Further investigation revealed there was an open warrant for his arrest issued by the Circuit Court of St. Marys County. The warrant was for Failure to Appear. Burglary Deputy David M. Yingling responded to the area of Wanda Lane in Mechanicsville for a reported suspicious vehicle. Through his investigation of the vehicle, he discovered that it belonged to a person he was familiar with. He remained in the area and waited for the vehicle to go in motion, at which time he conducted a vehicle stop. Upon approaching the vehicle, Yingling noted a two piece tool set inside the vehicle that was not there upon his initial check. The Officer also noted burglary tools in plain view and asked the suspect, Larry E. Sams Jr., 35, of Mechanicsville, to exit the vehicle. When the suspect exited the vehicle Deputy Yingling noted something in his waistband. The item was a flashlight. Other Deputies responded and located muddy footprints in the location the vehicle was first seen. The footprints led to a shed to the rear of a residence. The homeowner was woken up and confirmed that the two-piece tool box was in fact stolen from the shed. Sams Jr. was arrested and charged with Burglary Second Degree, Possession of Burglary Tools and Theft under $500. Tresspassing Deputy Robert A. Russell arrested Dontae Jerome Cooke, 22, of Lusby, Md., for trespassing. Police report that Cooke was involved in a disturbance at a Lexington Park Bar and was told to leave and remain off the property. Cooke was still in the parking lot of the establishment nearly one hour later, refusing to leave.
Failure to Appear Steven Preston Yates, 56, of Loveville, Md., was ar- Assault Second Degree rested on an open warrant by Suspect James Roger Deputy J. Kirkner for Failure Nuwer, 30, of Great Mills, to Appear. was charged on a Criminal Summons for Assault Second Failure to Appear Degree. No other details are Aboul Rauf El-Amin- available and Deputy KevTariq, 25, of Washington, in Meyer was the charging D.C., was arrested on an open Deputy. warrant for Failure to Appear. The arresting Officer was Theft and Disorderly ConDeputy Martin Mumper. duct in California Store Shayla Ann Harris, 35, Failure to Appear of Park Hall, was paying for Thiesher Van Lamotte, items in a California Store 40, of Hollywood, was arrest- when she advised the clerk ed on two open warrants for she did not have enough monFailure to Appear by Deputy ey. As the clerk voided the Shaun Carberry. sale, Harris placed more than $40 worth of Compact Music Trespassing Discs inside of her bag and atDeborah Ann Shep- tempted to leave the store. She herd, 48, of Hollywood, was was stopped by security and charged on a Criminal Sum- began acting disorderly. Offmons by Deputy Shaun Car- duty Deputy Eric Walker was berry for Trespassing. inside the store on his personal time and heard the commoTheft tion. The suspect began yellCynthia Ann Knott, 27, ing and screaming that she of Park Hall, was charged did nothing wrong. Deputy on a Criminal Summons for Eric Walker assisted security Theft under $500. Knott was until Deputy Margaret Smoinside a Leonardtown grocery larsky arrived. The Deputies store in line behind the undis- attempted to place her under closed victim, who gathered arrest and she resisted. She her groceries and exited the was charged with Failure to store, leaving behind her wal- Obey a Lawful Order, Theft let. Knott reportedly placed under $100, Resisting Arrest the victims wallet inside her and Disorderly Conduct. The purse and left the store as stolen CDs were removed
from her person and returned arrested for his part in the asto the store. sault when it was determined he had assaulted Butler. He Assault Second Degree was observed by Cpl. John R. Deputy Timothy Reese Shoemaker throwing an item arrested Robert Shaun McEl- into the bushes. Shoemaker hinny Jr., 26, of Lexington recovered the item and found Park, on an open warrant for it to be a large size rock of Crack Cocaine. The following Second Degree Assault. were the charges filed against Multiple Charges the Suspects. John Francis Stewart, 50, Drew Thompson-Assault of California, was arrested First and Second Degree on three open warrants. The Darwin Banks-Assault first warrant charged that the First Degree, Second Degree suspect entered the residence and Possession of Cocaine. Charles Butler-Assault of his former girlfriend by picking a lock. Once inside, First Degree (2 counts), Asthe victim awoke to the sus- sault Second Degree, Deadly pect crawling across her bed- weapon with intent to inroom floor. The suspect left jure and Concealed Deadly the residence when police Weapon. were called. The other warrants were related to Failure Probation Violation Charles Glenwood Johnto Appear in an Assault First Degree case and an Assault son, 33, of Lusby, Md., was Second Degree case. The ar- arrested on an open warrant resting Deputy was Deputy for Violation of Probation. The arrest was made by DepJoseph Somerville. uty William Watters. Failure to Appear John Franklin Powers Failure to Pay Child Jr., 24, of Brandywine, Md., Support was arrested through an open Matthew Lucas Smith, Charles County warrant for 29, of Scotland, was arrested Failure to Appear. Deputy by Deputy Ronald Maloy on Anthony Whipkey was the ar- an open warrant for Failure to Pay Child Support. resting Deputy. Assault Second Degree Deputy James Stone served a Criminal Summons on Robert Edward Blake, 24, of Waldorf, Md., for Second Degree Assault. Suspect Blake struck the victim in the face causing a two inch laceration. Assault Second Degree Kerbi Lindsay Ray, 23, of Great Mills, was charged on a Criminal Summons for Assault Second Degree bby Deputy J. Kirkner. Bad Check Patricia Leigh Richardson, 34, of Mechanicsville, was charged by Deputy Keith Moritz on a Criminal Summons for passing a worthless check. The check was valued at $100. Disorderly Conduct Tracie Sharijeana Smith, 28, of Lexington Park, was arrested by Deputy Todd Fleenor. Reportedly, Smith was one of approximately 100 people gathered outside a Lexington Park Bar, was acting disorderly and was told several times to cease and leave the area. She failed to do so and was arrested and charged with Failure to Obey a Lawful Order and Disorderly Conduct. Armed Fighters Arrested Deputy Kevin Meyer responded with several other Deputies to a 911 call for a fight in progress. There was a large active fight when the Deputies arrived. Suspect Charles Cornelius Butler, 32, of Lexington Park, was identified by witnesses as having a folding knife he displayed and using it to threaten members of the crowd. Deputy Meyer located a folding knife, still extended in his pocket. Suspect Drew MacDonald Thompson, 20, of Lexington Park, was arrested when witnesses advised he had chased and thrown a claw style hammer at Butler, striking him and causing a visible sign of injury. Darwin Terrell Banks, 34, of Lexington Park, was Fraud Mary Lee Little, 42, of Lexington Park, was arrested through an open warrant from Calvert County for Fraud, Theft Scheme over $500 and Credit Card Fraud. Deputy Ronald Maloy.
Degree Assault. A search incident to arrest revealed Suspect Chase was in possession of a marijuana baggy. Suspect Arrested for Theft and Bouncing $900 Check Lashonda Nicole Clyburn, 26, of California, was charged by Deputy Joseph LaBrack on a Criminal Summons for Theft Over $500 and passing worthless check. The value of the check is more than $900. Assault Second Degree Michael Cameron Brown, 33, of Mechanicsville, was charged on a Criminal Summons for Assault Second Degree. Deputy Kevin Somerville was the charging Deputy. Bad Check Carol Tyler Walker, 58, of Lexington Park, was charged on a Criminal Summons with passing a worthless check by Deputy Earl Young. The value of the check was more than $115. Phony Calls Deputy Elizabeth Trossbach served a Criminal Summons on Michael Andrew Dorsey, 37, of Mechanicsville, for the offense of Telephone Misuse.
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Assault Second Degree Deputy Michael George responded to a reported domestic dispute. Upon his arrival he found that Juana Cecilia Rodriguez, 26, had struck the male victim in the face and leg with a set of keys. Probation Violation Dale Lee Buckler, 39, of One Count of Assault Second Mechanicsville, was arrested Degree was charged. by Deputy Chad Hartzell for Violation of Probation. Theft, Burglary and Property Damage Order of Body Attachment Raymond Anthony McMontreal Arnaz Wade, Dowell, 28, of Lexington 32, of Springfield, Va., was Park, was arrested by Deputy arrested by Deputy Angela Marci Faulkner for Burglary, Muller for an Order of Body Theft and Property DestrucAttachment through the tion. Suspect McDowell reCircuit Court of St. Marys portedly destroyed a sliding County. glass door and entered a Lexington Park residence, stealCocaine Charges ing more than $1,000 worth Bruce Allan Curtis, 22, of property. Some of the propof Prince Frederick, Md., was erty was recovered. arrested by Deputy Elizabeth Trossbach on a Grand Jury Marijuana Arrest Indictment for Possession of Richard Glenn Smith, 41, Cocaine and Possession of of Leonardtown, was charged Cocaine with the intent to on a Criminal Summons by Distribute. The investigation Deputy Joseph LaBrack for was conducted by the Bureau possession of marijuana. of Criminal Investigation NarProstitution cotics Division. Kimberly Ann Welch, 32, of Mechanicsville, was Failure to Appear Vera Lea Garner, 27, of charged on a Criminal SumLa Plata, Md., was arrested mons by Deputy Anthony for Failure to Appear in the Whipkey for Prostitution. District Court. The arresting Officer was Deputy Christo- Protective Order Violation John Robert Garner, 25, pher Byrd. of Leonardtown, was charged on a Criminal Summons for Drug and Guns Arrest Felix Gregory Reed, 47, Violation of a Protective Orof Mechanicsville, was arrest- der. Deputy Kevin Somerville ed by Deputy Jason Graves was the arresting Deputy. on a Grand Jury Indictment for Possession of Cocaine, Cocaine Charges Possession of Cocaine with James Anthony Tippett the intent to Distribute and Jr., 19, of Hollywood, was possession of a firearm while charged on a Criminal Sumtrafficking narcotics. The in- mons by Deputy J. Kirkner vestigation was conducted by for possession of Cocaine. the Bureau of Criminal Investigations Narcotics Division. Cocaine Arrest Vernon Edward Eldridge, Marijuana Arrest 54, of Lexington Park was Lawrence Alan Chase, charged on a Criminal Sum22, of Mechanicsville, was mons for possession of coarrested by Deputy Mark A. caine and a related smoking Smith for an open warrant re- device. lated to two counts of Second
The County Times William Dominic Holt, Sr., 71 Dollie Bright Edwards, 85
Dollie Bright Edwards, 85, of Avenue, Md. formerly William Dominic Holt, Sr., 71, of Loveville, Md. died
Section A - 7
Intosh of Washington, DC, three siblings, Virginia Harriston and Charles (Rose) Martin, both of Martinsville, Va., and Lucy Casey of Eaton, N.C., 12 grandchildren, 23 great- grandchildren, 1 greatgreat grandchild and a host of great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Thomas Sparks, Sr. and her brother, Harry Emanuel Douglas, Jr. All services are private. Arrangements made by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.
Obituaries
Earlene Freeman Burleson, 82
Earlene Freeman Burleson, 82, Leonardtown, Md.
died Jan. 10 in the St. Marys Nursing Center, Leonardtown, Md. Born March 8, 1924, in Glen Ayre, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Earl Freeman and Jessie Conley Freeman. She is survived by a sibling, Romaine Gouge, of Bakersville, N.C., four grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Albert Burleson and daughter Alberta Sterman. Interment was held Jan. 13 at Holly Hills Cemetery in Middle River, Md. Arrangements made by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.
Joseph Demko, 70
Joseph Demko, 70, of St. Inigoes, Md. died Jan. 15 in Bayside Nursing Center. For arrangement details please visit www.mattingleygardiner.com. A full obituary will appear at a later date.
formerly of Manchester, Ga., died Jan. 4. He had been missing since Dec. 1, 2006, after checking on his sailboat at the West Basin Marina on the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
John was born Feb. 27, 1952, son of Virginia Doughty Dixon and the late George Matthew Dixon. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1972-1993 and the Fleet Reserve from 19932002. After retiring from the Navy, John was employed by St. Marys Public Schools, working at Carver Elementary,
Ridge Elementary and Spring Ridge Middle School. He was later employed by Tracor, where he assisted the Chilean Navy with the development of their P3 anti-submarine aircraft program. He was recently employed by Verizon, providing technical support for their DSL program. John loved living in St. Marys County; he loved the area, the bay and the people. Consequently, he was active in many community organizations during the last 16 years. He was chairman of the St. Marys Public Schools Budget Advisory Committee from 1998-1999 and was active in the PTA at Lexington Park Elementary School, Spring Ridge Middle School and Great Mills High School. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 413 and several Girl Scout troops. He had attended the United Methodist Church and later the Protestant side of St. Nicholas Chapel. John was an avid sailor and a member of the Navy Patuxent Sailing Club. His plans were to help restore one of the boats and teach sailing. John is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Dianne; his son, John H. Dixon, Jr.; his daughter Dianne Elizabeth Beth Dixon; his daughter Jennifer Lee Dixon; his daughter Laura Danielle Dixon; his mother Harriett Virginia Virginia Dixon of Griffin, Ga., formerly of Manchester, Ga.; his brother George Matthew Dixon, Jr. of Carrollton, Ga.; and his sister Harriett Virginia Dixon Cook of Griffin, Ga. He was preceded in death by his father, George Matthew Dixon and his infant brother, Phillip Eugene Dixon. John was a loving husband, father, and friend to many, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him and loved him. A Celebration of Life was Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Nicholas Chapel at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Friends wishing to attend the memorial are asked to show a photo ID at Gate 2 on NAS Patuxent River. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Navy Patuxent Sailing Club (John Dixon), PO Box 2202, Patuxent River, MD 20670-0802. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
of Riverdale, Md. died Jan. 12, in St. Marys Nursing Center. Born Aug. 22, 1921, in Roseboro, N.C., she was the daughter of the late John W. and Helen M. Hobbs. She was the beloved wife of the late William Bernard Edwards, whom she married Aug. 10, 1946 in Washington, DC and who preceded her in death on Oct. 13, 1979. She was the devoted mother of Helen A. Hayden and Patricia C. Edwards and the loving grandmother of Michael W. Hayden and Owens Franklin Hayden, Jr. all of Avenue, Md. She was also preceded in death by her sister Hildred Burke Gleason and her brother John Gilbert Hobbs. Mrs. Edwards moved to St. Marys County in 1974 from Riverdale, Md. She belonged to the American Legion Post 221 and her hobbies were playing cards, Bingo and cooking.
Jan. 15, in his residence. Born Feb. 8, 1935 in Morganza, Md., he was the son of the late James Foley Holt and Helen Marie Rustin Holt. He enjoyed hunting, remodeling, watching television with his wife, and being with his family. He is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine Holt of Loveville, Md., his five children, Linda M. Whitaker of Charlotte, N.C., Cynthia A. Scriber, Angelita M. Woodland, William D. Holt, Jr. and Sonya L. Holt, all of Loveville, Md., six siblings, Joseph N. Holt of Washington, DC, Charles L. Holt, Robert Holt, Harry Holt, Georgianna Gray, and George Holt, all of Oakville, Md., 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. A full obituary will appear at a later date. For funeral arrangements please call the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. at 301-4755588 or condolences to the family may be made at www. brinsfieldfuneral.com.
The family received friends Jan. 15 from 4 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home where prayers were said at 7 p.m. and American Legion prayers at 7:15 p.m. A Funeral Service was held Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. in All Saints Episcopal Church, Avenue, Md. with Rev. Kathleen Price officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Michael W. Hayden, Owens Franklin Hayden, Jr., James Patrick Taylor, George William Taylor, George Walter Taylor and Robert Hodges. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Marys Nursing Center, P.O. Box 518, Leonardtown, MD 20650 and/or American Legion Post 221, P.O. Box 98, Avenue, MD 20609. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
in St. Marys Nursing Center, Leonardtown, Md. Born Aug. 12, 1928, in Martinsville, Va., she was the daughter of the late Sam Buddy Martin and Rose Harriston Martin. She was a housekeeper at Clayton Marina and Lexington Park Hotel for 30 years. After retiring from many years of work she enjoyed picking crabs for others. She was known for spending joyous times with her family and friends. Bernice loved to take care of her many grandchildren and enjoyed having visitors at her home to cook for and share her many stories with. She is survived by two daughters, Nola (Carl Cash) Carroll of Ridge, Md. and Queenie (George) Fenwick of St. James, Md. and three sons, Samuel M. McClane, Jr. of Lexington Park, Md., Horace B. (Linda) McClane of Great Mills, Md., and Larry (Audrey) Brown of Columbia, Md., very close friend, Cynthia (Raphael) Campbell Thompson of Ridge, Md., godmother, Annette Mc-
nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Augustus McClane, grandson, Charles Carter, sister, Alberta Martin, and brother, James PateMartin, whom she loved and spoke of dearly. Family will receive friends tomorrow, Jan. 19 from 9- 11 a.m. at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, St. Inigoes, Md. with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. The Reverend Raymond Moore will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Arron Chase, Horace McClane, Jr., Carl Carroll, Jr., Joseph Maddox, Jr., Tykeen Maddox, and William Samuel Carroll. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Lamar Herndon, Dewayne Wilkins, Noah Young, and Kalieb Young. Arrangements made by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Md.
died Jan. 9 in St. Marys Hospital. Born May 10, 1948 in St. Marys County he was the son of Addie Lee Wathen of Mechanicsville, Md. and the late John Briscoe Wathen. He is survived by his sons: Robert C. Wathen, Jr. of Leonardtown, Md. and Richard B. Wathen of Bushwood, Md.; siblings: Madeline Morgan of Mechanicsville, Md., Cecelia Howe of Barstow, Md., Joseph Wathen of Leonardtown, Md., Doris Harding of Newburg, Md. and Joyce Wheller of Hollywood, Md. and 5 grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his siblings: Elwood Wathen, Thomas Wathen, Roy Wathen, Betsy Tippett, John A. Wathen, Elizabeth Wathen, Johnson Wathen, Leonard
Jan. 11 in St. Marys Nursing Center, Leonardtown, Md. Born Aug. 22, 1923, in Savannah, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Harry Emanuel Douglas and Annie Mae McKelven Douglas. She married Roy Thomas Sparks on Oct. 21, 1939, in St. Peters Rectory in Washington, DC. She enjoyed oil painting. She is survived by four children, Roy Thomas Sparks, Jr. of Port Republic, Md., Sandra Ann Brooke of Hollywood, Md., Robert David Sparks of Centerville, Mass., and Tami Marie Stickell of Owings Mills, Md., her brother, Alton Douglas of Jacksonville, Fla., nine grandchildren and ten Without the over $20 billion ACS has raised in the last 20 years, there is no telling where cancer treatment might
Wathen, Waynard Wathen and Delores Callanan. Mr. Wathen worked as a carpenter for many years and had been battling cancer for a long time. He enjoyed playing cards, hunting, fishing and going to bingo. The family received friends Jan. 11 from 5 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said at 7 p.m.. A Funeral Service was held in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel Jan. 12, at 10 a.m., with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment followed in St. Josephs Cemetery, Morganza, Md. Pallbearers were David Wathen, Alvin Tippett, Maurice Wathen, Gene Wathen, Jr., Leonard Wathen, Jr. and Wayne Wathen. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. be, Cook said. For more information visit www.stmarysrelay.org.
DARE
Continued from page A- the D.A.R.E. program, that would be a continuation, Martirano said. I want to see all of those connected, but I dont want to see the resource officers taken away per se. I want to see those continue as well. Zylak cited a lack of manpower as a main reason for pulling D.A.R.E. from schools and Cameron feels that a shortage of staff could possibly continue to be an issue. Id love to say that Ive got some extra people that I can start D.A.R.E. right away, but Im going to have to maneuver, and that will be one
of my requests to the commissioners. They know that I want to reinstitute D.A.R.E. and Im going to need some support from them to be able to do that. An official date for the reinstitution of the program has yet not been set, but Martirano is dedicated to getting it up and running as soon as possible. My philosophy is that the safety of our children is of dire urgency always, he said. So the sooner we can get these programs implemented, the better. I will defer to the sheriff to define the timeline for it. But he knows that I support it and Im willing to work with him to implement is as early as the next school year if we need to.
Relay
Continued from page A- Relay For Life started in Tacoma, Wash., as one doctors mission to raise money for cancer research turned into a 24-hour marathon around a local track. He raised $27,000 that night, all by himself. Now, the Relay is the largest cancer fund-raising effort in the world, helping to fund new research, prevention and services. Of course, Hayes does not expect all relayers to have an all night running contest, she just asks that one member from each team be walking around the track throughout the evening. Teams are responsible for their own fundraising efforts, and with the help of online fundraising, a phenomenon implemented last year, teams can reach a broader support group with an instantaneous transfer and collection procedure. According to a spokesperson for the countys Relay For Life, Curtis Cook, it is up
to the American Cancer Society (ACS) and whatever congressional funding there is to advance cancer research.
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Section A -
Promises
Continued from page A- before the County Times went to press. OMalleys only offering regarding the budget deficits was to run a cost effective government. He added that reducing the structural deficit will be a process that begins Day one of his administration, and that there is no one thing that can solve the issue. When asked about his support for slot machines, OMalley said he is for them in small doses. Personally, Ive never subscribed to it as a great source of revenue, he said. I am willing to accept a limited number of slots at the tracks for the limited purpose of keeping 18,000 racing jobs in Maryland. I dont believe that we should look upon it as some sort of gold at the end of the rainbow. Even this limited support will meet opposition in his own party, as many Democratic legislators fought hard against slots legislation during the Ehrlich administration. Two of those legislators are local, as Sen. Roy Dyson (D St. Marys, Calvert, Charles) and Del. John Bohanan (D 29B) are both strongly against slots. When asked if that would cause tension for his administration and the Southern Maryland Region, OMalley
Horace (played by P.J. Baker) rubs Mays (Sarah Raley-Dale) antennae while David Attenborough (Greg Rumpf) watches all through his magnifier during the brief play Time Flies.
posed to any slot machines anywhere, OMalley said. I personally believe that on balance, we should be willing to accept a limited number of slots at the track to keep racing jobs in Maryland. Well try to find common ground on that. Likely, the discussion on that will begin after this session. Following his stop in Cal-
Jan. 13 and Baltimore City Jan. 15. The tour concluded Tuesday with the Governor and his Lt. Governor, Anthony Brown (D), participating in the Maryland Youth Inagural 2007. Yesterday, OMalley was officially inaugurated as the 61st governor in Maryland.
Supervisor of Capital Planning Kimberly Howe illustrates the impact of the proposed redistricting plan the Board of Education will vote on in February.
garet Brent Middle School starts forty minutes later than Leonardtown. A development team for the School Boundary Advisory Committee, which included a group of school officials, came up with the proposals after carefully considering a
number of alternatives, according to Chief Operating Officer J. Bradley Clements. The development team then shared the recommended proposals with a review team, represented by PTA members, parents and other community members.
Final approval will be made by the board of education in February and the redistricting of the 118 students will occur at the start of the 2007-2008 school year.
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