PRSTD STD US Postage Paid Permit No.

145 Waldorf, MD

Thursday, March 29, 2007 St. Marys County, Maryland

Established 2006 Volume 2 Issue 13 FREE

Sheriffs Office Expands Policing To Country Lakes

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Limited School Sites Leaves County in a Bind

The Country Lakes community in Mechanicsville will get a sheriffs deputy specifically assigned to their community to pinpoint crime problems in their neighborhood. Residents in Country Lakes said the extra police presence would be Photo by Adam Ross welcome; they say crime is on the Parked airplanes at St. Marys Regional Airport await their next flight. Growing skepticsm from pilots over the approach pattern in relarise. Ride through Country Lakes tion to St. Marys County Public Schools new school, SMCPS 0606, and its location in zone 4 of the Airport Environs overlay should be and youll see, kids are beating down answered in April. mailboxes all over, said Mary Walsh, a 1-year resident. Its been getting By Adam Ross though a [new] high school might be six or eight years Staff Writer off, its now. bad the past couple of years. Throughout the March 19 meeting, Clements and Walsh said drugs are a constant Despite a new growth policy that if passed by the Kimberly Howe, capital planning supervisor for St. problem in the neighborhood and that she has run off people she suspected St. Marys Board of County Commissioners would re- Marys County Public Schools, chalked up the lack of of dealing drugs on her street in front open the Development District to construction, the pub- school sites in the Development District to wetlands, of her house twice since December lic school system is having an impossible time locating steep slopes, corrodible soils, reforestation, agricultural high school sites in development areas, according to J. overlay, endangered species, air installation compatible of last year. They drove up in a car and Bradley Clements, chief operating officer for St. Marys use zones (AICUZ) and airport environs zones. There are 41 items in the state review we have to handed something to someone and Schools. Its impossible for a high school site, and very dif- complete before we submit for a school site, Clements they handed money back, she said. ficult to find an elementary site, Clements said to the told the County Times Friday during a telephone interWhat do you think it was? The incident that shook the com- Board of Education during a March 19 meeting. Even See School Sites page A- munity the most in recent memory was back in January when a home was on the receiving end of gunfire.

Public Schools Come up Short, Post Employment Benefits Win Out in Boards Budget Proposal
By Adam Ross Staff Writer Facing a $64. million price tag for post employment benefits, and an $ million increase over last years Board of Education budget request, the St. Marys Board of County Commissioners put fourth what some are calling a fiscally responsible budget proposal Tuesday that addresses both requests without tax hikes. Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) alone is throwing state and local governments, public school districts, public universities and other governmental entities countrywide for a loop, leaving most in the dark on how to fund millions of dollars for post retirement healthcare benefits. Last year the county commissioners led by then President Thomas F. McKay set aside $.5 million for OPEB at a time when most governments and municipalities were still coming to grips with the exorbitant price tag. However, this years board is planning an even more aggressive funding campaign for OPEB, by paying $10 million into a trust, and changing the vesting structure from 16 to 25 years. Both moves will save the county $5.1 million annually, according to Elaine Kramer, chief financial officer for the county. Ive been on the bandwagon on taking care of the structural deficit with post retirement benefits, Kramer said to the commissioners at Tuesdays meeting. You stepped right up to the plate, and have provided the funding thats needed on actuary studies, to make sure money is there when people retire. See Budget page A-

Commissioners Index Appoint Forms of Government Task Force

See Country Lakes page A- By Adam Ross Staff Writer

Development A-5

The St. Marys Board of County Commissioners approved the appointments of a 15-member task force Tuesday to evaluate moving from a commissioner form of government to a code home rule. Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D- Great Mills) asked his fellow commissioners last week to at least

investigate the two other forms of government allowed under Maryland law. Under code home rule, county commissioners would still have autonomy to lead local government, but would eliminate some of the bureaucratic processes that force the commissioners to receive state approval for minor issues. Over half of the things we send up [to Annapolis] are really minor

things, and then they have to have hearings and we have to send staff up there, Raley said. Its more efficient for local jurisdictions to approve those actions, and you can save time and money in the process. Raley used the most recent example of extending the terms for Metropolitan Commission officials from three to five years, calling it cumbersome to send that type of See Task Force page A-

Baseball B-1
Op.-Ed ..........Page A - 4 Obits .............Page A - 6 Police ............Page B - 5 Classifieds.....Page B - 7

Police On The Lookout For Local Optometrist

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Law enforcement officers in both St. Marys and Prince Georges counties are looking for a Charlotte Hall optometrist who went missing over the weekend in Hillcrest Heights. Prince Georges County Police Department spokesman Cpl. Clinton Copeland said that Marcel William Brooks, who operates an optometry business in Charlotte Hall, made a phone call to his wife March 24 from his other place of business at Iverson Malls Pearl Vision Center that he was going to get some lottery tickets but never made any other contact. Thats the last she heard from him, Copeland said. From there his wife called St. Marys County sheriffs and the search began in conjunction with Prince Georges police. Brooks, 60, is listed as a critical missing person because he is under a doctors care for a thyroid condition for which he takes medication. Brooks is well known in the Charlotte Hall area for his health care work and for his pleasant and compassionate demeanor. Co-workers and friends of the family were shocked to hear that he had gone missing and could not understand why. He was a very nice person, very nice, said Stephanie Lancaster, a phlebotomist at St. Marys Hospitals Health Center in Charlotte Hall, where Brooks rented office space. Hes taken care of my daughters eye exams, hes taken care of my exams. Hes very compassionate; he takes his time. Prince Georges Police, whove taken the lead in the investigation, say they have no evidence of foul play in the investigation of Brooks disappearance. See Missing page A-

For Continual News Updates Visit: somd.com Local Weather

Friday Sunny 59 Saturday Partly Couldy 63 Sunday Mostly Cloudy 62

Courtesy of the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office

Marcel Brooks, 60, of Charlotte Hall went missing March 24 from one of his places of employment in Hillcrest Heights at Iverson Mall and police in St. Marys and Prince Georges County have been searching for him since then. Brooks is a well known optometrist in the county who has helped young children through free eye examination clinics, friends of the family say.

 Section A - 

The County Times

Thursday, March 9, 007

In Your Community
Bargain Barn
a.m. 5 p.m. on Saturdays and free and open to children in the community grades three noon 5 p.m. on Sundays. to five. For more information The vendors at The Barcontact Ms. Ronla Henry at gain Barn in Hughesville Egg Hunt 301-274-3672. would like to let everyone know that they are still open Hughesvillle Baptist for business. The bypass, Church will be having a Dance Performance even though it is not com- Spring Festival and Egg Hunt The Modern Dance Colpletely finished yet, is making 10:30 a.m. 12 p.m. on April access to the buildings much 1. The event will be held at the lective of Southern Maryland easier and plenty of parking church located off Rt. 5 South will hold its annual concert is available. They are open 9 in Hughesville. This event is Throwing Caution on April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Marys Hall at St. Marys College. The performance will include dance pieces by local and regional artists as well as original music and live accompaniment. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. For more information or special needs, call Susan Knott at 301-373-3412.

Summer Camp for Deaf Youth

Lions Club President Daniel Dixon announced the clubs intent to send one deaf resident from St. Marys County to Lions Camp Merrick in Nanjemoy, Md. To be eligible to apply, the child must be between 6 and 16 years of age, have normal bowel and kidney function control, be able to take care of any devices upon with the depend and have independent self-help skills. Applicants seeking this sponsorship will

be required to submit an essay outlining who they are, their accomplishments and goals, and how they think a camp experience will assist them in fulfilling their goals. Essays complete with the applicants name, age and phone number must be submitted by April 14 to: Hollywood Lions Club, Essay Contest, P.O. Box 233, Hollywood, MD 20636. Additional information can be found at www.lionscampmerrick.org or 301-645-5616.

Easter Lily
6

Miss St. Marys County Farm Bureau

Brittany Cusic was selected as the 2007 Miss St. Marys County Farm Bureau Saturday, March 10 at the Bureaus Annual Banquet. Cusic helps to raise horses and cattle on her familys farm in Clements. She is currently a junior at Chopticon High School where she is active in sports. She is also active in 4H and a member of the Southern Maryland Horse Council. Brittany will represent St. Marys County in the competition title of Miss Maryland Agriculture at the State Fair in Timonium this August. Brittany is the daughter of Susan and J.H. Cusic of Clements.

Hyacinth
4 6

$5.99

2 for $5.00

Tulips
4 6 6

$4.99

Economic Growth Forum

The College of Southern Maryland invites the public to join local panelist for a discussion on economic growth and its impact on St. Marys County Saturday from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. Panel member will include John K. Parlett Jr., president of CMI General Contractors, Inc., Joseph Wood, owner of Forest Hall Farm & Orchard, John Savich, St. Marys County administrator and St. Marys County Commission President Francis Jack Russell. For more information call 301-934-7542 or 240-725-5499, Ext. 7542.

2 for $5.00

Florist Mums
$8.29
SEASONAL BLOSSOMS

$4.99

Womens History Month

The countys Commission for Women will commemorate Womens History Month, by hosting a banquet to honor the Women of St. Marys County Thursday. The cost is $15 per person and will be held at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown at 6:30 p.m. Please reserve your seat by calling Cynthia Brown at 301-475-4200, Ext. 1849. Nominations are being sought for extraordinary women to be recognized at this event. Please mail nomination to the Division of Community Services, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Original Stage Play

The St. George Catholic Church drama team will perform Golgotha: An original Stage Play Friday and April 1 at 7 p.m. The play is a rich moving musical score, displayed with stunning effects to make this a memorable event. Written and produced by a county resident. Performance is free, but tickets are required. For more information and tickets call 301-994-0607.

Basket Bingo
The Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemans Association Campaign Committee will be hosting a Super Basket Bingo on Friday at the St. James Church Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., and bingo begins at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. Tables can be reserved for six or more people at 301-872-5671.

301-475-2531
Route 5 & Mohawk Drive Charlotte Hall, MD 20622

Route 245 Hollywood, MD 20636

Route 246 & Great Mills Rd. Lexington Park, MD 20653

301-862-7702

Teen Only Lock-In Night

Join the teen only lockin night Saturday at Dave & Busters, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle Hanover, MD. This is an up-all-night event. This is also a bring-a-friend event. There will be lots of fun and activities. For more information contact iwaters53@hotmail.com or go to the website to view the flyer and register; www.gscnc-troop166.org/ homepage.html.

301-884-5636

Wildewood Shopping Center California, MD 20619

301-866-5702

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The County Times

Section A - 

Annapolis Buzz
By Adam Ross Staff Writer In the last few weeks, The County Times has profiled a number of bills Sen. Roy P. Dyson (D) is sponsoring in the 423rd legislative session. This week, bills Dyson is co-sponsoring are profiled, some of which have passed on the Senate floor and moved to the House of Delegates. Bills are taken verbatim from the Maryland General Assembly webpage.

BRAC Funds Face Capitol Hill Test

By Patricia M. Murret Capital News Service WASHINGTON - Close to $450 million in military construction funds needed by Maryland this year for 2005 Base Realignment and Closure changes are on the line in a Senate vote expected early next week. If the funds, slashed last month, are not restored, BRAC-related projects expected to bring 45,000 jobs to Maryland by 2011, wont proceed or finish on time. Funds for the design and planning of a new and modernized joint-forces central medical facility in Bethesda are in danger. The facility has long been scheduled to replace the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, recently criticized for housing critically wounded soldiers in dilapidated and unsafe buildings. Also in jeopardy are dollars allocated for renovation, construction and personnel projects at Frederick Countys Fort Detrick, Anne Arundel Countys Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County. We received our marching orders on BRAC in May 2005. And weve received subsequent direction as time has gone on, said Aberdeen Proving Ground spokesman George Mercer Friday. And we really want to make this work. Many BRAC changes are reliant on other BRAC changes, so timing of funding and construction is key to success, Mercer said. The BRAC process is a really long drawn-out process that means a lot of planning and coordination, and a lot of funding, he said. We really want to make it right, and getting funded helps. Nationwide, 178 BRACrelated projects landed in limbo last month, when the Senate passed a temporary spending measure to keep the government operating, after Congress failed in 2006 to pass all but two government spending bills -- a Defense bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a Homeland Security Bill. The continuing resolution cut $3.1 billion, or 55 percent, from $5.8 billion requested by the president to support military construction and implementation of 2005 BRAC decisions. Restoration of the funds has been under debate on Capitol Hill for more than a month as those with an agenda on the war have tried to influence the decision. Last week, the House passed its own emergency supplemental bill that fully restored the missing military construction funds, while providing more funds for the war in Iraq and other national interests. Now everyone is looking to the Senate to see what happens. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, announced Thursday that the Senate version of the emergency supplemental spending bill also restores the $3.1 billion in military construction funds slashed in February. The bill is expected to go to the floor early next week. Mikulskis office had previously said in a written statement that Marylands portion of the BRAC-related funds excised from the national budget was over $300 million. New numbers supplied to Mikulskis office by the Defense Department have shown that Marylands stake is $448.77 million. That funding includes: $1.37 million for the planning and design of the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda. That move means shuttering the existing Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District, and merging its operations with Bethesdas Joint National Naval Medical Center in new, modern buildings -- $389 million for Aberdeen Proving Ground to move mechanic and maintenance personnel from the Army bases Ordnance School to a new facility at Fort Lee in Virginia; to renovate the schools existing buildings, for a new training facility for other combination support soldiers; and, to improve facilities and move personnel from Fort Monmouth, N.J., for the Command Control Communication Center for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, including a new research and development facility. In addition, the funds would help shift Aberdeens Army Test and Environmental Command personnel, who oversee development of testing of weapons and equipment, to their new station in Texas -- $42.8 million for Fort Detrick, including $13.8 million to design and build a new Armed Forces Reserve Center, and $29 million for design and preliminary planning of a new lab for the US Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases -$15.6 million for Fort Meade to upgrade utilities and for a classified materials conversion facility.

Senate Bill 1
Entitled: Elective Franchise Early Voting and Polling Places Synopsis: Authorizing the General Assembly to provide by suitable enactment a process to allow qualified voters to vote at specified polling places, and on specified days prior to specified election dates; providing that provisions of specified Acts of the General Assembly may not take effect; repealing provisions of law; and submitting the amendment to the qualified voters of the State of Maryland for their adoption or rejection. Action: Passed Senate with a 31 to 16 vote. Hearing to be held March 29 in the House.

Senate Bill 2
Entitled: State Employees Rights and Protections Act of 2007 Synopsis: Requiring the Secretary of Budget and Management to designate specified positions in State government as special appointment positions; requiring the Secretary to provide information on special appointments; providing that personnel actions regarding special appointments in State government be made under specified circumstances; providing that specified special appointment positions may be filled with regard to specified criteria; etc. Action: Passed Senate with a 42 to 5 vote. A hearing was scheduled in the House for March 27.

Senate Bill 66
Entitled: Electric Cooperatives Standard Offer Services Supply Contracts Synopsis: Authorizing specified electric cooperatives to supply their standard offer service load through a portfolio of blended wholesale supply contracts of short, medium, and long terms under specified circumstances; prohibiting the Public Service Commission from setting or enforcing a termination date for the procurement of supply through a specified managed portfolio; etc. Action: Passed Senate floor with a 47 to 0 vote. A hearing was scheduled in the House for March 20.

Senate Bill 88
Entitled: State Board of Architects Architecture Licensing Exam Time Requirements Synopsis: Prohibiting the Board of Architects from adopting time requirements for completing architectural licensing exams that begin running before the completion of any internship or training programs required by the Board. Action: Withdrawn

Senate Bill 100

Entitled: Motor Vehicle Excise Tax Active Duty Military Personnel Who Become Maryland Residents Synopsis: Allowing an active duty member of the military who becomes a Maryland resident a motor vehicle excise tax credit for a vehicle previously titled and registered in another state if the member of the military has not been a Maryland resident for more than 1 year; etc. Action: Passed Senate floor with a 43 to 0 vote. A hearing is scheduled in the House March 29.

Senate Bill 110

Entitled: Base Realignment and Closure Subcabinet Synopsis: Establishing the Base Realignment and Closure Subcabinet in State government; providing for the membership, chair, and staffing of the Subcabinet; providing for the duties and responsibilities of the Subcabinet; etc. Action: Passed Senate floor with a 47-0 vote. A hearing was scheduled in the House for March 27.

SERVING THE SOUTHERN MARYLAND AREA SINCE 1973

Senate Bill 17

Entitled: State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program Eligibility for Enrollment and Participation Synopsis: Allowing employees of the Southern Maryland Regional Library, the Eastern Shore Regional Library, and the Western Maryland Regional Library to enroll and participate in the health insurance benefit options established under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program under specified circumstances; requiring a regional library to pay specified costs to the State; requiring a regional library to make a specified determination; etc. Action: Passed Senate floor with a 46 to 0 vote. A hearing was scheduled in the House for March 27.

Extreme Makeover

Senate Bill 184

Entitled: Vehicle Laws Drivers Licensing of Illegal Aliens Restrictions Synopsis: Prohibiting, in order to facilitate compliance with the federal Real ID Act, the Motor Vehicle Administration from issuing a new drivers license to an individual who cannot provide specified documentation certifying that the individual is lawfully present in the United States in accordance with federal law, except under specified circumstances; etc. Committee: Judicial Proceedings

Task Force
Continued from page A- action to the assembly. Its time consuming and I feel we could be a little more efficient, Raley said. Ive looked at the success with Charles County and had conversations with them and [code home rule] has worked fairly well to make government more responsive to citizens on a timely basis. The 15-member task force is made up of a variety of community members, including developers, entrepreneurs and other county council members. Commissioner Francis Jack Russell (D- Point Lookout) appointed Anne Bell, Dr. Kathleen OBrien and Elmer Brown. Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (DLeonardtown) appointed John Mattingly, Patty Robrecht and Judith A. Spalding. Commissioner Kenny Dement (R- Callaway) appointed Dan Rebarchick, John L. Madel, Jr., and

Richard Gass. Commissioner Lawrence Jarboe (R- Golden Beach) appointed Clare Whitbeck, Doug Ritchie and Patricia A. Woodburn. And Commissioner Daniel H. Raley chose Dr. Francine Dove-Hawkins, Patrick Murphy and John K. Parlett Jr. County Administrator John Savich said Tuesday that all but one of the members appointed last week has been accepted into the task force to date. The group will come investigate both the advantages and disadvantages to home rule and charter home rule and make recommendations to the commissioners. Regardless of what the commissioners propose after the task force makes it determination, any change would have to be passed by a two-thirds majority in a countywide referendum. Raley said constituents have approached him for years, frustrated that they

cannot get legislation that only pertains to St. Marys County out of committee in the General Assembly. Jarboe said he was skeptical of charter but willing to look at code home rule. Currently, St. Marys County is awaiting decisions on 13 legislative proposals, according to Colin Keohan, a county attorney. With nearly 2,300 bills passing through the assemblys chambers this session alone, Mattingly said he was skeptical of how well some of the local delegates and state representatives educated themselves on the issues we have at home. Of the 23 counties in Maryland, eight are commissioner controlled, nine are charter controlled, and six are code controlled. A date for the task force to begin will not be set until each appointee signs his or her appointment letter.

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 Section A - 

The County Times

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Editorial & Opinion

A Step in the Right Direction
After allowing sexual predators to walk free too often, the Maryland legislature has finally taken action to safeguard the victims of these terrible offenses. Last year, we were treated to a watered down version of Jessicas Law, one which required minimal mandatory sentences and allowed the practice of judges reducing sentences to continue. As of March 24, the General Assembly has voted to require minimum mandatory sentences for sexual predators of 25 years and to disallow judges from suspending these sentences. The new version of Marylands own Jessicas law also eliminates the possibility of parole for these offenders, which is a necessary step to protect our childrens safety. For whatever the reason, the legislature did not see fit to offer these protections one year ago, when they were called upon to do so. It begs the question of why? What has changed since the last legislative session to encourage our elected representatives to take this action? Last year, there was such opposition to the bill that it never passed in any form during the General Assembly. It took then Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich to call for a special session during the summer to pass Jessicas Law, and what we got was so watered down as to be useless. But here we are in a new year and with a new government, and suddenly, things are getting done. Most of the legislators in the General Assembly this year are the same from last year. The biggest difference is in the Governorship, which is now held by former Baltimore mayor Martin OMalley. Could this political shift be behind the change in our legislators attitudes? Well, last year was an election year, and almost everything done was geared at getting elected/ re-elected. It is not a stretch to imagine that the General Assembly, which is dominated by a greater than two-thirds majority of Democrats, had no love for the Republican Governor and were more than willing to help their party out by preventing key legislation that Ehrlich could then claim credit for as the election drew nearer. It would also not be the first time partisan politics have played a role in the passage or defeat of legislation. It is one of the oldest political tricks in the book. Therefore, it seems clear that the legislators have had no epiphany regarding the gravity of sex offenders, but rather that they are finally willing to move forward with key legislation because they got their way and have one of their own in the Governors Mansion now. This is a sad state for us, the citizens, as it means we can only look forward to getting the legal protections we need when the right people are in place. The non-passage of this law last year is akin to a child throwing a tantrum to get his way. And having OMalley in is like the toy the parents give that child to stop him carrying on. This is not an acceptable way for the government to carry out the business of the people, and must be carefully monitored and watched. The citizens of the state have been done a great injustice here for the sake of party politics, and should let our legislators know we are not pleased. Because in addition to depriving citizens of necessary legal recourse from terrible crimes, in addition to leaving our children more vulnerable to sexual predators, the legislators are also using bills like Jessicas law to exercise control over the populace. It is as if they are standing in front of us and saying If you want this bill, you had better vote for the right guy. Otherwise, you get nothing. These legislators are elected to work for us, not the other way around. And we need to be alert for abuses like this one and be ready to firmly remind our elected officials just who is really in charge here. And we should not tolerate any delay when it comes to legislation necessary to protect ourselves and our families from the worst criminals alive.

Big City Boy, Small Town Heart

School Site Alphabet Soup
By Adam Ross Staff Writer A couple of weeks ago I addressed certain issues facing St. Marys County, and how they could be foreshadowing an inevitable growth slow down. As county government continues to grapple with its growth allocation for residential development, another more pressing issue faces the county. An issue that, from what I gather, will never be solved: school sites for future county high schools. Time and again, I have heard directly from the two most responsible people for finding school sites at the St. Marys County Public Schools administration division, Kimberly Howe and Bradley Clements, high school sites are becoming increasingly difficult to come by. And thats not just in the Development District. Its everywhere. For the county to find a plot of land not impacted by a variety of mitigating factors, or owned by someone who has no interest in selling, it is more or less impossible to

find a site in the Development District, and sporadic at best everywhere else. Its like school site alphabet soup, and finding the right combination of letters is about as likely as Otis Redding getting up from that dock of the bay and utilizing his time. But then again, if we give into our needs and build a high school in the Rural Preservation District (RPD), it sets a bad example for future Board of County Commissioners. But theres no choice, Southern Maryland has a sensitive ecosystem and an equally sensitive infrastructure. County government has placed divides everywhere; RPD versus the Development district, Pax River and its air installation compatible use zones, St. Marys County Regional Airport and its Airport Environs overlay zones, an agricultural overlay zone, wetlands, marshes, and so on. If I had to guess, I would say the decision was made, and

St. Marys County has or is on the verge of reaching its limit. I hate to harp on this issue, but watching these county officials go through one meeting after another to address the tailspin debacle that is growth, when there just isnt enough room, is like staring at this computer all day its exhausting, and it hurts my eyes. This county is unique, maybe more so than any other I have seen, and locked in an ideological quagmire: without new schools, and without Pax River, St. Marys County is at an economical standstill. Yet, with a further push for new schools, and retention of Pax River, St. Marys County will have no choice but to disturb its lines and push its limits. Enjoy the RPD while you have it, if the ground is flat and dry enough, no matter which district it falls under in the future, it will be primed and used for development. That is

because the county is dead set on growing, on allowing its most valuable asset, Pax River, to thrive. Nothing is more important to the county, not you, not me, and not the RPD. Pax River will be protected for years to come, and it will be fed whatever it needs. If that means more affordable housing, than so be it, and if that means more schools, than so be it. These other mitigating factors, in my estimation, will be nothing more than a slight cough at the line of a growing epidemic. And while the county commissioners have set aside land as rural legacy preservation, and done well by the county in doing so, it might not be enough ultimately to settle the residents that have been here there whole lives. Finding that balance is going to be the most interesting development of them all.

Spring Cleaning Made Profitable

more organized and easier to keep clean she said. Well done! Now that youve gotten rid of those useless items, lets look at some chores you can do around the house to make it more livable, and more to the point, sellable. Since you have emptied out a lot of stuff from the attic, how about raising the ceiling in your home? I know it sounds complicated, but in speaking with a local contractor I found its easier than it sounds. If you live in a home with an attic you can easily make your home feel larger by raising the ceiling in some rooms. The kitchen and the living room/family room are your best bets. With this larger feel, you can now add more stuff back into your home, but please dont give in to the temptation. Another great idea is to install new flooring. This is made easier by the fact that there are not a lot of items piled up on the floor and tables now that you are organized. Many people like wood floors. Many people like very plush carpet. Many people have children and pets that make these two items less than appealing. Try wood laminate. Yes, I said laminate. I know that laminates have been looked down upon in the past, but todays laminate achieves a similar look to wood floors without the hefty price tag. New flooring can really brighten up a room. Okay, now if raising the ceiling or replacing the floor is a little more exhaustive than what you are looking to start with how about the following items for a starting point: Grab your refrigerator and pull it away from the wall. Hopefully all the stuff on top of the fridge has been removed so you can do this safely now. See all that dust? It is killing the people in your home with allergies. Vacuum the floor and the back of the fridge. Your refrigerator will run better and your nose will run less! Since you did the fridge, how does it look behind the stove? Is there a microwave on your counter? If so, be sure to move it and clean under there. If the size of your kitchen permits, buy a bakers rack and place your microwave on that. This will allow for more counter space

Patrick Dugan OBrien Realty Welcome back. After last weeks article on throwing stuff out I was amazed to see how many e-mails I got supporting the idea. One reader said that she implemented my recommendation years ago, and to date she has donated or disposed almost the entire contents! Better yet, her house was

and make it easier to keep the kitchen clean. Hey look over there, I can see my air vents for the HVAC unit. Now is a good time to change the filter in your unit. Also, vacuum the vents. Sometimes dust and debris will settle in them and make them less efficient. Also, test your air conditioner. If there is a problem, you will have an easier time getting a repairman out than if you wait until everyone else tests theirs. How about the closets? Are they organized now that you threw stuff out? If not, take a look at them and see if a closet organizer could help. Organizers are a relatively cheap and easy way to add equity to your home. This will also allow you to find items in your closet, and you will actually be able to keep more stuff!

That should be enough to keep you busy for this week. I have to get home and do all this to my house before my wife asks me why I have such great ideas but dont put them to good use. If you see my wife this week, dont mention anything about cleaning the gutters, I still havent gotten to that one, and it was on my fall to-do list. If you would like the full list of home maintenance tips or have any other comments, suggestions or questions, email them to me at patrick. dugan@obrienrealty.com Happy cleaning!

Smoking Ban: The Big Lie

To the Editor
Regarding the March 8 front-page article Smoking Ban for Local Restaurants and Bars a Closer Reality, concerning a statewide initiative to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, a Leonardtown resident: A smoking ban for local restaurants and bars is nothing but a political football. The simple solution is to outlaw smoking. And if that happened, no government should get the revenue associated with raised taxes on the tobacco industry. It is very intriguing. What is going to happen after tobacco is no longer a threat to our health and our nations interest? The farmers and tobacco industries will no longer be in business. Where will these

people find jobs? Does the government really want to lose this lucrative source of revenue by banning smoking in all areas? Where will we get the tax revenue that was originally supplied by the tobacco industries and their product users? Who will be the real losers? Tobacco has been an excellent source of tax revenue. People chose to smoke. There is no other product that is so overpriced or heavily taxed as tobacco products. Has any doctor ever

signed a death certificate stating; died as a result of smoking or second hand smoking? So we shoot ourselves in the foot. Ban smoking and suffer the consequences. Are we taxpayers a bunch of idiots with no free will?

Must every thing in out life be the result of a law that has passed to guide us through this perilous journey in life? Are we a bunch of robots who must be governed by a list of laws that tell us what we can and cannot do? Let us use our

own minds, our own free will. We can think! But maybe we are idiots, as we elected our own brilliant lawmakers. Daniel J. Wilson Leonardtown

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James Manning McKay - Publisher Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager ...........................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Adam Ross - Government Correspondent ..............adamross@countytimes.net Andrew Knowlton - Sports Correspondent ...... andrewknowlton@countytimes.net

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Thursday, March 29, 2007

The County Times

ran the store alone for a few years before selling it to Francis Williams. I remember it fondly when Mr. Williams ran it. There were a line of cedar trees, a front porch and a wooden screen door on a spring that slammed behind you. The floors were wooden as were the low shelves. The counter was propped in one corner, but by the counter, along the wall, there were a couple of chairs. Some of the older gentlemen from the area would sit. A regular was Mr. Barber who often offered to buy me a piece of candy. The other store I remember is Hardings Store; its now Pats Corner Antiques. It wasnt even an eighth of a mile from the house where I grew up. I remember Mr. and Mrs. Harding who seemed old to me when I was a child; my memory says they had white hair from the day I set eyes on them. Hardings Store also had a wooden floor and wooden shelves and a low counter in the front corner, right by the front door. Their house was attached to the store, it was all one building. I remember the ice cream case where the

Section A - 
coveted Fudgesicles sat alongside the Dixie ice cream cups with the little wooden paddle spoon. I also remember that Mr. Harding butchered meat and would grind a pound of hamburger fresh for you. He had a big walk-in freezer and we would get blocks of ice from him for our weekend fishing trips. When youre a kid, you dont think about losing something thats such a natural part of your life. Eventually, Mr. Williams sold the building and it was converted to a house, and then later torn down. Theres a house on the land there now. The Hardings retired. I wonder whatever happened to the big Hardings Store sign that hung on the front of the building for so many years. I wish I could walk back into that old store on Thompsons Corner Road and tell Mr. Williams and Mr. Barber what sweet memories stayed in the mind of this shy little child. And I wish I could walk through the front door of the Hardings Store and buy a Fudgesicle, and thank them for being part of my happy childhood that to this day feeds my soul.

Ramblings From A Country Girl

Country Stores
me theyre more necessary now than ever, but its too late. If you noticed, the country stores I mentioned are all in small places. Country stores sprang up where they were necessary. Folks didnt used to have the means or time to travel far for the very necessities these stores offer. The country store was a part of what we now call community, but back then we probably wouldnt have a label for it. It was the just the area you lived, where you were from. The country store had meat, groceries, hardware items; all of your normal, everyday needs. But you didnt go there just to buy necessities. You got the neighborhood news. You kept up with friends and acquaintances you learned who was sick and who was better. You heard about marriages, births and deaths. It was the no-kidding, really local news, news. You slowed down and talked to people you knew just because it was a pleasant thing to do. I remember very distinctly two country stores from my childhood. The first was Thompsons Store, which sat at the corner of Thompsons Corner Road, and Route 236. It was owned by Henry and Nina Oliver Thompson. Mr. Thompson died and his wife

Terri Bartz Bowles Contributing Writer There arent many left. Not even the buildings in most cases. Capt. Leonards in Oraville used to be one. Pats Antiques in Oakville, and Apple Basket in Laurel Grove had their times too. Buzzys in Ridge is still holding on, but I

fear not much longer. There was one in Dameron, and one on Thompsons Corner Road. The country store, they used to dot the landscape they were often on the corner of two intersecting roads. But times change, life changes, the county changes and country stores have been replaced. The long view of life tells

Development plans have mobile home park residents worried

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Residents of National Mobile Home Park dont exactly know what fate will befall their homes now that a developer has proposed a commercial site that would have many of them relocate. And its the lack of knowledge that worries them. Since the development plans became public last week in both the local media and from the county government, residents and management staff there havent stopped talking about it. This is where we live, theyre our landlords, said Renae Hall, a 12-year resident. Why dont we know anything? The management, likewise, said they know next to nothing about Potomac-based developer CRGs plans to build a commerce center on the property that would include seven retail pad sites, one of which would be a 98,200 square-foot department style store. The proposal is only in its infancy according to county planner Bob Bowles, of the Land Use and Growth Management Department, and planners are busy reviewing it now. The county planning commission has yet to review the proposal, he said, and it has not been approved. Management staff said they first heard about the proposal last week in the local media, and so did the mobile home park residents. It was a shock to us, said Lynn Edick, rental agent at the mobile home park. This isnt an average trailer park. We check on the residents if were concerned about them, she added. Calls from tenants had been coming in since Friday, Edick said, to her officer asking for information, but the she was able to tell them nothing. Ive had beaucoup calls asking as to whats going on and I cant tell them anything, Edick said. All of them are concerned theres so many rumors going around its hard to tell whats true and not true. I know there upset because they don t know whats going on. Valerie Foster, manager at the trailer park, said she had been in her position for almost 19 years and had come to know many of the residents in the trailer park personally. She was afraid for them if the development became a reality because she was unsure where they could go to get an affordable home. To find affordable housing in this area its pretty slim, Foster said. Theres not enough. Its not my job Im concerned about, its the tenants. Currently there are 94 slots available for trailers and about 70 are occupied. If the development becomes a reality, then 29 of them could be allowed to stay. Bowles said that the developer CRG would have to come up with a relocation plan that would be approved by the county before the project could even start to go forward and that residents would have one year after being officially notified of the developments coming to find a new home. Karen Everett, spokeswoman for the county government, said the county would work with the residents to ensure any relocation went smoothly. Weve had success with relocations in the past, Everett said, mentioning the relocation of about 100 families from the Lexington Manor homes over the past two years. We are concerned for the welfare of the residents and we want to provide as much information and assistance as is possible in [any] relocation. Andrew Ettinger, representative for CRG said that they were aware of the sensitive nature of their buying the property and said they would assist residents in fully understanding their plans for the development and the relocation. He also said that his company and the owners of the property, National Mobile Home Park LLC, were in the final stages of closing the transaction and would share the details of their plans with the residents once the sale of the land was completed. Long-time residents like Hall say they are happy to stay where they are and were dismayed that they hadnt heard of the development proposal from the owners of the property first. Ive lived here for 12 years and I dont want to leave, Hall said. I love my spot now; I love living here. Jennifer Butler, who lives across the street from Hall, hasnt lived there a full year yet but shes already become attached to the place, especially since many of her relatives live there as well. Its all family all through here, Butler said. Its peaceful and quiet.

Photo by Guy Leonard

Renae Hall, a 12-year resident of the National Mobile Home Park on Route 235 near Buck Hewitt Road talks about the possibility of being relocated if a Potomac-based developer is allowed to build a commercial and retail center on the property. She and other residents complained that they were not informed of the possibility first before it was reported in the local media last week.

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 Section A - 

The County Times

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Obituaries
Deborah Lynn Bowen, 52
Deborah D e b b i e Lynn Bowen, 52, of Hollywood, MD, died March 21 at Washington Hospital Center. She was born September 7, 1954 in Fort Belvoir, Va., to LaRue H. and Irving Bowen. She is survived by her sister Barbara Rodda and her husband Rusty of St. Leonard, Md., her niece Selena Kidwell and nephew Robby Kidwell, both of St. Leonard, Md. She moved to St. Marys County in 1964 from La Plata, Md. and was a graduate of Green Holley Special Education, Class of 1975. Debbie was a client at Center for Life Enrichment in Hollywood, Md. The family received friends on Sunday, March 25, at the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, Md. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, March 26 in Hollywood United Methodist Church, Hollywood, Md. with Rev. Sheldon Reese officiating. Interment followed in Joy Chapel Cemetery, Hollywood, Md. Pallbearers will be: Bill Bowen, Franky Bowen, Dale Norfolk, Carl Bowen, Maurice Cox and Donald Bean. Contributions may be made to Center for Life Enrichment, P.O. Box 610, Hollywood, Md., 20636 and/or Special Olympics of St. Marys, 25089 Three Notch Road, Hollywood, Md. 20636. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home of Leonardtown, Md.

His parents taught and tirement in 2006. She served Thomas Raymond Hebb, in the Pacific. He then participated in practiced the Catholic religion as Chairperson to the Com2 T h o m a s R a y m o n d Hebb, 2, of Leonardtown, Md. died March 24 in St. Marys Hospital, Leonardtown, Md. Born October 22, 1944 in Helen, Md., he was the son of the late John T. Hebb and Mary Frances Dyson Hebb. Raymond loved school and attended St. Josephs School in Morganza, Md. until the 8th grade. He worked on the farm at home for a few years before working on Virgil H. Mast farm in Helen, Md. After many years of working on the Masts farm, he left and started working for the county. He spent 11 years working for the county, but had to retire due to his disabilities. After Raymond retired, he said I cant sit I have to do something, so Raymond went to work part-time for Wayne Mast on his farm. Raymond loved to played bingo and watch sports. His favorite sports teams were the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens. He leaves to cherish his sister, Sarah M. Roach of Lexington Park, Md., two brothers, William Lawrence Hebb of Clements, Md. and Francis Aloysius Hebb of Loveville, Md., two sisters-in-law, Shirley Hebb and Alice Hebb, and brother-in-law, Nat Roach. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph M. Hebb, James Junior Hebb, and Bernard A. Hebb and two sisters, Margaret Theresa Hebb and Anna Mae Baker. Family will receive friends on Friday, March 30, from 9- 10:00 a.m. in St. Josephs Catholic Church, Morganza, Md., with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Father Keith Woods will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, Md. Serving as pallbearers will be Wayne Mast, John Mast, Donald Russell, Richard Hebb, David Hebb, and Wayne Hebb. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. the atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll in 1946, flying safety and rescue missions. His next assignment was with Operation Highjump in 1947, an exploratory and mapping project of Antarctica. Kreitzer Glacier was named for him, as were Kreitzer Bay and Kreitzerizen, which was named by the government of Norway. He spent one year as a student at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, and later taught there for two years. From 1949 to 1951 he served in a utility squadron at the Navy base in Guantanamo, Cuba. He served one year as navigator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tripoli in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He spent three years in the office of the chief of naval operations in the Pentagon and two years at the Naval Hydrographic Office making charts and graphs. He retired as commander in 1968. Following his retirement, he earned a bachelors degree from George Washington University, a masters degree from American University and completed work for a doctorate from George Washington University. He also completed an internship in clinical psychology at Springfield State Hospital. He began a second career as a school psychologist for the St. Marys County public schools. He also provided psychological therapy services for a youth organization and taught psychology at St. Marys College of Maryland. In addition he conducted a private psychology practice in St. Marys County. Later he was a psychological consultant in the emergency room at St. Marys Hospital. Following a second retirement, he and Madeleine joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in Belize, between 1986 and 1988, where he worked as a psychologist and Madeleine worked in a free medical clinic. His hobbies included travel, beekeeping and stereographic photography. For a time, he owned and operated a beekeeping supply business. In addition to his wife, Madeleine, he is survived by their seven children; Susan Norlund of Sky Forest, Ca., Thomas Richard Kreitzer of Lovettsville, Va., Nancy Kreitzer of Huntingtown, Md., Joan Ellis of Kingston, N.Y., Katy Boyd of Leonardtown, Md., Robert E. Kreitzer of Bangor, ME and Janet Kreitzer of Santa Cruz, Ca., 10 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, James Frederick Kreitzer. The family received friends on Wednesday, March 28 from 4:00 -6:30 p.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, Md.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church followed by refreshments in the parish hall. Father Jack Kennealy will be the celebrant. A military service with full honors and interment will take place on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. with him. He was a graduate of Cardoza High School in Washington, D. C. The most significant part of his education was learning the trade of upholstery, which he made his lifes work. He owned upholstery shops in Washington D.C. for several years. His clientele covered all social and income levels from everyday people to members of Congress. Benny was a perfectionist and because of the superior quality of his work, his work advertised itself. Benny continued his work in upholstery until family needs required him to return home to St. Marys County until his eventual retirement. Benny had many interests. Amongst them were baseball and boxing, which he participated in for a few years. The most significant of his interests was his family to whom he devoted much of his time and self. Benny was a kind-hearted, humorous person who could be stern in his dealings with others while almost in the same breath cause people to laugh. Generosity was a virtue to Benny as he donated his time, money and skills to those he saw he could help. Benny was an independent person who preferred to help rather than be helped or to give rather than to receive. Benny was also devoted to reading scripture. Benny was well received and respected by his friends, business partners and associates, customers, and most important of all his family. Benny had a special bond with his family, especially the children. Everyone has his or her own special memory of Uncle Benny. Uncle Benny always had something funny to say or a way to create a smile. He is loved and remembered by his son, Mark Briscoe of Upper Marlboro, Md., brothers, John Smith of Fort Washington, Md. and Emanuel Butler of Baltimore, Md., sisters, Ann Peterson of Washington, D.C. and Theresa Cassagnol of St. Inigoes, Md., two grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends who hold him dear to their hearts. Benny joins in Heaven, his parents, his brother, Joseph Martin Smith, and his sisters, Rose Elizabeth Butler and Florence Dodd. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 31, 2007 from 9- 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, St. Inigoes, Md., with a Memorial Mass celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Father Damian Shadwell will be the celebrant. Inurnment will be private. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Eileen Olive Clements, 88

Eileen Olive Clements, 88, of Clarkston, Mich., formerly of Lexington Park, Md. died March 19 in Clarkston, Mich. Born January 16, 1919 in Great Mills, Md., she was the daughter of the late James Luther and Sarah Ellen Purcell Pegg. She was the loving wife of the late Charles Louis Clements who preceded her in death on November 7, 1990. She is survived by her daughter Carrie Diane Chick of Waterford, Mich., her grandchildren Bryan and Angela Chick both of Waterford, Mich. and three great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her siblings; Carrie Rebecca Biscoe, Daisy Pegg, Ada Pegg, Herbert Pegg, Wilbur Pegg, Luther Pegg and Harvey Pegg. She was a graduate of Great Mills High School and was a member of Lexington Park Methodist Church. The family received friends on Monday, March 26, in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where prayers were said. A funeral service was held on Tuesday March 27 at 10:00 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ken Walker officiating. Interment will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery, Great Mills, Md. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Frederick Edmund Guy, 81

Frederick Edmund Guy, 81, of the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall, Md. died March 23, after a lengthy illness. Born November 16, 1925 he was the son of the late Claude Eugene Guy and Mary Agnes Abell Guy. He is survived by his brothers, George Aloysius Guy of Leonardtown, Md. and Albert Francis Guy of Clements, Md., and his sisters, Dorothy Elizabeth Emig and Anna Gertrude Haden both of Leonardtown,

Md. He is also survived by his God-children, Sarah Jean Pingleton, Karen Guy and Raymond Guy. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Stanton Guy, Claude Byron Guy and Charles Perry Guy, and his sisters Mary Agnes Hammett, Laura Cecelia Gass, Nellie Evangeline Patrick and Claudia Abell Yates. Mr. Guy was also predeceased by a God-daughter, Lynn Merson Burroughs. A Southern Maryland native, Freddie graduated from high school from the Charlotte Hall Military Academy in June 1943. He served in the military in the US Marines, 1944-1946. As part of his time in military service, Freddie attended Dartmouth College, being one of two persons chosen from the Pacific Theater to participate in the College V-12 training program. After serving his duty, Freddie graduated in Washington, D.C., June 1948 from the Georgetown University. Upon graduation from college he returned home to Clements and assisted and managed the family store Guy Brothers Store 1948-1962. He later sold the store business and went to work at the National Institutes of Health, then in 1967 he was reassigned as a Staff Assistant in the Office of the Surgeon General. Later he became a Grants Management Officer until his retirement in 1980. He later returned to what he called Home Charlotte Hall Military Academy which is now known as the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in 1986. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #1470. His very special Love of life was his MUSIC. The family received friends on Tuesday, March 27 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where prayers were said. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, March 28, in St. Josephs Catholic Church, Morganza, Md. with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were: Howard Butch Hammett, Al Guy, Raymond Guy, Glenn Guy, Perry Guy, Frankie Merson, Francis Guy and Bill Guy. Contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Marys, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md., and/or charity William Rutherford Kreitzer, 88 of your choice. Arrangements provided by the MattingleyW i l l i a m Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. R u t h e r f o r d Kreitzer, 88, Tracy Lynn Hardin, 4 of Town Creek, Md. died T r a c y March 25 at his Lynn Hardin, residence. 4, of LeonarBorn Octodtown, Md., ber 25, 1918, in formerly of Savannah, Ga., he was the son Avenue, Md., of the late William Clausen died March 18 Kreitzer and Elizabeth Ruthat Washingerford Kreitzer. ton Hospital He graduated from SaCenter. vannah High School in 1936 Born December 5, 1960 in Leonardtown, Md., she was and enlisted in the U.S. Navy the daughter of John Howard as an apprentice seaman and Gass of Avenue, Md. and the served aboard the USS Tenlate Agnes Bernetta Gass nessee. After two years of Owens. She is survived by her duty he entered the Naval children; Charles Knott and Academy Prep School in NorSherry Knott both of Avenue, folk, Va. After a year at the Md., grandchildren; Cur- U.S. Naval Academy he spent tice Knott, Dalaynee Knott, two years at Georgia Tech. He Rebecca Wathen and Tyler then re-enlisted in the Navy, Wathen, all of Avenue, Md. went through flight training and her brother Timmy Gass and was commissioned as of Ridge, Md. She was a life an ensign on May 15, 1942. long St. Marys County resi- He married Madeleine Moon dent and graduate of Chopti- Kreitzer on October 23, 1943. After qualifying as a nacon High School. val aviator the next month, he The family received friends on Saturday, March joined Patrol Squadron 202, 24, in the Mattingley-Gardin- and conducted antisubmarine er Funeral Home. A Grave- flights in the Gulf of Mexico side service followed Charles and the mid-Pacific during Memorial Gardens, Leon- World War II. He flew 1,500ardtown, Md., with Fr. John mile flights toward Japan Barry officiating. Pallbear- aboard PBM seaplanes to preers were Charles Knott, J.C. vent surprise attacks against Oliver, Gary Quade Jr., Brian U.S. forces. This part of the Windsor, Stuart Didsbury and war effort started at New Bobby Gass. Arrangements Guinea and proceeded up the provided by the Mattingley- Pacific from atoll to atoll. As Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. Marines landed on each atoll, seaplane squadrons arrived and established a system of buoys to tie up and begin flights. He was awarded three Air Medals for his activities

missions on the Environment for St. Marys County and also served as a Lobbyist to Congress on Acid Rain. She is survived by her two children, Brenna J. Savage and William R. Savage, both of Lexington Park, Md., two sisters, Victoria A. Smith of Olmsted Falls, OH and Sandra J. Smith of Cohoes, N.Y. A Memorial Service was conducted on Saturday, March 24, at 11:00 a.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Marys City, Md. Inurnment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 207, St. Marys City, Md. 20686. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Eleanor Ross Hendrick Uglow, 83

E l e a n o r Ross Hendrick Uglow, 83, of Lexington Park, Md. died March 6, 2007 in St. Marys Hospital, Leonardtown, Md., following a long illness. Born September 30, 1923 in Campbell, Mo., Eleanor was the daughter of the late John William and Minnie (Perry) Hendrick. She graduated from Holcomb High School, Missouri in 1942 and then attended Business College in Memphis, Tenn. It was here that she met her future husband, Norman R. Uglow, of Chambersburg, Pa., who happened to be in Memphis attending a Navy ordnance class. They were married December 3, 1944 in Oakland, Ca. As a military wife and homemaker, she enjoyed assignments with her growing family in California, Hawaii, Florida, Maryland, back to Hawaii, back to Maryland, and in between these assignments were frequent trips back home to Missouri and Pennsylvania. Their final military move brought them to Patuxent River Naval Air Station in 1957 where they settled down in Ridge. Eleanor worked at Pax River and jokingly said she was just a secretary, though she knew her efforts were truly appreciated by the people for whom she worked. After retirement from civil service in 1989, Eleanor began volunteering at Ridge Elementary School, the same school her children and many of her grandchildren attended throughout the years. She assisted as a teachers aide in the first-grade class for 15 years and made many little friends. She took great pride in her volunteer work and loved spending time with the children, whom she loved and cared about very much. Many of the children there that first year have long since graduated from college. In addition to her volunteer work, she also enjoyed watching Jeopardy, working crossword puzzles, traveling, books, and delving into her family history. She was committed to helping build the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and contributed much time and money toward that effort. She is survived by her six daughters; Terry Dunn and her husband, Louis of Lexington Park, Md., Kathryn Bridgeman and her husband, Randy of Lexington Park, Md., Susan Uglow of Forest, Va., Sharon Harwood and her husband, John of St. Inigoes, MD, Letty Cyrus and her husband, Ray of Ridge, Md. and Tracey Uglow and Bob Chapman of Dameron, Md., 11 grandchildren, 21 greatgrandchildren, and one sister, Johnnieve Whitmore of Kansas City, Mo. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, NorSee Obits page A-8

Nancy Paige Smith, 0

N a n c y Paige Smith, 0, of Lexington Park, Md. died March 21 in St. Marys H o s p i t a l , Leonardtown, Md. Born November 20, 1946 in Lorain, OH, she was the daughter of the late Paul White Smith and Emogene Elizabeth Duddington Smith. Ms. Smith graduated from Lorain High School in 1964, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a 1968 graduate of Benny Franklin Smith, Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH, where she was a 78 member of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. She also spent B e n n y a year in France studying the F r a n k l i n French language. In 1969, Smith, 78, of she went to Vietnam to teach St. Inigoes, English to the Vietnamese. Md. died After returning to the United March 24 States, she returned to colin Southern lege to obtain her PhD from Maryland HosColumbia University in New pital Center, York City in 1973. In 1981, Clinton, Md. Born February 3, 1929 Ms. Smith joined the faculty in St. Marys County, Md, he at St. Marys College, in St. was the son of the late Bene- Marys City, Md. in the Politidict F. Smith, Sr. and Marie cal Science Department as a college professor, until her reClayton Smith.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The County Times

proximately 1.25 miles from the center of the runway, and depending on weather conditions, an aircraft approaches at 45-degrees to the center. During a January Board of Appeals meeting, Dave Baden, a pilot of nine years from Mechanicsville, said that pattern would put an aircraft close to the school site. The school is located in the air environ overlay 4, which labels schools as acceptable use. However, the site received a Normally Compatible, classification under the ordinances four categories, which is defined as exposure to accident potential is great enough to be of some concern, but density of people and structures, when properly planned, will allow the accidental potential environment to be acceptable. St. Johns School, Hollywood Elementary School, the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center and Starmaker Learning Center all fall within that same zone. Now the Board of Education is grappling with the idea of purchasing a large plot of land north of Hollywood as its next school site. The kicker is, the site was once a munitions factory that over the years left remnants of storage and fuel tanks, shells and other explosive materials. Martirano has staunchly opposed the site saying there are a lot of inherent risks that accompany it. On every front its going to be an issue for many years to come, Martirano said. Maybe we should put it to rest. Clements said it was his interpretation that consideration of the site was ended at the March 19 meeting. The board has had previous discussions over the site for two to three years, Clements said. I think they nixed the idea. Martirano said the 619acre site, located in Hillville, was originally suggested as a possible school site by the Board of County Commissioners. However, Commissioner Daniel H. Raley said Friday that the commissioners never publicly, or in executive session, suggested that the BOE consider using the site for a high school. It was a complete surprise to me that the [BOE] said that, added Raley. Maybe one commissioner said it, but I dont know who. From 1998-2002, when Julie B. Randall was president of the commissioners, the county went to court over a study to make sure the munitions site had been properly cleaned, but according to Raley the county really didnt win. There is a possibility in one small of area of having live munitions, greater than anywhere else, he said. But all 600 acres was not considered risky as far as munitions go. The site operated as an ordinance manufacturer in the 1950s, and then in the early 1980s was identified as a cleanup site. According to a county report, more than 300 pounds of net explosive weight was removed at that time.

Section A - 7

School Sites
Continued from page A- view. A variety of factors narrow down our possibilities. If you are going to look for attractive lands, and a land mass in the Development District large enough, you start finding land only in the Rural Preservation District, added Howe. The limitations have left capital planning members sifting through hundreds of sites, which often end up in one form or another insufficient for a new county high school. Superintendent Michael J. Martirano emphasized that SMCPS is in contact with more than 100 property owners throughout the county, adding that finding school sites is a collaborative effort. Still, future middle and high schools are likely to be built in the Rural Preservation District (RPD) because it is the only area where there is enough large habitable land. In the Development District we have looked at every aspect of this, said Howe, what can we live with and what we cant, what properties meet the needs, and there are very few opportunities for a high school. The challenge of locating school sites in the Development District has led the Board of Education to consider what some characterize as risky locations, namely, the site for the future SMCPS 0606 Elementary School, and a former munitions site located north of Hollywood off Route 235. The new elementary school site slated for Wildewood, has been criticized by local pilots for being too close to the approach path of the St. Marys County Regional Airport. During a Planning Commission meeting in January, Ken Studt, a pilot from Great Mills, said in addition to the dangerous approach pattern, aircraft noise could negatively impact the school. The airport was approved for a runway expansion of 1200 feet, which will accommodate larger aircraft and enable the airport to handle commuter aircraft according to Gary Whipple, an engineer with the Department of Public Works and Transportation. Larger aircraft will cause more noise, but Howe said the school was incorrectly pointed out on a map during the January meeting, and might not be in the approach path. SMCPS is currently in talks with the Department of Public Works and Transportation and two consultants to assess the noise continuation from overhead aircraft on the school, and the possible dangers of the approach pattern, Clements said. The report should be finalized in the upcoming weeks and presented to the Planning Commission on April 9, he added. The 55-acre site is ap-

Budget
Continued from page A- Of the $10 million, approximately $3.1 million will go to the Board of Education, and $165,000 to the county libraries for their OPEB responsibilities. Kramer said the countys annual pay into OPEB would be $4.6 million. We have identified the cost, determined a funding plan, and made progress knowing its not going to happen overnight, said Kramer. Weve made a lot of progress. Meanwhile, the Board of Educations request for nearly $8 million over its Bridge to Excellence agreement with the county, to fund a variety of initiatives including the Chesapeake Charter School, and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy was cut short by roughly $2.5 million in the commissioners budget recommendations. However, Kramer said that the funding shortage was the result of the countys new healthcare procurement, which did not result in fee increases, and allocated back $1 million to the BOEs budget. Further, the BOEs technology funding request of just over $1 million can be exempt financed, saving that amount from this years budget as well, Kramer added. The commissioners funding recommendation may have come up $2.5 million short, but after revising the BOEs budget, Kramer said it should meet the schools need. Chief Financial Officer for the Board of Education, Daniel L. Carney said after Tuesdays meeting the BOE would take a close look at the particulars, and find a way to balance its budget. The BOEs Capital Improvement Plan was fully funded, according to Kramer. The increased allocation of funds went principally into funding public safety, public education and OPEB said Kramer. The Office of the Sheriff received just over a 15 percent budget increase from fiscal year 2007. This year I believe the concern was to address OPEB, and while not glamorous and it doesnt make headlines, its significant, said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (DGreat Mills). The countys property, income and other local taxes will go unchanged in fiscal 2008, if the boards budget recommendations remain as they are. However, a new Environmental Fee, which would assess a $60 annual fee to each residential property owner to pay for trash disposal through 2009 is expected to balance the budget. The fee should translate into nearly $2 million in revenue, the amount needed after prior budget work sessions rendered the $173 million budget short of revenue. Some of the commissioners didnt like the idea of a trash fee, and said they would be reaching out to local residents for other suggestions. The commissioners set an outstanding debt goal to not exceed 2 percent, and based on future debt capacity calculations are well underneath their target. The budgets next step is a public hearing, which will be held April 24 at Leonardtown High School from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Raley encouraged residents to come out and speak up, saying the publics comments play a significant role in crafting the final budget. Its not our money, its their money, Raley said of residents stake in the budget.

An airplane approaches St. Marys Regional Airport Friday, on a sunny afternoon.

Photo by Adam Ross

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 Section A - 

The County Times

month after they started the Community Service Officer program in January in the nearby Golden Beach community. Lt. Edward Willenborg, commander of the sheriffs Special Operation Division, said that property crimes and vandalism were a part of life in Country Lakes but said that the crime situation in Country Lakes seems to be getting better. For the first three months of this year there have been 187 calls for service in the

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Country Lakes
Continued from page A-1 That incident had sheriffs deputies combing the community for suspects and they eventually nabbed a suspect in connection with the crime, but talk of the shooting did not stop. I felt like Oh my God, are they doing drive-by shootings in the neighborhood? Walsh said. I never heard of it [a drive-by shooting] happening before here. Its definitely not the country place it used to be. Walsh said that reports of home break-ins and property destruction are commonplace and that at least twice this year items have been stolen from her yard. The St. Marys County Sheriffs Office announced the program expansion this

Photo by Adam Ross

Country Lakes subdivision in Mechanicsville is seeing an increased number of vandalism acts, including smashed mailboxes.

The community of Country Lakes nestled in Mechanicsville is now the second community to get a sheriffs deputy assigned as a community service officer. This will allow residents to give their complaints about crime and other problems to one officer who can then help coordinate policing efforts there more effectively with an eye towards enforcement, sheriffs say.

Photo by Adam Ross

community, but that is down from the 291 calls during the same period last year. Still, the fact that crime was a continuing problem there showed that county patrols were not making enough of an impact, so the community service officer program would be used to pinpoint the problems and the deputy overseeing the Golden Beach/ Country Lakes area would be able to bring in whatever resources he or she needed to make arrests and clean up crime problems.

If its a concern of theirs its a concern of ours, Willenborg said. With only about 122 sheriffs deputies to cover a county of nearly 100,000 people, allocating resources effectively was a top priority, Willenborg said. Our patrolling units are overtaxed; theyre running from call to call theyre basically slaves to the radio, Willenborg said. The [community services deputy] will establish a rapport with the community and give them a

name and face they can call to report problems and hell have time to focus on the issues there. Willenborg said that initial reports after the programs first trial run in Golden Beach might show it to be a success. For the month of January there were 19 reports of criminal activity in Golden Beach according to Willenborg. But for February there were only five such reports.

Missing
Continued from page A-1 Lancaster said she knew of no reason why anyone would have a grudge against Brooks. He doesnt have a mean bone in his body, Lancaster said. Alice Gaskin, of Ridge, and a friend of the family, said the report of Brooks disappearance shook her deeply. [Im] devastated, Gaskin said. Its too overwhelming. I just pray we find something or hear something. Gaskin said that Brooks, who often helped young children by providing eye care at

free clinics through the county health department, was instrumental in trying to save the eyesight of a young man she knew. A diabetic, the young man had lost his eyesight, could not work and was without health insurance. Brooks, though, saw the man and got him enrolled for eye surgery and Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Gaskin said, and helped restore some of his sight. Now theres hope for him to see, Gaskin said. And Marcel did that for absolutely nothing. Thats just the kind of person he was. Assistant Sheriff Capt. John Horne said there was

nothing to indicate a personal reason for Brooks to disappear of his own accord. County sheriffs a say Brooks was operating light brown 1997 Chrysler Town and Country Van with a Maryland registration of M005413. Hes described as an African American male, 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. Law enforcement officials are asking anyone with knowledge of Brooks whereabouts to contact either the Prince Georges County police at 301-749-5064 or St. Marys County Bureau of Criminal Investigations at 301-475-4040.

County Sheriffs Have First Officer Involved Shooting This Year

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer For the first time this year a county sheriffs deputy has fired his service weapon in defense of his life, in this case against an alleged knifewielding suspect. The shooting occurred after a deputy engaged a motorcycle rider in a short chase after the deputy tried to pull over the motorist March 24 at about 7:30 p.m. in Leonardtown. The suspect, Steve Todd Coryll, 40, of Leonardtown, is in stable condition at Washington Hospital Center in The District, according to Capt. John Horne, assistant sheriff. Its an unfortunate incident for all around, both the deputy and the suspect, Horne said. But the suspects actions dictated what actions the deputy had to take. Horne said a warrant has been issued for Corylls arrest once he has been released from the hospital. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave and the States Attorneys Office has started an investigation into whether the deputy acted properly in the shooting incident. The deputy has been provided legal counsel by the Fraternal Order of Police, Horne said. Coryll allegedly pulled a knife on the sheriffs deputy as he tried to explain roadside tests to the motorist; according to sheriffs reports the deputy suspected the man on the motorcycle was under the influence of an unknown substance. Once the suspect allegedly produced the knife the deputy fired his weapon once, hitting the suspect in the abdomen and stopping him. The deputy was not injured, Horne said. Other law enforcement officers were able to stop the suspect when he attempted to flee after being shot, sheriffs office reports said. The deputies administered medical aid and the suspect was transferred to St. Marys Hospital and then to the Washington Hospital Center to treat his wounds. The only other person to have been shot by law enforcement personnel in recent memory was James Emerick Dean of Hollywood back in December of last year. Dean, a U.S. Army Ranger who had served in Afghanistan, barricaded himself in his home in Hollywood Christmas night because he was distressed about having been reactivated to return to duty in the war in Iraq. During the standoff, Dean had opened fire and hit several police vehicles but no deputies or state troopers were injured. Dean eventually came out of his home after the long standoff with police, who had tried to use tear gas to extricate him from the abode, and began to level a weapon at law enforcement officials Dean was shot and killed by a Maryland State Police tactical officer.

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later years, especially Melanie Sanchez. Arrangements by the Continued from page A-7 Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., 22955 Hollywood Road, man R. Uglow, who died on Leonardtown, Md. 20650. January 9, 1992, an infant son, Condolences to the family and a brother, Earl Hendrick. may be left at www.brinsfieldThe family received funeral.com. friends on Friday, March 9 from 5- 8:00 p.m. in the BrinsLola May Van Kirk, 89 field Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Prayers Lola May were recited at 7:00 p.m. A FuVan Kirk, 89, neral Service was conducted on Saturday, March 10 in First of Sandgates, Friendship United Methodist Md., died March Church, Ridge, Md. Reverend 25 in St. Marys Keith Schukraft will conduct Nursing Center, the service. Interment fol- Leonardtown, lowed in the church cemetery. Md. after a Serving as pallbearers lengthy illness. Born on January 30, 1918 were grandsons; Patrick Dean, in Annapolis, Md., she was Kevin Dean, David Goddard, Carl Dunn and nephews; Ken the daughter of the late James Brunner and Ben Dansberger. Buckmaster and Effie Parks Honorary pallbearer will be Buckmaster. She lived in Baltimore, littlest grandson, Nicholas Md. for nearly 50 years where Uglow. Memorial contributions she worked, married and may be made to Hospice of St. raised her family until their Marys, P.O. Box 625, Leon- move to St. Marys County in ardtown, Md. 20650, First 1972. She enjoyed cooking, Friendship Methodist Church, playing cards, going to bingo, P.O. Box 133, Ridge, Md. crabbing, going on vacation 20680 or Ridge Volunteer and spending time with her Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 456, family. She is survived by six Ridge, Md. 20680. children; Jeanne SzymborThe family wishes to thank the many friends and ski of Baltimore, Md., Sylfamily who assisted in her via Behr of Mechanicsville, Md., Dorothy Simon of Min-

nesota, Patricia ONeill of Baltimore, Md. Linda Sullivan and Joseph Van Kirk, both of Mechanicsville, Md., 13 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and two greatgreat grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Norman E. Van Kirk who passed away February 2nd 1993, three brothers, Rodney Buckmaster, Carroll Buckmaster and Wesley Buckmaster and two sisters, Sylvia Buckmaster and Margaret Mack. The family received friends on Wednesday, March 28 in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md. Prayers were recited at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be conducted on Thursday, March 29 at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Reverend Sheldon Reese will conduct the services. Interment will follow in Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, Md. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 79, Hollywood, Md. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.