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Local Colleges Lt. Gov. Brown Presents County With Nice Pay Day Review Security Plans In Wake Of Virginia Tech Massacre
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Officials at St. Marys College and the College of Southern Maryland are reviewing and updating their emergency readiness plans to better deal with the possibility of a shooting massacre like the one that occurred last week at Virginia Tech University, where a distraught and violent student took the lives of 32 people before killing himself. But neither institution appears ready to issue firearms to their security officers as a response to the threat posed by a gunman like Cho Seung-Hui who authorities say committed the nations worst school shooting. Spokespersons for both institutions said they were reviewing their emergency preparedness plans before the incident at Virginia Tech in light of threats from weather emergencies and outbreaks of the avian flu. Tom Botzman, vice president of Business Administration at St. Marys College said that for a small, liberal arts college, armed security was probably not the answer. We do not have firearms on campus, Botzman told The County Times. Thats a conscious decision; I do not expect us to change that in the future. Botzman did say, however, that the possibility could be discussed among students and faculty in the coming weeks as the college reviews and updates its security plan. Im sure that will come up, Botzman said. Shane Hall, a student living on campus, said that students would not likely accept firearms being toted by security. I think the student body would be pretty shocked and infuriated by it, Hall said. Especially given the tame See Security page A-
Commission President Francis Jack Russell and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown present a $600,000 to the children and families of St. Marys County for in-home and community based healthcare services.
By Adam Ross Staff Writer With the backdrop of the St. Marys governmental center, on the first warm and sunny day the county had in several weeks, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown presented a $600,000 grant Friday to the countys Local Management Board to provide in-home and community based healthcare services to children and families. The Governors Office for Children selected St. Marys County to implement the Care Management Entity, which is designed to divert children from out-of-home placement through the development of community based services. This is not my gift to you, Brown said to 50 local leaders
and residents, its your gift that Im able to present back to you because youre the taxpayers. The System Reform Movement began more than a decade ago in Maryland to change the way services are provided to children and families in their communities. Through this model, agencies providing mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice and other community based agencies work to integrate their services so families have full access to the services. Congratulations to the families and children of St. Marys County, Brown said. They now have access to local child-serving agencies and service providers that will allow children to remain at home while receiving treatment. This coordinated sysSee Pay Day page A-
Virginia Tech Supporters Index County and Pax Remember The Tragedy, River Forge Look For Healing Historic Partnership
Track Meet B-1
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer By Adam Ross Staff Writer
State and local leaders huddled around St. Marys County Commission President Francis Jack Russell and Naval Air Station Patuxent River Commanding Officer Capt. Glen Ives Friday as they signed a historic agreement. In signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), both entities are committed to an open and candid relationship that recognizes the significance of Pax River as an economic engine to the county See Partnership page A-5
The Garden of Remembrance at St. Marys College of Maryland was a lush green Friday but the most visible colors besides that were orange and maroon, the colors of Virginia Tech, worn by alumni and their families who came to remember the 32 victims of the nations most tragic school shooting ever. More than 100 mourned over a short ceremony, prayer and reflection. Cathy Williams, whose daughter graduated from Virginia Tech in 1999, was one of them.
Even though her daughter had left the prestigious institution eight years ago, Williams said the school still had a hold on her familys heart. That place just does something to you, Williams, of Hollywood said. We still drive five hours to watch every football game. We love it there. Williams said that her memories of the campus were badly shaken by the massacre perpetrated by 23-year-old student, Cho Seung-Hui, April 16 as he gunned down almost three dozen of his classmates and school faculty before committing suicide. See Memorial Service page A-
Local Weather
Friday T-Showers 80 Saturday Partly Cloudy 71 Sunday Mostly Sunny 70
Paul Davis, his wife Amy and 4-and-a-half-month-old daughter Hailey attend a memorial service at St. Marys College of Maryland for the victims of the shooting massacre last week at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg,Va. Davis, of Lusby, is an alumnus of the university and Blacksburg is his childhood home. More than 100 alumni and family of alumni showed up to show their support for those dealing with the tragedy.
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dent fees wont start until next year. Thats when the college hopes to be fully supporting green electricity she said. Students even completed a survey saying they would spend more than the extra $25. An overwhelming amount said they would support green energy over $100 per student per year, Rahn said. The vote came down to 1,005 to 75 in favor of green energy. Other on campus projects that help the institution use less electricity from fossil fuels that many believe contribute to global warming include a geothermal heat pump for the boat house for heating and
cooling. Hall said the heat pump cost $130,000 to install but would be able to pay itself off in several years because it saves about $15,000 a year in electricity bills. An array of solar panels next to the library also produces two kilowatts of electricity for the campus. Larry Hartwick, capital project manager for the college, said there are also plans to replace multiple lighting, plumbing and heating fixtures on campus to help save energy. He praised the students for taking the initiative to do their part in protecting the environment. The college has a long
history of commitment to the environment; the students here have been very active about educating the campus on environmental issues, particularly renewable energy resources, Hartwick said. We are willing to fund that extra cost to promote investment in renewable energy; unless we invest in the infrastructure its never going to happen. The college has signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which will assist the college in finding the producers of renewable energy they need.
301-863-3219
Not Sure Where T Have o Brunch On Sundays? Join Us For Our Special Mimosa Brunch!
Open to the public Enjoy elegant meals We host private parties Hours of operation:
Lunch Seating from Thursday - Saturday 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Emily Scott, 13, of Frederick churns away on a bicycle that produces electric power from human effort to get a refreshing smoothie. Turner Chaundy, 10, of St. Inigoes holds on to the blender to make sure it doesnt go tumbling down. The smoothie machine was on showcase at the Earth Day celebration at St. Marys College of Maryland April 21.
Photo by Guy Leonard
Dinner Seating from Tuesday - Thursday 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm Friday and Saturday 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm Sunday Mimosa Brunch: 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
www.woodlandsgrill.com jeff@woodlandsgrill.com
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this particular game. The game is scheduled April 28 at 7:05 p.m.
In Your Community
An Evening of Story and Song
Danny OFlaherty brings the traditions of Ireland to Southern Maryland. Saturday May 19 at 7 p.m., at Lennys Restaurant. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets $20 in advance $25 at the door. Call 301-7370777 for more information. The event is free and for the ages of 14 to 17. Please register by calling 301-475-2846 x1004.
AAU Basketball
The Girls AAU Super Regional Basketball Tournament at St. Marys College of Maryland on April 28 and 29 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday Admission is $5 for adults and children six and over and $2 for children under 6.
Flea Market
The Great Mills High School Botball Robotics Team will host a Giant Indoor/Outdoor Flea Market at Great Mills High School on April 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors
are wanted, but space is limited and must be reserved in advance. Please contact Allen Skinner at 301-863-4001 for more information on reserving space. All proceeds benefit the GMHS robotics team as they try to raise funds to attend the 2007 International Botball Competition in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Quilt Show
Come out and see the beautiful quilts of Southern Maryland on display at the Loffler Senior Center on Chancellors Run Road on April 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Admission to the show is $3. Tickets may be purchased from any of the senior centers. Raffle tickets will also be sold for
Nats Game
Southern Maryland Singles Social is hosting a singles sports event to see the New York Mets play the Washington Nationals. Lower view box seats will be reserved. The cost is $21 per ticket for
Book Discussion
Discuss Antoine de SaintExpuerys book, The Little Prince, Tuesday, May 1, at 7 p.m., at Charlotte Hall Library, 37600 New Market Road. The discussion is free and no registration is required. Call 301-884-2211 for more information.
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Crafters Wanted
The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department is looking for crafters for the May 6 Craft Fair. The event will take place at the BDVFD Station 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please contact 240-298-3305 to reserve.
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By Adam Ross Staff Writer The Cooperation Agreement between the Board of County Commissioners and Pax River is a document that comes along once in a great while. But there is no denying its importance is limited. The document in itself has no legally binding author-
ity on any one party. Further, it is specific to this Board of County Commissioners. Its a posturing move, with little long-term significance for St. Marys County. The document is not very specific and includes no specific time frames of when certain meetings will take place and for how many years to come. It also makes
no mention of ways to engage future leaders in the same agreement. It does however, forge a wonderful agreement between this board and this commanding officer of Pax River. Key word being this. But as we all know, commanding officers leave, and county commissioners terms run out. When the next batch
of leaders are in place, there is no telling if the Cooperation Agreement, also referred to as the Memorandum of Understanding, will be upheld. If it is upheld and Pax River thrives in the county for years to come, than what Commission President Francis Jack Russell signed yesterday will be forever endeared. But for a revolutionary ceremony that was attended by a number of prominent local and national leaders, I would have expected a more specific document. The agreement is also one-sided. Of the six terms and conditions outlined in the agreement, not one is tailored to the bases impact on the surrounding community. Residents of St. Marys County were left completely on the sidelines. Local leaders from the Southern Maryland Navy Alliance made mention in previous meetings that there are
certain steps the base could take in reducing the impact of its mission on the community. Though the bases mission is understandably the most important aspect here, these particular reduction measures, according to the alliance would have no negative impact on the mission. Those impact-reducing measures could include flight patterns and flight times flown by Navy personnel. Its as if the Board of County Commissioners was so consumed with the nightmarish idea of losing Pax River to another Base Realignment and Closure they were willing to sell their soul to the base. While the landscape for Pax River was quite different 64 years ago, today, the county is nearing 100,000 residents. As the base grows, so does the county. Because of this you would think the two entities could come up with a more comprehensive
agreement that bridged future growth formulas and philosophies with the bases future growth plans. Both entities need room to grow. However, the latter seems to be forgotten, or at least wasnt included in this agreement. And the sad part of it all is the commissioners could have had it both ways. The contents of the Cooperation Agreement as is, are not the problem. Its what it doesnt include, and what was not discussed. Simple measures that would have at least recognized people already living within the proximity of the base. Besides that, I applaud the commissioners for stepping up and backing their words with action. That at least was a welcome sight in a political world that so often loses its gall to special interests and bureaucracy.
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 Guy Leonard - Community Correspondent................guyleonard@countytimes.net Jimmy Hayden - Advertising Director ..............jimmyhayden@countytimes.net Eileen McDonald - Advertising Rep...............eileenmcdonald@countytimes.net
P.O. Box 250 Hollywood, Maryland 20636 News, advertising, circulation, classifieds: 301-373-4125
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Partnership
Continued from page A-1 and a protector of the United States. Pax River is the Navys premier site for naval aviation, research, development, testing and evaluation producing 19,000 jobs and an economic impact of $2 billion for the county. This make it important that the commissioners disallow urban development from encroaching the navys mission. This is a real symbolic event, Ives said just before the ceremony Friday that brought in national and state political figures including House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD 5th), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown (D). The MOU formalizes our commitment. Forms of encroachment are urban growth, airborne noise, frequency spectrum, lighting pollution, threatened endangered species and maritime transportation issues that if not kept close track of can result in a naval stations relocation, formally referred to as Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). In signing the MOU, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) agreed to take proactive measures, including meeting twice yearly with the Navy to collaborate over encroachment threats, new analyses and data and to establish a clear zone at Webster Field in Lexington Park. Everything we can do now within our shoreline is so critically important to the livelihood of St. Marys County, said Rear Adm. Steven R. Eastburg, commander of Pax Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, and ulti-
Commission President Francis Jack Russell and Capt. Glen Ives embrace in philosophy and in a handshake just after signing the countys first ever Cooperation Agreement to protect Pax River from encroachment.
mately the nation. The BOCC has already set several processes in motion over recent months, but had not formalized any of its initiatives until Friday. One of the boards other plans is to prohibit residential development in zone two of the accident potential zone (APZ) surrounding the base. There are currently three zones surrounding the base: clear zone, APZ 1 and APZ 2. APZ 2 is home to 702 homes spread out over 1100 acres, which would be virtually unaffected if the text amendment was passed. However, any improvements or reconstruction efforts made on existing homes would have to be made with certain soundreducing measures. Pax River is awaiting the arrival of the Joint Strike Fighter, the presidential helicopter and unmanned aircraft systems. Those new aircraft proPhoto by Adam Ross Pax River Commanding Officer Capt. Glen Ives speaks with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) before Fridays Memorandum grams present noisier misof Understanding signing ceremony.
sions, reinforcing the bases need for its privacy and space. This is an asset of freedom, Hoyer said to the onlookers at Fridays ceremony. We owe it to remain in an area that maximizes its mission and does not encroach on its job. Lt. Gov. Brown, a 30year veteran of the U.S. Army who stills serves in the Army Reserves said Pax River was an important asset to both St. Marys and the states economies. Cardin, in his first visit to St. Marys County since being elected to the senate confirmed his support of the MOU and said he often over hears Hoyer talking about BRAC issues, even when nobody is around to hear him. Im often asked what my position is, and so I look to Steny, said Cardin, which followed with laughter from the room. Steny what is my position?
Ives also recalled Hoyers passion for the base during a recent tour he made with Gov. Martin OMalley and Brown. I received a call from Hoyers office asking for a tour, said Ives. I got in four words, yes sir, no sir and they were here for two hours. Congressman Hoyer led the tour. Dels. Anthony J. ODonnell (R-29C), John F. Wood Jr. (D-29A) and John L. Bohanan Jr. (D-29B), were all in attendance. Pax River was formally commissioned in April of 1943, 64 four years ago on 64 acres of land with 64 aircraft. Ives recited and sang the lyrics to The Beatles song When Im Sixty Four to commemorate the ironic nature of the songs meaning to the days event. Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when Im 64, Ives said. Now in 2007 as our partnership turns 64, the answer is yes.
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Obituaries
Hattie Louise Bludson, 90
Hattie Louise Bludson, 90, of Lexington Park, Md. died April 20, 2007 at CiVista Medical Center. Born January 15, 1917 in North Carolina, she was the daughter of Thomas Jackson and Carrie Davis. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 27, from 9-10 a.m. at the First Missionary Baptist Church, Lexington Park, Md. where a Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. For further information on her services, visit our website at www.mattingleygardiner. com. A full obituary will appear at a later date. Leonardtown, Md. Born February 23, 1912, he was the son of the late George Henry Gummy and Martha Belle Deane Cullins. He was the husband of the late Agnes Elizabeth Nelson Cullins, whom he married on February 23, 1941 in St. Josephs Catholic Church, Morganza, Md. She preceded him in death on January 27, 1997. He has one son, George Bernard Cullins, Jr., a daughter in-law Rita Alvey Cullins of Bushwood, Md., two grandchildren Glenn Cullins and his fiance Valerie Ryan of Mechanicsville, Md. and Tracey Cullins Jubeck and her husband Todd Jubeck of Leonardtown, Md., five great grandchildren Lara Barreros, Mackenzie Loewe, Ty and Elle Jubeck and Danny Ryan, one brother Andrew Cullins of Arlington, Va. Preceding him in death were three brothers Wilbur Cullins, Joseph Cullins, and John Jack Cullins and one sister Alice Guy. He was a member of Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, Md. all his life except four years serving in the U.S. Navy where he was a threesport standout in boxing, football and softball. He attended River Springs and Holy Angels elementary schools, River Springs High School and graduated from Margaret Brent High School in 1932 as president of the schools first senior class. During his working years he was a clerk at the IGA store in Leonardtown, Md., insurance agent with Peoples Life Insurance Co. of Washington, D.C. and Home Beneficial Life Insurance, Richmond, Va., a rural mail carrier contractor and a salesman with Frederick P. Winner Liquor Co., Baltimore, Md. He worked with newspapers for 55 years, serving as sports editor for the St. Marys Beacon from 1941 1956 as a business manager and sports editor with St. Marys Journal 1957 1959. In 1960 he and his wife founded The Pilot, an all sports publication, the first of its kind in the State of Maryland and ran it successfully for 26 years, closing down the press and retiring in 1986. He was a sports person all his life and was considered one of the countys best all around athletes. He had the honor of not losing a single event in track and field during his 12-year school career and held county records in six different events. His favorite event was the 440 yd. dash, which he won four straight years in high school, breaking the county record in his sophomore year and breaking his own county record in his junior and senior years. He was also an outstanding player on the soccer and baseball teams. He organized the St. Marys County Catholic Baseball League in 1943 and served as its first president and managed the Holy Angels team during the leagues maiden season. In 1947 he organized the St. Marys County Girls Fastpitch Softball League and managed the Holy Angels CYO team to three straight league championships, compiling a record of 51 straight victories. In 1950 he organized the Holy Angels CYO girls basketball team and was its coach for seven years, winning the So. Md. CYO Championship each year, plus three straight Maryland Invitational Classic titles and the National Sisters of Charity Invitational Championship in 1956 held at Georgetown Universitys McDonough Gym in Washington, D.C. In his seven years as the teams coach, the team went 72 games without a defeat after losing its first game for a 72-1 record. In 1957 he became the girls basketball coach at St. Marys Academy in Leonardtown, Md., compiling a record of 89-10 over six years winning six straight So. Md. Catholic High School championships, five straight St. Marys County titles and two Tri-State Invitational pri-
Maria DeAngelo, 91
M a r i a DeAngelo, of Leonardtown, Md., formally of O r l a n d o , Fl., and Mamaroneck, N.Y., died April 21, 2007 at the age of 91. She is the former Maria Trapasso, born December 27, 1915 to Elizabeth (Maglio) and Frank Trappaso. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dominick, her parents, six brothers and a sister. She is survived by her sister Catherine Aqualino, three children; Elizabeth Servello and her husband Anthony of Hollywood, Md., Joseph DeAngelo and his wife Kathy of Hamilton, OH and Frank DeAngelo and his wife Cynthia of Palm Coast, Fl. She is also survived by six grandchildren; Dustin DeAngelo of Jacksonville, Fl., Christopher and Lahn Servello of Naples, Italy, Joseph DeAngelo of Hamilton, OH, Jeffery and Jennifer Servello of Annapolis, Md., Samantha and Jonathan Sinclair and Danielle and Martin Lawson, all of Atlanta, Ga. and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 25 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, White Plains, N.Y.Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Memorial Contributions can be made to St. Marys Nursing Center, 21585 Peabody St., Leonardtown, Md. 20650 and /or St. Johns Church, P.O. Box 69, Hollywood, Md. 20636. Arrangements in New York were provided by McMahon Funeral Home, White Plains, N.Y. Local arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A, Leonardtown.
Grace Kathryn Sally Severns, 68, of Lexington Park, Md. died April 17, 2007 in St. Marys Hospital. Born November 9, 1938 in Centeral City, Pa., she was the daughter on the late RayIrma Agnes Delozier, 89 mond and Eslie Mills. She was the loving wife of her late Irma Agnes Delozier, 89, husband Joseph Christopher of Leonardtown, Md. died Severns who preceded her in April 20, 2007 in St. Marys death on December 8, 2002. Nursing Center, LeonardShe is survived by her town, Md. daughter: Christine JackBorn October 7, 1917
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Pay Day
Continued from page A-1 tem of care can provide service to a variety of children in community settings, without compromising the quality of the programs. The grant amount of $600,000 is enough to provide services to 20 children and their families. Local Management Boards are funded through the Governors Office for Children, and bring together local child-serving agencies, local service providers, users of services and other community representatives to empower local stakeholders in addressing the needs of their communities. We are proud to be a partner with the OMalleyBrown administration and the state, in development of local resources to prevent long
Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown meets with kids in front of the governmental center Friday before presenting a $600,000 check to provide in-home and community based healthcare services to children and families.
Memorial Service
Continued from page A-1 Williams couldnt believe the media reports as they rolled in last week. She also feared for her nephew, who attends Virginia Tech as a freshmen studying engineering. I thought Oh my God, not there, Williams said. You just cant comprehend something like that happening on a campus like that at that time. Williams said the worst part of the tragedy was that losing the victims was like losing family members because they all shared a part of Virginia Tech. You just cant comprehend someone hurting 32 members of your family, Photo by Guy Leonard Williams said. When youre Father John Ball of Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Marys City leads the memorial service at St. Marys College of a Hokie [the schools mascot] Maryland for the 33 people killed in the nations worst school shooting massacre. youre all a family. Attendees included Sen. Roy Dyson and the colleges president Jane Margaret OBrien and Virginia Tech alumni Jane Margaret OBrien, and their families. president of the college, said that the students and faculty were still in deep mourning for the loss of life at Virginia Tech. We are all part of one another; what happened at Virginia Tech is what could also happen here at St. Marys, OBrien said. We are saying [to the students and faculty at Virginia Tech] we are with you. OBrien thanked all those Virginia Tech alumni and families who turned out to the memorial service. We welcome all of you who come to share our grief and our joy, OBrien said. St. Marys and Virginia Tech are drawn together today in tragedy but forever more in compassion. Paul Davis, a Hokie alumni who grew up in the
Blacksburg area where the university is located, said that he and his family were just getting over the initial shock of the tragedy. He said his father, who is a professor at the university, was in the building next to the one where the shooting occurred. Its still shocking when you see the news and the stories about what happened, Bailey said. He [Cho] couldve easily come into the building he [his father] was in. It would take time to come to grips with the tragedy there, Bailey said, but that healing would come eventually. The memories of his boyhood home and the good times and Virginia Tech were stronger than the tragedy. Im just trying to work to get over it and move on, Bailey, of Lusby said. Its still home, though. Im not going to be discouraged from every going back.
Residents Speak Up
Continued from page A-1 concerns on fiscal years 2008 budget slated for approval in May. A number of speakers voiced support for Superintendent Michael J. Martiranos budget proposal, which as of Tuesday the commissioners had cut short by approximately $2 million. We have a new superintendent in town these days who had sharpened his pencil with no fluff, said Jan Emerson, president of the Education Association of St. Marys County. The county needs to provide the funding. Emerson, with a group of approximately ten others distributed graphs before the forum to arriving members that outlined a declining percentage of funding to public schools in relation to the countys rising budget, which last year topped $180 million. Last year, the funding for public schools was at an all time low of just over 41 percent, according to the graph. In years past, the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners entered into a Bridge to Excellence agreement aimed at increasing funding to public schools from based off yearly enrollment figures. However, in the last three years enrollment figures have not risen as planned, but instead with the addition of academic programs, Other Post Retirement Benefits (OPEB) and the Chesapeake Charter School, public schools budget has ballooned to over $19.5 million more than last year. Representatives from the Navy, teachers and students used their three minutes to voice support for the Board of Educations budget request. Im here asking for full funding so that all special education students can have the help that they need, said Chris Young, a handicapped seventh grader at Margaret Brent Middle School. A strong support group for after school programs, namely the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Marys County was also in attendance. Over 20 members as well as one part time for a campus of more than 1,800. At St. Marys College there are 15 members of the public safety staff for a campus of more than 1,900 students. Like St. Marys College, CSM is also reviewing how it will respond to the threat of an armed, homicidal gunman but Stevens said that firearms are out of the question as a security option for the near future. Stevens said that security officers on the campuses around Southern Maryland would have to be upgraded to special police officer status like those working at St. Marys College if the decision were made to issue firearms. Stevens said that security officers and those they protect always benefited from added
of the Boys and Girls Club held up signs and clapped in support of the clubs. To date, the commissioners have not allocated any money to the local Boys and Girls clubs, despite a request of $180,000. This budget year has been viewed as particularly difficult because of the countys priority in funding OPEB. Commissioner Lawrence Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) said this budget has been his most difficult to navigate over his nine year in county government. If this one was relatively difficult, added Jarboe, next year is going to be worse. All state and local municipalities, and county governments have to pay into post retirement benefits, and the longer the county waits the more potential there is to jeopardize the countys recently improved bond rating. Last year, county government addressed OPEB by allocating $3.5 million to start funding for it at the county level. But this year the county is putting aside $10 million for OBEB, which according to Chief Financial Officer Elaine
Kramer save the county speaking the needs plus the vate entities. The St. Marys wants usually exceeds what County Sheriffs Office was $600,000 a year. not one of those entities cut, The other large initiative you have to spend. When the process started but instead received a 15.3 in the year budget is the implementation of a Solid Waste the commissioners received percent increase, which added and Recycling Enterprise an operating budget of over five positions and replaced 16 fund, which charges fees in $192 million, but had rev- vehicles. It has not been easy beorder to offset expenses. The enues of over just $172 million enterprise fund, in addition to work with. The funding cause behind the dollar signs to a $60 dollar annual fee for gap forced the commission- are faces, said Russell, faces trash disposal will allow the ers to prioritize and cut fund- we know very well. commissioners to balance the ing to several public and pribudget without raising property or income taxes. Weve spent months getting to this point in the budget process and it has not been easy, said C o m m i s s io n President Francis Jack Russell (D-Point Lookout). Whether youre a team with $1.70 or a commissioner dealing with $170 million, the concepts and challenges Photo by Adam Ross are the same. Executive Director of Sotterley Foundation Michael J. Lane thanks the commissioners for G e n e r a l l y their past support, but requests them to reconsider fully funding Sotterleys $75,000 budget
request. The commissioners so far have set aside $50,000 for that request.
Security
Continued from page A-1 nature of the campus. Botzman said that the security personnel on campus are sworn officers with police academy training and have arrest powers on campus. Campus security officers are armed with pepper spray and handcuffs. Priscilla Stevens, director of Public Safety at College of Southern Maryland (CSM), which has a campus in Leonardtown, said that security personnel there have no weapons and do not have arrest powers. There are two full time public safety personnel there
training, but she did not say that training would include firearms. It may come out [of the emergency plan review] that we need more types of training, Stevens said. We heard comments from people who say theyd like to see us do more. Some students at CSM said they would feel safer on campus if they had armed security after the colleges president, Brad Gottfried, posed the question. Gottfried said that armed security could be a point of discussion in reviewing the colleges emergency plan. I support our security being well trained and armed, said student Michelle Morrison. Its nothing to fear if
they are well trained. Currently the security personnel at CSM only have portable radios to stay in touch with each other, along with cell phones to call sheriffs deputies in case of a serious emergency. Stevens said there are more patrols at CSM campuses to ensure security and that an emergency call box system for the parking lot at Leonardtown is coming soon. Karen Smith-Hupp, spokeswoman for CSM, said that the college is also considering ways to quickly communicate with students in an emergency such as text messaging on cell phones. Currently CSM uses a public announcement system and e-mails to faculty, staff
and the local media to get out emergency messages. They do not use student e-mails in an emergency because they are private e-mail accounts and not attached to the college e-mail system. CSM could not be sure they would get the message in time, Smith-Hupp said. St. Marys College uses campus-wide e-mail and postings on its Web site to alert students. The college is also considering using cell phone alerts in the near future. Botzman said that there are no plans to increase the number of security personnel at St. Marys but that students and security officers both were taking a more careful watch during their day. Theres more vigilance
right now on campus, but were not changing the number of security personnel on campus, Botzman said. Botzman said that since the Virginia Tech massacre was only one week old, it was too early to tell exactly what plan the college would formulate to deal with a similar tragedy. We have a new scenario to consider as we revise our emergency plan, Botzman said. We will supplement our emergency plan; we want to react in a way that will make sense on our campus.
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Single stream recycling is now a part of St. Andrews Landfill, but with the addition of the solid waste transfer station in 2009 the countys effort to respond to the need of the commercial sector could also be met.
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