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Since 1980, Harriet Yaffe has been afliated with the Arc of Southern Maryland and has made it her mission to promote the organization and advocate for the individuals it serves. She has announced she will retire on May 2.
3 County News 8 Crime 9 Business 10 Letters 11 Education Feature Story 14 16 Obituaries 18 Community 18 Senior Home Page 19 19 Newsmaker 20 Entertainment Library Calendar 21 Out & About 22 23 Games 23 Classifieds
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Protestors against the Dominion Cove Point export project gathered in Prince Frederick. Six were arrested during the protest.
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COUNTY NEWS
Six Maryland residents were peacefully arrested outside the Calvert County courthouse in Prince Frederick protesting Virginia-based Dominion Resources plan to build a liquefied natural gas export facility at Cove Point in nearby Lusby. The protesters, led by a retired nurse and former Air Force reservist from Lusby and including five students, blocked the courthouse entrance on the morning of March 13 to demand justice in the federal handling of Dominion Cove Points expansion plan. The name Cove Point has been hijacked by Dominion Cove Point, said Tracy Eno, a Lusby resident and member of the Calvert Citizens for a Healthy Community. She explained that Cove Point was a lighthouse first, then the neighborhood that grew up around it. The six arrested were David Hardy, Ashok Chandwaney, Ruth Tyson, Emily Tanner, Ori Gutin and Gabriel McKinney. The group wanted to get arrested to show their distaste for the Dominion Cove Point export project, Hardy, a Lusby resident, said. Aspects the group was protesting included potential vapor clouds, the possible pollution of the area and the lack of secondary escape routes if there were to be an incident at the Dominion Cove Point facility that required evacuation. The arrested protesters were charged with CR 10201 (c) (1) under the disturbance of the public peace laws. The charges filed were for disturb peace hindering passagethe more specific charge is did willfully obstruct and An Independent Agent Representing: hinder the free passage of another and others in a public ERIE INSURANCE GROUP place or on a public conveyance. All of the persons arrested Standing: Dan Burris, Jake Kuntz, complied and cooperated with law enforcement during the Seated: Lisa Squires, arrest processing phase. The charges filed are a misdemeanor and carry a fine of $500 or 60 days incarceration or both, Susan Ennis, Donna Burris according to a Calvert Sheriffs Office press release. For more information about the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, visit www.chesapeakeclimate.org. For more information about the Calvert Citizens for a Healthy Community, visit www.facebook.com/notatcovepoint or email traceyeno@comcast.net. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
For residents who cannot make it in person to the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, there is now a way to watch live from anywhere. Calvert Countys Media Center provides access to the commissioners meetings on demand, both by live streaming and archived, as well as a growing collection of videos on demand that highlight different aspects of Calvert County Government. The Media Center, located at www.co.cal.md.us/mediacenter, includes a Meetings on Demand function that gives users 24-hour access to videos of regular meetings, archived meeting agendas and minutes. Archived meetings are arranged by year and date, with the most recent at the top of the list. Users can also search the archives by typing keywords into the search box. Videos can be viewed on a variety of devices, from smart phones to desktop computers. Video streaming typically requires the use of media plug-ins. While the necessary plug-ins will often come pre-installed, you may need to install or enable plug-ins to watch streaming video. Adobe Flash Player and Microsoft Silverlight plug-ins are recommended if they are available for your device. County government information is also shown on Comcast channel 6, the countys public access cable channel. Regular meetings of the BOCC are shown at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 2 p.m. Wednesdays, 7 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. In addition to video content, Comcast also airs a weekly county bulletin board with information from local government and other county agencies. For more information about Calvert County Government, visit www.co.cal.md.us, call 410-535-1600 or like us on Facebook.
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COUNTY NEWS
Water table levels and future freshwater availability in light of the Dominion Cove Point export project were among topics discussed at the latest League of Women Voters town hall, held at the library in Prince Frederick. League of Women Voters member Sue Bilek moderated the forum. According to her research, the amount of water Dominion Cove Point will use is equal to an average sized farm and shouldnt impact the water availability in Calvert in the future. Another topic covered was the need to get the next generation engaged in ecological issues. Ideas generated involved going into schools and making the environment sometime tangible for them. One attendee suggested the community seek ways to encourage students to be proactive in protecting the environment. For more information about the Calvert County League of Women Voters, including upcoming public town hall events, visit calvert1.lwvmd.org/n/.
By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The Calvert County Department of Finance and Budget presented the upcoming budget for consideration during a March 18 public hearing. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 Staff Recommended General Fund budget of $239,874,936 is presented with a $7,368,317 use of prior year's fund balance required to balance the budget. The overall budget increased by $7.4 million over the FY 2014 adopted budget. According to Department of Budget and Finance Tim Hayden during his presentation at the public hearing, county expenses are outpacing revenues. In FY 2013 the Department of Finance and Budget pre-funded about $3.7 million of the FY 2014 budget using surplus and reserve funds. Taking into account this prefunding, the FY 2015 operating budget actually increased about $3.7 million over FY 2014. This increase is due to the following: a $1 million increase for the County's Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) contribution (total $3.5 million), salary increases due to reclassifications, and the new courtroom staffing expenses. Additionally, the Department of Budget and Finance added $0.8 million to the cap for equipment and vehicles to bring it up to $2.2 million. This increase is needed
continuous signs of life. During her address to the Board of County Commissioners at the public hearing, Interim Superintendent Nancy Highsmith asked for additional funding. Calvert County Public Schools is required to have a balanced budget, she said, and to do so they require an additional $1.6 million to cover an increase in healthcare costs. During the public comment portion of
the hearing, a number of teachers stepped forward to request additional funding for schools to ensure they are fairly compensated for the work they do. Other groups represented at the hearing included the Calvert County Sheriffs Office, the Calvert County Master Gardeners and the University of Maryland Extension. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
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COUNTY NEWS
Women of the World 2014 Honorees
Calvert Collaborative for Children and Youth Naomi Watkins (presented by Pat Pease) Calvert County Commission for Women Advocacy Randi Vogt (presented by Ariane Odom) Business Diane Burr (presented by Annette Funn) Service Lilian Lopez (presented by Inez Claggett) Woman of Tomorrow Erin Dix (presented by Judy Hooker) Calvert County Hospice Barbara Burnett (presented by Brenda Laughhunn) Community Mediation Center of Calvert County Sheri Tardio (presented by Susan Rork) Concerned Black Women of Calvert County Robin Johnson (presented by Lauretta Grier) Girl Scout Council of the Nations Capital Jessica Norwood (presented by Nadine Happell) Deborah Jaeger (presented by Nadine Happell) League of Women Voters of Calvert County Roberts Safer (presented by Norma Imershein) Nu Zeta Omegs Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Yvonne Davis (presented by Natalie Hart)
By Sarah Miller Staff Writer The 12th annual Women of the World Luncheon honored 12 women who make a difference in the community. The March 15 event was coordinated by the Calvert County Commission for Women and the Calvert County League of Women Voters. Author and attorney Carol McCabe Booker, a Lusby resident, presented the events keynote address. She talked about her experiences during the civil rights and womens rights movements in the 1960s and 1970s, including her first attempt at getting a job as a writer with Newsweek. She was told women were only hired for research, fact checking or to work in the mail-
room, not positions that appealed to Booker. Booker is married to journalist Simeon Booker. Together, they co-authored Shocking the Conscience: A Reporters Account of the Civil Rights Movement, detailing Simeons experiences during the Civil Rights movement, including covering the murder of Emmett Till. While large strides have been made, Booker said there is still work to do to ensure women are treated the same as men, which includes receiving equal compensation. In addition to Bookers address, the group was treated to a rendition of Katy Perrys Roar by Plum Point Middle School
seventh grader April Ortega and lunch catered by Maryland Country Caterers. Sarah Sears, Azara Seek and Vanessa Verbeten with Senior Girl Scout Troop 2443 posted and retired the colors, with help from Brownies Nicole Klock of troop 5967 and Brianna Bevard of troop 3312. Reverent Joanna White of St. Pauls Episcopal Church provided the invocation. This year saw the largest turnout for a Women of the World Luncheon, according to Chair of the Calvert County Commission for Women Margaret Dunkle. sarahmiller@countytimes.net
Superintendent Search
Photos by Sarah Miller Brenda Laughhunn recognizes Barbara Burnett.
The Calvert County Board of Education (Board) has initiated a nationwide search for a new Superintendent of Schools. To help facilitate the process, the Board has contracted with the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE). The Calvert County Board of Education is seeking a knowledgeable instructional leader who believes that student achievement is the top priority, will communicate openly and honestly with all stakeholders, and is skilled in financial management. The application is available on the Calvertnet web site. The application for the position of Calvert County Superintendent of Schools is due by March 24 for first consideration or until the position is filled. The superintendent search is being conducted by the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE). For additional information visit www.mabe. org or call 1-800-841-8197.
Timeline for Superintendent Search: March 24 - Deadline for application April 26- Initial interviews May 12 - 2nd interviews and select finalists May 22 - Announce finalists May 2729 - Finalist interviews June 10 - Announce selection (tentative) July 1 Position begins
Calvert County Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, familial status, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or genetic information in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of Human Resources or Director of Student Services at 410-535-1700.
Veterans Patio World War II Memorial Brick Campaign Is Now Under Way
Public Can Purchase Bricks Memorializing World War II Service Members Now through April 1
COUNTY NEWS
The Calvert County Department of General Services is coordinating the annual Veterans Patio Memorial Brick Campaign taking place now through April 1. For a limited time, the public may purchase memorial bricks to be placed at the Veterans Patio, located at the WWII On Watch Memorial Statue in Solomons. The commemorative bricks are available to memorialize those who served the country during World War II. The cost of each memorial brick is $100 and all contributions are tax deductible. Bricks will be installed in the fall of 2014 and purchasers will be notified when they are available for viewing. An application is available online at www.co.cal.md.us/OnWatch. To learn more, call Melinda Donnelly at 410-535-1600, ext. 2565. The World War II On Watch memorial statue is an 8-foot-tall bronze statue by Maryland artist Antonio Tobias Mendez commemorating the people and work done at the Solomons Amphibious Training Base during World War II. This, the nations first amphibious training facility, was active from 1942 to 1945 and its effect on the area continues to be felt today. The statue was unveiled in August 2007. For more information on Calvert County Government, call 410-5351600 or like us on Facebook.
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The Calvert Gazette is a weekly newspaper providing news and information for the residents of Calvert County. The Calvert Gazette will be available on newsstands every Thursday. The paper is published by Southern Maryland Publishing Company, which is responsible for the form, content, and policies of the newspaper. The Calvert Gazette does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. To be considered for publication, articles and letters to the editor submitted must include the writers full name, address and daytime phone number. Submissions must be delivered by 4 p.m. on the Monday prior to our Thursday publication to ensure placement for that week. After that deadline, the Calvert Gazette will make every attempt possible to publish late content, but cannot guarantee so. Letters may be condensed/edited for clarity, although care is taken to preserve the core of the writers argument. Copyright in material submitted to the newspaper and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Calvert Gazette and its licensees may freely reproduce it in print, electronic or other forms. We are unable to acknowledge receipt of letters. The Calvert Gazette cannot guarantee that every letter or photo(s) submitted will be published, due to time or space constraints.
S
COMMISSIONERS CORNER
Primary Election
By Susan Shaw Calvert County Commissioner, District 2
Now that the candidate filing deadline for the next election has passed, you may have read some funny comments such as the one by Marty Madden on Facebook where he says, There are three candidates who own or manage liquor stores. There are also three candidates with law enforcement backgrounds. And there is one candidate who owns a donut shop. At this point, Im afraid youll have to insert your own joke. Now the serious part of the campaign begins. Each candidate must introduce himself/herself to the voters. A message must accompany that introduction. What is the best way in which to begin both the introduction and the message? It all depends on who votes as to how to reach those voters. Who votes in Primary campaigns? More and more voters are registering as unaffiliated, commonly called Independent, so they do not vote in the Primary election. Why are more voters registering as unaffiliated? I hear many reasons. Often, registering as unaffiliated seems to be a way to make a statement about unhappiness or disillusionment with the two-party system as practiced in America. Yet, the irony is that an unaffiliated voter not voting in the Primary has LESS opportunity to make their voice heard. There is a saying that all politics is local. It is true that decisions made at the local level can and do affect your daily quality of life in many ways. In the last column, I wrote about the big squeeze that the County is experiencing from residents and businesses burdened by the many taxes and fees imposed at the State level that are separate from and do not fund the many demands on local County resources, where tax rates have not been raised. Who is going to be making decisions about taxes going forward? Are cuts to County services going to affect your quality of life? The Primary will narrow your choices for Governor considerably at the State level with multiple contenders on both the Democratic and Republican sides. The Primary will determine how budget savvy the candidates for County Commissioner are, and who is minding the books on the Board of Education. Voters in the Primary election, coming up early this year on June 24th, with early voting from June 12-19th , get to make the important first choice for those who will be making decisions that directly affect YOUR life. You can register to vote or change party registration up until June 3rd. PLEASE make every effort to be a high information voter on the local level and then PLEASE register to vote with a party affiliation to exercise your right to vote in the Primary election. PLEASE reconsider registration as an unaffiliated voter. Your vote in the Primary Election this year will have an irreversible impact on the political landscape in Calvert County and in Maryland, not just for the next four years, because decisions made can last for a very long time and be VERY hard to undo. Our future depends on it!
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