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Thursday, April 26, 2007 St. Marys County, Maryland

Established 2006 Volume 2 Issue 17 FREE

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-

Photo by Adam Ross

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

Grand Opening B-2

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

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-

For Continual News Updates Visit: somd.com

Local Weather
Friday T-Showers 80 Saturday Partly Cloudy 71 Sunday Mostly Sunny 70

Residents Speak up: Ask Commissioners to Fully Fund Public Schools

By Adam Ross Staff Writer The budget process for St. Marys County like many is not done over night, Tuesday the Board of County Commissioners stepped out of the spotlight and allowed over 0 residents to voice their See Residents Speak Up page A-
Photo by Guy Leonard

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.

 Section A - 

The County Times

the day and by the age group, Jarboe said, and we are reaching further and further in both directions. There is also a potential partnership with the Southern Maryland Applied Research and Technology Consortium to establish an Internet caf that would reach out to teens. Still, Jarboe said he recognizes serious shortfalls in this years budget, especially if the Chesapeake Bay Public Charter School is able to open. The charter school has strugggled to keep up with its aggressive fundraising deadline and could be delayed by the St. Marys County Board of Education. That is a huge difference in budget, Jarboe said. This year is the biggest challenge that Ive ever witnessed. Its my ninth year, and I can tell you that if this years budget was relatively difficult, next years is going to be even worse. Despite the budget difficulties, the libraries are steadily moving along raising more than $100,000 this year with its Friends of the Library Annual Book sale. For the third year in a row, county libraries are open 62 hours a week, and 66 hours at the Lexington Park branch. Children up to the age of five can take part in a my first library card, where they can have access to more materials, more computers and more convenience features including a self checkout machine in every branch. Twenty to 25 percent of checkouts are on these machines, Reif said. Thanks to the technology grant we also

Thursday, April 6, 007

have scanners, color printers and a zoom tech machine. According to Reif, the cost of utilities is also rising and will soon have to be addressed. Reif said she has toyed with the idea of increasing the costs of fines and fees, which would be able to cover the $9,000 utility increase. The St. Marys County Library now puts out a quarterly newsletter where residents will have a chance to learn about new services, new fees or anything or anyone the library is bringing into the county. The newsletter can be found on the librarys website, which also sports the librarys brand new logo. The St. Marys County Library has three branches Lexington Park, Charlotte Hall and Leonardtown.

Library Director Seeks Budget Increase

By Adam Ross Staff Writer Over the last year, the number of St. Marys residents visiting their local libraries has skyrocketed according to the St. Marys Library Board of Trustees. As a result, the trustees are requesting additional funding from the county, even after the librarys budget request was cut short last month by $39,000. In the trustees annual report to the St. Marys Board of County Commissioners last week, Kathleen S. Reif, director of operations for St. Marys County Public Libraries, thanked commissioners for a $75,000 technology grant awarded this year, but pleaded for an additional $20,000 to pay out to employees of the library. Theyve earned it, Reif said. If we dont get the money we will still give it by dipping into our materials fund. The libraries invested $290,000 into materials this year, up from $200,000 two years ago, but still well short of the national average, according to Reif. One thing weve learned is the Internet has not stopped people from checking out materials, Reif said. As a library director its extraordinary that St. Marys County has so many people that have an interest in walking out with a bag load of books. Commissioner Larry Jarboe (R- Golden Beach) said he has learned during his tenure that if the commissioners dont fully fund the libraries today, the county will pay the price later. The need is growing by

St. Marys College Moving To Green Power

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer The students at St. Marys College in St. Marys City hope to make their institution the first college in the state to purchase 100 percent equivalency of its electricity from renewable energy resources. The initiative comes more than a month after the student body voted by referendum overwhelmingly to pay more in student fees, $25 per student, per year to make the initiative happen. The students wanted this and they taxed themselves to do it, said Marc Apter, spokesman for the college. This is definitely a studentled initiative. The college will still get all of its electricity from SMECO, but the extra money raised from student fees about $45,000 a year starting next year will go to buy energy credits that will support generators of clean electricity across the nation. That extra money will help make up the difference in the colleges electricity bill for the more expensive green power. These suppliers produce power from sources like animal waste, plant byproducts and solar and wind power. The college went public with their intentions officially April 21 as part of their Earth Day celebration and their commitment to make their campus completely environmentally friendly. Shane Hall, a member of the Student Environmental Action Coalition, which helped bring the green electricity initiative to fruition, said offset is the keyword in understanding how the project will work. Because of where we are we have to buy from SMECO, Hall said. But well be pumping money back into renewable energy. That extra money will help promote the clean energy production that college students there would like to see become more pervasive. Anything that happens good somewhere is effective everywhere because its all in the atmosphere, Hall said. And its the same with pollution. Giselle Rahn, student trustee on the colleges Board of Trustees, said the vote in March to support the project was a landslide, but the college had to take $45,000 out of student reserves this year to get the initiative started because the increased stu-

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.

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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

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Thursday, April 26, 2007

The County Times

a hand-made by the Honey Bees quilt; the winner will be announced on Sunday at 4 p.m. You do not have to be present to win. For additional information or to find out how to enter a quilt in the show, call Sherrie at 301-475-4200 x. 1073.

Section A - 
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

Open House for Childcare Providers

On Tuesday, April 30, from 6-8 p.m., at Leonardtown Library, 23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown Childcare providers can find out what the libraries have to offer them. See a preview of new preschool books and a Tumble Books presentation and learn more about WoW! Bags. Door prizes awarded. To register call 301-475-2846 x1004.

A HEALTHY CHOICE FOR SHOPPERS

Ask a Master Gardener: Plant Clinic

Tuesday, May 1, 11 to 1, Lexington Park Library, 21677 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park Drop in and ask a St. Marys County Master Gardener your gardening questions. Bring plant samples and/ or photos. Free to attend. Call 301-8638188 for more information.

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Free Adult Computer Class Introduction to Computers

Tuesday, May 1, at 2 p.m., Lexington Park Library, 21677 FDR Blvd, Lexington Park. This basic workshop, introducing new adult computer users to the components, vocabulary and general use of the personal computer. The cost is free, but limited space is available. To register call 301-863-8188

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.

Evening Story time

Drop in for story time and family fun for all ages Thursday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m., at Leonardtown Library, 23250 Hollywood Road & Charlotte Hall Library, 37600 New Market Road. Call 301-475-2846 x1004 for more information.

PureCart Systems is the only company with a complete cart purification system.

CSI: Sciences of Forensics

Help solve a crime that has been committed at the library while exploring the Science of Forensics through hands- on experiments. For ages 7 and over and free to the public. Registration is required. Funding provided by MIL Corp. Saturday, May 5 10 a.m. Charlotte Hall Library, 301884-2211 x 1004, 37600 New Market Road, Charlotte Hall, and 2:00 p.m. Leonardtown Library, 301-475-2846 x 1004, 23250 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown.

PROTECT YOUR CUSTOMERS FROM THE *

1 MILLION GERMS
*

THAT ARE ON JUST ONE OF YOUR SHOPPING CART HANDLES

Dr. Charles Gerba, Dept. of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona.

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.

Teen Writing Workshop

Teen writing workshop with Author A.C. Crispin on April 26 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Leonardtown Library. Bring your writing samples (any genre but must be fiction) to receive feedback from A.C. Crispin, who authored Star Wars and Star Trek novels.

The Shops at Breton Bay Leonardtown, MD 20650 301-997-1828

 Section A - 

The County Times

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Editorial & Opinion

Navy Base future in our hands, not politicians
Patuxent River Naval Air Station is a business. We may sometimes think of it as we would a government agency, existing because its our government, and government never goes away. While the United States Navy is indeed a functioning unit of the federal government, the mission it carries out at Patuxent River Naval Air Station is based upon and supported by the same basic principles that any large corporation in America uses to do business. The base consists of various operating entities, some military and some civilian, not much different than say a company like General Motors would have operating at its research and development facility. Pax River has competition, global competition, that every day tries to bring to market products that are more efficient, more reliable, more accurate, and more useful than the products developed and tested at Pax River. And Pax River has been very successful competing in the world of military aviation, better than anyone. Pax River is truly the best at what they do, providing outstanding military value to the United States citizens, just as successful corporations provide shareholder value to their owners. Many politicians are quick to take credit for the success of Pax River. During the last election, Roy Dyson took credit for personally saving Pax River from closing even while superimposing an Air Force jet onto his campaign propaganda that featured a picture of Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Since acquiring Pax River as part of his district, Steny Hoyer has worked overtime trying to market himself as the Congressman extraordinaire when it comes to keeping military bases open. St. Marys County, home to Pax River for more than 60 years knows better. Base closure and realignments have little to do with these politicians; they are strategic military (business) decisions that are based on military value. In fact, the process is uniquely designed to avoid influence by politicians. We should avoid letting the hollow promises of shortsighted politicians lead us to believe we have no worries in the future. The next Base Realignment and Closure is certain to be only a few years away. Our community has great influence over that process. As a community we would do well to understand what it means to be a good place for Pax River to do business and together as a community be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to assure our children will enjoy the benefits of Pax River in the future. Doing business in this community means being a place where the nations best and brightest can live, raise families, and sustain their desired lifestyle. It means affordable homes in modern communities. It means expanded road networks to assure safe yet quick access to work, shopping and leisure. It means adequate school facilities with safe educational environments. It means a community that protects cultural assets yet paves the way for modest growth. How many times have we seen large corporations and even military bases unexpectedly abandon the community they have done business in for many years? Almost always the decision to do so has more to do with concerns about doing business in that location in the future than with what has happened in the past. All too often these communities had changed in ways that were no longer attractive to the businesses and more important to the types of employees needed to compete in that industry. The old saying that there is no gain without pain is certainly true here. We cannot expect St. Marys to be the home to Pax River without enduring certain pains along the way. We should all be careful not to let short-term thinking and popular political rhetoric misguide our community.

Big City Boy, Small Town Heart

Cooperative Members

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.

Thank You St. Marys County

To the Editor,
On the evening of April 4, we experienced the most horrific tragedy to ever affect our family the loss of our beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend, Ethan Chewning. We have spent the past two weeks forcing ourselves to think, move, and breathe. However, as unfortunate as that onesecond of our lives was, it was in the same moment we were reminded of how blessed we are. As we have dealt with the most painful event of our lives, we have been surrounded and supported by hundreds. From the St. Marys sheriffs deputy that first delivered the horrible news to the deputies that later sat with our family and answered the questions we had to the hundreds of family and friends that participated in the funeral service on Friday, April 13. We have been comforted, supported, and loved by all. The support and kindness have been unbelievable. Although the names are too many to list; and for that matter, often nameless, concerned solely in reaching out to support a grieving family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken time from their busy lives to remember us and share in our loss. Kind-hearted and compassionate people from all over the community visited our homes with cards, food donations, plants and flowers, money, and the most heart-felt words of sympathy. We thank you all when we were crumbing, you helped us to pull ourselves back together; when we were hungry, you fed us; and when we had a need, you fulfilled it. Words cannot begin to express our appreciation and gratitude. Thank you. We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the staff and students of Chopticon High School. What an impression these young people have left on our family! These young adults organized and participated in three separate candlelight vigils. In our darkest hours, these young adults helped our family to see light and feel warmth as we celebrated the life of our Ethan. It was an overwhelming experience to see such a large group of young people praying, reading scripture, and remembering all the wonderful attributes of Ethan. Thank you also to Margaret Brent Middle and Dynard Elementary Schools for remembering and honoring Ethan and our family with your kindness. Michael Gardiner, Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home director, you were a godsend. We appreciate your guidance, support and patience. Planning a funeral service for a 16-year young loved one is indescribable and you so graciously allowed us to work through the process. Everything turned out just the way we envisioned it, and we are sure Ethan approved. Father Baer and Father Erly, the funeral service was beautiful and your words so eloquent. Your message will bring us strength and cour age for many days to come. Although the day is still rather blurry, we heard your message. Christ Church, we are grateful for your continuous support. Ethan enjoyed being part of your youth group. We know that he will rest in eternal peace and be at home in the heart of Chaptico. It means so much to all of us the Ethans eternal resting place be in Christ Church Cemetery. You helped to make a very difficult decision seem so easy and obvious. We will visit him often. Your church also served us in another huge way when the women and men of your congregation took care of the wake after the funeral service. These awesome people took care of every detail setting up the hall, receiving the food, serving an enormous crowd, cleaning up the mess, and all done with a smile. You are all angels sent from heaven. We are so grateful. Again, the names are too many to list, but we send a sincere and deeply touching thank you to all our family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, employers, emergency personnel, classmates, and community members. Your kind deeds were noticed and made a huge difference. We will remember you forever in our hearts. To our parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends, thank you. To Cheryl, Kathy, Carla, Linda, Matthew, Davey, and Rodney you took good care of us. Sincerely, The Chewning/Quade Families Chaptico, Md.

Letters to the Editor

If you wish to send a letter to the editor, please include your name, address and phone number for confirmation purposes. We will only publish your name and city of residence. We can withhold your name by request if circumstances merit it. We must receive all letters by Monday morning for publication in the next issue. Any letter received later than Monday will be held for the following issue.

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

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The County Times

Section A - 

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.

Photo by Adam Ross

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.

Bomb Threat Rattles Leonardtown College Campus

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Students and faculty at the Leonardtown campus of the College of Southern Maryland said they were unaware of a bomb threat that took place there the evening of April 16 for about three days, leading them to criticize the institutions administration for not fully informing them of the potential danger. The bomb threat made students more on edge last week; as it occurred the same day as the shooting massacre of 32 students at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. which is now the worst school shooting in the nations history. Brad Gottfried, president of CSM, said the faculty and student misgivings over the bomb scare caused the college to look at the incident to see if he and the administration acted properly. This is a wake up call to how we respond to all kinds of things, Gottfried told students and faculty Tuesday. Im not going to say this is the right thing to do were really going to analyze. Student Rachel Emerson, of Lusby, said the college should have made a greater effort to tell them about the bomb scare, even though law enforcement and administrators did not consider the message found last Monday as a credible threat. Emerson said she did not know about the threat until Thursday from a friend. She said she had not received any e-mail or bulletin from the college about the incident. I think we have a right to know what to do about our own safety, Emerson said. I may not have put much credibility to the bomb threat but I want that to be my decision. One teacher commented that he was not informed of the bomb threat April 16 or the following day, even though the message apparently made some vague threat for that Tuesday. I had no idea there was a bomb threat for Tuesday, the instructor said in a meeting with Gottfried. I would have opened up any package, any box or done any number of things I shouldnt have done. Lt. Daniel Alioto, commander of patrol operations for the sheriffs department, said that they received the threat at about 5p.m. and that the college leadership cancelled all evening classes at 8p.m. That cancellation came about because of power outages due to weather and high winds, Gottfried said. When police and emergency services personnel arrived and conducted a search of the campus they found no explosive device, Alioto said. We found something that couldve been construed as an actual bomb threat and thats how we handled it, Alioto said. Its still an open investigation. The sheriffs deputy assigned to patrol Leonardtown has increased his rounds on the Leonardtown campus, according to Alioto. Alioto would not divulge what shape the threat took that day, whether it was some kind of note or otherwise because deputies were continuing to search for leads in the case. Alioto said that the person who left the threat may have only been engaging in a practical joke. He said if that were the case, the person should come forward to avoid prosecution. If they did not, Alioto said, the person responsible could face serious consequences if the sheriffs office were forced to pursue an investigation that went nowhere. Sometimes people think thats funny, Alioto said. Its not something were going to take lightly. We dont want people out there crying Wolf! especially when we have real emergencies that need attention. Alioto said not only would the responsible party be prosecuted but that the sheriffs office would seek restitution for all the money and man-hours spent on solving the case. Its not going to be taken as well if they dont come forward, Alioto said.

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 Section A - 

The County Times

vate school championships. He also coached boxing at Holy Angels School, track and field and goalball (a game he created) at St. Marys Academy. In 1964 he became manager of the Potomac Gardens mens team in the St. Marys County Rocking Chair Softball League, compiling a record of 43-7 over three years, finishing second in 1964 in a special playoff after three teams finished the regular season tied for first play. In 1965 and 1966 the team won backto-back league and county championships. He also received the following honors: Presidential awards: Rocking Chair Softball League 1979, St. Marys County Womens Softball League 1977 and the St. Marys County Young Mens League 1982. Appreciation Awards: St. Marys County Slowpitch Softball League 1980 and Budweiser Softball Tournament League 1983. Hall of Fame Awards: Rocking Chair Softball League 1982, Womens Softball League 1991, St. Marys Ryken High School 1989, ASA and St. Marys County Hall of Honor 1984. The family received friends on Tuesday, April 24 from 5 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Catholic Church, Avenue, Md. with Fr. LaHood officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, Md. Pallbearers will Francis Nelson, Joseph Nelson, David Nelson, William Cullins, George Guy and Deane Guy. Contributions may be made to the 7th District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, Md. 20609 and/or Holy Angels Catholic Church, 21335 Coltons Point Road, Avenue, Md. 20609. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Md., she was the daughter of the late William Alexander Morgan and Caroline (Thompson) Morgan. She was a life long resident of Greenbriar Road in Leonardtown. Her hobbies included doing word searches and crossword puzzles. For years she loved playing Bingo at Father Andrew White School in Leonardtown. She had two green thumbs when it came to flowers and gardening. She was faithful in praying the rosary daily. She is survived by her two sons, John Wayne Delozier, Sr. of Leonardtown, Md. and Douglas Francis Delozier and his wife, Denise of Mechanicsville, Md., five grandchildren, Dawn, Wayne, Brian, John, and Irma Delozier, and two great-grandchildren, Amber Lynn Delozier of Okla., and Ashley Nicole Mattingly of Lexington Park, Md. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, John Jefferson Delozier, and her siblings, Helen Hughes, Vertie Parker, Willie Morgan, and Carroll Morgan. The family received friends Tuesday, April 24 from 5- 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md., with prayers recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 25 at 11 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, Md. Father John Dakes will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Lihu Wright, John Delozier, Wayne Delozier, Brian Delozier, Billy Hughes, and Jason Yotko. Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE of St. Marys, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. son of Sanford, Fl. and four grandchildren. She is also preceded in death by her daughter: Vickie Kiger. All services will be Private. Arrangements provided by the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Thursday, April 2, 2007

Rose of Virginia Beach, Va., Troy Donell Rose of Silver Spring, Md., aunt, Shenick Nichole Kind of Fayetteville, N.C., step-aunt, Serella Bynoe of Prince Frederick, Md., great-grandparents, Betty Ann Goforth of Lexington Park, Md. and Joseph Edward Suter of Oakville, Md., and a host of great-aunts, great-uncles, and cousins. Malachi was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Cecial D. Young, Marie L. Bowan, and John Henry Stukes. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 from 10:30-11 a.m. in Zion United Methodist Church, Lexington Park, Md.; with a Funeral Service conducted at 11 a.m. Dr. Reverend Brian Jackson will conduct the service. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Great Mills, Md. Serving as pallbearers will be Jordan Carter, John Rose, Troy Rose, and Akeem Hawkins. Memorial contributions may be made to the SIDS Institute, 630 W. Fayette Street, Room 5-684, Baltimore, Md. 21201-1585. 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.

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-

Kathryn Stauffer Stauffer, 3

Kathryn Stauffer Stauffer, 3, of Loveville, Md. died April 20, 2007 at her residence in Loveville, Md. Born December 9, 2003 in Leonardtown, Md. she was the daughter of Nathaniel Brubacher and Miriam Martin Stauffer. She is also survived by her siblings; Linda, married to Sheldon Martin, Nathaniel Jr., married to Lorene Martin, Lucy, Joseph, Matthew, Marilyn, Edwin, Lorraine, Minerva, Richard, Darlene, Judy, Steven, Dwayne and Kurvin Stauffer, all of Loveville, Grandparents; Joseph and Esther Stauffer of Ephrata, PA, and Annie G. Stauffer of Loveville and the late David M. Stauffer. The family will receive friends at their home on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 from 3-8 p.m.. A prayer service will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 9 a.m. in the family home in Loveville, Md. Funeral Services and Interment will follow at 9:30 a.m. in The Loveville Mennonite Church and Cemetery, Loveville, Md. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Lois Kettner Bradburn, 85

L o i s K e t t n e r B r a d burn, 85, of Leona r d t o w n , Md. died April 17, 2007 at her residence. B o r n December 28, 1921 in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late James D. Kettner and Florence Virginia (Eichelberger) Kettner. Mrs. Bradburn was Chaplain for the American Legion Auxiliary Post #255, in Ridge, Md. and also a member of the Ladies of Charity of St. Michaels Church, Ridge, Md. She is survived by her daughter, JoAnn Kelly of Alexandria, Va., her son, John Bradburn of Fairfax, Va., sister, Emily Gannon of Wilmington, N.C., three grandchildren, Eric, Melissa, and Keaton, and four great-grandchildren, Brennan, Connor, Brooke, and Chase. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Warren Bradburn and her sister, Florence Finnacome. The family received friends on Saturday, April 21 from 9-10 a.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md., with a Memorial Service being conducted at 10 a.m. Father Maurice OConnell of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Ridge, Md. conducted the service. Inurnment was private. Memorial contributions may be made to HOSPICE of St. Marys, Inc., P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Md. 20650 and/ or St. Michaels Church, P.O. Box 429, Ridge, Md. 20680. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Elizabeth Wilson Whetstone, 83

Elizabeth Wilson Whetstone, 83, of Columbia, Md. died April 17, 2007 in St. Marys Nursing Center, Leonardtown, Md. Born December 10, 1923 in Cope, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Joseph Earl Wilson and Mary Drawdy Wilson. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela W. Fox of Columbia, Md., her son, Stephen T. Whetstone of Hollywood, Md., and four grandchildren, Caitlin Fox, David Fox, Emily Whetstone, and Noah Whetstone. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Tom Whetstone. The family received friends Friday, April 20 from 1- 2 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, Md., with a Funeral Service being conducted at 2 p.m. Reverend Sheldon Reese will conduct the service. Interment will be on Monday, April 23 in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, in Walterboro, S.C. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association, Southern Maryland Office, P.O. Box 1889, LaPlata, Md. 20646. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

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.

Suzanne Sue Henning Linley, 7

S u z a n n e Sue Henning Linley, 67, of Leonardtown, Md. f o r m e r l y of Vero Beach, Fl. died April 17, 2007 at her residence. Born February 17, 1940 in Salem, OH she was the daughter of Helen Adrienne Williams Henning of Salem, OH and the late Al Henning. She is survived by her daughters: Lisa Brubacher of Leonardtown, Md., Lori Mason of Howell, Mich. and Diane Lucey of Lewis Center, OH; sister: Marcia Henning of Los Angeles, Ca. and four grandchildren. Ms. Linley was a chemistry teacher for Vero Beach High School until her retirement in 2002. She was a member of the National Audubon Society; she enjoyed gardening, woodworking and spending time with her grandchildren. The family received friends on Monday, April 23 from 9:3010:30 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where a memorial service was held with Rev. Keith Schukraft officiating. Interment was held in St. Pauls Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Southern Maryland Audubon Society, P.O. Box 181, Bryans Road, Md. 20616. Arrangements provided by the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Angel Angelina Bush, Infant

Angel Angelina Bush of Lexington Park, Md. died April 20, 2007 in St. Marys Hospital, Leonardtown, Md. Born April 20, 2007 in Leonardtown, Md., she was the daughter of Scott Tyrone Bush and Helen Angelina (Hawkins) Bush. A Memorial Service will be conducted on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in Solid Rock Church, Port Republic, Md. Pastor Berger will conduct the service. Interment 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.

Malachi Ian Young, five months

Malachi Ian Young, five months, of Lexington Park, Md. died April 20, 2007 in St. Marys Hospit al, Leonardtown, Md. Born October 22, 2006 in Leonardtown, Md., he was the son of Jamaine Rose of Virginia Beach, Va. and Kaleena DeShaun Young of Lexington Park, Md. Malachi always had a smile on his face from the time of his birth to his passing. In addition to his parents, he leaves behind to mourn his brothers, Christian Alexander Bell of Fort Worth, TX, Jalen Alan Rose and Jeremiah Michael Young, both of Lexington Park, Md., grandparents, John Edward Young of Prince Frederick, Md., Elizabeth Denise Young of Lexington Park, Md., Marie Rose and John Green, both of Manning, S.C., uncles, Johntonna Euron Young and Joseph Eimyad Young, both of Lexington Park, Md., John Alexandria

Grace Kathryn Sally Severns, 8

George Bernard Cullins, Sr., 95

George B e r n a r d C u l l i n s , Sr., 95, of C o l t o n s Point, Md. died April 21, 2007 in St. Marys N u r s i n g C e n t e r ,

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

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The County Times

term out-of-home placement for the children of St. Marys County, said Bennett Connelly, executive director of St. Marys County Leadership Management Board. Brown said he promised over his campaign to deliver and intends to keep that promise, citing childrens healthcare as a top priority. The county chose Maryland Choices to develop a local system of care that is family centered, community based, culturally sensitive, outcome driven and fiscally accountable. This grant can make the difference between a healthy and traumatized child, said Brown. We are building a bridge for children to cross over from being a threat to a huge asset. Commission President Francis Jack Russell welcomed Brown to St. Marys County and thanked him on behalf of the entire Board of County Commissioners for the grant. Just before the ceremony, Brown introduced himself and spoke with approximately 20 local children. St. Marys County is the third county to receive a Care Management Entity behind Baltimore County and Montgomery County. I think this is a wonderful opportunity to move Maryland and local government towards development of local care systems through partnerships between local management boards and the Childrens Cabinet, said Connelly.

Section A - 7

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.

Photo by Adam Ross

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.

 Section A - 

The County Times

Neighborhood concerns over noise and smell produced by the station in part delayed the process, said Jarboe. He even placed blame on the county for not pushing the Board of Appeals to act faster. Jarboe didnt know what the total lost profits for the county would be, but said even if it was $250,000 a year it would make a huge difference, especially considering we are only going to public hearing with about $38,000 to play with. Erichsen now expects the station to be fully operational in fiscal 2009. If we get to be open two or three months earlier I would

Thursday, April 26, 2007

suggest not allowing the commercial sector in, said Erichsen. Lets get it up and running to get the bugs out. The projected cost for the finished transfer station is approximately $5 million. The project received approval from the Board of Appeals, after it was initially tabled so board members could visit the site located at the St. Andrews Landfill off St. Andrews Church Road. This board and the overwhelming majority know the value of the landfill and that its the right thing to do, said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley. We need to get this transfer station done.

Jarboe Spars With DPWT over New Transfer Stations Delay

By Adam Ross Staff Writer The St. Andrews waste transfer station, originally slated to be built by July and running in September, wont even come close to that target after being deemed an overly aggressive timeline by George Erichsen, director of Public Works and Transportation. But unlike St. Marys County Commissioner Larry Jarboe who said it was disappointing to see the project behind schedule, Erichsen says the timeline was miscalculated and might actually be ahead of schedule. You cant go any faster, Erichsen said in a phone interview after Jarboe called the transfer stations delay unfortunate. We stuck [the transfer station] in the operating budget but had to move it out. Three days earlier, Erichsen went in front of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and had $870,000 set aside for the station moved from the fiscal 2007 reserve into the fiscal 2008 capital improvement plan. At the commissioners April 17 meeting Jarboe said the cost to drive local trailers into Virginia and across the bridge was incurring an unnecessary cost to the county. Initially Erichsen was caught off guard by Jarboes comments, saying he didnt know what Jarboe was talking about. In October and November of 2006, Public Works and Transportation received approval from the county on its solid waste plan, and approval from the state. We figured if we put the monies in 07, and it was approved in December of 06 that we could operate in 08, said Erichsen. But that was overly aggressive. It appears its constantly moving, but its not. Erichsen added that it was more important to start taking care of the countys commercial sector that right now is on its own, than to bring in revenue. We dont have to build the transfer station at all, what we have to do is address the solid waste needs of St. Marys County, said Erichsen, and telling our commercial sector to find their own way is not the statesman like thing to do. Jarboe was unimpressed with Erichsens explanation Friday saying as far as Im concerned when you have a timeline off, you have a delay, theres no difference.

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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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