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School Monsignor Harris Center Dedicated Bus Driver Archbishop of Washington Attends, Leads Congregation Charged for Sexually Explicit Messages to Students
By Guy Leonard Staff Writer St. Marys County Sheriffs Office investigators have charged a county public school system bus driver with allegedly using a cell phone to send sexually explicit messages to two teen-aged school girls while they were passengers on his bus route. In another incident, deputies say, Christopher P. Espina, 40, of Leonardtown allegedly used a portable DVD player to show a sexually explicit movie to three 17-year-old male passengers while Espina was operating the bus. Deputies also say Espina convinced one of the girls he reportedly illicitly text-messaged to skip school on one occasion. Charging documents from The District Court of St. Marys County state that these incidents involving Espina occurred over a five-month period between Jan. 1 and May 4. Investigators charged Espina with a criminal summons on five counts of possessing obscene matter with the intent to distribute and one count of contributing to the condition of a child. Lt. Rick Burris, commander of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, said investigators were searching for other potential victims. See Lewd Driver page A-7
Monsignor Harris and Archbishop of Washington Donald W. Wuerl lead parishioners and guests to the dedication.
On this beautiful Sunday afternoon, May 13, a day to celebrate the love and devotion of mothers everywhere, a 317 year old catholic parish in Hollywood celebrated its devotion to faith and commitment in providing facilities and teachings to future generations of Catholics. After more than 10 years of planning, fundraising, and construction, St. John Francis Regis Church and School dedicated the new parish hall, appropriately named the hall the Monsignor Har-
ris Center in honor of Reverend Martin P. Harris, the beloved pastor at St. Johns from 1970 until his retirement in 2003. Monsignor Harris who still lives in St. Marys County was in attendance for the ceremony. Monsignor Harris also participated in the mass service immediately preceding the dedication ceremony. The new hall features a middle school size gymnasium, a stage, new kitchen facilities as well as several meeting rooms, all of which will
serve the daily needs of St. Johns School, established in 1923 as the first parochial school in St. Marys County. The hall will also serve the parish communitys many other social and religious needs. In attendance at Sundays mass and dedication was the new Archbishop of Washington, Donald W. Wuerl. Archbishop Wuerl was named See Dedication page A-
BOCC Index Charter School Finally Given Some Promising News Pass $60
By Adam Ross Staff Writer The Chesapeake Public Charter School has sailed through its fair share of stormy waters, but it finally drifted to port when the St. Marys Board of Education May 9 gave it the go-ahead to open in August. Charter school supporters cheered and cried when the announcement was made, as the board had insisted up to that point that the school be successful in its very first day. Community members and even Stacy Maffei, the charters school project director, had perceived the school boards attitude as less than supportive, especially when they were put on probation last month for failing to meet several objectives. Among those missed goals, was a slowed fundrais-
ing effort, hampered by miscommunication between the charters organizers who in March didnt know that they had to raise $120,000 by July 1st. At the time, Margaret Meringolo, a member of the charters governing board revealed the school had only raised $20,000. So last month, the school board handed down seven objectives to the charter, one of which required them to show that at least one of the applicants for education director was fully certified. If the objectives were not met, the school board was armed with the power to stop the charter dead in its tracks, at least for the year. But when the charters organizers were able to meet all of the objectives early this month, they were given the green light by Martirano to move forward for an August opening. Our community deserves this, said Superintendent See Charter School page A-5
Trash Fee
By Adam Ross Staff Writer The St. Marys Board of County Commissioners approved a new $60 trash fee Tuesday for all county residential properties, a move deemed its only option to balance a nearly $2 million deficit. The board meandered in silence for over a minute, before Commission President Francis Jack Russell (D- Piney Point) demanded a commissioner speak up and make a motion. I dont like this because Ive criticized others for saying we dont raise takes, but then raise fees, said Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (DGreat Mills), and here Ive made the motion that Ive criticized others for doing. The $60 fee will impact all residential dwelling units after July 1, including individual apartment units, a measure thats gone relatively under the radar with little negative feedback during this months public hearing. However unless amended, the fee will not be assessed to commercial property owners. Commissioner Thomas A. Mattingly Sr. (D- Leonardtown) has been outspoken of the fact that everyone in the county be partners in paying the fee. Leonardtown on the other hand has requested it be exempted from the fee because it handles much of its own solid waste needs, but its residents are still to be charged. See $60 Trash Fee page A-3
Section A -
In Your Community
Theatre
The Spring Ridge Drama Club is presenting Annie jr., an Encore Benefit Show, May 19 at 7 p.m. All proceeds go towards Relay For Life, with a charge of $4 at the door.
will be conducted May 28, by the St. John Francis Regis Knights of Columbus Council #7914 at St. John Francis Regis Church and grounds. The memorial mass, to be celebrated by Fr. Ray Schmidt, will begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed by an outside program starting at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be Wayne Karlin, local author, professor
and Vietnam veteran. Following the program, members of the Father Andrew White Assembly will lead the participants in a Living Rosary. In case of inclement weather, the program and Living Rosary will be held in the Monsignor Harris Center. All are welcome to attend to remember and honor our deceased veterans. Contact Chris Woehrer
Basket Bingo
Golf Tournament
St. Marys Ryken High School is hosting the 2nd annual Golf tournament taking place Thursday May 31st at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. The event will take place at Breton Bay Golf Course. For more information please
Join the Piney Point Elementary School PTA for their Basket Bingo fundraiser on Friday, May 18, at 7 p.m., at the Valley Lee Fire House. Doors open at 6 p.m. The cost is $20.00 for regular books, with each additional book costing $5.00. Specials are four for $4.00 or $1.00 each. All children must be accompanied by
Sure Fine USDA Grade A All Natural Whole Chicken Legs, Drumsticks, or Thighs
The Shops at Breton Bay Leonardtown, MD 20650
79 cents per lb
COSMIC symphony, your local community symphony orchestra, presents our Season Finale concerts on: Saturday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Center Huntingtown High School, Huntingtown, Md., and Sunday, May 20, at 3:00 p.m. Performing Arts Center Chopticon High School, Morganza, Md. This Season Finale concert features world-renowned pianist Shaun Tirrell performing the crowd pleaser Rhapsod in Blue. Few American compositions have captivated audiences like this Gershwin favorite and few pianists can engage and inspire audiences like Shaun Tirrell. As an added bonus, the noted piano maker, Mason and Hamilin, is bringing one of their fine instruments for Mr. Tirrell to perform on. This exciting event is not to be missed. COSMIC will also feature Manuel de Fallas El Amor Brujo (Love, the Magician), the shimmering, fiery, magical piece of ballet featuring flamenco dancer Tamara Sol and vocalist Monica Reinagel. COSMIC has again joined with local area students to engage them in the visual arts. Students were encouraged to listen to the Gershwin or de Falla pieces and provide their visual interpretation of their musical favorite. Last seasons gallery style exhibit brought more than 250 works of art, watercolors, oils, sculpture, and much more submitted by public and private school children as well as area home scholars. Tickets are available at Musically Yours, Allegro Music, and Strings Music in St. Marys County; Educate Celebrate, Periwinkle Place, Dickinson Jewelers, and Maertens Jewelers in Calvert County, or on-line at www.cosmicmusic.org. Email cosmic_orch@hotmail. com., or call (301) 373-5277 for more information about how you can support your local symphony orchestra.
Cosmic Symphony
Downtown Tunes
301-997-1828
Route 5 & Mohawk Drive Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
Sure Fine Meat Wieners Reg. or Jumbo 1lb. 69 cents USDA Select Boneless NY Strip Steaks $6.88 per lb Johnsonville Sausage Grillers Asst. Varieties 19.76oz. $3.99 Kingsford Charcoal 18lb bag $6.99
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301-884-5636
Wildewood Shopping Center California, MD 20619
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Route 245 Hollywood, MD 20636
A summer of music begins in downtown Leonardtown May 26, when bluegrass and folk music on the Town Square kick off a series of four free early evening concerts scheduled in the town. The featured band will be The Smoke Creek Rounders, a bluegrass band made up of veteran local musicians Billy Thompson, Gary Rue and Bryan Deere. The rounders will play from around 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Downtown restaurants will be open during the events for take out and grab and go food, as well as indoor seating. For more information call Robin Guyther, chair, at 301-904-4452, or email to drguyther@cs.com.
Golf Tournament
301-475-2531
Route 246 & Great Mills Rd. Lexington Park, MD 20653
301-862-7702
The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 11th annual golf tournament Monday, July 9, at Wicomico Shores Golf Course. Shotgun starts at 9 a.m., scramble captains choice format at $65 a player. Cost includes fees, cart, lunch, beverages and prices. Open to the general public. For more information call Joe Cooper at 301-863-5362.
Christian Concert
St. Paul United Methodist Church Presents a Christian Concert for all ages featuring The Praise Team of Emmanuel Church. The concert is May 20th at 6 p.m., but doors open at 5:30 a.m. Donations will be accepted for Summer Youth Mission Trip. The church located on 11000 H.G. Trueman Road Lusby, Md. For more information call 301-326-4475.
Section A -
Lawyer Daniel Gunther (far left) represents owners Lam and David Tran of The Hot Noodle in California, as they sit before the board for the second straight month because of violations against their liquor license.
appeared to be in the same back area where the violation had occurred. Corcoran said that during his first stop to the restaurant there were 15 to 20 people, some drinking, however he did not write a citation because he had to respond to an emergency simulcast. On my return there was people coming and going, maybe with drinks but I didnt
take much note once I saw instruments, said Corcoran. I chalked it up to bands coming and going. The incident occurred around midnight, according to Corcorans report. When Corcoran first approached The Hot Noodle, he testified that a witness came up to him and said, Something was going on. Corco-
ran conceded that an emergency situation could have occurred upon his initial visit. The Liquor Board found the Trans guilty last month of serving alcohol past its closing hours of 1:30 a.m. The owners were given a $200 fine and a 1 a.m. curfew for 90 days starting on April 12.
which addresses the transportation needs of seniors and the disabled is another possibility that the county will look to seize for the implementation of the Western route, said Fournier. Were trying to see how we can apply for that, added Fournier. The need is there. Commissioner Larry Jarboe (R- Golden Beach) said utilizing the Statewide Special Transportation Assistance
Program (SSTAP) - which provides bus service to over 17,000 seniors in the community could be one way to pick up the pieces of the discontinued Northern route. Theres got to be something that can be done, said Jarboe. Fournier said hopefully in the next few months her office would be able to identify if SSTAP would be a viable option, and hold the mandatory
public hearings. The Job Access routes provide over 3,000 unemployed and underemployed residents bus service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The program was implemented in August of 2006 and is funded by federal, state and county monies. Ridership for Job Access I and II has increased overall by 4 percent since its inception last year.
hauling transfer station slated for construction on St. Andrews Landfill, said Erichsen. Three speakers opposed the fee at the public hearing earlier this month.
Whether theyre in the market for a new home, apartment, condo or co-op, people still turn to the Classifieds first. Why advertise your goods and services in The County Times Classifieds? Over 11,000 eyes will see your ad. Readers are actively looking for your listing. Potential buyers can clip and save your ad. So the next time you want to sell something fast, get it in writing... Get it in the Classifieds! The County Times Classifieds 301-373-4125
Section A -
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
Section A -
shock if he had uttered a thank you. Perhaps he was waiting for me to thank him but I assure you, that would be a long wait indeed. I have noticed that many customers thank the clerk but this is so backward! It seems we have a sense that somebody should say thank you and so the customer has taken on the task. Some clerks say have a nice day or here you go and then the customers says thank you. WHAT?! The customer is now thanking the merchant for taking their money. Or maybe theyre thanking the cashier for wishing them a nice day. I dont know, it just doesnt make sense to me. And whats up with here you go is that shorthand for take your receipt and leave so I can be rude to the next customer I have to deal with? Maybe Im confused, but dealing with the customers is your job and youre getting paid to do it. I will not say thank you to a cashier or clerk just because they wish me a nice day; I will say thank you when I have received good service. When I get the have a nice day line, I simply say you too. And that brings about all I wanted to hear in the first place the clerk saying thank you to me!
said of the April 10 date when his management contract runs out. The builder is not pushing anybody out. Still some White Oak residents are wondering what they will do before the year deadline is up. John Shirghio has lived there with his wife and daughter for the past five years and is not pleased with the prospect of having to move. Theyre telling us that theyre doing what they can to help us out, but [the requirement to move] sucks, Shirghio said. We wouldnt have moved here five years ago if we knew wed have to leave. His wife, Amity Davis, shared his sentiment. She did not like the idea of moving to St. Clements Landing because of fears of high crime on the site and poor schools in the neighborhood for her child. If we move to another trailer park, how do we know well be able to stay there? Davis said. This could happen all over again. At National Mobile Home Park, residents are also moving quickly according to one resident who said she is also looking to move soon. Its going to be hard because people are on a very
low income, said Renae Hall, a 12-year resident of the park that sits right next to White Oak. There are seven or eight families that I know of that have already moved out. It was difficult to find a place to live, Hall said, because of her less than pristine credit. And she said that CRG was offering to give her money to assist with the move but she said the company would not give it over until she signed an agreement to set a certain moving date. She said she would not sign because she had not received confirmation on a trailer she was looking to move into. The moving is like a nightmare, Hall said. I never thought Id have to move out of this place. Commissioner Daniel Raley (D-Great Mills) sympathized with the dilemma the residents of both parks face but said the county would do all it could to ease the transition. Weve heard you and we understand the situation youre in, Raley told a packed hearing room Tuesday. [Its] causing a tremendous amount of stress on you and we know that.
Charter School
Continued from page A- Michael J. Martirano, they deserve a charter school. Bill Mattingly, the school boards vice chair said he is still concerned with the charters ability to raise more than $100,000 every year, adding that he didnt want the school to be a one-year wonder. That attitude from Mattingly and other board members has led to several e-mails to the school board and Martirano expressing contempt for the boards stance on the school. One e-mail claimed that if the school were not successful it would be from a lack of support from the board of education and Martirano. Mattingly challenged the tone of the e-mails, but Maffei agreed with them. At times, the board has been less than supportive, Maffei said of her and the communitys concerns. Especially at the board meeting that they handed down probation. It wasnt the fact that they put us on probation that caused the concern, but the attitude and comments. The completion of the school on time is still not guaranteed, although according to charter organizers construction is on schedule. The interior of the building is scheduled to be finished in early June, according to Maffei. However, exterior work could drag on into the early days of August, she said. The school is scheduled to open Aug. 13 with approximately 160 students in grades kindergarten through five. Construction is well underway, said Maffei, we dont foresee any problems. Students were chosen in a raffle already completed earlier this year. The school will be the very first public charter school in St. Marys County.
Obituaries
Elizabeth Abell, 85
Agnes Bessie Elizabeth Abell, 85, of California, Md., died May 11, 2007 in Bayside Care Center, Lexington Park, Md. Born June 24, 1921 in Leonardtown, Md., she was the daughter of the late Louis C. and Mammie Jones Morgan. She was preceded in death by her husband John Combs Abell on May 10, 1985, whom she married on November 24, 1936. She is survived by her children: Raymond Abell of Leonardtown, Md.; Pat Goldsborough and her husband Bobby of Hollywood, Md.; Jane Jameson and her husband Allen of California, Md.; and J.C. Abell of California, Md.; 12 grandchildren, eight + great grandchildren and step grandchildren. Ms. Abell was a lifelong St. Marys County resident and homemaker for the majority of her life. She also worked outside of the home as a private daycare provider, assembly line worker and cleaning service worker. She enjoyed spending time with all of her family and especially her great grandchildren. She enjoyed the following interests and hobbies: gardening/ farming, jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, watching NASCAR and Cops on TV, listening to country and bluegrass music, playing cards, listening to the scanner and cooking. She cherished the moments spent with her family and the many heartfelt conversations over coffee. The family received friends on Monday, May 14 in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, where Prayers were said. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, May 15 in St. Johns Catholic Church, Hollywood, Md., with Fr. Raymond Schmidt officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, Md. Pallbearers were her grandsons and great grandsons: Tom Jameson; Robbie Jameson; Ray Goldsborough; Christopher Quade; Casey Quade; Tyler Gladu; Brady Jameson; and Cody Jameson. Honorary Pallbearers were: Donald Gladu and Kyle Gladu. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. the daughter of the late Francis Barber and Catherine (Whalen) Barber. The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 19, 2007 from 9-10 a.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Lexington Park, Md., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Reverend Jack Keneally will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, Md. Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com. A full obituary will appear at a later date.
(301) 373-4125
Section A - 7
Lewd Driver
Continued from page A-1 Theres no indication there have been any other reports of this kind, but were still looking into it, Burris said. There was no physical contact between him and any of the juveniles. Despite the charges against Espina, the suspect has not been arrested. Burris said the decision was up to the district court commissioner who signed off on the investigators application of charges. Either way he gets a court date, Burris said. Burris said that investigators received word of the allegations against Espina from the county Department of Social Services, which was warned by school officials near the beginning of the month. Kathleen Lyon, executive director of Student Services for county schools, said Espina is no longer employed by the school system. Hes no longer driving for the school system and hes been decertified by the state as a bus driver, Lyon said. Lyon added that Espina came to work for the school system as a school bus driver as part of a contracting company in August of 2004. Espina had not been a problem in the nearly three years he worked for the system. Weve had no previous reports [of misconduct] during the time he worked for us, Lyon said. She added that parents of children who were in contact with Espina could contact the school system if their children came forward to report any incidents they had involving the bus driver. Lyon said that Espina passed a background check for his employment and had attended the school systems annual child abuse and sexual harassment prevention
efforts. These young actors really pulled through and gave it their all, Rapp wrote to parents in the performance program. I am honored to teach such a fine group of students. The Home School Christian Academy offers nine different subjects including science, creative writing, art, drama, Latin, band, choral music, recorder and geography. These are the supplements that parents want to what their children are getting at home. We want our children to have a well-rounded education, Segesdy said. This year the academy had seven teachers but Segesdy and Albers said they expect to have 10 instructors to handle a total of 35 class slots spread out among the eight grades. Though they home school their children, parents in the academy must remain in contact with the St. Marys County Public School System for a review to ensure their children are meeting academic standards. Children who go through home schooling can do high school-level equivalency work and graduate with a diploma from their home school organization that carries the same weight as if it came from a public school. The home schooling curriculum at Home School Christian Academy allows parents more control over how their children receive their education but the spiritual, Christ-centered dimension is perhaps the most important for the parents. When we get up in the morning we can read the Bible, we can do devotions in the morning, Segesdy said. And thats what this is about.
Joshua Tyson, 13, of the Home School Christian Academy gets into character as King Raynah in the schools performance of Scheherazade. Parents pay for the academy to hire teachers to instruct students in subjects like drama and theatre that many parents would find difficult to teach on their own.
Section A -
Evans Seafood restaurant circa the late 1980s or early 1990s. The white building off to the right was the beginning building and the restaurant grew into the longer building at left.
The county, our customers were disappointed that it wasnt in the family anymore, Evans said. Our family just couldnt run it anymore. Any chance of her starting the business up again under Evans family leadership ended when her husband, a key player in the business, developed Alzheimers disease and she was forced to take care of him full-time. But after working there and running the business for nearly two decades on her own, she still is in high demand for people who want someone to run their seafood house. You cant believe the job offers Ive had, Evans said. Evans said her father-inlaw was a master carpenter who contracted tuberculosis during World War II while serving in Europe and couldnt hold down a regular carpentry job. He was a master carpenter who couldnt stand to be around saw dust, Evans said. Bugs Evans started selling seafood to help make
ket to get it raw, Evans said, and thats how the Evans Seafood restaurant got its start. The reason Evans came into being was there was no market [for seafood] down here, Evans said. We stared out with a two-burner stove in the old oyster house; the next thing you know they built on another room and we had five eating tables. The Evans Seafood fervor
of our mottos was If you get a seat, you get to eat. By the time the restaurant closed in 2006, it had three kitchens and five dining rooms. Not only was Evans Seafood a popular place to eat, it also provided employment for most of the Evans family as well as other families in the St. Georges and Piney Point areas.
Evans has fond memories of the restaurant and she said she is ready to let it go to someone else for a chance to carry on the legacy. I met so many nice people there and I worked with so many nice people, Evans said. The restaurant was good to us while we had it.
An artists rendering of the concept design for the new Evans Seafood located in St. Georges Island.
Dedicaton
Continued from page A- Archbishop of Washington less than a year ago. Archbishop Wuerl told the congregation as you face the future needs of this parish we celebrate your accomplishments. This center is a sign of our faith and gives us a place to continue to demonstrate our faith. The spirit of God can be found in this new center so that we can continue to practice our Catholic faith. At the end of the mass Archbishop Wuerl announced to the congregation that the new center would be named after Monsignor Harris to which the Archbishop received a standing ovation. In a letter to Reverend Gary R. Studniewski dated February 27, 1998 the former Archbishop of Washington, Archbishop James C. Hickey in approving the proposed facility name wrote: Msgr. Harris has served St. Johns with extraordinary fidelity, and love. As you observe, he has spent well over half of his priesthood at St. Johns. The naming of the new facilities in his honor is indeed a most fitting tribute.
As the congregation entered the new center after mass, Archbishop Wuerl consecrated the building. A short ceremony followed which featured a beautiful song from the students of St. Johns School singing we want to thank you God. Monsignor Harris was asked to give remarks. Known for his brevity, and often referred to as saying the fastest mass in the east Monsignor Harris did not disappoint anyone. His comments lasted approximately 30 seconds in which he thanked the many people who contributed a lot of blood, sweat and tears since 1997 in order to make this possible. Also known for his conservative financial management and his commitment to keeping the parish and school financially sound, Monsignor Harris had been a staunch advocate of continuing bingo on Sunday evenings despite declining revenues. In his brief comments Sunday, Monsignor Harris closed with the question: where is the bingo board? at St. Johns School students sing We Want to Thank You God at the Monsignor Harris Dedication. which time he received another standing ovation.
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Questions? Call 410-414-9001 Some restrictions apply. See club for details.
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