The

County

Thursday, January 10, 2008 St. Marys County, Maryland

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Thank You!

Raiders Hold Off Braves 38 / 32

Our girls are determined to play better.
Leonardtown Girls Basketball Coach Ed Carney

St. Marys College Honors Retirees and Long-Time Staff and Faculty Members
See Story pg. B-4

Sheriffs Office, Set To Negotiate With County On Law Enforcement Budget

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron says that he and the county government still have to negotiate about starting points for his fiscal 2009 budget before he can know exactly how much money he can ask for. The issue, Cameron said, may come over baseline budget figures for his agency, meaning that Cameron projects a higher uncontrollable cost increase above what the county projects. Cameron told The County Times that he projects a 7.9 percent increase in costs to run the sheriffs office while the county is projecting about a 6.5 percent cost in doing business increase. The county commissioners approved a letter Tuesday to the sheriffs office asking that Cameron keep his budget request for fiscal 2009 to $27.8 million for an increase of about $2.4 million over last years sheriffs budget and $500,000 over their baseline figure according to county figures. The county currently has $5.6 million in unallocated funds to divide between the sheriffs, board of education and other departments. The lions share of that money, about $1.2 million is slated for the board of education. County Administrator John Savich told the county commissioners he was advising
Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron

See Budget page A-

Sheriffs Budget Reduced by $7,000 For Protective Orders

The Board of County Commissioners approved a reduction in the Sheriffs Department current budget of $7,000 because of reduced State funding. The money was part of the Save the Victim Grant which provides funding to offset the cost of serving nearly 900 protective orders each year in domestic violence cases.

Annual Legislative Breakfast Served With Cloudy Forecasts

Andrea Shiell Staff Writer When most of the countys educators were probably still sleeping, other educators and commissioners were gathering at the J.T. Daugherty Conference Center on Saturday morning for their 4th Annual Legislative Breakfast to discuss goals for the upcoming year. Among the attendees were Senator Roy Dyson (D29th District), members of the Board of County Commissioners including President Jack Russell and Thomas Mattingly, and members of the Education Association of St. Marys County (EASMC). EASMC Legislative Chair Joyce Walker opened the meeting with a list of goals including funding and passage of the Thornton Education Plan, the establishment of a Public Employees Review Board to act on behalf of labor relations and solve disputes within the school system. Also on the legislative agenda was a Fair Share program for employees. Under this plan, school system employees would not have to join the education association in order to take advantage of contractual support. The General Assembly will be looking at testing issues associated with No Child Left Behind, class sizes, See Breakfast page A-

Students From Mechanicsville Elementary School Win

$10,000 Approved For Floating Pier
The Board of County Commissioners approved a $10,000 increase Parks and Recreation budget in order to build a floating pier on the pond located at Elms Beach Park. The money was provided because of increased State funding for the Grant.

Together Were Better Contest

Students from elementary, middle and high schools in Maryland won in the annual Together Were Better Poster and Essay Contest conducted by The Arc of Maryland in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education, Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, and the Maryland Department of Disabilities. The contest, held in conjunction with National Inclusive School Week, celebrates the diverse abilities of all students and highlights the importance of providing equal opportunities for children with disabilities. The winners will be recognized at a special Awards Reception on February 19, 2008 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Annapolis, MD. The contest includes two levels: Class Poster category for Elementary Schools, intended as a class project, Photo Courtesy of Mechanicsville Elementary School and an Essay Contest for Middle and Pictured from left: Principal Barbara Cooksey Abell, Mrs. Pam Coflin, third grade teacher and Mrs. Vonnie See Winners page A-6
Patton, art teacher, and students.

$5,381 Increase for Office On Aging

The Board of County Commissioners approved a State Grant increase of $5,381 as part of the Older Americans Act. The additional money will be used for various senior services.

Inside
Op.-Ed .......... Obituaries..... Community... Police ............ Classifieds..... Thursday Partly Cloudy 50 Page A - 4 Page A - 9 Page B - 3 Page B - 5 Page B - 9 Friday Showers 58

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 Section A - 

The County Times

Thursday, January 10, 008

Man Convicted Of Multiple Driving Offenses Gets Early Release

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A Mechanicsville man serving an eight-year sentence for multiple traffic violations involving alcohol, once running into a cement wall and attempting to flee arrest, is receiving an early release by order of a county District Court judge. Donald G. Bevington, 44, applied to Judge John F. Slade III for a reconsideration of sentencing so he could get help with his admitted addiction to alcohol, but representatives with the states attorneys office fought to keep Bevington behind bars as they believed he was still a threat to the community. Slade ruled in favor of Bevingtons appeal Jan. 4 on the condition that he get treatment for his addiction and abstain from all alcohol and drug consumption. The court is placing the defendant on the highest level of supervision, Slade said in his ruling. Essentially, the court is giving him the credit for time served and he has considerable backup time over his head. Bevington will be eligible to attend the Jude House treatment facility in Charles County after having received treatment while incarcerated at the Department of Corrections facility. He wants to get help and get his life back on track, said his attorney Joseph Welsh. Assistant States Attorney Kevin McDevitt argued against Bevingtons early release, even if it was into a treatment program. Hes accumulated nine DWIs [driving while impaired by alcohol] in the past 20 years, the last seven were since 2005, McDevitt said. One time he almost hit a state trooper. Hes going to kill somebody else or kill himself. Im certain DOC (Department of Corrections) has treatment available. Judge Slade, however, rejected the last argument, saying that it was a back-loaded system and Bevington might only be able to get the treatment he needed after he completed his sentence. Many of the driving offenses for which Bevington was convicted happened in August of 2006. In one instance, according to police reports, on Aug. 26, 2006, Bevington crashed his vehicle into a large trashcan and finally into a concrete block retaining wall in Mechanicsville. The crash badly damaged Bevingtons vehicle and caused significant damage to the property of two homeowners on Edinborough Drive where the accident occurred, charging documents read. After surveying the damage to his vehicle and then to the homeowners property, which he asked them not to report to the police, Bevington got back into his vehicle and drove away to his nearby home on East Edinview Court, according to charging documents. The officer in pursuit of Bevington pursued him to his house and ordered him to stop where he was; Bevington kept going to the entrance of his house, charging documents state. He went inside and later fled out the back of the residence into a wooded area, charging documents state. After the August incidents Bevington was again arrested in October and December of 2006 for alcohol related driving offenses as well as driving on a suspended license, according to on-line court documents. In a letter to Slade, listed in court documents, Bevington claimed remorse for his actions. I realize I have a serious alcohol problem, Bevington wrote to Judge Slade. I am very lucky I did not injure anyone and I am grateful for that. Bevingtons family members said they were pleased to see that he had a chance to turn his life around and that he was finally getting help with his addiction.

Fire Destroys Bushwood Familys Home

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A house fire just before noon Tuesday destroyed a familys home in Bushwood, displacing two adults and two children according to officials with the State Fire Marshals Office. The fire started when someone in the house used a flame as a light source, Deputy Fire Marshal John Nelson told The County Times. An occupant was using a cigarette lighter for a light source and it ignited bedroom furniture in the house, Nelson said, adding he was unsure why the resident used the cigarette lighter in such a fashion. According to the fire marshals notice of investigation the family tried to fight the fire themselves for a significant amount of time before firefighters arrived on the scene. The familys home phone was not working, Nelson said, but school staff from nearby Dynard Elementary School called in the emergency notice. The fire caused a total of $250,000 in damages to the home, which was completely destroyed by the blaze, Nelson said. Its uninhabitable, he said. None of the family members were injured, Nelson said, and the local Red Cross was assisting them while recovering from the disaster. The home, a two story, wood framed house, was located on Bushwood Road. A total of five volunteer fire departments from the 7th District, Leonardtown, Mechanicsville, Hollywood and Hughesville 35 firefighters in all responded to the call and took 25 minutes to extinguish the fire.

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St. Marys County Public Schools Ranked in Top 5% Nationwide

vanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or Cambridge tests taken by all In a recent News- students at a school, which is week article, St. Marys then divided by the number of County high schools were graduating seniors. honored with an impressive In a recent Newsranking in the top five percent week article, Leonardtown of 27,000 public high schools High School came in 342nd out nationwide. The ranking sys- of 27,000 schools, placing it in tem, devised by writer Jay the top 1.26 percent. Great Mathews of the Washington Mills High School came in Post, is a simple calculation 609th, putting it in the top 2.25 based on the number of Ad- percent, and Chopticon High School ranked 992nd, placing it in the top 3.67 percent. This is evidence of the high quality and rigorous instruction delivered to our students on a daily basis, said Michael J. Martirano, secretary treasurer of the St. Marys County Board of Education. We must do everything in our power to maintain this level Andrea Shiell Staff Writer of academic excellence. Scott Smith, Director of Secondary Instruction, said that attendance, graduation rates, HSA scores and GPAs are not factored in, and that the Mathews index is a very simple calculation, but still a great indicator of how much students are being challenged. He indicated that the goal has been to have one AP test administered for every graduating senior, and that the county has surpassed those goals, gaining a higher ranking each year since appearing on the Mathews index, which is a ranking of the top 1,300 public high schools in the United States. Recruitment for Advanced Placement courses in St. Marys county includes incentives like the school assuming the costs for AP exams, and a more rigorous and challenging curriculum than mainstream courses. Also is the promise of college credit for many of the AP tests administered, which encourages college-bound students to participate more. Weve really encouraged kids to stretch up and take AP courses, Smith said. Others echoed this achievement at the joint meeting held between the Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Education held on Tuesday. Board member Salvatore Raspa commented that, Its amazingthis is proof that everyone is working hard. Its not just the students, but the teachers, the parents, and the community at large... We should all be proud.

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Burglary Suspect Arrested, Weapons Recovered

The damage and property stolen from the residence totaled about $4,000, charging documents state. Detectives with the St. Marys County BuCharging documents allege that the weapreau of Criminal Investigations have arrested a ons recovered were found in Williams own Mechanicsville man they allege is responsible bedroom. Williams parents, who lived in the for a residential burglary on South Sandgates Road in November of last year. In a combined effort with Charles County sheriffs, detectives conducted a search of Christopher Allen Williams residence Jan. 4 and, according to charging documents, recovered several firearms reported in residential burglary in both St. Marys and Charles counties. Lt. Rick Burris, commander of BCI, said that this is the only known burglary in the county Williams is alleged to have committed. We havent linked him to any other burglaries in our jurisdiction, Burris said. Charles County sheriffs had yet to charge Williams with any burglaries, according to on-line court records searches. Officers recovered a total of six weapons as a result of the search, Burris said, one was taken in the Nov. 18 residential burglary, a CZ-52 handgun, and four other weapons were recovered from a residential burglary in Hughesville that occurred sometime in late December of last year. The other weapon recovered was an illegal sawed-off shotgun that, according to charging documents, had been altered to have just a 13-inch barrel. Detectives found the shotgun in the trunk of Williams vehicle, charging documents Christopher Allen Williams state. Williams, 18, did not offer any explanation as to why the weapons stolen in the Hughesville burglary where in his home, same home as the defendant, identified the stocharging documents state. len weapons their son allegedly brought into Charging documents state that, for the Nov. their home, court papers state. 18 burglary in Mechanicsville, then-unknown Williams parents also overheard their son suspects had forced open a door to the home make several phone calls during which he allegand then broke into a safe and stole numerous edly tried to sell the stolen weapons. weapons, including the one recovered from the Jan. 4 warrant search. By Guy Leonard Staff Writer

Thursday, January 10, 2008

The County Times

Section A - 

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 Section A - 

The County Times

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Editorial & Opinion

Property Tax Assessments Continue Escalation; Commissioners Need To Take Action
County government coffers continue to overflow with revenue from property tax increases caused by runaway property assessments. Unfortunately, the current Board of Commissioners has become so accustomed to double-digit revenue increases, that their spending habits threaten the long-term economic stability of our community. Every year, one third of the real property in St. Marys County is reassessed by the State of Maryland. This is the process whereby the state determines the current value of private property much the same way a property appraiser would determine the property value if commissioned to do so. For instance, if you were to list your home or business for sale, you might hire a professional appraiser to determine the value based upon market conditions. All private property is included in the valuation process, including single family homes, multi-family homes, apartment buildings, all residential property, both owner occupied and renter occupied. Commercial property is also included in the valuation process. For businesses the bottom line on the income statement has no bearing on the valuation process. A business could actually be losing money while the value of the building the business occupies could increase greatly due to the fact that a similar building somewhere else in the county sold at a higher price. The same with your home, it doesnt matter that you may have lived in that home for 10 years and purchased it at a price you could afford, and no matter that your income may not have gone up, in fact, it doesnt even matter if you are currently not working and have no income at all, the value is determined as if you were going to sell that property at current market values compared to other like property that has recently sold. Once the current market value is determined by the State, this new value is phased in over a three-year period. In other words, your home, apartment, trailer, office building, commercial building, or just empty land, will change in value each year for three years in a row, beginning with the year the property is re-assessed. In year three, your property value will have reached the full value as determined by the assessment done three years earlier, oh but dont relax, by then the State will be around to re-assess and the whole process begins anew. This is done so State and County government can send you or your landlord a property tax bill each year based not upon your ability to afford to pay taxes, but rather based upon the government valuation of your property. With the recently completed annual re-assessment of St. Marys County property, done this year in the center one third of the county, property values continue to soar at unprecedented rates for the 5th year in a row. This means that all citizens are paying higher property taxes every year at alarmingly higher rates. Last year, St. Marys County government received almost $7 million more in property tax revenue than the previous year, an 11% increase. This coming year will be larger still. With property tax representing about 40% of all county tax revenue, the increase from property tax alone is now greater each year than the entire increase from all tax revenues were just 5 years ago. In 2003, County tax revenue increased by $5.7 million, a 4.8% increase. Last year, County tax revenue increased $12.7 million, an 8% increase. With most people seeing personal income increasing only 3% per year or less, it is impossible for people to keep up. Each year, taxes, are taking a greater and greater portion of your personal and business income. Most fiscally conservative public officials understand that when government spending is increasing greater than the growth of the economy in which it operates, than government is growing faster than the population can support in the long term. This has been the case in St. Marys County over the past several years, and it threatens the long-term stability of our local economy. On Tuesday, the Board of County Commissioners asked the local school board and the local sheriff to limit their budget requests to approximately a 6% increase this coming year. With several years of spending increases of 8% and greater, the current Board looks at this as a tough budget year and 6% increases in spending as fiscally conservative. Tell that to the family making $40,000 a year who expect a 2% pay raise who see their apartment rent increase between 10 to 15% as the landlord passes on the higher property taxes on homes that have no property tax cap. Or to the average homeowner who will see their household income increased by 3% while their property tax bill will go up 5%. Or the local business owner who has seen profits shrink to less than last year, yet their property tax bill increases 16%. There probably arent 10 businesses in St. Marys County who will see profits increase as much as their property tax bills. With the cost of government continually taking a greater percent of disposable income out of our economy each year because of runaway government spending, and with housing costs rising beyond the reach of most young families today because of local and state land use policies of recent years, soon St. Marys will be a difficult place to do business. The critical issue for St. Marys during the next round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) wont be encroachment; it will be the cost of doing business. These Commissioners have been used to buying Mercedes Benz automobiles because of the overflowing County coffers. This year, because they claim the State of Marylands increase to the County will be smaller than last years, the Commissioners are now preparing to buy Cadillac automobiles and calling that a fiscally conservative move. With the cost of energy, fuel, insurance, food, clothing, interest rates, and so forth rising faster than expected, most people can only afford for the Commissioners to buy nice Chevrolets. The County Commissioners can lift this overburden off the citizens of St. Marys County by doing the right thing this year, by reducing the County property tax rate by 5% and limiting their spending increase to ONLY 3%.

Rides for Seniors Program Needs Drivers

Andrea Shiell Staff Writer A new program is starting up in St. Marys County to offer rides to people with low to middle incomes aged 60 and up. The program will offer door-to-door transportation

for grocery shopping, church, and doctors appointments. Denise Charlot, senior rides coordinator at the Department of Aging, said the program is in response to a growing need for transportation options in the community. Planning for the grantfunded program began in September and is now being implemented. The program is in need of drivers, and flyers have been circulated to churches, womens clubs, and senior clubs in the area.

Drivers will use their own cars and receive a reimbursement of 48.5 cents per mile. They are required to be 21 years old and are expected to pass a criminal background check. Charlot also said that the department would offer free training in CPR and first aid for drivers. The department is hoping to add cars with wheelchair access in the future. This is providing doorto-door transportation for people who cant transport themselves, Charlot said.

Ride recipients will be those who live more than a quarter mile from bus stops in the area, so as to provide transportation for those too far removed to take advantage of public transportation. Charlot said the transit system does not reach the St. Clemens Island area, Long View Beach, St. Georges Island, and Scotland Point, among other areas, and that one of the goals of the Senior Rides program will be to fill those gaps. The Department of Ag-

ing is still collecting information from interested parties, and hopes are for the program to be in full swing within a month. I think this is going to be really great once we get committed volunteer drivers, Charlot said. Those interested in volunteering can receive more information by calling the Department of Aging at 301475-4200, ext. 1066.

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

The County Times

lines have blurred a bit and somehow women have come to think that we need to act like guys in the workplace. There are times when that is true. I work with a bunch of guys and they know I can be as stubborn as any man and get into an argument and that sort of guy stuff. I wont eat food thats fallen on the floor and thats one of the ways they know for sure that Im a girl. But, I dont try to be a guy nor should I. Im a woman and women are fantastic creatures. And we should allow ourselves to be women. How do we do that? I dont mean we have to be froufrou, pink, fluffy, helpless little creatures. But we should embrace our femininity. The first step, if youll pardon the pun, is to stop walking like men. If someone filmed us unaware and then we watched ourselves, I think we would be appalled. Were in a hurry, we seem to always be rushing. Were not standing up straight, were sort of hunched forward. And we take great long strides. Ugh! Particularly if a woman is wearing any type of heel, from 1 on up, the long stride is just horrible. And that heel on a hard tile floor? What should be a soft and paced tap is a hard and jarring CLACK, CLACK, CLACK. services. Parties to the transaction should receive the HUD-1 at least the day before the settlement is to occur. However as does the rest of the world, mortgage and title companies struggle to meet deadlines all the time. Because quite frequently the loan is not approved until the day of settlement the HUD-1 cannot be ready ahead of time. You should still receive an estimated HUD-1 the day before closing, and it should be very close to what you see on the actual settlement date. If you combine this HUD1 with your lenders Good Faith Estimate you will know approximately how much money in certified funds to bring to the closing. If you It is not attractive. Lets stop it. Pace yourself. Stop rushing everywhere. Ill let you in on a secret rushing people dont look important or busy. They look like they forget something or theyre behind the eight ball or theyre hurrying to do someones bidding. Do you see the President rushing around like a chicken with his head cut off? You do not. Do you see the Queen of England rushing around like shes late for an appointment? You do not. You see movie stars rushing because theyre trying to avoid the paparazzi. Who do you wish to emulate? Set a sedate but not slovenly pace. Take shorter steps. If you want to stretch your leg muscles, do it before or after work at the gym. You will be calmer and others will notice your graceful state. We can also dress like women. Again, Im not talking about wearing pink all the time. Im not even talking about wearing a skirt every day. But wear a skirt once in a while. Youre a woman, youre allowed to look like one. Dont wear khakis and loafers every day. Your clothes reflect your personality. By looking at someones mode of dress, one makes various judgments. We generally dress as a reflection of bring more than is needed you will receive a check back for the difference that day, if it is less you will probably be able to write a check to the settlement company. There will be a limit on how much money each settlement company will allow you to write a personal check for. Having said all of thisIt is imperative that you work with a lender who is easily accessible. One who will sit down with you to explain all charges that you will be expected to pay, and when you will need to pay them. Your real estate agent should help walk you through the whole transaction. You should never feel alone before during or after the settlement. As always, send all ques-

Section A - 
what we think about ourselves and thus project what we want others to think. Theres nothing wrong with being a woman so lets not try to misrepresent ourselves as some sort of woman morphed into a semiman being. There is power in being a woman, being proud to be a woman and not being afraid to be a woman. Personally, I feel most confident on the job when I look both professional and feminine. Give me a skirt and a small heel and Im ready! I sort of feel sorry for men; they have no idea of the power a pretty heel. Poor things. How else to act like a woman? Sit like a woman. That means no crossing your knee over your leg when wearing slacks. Get in and out of a car like a woman. Your butt goes on the seat first, then you swing your legs in. Getting of the car is just the opposite, legs out, then your butt. Some women complain that chivalry is dead and men are pigs, etc. Lets experiment with this. Lets act like women who want to be treated like women and see if we can get the men to respond. Let me know what happens. You can email the Country Girl at countrygirlramblings@gmail.com

Ramblings of a Country Girl

Ladies, Your Attention Please

Terri Bartz Bowles Gentlemen, Ill beg your indulgence this week. This column is for the ladies. Ladies, I fear we have forgotten how to be feminine. We have become less lady-like. We know the term metrosexual refers to a man who is not gay but not exactly John Wayne, either. A man who perhaps gets pedicures, replaces his wardrobe regularly, keeps up with fashion; a man who is not a cowboy or a bodybuilder. Im thinking that we women are doing the same thing. Generations of women have been fighting to be treated as equals to men. I dont know about you, but I dont want to be the equal of a man. Im a woman, women are different and thats how it is supposed to be. I do feel I should not be treated as a second-class citizen because I am a woman. If I do the same job as a man, and I do it as well as that man and there are no conditions that made it easier for me to do that job if it truly is equal work, I should get equal pay. But I dont have to act like a man. I dont think were actually intentionally trying to act like men or be masculine or anything like that. I do think that the world has gotten more aggressive and the

Mortgage Settlements
Patrick Dugan Contributing Writer One of the most misunderstood parts of a real estate transaction Is the HUD-1, or settlement statement. This is a form that will be explained to you at the settlement table, and will summarize the whole transaction if you are the buyer or seller. Generally it is a two page form that lists all credits and charges to both the buyer and the seller. They buyers side is on the left and the sellers charges and credits are summarized on the right. Page one is primarily a summary of all credits(money) that are paid by any one involved in your home purchase as well as all debits(charges), which are funds to be paid to any one involved in the transaction. For the buyer all fields in the 100 section reflect charges the buyer must pay to someone or some company. This could be termite inspectors, home inspectors, etc The 200 section reflects all funds the buyer receives as part of the transaction. This could be closing help from the seller, the mortgage and second mortgage etc The sellers credits appear in the 100 section and reflect all credits the seller is to receive. This would be the sales price that the buyer is paying, and the 200 section would reflect any charges the seller must pay. This can include, closing costs, transfer taxes, home repairs etc Page two of the HUD-1 itemizes the charges in detail making it clear what services were provided, who is providing them, and how much the provider is to be paid for their

Patrick Dugan

tions or comments to patrick. dugan@obreirnealty.com

Smoking Ban May Be Good for Some, Not So Good for Others
Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Chris Frantt lights up a cigarette behind the bar at the ABC Lounge, taking a long satisfied Maryland alongside the thirteen other states in the Union that have now passed legislation calling for a statewide smoking ban. The ban includes bars and restaurants, and private or fraternal clubs. Exempt smokers with places to sit, and she did not expect bar business to take any significant hits. But others seem less optimistic. Amidst a crowd of regulars at Donovans Pub in California, owner Marlene Donovan says, The ban sucks. I think its going to hurt our business. She also noted that she had no room outside for tables, and the pubs location next to a hotel would make outdoor business a nuisance for guests next door.

pire in 2011, at which point they will have to impose the ban regardless. Donovan spoke about her fears that the process for applying for the waiver would take months, and meanwhile business would have taken a sharp hit, and possibly not be able to recover. Others seem more annoyed than fearful of the impending ban. Customers blew smoke rings as they drank their beers at the ABC Lounge on Three Notch Rd. and called the ban unfair. Bartender Chris Frantt also noted the possibility of people walking out on their bar tabs, using a cigarette break as their excuse. Its going

ing bans in other states. For example, California has passed a law making smoking cigarettes in front of children aged 17 or younger a misdemeanor offense, enforceable under the blanket of a moving violation or traffic accident. Laws such as these are sparking concern about where private property and public policy intertwine. Mike Donovan of Donovans pub said, I think that privately owned businesses should be able to decide for themselves. All amidst the statements of health advocates and the decisions of the legislature, which have included a $1 tax increase on all packs of cigarettes sold in the state of Maryland, the looming ban is arousing indignation. As Frantt

Photo by Andrea Shiell

drag as he moves to the cash register to close out a customers check. Meanwhile, half the bar has lit up with him, and they are all enjoying their drinks with a bit of nicotine on the side. But this will soon change. On Febraury 1st, you will no longer see anyone smoking indoors. In accordance with a new statewide smoking ban going into effect on that date, no one will be allowed to light up in bars, restaurants, workplaces, buildings that offer child-care services, or other public buildings. This will place

from this law are private homes, no more than 25% of hotel rooms, retail tobacconists, tobacco manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, distributors, and laboratories researching the health effects of tobacco smoke. Some think that the ban in restaurants will help business. I think itll do great things for us, says Brandy Vlahos, manager of Outback Steakhouse in California. A lot of people complain about the smoke in here. She noted that the small section of outdoor tables not covered by the ban would provide

Photo by Andrea Shiell

Businesses will be able to apply for hardship waivers if they can prove that the smoking ban has caused a sharp enough decrease in business, but these waivers will ex-

to hurt business. If people dont like the smoke they dont have to come to the bar. Though this new ban is extreme, it is not as extreme as smok-

lights up another cigarette with a customer in front of him, he says, People want to relax after work and have a smoke, and now theyre trying to take that away from us.

 Section A - 

The County Times

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Man Guilty Of Manslaughter Can Serve Remainder Of Sentence On Home Detention

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer A Lexington Park man convicted in 2005 of the negligent manslaughter of a close friend will still have to serve out the remainder of his sentence; but it could be in the confines of his familys home. William F. Heather was sentenced to four years imprisonment for his part in the accidental killing of Christine Lee Harper as the result of a car crash in which Heather was the driver. Another passenger, Jesse John Harper, also sustained life threatening injuries in the accident, according to court papers. Heathers appeal for a reconsideration of sentencing by Circuit Court Judge Marvin S. Kaminetz Jan. 3 was the third attempt in the last two years. Heather, 24, started serving his sentence in January of 2006 and was scheduled to be released later this summer, according to circuit court information. Heather told Judge Kaminetz in open court that he was sorry for his driving under the influence of alcohol that night, which contributed to the accident, and that he was trying to turn his life around. It was never my intent for this to happen, Heather said of the accident that claimed the life of his friend. I miss her a lot of times. I cant change what happened one thing I can change is how I act and how it affects other peoples lives. After serving time in a Department of Corrections facility, Heather attended treatment programs at The Jude House in Charles County to battle his addiction, according to court testimony. He also had the opportunity to be on work release while at Jude House and even earned letters from various local employers who want to hire him as soon as possible, according to court documents. Assistant States Attorney Robin Riddle opposed the sentencing reconsideration application, saying that in the past the family of the deceased had wanted to see Heather serve out his full term in the county detention center. The court knows the huge impact this had had on the victims, Riddle argued. They were not happy with this [past] reconsideration. None of the family of the deceased or injured in the accident attended the latest hearing, but have attended many other hearings, Riddle said. Along with authorizing work release, with the approval of the county detention center, Judge Kaminetz also authorized Heather to begin his probation as well as to attend regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He was also directed to finish out an aftercare treatment program at Walden Sierra, Inc. Its obvious youve learned, Judge Kaminetz told Heather of his progress so far. There are certain cases you never forget, this is one of them.

Generators For Radio Stations Not Yet Hooked Up

By Guy Leonard Staff Writer Dave Zylak, director of the countys Department of Public Safety, said Tuesday that portable generators designed to provide emergency power to county radio stations in the event of an electrical failure have still not been hooked up to SOMAR Communications stations. The County Times reported early last year on the efforts of the county and the management of SOMAR Communications to have the generators installed by last summer. Zylak told the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday that the generators are on site at the radio stations but later confirmed that they had not been hooked into the radio stations. Commissioner Daniel H. Raley (D-Great Mills) asked Zylak about the status of the generator upgrades. Roy Robertson, owner of SOMAR Communications, did not return phone calls seeking comment on the matter. During Hurricane Isabel in 2003 power losses at the local radio stations was lost and word to local citizens about the danger and need to evacuate could not get out over the air waves. No back up power options were available at that time. Currently the county has an agreement with a radio station in Fredericksburg, Va. to provide news and weather alerts in the event of an emergency; WGRQ 95.9 FM is the radio station. Listeners can tune into the station using a battery operated radio in the event of a power outage.

Winners
Continued from page A- High School students. Elementary Class Poster winners include: First Place, Rosa L. Parks Elementary School (Prince Georges Co.), Eileen Caves 5th Grade Art Class; Second Place, Mechanicsville Elementary School (St. Marys Co.), Yvonne L. Pattons 3rd Grade Class; and Third Place, James Ryder Randall Elementary School (Prince Georges Co.), Andrea Moore and Judy Seversens 2nd Grade Class. Honorable Mentions were awarded to: Manchester Elementary School (Carroll Co.), Mr. Fitzsimmons 3rd Grade Class; Cranberry Station Elementary School (Carroll Co.), Ms. Rollins 4th Grade Class. Middle School Essay winners include: First Place, Austin Fry, grade 7,

Oklahoma Road Middle School (Carroll County); Second Place, Meg Heffner, grade 7, Oklahoma Road Middle School (Carroll County); Third Place, Sammy Showman, grade 7, Oklahoma Road Middle School (Carroll County). Fifteen-year honorees were Christine Adams, professor of history; Garrey Dennie, assistant professor of history; Brian Ganz, artist in residence, music; Stacey Goddard, fiscal administrator; Anne Grulich, program specialist, Maryland Heritage Project; Celia Rabinowitz, director of library and media services; Israel Ruiz, associate professor and department chair, international languages and culturesSpanish; and Frances Titus, fiscal associate II. Employees recognized for 10 years of employment at the college included Chuck Adler, associate professor and department chair; Dan Branigan, capital project manager, planning

and facilities; Lee Capristo, director, Office of Publications; Jeffrey Coleman, associate professor of English; Symaria Sam Enoch, fiscal associate II; Kathy Grimes, assistant vice president for Lifelong Learning and Professional Development programs; Andy Koch, associate professor and department chair, chemistry; Carol Morris, library supervisor; Irene Olnick, senior accountant, Office of Business Affairs; Joan Pickett, executive assistant to the provost, Office of the Provost; Jack Short, computer programmer and analyst, Campus Technology Support Services; and Elizabeth Williams, dean of the core curriculum and first year experience, Office of the Provost. Those recognized for five years of service were Jose Ballesteros, assistant professor of international languages and cultures-Spanish; Jean Beard, office associate II; Debi Brooks, executive assistant, Office of Development;

Rachel Brooks, caretaker I; Colby Caldwell, assistant professor, art and art history, photography and digital media; Bryan Doyle, public safety officer; Bill Gainey, assistant athletic director and head mens soccer coach, Athletics and Recreation; Mervin Gantt, general trades mechanic; David Groupe, technical director and lighting designer, Theater, Film and Media Studies; LaRita Hagar, adviser and director on international education, Academic Services; Alberta Hickman, RN, assistant director of health services, Health Center; Mary Howell, fiscal associate II; Angela Johnson, assistant professor of educational studies; Judy Johnson, office associate II; Cynthia Koenig, assistant professor of psychology; Randy Larsen, assistant professor of chemistry; Deborah ODonnell, assistant professor of psychology; Jordan Price, assistant professor of biology; Simon Read, assistant professor of computer

science; Jeff Smith, associate director of admissions and coordinator of multicultural recruiting; Jennifer St. Germain, animal caretaker and departmental technician; David Sushinsky, assistant director of admissions; Angela Thomas, accountant, Office of Business Affairs; Danny Worrell, public safety officer; and Joe Young, public safety officer. Come celebrate Mardi Gras with the Ladies Auxiliary, to the VFW Post 2632 at 23282 Three Notch Rd., California, Md. 20619 When: Saturday, Feb. 9, 7 pm until the bewitching hour. Adm. $15 includes entertainment, food, games and prizes. Come dress casual or in your favorite Mardi Gras attire. For tickets call Sue Miedzinski 301 475 9200 or Vickie Stephens 301 290 1073 or 240 298 6235 cell. Join us Laissex Les Bons Temps Rouler! Let the Good Times Roll!!!!!

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

The County Times

really dont know where thats going to put us, he said. He said that the Thornton funding policy was in place, but it would depend on Governor OMallys budget. St. Marys County Commissioner President Jack Russell added his comments about programs for low to middle income families, saying Things are very unsettled in AnnapolisIm going to estimate that were going to have to find $500 million before the session endsWe have to cinch the belt and make do. One cause of concern among educators was the push for local jurisdictions to assume responsibility for teacher pensions. Wanda Twig, Vice President of the Education Association of St. Marys County, commented that pensions were very much a state responsibility, but that the County Commissioners need to step up and fill the void in all areas. Twig mentioned that testing policies were a concern for many of the high schools in the area. Passing scores on High School Assessment tests will be required for all students in St. Marys county beginning in 2009. Though the tests are touted as a good measure for learning, the workload associated with administering them and training the students for them is considerable. Were going to look at whats working and whats not, she said. When asked about teacher pensions, Delegate John Bohanan said, Governor OMally has indicated on many occasions that he didnt want to shift more burdens to the county from the state. He said that a lot would depend on the economy, but revenues from slot machines might keep things steady. Slot machines were approved in the special session of the General Assembly pending voter approval. The referendum should hit the ballots in November 2008. If the economy really does tank, Bohanan said, were really going to have to tighten the belts more. On the subject of Thornton funding, Bohanan kept things positive, saying Its not the robust funding weve seen over the last five years, but he projected continued growth at one to five percent. At least were at a better

Section A - 
level than we have been. School Board chair , We are going to do everything in our power to maintain the status quo, and hope that we dont go backwards. Commenting on the state of the economy and its impact on education, Delegate John Wood said, Were in some trying times right nowIve never seen anything like we have now. He predicted that some cuts would have to be made in light of the deficit. You run governmentlike you run a household, he said. If youve got (the money) you go with it. If you dont, then dont do itEducation is everybodys number one, and nobody wants to cutbut we all have to work together2008 is going to be a tough, tough year. Overall, the mood remained positive as people ate their breakfast and chatted. Its what I expected, said Maryland State Teachers Association Director Liz Purcell-Leskine, who admitted that it is far too early to tell what the General Assembly will do. Theres a lot of talking but not much planning or commitment.

Breakfast
Continued from page A- teacher workloads, and the like, but there were very few forecasts dealing with actual legislation. Legislative Representative Carol Howard of the Calvert Education Association touted achievements from the implementation of full-day kindergarten classes opening up funds for materials and support, to new textbooks and materials being administered in the countys middle schools. Indeed the mood seemed light, but perched over the glasses of orange juice and the steaming cups of coffee were some worried faces as the subject of the budget came up. Senator Roy Dyson admitted he didnt know what to expect from the General Assemblys Regular Session in terms of budget, but he commented that employee growth had only created 18,000 new jobs, and that indicated that the country is going into a recession. We

Budget
Continued from page A- that $2.6 million be held in reserve to ensure the county is in good financial shape given the state deficit that has hit counties hard. Commissioner Lawrence Jarboe (R-Golden Beach) said the budget target was representative of tough economic times ahead. This letter is a reality check not just to the sheriffs office but to the county government as well, Jarboe said. Cameron said, however, that no specifics in his pending budget request had been set and that he would wait to hear from county government officials. One of the top issues that must

be addressed this budget cycle, Cameron said, is that of increasing the number of correctional officers at the county detention center. Cameron said he has not made a decision on exactly how many corrections personnel he would hire, but that the current number there have to work mandatory overtime to keep the jail running. There are about eight vacancies at the jail, Cameron said. We know were down a lot of positions in patrol and in corrections and were working hard to fill that, Cameron said. But even with all the positions filled [at the detention center] they dont have enough. The countys capital improvement program has had a plan to build a minimum security wing at the jail to help deal with overcrowding for

the past several years but the county has held off on construction because the state has not yet provided half of the estimated $33 million needed. In the meantime, the population at the jail has continued to burgeon well beyond its original design. The daily population at the jail hovers around 350 inmates and increases substantially over the weekends but there are only about 245 beds. If the addition is ever built, he said, additional corrections officers would have to be standing by to guard the extra space. The sheriffs office also faces costs for replacing equipment and vehicles that have reached their service life. Even the cost of ammunition for service weapons, including the

ammunition used to qualify for minimum competency, has grown sharply. The nations current war footing, plus the rising cost of raw materials, mean that the sheriffs office is only now getting ammunition it ordered six months ago, according to Erin Shoemaker, the agencys fiscal manager. Were in competition with the war in Iraq to do our jobs as far as the budget is concerned, Shoemaker said. Cameron said that the demand for police service has increased so much that it would be easy, based agency data, to justify hiring about 25 new deputies and just as many correctional officers. The demand for service has gone up far more than resources

in recent years, Cameron said. It catches up with you. Cameron said such a large request for additional funding was out of the question, but said that the agency has always lacked a long-term plan to budget for cost increases and hire additional personnel. He said his office has been in contact with county government to remedy that problem. You cant get away with that for too long, Cameron said. Cameron said that there are no budget particulars as yet, since he still has to meet with county government officials to discuss budget priorities. Were only going to ask for what we need to get the job done, Cameron said.

Jury Duty Scam Warning

A recent post in the Department of Aging Newsletter is warning people of a new identity theft scam wherein fraudulent callers claim to be jury coordinators claming that the person called has ignored a summons for jury duty. The scammer then asks for the persons social security number and date of birth to verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant. The FBI and federal court system are now issuing nationwide alerts warning citizens not to give out this information. More details can be found at their websites.

The Benny Goodman Trio & Quartet

Performed by the Brooks Tegler Group Jan. 12, 2008 at 8:00p.m.
Ticket price: $25, $15 for students @ Great Mills High School Reservations: 301-475-3225 or 301-475-2797.

This program is presented by GFWC Womans Club of St. Marys County with grants from the St. Marys Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council

St. Mary's City St. Marys City

DATE Fri. Jan. 11 Sat. Jan. 12 Sun. Jan. 13 Mon. Jan. 14 Tue. Jan. 15 Wed. Jan. 16 Thu. Jan. 17 HIGH 3:23 a.m. 4:03 a.m. 4:47 a.m. 5:35 a.m. 6:28 a.m. 7:26 a.m. 8:28 a.m. LOCATION Breton Bay Bushwood Wharf Colton's Point Point Lookout Piney Point Wicomico Beach Solomons Island LOW 9:38 a.m. 10:24 a.m. 11:14 a.m 12:09 p.m. 1:11 p.m. 2:18 p.m. 3:26 p.m. HIGH "+31 min." "+45 min." "+50 min." "-35 min." "+9 min." "+58 min." "+6 min." HIGH 3:37 p.m. 4:21 p.m. 5:10 p.m. 6:03 p.m. 7:02 p.m. 8:07 p.m. 9:14 p.m. LOW "+29 min." "+45 min." "+24 min." "-57 min." "-8 min." "+63 min." "-13 min." LOW 10:11 p.m. 10:49 p.m. 11:28 p.m. 12:12 a.m. 1:02 a.m. 2:01 a.m. 3:09 a.m.

 Section A - 

The County Times

Joint Meeting Addresses Achievements, Problems, and Goals

Andrea Shiell Staff Writer Tuesdays joint meeting between the Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Education was a mixture of praising, planning, and projection as members sat at their table and discussed achievements in the school system, areas in need of improvement, and the upcoming budget sessions at the General Assembly. Michael Martirano of the Board of Education opened the meeting with a brief discussion of the three Cs of the school board: cooperation, collaboration, and communication. He noted that the biggest C in national politics at this time is change. He said the Board did not intend to be combative, but were working together with an increased focus on teaching and learning during challenging economic times. George Erichsen, Director of Public Works and Transportation, introduced his own ideas on opportunities for collaboration between the two government entities, including an initiative utilizing high school students for mainte nance projects in the county. With the James A. Forrest Career and Technology center cooperating in the effort, students may be able to participate in projects that would maintain the current fleet of county vehicles. He also mentioned the need for more fueling stations for diesel fueled buses on the STS transit sys tem, as well as school buses. He highlighted the need for a late bus program for students participating in extra-curricular activities, admitting that earlier proposals involving the STS transit system could not be implemented. Also on Erichsens list of talking points were initiatives for repaving parking lots at schools in the area, the possibility of outsourcing vehicle maintenance, a uniform energy conservation plan, and integration of GPS tracking devices and routing software for county vehicles. The two boards addressed the issue of diversity in the school system, noting that 19% of the students in the county are from a minority background, and that minority teachers and mentors only number at 10%. Of the many things discussed at the joint meeting of the Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Education for St. Marys County on Tuesday was one of the few problems discussed, the dropout rate of teenagers in St. Marys county public schools. According to figures discussed at the joint meeting, 172 students dropped out in 2007, and few safeguards seem to be in place to keep that number from growing. Educators in the room during the joint meeting agreed that students who are at risk must have some supports and incentives put in place by the time they reach 9th grade, or chances are that they will drop out. At-risk students are identified as those with high rates of absence, a general disengagement with school, and low levels of academic achievement. But the Tech Connect Program offered in St. Marys County seems to be helping. The program, now in its first year, has been taking at-risk students to attend classes at the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center in Leonardtown. Scott Smith, Director of Secondary Instruction, said that the program busses students to the technology center where they attend hands-on training sessions in a variety of subjects, from culinary arts to automobile maintenance. They are paired with instructors in small classes with an average of 10 students each. He claimed that engaging the students interests and developing their career goals in such ways may be one of the strongest ways he has seen to curb drop out rates. The Principle of the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, Robert Taylor, noted that students are required to earn a certain number of points in order to qualify for the program, and they must perform well in their other classes to stay in the programs, some of which can last three years, depending on their course of study. He praised it as a competitive program, and offered optimistic projections for its future. I think we did a lot of things right, he said, adding that they would expand the program only if they are able to maintain the level of instruction that they have achieved. We dont want to expand unless we can do it right, and deliver the same amount of support and make a difference. Otherwise, itll be the same as where theyve come from. The optimism in a room took a bit of a dive as Chief Financial Officer Elaine Kramer presented preliminary estimates for the upcoming years budget. I can see eyes rolling even though Im not looking at you! she laughed. She mentioned that the focus for the budget should be reasonable and sustainable, if not conservative. The general fund revenues summary baseline for 2009 equaled slightly less than $185 million, whereas the general fund expenses equaled just under $180 million. The unallocated $5.1 million had been acknowledged earlier by the County Commissioners when they authorized the issuance of letters to the Board of Education regarding budget targets for the upcoming year. The Commissioners agreed that the use of these reserves, if included at all, would be earmarked so that the Board of Education would receive $1.2 million, the sheriffs department would receive $500,000, and $750,000 would be reserved for use by all other county departments. Though talks of the tight budget ahead left some looking disappointed, the mood remained optimistic. Commissioner Daniel Raley commented that past prudence had served the county well, saying that Weve done this relatively early as opposed to previous yearswhen the times were good, we didnt overspend but we need to be cautious.

ODD NEWS
Only in Washington

Thursday, January 10, 200

A recent challenge to the Slayer Statute, a law barring those convicted of willful and unlawful killing from profiting from the deaths of their victims, has surfaced in Washington state, where 37 year-old Josha Hoge is trying to inherit the estate of his mother, who he stabbed to death with a butcher knife in 1999. Since he was found not guilty by reason of insanity (he suffers from schizophrenia) his lawyer is arguing that his crimes were not legally unlawful and that the Slayer Statute should not apply. After Hoge killed his mother, her family won the $800,000 estate he is pursuing in a civil suit against the county because the public health clinic failed to give Hoge his medication.

Least Competent Criminal of the Week

Jeremy Hart, 24, allegedly burglarized a home in Topsham, Maine. After hopping in his car to get away and finding that it wouldnt run because he had jammed it into a snow bank earlier, he eventually went back and knocked on the door to ask his victims, who had been awakened by the noise of his initial getaway, if he could come in and get warm.

When to Stop Driving

An article from the Associated Press tells of an unnamed woman in Southwest Michigan who ran a stop sign and hit a cable supporting a utility pole. Despite the pole coming a down and wires falling on the truck, setting it on fire, the woman backed onto the roadway and continued driving until the flames engulfed her truck. She was picked up by an ambulance and treated for burns to her hands and head after jumping out of her flaming vehicle.

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

The County Times

Section A - 

Obituaries
Joseph Francis Joe Browne, 80
Funeral Home, P.A.

Margaret J. Ballew, 85

Joseph Francis Joe Browne, 80, of Valley Lee, and formerly of Buffalo, N.Y., died Jan. 4 in his residence. Born Dec. 9, 1927 in Buffalo, N.Y. he was the son of the late Patrick Joseph and Hnora OShea Browne. He was the loving husband of Phyllis Rita Johel Browne whom he married May 26, 1951 in Buffalo, N.Y. He is survived by his children; Patrick J. Browne of San Diego, Calif., Daniel C. Browne of Valley Lee, Mary E. Walker of Great Mills, and Joseph M. Browne Greensboro, N.C. as well as 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Ann Kontos of Buffalo, N.Y. and Margaret Murray of Lewiston, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his siblings; John, William, Mary and Frank Browne and Rev. James Browne. A graduate of St. Josephs Collegiate Institution Class of 1945 he then attended Manhattan College and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. He moved to St. Marys County in 1974 from Buffalo, N.Y. after working at Bell Aerospace Company in Buffalo for 23 years. Upon moving to Maryland he worked for the Naval Air Test Center for 19 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member and treasurer of the Sierra Club of Southern Maryland, past president of the Little Flower School and St. Marys Academy PTA, a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees and a member of the Knights of Columbus in Buffalo, N.Y. The family received friends Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 5 8 p.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, where prayers were held at 7 p.m. The family also received friends Wednesday, Jan. 9 in St. Georges Catholic Church from 10 11 a.m., where a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. with Rev. Msgr. Karl Chimiak and Rev. Mark W. Ervin co-officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Ethan Walker, Justin Browne, Patrick Murray, Michael Browne, Reed Walker and William Johel. Honorary pallbearers were Johel Browne, Jacob Walker, Dylan Walker and Joshua Browne. Contributions may be made to St. George Catholic Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 9, Valley Lee, MD 20692 and/or Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner

Margaret J. Ballew, 85, of Hollywood, and formerly of Washington, D.C., died Jan. 2 in St. Marys Nursing Center. Born July 9, 1922 in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late Henry I. and Elsie Tanner White. She was the loving wife of the late Raymond W. Ballew whom she married Jan. 25, 1939 in Baltimore, Md. and who preceded her in death April 8, 1986. She is survived by her children Raymond A. Ballew and his wife Sue of Hollywood, and Robert W. Ballew and his wife Wanda of Bowdoin, Maine, seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and her sister Gloria Grapevine of Morningside, Md. She was preceded in death by her daughter Nancy C. Cullins and her siblings Doris Eberle and Lee White. Margaret graduated from Anacostia High School and moved to St. Marys County from Washington D.C. in 1984. The family received friends Saturday Jan. 5 from 1011:30 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, where a funeral Service was held at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Dale Skurla officiating. Interment followed in the Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown. Pallbearers were Raymond Ballew Jr., Mark Porter, David Thomas, Keith Eberle, Pete Glass, Michael Clayton, Darren Ballew and Daniel Ballew. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

dition to many of the clothes her children wore growing up. She was often asked by friends and neighbors to sew clothing for them on special occasions. She did secretarial work for a Philadelphia based company for a number of years before any of her children were born. She is survived by two daughters, Cheryl S. Budd of California, Md., Lorie B. Pirtle of Virginia Beach, Va., five grandchildren, a brother, Gus Strese and his wife Sue of Whiting, N.J. and three nieces, Catherine Jarjisian of Richmond Heights, Ohio, Dorothy Ollier of Brunswick, Maine and Lisa Kuter of White Haven, Pa.. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Robert C. Budd. A Graveside Service was conducted Saturday, Jan. 5 at noon in Lakeview Memorial Park, Cinnaminson, N.J. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Marys Nursing Center, 21585 Peabody Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.

in death by his wife Theresa Miles, one sister, Margaret Bonds and five brothers; Howard, Walter, John, Joseph and Frederick Miles. The family received friends Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 10 11 a.m. in St. John Francis Regis Church, Hollywood. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Father Ray Schmidt will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.

Carol Mae Rankin, 53

Carol Mae Rankin, 53, of Leonardtown, died Dec. 27 in St. Marys Nursing Center, Leonardtown. Born May 12, 1954 in Cheverly, Md., she was the daughter of Leo Clifton Poe and Janet Virginia Bishop Poe. Mrs. Rankin had worked as a housing property manager. She is survived by a two sons, Donald E. Rankin of Leonardtown, Sean P. Rankin of Boca Raton, Fla., two grandchildren, Ryan Patrick Rankin and Journey Alexa Rankin both of Leonardtown, , a sister, Virginia Ann Poe of Boca Raton, Fla. and two brothers, Clifton R. Poe of Cobb Island, Md. and Gary L. Poe of Silver Spring, Md. All services were private. Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.

Thomas Francis Poe, 73

Leo Reinhard Nanas Tuniman, 84

Leo Reinhard Nanas Tuniman, 84, of Alexandria, Va., and formerly of Leonardtown, died Jan. 1 in Alexandria, Va. Born Nov. 15, 1923 in Leonardtown, he was the son of the late Charles Reindert and Agnes Clements Tuinman. He was preceded in death by his wife Doris Minner Tuniman. He is survived by his step-children Kevin McMichael of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Crystal David of Las Vegas, N.V. as well as six step-grandchildren, three nieces and one nephew. He was preceded in death by his siblings Philip Tuniman, Rosemary Tuinman and Sally Tuinman McAllister. He was a graduate of St. Marys Academy and served in the United States Army in the Pacific. He was an avid fisherman and loved to garden, play the lottery and read. The family received friends in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Friday, Jan. 4, from 5 8 p.m. with prayers being said at 7 p.m. A funeral service was held in the funeral home Saturday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. with Deacon George LHeuruex officiating. Interment followed in St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery, Leonardtown. Service provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Francis Paul Miles, 83

Elsie Strese Budd, 87

Elsie Strese Budd, 87, of California, died Dec. 30 in St. Marys Nursing Center, Leonardtown. Born April 5, 1920 in Philadelphia, Penn., she was the daughter of the late Ludwig Strese and Ottilie Seling Strese. Her favorite hobby was sewing. She was a talented seamstress who made many of the familys wedding and bridesmaids dresses in ad-

Francis Paul Miles, 83, of Hollywood, died Jan. 2 in his residence. Born Jan. 8, 1924 in Chaptico, he was the son of the late Joseph Miles and Mary Madeline Miles. He received his education in St. Marys County Public Schools. He had worked for the Department of Public Works at Patuxent River Naval Air Station for 41 years retiring in 1988. He also worked at Aldridge Ford for several years. Francis was a loving, caring and humble person. He loved spending time and playing cards with his family and friends. He also loved baseball, automobiles and collecting coins. He is survived by his special friend Loretta Cruze, four daughters; Yolanda D. Miles and Robin D. Blackiston both of Leonardtown, Catherine L. Miles of Lexington Park, Wanda M. Miles of Hollywood, four sons; Paul B. Miles and Mark A. Miles both of Lexington Park, William F. Miles of Hollywood, Robert D. Miles of Orlando, Fla., a brother, James Louis Miles of Vallejo, Calif., four daughtersin-law; Sherry, Patricia, Shelisha and Bernadette Miles, one son-in-law, John Somerville, Jr., three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, one grandsonin-law, seventeen grandchildren, three step grandchildren, four great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Francis also had two people who were very close to him and he considered them his sons, Francis Chase and James Bobby D. Dorsey. He was preceded

Thomas Francis Poe, 73, of Callaway, and formerly of Piney Point, died Jan. 1 in his residence. Born May 16, 1934 in St. George Island, Md. he was the son of the late Albert and Myrtle Basten Poe. He was the loving husband of Ann Elizabeth Poe whom he married Jan. 15, 1970 in Leonardtown. He is survived by his children; Ann Alioto and her companion Jay Hills of Callaway, Sandy Littleford and her husband Jim of Lusby, Md., James Albert and his wife Marina of Valley Lee, Bobby Albert and his wife Tessie of California, Md., Bill Albert and his wife Sandi of California, Md., Missy Mattingly and her husband Alan of Great Mills, his brother Tynan Poe of St. George Island and his long time friend Delores Morgan of Callaway. He is also survived by his grandchildren; William L. Farr III, Heather M. Schrader, Brittany Albert, Robbie Albert, Daniel D. Alioto Jr., Nicholas A. Alioto, Logan Bell, Cameron Schrader, Taylor Kimber and Thia E. Albert. He was preceded in death by his son David T. Poe and his granddaughter Crystal L. Albert. A lifelong resident of St. Marys County, Mr. Poe attended little flower school and was a self employed waterman. He served in the U.S. Army in 1957. The family received friends Thursday, Jan. 3 from 5 8 p.m. in the MattingleyGardiner Funeral Home Chapel where prayers were held at 7 p.m. A funeral service was held Friday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home Chapel, Leonardtown, with Msgr. Karl Chimiak officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Daniel David Alioto Jr., Floyd Ashley Jr., Ronnie Lee McGee, Robbie Albert, Doug Ward and Richard Cleveland. Honorary pallbearers were be Nicholas A. Alioto, Logan T. Bell, Taylor Kimber, Heather Schrader and Brittany Albert. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.

Miller, Kenneth Wayne Miller and his wife Amy Miller, both of Leonardtown, sisters, Janet Clark of Leonardtown, Brenda Sydnor of Redding, Pa. Victoria Sams of Charlotte Hall, and Barbara Miller of Brandywine, Md. The family received friends for Joyces Life Celebration from 2 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6 with prayers at 4 p.m. in the Brinsfield Life Celebration Chapel Leonardtown. A Funeral Service was conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. The Reverend Paula Robinson conducted the service. Interment will be private. Serving as pallbearers were Arthur Miller, Bradley Miller, Brandy Daye, Rodney Tibbs, Ronan Blackistone and Fran Dever. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be given to either Hospice House of St. Marys, P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650 or to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste.250 Dallas, Texas 75244

James Wiant Jim Wendler, Jr., 20

Joyce Irene Wathen, 58

Joyce Irene Wathen, 58, of Leonardtown, died Jan. 3 in her residence. Born March 27, 1949 in LaPlata, Md., she was the daughter of George Earl Hill and Genieva Hannah (Swann) Hill of Loveville. She was employed as a bookkeeper for Ship Point Machine Company located in Hollywood. Ms. Wathen is survived by two sons; Paul Eugene

James Wiant Jim Wendler, Jr., 20, of Hollywood died Dec. 28. Born Sept. 6, 1987 in Jacksonville, Fla., he was the son of James Wiant Wendler, Sr. and Robin Marie Garner Wendler of Hollywood. Jim was a 2005 graduate of Leonardtown High School. He worked as an automotive repair technician for Toyota of Southern Maryland. In addition to his parents, he is survived by three brothers, Brian M. Wendler, Andrew W. Wendler, Jonathan R. Wendler, all of Hollywood, maternal grandparents, Robert I. Garner, Jr. and Ethel Marie Clements Garner of Hollywood, and paternal grandmother, Mary Alice Wendler of St. Augustine, Fla. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Willis John Wendler, Jr. Family and friends attended Mr. Wendlers Life Celebration at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, Thursday, Jan. 3 from 5 8 p.m. with prayers recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Friday, Jan. 4 at 11 a.m. in St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church, Hollywood, Md. The Reverend Ray Schmidt was the celebrant. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 7, Hollywood, MD 20636 or St. John Francis Regis Church, 43927 St. Johns Road, Hollywood, MD 20636.

 Section A - 10

The County Times

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Sheriffs Office Transitioning To New Weapons

can be modified with replaceable inserts to fit the hands of officers both large and small. The older Beretta 96 has a metal frame and could County sheriffs deputies will soon be not be easily modified to the extent the Smith carrying a sidearm that agency experts say is and Wesson model can. lighter, easier to shoot and better fits the hands This improved feel, along with a lighter of all deputies than the current weapon. and shorter trigger pull, McLane said, translatJeff McLane, armorer for the sheriffs of- ed into better shooting results for the officers fice, said the decision to transition from the in their training sessions. By Guy Leonard Staff Writer K-9 officers who previously could not hold and use a handgun, flashlight and dog at the same time with the Beretta design, McLane said. Deputies in the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy who fired the new weapon said it compared favorably with their issue Beretta 96D models. I liked it, it was better than the Berettas, said Deputy Travis Bowes after testing the weapon. One deputy said the Smith and Wessons lighter frame made the weapons recoil more noticeable, but the pistols trigger pull more than compensated for accurate shooting. Its a lot smoother but its lighter so you feel the recoil more, said Deputy Thomas Seyfried. But after getting used to it, itll be leaps and bounds above the rest. The new gun weighs four ounces less than the Beretta, McLane said, but held 15 shots to the older guns 11 rounds. Both pistols are .40 caliber, the current standard in police cartridges along with the 9mm round. The lighter weight will help ease the ofAnything you can do to cut ounces you do it. The St. Marys County Sheriffs Office is following the trend of several other agencies in selecting the new pistol, according to McLane. The Charles County Sheriffs Office has transitioned to the M&P 40 and the Prince Georges County Police Department is doing the same, McLane said. About 16 deputies have already received the new weapon through funding from a buyback program of the older 96D model, McLane said. The remaining patrol officers, about 44, will get the weapon either through the buyback program or through financing in the other budgets. The weapons price for the agency is about $430 per unit. The pistol is also quite rugged and reliable, according to McLane. We fired over 2,000 rounds through the test pistol and we never cleaned and it never malfunctioned, McLane said, adding that officers only had to fire 100 rounds through the

Photo by Guy Leonard

St. Marys County Sheriffs Deputy Patrick Bowen tries out the agencies new sidearm from Smith and Wesson. The sheriffs office is transitioning weapons from the aging Beretta 96D.

Beretta 96D, the agencys standard police weapon for the last decade, to the newer Smith and Wesson M&P 40, short for military and police, came after the agency learned Beretta no longer manufactured their current issue sidearm. The sheriffs office tested four other guns alongside the Smith and Wesson design, including one entry from Beretta, with officers finding the M&P to be the favorite, McLane said, both for its ease of shooting and feel. We did tests and evaluations of five different pistols and the clear choice of the officers was the Smith and Wesson M&P, McLane said. Our problem is we have officers with extremely small hands and its not just the women. We had to find a gun that fit all the officers hands. The new weapon has a polymer frame that

Their group size shrunk considerably, McLane told The County Times. The pistols attributes are expected to pay dividends on the streets as well. The possibility of errant rounds being fired [during a deadly confrontation] is reduced, McLane said. Wear and use of the older guns had also become an issue, McLane said. The sights on the Beretta 96D, which had glow-in-the-dark tritium inserts to allow deputies to shoot at night, were failing and were difficult to replace. The newer weapons tritium sights were fresh. Also, the Smith and Wesson design is equipped with a special accessory rail below the barrel where officers can attach flashlight for searching for dangerous suspects at night. This feature is particularly popular with

St. Marys County Sheriffs Office armorer Jeff McLane instructs Deputy Thomas Seyfreid in properly using the agencies new sidearm, the Smith and Wesson M&P 40.

Photo by Guy Leonard

ficers already heavy load of equipment on the weapon each year to qualify with it. Thats street. the equivalent of a 20 year career. A Sam Browne [police officers utility] belt weighs about 18 pounds, McLane said.

Total Health Begins Here...

Health, Mind & Body

A Special Supplement to The County Times Newspaper - January 24th

Transitioning to a healthier lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family, and our upcoming special section, Health, Mind & Body, is a great place to start. This valuable supplement delivers a large dose of health-promoting features for all ages. From diet and exercise tips and a look at childhood obesity to information specifically for men, women, or seniors, Health, Mind & Body has something for every member of the family. Youll also find valuable information about choosing a healthcare plan, beauty trends, mental health, fitness and nutrition. Turn over a new leaf when you open Health, Mind & Body.