BOCC 8/19/03

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0968dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC Meeting Notes 7/1/03 12/31/03"><U><B>BOCC Meeting Notes  7/1/03 - 12/31/03</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=130 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#336666" FACE="Arial" ><B>Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbeck</B></FONT><B>     </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Web Site of Clare Whitbec"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id130.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/1/03"><U>BOCC 7/1/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/8/03"><U>BOCC 7/8/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id134.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/15/03"><U>BOCC 7/15/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id135.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 7/22/03"><U>BOCC 7/22/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id136.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 8/5/03"><U>BOCC 8/5/03</U></A>   |   <B>BOCC 8/19/03</B>   |   <A HREF="id141.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 8/25/03"><U>BOCC 8/25/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id142.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/2/03"><U>BOCC 9/2/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id152.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/9/03"><U>BOCC 9/9/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id151.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/16/02"><U>BOCC 9/16/02</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id153.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/23/03"><U>BOCC 9/23/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id158.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 9/30/03"><U>BOCC 9/30/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id159.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 10/7/03"><U>BOCC 10/7/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id160.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 10/21/03"><U>BOCC 10/21/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id163.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 10/28/03"><U>BOCC 10/28/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 11/18/03"><U>BOCC 11/18/03</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id175.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="BOCC 12/2/03"><U>BOCC 12/2/03</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=350 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0978dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>BOCC 8/19/03</I></div> <div> When I arrived, the BOCC was receiving a $10,064 Capital rebate check from Herbie Smith of SMECO.  They had already approved the agenda.  The BOCC congratulated SMECO’s work force.  Dan Raley said they had a rough weekend at the lower end of the County, and he would like to talk to Mr. Smith later.  Raley noted that both Herbie and George Allen played softball until they fell apart.  McK said the money will move on to the general operating fund.  </div> <div> The Next item was a series of commendations for new volunteers.  Walter Biscoe introduced Bryan Douglas who was honored today.  Mr. Douglas scheduled the volunteers at SMARTCO and then worked in the Office of Community Service.  Walter Biscoe said he was a very kind and helpful person. Two of our VISTA’s will supervise the teen court.  Comm McK asked why we pay the Electric bill for the State Office Building.  He was told we get reimbursed by the State.  </div> <div> The minutes of the August 5 minutes were the next agenda item.</div> <div> The next item was Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) staff updates.  The theme of the conference was governing in the digital age.  MACO brings the counties together.  </div> <div> Jennifer Fabbricante, Our Public Information Officer was the first to report.  She said networking was her most valuable experience.  She said the sessions were informational and she will be able to use the information.  She noted that the e-gov session showed that we are on top of that.  </div> <div> Mark Stancliff, the videographer and tv operator, went to the meeting.  He noted that there are a lot of services that we don’t have yet, but are in the works.  Recs and Parks will soon allow sign up for activities on the web.  They will offer e-mailed updates.  He attended a GIS trends session.  WE offer fire map and election districts as well as Planning and Zoning piece.  There is support for Gatsby 34.  He echoed Jennifer’s thoughts about networking. We learned that Mark filled in while we didn’t have an IT director.  Elaine Kramer was introduced by George Forrest who called her the best fiscal manager in the State.  She noted there is no track at MACO for budget and finance.  She said she learned a lot about programs.  She was disappointed in the School Board Relations session.  She thinks they should follow up on the schools’ master plan and No Child Left Behind.   She said the good news for the Counties is that funding went from 34% to 37%.  She attended land preservation and planning and thinks they didn’t intend for a budget person to be there.  We are really advanced in terms of our use of technology.  Johns Savich did a great job in talking about how technology supports economic development.  She would like to have Bob Kelly talk about how information technology works for the County.  Learned more about adequate public facilities.  Wants to connect capital budget and APF.  She noted the governor intends to support Thornton.  You find opportunities for grant funding.  She was able to follow up on energy management and other things.  She picked up reports from the Institute for Government Services.  Forrest said he gets nervous when we put our shining stars out for people to see, as we did with John Savich.  Denis Canavan and Forrest walked together, and Forrest said he knew he was with a celebrity when the Deputy State Highway Administrator and Dennis knew each other by first name, he was impressed.  Canavan and Savich came to the table together.   McK joked that Savich’s presentation was great, but the BOCC wrote that presentation for him.  Canavan said the presence of St. Mary’s lets us know that we care what is happening at the State level.  Canavan said he thought the subjects were good, but there was not enough time for questions.  He noted that Montgomery County is currently redoing its adequate public facilities.  MS. Lore talked about how the developers are the players in the adequate public facilities ordinances.  It affects how they do business.  He met with the Sec’y of Transportation at MACO.  Savich said given the amount of growth at Pax River, there will be more traffic on Route 235.  He attended a meeting of Planning Directors with the State Secretary of Planning.  They are cognizant of legislation that may be coming.  Savich said this was his third MACO and the best of the three.  It was a great gather of brainpower and experience in local government.  There was a lot of opportunity for discussion, but not enough time for discussion.  He talked with the Sec’y of Housing and Community development and the Sec’y of Economic and Community Development.  The cost effectiveness of this meeting is amazing.  A lot of work can get done at that sort of conference.  He highlighted the GIS session.  We need to understand how to put this tool to work better.  It can enhance the way we do business.  It’s all about information.  GIS helps us manage a lot of information.  George Forrest said one of the advantages in getting away is a great appreciation for having dialog with Comm’s McK and Mattingly.  There were opportunities for socialization.  WE need to do more of that, Forrest said.  He thanked the BOCC and citizens for allowing them to go.  McK said a lot of folks think MACO is all relaxation, but it’s a great time to meet the Governor’s cabinet.  When we talk about the needs of the County, we can explain how our County relats to the State’s economy.  Mattingly said there were 1,000 people registered for the conference.  It was interesting to see St. Mary’s position relating to other programs in the State.  St. Mary’s is positioned extremely well in the information technoloy area.  The other thing he saw is that we have a talented staff.  The winter meeting will be held at Solomons.  He would like more contact with MACO about providing more activity in St. Mary’s. He was disappointed that St. Mary’s County wasn’t displayed at the MACO.  He thinks we did a positive job in the contacts that were made.  McK said the decision to not set up a booth at MACO was partly a decision on cost and partly a decision as to how long the booth should be good for.  Mattingly said it was only $140, and we would have needed staff time.  It’s important to show.  Savich said it will be in next year’s budget.  Comm Dement said we had good representation at MACO.  The three who stayed continued to take complaints and present proclamations.  </div> <div> After the BOCC dealt with the agendas for August 26 and September 2, Michael Stamm came to ask for approval to accept $1,999 for child support funding.  The vote was 5 - 0.  The next item was the Sheriff asking for approval of the Federal Annual Certification Report for the US Department of Justice.  Sheriff Zylak said the budget session was informative and entertaining.  He took the impression that the budget cuts are temporary.  Homeland security was ok, but it gave him a chance to talk to the Governor’s representatives.  He was proud of our deputies.  Our guys were like “carnies”. Zylak then went on to explain how many applications these funds have.  WE cannot budget for them or assume they will be forthcoming.  Our expenditures were a little over $11,000.  McK said it looks like most of the money is used for equipment.  Zylak said PDA’s were purchased.  We are moving to the point where each officer can check the license numbers.  Raley asked and was told that each officer has a PDA now.  The vote in favor was 5 - 0.</div> <div> The next item was to approve an incentive program and policy change and authorized the Comm President to sign the budget amendments.  There is to be a $500 signing bonus.  They get another $500 when they complete the academy.  They get another$500 when their probationary period is complete. Zylak said some people are putting in 12 hour days to take care of the vacancies.  Raley asked why he set the number of vacancies at 6.  Zylak said that’s about the number that can be handled with minor difficulty.  He ‘s open to suggestions for recruiting.  To do that costs money.  He’s thinking about ads in the Baltimore Sun. McK asked if they participate in the career day.  Zylak said they will come in at the end of the school year.  If he’s told about the date for career day, he’ll be there.  McK say we should look at higher ed courses. Zylak said it’s difficult for officers to attend classes.  He tries to work with people as best he can, but he needs people on the floor. He wished he had taken applications to MACO.  The vote in favor was 5 - 0. Raley said it’s important to know that even with the vacancies, the detention center is safe.</div> <div> The next item is to authorize the Sheriff to apply for a Local Law Enforcement Block Grant on line.  They have already budgeted the match.  This year we received $23,000 less than last year, and so the County Match is lower than budgeted.  Forrest announced that we have an 11:00 A.M. bond sale.  </div> <div> The next item was to ask the BOCC to authorize Mr. Forrest to approve the financing for the final $562,673 of the Communication Contract and $30,000 worth of 9/11 related equipment.  Jarboe asked why the County Administrator.  Kramer said it’s under the $1,000,000.  We are locked into a 2.9% rate for the bonds, said Kramer.  Raley said we are doing a $40,000,000.  The next issue was to realign funding from unapproved projects to projects that have been approved for funding.  This projects will allow refunding of money for Board of Ed projects that are on hold because of disputes.  McK asked if this would affect the Greenview Knolls Roof or the Ridge Elementary School gym.  No, said Kramer, we are moving cash not budget.  </div> <div> This is to schedule a supplemental appropriation hearing to accept a grant from the Naval Aviation Museum to help defray the costs of busing the children.  Donick said they have the money and would like to apply it to this year’s funds.  The vote was 5 - 0.</div> <div> Recs and Parks came to ask the Commissioner to sign the $50,000 DNR Waterway Improvement Fund Application/agreement.  The notice of award has already been received.  It’s about a $275,000 project. It includes replacing the boat ramp at Wicomico, shoreline protection, dredging.  There will be a request for another $50,000 next year that will provide the money for everything but dredging.  MCK said there were 3 projects on the list.  The other two approved projects do not involve Recs and Parks.  Ball said they may have to bid this in phases if there’s not sufficient funding.  Rollins said this project is already on their list for next year.  Rollins said it’s a timing issue.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor.  </div> <div> The next item was easements on the Dorsey Park and Oakville transfer station so AT&T can erect cellular towers.  Norris said the access is granted off the back of the loop road.  McK said there are 270 acres at Oakville.  Norris said the area is in forest conservation easements.  Mattingly said the site in constrained by deep ravines, erodible soils.  Raley said McKay is concerned if we have checked to be sure we don’t find ourselves precluding other uses.  Ms. Springrose said the contract is a lease of property for AT&T to erect a tower.  The County will get $1,200 a month in income. The vote for Oakville was 5 - 0 in favor.  The Dorsey Park antenna would be 192 feet high.  Erichsen noted the tower might require a steeper descent for aircraft.  It’s a monopole.  It will replace an existing light pole.  McK said it looked close to the football field.  Comm Raley noted that when the BOCC was dealing with the realignment of the runway, Raley went in the air with Ned Clarke.  Clarke expressed his concern about encroachment.  He hasn’t heard that this was run through the Airport Commission.  Raley said he doesn’t want the County to do what private citizens can’t do and intrude into the needed approach paths.  At this point Mr. Erichsen came to the table.  Erichsen said Clarke understands what the County is trying to do. Erichsen said we have probable lost lots of approach minimums.  They tied both approvals, construction and approaches, to the lease. Forrest said they will check on this and return it.  McK left the room to talk with the AT&T representative. </div> <div> The next item is a request for approval of a grant application for a full time employment for an emergency planner for St. Mary’s County.  Calvert and Charles Counties are advertising.  This is to be used for regional planning for terrorism and other disasters.  Raley said grant funding does not provide for a COLA.  If the BOCC grants a COLA, would there be money for this position?  Cooper said yes, it has.  Mattingly said 20 recipients of educational funding for the BOCC’s provision of funding for education.  Forrest said he is working with Cooper and Barnett on the process.  </div> <div> The next item was approval for reclassification of some jobs. McK returned from his meeting with staff.</div> <div> I left early </div> <div> After lunch Mr. Erichsen, Director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation came to present a temporary easement agreement for a sidewalk long Tulagi Place.  This will be a strip about two feet wide.  They will add a brick strip.  The vote was 5 - 0 in favor. There is an estimated completion date of November 1. Willow Creek of Wildewood and Goldsborough Rest were approved.  The vote was 5 - 0.  There were addenda for Meadow Lake Subdivision, one for Newton Manor and one for Hanover at Breton Bay.  The vote was 5 - 0. </div> <div> The next item was clarification of transportation issues.  There will be a pre tour meeting, and the State will ask what issues the BOCC has with transportation.  The completion date for 235 is an issue.  A roundabout is planned for 234 and 238.  The BOCC should state their priorities in order.  Erichsen asked for priorities.  McK said all the projects are all important.  Look at the list from August 14 at MACO.  That list is not fully inclusive of the 10/8/02 letter.  This Board signed a January 7 letter re Pt. Lookout Road and Maryland 245.  He notes we don’t have a master transportation plan, and that makes it hard to chose. He thinks completion of 235 is #1 priority.  Mattingly noted that contractors are working.  McK said we may need to address the safety issues on 235.  This design may not be suitable.  Mattingly said we need to calm the traffic on 235 with enforcement.  What can we do along the corridor to improve the safety on that corridor?  Erichsen said we need to separate that from the priority letter. Mattingly said the road was designed 30 years ago and it should be looked at.  Forrest said we need to work with them for enforcement.  Mattingly said Calvert County got $15,000 for enforcement.  Jarboe said we have to work with land use and growth management.  Erichsen said the State has offered to do an access control study on 235, but we have not responded.  Jimmie Owens has supported maintenance of the main base gate.  How important is the restoration of Great Mills (MD 246) in the light of all the other priorities?  Mattingly said simple maintenance on some of these roads.  Maybe we can’t get Great Mills Road, but we should be able to get repairs.  Erichsen said we need to support our local maintenance man.  Comm Raley said they want priorities.  Raley said we have to support SHA manager Jimmie Owens and we have to get pavement on Great Mills Road.  Chancellors Run is worse every day.  The road to Point Lookout has been on the list since he was in diapers.  He would give up the money from the engineers if they would just widen Route 5 in Ridge to Pt. Lookout. Comm Raley said if we put Hughesville Bypass as a priority, they’ll think they have satisfied.  We need to support Jimmie Owens.  If we have to wait, we should get a new surface and fix the pavement. Comm McK said 235 and Hughesville by-pass should be in the opening paragraph.  Mattingly said maintenance is different from capital items.  McK said the number one project if 246 is in closing paragraph and 235 is in the opening paragraph is Chancellors Run Road.  Erichsen said we need to be consistent.  They agreed that Chancellors Run Road is the number one.  Erichsen said he would get the letter to SHA  ready this week.  Forrest said that would make it available on Sept 8 when they go to Hughesville.  Forrest jokingly suggested a toll exit directly to the Base from the bridge.  The State is considering letting private enterprise do toll roads, said McK.  He went on to say that the span  of a bridge to PAX is about the same as the span of the Patuxent over Route 4.  We could require dedications and rights of way along Route 5, said Mattingly.  Mattingly said Budd’s creek is now in the State plan.  The Bridge is a long term idea. Indian Bridge - Peggs Road.  We can use the regular $124,000+ we get each year for that project.  So #1 is Chancellors Run Road, #2 is a scaled down version of Pt Lookout Road, #3 is Rt 5 in Leonardtown, and #4 is Great Mills Road..  </div> <div> Erichsen said the Transportation Plan was on hold during the drafting of this letter.  We are, he said, trying to fund a transportation plan.  Erichsen said by next year’s tour, the transportation plan should be complete.  McK said he believes the BRAC process is critical.  There will be a 25% reduction in facilities. Pax River will not stay the same.  We still haven’t completed our transportation response to that change.  We will either lose jobs or gain jobs.  Will 235 be the transportation system we rely on?  McK doesn’t think FDR as currently laid out is the solution.  He thinks the State should support FDR.  We need to have the State’s buy in.  Erichsen said we have some old FDR plans.  It is important for you to read what Neil Peterson.  McK said Peterson said when this project is finished that’s all we can do for 235.  Erichsen asked about another corridor through the County for a limited access road.  Erichsen said we get $5,000,000 in gas tax revenue.  The state says we could use that money if we wanted FDR. Mattingly said we need to erase all the dotted lines from the maps and start over.  He doesn’t think FDR is a solution. Raley said we have long term issues with 235.  Raley said what we want is basic stuff.  The State of Maryland is making money on PAX, and what they give back doesn’t seem to be a good deal.  We have many needs, continued Raley, both long term and short term.  Raley listed all  the priorities.  We received 6 competitive Bids on Bonds.  Legg Mason will do a bond sale at 3.992346% The County will save $400,000+ and MetCom will save over $590,000.  Forrest thanked those who worked on the bond sale.  McK said our stated goal was 4%.  Bond Counsel noted that the County’s interest rates are better than the most AAA rates.  The County is a High AA credit.  It comes from Maryland which has a good reputation.  County Bond sales are infrequent. These, he said, are the reasons for the rate.  Steve King thanked the BOCC for allowing MetCom to join the County.  McK said it’s a benefit to our citizens.  He hopes they use the savings well.  Kramer reminded them there will be a capital meeting on Monday.  She noted the debt service was based on a 5% rate.  We will save about $100,000 a year.  Mattingly noted that staff was the reason.  The Bond advisors said 6 bids are a lot and represent good standing.  Kramer said we got a double A rating, but a triple A rate.  </div> <div> The next item is a discussion of adequate public facilities (APF).  Forrest said the Ethics Commission piece is of concern.  He said he talked to the Ethics Commission.  People who have conflicts of interest should step away when necessary.  There is a public hearing piece to get public opinion.  Denis Canavan was next.  He said APF is much needed.  WE have to match our facilities with our growth.  He needs a task force.  He wants a balanced group.  He will work with the task force to bring his expertise and that from other counties.  He has worked with jurisdictions where the text amendment doesn’t make it because there is no buy in the community.  The first concern is school, followed by traffic.  The networking at MACO helped him learn that major jurisdictions are reviewing their APF ordinances.  He wants to review the ordinance and begin at once.  McK said we have stated the makeup of the task force.  Do you need changes in that?  Canavan invited Norris to the table.  The Ethics Commission has issues.  The developers have the expertise.  They deal with land use issues.  He is fully cognizant of the quality of life issues.  He needs their expertise.  He needs real estate people.  MCK said but you want to keep it in balance.  He said whether those people are on the task force or not, he will need them.  We did this last fall, said McK.  Norris said the task force composition was discussed, but it was never set forth.  Norris said they asked the Ethics Commission would waive conflicts of interest if there were full disclosure.  The Ethics Commission said no.  Canavan said if the people can’t be appointed they still must have input to ordinance.  Norris suggested excluding those who have a special interest.  Everyone should play a role.  Norris said the Ethics Ordinance provides for exceptions if there cannot be enough people available.  Norris said in creating policy, the possibility for conflict is there.  Mattingly said he doesn’t understand the objection.  McK said you have to respect the findings of the ethics board and he doesn’t think they made a good decision.  They will be eliminating people because of their expertise.  They will have given freely their disclosure.  McK said they have found a solution.  Norris said he has given a key to Mr. Canavan’s door to everyone in St. Mary’s County.  McK said this is very important work you are embarking on.  Everyone has the problems we do, continued McK.  We grapple with the same issues.  McK said the true solutions are having the County manage its resources so it can provide the resources.  A solution for another jurisdiction may not be the solution for St. Mary’s County.  Mattingly asked and was told that AA did not have a task force.  Canavan said Montgomery did have a task force.  Mattingly asked about transportation.  Canavan said the school issues and traffic issues are the best documented.  Forrest asked if they should advertise and bring applications before the Board and make a selection.  If that’s an appropriate way to go we can do that.  Norris said they have to adopt of resolution private citizens, County government, Leonardtown, Chamber of Commerce, two members selected by the Board of Education.  Norris excluded members of the development community.  You have advisors to the task force.  Norris said that would still violate the Ethics Ordinance.  Mr. Canavan’s door being open to the public generally should help everyone who wants to have input to be able to do that..  McK said he thinks you need the Board of Ed on the Task Force.  Norris said he would.  Jarboe asked if the meetings could be open.  Norris said we can require a time for public comment.  Mattingly said the only way we can appoint a task force is to have staff do the work.  Canavan said we need balance.  He invites people to participate.  He wants to hear it, analyze the input.  You, as commissioners, need that balance.  He suggests asking for names of people who are willing to help us.  Others will be invited to follow it and participate.  He doesn’t want stumbling blocks.  Dement said if you don’t have public input you are just creating a problem.  Canavan said he doesn’t see it as a conundrum that we can’t get through.  This is a strictly advisory group.  Let us solicit individuals that may participate.  Follow the same process as all other appointments.  Forrest said the BOCC should include names.  Forrest said they will advertise.</div> <div> The last issue is the Public Information Officer’s contract.  There was no motion to approve the contract for a while.  Mattingly made the motion Jarboe seconded it.  Jarboe said he thought it should be a merit position.  But now he is ready to support the contract. McK said these people work at the pleasure of the BOCC.  No contracts will extend more than 6 months beyond the close of the BOCC’s term.  Raley noted the effective dates seemed to conflict.  Forrest said it’s retroactive.  She gets a one year contract.  The vote was 5 - 0</div> <div> Next was Commissioner time.  Dement said he enjoyed the 20<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> annual night out.  He attended the Beach Party on the Square and Fire and Rescue Appreciation day.  The first meeting with the Board of Education was held at Do Dah.  He attended  85<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> and 80<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> birthday parties.  The softball tournament that got rained out was just completed this weekend.  St. Mary’s County did very well.  McK asked if he mentioned that the Bell Motor over 40 team played and who was on that team (McK laughed).  Mattingly and Raley attended the Lexington Manor meeting at the library last night.  He congratulated the hospital on the renovation of the emergency room.  There have been too many serious accidents on 235.  He can’t attend the forum.  Mattingly said there was communication about the water policy task force and the State has reduced staffing of people to perform the analysis of the data.  He would like to see if we can get an update from Steve King.  It seems a shame to make all that investment and not benefit from the data.  Dement asked why the Lexington Manor wasn’t on his blue sheet.  Raley said he doesn’t do the blue sheets.  Comm Jarboe said he was a nurse and a cook because his wife broke her foot.  Jarboe said he’s a good cook.  Jarboe went to the Amish produce stands on Saturday.  People liked the article on the Amish in The Enterprise.  The parking lot is moving ahead.  If Charles County isn’t going to help us with the parking lot. . . let’s remind them that their people sell at the market.  We were the first people to help when the tornado hit LaPlata.  A little tobacco money would go a long way.  Raley said he would like to rescind his door prize because the gentleman who won it has been sponging off me . . .(more giggles).  He thanked the Ridge Fire Department for their carnival.  The American Legion Post 255.  They have completed 10 years of support for two American Legion Baseball teams.  There will be a shuttle service by van to BWI.  You can catch a cab in Lexington Park and don’t have to take your car.  Sept 16 is the college fair at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department.  St. Peter Claver labor day festival is coming on August 31.  Public Schools open September 5.  There will be a ribbon cutting on August 30 at 10:00 AM at Nicolet Park.  He congratulates Carolyn Loray for her work on literature for tourism.  McK said he talked with Danny Maier from Charles County and there has been no formal decision made.  There will be a public forum this evening at Ridge.  The public is invited.  They went into executive session.  </div> </td> </tr></table></body>