St. Mary’s Board of County Commissioners met Tuesday, August 3 and approved an amendment to the Code of Public Laws, allowing a property tax credit for non-profit schools. The affected Chesapeake Public Charter School’s staff and supporters displayed their elation at the board’s unanimous decision. Commissioner Dan Raley said the funds not spent for taxes could be put toward the educational experience of the kids at CPCS.
The board acknowledged this year’s National Night Out efforts and approved a minor budget change for Sex Offender Registration through the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Cameron said he planned to stop by several neighborhood celebrations Tuesday evening.
Changes at the state level mean no reductions for Human Services’ Alcohol and Substance Abuse budget, but Coordinator Anita Ray said she anticipates a decrease for 2012. Additional grant funds were awarded to St. Mary’s Community Traffic Safety Program and will be used to support a ‘Zero Fatalities in August’ campaign. Each weekend of August, officers will increase DUI enforcement efforts and public awareness.
The County adopted new roads in Wildewood, as phases one and two of Dahlia Park become completed. With additional phases underway and planned, Public Works Deputy Director John Groeger reminded the board of the plans to widen Rt. 235 to six lanes between Wildewood Drive and Airport Road.
County Attorney George Sparling sought the board’s approval for a resolution creating a Marcey House Advisory Board along with a new set of bylaws. After some debate about membership residency requirements and election of officers, Commissioner Mattingly moved to approve Sparling’s draft, with edits.
Commissioner Larry Jarboe lodged a nay vote and motioned for a change in reporting structure. He insisted, ”Reporting to two directors is like having two captains on a ship,” and suggested future government may operate differently. Commissioner President Russell argued, “This structure is already in place and I do not favor this motion now.” Jarboe’s motion was not carried.
The County’s Commission on the Environment presented results from an 18-month study to determine citizens’ greatest environmental concerns and initiatives to combat top problems. Commission Chair Barne Wheeler presented the findings, which indicated pollution of the waterways and low impact, sustainable development as two major concerns.
Visitors to the Living Green Expo and the Leonardtown Earth Day celebration contributed to the results and citizens and organizations within St. Mary’s offered up a list of sixty potential actions. Wheeler stated, “Virtually every initiative is within the County’s ability to execute.”
Jarboe questioned why more concer
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