The St. Mary’s County Board of Commissioners and governmental staff assembled in front of the Potomac Building on the sunny Tuesday morning to welcome home a special veteran. SMC deputy, Lt. Christopher Medved, also a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve recently returned from an almost four month deployment to Iraq.
The BOCC took the time to individually thank the 18-year Sheriff’s Office veteran for his wartime service. Medved said “[such support] is important for everybody that comes back.”
The board also acknowledged the retirement of Land Use and Growth Management Inspector Charles Johnson after 22 years of work for the county. Commissioner Jarboe suggested Johnson’s absence will “leave some pretty big shoes to fill.”
The board proclaimed Women’s Equality Day and applauded the work of the Commission for Women. They offered a commendation for the State Champion SMC American Little League 12 and Under Girls Softball Team. Coach Jim Sewell called attention to the dedication of the parents involved and the excellent sportsmanship of his team.
The commissioners received an update from Jurisdictional Medical Director, Dr. Michael Somers and listened attentively to his goals of quality assurance for the county’s Emergency Medical Services. Several commissioners applauded Somers for a successful first year on the job.
The board addressed budget issues with representatives from the Health Dept., Dept. of Aging and the Dept. of Human Services. County Administrator, John Savich discussed the governor’s anticipated announcement for hefty budget cuts to county government and notified the board and the public of the full hiring freeze in effect.
A joint effort of the county’s Dept. of Economic and Community Development, Recreation and Parks and Tourism Division to promote the Water Trail Adventures in SMC received a push when the commissioners signed off on a grant application for the creation and publication of a brochure. Commissioners Jarboe and Russell suggested the consideration of an annual event celebrating the water trails of the county and complimented the success of the Celebrate 375th campaign as well.
The board also heard an in-depth report from the State Highway Administration concerning the MD 4- Thomas Johnson Bridge Study. Their presentation explained several of the alternative approaches to fixing the four mile corridor which includes the bridge and the MD 4/235 intersection which the SHA representative called, “one of the major bottlenecks in this entire region.” The SHA continues to seek input from federal, state and county agencies as well as the public in St. Mary’s and Calvert counties.
<!–
–>
