County government news

Friday, July 3, 2009

There will be no meeting of the St. Mary's County commissioners on Tuesday, July 7. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Tuesday, July 14.

Freedom Fest slated for July 4

The public is invited to Freedom Fest on Saturday, July 4, at the St. Mary's County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown starting at 5 p.m. A fireworks display will start at dark. Freedom Fest is an alcohol- and drug-free family celebration held annually at the fairgrounds and includes entertainment, food, family activities and fireworks. In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks will go off the next day, Sunday, July 5. If the fireworks need to be postponed the information will be added to the county's information line at 301-475-4200, ext. 4911.

As budgeted now, there are no funds for fireworks for Freedom Fest in 2010.

Public hearing on land plan scheduled

The St. Mary's County Planning Commission is holding a second public hearing on the review of the comprehensive land-use plan on Monday, July 13, at Chopticon High School at 6:30 p.m. The public hearing draft document has been posted to the county's Web site at www.stmarys.md.com. Click on land use and growth management under the services box, then click on public hearing documents. Print copies are available for review at the three county libraries and at the county's public information office on the third floor of the Potomac Building in Leonardtown. Comments on the plan can be made prior to the hearing and afterward for 10 days by mailing to the Planning Commission, P.O. Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

The county commissioners will also hold at least one public hearing on the plan.

Highway safety issues to be surveyed online

Marylanders can submit their concerns and attitudes about traffic safety through Aug. 12 at www.marylanddriversurvey.com. The survey takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete. It is part of an ongoing effort to monitor public beliefs, concerns and behaviors of Maryland motorists regarding traffic safety issues, especially at the local level. For more information contact Jackie Beckman, traffic safety coordinator for St. Mary's County at 301-475-4200, ext. 1850.

Pesticide containers can be recycled

The Maryland Department of Agriculture will be accepting empty pesticide containers from licensed pesticide applicators at the USDA-BARC Visitors Center located on Powder Mill Road in Prince George's County on July 16, Aug. 20 and Sept. 17 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Inspectors will supervise the collection to ensure only triple-rinsed, clean pesticide containers are collected. Visit www.mda.state.md.us or call 410-841-5710.

Welcome center is now open daily

The St. Mary's County Welcome Center on southbound Route 5 in Charlotte Hall is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The daily operation will continue until Oct. 31. The center's trained staff can provide information on accommodations and destinations and answer questions. For more information call 301-884-7059.

Skate nights ongoing

Every Saturday night there is an open skate night at the Leonard Hall Recreation Center in Leonardtown for those of all ages from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The cost is $3 per person and rental skates are $2.50 per person or roller skaters can bring their own. Call 301-475-4200, ext. 1800.