MADD recognizes local deputies, seeks volunteers

THIS ‘N' THAT

Friday, July 17, 2009

The certificates of recognition for sheriff's corporals Joseph Somerville, David Corcoran and John Kirkner were presented by Lisa Spicknall, a program specialist with MADD's victim services in Maryland, at last week's meeting of the St. Mary's Alcohol Beverage Board.

"MADD's mission is to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking," Spicknall told liquor board members.

Spicknall also said during her visit that MADD needs additional volunteers, in St. Mary's and elsewhere, and she was introduced to the board by the county's current law enforcement coordinator, sheriff's deputy James Stone.

Stone also received some recognition, from board Chairman Moses P. SaldaŅa.

"He's kind of humble, but … he's doing a fantastic job," the chairman said.

For more information on assisting MADD's educational, advocacy and victim services programs, go online to www.madd.org/md, call 410-964-5757 or 800-446-6233 or send e-mail to lisa.spicknall@madd.org.

River Concert Series moves upriver to Leonardtown

The River Concert Series Brass Quintet from St. Mary's College will perform at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, on the square in downtown Leonardtown. Bring a chair or blanket. For more information, call 301-475-9791.

Kayak trip set for noon on Saturday

Greenwell State Park River Riders' guided kayak trip to Clarke's Landing begins at noon tomorrow, Saturday, at the park. The fee includes a crab cake sandwich at the restaurant, and Greenwell will transport all of the kayaks back to the park. Transportation back to Greenwell will be arranged through a cooperative carpool. Call 301-373-9775 to make a reservation. More information is available online at www.greenwellfoundation.org.

Sotterley sets lecture on cabin restoration

A lecture by John O'Rourke and Gus Kiorpes on a slave cabin restoration project will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, at Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood.

The two speakers known for their work on major historical restoration projects – including Historic St. Mary's City, Cross Manor, Jefferson Patterson Park, Pierce Mill, and Mount Vernon — will offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the restoration of one of Maryland's most important historic African-American structures.

The restoration project is possible thanks to funding from the 1772 Foundation, Maryland Historical Trust and Preservation Maryland, but the challenge of preserving and protecting the cabin is no simple task. In addition to the repair of termite-damaged logs, O'Rourke and Kiorpes are restoring some of the original siding, and in other areas having to replace it. Beyond the painting and whitewashing that is required to preserve a timeless and unchanged appearance to the structure, the two men also are dealing with site drainage and grading issues. Due to the location down the hill from Rolling Road, the work can be tremendously challenging.

Fire protection, security systems, and site lighting are being installed by Mattingly Electric of Hollywood. Archeology work connected with the project is being performed by John Milner Associates of Alexandria, Va.

The slave cabin at Sotterley Plantation has long been recognized as one of the most important features of the site. For more information, call 301-373-2280 or 800-681-0850.

Deadline set for neighborhoods to join National Night Out

Neighborhoods throughout St. Mary's County are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 4, for the 26th Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. The event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, as well as generate participation in local anti-crime efforts that strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 7 to 10 p.m. that day, neighborhoods will be hosting a variety of special outdoor events such as block parties, cookouts, ice cream and cake socials, flashlight walks, youth activities and anti-crime rallies.

Neighborhoods that would like to participate or wish further information on the event should contact sheriff's Cpl. Chad Hartzell at 301-475-4200, ext. 9024, or fax registration forms or community information to 301-475-4047 no later than July 27. Getting the information in on time will allow for the scheduling of deputies to visit the participating communities.

Sheriff's major graduates from U.S. marshals program

Maj. John D. Horne, assistant sheriff with the St. Mary's sheriff's office, recently graduated from the United States Marshal's Service Judicial Security Division Fellowship Program, designed to allow court security managers to train and serve with the federal officers and experience high-level executive protection and security operations in the Fortune 1000 private sector.

The marshals' service is the principal federal law enforcement agency dedicated to the protection of the federal judiciary, the judicial process, public officials and facilities. Judicial Security Fellows participate in joint training with court administrators at the National Center for State Courts in Williamsburg, Va., in areas including the coordination of public and media relations in high visibility trials, approaches to policy and procedure implementation, consolidated training for clerical staff in security awareness and procedures dealing with the judiciary.

Participants receive briefings and orientations on the operation of the federal court system and tour U.S. district courts, circuit courts of appeals and the Supreme Court. They travel to the sites of ongoing high-threat trials, protective details, and intern with security professionals from a private corporation. They receive briefings on security and protection protocols employed at national monuments, historical sites, military installations, and other facilities requiring security.

Horne successfully completed all facets of the 13-week fellowship, and was deputized as a Special Deputy United States Marshal to continue as a part of the USMS Judicial Security Fellowship Network.

Correctional officer begins work on first day possible

The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office welcomed Frederick L. Miller Jr. as he began his career with the detention center as a correctional officer on July 9, which also was his 18th birthday.

Christine Melville, an administrator for the Certification Unit of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission, reported to the sheriff's office that, to the best of her knowledge, no other agency has hired a correctional officer on the exact day they turned 18, the minimum age requirement for a correctional officer that was established in January 2002.

Therefore, Miller would be the youngest correctional officer ever hired in the state of Maryland, making his employment with the sheriff's office a historical moment and another "first" for America's, and Maryland's, first sheriff's office.

Miller lives in Mechanicsville, and graduated from Chopticon High School in May of this year.

Vacations for Vets slated at Greenwell

The Greenwell Foundation, with the support of local community members, has developed a program to offer respite at the park in Hollywood for the nation's injured service members.

"Vacations for Vets" offers weekend stays at the Francis Knott Lodge for disabled veterans currently undergoing treatment at Washington, D.C., area military hospitals and their families. Each weekend can accommodate six soldiers with an average of three family members each, for a total of 24 people each weekend.

The service members include wounded veterans from all branches of service and from throughout the United States. Participants are eligible based on their interest and with a doctor's approval. The vacations are provided at no cost to the veterans and their families. The program gives the veterans a break from the daily demands of recovering from their traumatic experiences.

Volunteers are needed for every aspect of this program, for any amount of time, to collect donated items, cook meals, lead activities, help with logistical support, provide child care during the weekend, plan fundraisers and work in the office. All volunteers who work directly with service members and their families must complete a volunteer application, agree to a criminal background check, sign a confidentiality agreement and participate in volunteer training prior to the weekend they work. For information on volunteering, call 301-373-9775 or send e-mail to vacationsforvets@greenwellfoundation.org.

jwharton@somdnews.com