Southern States elects officers, committee members

All three So. Md. counties represented

Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

James K. Raley of Avenue was elected chairman of the committee while Glen Russell of Morganza was named vice chairman. Raley was also elected as delegate to a district election meeting to be held in September 2010, with Russell chosen as alternate.

Michael Russell of Clements and Walt Wells of Prince Frederick were also elected to the committee at the annual meeting, which was held at American Legion Post 238 in Hughesville.

Bowers estimated that about 110 stockholder-members attended.

At the same meeting, Helen Marie Walter of Hughesville and Brenda Goddard of La Plata were elected to the Southern States Farm Home Advisory Committee.

Paula Rice of Newburg was chosen chairwoman of the Farm Home Advisory Committee and Melinda Rice of Faulkner was named secretary.

Employee Leonard Russell received an award for 17 years of safe driving.

Bowers gave an overview of the past year and reported that the service did about $5.8 million in business.

Wes Messick of Hurlock, an elected member of the main Southern States board in Richmond, Va., who represents an area including Southern Maryland, discussed national policy with the members.

Susie Hance Wells of Prince Frederick, an appointed member of the national board, also attended. Her father, Y.D. Hance, Maryland's first secretary of agriculture, once held the same position, according to Bowers.

"She's following in her father's footsteps," Bowers said.

According to Bowers, the meeting was a success.

"I think it was pretty good. The speeches weren't too long, we got home early, Thompson's cooked the food. What else do you want?" he said.

emitrano@somdnews.com