As you know every ten years, the Federal Government counts the number of people who live in the United States by conducting a census.  This is required by the U. S. Constitution.

Census data are used to determine the number of representatives your state receives in the U.S. Congress, as well as your community’s representation in the state legislature.  The data are also used to distribute more than $400 Billion in federal funds each year to communities for establishing and improving schools, hospitals, roads and senior services.  Our state government and in some instances, county government and businesses also uses the census the same way to allocate services based on headcount or to verify how many people live in a given area.

Children have been undercounted in every census since the first one in 1790.  Please remember to include all your children – even babies when you complete the 2010 Census form.   All infants, children and adults who live in a household should be counted, regardless of nationality, citizenship status, race, age or gender.

The new Comptroller’s branch office opened in Waldorf today.

Before the ribbon cutting, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot warmly greeted the many Charles County officials and business owners who came to participate in the festivities. He emphasized the importance of this branch office to assist Charles County residents in completing their tax duty on time.  Any Maryland resident can bring in their federal tax forms for assistance and also have the branch office complete their state tax forms at no charge. He encouraged all those who qualify to take the Earned Income Tax credit that is available for 2010. Franchot has been a proponent for financial literacy among all citizens and is interested in financial literacy becoming part of the Maryland high school curriculum.

In attendance were Charles County Commissioners Wayne Cooper, Sam Graves, Rueben Collins, and Gary Hodge; as well as Sheriff Rex W. Coffey; Director of Administrative Services at the Sheriff’s Office Jack Hurd; Clerk of the Circuit Court Sharon Hancock; Stanley Trice of the Maryland Comptroller’s Office, and Orphan’s Court Judge Frank Lancaster.  Julie Vanderslice represented my office since I was in Annapolis.

This office is conveniently located at 1036 Saint Nicholas Dr., Suite 202, in Waldorf. It shares the same building as Avant-Garde Carpet and Floors behind the Charles Towne Plaza and across from the Saint Charles Towne Center Mall.

The Harry White Wilmer American Legion Post 82 in La Plata, Maryland held their grand re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony today.  This post is a landmark in La Plata and serves veterans and the community.  The original building was built in 1949 and this last remodel has been in the works for five years.

Ken Gould of the Charles County Chamber of Commerce presented the post with a plaque commemorating the re-opening.  It was nice to see the support that the veterans received from Sheriff Coffey, the Charles County Commissioners and numerous citizens.  The American Legion is very involved in our community and providing needed support; if you are looking for a venue for an event, please consider the post as it would help support the veterans and their works.

Tonight was the annual legislative dinner sponsored by the Charles County Department of Social Services.  I had a chance to meet the new Director, Karen Butler.  She gave a status report on the main initiatives of her department and the goals she has set for the coming year.  The need for help among county residents seems to have increased directly affected by the worsening economy.  Because of my interest in foster children, we had a good conversation about my concerns as she reported the number of foster children had increased in the county.

This dinner is well attended each year and I also had discussions concerning social service issues with Brenda Donald, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, Delegate Sally Jameson, and Commissioner Sam Graves.

Today the General Assembly honored the 2010 Teachers of the Year from every County and Baltimore City as well as the State Teacher of the Year Jennifer Rankin from Garrett County.

The Charles County Delegation had a chance to meet our county Teacher of the Year Janet Jones from General Smallwood Middle School.  Janet teaches reading in Grades 6 through 8, quite an accomplishment.  I always look forward to meeting these teachers who are the best we can offer our children.

Peter and State Teacher of the Year Jennifer Rankin