Peter Murphy District 28 Delegate - Welcome

Charles County Teacher of the Year Visits Annapolis

Peter — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:10:15 +0000

After reading much about Charles County’s 2011 Teacher of the Year, Stephanie Fara Harris-Walent, I had sent a citation to her for this wonderful accomplishment on behalf of the entire Charles County Delegation last summer. It was, therefore, a true honor to finally meet her in Annapolis today, joined by Charles County Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly, to celebrate the dedicated teachers from each of Maryland’s counties who were named “Teacher of the Year” for 2011. Ms. Harris-Walent teaches Language Arts at Milton M. Somers Middle School in La Plata, and inspires her students with the joy of learning through her creative, positive methods. Our county is indeed fortunate to have her talents employed for the benefit of Charles County’s next generation; and so Commissioner Kelly and I congratulate Ms. Stephanie Fara Harris-Walent, and thank her for her service to our kids.

Arts Advocacy Day in Annapolis

Peter — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 02:24:09 +0000

Today, the Charles County Arts Alliance members came to Annapolis to visit their Delegates in the Maryland General Assembly, and to make a request not to cut the arts funding from the Maryland State budget. It was a wonderful pleasure seeing my friends and acquaintances again from this group. I am a great admirer of those with artistic talent, and understand the important part that the arts play in the education and culture of our citizenry.

In that vein, I would like to remind everyone that the Mattawoman Creek Arts Center (MCAC) will have an art show of works produced by our Charles County elementary and high school art teachers. Each will submit 3 entries for display. The exhibit begins February 17 and runs through March 1, 2012. The reception, however, will be held only on February 19th. The show is entitled, “Art Teachers Art Show: Living What We Teach. Teaching What We Love.” Please come out to support these talented educators.

2012 MCAC Six Picks High School Awards Ceremony

Peter — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:49:34 +0000

The Mattawoman Creek Art Center held their 2012 Six Picks High School Art Exhibit Awards Ceremony this afternoon. The exhibited works from our six Charles County high schools were categorized into five art mediums, and judged by Nancy Thompson. She relied on the elements of art and the use of materials as a basis for her awards. For the first time, the art works were all required to be given a title. This is an effort to signal to the student artists that they should take their art seriously. They also were reminded to sign their work to show pride in their talent and skill.

The talented students whose art projects were awarded first place were:

Samantha Rowland for drawing (pencil), “Caleb”

Devin White for drawing (mixed media), “Reek alf Van Vrede”

Alexis Gainer for ceramics (3-D), “Paint Can”

Jasmin Harris for Photography (B&W), “Today’s Marilyn”

Jeremy Wrenn for Photography (Digital), “Dissociative Identity Disorder”

Congratulations to all the participants and the award winners. The exhibitors learned the techniques and properties of working with their chosen mediums from the dedicated art teachers in the Charles County school system. These expert instructors will now have a chance to show their own works for the upcoming exhibit, “Art Teachers Art Show: Living What We Teach, Teaching What We Love,” to be held at the Mattawoman Creek Art Center from February 17 through March 11, 2012. The reception, however, will be held only on February 19 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. These elementary and high school teachers will each produce 3 entries of their own for the exhibit. I encourage you all to come out to support and see the extraordinary talents of our Charles County art educators.

CSMD 13th Winter Commencement

Peter — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:55:22 +0000

The College of Southern Maryland held their 13th Winter Commencement inside the Physical Education Building tonight. College President Brad Gottfried announced that there were a total of 511 graduates, with the youngest being 18 years of age and the oldest being 64 years young. This just proves the rule that you are never too old to learn new things if you have the desire and the motivation. As we all know, in our new economy, we must retrain and update our skills to continue as a vibrant workforce going forward.

The graduates and attendees were honored to have Admiral Michelle Howard provide the evening’s address. She is the first woman to command a Navy warship, but just a few years ago, she also served on the naval vessel from which Captain Phillips was held hostage by Somali pirates. She spoke movingly of the importance in learning self reliance and self sufficiency because you never know when the moments will come for you to be tested, and you will want to experience the joy of success at those opportunities. The chance to make a difference will come to all of us in our lives, and she recommends that you be prepared and ready for it to happen. When you dream more and learn more, you can be ready to do more. Wise words indeed.

Congratulations to all the graduates and their very proud families.

Opening of the 2012 Maryland General Assembly Session

Peter — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:10:20 +0000

The 2012 Maryland General Assembly legislative session was formally opened today with the re-election of Michael Busch as Speaker of the House. He has the distinction of being the longest serving speaker in Maryland’s history. In his opening remarks he urged members to debate issues in a civil manner, and gave the reminder that Maryland is at the forefront in leading the nation.

Governor Martin O’Malley also spoke, and noted that Maryland has recovered 28% of the jobs that had been lost during this recession. He will continue to work in bringing more job creation to our state during this term. He also looks forward to working with every Delegate in the Assembly on quality of life issues for our state, and he wisely spoke of the costs and benefits of investing in our State in the areas of education, health care, and the environment.

There are many challenges before us in this session, but the congenial atmosphere of this opening day was pleasing to see.

2011 Cobb Island Day

Peter — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:06:14 +0000

It’s always fun to come to Cobb Island for their Cobb Island Day festivities. It starts with the parade that this year included clowns, Santa on vacation, classic cars, Little Miss Fire Prevention, search and rescue dogs, fire trucks, and a cultural dance group with their Asian dragon. Oh, and I rode in a classic 1966 Ford Mustang in the parade too. What a treat! Following the parade, the activities began on Old Fisherman’s Field with food, demonstrations, games, and vendors to entertain the visitors. This gave me the chance to greet constituents and long time friends alike. The classic cars were on show over at the local VFD too. The delightful weather topped everything off and made it a perfect day.

Faith Community Roundtable with Senator Cardin

Peter — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:20:04 +0000

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin’s agenda in Charles County today included a roundtable discussion at New Life Church in La Plata with the many leaders of our faith community. He wanted to answer their questions on topics of interest, and to get new ideas for how the federal government can partner with their efforts more effectively to assist the less fortunate in our communities. We all know that the Government can’t do everything, and faith based groups are instrumental in creating effective volunteer outreach. When the two work hand in hand, the result is much better for the entire community.

Senator Cardin Visits Clark Sr. Center

Peter — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 03:18:50 +0000

We were honored to have our U.S. Senator Ben Cardin visiting the Richard R. Clark Senior Center this morning for a full discussion on the issues that are important to senior citizens, and all of us, in these troubled times. He enjoyed hearing the concerns of our Charles County residents, and answered questions forthrightly. He covered topics including the future of Medicare and Social Security, how he would improve the Affordable Health Care Act, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Libyan engagement, the tax cuts for the wealthiest among us in the budget, oil company subsidies, and the need for strong Wall Street regulations so that we never have another recession like this last one. Senator Cardin works hard every day in Congress to ensure the health and safety of our people and our environment. I thank him for making the visit with us today.

High School Senior Awards Nights

Peter — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:47:13 +0000

This is the season for high school graduations, but before those ceremonies come the High School Senior Award Nights. These are special for me because every year I go to as many as I possibly can in order to present my Delegate Scholarship Awards. The recipients are students who have worked hard in school, in their communities, and in extracurricular activities. They have become well rounded, engaged young people who will be going on to colleges in the State of Maryland in the fall. I am so proud of them, and will be able to greet most of them on June 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at their respective Charles County high schools during the Senior Awards Night ceremonies. They now have a whole world of opportunity open to them, but I encourage them to complete their studies, an experience which will enrich their lives forever. I send my best wishes for their continued success.

Newest Eagle Scout

Peter — Tue, 17 May 2011 01:12:33 +0000

Tonight, 14 year old Zachary Tyler LeValley’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held. He became the newest Troop 908 Eagle Scout, the 20th in 25 years of existence. With honors from his Scout Master Rick Reckeweg and Sheriff Rex Coffey, and a citation from my office, Zakk was duly feted for his dedication to earning this high rank. He proudly thanked his parents, Scout Master, and Troop members for their encouragement, support, and friendship as he worked toward this day. He faced many difficulties in putting together his required project, but he persevered and met his goal. Zakk LeValley is a fine example of the young generation, and I expect quite amazing things from him in future. Congratulations, Zakk!

CSM Commencement

Peter — Thu, 12 May 2011 17:00:18 +0000

The College of Southern Maryland held its 52nd Commencement this evening on the La Plata campus. It was notable for many reasons. This year 430 degrees were given out, and one in four students graduated with honors! It is a testament to the hard work and serious intention of these excellent students. CSM President Brad Gottfried was rightfully proud, and so was special guest U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer, who has done so much to help the college finance important new programs. In recognition of this, he was presented an Honorary Degree from the Board of Trustees Chair Mary Krug. The commencement address delivered by renowned speaker, Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III, President of UMBC, focused on a message of purpose and persistence, which was surely reflected by all the graduates, from the youngest, who was 16 years old, to the oldest at 67 years of age. Congratulations, Graduates!

Special Olympics Spring Games

Peter — Sat, 07 May 2011 14:35:16 +0000

Today, on this beautiful sunny Saturday, I had the privilege of emceeing the 38th Annual Maryland Special Olympics Spring Games in Charles County at Lackey High School. The featured sports for the particpants were swimming, bocce ball, and track and field. These athletes make this one of the most enjoyable events that I attend each year. They are always so happy to be part of the competition and have such joy in seeing their fellow competitors succeed. We can all be inspired by the efforts of these Special Olympics Athletes.

Zekiah Boy Scouts Leadership Awards

Peter — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:00:52 +0000

The Charles County Zekiah District Boy Scouts held their Leadership Awards Dinner tonight at the Brasas Rotisserie and Grill Restaurant in Waldorf. District Chairperson Jessica Barnes, and Zekiah Awards Chairman Bill Thompson made the award presentations to the worthy recipients. These annual awards are given to the parents and adult volunteers who put in the time and tireless work that make our local Scouting troops the character building organizations that we want our kids to participate in. Congratulations, and thank you, to all the winners.

Legislative Wrap-Ups

Peter — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 19:08:49 +0000

Would you like to find out which bills were passed and what decisions were made during the 2011 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly? I want my constituents to be well informed on the issues that were worked on during the annual session, and to that end, I’ll be doing legislative forums over the next weeks to keep you up to date. I hope you will come to the legislative wrap-up which is most convenient for you. Here is a list of the meeting locations:

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2011 – WESTERN CHARLES DEMOCRATIC CLUB:
I will be one of the Charles County Delegation speakers for this monthly meeting at Sartik’s Restaurant, Route 225 and Marshall Corner Road, La Plata, MD. $15.00 fee for the dinner. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m. Buffet supper is at 7:15 p.m.

MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2011 – THE NORTHERN DEMOCRATIC CLUB:
I will be their guest speaker for this monthly meeting at the Old Country Buffet, 2916 Festival Way, Waldorf, MD. $10.00 fee for the dinner. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner is at 7:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2011 – LEGISLATIVE FORUM:
I will be hosting this forum at Christ Episcopal Church (next to the Court House), 112 E. Charles Street, La Plata, at 7:00 p.m. No refreshments provided. Free event.

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011 – THE 4TH & 5TH DISTRICTS DEMOCRATIC CLUB:
I will be the guest speaker at this bi-monthly meeting at Shymansky’s Restaurant, 16320 Cobb Island Road, Cobb Island, MD. $18.00 fee for dinner. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. Dinner is at 7:00 p.m.

April Meeting of the 4th & 5th Dems Club

Peter — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:27:50 +0000

For those of you who have never been to a local Democratic Club meeting in our county, I recommend them for their interesting conversation, hardy meals, and knowledgeable guest speakers. The April meeting of the 4th & 5th District Democratic Club was held at Shymansky’s Restaurant on Cobb Island with guest speaker Al Coleman, Chairman of the Charles County Democratic Central Committee. He spoke about the role that the CCDCC plays in helping to get Democratic candidates elected. They are responsible for finding poll workers, passing out literature, and setting up early voting. They can also provide absentee ballots to voters, and arrange rallies for Democratic candidates. The CCDCC annually hosts the Truman-Kennedy Dinner to celebrate the Democratic Party. This year it will be held on July 9 at the Waldorf Jaycees Hall with Governor Martin O’Malley as one of the guest speakers. Finally, for those who want to follow the CCDCC more closely, their meetings are open to the public and are held on the first Tuesday of every month at the American Legion Hall #82 at 7:00 p.m.

Potomac River Cleanup

Peter — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 19:20:54 +0000

The 23rd Annual Potomac River Cleanup was held today. Organized by the Alice Ferguson Foundation, it serves as part of the larger Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative, which strives for a trash-free watershed by 2013. The Initiative focuses on the trash problem from a watershed-wide approach in order to improve the entire region. Last year, more than 250 tons of trash from the Potomac River Watershed was collected.

I am proud to say that many of our Charles County residents participated this year at the various cleanup sites. Teachers with students, parents with children, and even senior citizens were out working on this cloudy day, to benefit the environment and their communities. When we care for our neighborhoods, we can make them healthier, safer, and more beautiful places for us all.

March Community Partnership Meeting

Peter — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:54:04 +0000

This morning, the Community Partnership for Children & Families, a select group of government agencies, charitable groups, and social service organizations, came together for their monthly meeting at the Charles County Courthouse. They discussed current needs, and new progress in providing aid to families who have been through our court system. Their work helps foster kids; parents who are reconnecting broken relationships with their children; homeless teens; formerly incarcerated men working for new lives; and so many more. This organization makes a very real difference in the lives of many distressed Charles County citizens.

WRE Public Hearing

Peter — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:53:53 +0000

Tonight the Charles County Commissioners held a public hearing on the draft Water Resources Element of the Comprehensive Plan at the County Government Building. Many citizens took the opportunity to make oral statements about the draft WRE. The question is whether the County Commissioners should vote for or against this 2006 draft. The WRE will determine how water is allocated in the county, where it will come from as the county grows, and the effect that growth will have on our creeks and rivers. The WRE has now been voted onto the agenda, and the record will be kept open for 30 days. It’s time to make your opinion known.

County Comprehensive Plan Kickoff

Peter — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:42:15 +0000

And so it begins. The Charles County Planning Commission held its Comprehensive Plan Kickoff meeting this evening for the public. All the members expressed their interest in making this an open process, with plenty of input from Charles County citizens throughout the long process. At this meeting, Smart Growth, low income housing and housing for the homeless, business development areas, transportation options, water quality, and environmental protections for our creeks and rivers were all items that were brought up to the Planning Commission for consideration. By the end of 2012, we should have a plan that incorporates ideas put forth by as many Charles County residents as possible. To make your wishes known to the Planning Commission, I encourage you to go online at www.CharlesCounty.org and fill out the survey, or just email the members to let them know what you want to see. You can also check out the schedule of public meetings, the meeting notes, and stakeholder interviews. This is our county. Let’s make it the best!

Maryland Forward Forum on Veterans

Peter — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:30:54 +0000

Veterans, lawmakers, and health professionals all came together at the Charlotte Hall Veterans’ Home today for Governor Martin O’Malley’s Maryland Forward Forum on Veterans. This was an opportunity to brainstorm for new ideas to address the issues most important to our veterans. Facilitators with experience in specific areas of veterans care led morning discussion sessions which included employment/job training, behavioral health, homelessness/housing, and benefits accessibility. Tele-mental health services and the mobile vet center were among the new forward thinking concepts for our local veterans’ care. Governor O’Malley led the afternoon forum which included guest speakers U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, and Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Edward Chow. Although more progress needs to be made for our large numbers of Southern Maryland veterans, forums like this one can really draw a focus to the concerns of those who most deserve our help.