Most of you would agree that 2009 gave us many challenges – the collapse of many industry giants, the worsening economy, and the continuing effects of the mortgage crisis hit many families hard.  However, I was encouraged when I saw how friends and families pulled together to give each other strength during this time.

We are extremely fortunate to live in Charles County surrounded by so much natural beauty.  As many families cut back on their spending, I heard of plans to ride bikes on our new Rail Trail, catch a few fish in the Mattawoman Creek, and visit the county and state parks in our region.  These types of events cost little and they are nearby our homes.

I want to thank the many volunteers who keep sports activities available for families.  The booster clubs at our schools certainly help to see that our teams get new uniforms and equipment, but they also help maintain the fields and keep the snack bar open for refreshments at the games.  One father told me that he could not give enough praise to the coaching staff at Westlake High School.  He said that the coaches worked with several students on their own time, both to improve their performances and also to encourage them to stay in school.  Cameron Ballard of Bryans Road was recognized this year for his efforts and devotion to soccer.  The gift of time from volunteers throughout the county makes a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.

How about the countless hours that the volunteers give to our Girl and Boy Scouts?  Getting our children involved in these programs not only helps them grow, but also encourages them to be part of our community.  I was fortunate to attend several Eagle Scout ceremonies and came away amazed with the commitment of these young men.  Larry Wright of Maryland Bank and Trust received the “Good Scout” Award this year for his outstanding service to the community and his efforts to promote scouting in Charles County.  You only have to talk to him a few minutes to know that this is a labor of love.

The Charles County Arts Council continues to schedule programs that families can enjoy together.  Teaching a child about art and music gives them enrichment for a life time.  Each year they hang pictures drawn by school children in the State House and the General Assembly buildings.  The talent displayed by these youngsters is outstanding.  We also have wonderful arts programs conducted by the Mattawoman Creek Art Center, the Potomac Wildlife Art Show, the Port Tobacco Players, and the Black Box Theatre in Indian Head.

I also have an “art gallery”  in the hall outside my office.  The first year I served in the General Assembly I was fortunate to have several county watercolors by Barbara Stepura.  Last year we highlighted paintings of children who attended the Art Camp held at Durham Church.  This year we have work from the Charles County 4-H Clubs and will have some art from Barbara Stepura and friends featuring the Rail Trail.

We are also fortunate to have so many of our friends active in community events.  I usually try to attend the festivals at Cobb Island and Hughesville, the Veterans Day Parade in La Plata, and Indian Head River Arts Fest.   The volunteers who work on these events put in long hours so that we can celebrate our special communities.  While the festivals are a lot of fun for us all, there are many groups which work mostly behind the scenes to make life better in Charles County.  I would include the service organizations, faith communities, etc., who unselfishly raise money and work all year in support of so many excellent programs.

While we are giving out kudos we should also remember our county employees who help make our county the place we want to live and raise our families.  I know all of us are grateful for the efforts of our teachers and administrators who dedicate themselves to the education of our children.  I cannot say enough about how helpful the librarians are at my local branch.  The local libraries are a good educational and entertainment resource for families.   I was also glad to see the statistics that crime was down in Charles County.  This is the result of the dedicated employees of the Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Coffey’s efforts to get more citizens involved in fighting crime both as volunteers and the annual National Night Out campaign.

This year we had a lot of media attention to the flu season and H1N1 virus.  Behind the scenes Dr. Devadason of the County Health Office stayed in contact with the State authorities to make flu shots available.  He also has worked very hard to get Charles County grants to aid smoking cessation, colorectal and prostate cancer studies, and a pediatric dental clinic.   All of us can be encouraged that the health issues in our county are being addressed and that we have such a dedicated staff in our Health Department.

I would also like to recognize the many agencies who work with our most vulnerable populations, children, those with serious illnesses, and our seniors.  We have many social service organizations that do wonders on a shoestring budget and this has been an extremely difficult year for them.  We also have groups of citizens who raise money when a neighbor has a house fire, take food when a family has a crisis, or donate a load of wood when the weather turns cold.  Some of our neighbors even form their own groups to help out, such as Joe Plemons who runs Joe’s Place, a food pantry out of Durham Church; or Marie Halter who coordinates the volunteer driver program for disabled American Veterans.  These are people who see our needs every day and care enough to take action and make a difference.

We also cannot forget to recognize the vital role that our business community plays in supporting our communities.  Each year when I attend the Leading Edge Awards,  sit in on a Chamber of Commerce meeting, or talk to the command at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, I am reminded of the dedication and commitment that these employers make to the lives of not only their employees but to our county.  Many of you work outside our county; but many of you also moved to Charles County because your coworkers were happy to live here.  We also cannot forget the contributions that our farmers and watermen make to the vitality of our county.

For all of the groups and individuals mentioned above, as well as the citizens who take time to contact me to ask questions, raise issues, or offer their opinions, I am glad that I live in Charles County.  I want to thank you for electing me to represent you in the General Assembly.  As I prepare for the days ahead in the 2010 Session of the General Assembly, I will remember why I am here – namely to represent you and to support all the good things we have in Charles County.

Please do not hesitate to contact me and to express your views or raise issues of concern.  In the meantime, I will be in touch with you concerning the major issues facing us this legislative session as well as a summary of the bills I will be sponsoring.

With best wishes,
Sincerely,
Peter F. Murphy

Charles County, District 28