The Clerks of the Circuit Court held their Legislative Day in Annapolis.  They are responsible for the administration and collection of many fees for services rendered through the Court System.  They administer a wide variety of licenses:  marriage, business, and sporting.  The Clerk of the Court collects fees for filing civil, criminal, and juvenile actions.  They record liens and judgments, handle land records for deeds, mortgages and leases.  They also process the selection of juries for both Grand and Petit Jurors.  This is a busy office and we are lucky in Charles County to have the services of Clerk of the Court Sharon Hancock.

The briefing today for the Ways and Means Committee was Election Law.  We first heard from the State Board of Elections that they are moving forward as directed by the Legislature to procure a new optical scan voting system.  They will purchase 2,000 voting units and eventually an additional 2,000 ballot marking devices.  Presently we have 18,000 touch screen voting units.  Originally, it was assumed that the new voting system would be less expensive than the touch screen system to maintain; however, that will not be the case.

Next we heard from the Maryland Association of Counties which is asking that the conversion to the new optical scan voting system be delayed.  County governments are required to pay for half of the costs of the statewide voting system and related expenses.  The counties are suffering the same budget crunch that the State is experiencing and does not have the money for the new machines.  The counties feel that the present system is fully functional and effective.  There have been no major problems with the touch screen system.

The last presentation was by Save Our Votes an organization which is concerned about what will happen if the State needed to have a recount and had no paper ballots or verifiable method to count the votes.  They are concerned about the security vulnerabilities in touch screen voting.

These are weighty issues that we face.  No one wants to think that any vote was not counted.  By the way, this year voters may cast their votes at an Early Voting Center.  The Center for Charles County will be the Board of Elections’ office in La Plata.

Maryland Parks held a discussion day in Annapolis entitled “Maryland’s Parks: One of Maryland Better Ideas.  In various panel discussions, they addressed the impact parks have on healthy lifestyles, community sustainability, and the different roles of national, state, and local parks.  We are lucky in Charles County to have great examples of all three.

Many of you know that I am very interested in Chapman State Park and have attended meetings with the Friends of Chapman State Park and Ranger Patrick Bright who is the Area Manager for the Maryland Park Service.  He recently sent me a list of accomplishments that have been made at the Park in the last who years.  I think you will agree that they have made some definite progress.

DNR’s Maryland Park Service & Friends of Chapman State Park

2008 – 09 Chapman State Park Milestones

Environmental Sustainability

• Redoubled Potomac shoreline cleanups, removing approximately 2 tons of trash, during Potomac River Clean Up and various volunteer days involving local scouts, businesses, and community groups!  Debris sample include 110 tires, 555 disposable lighters, over 200 hundred road flare caps, over 2000 expended shotgun shells &/or wadding….
• All underground fuel oil and gasoline tanks removed from the park.
• Numerous, successful invasive plant removal events.
• Rare, Threatened, and Endanger Species Study completed.

Historic Preservation

• A state of the art security system was installed in the Mt. Aventine mansion.
• The ancient Mt. Aventine mansion furnace was finally replaced!
• Specifications for Mt. Aventine exterior renovation drafted and competitive bidding process initiated.  Contract should be awarded by close of 2009.

Recreation and Visitor Services

• Longshadows and River Cabin were boarded up to deter vandals.
• New fences installed at the Mt. Aventine Area gate.
• Mt. Aventine porches repaired and painted.
• Deadfall trees were removed from all park trails.
• Trail map completed.
• Coastal Woodlands trail rerouted around active eagle’s nest and reopened.
• Park designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society.
• Expanded deer hunting opportunities.

Partnerships & Collaborations

• Search and Rescue Dogs of Maryland (SARDOM) increasing use of park facilities.
• George Washington University (GW) School of Business, Tourism Program.
• The Friends of Chapman State Park officers and Board of Directors were recently elected and expanded!

Initiatives Planned for 2010

• Mt. Aventine exterior renovations to be completed in early 2010.
• Launch the long-awaited park website in early 2010.
• Work closely with DNR Heritage program to target the removal of the invasive Japanese Stilt Grass on the park’s Ridge Trail.
• Coordinate with DNR Wildlife unit to better manage the growing deer herd.
• Targeted “natural filters” reforestation of approximately ten acres to aid in habitat and Potomac/Bay water quality.
• Expand SARDOM partnership to afford more training access and presence in park.
• Expand collaboration with GW’s Tourism program to involve Chapman State Park in its “Sustainable Destinations” curriculum.

The Monday evening session is often used to recognize achievements as more people can get to Annapolis after work and attend a session.  This Monday the Maryland Humanities Council recognized Ryan Burton, a student at Milton Somers Middle School, five other students, and the Maryland History Day Teacher of the Year.

Ryan received first place at the statewide competition for his documentary, Benjamin O. Davis, and won Outstanding State Entry for Maryland at the National History Day competition.  The House of Delegates presented him with a Resolution for his outstanding achievement.  I had a chance to meet Ryan and have a few words with him and was immediately impressed.  I was proud that he is a student from Charles County.

On Sunday January 24th, the Mattawoman Creek Art Center (MCAC) held their 11th Annual Six Picks Student Exhibit which showcases the art works of Charles County high school students. Delegate Levy and I had the honor to present the student artists with their award certificates and prizes.

Barbara Stepura, Chair of the art show, opened the ceremony by thanking us for attending and for our support in getting the MCAC driveway paved so that patrons no longer have to drive on a dirt road to the art center. MCAC President Mary Agnes Swann also presented a lifetime membership certificate to Delegate Levy for his support of the MCAC since his early days as a county commissioner. Ms. Stepura closed the event by saying that all the students were winners even if they didn’t get a ribbon or a monetary prize. She said that having their art works displayed at the MCAC meant that they had really accomplished something great. The entries were judged by Ms. Sally Parker who studied art at both the University of Maryland and at the Smithsonian.

It was a pleasure to spend time reviewing the students’ drawings, oil paintings, ceramics and photographic works on display; and I was sincerely impressed with the talents of the Charles County high school students. Arts programs in schools enhance the educational experience for all students.    I reminded the students and their parents that the Charles County delegates have scholarships available for 2010 high school graduates which can be used for art degrees as well as other fields of study.