Leadership Maryland accepting applications for 2017 class

Leadership Maryland, the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland by harnessing the strength of its local business and community leaders, is now accepting applications for the class of 2017. Leadership Maryland’s selection committee will choose 52 applicants to complete an eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the state’s most vital social, economic and environmental issues.

Applications are open to senior-level executives with significant achievements in either their careers and/or their communities. Ideal Leadership Maryland applicants will have a desire to learn more about Maryland’s most critical issues and a personal commitment to be a force for positive change in their organizations, their communities, and their state. The chosen class will reflect a cross-section of the state by including diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity and gender.

To be considered for the class of 2017, application packages must include: • Completed application, available online only at www.LeadershipMD.org; • Paid application fee of

$250; • Two references; • One letter of recommendation; • Authorizing official statement from applicant’s supervisor or CEO (unless applicant is self-employed or are their own

supervisor); • Professional color

photo Completed application packages and registration fee must be received by Leadership Mar yland, 134 Holiday Court, Suite 318, Annapolis, by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Upon acceptance of the application, candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview with members of the Leadership Mar yland selection committee. The selected class of 2017 will be announced in early February 2017.

Full information regarding Leadership Maryland’s application instructions, selection process, tuition and financial assistance, 2017 program dates and locations, and attendance policy are available at www.LeadershipMD.org. Anyone with questions may contact Leadership Maryland at 410-841-2101 or Info@LeadershipMD.org.

Forum aims to help race relations in the community

Charles County community members, faith leaders, law enforcement and other concerned citizens are hosting an “I’m All In: Creating an Atmosphere for Human Dialogue,” forum 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at New Life Church’s “The Dome,” 9695 Shepherd’s Creek Place, La Plata. This forum will provide an informative discussion from a diverse panel of community members, and breakout sessions to discuss opportunities for individuals and the community to become actively engaged, according to a press release. The goal is to prevent the violence and racial divide occurring throughout the country from happening in Charles County.

Anyone interested can register online through www.lifestylesofmd.org or via Facebook at www. facebook.com/lifestylesofmaryland.Hardcopy registration forms are also available for pick up at LifeStyles’ office 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday–Friday, at 101 Catalpa Drive, Suite 103, La Plata, at the Charles County Public Library locations, and faith-based locations throughout the county. Forms can be returned via email and fax to info@ lifestylesofmd.org. For more information, call 301-609-9800.

Sheriff’s office accreditation team seeks comments

A team of assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will arrive Aug. 1 to examine all aspects of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures, management, operations and support services as part of the agency’s continued efforts to maintain its accreditation. The sheriff’s office is seeking its sixth re-accreditation.

“The purpose of this visit by the team of assessors is to confirm the Charles County Sheriff’s Office continues to meet the commission’s standards and is part of a voluntary process to maintain CALEA accreditation,” said Sheriff Troy D. Berry (D) in a press release.

During the on-site assessment, agency employees and members of the community are invited to comment at a public information session 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, in the training classroom located at the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Headquarters, 6915 Crain Highway, La Plata.

Any person who cannot speak at the public information session but would still like to provide comments to the assessment team may do so by telephone. Calls will be taken by the assessment team at 301-609-6517 from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. Telephone comments as well as appearances at the public information session are limited to 10 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with CALEA standards. The CALEA standards are available for review from the office of planning and accreditation at the sheriff’s office headquarters. The planning and accreditation office may be contacted at 301-6096419.

Anyone wishing to offer written comments about the Charles County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to meet the standards for accreditation may write to John Gregory, regional program manager, at the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., 13575 Heathcote Blvd., Suite 320, Gainesville, VA 20155.

“CALEA assessors are law enforcement professionals from agencies located some distance away in order to maintain the objectivity of the assessment process,” said Danny Johnson, the agency’s deputy director of planning and accreditation, in the press release.

The assessors this year are Major Paul Baggett, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeland, Fla., and Lt. Virgil Hubbard, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville, Tenn. They will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance with CALEA standards can be verified. Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to be re-accredited.

Accreditation is for three years, during which the agency must submit annual reports affirming continued compliance with those standards under which it was accredited. For more information regarding CALEA, call 800-368-3757 or 703-3524225, or go to www.calea.org.

County to host Bassmaster series

The Bassmaster Elite at Potomac River presented by Econo Lodge will take place Thursday, Aug. 11, to Sunday, Aug. 14. The event will include the Bassmaster Expo and Discover Quest Festival.

The tournament will begin at Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Point Road, Marbury, at 6:15 a.m. Aug. 11-12. Weigh-in will happen at 3 p.m.

On Aug. 13-14, weigh-in will take place at 3 p.m. at the Indian Head Pavilion and Village Green, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head.

The Bassmaster Expo and Discover Quest Festival will take place noon-5 p.m. Aug. 13-14 at the Indian Head Pavilion and Village Green, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head.

Free admission and parking for tournament spectators. Food and drink available for purchase. Go to www. bassmaster.com/ tournaments/ bass mate r-elite- potomac-river for information about Bassmaster Elite.

For more information about Discover Quest, go to www. CharlesCountyMD.gov/DiscoverQuest.Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800735-2258.

County accepting legislative proposals until Aug. 26

Any citizen, group, or organization interested in submitting a legislative proposal or suggestion for revision or amendment to an existing state law must submit a written request to the Office of the County Attorney to: 2017 Legislative Request, Office of the County Attorney, P.O. Box 2150, La Plata, MD 20646.

Each proposal must be received by the Office of the County Attorney no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, in order for the proposal to be included in the Charles County Commissioners 2017 Preliminary Legislative Package.

The Charles County Commissioners have established the time

guidelines for the preparation of their 2017 General Assembly Legislative Package. Each proposal requiring Maryland General Assembly enactment will be included in a preliminary package available for distribution on Friday, Sept. 2, and presented to the county commissioners at a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. Anyone submitting a proposal will be asked to attend the hearing to provide a brief synopsis of the initiative and answer questions.

A preliminary work session will be scheduled to review the proposals and determine which ones will be included in the county commissioners’ 2017 General Assembly Legislative Package and forwarded to the Charles County Delegation for consideration.

For more information, call the Office of the County Attorney at 301-645-0555. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800735-2258.

‘Grazing’ workshop to help livestock farmers available

The Maryland Grazers Network and Chesapeake Bay Foundation in partnership with the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) and the University of Maryland Extension will host an on-farm ‘grazing’ workshop for grass-based livestock producers on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 301-274-1922, ext. 1.

CSM hosts annual foundation golf tournament

Over its 25 year lifetime, the College of Southern Maryland Foundation’s Golf Classic signature event has brought together golf enthusiasts, college alumni, community leaders and the business community to raise more than $700,000 for scholarships for CSM credit and non-credit students as well as for CSM athletic programs.

This year’s event will be held Thursday, Aug. 18, at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club in Issue, which has hosted every classic since the tournament began.

This year also marks the 15th year Marrick Homes has been the lead sponsor of the golf classic. Marrick Homes has pledged to be a grand tournament sponsor for the next four years.

This year, state Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton (D-Charles) of the college’s class of 1966 will be the honorar y guest. Middleton will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his graduation from the college during the homecoming-themed golf tournament.

“From a statewide perspective, I see the college as one of the best entities of the Maryland community college system,” Middleton said in a press release. “CSM means so much to the community. This golf tournament is a way to bring the citizens and business community together in a fun way to show support for an institution that is a source of pride for the entire Southern Maryland region.”

Other CSM alumni and former athletes from the college are expected to attend.

Check-in and continental breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 18, with a shotgun start for golfers at 9 a.m. The tournament will use the captain’s choice format. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the course. A dinner and silent auction will begin at 3 p.m. There will be closest-to-the-pin and longest drive contests for men and women.

Those who want to join in the festivities but would prefer not to golf in the tournament may wish to tr y out the Sip and Swing for an IMPACT. Participants looking to improve or familiarize themselves with the game of golf can enjoy a day of golf instruction paired with a wine tasting. Check-in will begin at 11:15 a.m., followed by a wine and food tasting at 11:30 a.m. At 1 p.m., there will be interactive clinics that feature putting, chipping and full-swing techniques. Sip and Swing participants will join the other golfers for dinner and a silent auction later in the day.

Go to www.foundation.csmd.edu/news-events/golf-classic for sponsor, golfer, Alumni Row and Sip and Swing registrations. Sponsorships and golfer registration deadline is Aug. 5. The Sip and Swing early bird cost will be $75 per person, or $100 per person after July 31.

For more information, contact Erika Abell in the CSM Development Department at 301-9347647 or Erika.Abell@csmd.edu. Information on the CSM Foundation can be found at www.csmd.edu/Foundation/.