Independence Day!
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THURSDAY , JULY 2, 2009 INDEPENDENCE DAY ! ST. MARY ’S CELEBRATE S AM ER I CA ’S BI RTHDAY PAGE 14 LOCAL MAN IS NEWE S T AS TRONAUT Story Page 11 MAN CHAR G ED IN INTERNET RAD I O CO M E S ROAD RA G E INC I DENT TO SOUTHERN MD Story Page 17 Story Page 24 Photo by Frank Marquart The County Times Thursday, July 2, 2009 2 Your Paper... Your Thoughts Summertime in St. Mary’s County Do you think that the county has an adequate fourth of July fire- works display? “I love the fire- works display at the fairgrounds! I go every year,” said Gerald Good- win from Great Mills. “It’s great because I always see people I know, friends, co-workers, everyone has a good time, and the show last year was awesome.” Jessica Potter of Lexington Park said, “I honestly have not seen the fireworks here, because last year it rained. Actu- ally I’m working at Catamaran’s on Sat- urday, too, so I won’t see them this year.” 100 County Wide Poll 80 60 Ye s 84% 40 20 Not Sure No 12% 4% 0 Join Our Polling Pool The County Times is seeking readers who are interested in joining our polling pool. If you would like to be contacted to re- spond to future polls, please send us your town and telephone number in an email to [email protected] or phone in the information at 301-373-4125. 3 Thursday, July 2, 2009 The County Times On The Covers This year ON THE FRONT the fireworks Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department were bigger, lon- is hosting Fireworks and a car show on ger, higher, and July 4th louder. They were the best ever. We ON THE BACK had close to 2,000 BMX season heats up. people come down to watch the fireworks.” Also Inside 4 County News -Harry Grant 6 Town News President of the Golden 7 State News Beach Patuxent Knolls 8 Editorial/Opinion Civic Association 10 Money community 11 Defense and Military Howell Becomes Miss Golden Beach SEE PAGE 32 13 Obituaries 14 On The Cover All American 15 Education Page 15 17 Crime and Punishment Stimulus Will 23 History Help Nab 24 Entertainment Fugitives 25 Going On Weather Page 17 26 Food 27 Wandering Minds Watch 28 Games 31 Newsmakers 32 Community Stock Market 34 Sports News FOR WEEKLY STOCK MARKET Sports 35 BMX Local Gone Fishing CLOSING RESULTS, CHECK 36 Bleachers SEE PAGE 39 PAGE 10 IN MONEY 38 Blue Crabs Do You Feel Crabby When You Get Your Insurance Bill in the Mail? Give Us A Call. You’ll Be Glad You Did. An Independent Agent Representing: ERIE INSURANCE GROUP Sitting left to right: Lisa Squires, Susan Ennis, Katie Facchina. Standing left to right; Gary Simpson, Dan Burris, Jake Kuntz. April Hancock PO Box 407 Bryans Road, MD 20616 Burris’ Olde Towne Insurance 301-743-9000 Auto - Home - Business - Life Leonardtown & LaPlata Bus: (301) 475-3151 (301) 934-8437 Charles County www.danburris.com James Manning McKay - Founder Eric McKay -Associate Publisher..................................ericmckay@countytimes.net Tobie Pulliam - Office Manager..............................tobiepulliam@countytimes.net Sean Rice-Associate Editor.......................................................seanrice@countytimes.net Angie Stalcup - Graphic Artist.......................................angiestalcup@countytimes.net Andrea Shiell - Community [email protected] Chris Stevens - Sports Correspondent............................chrisstevens@countytimes.net Guy Leonard - Government [email protected] P.O. Box 250 • Hollywood, Maryland 20636 Matt Suite - Sales Representative..........................................mattsuite@countytimes.net News, Advertising, Circulation, Classifieds: 301-373-4125 Helen Uhler - Sales Representative....................................helenuhler@countytimes.net The County Times Thursday, July 2, 2009 4 Guinness Book Of Records holds the record for being un ews the book most stolen from Public Libraries. Fact Foundation Suing Sheriff For Bingo License Officials: Marine Launch Service By Guy Leonard hall in Mechanicsville, from which the out- Staff Writer reach group leases space. Coming Into Compliance Local and federal authorities have raided By Guy Leonard A group called ADF Community Out- ADF Bingo twice in the past year, once in Staff Writer Town Creek Marine Dispute reach Foundation, Inc. is suing the county 2008 and again this year, over alleged incon- sheriff over his refusal to grant them a bingo sistencies in reports of payouts to local chari- A marine launch service has been license. ties from the proceeds generated by gambling operating from the shoreline along Town A hearing in the case has been set for July machines operating there. Creek for almost a year without a per- 6 in Circuit Court, according to online court “They are completely separate entities,” mit; however, the owner of Cape Henry documents. said McManus, who represented the owner Launch, Gary Bradford, is cooperating Thomas McManus, attorney for ADF of ADF Bingo hall, Sharon L. Modlin, dur- with the county to get proper site plan ap- Community Outreach Foundation, Inc., said ing law enforcement investigations into her proval, say officials with the Department A that the group, headed by Alice Gaskins, is operations. of Land Use and Growth Management. B trying to compel Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron St. Mary’s detectives confiscated 64 Meanwhile, the owner of the near- to hand over the bingo license it applied for in gaming machines from ADF Bingo hall in by Town Creek Point Marina claims the 4 October 2008. May 2008 after finding what they alleged county has treated him unfairly by al- “ADF Community Outreach has been were discrepancies in reports of payouts to lowing the Cape Henry Launch site near qualified for sometime for a bingo license,” the St. Mary’s Hospital auxiliary and another Saint Clair Road to stay open. McManus said. charity. “I have no dispute with Mr. Brad- In the suit filed in February 2009, Gaskins The operation by local detectives also ford, my dispute is with the county,” The owner of Cape Henry Launch (“A”) failed to get an ap- proved site plan for his marine business in Town Creek, but is claims that Cameron is required to furnish a netted files and other items and was followed said Greg Burkhardt, owner of the Town now working with the county to complete a plan while con- license if a group is qualified. by a raid in March 2009 by FBI agents. Creek marina and Greg’s Marine Con- tinuing to operate. The owner of Town Creek Point Marina However, lawyers with State Attorney Despite the spotlight on ADF Bingo and struction, with offices in Mechanicsville (“B”) says he approached the county informally about start- General Douglas Gansler’s office who are questions over how the gambling proceeds and Lusby. “How come someone from ing a similar business but was told it would be untenable. representing Cameron have said that the sher- were distributed to charities, no charges out of state can just come in and start do- iff maintains that the operations of the com- have been filed against Modlin, Cameron ing business?” ing a site plan. Bradford was warned in Octo- munity outreach group must be investigated confirmed. Burkhardt claims that several years ago ber to have a site plan in by December or face further. McManus said Modlin has no connection he approached the county informally about a reinstated stop work order, but he provided a Cameron maintained that the community with the suit currently set in for the Monday operating a marine launch service from his plan by November, records show. outreach group did not meet requirements of hearing. facility off Bill Dixon Road and was told the Phil Shire, deputy director of the land a qualified organization, specifically with re- Cameron said he was unsure about any idea would be untenable, but that recently the use department, said that analysis of the plan gards to how long it had been in operation. connection between the two entities. county has been much more lenient with Brad- showed that Bradford might have to make al- “The indicators were they did not meet “Just because they claim to be separate ford’s operation. lowances for additional parking at his property the requirements of the law,” Cameron said. and apart doesn’t mean they are; part of their “I don’t understand why they don’t give as well as tree buffers. McManus said that the foundation is a name is ADF,” he said. me that treatment,” Burkhardt told The Coun- “They’re not major variances,” Shire said, separate organization from the ADF Bingo ty Times. “Why are we not all being treated who added that the land use department often the same?” made allowances for business owners who Burkhardt said he has since formally start operations without a permit beforehand applied for marine terminal status with the as long as they sought approval in good faith. county. “We’re working towards his getting a Bradford transports men and equipment sight plan approved,” Shire said. “It’s as old Amish & Mennonite from his docks near the Thomas Johnson Produce • Fine Goods • Wooden & Vinyl Furniture • Local Crafts as time.” bridge to ships in the bay. Sometimes his busi- Bradford said that the regulations regard- ness transports sewage off vessels in the bay ing his operation, which he also runs in Point and brings it back to shore for the county to Lookout State Park and Tall Timbers and in dispose of, Bradford said. Food supplies are Virginia Beach, Va., were not clear. also part of the ferrying business, he said. “It’s been a long and confusing road,” OCAL According to county records, Bradford Y FOR L Bradford said. “The rules are challenging and STOP B had been ordered to stop work at his facility, & HANGING not necessarily appropriate.