thursday, july 17, 2008 • st. mary’s county, maryland...

Thursday, July 17, 2008 • St. Mary’s County, Maryland

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St. Mary’s Largest And Only Locally Owned Newspaper 17,342 Readers Thank You!

The County Times wishes to apologize to our read-ers for the graphic and descriptive content contained in the story last week pertaining to the alleged rape by a 16 year old of a minor.

While the content of the story was less graphic than the language contained in the police report, the editor and staff of the County Times believes it extended well beyond what was necessary to inform the public of this horrific charge.

Additionally, we send our deepest apology and sympathy to the victim and victim’s family.

The County Times assures our readers we will not use such graphic descriptions unnecessarily in future stories, while maintaining our commitment to pro-viding our readers with the information pertaining to events in our community which they have a right to be informed of.

An Apology To Our ReadersSuspect, 16-Years Old, Charged With Rape

By Guy LeonardStaff Writer

Most days of the week, Tina Fratan-tuono spends her time managing the bud-get and the expenses of the County State’s Attorney’s Office in the Leonardtown court-house, but her talents go far beyond balanc-ing the books.

She sings, too. So well, in fact, that she is one of several people who were invited to sing The Star Spangled Banner at the South-ern Maryland Blue Crabs home games.

“Some of the girls [in the office] knew I sang and they said I should audition for the blue crabs,” Fratantuono told The County Times.

Fratantuono’s April auditions netted her a chance to sing the national anthem back in June and again July 11.

She remembers her first rendition of the anthem at Regency Stadium near Waldorf with fondness.

The game was delayed for rain that day in June, she said, but once she took the field to sing a rainbow spread across the sky.

“It was like no other day… it was a mile-stone in my career,” Fratantuono said. “It was a touching moment for me.

“I love that [singing the national an-them] because I love my freedom. I have a lot of soldiers who are fighting to defend us.”

Fratantuono’s vocal talents have taken her to plenty of other places where the sing-ing of the national anthem is in demand as well.

She’s sung the song for fire/EMS events and for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. She’s even sung for the Board of County Commissioners’ Flag Day ceremony.

She became acquainted with her talents at a very young age.

“I’ve been performing since I was 4 years old,” Fratantuono said, adding that she once won a singing competition called “The

County Employee Takes Her Singing Voice To The Ball Field, Theatre

By Guy LeonardStaff Writer

Wendell Ignatius Ford, 44, a reputed longtime narcotics traf-ficker who local and federal authorities say was a major player in a drug distribution network throughout the East Coast, will spend the next 97 months in federal prison for his crimes.

Ford received his sentence July 12 from U.S. District Court Judge Roger W. Titus, along with five years of supervised proba-tion after his release.

Ford, along with 13 other conspirators who have either plead-ed guilty to drug charges or been sentenced to federal prison, was

Lexington Park Man Gets Nearly Eight YearsForNarcoticsTrafficking

part of a narcotics distribution network that operated mainly in St. Mary’s County from 1999 to 2006, according to infor-mation from the office of U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein.

See Singer page A-�

See Trafficking page A-2

Villopoto, Stewart Dominate Budds CreekVillopoto, Stewart Dominate Budds Creek

I’ve been able to ride real good here the last three races.” – Motocross Lites Points Leader Ryan Villopoto

I’ve been able to ride real good here the last three races.” – Motocross Lites Points Leader Ryan Villopoto

““Carl Stone photo

By Andrea Shiell and Guy Leonard Staff Writers

This week Leonardtown will be-come the center of state govern-ment activity and attention after Gov. Martin O’Malley arrives to

proclaim the town capital for a day

Thursday.Reminiscent of former Gov. Ehrlich’s “Cabinet Days”

wherein he and his staff traveled to municipalities to discuss local issues, O’Malley and all his cabinet level advisors will be there to strengthen ties with local government and citizens.

Local leaders here say they welcome the chance to show the governor and the state department heads the progress they’ve

Bringing The Cabinet To Southern MarylandLeonardtown Set to Become State Capital for a Day

See Capital For A Day page A-6

Friday saw the grand reopening of Woodburn’s in Solomons. Following the festive ribbon cutting that morning, shoppers were lined up down the street to come in and take advantage of the new gourmet mar-ket, which boasts an espresso bar, a large selection of gourmet wines and cheeses, and a host of other spe-cialty food items including international and organic foods. “We had a line of people reaching out into the street,” said owner Tommy McKay.

Natural Foods Market Reopens In Solomons

Photo Courtesy of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Tina Fratantuono, a fiscal specialist in the State’s Attorney’s Office, sings the Star Span-gled Banner for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Regency Stadium July 11.

Andrea ShiellStaff Writer

The Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Edu-cation held a joint meeting on Tuesday as part of their effort to review successes, failures, and future goals for the school system.

Superintendent Michael Martirano outlined the system’s third straight year of gains on the Maryland State Assessments. “The MSA

ReflectionAndProjection At Joint Meeting

See Joint Meeting page A-5

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown made his way to St. Mary’s College of Maryland on July 9th to address a full crowd at the inaugural equal employment oppor-tunity retreat for state professionals. He had an open discussion with the audience after which he toured the new “green” Goodpaster Hall, which received a silver rating from the Leadership in Energy and En-vironmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, and St. John’s Archaeological Site, among others.

Brown Visits St. Mary’s College For Equal Opportunity Retreat

SectionA-� The County Times Thursday,July17,�008

ByGuyLeonardStaffWriter

A man suspected of being an illegalimmigranthasbeenchargedwithsecond-degree rape and second-degree assault inanallegedattack thatoccurred in the latenight hours of July 12, sheriff’s deputiesreported.

InvestigatorswiththeSt.Mary’sCoun-tyBureauofCriminalInvestigationsallegethatAlvaroDominguez,24,aGuatemalannational, raped a female victim after wit-nessingagatheringatthevictim’shomeinLexingtonPark,whichhereportedlytriedtojoin.

DetectivesallegethatDominguez,whothey said had no fixed address, entered into the victim’s bedroom as she lay sleepingandrapedherthere.

The victim tried to fight off Domin-guez’s alleged assault, charging papersfiled in District Court by Detective Charles F.Earlestate,andshecalledforhelp.

Chargingdocumentsstate thatseveralwitnesses saw the defendant flee the resi-dencefollowingthevictim’scriesforhelp.

Witnesses at the gathering chasedDomingueztoanearbyresidencewhenpo-licearrivedtomakecontactwiththevictimand continue their investigation, chargingdocumentsreveal.

Policebeganasearchof theresidenceand, according to charging documents,foundDominguezhidingunderabedinabackroomofthehouse.Witnessesclaimedthat Dominguez was the man they saw flee-ingtheresidencewheretheallegedassaulttookplace,chargingdocumentsstate.

Detectivesfoundscratchmarksonthedefendant’s chest and stomach areas aftertheyarrestedhimanddetainedhimattheSheriff’s Office, court papers reveal. The scratches foundonDominguez seemed tomatchthedescriptionofdefensivewoundsthe victim told police she had inflicted on herallegedattacker.

Dominguez refused to cooperate withinvestigators,chargingdocumentsstate.

This is the second incident in recentweekswhereasuspectedillegalimmigranthasbeenchargedwithamajorcrime.

OnJune28,EddiG.Barrientos-Ibanezwaschargedwith twocountsofvehicularhomicide while under the influence of alco-holafteravehiclecrashonRoute235andBayForestRoadinDameron.

PolicesayIbanezwasthedriverofthevehicle in which two people were killedandtwoothersinjured.

Police charging documents also statethat sobriety tests revealed Ibanez hadtwicethelegallimitofalcoholinhisbloodafterthecrashhadoccurred.

WhileIbanezhadanImmigrationandCustoms Enforcement warrant applied tohim,Dominguezdidnot,accordingtoLt.

Rick Burris commander of the Bureau ofCriminalInvestigations.

“Webelievehe’sonlybeeninthecoun-try for about three weeks,” Burris said,adding that itwasnowknown if thiswasDominguez’s first time in the country.

Burris said that despite recent eventsillegal immigrants have not been a signifi-cantsourceoflocalcrime.

“We haven’t seen a rash of crimes byillegalaliens,”Burrissaid.“Butit’sacon-cern because communication barriers aresignificant during the investigation.”

Ifconvicted,Dominguezcouldreceivea 20-year prison sentence for the second-degree rape charge against him. The sec-ond-degree assault charge also carries apossible10-yearperiodof incarceration ifDominguezisfoundguilty.

Dominguez is currently incarceratedat theSt.Mary’sCountyAdultDetentionCenter.

DeputiesChargeManWithRape,Assault


Bruce and Doug Jansson, the remainingownersof theMulberryFieldsproperty,about500acresofwoodedrural landwithshorelineonthePotomacRiverthathaditsoriginsasan18th century plantation say that theywill keepthepropertyasitisaftertherecentdeathoftheirbrother Erik Jansson who had lived there andcaredfortheproperty.

Some in the community were concernedaboutthefutureoftheproperty,worriedthatthenearly pristine forest, rural land and shorelinewould be lost to possible development if soldoff.

Erik Jansson died suddenly June 27 atMulberry Fields: as a well-known local activ-istandenvironmentalist,hisdeathwaswidelymourned.

ThebrotherssaidthattheyarestillunsurehowtheywillmaintainthepropertyastheyliveinCaliforniaandWisconsinrespectively.Learn-ing how Erik kept the property and what finan-cial resources he left behindwould take time,theysaid.

“We’vejustcomeintotownandaretryingtolearnhowMulberryFieldshasworkedsofar,”said Bruce Jansson. “But we’re determined tokeepthepropertyinitscurrentstate.”

Thepropertyisprotectedbyastatehistori-cal easement “and it can never be developed”DougJanssontoldTheCountyTimes.

Thepropertyhasbeenintheirfamilysinceabout 1917, Bruce Jansson said, with it first being purchasedbytheirgreatauntJesseLennoxRay.

Ray eventually sold the property to theirparents,HolgerandMaryJanssonin1953.

BothHolgerandMaryJanssonhadtodealwithabusinessmanwhowantedtobuildariverfrontcasinoontheproperty.

A court battle ensued over who were the

rightfulowners,BruceJanssonsaid.“My parents had to take him to court to

provehedidn’tbuyit,”hesaid.“Andtheywon,that shows my mother’s determination to pre-servethepropertyfromsuchahorribleuse.”

Themansiononthepropertyisalsoanar-chitecturalrarityinMarylandandtheonlyoneinSt.Mary’sCounty.

“It’s the only Georgian-style house in thecounty,”saidTeresaWilson,preservationplan-nerforthecounty’sDepartmentofLandUseandGrowthManagement.

ThemansionatMulberryFieldsisactuallyascaleddownversionofthekindseeninAn-napolisorinVirginia,Wilsonsaid.

ThehouseislistedontheNationalRegistryofHistoricPlacesandwasaddedto the list in1973.

Any changes to the house, as well as aportion of the property, would have to first go throughthestate.

“TheMarylandHistoricalTrusthasanease-menton theproperty,”Wilson said. “Itmeansthatthetrusthassomeoversighttotheproperty.

“They’d [theowners]have toget approvalbeforeanystructuralchangescouldbemadetothehouse.It’saperpetualeasementandwhoeverpurchasesitwouldhavetorespectit.”

Thepropertyisalsohometoaheronrook-ery,Wilsonsaid,andalongwithalltheforesta-tionandopenspacemakesitavaluableenviron-mentalresource.

Otherstructuressuchasbarnsandresidenc-esalsositontheproperty,butdespitetheirage,thebrothers said, theydon’t seem topresentaproblem.

“Everything is ingoodshape, inexcellentstructuralconditionthankstotheeffortsofourparents and Eric.” Bruce Jansson said. “Thequestionnowishowdowe,fromafar,dowedothis.”

Owners:MulberryFieldsPropertyWillStayAsItIs


Recent acreage reports to the local FarmService Agency in Leonardtown show thatfarmersarehavingamuchbettergrowingsea-sonthisyearasopposedtolastsummerwhenseveredroughtdestroyedmanycropsandforcedthefederalgovernmenttodeclaremuchofthestateanagriculturaldisasterzone.

The rains that have fallen on SouthernMarylandinrecentmonthshavebeenenoughnotonlytobringtheregionoutofthedroughtbut to allow a surge in crop growth and re-fill precious water resources like creeks and streams,accordingtotheagency’slocaldirec-torAmyFarrell.

“Farmers are optimistic about this year’scrop,” Farrell told The County Times. “Theponds are finally full and the streams are back towheretheyshouldbe.

“That’sallgoodnews.”The outlook for corn and soybeans looks

promisingsofarthisseason,Farrellsaid,asdobarleyandwheat.

Farmersarereportingasmuchas75to80bushelsofyieldperacreonaverage;somelo-

cationsareyieldingasmuchas100bushelsanacre,shesaid.

However,alltherainshavepresentedtheirown problems. Some double crops, or cropsplanted twice on the same field in the same crop year, cannot be planted because there is toomuchwaterstillthere.

Somecorn in the southernportionof thecounty has been drowned as a result of theheavyrains,Farrellsaid.

Thoughsomesmallamountofthecrophasbeenlost,thecurrentsituationrepresentsadra-maticchangefromlastyear.

Overall crop losses during last year’sdroughtatthesametimewereabout65to70percent.Somesmaller farmingoperationsex-periencedatotallossoftheircrop.

Some fields last year only produced about 20to30bushelsperacreofcropslikecornandsoybeans.

St.Mary’sCountycropdamagewasworsethan the state’s overall average crop loss figures ofbetween30to60percent.

“It’s funny we couldn’t find a rain drop last year,”Farrell said. “It’s somuchbetter to seegreen.”

LocalCropsMakeComebackAfterLastYear’sDevastatingDrought

Alvaro Dominguez

During that period, Ford, along withotherlocalconspiratorssuchasKevinDar-nellDyson,36,ofSt.Mary’sCityandCoreyButler,35,ofMechanicsville,broughtpow-dered cocaine to St. Mary’s from varioussources in Maryland and North Carolinawhereitwasprocessedintocrackcocaine.Ford,Dysonandothersthendistributedthecocainetocustomersaccordingtoinforma-tion from Rosenstein’s office.

Theconspiratorsalsosoldpowderedco-caineaswell,federalauthoritiesstated.

Lt. Daniel Alioto, commander of theVice/NarcoticsUnitoftheSt.Mary’sCoun-ty Bureau of Criminal Investigations saidFord’s sentencing rounded out the case ofoneofthelargestlocalcocainedistributionnetworksinrecenthistory.

“Theyallhadahugeroleindistributingdrugstoourcounty,”AliototoldTheCoun-tyTimes.“ButithadarmsandtentaclesthatwenttoNewJerseyandNorthCarolina.”

Alioto said local investigators caughtontothedrugdistributingoperationbeforetherewas aBureau ofCriminal Investiga-tionsandwithfederalresourcesbroughtin,thecasebecameacoupforlocaldetectivesandfederallawenforcementalike.

“It was something [the investigation]that started right here in the sheriff’s office,” Aliotosaid.“Thisisahomegrowninvesti-gation…that’swhatmakesitsosatisfying.

“We[localandfederallawenforcement]reallykickedthemintheteethonthisone.”

According to press releases regardingFord’spleaagreement,Fordwasconvicted

of distributing five kilograms or more of co-caineaswellas50ormoregramsofcrackcocaine,butAliotosaidthequantitiesmighthavebeenmuchgreater.

“His conviction is what it is,” Aliotosaid. “It validates what law enforcementhassaidabouthimfor10years:he’sadrugdealer,he’sahugeplayer.

“His prison sentencemeans thatmuchless[drugs]isgoingtobeonthestreet.”

Dysonwassentencedto14yearsinfed-eralprisonback inMay forhis role in thetrafficking conspiracy and federal authori-tiesbelievedhewastheleaderofthelocalnetwork.

Law enforcement agents interceptedphonecallsfromDysoninwhichhespelledout events of a shooting in which he tookpartwhentwopeoplebrokeintohishome.From the conversations, detectives wereabletogetasearchwarrantforDyson’sresi-dencethatuncovereda.44caliberrevolver,12-gaugeshotgun,ammunitionandcocaineresidue.

AnothersearchatahomeusedbyDy-sontoprocessthecrackcocaineresultedinseveral firearms and associated ammunition beingfound.

Also sentenced in theconspiracywereTerry Barba, 36, of Newark, New Jerseyto20years in federalprison,EdwinEltonJohnson, 33, of Lexington Park sentencedto 86 months, Butler who received an 84-monthprisonterm,andTerranceJ.Brooks,25,ofLeonardtownwhoreceived78monthsinprison.

Seven other conspirators from St.Mary’sandonefromCalvertwerealsocon-victed and sentenced as part of the traffick-ingnetworkinthepastyear.

TraffickingContinued from page A-�

Thursday, July 17, 2008 The County Times Section A - �

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43/50 ct.

SectionA-� The County Times Thursday,July17,2008

P.O.Box250•Hollywood,Maryland20636

News, advertising, circulation, classifieds: 301-373-4125

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The County Times

Editorial&Opinion

YourHelpIsNeeded

HunterDeanScott,asweetandprecocious4-year-oldboywhoresidesinCalvertCountywith his parents Eric and Sandy Scott, wasrecentlydiagnosedwithbraincancer.Hehasjustundergonemajorbrainsurgerytoremoveamassivetumorthatwasencasinghisbrain.Hunterwillnowneedtoundergochemother-apyover thenext severalmonths inorder tocompletelyeradicatethecancer.

It is times like these that we find ourselves comingtogetherasfamilymembersandasacommunity.Eric,Sandy,andHunternotonlyneedourprayersandemotionalsupporttogetthem through this very difficult time, but they also need our financial support. Both Eric and Sandyworkfulltimejobsandoneofthemwillhave tobewithHunter throughoutallof themedicaltreatmentshewillneedinthecomingmonths,thuscausingthemtoendureamajorfinancial hardship, not to mention the expen-sivemedicaldeductibles thatwillhave tobepaid.

As family members and the founders oftheHunterDeanScottFoundation,weinviteyou to give whatever you can for this fam-ilyduringtheir timeofneed. Wehavebeenhumbled by the selflessness and compassion that has been shown to our familymembersalready and continue to be inspired to fight for thislittleboy.

AlldonationscanbemadetotheHunterDean Scott Foundation at the PNC Bank in Solomons, MD or mailed to P.O. Box 289, Sol-omons, MD 20688. For tax deduction purpos-es, EIN/TIN 26-2867635 has been set up for thisfoundation.Additionally,individualsandbusinesseswillbeacknowledgedviaa“ThankYou”adinthelocalnewspapers.

Again,weappreciateanysupportyoucangiveatthistime.

Dawn & Bambi BarrettLexingtonPark,Md

ThankYou

Thank you, thank you, Mr. McKay andallofyougoodpeopleandstaffatTheCoun-ty Times for providing a local paper free ofchargetoourcommunity.Youguysaredoingagreatserviceandneedtobecommendedforyourefforts.Itishardtobelieveyourpaperisstillfreewithrisingcostineveryfacetoflife,especiallygasoline.

LettheEnterpriseorSt.Mary’sTodaytryprovidingfreeissuesforawhile. WhoamIkidding? Soyouguysare thebest. Keep itcoming.

To the “Country Girl”, Terri Bratz Bowles, what a great article titled “Crab Ball”. You

described your experience at the SoMD Blue Crabsgamejustperfect.Icouldn’tagreemore.Because of a good friend we have attended closetotengamesalreadyandeachtimehasbeenathrill.

Greatfamilyentertainmentiswhat’sdoneateverygameandthestaffthereisthefriendli-est.Terriyouarerightpeoplejusthavetogo.Itisafunandgreattime.Iwouldn’tmindget-tingajobthere.Someofourlocalfriendsareworkingtherenow.Whatabeautifulstadiumand fireworks. Great article Terri, Go Crabs! Thankyouagain“CountyTimes”

Donnie“Noodle”GarnerHollywood,Md

KeepTerrorismOutOfTheUS

IamwritingthisletterinresponsetotheletterwrittenbyJamesP.CusickSr.andprint-ed in your July 3rdedition.LikeMr.CusickIamnothappywithournationsdebt.Iamalsonotpleasedwithmuchofour foreignpolicy,ourimmigrationpolicy,orhealthcarepolicies.ThelistcouldgoonandIamoftheopinionthatnotjustonepersononepoliticalparty,oroneadministrationcanbeblamedforthefailureonsomanyfrontsbutrathermanyofallpoliticalstripessharetheblameandwholesalechangeisneeded inourgovernment. However,Mr.Cusick’snotionthatAmericanlivesshouldbeputinjeopardytosavemoneyisludicrous.

Inthiscountrymoneyhasalwaystakenabackseat tohumanlife. Weconstantlyhearweshouldgiveupourcashandavoid resist-inganarmedrobber,wespendmillionsonob-scurediseasesthataffectonlyasmallsegmentofourpopulations,andwesendbillionsabroadtoaidgriefstrickenpeoplearoundtheworld.It is theAmericanway,sotosuggestweputourselvesatthemercyofterroristsinordertoreducethenationaldebtisplainnotAmerican.Mr. Cusick seems to be willing to write offsomebuildingsoranAmericancityortwotosaveabuck.Icanonlyhopeheandthosewhothinklikehimaretheonlyoneshomeiftheygettheirwishandthereisanotherterroristat-tack.Isuspecttheywouldviewthenationaldebtdifferentlyfromundertherubble.AsanadvocateforSenatorObama,Mr.Cusickcon-firms some of the points made by the Obama detractors.Mr.Cusickshouldaskthosewholost loved ones on 9/11, or in Oklahoma City, oron theUSSCole if itwouldbeconsoling

tothemiftheybelievedtherelosswasintheinterest of reducing the nation’s deficit. If Mr. CusickspeaksforSenatorObamaorhissup-porters,hejusthelpedmemakeupmymindwhoI’llbevotingfor.

Ignoring realityhasneverworked in thepastand itwon’tworknoweither. This lib-eral idealism comes from La La Land. Eu-ropetriedthisinthethirtiesandifitweren’tfor theUnitedStates thoseofuswhowouldhave survived the ovens would be speakingGerman.IamnotawarmongerandIhatetohear about the sacrifices our military men and womenmakeforthiscountryonourbehalfbutthankGodtheydo.ThefactistherearepeopleinthisworldthatwanttokillAmericansandarebentondoingjustthat.Peaceonearthisawonderfuldreambutjustwishingforitdoesn’tmakeithappen.Historyspeaksforitselfandthosewiththeirheadsinthesandshouldkeepthem there and take a beep breath!

IfthisisSenatorObama’sforeignpolicyorhisoptiontoreducethenationaldebtmydeci-sion inNovemberwillbeeasy. Ipersonallyfavor a voting option of, “none of the above–doitover”,butunfortunatelythatwillnotbeanoption.I’llhavetosettleforthenextbestthingandpassedonMr.Cusick’sperspectiveitwillnotbeSenatorObama.AslongsthereisterrorismintheworldIwanttokeepitoutsideoftheUnitedStatesandIamwillingtopayforthat,regardlessofhowmuchmoneyitcosts.

Sincerely,DavidA.RyanHollywood,Md

Obama,ATrueChristian

I feel I must counter the false claimsagainst our next President – Barack Obama.

President Bush has claimed to be against abortion for 8 years now and the abortions are stillgoingonatavery fastpace. Thereforesuch claims against Senator Obama are justpoliticalrhetoricwithoutanysubstance.Itisthe U.S. Supreme Court that declared abor-tionsaslegalandasConstitutionalandthatisthelawofthelandregardlessofwhoeverisPresident.

RunningforPresidentdoesnotmeanrun-ningas some leaderof religion like runningfor Pope- no Bush still now keeps claiming

tobe some religiousChristianbecausehe isagainst abortions while at the same time hetortures prisoners, he lies about weapons ofmass destruction, he puts the USA into un-justandignorantwars,hespendsournationaldebt to over nine (9) trillion dollars, and Bush demands thepower to spyonAmericansbysnooping into our emails and our telephonecalls,andJohnMcCainpromisestodooreofthesame.

By electing Barack Obama it will give us a trueChristianasourPresident,and itwillgiveusarealPresidentthatactuallyobeysthelawoftheland.

JamesP.CusickSr.LexingtonPark,Md

HoyerIsPartOfTheProblem

ThepeopleoftheUnitedStatesarefacedwithmanygreatchallenges,bothforeignanddomestic,andnottheleastoftheseistheUnitedStatesCongress.TheCongresshasbecomesofarremovedfromthemainstream,corebeliefsoftheAmericanpeoplethat,ifpresentedwiththeTenCommandments,theywouldwanttoamend it. If presented with the Bill of Rights, they would not enact it! The situation has be-comesuchthatnogreaterthreattoAmericanlife,libertyandthepursuitofhappinessexiststhanwhile theCongress is in session.WhatneedstobedoneisclearlystatedintheDec-laration of Independence, “… whenever anyFormofGovernmentbecomesdestructiveoftheseends,itistheRightofthePeopletoalterortoabolishit…;itistheirright,itistheirduty,tothrowoffsuchGovernment,andtoprovidenewGuardsfortheirfuturesecurity.”

In his address to Congress, December 8, 1829, President Andrew Jackson wrote: “There are,perhaps,fewmenwhocanforanygreatlength of time enjoy office and power without being more or less under the influence of feel-ings unfavorable to the faithful discharge oftheirpublicduties…theyareapt toacquireahabitoflookingwithindifferenceuponthepublicinterestsandoftoleratingconductfromwhichanunpracticedmanwould revolt.Of-fice is considered as a species of property, and

government rather as a means of promotingindividualintereststhanasaninstrumentcre-atedsolelyfortheserviceofthepeople.Cor-ruptioninsomeandinothersaperversionofcorrectfeelingsandprinciplesdivertgovern-mentfromitslegitimateendsandmakeitanengineforthesupportofthefewattheexpenseofthemany.”AmoreaccuratedescriptionoftheCongresstodaycouldnotbewritten.

EverytwoyearstheAmericanpeoplehavetheopportunitytoaltertheCongress.Nowisthe time todoso.ThepeopleofMaryland’s5th Congressional District have an obligation tothemselvesandtotheNationtodotheirparttohelp restoregovernmentof thepeople,bythepeople, and for thepeople.Wecan senda message and a warning, which will echothroughoutthehallsofCongress,thatwewillnolongertoleratethecontinuationofpoliticsasusual.Wecandosobybringingtoanendthetenure in office of Congressman Steny Hoyer, wholongagobecameaprofessionalpoliticianratherthanarepresentativeofthepeople.Hisremoval from Congress will be to our benefit, notourdetriment,becauseHoyerisapartoftheproblem,notthesolutiontowhatiswrongintheUnitedStatesCongress.

CynthiaL.JonesValleyLee,MD

On Thursday, Maryland GovernorMartin O’Malley will make his first official visit to St. Mary’s County since becomingGovernor nearly two years ago. With halfof theGovernor’sfour-year termalreadybe-hindhim,thereisalotofcatchinguptodo,moreimportantly,thereisonlyashortperiodoftimeremainingtoaddresstheneedsofourcounty.

SouthernMarylandhasbeen largelyoff theGovernor’s radar screen since takingoffice; hopefully this trip to St. Mary’s will pavethewayforamoreinteractiverelation-shipoverthenexttwoyears.

O’Malley has been conducting hisstategovernmentroadshowforthepasttwoyears, with Salisbury, La Plata, and Bel Air all having been Capital for a day last year.Besides Leonardtown, this year’s list of road show stops includes Hagerstown, Chester-town,PocomokeCity, PortTowns inPrinceGeorgesCounty,Cumberland,Gaithersburg,

andEllicottCity. Havingusheredinthelargesttaxin-

creaseinthehistoryofMaryland,withbud-get deficits still looming large in spite of huge taxincreasesduetolackofspendingcontrol,O’Malley’sprimaryreasonforhaulinghoardsofstateworkersallaroundthestateforthesepublicrelationseventsistogeneratepositivepressforanunpopularGovernor.He’sobvi-ously hoping voters will remember the bigCapitalforadayeventratherthanhowhardthisGovernorhasbeenonyourwallet.

Still, it’s good the Governor is finally coming to St. Mary’s County, hopefully wewillseeapositivechangeinthisadministra-tionsviewof theneedsof this growing andvibrantsectionofMaryland.

At thisstage inMaryland’spreviousGovernor’s term, Governor Ehrlich had vis-itedSt.Mary’sCountyonfourseparateocca-sions.ItwasnosecretthatEhrlichconsideredSouthernMarylandavitaleconomicandjob

growthenginefortheState,andwenttogreatlengths to provide an extraordinary level ofsupportforprojectsinSouthernMaryland.

Ehrlichwasveryengagedwiththelo-cal community during the BRAC process and during difficult state budget times was able to find funding for large infrastructure projects inSouthernMaryland,includingtheHughes-ville Bypass, and the purchase of the former Flat Tops Housing Community with 84 acres ofhighdensityhousingslatedforre-develop-ment,potentiallyposinganencroachmentissuefor our community during the BRAC process. Fundingforroads,schools,landpreservation,lawenforcementandparkswasextraordinaryduringtheEhrlichadministration.

PracticallyeverymajorprojectgoingontodayinSt.Mary’sCountybeganduringtheEhrlichadministration, including theex-pansion of Chancellors Run Road, the con-struction of the new Evergreen ElementarySchool, and even the planning for a second

span of the Thomas Johnson Bridge. We have yet to see anything from

O’Malley’s administration that demonstratesanywhere near the commitment level of theprioradministration.MaybeO’Malley’svisittoSt.Mary’swillopenhiseyestoourcountyandtheenormousopportunityweofferasoneofthemoredynamicworkplaceenvironmentsintheStateofMaryland.

JustasimportantwillbetheentourageofCabinetSecretaries thatwill come toourCounty. Ehrlich’scabinet includedtwoSec-retariesfromSouthernMaryland;O’Malley’scabinethasnone. Hopefully thiswillbeanopportunity for O’Malley to reevaluate thatdecisionandsoonappointacabinetsecretaryfromSouthernMaryland.

We’vebeenwaitingpatientlyoverthepast two years; St. Mary’s County residentswillbewatchingcloselytoseewhatthenexttwoyearsbrings.

MaybeTheExtra-LongWaitWillProvideFreshFocus

Thursday, July 17, 2008 The County Times Section A - �

trend date from 2005-2008 validates our in-structional approach,” he said, crediting school system initiatives for this year’s numbers. “We are above state standards in all areas,” he said, adding that the most significant gains could be seen at the middle school level.

Scores for mathematics showed a 12.4 percent increase in proficiency in advanced mathematics for students in seventh grade, and a 14.1 percent increase for students in eighth grade. Reading scores rose by 9.1 percent for seventh grade students, and 4.2 percent for eighth grade students.

Martirano noted that this is the first year that such a large percentage of students had tested proficient at advanced levels for math-ematics and English, and he expects that the Maryland State Department of Education’s yearly progress report will reflect significant gains.

On a more solemn note, Martirano raised the issue of the county’s graduation rate, not-ing that data from 2003-2005 reflected a lack of successful interventions. “Our students are graduating, but some of them aren’t graduat-ing on time,” said Martirano, adding that of the

86.7 percent who are graduating, close to 58 percent are not graduating within four years.

Martirano attributed this trouble to the lack of effective early retention, saying that the prevailing philosophy that no student should be held back while in middle school has had a detrimental effect on overall graduation rates in the county, where recent statistics show that one in five high school freshman are having to repeat their ninth grade year or go to summer school before progressing to their sophomore year.

Martirano said that new initiatives like the Fairlead Academy in Lexington Park and the Tech Connect program for at-risk students should serve as the first steps to a more effec-tive interventions for high school students who might otherwise be at risk for dropping out or falling behind.

Citing his experience visiting Minnie Howard School in Alexandria, Virginia, which is an academy for ninth graders, Martirano said that the enormous pressures placed on students in ninth grade as they are forced to adapt to social and academic pressures in high school might warrant the adoption of such an annex for St. Mary’s. “I’m a true advocate of that kind of approach,” he said, adding that a ninth grade annex would also help with overcrowd-

ing. “It’s bricks and mortar,” said Martirano after the meeting. “We’re still in the process of planning…but Fairlead Academy and Tech Connect will be our first steps.”

County Commissioners and Board of Education also discussed Martirano’s new

Young Driver Safety Initiative, which would place restrictions on parking permits to stu-dents who engage in risky driving behavior and require all applying for permits to view a video on appropriate driving behaviors. “It’s not a right, it’s not an entitlement,” said Mar-tirano of the permits, adding that the official kick-off for the initiative will be on July 29.

Officials also reviewed the new volunteer screening procedures for St. Mary’s Coun-ty Public Schools, which will now require background checks for both employees and volunteers.

County Commissioners weighed in on the pressing issue of rising energy costs and how they would affect the school system and the county government. “Energy costs are getting to be another major budget driver,” said Coun-ty Administrator John Savich. “We’re looking at what we might do to at least whittle away those costs.”

All seemed resolute as they echoed the im-portance of energy conservation, even with the smallest changes like turning off lights or shut-

ting down facilities during the holidays. County Commissioner Larry Jarboe

suggested the possibility of using woodchips for heating purposes. “There’s tons of wood-chips on the market…we need to look at the successes in other areas and take advantage of that,” he said. All seemed to blend appropri-ately with Jarboe’s recent Alternative Energy Conference, wherein he and others showcased environmentally friendly energy sources for the public.

Both the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners have agreed to form a work group within the next month to address strategies for energy conservation.

Chief Financial Officer Elaine Krmaer presented a brief outlook of the school system’s budget based on projected tax revenues for the next three fiscal years. “This is not a predic-tion,” said Savich of the budget, “it just gives us a way to start thinking about this…so we don’t end up building a budget in the dark.”

The meeting ended on positive note, as members of both boards folded their chairs and headed out into the hot afternoon sun. All seemed to echo the sentiments of Board of Ed-ucation Vice-Chair Cathy Allen, who had said, “the more we communicate, the more smooth-ly both of our organizations run.”

Ramblings of a Country Girl

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Terri Bartz Bowles

Always looking for new ways to frustrate myself, I de-cided to give golf a try again. Actually, I decided that this was a good year to try out new things, revisit old ideas and just generally get out there and experience stuff. I had played “at” golf some years ago, (okay a lot of years ago) but never got serious about it. So I decided to actually give it a real try this time with les-sons and every thing. I’ve only been doing it for a short time but I’ve learned a few things already.

One nice thing about play-

ing golf is that it’s an opportu-nity to get outside and enjoy a sunny day, green grass, birds singing in the trees and groundhogs lumbering along. The pleasantness of nature takes a little edge off the frus-tration you feel when you hit it into the trees or brush or tall grass. You know how they have those gutter bum-pers at the bowling alley for kids learning how to bowl? I need those along the edges of the fairways. There’s also water at the golf course; nice water hazards, maybe ponds or creeks depending on where you play. Pretty to look at but they’re just there to drink up

your golf balls. Rather cruel, I think. And sand, there’s sand at the golf course. You don’t have to go to the beach to get in the sand, trust me, you can just go to the golf course. They won’t let you bring your bucket and shovel, though.

I’ve learned that coordi-nation is important. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not very graceful and that means I’m not the most co-ordinated girl you ever met. Just because I’m looking at the ball and I’m aiming for the ball does not mean I’m going to hit the ball. I’m going to try a new tactic this week, though. I’m going to picture the face of

someone who is “on my list” on the ball and see if that little incentive of ‘whacking them’ helps me. Discipline is also important. You have to think about every shot every time you swing the club. There’s a lot to think about for a new-comer like me and my head is so full of what to do and how to do it that I invariably miss something. But it’s a personal challenge to try and do it right the next time. That’s another thing about golf, you’re chal-lenging yourself and you have nobody to blame but yourself when you mess up. You feel great when you make a good shot. But don’t get carried away because the next thing you know, your ball is in a tree somewhere and it prob-ably took some effort to screw up enough to get it there.

Golfing is good exercise. Some people who have never played think it’s not hard and/or doesn’t take much effort. I beg to differ. Banging that little ball down the fairway does take effort. You use your whole body playing golf, it might not be aerobic, but it is a workout. I am tired and

hungry when I get done and don’t know which I want to do first, take a nap or eat some-thing. It’s a workout even if you use a cart and yes, I use a cart. Geez, it take me long enough with the cart, if I was walking it would take all day. Since I’m not always hitting it straight (okay, I almost never hit it straight), I’m getting plenty of exercise going from one side of the fairway to the other. I look like a sailboat, tacking down the course from side to side, chasing my ball instead of chasing the wind.

And girls, don’t forget that there is fashion involved in golf. At the minimum, you’re going to need a pair of shoes and some sort of hat. I bought a visor and that may not have been my best choice. I have short hair so it pushes my hair up and I look like I have a cone head. But I paid good money for it, so I’m wearing it. There are lots of cute little golf out-fits out there. I’ve resisted so far, just getting a pair of appro-priate shorts and one of those shirts that wicks away per-spiration and keeps you cool. They really work, by the way.

But every time I watch any of the LPGA players in their cute little skirts, you know I want one. Hey, if you can’t play good, you can still look good! The golf equipment and cloth-ing manufacturers go too far with the pink stuff for women golfers, though. Just because you’re a girl doesn’t mean you want everything pink. Pink on the clubs and bags, pink balls, pink clothes; pink, pink, pink. Bleah!

In the spirit of experienc-ing new things, I discovered a new drink that I like. I’ve been drinking the same mixed drink forever. But recently, I read an article in the paper about a classic cocktail that some of you will recognize – a Manhattan. I tried it and I really like it. So now I have a new cocktail with which to mollify myself after a horrible round of my new frustration – golf.

You can email the Coun-

try Girl at [email protected]

Joint MeetingContinued from page A-�

Photo by Andrea ShiellThe Board of County Commissioners and the Board of Education held their third joint meeting to discuss initiatives for the upcoming school year on Tuesday.

SectionA-� The County Times Thursday,July17,2008

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AstheH-46ProgramManager,hewillleadateamofapproximately150acquisitionprofes-sionalsandischargedwiththelifecycleman-agement authority for a fleet of 198 helicopters. TheaircraftareheavilydeployedinOperationsIraqiFreedomandEnduringFreedomandareprimarilyusedintheassaultsupportmissionforthe Marine Corps. Lt. Col. Riegert will manage the numerousH-46 upgrade programs under-waythatprovideincreasedsurvivability,safety,reliability, and a range of other capabilities.

In 2005, Riegert reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J-8, Warfighting Analysis Di-vision, serving as an analyst and OperationalAvailability Study Lead, responsible to the Joint ChiefsofStaffChairmanforanalyzingtheabil-ity of the programmed Joint Force structure to support the National Military Strategy.

Additionally, Riegert was tasked to conduct similarstrategicanalysisfortheNationalCoun-terterrorismCenter,NationalSecurityCouncilandtheUnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment. During this tour, Riegert was assigned the 8059 MOS and selected for com-mand of the H-46 Program Office (PMA226).

In 2004, Riegert reported to Newport, R.I. for both the College of Naval Command andStaff and theNavalOperationalPlannersCourse. In Newport, he earned a Master of Arts inNationalSecurityStudiesanddesignationasan Operational Planner.

In2002,hereportedfordutywithMarineMedium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265) where he served as S-1 Officer, Director of

Safety and Standardization, Executive Officer and as a Detachment Officer-in-Charge. Dur-ing this tour, he deployed with the “Dragons” from Okinawa to the Republics of Korea and the Philippines in support of Marine AircraftGroup-36 and then embarked for two cycles in supportofthe31stMarineExpeditionaryUnit(Special Operations Capable), participating in exercises Foal Eagle, Balikatan, Cobra Gold andprovidingPresidentialsupportinBaliandhumanitarian assistance in East Timor.

In 2001, Riegert returned to Okinawa for duty with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, serving in the G-3 as Assistant Plans Officer and, later, Plans Officer. He also served as the MAG-36 Current Operations Officer for Exercise Balika-tan ‘02 and as a 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Se-nior Watch Officer for Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and exercise MillenniumEdge.

In 1998, he published his Master’s thesis and transferred toNavalAirStationPatuxentRiver, Md. for duty at Naval Air Systems Com-mand (NAVAIR). While at NAVAIR, Riegert served in the Aircrew Systems Program Of-fice (PMA202). As an Integrated Product Team leader,hisdutiesinvolvedresearchanddevel-opment of helmet mounted displays, tracker systems and Net Centric Warfare applications as well as the procurement of AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Goggles. Departing NAVAIR, he was assigned the 8058 MOS, Level III certification in Program Management and career field desig-nation as an Acquisition Professional.

In 1996, he was selected for the Special EducationProgramandtransferredtotheNa-val Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, Calif. As an acquisition student at NPS, Riegert receivedaMasterofScience inManagement,Acquisition Career Field (ACF) level III train-ing in Program Management, Logistics Engi-neering,andTestandEvaluationandACFlevelIItraininginSystemsEngineeringandProduc-tion/Quality Management.

AftercompletinginitialCH-46Epilottrain-ing in 1993, Riegert received orders to HMM-262 in Okinawa, Japan. While with the “Flying Tigers”, he deployed throughout the Western Pacific in support of the 31st MEU (SOC) for four consecutive cycles. While at HMM-262, he served as Ground Safety Officer, Airframes Of-ficer, Quality Assurance Officer and Squadron Administrative Officer.

After completing The Basic School (TBS), he transferred to the Marine Attack Squadron 214 (VMA-214) the “Black Sheep,” where he served as the squadron Embark Officer.

In 1990, he transferred to Pensacola, Fla. for flight training, and received his wings in 1992. He then transferred to Marine Helicop-ter Training Squadron 301 (HMT-301) at Ma-rine Corps Air Station Tustin, Calif. where he served in the Operations Department as Flight Schedules Officer.

Lt. Col. Riegert was born at Camp Lejeune, N.C. and is a 1989 graduate of the United States NavalAcademy,whereheearnedaBachelorofScience degree in Political Science. Upon grad-uation,hereceivedhiscommissionandservedfor sixmonthsasaNavy football coachuntilreporting to The Basic School (TBS).

Lt. Col. Riegert resides in Cape Carteret, N.C. with his bride of 18 years, Aimee, and their children Emma, Paul, Abby and Bobby. His personal awards include the Defense Meri-toriousServiceMedal,threeNavyandMarineCorpsCommendationMedalsandvariousser-vice medals.

MarineCorpsAirStationCherryPoint,N.C.–Lt.Col.PaulM.RiegertAssumedCommandOnTheH-46 Program Office Naval Air Systems Command Press Release

“The HESP team in PMA202 has dem-onstrated how NAVAIR can deliver a superior product, ahead of time and below cost,withproven capability that will directly help ourMarines return home safely,” said Vice Adm. D. J. Venlet, Commander, Naval Air Systems Command.

“This is another example of the greatwork Aircrew Systems does to support the fleet,” said Martin Ahmad, Aircrew Systems Program Manager (PMA202). “The entire HESP team worked countless hours on a pro-gram that’s designed to save the lives of our Marines. The Aircrew Systems team has won the Commander’s Award three years in a row andIcouldnotbeprouderofeveryoneontheteam.”

“The dedication and subject matter exper-tiseoftheengineers,logisticiansandcontract-

ing personnel made this a great project for the entire team,” said Tara Capecci, Integrated Program Team Lead for Life Support Equip-ment (PMA202). “Our acquisition strategy was successful and we are proud to get thissystem out to the fleet.”

TheHelicopterEgressSystemconsistsofa floatation device, a self-contained breathing device, a mobile refill station, tools, support equipment and training units. The HESP team completedthecontractselectionandawardsixmonths ahead of schedule, met or exceededthe majority of contract requirements and still saved the Marine Corps more than $8 million. Furthermore, improvements inreliabilityandsustainment over legacy systems are project-ed to save an additional $1.8 million and save more than 30,000 man hours per year.

TheHelicopterEgressSystemForPassengersTeamHasWonTheNAVAIRNationalCommander’sAwardForAchievementInQualityOfService.Naval Air Systems Command Press Release

made in Leonardtown but also to cover critical issues and get noticed.

“I’m glad the governor’s taking the time to come to St. Mary’s,” said County Commissioner Daniel

Raley(D-Great Mills), “That enables our staff to have a one-on-one with their cabinet secretaries…some-times we have difficulties getting through.”

“The biggest thing is that O’Malley’s going to see the Pax River,” said County Commissioner President Francis “Jack” Russell, who has said that a relation-shipwith statecabinetmembershasbeensomewhatlacking in this administration. “If you’ve got the ear of those in the system, then things get done,” he

added.“The town’s objec-

tive is to show the gov-ernor what their [state]programs have done forLeonardtown,” said May-or J. Harry “Chip” Norris. “We’ve gotten quite a bit of support from them forall those years.”

Norris said that in thetwoprioradministrations,as well as in O’Malley’s, the town has tried to fol-low growth guidelinesmandated by the state,whileatthesametimeus-ing state resources, alongwith county funds, tomake improvements to the town.

Norris said he alsowanted to show O’Malley the town wharf improve-ments recently completedand the business inter-ests that have sprung upin and around the townsquare, particularly fromtheroadimprovementsonRoute 245 nearer to the courthouse.

“That program has

spurred private development [such as Corbel’s Res-taurant],” Norris said.

On the wharf project, Norris said: “We want to point out future possibilities for expansion and im-provement” especially by providing access from Ma-cintosh Run and Breton Bay to the waterfront.

Traffic on Route 5 is one of the biggest issues Nor-ris said he hoped to talk to cabinet officials about in transportation.

Traffic studies show that traffic congestion is be-comingoneofthemostpressingsafetyproblemsforthe town. Other elected officials echoed this sentiment andextendedittothewholeofthecounty,sayingthatwork on the Thomas Johnson Bridge from Solomons to Route 235 was a pressing concern. “Our biggest issue is transportation,” said Del. John Bohanan,(D-Dist. 29B) who placed that and issues related to higher education at the top of his list of subjects he wanted to see addressed during O’Malley’s visit.

Del. Anthony O’Donnell(R-Dist.29C) said he would like to see more immediate improvements to the Thomas Johnson Bridge and its related roadways, statingthatlargerplansfortheareahavebeendrawnupwithverylittleattentionbeingpaidtoshort-termfixes. “I’ve seen no action on any of those things,” he said, adding that intermediate improvements “couldbe done quickly and at a low cost.”

O’Donnell said that he hoped that the visit by O’Malley would bolster connections between state government and Southern Maryland, particularlysince therewereno leaders from the region in cabi-net posts. “It’s great to have an event like this, but the government doesn’t have a high ranking official from Southern Maryland in this cabinet,” O’Donnell said,addingthatinthelastadministration,thereweretwo.

“That’s indicative of that kind of lack of attention for Southern Maryland,” O’Donnell said. “My hope would be that this wouldn’t be a one-day event for the region…it’s great to bring the capital to South-ernMarylandforaday,butwhynotbeingSouthernMaryland to the capital?”

CapitalForADayContinued from page A-�

“Marines wearing the Helicopter Egress System for Passengers in an H-46 Sea Knight helicopter.”

“Lt. Col. Paul M. Riegert, Program Manager, H-46 Program Office (PMA226).”

Thursday, July 17, 2008 The County Times Section A - 7

Obituaries

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Christopher Allen Dale, 25

Christopher Allen Dale, 25, of Hollywood died July 6 in his residence.

Born Nov. 3, 1982 in Patuxent River, Md., he was the son of Donald Dale and Cynthia A. (Rand) Dale of Lexington Park. Christopher graduated from Great Mills High School in 2000.

In addition to his parents, Christopher is survived by his wife, Karen Lynn (Bartlett) Dale, children, Alec Bryce Dale, Warren Taylor Dale, and Destiney Skye Dale all of Hollywood, brother, Ryan Dale of Lexington Park and sister, Laura Pasik of Lexing-ton Park, grandmother, Car-men Dale of Lexington Park, grandfather, Donald Dale and step-grandmother Lynn Dale of Valley Lee.

Family received friends for Christopher’s Life Celebra-tion Thursday, July 10 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Holly-wood Road, Leonardtown. A funeral service was held Fri-day, July 11 at 10 a.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home Cha-pel. Pastor Bruce Wietzke of Shepherd of the Bay Church

was the celebrant. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown.

Condolences to the fam-ily may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown.

Agnes Cecelia Evans, 94

Agnes Cecelia Evans, 94, of St. George Island died July 12 in her daughter’s home in St. Mary’s City.

Born April 7, 1914 in St. George Island, she was the daughter of the late Martin Russell and Elsie (Thompson) Russell.

Agnes was one of six children and a lifelong resi-dent of St. George Island, receiving her education in a one-room schoolhouse on the Island. Never venturing far from home, she married Rob-ert “Bugs” Evans of Callaway and together they raised a fam-ily of 10 children while estab-lishing a thriving seafood res-taurant business. Using their own home cooked meals that sustained their large family, they would eventually build an international reputation of superb seafood dinning know

as Evans Seafood. She is survived by her

seven sons: Ronald Evans of Piney Point, Dennis Evans of St. George Island, Gerald Ev-ans of Clyde, N.C., Michael Evans of St. George Island, Charles Evans of Leonard-town, Joseph Evans of Holly-wood, and Tony Evans of Me-chanicsville; three daughters: Frances Sola of Sarasota, Fla., Victoria Siegel of St. Mary’s City, and Anita Evans of Pin-ey Point. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

Family received friends Tuesday, July 15 from 9 – 10 a.m. in St. George’s Catholic Church, Valley Lee. A Mass of Christian Burial was cel-ebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 15 in St. George’s Cath-olic Church with Rev. Jack Kennealy officiating. Inter-ment followed in St. Francis Xavier Mission Parish Cem-etery, St. George Island.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Second District Volunteer

Fire & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692 or Hospice of St. Mary’s P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650



Patricia Lee Robertson, 63

Patricia Lee Robertson, 63, of Lexington Park died July 8 in her residence.

Born Dec. 5, 1944 in Leon-ardtown she was the daughter of the late William Christo-pher Robertson and Lillian Ann (Bean) Robertson.

Patricia was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s Coun-ty and attended Great Mills High School. She was previ-ously employed by Hill’s Dry Cleaners, Lexington Park, the Highs Store, Great Mills, and Black Hawk Security.

She is survived by her daughter Stephanie Ann Rob-ertson Davis of Lexington Park, her sister Betty Ann Knight and her husband Tony Knight of Lexington Park, nieces, Kathy Taylor, Linda Lepper, and Joan Bean, neph-ew, Ricky Bean, grand-nieces, Kayla Ann Taylor and Lydia Lepper, and grand-nephew, Richard Lepper.

In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her sisters Joyce (Teany) Bean and Katherine (Kitty) Sattler.

Family received friends Friday, July 11 from 5 – 8 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home in Leonardtown with prayers recited at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m., Sat-urday, July 12 in Holy Face Catholic Church, Great Mills, with Rev. Scott Woods offici-ating. Interment followed in Holy Face Catholic Church Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Ricky Bean, Tommy Un-cle, Brian Uncle, David Uncle, Duncan Lepper, and Richard Lepper. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Bobby Joy and Eddie Keenan.



Patricia Ann Unkle, 70

Patricia Ann Unkle, 70, of Piney Point died July 9 in her residence.

Born Oct. 30, 1937 in Leonardtown to the late Jo-seph B. Goddard, and her surviving mother Ruby M. (Thompson) Goddard of Pin-ey Point.

Patricia was a switch-board operator for 32 years with both the Harry Lunde-berg Seamanship School and Stewart Petroleum. She was an avid gardener; loved ten-nis, biking and boating, but most of all she loved spend-ing time with her family and friends.

She is survived by the father of their four children, James E. Unkle of Piney Point; her children Kim R. Unkle of St. George Island, Terry J. Mewhinney of Ches-ter, N.Y., Robin F. White of Los Alamitos, Calif., Donna L. O’Connor, of Valley Lee, and her dear friend and com-panion Donald G. Acres. She is also survived by five broth-ers and sisters; Tom Goddard of Piney Point, Francis God-dard of Piney Point, Ruby Lee Fisher of Andersonville, Tenn., Bonnie Davis of Piney Point, and Jackie Layton of Spring, Texas; nine grandchildren and one great great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Jean Robrecht.

Family received friends

Saturday, July 12 from 9 – 10 a.m. at the St. George’s Epis-copal Church in Valley Lee. A Funeral Service was cel-ebrated Saturday, July 12 at 10 a.m. in St. George’s Epis-copal Church with Rev. Greg Syler officiating. Interment followed in St. George’s Epis-copal Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers were Wayne Goddard, Daniel Unkle, Danny O’Connor, Jef-fery Davis, Tim Mewhinney, and Ray Gaskill.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Second District Volunteer Fire & Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692 or St. George’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 30 Valley Lee, MD 20692



Myrtle Mae Wilson, 99

Myrtle Mae Wilson, 99, of Ellicott City, Md., formerly of Holly Hill, Fla., died July 14, in Ellicott City.

Born Aug. 23, 1908 in Hanover, Penn., she was the daughter of the late Harry Dresher and Margaret (Boyd) Dresher.

Myrtle is survived by her children, Audrey Albaugh of Port Orange, Fla. and Guy M. Wilson, Jr. of Lexington Park.

For arrangements call the Brinsfield Funeral Home at (301) 475-5588.



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SectionA-� The County Times Thursday,July17,200�

Saturday, July 19, 2008River Concert Series Brass Quintet

7:00 pm ~ 8:00 pmOn the historic Leonardtown Square

Order from one of the delicious restaurants on the Square.Share a picnic with your friends/family.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket!

Sit back, relax and enjoy the music!

Hosted by The Commissioners of Leonardtown and St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Call 301-475-9791 for more information.

Funded in part by a grant from the St. Mary’s County Arts Council’s Community Art Development Grant Program and the Maryland Arts Council.

BongShow”duringanationaltelethonwhenshewasjust14-years-old.

She went on to attend the American Musi-calandDramaticAcademyinNewYorkCityonBroadwayforayear“rightoutofhighschool.”

ComingfromGlenBurnie,attheageofjust18,Fratantuonosaiditwasalittledauntingtobethrustintothebigcity.

Afterstudying thereforayear,shereturnedtoMarylandattheageof19andbeganworkasasingingtelegrammessengerinBaltimore.Itwasagreatjob,shesaid.

Her first marriage to a military man took her toPanamawhere she sang locally inquartets atfairs.

ShenowlivesinLusbyandsingsintheOlivetUnitedMethodistChurchchoir;shealsotakesonsinging and acting roles for the local NewtownPlayersbasedinLexingtonPark.

She’sperformedinrenditionsofsuchmusicalsasStephenSondheim’sSideBySide.

“I’dclassifyheras[like]aprofessionalsinger,”

saidLisaGregory,boardmemberofTheNewtownPlayers.“Andshe’sdoneaheckofalotofcharitywork.

“Herresumeishuge.”Gregory first met Fratantuono when she was

18andtheywenttothestatechoirchampionships.FratantuonowasgoodenoughtogotoEurope

tocompeteintheinternationaltrials,Gregorysaidofherlong-timefriend.

Theylostcontactwitheachotherbutgotbackintouchseveralyearsago,thenFratantuonowasbroughtintothelocaltheater,Gregorysaid,wheresheshines.

“When you’re dealing with community the-ater,sometimespeopledon’ttaketheirrolesseri-ouslyortheydon’tshowuporifthey’resicktheydon’t tell anyone ahead of time,” Gregory said,“NotTina,she’sextremelyprofessional.

“It’sajoyworkingwithher.”Sometimesthefamilycommitmentsofraising

threechildrenmeanFratantuonocan’talwaysper-formlikeshe’dliketo,shesaid,butperforminginonewayoranotherwillalwaysbeapartofher.

“Igoinandoutofthespotlight,”shetoldTheCountyTimes.“ButIloveit,Iliveforit.”

SingerContinued from page A-�

By:TerriSchlichenmeyer

Forthirteenyears,you’veworkedandwaitedforthistimetocome.

You’veenduredlecturesandprac-tices,writtenhundredsofessays,andpassed thousandsofpapersforward.You’ve slept through more classesthanyou’deveradmittoyourparents.You’vegotten energizedby teachersyou’llneverforget.

Now you’re ready for the nextstep: college. You leave soon andwhile you’re excited, you’re alsoscaredtoyourbones.

Will you like your roommate?How will you find your classes? Will thepressuretopartyrampupadozennotches?

Take a deep breath and go find “How to Survive Your FreshmanYear”byHundredsofHeads,LLC.Thisbookisgoingtomakethenext10monthsthebestever.

Rightaboutnow,you’rethrowingthingsinabox,andgettingreadytomove intoyourdormoroff-campushousing.

Oratleastyou’rethinkingaboutit.

The first thing to remember is not toover-pack,particularlyifyou’rego-ingtobelivinginateensyroom.Takeyourfavoriteblanketandpillow,yourmusic,areallygoodalarmclockandbejudiciousinwhatelseyoupack.Ifyoucan,talkwithyourroommatesoyoudon’tbringduplicates.

And about that near-strangeryou’ll be living with: there’s lots ofadvice on roommates in this book.First,andmaybethemostimportant,istoaskforatransferifyouabsolute-lycan’tstandoneanother.Learntobeflexible and accommodating. Don’t

choose a roomie you already know.Andforheaven’ssakes,getoutofthedormoften!

On that note, beware.Freshmanyearmeansgoingalittlewild,butnottoo wild. Party, but remember thatyou’re there togo toclassandgetadegree.Setasidetimetostudy,don’tpush yourself into any relationship,andmakefriendswithyourR.A.andthe professors. Have fun but be re-sponsible.Freshmanyearisthetimeto learn more about you, but do itsafely.

Andthebiggestthingtoremem-ber:collegeisnothighschool.

For parents and students alike– particularly if this is the first child offtoahighereducation–goingofftocollegecanbeemotionalanddif-ficult. For students, “How to Survive YourFreshmanYear”maybealife-saver.Forparents,it’sarelieftohaveremindersreiteratedinprint.

Written by hundreds of pastfreshmen and upperclassmen, thisbook (updated in a 3rd edition) isfilled with words from the trenches. Although there’s plenty of conflict-ing advice (Take a computer, don’ttakeacomputer.Stayinadorm,getanapartment.), it’sgoing togive theClassof2012afewthingstoponderand some direction in this time ofthinkingamok.

Keepinmindthatthisbookisforcollegefreshmanonlyandpositivelynot for someone entering 9th gradeinhighschool.Whetheryournewly-mintedcollege freshmanwill attendaprivateschool,HBCU,techschoolorstateuniversity,grabthisbook.Forthem, “How toSurviveYourFresh-manYear” jumps to theheadof theclass.

“HowtoSurviveYourFreshmanYear”byHundredsofCollegeStudentsWhoDidc.2008, Hundreds of Heads, LLC $15.95 / $18.00 Canada 302 pages

The Farm Life By Teddy Perez

thefarmlifecomic.com

Moo.

This here is myWife, Fannie.

Only one word comes to mind when

I look at her...

7-17

Fratantuono works on her financial duties at the State’s Attorney’s Office in the Circuit Court in Leonardtown.

Photo by Guy Leonard

thursday, july 17, 2008 • st. mary’s county, maryland...

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