The Board of County Commissioners encourages citizens to have a voice in the policies that shape our county. Through a variety of boards, commissions and committees, voters can actively participate in local government. Calvert County residents who are registered voters are eligible to serve and encouraged to participate. This year, we will highlight these advisory groups in each edition of Calvert Currents.
 
There are four groups established to guide agricultural issues in Calvert County. The Agriculture Commission advises the county commissioners on issues that affect the county's farming industry, promotes farming industries and explores and develops new agri-business. The commission also plans agricultural seminars and sponsors the annual Fall Farm Festival and Youth Day activities at the county fair. The commission meets quarterly.
 
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Committee is a five-member body with duties that assist the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board. Priority consideration for new appointments to the committee is given to farmers. The committee meets monthly.
 
The Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board is a five-member board that promotes rules and regulations for the county's Transferable Development Rights Land Preservation Program and is a critical partner for all preservation issues. Calvert County created the first land preservation program in Maryland and currently has one of the state's most active transferable development rights program. This board is tasked with accepting and approving new Agricultural Preservation Districts, administering the county's Purchase and Retirement Program and reviewing all requests for subdivisions of recorded districts. This board meets monthly.
 
The Agricultural Reconciliation Committee was created as a result of the Calvert County Right to Farm Ordinance. All conflicts between farmers and neighboring property owners are required to arbitrate issues through the Agricultural Reconciliation Committee. The committee meets as needed.

 

Applications for these groups may be obtained from the commissioners' office (175 Main St., Room A203), any Calvert County public library or online. For information about these four groups, please contact Lisa Tolomei at 410-535-1600, ext. 2214. 

  

Commissioners' President Steve Weems with Kathy O'Brien.

Kathy O'Brien, project coordinator for the Department of Technology Services, was named the 2014 Calvert County Employee of the Year during Calvert County's Employee Service Awards Ceremony Feb. 3.
 
O'Brien, the 2014 Employee of the Month for April, was at the annual ceremony to receive an award for 15 years of service and was surprised by the announcement.
 
Her nomination was not for a one-time occurrence but for a consistent desire to help with any problems that arise. She is credited with saving county government and taxpayer money by introducing numerous technological efficiencies, including the automation of the county commissioners' agendas.

Thanks for reading Calvert Currents. We want to hear from you. Click the feedback link to send us your questions or story ideas.                   
 
Sincerely,
Steven. R. Weems, President
Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr., Vice President
Mike Hart
Tom Hejl
Pat Nutter
Calvert County Board of County Commissioners