Charles County Commissioners Seeks Applicants for Boards and Commissions

LA PLATA, MD -- The Charles County Commissioners are seeking County residents to serve on the following boards and commissions: the Local Citizens Review Panel, the Ethics Commission, and the newly authorized Citizens' Work Group to Implement the Waldorf Sub-Area Plan, the Land Use Review Group, and the Bryans Road/Indian Head Sub Area Plan Citizens' Work Group.

There are two vacancies on the 16-member Local Citizens Review Panel, which is charged with analyzing the child welfare system and making recommendations to improve that system. The panel uses case reviews, surveys, focus groups, and interviews to identify systematic issues and make recommendations to both local agencies and the State on improvements that will result in better care for at-risk children. Members serve three-year terms. Meetings are held quarterly on the last Monday of the month. One vacancy is for a citizen member, and the other is for an alternate citizen member.

There are two vacancies on the five-member Ethics Commission, which interprets and administers the provisions of the Charles County Code of Ethics. Members serve four-year terms. Meetings are held on an as-needed basis. One vacancy is for a ministerial representative, and the other is for a citizen representative.

The new 12-member Citizens' Work Group will assist County staff and the public in developing new zoning as part of the implementation of the Waldorf Sub-Area Plan. Members will serve for one year. Meetings will be held every two months. The Commissioners are seeking citizens who represent a neighborhood association, homeowners' association, or citizens' group; the County Board of Education or teachers; businesses; affordable housing advocates; the church community; and environmental advocates.

The new 15-member Land Use Review Group will review, with County staff, various programs, policies, and procedures related to land use. Members will serve four-year terms and meet monthly. The new board members will represent the commercial, industrial and residential development community; agriculture; the Chamber of Commerce; the Health Department and other State agencies; Realtors; planners; attorneys; contractors; engineers/surveyors; homeowner's associations; the building industry association; the environmental community; and a citizen at-large.

The seven-member Bryans Road/Indian Head Sub Area Plan Citizens Work Group will assist planning staff in the further development and application of implementation strategies for the Bryans Road/Indian Head Sub-Area Plan. Members will serve for one year, and meetings will be held every two months. The members will include a resident who lives in the Bryans Road area or owns property and/or businesses in Bryans Road; two at-large citizens; and representatives of a major development or property owner, the Western Charles Business Association, the environmental community, and public services (teacher or volunteer fireman).

If you are interested in serving on any of these boards, commissions, or work groups, please contact Denise Ferguson, Clerk to the County Commissioners, at voice phone number (301) 645-0554 or by e-mail at fergusod@charlescounty.org to obtain an application form. You may also download an application from the Charles County Government web site at: http://www.charlescounty.org/commissioners/boards&committees_application.pdf.
Applications are due by Friday, May 12, 2006, at 4:30 p.m.

Remember to complete both sides of the application form, sign it, and mail it to: Clerk to the County Commissioners, P.O. Box 2150, La Plata, MD 20646. Please do not attach résumés or certificates to the application.