News

Thanks to the work of Michael Kent, President of the NAACP Calvert County Branch, a portrait of Roger B. Taney will be removed from the Calvert County Courthouse. Roger B. Taney was the fifth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and author of the infamous Dred Scott decision, a horrible stain on our nation's history.

In his research for his book Mulatto,The Black History of Calvert County, Mr. Kent found that the Taney family of Calvert were "not only slave owners, but also slave breeders"--and that isn't all.

Read his letter to Administrative Judge Mark Chandlee for more.

Read Judge Chandlee's response letter.

From the CCDCC:

VACANCY NOTICE - CALVERT COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE – At Large Male Gender Balance 

The Calvert County Democratic Central Committee is seeking a male candidate to fill a gender balanced vacancy on the Committee. To be eligible for consideration, an individual must be a registered Democrat voter in Calvert County, Maryland. 

We would like you to show a history of volunteerism and your ability and enthusiasm to serve your community. We are seeking a leader ready to work for and represent all Democrats here in Calvert County. This is an unpaid position. The successful applicant will serve out the remainder of the current term, which ends in June 2022.

Interested individuals may request an application by emailing CCDemOffice@gmail.com. The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 13, 2020.

The Committee will hold a vote to select the new member at its regular meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 7 p.m.  via a Zoom meeting.  Candidates must be present for the election.  For more information, contact CCDemOffice@gmail.com.

This information will also remain available on our website. 

Priscilla Graves, the new Family and Consumer Science extension agent for Calvert, is available to do financial literacy programs with both adults and teens.

Unfortunately, Ms. Graves came onto the job just as everything closed down, so she didn't get to do a "meet and greet" with all of the county stakeholders.

If you know anyone who works with underserved populations, please let them know that Ms. Graves would love to work with them.

Dear Members and Friends,

I am forwarding the following statement from the Maryland state Democratic Party about Hogan's decision to hold the November election in person.

Please call the governor's office at 410-974-3901 or email through their web portal and voice your opposition! [Toll free number is 1-800-811-8336; MD Relay is 1-800-735-2258.] Please note that the only correspondence being accepted by the governor's office at this time is via the online portal.

Sincerely,

Cindy Yoe, CCDWC President

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Statement on Hogan's Decision to Hold November Election In-Person

For Immediate Release 7/8/20

Annapolis, MD-- On Wednesday Governor Larry Hogan directed the State Board of Elections to hold in-person elections on November 3, 2020.

The Maryland Democratic Party and a growing consensus of elected officials, public health experts, and election experts agree that the upcoming Presidential General Election should be conducted by vote-by-mail with as many early voting and in-person voting locations as safety will allow.

"We are living in a world where our entire way of life and economy can be wiped out in a matter of days. Why on earth would Gov. Hogan recommend that our public buildings be open and staffed for the general election, when we have no idea what our public health situation will be by the Fall?" Said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis. "If the Governor insists on an in-person precinct-level election, then he must be held fully responsible for any and all poll-worker shortages; lack of PPE; or long lines associated with his decision. We must follow the advice of the scientists and public health experts."

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Congratulations to the new officers of the Calvert County Democratic Central Committee (CCDCC):

Chair: Jeanette Flaim

Vice Chair: Jeffrie Long

Treasurer: Beth Swoap

Secretary: Helenmary Ball

Elections were held at the Central Committee meeting last night. Also elected was a new Associate Member: Mikayla Salazar.

The CCDCC is the official Democratic party organization in Calvert County. Members do much to promote the party and Democratic values in the county. Please give them your congratulations and thanks for their hard work on our behalf!

Here's the article from TheBaynet.com:

https://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0520/calvert-county-board-of-elections-offers-drop-box-to-submit-primary-election-ballots.html

Our club is now working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland (located in North Beach) to provide food to local families. Please check our club's events list for the next scheduled food drive. The Boys and Girls Club's address is 9021 Dayton Ave, North Beach MD 20714.

Please pick up the following items for the food drive:

• Canned goods, pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, oatmeal, etc.
• Personal care items such as diapers, sanitary pads, tampons, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc.

Local Drop-off Sites

For convenience and social distancing, volunteers will accept food drop-offs at their homes throughout the county. Click here to see the most current drop-off sites and instructions. 

Please email Linda Copeland if you would like to be a food collection volunteer.

To Donate Money

You may donate on their web site at https://bgcsm.net/donations/

Or send a check or gift card to their mailing address:

Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland, ATTN: Food Drive/ Joy Hill

9021 Dayton Avenue, P.O. Box 413, North Beach, MD 20714

This will be an ongoing program for our club.

From the League of Women Voters:

"Dear Members and Supporters of the League of Women Voters,

We have learned from the US Census Bureau that the following areas of Calvert County have a historic low self-reported rate for the Census:

Solomons

Lusby

Barstow

North Beach

Chesapeake Beach

Since the US Census Bureau does not send invitations to take part in the census nor mail paper census applications to post office boxes, this may, in part, explain the low rate of response.

We strongly urge you to encourage everyone you know, particularly those in the areas listed above, to participate in the 2020 Census.  Federal funding and representation in Congress is determined by the Census, and Calvert County needs this information to make informed decisions about our futures.

Thank you again for your support.

Voter Services Committee

League of Women Voters of Calvert County"

From Congressman Steny Hoyer April 29, 2020:

A MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN STENY H. HOYER    

I know that many Marylanders are experiencing severe financial hardship during the coronavirus pandemic. My thoughts continue to be with you and families around the state during this challenging time. 

The Maryland Department of Labor's Division of Unemployment Insurance recently launched a comprehensive website to allow Marylanders to virtually file for unemployment benefits 24/7. Click here to visit the website and file your claim. Due to the high volume of individuals using the system, the Division of Unemployment Insurance has instituted a virtual waiting queue. 

When you enter the system you will receive an estimated wait time and can sign-up to receive an email when it is your turn to access the portal. To alleviate some of the congestion, only individuals who are filing weekly claim certifications will be able to file on Sundays and Mondays. Individuals can file new claims Tuesdays through Saturdays.

I know that many have been frustrated by the long wait times to make a claim, and I share their concerns. I have been in contact with the Department of Labor about this issue, and employees are working quickly to get through the claims in a timely manner. Due to this public health crisis, all deadlines have been removed for claimants to provide additional information or deliver supporting documentation. No matter when you file, Marylanders become eligible for benefits starting the day after they separated from employment. Click here for more information about the unemployment insurance claim process. 

My staff and I are working around the clock to assist Fifth District residents during this public health crisis. If you need assistance, please visit my website at https://hoyer.house.gov/ or call one of my district offices. If you live in Prince George's, Anne Arundel, or Calvert Counties, please call (301) 474-0119. If you live in Charles or St. Mary's Counties, please call (301) 843-1577. 

As always, I encourage all Fifth District residents to continue to share their concerns and insights with me by contacting my office or connecting with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

 

Sincerely Yours, 

Steny H. Hoyer