WE ALL GET FRUSTRATED from time to time. The stoplight you go through twice daily seems ridiculously long. All the houses under construction in your area look like suburban barracks. Your streets flood every time you get half an inch of rain; and there isn’t a single place in town to have a picnic with your family. 

Although the problems can be quite complicated, the answer is simple. How can your town fix minor problems and find solutions for the larger issues?  Answer, YOU must become an active part of your community.

Finding the proper official for the problem

The first thing to do when you have a concern is to decide which governing organization is best suited to handle it.  At the top of the Charles County food chain is the Board of Commissioners.  There are five commissioners that represent different regions of Charles County.  Within the county structure departments, serving various functions, see to it that Charles County runs smoothly.  It is their jobs to see that each part of the county properly serves its citizens and therefore they are often a good place to start.

The proper department can be determined fairly easily if you know which is in charge of what.  This link takes you to listings of county government departments and their responsibilities on the Charles County website.

For instance, if you have had a problem with the administration at your child’s school, the next step would be to contact the Office of the Deputy Superintendent, which is in charge of school administration and operations.  It’s always a good idea to send a copy of the letter to the Superintendent and the Board of Education, just so they are aware of the situation.

If the official responsible for resolving the problem fails to resolve it, an appeals process usually exists higher up the governing food chain. Regarding our hypothetical school problem, Katie O’Malley- Simpson, Charles County Public Schools spokesperson, told The Bay Net that if a citizen is dissatisfied with the outcome of the decisions made by the Deputy Superintendent, the appeals process involves the Board of Education. 

Strength in numbers

Sometimes you can find the answers you want by looking to community organizations who share your concern or desire for change.  If, perhaps, you are concerned about the proposed Waldorf bypasses and the impact they will have on the wetlands of Charles County, you can become involved with the local environmental groups who share that concern.  These types of organizations gain power as they gain members.  The more members who participate, the more credibility the organization has with local officials. 

You can also apply to serve on a government advisory board or committee.  The Waldorf Citizens Advisory Committee, for example, assists the Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management by monitoring proposed town development projects.  Citizens apply to serve on these boards and committees through the county commissioners, and if selected, serve a multi-year term.

Making yourself heard

Written correspondence is the most effective way to make your message heard.  It’s also the most practical way to keep track of the evolution of the situation.  It’s very easy to put all of your letters into a file, as well as any responses you’ve received and even press clippings or printouts so you can refer back to them.

When you correspond with the leaders of the community it’s always wise to use their proper titles.  It’s also important, even and especially when you’re frustrated, to be as polite and concise as possible.  It’s fine to convey anger or disappointment.  Threats and ranting, however, take away from your credibility and decrease the power of your message.    Instead, calmly explain what you are angry about and what solutions you offer.  Include all of your contact information so that you can be reached for follow-up, which you should always expect in a reasonable amount of time. 

Remember, these officials are public servants.  Good leaders listen to their citizens.  You can expect your correspondence to carry some weight, especially if you explain the problem logically and have some viable solutions or suggestions.

You can’t expect to get your way all the time, however; and it’s best not to take it personally if you don’t.  Although your officials were elected to serve you, they were also elected to serve the rest of the community.  A larger group of other citizens may have ideas that in conflict with yours.  Depending on the size and scope of the project, and particularly in the case of major projects, you should be prepared to compromise.

If you feel largely ignored through official channels, there are other ways to call attention to your concerns.  You can start a free blog on your topic.  You can give tips or send letters to the local media, including The Bay Net here.  You can make a statement at county public hearings related to your issue.  Also on The Bay Net, you can leave your opinion in comments after each article.   Local officials do read them. 

Don’t forget to comment on your officials’ successes as well.  It is as important to give positive feedback as it is to give negative.  It might not be evident to the leadership that something important to you is working well.  Keeping all the things you love about your area means letting the leadership know, so it can continue to stay in the budget.

Now we wait

You can’t expect change immediately; the wheels of government are achingly slow.  The water quality issues at the Chapel Point Woods neighborhood near Bel Alton took three years to properly resolve, through no wrong-doing on the part of county government.  The Hughesville Revitalization Plan also took several years to develop.

However, no change can be made if no action is taken.  The sooner you begin your quest for change, the sooner the wheel begins to turn and reaches the destination.  Even if your problem isn’t resolvable at that time, at the very least you will have an explanation as to why your street is flooding and details on plan to fix it.

Get started

Below is a list of various boards and branches of the Charles County government as well as some local organizations to get you started.  

*There are a number of boards and commissions that Charles County has in place.  You can find a full list of them HERE.  Please note, you can fill out an online application HERE to serve on a board if you would like to become more involved.  There is even a citizen’s guide you can download HERE.

*Charles County Board of Commissioners – Commissioners are elected officials; learn more information about them and which district they serve.

*Charles County Sheriff’s Office – The Sheriff’s Office can help with anything from speeding mini-bikes down your street full of toddlers, to gang, drug and other crime problems.  You can phone, email or write in complaints and concerns.  Find out which officers are appointed to the various areas of town.  The Sheriff is also an elected position.

*Department of Planning & Growth Management –This department plans the urban areas, helps with zoning issues and can answer questions related to a variety of county operations. 

*Department of Business Growth and Economic Development –This department is in charge of bringing business and dollars to the county, securing Charles County’s economic success and creating opportunities for those who live here to work here as well.

*Charles County Board of Education – The Board of Education sets policy for the school system.  If you have a question related to administration issues, you can send it to the board and your correspondence will likely forwarded to the office of  the Deputy Superintendent, who will attempt to resolve your issue. 

Here are other useful links.  Some of these organizations need volunteers.  This list is not comprehensive; there are many groups and organizations in Charles County who care about the community and its citizens.  Please feel free to leave a comment below this article with your suggestions or experiences with activist organizations and stories of successful civic action.

Charles County -  Aging & Senior Services

Charles County - Animal Control & Adoption

Charles County – Community Services

Humane Society of Charles County

Conservancy for Charles County – Environmental Organization

Port Tobacco River Conservancy – Environmental Organization

Charles County Arts Alliance – Currently they have a survey online that they need citizens to fill out in order to determine the arts needs of the county.  You can begin your quest as an involved citizen through this sort of method of input.

Charles County Chamber of Commerce – An organization for businesses to network and make connections.

Charles County Technology Council 

Zonta Club of Charles County –international women’s service organization.

BLCE – Youth programs and cultural events.

The Ministers Alliance of Charles County – Fosters unity among the various area churches and denominations.

Health Partners, Inc. – Clinic for the uninsured in Charles County.

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Heather Bartlett is TheBayNet.com’s Waldorf and Arts Correspondent. 
To contact her about this article, Waldorf issues or Arts events comment below or email bartlett@thebaynet.com