Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Charles County Board of Commissioners convened a ceremonial session on April 14, 2026, to read and present multiple proclamations recognizing various awareness months, weeks, and days. Representatives from county departments and community organizations accepted the proclamations and spoke about their missions.
Good morning, ladies. Come on up. Welcome everyone, good morning. I'm going to read Proclamation twenty twenty six-22, National Crime Victims Week. Whereas every year, millions of Americans are affected by crime, and many will need ongoing care and resources. And whereas, this year's theme, listen, act, advocate, protect victims, and serve communities, emphasizes the essential steps of validating survivors through listening, taking prompt action, and advocating for systematic change to support victim safety and dignity. And whereas Charles County is committed to supporting victims of crime through services, advocacy programs, and community partnerships that promote healing and recovery. Now, therefore, we the Charles County Commissioners do hereby proclaim April nineteenth through twenty fifth, twenty twenty-six is National Crime Victims Rights Week in Charles County and express our sincere gratitude to those partners who through compassion and collaboration inspire us to hope for for future progress and greater healing. On behalf of the entire Board of Commissioners, Ruben Collins President, Ralph Patterson Vice President, myself, Gilbert Bowling, District One, Thomas Cena Coates, District Two, and Dr. Amanda Stewart, District Three. Congratulations, and would somebody like to speak. Good morning, Karen Piper Mitchell, Deputy State's Attorney for the State's Attorney's Office for Charles County. We want to thank first and foremost the Charles County Commissioners for honoring this week in this special way. We often say that in the courtroom, the one person that did not ask, had no choice to be there is the victim. That victim is chosen by through whatever act to be present, to have to be present to go through the ordeal. And these wonderful people here representing just some of the members of the victim witness assistance division headed by Diana Patton who deal with and hold the hands of the victims and the victims' families because when we're dealing with a murder case, it is the families, and so they stand with them, provide them resources every day. So truly we appreciate this recognition because again, uh sometimes the victims can feel as if they are left to deal with the tragedy and the and the drama because the focal point sometimes feels like it is always about the defendant, and they are here, and we are here always to remind them. No, it is about them. So we appreciate this. Whereas every day, animal control officers put themselves in potentially dangerous situations by protecting people from dangerous animals and seek justice in cases of abused, neglected, and abandoned animals by conducting humane investigations. And protecting the welfare of helpless animals and pets from injury, disease, and starvation. Whereas animal control officers provide these essential functions of enforcing state laws to protect the animal care along with the animal regulations and protecting the public from diseases such as rabies and educating the public on the proper care of the community pets. And whereas Charles County recognizes the animal control officers for the many dedicated and long hours of service they perform in providing the highest and most efficient level of customer service to the residents of our community. And now, therefore, we the county commissioners of Charles County, Maryland, to hereby proclaim April 12th through the 18th as National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week in Charles County, and encourage all citizens to join in expressing their sincere appreciation for the service and dedication of our animal control officers. On behalf of the entire Board of Commissioners, Ruben Collins, President, Ralph Patterson, Vice President, myself, Gilbert Bowling, Thomas Coates, and Dr. Amanda Stewart. Congratulations. And who would like to speak? There you go. Thank you, Commissioner Bowling. I am Jeffrey Thomas. I'm the chief of Charles County Animal Control and Care. Before you, you have an amazing group of animal control officers that are performing at an all-time high level. What they do with the community and then what they do for the animals for the welfare of them and also the citizens of Charles County, these folks are outstanding. Thank you. That's good right here. Thank you, everyone. The next group that we'll recognize is National Public Safety Telecommuter Cater Week. Take care. Congratulations. Thank you. Good morning.