Calvert Bond Rating Adds Up to a Plus

Calvert County's financial advisers announced last week that the county had improved its bond rating with Standard and Poor's from a AA rating to a AA+.

The county maintained its bond rating with Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service, which are AA+ and Aa2, respectively.

The higher bond rating immediately paid off with a lower interest rate of 3.69 percent on the more than $22 million bond sale the commissioners approved for capital projects last week.

"I think this is the lowest rate anyone has received in Maryland to date," Sam Ketterman, the county's financial adviser, told the commissioners.

Terry Shannon, county government's director of finance and budget, said the difference between a 4 percent and a 4.25 percent interest rate on the current bond package over 15 years would be about $533,000.

"That is important. The money we have to pay [in interest] is still taxpayer money," said Commissioners President Wilson H. Parran (D-Huntingtown).

First Librarian Honored

A new plaque will hang in Calvert Library Prince Frederick Branch to honor Mildred Hairston, the county's first librarian.

Hairston, a Calvert resident, served as a librarian from 1959 to 1984, years when the job included driving a bookmobile four days a week. In addition to the plaque, the Board of County Commissioners honored Hairston with a proclamation that highlighted her advocacy for senior citizens in the community.

Supporting Locals

The Charles County commissioners recently recognized Chick-fil-A and Beacon Printing for their support of the 2007 and 2008 Charles County Unity in OUR Community diversity forums.

Chick-fil-A of Waldorf supplied and distributed meals to all guests. Beacon Printing printed fliers, program booklets and signs.

Leonardtown Polling

Leonardtown residents will vote Tuesday for mayor and two members of the Town Council.

Anyone living in the corporate limits of Leonardtown who is already registered as a St. Mary's County voter is eligible to cast a ballot in the nonpartisan town election. Residents wishing to verify their voting status should call the Town Office at 301-475-9791.