Advertise on podcast: Inside Your County Government

Here's a brief update from the September 29, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

"Affordable housing" is a phrase everyone throws around — but what does it actually mean for Charles County? In this episode of Inside Your County Government, host Doria Fleisher sits down with Joel Binkley, Planning Supervisor with the Department of Planning and Growth Management, and Jake Dyer, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services, to break it down. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Here's a brief update from the September 22, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Here's a brief update from the September 15, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

This episode discusses suicide, which can be a sensitive topic for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 anytime for free, confidential support. September 8th is 988 Day, and September is Suicide Prevention Month — but the resources in this episode are here for you all year long. Host Doria Fleisher sits down with two local experts to break down what 988 actually is, how it works, and how it's different from (and connected to) 911. Joining the conversation: Janay Tyler, Crisis Response Coordinator with the Charles County Department of Health's Local Behavioral Health Authority, and Southern Maryland Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) CoordinatorAdrianna Fotso, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Diversion with Community Crisis Services Incorporated (CCI)In this episode, you'll learn: What 988 is and how it differs from calling 911How confidential and anonymous a call to 988 really is — and why it almost never involves law enforcementWhat "suicidal ideation" means, and why having thoughts of suicide doesn't always mean someone has a planHow to call 988 on behalf of a friend or family member you're worried aboutWhat Charles County is doing for Suicide Prevention Month, including free Mental Health First Aid and QPR trainingsThe many local crisis resources available, including the CIT program, the mobile crisis team, and the Urgent Psychiatric Care programResources mentioned in this episode: Call or text 988 anytime, 24/7, for suicide prevention and crisis supportFree Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings through the Charles County Health DepartmentCharles County Local Behavioral Health Authority — Charles County Department of Health https://charlescountyhealth.org/local-behavioral-health-authority/Community Crisis Services Incorporated (CCI) https://ccsimd.org/Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Here' a brief update from the September 1, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Host Doria Fleisher sits down with Cal Carpenter, preservation planner, and Esther Reed, Charles County's one-and-only county archeologist, both from the Department of Planning and Growth Management. Together they unpack what it really takes to protect the county's history, farmland, and stories — from courthouse records to muddy dig sites. In this episode, you'll hear about: The making of Preservation Matters, the county's annual preservation magazine, and this year's tie-in to the America250 celebrationThomas Stone, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and the historic site named in his honorThe wild true story of the "Traitorous Tailor" of Port Tobacco, a Revolutionary-era smuggler who got caughtHow agricultural preservation easements keep working farms from disappearing into subdivisions — including the fight against shoreline erosion at Lower Cedar PointThe rise and decline of tobacco farming in the county, and a new farm museum at Serenity FarmThe devastating 1926 La Plata tornado and why remembering local disaster history still matters todayHow residents can get involved — from Monday public archaeology digs in Port Tobacco to reporting finds on their own propertyFriends of Rich Hill Event on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 1pm  https://richhillfriends.org/events-page/ Say Their Names: Remembering the Enslaved African Americans at Historic Rich Hill Historic Rich Hill 9135 Bel-Alton Newtown Road, Bel Alton, MarylandFor more information on Historic Preservation and to see the Preservation Magazine visit : https://www.charlescountymd.gov/government/planning-and-growth-management/preservation-and-long-rang... Want to get involved? Contact the Department of Planning and Growth Management through the Charles County website, or come out for public archeology on Mondays in Port Tobacco. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Join host Doria Fleisher as she sits down with Charles County's Comprehensive Plan team — Joel Binkley, Long Range Planning Supervisor; Amy, Project Manager for the Comprehensive Plan update; and Tony Phelps, Assistant Chief of Planning. This episode breaks down what a comprehensive plan actually is, why it guides nearly every decision the county makes (from zoning to roads to where tax dollars go), and where Charles County stands in its current 20-year planning process. Hear about the extensive public engagement effort already underway, the common themes residents are sharing from Bryans Road to Waldorf, and what happens next as the plan moves into the drafting phase. Whether you've never heard of a comp plan or you've been following the process closely, this conversation will help you understand why your voice matters and how to stay engaged. 00:00 – Welcome & Meet the Comprehensive Plan Team 01:31 – What Is a Comprehensive Plan? 03:23 – Why It's the Community's Plan, Not Staff's 04:14 – Where the Process Stands Today 04:21 – How the County Has Gathered Public Input 05:36 – Common Themes Residents Are Sharing 11:27 – Bridging Charles County's "Two Counties" 11:48 – Why Every Voice Needs to Show Up 12:43 – How to Stay Updated on the Plan 12:59 – What Makes This Plan Different 14:16 – Reaching Residents Beyond the "Loud Voices" 16:05 – Housing: A Growing Priority 16:50 – Related Listening: Affordable Housing Explained 17:08 – Final Thoughts: Why Staying Engaged Matters 19:48 – How to Ask Questions & Get Involved 20:24 – Join the Citizens Academy Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Here's a brief update from the July 21, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Here's a brief update from the July 7, 2026 Board of County Commissioners meeting. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Inside Your County Government: Behind the Scenes at the 911 Communications Center Ever wonder what really happens when you dial 911? In this episode of Inside Your County Government, host Doria Fleisher sits down with April Thompson and Karen Turner, Public Safety Communications Supervisors at the Charles County 911 Communications Center, for an inside look at the science, training, and split-second decisions behind every emergency call. April and Karen pull back the curtain on: The rigorous training and protocols dispatchers follow for medical, fire, and police callsWhy old cell phones (even without service) can still dial 911 — and why that matters for parentsWhat really happens on the other end of the line while help is already on the wayWhy dispatchers can't give ETAs, and how they keep callers calm under pressureWhat to do if you accidentally call 911Texting vs. calling 911: which one should you actually useHow Charles County 911 can help connect you to emergency services even if your loved one is in another statePlus, simple things every resident can do — like knowing your address by heart — to help dispatchers get you help faster. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Got questions about your property tax bill? You're not alone — and this episode has answers. Host Doria Fleisher is joined by a powerhouse panel: Bob Yeager, Director of Maryland's State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT); Eric Jackson, Charles County's Chief of Treasury; and co-host Jake Dyer, Director of Fiscal and Administrative Services. Together, they break down everything you need to know about how your property gets assessed, why your tax bill looks the way it does, and — most importantly — how you can save money. From homestead tax credits and senior exemptions to veteran benefits and 100% disability waivers, there are resources available that many residents don't even know exist. They also tackle what happens if you're struggling to pay your bill, walk through the tax sale process, and explain the layers of protection in place to help homeowners keep their property. Whether you're a first-time homeowner or a longtime Charles County resident, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and ready to take action. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

In this episode of Inside Your County Government, host Doria Fleisher sits down with Michelle Smith, Litter Control Manager, and Jakira Butler, Recycling and Litter Control Superintendent, to talk all things litter in Charles County. From the dedicated road crews working tirelessly to keep our streets clean, to school outreach programs educating the next generation, Michelle and Jakira break down everything the Environmental Resources Division does to keep Charles County beautiful — and why they can't do it alone. We cover: Why litter is more than just an eyesore — it's an environmental issueThe difference between county and state road maintenanceHow to report illegal dumpingThe Adopt a Road and Adopt a Spot programs and how you can get involvedCommunity cleanup events, including the annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup and the Charles County Community CleanupThe message is clear: it takes a village to keep a village clean. Tune in to find out how you can be part of the solution. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

Ever wonder what really goes into running a local election? In this episode of Inside Your County Government, host Doria Fleischer sits down with Wade Beswick, the newly appointed Director of the Charles County Board of Elections, for a behind-the-scenes look at how elections work in Charles County. Wade breaks down everything from voter registration and early voting to election security, ballot counting, and what it takes to train over 700 election judges. He also shares how you can get involved — including how residents as young as 16 can serve as paid election judges! 🗳️ Whether you're a first-time voter or a longtime resident, this episode has everything you need to know to show up informed and ready on Election Day. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected

In honor of National Autism Acceptance Month, host Doria Fleisher sits down with two Charles County teams making a real difference for residents with disabilities. PFC Graham from the Charles County Sheriff's Office shares how programs like Project Lifesaver and the Volunteer Registry are keeping vulnerable community members safe. Then, therapeutic recreation specialists Brandon and Brianna from Charles County Parks & Recreation highlight inclusive programming, Special Olympics, and the county's growing commitment to making sure every resident — regardless of ability — has a place to belong. Thanks for listening.  If you like this podcast and want to hear more, search Charles County Government on Apple Podcast, Spotify or where ever you get your podcast -  and be sure to like and subscribe.   We’re also available on YouTube.   Search Charles County Commissioners And Stay Connected for all County news, information, and programs by visiting www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/StayConnected