Designed for executives of corporations, current and aspiring business owners, and top-level managers and supervisors, the program will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Fridays through Feb. 18, with the exception of Nov. 26 and Dec. 17, 24 and 31. Each session will begin with 30 minutes of networking at 7:30 a.m. A variety of topics will be covered such as managing people; balancing life with corporate obligations; taking control of the seemingly uncontrollable factors in business and in life; and addressing economic downturns. For details on each of the areas focused on, visit www.cecil.edu/balance.

“The class will address specific tools that drive productivity, reduce stress and improve life balance,” said Gaither. “These work and life tools focus on peak performance while recognizing the diversity of stresses and distractions in your life, and in the life and work of the people you interact with daily.”

The college is offering an opportunity to get a feel for the course, before registering, by holding a free preview workshop at 8 a.m. Sept. 10. For more information, or to RSVP for the preview workshop, call 410-287-6060, ext. 605 or e-mail training4success@cecil.edu.

Gaither’s recently released book by Tate Publishing, “Bringing Balance to Business and Life,” will serve as a backdrop and reference for all participants in the class to employ when confronting the most stressful situations that occur within business, including ethical choices and pragmatic approaches to the many challenges that today’s business environment imposes on the balance in one’s life. Incorporating real-life experience and hypothetical stories, humorous anecdotes, and advice, the book offers tips and strategies for the worker, manager or executive struggling to stabilize his or her home and work lives.

Gaither, who has taught many classes at Cecil College, has more than 35 years of business experience, from skilled craftsman to senior executive and executive trainer. Since 1998, he has been the owner and president of NorArk Executive Group, an executive advisory and coaching firm for small to mid-size companies and continuing business education organizations. He is also vice president and business manager of LuMu Candies, LLC.

Gaither is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt and an accredited executive associate for the Institute of Independent Business Worldwide. He developed Fusion Learning, an alternative learning curriculum, and is a keynote speaker for numerous business development and professional training seminars. Gaither is an executive board member of the Bainbridge Development Corporation and serves on the BRAC Education and Workforce Development subcommittee.

“Success doesn’t bring happiness; happiness brings success,” said Gaither. “Anybody looking for personal and professional development who would like to set a course for sustainable success in business and in life will benefit from this class.”

With real-life experience and hypothetical stories, humorous anecdotes, and valuable advice, “Bringing Balance to Business and Life” proves that bringing personal and professional lives into harmony is both crucial and doable.

A resident of Port Deposit, Maryland, Gaither is owner and president of NorArk Executive Group, an executive advisory/coaching firm for small to mid-size companies and continuing business education organizations. He is vice president and business manager of LuMu Candies, LLC, and is an accredited executive associate for the Institute of Independent Business Worldwide.

The author is currently an adjunct staff member of Cecil College, as well as developer of Fusion Learning, an alternative learning curriculum. He is a keynote speaker for numerous business development and professional training seminars. He is also a partner in Next Chapter Transitions, LLC, a company formed to assist small-business entrepreneurs transitioning from their businesses to the next chapter in their life.

For more information, visit the author’s website, normangaither.tatepublishing.net.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

 Each candidate will be allowed a three minute opening statement, answer three or four questions from a four person panel, two from the Democrat Club and two from the Democrat Central Committee, and a two minute closing statement. Questions will not be taken from the floor, though questions received in writing before the event will be considered if time allows. 

 All citizens are invited to hear the candidates’ positions on a number of issued that affect Cecil County.

During the five minute segment Senator Thompson, declared Cecil County “an economic success story in the making,” and focused on Cecil’s excellent quality of life, excellent transportation advantages, location and workforce availability. The program, which takes viewers inside W.L. Gore & Associates also visits some of Cecil’s most lovely areas and views from aerial footage of the land, bay, rivers and canal, to farms, equine industry and towns.

Written and researched by the Cecil County Office of Economic Development copies of the segment are also shown during various trade shows, events and tours conducted by CCOED staff for expanding and relocating businesses. CCOED also took the video viral with uploads to regional websites and even utilized social media outlets to distribute it further.

Fox Business Network will air the Cecil County Inside Business segment Sunday, August 29 at 4 p.m. Eastern, 3 p.m. Central, 2 p.m. Mountain and 1 p.m. Pacific.

Learn the top ten ways to reduce your home energy costs

Learn about your right to choose your energy supplier to reduce costs

• Residential Energy Deregulation – Your Right to Choose – Representatives Maryland Public Service Commission
• Top ten ways to reduce your home energy costs – CQI Associates
• Question and Answer Session

Rep. Frank Kratovil backed the CLEAR (Consolidated Land Energy and Aquatic Resources) Act, a bill to increase safety in oil and gas drilling, hold oil companies accountable for spills, and close royalty loopholes to ensure that American taxpayers are not burdened with the cost of cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon spill or future oil spills.  The bill will also provide critical funds to conserve public outdoor recreation areas.  

The CLEAR Act will provide effective prevention and response to oil spills and better protect our coastal communities and waters by instituting stronger new safety measures, such as requiring independent certification of critical equipment.  Just as importantly, the CLEAR Act will ensure that oil companies, not taxpayers, will bear the full responsibility for cleanup costs and recovery after spills by removing the $75 million liability cap on spill-related damages.  The legislation also requires oil companies pay their fair share for drilling on public lands and depleting public resources; these drilling revenues will help to ensure funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has been a successful program for protecting critical lands and waters across the nation, including Maryland’s Eastern Shore.   

“It’s bad enough that big oil companies were able to operate virtually unchecked in some of our nation’s most vulnerable environmental areas, but it would be unimaginable to let them off the hook for the cost of clean-up and rebuilding after disasters like the most recent spill in the gulf,” said Rep. Kratovil.  “This bill is good for our families, our environment, and the health of our natural resources, while also taking important strides to protect taxpayers from being on the hook for clean-up costs and reducing our deficit.”

The Congressional Budget Office and Government Accountability Office estimates that the Clear Act will save taxpayers more than $5 billion in the next five years (CBO) and up to $50 billion over the next 25 years (GAO).

During consideration of the CLEAR Act, Rep. Kratovil introduced a successful amendment to increase access to federally protected lands for hunters and anglers through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).  The Kratovil amendment will re-focus a small portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to enhance access to existing public lands, specifically for easements or rights of ways that open access to Federal land which is currently inaccessible or significantly restricted.  The amendment directs the Secretary to dedicate no less than 1.5% of LWCF funds to increase recreational public access to existing Federal lands for hunting, fishing or other recreational purposes.

“These funds are here so that we can increase access to, and assist in the preservation and development of, outdoor recreation areas,” said Kratovil.  “We need to protect and preserve these lands for hunters and anglers.”

“Congressman Kratovil’s amendment to promote hunting and fishing on public lands helps ensure that regular people have access to what is truly their property rather than just a few special interests.  I see this bill as a win-win since it reduces the deficit while ensuring adequate funding for public parks and open space,” said Dave Wilson Jr., the Executive Director of Maryland Coastal Bays Program.  “The National Estuary Program, including the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, could benefit greatly from provisions in this legislation that help promote regional coordination in our coastal areas.”

“Tourism is an investment employing thousands of people, and is a major revenue source for our local businesses, restaurants and hotels and I look forward in helping to influence the envisioned funding policies and marketing strategies…responsibilities vested with the Maryland Tourism Development Board within Maryland’s Department of Business and Economic Development” noted Delegate Rudolph.

“Maryland is known as ‘America in Miniature’ with unsurpassed natural, cultural and historical amenities waiting to be discovered, especially here in Cecil County” said Delegate Rudolph.  “Prevailing economic conditions, coupled with competition from neighboring states call for an innovative plan to strengthen Maryland’s standing as a destination for travelers.  I am pleased to have to opportunity to help shape a 21^st Century strategy that increases revenues to our State and Cecil County and welcome directional input from the citizens and local businesses of Cecil County.”

Deb Carter, Past Chair of the Maryland Tourism Council, when learning of Delegate Rudolph’s appointment stated, “I am delighted that Delegate Rudolph has been appointed to the Maryland Tourism Development Board. I can think of no one more qualified to sit on the Tourism Development Board than Delegate David Rudolph.   David understands the tremendous importance of tourism as an economic driver in the State of Maryland and will do an excellent job.” 

According to the latest Tourism Development Annual Report, tourism is the eighth largest private sector employer in the state, supporting 146,228 direct full-time equivalency jobs in 2008 in leisure and hospitality, retail, transportation, and other service sectors.  Tourism related jobs provided $4 billion in wages and salaries in 2008.  The 24-Member Tourism Development Board is composed of Gubernatorial-appointed individuals representing lodging, retail, transportation, food service and attractions, and six Members of Maryland’s General Assembly – 3 Delegates appointed by the House Speaker and 3 Senators appointed by the Senate President.

Close of General Election Registration  
Tuesday October 12^th 8:00 till 9:00 p.m.

Early Voting for Primary at Cecil County Administration Building (Elk Room)
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. September 3^rd through September 9^th  and Labor Day Monday September 6^th
 No Early Voting on Sundays

Early Voting for General Election at Cecil County Administration Building (Elk Room)
10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. October 22^nd – October 28^th -

“If we are going to bring our economy back we must continue the fight to help small businesses and U.S. manufacturing create jobs here at home,” said Rep. Kratovil.  “In order to have a strong economy in the long run, we must ensure a healthy domestic manufacturing sector.  This bill will protect good American jobs, provide support for our nation’s manufacturers, and help accelerate our economic recovery.

“We appreciate Congressman Kratovil’s support and vote for this critical legislation.  Because of his support and passage of this legislation, jobs in Maryland’s First Congressional district are secured, our company continues to invest in the development of new and innovative performance footwear and consumers benefit from a wider selection of this type of footwear at better prices,” said Matthew Schreiner, Global Products Specialist for W.L. Gore.

The reductions and suspensions of import duties prescribed in this bill are necessary to lower costs for materials American businesses use in production and thereby increase the competitiveness of our domestic producers.

Since being sworn into office, Rep. Kratovil has pursued legislation aimed at growing the economy, creating jobs, and supporting domestic manufacturers.    He recently held a roundtable discussion with local manufacturers to discuss the issues that they are facing and ways that he can be support their businesses.  This legislation is an essential piece of that initiative to help US manufacturers.