courtesy Republican News
Aug. 28, 2008
The Garrett County commissioners held their monthly staff meeting on Tuesday, hearing reports from 10 departments and agencies. Topics discussed this month included Mountain Laurel Medical Center, Technical Training Center, Health Department grant awards, and Ruth Enlow Library donations.
Community Action
Garrett County Community Action Committee president Duane Yoder announced that the Mountain Laurel Medical Center has been awarded a $250,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant. The funding will be used to purchase equipment.
Yoder called the grant "a great boost" for the project as capital funding had been a little short.
The center's staff is currently working at its tentative location at the Regional Eye Associates building, located along Memorial Drive, Oakland. The Mtn. Laurel Medical Center is being constructed across the road near the Garrett County Health Department.
Yoder noted that the new center was about 50 percent completed and may be finished sometime in January.
"The plan is when we get it built, we'll turn it over in a turnkey fashion to Mtn. Laurel," Yoder said.
The center is a federally qualified facility that provides health services to area residents regardless of their ability to pay.
The ARC grant will assist in the acquisition of telemedicine equipment that will be used in diagnostic services. Equipment will include work stations, computer software, white boards, monitors, X-ray displays, exam room equipment and telephone upgrades. The new equipment will be used in diagnostic applications for approximately 40 patients in the first year of operation. The health center will create one new position to manage the diagnostic services and patient records, according to Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin.
Yoder also told the commissioners that construction of the Grantsville Center is on schedule and that Community Action hoped to open it in January. Construction of the Liberty Square housing project in Oakland for senior citizens, however, has been delayed because of rain.
"So, we're a couple months behind with that," Yoder said.
Economic Development
Assistant director Frank Shap, Economic Development, reported that a bid award would be presented in late September or early October to an architectural/engineering company to design the Technical Training Center. The educational facility will be located in the old Phenix Technologies facility in Accident.
Shap noted that his department is managing the initiative, but the Board of Education and Garrett College are its determining bodies.
Commissioner Fred Holliday asked what types of vocational training would take place in the center.
Shap indicated that the Board of Education and Garrett College would decide the curriculum, based on the immediate and future needs of students and businesses. Initial plans, however, call for Garrett College to move its welding program into the center.
Other classes have not yet been determined, but could include nursing, automotive, and machine tool, the assistant director noted.
He said the winning architect will be instructed to design the facility in such a way as to allow for a wide range of trades to be taught at the facility, along with classrooms.
Health Department
Health officer Rodney Glotfelty, Garrett County Health Department, reported that Maryland's TMHAR (Trauma, Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery) program had received a national award from the Federal Agency for Drug and Alcohol Addictions. The GC Health Department is one of only seven sites in Maryland that participates in the program, which works in conjunction with the Maryland Parole and Probation Office.
There are currently 33 clients in the local program, but up to 53 persons may participate each year. The purpose of the initiative is to link addicts with treatment and mental health services to try to cut back on the numbers of persons who return to jail after they have served their sentences.
"We've been really successful with that program in Garrett County," Glotfelty said. He noted that of the clients who go through the local program, 60 percent do not return to jail. The state average of people in this category, he said, is about 20 percent.
Glotfelty also reported that the Health Department had received a Maryland Victims of Crime Grant from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention. The funds will be used for a forensic nurse examination program.
The health officer noted that prior to this grant being awarded, women who had been raped had to travel to Cumberland to be examined. But now, through a partnership with Garrett County Memorial Hospital, the Health Department will be able to provide examines in Oakland for sexual assault victims.
He said two Health Department nurses, Christy Cameron and Heather Cooper, have completed the necessary training and are credentialed by the Maryland Board of Nursing to conduct the examinations.
"The grant will also enable these two individuals to become certified to perform pediatric examinations," Glotfelty noted.
The health officer also reported that the governor has allocated $15 million in the state budget for a local Small Business Insurance Program, which targets businesses that employ between two and nine individuals.
The funding will pay 50 percent of the health insurance costs for those companies if they currently do not provide it for their employees. The remaining 50 percent of the cost would be the responsibility of the companies and/or their employees.
Glotfelty said the program will go through the Maryland Insurance Commission and insurance brokers. He added that the Health Department and Chamber of Commerce would have more information about the initiative next week.
Because of the limited amount of funding, the health officer noted, sign up for the insurance program will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ruth Enlow Library
Director Cathy Ashby reported that the Ruth Enlow Library has received donations in memory of Barbara McIntyre. As a result, a new bench for the outside of the library will purchased, Ashby said, and possibly some large-print books.
The library has also received a donation from the John Martin estate. That money will be used for outside repairs at the Oakland library and entryway improvements at the Accident branch, Ashby noted.
The director also noted that the terms of two library board members would soon expire.
"So, we'll be looking for new members for the Oakland and Kitzmiller areas," she said.
At the conclusion of her report, Ashby presented the commissioners with budgetary information from the state librarian and the director of the state library agency. Libraries across Maryland have suffered about $7 million in cuts during the last couple of years, Ashby said.
She also presented a news article from last week's Daily Record, projecting a large state budget deficit.
"But we're keeping our fingers crossed at the state level," Ashby said about funding.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Hearing Held On Comp Plan Draft; Residents Oppose Lake Hill Project
courtesy Republican News
Aug. 28, 2008
The Garrett County commissioners and Planning Commission members held a public hearing last Thursday evening at Garrett College on the county's Comprehensive Plan draft. About 100 people attended the event, with 13 voicing their concerns about the document.
The county's current comprehensive plan is more than 10 years old. In June 2006, Planning Commission members, county staff, and a contracted consulting firm, ERM, started working on a new plan that would reflect new societal trends and government policies. Local residents and organizations have also provided input over the years.
"It's looking pretty good," Planning Commission chair Troy Ellington said Tuesday night about the latest draft. "Can it be improved? Yes, it can. But most of us are very happy with it, so far."
This text proposes goals, objectives, principles, and standards, and establishes county policy with respect to land use, transportation, community facilities, water resources, housing, mineral resources, sensitive areas, and economic development, and includes recommendations for implementing the plan.
Director John Nelson, Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development, said state agencies reviewed the latest draft in April and returned their comments about it in June. Local residents and town officials in Garrett and other Maryland counties have also submitted opinions.
So far, ERM's Clive Graham has compiled 14 pages of comments about the proposed document.
"Most of the comments, I would say, were relatively minor," he said. "In many cases, the state agencies are asking for additional information, clarification, things like that."
Graham said "signifi-cant" comments, however, were made about some issues that will require more careful review by the commissioners and Planning Commission.
The Maryland Department of Planning recommended that the county lower its density requirement in rural areas to one unit per 20 acres.
"We were not surprised to see that comment," Graham said, adding that the department frequently makes that recommendation.
Numerous comments were also received about the water resources chapter, which is a new state requirement for comprehensive plans. Graham noted that Garrett County is the first to submit a water resources chapter, and, despite the many comments, the state is very pleased with that section of the plan.
Graham said several comments were also made about environmental issues, in particular the need for the county to include wetlands in its Sensitive Areas Ordinance, which was adopted in 1997. The edict does address steep slopes, stream buffers, rare and threatened species, and flood-prone areas, and development/permitting issues concerning those areas. Wetlands are not mentioned.
Most of the public comments at Thursday's hearing were about a proposed workforce housing project mentioned in Chapter 9 of the draft plan. It notes that "the White Face Farm property northeast of McHenry was acquired by the county and is intended as a joint economic development and housing site."
Although the housing component is in the very early planning stage, Community Action intends to construct several hundred homes for low- to middle-income workers on 50 acres of the White Face property near the Garrett County Airport. The housing development has been dubbed Lake Hill.
The proposed McHenry Business and Technology Park will also be built on the White Face land near the proposed community.
Del. Wendell Beitzel of Accident was one of six local residents who voiced their opposition to Lake Hill.
"I urge the Planning Commission and commissioners not to change the classification of all of the White Face Farm to permit high-density housing projects near the airport," Beitzel said.
The delegate noted that he and his 10 siblings grew up near the airport in the Bear Creek drainage basin, a rural community which consisted of 16 or 17 family farms at that time. Today, he said, there are still only about 50 or 60 homes in the entire basin.
Beitzel indicated that reclassifying that area to enable high-density housing to be constructed would change the character of the rural community, which is not the purpose of a comprehensive plan.
"What we're looking at is a change in this plan that would allow a project that is proposing to put in excess of 200 homes on the White Face Farm, which is county property, which is a buffer to the airport," Beitzel said. "And these 200 homes would be five times the number of families who live in that entire area, and if this doesn't change the character of a neighborhood, I don't know what does."
Chairperson Criss Kepple, Oakland, voiced the Garrett County Development Corporation's support for the reclassification. Her group is a nonprofit organization formed in the 1960s to further economic development.
One of the corporation's main goals is workforce housing and workforce development, Kepple noted.
"There is no question that in order to have a strong and viable workforce in the county, those folks have to have affordable places to live," she said.
Kepple said the proposed changes to the current comprehensive plan that expand the priority funding areas would allow the county to create affordable workforce housing for workforce ownership throughout the county, including Mc-Henry.
"With the costs of commuting and transportation, having affordable housing near where people actually work is going to be very important for the affordability of that workforce housing," Kepple said.
She added that the Lake Hill project is still in its infancy and details about it will emerge. Kepple also noted that there are misconceptions about the project and the type of housing that is planned.
"The goal of that project is to create housing that the workforce can, in fact, afford to own, not low-income housing," she said.
Some residents voiced their concerns about environmental issues in the comprehensive plan draft. Scott Johnson, Deep Creek Lake, said he hopes that Chapter 7: Sensitive Areas stays intact so that its integrity remains.
"It will take a lot of courage, but I hope that the commissioners will support that completely and not tear it apart," Johnson said.
The chapter discusses future growth/development and policies/actions for protecting sensitive areas, including establishing a "framework for regulatory control of ridgetop development through subdivision, sensitive area, and, possibly, zoning controls."
Long-time Deep Creek Lake property owner Barbara Beelar said she supported the proposed plan's section about the lake. But she said she was concerned about Section 12, "the action plan," in which the section about Deep Creek Lake disappears from the document.
"Given the role that the lake plays in Garrett County – economically, in recreation, tourism, environmental issues – I'm concerned that the "golden egg" is not well tended in this process," Beelar said.
She added that she understood that lack of attention, given the confusion as to who is responsible for the watershed. The Department of Natural Resources and state own the lake and buffer zones, but they do not own the watershed or own/control many of the streams that run into the lake, she said.
Beelar encouraged the Planning Commission to include these privately owned wetlands and other sensitive areas into the plan to help protect the lake from runoff and harmful excess plant growth.
She noted that she was in the process of forming a nonprofit protection group call the Friends of Deep Creek Lake and was developing a web site.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Nelson said the commissioners and Planning Commission would hold a work session on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 1:30 p.m. at the courthouse. The officials will review the public's and state's comments and make a decision as to which of those suggestions will be included in the final draft plan.
"Our consultant will adjust the plan according to the outcome of that Sept. 10 meeting," Nelson said.
The Planning Commission will then "take action" on the final draft at its October meeting, he said.
The draft plan is available for review in the county's Planning and Land Development office at the courthouse and online at garrettcounty.org by clicking on "Comprehensive Plan" under "News." Copies are also at the Accident, Grantsville, and Oakland libraries.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Aug. 28, 2008
The Garrett County commissioners and Planning Commission members held a public hearing last Thursday evening at Garrett College on the county's Comprehensive Plan draft. About 100 people attended the event, with 13 voicing their concerns about the document.
The county's current comprehensive plan is more than 10 years old. In June 2006, Planning Commission members, county staff, and a contracted consulting firm, ERM, started working on a new plan that would reflect new societal trends and government policies. Local residents and organizations have also provided input over the years.
"It's looking pretty good," Planning Commission chair Troy Ellington said Tuesday night about the latest draft. "Can it be improved? Yes, it can. But most of us are very happy with it, so far."
This text proposes goals, objectives, principles, and standards, and establishes county policy with respect to land use, transportation, community facilities, water resources, housing, mineral resources, sensitive areas, and economic development, and includes recommendations for implementing the plan.
Director John Nelson, Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development, said state agencies reviewed the latest draft in April and returned their comments about it in June. Local residents and town officials in Garrett and other Maryland counties have also submitted opinions.
So far, ERM's Clive Graham has compiled 14 pages of comments about the proposed document.
"Most of the comments, I would say, were relatively minor," he said. "In many cases, the state agencies are asking for additional information, clarification, things like that."
Graham said "signifi-cant" comments, however, were made about some issues that will require more careful review by the commissioners and Planning Commission.
The Maryland Department of Planning recommended that the county lower its density requirement in rural areas to one unit per 20 acres.
"We were not surprised to see that comment," Graham said, adding that the department frequently makes that recommendation.
Numerous comments were also received about the water resources chapter, which is a new state requirement for comprehensive plans. Graham noted that Garrett County is the first to submit a water resources chapter, and, despite the many comments, the state is very pleased with that section of the plan.
Graham said several comments were also made about environmental issues, in particular the need for the county to include wetlands in its Sensitive Areas Ordinance, which was adopted in 1997. The edict does address steep slopes, stream buffers, rare and threatened species, and flood-prone areas, and development/permitting issues concerning those areas. Wetlands are not mentioned.
Most of the public comments at Thursday's hearing were about a proposed workforce housing project mentioned in Chapter 9 of the draft plan. It notes that "the White Face Farm property northeast of McHenry was acquired by the county and is intended as a joint economic development and housing site."
Although the housing component is in the very early planning stage, Community Action intends to construct several hundred homes for low- to middle-income workers on 50 acres of the White Face property near the Garrett County Airport. The housing development has been dubbed Lake Hill.
The proposed McHenry Business and Technology Park will also be built on the White Face land near the proposed community.
Del. Wendell Beitzel of Accident was one of six local residents who voiced their opposition to Lake Hill.
"I urge the Planning Commission and commissioners not to change the classification of all of the White Face Farm to permit high-density housing projects near the airport," Beitzel said.
The delegate noted that he and his 10 siblings grew up near the airport in the Bear Creek drainage basin, a rural community which consisted of 16 or 17 family farms at that time. Today, he said, there are still only about 50 or 60 homes in the entire basin.
Beitzel indicated that reclassifying that area to enable high-density housing to be constructed would change the character of the rural community, which is not the purpose of a comprehensive plan.
"What we're looking at is a change in this plan that would allow a project that is proposing to put in excess of 200 homes on the White Face Farm, which is county property, which is a buffer to the airport," Beitzel said. "And these 200 homes would be five times the number of families who live in that entire area, and if this doesn't change the character of a neighborhood, I don't know what does."
Chairperson Criss Kepple, Oakland, voiced the Garrett County Development Corporation's support for the reclassification. Her group is a nonprofit organization formed in the 1960s to further economic development.
One of the corporation's main goals is workforce housing and workforce development, Kepple noted.
"There is no question that in order to have a strong and viable workforce in the county, those folks have to have affordable places to live," she said.
Kepple said the proposed changes to the current comprehensive plan that expand the priority funding areas would allow the county to create affordable workforce housing for workforce ownership throughout the county, including Mc-Henry.
"With the costs of commuting and transportation, having affordable housing near where people actually work is going to be very important for the affordability of that workforce housing," Kepple said.
She added that the Lake Hill project is still in its infancy and details about it will emerge. Kepple also noted that there are misconceptions about the project and the type of housing that is planned.
"The goal of that project is to create housing that the workforce can, in fact, afford to own, not low-income housing," she said.
Some residents voiced their concerns about environmental issues in the comprehensive plan draft. Scott Johnson, Deep Creek Lake, said he hopes that Chapter 7: Sensitive Areas stays intact so that its integrity remains.
"It will take a lot of courage, but I hope that the commissioners will support that completely and not tear it apart," Johnson said.
The chapter discusses future growth/development and policies/actions for protecting sensitive areas, including establishing a "framework for regulatory control of ridgetop development through subdivision, sensitive area, and, possibly, zoning controls."
Long-time Deep Creek Lake property owner Barbara Beelar said she supported the proposed plan's section about the lake. But she said she was concerned about Section 12, "the action plan," in which the section about Deep Creek Lake disappears from the document.
"Given the role that the lake plays in Garrett County – economically, in recreation, tourism, environmental issues – I'm concerned that the "golden egg" is not well tended in this process," Beelar said.
She added that she understood that lack of attention, given the confusion as to who is responsible for the watershed. The Department of Natural Resources and state own the lake and buffer zones, but they do not own the watershed or own/control many of the streams that run into the lake, she said.
Beelar encouraged the Planning Commission to include these privately owned wetlands and other sensitive areas into the plan to help protect the lake from runoff and harmful excess plant growth.
She noted that she was in the process of forming a nonprofit protection group call the Friends of Deep Creek Lake and was developing a web site.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Nelson said the commissioners and Planning Commission would hold a work session on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 1:30 p.m. at the courthouse. The officials will review the public's and state's comments and make a decision as to which of those suggestions will be included in the final draft plan.
"Our consultant will adjust the plan according to the outcome of that Sept. 10 meeting," Nelson said.
The Planning Commission will then "take action" on the final draft at its October meeting, he said.
The draft plan is available for review in the county's Planning and Land Development office at the courthouse and online at garrettcounty.org by clicking on "Comprehensive Plan" under "News." Copies are also at the Accident, Grantsville, and Oakland libraries.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Monday, August 25, 2008
Black Bear at Wispering Views
I was standing on the deck of a house in the Wispering Views subdivision today, and my friend noticed something moving in the field between Bumblebee Rd and Mosser Rd. At first, we thought it was a tractor, but then we realized it was...a meandering black bear, strolling through the fields. Click on the photos for larger files. We also saw a few eagles that have a nest nearby. So, in addition to the views of the ski slopes at Wisp, you can enjoy watching over the town of McHenry and the neighboring wildlife, all from the hills of Wispering Views community!
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Western Maryland Truck Show Set For This Weekend
courtesy Republican News
Aug. 21, 2008
The 10th annual Western Maryland Truck Show will be held from Friday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Grantsville Town Park. A variety of events are scheduled.
On Friday night, Marcy's Wings in the Park will benefit the Grantsville Fire Department building fund. Eight different flavors of wings will be available from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Salisbury VFW and the Western Maryland Truck Show.
At 7 p.m. on Friday, a truck pull contest will feature "man power" rather than horsepower. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Western Maryland Division.
Music will be provided by Perry Kamp from 8 to 11 p.m.
Special events on Saturday will include a candy drop, coloring contest, story telling with Joanna Guy from Garrett County at 11 a.m., a live radio remote with Hannah and the Trucker from 3 to 6 p.m., and an auto cruise-in from 3 to 7 p.m.
The Maryland National Guard will also host a climbing wall from noon to 5 p.m.
Visitors can also meet Miss Maryland USA, who will be at the show that day.
Spectators should bring lawn chairs and blankets for an evening in the park with the bands Ricochet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Highway 101 from 9 to 10:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Loretta Hummel and the Golden River Band will play from 10 to 12:30 p.m.
The Maryland Department of Transportation will also give a demonstration of weighing a tractor trailer loaded with logs.
The truckers will also be presented with their awards beginning at 1:30 p.m., including people's choice, mayor's choice, Miss Maryland's choice, and the Western Maryland Truck Show Memorial award.
The coloring contest winner will also be announced, and a driver will win a $1,000 cash give-away.
In order to allow trucks to enter the park, Miller Street in front of the Grantsville Park will be closed on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Pennsylvania Avenue to Hershberger Lane. Additional parking will be provided as needed.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Aug. 21, 2008
The 10th annual Western Maryland Truck Show will be held from Friday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Grantsville Town Park. A variety of events are scheduled.
On Friday night, Marcy's Wings in the Park will benefit the Grantsville Fire Department building fund. Eight different flavors of wings will be available from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Salisbury VFW and the Western Maryland Truck Show.
At 7 p.m. on Friday, a truck pull contest will feature "man power" rather than horsepower. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Western Maryland Division.
Music will be provided by Perry Kamp from 8 to 11 p.m.
Special events on Saturday will include a candy drop, coloring contest, story telling with Joanna Guy from Garrett County at 11 a.m., a live radio remote with Hannah and the Trucker from 3 to 6 p.m., and an auto cruise-in from 3 to 7 p.m.
The Maryland National Guard will also host a climbing wall from noon to 5 p.m.
Visitors can also meet Miss Maryland USA, who will be at the show that day.
Spectators should bring lawn chairs and blankets for an evening in the park with the bands Ricochet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and Highway 101 from 9 to 10:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Loretta Hummel and the Golden River Band will play from 10 to 12:30 p.m.
The Maryland Department of Transportation will also give a demonstration of weighing a tractor trailer loaded with logs.
The truckers will also be presented with their awards beginning at 1:30 p.m., including people's choice, mayor's choice, Miss Maryland's choice, and the Western Maryland Truck Show Memorial award.
The coloring contest winner will also be announced, and a driver will win a $1,000 cash give-away.
In order to allow trucks to enter the park, Miller Street in front of the Grantsville Park will be closed on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Pennsylvania Avenue to Hershberger Lane. Additional parking will be provided as needed.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Commissioners Vote To Abandon Plans For New Detention Center
courtesy Republican News
Aug. 21, 2008
The Garrett County commissioners announced yesterday that they have abandoned plans to construct a new $19.4 million public safety center on the current site of the Garrett County Roads Department along U.S. Rt. 219 in Oakland.
"This decision by the Board of County Commissioners was finalized after serious thought and deliberation," said chairman Denny Glotfelty. "The board had to look at the long-term financial outlook of Garrett County government in conjunction with unknown state cutbacks. Operating the county within affordability limits for our citizens, while improving the quality of all public services, will remain our number one priority."
The proposed public safety center had previously been planned as the site to locate a new detention center and administrative offices for the sheriff's office.
Planning is under way to evaluate possible renovations of the county's current detention center and public safety/emergency management offices.
Glotfelty noted that the population of inmates at the jail has not increased according to projection figures from a few years ago.
“We believe that there is sufficient space in the current location to adequately address the detention center needs,” he said, adding that some of the underground parking area could be utilized.
Appraisals on the current roads department site have been prepared, and the course of action to sell the property will be undertaken, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt. The property is currently appraised at $3.7 million.
“That number will likely increase,” Glotfelty said, “because of the commercial development that is under way right now along Rt. 219 in Oakland. With the Lowe’s under construction now, and several other projects anticipated, the county roads property can only increase in value.”
The commissioners have also deferred final approval of the bid award for the Community Athletic and Recreation Center so that additional state and private funding can be explored. A final decision on this facility, which has been determined by the board to be a priority within projected financial affordability, will be made after the request for additional funding from the state has been reviewed and definitive funding has been approved, Pagenhardt said.
The commissioners met this week with Senator George Edwards and Garrett College officials to discuss the rec center project, which is to be built on the McHenry campus.
Pagenhardt added that the commissioners asked Senator Edwards to pursue potential additional funding for such a project when the 2009 General Assembly begins in January.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Aug. 21, 2008
The Garrett County commissioners announced yesterday that they have abandoned plans to construct a new $19.4 million public safety center on the current site of the Garrett County Roads Department along U.S. Rt. 219 in Oakland.
"This decision by the Board of County Commissioners was finalized after serious thought and deliberation," said chairman Denny Glotfelty. "The board had to look at the long-term financial outlook of Garrett County government in conjunction with unknown state cutbacks. Operating the county within affordability limits for our citizens, while improving the quality of all public services, will remain our number one priority."
The proposed public safety center had previously been planned as the site to locate a new detention center and administrative offices for the sheriff's office.
Planning is under way to evaluate possible renovations of the county's current detention center and public safety/emergency management offices.
Glotfelty noted that the population of inmates at the jail has not increased according to projection figures from a few years ago.
“We believe that there is sufficient space in the current location to adequately address the detention center needs,” he said, adding that some of the underground parking area could be utilized.
Appraisals on the current roads department site have been prepared, and the course of action to sell the property will be undertaken, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt. The property is currently appraised at $3.7 million.
“That number will likely increase,” Glotfelty said, “because of the commercial development that is under way right now along Rt. 219 in Oakland. With the Lowe’s under construction now, and several other projects anticipated, the county roads property can only increase in value.”
The commissioners have also deferred final approval of the bid award for the Community Athletic and Recreation Center so that additional state and private funding can be explored. A final decision on this facility, which has been determined by the board to be a priority within projected financial affordability, will be made after the request for additional funding from the state has been reviewed and definitive funding has been approved, Pagenhardt said.
The commissioners met this week with Senator George Edwards and Garrett College officials to discuss the rec center project, which is to be built on the McHenry campus.
Pagenhardt added that the commissioners asked Senator Edwards to pursue potential additional funding for such a project when the 2009 General Assembly begins in January.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Live at the Garrett County Fair!
I'm sitting in the display barn at the Garrett County Fair on a beautiful Saturday evening at the lake! The sun is just starting to set and you can see the last flicker of light shining on the vehicles parked along Garrett Highway. I have been fortunate to have had many friendly faces stopping by to visit me at the Long & Foster booth. I am always amazed at just how many people are in town for one of Garrett County's greatest traditions. Jack from Mountaineer Log & Siding has been here for a while, as well, and he seems to know everyone that walks by! Even with the market in a downturn, I have had many people asking specific questions about properties in and around Deep Creek Lake, Accident and Oakland - they feel that there are some good deals out there, and they are right! It has been a long time since you could find decent primary homes in the county for under $100,000. In fact, I just checked and there are 32 homes on the market at $100k or less - that's good news. Housing is becoming affordable again for people who live and work in Garrett County - it's been a few years since you could say that.
I was also fortunate to enjoy a few staples of the agricultural fair this week: A BBQ chicken dinner at the Lion's Club Pavilion, Rotary french fries, taking my kids to the carnival rides and ferris wheel, the banging of the demolition derby, strolling through the barns to see the cows, sheep, pigs and horses, and seeing all of the vendors & crafts in the display barns.
Later on, I'll upload a gallery of photos that I took on the boat ride over today, and throughout my travels at the fairgrounds. Check back!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
New Listing GA6845335! 248 Marsh Hill Road, Unrivaled views of Wisp Ski Resort!
Detached single family home with unrivaled views of Wisp Ski & Golf Resort. Unobstructed views of the slopes and mountain coaster. You can't get a house any closer to the Wisp than this! Walk to the ski lodge, restaurant, golf shop, and more. Recent upgrades include flooring and exterior painting. No HOA fees! Valuable real estate near the center of the 4 season resort that drives Deep Creek Lake!
Some other great features include:
Some other great features include:
- Large kitchen with eat-in breakfast bar
- Sunken dining room with HUGE views of the mountain & amenities of Wisp
- Large recreation room in basement with ping pong table
- Storage room in basement
- Full laundry room with mud sink
- Master suite with oversized soaking tub
- Balcony off of Master Bedroom
- Wake up to views of the slopes - everyday!
- Level, grassy lawn and great landscaping
- Attractive stained glass window built in to hallway
- Newer flooring through most of the house
- Furnished!
- All of this for only $359,900!
Online Photo Gallery:
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Garrett Roads Department to Implement Cost Tracking Program
courtesy Republican News
Aug. 14, 2008
The new general superintendent of the Garrett County Roads Department, Jay Moyer, presented an update report to the county commissioners on Tuesday. Moyer began his employment on July 21, replacing Fred Polce, who retired at the end of that month.
Moyer said a few changes are being made to the way his department tracks its budget. Nathan Watkins, director of the county's Information Technology Department, has developed a new computer program with the help of Scott Weeks, assistant director of financial services.
"Basically, we're trying to streamline the way data have been entered in the past," Watkins said.
Previously, the entering of such information as purchase requests and project expenditures were the sole responsibility of the general superintendent. Watkins said they are now trying to simplify the data process and spread the workload around, making it more of a "group effort."
Commissioner Denny Glotfelty asked if Moyer would still be ultimately responsible for keeping track of all the data.
"Oh, yes," Moyer said.
But the superintendent added that he wants more participation from the Roads Department foremen and their people so that they can also track expenditures and requests at their garages.
"I think it helps for the persons who are making that request to also understand that there is a limited amount of money in the budget for certain things and that they are aware of what they're spending," Moyer said. "I think it helps them understand that there comes a point when you have to curtail spending, or at least slow down your spending, because there is only X amount of money in the budget to spend."
The county Roads Department is divided into three service and maintenance areas: Accident, Grantsville, and Oakland garages. Each garage is under the supervision of a foreman who receives direction from Moyer.
He and the foremen meet every Monday morning to review projects from the previous week. A report is then forwarded to the commissioners.
Weeks noted, however, that it will be several days before the commissioners can receive information through the new tracking system, as data have to be transferred to the new software program.
The superintendent and commissioners discussed recent increases in fuel and materials. Moyer said costs will be watched and paving projects adjusted accordingly. The officials noted, however, that safety issues and high traffic areas should be considered in that adjustment.
Moyer reported on several Roads Department projects. He noted that the 10-week Swanton bridge initiative was one-third completed. Various paving and patching, shoulder work, grading, mowing, and culvert projects are also under way throughout the county.
The Garrett County Roads Department is responsible for the upkeep of approximately 680 miles of roads and 127 bridges. This includes the design, management, and construction of county roads, bridges, and associated structures.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Aug. 14, 2008
The new general superintendent of the Garrett County Roads Department, Jay Moyer, presented an update report to the county commissioners on Tuesday. Moyer began his employment on July 21, replacing Fred Polce, who retired at the end of that month.
Moyer said a few changes are being made to the way his department tracks its budget. Nathan Watkins, director of the county's Information Technology Department, has developed a new computer program with the help of Scott Weeks, assistant director of financial services.
"Basically, we're trying to streamline the way data have been entered in the past," Watkins said.
Previously, the entering of such information as purchase requests and project expenditures were the sole responsibility of the general superintendent. Watkins said they are now trying to simplify the data process and spread the workload around, making it more of a "group effort."
Commissioner Denny Glotfelty asked if Moyer would still be ultimately responsible for keeping track of all the data.
"Oh, yes," Moyer said.
But the superintendent added that he wants more participation from the Roads Department foremen and their people so that they can also track expenditures and requests at their garages.
"I think it helps for the persons who are making that request to also understand that there is a limited amount of money in the budget for certain things and that they are aware of what they're spending," Moyer said. "I think it helps them understand that there comes a point when you have to curtail spending, or at least slow down your spending, because there is only X amount of money in the budget to spend."
The county Roads Department is divided into three service and maintenance areas: Accident, Grantsville, and Oakland garages. Each garage is under the supervision of a foreman who receives direction from Moyer.
He and the foremen meet every Monday morning to review projects from the previous week. A report is then forwarded to the commissioners.
Weeks noted, however, that it will be several days before the commissioners can receive information through the new tracking system, as data have to be transferred to the new software program.
The superintendent and commissioners discussed recent increases in fuel and materials. Moyer said costs will be watched and paving projects adjusted accordingly. The officials noted, however, that safety issues and high traffic areas should be considered in that adjustment.
Moyer reported on several Roads Department projects. He noted that the 10-week Swanton bridge initiative was one-third completed. Various paving and patching, shoulder work, grading, mowing, and culvert projects are also under way throughout the county.
The Garrett County Roads Department is responsible for the upkeep of approximately 680 miles of roads and 127 bridges. This includes the design, management, and construction of county roads, bridges, and associated structures.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Garrett County Schools Of Yesteryear Is Published; Result Of 16-Year Effort
courtesy Republican News
Aug. 14, 2008
Book-Signing Slated Aug. 23
by Mary Sincell McEwen
After completing a history project about area schools some 16 years ago, two retired teachers, Jean Williams Grose and Alice Feather Eary (above left and right) shared a vision. "Let's compile a book about all the schools of Garrett County," said one. "Do you think we'll live long enough to get it finished?" asked the other.
The answer is yes, and decidedly so. Eary and Grose now are the accomplished authors of Garrett County Schools of Yesteryear, a 670-page tome of stories, pictures, and rich history of the education system of the area from its very beginning. The book was published by Schlabaugh Publishing in Sugar Creek, Ohio, and is now available at the Garrett County Museum in Oakland.
The two writers will be available for a book-signing at the museum on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The production of the hardback book, priced at about $40 each, was funded by the Garrett County Historical Society, and all the proceeds from its sale will benefit that organization.
Both writers are members of Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers' society. That group was hosting an exhibit at Garrett College in about 1992, and Eary and Grose said they were appointed ("more like drafted," Grose said, smiling) to compile a history of area schools for one part of the display. They became so engaged in the research that they decided to embark on the journey of finding out all they could about the entire history, and doing their best to preserve it in book form.
Their trek was long and arduous, with a number of obstacles. For one thing, the decision was made in about 1943 by the school board at the time to get rid of most minutes and records of the school system, as there was apparently no known need to keep them. So precious documents were indeed destroyed. However, Eary and Grose remained steadfast and found other resources, such as the back issues of The Republican newspaper.
"There was a wealth of school information in the newspaper," Eary said. "We just had to take the time to find it."
Over the years, she combed through issue after issue, with the help of the Ruth Enlow Library and its microfilm collection of the paper.
"There have been so many letters-to-the-editor dealing with the school system; some complaining, some praising. That helped. And there were many stories about pageants and events, too, at the schools. It took a long time, but I found a lot in the papers over the years," Eary said.
The two asked for the public's assistance in gathering any school information out there. At first, they said, the response was very slow. But as word spread about the project, more and more information began to flow in. The book features multiple photographs of the many area facilities, both staged pictures and candid. There are 20 chapters, 14 of which are specifically about the schools from Finzel to Kitzmiller and all in between. At one time, every small community throughout the county had its own one-room or two-room school. The book includes photos and information of facilities, teachers, and students, now long gone, as well as data about more current schools and their administrations.
Both women had a passion about the topic, as both were longtime teachers in the community. Eary began her career in 1951, teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Preston County, W.Va. After one year there, she moved on to Garrett County and taught at the Oakland Elementary School (Center Street) for seven years. Later, after her son was born, she taught for seven more years at Loch Lynn, and then settled in for 25 years at Southern High School, teaching business education. In all, she was a teacher for 40 years.
Grose began as a substitute, and then enjoyed the position enough to complete her degree and take a full-time position at Northern High School, teaching math. She remained a math teacher for 33 years, working at Northern, Southern, and Southern Middle. Both women said they loved their careers. The odyssey of the book has enhanced their retirement years.
"I feel a deeper connection with Garrett County now," Grose said. "Even though I am a West Virginian (having grown up in Romney), Garrett County is the place I know and the place I love."
Eary said one of the best aspects of completing the project was the way people wanted to help.
"It has been very gratifying the way people have shared pictures and memories and so on," she said. "We have been so touched by the generosity and willingness to help, and we are so pleased with the reception of the book we've already witnessed."
The two women, who both reside in the Cranesville, W.Va., area, attended an Oakland High School all class reunion last week. They were barraged with requests to see the book, and actually sold several at the event.
"That was a surprise," Grose said. "We were selling them left and right."
The two have even had requests for the book at their church.
"It felt rather odd, selling books out of my car after the church service. I don't think that's very appropriate," Eary said, laughing. "But all the proceeds do benefit the historical society."
"We so appreciate the cooperation of Garrett Countians," Grose said. "Their enthusiasm has been rewarding."
The book lists a large number of individuals who helped with the project, and contains a forward written by Dr. Jerome Ryscavage, former superintendent of schools.
"We had a lot of help, with everything from gathering information to assistance with the computer," Eary said. She especially appreciated the help of her son, Matthew Eary, who helped create a program to aid in the compilation.
Robert Boal, president of the historical society, said the women have outdone themselves on the book.
"They absolutely have done a beautiful job with this," Boal said. "It will be of great interest to so many people."
Both women noted that there are still opportunities for anyone who has information about the history of public (or private) education in Garrett County but who were not able to pass it along before the publication of the book.
"If there are pictures or stories or information out there still, people may submit the data to the historical society," Eary said. "It can then be published in the Glades Star." (The Glades Star is a quarterly publication of the historical society.)
For more information about the book, persons may contact the museum at 301-334-3226.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Aug. 14, 2008
Book-Signing Slated Aug. 23
by Mary Sincell McEwen
After completing a history project about area schools some 16 years ago, two retired teachers, Jean Williams Grose and Alice Feather Eary (above left and right) shared a vision. "Let's compile a book about all the schools of Garrett County," said one. "Do you think we'll live long enough to get it finished?" asked the other.
The answer is yes, and decidedly so. Eary and Grose now are the accomplished authors of Garrett County Schools of Yesteryear, a 670-page tome of stories, pictures, and rich history of the education system of the area from its very beginning. The book was published by Schlabaugh Publishing in Sugar Creek, Ohio, and is now available at the Garrett County Museum in Oakland.
The two writers will be available for a book-signing at the museum on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The production of the hardback book, priced at about $40 each, was funded by the Garrett County Historical Society, and all the proceeds from its sale will benefit that organization.
Both writers are members of Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers' society. That group was hosting an exhibit at Garrett College in about 1992, and Eary and Grose said they were appointed ("more like drafted," Grose said, smiling) to compile a history of area schools for one part of the display. They became so engaged in the research that they decided to embark on the journey of finding out all they could about the entire history, and doing their best to preserve it in book form.
Their trek was long and arduous, with a number of obstacles. For one thing, the decision was made in about 1943 by the school board at the time to get rid of most minutes and records of the school system, as there was apparently no known need to keep them. So precious documents were indeed destroyed. However, Eary and Grose remained steadfast and found other resources, such as the back issues of The Republican newspaper.
"There was a wealth of school information in the newspaper," Eary said. "We just had to take the time to find it."
Over the years, she combed through issue after issue, with the help of the Ruth Enlow Library and its microfilm collection of the paper.
"There have been so many letters-to-the-editor dealing with the school system; some complaining, some praising. That helped. And there were many stories about pageants and events, too, at the schools. It took a long time, but I found a lot in the papers over the years," Eary said.
The two asked for the public's assistance in gathering any school information out there. At first, they said, the response was very slow. But as word spread about the project, more and more information began to flow in. The book features multiple photographs of the many area facilities, both staged pictures and candid. There are 20 chapters, 14 of which are specifically about the schools from Finzel to Kitzmiller and all in between. At one time, every small community throughout the county had its own one-room or two-room school. The book includes photos and information of facilities, teachers, and students, now long gone, as well as data about more current schools and their administrations.
Both women had a passion about the topic, as both were longtime teachers in the community. Eary began her career in 1951, teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Preston County, W.Va. After one year there, she moved on to Garrett County and taught at the Oakland Elementary School (Center Street) for seven years. Later, after her son was born, she taught for seven more years at Loch Lynn, and then settled in for 25 years at Southern High School, teaching business education. In all, she was a teacher for 40 years.
Grose began as a substitute, and then enjoyed the position enough to complete her degree and take a full-time position at Northern High School, teaching math. She remained a math teacher for 33 years, working at Northern, Southern, and Southern Middle. Both women said they loved their careers. The odyssey of the book has enhanced their retirement years.
"I feel a deeper connection with Garrett County now," Grose said. "Even though I am a West Virginian (having grown up in Romney), Garrett County is the place I know and the place I love."
Eary said one of the best aspects of completing the project was the way people wanted to help.
"It has been very gratifying the way people have shared pictures and memories and so on," she said. "We have been so touched by the generosity and willingness to help, and we are so pleased with the reception of the book we've already witnessed."
The two women, who both reside in the Cranesville, W.Va., area, attended an Oakland High School all class reunion last week. They were barraged with requests to see the book, and actually sold several at the event.
"That was a surprise," Grose said. "We were selling them left and right."
The two have even had requests for the book at their church.
"It felt rather odd, selling books out of my car after the church service. I don't think that's very appropriate," Eary said, laughing. "But all the proceeds do benefit the historical society."
"We so appreciate the cooperation of Garrett Countians," Grose said. "Their enthusiasm has been rewarding."
The book lists a large number of individuals who helped with the project, and contains a forward written by Dr. Jerome Ryscavage, former superintendent of schools.
"We had a lot of help, with everything from gathering information to assistance with the computer," Eary said. She especially appreciated the help of her son, Matthew Eary, who helped create a program to aid in the compilation.
Robert Boal, president of the historical society, said the women have outdone themselves on the book.
"They absolutely have done a beautiful job with this," Boal said. "It will be of great interest to so many people."
Both women noted that there are still opportunities for anyone who has information about the history of public (or private) education in Garrett County but who were not able to pass it along before the publication of the book.
"If there are pictures or stories or information out there still, people may submit the data to the historical society," Eary said. "It can then be published in the Glades Star." (The Glades Star is a quarterly publication of the historical society.)
For more information about the book, persons may contact the museum at 301-334-3226.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Local Resident Seriously Injured In Plummet Over Muddy Creek Falls
courtesy Republican News
Aug. 14, 2008
A local resident and her boyfriend fell approximately 50 feet while hiking in the Muddy Creek Falls area of Swallow Falls State Park on Saturday afternoon, as reported by the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP).
Elizabeth Bailey Michael, 20, Oakland, was listed in serious condition after she and Michael D. Brown, 19, Winchester, Va., fell while hiking near the top of the 63-foot Muddy Creek Falls, the state's highest free-falling waterfall. Brown lost his footing by stepping in an area of standing water and fell as he slid toward the edge of the falls. Michael reached out to prevent him from going over the edge of the falls and lost her balance, as well.
Both individuals fell approximately 50 feet over the falls shortly before 4 p.m. Michael was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., and Brown was transported to Garrett County Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injures.
According to a family spokesperson, Michael's injuries include a broken back, pelvis, ankle, ear drum, and teeth. She also sustained lacerations to her face. As of Tuesday, it did not appear that she would require any surgery.
Southern Garrett Rescue Squad, Maryland State Park Service, and Maryland State Police assisted NRP with the incident.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
Aug. 14, 2008
A local resident and her boyfriend fell approximately 50 feet while hiking in the Muddy Creek Falls area of Swallow Falls State Park on Saturday afternoon, as reported by the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP).
Elizabeth Bailey Michael, 20, Oakland, was listed in serious condition after she and Michael D. Brown, 19, Winchester, Va., fell while hiking near the top of the 63-foot Muddy Creek Falls, the state's highest free-falling waterfall. Brown lost his footing by stepping in an area of standing water and fell as he slid toward the edge of the falls. Michael reached out to prevent him from going over the edge of the falls and lost her balance, as well.
Both individuals fell approximately 50 feet over the falls shortly before 4 p.m. Michael was flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., and Brown was transported to Garrett County Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injures.
According to a family spokesperson, Michael's injuries include a broken back, pelvis, ankle, ear drum, and teeth. She also sustained lacerations to her face. As of Tuesday, it did not appear that she would require any surgery.
Southern Garrett Rescue Squad, Maryland State Park Service, and Maryland State Police assisted NRP with the incident.
If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Long & Foster Real Estate for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350
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