Deep Creek Lake Real Estate Blog - Jay Ferguson

Deep Creek Lake Real Estate Blog - Jay Ferguson
EVERYTHING under the sun about Deep Creek Lake, Maryland! Deep Creek Lake Real Estate Information, Local News & Happenings in Garrett County Maryland, Current Events, Local Business Profiles, Upcoming Attractions, Vacation Rentals, Resort Realty, Community Profiles, Homes for Sale, Restaurants & Dining, Entertainment Schedules, Festivals & Gatherings, Churches & Charities, Wisp Ski & Golf Resort, Swallow Falls State Park, Youghiogheny & Casselman River, Garrett County Fair & more!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Getting ‘lean’: Garrett commissioners look to trim county’s budget

Angie Brant
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Wed Aug 31, 2011, 11:04 PM EDT

OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners have approved a plan they believe will help offset a projected revenue shortfall and increase the efficiency and productivity of county government.

In the next month, the commissioners will appoint nine individuals to serve on an Efficiency Task Force. The task force will implement “lean” practices in the county government.

The lean concept is a systemic approach that identifies problems and establishes corrective actions to increase efficiency in an organization.

Lean practices have been implemented in five counties throughout Maryland.

According to Gregan Crawford, chairman, this concept has been successful in the private sector for many years. He believes the implementation of the concept in Garrett County governmental operations will offer a better return on taxpayers’ dollars.

“This was the next logical step. We have looked at and completed many cost-saving initiatives and we believe this can only help our efforts,” Crawford added.

Crawford and his colleagues, Commissioners Bob Gatto and James Raley, unanimously approved the proposal at their August meeting. The next step will be to appoint members of the county work force and community to the panel.

The current proposal calls for the panel to be comprised of nine members, with five individuals from county government and four appointments from the commissioners.

However, based on the initial response to this proposal, the board of commissioners is considering the creation of subcommittees to allow greater involvement from both employees and residents.

The county has already enjoyed the results of lean practices following the elimination of 25 positions through attrition.

Through attrition, the county has seen a savings of $1.5 million and has been able to restructure and reorganize many departments, eliminating many cases of duplication of services.

Garrett County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt said the county’s employees have risen to the challenge and “continue to provide quality public service with less personnel and financial resources.”

The commissioners agree that the dedication of the employees will be key to the implementation and success of this endeavor.

“We are looking for solutions from the bottom up, solutions from the employees who perform the jobs. They know what works and what doesn’t,” Crawford said.

Raley said the county has seen success in shared services with the Garrett County Board of Education and sees the potential for even greater savings as different options are considered.

“We need to operate government like people operate their household budgets in this tough economy, by cutting back and makings changes,” Raley said. “It can be as simple as turning off lights when you leave a room or turning off computers. We are looking at every option that can help save the county money.”

Several Garrett County businesses meet each month to discuss improving efficiency in the private sectors. As guests of these meetings, Gatto said the board of commissioners have begun to look at the process in a different light, gaining insight from what is working in the private sector and how to adapt those practices to serve county government.

“Lean is not just about working harder, it is about working smarter,” Gatto said. “We are seeing how those companies are working to be more productive and it is giving us a fresh perspective on how we can do things.”

Gatto has said it is easy to raise taxes, but he feels a more efficient government should be the first priority as the county looks to the future.

“We’re trying to plan for the worst, but are hoping for the best,” Crawford added. “Raising taxes is the last resort.”

The commissioners’ next scheduled public meeting is Sept. 13, beginning at 9 a.m. The commissioners’ plan is to have Efficiency Task Force members in place by Oct. 1. Commissioners would like to see the task force hold an organizational meeting before Oct. 21 and compile a list of recommendations by Jan. 31, 2012.

Contact Angie Brant at abrant @times-news.com

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

State Marcellus commission will meet in Garrett

Matthew Bieniek
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Mon Aug 29, 2011, 11:21 PM EDT

MCHENRY— The county with the most to gain, or lose — depending on who you talk to, on both the economic and environmental front, will host the next meeting of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission.

The meeting is set for Oct. 7 in Room CE-224 (the Continuing Education Building Lecture Hall) at Garrett College in McHenry. The meeting is currently scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and run until around 4 p.m.

State Department of the Environment staff are preparing briefings on liability and revenue issues, said Brigid Kenney of the MDE. The meeting will be the second one for the committee following the initial meeting at Rocky Gap in early August. The meetings are open to the public.

Among Garrett County members on the shale commission are county commissioner James Raley, Sen. George Edwards, Shawn Bender of the Garrett County Farm Bureau and Paul Roberts, a Garrett County resident, citizen activist and owner of Deep Creek Cellars winery.

The liability and revenue issues brought a number of comments at the first meeting. The liability issues concern how the state can assure repairs to roads and land damaged by drilling as well as funding should a disaster occur, among other concerns, commission members said. Commission members are also trying to figure out the best mechanism for permitting costs and taxation and how tax revenue should be divvied up.

Chairman David Vanko, a dean in science and mathematics at Towson University, has said commission members would have a steep learning curve.

Some commission members have advocated a baseline scientific fact-gathering, possibly paid for by the natural gas industry. One problem has been that it’s impossible to tell if methane in the water of some Pennsylvania communities occurred naturally or because of gas fracking, mainly because no studies or measurements took place before fracking began.

The commission will present recommendations by the end of the year on legislation to tax drilling and establish liability standards.

Recommendations on best practices for natural gas exploration and production are to be delivered by Aug. 1, 2012, and a final report including environmental impacts of drilling is to be issued by Aug. 1, 2014.

Marcellus shale formations throughout the Eastern U.S. harbor large untapped natural gas resources.

The total value of the natural gas in Allegany County’s Marcellus shale could be close to $15.72 billion, with the average well earning $65,000 to $524,000 yearly, University of Maryland Extension staff has said.

In order to get the gas trapped in Marcellus shale to the surface chemicals, water and sand are pumped underground to break apart rock formations and free the gas.

Critics are concerned about the impact on groundwater and drinking water. The technique would likely be used if drilling began in Western Maryland.

A process used in Canada, though, uses carbon dioxide gas, which is believed to have less significant environmental impact.

Vanko has said he hopes consensus can be reached on most of the issues the committee is expected to review.

Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com


Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Gas not the only factor in Labor Day plans

By CALEB CALHOUN
caleb.calhoun@herald-mail.com

5:01 p.m. EDT, August 31, 2011

With gas prices lower now than they were in July and Labor Day approaching, area residents Wednesday talked about costs, crowds, congestion and even crime shaping their plans to travel over the holiday weekend.

Dick Gaylor of Boonsboro said that he planned to stay home over the weekend because gas is still too high for him to travel.

"I have a camper, and I can't afford to travel with it like I used to because gas is so high," he said. "Even though the prices have gotten a little better, it's still hard when my camper is only getting about 10 miles to the gallon."

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Commissioners Hold Hearings To Prepare For Fiscal Year 2013


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Aug. 25, 2011

The Garrett County commissioners are already preparing for the Fiscal Year 2013 budget and beyond, though FY 2012 is less than 2 months old. They held five brief public hearings Tuesday afternoon on proposed increases for recordation, admissions and amusement, hotel rental, title/leasehold interest transfers, and overdue property taxes.

"I don't want you to believe that it's a done deal," Commissioner Jim Raley said about raising taxes. "I want you to know that we're here to listen."

About 30 people attended the hearings, primarily members of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce.

Commission chair Gregan Crawford stressed the hearings were mainly to garner information and to prepare for the future, especially the General Assembly session in January 2012. Three of the five taxes would require legislation in order for the commissioners to be able to increase them, if needed, in the future.

"2013 will probably be a far greater challenge to the county, budgetwise, than 2012 was," Crawford said.

He indicated that the county may see a drop in property assessments, there may be a shift in teacher pension obligation from the state to the county, and there will be less state funding for education. He noted that the county's capital projects and employee roster have already been greatly reduced.

"We're trying to plan for the worst, but are hoping for the best," Crawford said. "I don't know whether we're going to change any of the rates or not, but adjusting tax rates is never popular, especially in recessionary times. I'm still not convinced it's the correct pathway at this point. Raising taxes should only be as the last resort."

He added that it is hard to ask people to pay more taxes when the county needs to continue to look internally to see what it can do to raise revenue and trim expenses.

With that in mind, the commissioners will form an Efficiency Task Force to find ways to save money, yet maintain services.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Monday, August 29, 2011

PlanMaryland for Dummies: What Is It, Why Do I Care?

By Kym Byrnes

Over the next 20 years, there will be nearly 1 million more people, over 400,000 additional households and more than 600,000 new jobs in Maryland, according to the PlanMarylandwebsite.

PlanMaryland is the state’s first plan for sustainable growth and development. It will emphasize planning that encourages Maryland residents to be more efficient and less wasteful of valuable resources, according to thePlanMaryland website.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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County United Way to recognize contributors

The Cumberland Times-News Sun Aug 28, 2011, 10:39 PM EDT

FROSTBURG — County United Way will host the Annual Community Caring Awards and campaign kickoff on Wednesday, an event that will honor a number of local individuals and businesses. The event will be held at Lane Center at Frostburg State University.

Pam Jan, president of the board of directors of County United Way, has announced this year’s award recipients, whose contributions will be recognized at the kickoff event.

Allegany County: Kathy Getty, regional president for Susquehanna Bank, co-chair of the annual campaign and past president of the CUW board; and CSX Transportation, long-standing corporate and employee supporter of United Way and special events.

Garrett County: Commissioner Ernie Gregg, immediate past chair of the executive committee and board; and Garrett Partnership for Children and Families, for being a pioneer organization in collaborating to provide community impact services with other organizations.

Hampshire County: Angela McQuaid, volunteer teen-court coordinator and co-chair of this year’s United Way campaign, and the Hampshire Wellness Center, for being the host of many health initiatives throughout the year.

Mineral County: Gary Wilson, past chair of the executive committee, former campaign chair and retired CEO of Burlington United Methodist Family Services, and Dominion Energy, corporate and employee supporter of United Way and special events.

In order for an individual to be nominated for this award, the person must reside in the home county and demonstrate a long-time commitment to volunteering and donating to the United Way and/or community partners. The business must meet the same criteria, in addition to encouraging workers to support the United Way by suggesting volunteer opportunities and/or conducting an employee campaign for contributions through payroll deduction.

The kickoff event will feature music by the Mountain Ridge Jazz Band, under the direction of David Kauffman. Aramark will prepare the menu. The awards were designed by Simon Pearce.

For reservations, contact the County United Way at 301-722-2700.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Commissioners To Form Task Force To Begin "Lean" Government Plan


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Aug. 25, 2011

The Garrett County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to form an Efficiency Task Force that will seek to implement the concept and practices of a "lean" county government.

During their public meeting on Tuesday, Chairman Gregan Crawford spoke about the pending revenue shortfall that Garrett County government is projecting for the next three- to five-year budget cycles.

County administrator Monty Pagenhardt presented a statistical and projected revenue/expenditure outline. He noted that the county's budget has decreased from $100 million in recent years down to $73 million. In addition, the county's employee roster has decreased by 20 percent.

Crawford then proposed that the Board of Garrett County Commissioners create the task force.

"Lean seeks continuous improvement within an organization and is facilitated by a systematic approach to identify problems and achieving efficient solutions that in turn create better outcomes for employees and the constituents that they serve," Pagenhardt explained Wednesday in a press release.

Crawford proposed nominating a committee composed of nine members: five from county government and four appointed by the commissioners. He suggested that the committee by appointed and organized by Oct. 1, that its first meeting take place no later than Oct. 21, and that its initial recommendations be presented to the commissioners by Jan. 31, 2012.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Former Southern Standout Up For NCAA Woman Of The Year




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One time Southern High School standout Sarah Stephens, who became an All-American at Frostburg State University, is among the top 30 honorees for the 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

The NCAA?Woman of the Year award honors senior student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in academic achievement, athletic excellence, service, and leadership.

Stephens, a star dual-sport athlete (volleyball and tennis) for FSU, made the top 30 after the NCAA selected her from among 141 conference nominations. She is one of 10 Division III representatives. The 30 finalists are composed of 10 student-athletes from each NCAA division.

In the next round of selections, nine finalists, three from each division, will be chosen from the top 30 by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics and all 30 student-athletes will be honored at an awards dinner on Sunday, Oct. 16, in Indianapolis. The NCAA will announce the three finalists in September prior to the awards dinner.

Stephens graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She achieved a 3.96 cumulative grade-point average and was on the FSU dean's list for eight consecutive semesters. She was also named a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American last fall and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society in 2009.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Snow Will Blow



Snow will blow once again this winter at the Wisp Ski Resort, a guarantee expressed this week by Karen Myers, a co-owner of the resort and president of Recreational Industries Inc. She made that promise in spite of the fact that the land development corporation that is responsible for the Lodestone Golf Course and home sites atop Marsh Mountain has been slapped with a judgment from BB&T, the provider of the loan for the project. Myers and the other owners are working with attorneys and consultants to persuade the financial institution to agree to a loan restructuring, but in the meantime she says that it will be business as usual at the Wisp this winter. "We plan to be making snow in less than 90 days," Myers said, "and hope to open the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 25)." She added that the resort has already sold a record number of season passes for the 2011-12 season and is "enjoying its best summer ever." See story for details. Photo by John McEwen.


Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Foreclosure sales remain major market segment in Maryland

Foreclosure sales remain major market segment in Maryland
Average discount is more than 40 percent
by C. Benjamin Ford, Staff Writer More News

About 23.5 percent of all homes sold in Maryland in the second quarter were in some stage of foreclosure, down from 30.6 percent in the first quarter but up from 17.6 percent in the prior-year quarter.

There were 3,866 foreclosure sales in the state in the second quarter, according to new data from RealtyTrac of Irvine, Calif.

More than one-third of those sales were in Prince George’s County, where 40.1 percent of all home sales involved a foreclosed property....

...Those prices varied wildly across the state, from an average county low of $62,099 in Garrett County to a high of $301,979 in Howard County.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Saturday, August 27, 2011

Tough economic times put libraries on the defensive

Montgomery's libraries have lost about 37 percent of their funding since 2008 — the largest statewide

by Erin Cunningham, Staff Writer

A sign early at the Technology Center earlier this month annouced that the area is closed at the C. Burr Artz Public Library in downtown Frederick. Public libraries around the state have seen their budgets cut in recent years.

Some of Montgomery County's libraries became infested with ants and cockroaches earlier this year when the county cut back on cleaning and vacuuming of the buildings.

The county was able to come up with the money to pay for pest control, according to libraries Director Parker Hamilton, and the bugs are gone.

“Thank goodness,” she said.

But there still is a concern about the sanitation of the buildings, which are being cleaned about three times per week; a year ago they were vacuumed daily, Hamilton said

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Friday, August 26, 2011

State Weighs Elk Reintroduction To Western Maryland


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Aug. 25, 2011

The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation (MLSF), the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) have announced the formation of a partnership in order to determine the viability of elk reintroduction to western Maryland.

The partnership plans to make biological, social and economic feasibility assessments, which are estimated to require a minimum of 12 months to complete. The groups state that a thorough evaluation will be completed before any decision is made.

"Elk once roamed Maryland but have been absent since the 1700s," said David Sutherland, MLSF chairman.

"We are pleased to initiate the first steps toward evaluating elk reintroduction in western Maryland."

The Sportsmen’s Foundation will contract with a professional consulting group to conduct a formal survey of public opinion on the question of returning elk to Maryland. DNR will oversee development of the survey — which will include outreach to farmers and other stakeholders who may be impacted by a return of the species — and assist with analysis of the results. In addition, the agency will conduct an assessment of potential elk habitat in the state's western end.

More here.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Wisp Ski Operation Intact, Despite Filing Against Development Group


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Aug. 25, 2011

If Mother Nature cooperates, snowmaking at the Wisp Resort in McHenry will commence in less than 90 days, and skiers and snowboarders will be back on the slopes beginning the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 25.

That is according to Karen Myers, president of Recreational Industries Inc., who met with reporters this week after it was learned that Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T) Corporation has entered judgments against the Wisp's land development company, called Wisp Resort Development Inc., and various loan guarantors because of lagging payments on loans of over $28 million to fund the new Lodestone Golf Course and home sites atop Marsh Mountain.

The guarantors of the loan, all of which are named in the judgment, are Recreational Industries Inc., DC Development Inc., and Clubs at Wisp Corporation, as well as Myers, Gary Daum, and Steven Richards, owners.

Since the filing in Garrett County Circuit Court last month, rumors have abounded that the Wisp Resort either has been or will be sold because of the current financial situation.

"This is probably the same story that is being told by a lot of other developers around the country," Myers said, noting the continuing lag in the housing market, adding, "The 'illness' [in our operation] is just related to the land development segment of the business."

Meanwhile, Myers described the Wisp Resort as "a vibrant and profitable business" that will begin its 56th season of skiing this fall.

It was in February 2007 that BB&T provided a loan of $23.5 million as a revolving line of credit to fund the construction of the golf course and the Lodestone home sites. Because this type of loan is predicated on sales of home sites to pay down the loan balance and because the lot sales were sluggish, as construction on the golf course neared its end in 2008, an additional $5 million was borrowed "because we believed it was better to have a finished golf course than a partially finished golf course," Myers explained.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wisp owners mull sale of western Md. ski resort; low nearby home sales to blame

By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, August 25, 3:30 PM

MCHENRY, Md. — The owners of Maryland’s only ski resort say they’re considering selling the landmark property to resolve financial problems linked to a slide in home construction around nearby Deep Creek Lake.

Karen Myers says selling the Wisp Resort is the last option she and her partners in DC Development LLC would pursue to repay more than $23 million to BB&T Corp. of Winston-Salem, N.C. They’re also seeking new investors in their businesses. But in an interview this week at the base of 3,100-foot Marsh Mountain, Myers said everything is on the table if they can’t buy more time.

The owners of Maryland’s only ski resort say they’re considering selling the landmark as the last option in repaying a loan that was used to build the nearby Lodestone golf course community. But only about 20 of the 197 planned home sites have been sold and the bank is demanding payment.

“One of my goals really was to be a part of Wisp in the next stage of development,” said Myers, whose group has owned the resort since 2001. “I hope that I’m a part of the team that does it.”

She said Wisp is in no danger of closing.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

35 Acre Horse Farm - 518 Blue Goose Rd - GA7650049



518 BLUE GOOSE RD
FRIENDSVILLE, MD 21531


SEE VIRTUAL TOUR. LOADED WITH PHOTOS 35 Acre Horse Farm with 120 x 60 indoor arena, barn, run-in, pastures, trails, home offers quality throughout with country kitchen, unbelievable master suite, game room, exercise room, living room w/stone fireplace, pellet stoves, heated garage, wrap around decks, guest quarters, Taxes showing are for 20 acres. Great Boarding/Training Opportunity.

Contact Jay Ferguson @ 301-501-0420 or DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com for more information or to setup a private showing for this property.

Listing # GA7650049
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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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No injuries, damage reported as earthquake unnerves locals

From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Tue Aug 23, 2011, 11:13 PM EDT

CUMBERLAND — A 5.8 earthquake centered in Mineral, Va., unnerved residents and briefly shook buildings in Cumberland, Frostburg and McHenry and throughout the region Tuesday. No injuries or damage were reported locally.

Some buildings were evacuated as a safety precaution, including the courthouse on Washington Street and the Social Services Administration building in downtown Cumberland.

Kathy Rogers, spokeswoman for the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center, said security immediately began making rounds after the shaking was felt there.

“Everything is fine. The electricity stayed on and we are not having any problems,” she said. “I was at my desk and could feel the floor shaking for about 10 seconds. People are welcome to call us if they have concerns.”

The wall and windows facing South Mechanic Street on the second floor of the Times-News wobbled visibly during the afternoon temblor, bringing a roomful of reporters to their feet.

The incident prompted numerous calls to the newsroom from residents and businesses at Frostburg, Cumberland, Bean’s Cove and various other locations throughout the region.

At McHenry, a trooper at the Maryland State Police barrack said, “It felt like the wind was blowing but you knew it wasn’t the wind when you felt the floor shake.”

At Frostburg, the city police department felt the tremors. “We sure felt it but it was over before you realized it.”

A business at Frostburg reported the shaking there lasted about 25 seconds and shook office chairs.

Dick DeVore, an Allegany County emergency management spokesman, said that cell phone calls were not connecting for many users. “That would seem to be associated with the volume of calls being made rather than with any damage from the earthquake,” he said. “Text messages are working fine.”

Allegany County Board of Education officials began inspecting school buildings for structural damage shortly after the quake. Students were scheduled to return to classes today.

“All the buildings need to be checked for safety,” said Steve Wilson, supervisor of human resources, who was inside the Board of Education’s central office building during the earthquake Tuesday afternoon. Employees immediately evacuated, congregating on sidewalks along Washington Street.

“I thought a truck had hit the building,” Wilson said.

Coincidentally, BOE employees had reviewed evacuation procedures Tuesday morning as part of back-to-school preparations, said Bob Farrell, security coordinator.

“I’m glad we went over it,” he said.

At Northern High School in Garrett County, teachers reported that those on the second floor of the building felt the quake, but not those on the first floor.

Area emergency centers said they were flooded with calls with reports. CNN reported that the quake was felt from Toronto, Canada, down to Georgia. The earthquake also extended west to Detroit and Indianapolis.

Times-News staff writers Mike Sawyers, Jeff Alderton, Kristin Harty-Barkley and Emily Newman contributed to this report.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Earthquake felt across Maryland, but no injuries, major damage reported

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: August 23, 2011 - 3:55 pm
Last Updated: August 23, 2011 - 6:23 pm

BALTIMORE — Maryland officials say the earthquake was felt across the state, but no injuries or major damage are being reported.

Maryland Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ed McDonough says Tuesday's 5.8 magnitude quake, which was centered in Virginia, was felt from Garrett County to Somerset County, but only a few serious incidents are being reported.

The Maryland Transportation Authority closed the Harry W. Nice Bridge temporarily, but all other tunnels and bridges remained open.

State police spokesman Greg Shipley says all special operations teams are on standby.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Our Town Theatre Presenting "Face Off Unlimited"




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Our Town Theatre will host a comedy performance by Face Off Unlimited. The three-man touring show will present A Whole 'Nother Level! on Friday, Aug. 26, 8 p.m., at the theatre in Oakland. "Completely unscripted and based on audience suggestions, three master improvisers fuse together live music, poetry, physical comedy, and performance art," a spokesperson said. "Face Off sets out to prove that all things, no matter how seemingly different, are all connected in this non-stop comedy thrill ride." The show has toured colleges and universities along the East Coast and received rave reviews, the spokesperson noted. The Huffington Post called it "a can't-miss act" of the 2011 Chicago Improv Festival. The actors recently headlined at the Queens Fringe Festival. New York Times said the troupe is "really funny," and CBS News New York said seeing the show is "one of the best things to do in NYC." The trio – Joe Tex, Jay Painter, and Alexander L. Hill – have been seen on TruTV, MTV, and Funny or Die, as well as off-Broadway. Last month Face Off performed as part of the opening of the West Virginia Governor's School of the Arts. Hill is originally from Oakland, and is the son of Richard and Melodee Hill. The show at OTT will be free to the public, with donations accepted. A pre-show "happy hour" will be held from 7 to 8, with beer and wine for sale by the glass. All guests must be 18 years or older. Reservations are required by calling 301-334-5640 or can be made online at www.ourtowntheatre.org. The trio will move on to Davis and Elkins College for a show on Saturday. Both Painter and Hill are D&E alumni. More information about Face Off Unlimited can be found at faceoff-unlimited.com.

More here.
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Maryland Crime Rate Now Lowest Level Since 1975


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Aug. 18, 2011

Governor Martin O'Mal-ley announced yesterday that total crime in Maryland is at its lowest level since 1975. According to 2010 year-end crime data compiled by the Maryland State Police and submitted to the FBI for use in the national crime statistics report, total crime in Maryland was down 5.1 percent – its lowest level since modern crime tracking began in 1975.

Additionally, violent crime decreased 6 percent and property crime was down 4.9 percent. Currently both the violent crime and property crime rates (per 100,000 people) are the lowest ever on record in Maryland. Since 2006, total crime in Maryland has decreased 12 percent and violent crime has decreased 17 percent.

Among violent crimes, homicides dropped 3.2 percent in 2010, with 14 fewer people murdered last year in Maryland than during the year before. The data for 2010 also show reductions in robbery (-7.9%), aggravated assault (-5.6%), burglary (-0.6%), larceny/theft (-5.7%), and motor vehicle theft (-8.1%).

"The most important responsibilities we have in government are to create jobs and protect the public's safety," said Governor O'Malley. "Working together with state and local law enforcement, with our partners and neighbors in communities across Maryland, we have helped drive crime down to its lowest level in recorded history. As we continue to make our streets safer, we improve the quality of life for our residents and businesses."

Sixteen jurisdictions reported reductions in total crime, with three reporting double-digit reductions between 2009 and 2010. Seventeen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in violent crime (murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault), with eight reporting double-digit decreases. Fifteen jurisdictions noted specific reductions in property crime (breaking and entering, larceny/theft, and motor vehicle theft), with three jurisdictions reporting reductions of 10 percent or more.

The declines in crime come at a time when state and local law enforcement agencies are intensifying their use of technology and information sharing. As a result, more criminals are being taken off the streets of Maryland communities.

More here.

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Back To School Nights Planned Across County


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Aug. 18, 2011

Southern Garrett High School will be holding a back-to-school night for parents, students and staff on Monday, Aug. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. The school encourages parents and students to visit their child's advisor and assigned teachers during their visit. There will be an abbreviated bell schedule.

The cafeteria staff will be available for lunch money deposits.

Northern High School will be holding its back-to-school night Tuesday, Aug. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m.

All four northern-end elementary schools (Grantsville, Accident, Route 40, and Friendsville) will hold their back-to-school nights on Monday, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. Northern Middle School has scheduled its event for Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m.

More here.

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McHenry Water System Hearing Slated Saturday


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Aug. 25, 2011

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners will hold a public hearing this Saturday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m. in the Garrett College auditorium to consider changes to the water connection/user fees and the connection/ amortization policy for the McHenry Water System.

Interested persons will be heard at the hearing on the necessity or advisability of the proposed policy and rate change.

For more information, persons may call the commissioners' office at 301-334-8970.

More here.

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

County Commissioner Meeting TODAY re: tax increases

Starting at 4:05 PM today at the county courthouse, the County Commissioners will be holding hearings on proposals to increase several real property related taxes in Garrett County. These include the Recordation Tax, the Transfer Tax, and the Rate of Interest for Overdue Property Taxes. Some of the proposed increases require legislation.

Also scheduled are hearings for rate increase in the Hotel Rental Tax and the Admissions and Amusement Tax.

The specific increases under consideration, if any, are not posted in the public notice. According to the commissioners' office, the county will make a presentation on the projected needs and shortfalls in budget and revenue over the next few years and provide information on why the increases are being considered.


The information below as taken from the commissioners' agenda.


4:05 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Tax Rate Increase for Recordation Tax

4:10 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services
Proposed Tax Rate Increase for Admissions and Amusement Tax

4:15 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services
Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for Hotel Rental Tax

4:20 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for County Transfer Tax

4:25 PUBLIC HEARING: Department of Financial Services

Proposed Legislation for Tax Rate Increase for Rate of Interest for Overdue Property Taxes

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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Info Sought On July Burglary Of Concession Stand


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Aug. 18, 2011

The Garrett Bureau of Investigation is seeking information concerning a burglary that reportedly occurred during the evening hours of July 16.

Unknown suspect(s) reportedly forced entry into the concession stand at Broadford Lake Park and removed $350 worth of property and caused approximately $100 in damage to the buildings. Anyone with information on this crime or any crime may leave an anonymous tip at www.garrettcountycrimesolvers.org or call the Garrett County Sheriff's Office at 301-334-1911.

Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $300. Anyone who has sent a tip online at the above-mentioned web site is reminded to check his/her crime ID number at the site, as recent rewards have been authorized to certain tipsters.

More here.

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Monday, August 22, 2011

Salem curriculum impacts children

Stephanie Weaver
The Cumberland Times-News Sun Aug 21, 2011, 09:30 PM EDT

GRANTSVILLE — When 13-year-old Adam first came to Salem Children’s Trust, he was in third grade. Recalling his time at the school, he can’t pick one favorite memory. Instead, it’s the horses, his peers, and the staff that has made an impact.

“We always have fun,” he said.

Over the years, Todd Mechem, executive director of Salem, has seen major improvements in Adam’s behavior and considers him a “Salem success story.”

“He has wonderful social skills, he will hold a door for a lady, and says ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ ” Mechem said.

This character-building is part of the curriculum at Salem, according to Mechem, along with their regular classroom education. “We train them how to react in social situations,” he explained.

Salem, a nonprofit charity, is licensed by the Maryland Department of Human Resources as a long-term group home or short-term shelter care facility for youth ages 6 to 18. However, the school can receive children from the Department of Juvenile Services, Department of Social Services or parent referral. DJS youth, like Adam, make up 40 percent of Salem’s students, according to Mechem.

DJS children who go to Salem are “very similar to children in the welfare system,” according to Jay Cleary, director of communication at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. These children are facing minor offenses, if any, and have a higher level of needs.

With many youth lacking a “home,” Salem provides a “family-like” environment, according to Mechem. The youth live in one of four houses on Salem’s 380 acres of woods, “similar to (houses) you’d see in Garrett County,” Mechem said.

Unlike other residential programs, youth at Salem have their own rooms, with free rein to decorate them. They also have daily chores and family meals — emphasizing relationships between peers and “teaching parents,” adults who live with the youth in the home.

According to Mechem, these relationships are essential. Salem staff is encouraged to joke around and reach out to make youth feel comfortable. “It’s not uncommon for a staff person to take a student out to lunch,” he said.

Salem is both a residential and educational facility — not all students live there— that places emphasis on nature and Christian principles. Although Salem is a Christian-based program, the staff recognizes and respects all religions. The goal of the spiritual aspect is to show kids they have “internal worth,” according to Mechem.

“It’s the best school I’ve ever been to,” a Salem School student said.

Statistics show the school’s therapeutic model is working. According to DJS statistics, three males were released during the 2009 fiscal year, while no youth came back for referral or rearrest. Although Salem can’t contact students once they leave the school, Mechem said that many students keep in contact by writing letters or visiting. For many, Salem is the only family they know.

On the wall in his office, Mechem has pictures of every student who has been to Salem. As he points out, you can’t tell which student has come to Salem through DJS or DSS. To him, each picture is a reminder of the mission of Salem.

“It gives kids a chance to have a fresh start,” Mechem said.

More here.

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Boating meeting

Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon, Maryland Boat Act Advisory Committee meeting, Kent Island Yacht Club, 117 Yacht Club Drive, Chester. The committee will discuss the 2011 regulatory requests and be briefed on recent regulatory changes to vessel noise on Deep Creek Lake and other matters. The public is welcome to attend.

More here.

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5 places to go stand-up paddleboarding in Maryland

McHenry

The Wisp Resort on Deep Creek Lake offers a variety of conditions depending on how close you're willing to paddle to the boats.

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Still water becomes Class IV rapids


Sunday, August 21, 2011
By Craig Meyer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Even in a sport like kayaking, where every course has its own distinct features and challenges, the ASCI complex in Deep Creek Lake, Md., is considered truly unique among the greater kayaking community.

Situated in mountainous western Maryland, the whitewater course at ASCI maintains the distinction of being the world's only mountaintop whitewater course.

"There is nothing in the United States or even the world that is like this," said ASCI business manager Sandy Bello.

ASCI, a not-for-profit organization formed to promote adventure tourism and healthy outdoor lifestyles, opened the whitewater course in 2007 and has taken over 45,000 people rafting and kayaking in that time.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11233/1168601-140.stm#ixzz1VmXt74PM

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
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State's Attorney Will Not Pursue Escape Charges


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Aug. 18, 2011

Charges against two men implicated in Deandre Kelly's escape from the county jail in January were not prosecuted by State's Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch during recent Garrett County Circuit Court proceedings.

Richard Demoan Hall Jr., 27, Frederick, and Eric Mandrell Nibbins, 27, Washington, D.C., were both indicted by the March 2011 grand jury with one count of conspiracy to commit first degree escape, first degree escape, two counts of first degree assault, two counts of second degree assault, and use of a handgun in the commission of a felony/crime of violence.

Five drug-related charges against Hall were also not prosecuted by the state's attorney: possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess CDS with intent to distribute, CDS distribute with a firearm, and two counts of possession of marijuana.

The drug charges stem from a traffic stop conducted by Maryland State Police on eastbound I-68 near Friendsville on Jan. 22. Hall and Kelly were passengers in a car driven by 27-year-old Frostburg area resident Amber Lynn James, who was stopped for traveling 83 mph in a 65 mph zone.

More here.

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Sunday, August 21, 2011

Civic Club's Publicity Book Wins First In Nation


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Multiple hours of researching, designing, cutting, pasting, and other creative activity paid off in a big way for the GFWC (General Federation of Women's Clubs) Civic Club of Oakland this year, as the organization's publicity book, which records all the activities, news releases, invitations, programs, and other club events for an entire year (2010), was deemed to be the very best such book in the country. The book won the state of Maryland contest in June, and then this month was announced as the national winner. Members of the local club recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to the national headquarters to receive the award. The honor is timely, as the club has launched into a celebration of its 100th year of existence, having been founded in 1911. A series of events celebrating that milestone will take place this fall. More information will be published as these celebrations near. Pictured above at the D.C. event this month, from left, are Kris Yusko and Judi Schiff, both local members; Josephine Miller, state president; Carlene Garner, national GFWC president; Betty Ellington, local member and book compiler; Barbara Frantz, local president; and Ellen Fritz, local member and book compiler.

More here.

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Friday, August 19, 2011

So Many Choices To Make




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Thanks to cooperative (and generally sunny) weather, as well as the efforts of the event's organizers, participants, and vendors, the Garrett County Agriculture Fair continues to offer an array of exhibits, food, rides, and games for patrons of all ages. Above is young fairgoer Jackson Doyle of Salisbury, Pa., who, undeterred by hands already full, scans a kiddie-pool sized sea of rubber ducklings in hope of choosing a winner. The fair continues through Saturday, Aug. 20, at the fairgrounds in McHenry. Photo by Barb Law.

More here.

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