Garrett commissioners approve hotel tax raise

Representative asks county for longer transition period

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

— OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners unanimously approved on Tuesday a resolution to raise the Hotel Rental Accommodations Tax rate from 5 percent to 6 percent, effective July 1.

The commission also voted to discuss the implementation of the increased rate after hearing from a representative from Taylor-made Deep Creek Vacations.

The representative stressed that the company understood the need for a rate increase and asked the commission to allow for more of a transition period, explaining that updates of company software will be necessary in order to compensate for the new increase. The representative also said that the company wasn’t happy with the process of notification.

The commission followed the same procedure of notification in the summer of 2005, when the rate was increased from 4 percent to 5 percent, according to Wendy Yoder, director for the Department of Financial Services.

Because of the hardships of those rental contracts, the county decided to amend the reporting procedure in advance, according to the notification sent to county rental agencies.

“Contracts and confirmed reservations made prior to the receipt of this notification will be honored at the 5 percent tax rate,” said the email notification that the rental agencies received form the county.

“You will be required to submit taxes calculated at the new rate of 6 percent for contracts and reservations made after the receipt of this notification for all arrivals July 1, 2012, and after. What this means is that for any month whereby you are remitting the tax to the county that includes tax collected at both rates, you must remit your gross rental receipt to us broken down by the rate at which they were collected.”

For example, if a gross rental receipts in a given month is $6,000 and charged taxes at the rate of 5 percent on $2,000 and 6 percent on $4,00 then the remittance must be broken down that way, according to the notification. Hotel rental tax collected on the amount would total $340, with $100 collected on the 5 percent rate and $240 collected on the 6 percent rate.

The hotel rental tax is due to the county by the 21st of each month. If it’s not remitted by that date, penalty and interest charges will apply.

The rate increase resolution came about after the requested legislation was passed in General Assembly and was approved by Gov. Martin O’Malley, according to Chairman Jim Raley.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

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Garrett County commission agrees to take ownership of ASCI

Will pay $600,000 to secure debt

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

2012 — OAKLAND — On Tuesday, Garrett County commissioners voted unanimously to take ownership of Adventure Sports Center International and authorized the expenditure of $600,000 to secure the assignment of ASCI debts from Susquehanna Bank.

“We have basically changed the assignment of debt as of today. So the debt is really a repayment to the county,” said Chairman James Raley.

Susquehanna Bank will split the debt and distribute half to First United Bank & Trust, according to Commissioner Gregan Crawford.

“As part of that process, ASCI’s principal financial partners, First United Bank & Trust and Susquehanna Bank, proposed and offered a significant debt re-duction opportunity to the county in the event that the county accepted ASCI’s offer,” said Crawford. “The financial partners, who have contributed significantly to the process and the county’s consideration of this matter, have agreed to accept the assignment of debt in the sum of $600,000 in full satisfaction of ASCI’s debt obligations to those financial institutions.”

The $600,000 debt from ASCI will be paid with hotel/ motel accommodations tax revenue, according to Crawford.

The money for the debt came out of the general account to pay the banks, with the amortization coming out of the accommodations tax, according to Raley.

The accommodations tax is used to fund the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, according to Crawford.

“Accommodations tax can not be used to fund the school system,” said Crawford. “Once this debt is resolved, ASCI can concentrate more of its resources on fulfilling its corps functions. As public funds were used, we have a responsibility to succeed. The easy way out would to turn our backs, walk away and watch $24 million in capital costs go away. Whose interest will that serve then.”

A bill that is currently in consideration in Annapolis would raise the accommodations tax from 5 percent to 6 percent, according to Raley.

“That bill has progressed and gotten favorable readings from Senate side and the House side,” said Crawford.

ASCI is a nonprofit and is home to a manmade whitewater course and Forks Run, a 550-acre recreation area. The original debt accrued by ASCI was $3 million.

“We can not allow ourselves to give up this project,” said Raley. “I think this project is still in its infancy. I think we can grow this project and I think if you work with us we can make that happen.”

On Jan. 5, the board of directors of ASCI offered the full title to the facilities to the commissioners. The commission has been deliberating this matter since then, according to Crawford.

“The county has reviewed all information concerning the ASCI’s facilities, including its assets, liabilities, long-term value to county and community and has consulted with ASCI’s financial partners,” said Crawford. “The taxpayers of this county, the state, the federal government have made significant investments in this property.”

The $17.7 million project was built with $6.1 million from the county, $5.8 million from the state and $2.6 million in federal funds, according to The Associated Press.

Before the public had a chance to ask the commissioners questions, Raley noted that he understood their concern over the county’s decision to assume ownership of ASCI.

“I do believe it has its best chance of success under the current setup,” said Raley. “It’s not done. We still have some work to do after today. But I want you to note they have been open discussions to the extent that they can be. I have read your emails. I have read your social media posts and I do understand what you are saying.”

Negotiations would have to be handled in executive session, according to Raley.

The majority of the business owners and residents that spoke at the press conference had a variety of questions and some made it clear they were not happy with the decision.

“I just think this is a bad decision. It’s going to put us in a mess for years,” said Mountain Lake Park Mayor Leo Martin.

Martin noted that he didn’t fully understand where the $600,000 was coming from. 

“That $600,000 is going to push something out of the budget sometime,” said Martin. “It has to, unless you are going to raise taxes. It’s the tax payers financing all of this. I think you guys need to speak in clear language about that.”

Raley reiterated that it was coming from the accommodations tax.

“The accommodations tax is up this year compared to other years. It has been another record year,” said Raley.

One resident questioned whether the general funds that are being used to pay the debt are taken from taxpayer money. Raley agreed that the general fund contained taxpayer money.

“We are using our funds (out of the general fund) to fund the payoff from the bank,” said Raley in response. “We are not borrowing money from the bank or paying the bank’s interest. We are using our own funds and they will be repaid,” said Raley, noting that it was a one time expenditure.

Raley encouraged residents to keep faith.

“I encourage you don’t give up. Think positive,” said Raley. “Roll up your sleeves like you do here in Garrett County. Let’s make it happen because we own it. It’s part of the Garrett County economic picture and the project is somewhat of the envy of many other places.”

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

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Garrett County officials detailing takeover of flailing whitewater course in western Md.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: March 27, 2012 - 3:16 am
Last Updated: March 27, 2012 - 3:16 am

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Garrett County officials are publicly revealing details of their planned takeover of a manmade whitewater course in western Maryland near McHenry.

The county commissioners have scheduled a news conference Tuesday morning in Oakland.

The county said last week it will take over the recreational and training site from Adventure Sports Center International.

The nonprofit group opened the publicly funded course in 2007. It has defaulted on more than $3 million in bank loans to cover construction cost overruns.

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Garrett County to take over manmade whitewater course

Deal will not affect 2014 ICF championship

Associated Press

HAGERSTOWN — Garrett County will assume ownership of a manmade whitewater course near McHenry after the nonprofit developer of the Western Maryland tourism and training site defaulted on more than $3 million in bank loans, county officials and the development group said Wednesday.

The deal won’t affect the International Canoe Federation’s plans to hold its 2014 world whitewater paddling championships at the 5-year-old mountaintop course, said Duane Yoder, board chairman of Adventure Sports Center International, the nonprofit developer.

Yoder and Garrett County Administrator G. Lamont Pagenhardt said the county won’t be liable for the center’s bank debt.

County officials will announce details of the transaction Tuesday, Pagenhardt said.

Yoder said the deal will sustain the publicly-funded enterprise.

“I think it’s a pretty successful outcome in terms of keeping what we have out here, keeping the whole outdoor-recreation brand alive in the county,” Yoder said.

The center’s executive director, two-time Olympian Matt Taylor, said he’s leaving to become executive director of the Westwind Stewardship Group in Otis, Ore. Westwind owns 529 acres of mostly undeveloped coastal land used for outdoor education activities.

Yoder said Taylor’s departure wasn’t due to Adventure Sports’ financial problems.

Taylor said the Adventure Sports complex, which also includes 550 wooded acres, remains a relevant and exciting part of the Deep Creek Lake resort area.

“The ultimate long-term sustainability of any nonprofit or public entity can be a challenge because of the economy,” Taylor said.

The $17.7 million project was built with $6.1 million from the county, $5.8 million from the state and $2.6 million in federal funds. The 1,700-foot, recirculating whitewater course is used by both raft-riding tourists and world-class athletes.

Unexpected construction costs led the center to borrow $3.2 million from Susquehanna Bank and First United Bank & Trust. The center defaulted on the loans after D.C. Development LLC, the struggling owner of the nearby Wisp ski resort, stopped making $180,000 annual payments to the center for marketing services.

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MACo Supporting Local Lawmakers' BOE Funding Bills

Feb. 16, 2012

Garrett County commissioner Gregan Crawford announced yesterday that the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) has voted to support House Bill 660/Senate Bill 586 – Education – State Aid – Grant to Limit Decreases in Funding. Crawford is a member MACo's board of directors and Legislative Committee.

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The proposed legislation, which was introduced by Sen. George Edwards and cross-filed in the House of Delegates by Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Kevin Kelly, and LeRoy Myers, was drafted for the purpose of requiring the state to provide a certain grant to a county board of education for fiscal years 2013 through 2015 if certain funding provided to a county board decreases by not more than 5 percent.

Approval of this legislation by the Maryland General Assembly would equate to additional funding for the Garrett County Public School System, estimated to be $1 million. The Garrett County Board of Education is estimating a loss of state revenue for FY 2013 of $2.7 million. Favorable review of this legislation by the General Assembly and the governor would reduce the predicted deficit, according to county administrator Monty Pagenhardt.


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Commissioners Issue Statement On Board Of Education Funding Issue

Feb. 9, 2012

The Garrett County commissioners issued a statement during their public session on Tuesday concerning the local Board of Education's fiscal year 2013 funding woes. About 50 local residents turned out to hear the announcement.

Commission board chair Jim Raley prefaced the statement reading by noting that he and the other two commissioners have attended all the BOE public hearings regarding the possible closures of Dennett Road, Friendsville, and Kitzmiller elementary schools.

"It is important to understand that while the state of Maryland has cut funding to education in Garrett County due to the wealth factor formula and the declining student population, the county has increased funding in excess of requirements known as the maintenance of effort by $860,000," Commissioner Gregan Crawford read from the statement. "In fiscal year 2012, the Board of Education funding level was reduced by the state by $1.5 million, while Garrett County increased funding by $1.7 million, which is equivalent to all new tax revenue due the county."

The commissioners noted that they recognize the serious financial situation that the BOE faces and that closing schools requires complex decisions that will have long-term implications on communities.

"The commissioners also recognize and emphasize that the issue and actions regarding school budgets, closure of schools, and the overall decisions about our school system rest in the elected members of the Board of Education," Crawford read. "Any action on the part of the board of commissioners as the funding sources is not intended to usurp their difficult decisions."

The statement notes that Garrett County government has also experienced a financial shortfall and that there are numerous challenges to securing funding for public services for residents, property owners, and visitors.

"Initial estimates reveal that the county real estate values have declined for FY 2012 and likely will result in a loss of $1.4 million in revenues to the county," Crawford read. "Therefore, we are willing and open to increase county government's financial appropriation to the Garrett County public school system, but are unable to provide a solid figure at this time, due to several variables."

In the mean time, he indicated, the commissioners will do the following:

• Encourage the BOE to review retirement incentives in order to encourage retirements that will allow for the reduction of staff numbers without eliminating the jobs of new employees.

• Encourage the BOE to collaborate with the county to identify areas where overlapping services and practices may be consolidated and/or reduced in order to mitigate costs related to maintenance of effort.

• Encourage the BOE to continue to engage the public, central office staff, instructional staff, and administrative personnel for input in ways to enhance and maximize operations, as well as consider all options and proposals that can generate savings.

• Provide and direct additional funding, within affordability parameters, thus allowing the BOE the opportunity to look at a long-range vision of school needs based on projected enrollments and community interests as contained in the reports to be presented by the school communities.

• Support legislation (SB 586/HB 660) proposed by Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel to cap the loss of state funding to any school district to a 5.5 percent limit.

Raley asked for the public's help in getting SB 586/HB 660 passed in the Maryland General Assembly.

"We need to inundate the legislative folks with calls, comments, e-mails on that bill," Raley said. "We need to give that bill some momentum."

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Md. county won't bail out whitewater course

Posted: Feb 07, 2012 12:19 PM EST Updated: Feb 07, 2012 12:19 PM EST

OAKLAND, Md. (AP) - The Garrett County Commissioners say they won't bail out a manmade whitewater course near Deep Creek Lake.

The nonprofit Adventure Sports Center International asked the county last month to consider taking over the mountaintop complex, including payments on about $3 million in bank loans.

The commissioners said Tuesday they won't consider a takeover that would include the debt obligations.

The center's operators defaulted on the bank loans after the group that owns the nearby Wisp ski resort stopped paying them for marketing services. The Wisp owners filed for bankruptcy protection in October due to a slowdown in sales of vacation home sites.

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Garrett commissioners to detail ASCI debt, reveal county’s position

Chairman says nonprofit group may consider transferring ownership

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The Garrett County Commission will provide a more detailed review today of Adventure Sports Center International’s debt situation and will make known the county’s position, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator.

The commissioners made a public statement at the Jan. 17 meeting that they met in executive session earlier that day to discuss legal, financial and personnel implications for ASCI in regard to the default of $3 million of capital debt obligations.

ASCI is a nonprofit entity and not under the authority of the county commissioners, according to Pagenhardt. The financial institutions involved with the debt collection are Susquehanna Bank and First United Bank & Trust.

Adventure Sports Chairman Duane Yoder told The Associated Press that the group may consider transferring ownership to Garrett County or Garrett College.

The $3 million debt was incurred during cost overruns in construction of the actual whitewater course and pond, Matt Taylor, executive director of ASCI explained to the Times-News in a previous interview. ASCI broke ground on the whitewater facility in 2004 and opened in the spring of 2007.

“The ASCI whitewater course is a one-of-a-kind facility and a combination of unique building challenges and high cost of materials. Most of the facility was built in the years following Hurricane Katrina, which greatly inflated certain material and transportation costs (that) led to the overruns,” said Taylor in a previous interview with the Times-News.

Today’s 9 a.m. public meeting agenda will also include a briefing in regard to the county public school system’s fiscal 2013 budget.

The school system is $2.6 million in debt because of enrollment and wealth loss, according to the five-year plan proposal outline. The school system hopes to reduce the budget by $3 million by:

• Eliminating the high school driver’s education program, $200,000.

• Eliminating full-time school enrichment teaching positions, $165,000.

• Closing Dennett Road, Kitzmiller and Friendsville elementary schools, $2.16 million.

• Providing a retirement incentive.

• Reducing the transportation budget by $128,000.

• Reducing the maintenance budget by $100,000.

The five-year plan, developed by Sue Waggoner, interim superintendent of schools, also calls for:

• Reduction of six instructional assistant positions, $150,000.

• Reduction of academic intervention, $50,00.

• Reduction of three high school positions, $165,000.

• Reconfiguration of grade levels, making middle school fifth through eighth grades.

On Jan. 17, the board of education decided against moving fifth-grade students into middle school and instead considered a grade school alternative that will be based on next school year’s kindergarten enrollment numbers.

A decision on the proposed school closings will not be made until the March 13 board meeting.

“We are $3 million short. There is no way around the closings,” said Waggoner during the January public meeting.

The county commission will also discuss the Good Will Volunteer Fire Department boundary dispute. The fire department, which is located in Lonaconing, wants to provide service in Garrett County and receive fire tax revenue. The commission has no authority in this matter and the fire department has received a letter from the Public Safety Department explaining that there is a process, according to Pagenhardt.

The land-use management work session that was supposed to be discussed today was rescheduled to Feb. 14 at 1:30 p.m. to allow sufficient time for review and discussion.

Also on the agenda:

• County roads department will provide an update on the status of Westernport and Lower New Germany roads and an update on federally mandated radio equipment.

• An update will be provided on the Garrett County Airport and its 50th anniversary plans.

• A 2012 legislative update will be provided.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

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Garrett County, Md., officials consider aiding financially strapped whitewater course

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
First Posted: January 30, 2012 - 1:16 am
Last Updated: January 30, 2012 - 1:16 am

OAKLAND, Md. — Elected officials in far western Maryland are considering whether Garrett County should take an active role in helping a financially strapped, man-made whitewater course.

The Garrett County Commissioners were set to meet in a closed session Monday to discuss the problems of the nonprofit Adventure Sports Center International near McHenry. They say they'll make a public announcement Feb. 7.

The center's operators acknowledged earlier this month that they have defaulted on bank loans, partly due to the financial problems of the group that owns the nearby Wisp ski resort.

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Garrett, Allegany County Commissioners Ask Governor To Authorize Gas Drilling

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Jan. 12, 2012

The Garrett County and Allegany County commissioners asked Gov. Martin O'Malley last week to authorize natural gas drilling in their two counties.

"We respectfully request your thoughtful considerations to encourage the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative Advisory Commission to expedite their review, and encourage you to direct the Maryland Department of the Environment to authorize the process of allowing for the safe extraction of natural gas in our respective counties," the commissioners wrote to O'Malley in a letter dated Jan. 4. "Your leadership on this important matter will enable Garrett and Allegany counties, along with the state of Maryland to benefit financially both short and long term, and assist our region and nation in a meaningful step toward energy self-sufficiency."

The commissioners added that they continue to watch with great concern the impact that the nation's energy dependency has had in shaping domestic and foreign policies.

"As you are no doubt aware, our respective counties are uniquely positioned to provide to our state and country the prospect of contributing a substantial and viable energy source to meet our domestic needs now and into the future," the commissioners' letter read.

The MDE and Department of Natural Resources have prepared and released Part I of the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative Study. The 46-page document is available for public viewing online at garrettcounty.org and mde.state.md.us.

O'Malley signed an executive order on June 6, 2011, establishing the Marcellus Shale Safe Drilling Initiative, which placed a moratorium on drilling/fracking in the state until at least August 2014. The order also called for a study to assist policy makers in determining whether and how gas production can be accomplished without unacceptable risks of adverse impacts to public health, safety, the environment, and natural resources.

The order required MDE and DNR – in consultation with an advisory commission made up of a broad array of stakeholders – to undertake the study of drilling for natural gas from the Marcellus shale in western Maryland.

The Advisory Commission members are chairman Dr. David Vanko, a geologist and current dean of the Jess and Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics at Towson University; Sen. George Edwards (Allegany and Garrett counties and parts of Washington County); Del. Heather Mizeur (Montgomery County); GC Commissioner Jim Raley; Allegany County commissioner William Valentine; Oakland mayor Peggy Jamison; Shawn Bender, division manager at the Beitzel Corporation and president of the Garrett County Farm Bureau; Steven Bunker, director of conservation programs, Maryland office of the Nature Conservancy; John Fritts, president of the Savage River Watershed Association and director of development for the Federation of American Scientists; Jeffrey Kupfer, senior advisor, Chevron Government Affairs; Dominick Murray, deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development; Paul Roberts, a Garrett County resident and co-owner of Deep Creek Cellars Winery; Nick Weber, chair of the Mid-Atlantic Council of Trout Unlimited; and Harry Weiss, esquire, partner at Ballard Spahr LLP.

The Advisory Commission's next meetings are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 27, in Annapolis and Monday, Feb. 27, in Hagerstown.

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Garrett commissioners to draft land-use policy

Shale gas, industrial wind will be addressed

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners have requested their staff to draft a land-use policy that can be shared with the planning commission, organizations and the general public.

During their weekly meeting Tuesday, commissioners read a statement on land-use management.

“The ongoing interest in the development of shale gas, industrial wind energy and even junkyards brings to light the concerns that exist for property owners,” said the statement. “The absence of any reasonable and prudent land management policy for Garrett County leaves the citizens, visitors, businesses and property owners of Garrett County vulnerable to what many view as an exploitation of our lands.”

John Nelson, director of the Department of Planning and Land Development, informed the commissioners on the process the board will undertake to review and develop a draft ordinance on countywide land use with legislative authority provided to county governmental jurisdictions under the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator.

The policy will take into consideration the ongoing changes to land use in the county and will discuss potential reasonable standards for what are viewed as potential harmful effects of said usages, according to the statement.

“The continuing absence of a comprehensive approach, and the insistence of the state that we have statutory authority to enact regulations to help address basic issues affecting the county, have led the county commission to share the concern of many citizens,” said the statement.

“Citizens, organizations and stakeholders have also expressed apprehension about the lack of a responsible ability to manage areas of concern regarding the potential for changing land uses on a large-scale basis throughout the county. Many feel the failure to act will only allow other institutions and entities to shape and control the future of Garrett County, which may not necessarily balance the interests of all of the stakeholders.”

Commissioners plan to have open dialogue about land use and allow for input from all citizens through open forums and public meetings. Once the draft proposal is complete, the document will be shared on the county website, at public libraries, and citizens who desire a print copy will have one made available.

During a December commission meeting, Commissioner Gregan Crawford voiced his concern about the effects of wind turbines on residents and noted that he would be willing to enter into a motion to develop zoning laws that would regulate the wind projects.

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GC Commissioners To Begin Drafting Land-Use Management Regulations

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Jan. 12, 2012

The Garrett County commissioners are moving forward with their plans to draft land-use management policies, they announced during their public meeting on Tuesday. Commission chair Jim Raley stressed the public will have opportunities to make suggestions and voice their concerns about the proposed regulations.

"I don't want people to believe and perceive that this is a done deal, that they're not going to get any input, because that's not the intent," commission chair Jim Raley noted.

He said the commissioners intend to conduct this issue just as they have conducted many issues so far. The current board members were sworn in about 13 months ago.

"I think we took on the turbine issue when we first took office," Raley said. "We've taken on the Marcellus issue. We've had discussions about Deep Creek Lake and lake management and those things. And I think that we can have a civil – what I call dinner table discussion – amongst ourselves and the citizens if this is a direction that we want to go."

The commissioners explained in a press release that ongoing interests in the development of shale gas, industrial wind energy, and even junkyards have "brought to light" the concerns that exist for property owners.

Raley noted at Tuesday's meeting that Garrett is the only county in the state that does not have countywide zoning. He also noted that efforts by local lawmakers to enact certain land use regulations through the state legislature regarding wind turbines have been rejected in the past by other legislators, who point out that Garrett County has the authority to enact such policies on a local level under Article 66-B.

"The absence of any reasonable and prudent land management policy for Garrett County leaves the citizens, visitors, businesses, and property owners vulnerable to what many view as an exploitation of our lands," the commissioners stated in their press release. The rest of their statement is as follows:

"The commissioners have requested that a land-use policy be explored and drafted by staff that can be shared with the Planning Commission, organizations and the general public. The direction will be to take into consideration the ongoing changes to land use in Garrett County and discussing potential reasonable standards for what are viewed as potential harmful effects of said usages.

"The continuing absences of a comprehensive approach, and the insistence of the state that we have statutory authority to enact regulations to help address basic issues affecting the county have led the county commission to share the concern of many citizens. Citizens, organizations, and stakeholders have also expressed apprehension about the lack of responsible ability to manage areas of concerns regarding the potential for changing land uses on a large-scale basis throughout the county.

"Many feel the failure to act will only allow other institutions and entities to shape and control the future of Garrett County, which may not necessarily balance the interests of all of the stakeholders.

"The purpose is to have an open dialogue about land use and allow for input from all citizens through open forums and public meetings," the statement concluded. "Once the draft proposal is complete, the document will be shared on the county web site, at public libraries, and citizens who desire a print copy will have one made available."

Director John Nelson, Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development, indicated the drafting process would take several months.

"I feel a sense of urgency to deal with this issue," Commissioner Gregan Crawford said, noting that more wind turbine projects are planned for Garrett County.

The county's Permits and Inspections Division issued a meteorological tower permit last month to Synergics for a tower on St. John's Rock at Four Mile Ridge near Avilton. "Met" towers are used in preliminary stages of turbine projects to determine the amount of wind at proposed sites.


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GC Commissioners Deny Junkyard License To Oakland Businessman

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Dec. 8, 2011

The Garrett County commissioners voted unanimously on Tuesday not to grant a junkyard license to Oakland area businessman Don Nine. Following their decision, the commissioners held a brief discussion about land-use restrictions and zoning.

"I believe the public has resoundingly articulated their concerns, interests, and apprehensions against the issuance of this junkyard license," Commission chair Gregan Crawford said. "I support their concerns."

Nine operates Don's Classie Car Company at 506 Hutton Road, where used vehicles are brought to the 4.5-acre property, salvaged for parts or repaired, and resold.

A public hearing on the application was held in November in which Nine outlined his plans for the license. He indicated he would not operate a junkyard per se, only a storage/recycling lot. Old cars would be stored in a 150-foot by 300-foot screened-in area at the back of the property. Restored vehicles would then be available for purchase on a lot in front of the property, and car shells would be transported from the site to a junkyard.

Nine noted that he had already installed a 7-foot high fence around the proposed storage area and was willing to erect more screening.

Many of Nine's neighbors objected to granting the license, voicing their concerns about the unsightliness of the property, possible negative impacts on the environment, and the potential for declining property values.

One of Nine's neighbors pointed out that at one point in 2007 more than 30 "junk" cars were on the Nine property, which prompted several people to petition the county to look into the violation.

The county junkyard ordinance states that no more than five vehicles slated to be junked or dismantled may be located on a property, unless the owner has a license.

The ordinance also states that a junkyard cannot be within 500 feet of any residence, retail business, church, or other institution, unless screening effectively prevents the junkyard from detracting from the value of those places.

It was noted at the hearing that at least one business is within 500 yards of the Nine property, and there are home owners who, despite fencing, can see the proposed junkyard/storage site from their elevated properties.

Licensing and enforcement inspector Mark Weber acknowledged at the hearing that the county has received complaints about the Nine property over the last three or four years and that Nine has brought it into compliance intermittently during that time.

Weber stressed, however, that Nine was working with his office to bring his property into compliance in order to get a license and become "legitimate."

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Renewable energy in Constellation deal questioned

Posted: Nov 17, 2011 11:26 AM EST
Updated: Nov 17, 2011 11:48 AM EST
By ALEX DOMINGUEZ
Associated Press Writer
BALTIMORE (AP) - Promises to build more renewable energy sites in Maryland as part of the proposed sale of Constellation Energy to Chicago's Exelon Corp. are drawing opposition in western Maryland.

The chairman of the Garrett County Board of Commissioners wrote Exelon President and CEO Christopher Crane this month saying industrial wind-power generation has been a contentious issue in the county.

The board "does not support further industrialization of ridge tops until a prudent and reasonable public policy has been created and enacted that will provide protections to those who will be adversely impacted," Chairman Gregan Crawford said in the letter.

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County Commissioners Allocate $50,000 To "I Can Swim" Program

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Oct. 20, 2011


The Garrett County commissioners have allocated $50,000 for "I Can Swim." In cooperation with the Board of Education, Garrett College developed the program with the goal of providing swimming and water safety training to every kindergarten student in the county.


Commissioner Jim Raley proposed the allocation during the commissioners' public meeting on Tuesday afternoon.


"To me, as a nonswimmer, I know how important the program is,'" Raley said.


He said he had thought about the allocation for some time, but Gene Helbig's letter to the editor in last week's Republican "brought to light" the importance of I Can Swim.


Helbig, who lost his grandson Jack to a water accident, begged readers to donate to the program. Helbig and his wife Cathy recently presented a $1,000 check to I Can Swim. Their donation will enable 10 students to take swimming lessons.


Raley also noted that college officials were not afraid to implement the program, despite the lack of secured funding.


"What they did was forge ahead and said, 'We're going to do this," Raley said.


Commissioner Bob Gatto, also an nonswimmer, approved Raley's proposal.


"I can see the whole county benefiting from the I Can Swim program," Gatto said. "I support the motion."


Commissioner Gregan Crawford also approved the allocation.


The county's donation will come from the unassigned fund balance in the fiscal year 2012 budget. Raley noted that recent developments, such as the sale of a county-owned facility in the Southern Industrial Park, make the allocation possible.


"We know that's its an important enough program that the money is going to be well spent," Raley said.


He stressed, however, that the funding would be for the first year only, to support the program in its initial stage and solicit more donors and sponsors.

I Can Swim classes began last week at the Garrett College Community Aquatic & Recreation Complex. The grand opening for Phase I of the complex will be held this Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The commissioners will present a ceremonial check for $50,000 to Garrett College president Richard MacLennan during the event.

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County Commissioners Approve McHenry Water System Policies

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Oct. 20, 2011


The Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved new fees and policies for the McHenry Water System District. Included in the document are hook-up time frames and payment schedules for hundreds of property owners who are required to connect to the public system.

"[We've] crafted, I think, the most equitable, blanket policy possible for the McHenry Water System," said commission chair Gregan Crawford. "I'm sure there are people who will certainly take issue with that, but we're still under a state mandated code. . . . Regardless of the history of who did what portion and when, what extension was done by whom, who paid for what, or what the intentions were, this is our system and we own it, and the responsibility lies with us."

The previous board of county commissioners held a public hearing on Dec. 7, 2010, on expanding the district to numerous areas around Deep Creek Lake, including Marsh Hill Road, the McHenry Business and Technology Park area, and Sweet Rewards Development.

No written or verbal commentary about the proposal was received at that hearing, and the district boundary changes were approved. The current commissioners held a similar hearing on the issue at Garrett College on March 19. That event also drew little public response.

Shortly thereafter, however, the commissioners received numerous objections to the mandatory connection policy and hookup costs. State law mandates that businesses and homeowners connect to a public system if the lines come within a certain distance of their properties.

During the last seven months, Crawford noted, the commissioners conducted three Saturday morning hearings at Garrett College on the issue, receiving five hours of public comments from those events, plus numerous phone calls, letters, e-mails, and courthouse visits at other times.

As a result of those hearings and comments, Crawford noted, the county came up with policies that reduced and standardized the fees, improved the public hearing notification system regarding water and sewer projects, and amended amortization schedules and connection time requirements.

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GC Commissioners Vote Against Hiring Western Lobbyist

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Oct. 20, 2011


The Garrett County commissioners this week informed officials in Allegany, Frederick, Washington, and Carroll counties that they will not participate in a plan to hire a lobbyist to represent western Maryland interests in the 2012 General Assembly session.

Allegany County commissioner Michael McKay suggested the plan during a Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) meeting a few months ago. The cost of the endeavor was estimated at $5,000 per county.

Garrett County administrator Monty Pagenhardt said it was unclear to the local officials if a lobbyist would pursue several issues or just one.

"There are too many uncertainties," he said about the plan.

He noted that the five western counties might not have the same level of interest or all be in agreement on such issues as Marcellus shale drilling.

Local commission chairman Gregan Crawford announced his opposition to the idea last week, and the commissioners voted unanimously not to participate in the plan.

"They simply thought there were too many unanswered questions and concerns about hiring a lobbyist," Pagenhardt said.

He noted that Crawford, is on the MACo board of directors and the MACo Legislative Committee.

"He is very involved in all legislative matters, and Garrett County is represented very well by his efforts," Pag-enhardt said.

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Garrett County Commissioners Request Deferment Of PlanMaryland Adoption

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Oct. 6, 2011


The Board of Garrett County Commissioners during its public meeting on Tuesday unanimously executed a resolution requesting deferment of the adoption of PlanMaryland. The document will be forwarded to the governor and Maryland Department of Planning personnel.

State officials project Maryland's population will increase by 1 million during the next 20 years. Proposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley, the initiative examines that issue and, according to plan opponents, gives the state more control over local land-use issues.

"The growth issues that Garrett County will face over the next few years are different than those that are faced in the urban and suburban areas of the state of Maryland and nation," the commissioners stated in a press release. "The board believes that land management should be left to local jurisdictions, as it is local jurisdictions that best understand their local growth challenges and needs. The proposed plan, as it applies to Garrett County, has the potential to stifle and suppress growth opportunities instead of incentivizing them."

The commissioners added they did not want the county to become an impoverished ward of the state.

"Garrett County has resources that will allow the county to contribute in our own unique way," the officials stated. "Embracing and acknowledging diversity gives our state and ultimately county and municipal governments strength and resiliency."

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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

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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.

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