Deep Creek Lake Real Estate Blog

Monday, March 19, 2012

Garrett sizes up parts of setback ordinance

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — On Thursday, Garrett County commissioners discussed possible setback regulations on industrial wind turbines, meteorological towers and gas industries during a discussion of the Land Use Management Ordinance draft, facilitated by John Nelson, director of the Department of Planning and Land Development.

The draft ordinance regulates MET tower height to 50 feet and states that the wind turbines must be 2,000 feet from a residence, church, school or other occupied structure and 1,000 feet from a property line not owned or leased by the company installing the wind conversion energy systems.

It also states a wind turbine blade can only measure 375 feet at its highest point.

Nelson said he believes current wind turbines are 410 feet.

“The number may or may not go out to the public,” said Raley. “We may go back and say, ‘Well, they are already 410 then we may as well put them as 410. That is a discussion we will have.”

Residents questioned Nelson as to where he got the setback numbers for the wind turbines and said the setbacks seem anti-wind.

“I can tell you setback letters are coming in both ways,” said Raley. “One person says they are too restrictive and another person said I live there and they are not restrictive enough, and I’ve been to the Pinnacle Wind Farm (on Green Mountain in Keyser) and I do believe it imposes on people.”

All discussions of the draft ordinance have been held in public and will continue to be, according to Raley. The next discussion will be held April 10 at 10 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room in the courthouse.

One resident questioned whether wind turbine substations would be permitted under the draft ordinance.

“Those would be permitted as well, automatically, by right under the utility provision. The setback requirements don’t apply to the substation, just the wind turbines itself,” said Nelson.

Clipper Windpower Development voluntarily offered a minimum setback before its project was constructed, according to Nelson. The setback was 1,000 feet, according to a Clipper employee who was in attendance.

The draft ordinance also contains proposed language that addresses the underground disposal of hydraulic fracturing water associated with Marcellus shale drilling.

Nelson said that it would be advantageous to have a stakeholders group that could review the ordinance, work on the details and provide a much more public process where the details could be discussed and debated.

Once the draft ordinance is complete, it will be placed on the county’s website and in the public library before a public hearing is held.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@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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Maryland Home Sales Improve in February

March 15, 2012 (Shirley Allen)

Monthly sales of existing single-family homes and condominiums improved from January to February in Maryland while home prices edged downward but still remained above last year’s levels according to the latest housing data from the Maryland Association of Realtors® (MAR).

An estimated total of 3,255 existing single-family homes and condos were sold in the Old Line State in February. That was 5.9 percent higher than the 3,074 homes sold in January and 2.4 percent higher than the 3,179 homes sold in February 20http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif11.

The median sales price for an existing home in Maryland fell by 3.3 percent in February to $212,301, down from $219,500 in January, but was still 2.0 percent higher than the median price of $208,238 in February of last year.

Of the 24 counties that provide data for the monthly report, 14 of the counties reported gains in home sales over the previous year with Garrett County (+77.8 percent) reporting the largest increase while Somerset County (-72.4 percent) posted the largest monthly decline in sales.

More here.

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Sunday, March 18, 2012

Seven injured in Wisp Resort race

Posted: 03/17/2012
Last Updated: 6 hours and 11 minutes ago

MCHENRY, Md. - Seven people were injured in a sledding race at Wisp Resort in Garrett County on Saturday.

The accident happened during Wisp’s annual ‘Beachin Weekend' during which the Cardboard Box Derby serves as a fundraiser for a blind skier program. The event which is open to adults and children involves racing a decorated cardboard box down Wisp's tubing lanes. According to derby rules, the contestants’ “vehicles” must be constructed with cardboard boxes, tape and string.

A Wisp spokesperson said a derby participant called the “Dragon Wagon" was carrying fourteen people down a steep snow covered tubing lane. Halfway down, the box lost control and collided with metal pipes that support a snowmaking machine.

Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/state/accident-at-wisp-resort#ixzz1pa6M0HlK

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Park Service Superintendent Cancels State Park Walkway Canopy Project

Mar. 15, 2012

by Renée Shreve

The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers learned last Friday that an initiative they have dreamed about, promoted, and raised money for since 2005 may never become a reality. Western Regional Park Service manager Cindy Ecker, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, explained during the group's quarterly meeting at the Discovery Center Tuesday evening why the Deep Creek Lake State Park Forest Canopy Walkway (FCW) has been canceled.

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"It's been a rough couple of days," Ecker said. "I know that you all are very emotional about the Forest Canopy Walkway; you're passionate about it; I've known that since I've taken this position."

The DNR has modified the project several times since the volunteers proposed it, but its basic concept involves a boardwalk to allow public access to the upper parts of the park's forest canopy – where flora and fauna can be viewed – and to provide an outdoor nature classroom. The 20-foot high wheel-chair accessible walkway would begin off the rear deck of the Discovery Center and loop around the park.

Included in the current design is an 80-foot observation tower. That structure is why Park Service superintendent Nita Settina has axed the entire project. Ecker explained that stricter Americans With Disabilities Act regulations regarding new projects constructed by state and local governments become mandatory on March 15. As a result, new Park Service projects and alterations must be fully and physically accessible.

"The requirements of the law to provide full accessibility to people with disabilities to all levels of the 80-foot Forest Canopy Walkway tower made the project impractical from a construction and maintenance standpoint," Ecker said.

The DNR Engineering and Construction Division, the Maryland Attorney General's Office, Maryland Department of Disabilities, and the U.S. Access Board recently reviewed the tower to see how it fared under the new law.

"Based on the new regulations and guidance from the U.S. Access Board, it is our opinion that you will have to include an elevator to the upper levels of the Forest Canopy Walkway observation tower to meet current regulations or only build as high as the planned accessible ramp and boardwalk," Director Jordan Loran, DNR Engineering and Construction Division, informed Settina in a memorandum dated March 12.

Ecker told the volunteers, however, that the DNR feels it is not practical to build the tower with an external elevator. She added that providing a remote video station at the bottom of the tower with cameras at the top of the structure was not approved by a U.S. Access Board specialist. All observation levels of the tower would have to be physically accessible, Ecker said.

In addition, Settina will not approve a 20-foot high walkway without the tower, as the project would not fulfill its original mission of providing an observation component, Ecker indicated.

The estimate for the current draft design of the walkway and tower is about $989,000. An alternative, incomplete design concept is estimated at $289,000.

Approved by the DNR in the 2005-2006 time frame, the walkway was to be built and maintained by the volunteers. The group raised more than $100,000 prior to 2011, according to WGCSPV president John Pucciano.

"Much of that money (about $75,000) went toward design and engineering studies," he wrote in an e-mail prior to Tuesday's meeting. "In 2011, coinciding with the kickoff of the Decorated Bear fundraising event, Brookfield Energy donated $50,000 to the project, with a promise of $50,000 more. The Decorated Bear project netted just over $40,000. So, as you can see, the organization was well on its way to raising the money needed to build the project."

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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Buyers are returning to housing market

The number of foreclosures fell and home sales rose in February in Frederick County.

The drop in foreclosures, according to a local attorney, is due to willingness by mortgage companies to streamline the short sale and loan modification process as an alternative to foreclosure.

"The mortgage companies still take a loss on a short sale, but not as much as they would if they have to wait until the expensive and time-consuming foreclosure process is over, which takes about a year before they get the property back to market it," said Patrick McLister of Salisbury and McLister.

"Some lenders are also accepting deeds in lieu of foreclosure from distressed homeowners to shorten the time it takes to resell the property."

More here.

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Lake House Destroyed By Fire

Mar. 15, 2012

An accidental fire reportedly started by an electrical problem resulted in the total destruction of a house and contents along Deep Creek Drive, just north of the U.S. Rt. 219 Deep Creek Lake bridge, Saturday morning. Eric and Maria Jacoby, occupants of the single-family structure, escaped the blaze uninjured, but lost nearly all of their possessions. Two unexpected "spectators" at the fire can be seen in the large oak tree in the above photo submitted by Jennifer Wampler.

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The pair of black bears remained in the tree throughout the firefighting operation, and for most of the day, as work crews came in to restore damaged utility lines. Some close-ups of the bruins are included in today's hard copy of The Republican.

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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Garrett continues to review land use

Garrett continues to review land use

MCHENRY — The Garrett County commissioners will conduct the third administrative work session to review the draft land management ordinance April 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room in the courthouse.

John Nelson, director of the Department of Planning and Land Development, will facilitate the public session.

North Hill Road work to begin Monday

KITZMILLER — Work to begin replacement of the wash-out site on North Hill Road is scheduled to begin Monday, according to the Garrett County Roads Department.

The road will be closed during the construction phase, which should eliminate further erosion and damage to the road.

State Route 135 to state Route 38 will be the alternate route of travel. Questions can be directed to the Oakland Roads Garage at 301-334-9337.

More here.

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http://times-news.com/local/x2029127043/DNR-Forest-canopy-walkway-project-at-Discovery-Center-not-practical

Plan doesn’t meet accessibility needs for people with disabilities

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

SWANTON — The forest canopy walkway project at the Discovery Center located at Deep Creek Lake State Park was nixed because it does not meet the accessibility needs for individuals with disabilities, according to Nita Settina, superintendent of the Maryland Park Service.

“The Maryland Department of Natural Resource has concluded that it is not practical to build an observation tower of 70 to 80 feet in height with an external elevator,” said Settina, in an email to the Times-News.

It was determined by the DNR Engineering and Construction Division in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, Maryland Department of Disabilities and the U.S. Access Board that the walkway is not in accordance with the 2010 Standard for Accessible Design, which became mandatory March 15, 2012, according to Settina.

Money already spent on the design and engineering studies for the walkway will not be returned, according to Settina.

“The department sought the guidance and advice of the Attorney General’s Office and determined that funds spent on the design and engineering studies for the walkway will not be returned as these expenses were directly in support of the walkway project and, therefore, are considered a legal and legitimate expense associated with the project for which the funds are raised,” said Settina.

The estimate for the original draft design for the project was $989,233, according to Settina. The Western Garrett County State Park Volunteer Group had raised and dedicated $72,705 in cash to the project.

Money that was not spent on the project will be returned, according to Settina.

Prior to 2011, more than $100,000 was raised for the project, according to John Pucciano, president of the volunteer group. In 2011, bears were decorated by local artists and auctioned off at the Discover the Bears Gala fundraiser, which netted more than $40,000. The money from the gala was raised to benefit all Deep Creek Lake State Park projects, according to Settina.

“The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recognizes and appreciates the tremendous volunteer and community support for the Forest Canopy Walkway project,” states a DNR news release. “We understand the disappointment that many feel regarding the decision to discontinue fundraising and development of this laudable project.”

The project and fundraising was suspended in June 2011 by the DNR due to concerns regarding the scale, expense, lack of funds raised to meet the target and the visual impact of the design on the natural landscape, according to Settina.

“An alternative design concept was discussed with the volunteers and a new independent cost estimate was developed of $288,605,” said Settina. “The revised cost estimate, however, was incomplete and was still under review by the Department’s Engineering and Construction Division as of March 2012.”

The DNR news release states that the mission and goals of the project were commendable and inspired.

“As a state agency, the department strives to support visionary ideas that move Maryland forward; however, we must also operate responsibly and within the confines of the law,” the release said.

The Maryland Park Service is willing to work with the volunteer group to develop a plan to support alternative projects at Deep Creek Lake State Park, according to Settina.

“There are numerous project needs to improve public recreation facilities or restore natural and cultural resources within the state park that would benefit from funding support,” said Settina.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com

More here.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

February 2012 Market Update - Residential Real Estate Sales

16 properties sold in February 2012. Sales were up considerably from February 2011 (9). In fact, this is the best February we've had in 5 years:

February 2012 - 16
February 2011 - 9
February 2010 - 6
February 2009 - 8
February 2008 - 18

Go figure - one of the worst winters on recent record and we have a great end-of-winter run. Perhaps we're turning another corner? I blogged the other day about the 42 year high for the Housing Affordability Index - great info.

Let's take a look at the rest of the stats:

There are 48 homes under contract right now (46 last month).

The average list vs. ORIGINAL sales price was 82.16% - (last month 78.69%).

The ADJUSTED list vs sale price was 89.82 (last month 86.67%).

The current # of active/for sale listings in MRIS (minus timeshares) is 575, up from last months 562. We have a 35.93 month supply of homes available (minus timeshares) based solely on the February sales numbers.

Random observations:

•1 'newer' home sold in February (5 years old or less)

•It appears that 12 or so of these sales were vacation homes

•8 homes sold under $300,000 (last month was 17)

•12 homes sold under $400,000 (last month 19)

•0 homes sold over $ 1 million (1 last month)

•0 homes sold for higher than full price or at full price (last month was 1)

•One house sold for 58.06% of asking price - 4396 Kempton Rd

•The oldest home that sold was 112 yrs old (4396 Kempton Rd)

•The average age of the homes that sold was 27 years (26 last month)

•5 condo/townhouse properties sold (3 last month)

Here are the statistical breakdowns:

Average Sale Price: $278,250 (last month $333,937)

Average Days on Market: 199/227 (last month 250/264) (days on market with current broker/total days on market)

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Garrett park group to hear why forest canopy canceled

Volunteers well on way to raising funds for project

Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News

SWANTON — Members of the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers will hear why the forest canopy walkway project at the Discovery Center has been nixed during their quarterly meeting today at Deep Creek Lake State Park.

John Pucciano, president of the volunteer group, said Maryland Park Service superintendent Nita Settina is responsible for the cancellation of the volunteer project.

“In the spring of 2011 when it looked likely that the organization would be successful in raising the necessary funds to build and maintain the structure, the current superintendent of the Park Service ... began to erect roadblocks,” said Pucciano in an email to the Times-News. “Each (roadblock) was met with the expenditure of additional money to produce revised designs at DNR’s request.”

A representative of the Department of Natural Resources will attend today’s meeting at 6 p.m. to explain what happened to the project, Pucciano said.

The canopy walkway, which was spearheaded by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, was approved by the DNR in a 2005-to-2006 timeframe, according to Pucciano.

“It was to be built and maintained by the volunteer organization,” said Pucciano.

Money for the project has come from various fundraisers. Prior to 2011, $100,000 was raised, with about $75,000 going toward design and engineering studies, according to Pucciano. In 2011, a decorated bear fundraising event netted more than $40,000 as well as a $50,000 donation from Brookfield Energy with a promise of $50,000 more.

“The organization was well on its way to raising the money needed to build the project,” said Pucciano. “Many people from Garrett and Allegany counties and those from the surrounding West Virginia and Pennsylvania areas as well as visitors from all over have donated money to the idea of a forest canopy walkway to be used as an outdoor nature classroom for school children.”

Bears for the 2011 fundraising event that were decorated by 20 local artists were adopted by local businesses and organizations and in November were auctioned off to permanent owners, according to a previous Times-News article.

The walkway would have allowed the public access to the upper parts of the forest canopy, according to the park volunteer website. The canopy is where many birds, butterflies, flowers and various other species would live and could be seen up close.

Attempts by the Times-News to contact Settina were unsuccessful.

Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.

More here.

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Lakefront vacation rental home for sale!

22181 GARRETT HWY #H
MC HENRY, MD 21541

EVERYTHING you want in a Deep Creek Lake vacation home can be found 'At Lake's Edge'. Stunning lakefront views from virtually every room in the house. Picturesque waterfront, deep water & dock slip. Impressive rental history, nearly the highest you'll find in this price range. Lakeside decks, hot tub, 6BR 5.5BA, well appointed & virtually turn-key. A rare combination of the best DCL has to offer!

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

Listing # GA7784842
$965,000

Subdivision: LAKEWOOD VILLAGE
Bedroom(s): 6
Bathroom(s): 5 Full, 1 Half
Year Built: 1999
Levels: 3
Approx Finished Sq Ft: 3,204

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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Deep Creek Lake, MD now has its second private residence club with the announcement of The Creekside Club.

March 12, 2012
by Residence Club Partners

The Smarter Way to Own a Vacation Home on Deep Creek Lake Scheduled to Open Spring 2012

Deep Creek Lake, MD – March 12, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — The Creekside Club, a fractional private residence club, is coming soon to beautiful Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, MD. This very popular four-season vacation area has been a destination for a generation of families from the Washington D.C. area, Northern Virginia and Pittsburgh looking for a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city living.

Offering a smarter way to own a vacation home at Deep Creek Lake with fractional ownership, The Creekside Club is scheduled to open Spring 2012 but is taking reservations now for ownership. Only 36 ownerships will be available at The Creekside Club. Since 1986, the residence club ownership model has proven to be a smarter way to own a luxury vacation home without all the traditional hassles associated with second home ownership. Private residence clubs can be found in other luxury vacation destinations such as the Rocky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina and some tropical paradises as well.

The Creekside Club’s ownership model truly fits this new real estate market – by being the “smarter way to own” a lakefront vacation home. A luxuriously furnished four-bedroom villa, complete with private dock, starts at only $139,000 for a one-eighth deeded share, and allows you to use your lakefront home as much as you want based on availability. And if that is not enough, it comes with a brand new 24’ top-of-the line Bennington boat to cruise and play on the crystal clear waters of Deep Creek Lake, right outside your back door.

More here.

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Monday, March 12, 2012

To frack or not to frack?

Both sides step up claims at hearing on releasing natural gas
by Margie Hyslop, Staff Writer, ANNAPOLIS —

Around the State House, both sides raised the ante this week on what is at stake in deciding whether

In testimony, opponents said new research shows the controversial practice of hydrofracturing, or fracking — which injects water and toxic chemicals thousands of feet underground to fracture rock — does not reap the clean-energy benefits claimed by the industry.

The testimony was on a proposal to charge companies that have leased gas rights a fee to fund research to help state officials decide whether to allow fracking, which requires drilling 3,500 to 7,000 feet, then setting a horizontal channel to blast through the rock.

Without studies, Maryland will have more questions than answers, Mike Tidwell, executive director of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, told the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday.

Tidwell said he thinks the proposal to charge companies a $10-per-acre fee is “fair.”

More here.

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Make a date with a trout

By Vic Attardo
Special to The Mercury

In preparation for the March 31 southeast opener, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s trout-stocking trucks are on the roll with a number of Pottstown-area streams and lakes high on the itinerary.

The four most important streams in the region, or where Pottstown anglers routinely visit, are the Manatawny Creek, French Creek, Pickering Creek, and Hay Creek. Also popular are Perkiomen Creek, East Branch Brandywine Creek, and Antietam Creek.
As for stillwaters, the most visited lake in the area is Scotts Run Lake in French Creek State Park. A lot of anglers also fish at Antietam Reservoir, near Oley and Deep Creek Lake outside Green Lane.

All will be stocked heavily this year.

More here.

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NAR Housing Affordability Index hits 42-year high in January

Index based on home price, income, mortgage interest rate data

By Inman News
Inman News®
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The National Association of REALTORS®' (NAR) Housing Affordability Index reached a record high this January, at 206.1. January 2012 is the first month since the index's inception in 1970 that the index has hit or passed 200, the group announced this week.

The index, calculated monthly by NAR, is built from the relationship among three data points: median home price, median family income, and average mortgage interest rate. The higher the index score, the greater the affordability.

The index aims to measure the affordability of a median-priced, existing single-family home by a median-income-earning family. An index of 100 represents a family's ability to exactly afford such a home, with a 20 percent down payment and mortgage payments at 25 percent of the family's gross income.

Late 2011 saw a steady monthly rise in the index from June's 172.4, the 2011 low, to 197.9 in December 2011. The index has risen from 169.4 in 2009 to 174 in 2010, and to 184.5 in 2011.

More here.

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Local Residents Testify

Mar. 8, 2012

Garrett County residents were among those who testified this week in Annapolis before the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee of the Maryland Senate. At issue were 20 different bills that have to do with the drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus shale layer in western Maryland.

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Among those who testified were members of the local advocacy group CitizenShale, business owners, and private citizens. Pictured at the table above, from left, are CitizenShale members Eric Robison of Garrett County, Jacquelyn Sams of Allegany County, and Nadine Grabania and Paul Roberts, both of Garrett County. The various pieces of legislation cover issues of property leasing, potential damages, disclosure issues, and taxation of drilling companies.

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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Access Currently Restricted To Casselman Bridge

Mar. 8, 2012

The Maryland Park Service (MPS) has restricted access on and around the Casselman River Bridge in Grantsville until further notice because of safety concerns related to the failure of a portion of one wall. MPS installed fencing and signs to prevent public access to the bridge and the surrounding area.

"The closure is a precautionary measure in response to structural deterioration along the west wall of the bridge," said Jordan Loran, director of the Engineering and Construction Unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "While the structure appears to be relatively stable at this time, there is some danger that stones may continue to fall."

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Engineers conducted a thorough inspection of the bridge last week and determined that the damage is repairable. MPS remains committed to preserving and protecting this historic landmark and will begin the necessary repairs as soon as possible.

The Casselman River Bridge is one of the oldest surviving bridges in the country. The 80-foot stone-arch bridge was originally built in 1813 as part of the old National Road. At the time of its construction, the Cassleman River Bridge was the longest single-span bridge in the United States. The bridge served as an important transportation link until 1933, when a new steel bridge was built nearby. The bridge was closed to vehicles in 1953, and the area became established as a state park in 1957.

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 Sign North South Hwy. Resolution

Mar. 8, 2012

The Garrett County commissioners signed a resolution on Tuesday pledging to work in partnership with the North South Appalachian Highway Coalition to advocate for the North South Appalachian Highway. Local resident David Moe, a member of the coalition, requested the resolution.

Garrett County's portion of the multi-state project involves the reconstruction/relocation of U.S. Rt. 219 from I-68 to the Pennsylvania state line (2.54 miles).

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"We've designated it as our No. 1 state highway project," Commission chair Jim Raley noted.

The previous Board of Garrett County Commissioners' No.1 priority was the Rt. 219 Oakland bypass.

The coalition's mission is to advance the project, ensuring its completion as the connection transportation corridor from I-68 in Maryland to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Corridor H in West Virginia. Lack of funding has stalled the project for several years. The coalition is calling upon the U.S. Congress to support the completion of the project with continued funding.

The commissioners' resolution notes that the highway is a critical infrastructure project intended to increase mobility and regional economic development throughout the Appalachian regions of Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

"The lack of progress on the highway has seriously hindered the region's growth," the resolution states. "U.S. Route 220 South from I-68 to Corridor H and U.S. Route 219 North from I-68 to I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike would provide the greatest potential for benefiting our Appalachian region and rejuvenating the economy with commercial activity. Improvements in the north-south travel would serve to link the area's two most east-west transportation facilities, I-68 and Corridor H."

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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Sunday, March 11, 2012

FireFly Farms Receives Blue Ribbon Small Business Award from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Accident, MD (PRWEB) March 11, 2012

FireFly Farms (http://www.fireflyfarms.com), producer of artisan goat cheeses from Maryland’s Allegheny Plateau, received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. Seventy-five companies across the country were named winners on March 1, 2012.

“These award winners embody the spirit of American free enterprise,” said Tom Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO. “More important than profits, their successes have provided much-needed jobs and hope to the people in their communities.”

The awards program, sponsored by Sam’s Club®, honors companies that demonstrate excellent business practices in several areas, including strategy, employee development, community involvement, and customer service.

“FireFly Farm’s success is directly due to the talents and diversity of its staff and its local farming partners,” commented Mike Koch, FireFly Farms president and co-founder. “We are so very honored to be recognized by our community and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce through this award. All of us are committed to strengthening our local economy, sustainable agriculture, and the local food movement – especially local artisan goat cheeses!”

More here.

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Saturday, March 10, 2012

Elections Board In "Good Shape" For April Primary

Mar. 8, 2012

The Garrett County Board of Elections is gearing up for Maryland's primary election on Tuesday, April 3, director Steve Fratz indicated during an update report to the county commissioners on Tuesday. Commission chair Jim Raley and Fratz also briefly discussed code home rule.

"We have currently 106 judges who perform election duties on election day," Fratz said. "We have all of them trained and assigned. So for the primary and general election cycle, we're in good shape."

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He added that logic and accuracy testing for the board's voting units will begin on Monday, March 12.

He noted the last day to register to vote before the primary election is Tuesday, March 13, at 9 p.m. Registration forms are available in all local libraries, post offices, the county courthouse, and online at the Maryland State Board of Elections web site: elections.state.md.us.

The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Tuesday, March 27, at 8 p.m.

Early voting for the primary is Saturday, March 24, through Thursday, March 29. Garrett County voters may cast their ballots at the Oakland Community Center on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday from noon until 6 p.m.

On primary election day, the county's 19 polling sites will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fratz said the Board of Elections would canvass the primary absentee ballots on Thursday, April 5, beginning at 10 a.m. at its office in Mountain Lake Park.

"Of course, that's open to the public," he noted about the canvass.

The board will canvass provisional ballots on Wednesday, April 11, at 10 a.m. It will then canvass the final absentee ballots and certify the election on Friday, April 13.

"Voter registration opens back up on Monday, April 16," Fratz noted.

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, March 9, 2012

Commissioners Approve Additional Funding For Deep Creek Lake Study

Mar. 8, 2012

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners met in an emergency administrative session on Monday to review additional funding for Phase II of the Deep Creek Lake Sediment Study. By a vote of two to one, the commissioners approved allocating another $40,000 toward the Maryland Department of Natural Resources project.

Last year, the commissioners committed $65,000 from the county budget rollover to help fund the study, which will be conducted by the DNR at a total cost of $180,000. The DNR and such private entities as the Deep Creek Lake Property Owners Association have pledged $75,000 toward the study.

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The DNR recently informed the county that there is a $40,000 deficit in the total funding required to complete all components of the study and that the commissioners needed to decided immediately if they wanted to contribute more.

After a long deliberation at Monday's emergency session, the Board of Garrett County Commissioners, on a motion by chairman Jim Raley which was seconded and carried by Commissioner Bob Gatto, approved the additional funding of $40,000. Commissioner Gregan Crawford voted against the motion.

Crawford issued a statement Tuesday morning, outlining his reasons for voting against the proposal. He noted that the commissioners unanimously committed the original $65,000 because of the economic value of Deep Creek Lake to Garrett County.

"This action was taken in order to partner with the state and private entities to cover the cost of $180,000, even though Deep Creek Lake is solely owned by the state of Maryland," Crawford said.

He noted that a total allocation of $105,000 from Garrett County would make it, not the state, the majority funder of the study.

"Before raising our commitment to become the majority funder of the study, I believe that more time is needed in order to address concerns that have been raised about the objectives, the goals, and the scope of the study, as well to consider what lasting expectations and implications may be created by the study," Crawford said. "We need to be sure that the study adequately addresses our concerns and the concerns of the stakeholders of Deep Creek Lake. As a board member, I believe that we should not be committing ourselves, at this point, to pay the majority share when there are still some vagaries that exist in the proposal presented by the DNR. With some additional time and consultations, these details can be flushed out. It is imprudent for the board of commissioners to sign off on the Phase II Sediment Study and then attempt to fill in the details."

Raley said he would hold a follow-up meeting on the issue with Bruce Michael, DNR's Resource Assessment Service director, in Annapolis on Thursday to discuss concerns that constituents have about the study.

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, March 8, 2012

Grown-Ups Welcome in Wisp's Cardboard Box Derby

By Jocelyn Rubin
| Wednesday, Mar 7, 2012 | Updated 3:16 PM EST

Who ever said that box car derbies were just for kids? Indulge in your childhood fantasy at the annual Cardboard Box Derby at Wisp Resort (296 Marsh Hill Road, Deep Creek Lake, Md.), which is option to all ages.

The event is open to all ages and part of a full weekend of fun at the resort from March 16-18. The derby is Saturday, March 17. Registration begins at 1 p.m and judging runs until 1:30 p.m. Categories for prizes include design, speed and judge’s choice.

"People really go all out for these things," said event coordinator Rick Schiff. "Some of the designs are fantastic." In the past, he's seen a firetruck, a pirate ship and a limo.

Not too shabby, considering participants are limited in building materials to cardboard, tape and string.

More here.

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Maryland State Police troopers Broadwater, Farrell honored at McHenry barrack

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

MCHENRY — The Maryland State Police McHenry Barrack has named Sgt. Brian Broadwater as the 2011 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year and Tfc. Andrew Farrell as Trooper of the Year for 2011. “Sergeant Broadwater’s performance by his subordinates was exemplary,” said Maryland State Police Capt. James Pyles, Western Troop commander. “His group outperformed many other groups in many rating categories. Sgt. Broadwater’s performance during 2011 was also exemplary. He demonstrates excellent time management skills and pays particular attention to detail. This is always evident in his completion of subordinate appraisals as well as reviewing subordinate paperwork. All of the duties and responsibilities assigned to him are punctual and accurate,”

Broadwater was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Command for several years prior to his promotion and has done an outstanding job adapting to the Field Operations Bureau, according to Pyles.

He balances his time between his supervisory duties as barrack tow truck supervisor, hazardous and toxic substance supervisor, ordinance supervisor, health and safety coordinator, personal and vehicle inspection supervisor, supply officer, license plate recognition supervisor and in his spare time he serves as the shift commander, Pyles said.

After graduating from the Maryland State Police Academy in July 2005, Farrell was assigned to the Westminster Barrack in Carroll County. In July 2009, he was transferred to the Frederick barrack and assigned a K-9. He was transferred to the McHenry Barrack in August 2010, where he now works as a K-9 handler. He is the son of retired Trooper Timothy J. Farrell.

“Trooper First Class Andrew Farrell currently is assigned two canines, one a German shepherd drug dog and the other a bloodhound tracking dog,” Pyles said. “He displays exceptional attention to detail in all aspects of his job performance and has provided job knowledge and leadership in drug interdiction efforts at the barrack. He employs excellent investigative initiative and technique when investigating criminal complaints. He demonstrates exceptional ability to identify, analyze and solve every aspect associated with criminal investigations. Most of his criminal investigations are self-generated through his aggressive traffic enforcement.”

In 2011, Farrell spearheaded a five-day criminal interdiction initiative to identify people attempting to further their criminal enterprise while traveling on state roadways in Garrett County. The operation resulted in 44 controlled dangerous substance arrests and four felony distribution cases. Police seized heroin, LSD, mushrooms, marijuana, ecstacy, methadone, numerous items of drug paraphernalia, a large amount of cash and two vehicles.

Farrell is a self-starter who takes initiative in all tasks assigned and assumes responsibility with a take-charge attitude, Pyles said. “His initiative and energy is contagious to the other troopers who work around him and his peers are energetic to work with him. His positive attitude and high level of achievement have a strong impact on his superiors and subordinates alike.”

The 42 personnel assigned to the McHenry Barrack are involved in criminal and traffic enforcement efforts in a partnership with local and federal law enforcement and emergency services agencies. “We are part of a coordinated network of state resources ready to respond in times of crisis and always working to protect the citizens of our great state and Garrett County,” Pyles said.

More here.

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Allegany, Garrett counties would likely be hit hard

Matthew Bieniek Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — If the proposed doomsday state budget proposals become law, Allegany and Garrett counties would be hit hard.

“The sheriff’s total budget is $2.6 million, you take away $154,000 and that’s two employees with salary and fringe benefits right there,” said Monty Pagenhardt, Garrett County administrator.

The cuts would total millions in Allegany and Garrett counties, hitting police, libraries and schools especially hard, according to information provided by state budget analysts to Sen. George Edwards on Tuesday.

Disparity grants and supplemental disparity grants alone would be slashed by more than $2.5 million. The supplemental disparity grants would be the offset the state paid to counties for one year to limit the impact of shifting half the cost of teacher pensions to the counties, Pagenhardt said.

The regular disparity grants are placed in the county’s general funds and are awarded by the state to counties with low income tax revenues. Allegany County would lose $1.6 million in supplemental disparity grants and $729,851 in direct disparity grants under the proposed budget cuts.

In addition, Allegany County would lose $565,744 in police aid, $76,708 in library aid and $978,816 in per-pupil aid.

The school cuts would be in addition to cuts already expected, said Mia Cross, spokeswoman for the Allegany County Board of Education. “It’s new information that was just received today,” Cross said. If the cuts would go through, it would force the board to re-examine Superintendent David Cox’s budget and make further cuts, Cross said.

There is a chance though, that the doomsday proposal by legislative leaders is more saber-rattling than the real deal.

Delegate Wendell Beitzel hopes legislative leaders may be using the doomsday proposal as something of an attempt to highlight the impact of some of the governor’s proposed cuts. Beitzel remains more concerned about the governor’s plan to shift teacher pensions to the counties. Tax increases, and what they could mean, are also a major concern to Beitzel. Still, Beitzel remains concerned about the doomsday proposal.

“If you look at that (doomsday) budget, it indicates a big loss of funding for Allegany and Garrett counties,” Beitzel said.

“The flush tax proposed by the governor would hit every Marylander,” Beitzel said. The gas tax would hit rural residents especially hard, said Beitzel.

Garrett County would also be hit hard by the proposals. Garrett would lose $406,400 in supplemental disparity grants and $213,127 in regular disparity grants. Garrett would also lose $154,606 in police aid, $11,943 in library aid and $257,891 in per-pupil aid.

“That would be pretty devastating,” said Pagenhardt.

To make up the losses, Garrett commissioners could be faced with choosing deep cuts or a 4.3-cent tax increase on taxable real property to bring tax revenues to the same level as the last fiscal year.

Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com

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Whistleblower says BofA defrauded HAMP

By Jessica Dye

NEW YORK | Thu Mar 8, 2012 8:42am EST

(Reuters) - Bank of America NA prevented homeowners from receiving mortgage-loan modifications under a federal program in order to avoid millions of dollars in losses while benefitting from financial incentives for participating in the program, according to a complaint unsealed in federal court Wednesday.

The suit is the second whistleblower complaint unsealed so far with apparent ties to the $1 billion False Claims Act settlement announced by Bank of America and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York on February 9.

The Bank of America settlement is also part of the sweeping $25 billion agreement reached between state and federal authorities.

Final settlement documents have yet to be filed in the BoA settlement, which the U.S. Attorney's Office said was the largest ever False Claims Act payout related to mortgage fraud.

More here.

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