December 2011 – Jay's Real Estate Blog

Garrett Jobless Rate At 6.2% In November

Dec. 29, 2011

The unemployment rate for Garrett County, which several years ago was typically among the highest among Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City, is now among the lowest, with the rate for November dropping to 6.2%, which is slightly below the state’s percentage (6.4) and two full points below the national average of 8.2%.

The November 2010 jobless rate for Garrett County was 7.5%, and the year-to-date average percentage is 7.3%. Maryland’s year-to-date average is 7.0%, and the national unemployment rate year-to-date for 2011 is 9.0%.

Thirteen Maryland counties and Baltimore City had rates higher than Garrett County’s for November, including neighboring Allegany County with a rate of 7.5%. Washington County’s rate was 8.2%. Harford County also had a rate of 6.2%, while Worcester County led the state with a jobless rate of 13.7%.

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Happy New Year; Go Take a Hike

Maryland State Park rangers have guided hikes slated for the first day of the new year at 17 sites around the state. Here are some locations nearby.

By Mitchelle Stephenson
December 31, 2011

The Department of Natural Resources has a family-friendly suggestion for Jan. 1—go take a hike. And to motivate, they’re sponsoring 17 ranger- or volunteer-guided hikes in state parks on the first day of the new year.

The full list of the 17 hikes is available at the DNR website. This post will give you the closest hikes to Edgewater and Davidsonville (less than an hour drive). The other hikes are everywhere from Assateague Island in Worcester County on the Eastern Shore to the westernmost parts of Garrett County, so if you have more time and don’t mind the drive, check out the full list.

Each of the day hikes listed here is designed as easy to moderate. Rangers recommend you bring water, binoculars and cameras. Wear weather-appropriate clothes and comfortable shoes.

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Top 10 US metros for price appreciation

Zillow stats showcase markets off the beaten path

By Inman News
Inman News®
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Editor’s note: This article is based on data compiled by Zillow, using the Zillow Home Value Index.

Metro areas off the beaten path like Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla., bucked national trends to win a place on a top 10 list of markets with the greatest year-over-year median home-value increases from October 2010 to October 2011, based on data compiled by Zillow. None of the top 20 U.S. metro areas by population size cracked the top 10.

The Tulsa metro area topped the chart at a 6.2 percent median home value increase to $101,000 — the lowest value of the top 10 — in that one-year timespan, followed by Oklahoma City’s metro area at a 3.1 percent bump. However, the rosy home value increase news fades by No. 10 on the list — the Green Bay metro area — where a place in the top 10 no longer represents an increase in median home value, but a sliver of a decline — 0.3 percent.

Metropolitan Pittsburgh, at No. 22 in U.S. metro population size with 2.35 million people in 2010, according to U.S. Census data, was the most populated metro area in this top 10 list, coming in at No. 8, with a slight median home-value increase of 0.4 percent, and, interestingly, the only metro area in the top 10 to experience a population dip from 2000 to 2010.

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Mtn. Md. PACE Slated Jan. 26–27; Tickets Available

Dec. 29, 2011

The Garrett County Development Corporation and Cumberland/Allegany County Industrial Foundation Inc. will host the 2012 Mountain Maryland PACE (positive attitudes change everything) events at the Loews Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis next month. Tickets are now available.

The reception is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with the breakfast slated for Friday, Jan. 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.

Overall, the reception and breakfast are business/social in style and atmosphere. The reception features classic hors d’oeuvres and an open bar. The breakfast has country-style buffet offerings and features a keynote speaker.

The theme for this year’s events is “Come to Play – Plan to Stay.”

PACE 2012 is not by invitation only. The general public is invited to attend, and anyone may purchase tickets. There is one all-inclusive ticket to attend both the reception and breakfast. Two-tiered pricing is in effect: $130 per person if payment is received on or before Wednesday, Jan. 4, and $150 per person if payment is received on or after Thursday, Jan. 5. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Ticket sales end on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Checks should be made payable to “Annapolis Reception Committee” and mailed to Mountain Maryland PACE, P.O. Box 3273, LaVale, MD 21504-3273.

PACE questions may be directed to Keli Mason, Allegany County Department of Economic Development, at 301-777-5967, 800-555-4080, or kmason@allconet.org.

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O'Malley vows action on septic systems

Governor says growth off sewer lines undermines progress

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun

7:37 PM EST, December 29, 2011

Gov. Martin O’Malley promised a push during the coming legislative session to curb proliferation of large housing developments served by septic systems, saying that increased pollution from septic systems is undermining state progress in protecting the Chesapeake Bay.

Meeting with reporters Thursday, the governor took a defiant tone toward critics of his septic-control policies, which some have labeled part of a “war on rural Maryland.” O’Malley said that science is firmly on the side of those who want to control the growth of septic systems — typically used for large-lot developments in outer suburban and rural areas.

“One of the ways to get out of a hole is to stop digging it deeper,” O’Malley said. He pointed to figures showing that the state is making progress in dealing with other forms of pollution while nutrient production from septic systems is increasing.

While the governor made it clear that he would submit legislation, he did not provide specifics. A spokeswoman said it had not been decided whether the bill would be similar to last year’s proposal, which sought to ban some large developments on septic systems close to waterways, but O’Malley indicated that any proposal would include a provision to allow the children of farmers to build homes on family property.

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Maryland Holstein Scholarship Committee is making youth scholarships available

The Maryland Holstein Scholarship Committee is making youth scholarships available. Included will be a $2,000 scholarship to the Outstanding Maryland Holstein Scholar and as many as four $750 scholarships, all to be awarded at the 2012 Maryland http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifHolstein Convention in Garrett County. The scholarships are offered to Maryland Junior Holstein Association members who are currently enrolled or have been enrolled in a dairy project with Holstein cattle. They are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Students may attend a two-year or four-year degree-granting institution in a college of agriculture or a four-year program in a nonagriculture area of study. Applications must be typed in the space allotted and an official academic transcript and recent wallet-size (head shot only) photo must accompany the application. Please provide only the information requested. All applications must be postmarked by Jan. 15. For more information or an application, contact Arthur and Peggy Johnson, committee co-chairs, at 301-972-8274 or by going to the University of Maryland Dairy Extension website.

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Mountain State Brewing Co. Recommended by CNN

Posted: Dec 25, 2011 6:52 PM EST Updated: Dec 26, 2011 12:26 PM EST
By Stacy Jacobson, Gilmer, Harrison and Lewis County Reporter

MORGANTOWN –

If you’re looking for a holiday getaway, CNN recommended the nearby Deep Creek Lake area in Maryland.

But you don’t have to go all the way to Deep Creek to enjoy some of its highlights.

Number one under its “where to eat” section is Mountain State Brewing Company. The Thomas, W.Va.-based brewery has other locations in Deep Creek and Morgantown.

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Sen. Edwards, Del. Beitzel Hold Their Annual Prelegislative Forum

Dec. 22, 2011

Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel held their annual prelegislative forum on Saturday morning at Garrett College. More than 100 people attended the event, with about a dozen of them expressing their thoughts about the upcoming General Assembly session, scheduled to begin on Jan. 11, 2012, in Annapolis.

“We’re dealing with some tough economic times, and that’s having an impact on everything we do – not only legislatively but in our lives,” Betizel said.

He indicated that the state’s $1 billion structural budget deficit will once again have a major impact on programs and funding mechanisms that come through the county.

Edwards noted the state legislature works on a committee system. Bills that receive favorable reports from their assigned committees will most likely be approved by the House and Senate, while those deemed unfavorable are rarely approved. The senator stressed, therefore, that residents express their concerns about proposed legislation to the committees.

“You’ve got to work the committees,” Edwards said about making an impact on bill passage/rejection.

The senator indicated he and Beitzel needed that help in “battling” for or against certain issues, such as the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fee. He noted that some legislators want to double, triple, or even quadruple the “flush” fee, increasing it from $30 to possibly $120.

President/CEO Nicole Christian, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, asked the local lawmakers to support tourism statewide, increase the state’s travel marketing budget, expedite the Marcellus Shale Committee’s study, restore/protect Highway User Fund allocations, oppose gas tax increases, rally support for the Deep Creek 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships, and introduce legislation that would start the public school year after Labor Day.

“The state of Maryland needs to look at all opportunities for growing the critically important segment of tourism, and that’s critically important to our economy,” Christian said. “One opportunity is for Maryland to establish a summer school break that lasts through the month of August.”

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Words Are Hardly Needed

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Indeed, this is a scene that speaks for itself, a lovely moment in time, a cold December evening, quiet except for the telltale light on in the house. Someone was busy. Making Christmas cookies, perhaps? Wrapping gifts? Signing cards? It certainly is the time of year for any and all. Here’s hoping all our readers are enjoying the tasks of this holiday season, as they prepare for the big day. This was taken by Lisa Broadwater along Rt. 219 in
Accident.

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State's Attorney Files Motion In Rezek Verdict

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Dec. 22, 2011

State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch announced on Tuesday that she has filed in Washington County Circuit Court an Application for Leave to Appeal the Granting of the Motion to Reopen a Closed Post-Conviction Proceeding and the Granting of Post-Conviction Relief in the case of Roberto Oskar Rezek.

Washington County judge Daniel Moylan recently reversed Rezek’s 1980 murder conviction in the shooting death of Garrett County sheriff’s deputy David Livengood.

“For post-conviction proceedings, there is no automatic right to appeal an adverse decision, but the aggrieved party must ask permission from the Court of Special Appeals to proceed with an appeal,” Welch noted.

In the application, she cited a number of errors that she believes Moylan committed.

“If the application is granted, the Office of the Attorney General will pursue the merits of the appeal itself,” Welch said.

Judge Fred C. Wright III presided over Rezek’s Washington County jury trial more than 30 years ago. Rezek was sentenced to life plus 15 years for first degree murder, robbery, grand larceny, and breaking and entering.

Moylan ruled in November that Wright gave improper jury instructions. Citing two Maryland Court of Appeals decisions, Moylan said Wright’s instruction on the law to the jury should have been binding and not advisory.

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Month: December 2011

Garrett Jobless Rate At 6.2% In November

Happy New Year; Go Take a Hike

Top 10 US metros for price appreciation

Mtn. Md. PACE Slated Jan. 26–27; Tickets Available

O'Malley vows action on septic systems

Maryland Holstein Scholarship Committee is making youth scholarships available

Mountain State Brewing Co. Recommended by CNN

Sen. Edwards, Del. Beitzel Hold Their Annual Prelegislative Forum

Words Are Hardly Needed

State's Attorney Files Motion In Rezek Verdict

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