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Crellin Elementary Documentary Aired On PBS

republican_logoMay. 16, 2013

Crellin Elementary School (teachers, students, parents, and community members) was filmed in the fall of 2011 for a documentary to be aired on television’s PBS channel across the nation. The title of the documentary is “Schools That Change Communities” by Bob Gliner. Crellin was one of five schools from across the nation highlighted in the film.

“We were honored they asked us to be part of it, the whole process was a great reflection exercise,” said Dr. Dana McCauley, principal of Crellin Elementary School.

The documentary has already been airing on PBS stations in various states, but will be aired in Maryland on Sunday, May 19, at 5 p.m. The program will air on Maryland’s PBS second station, MPT2.

On the web site for documentary filmmaker Gliner, he states:

“When we think about schools, it usually evokes images of places separated from the larger community, a place where students go to learn.

 

More here.

Mortgage Rates Inch Up for Second Week

Daily Real Estate News | Friday, May 17, 2013

Fixed-rate mortgages climbed this week after signs of stronger consumer spending, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.

Here are the national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending May 16:

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.51 percent, with an average 0.7 point, increasing from last week’s 3.42 percent average. A year ago at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.79 percent.
  • 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 2.69 percent, with an average 0.7 point, rising from last week’s 2.61 percent average. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 3.04 percent.
  • 5-year adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 2.62 percent, with an average 0.5 point, rising from last week’s 2.58 percent average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.83 percent.
  • 1-year ARMs averaged 2.55 percent, with an average 0.4 point, rising from last week’s 2.53 percent average. A year ago at this time, 1-year ARMs averaged 2.78 percent.

Metro Area Home Price Growth Trend Continues in First Quarter

WASHINGTON (May 9, 2013) – Metropolitan area median home prices continued to rise in the first quarter, with the national gain showing the best year-over-year performance in over seven years, according to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors®.  A companion breakout of income requirements to purchase a median-priced home on a metro basis shows the typical buyer earns roughly double the income needed to buy a home in his or her area.

The median existing single-family home price rose in 133 out of 150 metropolitan statistical areas1 (MSAs) based on closings in the first quarter of 2013 compared with first quarter last year, while 17 areas had price declines.  In the fourth quarter of 2012, a comparable 133 areas showed price increases from a year earlier, greatly improved from the first quarter of 2012 when prices in only 74 metros were up.

More here.

May 17 – 19. WHITEWATER KAYAK CHAMPIONSHIPS

Garrett County, Maryland and the Adventure Sports Center International host the 2014 International Canoe Federation s Whitewater Kayak World Championships. Garrett County, Maryland and the Adventure Sports Center International have been chosen to host the 2014 International Canoe Federation’s Whitewater Kayak World Championships.

Location: Deep Creek Lake, Md.

 

Unmanned DNR boat sinks on Deep Creek

Michael A. Sawyers Cumberland Times-News

SWANTON — A large Maryland Department of Natural Resources boat used on Deep Creek Lake sunk Wednesday afternoon but was floated to the surface with air bags Thursday and brought to shore, according to Eric Null, Deep Creek Lake State Park spokesman.

“There appears to be no major structural damage,” Null said.

Null said the 24-foot Ottercraft is a metal work boat with heavy lifting being one of its capacities.

He said two staff members were in a boating accident, but refused to supply other information until an official report is filed. There were no injuries, Null said.

“Our officers were returning from the firing range on Town Hill Wednesday when they got a call that a boat had capsized,” said Sgt. Brian Albert of the Natural Resources Police. “They were responding on heightened alert. A floating life jacket caused concern until it became clear that it hadn’t come off of a person, but had floated out of the boat.”

Albert said a passerby had noticed the moored boat sinking and went to the park office with the news.

“Someone from the office ran down, started it up and tried to get it up running on plane toward a shallow area, but it rolled,” Albert said.

Albert was uncertain why the boat initially took on water and Null would not discuss that matter.

“It’s a low-based boat so that buoys can be reached from it,” Albert said. “It has a dive door, so if that would have been left open, water would enter that way.”

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.

New listing – GA8075012 – $799,000 – 282 MOUNTAINVIEW CT

This house has one of the best, if not THE BEST, views at Deep Creek Lake – my personal favorite!

ga8075012“Waltzing Moose Lodge” has panoramic VIEWS that extend from the Main Lake, Cherry Creek Cove, Glendale Bridge all the way to the Southern lake area. Warm, charming, very open 6 BR Log Home, 2 very Large Master BR both on Main Level. Granite kitchen. Privacy in a wooded setting on a cul-de-sac. More here.

$799,000
Listing # GA8075012

Glendale Rd. Proj. To Continue Into Week Of May 20

May. 2, 2013

 

The Garrett County Department of Public Utilities announced on Tuesday that installation work is progressing on the water line along Glendale Road, Deep Creek Lake. Because of construction difficulties that have been encountered, however, the department anticipates that work will continue into the week of May 20–24.

The roadway will continue to be closed to through traffic (no traffic will be allowed to cross Glendale Bridge) during normal working hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Only public school buses and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through the work zone.

A flag person will be on site to direct traffic accessing and exiting businesses and residences located on Glendale Road between Route 219/Garrett Highway and the Glendale Bridge; however, delays may be experienced. All other traffic will be directed to detours.

Daily updates are posted on the DPU web site at www.co.garrett.md.us/public-utilities. Questions may be directed to the department at 301-334-6983.republican_logo

Garrett Co. Officials Review Proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Budget At Public Mtg.

May. 9, 2013

The Garrett County commissioners held a public meeting yesterday evening at Garrett College to review and receive comments on their proposed Fiscal Year 2014 budget. About 175 people attended the nearly two-hour event.

County officials have been working on the budget for several months, and the commissioners will officially approve its final version on June 4.

Commission board chair Bob Gatto indicated that the real property tax would remain at the current rate of $.99 per $100 of assessed value for FY ’14. Based on that rate, Department of Financial Services director Wendy Yoder estimates the county’s revenue next fiscal year will be $78.3 million, which is $4.4 million less than in FY ’13.

Most of the county’s revenue is garnered from property taxes, particularly those at Deep Creek Lake. Yoder noted that beginning in January 2014, properties south of the Rt. 219 bridge at the lake will be reassessed.

“This area accounts for about 60 percent of the county’s overall assessable base,” Yoder said.

She indicated this could result in a 15 to 20 percent decline in lakefront property assessments, amounting to about $100,000 per property, in FY ’15. This could equate to an overall 6 percent decrease in county total gross assessable base.

“This decrease translates into a potential loss of $2.9 million in total property tax revenue for the county in Fiscal Year 2015,” Yoder said.

To compensate for the drop in revenue for FY ’14, most county departments can expect to receive the same amount of funding they did in FY ’13, while a few will receive less, in particularly the Roads Department.

County officials are proposing to decrease that department’s allocation by about $156,000. This includes a decrease for winter operations overtime. The department was allocated $490,953 for winter overtime in FY ’13. The proposed allocation for that line item in FY ’14 is $350,000.

Allocations for the Roads Department’s winter abrasive expenses, however, will be increased by $200,000. County administrator Monty Pagenhardt said the increase was for the purchase of additional salt.

The Sheriff’s Office is one of the few departments expected to receive an allocation increase. In FY ’13, the office received $2.8 million, compared to a proposed $3 million in FY ’14. The increase, in part, is the result a new plan to assign resource officers at Southern High School and the Northern High/Middle School Complex. Most of the funding will come from three-year grants.

The Detention Center will also receive increased funding. The proposed FY ’14 allocation is $1.89 million, compared to about $1.82 million in FY ’13. The extra money, in part, is to cover such items as training expenses and increases in medical care for inmates, according to Pagenhardt.

The county will allocate the same amount of funding to the Board of Education in FY ’14 as in FY ’13, $26 million.

“I’ve never seen our financial situation in such a state,” said Garrett County Education Association president Mike Pula, noting that the local public school system continues to see “devastating” funding cuts from Maryland.

He said his group recognizes the commissioners’ financial assistance. Pula noted, however, the “grim” statistics: three schools have been closed, salaries have been frozen, classroom sizes have increased, people have been laid off, and 90 positions have been lost through attrition.

“The long and short of the budget story is: What you’ve done is not enough,” Pula said.

He indicated the BOE will continue to lose millions of dollars from the state and asked the commissioners for their help in maintaining high quality education.

“We’re in serious need of help, and there is just no where else to turn,” Pula said. “We need the board of commissioners to commit to making the school system in Garrett County its priority before anymore of it disappears.”

Commissioner Gatto indicated the commissioners would be meeting with school superintendent Dr. Janet Wilson and the BOE in June to discuss funding issues for FY ’15 and beyond.

“I spent 31 years in the public education system, so I know an awful lot about public schools and I know an awful lot about what teachers face,” Commissioner Jim Raley said. “I also spent 14 years on the school board, so I know an awful lot about the school board’s budget.”

He indicated the key to the county’s revenue woes and increasing its population. More here.republican_logo

GA8079341 – $365,000 – 514 PALMER LN OAKLAND, MD 21550

ga8079341

Beautiful 5 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath home located in golf course community located within minutes to town, hospital, library, and restaurants. Spacious gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, island, granite, and maple cabinets. Finished basement features family room, sauna, and bar and radiant floor heat, 10 ft. ceilings. Two car garage features radiant in floor heat. More here.
$365,000
Listing # GA8079341
     
     
     
     
     
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Beautiful 5 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath home located in golf course community located within minutes to town, hospital, library, and restaurants. Spacious gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances, island, granite, and maple cabinets. Finished basement features family room, sauna, and bar and radiant floor heat, 10 ft. ceilings. Two car garage features radiant in floor heat.
$365,000
Listing # GA8079341