Zoning appeals board upholds Deep Creek boat rental permit
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Deep Creek Lake Watershed Board of Zoning Appeals voted three to one on Aug. 16 to uphold its June decision to issue a boat rental permit to Bill Meagher, owner of Lakeside Creamery, according to Garrett County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
Despite opposition from multiple marinas, the county commissioners voted on June 5 to approve an amendment to the Deep Creek Zoning Ordinance to add a new category for boat rentals as a separate service that would not offer any of the other services associated with a marina.
Commissioners Gregan Crawford and Robert Gatto voted in favor of the amendment, with chairman Jim Raley opposing it. During a May 31 public hearing, Raley said he had concerns about Meagher’s decision not to offer services on-site.
On Aug. 18, the Property Owners’ Association of Deep Creek Lake voted unanimously, with president Troy Ellington recusing himself because of a conflict of interest, to request the commissioners to take three separate actions in regard to the amendment of the ordinance regarding boat rentals, according to Pagenhardt. Ellington is chairman of the county’s planning commission.
Pagenhardt, Commissioner Robert Gatto and John Nelson, director of the Department of Planning and Land Development, were in attendance at the POA meeting.
The Property Owners’ Association requested the commissioners initiate and complete within six months a comprehensive study of the amendment in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources and other interested organization to determine whether the amendment should be retained, modified or deleted, according to an email sent to the commissioners from POA senior vice president Roger Titus.
The group is also requesting that the commissioners impose a six-month moratorium on the issuance of any permits for any additional uses based on the recent amendment to the Deep Creek Lake Watershed Zoning Ordinance and the pending the outcome of the study; and adopt as a matter of county policy that no amendment to the text of the ordinance that may have an effect on the lake shall be approved until there has been notice of at least 90 days. The notice should be given to the DNR, the state Department of the Environment, the POA, the Friends of Deep Creek Lake and the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, allowing them an an opportunity to respond, according to the email.
“The board of the POA believes that approval of theses actions will go a long way toward addressing the concerns that the POA and others have raised about the adoption of the ammendment,” wrote Titus.
Pagenhardt noted that the commissioners have received the email, are currently “taking it under advisement,” and are discussing with Nelson and County Attorney Norman Getty how to proceed. Pagenhardt also said the commissioners plan to answer the email but it hinges on upcoming legal action.
St. Moritz Properties, LLC; Bill’s Marine Service Inc., Silver Tree Marine, LLC, Aquatic Center Inc. and Deep Creek Boat Rentals Inc. have filed an appeal in Garrett County Circuit Court to determine whe-ther the commissioners acted properly under the zoning ordinance and Maryland law in approving the amendment in June. The case is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 9:30 a.m.
The businesses filed the appeal in circuit court because they felt like they have been “specially and adversely affected” by the commissioners’ decision, according to the appeal.
St. Moritz Properties, LLC; Bill’s Marine Service Inc., Silver Tree Marine, LLC, have also filed a interpretive appeal in opposition of the Board of Zoning Appeals’s decision in June to grant Meagher’s request for a boat rental permit.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
More here.
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Think about starting school after Labor Day
Cumberland Times-News
It’s that time of year when summer is winding down and Maryland families are enjoying their last bit of time together.
This often means visiting Maryland’s picturesque Eastern Shore, heading up to Deep Creek Lake or spending time in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
I often think of these precious memories this time of year — the road trips we took when I was kid and the wonderful memories Annie and I have with our own children, who have mysteriously grown up too quickly.
For many Maryland families, unfortunately, summer has come to an abrupt end, with some school systems already back in session this week.
Summer is a time for kids to be kids and families to be families, which is why Maryland needs a statewide post-Labor Day start to the school year.
Beyond its obvious benefits to family time, starting school after Labor Day would increase critical revenues and serve as a welcome boost to Maryland’s economy.
Tourism is Maryland’s fourth largest industry, and the summer plays a critical role in the success of the family-owned businesses that depend on it.
A post-Labor Day start would also spare businesses from the stresses of losing their temporary staff — teachers and students who often depend on the supplemental income — who must report to work or team practices, sometimes as soon as early August.
Right now, Ohio is considering a post-Labor Day start to the school year, and it has already been implemented in Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and San Diego, among others, as well as being the standard policy for all of Canada.
And in our neighboring Virginia, where this policy is currently in place, it’s been estimated that it would cost $369 million in lost revenue and wages and $21 million in tax revenue to revert back to a pre-Labor Day start to school.
This change wouldn’t affect the amount of instruction our kids receive or the school year’s end date. We’d still be bound to comply with the mandated 180 days of instruction per school year.
North Carolina, as an example, fits in 200 instructional days between Labor Day and the end of their school year, which is mandated by state law to be no later than June 14.
Thinking about the financial health of our state and examining how current policies affect financial matters throughout Maryland is something I do on a daily basis.
And when I see an opportunity for Maryland families and businesses to simultaneously benefit from a new way of thinking, I’m happy to promote the cause.
Let’s pass a Maryland law that sees the school year start after our kids have been able to squeeze the last bit of fun out of their summer. They grow up way too quickly to let these precious chances slip by.
Peter Franchot
Comptroller of Maryland
More here.
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Gurus suggest Annapolis, Deep Creek, other fun spots for Labor Day escapes
Just in time for Labor Day weekend, getaways close to home were on everyone’s minds..
More here.
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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Trooper 5 relocating to Garrett airport during peak demand periods
43 percent of helicopter’s July missions were in county
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — Maryland State Police medevac helicopter Trooper 5, based at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport, will temporarily relocate to the Garrett County Airport “during hours of peak mission demand,” according to Maj. Mark Gibbons, commander of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command.
The state police helicopter will temporarily relocate to the Garrett County Airport near McHenry beginning today during specified times when there is a larger potential for service due to increased activities within the county. The “dynamic deployment” will continue throughout the fall season, according to Gibbons.
State police helicopter crews in Cumberland have already conducted coordinated training with Western Maryland EMS providers in anticipation of the temporary relocation to Garrett County.
In the month of July, 43 percent of the missions handled by Trooper 5 were from Garrett County.
Seasonal changes in population and trends for requests for service indicate that a temporary relocation of specific aircraft may provide a more efficient service.
Historically, the hours between noon and 9 p.m. have been the periods the helicopter has been dispatched to emergency calls in the Garrett County region. The dynamic deployment program has been used in other locations where information indicates a surge in activity when state police aviation service may benefit first-responders and citizens in that area.
“Since opening the Cumberland section in 1978, we have had great relationships with and cooperation from all fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel, as well as elected officials in Western Maryland in supporting our service,” said Gibbons.
“The Garrett County Airport provides a location and airport support that will greatly increase the effectiveness of our helicopter crews as they perform their lifesaving missions in that region during peak periods of service. Trooper 5 will continue to have prompt response to calls for service for the entire Western Maryland and Appalachian Highlands region.”
Lt. Walter Kerr, state police aviation command helicopter operations, said Trooper 5 will be situated in the Garrett County Airport’s flight line rather than a hangar at the airport.
“The airport is providing temporary office space and we will be utilizing thier computers and weather instruments just like other pilots that come into the airport. We will also have our own computers,” said Kerr.
The temporary relocation from Cumberland to Garrett County was about two weeks in the planning. “Sgt. (Donald) Lehman in the aviation section at Cumberland did an excellent job putting this together and allowing us to launch it in time for the Labor Day weekend,” said Kerr.
Capt. James Pyles, Western Troop commander, said, “The process of this dynamic deployment is data-driven to better serve the citizens of our great state and the surrounding area. The crews of Trooper 5 are to be commended for their proactive approach to increase access to life-saving resources and to provide their invaluable resource on our fight on crime.
“The Aviation Command consists of an excellent group of men and women with whom I am honored to work beside daily. They are committed to upholding the high standards of the department. Whether you live in Maryland, are visiting here, or are just traveling through, every member of the Aviation Command and the Maryland State Police are committed to serving and protecting you.”
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command is an essential component of the Statewide Trauma and Emergency Medical Services System. The MSPAC works closely with the members of all Maryland first-response organizations as part of the state’s world-renowned, integrated emergency medical services system.
More here.
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Labor Day Weekend 2012
This weekend’s (and slightly beyond) list of fun things to do:
Aug 31 – Sep 3 Wisp Outdoors Used Equipment Sale
Wisp Resort will be selling rental and demo kayaks,
canoes, stand up paddleboards and mountain bikes.
Arrive early for the best selection and savings.
Date: August 31, 2012
Website: http://www.wispresort.com
Location: Wisp Outdoors Adventure Park Building
Contact: 301.387.4000
EMail: info@wispresort.com
Date/Time Details: 8/31/12 – 9/3/12 – 9am – 5pm
Fees/Admission: Prices Vary
Aug 31 – Sep 3 Rudy’s Labor Day Weekend Sale
Celebrate the official kickoff to the 2012 ski and board season at the 42nd annual Rudy’s Labor Day Sale! The area’s largest snowsports sale offering an extensive selection of ski & snowboard equipment, apparel, & accessories at discount warehouse prices.
Date: August 31, 2012
Website: http://www.wispresort.com
Location: Wisp Resort Main Lodge
Contact: 301.387-4640
EMail: info@wispresort.com
Date/Time Details: 8/31/12 – 9/3/12
Aug 31 Little Yough Summer Music Festival
Little Yough Summer Music Festival
2012 Program Schedule
August 31st The Remedy
Date: August 31, 2012
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Website: http://www.oaklandmd.com
Location: Town Parking Lot
EMail: townofoak@gmail.com
Fees/Admission: Free Admission. Concessions will be available beginning at 6pm until after intermission.
Aug 31 – Sep 3 Rudy’s Labor Day Weekend Sale
Celebrate the official kickoff to the 2012 ski and board season at the 42nd annual Rudy’s Labor Day Sale! The area’s largest snowsports sale offering an extensive selection of ski & snowboard equipment, apparel, & accessories at discount warehouse prices.
Date: August 31, 2012
Website: http://www.wispresort.com
Location: Wisp Resort Main Lodge
Contact: 301.387-4640
EMail: info@wispresort.com
Date/Time Details: 8/31/12 – 9/3/12
Sep 1 Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department Chicken/Rib BBQ
Date: September 1, 2012
Location: Grantsville Volunteer Fire Department – Springs Rd., Grantsville, MD
Sep 1 Springs Historical Society Farmers Market
The Springs Historical Society sponsors the two story Springs Museum, collection of life of settlers of the Casselman Valley and the Springs Farmers’ Market with Amish produce, antiques and flea market items, adjacent to the Museum. Market open Saturdays May 26-Sept 15. The Society hosts monthly programs free and open to the public and publishes historical journals of the area. Also on the same premises is the Alta Schrock Nature Trail, a self-guided 4/10 mile easy walk and the Springs Folk Festival to be held Oct. 5 & 6, 2012. **Out-of-County Regional Event**
Date: September 1, 2012
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.springspa.org
Location: 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562
Contact: 814-442-4594
EMail: daheberg2@aol.com
Date/Time Details: Springs Museum – May 26 – Oct. 6, Wed-Fri 1:00-5:00, Sat. 9:00-2:00
Springs Farmers’ Market -Saturdays May 26-Sept 15, 8:00 – 1:00
Alta Schrock Nature Trail open year round
Fees/Admission: No admission fee
Museum on donation basis
Sep 1 Mountain Fresh Farmers Market
Visit the Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets to find locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, home-baked goods, jams & jellies, plants, personal care items, and crafts.
Date: September 1, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.MountainFresh.org
Location: Mt. Fresh Pavilion
2nd Street & Town Park Lane
Oakland, MD 21550
Contact: 301-334-6960 or info@mountainfresh.org
EMail: info@MountainFresh.org
Date/Time Details: Wednesdays & Saturdays
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Fees/Admission: Free
Sep 2 LEGO Robotics: SuGO Sunday.
Come and build Sumo Wrestling Robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS.
SuGO teams form at 1:00pm, and build until 3:30pm. Teams can be families or friends and No experience is necessary. All equipment is provided, and help is available for rookie teams. At 3:30, teams move to the arena and the SuGO bots battle it out tournament style.
This is a great activity for LEGO lovers of all ages.
Experience the latest LEGO Robotics hardware and push your creativity to the limit..
Light refreshments are available for purchase.
Date: September 2, 2012
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Website: http://www.SuGObot.com
Location: GEARS Center: 116 Industrial Dr, Accident MD, 21520
Look for the yellow pickup.
Contact: Contact Phil Malone: 301 387-2331
EMail: sugomaster@gearsinc.org
Date/Time Details: First Sunday of every month: Team registration at 1:00pm
Fees/Admission: Free for GEARS Members, otherwise $10 per team.
Sep 5 Mountain Fresh Farmers Market
Visit the Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets to find locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, home-baked goods, jams & jellies, plants, personal care items, and crafts.
Date: September 5, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.MountainFresh.org
Location: Mt. Fresh Pavilion
2nd Street & Town Park Lane
Oakland, MD 21550
Contact: 301-334-6960 or info@mountainfresh.org
EMail: info@MountainFresh.org
Date/Time Details: Wednesdays & Saturdays
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Fees/Admission: Free
Sep 7 – Sep 9 Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival
Benefiting the American Red Cross, the festival includes wine, regional artists, children’s area, silent auction, live music and lots more!
Friday, September 7: Wine Pairing Dinners at Participating Restaurants
Saturday, September 8: Art & Wine Festival Noon – 6 pm. Rain or Shine. Garrett County Fairgrounds McHenry, MD
Sunday, September 9: Sunday brunch at area restaurants
Date: September 7, 2012
Website: http://www.deepcreekwinefest.com
Location: Garrett County Fairgrounds
Date/Time Details: September 7 – 9, 2012
Sep 8 – Sep 9 Deep Creek Open and US Nationals in Canoe Slalom
The Deep Creek Open is a dual Canoe Slalom event. It will be an Open race for competitors from around the world, including those from the London Olympics and also serve as the U.S. National Championships.
Canoe Slalom is the sport of racing closed deck boats through a gated course in a whitewater venue. It will feature both canoeing where the athlete kneels in the boat and uses a single bladed paddle and kayaking where the athlete sits in the boat and uses a doubled bladed paddle. There will be men’s and women’s categories.
Date: September 8, 2012
Website: http://www.adventuresportscenter.com
Location: ASCI – Adventure Sports Center International
Contact: Suzanne Nicolas
EMail: snicolas@adventuresportscenter.com
Date/Time Details: September 8-9, 2012 Competition begins at 9:00 a.m on Saturday
Fees/Admission: No Charge
Sep 8 Town Wide Yard Sale
Clean out your garages, basements, and attics and join us for the Fall Town Wide Yard Sale. All town residents are invited to participate in selling their treasures. The Grantsville Lions Club will be selling BBQ Chicken at the Grantsville Community Park.
Date: September 8, 2012
Location: Town
of Grantsville
EMail: rjones1968@verizon.net
Sep 8 Springs Historical Society Farmers Market
The Springs Historical Society sponsors the two story Springs Museum, collection of life of settlers of the Casselman Valley and the Springs Farmers’ Market with Amish produce, antiques and flea market items, adjacent to the Museum. Market open Saturdays May 26-Sept 15. The Society hosts monthly programs free and open to the public and publishes historical journals of the area. Also on the same premises is the Alta Schrock Nature Trail, a self-guided 4/10 mile easy walk and the Springs Folk Festival to be held Oct. 5 & 6, 2012. **Out-of-County Regional Event**
Date: September 8, 2012
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.springspa.org
Location: 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562
Contact: 814-442-4594
EMail: daheberg2@aol.com
Date/Time Details: Springs Museum – May 26 – Oct. 6, Wed-Fri 1:00-5:00, Sat. 9:00-2:00
Springs Farmers’ Market -Saturdays May 26-Sept 15, 8:00 – 1:00
Alta Schrock Nature Trail open year round
Fees/Admission: No admission fee
Museum on donation basis
Sep 8 Mountain Fresh Farmers Market
Visit the Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets to find locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, home-baked goods, jams & jellies, plants, personal care items, and crafts.
Date: September 8, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.MountainFresh.org
Location: Mt. Fresh Pavilion
2nd Street & Town Park Lane
Oakland, MD 21550
Contact: 301-334-6960 or info@mountainfresh.org
EMail: info@MountainFresh.org
Date/Time Details: Wednesdays & Saturdays
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Fees/Admission: Free
Sep 9 Dogsledding Presentation and Kennel Visit
Enjoy an educational and entertaining dogsledding presentation. Grill mushers; see equipment; hug gorgeous and friendly HUSKIES; watch an exciting film of them working/pulling (or see a real team run if it’s cold enough) and learn a lot! No reservations required this day. It is a two hour program starting at 10 am. Price: $20 each.
Note: We offer this same tour (but by reservation only and with a minimum price) almost every day. Please see our website for more info: “Tours” page.
Date: September 9, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Website: http://www.HuskyPowerDogsledding.com
Location: Husky Power Dogsledding at Mountain MD Kennels, LLC
Address: 2008 Bumble Bee Road, Accident, MD 21520 — Three Miles from Wisp – near the Airport in McHenry
Contact: 301-746-7200
Date/Time Details: 10 am – noon
Fees/Admission: $20
Sep 12 Mountain Fresh Farmers Market
Visit the Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets to find locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, home-baked goods, jams & jellies, plants, personal care items, and crafts.
Date: September 12, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.MountainFresh.org
Location: Mt. Fresh Pavilion
2nd Street & Town Park Lane
Oakland, MD 21550
Contact: 301-334-6960 or info@mountainfresh.org
EMail: info@MountainFresh.org
Date/Time Details: Wednesdays & Saturdays
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Fees/Admission: Free
Sep 13 – Sep 28 Red Cross Blood Drive
Red Cross Blood Drive at Wisp Resort
Date: September 13, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Website: http://www.wispresort.com
Location: Timbers Room located on the Lower Level of the Main Lodge
Contact: Lori Epp Wisp Resort Director of Marketing; lepp@wispresort.com 301.387.4000 ext. 2160
EMail: lepp@wispresort.com
Date/Time Details: Thursday, September 13, 2012
Time: 12:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Sep 15 Ridgeview Valley Barn Dance & Silent Auction
Benefitting k-5th grade students (Study Buddies) in Garrett County
Date: September 15, 2012
Website: http://www.garrettmentors.org
Location: Ridgeview Valley
Contact: 301.334.1783
Date/Time Details: Saturday, September 15, 2012
Sep 15 Springs Historical Society Farmers Market
The Springs Historical Society sponsors the two story Springs Museum, collection of life of settlers of the Casselman Valley and the Springs Farmers’ Market with Amish produce, antiques and flea market items, adjacent to the Museum. Market open Saturdays May 26-Sept 15. The Society hosts monthly programs free and open to the public and publishes historical journals of the area. Also on the same premises is the Alta Schrock Nature Trail, a self-guided 4/10 mile easy walk and the Springs Folk Festival to be held Oct. 5 & 6, 2012. **Out-of-County Regional Event**
Date: September 15, 2012
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.springspa.org
Location: 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562
Contact: 814-442-4594
EMail: daheberg2@aol.com
Date/Time Details: Springs Museum – May 26 – Oct. 6, Wed-Fri 1:00-5:00, Sat. 9:00-2:00
Springs Farmers’ Market -Saturdays May 26-Sept 15, 8:00 – 1:00
Alta Schrock Nature Trail open year round
Fees/Admission: No admission fee
Museum on donation basis
Sep 15 Mountain Fresh Farmers Market
Visit the Mountain Fresh Farmers Markets to find locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, home-baked goods, jams & jellies, plants, personal care items, and crafts.
Date: September 15, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Website: http://www.MountainFresh.org
Location: Mt. Fresh Pavilion
2nd Street & Town Park Lane
Oakland, MD 21550
Contact: 301-334-6960 or info@mountainfresh.org
EMail: info@MountainFresh.org
Date/Time Details: Wednesdays & Saturdays
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Fees/Admission: Free
More here.
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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Friendsville gets grant to help complete its part of Garrett County’s loop trail
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
FRIENDSVILLE — The town of Friendsville recently received a $78,500 award as one of the recipients of the 2013 Bikeways Program Grant.
“We are very happy to receive the grant. I appreciate the cooperation of everyone that we worked with to achieve this grant,” said Mayor Spencer Schlosnagle. “It is part of the master plan for our future to bring in economic development for recreational activities.”
The grant will be used for designing and engineering a town trail that will extend to the community park.
It also will help with additional signage, bike racks and safety improvements in the future construction of the Kendall Trail, according to Schlosnagle.
The Kendall Trail, which begins on Morris Avenue, is about three miles long and, once fully completed, will go into the Sang Run area of Oakland.
“It’s a big benefit for our community,” said Schlosnagle.
The Bikeways Program is an integral part of the proposed Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail, an initiative developed and led by Garrett Trails.
The vision for the proposed loop trail is a 150-mile, hard-packed, multi-user trail that runs through the heart of Garrett County and bridges the connections between existing trails and connects to larger trail networks outside the county, according to the Garrett Trails website.
The northern portion of the loop trail leads through Grantsville, eventually connecting with the Great Allegheny Passage in Meyersdale, Pa.
The existing Allegheny Highlands Trail forms a loop at Confluence, Pa., where it can be taken to the southern portion of the loop beginning at Friendsville, according to the trail’s website.
“The benefits of a county-wide recreational trail system are wide-ranging. A comprehensive trail system will enhance the quality of the life within the county and become an indispensable asset,” states the 2003 Garrett County Recreational Trails Plan update.
“Although creating or expanding a trail system can deliver significant economic benefits by itself, communities can do more to capitalize on the economic potential of trails. Trails generate positive economic impacts by delivering additional spending to businesses. As businesses become more productive, new jobs and tax revenue follow.”
Statewide, the Bikeways Program provided 28 winners with $3.13 million in grants to seven counties, Baltimore City and 12 other municipalities, according to the program website.
These projects are the second set of grants awarded through the Bikeways Program, bringing the total to 48 bikeways grant recipients for a total of $5.63 million to date.
The grant was made possible thanks to the assistance of Gov. Martin O’Malley, who facilitated the program; U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin and his staff, who are strong proponents of hiking and biking trails; and Garrett Trails, according to Schlosnagle.
“It is a joint effort with everyone working together to make it a reality,” Schlosnagle said.
For more information on the proposed Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail, visit the website at www.garretttrails.org.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com
More here.
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Fact: Maryland has no natural lakes
By Michael S. Rosenwald
….I stumbled on the lake thread this morning — the link was titled “TIL Maryland has no natural lakes.” (Ahem: TIL is an acronym for Today I Learned.)
I thought, “Really?”
The post linked to a question-and-answer briefing on Maryland lakes from the Maryland Geological Survey.
“Yes, there are no natural lakes in Maryland,” the survey says. “All of Maryland’s lakes are man-made by damming rivers. Some have been named lakes (e.g., Lake Habeeb in Allegany County and Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County), but most have been named reservoirs (e.g., Loch Raven Reservoir in Baltimore County).”
More here.
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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Road work will force U.S. 40 Alternate closure
Drainage pipe replacement part of two-week, $2.2M Garrett project
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
GRANTSVILLE — U.S. Route 40 Alternate will be closed between U.S. Route 40 at Keysers Ridge and the western limits of Grantsville near Springs Road beginning Monday, the Maryland State Highway Administration announced.
The road will reopen before Aug. 27, the first day of school in Garrett County.
The closure is part of a $2.2 million safety and resurfacing project that will allow crews to replace a drainage pipe that crosses the road about 50 feet east of Spring Valley Farm Lane. The pipe replacement and patching will be completed during the closure, but paving work will continue this fall. If necessary, the final surface of asphalt will be placed next spring.
During the approximately two-week closure, traffic will be detoured onto Interstate 68.
Accommodations will be made for residents within the closure area as well as for bicycles and buggy traffic to continue through the work zone, as they cannot travel on the interstate. Those using this route should proceed with caution and expect possible delays.
Anyone with questions about the project may contact SHA’s District 6 Office at 301-729-8400.
More here.
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Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Anti-Obama mood even hits cardboard regatta
August 7, 2012 | 4:55 pm
Paul Bedard
Washington Secrets
The Washington Examiner
They didn’t win, but the “shipbuilders” of the Nobama made their point at the Deep Creek Cup in western Maryland.
Like other silly boats entered in the first ever Deep Creek Cup staged a week ago in the western Maryland resort area of Deep Creek Lake, the “Nobama” wasn’t expected to win the race. But, to much applause, it easily made the point its builder was striving for: sinking support for the S.S. Obama.
“The country can’t afford another four years of Barack Obama,” said “shipbuilder” Dave Niesslein, a prominent dentist from nearby Farmington, Pa. “He’s an idiot.”
Niesslein’s “Nobama” was entered in the July 28 races along with other cardboard and funny looking vessels made from junk. He used a 16-foot ladder, rusted bike and whatever he could get his hands on to build it. The four-man boat moved with the help of two oars, one named “Hope,” the other “Change.”
On Tuesday, he told Secrets, “it was all show and no go, just like Obama. We used all sorts of stuff that was supposed to work but didn’t.”
More here.
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Debt refinancing saving Garrett County $1.8M
Commissioners approve Energy Conservation Plan
For the Cumberland Times-News Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners have taken action to save the county $1.8 million in interest costs for water and sewer projects over 20 years, according to a news release.
The commissioners unanimously approved the issuance of a debt refinancing package of $35 million at 3.5 percent interest through Susquehanna Bank.
The refinancing consolidates 12 bonds totaling $25.85 million as well as other debts the Garrett County Sanitary District had incurred to finance three water and sewer projects.
The projects include $8.22 million for the Thayerville water system, $55,000 for the Jennings sewer pump station and $875,000 for Mountain Lake Park/Loch Lynn Heights water system, according to Linda Lindsey, director of the department of public utilities.
Lindsey credited Public Utilities Assistant Director Jeff Broadwater for spearheading the debt restructuring and said, “We haven’t consolidated all our debt like this before, but this is more advantageous to the county.”
The board also unanimously ap-proved an Energy Conservation Plan, which replaces a 1993 plan, designed to curb county facilities’ energy consumption by 5 percent this fiscal year and up to 15 percent by 2015.
The plan targets electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, propane and water/sewerage.
An Energy Conservation Team, with representatives from nine county departments, includes Commissioner Robert Gatto. The team and the county’s Facilities and Maintenance Department will work with the commissioners and county administrator in establishing energy guidelines and communicating them throughout county government facilities.
“This is a great initiative and very timely,” said board chairman James Raley. “By approving this plan, it becomes our plan, which ties in nicely with our LEAN management.” Spearheaded by Commissioner Gregan Crawford, LEAN management was established to create more value while using fewer resources and also has a county committee,
The new Energy Conservation Plan outlines immediate, short- and long-term measures for energy conservation and recognizes that third-party energy audits and/or energy accounting software programs may be needed to effectively measure consumption.
County Purchasing Agent Brian Bowers said the county has “modeled its goals after the state’s,” referring to the Empower Maryland initiative of reducing energy consumption by 15 percent statewide by 2015.
Some of the plan’s energy-saving ideas include:
• Turning off lights to save up to 20 percent of lighting expenses.
• Removing one or more lamps from multiple lamp fixtures.
• Turning off computers when not in use.
• Raising or lowering thermostats one degree.
More here.
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