Garrett commissioners praise effort for North/South highway funding
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners thanked and recognized The Greater Cumberland Committee executive director Brenda Smith and Dave Moe, coordinator of the North/South Appalachian Highway Coalition, during their public meeting Tuesday for helping to push the federal Surface Transportation Bill through.
“I wanted to thank you on behalf of the citizens of Garrett County,” said commission chairman Jim Raley. “Part of what made sense to me was Brenda and Dave’s efforts and the regional approach you took to this thing. When I look at the construction jobs and the kind of jobs that are going to be available, I think it’s phenomenal.”
Raley also thanked Chris Uhl, the Western Maryland coordinator for Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Office; Robin Summerfield representing Sen. Ben Cardin; Julianna Albowicz representing Sen. Barbara Mikulski, all of whom were at the meeting, for their efforts on furthering the North/South Appalachian Highway project.
“It’s just another piece of the puzzle that helps benefit Garrett County and the region down the road,” added Commissioner Robert Gatto.
The $10-million plus bill, which was recently passed by the House of Representatives, allows for the completion of the Somerset-Meyersdale stretch of U.S. Route 219. The measure included much sought-after repeal of language preventing Pennsylvania from using toll credits it has accumulated as its $35 million share of the $350 million cost of completing the link.
Summerfield, who has been involved with the project since the beginning, noted that TGCC and Cardin and Mikulski accomplished something that, “was a really, really big deal and that was not an easy lift at all.”
“Not one lobbyist was involved,” said Summerfield. “This was truly a grassroots community effort to get the support of three governors, representatives and senators from three states to believe in this idea enough to support what seemed like a tiny policy in a very big bill, which is going to get the 219 portion of this highway done. That happened through all-out persistence.”
Moe said that the bill couldn’t have been passed without the assistance of O’Malley, both senators and the commissioners from Mineral, Somerset and Cambria counties.
“As a result, the legislation surprisingly did much more than we asked for,” said Moe. “… it allowed the states to fund those roadways with 100 percent federal funds.”
Smith thanked the Garrett County commissioners for their support of the project.
“I know that anytime we had come to you and asked for assistance you offered it to us without delay and in a positive manner,” said Smith, who also thanked her predecessor, Coleen Peterson, and Jim Hinebaugh of TGCC. “This has really redefined regional relevance.”
Hinebaugh said the North/South Highway project should serve as a model for other TGCC projects, including education.
Albowicz thanked everyone for their drive, vision and persistence, stating, “I think it proves that if you really believe in what you feel and think is right it comes to fruition.”
Summerfield said Moe and Peterson worked really hard and traveled a lot to get people to support the project.
“It just really speaks to the value of community efforts of all us,” said Summerfield. “I think this should really be encouraging to those of us who can grow cynical about the way the government operates. Citizens made this happen and we can do a whole lot more through that kind of effort.”
Uhl also thanked Peterson and Moe for their hard work, stating, “It’s exciting to see what’s next.”
Raley indicated that he was ready for the four-mile Maryland portion to kick in once it reaches the Maryland/Pennsylvania line.
Nicole Christian, president and CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, also thanked the TGCC for its leadership in the project, noting that it was beyond the scope of what both the Allegany and Garrett county chambers could do.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
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 Days 2012 Set For July 27, 28 At Community Park
Jul. 19, 2012
The 32nd annual Friendsville Days will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 27 and 28, at the Friendsville Community Park. This hometown festival will feature events for all ages. Admission is free. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair and stay all day. Bleachers and tents will be provided. This event will be held rain or shine.
New to this year’s event will be two free $500 drawings to take place at undisclosed times before 9 p.m. on Saturday. Those interested can sign up at the door prize booth and must be present at the time of the drawing, be at least 16 years old, and only have submitted one entry to win. Additional rules apply and will be posted at the booth.
The event kicks off on Friday with a free meal provided by Northern Rescue Squad Station 3 at 6 p.m. at the park. Other vendors will be open selling food, beverage, and novelty items that evening as well as all day Saturday. The Friendsville Community Watch will be providing two free inflatable rides for youth through teens from 7 to 9 p.m. Country music will be provided by the Crazy Cowboy Band from 7 to 10 p.m. on the outdoor stage.
Saturday will begin with a parade through the streets of Friendsville beginning at noon. Opening ceremonies and awarding of parade prizes will be held following the parade. The national anthem will be sung by Miss Maryland, Joanna Guy, and there will be a 21-gun salute, with raising of the American flag.
American Pie will hit the stage at 2 p.m. and will be performing top hits of the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. A hoop dance by Aaron Smith will be presented at 4:30 p.m. and tae kwon do demonstration will be done at 5:30 p.m. Door prizes and raffles will also be held throughout the day. Ruff Creek will perform country music hits from 7 to 10 p.m. A dance floor will also provided. Fireworks will top off the evening at 10:15 p.m.
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!
Commissioners To Gauge Interest Of Those Seeking Vacated BOE Spot
Jul. 19, 2012
With elected Garrett County Board of Education member Rodney Durst effectively vacating his position on July 31, the Garrett County Board of County Commissioners is currently tasked with filling his spot.
Consistent with Maryland state code, the commissioners have the legal authority to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of Durst’s term of office on the BOE.
To that end, the board of commissioners has begun to solicit letters of interest and personal credentials from persons who may be interested in appointment to this position.
Those interested must reside in District 3, which encompasses Oakland and the surrounding southeastern portion of the county. For more detailed district information one may visit http://garrettcounty.org, and click on the “Board of Elections” link.
The commissioners ask that interested persons submit their information to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator at the office of Board of County Commissioners, by the end of the business day on July 31.
The Board of County Commissioners plans to review the individual credentials received and make an official appointment during its public meeting on Aug. 7.
Those seeking further information may contact Monty Pagenhardt at 301-334-8970.
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!
Chamber Leadership Won't Reveal Source Of "White Paper" Figures
Jul. 19, 2012
by Paul Roberts and Mike Herdering
Garrett County Chamber of Commerce directors refuse to disclose their sources for claims that shale gas revenue in western Maryland could amount to $47 billion, and, despite the chamber’s large county subsidy, the presiding county commissioners apparently see no problem with the chamber making such claims.
Official median government estimates put the value of the gas reserve almost 90 percent lower than the chamber’s figure, at around $5 billion.
The chamber’s “white paper” on shale gas – published on a web site jointly run by the county and the University of Maryland Extension Service – contains mostly industry talking points and has drawn criticism for promoting gas-drilling while wildly exaggerating claims of its financial possibilities. The issue, which spawned several letters to the editor of The Republican, has been a hot topic locally and led to testy exchanges at a chamber-organized function this week in McHenry.
Those connected with the process say a lagging vacation tourism industry, for many years the Deep Creek Lake area’s economic engine, has local business elites and county officials looking for a replacement; some believe drilling for gas in the Marcellus and Utica shale deposits under the county is the best hope for the future, given tourism’s slide in a national economic slow-down now in its fourth year. Many others, at numerous public meetings over the last two years, have complained that tourism and industrial gas development are not compatible.
Meanwhile, a local businessman who says he helped with the chamber report – and with one by the Greater Cumberland Committee that contains identical financial claims – denies that he was the source for the exaggerated estimate, but says he doesn’t know where the information originated.
Jonathan “Smiley” Kessler, operator of several tourism-related businesses in Garrett County, said he expects horizontally “fractured” wells to be drilled soon on land he owns in Pennsylvania. He estimated what he called “pie in the sky” earnings from the drilling, but insists it “is summarily wrong” to conclude that information formed the basis for the chamber’s undocumented numbers.
Kessler redirected inquiries about documentation to chamber CEO Nicole Christian, who refused to discuss the matter, but said, “We believe our facts to be accurate,” despite the government revenue projection that is $42 billion lower – a gap about equal to oil-rich Alaska’s annual economic output.
Kessler distributed material about gas-drilling in mid-2011 to local policy-makers, including the Garrett County Board of Realtors, with a chart titled “Created for Board of Garrett County Commissioners.” That piece puts the true “total play revenue” not in the billions, but at “$31.4 trillion” – about twice the gross domestic product of the United States.
The only chamber representative willing to offer any explanations was Tony Doerr, a local businessman who was board chair when the white paper was released.
“Maybe we didn’t do our due diligence,” Doerr said. “I can see where it appears that way. Did we learn our lesson? ‘Cite your source.'”
Doerr said that the chamber board, with help from its legislative affairs committee, voted 14-0 to release the white paper. It calls for expediting the ongoing review of state regulations while ensuring “safe development.”
Doerr said he thought the paper, which also contradicts government estimates to claim the county could become a “leading gas supplier” to the Northeast, took a “soft enough stance that it wouldn’t cause anybody any grief.”
“But none of us on the board are educated enough [about shale gas] to say we are experts,” Doerr added.
Doerr, Kessler, and others say that many in the community are concerned about the tourism sector, creeping unemployment, and a dramatic fall in real estate sales.
“Deep Creek Lake is still the core of our community’s business,” summarized Doerr, who owns a construction company. “But we’re just not getting the growth out of it that is needed.”
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!
Local Resident Asks Commissioners To Restore Fairness To Property Taxes
Jul. 19, 2012
The Garrett County commissioners held their bimonthly pubic meeting on Tuesday afternoon. A wide variety of topics were on the agenda, including a presentation about “restoring fairness” to real property taxes, a discussion about opting out of new sprinkler system requirement, funding for the Partners After School program, a public hearing involving the solid waste management plan, and recognition of the Greater Cumberland Committee.
Local resident/business owner Michael Bell gave a 30-minute presentation about restoring fairness to real property taxes. He noted that gas companies, such as Chevron, are exempt from paying property taxes on the Marcellus and Utica shale mineral rights/leases that they from western Maryland landowners.
Bell indicated that other property owners usually do not mind tax exemptions for churches, hospitals, and other entities that are important to their communities. But anytime something is taken off the tax base, other property owners and businesses end up paying more in taxes in order to generate much-needed revenue.
Bell noted that the county’s revenue base is not growing and that the commissioners may have to raise taxes and/or reduce services in the future. He presented three assessment scenarios in which the county could generate, perhaps, as much as $6.7 million annually by taxing those who have purchased mineral rights/natural gas leases. He stressed that the state already has administrative and legal mechanisms in place to allow this to happen.
“I hope this stimulates discussion about this,” Bell said about his presentation.
In addition to Garrett, he noted, people in Allegany, Washington, and Frederick counties are affected by proposed Marcellus/Utica shale drilling. He suggested that an informal work group consisting of representatives from the four counties be formed to discuss the property tax issue further.
Commission chair Jim Raley thanked Bell for presenting the issue. Raley called it an “interesting idea,” and indicated it could be discussed further.
Also on Tuesday, the commissioners reviewed a new state law that requires new one- and two-family homes to have sprinkler systems. GC Department of Planning and Land Development officials were under the impression that jurisdictions could not opt out of the requirement and had to adopt the new standard in their building codes ordinance by Oct. 1.
But the county’s Permits and Inspections Division was recently notified by the Maryland Codes Administration that jurisdictions can delay that adoption.
“Local governments can opt out until the next cycle of building codes comes into play, which is in 2015,” Planning and Land Development director John Nelson told the commissioners.
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!
"Summer Afternoon"
Jul. 19, 2012
Summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language,” said American author Henry James (1843-1916). A great many would agree with his sentiment, especially while playing in the sand or wading in the waves. The height of summer is upon the Mountaintop, with temperatures warmer than the usual Garrett County clime.
While much of the nearby area is suffering severe drought conditions, this county has been spared the worst of it, with rain being a little less stingy with its appearances. The forecast for the next week is rocky, with storms possible each day. The heat is to be less – back to the more normal mid-70s range. This photo was taken at Deep Creek Lake State Park by staff photographer John McEwen.
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!
Garrett County school board member resigns
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners are reviewing a list of potential candidates following the resignation of Board of Education vice president Rodney Durst. The reason behind the resignation was unclear Tuesday night.
“Rodney Durst has submitted his resignation effective now,” Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator, said during a Tuesday meeting of the Board of Commissioners. “Commissioners are taking the names of people who submitted interest back when Jim (Raley) resigned.” Raley resigned his seat as a member-at-large in 2010.
Durst’s seat will be filled by a resident from District 3. Pagenhardt and Carol Riley-Alexander, executive assistant to the commissioners, will contact potential candidates today to see if they are still interested. The term expires in December 2014.
“There have also been other people that have submitted their names and we will take those into consideration also,” said Pagenhardt. Anybody else who is interested should submit a letter of interest to the commissioners for that vacancy.”
The Board of Education made a decision in April to close Kitzmiller and Dennett Road elementary schools. During an April meeting, Durst indicated his opposition to closing the schools.
“… I’m afraid if we close the schools, even if they come through with twice the money, they won’t open back up,” he said. “I will not be able to vote to close schools tonight.”
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners voted to hold a public hearing on their right to opt out of a law that requires sprinkler systems for townhouses and one- and two-family dwellings.
“Local governments can opt out until the next cycle of building codes come into play, which is in 2015,” said John Nelson, director of the Department of Planning and Land Development.
Nelson said the Department of Permits and Inspections Divisions was notified by the Maryland Codes of Administration of the modification to the residential sprinkler law. The public hearing will be held during the Aug. 21 commission meeting.
When the law had been discussed at a June commission meeting the department of planning was under the impression that all jurisdictions would have to adopt the law by Oct 1, according to Nelson.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com
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!
June 2012 Real Estate Market Update - Residential
33 properties sold in June 2012. That’s 8 more sales than last June, which is great! I had mentioned previously in other blog posts that this is the most active real estate market since 2008. Well, we are now on a better pace – best year-to-date since 2007. Lakefront prices are at their most affordable prices since 2004. All in all, it’s been a great year so far.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the stats:
There are 62 homes under contract right now (57 last month).
The average list vs. ORIGINAL sales price was 86.69% – (last month 84.91%).
The ADJUSTED list vs sale price was 92.58 (last month 88.33%).
The current # of active/for sale listings in MRIS (minus timeshares) is 685, up from last months 662. We have a 20.76 month supply of homes available (minus timeshares) based solely on the June sales numbers – that’s as low as i remember it for quite some time!
Random observations:
•6 ‘newer’ homes sold in June (5 years old or less)
•It appears that 20 or so of these sales were vacation homes
•18 homes sold at/under $300,000 (last month was 12)
•21 homes sold under $400,000 (last month 15)
•1 homes sold over $ 1 million (0 last month – 1931 Lake Shore Dr sold for $1.849)
•4 home(s) sold for higher than full price or at full price (last month was 2)
•One house sold for 57.58% of asking price – 8956 Oakland Sang Run Rd
•The oldest home that sold was 58 yrs old (72 Mels Rd)
•The average age of the homes that sold was 27 years (33 last month)
•4 condo/townhouse/fractional properties sold (3 last month)
Here are the statistical breakdowns:
Average Sale Price: $364,821 (last month $312,571)
Average Days on Market: 252/283 (last month 147/224) (days on market with current broker/total days on market)
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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!
Businesses taking action following Deep Creek Lake zoning decision
Lakeside Creamery to rent boats, provide tours
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — St. Moritz Properties, LLC; Bill’s Marine Service Inc. and Silver Tree Marine, LLC, are filing a petition for judicial review in regard to the Garrett County Commission’s decision in June to amend the Deep Creek Watershed zoning ordinance, according to circuit court documents.
The request from Bill Meagher, owner of Lakeside Creamery, was to add a new category for boat rentals as a separate service that would not offer any other services associated with a marina.
The businesses filed the petition because they felt like they have been “specially and adversely affected” by the commissioners’ decision, according to the document.
“The above-captioned petitioners have and will continue to suffer additional damages to a higher degree than other property owners in the general area as a result of the use of Meagher’s property … and the additional boat traffic, safety issues and parking problems generated thereby,” states the document.
During a June 5 meeting, chairman Jim Raley opposed the amendment, citing concerns over Meagher’s desire not to to offer services on-site. Meagher plans to rent out 12 personal water crafts and four pontoon boats as well as offer guided tours.
The three businesses also appealed the county’s board of zoning appeals approval of permit for Meagher to conduct a commercial-business service at the Lakeside Creamery. Both the petition and the appeal were filed through the law office of Skidmore Alderson & Duncan.
Brian C. O’Brien of Silver Tree Marine, declined to comment on the petition or the appeal but noted they were public record and stated, “the appeal and the petition are what they are. They are pretty self explanatory.”
The board of zoning appeals is required to make a Findings of Facts before the zoning amendment may be enacted, according to the appeal. The Findings of Facts indicated that the boat rental would require a minimum land area of 10,000 square feet but he property does not meet the required square footage, according to the appeal. In addition, Lakeside Creamery was not required to show that it met handicapped-parking requirements or that it was in compliance with any other applicable handicapped requirements, the appeal said.
During a May 31 public hearing on boat rentals, Meagher indicated that Lakeside Creamery had 56 parking spaces that will fit all uses of the facility.
The appeal also states that the boat rental permit is improper because it’s “detrimental to public welfare,” effects spot zoning, denies equal protection to property owners in the neighborhood and will damage the fair market value of those properties.
“This (zoning ordinance amendment) means that several new boat rental operations can now be added to Deep Creek Lake without adequate parking, space, fuel and launching and service facilities, which will decrease public safety,” said Carol Jacobs, president of Aquatic Center Inc.
The zoning ordinance amendment also means in essence that anyone with a dock slip can open a boat rental business, according to O’Brien.
“The decision, in effect, has created a new class of marinas (mini-marina) that is not subject to certain zoning requirements and restrictions,” said O’Brien in a interview with the Times-News. “By catering to one person they are opening Pandora’s box — virtually anyone can open a marina.”
O’Brien further noted that his issue with the zoning ordinance ammendment was based on the principal of the matter rather than the competition aspect of the matter.
“I’m not in competition with Lakeside Creamery,” said O’Brien, who noted that Silver Tree Marine does not rent personal water crafts.
During a June 26 commission meeting, residents noted their opposition of the commissioners’ approval of Meagher’s request.
“You are allowing an ice cream place to become a boat rental place. I think that was totally unfair to the existing boat people,” said Steve Friend. “You are cutting their throats by just allowing someone to come in and rent boats.”
Friend questioned what the amendment would do for Bill’s Marine Service and if there would be problems if the marinas decide to open up ice cream stands.
“Should there be no zoning at the lake?” asked Commissioner Gregan Crawford in response to Friend’s question. “Is a zoning document not a living document that is open to new interpretation? Mr. Meagher had a better mouse trap. What was created was a new classification because it had never come up before.”
The creation of ice cream stands would likely fall under the health department’s regulations, according to Crawford.
Resident Linda Bowerbaugh noted that she felt like the amendment change was kept a secret from the public.
“It feels like to the public that the communication was not wide enough,” said Bowerbaugh.
Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board Chairman Dave Myerberg indicated at a recent board meeting that he wasn’t aware of the May public hearing either, according to Raley.
“That’s unfortunate,” said Raley. “We have tried desperately to improve that, and the truth of the matter is, it does rely on people using computers these days,” said Raley in response to Bowerbaugh.
Raley noted that he is open to suggestions on how to let the public know about matters that would affect property owners, especially those who may be absentee.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com
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!
ASCI Guides Play Key Role
Jul. 12, 2012
For the 62 seasonal guide staff, employment at the Adventure Sports Center International (ASCI) can represent significant income, a thrilling experience, and a physically active lifestyle, according to Mike Logsdon, ASCI acting executive director.
“The ASCI guide team, made up of mostly high school and college age young men and women, is a critical element in the delivery of a high-quality product to
ASCI’s 11,000-plus summertime rafting guests,” said Logsdon.
“I really enjoy getting to know my guests, helping them understand the sport of rafting, and giving suggestions on places to visit while in the area,” said Kurt Gangler, a standout athlete at Southern Garrett High School and second-year ASCI guide.
“Guiding has given me a chance to practice public speaking,” said Cara Stough, a standout athlete from Northern High School and second-year ASCI guide. “Guides have to be sort of like a teacher. We have to clearly explain instructions to our guests. Their safety is in our hands, and we feel responsible for them having a great time and not getting injured.”
ASCI guides begin their training by successfully completing a multi-day course that emphasizes proper whitewater guiding technique, customer relations, and care and maintenance of rafting equipment. Each ASCI guide must also complete a first aid and CPR certification course.
“All the training and certifications come at no cost to the trainees,” said Joe Schroyer, director of ASCI operations and the administrator responsible for organizing guide training through the Adventuresports Institute at Garrett College. “This year, we seem to have an exceptional group of guides and support staff. We measure our success, to some degree, by the smiles on the faces of our guests, and we’re seeing plenty of smiles.”
An additional 18 seasonal employees work behind the scenes to take guest reservations, answer questions, match-up and schedule guides with their guests, photograph the action, and monitor the whitewater course for safety.
“It’s like a giant jigsaw puzzle,” said Meredith Pagenhardt, an Oakland resident and Frostburg State University student completing her fifth summer at ASCI. “We have to balance all aspects of scheduling the guides, river guards, the conveyor operator, the photographer, and the reservationist.”
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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!
