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the rosy home value increase news fades by No. 10 on the list — the Green Bay metro area — where a place in the top 10 no longer represents an increase in median home value, but a sliver of a decline — 0.3 percent.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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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.
More here.
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
GC Commissioners Present Legislative Requests To Sen. Edwards, Del. Beitzel
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Dec. 22, 2011
The Garrett County commissioners presented their 2012 list of legislative requests to Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel on Tuesday. About 75 residents attended the meeting, which was held at the courthouse in Oakland.
Issues that the county would like the local lawmakers to consider for possible legislation include collective bargaining rights for Local 1834, a new hotel rental tax limit, late fees for unpaid public utilities bills, animal control, and a bill of rights for local correctional officers.
By a majority consensus, the commissioners asked Edwards and Beitzel to draft a bill that would give them legislative authority to mandate collective bargaining for Garrett County Roads Department workers, who are currently represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 67, Local 1834.
“You’ve created history by approving collective bargaining,” union representative Jim Bestpitch told the commissioners.
The county has informally recognized the union since the 1970s. Numerous road workers were on hand to hear the commissioners’ request.
Beitzel asked the commissioners why they felt the legislation was needed.
“We’ve conducted collective bargaining with the roads workers for years, and it’s been on a voluntary basis,” Commission chair Jim Raley said. “When you look at the state of the country and you look at some of the issues that have happened in other places, I think that the gentlemen and ladies in this room just probably want some form of protection that says no matter who the board of commissioners is, no matter who the county administrator is, no matter who the delegate and senator are, they will have the right to continue to bargain.”
Commissioner Bob Gatto also favored the collective bargaining issue, while Commissioner Gregan Crawford opposed the idea.
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$1.9M Allocated For Jennings Randolph Lake Maintenance
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Dec. 22, 2011
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski announced Monday that $51.7 million for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects throughout Maryland has been secured in the fiscal year 2012 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill.
With a vote of 70–30, the bill was passed by the full Senate as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The House also approved the act with a vote of 296–121.
The spending bill includes funding for the following U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects:
• $1.9 million for the operation and maintenance of Jennings Randolph Lake in Garrett County, which provides flood control and recreation to western Maryland and water quality and water supply for Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
• $18.3 million for the C&D Canal for annual maintenance dredging of its shipping channels, which serves as a shortcut for vessels traveling between Baltimore and points north.
• $11.8 million for the continuation of the Poplar Island environmental restoration project, which is taking clean dredged materials from the shipping lanes leading to the Port of Baltimore and using it to stabilize the shoreline, create habitat areas, and restore the wetlands of one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most valuable island ecosystems.
• $2.45 million for the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration program to continue efforts to increase the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay by restoring oyster habitat, creating new reefs, and planting disease-free oysters on the reefs.
• $700,000 million for Assateague Island in Worcester County for restoration efforts that will protect the northern end of the island and its fragile habitat.
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Help from Maryland Energy Assistance Program will be less
By DON AINES dona@herald-mail.com
8:30 p.m. EST, December 5, 2011
The “crisis season” began Nov. 15 and runs through the end of March, but those who need help from the Maryland Energy Assistance Program to stay warm this winter will be waiting longer and receiving less.
“Please note that due to decreased funding, your benefit will be less,” the Office of Home Energy Programs advises on its website.
The reduction and holdup in funding is a result of the federal government’s lack of a budget, said Dave Jordan, executive director of the Washington County Community Action Council.
“Two years ago, the feds funded the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at its maximum amount of $5 billion nationwide,” Jordan said. That figure was reduced to $4.2 billion in the 2011 fiscal year and is expected to be $3.1 billion for fiscal 2012, which began Oct. 1.
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!
