April 8, 2017
Friends–
We are pleased to announce the State Lakes Protection and Restoration Fund Bill passed the House on 138-0 vote at noon today. Since the bill has already passed the Senate, it is on the way to Governor Hogan’s desk to enact into law.
Th bill was introduced by Senator George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel. Take a minute to thank them for their legislative work to ensure bill passage. (george.edwards@senate.state.md.us and wendell.beitzel@house.state.md.us)
The bill is a “small bill”. It only asks that DNR create the fiscal structure for a Fund. No allocation of money was requested. Even so, at one point late in the process, DNR suggested a small language which could have killed the bill. Fortunately Delegate Dana Stein spoke out against this recommendation.
Deep Creek Lake is one of 16 state-owned lakes across the state and, like DCL, it appears that all are facing challenges of lake aging and need for protection and restoration efforts. The State of Maryland owns these lakes and is, therefore, responsible for their health as natural and recreational resources.
Another reason for celebration: This is the first bill supported by all lead lake-related entities: County Commissioners, Garrett County Board of Realtors, Chamber of Commerce. A CLEAR DCL, Friends of DCL, DCL POA and Green Glade Guardians. Over 50 lake property owners also sent letters of support. .
More thank yous! We do want to recognize our lobbyist Eric Gally for his hard work tracking the bill and the lake people who came to Annapolis to testify in support of the bill: Joe Zamoiski, Tony Fuller, Richard Matlick, and Brian Greenberg. Folks from state environmental colleagues also helped us secure passage: Kristen Harbeson from MD LCV, MD Sierra Club, and The Nature Conservancy.
Next Step. We will need to “fund” the Fund. To do so we must convince the Governor to allocation financial resources into the Fund in his next budget. We hope all the entities which supported the bill will also actively work for its
Since the budget process begins almost immediately, Friends of DCL will be developing a Fund the Fund Campaign to be launched early in the summer.
All our work todate has led up to the creation of the mechanism and now the challenge to get funding for it to enable the state to do the work needed to restore and protect our beloved lake for generations to come.
Let’s hope the snow in Garrett County melts soon and the high water levels subside because we have a lot to celebrate this summer– and some fun Fund-raising to do!
Your friends and neighbors,
Friends of Deep Creek Lake Board.
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Jay Ferguson
Who I Am
My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service!
Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well.
I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’.
Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I
have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you.
Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about!
Honesty. Integrity. Results.
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