October 2010 – Page 4 – Jay's Real Estate Blog

Garrett, Allegany Colleges Awarded ARC Grant Funds

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Oct. 7, 2010

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Garrett College and Allegany College of Maryland competitive federal grant funds to upgrade on-campus facilities, providing better opportunities to students and making them more prepared to enter the workforce, according to U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin.

Garrett College was awarded $75,000 to make equipment purchases and train faculty in its Networking Program, enhancing the curriculum to offer multiple, industry-recognized certifications and training in the advanced technical skills necessary to manage computer networks using Cisco, a leading computer networking software.

“To help make sure all Americans are ready for the jobs of the 21st century, we must have state-of-the-art education resources today,” Mikulski said. “Community colleges are providing the 21st century education we need to have a 21st century workforce. Technology is the tool and empowerment is the objective, and this money is a federal investment to do just that.”

Allegany College was awarded $54,000 for the Workforce Development Through Smart Classroom Technology Program, designed to improve and upgrade worker training programs at the college by turning ordinary classrooms into “smart” classrooms that include computers, projector screens, and interactive audience tools. Allegany College expects to use the new facility to train more than 200 workers in healthcare and general office/business skills within the next year.

A second grant in the amount of $30,000 was awarded to Allegany College to upgrade six computer labs used for science and continuing education, providing an additional 700 students with the most current technology.

“Education is the key to economic success and our local colleges are on the frontlines providing the training and skills that are needed to succeed,” said Cardin. “Residents of western Maryland need access to the high-level technology that is needed for the workforce, and these grants will ensure that our local colleges can provide the training that is needed for jobs of the future.”

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Md. Transportation Secretary Reports "Good News" About State's Economy

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Oct. 7, 2010

Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley said she had “a little bit of good news to share” during her department’s annual meeting with Garrett County officials and residents last Friday morning at the courthouse in Oakland.

Each fall, transportation and highway officials visit every county in the state to present their six-year Consolidated Transportation Program draft and to review local issues.

Swaim-Staley said Maryland had a “good summer.” She pointed to such recent “transportation indicators” as increases in passenger counts at BWI Airport, goods moving through the Port of Baltimore, commercial traffic going through Maryland toll facilities, and vehicle titling tax revenue as signs the state’s economy is improving.

“We anticipated there would be a turnaround, and we are seeing that,” the secretary said. “So, hopefully, we can grow, based upon that good news.”

She noted that two years ago her capital budget was cut by 30 percent, or $2.5 billion. But $650 million in stimulus funding enabled the DOT to keep up with its safety and systems preservation programs.

Swaim-Staley said $8 million of that federal money was used for highway improvements on state roads in Garrett County. The county itself received $1.2 million for its resurfacing projects. Garrett Transit was awarded $.5 million for transportation.

Neil Pedersen, state highway administrator, reported that the Rt. 219/Oakland bypass project was still on hold until the economy improves. He noted that all the planning for the 2.4-mile project was completed, while the engineering portion was 85 percent finished.

Pedersen added that all but three properties needed for the project have been purchased.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Wind Turbine Rep Issues Correction About Statement

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Oct. 7, 2010

Local Constellation Energy representative David Wagner has issued a correction about a statement he made during an update report he presented to the Garrett County commissioners last Tuesday about his company’s Criterion wind turbine project along Backbone Mountain.

As was reported in the last issue of The Republican, Wagner told the commissioners, “As of last week, we had 200 people on-site, and the statistics indicate about 75 to 85 percent of those folks are locals.”

After receiving a call from a local resident challenging this statement, Wagner said he reviewed the contractor reports and discovered that his statement was incorrect.

“After reviewing the reports for the months of June, July, and August, the most recent months for which data were available, an average of 64 percent of the Criterion workforce were classified as local employees,” Wagner said in an e-mail yesterday. “Local employees include tradespeople hired through the union local, and local non-union and management employees.”

He added that throughout the construction phase of the Criterion project, Constellation Energy has made a concerted effort to be up-front, timely, and transparent in its communications with the community and the local government.

“However, my initial calculation of the percentage of the workforce that were local hires was simply incorrect,” Wagner said. “I regret this error and apologize for any confusion this may have caused.”

Read the article here.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Commissioners Pay Off County's $1.7 Million Debt

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Oct. 7, 2010

The Board of Garrett County Commissioners voted last Tuesday to pay off in its entirety the county’s nearly $2 million outstanding general obligation bond debt, officially known as the County Commissioners of Garrett County Public Facilities Bonds of 1996. There was no penalty for paying the loan off early, according to county officials.

The bonds had a 20-year life and were scheduled to mature on May 1, 2016. As of last Tuesday, the principal remaining was $1.715 million, and interest calculated on the remaining principal totaled $358,265, according to the Garrett County Department of Financial Services.

Commissioner Fred Holliday made the motion to pay off the bonds, and Commissioner Ernie Gregg seconded it. Commissioner Denny Glotfelty was unable to attend the meeting.

“The reason I wanted to do that is to leave the county totally debt free,” Holliday said about his motion. “We have some new funds coming in next year, and I just wanted to have them (the bonds) paid off.”

Except for Enterprise Funds used by the Garrett County Department of Public Utilities, Solid Waste and Recycling, and the airport, the county is now debt free, he and Gregg noted.

The bonds were issued in 1996 for a total of $4 million, and the proceeds were used for construction and improvement of public schools and roads/bridge projects. Specifically, those were construction of Yough Glades Elementary School; the Northern High School classroom addition, auxiliary gymnasium, and stage; Southern High School connecting corridor, gymnasium, foyer, and stage area; Savage River Road and Glendale Road bridges; and Wilson, Rock Lodge, Community College, Shady Dell, and Spring Lick roads.

By redeeming the bonds and paying off this debt, the county will realize a savings of approximately $350,000 in debt service interest, noted county administrator Monty Pagenhardt.

“Furthermore, over the next five fiscal years, the county will have an average of $346,344 in annual principal and interest payments ($1,731,720 in total) that will no longer need to be budgeted for this specific debt and can be directed toward other operating expenditures,” he said.

Also taken into consideration in the decision to pay off this bond were the high coupon rates accompanying this bond ranging from 5.4 percent to 5.75 percent to maturity in 2016, he added.

“If borrowing should become a necessity in the future, the county is confident that a loan with lower interest rates could be obtained,” Pagenhardt said.

Every year during the auditing of the county’s financial transactions, the unrestricted fund balance, or rainy day fund, of the county is evaluated.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Fall Foliage Update

From theBay.net
MARYLAND – 10/11/2010

Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Hotline, brought to you by the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Well, the fall foliage is nearing peak in Garrett County and we’re getting word from Deep Creek Lake State Park that there is an abundance of gorgeous color to be seen. The region is basking in the glow of Indian summer with fantastic foliage conditions. In neighboring Allegany County, the leaves are still about a week, week-and-a-half from peak, with Washington and western Frederick counties expected to follow closely behind.

Reports from Green Ridge State Forest in Allegany indicate current conditions there are simply glorious. The maples and dogwoods have turned vibrant red, the hickories a golden yellow, the black gums, an orangish-red. Virginia creeper winding itself around the hickories is showing up a blazing scarlet, and the oaks are just now starting to change. The weekend should be mild and clear, with daytime highs in the low-70s and overnight temperatures falling into the mid-40s. So pack a couple sweaters and a jacket and you’ll be all set for a lovely weekend exploring the western wilds.

On your way out to Garrett County, consider making a stopover in Green Ridge State Forest, again reporting near-perfect conditions, and check out DNR’s self-guided driving tour of the forest. The “Fall Color Tour Guide” not only provides route descriptions through Green Ridge, but adds a bit of local folklore and historical information about the area as well. The complete tour is approximately 30 miles long and makes an enjoyable three-hour scenic drive, taking you through a change in elevation from 450 feet along the Potomac River to 1800 feet at the top of Town Hill. Spectacular vistas allow for views into the neighboring states of West Virginia and Pennsylvania, so don’t forget to take along your binoculars, cameras and field guides. Copies of the tour guide are available at the park’s headquarters.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Towns need their road funding

From the Baltimore Sun:

Maryland’s municipalities need their highway user money, as well as additional ways to raise revenues

By Gary Comegys

October 11, 2010

What if 95 percent of your road went unplowed during a snowstorm this winter? Or if only 5 percent of a pothole in front of your office was filled?

Members of the Maryland Municipal League — composed of 157 incorporated cities and towns and two special taxing districts in Maryland — have been dealing with a 95 percent cut in funding for road maintenance since early 2010. Now, as 2012 budget decisions are under way, many local leaders are left with few options to make ends meet and continue to be able to provide these essential, quality-of-life transportation services.

All municipalities have been affected, but hardest hit have been Maryland’s historic small towns.

In the mountains of Garrett County, Deer Park Mayor Donald E. Dawson took it upon himself to plow his town’s streets after last winter’s debilitating snowstorms because the town did not have the money for a contractor to perform the work. Elsewhere in Garrett County, Friendsville has turned off half of its streetlights, and Loch Lynn Heights heated its Town Hall with a wood stove last winter to save on energy costs — just to keep operating for residents.

Read the full article here.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Highly contested races ahead in Garrett County

Newcomer facing final incumbent commissioner
Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Mon Oct 11, 2010, 07:57 AM EDT

— OAKLAND — Just three weeks remain before the Nov. 2 general election, when Garrett County voters will cast ballots to decide several hotly contested local races.

One of those is for the District 3 seat on the county commission, which incumbent Republican Denny Glotfelty hopes to retain by defeating Democrat challenger Bill Welch.

Glotfelty is now at the end of his first term, and is the only incumbent commissioner to get through the September primary.

He said he was surprised by his fellow commissioners’ defeats in the primary, and he’s still campaigning on fundamentally the same issues and strategy as when he was first elected four years ago.

“We’re going to keep going forward,” Glotfelty said. “We’re looking at affordable housing, we’re working on new business partners to create good jobs, and we lowered taxes. I’m running pretty much on the same thing as I did four years ago, because I did what I said I’d do.”

But according to Welch, the county needs to make changes, not simply stay on the same track. He pointed out that young people are leaving the county in droves and possibly the only way to keep them in the area is the creation of different kind of jobs that are based in technology and the Internet.

Welch also said that the county should reduce its real property tax rate to free up money for businesses and residents alike.

“My opponent had four years to do that and didn’t get it done,” he said. “I’m not going to attack him, but the record speaks for itself.”

Glotfelty said the current commission has already taken steps to develop the county’s technological offerings, including supporting the new Career Technology Training Center in Accident and working to tap into the recently-announced federal grant to extend broadband Internet service to rural parts of Maryland.

Welch faces a built-in disadvantage as a Democratic candidate in Garrett County, a longtime Republican stronghold. He described himself as a conservative Democrat who wants to see fewer regulations on businesses and who is comfortable working with Republicans to bridge the party gap.

“I’m reaching out to Republicans, and they have reached out to me,” Welch said. “The Republican support is surprising, but not surprising when you consider my conservative values and business background.

Apart from the campaign, Glotfelty is fighting a different battle — an ongoing one against cancer — that has included several hospitalizations. But he’s also continued to attend meetings on commission business and says that he’s physically and mentally capable of tackling another term.

“It’s not easy, but we’re getting through it,” he said. “I’m a little sluggish, but people understand. The cancer seems to be staying stable. It’s just going to take a little time to heal up.”

Contact Megan Miller at mmiller@times-news.com

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Autumn Glory draws locals, out-of-towners

Megan Miller
The Cumberland Times-News Sun Oct 10, 2010, 07:59 AM EDT

— OAKLAND — Out-of-towners and locals alike thronged to Oakland Saturday for the 43rd annual Autumn Glory Festival.

In the early hours of the morning, empty chairs lined Second and Third streets, waiting for their owners to return for the Grand Feature Parade at 1 p.m.

Don Monroe set up chairs for himself and wife Dianne at 6:30 a.m. in the same spot where they’ve watched 14 of the last 15 Autumn Glory parades.

“I think it’s the most fun day in the town all year,” Dianne said.

The Monroes, originally from Florida, have made Oakland their permanent home.

“The first year we came here everyone raved about the festival and how fun it was. Then it snowed,” she laughed. “I thought, these people are out of their minds!”

But no snowflakes were on the sunny horizon Saturday. It was warm enough for Michael and Marla Miller to have customers at their homemade ice cream booth as soon as they opened up at 9:30 a.m.

“People said, ‘Ice cream for breakfast?’ And I said sure, you can do that!” Marla Miller said.

That wasn’t the only popular spot for food. By noon the line at the Oakland Rotary Club’s French fry stand stretched for nearly a block. It was rivaled only by the line, 20 deep, waiting to use the ATM at nearby M&T Bank.

Lois Stiles and Joyce Foster, both from the Oakland area, said the food is one of the things that draws them to the festival. The two had already taken their seats along the parade route by 10 a.m.

“We like to come out and watch the crowd,” Stiles said.

Minutes later, Gov. Martin O’Malley walked down the street, glad-handing his way through the spectators before climbing into a black SUV.

While some people waited along the parade route, others shopped through the Glorious Harvest Farmers Market and Craft Show held in a nearby pavilion.

Dee Simpson of Lonaconing held up three sparkling beaded bracelets she’d purchased for her granddaughters.

“I love it,” she said of the festival. “Everything up here is just nice.”

A few tables down the row, vendor Nancy Schrock straightened a display of baked goods. Schrock said she can only sell baked items at the festival for two days, because of how quickly she runs out.

“We spend too much time making things to get ready for Friday and Saturday,” she said. “We can’t make enough to get through all the days.”

At another table, Lois Haines Brown and daughter Michelle looked over artisanal cheeses from Firefly Farms in Accident.

The Browns, along with friends Todd and Cindy Sanders, are now from Windsor, Va. But Todd Sanders grew up in Oakland and still has family there.

For him, that’s part of the festival’s appeal.

“We enjoy the family camaraderie at the parade,” he said. “Everyone gets together.”

The Autumn Glory Festival began Wednesday and ends today. For more information go to www.autumngloryfestival.com

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Winners of Garrett race for board will decide schools’ fates

Megan Miller
The Cumberland Times-News Sun Oct 10, 2010, 07:58 AM EDT

— OAKLAND — The candidate who wins the nonpartisan race for the District 3 seat on the Garrett County Board of Education faces a difficult decision early in his term — whether to close two elementary schools.

Incumbent Rodney Durst has served on the board for 20 years. He said he did not plan to run for re-election at first, but reconsidered because of “the severe situation the state is in.”

“We’ve worked so hard to get our schools to be some of the best in the state,” he said. “I don’t want to see it fall apart because of the budget. … I figured now is not the time to walk away.”

Durst said his priority is ensuring state government provides equal opportunities and funding for Garrett County students as it does for students in other parts of the state.

“What I want to do is make sure state government meets its responsibility, and hold its feet to the fire,” he said.

Challenger Rodney Reckart has served as president of the Crellin Elementary School PTO for four years.

“I just wanted to do more to help,” Reckart said of his decision to run. “I just think that some of the decisions need to have a different set of eyes.”

He proposed taking another look at the energy efficiency of school buildings.

“A lot of the buildings have old windows and doors,” he said. “If they’d spend the money to replace those things, the operating cost would go down.”

The biggest issue now facing the school board is the proposed closure of Kitzmiller and Bloomington elementary schools, and the consolidation of those students into Yough Glades and Broad Ford elementaries.

Durst said he supports the small schools, but will not do so at the expense of other educational programs.

“I’ll fight all the way I can. I believe in smalls schools,” he said. “But the thing I will not do is cut high school programs to save an elementary school. My total belief is we’ve got to do what’s best for all the students of Garrett County.”

Reckart, who has spoken publicly against the closures, said he would have to “take a long, hard look at it” before agreeing to such a move.

“I don’t think anybody wins by closing a school,” he said. “But I can’t say for sure that I would vote against it.”

Reckart said he would take into consideration factors like the potential number of students in consolidated classrooms, the financial savings for the school system and how the move would impact teachers’ contracts.

The board of education seats representing Districts 1 and 2 are also open, but candidates for both — current board President Donald Forrester and Vice President Thomas Carr, respectively — are unopposed in their bids for reelection.

The board could gain a new member if current member-at-large Jim Raley is successful, as he likely will be, in his bid to become a county commissioner.

Raley is currently unopposed in seeking the District 2 seat on the commission.

If elected to the commission, Raley would resign from the school board, creating a vacancy that would be filled by an appointment by the county commission.

Since the process would be triggered by Raley’s resignation from the school board, it’s possible that the newly-elected commission — including Raley — would be the one to name his replacement.

Contact Megan Miller at mmiller@times-news.com

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT ISSUES 23 ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

States News Service
States News Service
October 7, 2010
The following information was released by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE):

The Maryland Department of the Environment today announced 23 recent major enforcement actions seeking penalties totaling more than $460,000 for alleged violations of MDE requirements for water, air and radiation management, and land.

“The Maryland Department of the Environment’s top priority is to protect public health and our environment, and a consistent baseline of enforcement actions prevents further pollution and risks to public health,” said MDE Secretary Shari T. Wilson. “The vast majority of Maryland businesses that are in compliance deserve to have environmental laws fairly applied across the board.”

Water Pollution Enforcement Actions

Title 9 of the Environment Article prohibits the discharge of any pollutant into waters of the State, unless such discharge is in compliance with the terms, conditions, and requirements of a discharge permit.

Earth disturbances that exceed one acre are required to obtain a Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity from MDE. The Permit requires that an approved erosion and sediment control plan be obtained and implemented and that self-monitoring inspections occur and that a log of such inspections be maintained….

…Synergics Wind Energy, Roth Rock Wind Power Project – Garrett County: On August 25, 2010, MDE issued a Site Complaint and Stop-Work Order to Synergics Wind Energy, LLC and their contractor, White Construction, Inc., for alleged sediment control violations at the Roth Rock Wind Power construction project. The Order required that all work cease except that necessary to implement the approved erosion and sediment control plan. The Stop-Work Order was subsequently lifted on September 9, 2010, following an MDE inspection that confirmed the site had returned to compliance.

Read the rest here.

If you are thinking of 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! 877-563-5350

Month: October 2010

Garrett, Allegany Colleges Awarded ARC Grant Funds

Md. Transportation Secretary Reports "Good News" About State's Economy

Wind Turbine Rep Issues Correction About Statement

Commissioners Pay Off County's $1.7 Million Debt

Fall Foliage Update

Towns need their road funding

Highly contested races ahead in Garrett County

Autumn Glory draws locals, out-of-towners

Winners of Garrett race for board will decide schools’ fates

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT ISSUES 23 ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS

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