Category:garrett county commissioners
Garrett could see heated commission races
From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News
Oakland — OAKLAND — Garrett County voters will see heated races for county commission and several other local offices in the Sept. 14 primary election.
The filing period for candidates closed Tuesday at 9 p.m. In the final week before the deadline, four more candidates — two Republicans and two Democrats — filed for the District 3 county commission seat now held by Denny Glotfelty, R-McHenry, bringing the total number of candidates seeking the seat to six.
Glotfelty will face challengers Louis Newcomb Jr., Oakland, Timothy E. Thomas, McHenry, and Robert “Bob” Gatto, Oakland, in the Republican primary, while two Democrats, Bill Welch, Oakland, and George Falter, McHenry, also square off.
Three challengers have filed to run against current commission chairman Ernie Gregg, R-Mountain Lake Park, for the District 1 seat on the commission. Gregg will face Republican challengers Gregan Crawford, Oakland, and Leroy Bernard Sr., Swanton, in the primary. The winner will take on Democrat Eric Robison, Oakland, in the November general election.
Incumbent Commissioner Fred Holliday, R-Grantsville, will vie in the primary with current board of education member Jim Raley, R-Finzel, for the District 2 seat.
Two Republicans and one Democrat are seeking the office of sheriff. Skyler Hebden, D-Oakland, will take on the winner of the primary race between Republicans Robert E. Corley, Oakland, and Larry Gnegy, Oakland, in the November general election. The office is currently held by Gary Berkebile.
In the nonpartisan board of education races, Rodney Durst, Oakland, filed to retain his District 3 seat, but faces a challenge from Rodney Reckart, Oakland. Both current president Donald Forrester, Mountain Lake Park, and current vice president Thomas Carr, Accident, are unopposed to retain their District 1 and 2 seats.
Seven candidates have filed for three open positions as judge of the orphans court. The three candidates from each party who receive the most votes in the primary will go to the general election; of those, the three who receive the most votes will be selected to fill the positions.
On the Republican side, incumbents Clifford C. DeWitt, Oakland, James F. Margroff, Accident, and H. Wayne Wilt, Oakland, are seeking re-election, and face challenges from David C. Beard, Oakland, Aria Knust, Oakland, and Fred Sanders, Oakland.
Only one Democrat has filed for the office, Everett B. Deberry, Deer Park, so he will advance to the general election.
Incumbent Rita L. Watson, Oakland, will face Republican challengers Traci Royce, Oakland, John K. Sines, Oakland, and Bryan Paugh, Oakland, for register of wills. Watson was appointed register of wills after the retirement of Joseph DiSimone in June 2009.
Incumbent Sondra R. Buckel, R-Bittinger, is running unopposed for re-election as clerk of the circuit court. It will be Buckel’s first time seeking the office in an election, as she was originally appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of David K. Martin in 2007.
Timothy W. Miller, Mountain Lake Park; Arzella Parsons, Oakland; DeCorsey Bolden, Oakland; Brenda Butscher, Mountain Lake Park; Tom Sheahen, Deer Park; and Ruth Hinebaugh Umbel, McHenry, filed for a seat on the Republican Central Committee. The committee seeks to fill eight seats, based on the number of registered Republicans in the county. The six candidates will fill the seats as result of the primary election.
Candidates for the office of Democratic Central Committee all filed Tuesday. They are Andrew “Andy” Diliddo Jr., Grantsville; Patricia Duck, Oakland; Timothy Duck, Oakland; William Goldsborough, Mountain Lake Park; Jeff Jovis, Friendsville; and Zelma Neary, Mountain Lake Park. The committee seeks to fill seven seats, based on the number of registered Democrats in the county. The six candidates will fill the seats as a result of the primary election.
Incumbent State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch, R-Oakland, filed to retain her position and is running unopposed.
At the state level, Sen. George Edwards, R-Grantsville, has filed to retain his seat representing District 1 in Annapolis, and Delegate Wendell Beitzel, R-Accident, has filed to retain his District 1A seat in the House of Delegates. Edwards is currently running unopposed, while Beitzel will face Democratic challenger James “Smokey” Stanton, Oakland, in the general election Nov. 2.
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All 3 Garrett commissioners face challengers
Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News
Oakland — OAKLAND — All three Garrett County commissioners will face challengers in the Sept. 14 primary election, with the deadline for filing candidate papers only days away.
Timothy E. Thomas, R-McHenry, filed on June 21 to run against incumbent Denny Glotfelty, R-McHenry, for the District 3 seat on the commission.
Two challengers have filed to run against current commission chairman Ernie Gregg, R-Mountain Lake Park, for the District 1 seat on the commission. Gregg will face Republican challenger Gregan Crawford, Oakland, in the primary. The winner will take on Democrat Eric Robison, Oakland, in the November general election.
Incumbent Commissioner Fred Holliday, R-Grantsville, will vie in the primary with current board of education member Jim Raley, R-Finzel, for the District 2 seat.
A Democrat has thrown his hat into the ring in the race for county sheriff. Skyler Hebden, Oakland, filed as a candidate on June 21. In the general election Hebden will take on the winner of the primary race between Republicans Robert E. Corley, Oakland, and Larry Gnegy, Oakland. The office is currently held by Gary Berkebile.
In the nonpartisan board of education races, Rodney Durst, Oakland, filed on June 28 to retain his District 3 seat, but faces a challenge from Rodney Reckart, Oakland, who filed for office on June 23. Both current president Donald Forrester, Mountain Lake Park, and current vice president Thomas Carr, Accident, are, at this point, unopposed to retain their District 1 and 2 seats.
Six candidates have filed for three open positions as judge of the orphans court. The three candidates from each party who receive the most votes in the primary will go to the general election; of those, the three who receive the most votes will be selected to fill the positions.
On the Republican side, incumbents Clifford C. DeWitt, Oakland, James F. Margroff, Accident, and H. Wayne Wilt, Oakland, are seeking re-election, and face challenges from David C. Beard, Oakland, and Aria Knust, Oakland. Only one Democrat has filed for the office, Everett B. Deberry, Deer Park.
Incumbent Rita L. Watson, R-Oakland, will face Republican challengers Traci Royce, Oakland, and John K. Sines, Oakland, for register of wills. Watson was appointed register of wills after the retirement of Joseph DiSimone in June 2009.
Incumbent Sondra R. Buckel, R-Bittinger, is running unopposed for re-election as clerk of the circuit court. It will be Buckel’s first time seeking the office in an election, as she was originally appointed to fill the vacancy created by the death of David K. Martin in 2007.
Timothy W. Miller, R-Mountain Lake Park, and Arzella Parsons, R-Oakland, will vie for Republican Central Committee chair. No candidate has yet filed for the office of Democratic Central Committee chair.
Incumbent State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch, R-Oakland, filed on June 18 to retain her position. She is currently running unopposed.
At the state level, Sen. George Edwards, R-Grantsville, has filed to retain his seat representing District 1 in Annapolis, and Delegate Wendell Beitzel, R-Accident, has filed to retain his District 1A seat in the House of Delegates. Edwards is currently running unopposed, while Beitzel will face Democratic challenger James “Smokey” Stanton, Oakland, in the general election.
The deadline for filing candidate papers is Tuesday at 9 p.m.
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 Deep Creek Lake Info, Business Directories, Classified Ads, Events & more! Advertise on http://www.deepcreekalive.com/!
GC Commissioners Review Short List Of Proposed Road Projects
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May. 27, 2010
Garrett County Roads Department personnel met with the county commissioners on Tuesday and reviewed their bridge, roadwork, and paving projects scheduled for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2010 and upcoming FY 2011. Because of economic conditions, however, that “to-do” list is short.
Swallow Falls Road Bridge
General roads superintendent Jay Moyer said the bid advertisement for construction of a new Swallow Falls Road bridge has been delayed until next year. In the meantime, there is a weight restriction on the bridge, which is located near Swallow Falls State Park.
When construction does begin on the new bridge, a temporary one-lane structure with no weight restriction will be placed over the Youghiogheny River. Moyer said it was important to keep the roadway open because of the park and a nearby business that relies on tourism.
“The estimated cost of that bridge is going to be in the neighborhood of $3.5 million, of which 80 percent will be federally funded with the county share being 20 percent, or roughly $720,000,” Moyer said.
Glendale Road Intersection
Moyer said the State Highway Administration (SHA) has approved the design contract for the Glendale Road Intersection Improvement Project.
“[But] SHA still has a problem with the estimated cost of that project,” the superintendent said. “And we’re going to be looking at ways to lessen the financial impact of that project on the county.”
Moyer said the cost will be well over $1 million, with approximately $742,000 available in grants. The county’s responsibility will be roughly $258,000.
He added that actual construction on the project will not begin until next year.
Exhibit Hall
If approved by the Garrett County Fair Board, improvements related to the exhibit hall will begin soon at the fairgrounds, Moyer indicated. County engineer Dwight Emory has proposed a schedule of what needs to happen, how it needs to happen, and how long it should take, the superintendent noted.
That work includes a new acceleration/decelera-tion lane, new entrance, a new roadway, two parking areas, and a stormwater system.
The estimate cost is $1 million. A $300,000 USDA grant is available, Moyer said, and the county is responsible for the remainder of the cost. He noted that as much “in house” work as possible will be done in order to get the cost down to the county’s budgeted amount.
Bridge G-84
Moyer also reported that replacement of Bridge G-84, located over Mill Run on Chet Kelly Road, has been delayed. The superintendent explained that based on an inspector’s report, the Roads Department was going to use a prefabricated bridge that it already has on hand to replace the current structure.
But when Moyer’s staff measured the site in preparation for the replacement, they discovered that the inspector’s numbers were off by two feet. As a result, a new bridge has to be purchased. The estimated project limit is $50,000 in county funds.
Savage River Road
Moyer said road repairs, including a tar and chip overlay, will be completed on Savage River Road during the 2010 construction season. Estimated at $30,000, the project will be funded by the county.
“That road is open; it’s usable,” Moyers said. “It just has a section that no longer has tar and chip; it’s been washed out.”
The superintendent noted, as temporary measures, a Grantsville garage crew has put crusher run gravel down and done work to prevent the river from coming onto the road.
ARRA Stimulus Project
Moyer said the resurfacing of Chestnut Ridge and New Germany roads is expected to proceed the first week of June.
The commissioners awarded the project to Keystone Lime, which submitted a bid of $1,068,236.60. Purchasing agent Brian Bowers noted that the bid was $248,958.75, or 18.9 percent, below the engineer’s estimate.
Funding for this project is through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in the amount of $1,204,000. Driveway “tie-in” work and costs, however, will be the county’s responsibility.
Keystone has 30 working days to complete the project.
In addition to the major projects list, Moyer presented the commissioners with his four-year improvement plan for various other county roadways.
“This is an ever-evolving document,” Moyer stressed. “As of our staff meeting Monday morning, we’ve already made changes to it.”
Moyer told the commissioners he would just have to update the commissioners on plan changes, based on funding availability and road conditions.
“We’re going to have to be very conscientious of where we put asphalt,” the superintendent said. “We’re definitely going to try to do any road that we feel is likely to fail in the next year.”
He asked the commissioners to once again consider “banking” half of the paving money for winter operations. Moyer said, hopefully, that money will “still be there” in the spring to use for paving projects.
The commissioners earmarked some of the county’s paving money for this past winter’s operations. This was very beneficial to the Roads Department, as the local area received a record amount of snow, more than 260 inches, this past season.
The commissioners’ next scheduled public meeting is Tuesday, June 1, beginning at 11 a.m. at the courthouse in Oakland.
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GC Commissioners Hold Staff Mtg.; Health Officer Reviews SHS Incident
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Apr. 29, 2010
The Garrett County commissioners held a staff meeting on Tuesday, hearing reports from leaders of 15 county departments and agencies. Topics reviewed included the Southern High School mercury incident, snow removal statistics, early voting, alcohol sales compliance checks, and wind turbine construction.
Health Department
Health officer Rodney Glotfetly reported that cooperation and preparation are playing key roles in the successful handling of the mercury release problem at Southern High School. The incident occurred last Wednesday.
Glotfelty said the Health Department would not have been able to respond to the incident if it had not spent some of its federal emergency preparedness funding to train Craig Umble. The training has enabled the environmental sanitarian to handle situations involving hazardous materials, such as mercury, and other environmental emergencies.
“We had great confidence when it was reported to us that there had been a possible mercury incident out at the school, that we could send Craig out and that he could assess the situation, get the area quarantined as fast as possible, and do whatever else we needed to manage the incident,” Glotfelty said.
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County Commissioners Hold Constant Yield Hearing, Propose $.99 Tax Rate
The Garrett County commissioners held a constant yield hearing Tuesday morning in their public meeting room at the courthouse in Oakland. Eight members of the general public attended the event.
Garrett County Department of Financial Services director Wendy Yoder explained that the constant yield rate is calculated by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation for each taxing authority in the state. It represents the real property tax rate for the coming fiscal year that will generate the same amount of tax revenue that was garnered during the current year.
“As assessments increase, the constant yield tax rate decreases,” Yoder said. “When a tax authority plans to impose a real property tax rate that is higher than the constant yield tax rate, that taxing authority must advertise the tax increase and hold a public hearing.”
The commissioners are proposing to maintain the current property tax rate of $.99 per $100 of assessment in Fiscal Year 2011. At that rate, the county expects to realize a 5 percent increase, or about $2.2 million, in additional revenue in FY ’11.
If the county wanted to maintain the same amount of revenue in FY ’11 as it did in FY ’10, the property tax rate/constant yield rate would be $.9433.
Yoder noted that the county’s assessable base is expected to increase by about $211,416,000 in the coming fiscal year. Local property owner Charles Mills asked if this included new home construction. Yoder said it did not.
Mills noted, therefore, that the county probably will see more than a 5 percent increase in revenue next year. He also noted that taxes for his Deep Creek Lake property have gone up 300 percent in the last 10 years alone.
Mills acknowledged that the property probably has increased in value, but questioned the dramatic increase in taxes.
“That’s a very large percentage per year over a 10-year period,” he said. “I have no idea where the money went.”
Mills said he was having a tough time figuring out where the 30 percent increase a year in revenue is going.
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
Constant Yield Hearing Scheduled; County Budget Cut By $15.7 Million
Apr. 15, 2010
The Garrett County commissioners will conduct a constant yield public hearing on Tuesday, April 20, at 11 a.m. in their meeting room at the courthouse in Oakland. They have also scheduled a review of the proposed real property tax rate that same day at 7 p.m. at Garrett College.
The purpose of these events is to receive public commentary on the proposed real property tax rate, $0.990 per $100 of the assessable base, in Fiscal Year 2011, which begins on July 1. The meetings are also part of the commissioners’ review process for the FY ’11 Operating and Capital Budget.
County administrator Monty Pagenhardt and the Department of Financial Services staff have evaluated estimated revenue and requests for funding from all departments and agencies. Late last year, they were instructed to submit flat budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.
“At the direction of the board [of commissioners], all requests for an annual appropriation for FY ’11 are to be equal to that of FY ’10,” Pagenhardt noted. “This directive was based on the evident realization that state of Maryland funding to the county and local revenue collected would be less than prior fiscal periods.”
The review of expected revenue and requests for funding completed by Pagenhardt and Financial Services shows a total budget for FY ’11 of $68,173,566, compared to an amended budget for FY ’10 of $83,908,587.
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
GC Homeowners' Tax Credit Program Is Now "Enhanced"
GC Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program Is Now “Enhanced”
Mar. 18, 2010
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners has approved an enhancement to the current County Supplemental Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program. The current program benefits those taxpayers who are age 65 or older and have lived in Garrett County for 10 years or longer.
The applicable county credit is calculated at 25 percent of the State Homeowners’ Tax Credit. The enhancement to the current County Supplemental Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program will benefit those taxpayers who are age 65 or older, have lived in Garrett County for 10 years or longer, and who have combined gross household income of $25,000 or less.
To apply for the county program, taxpayers are required to file a Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit Application (Form HTC-60) with the state of Maryland. Applications for 2010 are available and can be obtained by accessing the state Department of Assessments and Taxation web site at dat.state.md.us, at the state Department of Assessments and Taxation office located in the Garrett County courthouse, or by calling the local state Department of Assessments and Taxation office at 301-334-1950 and requesting that an application be sent by U.S. mail.
The application filing deadline for 2010 is Sept. 1. Garrett County administrator Monty Pagenhart or the Garrett County Department of Financial Services staff is available to answer questions regarding the County Supplemental Homeowners’ Tax Credit Program by calling 301-334-8970.
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House Committee To Review Beitzel's Wind Turbine Bills
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House Committee To Review Beitzel’s Wind Turbine Bills
Mar. 11, 2010
The House Economic Matters Committee will hear three separate proposals sponsored by Del. Wendell Beitzel next Tuesday, March 16 – House Bills 390, 791, and 1013.
HB 390 would give the Garrett County commissioners the authority to enact ordinances regarding commercial grade wind turbines. Specifically, the measure would authorize the commissioners to enact ordinances regarding setbacks and the decommissioning of wind turbines.
This bill has been supported by the Garrett County commissioners and the Garrett County Board of Realtors, Beitzel noted.
“This measure was brought to Sen. George Edwards and me as a request from the Garrett County commissioners during a pre-legislative meeting to set minimal standards for wind turbine development in Garrett County,” Beitzel said.
HB 791 and 1013 would be statewide in scope. HB 791 would require the Public Service Commission and the Department of Natural Resources to jointly develop performance standards regarding wind-powered electric generating turbines erected in the state.
HB 1013 would require a surcharge, bond, or other security for the removal of wind-powered electric generating facilities in the event that they outlive their usefulness.
“These measures provide some much needed regulatory controls for wind turbine projects with capacity of less than 70 megawatts that have been exempted from the need to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity since the passage of Senate Bill 566 in 2007,” Beitzel added.
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Garrett commissioners plan to seek re-election
From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News
Oakland — OAKLAND — With the filing deadline still months away, several Garrett County incumbents have declared their intention to seek re-election in 2010.
Garrett County offices open in 2010 include: all three county commission seats, state’s attorney, sheriff, clerk of courts, register of wills, judge of Orphans Court, three school board seats for Districts 1, 2, and 3, and the chairs of the Republican and Democratic central committees.
Incumbent County Commissioners Dennis Glotfelty of McHenry and Fred Holliday of Grantsville have both filed candidate papers to retain their seats. Glotfelty represents District 3, and Holliday, District 2.
Commission chairman Ernest Gregg of Mountain Lake Park said he, too, will seek re-election, but has not yet filed his candidate papers. Gregg represents District 1.
On the Board of Education, vice president Thomas Carr, Accident, filed for re-election to the District 2 seat. President Donald Forrester, Mountain Lake Park, has filed to retain the seat representing District 1.
Two men have filed as Republican candidates for the office of sheriff, Robert E. Corley of Oakland and Larry Gnegy of Oakland. The office is currently held by Gary Berkebile.
Incumbent Rita Watson, Republican, Oakland, will face Republican challenger Traci Royce, Oakland, for register of wills.
The deadline for filing candidate papers is July 6. The primary election is set for Sept. 14.
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
Funding Plans For Garrett County Scholarship Program To Continue
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The Board of Garrett County Commissioners continues to receive commentary that the Garrett County Scholarship Program will not be funded for future years.
“Statements related to a termination of this program are untrue and unsubstantiated,” a press release from the commissioners stated. “The board strongly believes that funding of this program that allows all Garrett County public school seniors to attend Garrett College at no cost will have many constructive and positive long-term consequences for not only the students who participate in the program but all of Garrett County.”
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