Category:garrett county commissioners
POA opposes vertical drilling for Marcellus shale
DEEP CREEK LAKE — The Garrett County Property Owners’ Association has voted to oppose vertical drilling for Marcellus shale gas within the boundaries of the Deep Creek Watershed as defined by the map included in the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance.
In a position letter, the POA encourages the Garrett County Commissioners to amend the ordinance to prohibit vertical drilling and associated surface infrastructure within the watershed.
The POA’s decision to oppose vertical drilling was motivated by concerns about preserving the watershed, sustaining water resources and drinking water quality, and protecting property values, according to the letter from president Bob Hoffman to the county commissioners. Concerns associated with the drilling are noise, odor, traffic congestion and viewshed impact, according to the position paper.
“These are simply inherent in the natural gas recovery process. Regarding water resources, protecting groundwater sources and well water against contamination are particular matters of continuing debate and concern, despite serious and appreciated attention as part of the state effort,” states the position paper.
Read More Here: http://bakken.com/news/id/223164/poa-opposes-vertical-drilling-marcellus-shale/
Deep Creek watershed plan OK’d
Posted: Tuesday, October 7, 2014 11:30 pm
OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners ap-proved the Deep Creek Watershed Management Plan but voted to withhold a Memorandum of Understanding until the mechanics of it are fully resolved.
The plan calls for the development of a memorandum between the county and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to create the management structure, hire an executive director and establish a committee to guide the process.
Garrett officials defer action on water, sewer plan
Posted: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 12:21 am
OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners voted Tuesday to table a decision on service area boundaries of the county’s water and sewer master plan, suggesting that more specific notifications regarding potential ad valorem tax rates be given to customers and that other details be clarified.
“I’d really like to have a little more time to understand this thing and make sure the public understands this thing,” said Commissioner James Raley.
“Who knows what’s going to happen to them. Are they going to be required to hook up? Are they going to be paying ad valorems for something the state did to harm their property — (that’s) government at its worst,” said Raley. “I don’t think that those people should have to pay for the system at all. You (state) poisoned people’s water supplies and now you want them to pay to fix this.”
Read More Here: http://www.times-news.com/news/article_347604c8-1d21-11e4-9fc1-001a4bcf887a.html
Garrett County Commissioners set to vote on extended agreement with American Woodmark
Posted: Monday, August 4, 2014 12:32 pm
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Commissioners are set to vote on extending the terms of an agreement with American Woodmark Corporation during the commission meeting Tuesday.
The agreement includes the loan repayment terms and associated terms with construction and job creation, according to Mike Koch, executive director of Garrett County Community Planning & Development.
“Currently, there are no active plans for an American Woodmark location in Garrett County, but we are hopeful that the extension and an improving economy will provide for opportunities in the future,” said Koch.
Also on agenda is a decision on the boundary changes for the county sanitary district. The public comment period for the boundary changes is open until Tuesday and includes a review session with Gorman Getty III, county attorney. The county’s Water and Sewer Master Plan hasn’t been updated in full since 1997 and once it’s completed it will include a review of all sewer and water service areas, according to Monty Pagenhardt, county administrator. There are people who are outside the service district per the map definition but they are receiving services, and vice versa, said Pagenhardt in a previous interview with the Times-News.
Read More Here: http://www.times-news.com/news/article_e3f24318-1bf4-11e4-b32f-001a4bcf887a.html
More Active Oversight Planned For Deep Creek Lake
July 28, 2014 6:49 AM
MCHENRY, Md. (AP) — A draft management plan for the Deep Creek Lake watershed seeks better coordination among government agencies and private parties whose interests converge at the western Maryland vacation destination.
The Department of Natural Resources
and the Garrett County Commissioners released the plan Friday for public comment through Aug. 9.
It was developed by a local steering committee amid concerns that factors including residential development, natural-gas exploration, agricultural runoff and failing septic systems threaten the lake’s quality and recreational value.
The plan calls for the state and county to jointly develop an agency to coordinate activities within the watershed.
Read More Here: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/07/28/more-active-oversight-planned-for-deep-creek-lake/
Garrett County canvass confirms election victories
All three incumbents lose to challengers in commission race
From Staff Reports
— OAKLAND — Election canvass results confirm that all three of the current Garrett County commissioners were ousted by newcomers in the primary election.
Paul Edwards defeated in-cumbent Jim Raley in District 2, with 50.55 percent of the vote, or a total of 2,010 to Raley’s 1,009, according to the official results.
In District 1, Larry Tichnell unseated incumbent Gregan Crawford, garnering 49.19 percent of the votes with a total of 1,918 to Crawford’s 1,105 votes.
Tichnell will square off against Leo Martin, a Libertarian, in the November general election.
In District 3, Jim Hinebaugh beat incumbent Bob Gatto by 3.46 percent of the votes. Earning 36.76 percent of the votes, Hinebaugh had a total of 1,486 votes to Gatto’s 1,346 votes. Hinebaugh will face Democratic candidate April Hebden, who received a total of 655 votes, as well as Bill Welch, a Libertarian, and James R. “Smokey” Stanton, unaffiliated, in the general election.
District 3 Board of Education candidate Monica Rinker led the way with 2,394 votes, followed by Fred Gregg with 1,742 votes and incumbent Rodney Reckart with 765 votes. Rinker and Gregg will move on to the general election with District 1 candidates Stuart Harvey and Mathew Paugh, incumbent, and District 2 candidate Thomas Carr, incumbent. District 1 and 2 candidates will advance to the general election because there is only one candidate from District 2 and two candidates from District 1. There is one open seat in each of the three districts.
State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch received 3,008 votes. Clerk of Circuit Court Timothy Miller received 3,199. Both ran unopposed. Register of Wills Rita L. Watson also ran unopposed with 3,322 votes.
Sheriff candidates Skyler Hebden, Democrat, and incumbent Robert Corley, Republican, received 583 votes and 3,455 votes, respectively. Hebden and Corley will face off in the general election.
In the race for Judge of Orphans’ Court, Fred Sanders led over incumbent Wayne Wilt with 2,769 votes to 2,732 votes.
Jeff Hovis was the only candidate who ran for Democratic Central Committee with 686 votes. In the Republican Central Committee race, Brenda Butscher led with 2,441 votes, followed by Ruth Hinebaugh Umbel, 2,355 votes; Brian Schlossnagle 2,203; Bill Bittinger 2,169; Tom Sheahen 1,830; DeCorsey Bolden 1,716; Bill Schrider and John Pucciano both had 1,518 votes.
A quarter of registered Garrett County voters ousted commissioners
Elaine Blaisdell
OAKLAND — About one-quarter of Garrett County’s registered voters decided the fate of the three Republican commissioners who were unseated Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial primary election results.
The voting turnout was at 25.26 percent, including early voting, according to results reported by the county to the State Board of Elections.
Paul Edwards ousted incumbent Jim Raley in District 2, with 50.5 percent of the votes, or a total of 1,933 votes to Raley’s 961 votes.
Edwards didn’t return a call for comment by press time.
Edwards will run unopposed in the November general election.
Edwards has 15 years in municipal government in Grantsville and is currently director of secondary education for Garrett County Public Schools. He will step down from his 10-year mayoral position in Grantsville.
In District 1, Larry Tichnell unseated incumbent Gregan Crawford, garnering 49.28 percent of the votes with a total of 1,850 to Crawford’s 1,055 votes.
“I appreciate all the people that voted for me. I was surprised to win as handily as I did because there was a lot of good candidates in my district,” said Tichnell. “Thanks to everybody for their support and appreciation. I look forward to the election in November.”
Tichnell will square off against Leo Martin, a Libertarian, in the November general election.
In District 3, Jim Hinebaugh beat incumbent Bob Gatto by 2.78 percent of the votes. Earning 36.48 percent of the votes, Hinebaugh had a total of 1,419 votes to Gatto’s 1,311 votes. Hinebaugh will face Democratic candidate April Hebden, who received a total of 626 votes, as well as Bill Welch, a Libertarian, and James R. “Smokey” Stanton, unaffiliated, in the general election.
“Obviously, I’m very pleased to win. It was a pretty tight race,” said Hinebaugh. “I’m pleased with the outcome — it’s closer than I would have liked but I’m happy I won. I’m looking forward to the general election in November.”
Calls to Raley, Crawford and Gatto weren’t returned by press time.
District 3 Board of Education candidate Monica Rinker led the way with 2,319 votes, followed by Fred Gregg with 1,665 votes and incumbent Rodney Reckart with 735 votes. Rinker and Gregg will move on to the general election with District 1 candidates Stuart Harvey and Mathew Paugh, incumbent, and District 2 candidate Thomas Carr, incumbent. District 1 and 2 candidates will go straight to the general election because there is only one candidate from District 2 and two candidates from District 1. There is only one open seat in each of the three districts.
State’s Attorney Lisa Thayer Welch received 2,896 votes. Clerk of Circuit Court Timothy Miller received 3,080. Both ran unopposed. Register of Wills Rita L. Watson also ran unopposed with 3,188 votes.
Sheriff candidates Skyler Hebden, D, and incumbent Robert Corley, R, received 556 votes and 3,322 votes, respectively. Hebden and Corley will face off in the general election.
In the race for Judge of Orphans’ Court, Fred Sanders led over incumbent Wayne Wilt with 2,665 votes to 2,619 votes.
Jeff Hovis was the only candidate who ran for Democratic Central Committee with 652 votes. In the Republican Central Committee race, Brenda Butscher led with 2,357 votes, followed by Ruth Hinebaugh Umbel, 2,274 votes; Brian Schlossnagle 2,128; Bill Bittinger 2,099; Tom Sheahen 1,759; DeCorsey Bolden 1,640; Bill Schrider 1,522; and John Pucciano, 1,467.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
Garrett County citizens vote commissioners out of office
Elaine Blaisdell
OAKLAND — Garrett County’s three sitting Republican commissioners were unseated Tuesday, according to complete but unofficial primary election results.
In District 1, Larry Tichnell, with 1,850 votes, won out over incumbent Gregan Crawford, who finished with 1,055 votes. Also in District 1, Eric Robison had 289 votes, Andrew Scott Harvey 250 votes and Dan Brenneman 310 votes.
In District 2, Paul Edwards led the way with 1,933 votes, followed by incumbent Jim Raley with 961, Tim Thomas with 753 and Gary Barlow with 181. Barlow suspended his campaign but remained on the ballot.
In District 3, Jim Hinebaugh, with 1,419 votes, beat incumbent Bob Gatto with 1,311. Also in District 3, Dave Beard, 538 votes; Jeff Haines, 484 votes; and Chad Maroney, 138. April Hebden, the lone Democrat in any of the three commission races, had 626 votes.
In District 1, Tichnell will face off against Leo Martin, a libertarian, in the November general election. In District 3, Hinebaugh will face off against candidate Hebden, Bill Welch, a libertarian and James R. “Smokey” Stanton, unaffiliated in the general election. In District 2, Edwards will run unopposed.
District 3 Board of Education candidate Monica Rinker led the way with 2,319 votes, followed by Fred Gregg and incumbent Rodney Reckart’s 1,665 and 735 votes, respectively.
Rinker and Reckart will move on to the general election with District 1 candidates Stuart Harvey and Mathew Paugh and incumbent and District 2 candidate Thomas Carr, incumbent. Board candidates from District 1 and 2 will go straight to the general election because there is only one candidate from District 2 and two candidates from District 1.
There is only one open seat in each of the three districts.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
Garrett commission approves budget, tax rates
Elaine Blaisdell
— OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners unanimously approved both the $71,835,856 fiscal 2015 operating and capital budgets as well as the fiscal 2015 tax rates during their public meeting Tuesday. The real property tax is $0.9235 in Mountain Lake Park and $0.990 in all other areas. The tax rate includes the fire tax rates, special fire tax levy per $100 and the landfill bond tax.
“This should be a joyous day like we celebrated over the weekend with our graduates because in this instance government has contracted and has actually cut funds for the budget that keeps the tax rate at 99 cents and still covers the basic services provided by the people’s government and it also kept community schools open this year,” said Jim Raley, commissioner. “What we hope by keeping the tax rate the same is that investors once again look at buying and building in Garrett County’s wonderful areas.”
The budget will be reduced by more than $6.5 million when compared to fiscal 2014 ($71.8 million versus $78.3 million). The county lost more than $5 million in revenue, $3 million in real estate tax, $525,000 in income tax and $500,000 in recordation tax, according to Scott Weeks, director of financial services for the county.
Commissioner Gregan Crawford stressed that despite the reduction in the budget that the property tax rate was kept flat, there weren’t any cost of living adjustments in the budget and the rainy day fund, which makes up 5 percent of the budget, remained intact.
“Friends, I just want to say that this budget before us is one of the most difficult in my four years,” said Raley. “Not only does it involve having to say no to many agencies and people who I trust, but it also cuts into services performed at the governmental level.”
In letter, county leaders express frustration with board of education
Elaine Blaisdell
— OAKLAND — In an open letter to the Garrett County Board of Education, the Garrett County commissioners expressed their frustration over being placed in a collective bargaining negotiation process with the public school system.
“It was you, the board of education, who negotiated a salary increase only to then make anincrease in employee compensation a controversial segment of the county government fiscal year 2015 budget,” says the letter addressed to Thomas Carr, president of the board. “It would seem from a responsibility perspective that you would honor the agreement you negotiated by eliminating items within the approved 2015 Board of Education budget.”
Carr said that reopening the negotiations would be the worstcase scenario.
“We have gone through a lot of choices and a lot of the cuts, that is not part of what is being considered. Since the letter went out we would really like to know where the written notification required by law is stating that we are anticipating reopening negotiations,” said Carr during Tuesday’s county commission meeting.
Larry McKenzie, director of finance for the board, questioned the accuracy of some of the facts contained in the letter.
“There are certain half truths within the letter,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie agreed that the board’s budget had increased to $51.8 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $51.3 million in fiscal 2014.
“I would say, by the same token, that we’ve made cuts and adjustments,” said McKenzie.
Cuts have been made to positions and the budget includes capital items such as the Southern Middle School renovation project, the alternative education program, textbooks and computers, according to McKenzie. The renovation project could potentially cost $16 million, according to the letter.
“Yes, we show a budget increase but certainly it’s not haphazard in terms of how those funds are being spent and certainly they are needs of the school system and needs of Garrett County,” said McKenzie.
