Category:garrett county
Garrett Co. Government Receives Sunshine Award For Transparency
Sunshine Review, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to government transparency, released the winners of the fourth annual Sunny Awards, and Garrett County government is among those winners. The award, which honors the most transparent government web sites in the nation, went to 250 government entities, with Florida receiving the most Sunny Awards.
“The Board of Garrett County Commissioners certainly knows the importance of promoting transparency in everything we do,” said county administrator Monty Pagenhardt. “The board is honored to receive a Sunny Award and will continue to empower citizens by providing the necessary information to keep them informed on the actions their government is taking on their behalf.”
For the 2013 awards, editors at Sunshine Review analyzed more than 1,000 qualifying government web sites and graded each on a 10-point transparency checklist. They looked at content available on government web sites against what should be provided. They also sought information on items such as budgets, meetings, lobbying, financial audits, contracts, academic performance, public records and taxes. The winners of the Sunny Award all received an “A” grade during the extensive grading process.
“The Sunny Awards recognize governments that make transparency a priority,” said Michael Barnhart, president of Sunshine Review. “The winners of the Sunny Awards are cities, counties and school districts that proactively share the public information that empowers citizens and keeps government accountable to the people. We would like to congratulate Garrett County for being a champion for transparency and serving as a leader to every state and local government around the nation.
The Sunny Awards announcement falls during the annual “Sunshine Week,” March 10–16, a period nationally recognized by hundreds of media and civic organizations that celebrates the efforts of activists and the strides taken toward open government.
Sunshine Review is a nonprofit organization dedicated to state and local government transparency. Its staff collaborates with individuals and organizations throughout America in the cause of an informed citizenry and a transparent government. Since its inception in 2008, Sunshine Review has analyzed the web sites of all 50 states and more than 7,000 state and local entities, according to Barnhart.
Pagenhardt expressed his appreciation to all county employees and specifically recognized the Garrett County Department of Technology and Communications.
“This county office, at the request of the Board of Garrett County Commissioners, took the accessibility of responding through social media and an overall improvement of public awareness as a challenge,” he said. “The county has always made open government a priority and, contrary to some, we are very proficient at this. I am proud of this recognition, and we will all continue this practice.”
BOE Approves CARC As New Graduation Site
The Garrett County Board of Education approved decisions on school graduation ceremonies during Tuesday’s scheduled board meeting. The board elected to hold graduation for both Northern and Southern high schools at the Community Aquatic and Recreational Center (CARC) at Garrett College. Furthermore, the board also approved a date of Saturday, June 1, for graduation ceremonies.
Paul Edwards, director of secondary education, noted that both high schools requested to move the graduation site to the CARC for several reasons, including unlimited seating at the CARC; weather concerns removed since graduation would be inside; and that the facility is air-conditioned.
Both principals met with senior class officials and teachers and are supportive of the change. School officials decided that they wanted to hold graduation on a Saturday instead of Sunday, as in the past. Dr. Richard MacLennan, president of Garrett College, was supportive of the change and would allow the BOE to use the facility without a fee.
The BOE, along with school officials, agreed to have Southern High School’s graduation ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by Northern High’s graduation at 3 p.m. The schools agreed to swap time frames every year.
Fun things to do this weekend at Deep Creek Lake 3-15-13
New Listing: 105 B St Mountain Lake Park - GA8028128 - $124,500
Recently renovated charming home with plenty of elbow room conveniently located close to town, schools, parks, etc. This lovely brick and siding rancher also boasts of a completely fenced in back yard and an oversized attached garage as well as a full basement. Call today to schedule a showing.
| 105 B ST OAKLAND, MD 21550 http://www.deepcreeklake.com/RealEstate/JayFerguson/detail.aspx?id=GA8028128
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recently renovated charming home with plenty of elbow room conveniently located close to town, schools, parks, etc. This lovely brick and siding rancher also boasts of a completely fenced in back yard and an oversized attached garage as well as a full basement. Call today to schedule a showing. |
$124,500
Listing # GA8028128
|
210 S Main St - Accident MD - 4 BR Victorian - GA8017246 - $219,000
Victorian Home Zoned for Commercial use renovated close to original condition. Attention to detail throughout bringing back the character of the era. Hardwood floors, turned stair case, 9′ ceilings, wrap around covered porch & finished 3rd floor. Much work has been done for business use making this the perfect place for a shop, cafe, office or a wonderful warm home. A MUST see!
http://realty.railey.com/deepcreekrealestate/detail.aspx?id=GA8017246
| Contact Jay Ferguson @ 301-501-0420 or DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com for more information or to setup a private showing for this property. |
| Listing # GA8017246
$219,000
|
GC Commissioners Approve Recycling Plan Amendments
The Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved three amendments to the county’s 10-year Solid Waste Management and Recycling Plan (2004–2014). As required by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the new regulations pertain to methods for recycling in public schools, recycling light bulbs, and recycling electronics.
Manager Dave Baker, Garrett County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, noted that though the amendments are new state requirements, his department has already implemented them.
“They’ve been up and running for some time,” Baker said.
Kim Madigan noted that one of her first jobs as recycling coordinator for Garrett County was to start a school program.
“We’ve been recycling since 2005 in our schools,” she said.
Working in conjunction with school and board of education personnel, Madigan said it took her a little over a year to get the initiative up and running. She described the end result as “excellent.”
“I’m very proud of that program,” Madigan said.
The 10-year plan calls for Garrett County schools to collect, but are not limited to collecting, #1 and #2 plastics, cardboard, mixed paper, tin cans, aluminum cans, magazines, and newspaper. The Board of Education is responsible for picking up the materials biweekly from each school.
Garrett College is also required to collect office paper, #1 plastics, aluminum cans, toner cartridges, light bulbs, motor oil, tires, and batteries.
Madigan said her department also came up with a strategy to collect fluorescent light bulbs (4-inch lamps, 8-inch lamps, and U-tubes), compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), and non PCB ballasts for recycling. That program has been in place since May 2010.
Currently the program is limited to individuals (Garrett County residents), not businesses. In addition, because of potential mercury exposure, bulbs (unbroken) are only accepted at the county landfill. The bulbs must be given to a landfill employee, who then places them in a properly ventilated 10-foot by 10-foot shed. The materials are stored in the MDE approved shed until they are ready for shipment to a recycling contractor for processing and recycling.
In the event of bulb breakage, landfill staff must contact MDE and follow guidelines set forth in the Mercury Spill Emergency Response Manual.
Baker indicated that it is currently cost prohibitive for the county to construct bulb collection sheds at all of the county’s refuse collection sites.
The county has also been accepting electronics for recycling for several years. This initiative started as a pilot program through a grant from MDE. Madigan noted that electronics are accepted at four of the county’s refuse collection/recycling sites.
More information about recycling in Garrett County is available at garrettcounty.org or by calling Madigan at 301-387-0322.
$22K Awarded In POS Funding For Avilton Playground
Gov. Martin O’Malley and the Board of Public Works yesterday approved Program Open Space funding for a recreational project in Garrett County. A $22,000 grant was awarded to the Avilton Community Association to install additional playground equipment and to construct a new pavilion at the community’s public playground.
“Whether your children play sports at their community ball field, your family bikes at their local park, or you play tennis with friends at a nearby court, Program Open Space projects benefit all of us,” said O’Malley.
Since 1969, Program Open Space has provided funding for the state to preserve 362,737 acres for open space and recreation areas. Of this, 41,697 – more than 10 percent – have been preserved within the past five years under the O’Malley-Brown administration.
The three-member Board of Public Works comprises O’Malley (chair), Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions, and other procurement actions.
Schools’ chief recommends denial of charter application
Riverside Academy would increase financial burden on school system
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — Garrett County Superintendent of Schools Janet Wilson is recommending that the Board of Education deny an application for a proposed charter school in Kitzmiller. Six committees reviewed the application submitted by Kitzmiller Charter School Initiative Inc. and, for the most part, the analysis of the application yielded unfavorable recommendations, ac-cording to Wilson’s recommendation.
“I concur with the analysis and subsequent recommendations made by members of the six review committees,” Wilson wrote in her recommendation “Although my recommendation to deny the charter school application could stand alone, the addendum to this recommendation also ad-dresses the fiscal implications of granting the charter application during a period of declining student enrollment and unprecedented financial hardships for the Garrett County Public Schools.”
Wilson noted that granting the application for Riverside Academy would increase the financial burden on the school system as a whole and would result in the need of further school closings, student redistricting, reductions in force of staff and the continued inability to meet negotiated employee pay scales.
“What is clear and compelling is that there will be a significant impact to all Garrett County public schools and all students should Riverside Academy become a reality,” wrote Wilson.
Under Maryland law, a county board of education must fund a public charter school with an amount “that is commensurate with the amount disbursed to other public schools in the local jurisdiction,” according to the state Department of Education.
The doors to Dennett Road and Kitzmiller Elementary closed permanently in May of last year and Bloomington Elementary closed in 2011.
“These closures represent 20 percent of the 15 schools that served Garrett County in fiscal 2011,” Wilson wrote. “These closures, as well as corresponding reductions in force and other significant reductions or eliminations of programs, while painstakingly difficult for the elected Board of Education, were necessary to ensure the ability of the Board to continue to meet its obligations of providing a free quality education program to all children of Garrett County.”
The closing of Dennett Road and Kitzmiller elementary schools saved about $1 million and $279,000, respectively, helping to close a shortfall of $2 million.
The school board will vote on Wilson’s recommendation during a special meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Southern Middle School.
To read the recommendation in it’s entirety, visit the BOE website at www.ga.k12. md.us.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
Legislation would pave way for expansion of Garrett hospital
Groundbreaking on $23.5M project expected in spring
Matthew Bieniek Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — If bills introduced by Garrett County legislators become law, financing for expansion of Garrett County Memorial Hospital will be available at a lower interest rate than that obtainable by the hospital going it alone.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Wendell Beitzel, will allow county commissioners to borrow up to $15 million on behalf of the hospital by issuing bonds.
The county won’t be paying on the bonds though, said County Administrator Monty Pagenhardt.
The bank will pay bondholders directly.
“The hospital will pay back the entire amount,” Pagenhardt said.
The county will act as a conduit for the funding, allowing the loan to be “bank qualified” and backed by the full faith and credit of Garrett County, resulting in a lower interest rate.
“The county would be arranging for the financing of those bonds and, through the county, they could get the bonds at a much cheaper rate,” said Beitzel.
The hospital project includes a new four-story addition to the existing hospital with a focus on improvements to in-patient units and an additional 42,000 square feet of major renovations.
The total cost of the project is $23.5 million and includes a $15 million request from the county and $8.5 million in cash contributions and fundraising, hospital officials have said.
Groundbreaking is expected in the spring.
Garrett County requires the approval of the General Assembly to borrow large sums.
The money being borrowed for the hospital does not affect a separate bond authorization available to the county, said Pagenhardt.
Hearings on the bills are scheduled before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. and before the House Appropriations committee on Feb. 12 at 1 p.m.
The hospital also continues to pay off two other bonds, one from 2004 in the amount of $1.4 million and one from 2007 in the amount of $3 million, Pagenhardt said. Those bonds also funded hospital improvements.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com. Staff Writer Elaine Blaisdell also contributed to this story.
Garrett commissioners adopt watershed ordinance
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — Garrett County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a Department of Planning and Land Development recommendation to rectify a conflict in the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning ordinance.
“Apparently, there have been over the years a course of hundreds of text amendments that have been made to the Deep Creek zoning ordinance,” said Commissioner Jim Raley during a public meeting held Tuesday. “I don’t want to see us be inconsistent with state law. I don’t want to see us doing things that are procedurally incorrect.”
The purpose of the amendments is to change two sections to make the ordinance consistent with Land Use Article 66B.
“I also want to make it perfectly clear that I want a full review, to the extent possible, of any text amendment that comes before us,” said Raley. “Obviously, I know there still has to be a public hearing.”
Raley asked the planning commission to review his and see if procedurally something could be put into place place to add a small hurdle to a text amendment.
“I don’t want to see the text amendment becoming a substitute for something more comprehensive,” said Raley. “… it can be easier to go with a text amendment change than it would be with a full zoning amendment. I do see some future text amendments on the horizon that I think can be very substantive.”
Both Chairman Robert Gatto and Commissioner Gregan Crawford echoed Raley’s sentiments.
“This doesn’t mean we are going to rubber-stamp every text change that comes through,” said Crawford.
The commission also voted, with Crawford abstaining, to adopt the Deep Creek Lake Shoreline Stabilization Projects Incentive Program. Crawford said the decision should have been tabled until the results of Phase II of the Deep Creek Lake sediment study are known.
“Without knowing the results … we’re looking at what we could do up front,” said Raley.
The program is similar to the sprinkler incentive that was adopted by the commission several months ago. The program will provide a $1,600 incentive payment for construction of a structure for shoreline stabilization, according to John Nelson, director of Planning and Land Development. The incentive will be paid with carryover funds from last year.
“I think the intent of the Board of Commissioners wasn’t necessarily to try to come up with incentive to cover the cost of the permit fee but actually the cost of that construction,” said Nelson.
“The incentive requires full construction and requires that the structure pass inspections by the Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources,” said Raley.
The program is for the current fiscal year and, thus far, eight to 10 applications have been made for shoreline stabilization projects, according to Nelson. The program will encourage people to stabilize the shoreline to protect it from further erosion and sedimentation that is caused by the surface of the lake, said Nelson.
The commission also voted to give $500 to the Northern High School agriculture department to grow grass for the shoreline project and to allow Southern High School to be included, if interested.
