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Garrett schools due extra security

For the Cumberland Times-News Cumberland Times-News

OAKLAND — In response to concerns expressed by students, staff, parents and community members in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., shooting, the Garrett County Board of Education has reprioritized some of its fiscal 2012 carryover funds to provide for extra security, according to a news release.

Every public school building will have door entry access control systems and video intercom systems, bus camera surveillance and archive GPS systems.

“Bus cameras have been proven to reduce acting out behaviors on buses, allowing students to experience a safer, more enjoyable ride to and from school,” stated board president Cynthia Downton.

The estimated cost of the door security and bus camera systems is $260,000, according to Superintendent of Schools Janet Wilson.

“I am thankful for the board’s support,” said Wilson. “The time to do this is now and the board is doing the right thing for our school communities. Installation of the door entry systems will be the first priority and will begin as soon as contracts are completed.”

The board appreciates the county commissioners’ support to provide two school resource officers through Sheriff Rob Corley’s office but believes that on-site door access control systems must be put into place immediately.

“When it comes to the safety of our children, waiting for someone else to make a decision is not a viable option,” said board member Rodney Reckart.

Board member Tom Carr echoed Reckart’s sentiments.

“We need to have technology work for us — when we can neither afford nor depend on human security always to be in the right place at the right time when some unfortunate event is about to happen,” said Carr.

Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed fiscal 2014 budget includes money for school security, but detailed information regarding the timing or intent of those funds is not readily known at this time, according to the news release.

“We place student safety and staff security topmost on our list of how to best serve our students and  community,” said Downton. “We have learned hard lessons from other schools, such as, a matter of 10 to 12 seconds can make a huge difference in the number of survivors of a random act of violence.  Our students need to know that while they are in our schools, their main focus should be on learning, and not worrying about whether or not they are safe.”

Having originally earmarked a majority of the carryover funds for instructional materials, the board now plans to place that request in its fiscal 2014 budget.

More here.

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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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