To the Editor: Cumberland Times-News
— Garrett County is probably the most mineral rich county in Maryland, Allegany County being the next in line. Right now it seems the focus is on natural gas and of course there has always been coal.
However, Minerals as defined by The Maryland Dormant Mineral Statute Environmental Law 15201(c), includes: gas, oil and oil shale, coal, gaseous liquid and solid hydrocarbons, cement materials and building stone, chemical substances, gemstone, metallic, fissionable and nonfissionable ores, colloidal and other clay, steam and geothermal resources.
The point being, the land owner who does not have their mineral rights risks the real possibility that a mineral owner could enter upon their land to mine, quarry or pit any of the minerals included under the Maryland Dormant Mineral Statute.
In the case of Department of Forests and Parks, et al. v. George’s Creek Coal and Land Company (250 Md 125), that right was upheld.
In the case, Maryland’s highest court ruled that George’s Creek Coal and Land company had the right to enter the state’s land to both mine and remove the minerals, including the right to strip mine.
Quoting, Judge J. McWilliams, who wrote the opinion for the court, “Unless the appellants (the state) and the appellee (the company) can come to terms in respect of compensation to the Company for the surrender of its mineral rights, our decision in this case will result in the scarification and uglification of most of the upper eastern face of Big Savage Mountain.”
I know for a fact that there are clay pits, sand pits, stone quarries, gravel quarries and limestone quarries in the county. I grew up in Garrett County and as kids we played in a sand pit. One summer I worked in a stone quarry.
The land owners in Garrett or Allegany counties who do not have their minerals need to protect themselves from having a strip mine, a quarry or a pit of some type on their land by contacting an attorney to discuss how to get their mineral rights back under the Dormant Mineral Statute.
Jim Braskey
Frostburg
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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