Consortium will help laid off workers
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Western Maryland Consortium is preparing to assist 59 workers who will be laid off from Fechheimer Brothers Co. in Grantsville by March 1, consortium executive director John Wynn told the Garrett County commission at its weekly meeting Tuesday.
A rapid-response meeting will take place Jan. 30 with officials from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, the Maryland Division of Unemployment Insurance and Somerset County (Pa.) CareerLink, explained Wynn in an interview with the Times-News.
An employee orientation session will be held during the meeting to provide service for those being laid off as well as job search assistance and job training, said Wynn.
The employees may be eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance, which provides aid to workers who lose their jobs or whose hours of work and wages are reduced as a result of increased imports, according to Wynn.
The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill in 2011 that requires state agencies to buy uniforms, safety equipment and protective gear from U.S. companies.
Delegate Wendell Beitzel introduced the measure after a visit to Fechheimer, a manufacturer of uniforms, when the plant manager told him that the company was bringing in orders from several states that had buy-American preferences in place.
The TAA program provides training, income support, job search allowances, relocation allowances and Health and Coverage Tax Credit.
In order to apply for TAA, a petition must be filed by a group of three or more workers, their union or company officials. It takes about 40 days before a decision is rendered, but if requested, workers could receive assistance before the decision is made, according to Wynn.
A call to Fechheimer CFO Dan Dudley was not returned. Also, multiple attempts to contact Gary Ison, dislocation field representative at the Maryland DLLR, were unsuccessful.
During the commission meeting, the board was provided with several updates:
• Donald DeWitt, director of the Garrett County Department of Social Services, told the commissioners that the close-out of the 2011 financial audit has been completed and noted that the budget for 2012 will again be evaluated as part of the ongoing budget deficits with the state of Maryland.
• David Baker, supervisor of the Garrett County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, updated the commission on a number of projects, including timber harvest, Cell 4 construction and King’s Run collection site expansion. He also provided the commission with an update on a collection site sticker sale program
• Linda Lindsey, director of Garrett County Department of Public Utilities, gave a status update on projects, such as the Thayerville and McHenry water systems, Pee Wee Hill water project, Friendsville sewer system-Maple Street sewer line extension project and Deep Creek Lake Western Conveyance.
• Mount Haven Wellness and Recovery provided an update on a mental health drop-in center in Oakland previously known as Harvey House.
• The commission appropriated $37,480 as a cost share with the Maryland Department of Agriculture for the Forest Pest Management Program, which works to manage gypsy moths in the county.
More here.
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Restaurant owner begins organization aimed at saving animals, helping the community
Originally published January 14, 2012
By Courtney Mabeus
News-Post Staff
When the flood of mail following her contribution to a national animal welfare organization became a daily deluge, Eileen Gideon decided it was time to take matters into her own hands.
Gideon, a restaurateur who with her husband runs Dutch’s Daughter in Frederick and Dutch’s at Silver Tree at Deep Creek Lake in Oakland, founded Uniting to Save Animals, or U2SA, in October. The organization’s mission is to help low-income residents cover the cost of spaying or neutering pets to cut down on unwanted animals, as well as to promote adoption from local shelters and rescue organizations.
“I sent a donation thinking I’m helping out animals,” Gideon said. “Within a month, I started getting six brochures or letters a day in my mailbox. The abuse, neglect and death of animals, it’s horrible.”
More here.
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Fish Tales on Deep Creek Lake
Ice fishing: It’s a simple-enough concept. Grab a fishing pole, some bait, a bucket to sit on (or use a fish house, in the proper conditions) and stay on a frozen lake for hours.
You may not think that ice fishing in the East is as big of a deal as it is to, let’s say, a Minnesotan, contrary to belief we’ve seen some hardcore anglers on the lakes nearby.
Take, for instance, Deep Creek Lake State Park (898 State Park Road, Swanton, Md., 170 miles from D.C.). It’s the state’s largest fresh body of water, with 69 miles of shoreline and abundant populations of bass and walleye. It’s also well-stocked with yellow perch, bluegill and sunfish.
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MURPHY'S LAW: January gifts
By BARBARA MURPHY
News-Tribune
Posted Jan 13, 2012 @ 08:03 AM
Last update Jan 13, 2012 @ 03:18 PM
It seems that this year Mother Nature is being generous to a fault with us; either that or she’s napping and hasn’t yet realized that she’s forgotten to turn on the January weather machine.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I pinch myself in disbelief every morning that I wake up to another day of blue skies and sunshine.
January is my least favorite month of the year. It’s the only month that has 31 days that seem to last for 60!
While my Richmond grandkids were here for the holidays we headed for Garrett County and a ride around the lake so that they could witness winters in our area.
Usually by this time of year Deep Creek Lake is covered with ice thick enough that snow mobiles are crossing back and forth on it, and the ski slopes at the Wisp are doing a booming business.
More here.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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Railey Mountain Lake Vacation Rental: At Last
At Last! Your vacation is right around the corner and here is the perfect spot to make the most of every moment away. This beautiful chalet has it all; a central location, level lakefront and large grassy yard, beautiful architecture, spacious living areas, upscale appliances, an expansive deck, exercise room, and balconies from the upstairs bedrooms. Your family will love being 100 yards to a children’s playground, dining, and shopping. The volleyball net and fire pit will bring enjoyment in the spring and summer and the home theatre, pool table, heated floors, and nearby cinemas in the winter. The sandy beach and dock will provide hours of fun relaxing in the sun, or you can sit in the shade of tall trees to watch the kids play at the lake’s edge. If you really must work on your time away, you can be productive in the home office. Book At Last today so you can breathe easy knowing you will have a wonderful vacation.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Snowflake Chase 2012 - Race Details
Coming up this Saturday – more details here.
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County residents feel blast from FBI test
From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News
KLONDIKE — Many Allegany County residents throughout the Georges Creek community dialed 911 Wednesday morning to report a blast that shook their homes, according to a 911 dispatcher.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed that the controlled blast was part of an FBI test being performed in a remote location on open, unoccupied property. The fire marshal’s office was not involved in the project, but had facilitated finding the location.
The test occurred in Garrett County near the Klondike area of Allegany County, according to the 911 center.
The first air blast occurred at about 10:45 a.m., promoting about 30 calls to the Allegany County 911 center from the Georges Creek area and as far away as Mount Savage.
The tests were discontinued after the calls were made to the 911 center, according to Allegany County 911 acting director Roger Bennett. No damage resulted from the blast that Bennett described as a “significant boom.”
More here.
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PACE tickets now available
CUMBERLAND — The Cumberland/Allegany County Industrial Foundation, Inc. (CACIF) and the Garrett County Development Corporation proudly host PACE. The 2012 theme is “Come to Play ~ Plan to Stay.”
There are two PACE events. The reception is Thursday, January 26, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and the breakfast is Friday, January 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Both events are held at the Loews Annapolis Hotel.
Overall, the reception and the breakfast are business-social in style and atmosphere. The reception features classic hors d’oeuvres and an open bar and the breakfast has country-style buffet offerings and features a keynote speaker.
The general public is warmly invited to PACE 2012. This is NOT an invitation only event. PACE is open to all!
There is one all inclusive ticket to attend both PACE events (reception and breakfast). The cost is $150 per person.
Tickets are not available at the door. Ticket sales end on Wednesday, January 18. Checks should be made payable to “Annapolis Reception Committee” and mailed to Mountain Maryland PACE, P.O. Box 3273, LaVale, MD 21504-3273. PACE questions should be directed to Keli Mason, Allegany County Department of Economic Development: Keli Mason, 301-777-5967, kmason@allconet.org
More here.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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
Va. family filmed at Deep Creek Lake for PBS show about vacation destinations
By Associated Press, Published: January 11
MCHENRY, Md. — An Arlington, Va., family and their friends are set to share their vacation in far western Maryland with millions of television viewers.
The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce says Mike Piet (peet), his wife Alexis and at least eight guests were filmed in September during a nearly weeklong, all-expense-paid trip to Deep Creek Lake.
The Piet family will be featured in a February episode of the PBS show, “Getting Away Together.”
More here.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
City Council, BOE candidates locked in
Councilman Hendershot stepping down from post after completing 18th year
Kristin Harty Barkley Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — Close to a dozen candidates have registered to compete for two open seats on Cumberland City Council, but neither incumbent is running.
Longtime Councilman Butch Hendershot withdrew his candidacy at the last minute on Wednesday, saying he is “just very tired” and feels it’s time to step down.
The deadline to register as a candidate for the April 3 primary election was 9 p.m. Wednesday.
“My family met with me last evening — it was an impromptu meeting — and we decided, to a person, that we weren’t willing to go through the rigors of another campaign,” said Hendershot, who is completing his 18th year in office.
Last February, he suffered a heart attack and has experienced other health problems.
“Especially since the heart attack, I’ve been increasingly fatigued,” said Hendershot, who originally filed for re-election on Jan. 5. “I probably prematurely filed. I wish I would have waited now.”
Nine other candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the two open council seats, meaning that voters will head to the polls on April 3 to narrow the field to six candidates.
Incumbent Mary Beth Pirolozzi announced earlier this month that she would not seek re-election.
While plenty of candidates are stepping up to fill the two available council seats, there’s a dearth of interest in the same number of spots on the Allegany County Board of Education.
Just two candidates had registered to run for the BOE positions by 9 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Allegany County Board of Elections.
That means that incumbent Ed Root will run unopposed in the November general election, as will BOE newcomer Nicolas Hadley, a former mayor of Lonaconing. Incumbent Jeff Metz, the most senior BOE member with two terms under his belt, will not run for re-election.
In Garrett County, two BOE members — incumbents Charlotte Sebold, a board member since 1993, and Cynthia Downton, who was appointed a year ago — filed for candidacy, as well as Darlena M. Grady, of Oakland, and Gary L. Barlow, of Grantsville.
Hendershot said he believes voters have a “good slate of candidates” to choose from.
“And I think there’s good leadership in place at the city,” Hendershot said.
“I’m real happy with the state of affairs right now, so that makes it a little easier to step away.”
Candidates for City Council include (in order of filing):
• Steven Phillips, a case management specialist at the Department of Juvenile Services.
• Albert Keener, who works for Alliance Publishing on Virginia Avenue.
• Nicole Wagoner, director of sales at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott.
• Dominic (Nick) DeArcangelis, co-owner at Annie’s Fine Furniture, on North Centre Street.
• David Caporale, vice president of Caporale’s Italian Bakery, on Mechanic Street.
• Sylvester Young, of Oldtown Road, whose Linked In page says he is employed by Friends Aware.
• Carey Walker, who retired from Allegany County Public Schools after 39 years.
• Thomas Taccino, who is self-employed in the auto sales and repair business.
• John Cline, retired chief deputy fire chief for the Cumberland Fire Department.
Contact Kristin Harty Barkley at kbarkley@times-news.com
More here.
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! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
