Of wind, heat and snakeheads
Back from a week at the beach, what did I miss? Wind farms, snakeheads and more dead zone news, it seems. Didn’t manage to miss the blistering heat, though. But it was about five degrees cooler at the shore than in B’more, according to the weather reports – which were about all the news I regularly consumed on my vacation.
Constellation Energy belatedly celebrated the completion last winter of Maryland’s first commercial wind power facility on Backbone Mountain in Garrett County, The Sun reported. The ribbon-cutting drew a handfull of protesters complaining that the 28 massive turbines kill bats and mar the scenic ridgetop vistas there.
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!
Local airport officials talk FAA shutdown
Matthew Bieniek
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Tue Jul 26, 2011, 12:07 AM EDT
— CUMBERLAND — The impact of the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration would likely impact two local airports very differently.
While issues at the Garrett County Airport are likely to be minimal, those at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport could be significant.
“The Potomac Highlands Airport Authority is greatly concerned with the shutdown of the FAA as it will further delay our ability to receive grant funding for the ongoing land acquisition project. … The PHAA currently has a grant application pending with the FAA that cannot be processed as a result of the shutdown,” said Cindy Pyles, the authority’s chairwoman.
Those grants’ funds would go to help pay back a grant from the Maryland Aviation Administration, Pyles said.
The shutdown could also set back the remainder of the land acquisition program, said Pyles. That portion of the program includes “parcels located to the north of the airport in Swan Pond,” said Pyles.
In 2010, the authority garnered $417,752 in federal funds to put toward property acquisitions and easements that are required to expand the airport’s runway protection zone. The purchase process has been slowed by negotiations with landowners and funding issues, according to Times-News reports.
At the smaller Garrett County Airport, the shutdown shouldn’t cause problems, said Ed Kelley, the airport manager.
“No, it won’t have any impact,” Kelley said. “It might take pilots a bit longer to file a flight plan,” he said. Kelley said he knew some larger airports would face more problems because of the shutdown. It might also slow down the grant approval process, he said.
U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski issued a joint statement Friday outlining their concerns about the FAA shutdown.
“Failure to pass an extension will shut down the FAA, affecting approximately 4,000 employees who monitor safety and develop air traffic systems for both civil and military aircraft,” said Cardin, a member of the Senate Budget and Finance committees. “This shutdown will be unprecedented and it will severely harm our economy and everyone who depends on a thriving aviation system. It also is a clear attack on federal employees who manage our nation’s aviation and could have serious safety implications for air travelers.”
The senators said the shutdown could cause economic havoc.
“Without an extension, up to 4,000 FAA employees in 35 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will be furloughed without pay and will lose their health benefits after 30 days. … Additionally, $49.9 million in funding for projects in DC/Maryland/Virginia combined would be delayed. Without an extension, approximately $200 million a week in airline taxes will not be deposited into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund,” the statement continued.
The shutdown does not affect air traffic controllers.
Contact Matthew Bieniek at mbieniek@times-news.com
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!
Citizenshale.org
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Citizenshale.org, an organization comprising interested Garrett County property owners, hosted an informational program last Wednesday at Garrett College, where participants included lawyers from the Office of the Attorney General, as well as local attorneys representing the Garrett County Bar Association. The purpose of the program was to help local property owners better understand their rights and preferred objectives when signing a natural gas lease. Pictured seated at the tables, from left, are: attorneys Robert Paye, Miriam Sincell, and Linda Sherbin of the Garrett County Bar Association’s pro bono legal committee; Erin Fitzsimmons and Jeff Darsie, representing the Maryland attorney general’s office; and Paul Roberts, one of the founders of CitizenShale.org. Attorney General Douglas Gansler also announced this week the formation of a campaign to basically extend the educational efforts of CitizenShale.org to other areas of western Maryland that lie atop the natural gas-rich Marcellus shale layer.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
The Salem Witch Hunt
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The Salem Witch Hunt is the focal point of Arthur Miller’s intense drama, The Crucible, which is the current offering of Theatre on the Lake (TOTL). In the foreground above, actress Elizabeth Nelson is pictured in her role of Mary Warren while being questioned by court officials. She stands under the watchful eyes of her accomplices, pictured in the back ground and played by, seated, from left, Meghan Broderick, Kiersten White, and Caitlin May, and standing, Emily Jenkins and Maia Wille. Performances are scheduled for this evening, Friday, and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at the Barn at RidgeView Valley in McHenry. Tickets are $10 each. Reservations may be made online at totltheatre.org or by calling 304-680-1002. TOTL is a non-profit organization directed by Lynn Broderick.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
Public transportation a tough sell on Maryland's Lower Shore
Fewer routes might save money, but each time this happens, the system becomes less useful to potential riders…
…Clearly there are a variety of needs to be met. But at what cost to taxpayers? Based on figures available on the Shore Transit website, it cost about $5.7 million to operate Shore Transit during fiscal year 2010. Revenue from fares was about $1.6 million, or 28 percent of that cost. The remainder comes from county allocations and funding from the state and federal governments.
It’s not unheard of for a public transit system in a rural area to operate in this way — Maryland’sGarrett County has a similar bus system that served 142,812 riders in FY 2010 at a cost of $1.08 million, of which $602,418 is covered by requesting state and federal funds, according to its website; the remaining $400,000 or so was funded by Garrett County and an area nonprofit agency. That system also serves seniors and disabled residents. Delaware’s DART First State transit system is funded in the following way: fares, 13 percent; federal grants, 3 percent; bus advertising, 3 percent; state funding, 81 percent. Neither system is close to self-supporting.
More here. If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
MD Park Service to Host Annual Lifeguard Competition
State Park Lifeguards from across Maryland will compete in the Maryland Park Service (MPS) Lifeguard Competition at 1 p.m. on August 9 at Deep Creek Lake State Park in Garrett County.
“The Maryland Park Service employs some of the most dedicated, talented young adults as lifeguards at State Park beaches, lakes and pools,” said MPS Superintendent Nita Settina. “This competition showcases the skills that those guards utilize every day to ensure the safety of our visitors.”
Lifeguards from Deep Creek Lake, Herrington Manor, New Germany, Greenbrier, Sandy Point, Gunpowder Falls, Rocky Gap, Dan’s Mountain, Point Lookout, Cunningham Falls, Pocomoke River and Assateague State Parks are expected to compete in the event. Challenges will include a 300-yard swim, a rescue race, beach flags, the “Iron Guard” relay and the “Ultimate Challenge” obstacle course, in which lifeguards will compete for individual and team prizes.
Children and spectators will also have an opportunity to compete for prizes in a variety of water safety activities, featuring “PFD Panda,” the Department of Natural Resources’ water safety mascot.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
The origins of Maryland's counties, names
Posted: Sunday, July 24, 2011 12:00 am | Updated: 12:51 am, Sun Jul 24, 2011.
The origins of Maryland’s counties, names By Ryan Marshall, Times Staff Writer Carroll County Times
Although intended as a sanctuary for Roman Catholics in the New World, Maryland quickly became a thriving community.
George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore, served as a secretary of state for King James I and was given the title to Avalon, a piece of land in Newfoundland, as a reward for his service. Calvert later also asked the king’s son, Charles I, for a title to the land that would ultimately become Maryland.
When George Calvert drew up the charter, he left the space for the name blank, giving Charles I the honor of choosing what to call it. The king ultimately settled on “Terra Maria,” and the territory became “Mary’s Land,” in honor of Queen Henrietta Mary….
…Garrett
Garrett County was formed from a section of Allegany County in 1872, the last Maryland county to be formed. It’s named after John Garrett, a railroad executive, industrialist and financier who served as the president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from 1858 to 1884.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
Congressional districting dominates meeting talks
By Blair Ames
News-Post Staff
More of Montgomery County needs to be included in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. That was the message conveyed by many of the 11 speakers during the second public hearing held Saturday by Gov. Martin O’Malley’s Redistricting Advisory Committee.
Held at Hood College’s Hodson Auditorium in Rosenstock Hall, it followed the first public hearing at Hancock High School in Washington County to solicit public comment on congressional and state legislative redistricting.
“Give us a fighting chance to win,” said Myrna Whitworth, chairwoman of the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee, during her remarks regarding congressional redistricting.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
Wisp Resort - building lot with a VIEW! 74 Westward Way - GA7006283
74 WESTWARD WAY
MC HENRY, MD 21541
Reduced! Build your dream home at Wisp Resort! Huge lake views abound from lot 74, Deep Creek Highlands. Gated community, great amenities & direct access to Adventure Sports Center white water rafting & Wisp Ski & Golf resort. Water & sewer tap included.
Contact Jay Ferguson @ 301-501-0420 or DeepCreekLaker@Gmail.com for more information or to setup a private showing for this property.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
Protest Company's Practices
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A few members of Save Western Maryland stated their opinions on signs for motorists to see on their way to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Constellation Energy’s Criterion Wind Turbine Project. The event was held Tuesday morning off Eagle Rock Road. Located along an eight-mile stretch of Backbone Mountain and consisting of 28 turbines, the project become operational in December 2010. Left to right are Jeff Conner, Matia Vanderbilt, Eric Robison, Martin Moylan, Natalie Vanderbilt, and Breann Robison. One of the their signs reads “Where’s Your ITP Permit?” The statement refers to the incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Alleging that Constellation violated the act by not obtaining the permit, Save Western Maryland filed a lawsuit against the company last December. Members say the turbines are a threat to the Indiana bat, an endangered species. Save Western Maryland has agreed to delay a trial until 2012 to give Constellation time to obtain the permit. “Although we continue to hope that Constellation will fulfill its duties in good faith, the history of the Backbone wind plant does little to inspire confidence,” the group noted in a press release. The Maryland Department of the Environment temporarily halted construction of the turbine project in March 2010 after erosion and sediment control violations were found. Photo by John McEwen.
If you or someone you know is considering 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! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.
