Commissioners Allocate Funds To Keep After-School Operating
Aug. 26, 2010
The Garrett County commissioners have allocated $110,000 to help keep a portion of the Local Management Board (LMB) Partners After School Program going for another year. Garrett County Health Department budget carryover funds will be used for the allocation.
The after-school program is a collaborative effort between the Garrett County Partnership for Children and Families, Health Department, Community Action, and local Board of Education.
“The commissioners’ designation of these carryover funds to support elementary- and middle-school children’s academic enrichment through the LMB’s Partners After School Program (PAS) is extremely important to families utilizing these services,” said LMB member Rodney Glotfelty, Garrett County health officer. “We are deeply appreciative of their support in providing bridge funding again this year.”
The commissioners decided to allocate the money after hearing an update report Tuesday morning from Partnership and LMB representatives.
The nonprofit group’s director, Crystal Stewart, informed the commissioners that 21st Century grant funding was not available again this year. This U.S. Department of Education initiative has been the primary funding source for PAS for numerous years. The partnership, therefore, issued a press release about two weeks ago to inform parents that after-school activities would not be available this year at PAS sites, which are located in Accident, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, Loch Lynn, and Oakland.
The Partnership and LMB have been working for more than a year to find ways to fund the program. Shortly before school started last year, Stewart learned that her FY 2010 21st Century grant request had been denied. The grant is federally funded, but the State Department of Education oversees its allocation in Maryland.
In FY 2009, the state allocated the Partnership $260,000 in 21st Century funding to support PAS in Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, and Loch Lynn, and at Southern Middle School and the Judy Overlook Center. Accident activities were funded through a Community Partnership Agreement.
To help keep the program going in FY 2010, LMB member/Community Action president Duane Yoder was able to secure an emergency $125,000 Community Development Block Grant, which the commissioners matched with another $125,000.
As a result, about 250 children were able to participate in PAS last year, according to the Partnership’s projects coordinator, Sherri Padovini.
The commissioners noted the importance of PAS in helping students achieve academic success through tutoring and homework assistance. Students also take educational and cultural field trips, and learn about nutrition and drug/alcohol abuse issues.
“There is no doubt about the value of the program,” said Commissioner Ernie Gregg.
Padovini presented the commissioners with data that shows local after-school students are “maintaining pace” with the three-year Maryland Student Assessment (MSA) averages for Garrett County in both reading and math.
Additionally, after-school students who are eligible for free and reduced meals (FARM) “did a little better” than other local FARM students on the three-year MSA average for math. Results in the reading component were about the same for both FARM groups, Padovini noted.
Ironically, the fact that PAS is so success may be the very reason why the state did not award it 21st Century funding, Health Officer Glotfelty indicated.
“I think we’re a little bit of a victim of our own success, over the last number of years, when you look at our school system and the great results that we get out of it, with our test scores and everything,” he told the commissioners.
Glotfelty explained that the state looks at “system needs” and moves money to needy areas, even though children in successful places still need funding for their services.
“That’s just the way funding is in the state of Maryland,” he said. “When you succeed, you usually have your money taken away from you. And when you’re in really bad shape, that’s where they put the money.”
Yoder agreed. He apologetically told the commissioners that when the LMB asked them for emergency after-school funding last year, he really believed that the next 21st Century grant application would be funded.
“We didn’t walk in last year thinking that wasn’t going to happen,” Yoder told the commissioners. “I don’t want you to walk out of here [today] believing that we were just playing a game a year ago.”
Padovini reported that the Partnership recently secured a $40,000 Governor’s Office grant, which will enable one after-school program site to continue, which mostly likely be the Grantsville one. Other local grants may be available to help augment the governor’s funding.
She indicated the northern site was chosen simply because more students participate in PAS there than in the southern end of the county.
Lucky Pilot survives crash at Garrett Airport
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It was right at press time last Thursday that the pilot of this single-engine Piper Cherokee narrowly escaped disaster, as his plane left the runway at the Garrett County Airport and went over a small embankment. According to a report from the Maryland State Police, Nathan Wasser, 70, of Ridgeley, W.Va., was the pilot of the aircraft, which crashed at approximately 3:25 p.m. while landing. There were no passengers on board the plane, and Wasser walked away uninjured. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified and conducted an investigation, but the cause of the accident has not been released. The aircraft was hauled away from the scene Tuesday morning. Photo by Lisa Broadwater.
Governor O'Malley Statement Regarding $2.5M in Federal Funding for Weatherization Efforts in Western Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 27, 2010) – Governor Martin O’Malley issued this statement today following the announcement by United States Secretary of Energy Chu that two local weatherization agencies in Western Maryland would be receiving over $2.5 million in additional federal funding to assist low-income households with projects designed to reduce their energy bills.
“I want to congratulate the Garrett County Community Action Committee, based in Oakland, on its award of over $1 million to install wind, solar or geothermal renewable energy systems for low income residents. Congratulations are also in order for Washington County-based C&O Conservation, Inc., located in Williamsport, for its award of $1.5 million to replace improperly sized HVAC equipment, thereby saving energy and extending equipment life. Both of these agencies work through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, weatherizing homes for low-income residents in order to save energy and reduce energy bills.
“Since the receipt of federal Recovery Act funds, these two agencies, along with agencies throughout Maryland, have stepped up their production rates and are currently weatherizing more than 350 homes per month. Through June 2010, 1,586 homes in Maryland had been weatherized using federal Recovery Act funding. These grants mark an exciting opportunity to allow low-income residents to enjoy the benefits of alternative energy sources and lower utility bills. These investments in energy efficiency also result in jobs for carpenters, electricians and others who perform the weatherization.”
Deep Creek Lake Prize Pack - WTAE Pittsburgh
•$100 Ultimate Gift Card redeemable at the Honi Honi Bar, Arrowhead Market, Garrett 8 Cinemas and/or Uno’s Chicago Grill:
•One (1) four-pack of single Mountain Coaster rides courtesy of Wisp Resort
•One (1) four-pack of single Scenic Chairlift rides courtesy of Wisp Resort
•1x full-day boat rental from Bill’s Marine Service. Boat is a 50 horsepower pontoon.
Voters Reminded Of Saturday's Candidate Forum
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Aug. 26, 2010
Local voters are reminded that the Legislative Committee of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce will host a candidate forum this Saturday, Aug. 28, in the auditorium of Garrett College.
The schedule for the question/answer forum will be as follows:
10-11 a.m. – Candidates for sheriff.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Candidates for county commissioner.
1-1:30 p.m. – Candidates for House of Delegates.
1:30-2 p.m. – George Edwards (lone candidate for Maryland Senate).
2-3 p.m. – Candidates for register of wills.
The format will include 90-second introductions, 60-second responses to questions, and 90-second closing statements.
Roth Rock Wind Project Halted By MDE Work Stoppage Order
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Aug. 26, 2010
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) issued a stop work order on Wednesday to Synergics Wind Energy LLC and White Construction Company, forcing stoppage of work at the Roth Rock wind power project except for the work necessary to comply with all requirements of the approved sediment and erosion control plan.
According to Jay Apperson, deputy director of the MDA’s office of communications, work may resume on the project when MDE determines that the site is in compliance with the approved sediment and erosion control plan.
It was after receiving a complaint from a citizen that an MDE inspector went to the site on August 3 and found violations of the discharge permit’s requirement for compliance with sediment and erosion control approvals. Apperson confirmed that the violations were numerous and throughout the project, including: failing to comply with the approved sequence of construction in the sediment and erosion plan; not having sediment controls in some areas of construction; installing in some areas regular silt fence instead of the required super silt fence; and lack of interim controls in some areas where earth was being disturbed for stormwater controls. Notices of the violations were provided to representatives of both Synergics Wind Energy and White Construction.
“We immediately advised them to stop all earth-disturbance work except for work needed to bring the site into compliance, and representatives of Synergics and White Construction agreed to do so,” Apperson said. “We did follow-up inspections on August 9 and August 17, and found both times that they were not doing earth-disturbance work other than work toward bringing the site into compliance, but that the site was still not in full compliance with the permit requirements.”
Another inspection was scheduled for Tuesday of this week, during which inspectors found that the companies have made progress, but still have additional items to address before they are in compliance.
These include additional sediment control structures such as sediment basins and microbasins (smaller versions of sediment basins) and ditches to convey and control runoff.
“We also found that they had done earth-disturbance work (such as excavation work for windmill pads and crane pads) not related to work needed to bring the site into compliance,” Apperson said. “This was inconsistent with what we had advised them to do and what they had agreed to do after the August 3 inspection. So on Tuesday, we advised White Construction and Synergics to cease all work at the site (including work that does not involve earth disturbance) other than work needed to bring the site into compliance until the site is in full compliance. They agreed to do so.”
Apperson refused to comment on enforcement action against the companies since the matter remains under investigation.
Erosion violations halt Garrett County wind project
State finds ‘numerous’ problems on Synergics site
Nature By Timothy B. Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun
7:46 p.m. EDT, August 26, 2010
State environmental officials have halted construction on Maryland’s second industrial wind project after finding “numerous” erosion-control violations on the remote Garrett County mountain ridge where an Annapolis-based developer is putting up 20 turbines.
The Maryland Department of the Environment ordered Synergics Wind Energy and its contractor, White Construction, to stop work until they fix all the shortcomings in their measures to prevent mud from washing off the building site into nearby streams. The work shutdown, ordered Wednesday, comes a little more than three weeks after state inspectors first visited the site in response to a complaint from a nearby resident.
“They had four miles of mountaintop completely torn up and had minimal — I mean minimal — controls,” said Eric Robison, a contractor who lives on a different stretch of Backbone Mountain near Oakland. He said he contacted the state in late July after taking hundreds of photographs to document conditions at the construction site. “I was amazed at what they were doing.”
MDE spokesman Jay Apperson said inspectors found problems throughout the project, including missing and inadequate “silt fences” to filter sediment out of storm runoff whenever it rains. The state officials advised the companies Aug. 3 to stop grading and excavating until the controls were in place, and both agreed to do so. The contractor was allowed to continue other construction work, such as pouring concrete.
Man arrested after crashing boat into 2 docks
Posted: 08/24/2010
GARRETT COUNTY, Md. – Maryland Natural Resources Police have charged William Stewart Bender, 48, of Frostburg with negligent operation of a vessel, failure to keep proper lookout to avoid collision and speed too great for conditions.
Bender faces these charges after he was involved in a boating accident that occurred on August 21st. At 8:00 a.m. officers were notified by Caryn Gill of Beckman’s Peninsula Road that a boat had struck her dock during the night and that there was damage to her dock and the boat that was moored there.
Gill told officers that the striking vessel was sunk at her dock.
Natural Resources Police determined the striking vessel was operated by Bender, and an investigation revealed a 2007 22-foot Correctcraft pontoon boat, was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck a dock owned by David Klueter.
Habitat for Humanity, women’s shelter due funding
For the Cumberland Times-News
Cumberland Times-News
— OAKLAND — Two Garrett County Community Development Block Grants have been announced by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
A grant for $250,000 will provide funding to construct the infrastructure for development of 21 Habitat for Humanity houses outside Deer Park.
At Oakland, an $800,000 grant will be used to construct a 5,675-square-foot building to be used as a domestic violence shelter and counseling center.
The Dove Center currently operates a family violence and sexual assault resource center in Garrett County.
Garrett after-school programs cut by half
County funding will help some stay open after loss of key grant
Megan Miller
Cumberland Times-News
— OAKLAND — The number of Partners After School programs offered in Garrett County will be cut in half for the 2010-11 school year, after the county was passed over for a crucial state grant.
Five of the county’s six Partners After School programs faced impending closure until Tuesday, when the county commission allocated $110,000 to help some remain open for 2010-11.
The money was available because of carryover funds from the Garrett County Health Department, according to a county news release.
But it’s not enough to save all the programs. The Friendsville and Kitzmiller programs will be lost unless additional funding is secured, according to Crystal Stewart, executive director of the Garrett County Partnership for Children and Families Inc.
For six years the programs were largely funded by 21st Century Community Learning Center grants from the Maryland Department of Education, but the county has not been awarded that grant for the past two years.
“That pot of money is targeted very much toward high-need schools, and schools that are in improvement status,” Stewart said. Garrett County’s academic success might be hurting the county’s chances of getting the grant, she explained.
It’s the second year running that the county commission has bailed out Partners After School. In 2009-10 the programs survived on a $125,000 Community Development Block Grant that was matched by the county.
“We’re absolutely thrilled that the commissioners have given us the money to do these sites again this year,” Stewart said. “It really will allow us to continue to serve, not all of the kids that we have been, but most of them.” Now Partners After School will likely move toward a consolidated model, with just three sites operating in the county.
Stewart hopes a $41,000 Community Partnership Agreement grant initially designated for the Southern Middle School program can be redirected toward the Grantsville program. That site will serve elementary and middle school students from northern areas of the county.
The county funds will support programs at Southern Garrett Middle School and Accident Elementary School. The Southern Garrett Middle School program will serve both elementary students and middle school students, and will include elementary students transported from Dennett Road, Yough Glades and Broad Ford elementary schools.
During the 2009-10 school year, 220 students countywide attended Partners After School programs, Stewart said.
Garrett County’s after-school programs have existed in some form for more than a decade, starting as small, community-based volunteer initiatives. But the 21st Century grants allowed the programs to enhance their offerings in the mid-2000s.
The main focus of Partners After School is homework assistance, but the programs grew to include certified teachers to tutor students, academic and cultural enrichment activities, alcohol and drug abuse prevention activities and cultural field trips.
Stewart said the county money is a temporary solution to the funding problem. She pointed out that there’s also no funding available for the version of Partners After School that would typically be offered next summer.
“We’re still very actively looking for other options. We have a lot of interagency people that are working on this and trying to figure out how to get the funding,” she said. “We know it’s a wonderful resource for the kids.”
