ALLEGANY COUNTY GOVERNMENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday - September 4, 5,
and 6, 2010
Allegany County Early Voting Center
-
Allegany County Board of Elections Office
The Allegany County Early
Voting Center will be open starting Friday, September 3, 2010
through Thursday, September 9, 2010, except for Sunday,
September 5, 2010 when the Early Voting Center is closed. The
Early Voting Center will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
each day of early voting. The Early Voting Center in Allegany
County is located at the Allegany County Office Complex, 701
Kelly Road, Suite 212, Cumberland, MD. The Early Voting Center
is accessible for voters with disabilities.
The regular hours of the Allegany County Board
of Elections Office are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.
until 4:00 p.m. However, the office hours will be extended to be
the same as those of the Allegany County Early Voting Center,
September 3 - 9, 2010, as stated above. The telephone number of
the Allegany County Board of Elections is 301-777-5931.
All Other Offices
-
Allegany County Government offices, except the Board of
Elections, will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2010.
Allegany County Transit
-
There will not be any fixed route bus service and
para-transit (All Trans vans) will not operate on Monday,
September 6, 2010.
Compost and Refuse Disposal
-
The compost site and the refuse disposal sites that are
regularly scheduled to be open on any Saturday also will be
open on Saturday, September 4, 2010, as follows:
-
Allegany County Compost Site, 11700 PPG
Road, North Branch Industrial
Park
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Flintstone Refuse Disposal Site, 26706
National Pike
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Oldtown Refuse Disposal Site, 18622 Lower
Town Creek Road.
-
The compost site and the refuse disposal sites that are
regularly scheduled to be open on any Sunday also will be
open on Sunday, September 5, 2010, as follows:
-
Allegany
County Compost Site, 11700 PPG Road, North Branch
Industrial Park
-
Little
Orleans Refuse Disposal Site, 11306 Orleans Road
-
Oldtown Refuse Disposal Site,18622 Lower Town Creek
Road.
- Neither the
compost site nor any refuse sites are regularly scheduled to
be open on any Monday and also will be closed on Monday,
September 6, 2010.
Public Meeting
Georges
Creek
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Secretary of the Maryland Department of
the Environment, Shari T. Wilson, is scheduled to be in Allegany County
next week to discuss the Georges Creek Wastewater Treatment
Plant project. A public meeting will be held Thursday, September
9, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. at the Westmar Middle School (Auditorium -
Barton Lobby Entrance),
16915 Lower Georges Creek Road, Lonaconing.
The Allegany County Commissioners, James J. Stakem,
Robert M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis, will attend as well as
the Director of Public Works, Paul F. Kahl, P.E., and the
Utilities Division Chief Mark W. Yoder, P.E.
URGENT PUBLIC SERVICE INFORMATION FROM THE ALLEGANY
COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
HIGH HEAT CAN POSE A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH THREAT: Recognize the Warning
Signs and Know What to Do to Prevent Heat Exhaustion and Heat
Stroke!
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KAHL IS NEW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
The Allegany County Commissioners, James J.
Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis, have ratified
the appointment of Paul F. Kahl, P.E., to the position of
Director of Public Works, effective immediately.
Kahl earned his
undergraduate degree, B.S. in Civil Engineering, from the
University of Maryland, College Park, and is a registered
Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland. Kahl joined
Allegany County Government in August 1989 as an Engineer III in
the Department of Public Works. He served as Roads Division
Chief from 1995 to 2000 when he assumed the key position of
Chief Projects Engineer. Kahl was promoted to Deputy Director of
Public Works in December 2005. Kahl also had experience with
both public and private sector engineering before his
association with Allegany County Government.
Kahl will manage the planning/designing/constructing
phases of complex engineering projects in the Department of
Public Works. As Director of Public Works Kahl will oversee the
operation of Roads, Utilities (water and wastewater),
Engineering, Facilities Maintenance and Transit Divisions as
well as and solid waste and recycling activities. The Director
of Public Works is a member of the County’s Senior Management
Team. The Department of Public Works
employs approximately 170 people and impacts the lives of
citizens and stakeholders everyday. This department is
responsible for 197 miles of water lines, 185 miles of sewer
lines, and five wastewater treatment plants. Public Works
handles 550 miles of county-owned roads as well as112 bridges.
Allegany County Transit, serving 35,000 passengers annually, is
under Public Works. Public Works also maintains all county-owned
buildings. Kahl is a member of
several professional associations: County Engineers’ Association
of Maryland, where he holds the position of Second Vice
President, American Water Works Association - Chesapeake Section
(Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia), and the
Water Environment Federation.
Kahl was raised in Eckhart and currently resides in Frostburg
with his wife, Tammy. They have three children, Kade, Kacey, and
Peyton. Active in the community, Kahl assists with Frostburg
youth sports and is also a past member of the Frostburg Planning
Commission. Kahl replaces W.
Stephen Young, P.E., who retired from Allegany County Government
on May 31, 2010 after nearly 35 years of service.
DELFEST
The Allegany County Commissioners
would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Del McCoury
and High Sierra Music for a successful DelFest in 2010. We, as
the County Commissioners, stand ready to provide all the support
within our power for the event, whether it be improvements to
the Allegany County Fairgrounds or assisting in mobilizing
community resources in support of this great event. It is
unfortunate that issues were raised concerning the liquor
license issued to the High Sierra Foundation for this event.
Allegations were made that were never formalized by the Liquor
Board in a complaint. There is no ongoing investigation related
to the allegations or pending charges with the Allegany County
Liquor Board. We are hopeful that the air has now been cleared
and that Del McCoury and High Sierra Music will soon be
announcing their plans to return for 2011 and hopefully for many
years thereafter. We are confident that the Allegany County
Liquor Board will fairly consider the 2011 license application
and will appropriately apply Maryland law in making their
decision. We are confident that the Foundation will submit an
application in the near future which will be readily approved.
It is the County Commissioners’ intention, and we encourage all
concerned, to look forward rather than backward as we plan for
the future of DelFest.
26,847 Telephone Books = 26,240 Pounds Recycled!
Successful
Educational and Environmental Project
The annual telephone book recycling contest
was successful according to Terry A. Bennett, Allegany County
Government Recycling Coordinator.
This contest is organized and managed every year by the
Allegany County Commissioners, the Solid Waste Management Board,
and the Allegany County Board of Education. Students from 22
schools in Allegany County participated and collected
out-of-date telephone books. Allegany County Government
compliments the students and schools for this effort. Overall,
26,240 pounds of paper were recycled in the 18th
consecutive year of this contest. All recycled telephone books
help Allegany County reach its’ 15% recycling goal, a mandate
from the State of Maryland.
Every School Wins! John
Humbird Elementary School - Top Prize Winner
For the second year the Greater Cumberland
Committee joined in the effort and solicited sponsorships from
businesses. A cash prize is awarded to every
participating school - $5 for every 100 telephone books
collected. The top prize winner is awarded $250. This year, John
Humbird Elementary School, Cumberland, was top prize winner.
John Humbird collected 4,432 telephone books for recycling and
also received $220 for this effort. The cash prizes are to be
used to promote “green” environmental practices at the schools.
The Greater Cumberland Committee and the Solid Waste Management
Board specifically request that schools utilize all awards for
“green” materials: landscaping/purchase and plant trees, buy
recycling bins, library purchases focusing on sustainability,
etc.
Sponsors
Allegany County greatly appreciates this financial support for
this important project. The two key sponsors, Interstate Waste
Services and Waste Management, were joined by ACT Personnel
Service, Inc., Caton Rentals, Frostburg State University
Foundation, Mel’s Business Systems, Inc., PharmaCare Network,
Queen City Business Systems, the Western Maryland Health System,
and the Allegany County Department of Public Works/Recycling
Office. These sponsors contributed a total of $1,440 for the
school awards. Overall, this annual contest is educational and
enhances awareness of both students and the community at large
about the importance of recycling.
This contest helps the environment because valuable
landfill space is not utilized for these telephone books. In
addition, the recycled material is reused to manufacture
desirable products. Finally, this contest provides additional
funding to participating schools.NOTE: Only Allegany County
telephone books were accepted for the contest. If Allegany
County was included in a multi-county/multi-state telephone
book, this was accepted for the contest as well.
50,000 POUNDS OF ELECTRONICS!
Allegany County Government’s
electronics recycling event was a success.
The recent event was presented by the Allegany
County Commissioners, James J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson, and
Dale R. Lewis, and the Allegany County Solid Waste Management
Board. It was held on the campus of Frostburg State University
and members of FSU’s AmeriCorps volunteered to help with the
event. Residents dropped off
nearly 20,000 (19,761 pounds) of old and obsolete electronics.
In addition, NewPage Corporation recycled 13,682 pounds of
electronics. Allegany College of Maryland and Advantage Computer
and Communications, Cumberland, each recycled over 6,000 pounds
(6,093 and 6,020, respectively).The Greater Cumberland Committee
organized a joint pick up and collected nearly 4,000 pounds of
electronics (3,996). JVS
Environmental, a recycling entity based in Rockwood,
Pennsylvania, was responsible for the
safe and legal disposition of the electronics. JVS
reuses/recycles all accepted items according to the United
States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
FALL ELECTRONICS COLLECTION
Allegany County Government
encourages residents of Allegany County to recycle on an
on-going basis and to take advantage of all special collections.
Every pound counts!
Small and large items are important to recycle. The next
electronics recycling collection will be Saturday, September 18,
2010. Items may be dropped off at from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
at the Allegany County Office Complex, 701 Kelly Road – Rear
Parking Lot, Cumberland. Recycling is under
the direction of Allegany County Recycling Coordinator Terry A.
Bennett, 301-777-5933 X 210, terry.bennett@allconet.org. Bennett
is available to speak to students, clubs, organizations, etc.
Allegany County Government’s website, www.gov.allconet.org, has
extensive recycling information. From the homepage, click
departments – click recycling. The sections “Drop
Off Sites” and “Preparation
101” are particularly useful.
REMINDER:
Stormwater Management Ordinance
Emergency Regulations Grandfather Current Projects
Allegany County’s revised Stormwater
Management Ordinance was developed in response to the State of
Maryland’s Stormwater Management Act of 2007 and regulates environmental
site design.The revised ordinance was approved by the Maryland
Department of the Environment in January 2010, was adopted by the
Allegany County Commissioners on March 11, 2010, and becomes effective
May 5, 2010, as required by state law. However, in the intervening
period of time, on April 7, 2010, the State adopted emergency
regulations to specifically address the grandfathering of current
projects. Now, Allegany County, in order to incorporate this additional
flexibility, has to amend the revised ordinance. The amendments will be
proposed as emergency regulations in order to become effective
immediately upon adoption by the Allegany County Commissioners. As
previously announced, a request for adoption is scheduled on Thursday, May 27, 2010. This is
scheduled for the Allegany County Commissioner’s 11:00 a.m. weekly
public meeting at the Allegany County Office Building, 701 Kelly Road,
Cumberland. For additional information contact Angela R. Patterson,
P.E., Land Use & Planning Engineer, Allegany County Planning Services,
301-777-2199 Ext. 130,
apatterson@allconet.org
. The revised Stormwater Management Ordinance is posted on
Allegany County’s website. From the homepage, www.gov.allconet.org,
select departments, select land development services, select laws and
ordinances. The proposed amended ordinance (i.e., “emergency”
amendments) will be posted as soon as it is available. From the
homepage, select departments, select land development services, select
proposed legislation.
2010 Building Code:
No Change to Local
Modifications, Permit and Inspection Procedures, and Fees
Code Home Rule Bill No. 2-10, pertaining to Allegany
County’s current building code, was introduced at the Allegany
County Commissioner’s weekly public meeting on May 13, 2010.
Code Home Rule Bill No. 2-10 adopts the 2009 versions of
the International Codes Council’s (ICC) International Building
Code® and the
International Residential Code®
and repeals the 2006 versions of these codes. Code Home Rule
Bill No. 2-10 does not change the County’s local
modifications to the ICC Code, such as snow load and frost line
values. Furthermore, the existing permit and inspection
procedures as well as the fees remain the same.
If adopted, the effective date will be July 1, 2010. All
building permit applications received on or after this date will
be subject to the 2010 Building Code of Allegany County. The
National Electrical Code and the Maryland State Plumbing Code
will remain as the adopted code for electrical and plumbing
work, respectively. Code Home
Rule Bill No. 2-10 is posted on Allegany County’s website. From
the homepage, www.gov.allconet.org, select departments, select
land development services, select
proposed legislation. The ICC’s 2009
versions of the International Building Code and the
International Residential Code may be viewed at Land Development
Services, 701 Kelly Road, Cumberland, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m.
– 4:00 p.m.A public hearing is scheduled for the proposed bill
on Thursday, June3, 2010, at the regularly scheduled 11:00 a.m.
weekly public meeting of the Allegany County Commissioners held
at the Allegany County Office Building, 701 Kelly Road,
Cumberland.For additional information contact James A. Squires,
Land Development Services, 301-777-5951,
jsquires@allconet.org
.
Stormwater Information
A Stormwater Design Workshop was conducted by
the Allegany County Department of Community Services, the
Allegany County Department of Public Works, and the Allegany
Soil Conservation District on April 21, 2010. The workshop was
held to inform and educate the local developing community about
the new stormwater management regulations. The State of Maryland now requires environmental site
design. All workshop information is now available on Allegany County’s website, www.gov.allconet.org.
From the homepage, select departments, select Land Development
Services, select
Workshops & Seminars.
For additional information contact
Angela R. Patterson, P.E., Land Use & Planning Engineer,
Allegany County Planning Services, 301-777-2199 Ext. 130,
apatterson@allconet.org
.
BUDGET INFORMATION ON THE
WEBSITE
Allegany
County’s
budget information is presented on the website:
Stormwater Management Ordinance:
Emergency Regulations Grandfather
Current Projects
Allegany County’s revised Stormwater Management Ordinance was
developed in response to the State of
Maryland’s Stormwater Management Act of
2007 and regulates environmental site design.
The revised ordinance was approved by the Maryland
Department of the Environment in January 2010, was adopted by
the Allegany County Commissioners on March 11, 2010, and is
effective May 5, 2010, as required by state law.
However, in the intervening period of
time, on April 7, 2010, the State adopted emergency regulations
to specifically address the grandfathering of current projects.
Now, Allegany County,
in order to incorporate this additional flexibility, has to
amend the revised ordinance. The amendments will be proposed as
emergency regulations in order to become effective immediately
upon adoption by the Allegany County Commissioners. These
emergency regulations will be addressed at several upcoming
events. The
introduction will be on Thursday, May 13, 2010. A
public hearing
will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010, and a
request for adoption is scheduled on Thursday, May 27, 2010. All
are scheduled for the Allegany County Commissioner’s 11:00 a.m.
weekly public meeting at the
Allegany
County Office
Building, 701 Kelly Road,
Cumberland.The revised Stormwater
Management Ordinance is posted on Allegany County’s website. From the homepage,
www.gov.allconet.org, select departments, select land
development services, select announcements. The proposed amended
ordinance (i.e., “emergency” amendments) will be posted as soon
as it is available. From the homepage, select departments,
select land development services, select proposed legislation.
For additional information contact Angela R. Patterson, P.E.,
Land Use & Planning Engineer, Allegany County Planning Services,
301-777-2199 Ext. 130,
apatterson@allconet.org
.
United States
Census 2010
Allegany County Government led the effort to
ensure the complete and accurate count of every man, woman, and
child in Allegany County
for the United States Census 2010.
Allegany
County’s federal and state
funding is impacted by
Census 2010 for a decade. Elizabeth E. Stahlman,
Allegany
County’s GIS Manager in
the Department of Community Services, was the Local Complete
Count Committee Chair. This important committee had 25 members
who represented a broad spectrum of organizations in the
community: William R. Atkinson –
Maryland Department of Planning,
Kathleen A. Breighner – Friends Aware,
Linda Burkey –
Allegany
County Library System,
Bethany Cassidy – North Branch Correctional Institution,
David V. Cotton – Maryland Department of Planning,
Mia P. Cross –
Allegany
County Board of Education,
Reverend Alfred Deas, Jr. - Metropolitan AME/Clergy Alliance,
Warren Foote – Town of
Lonaconing,
DeWayne Hendrix – Federal Correctional Institution - Cumberland,
Kara Kennell –
Allegany
County Board of Education,
Melanie K. Lombardi – Frostburg State
University - TV3,
David K. Nedved – Allegany County Department of Economic
Development, Rhonda K. Robinson – CBIZ,
Richard S. Roderick – Western Correctional Institution,
Joseph J. Rogers – City of Frostburg,
Bobby P. Shearin – North Branch Correctional Institution,
Daryl D. Smith –
Allegany
County Chamber of Commerce,
Lori H. Spence – Allegany
College of Maryland,
Kimberly Truly – Allegany County Department of Social Services,
David Umling – City of
Cumberland,
Evan E. West –
Allegany
County Teachers
Association, John L. Winner – Town of Lonaconing.
Partnership Specialists from the
United States Census Bureau, Franklin B.
Jackson, Jr. and Dennis M. Rooney, assisted
Allegany
County’s Local Complete
Count Committee. The
Allegany
County Commissioners,
James J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson,and Dale R. Lewis,
acknowledged the significant contributions of the Local Complete
Count Committee during the public meeting on April 1, 2010. An
official citation was presented to each committee member.
The Allegany County Commissioners also proclaimed April
1, 2010, and the month of April 2010 to be United States Census
Day and United States Census Month in Allegany County.
Take Ten in 2010 – Every Person Counts
The Local Complete Count
Committee encourages all individuals to Take Ten in 2010 and
participate in Census 2010.
Take ten minutes and answer ten questions to help our
community for the next ten years. Every person counts and every
person can make a difference. Census 2010 – it’s in our hands.
Allegany
County’s participation
rate in Census 2010 is presented on the homepage of the website,
www.gov.allconet.org. As of March 31, 2010, it is 59%. According
to the Local Complete Count Committee individuals who did not
receive the Census form or lost it should call 866-872-6868.
KAHL TESTIFIES ON CAPITOL HILL FOR RURAL WATER PROJECT FUNDING
Paul F. Kahl, P.E., Deputy Director of
Public Works for Allegany
County, testified at the U.S. House of
Representatives Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture Public
Hearing, associated with the House Committee on Agriculture, in
Washington
on March 23, 2010. The purpose of the hearing was to review
rural water infrastructure. Kahl, along with other community
leaders from North Carolina,
Missouri, Arkansas, and
South Dakota, emphasized the dependence
of rural communities on funding provided by the U. S. Department
of Agriculture Rural Development to finance infrastructure
rehabilitation and replacement projects.
Read More
Photos:
Kahl testifies at the public hearing on Capitol Hill in
Washington, DC. Kahl, left, speaks with Subcommittee
Chairman Mike McIntyre (D-NC) after the public hearing.
Governor O’Malley Visits American Woodmark Manufacturing Facility
The Allegany County
Commissioners, James J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson, and Dale R.
Lewis, welcomed Governor Martin O’Malley to
Allegany
County on February 17, 2010. The
Governor, the Commissioners, David A. Eberly,
County
Administrator, and Matthew W. Diaz,
Director of the County’s Department of Economic Development,
representatives of United States Senators Mikulski and Cardin,
Lee N. Fiedler, Mayor of Cumberland, and others toured American
Woodmark in the Barton Industrial Park. Here, the Governor,
left, is shown with the
Allegany
County remembrance presented to him by
the Allegany County Commissioners. Commissioner Lewis, center,
and Mayor Fiedler, right, help to display the blanket with the
Allegany
County seal.
Event: AMERICAN WOODMARK /
Photographer: Rick Lippenholtz,
Governor's Press Office
/ Date of Photograph: 02/17/2010
ALLEGANY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
ANNOUNCED
The Allegany County Commissioners, James J. Stakem, Robert
M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis, announced at today's public
meeting that Acting County Administrator David A. Eberly has
accepted an offer to serve as Allegany County Administrator.
This is effective immediately.
Eberly, who is 49, has served Allegany County as Acting County
Administrator from February 2009 to the present time. He also
served in this capacity for six months in 2008. Eberly joined
Allegany County in December 1999, and has served as the Director
of Community Services since that time. During his service with
Allegany County, Eberly has been one of eight department heads
on the County's Senior Management Team. Eberly came to Allegany
County from the City of Frostburg where he worked from 1990 to
1999. Eberly initially was the Community Development Coordinator
and subsequently was selected to be Frostburg's City
Administrator.
According to Brian P. Westfall, Allegany County Director of
Human Resources and Personnel Services, Eberly has a three year
contract. Benefits outlined in the contract are similar to those
received by other county employees. Eberly is a 1984 graduate of
Frostburg State University. He earned his Bachelor of Science in
Political Science, and was awarded his Master of Education from
FSU in 2001. In 2002, Eberly was recognized as a Fellow in the
Academy for Excellence in Local Government through the
University of Maryland.
In the community Eberly is an active member of Saint Paul's
Lutheran Church and the Elks Lodge, both in Frostburg.
Professionally, Eberly is a member of the International
City/County Management Association. David and Karen, his wife of
23 years, live on a small farm in Shaft with their two sons,
Christian, 18, and Connor, 15.
ALLEGANY COUNTY TRANSIT:
NEW SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE IN FEBRUARY
According to James S. Stafford, Jr., Division Chief of Allegany
County Transit, there will be changes to the current schedule
effective in February 2010. Fares will stay the same for both
the fixed route bus service and the para-transit van service (Alltrans).
FIXED ROUTE BUS SERVICE
Effective Monday, February 8, 2010, there are changes to the Red
Line and the Green Line. The Blue Line, the Gold Line, the Red
Line Express, the White Line, the Yellow Line, and the Tuesday
only bus service in Lonaconing remain the same.
Read
More
Allegany County
Commissioners
As a result of
the current economic downturn, the Board of Commissioners of
Allegany County announced today at their public meeting that
they will be returning their pay raises which were to take
effect January 1, 2010. The Commissioners have asked that these
funds be returned to the County’s General Fund. By law, pay
increases to the Commissioners are recommended by a salary study
commission. The Commissioners were set to receive a $500
increase. The Commissioners also cited the fact that employees
did not receive raises for this fiscal year.
Maryland Association of Counties Conference
Allegany County Commissioners James
J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis participated
in the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Annual Winter
Conference last week. The event was held on Maryland’s Eastern
Shore at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge.
Governor Martin O’Malley and other government officials were in
attendance. United States Senator Barbara Mikulski made a
special appearance. The conference theme was “Of the
People, By the People, For the People,” focusing on the people
in county government who serve the public and are themselves
served by the government. Commissioner Robert M. Hutcheson
serves on the MACO Board of Directors and holds the position of
Second Vice President. Commissioner Stakem serves on the
Legislative Committee.
Learn More
Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security &
Bureau of Police
The Board of Commissioners of Allegany County has reached a new
18 month employment agreement with Gary E. Moore, the County’s
Director of Public Safety, Homeland Security & Bureau of
Police. Effective January 1, 2010, Colonel Moore will continue
to serve in his current position, but will work part-time. The
County and Moore have agreed to a salary and compensation
package of $10,000 per year. Colonel Moore will continue to
develop funding opportunities to support new projects for
Allegany County, and will assist the Commissioners in addressing
public safety challenges. Director Moore stated: “I am very
proud of the extraordinary accomplishments that my senior
leadership and their staffs have achieved in the past 36
months." Read More
Cathy E. Blank Assumes Clerk’s
Responsibilities - Official Custodian
The Allegany County Commissioners, James J. Stakem, Robert
M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis, appointed Cathy E. Blank to the
position of Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners effective
January 1, 2010. The Clerk is an important administrative
position. The Clerk reports to and assists the Commissioners in
the day-to-day administration of the Allegany County
Commissioners Office. The Clerk is responsible for the proper
recording, transcription, and publication of all actions of the
Commissioners pertaining to public meetings, public work
sessions, and executive sessions. Overall, the Clerk is the
official custodian of the documents of Allegany County
Government. Blank earned
her Associate in Arts degree in Secretarial Science from
Allegany Community College (now, Allegany College of Maryland).
Blank has also pursued additional continuing education in
technology there. A native of Allegany County, she is a graduate
of Mount Savage High School. During her 30 years of employment
with Allegany County, Blank has served eight Boards of
Commissioners. Blank possesses significant experience in and an
extensive working knowledge of the operation of this key office.
In the community, Blank is a member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic
Church in Mount Savage, serves on the Finance Committee, and is
a past parish council member. Over the years, Blank has
volunteered to help a number of school and community organizations.Cathy resides in Mount Savage with her husband,
Dennis. They are parents of five adult children, Sean Harr,
Chris Harr, Kate Blank, Jeremy Blank, and Chris Blank, and have
six grandchildren.Blank follows Carol A. Gaffney who served as
Clerk for 35 years. Gaffney’s retirement is effective December
31, 2009.
ALLEGANY COUNTY RESPONSIBLE FOR
CRESAPTOWN WATER SYSTEM
The Allegany County Commissioners, James J. Stakem, Robert
M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis, and the officers of the
Cresaptown Civic Improvement Association (CCIA) signed an
agreement transferring ownership and operation of the CCIA water
system to the Allegany County Department of Public Works –
Utilities Division effective January 1, 2010. All Cresaptown
customers have been mailed detailed information about the water
and sewer billing schedule, etc. There is a transition
period as Allegany County institutes a quarterly billing
schedule for combined water and sewer service.
More
Recently
Posted:
Route 220 South
Enterprise Zone - Recertification and Expansion
Press release from the Maryland Department of Business and
Economic Development's Office of Communications pertaining to
Allegany County's Route 220 South Enterprise Zone.
Allegany County Board of
County Commissioners letter to Western Maryland Delegation
Looking at the
photo, left to right: Allegany County Commissioners James
J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis and
representatives from the Western Maryland Health System, Barry
P. Ronan, President and CEO, M. Kathryn Burkey, Chairman of the
WMHS Board of Directors, and Thomas C. Dowdell, Senior Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer.
WESTERN MARYLAND
HEALTH SYSTEM WEEK: December 6, 2009
Allegany
County Government wishes to congratulate the Western Maryland
Health System on the opening of the new Western Maryland
Regional Medical Facility, 12500 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland.
The Western Maryland Regional Medical Facility is the embodiment
of a masterful vision, a fundamental belief, a key strategic
decision, and innumerable subsequent actions over many years.
One Dream, One Promise has come to fruition and One Hospital is
now a reality in our community. The Allegany County
Commissioners sincerely appreciate the significant contributions
of the Western Maryland Health System and wish to commend Barry
P. Ronan, President and CEO, and M. Kathryn Burkey, Chairman of
the WMHS Board of Directors, and all associated with the health
system and proclaim the week of to be WESTERN MARYLAND
HEALTH SYSTEM WEEK, December 6-12, 2009 in Allegany
County, Maryland and encourage all citizens to reflect on the
extraordinary achievements and exceptional and diverse
contributions of the Western Maryland Health System.
Diaz Highlights Allegany County
Economic Development in Annapolis
Matthew W. Diaz, CEcD, Director of
the Allegany County Department of Economic Development, has been
invited by the Maryland Department of Business & Economic
Development to join three other colleagues from across the state
and participate in an important pro-business panel in Annapolis.
Diaz is scheduled to provide information to the Maryland
Business Tax Reform Commission - Business Incentives in the Tax
Code Subcommittee on Thursday, December 3, 2009. The other
participants are David Iannucci, Director, Baltimore County
Office of Economic Development, Vernon Thompson, Director, Cecil
County Economic Development, and Don Fry, President, Greater
Baltimore Committee. Diaz will provide important information
about how business tax incentives have positively impacted
Allegany County. This jurisdiction has benefited from economic
development projects that have utilized different incentives:
Brownfields Revitalization Incentive Program, One Maryland Tax
Credit, Enterprise Zone Tax Credit, Job Creation Tax Credit, and
Arts & Entertainment Districts. Mr. Diaz has led Allegany
County’s Economic Development since 2006. He earned a Bachelor
of Science in Geography and Urban Planning and a Master of
Business Administration from Frostburg State University. NOTE:
CEcD is Certified Economic Developer. This designation
recognizes qualified and dedicated practitioners in the economic
development field and sets the standard of excellence within the
profession.
PHOTO DESCRIPTION:
Left to right, looking at photo: James R. Lashley, Public Works
– Roads, US Navy Seabees, 4 years, James A. McDonald, Public
Safety, Homeland Security & Bureau of Police, US Army National
Guard, 10 years, Richard E. Beckwith III, Public Works –
Engineering, US Air Force, 6 years, Robert J. Prichard, Sr.,
Sheriff – Corrections, US Navy, 20 years, Larry E. Schlossnagle,
Human Resources and Personnel Services, US Army National Guard,
35 years, Gerald M. Joy, Finance – Gaming, US Air Force, 6
years, and Robert M. Hutcheson, Allegany County Commissioner, US
Army, 2 years.
ALLEGANY COUNTY GOVERNMENT
SALUTES EMPLOYEE-VETERANS
The Allegany County Commissioners,
James J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson, and Dale R. Lewis, honored
all County employees were have served in the military at the
public meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2009. Larry E. Schlossnagle, who retired
from the U.S. Army National Guard as a Sergeant First Class/SFC,
E-7 and is the Risk Manager/Safety Instructor in the Allegany
County Department of Human Resources and Personnel Services,
accepted a citation on behalf of all veterans who are employed
by Allegany County Government. Forty-four employee-veterans were
recognized at the public meeting. Commissioner Stakem recognized
employee-veterans who were present at the public meeting. Brian
P. Westfall, Director of Human Resources and Personnel Services,
read the names of all employee-veterans and their military
service to become part of the official public record. NOTE: As
announced by Mr. Westfall, these names are those of employees
who have elected to notify the department of their veteran
status to date.
PHOTO DESCRIPTION:
Left to right, looking at the photo: Commissioner Dale R. Lewis,
Commissioner James J. Stakem, Larry E. Schlossnagle, Allegany
County Government’s Risk Manager/Safety Instructor, and
Commissioner Robert M. Hutcheson.
Schlossnagle was in the U.S. Army National Guard for 35 years
and, while an employee of Allegany County, was deployed to
Kuwait and Iraq.
NATIONAL GUARD THANKS ALLEGANY
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Schlossnagle also presented the
Allegany County Commissioners with a distinctive wooden plaque
in appreciation of their proactive support of veterans. The
engraved inscription states: “presented to an American patriot
for support of our soldiers in the National Guard who are
defending freedom at home and around the world. National Guard,
American Soldier, Defending Freedom.” There is a center
metallic medallion with a three dimensional eagle and encircled
by “Army National Guard, Once A Solider, Always A Soldier.”
Allegany County Government employees who are members of the
organized militia or the Army Reserve, Army National Guard,
Naval Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, the U.S.
Marine Corps Reserve, or the Coast Guard Reserve, are eligible
for 15 days of paid military leave every year for training
purposes.
2009 H1N1 Flu Virus
The Allegany County Department of Public Safety, Homeland
Security, and Bureau of Police (Emergency Management Division and
Emergency Medical Services Division) is referring all individuals to
the Allegany County Health Department’s website,
www.alleganyhealthdept.com, for information.
Westernport Town
Hall Recycling
Newspapers And Cans
Allegany County Government now has a recycling site again in
Westernport in the parking lot beside the Town Hall, 19823
Washington Street. This site replaces the previous Tri Towns
Plaza location.There are 19 recycling sites operated by Allegany
County Government: Bel Air, Cumberland, Flintstone, Frostburg,
LaVale, Little Orleans, Lonaconing, Mount Savage, Oldtown, and
Westernport. Read More
Fiscal Year
2010 Budget
Review Staff
Proposal Presented 9/3/09 to Address State Board of Public Works
Action
Review Allegany County
State Budget Cuts - Fiscal Year 2010
As a result of the national
economic recession and the State’s formal action yesterday to
reduce aid to local governments, Allegany County is once again
forced to evaluate priorities and planned budget expenditures
within months of having adopted the 2010 fiscal budget. As
already reported, the State has informed Allegany County
Government and other local agencies that the total reduction in
state aid to our community is just over $4.75M for the remainder
of the 2010 fiscal budget year. These reductions will impact
the Allegany County Health Department, local police departments,
local municipalities, Allegany College of Maryland, and Allegany
County Government. Allegany County Government’s highway user
revenues were cut $1,926,000 from $2,140,000; the revised
appropriation is $214,000. Allegany County Government’s state
aid for police protection was cut $88,770 from $253,628; the
revised appropriation is $164,858. As of now, the Board of
County Commissioners will be required to address a $2,014,770
budget shortfall. “The process of developing the 2010 budget
was excruciating due to previously announced cuts earlier this
year. Now we are challenged again to go back to the drawing
board and revisit some very difficult issues. We have dealt with
this before and will do it again,” commented Jerry L. Frantz,
Allegany County Director of Finance. “We are fortunate that our
County staff has been discussing potential approaches and
scenarios to deal with anticipated cuts. We look forward to
receiving recommendations in the near future,” commented James
J. Stakem, President of the Board of Commissioners. Commissioner
Robert M. Hutcheson stated, “Allegany County operates in a
fiscally responsible manner at all times. This is important.”
Commissioner Dale R. Lewis added, “There is nothing for us to
cut easily, that is for sure.” There has been an
extensive, on-going review process. In the coming weeks, County
staff will again work with the Board of Commissioners to
carefully evaluate expenditures across the board. The County
will also be contacting agencies and organizations that receive
county funding to seek their assistance in managing this
financial challenge. Expenditures related to capital projects,
material acquisitions, various operational items, and how the
County will handle personnel vacancies will be discussed. The
County will also revisit revenue projections. The County
appreciates the citizens’ and stakeholders’ continued assistance
and understanding.
COUNTY ENGINEER KEVIN BEACHY RETIRES
STATEWIDE RECOGNITION CAPS OUTSTANDING 31 YEAR CAREER
Kevin T. Beachy, P.E., will retire as the County Engineer from
Allegany County Government on September 30, 2009. Beachy earned both
his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Civil Engineering from
West Virginia University. This specialized profession re
quires
rigorous examination for registration at the state level and Beachy
has achieved the Professional Engineer designation in four states:
Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Overall, Beachy
has had a distinguished, exemplary professional career with Allegany
County Government. He was hired as an Engineer I in 1978 and
subsequently held other engineering positions with the County
culminating in promotion to the important position of County
Engineer in 1995. In this capacity, Beachy supervised the efforts of
the professional and non-professional engineering staff, reviewed
project plans, and made recommendations pertaining to the
planning/designing phases of complex civil engineering projects in
the Department of Public Works. Of note, Beachy also heads the
Allegany County Solid Waste Management Committee, responsible for
all disposal issues and recycling efforts in the county. Over the
span of 31 years, Beachy has been involved with many challenging,
notable projects. W. Stephen Young, P.E., Director of the Department
of Public Works, cited Beachy’s professional competence and personal
dedication to his extensive public works responsibilities for
Allegany County Government. Young stated: “Kevin is an
extraordinarily talented engineer. The citizens and stakeholders of
Allegany County have most definitely been well served by Kevin. I
extend my deep and sincere appreciation to Kevin for his significant
contributions over the years.” Beachy has a keen interest in
bridges and has managed Allegany County’s bridge program for over
two decades. Of note, there are 112 bridges under his direction at
the present time. In this capacity, Beachy has administered the
bridge inspection program and has overseen the programming, design,
and construction of nearly two dozen bridge rehabilitation or bridge
replacement projects involving federal and state aid. Allegany
County Government honored him by naming a bridge crossing Braddock
Run on Bridge Street in LaVale “Beachy Bridge.” This was Beachy’s
final bridge engineering responsibility of his career with the
County.Beachy is held in high esteem by the Allegany County
Commissioners who honored him with a Citation for Exemplary Service
in 2006 for his role in the design and construction of the Allegheny
Highlands Trail of Maryland (now named the Great Allegheny
Passage). This hiking-biking trail is now a recreational jewel for
residents of and visitors to Allegany County. This year Beachy was
honored by the County Engineers Association of Maryland (www.countyengineers-md.org)
with the prestigious award “Engineer of the Year.” Beachy has served
as president of this key, influential professional organization.Over
the span of his career, Beachy has published numerous papers,
delivered presentations at conferences and seminars throughout the
United States, served on committees for the National Academy of
Sciences/Transportation Research Board, and taught a course at West
Virginia University on preparing specifications and bidding
projects. Beachy was born and raised in Allegany County and resides
in LaVale.
ALLEGANY COUNTY TRANSIT NEW SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009
- EXPRESS LINES ADDED FOR WILLOWBROOK AREA
According to James S. Stafford,
Jr., Division Chief of Allegany County Transit, there will be
changes to the current schedule effective on Monday, July 6, 2009.
Fares will stay the same for both the fixed route bus service
and the para-transit van service (Alltrans).
FIXED ROUTE BUS SERVICE
Allegany County Transit will
offer six additional half-hour “Red Line Express” routes to service
the Willowbrook Road area. This is part of the Red Line. This will
accommodate the increased public transportation needs of the new
campus of the Western Maryland Health System opening this fall. In
addition to the WMHS, other high volume institutions in this
vicinity will be able to be benefit - the Allegany County Health
Department, Allegany College of Maryland, and the Thomas B. Finan
Center.
Because of the additional Red
Line Express routes, adjustments were made to the Red Line and the
Gold Line: The Red Line: Bedford
Road/State Line and North Cumberland areas will have service on the
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., and 3:00 p.m. – 4:00
p.m. runs only. The other Bedford Road/State Line and North
Cumberland runs are now dedicated to the Red Line Express route. The
Gold Line (Frostburg/LaVale)
will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
During Frostburg State University’s fall and spring semesters
(August 21, 2009 through December 18, 2009 and January 25, 2010
through May 21, 2010), the shuttle will be available until 11:30
p.m. Monday through Friday. Fixed route bus service will not
be offered on Saturday. The final service date was Saturday, June
27, 2009.
PARA-TRANSIT SERVICE
Para-Transit van services (Alltrans)
will operate Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This
will provide parallel service to the fixed route bus system for
elderly individuals and ADA service for those individuals who are
unable to use the fixed route bus system. Alltrans Saturday hours
will be from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. effective on Saturday, July 11,
2009.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
HOMELAND SECURITY & BUREAU OF POLICE
At the weekly public meeting of the Allegany County
Commissioners on Thursday, June 18, 2009, Acting County
Administrator David A. Eberly announced that Gary E. Moore, Director
of the Allegany County Department of Public Safety, Homeland
Security & Bureau of Police, has been offered and has accepted a two
year contract extension to serve in his current capacity through
June 30, 2011. He became associated with Allegany County in 2006.
Read More
Census 2010
The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every
10 years and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution. The next census
is in 2010 and your participation in the census is required by law.
It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and federal law
protects the personal information you share during the census. The
census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to
make decisions about what community services to provide, and to
distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal
governments each year.
Please
participate and be counted!
Governor O'Malley Launches 2010 Census
Outreach Effort in Maryland (11/24/2009)
BUREAU OF POLICE
Upon the recommendation of Gary E. Moore,
Director of the Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security &
Bureau of Police, Acting County Administrator David A. Eberly
advised the Board of County Commissioners that Deputy Chief J.
Robert Dick will assume the position of Chief of the Bureau of
Police effective July 1, 2009. This announcement was forwarded to
all affected personnel within the County’s Bureau of Police prior to
the Commissioner’s meeting. “No major changes are anticipated as a
result of the decision,” commented Eberly.
Read More
Economic
Development Director Earns National Designation
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)
Matthew W. Diaz, Director of the Allegany
County Department of Economic Development, has earned the
designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). This is a
national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in
economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to
personal and professional growth. Diaz passed the CEcD exam, which
was administered by the International Economic Development Council (
www.iedconline.org
), the premier organization for
the economic development profession, on May 30 – 31 in Raleigh,
North Carolina. He has joined the elite group of 1,200 CEcDs in the
United States.
Read More
Presentation: Allegany County Commissioner
Code Home Rule Bill No. 2-09 as presented May 28, 2009
Download
Allegany County Commissioner’s Amended
Code Home Rule Bill No. 2-09
"An Act To Amend Chapter 141 Entitled
‘Land Development’ Part 4, Zoning, Of The Code Of Public Local Laws
Of Allegany County, Maryland (1983 Edition As Amended).”
Review Document
Great Allegheny
Passage - Allegany County, Maryland Rules and Guidelines
The Allegany County
Commissioners hereby establish the rules and guidelines for the safe
and peaceful enjoyment of the section of the Great Allegheny Passage
(i.e., trail) in Allegany County, Maryland for citizens of and
visitors to our community. The 22 mile section of the Great
Allegheny Passage is now complete through Allegany County, Maryland
and stretches from Cumberland, Maryland to the Pennsylvania line.
This 17 year project involved $12,000,000+ of public and private
funding. Allegany County is now responsible for all law enforcement
and emergency response as well as maintenance of this recreational
right of way (ROW). Trail Rangers associated with the Allegany
County Bureau of Police patrol the trail. These law enforcement
personnel wear uniforms and carry County issued photo
identification.
Download Rules,
Guidelines and Special Use Application
Tourism Contract Awarded:
The
Allegany County Commissioners, James J. Stakem, Robert M. Hutcheson,
and Dale R. Lewis, have awarded the contract for management services
of County tourism to River’s Edge Business Associates.
Read
More
