Page 5 - April Banner 2018_Neat

Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper April 2018 Page 5

Emmitsburg F r o m the

Mayor Don Briggs M a y o r

In a late February journey to Annapolis, Commissioner Tim O’Donnell
and I met up with representatives of other Frederick County municipalities to
demonstrate our support at a hearing before a House of Delegates subcommittee
on our earned share of highway user revenues (HURs). In 2009, just this side
of absconding, the State of Maryland reduced our earned share of HURs funds,
substantially. HURs are created from gasoline taxes. We need our share back.
The funds are needed desperately for road repairs. So, if you don’t like your
potholes or deteriorating road surfaces, I encourage you to please contact our state
representatives: Senator Ron Young (ronald.young@senate.state.md.us, 301-858-
3193); Senator Michael Hough (michael.hough@senate.state.md.us, 301-858-3713);
and House of Delegates Kathy Afzali (kathy.afzali@house.state.md.us, 301-858-
3184).
We are gearing up for the annual spring visit by fourth-grade students to the
town office. This year, students from Mother Seton School will not only visit us
to observe, but also participate in town department activities. The day will end
with students being posed questions and speaking from the mayor and board of Thurmont F r o m the
commissioners’ dais.
I attended the Black History commemoration at the FEMA/National Emergency Mayor John Kinnaird M a y o r
Training Center campus. The commemoration started with the presentation of
the colors by our VFW Honor Guard. C. Lilian Virgil, Chief Mitigation Branch, As I write this, we are just recovering from the unexpected snow storm on
Acting Chief, Preparedness Branch, Emergency Management Institute, gave a March 20 and 21. What a surprise it was to have the biggest snowfall of the
gracious welcome. Dr. Denis Onieal, Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator, U.S. Fire year on the first day of spring! I want to take this opportunity to thank all the
Administrator, and Steven Heidecker, Acting Deputy Superintendent, Emergency hardworking men and women of the state, county, and our municipalities for
Management Institute, gave moving tributes. Interspersed were musical selections their hard work and long hours keeping our roads clear during this snow storm.
by renowned Gospel singer, Patricia Jones. Our very good friend to the needs of Hopefully, we can now move on to spring.
Emmitsburg, Roger Wilson, Government Affairs & Policy Director at Frederick With spring comes a lot of new outdoor opportunities, and our children will
County Maryland, Office of the County Executive, and also a Frederick City be out there playing, skateboarding, and riding their bikes. Please be on the
Alderman, was the keynote speaker. When our town has “irons in the fire” (which lookout for our children as they get back outdoors. They may not always be
we do now), he has and always is there in support. aware of their surroundings, so we need to be especially careful driving in our
Thank you to all the volunteers who have put in hundreds and thousands of neighborhoods.
hours of service to our community. Backpacks for kids, food bank, pregnancy center, I want to invite everyone to try one or more of the many amazing restaurants
churches, Seton Center, and our scouts, to name a few, and now we welcome the new we have during Thurmont Restaurant Week. This Thurmont Main Street event
volunteers for our youth baseball. This year, three different groups will be using our will be held April 13-22, 2018. Be sure to try something new or enjoy your
fields, one of which is a girls’ softball team. The primary impetus for this change favorite menu items at any number of local restaurants. Experience Thurmont’s
in use is homespun. We have a town resident with an excellent perspective and the locally owned restaurants and enjoy the prix fixe menu special or some of their
successful experience to grow baseball here again. The refresh button has been signature dishes! Main Street is also hosting the Annual Thurmont Business
pushed. The torch has been passed from one wonderful generation of volunteers to Showcase on April 28, 2018, from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The Showcase will be
another. Fields are being prepped; clinics and games are being scheduled. A strong at the Thurmont Community Ambulance Company Event Complex on Stratford
base is being redeveloped. Thank you to all who have volunteered over the years— Drive. Be sure to attend and see all the local businesses on display. There are
baseball is coming back. always a few surprises and new businesses to learn about.
Coming up is our Community Arbor Day Tree Planting Celebration on Saturday, As we are all aware, the opioid and addiction epidemic continues to impact
April 28, 2018, from 9:00 a.m.-noon at Community Park in Emmitsburg. Twelve our communities and has touched all of our lives. The Thurmont Addiction
trees will be planted. Planting will be done by a representative from community Commission (TAC) has been created to help educate and inform our residents
service groups and institutions, myself and town commissioners. Five River Birch, on three important pieces of the addiction puzzle. Education and Awareness,
two Swamp White Oaks, and five Red ‘Autumn Flame’ Maples. Joining us will Support & Recovery, and Prevention & Outreach are the three pillars the
be Dr. Tim Trainor, President of Mount St Mary’s University, Department of members of TAC are helping address. Please visit the Facebook page to see
Natural Resources (DNR) Becky Wilson, Western Region Coordinator for Urban when the next presentation will be held, and attend to learn about the signs of
and Community Forestry and Mike Kay, Project Manager for DNR Forest Services. addiction and what you can do to help in this critical battle.
From the celebration, the town will become certified as a Tree City USA town in This past March 15, I attended the first meeting of a new group, intent on
2018. Light refreshments will be available. We plan to have a fall planting at a date helping our youngsters choose a
to be announced. healthier and safer path through their
In early March, we had a burst water line emergency along Flat Run, near teen years and into young adulthood.
the bridge construction area, and on a cold and damp weekday afternoon, no Abandon Teen Center will be hosting
less. Perfect timing, too, right when the kids are coming home from school and events and get togethers to help our
the commercial area of town is starting to bustle with after-work activity. The youth set a path free of drug use and
inconvenience with a water shut-off would be immense, affecting all the businesses the many peer-pressure pitfalls they
and residences east of Flat Run, but it would have to be done. Without hesitation, face. Please support this worthwhile
staff members in both the town office and field responded immediately and adeptly; organization, and take the time to
town staff in notifying the affected businesses and residents by all means of social discover if this group is an option for
media, notices, personally or phone, and the field staff by going out and fixing the your children.
problem. The water service was back on in two hours, by 5:30 p.m., before dinner. The nice weather will be bringing
Thank you, town staff. some road work and infrastructure
The square revitalization and sidewalk project is approximately 80 percent improvements to our streets. Be aware
complete. When we get beyond freezing weather, tree plantings and landscaping and drive carefully whenever you see
will begin. a construction site.
Hoping that everyone has a wonderful Easter. As always, I can be reached at 301-
606-9458 or by email at jkinnaird@
Reference our Calendar on pages 46 & 47 to find events of interest. thurmont.com.