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


                      Emmitsburg                     F r o m  the                                   Thurmont                    F r o m  the
                        Mayor Don Briggs                M a y o r                                  Mayor John Kinnaird              M a y o r


               With the arrival of  our timid spring, all the hard work of  the town staff  is   If  I told you that I could see into the future, many people would question my
            finally evident. I mean, hours and hours of  hard work, planning, grant writing, and   sanity, but I know it is possible to see our future if  we just take the time to look. No
            construction administration: the new dog park, the renovated pool, and the entire   one can see specifics of  what is to come, but I have met with and spoken to the very
            streetscape of  Main Street, Seton Avenue, and the square. Not to forget in April,   people that will craft our future, and I am impressed! Of  course, I am referring to
            we held our first Arbor Day community tree-planting celebration. Scouts and the   the next generation of  residents currently attending our schools.
            Mount men’s rugby team were there to assist the community in the planting of    It has been my honor to speak to students at all of  our local schools, and I can
            twelve native – adaptive trees along the Willow Run winding channel through   assure you that they are up to the task ahead. Several weeks ago, I spent a morning
            Community Park. Guests included County Executive Jan Gardner and Roger     talking with students at the Thurmont Elementary School about a wide range of
            Wilson; Government Affairs and Public Policy Director (and also a Frederick   topics, including our local government and immigration. Every student was very
            City Alderman); Tonya Hoover, Superintendent of  the U.S. Fire Administration’s   attentive, and they asked many thoughtful questions. As part of  the fourth grade
            National Fire Academy (NFA); and Sister Martha with Seton Center Outreach.   program, I invited the students to write an essay, describing what they would do
            Also, representatives from the town council and staff, Emmitsburg Business and   if  they were mayor. After careful consideration, the teachers selected two essay
            Professional Association, FEMA, Knights of  Columbus, Lions Club, Council of    winners: Lily Winn and Chase Jackson. As essay contest winners, Lily and Chase
            Churches, Mother Seton School, Emmitsburg Elementary School, and residents all   were invited to our meeting on May 22 to read their essays and to participate in the
            pitched in. We are now a Tree City USA town.                               meeting. I thank all the students for participating in this contest and want you to
               On the first Saturday of  May, Catoctin High School student Aedan Myles had   know that every essay was wonderfully written and expressed a genuine interest in
            the honor of  cutting the ribbon to open the new dog park. It was her drawing three   our community.
            years ago that prompted its development. Amid gifts, treats, and the music, “Who   I also had the opportunity to speak to some of  the third-term Honor Roll
            let the dogs out” and Elvis’ strumming, “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog,” thirty-  students at the Thurmont Middle School (TMS). It was surprising to see how
            plus canines of  all varieties—to one person’s count—joined in. Another great   many students qualify for inclusion in the Honor Roll at TMS. My congratulations
            community interaction event.                                               to each of  the TMS Honor Roll students, their parents, and their teachers! It is
               The renovated (really new) community pool will open on Saturday, June 2, at   obvious that the student body at TMS is determined to enter adulthood as well-
            noon. It was very hard not having a pool last year. It is planned to be a special   educated and socially responsible individuals.
            occasion, with County Executive Jan Gardner on hand for the ribbon-cutting.    I encourage all adults to take advantage of  any opportunity to visit our schools
            Included in the renovations are landscaping, fencing, and a new roof  for the   and to see how positive our youngest residents are about our community and their
            changing-rooms building. There will be no charge for swimming on opening day.  future in it. I want to express my thanks to all the teachers and staff  at the schools
               Mid-Maryland baseball and the town present summer United Baseball       for their amazing compassion and dedication to the education of  our youth. Finally,
            Academy’s “Schools Out” Summer Baseball Camp, Monday, June 18, through     thanks to the parents for investing in the future of  our community by raising these
            Wednesday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (each day); lunch from 12:00-12:45   considerate and well-rounded future leaders.
            p.m. *Lunch is not provided; pack a lunch* Drop-off  is 9:00 a.m., sharp; Pick-up is   While I am thinking about our youth, I want to remind everyone that the
            3:00 p.m., sharp. Camp will be held at Emmitsburg Community & Memorial Parks.   Town of  Thurmont is hosting a Summer Park Program, “A Day in the Park.” The
            The cost is $130. This camp is free to residents of  Emmitsburg (address verification   program will be held at the Thurmont Community Park on July 23-26, and again
            required). Camp is for ages eight to fourteen. Registration: mmubaseball.net (click   on July 30 -August 2; hours are 8:30 a.m.-noon. A different theme will be featured
            on the Schools Out Camp tab in the upper right corner). If  you have questions   each day, and the cost is $10.00 per day or $35.00 per week. Activities include crafts;
            about the clinic, please email them to mmumanager2023@gmail.com or call 267-  hiking; games; a visit by Fire, EMS & Police personnel; baseball; and local history.
            664-5059.                                                                  Be sure to register for this great summer program, so your children can join in on
               In May, I presented to the council the 2019 budget of  $3,147,116.      the fun! You can stop at the town office to register or call 301-271-7313 and ask to
            The council is obligated to approve a budget by no later than June 30.                                                                                                                                                have a registration form sent to your home.
                 In June, predicated on staff  investigation, I will propose to the town council that   With the school year coming to an end, I want to encourage everyone to be
            we install four electronic vehicles (EV) charging stations at the Community Center   extra careful while driving in our neighborhoods. Children are not always aware of
            parking lot.                                                               their surroundings, and as they adjust to summer break, please be on the lookout as
               The four-faced clock, the gift of  Mount St. Mary’s University, is now set on the   they play with their friends and cross our streets.
            square. We are almost there. Again, thank you to everyone for your patience; we are   If  you have any questions or comments, I can be reached at 301-606-9458 or by
            getting great reviews on the brickwork and refreshed facades of  buildings and the   email at jkinnaird.thurmont.com.
            new setting. Rededication of  the square will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June
            30, by the new town clock. This is also Community Heritage Day, a great day of                                                  . . . have a
            food, vendors, entertainment, parade, and fireworks.                          School’S
               The first pool party will be held July 15, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Admission is $1.00.   out for . . .                           Safe & happy
            We will have a DJ, free hot dogs, and lemonade.                                                                                 one!
                                                    Thank you to Mayor John Kinnaird                                     — from all of us at The Catoctin Banner
                                                  and Thurmont Main Street Economic
                                                  Development Manager Vickie Grinder
                                                  for a second season of  developing a
                                                  north county description insert for
                                                  the Frederick News-Post. It was, again,
                                                  a privilege for me to write, and for
                                                  Emmitsburg to be a part of  it. We look
                                                  forward to working with Thurmont on
                                                  the fall edition.




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