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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 [email protected] 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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