(6/2011) We have made it through the rain storms and floods. The estimated damaged experienced by the Borough is projected to be over $100,000. We are grateful that we did not experience any lost of life. I would like to thank our firefighters, law enforcement officers, and our Maintenance Services crew for all they did during the storm to help our citizens. Special thanks goes to Boy Scout Troop #76 who helped one of Carroll Valley’s residents; to the Cub Scout Troop #76 and the Clarke family who helped in Carroll Commons after the storm. For a while there, Carroll Commons was closed. However, through the efforts of these people and our outstanding Maintenance Service crew the park was reopened for everyone to enjoy.

On May 6th I attended a somber gathering at the Oak Lawn cemetery. This was the day set aside for remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in Adams County. Adams County’s Fallen Officers memorial service was best described by Laitmore Township Police Chief Michael Weigand who lost his son in the line of duty, "this day serves as a reminder of what some people put on the line to keep others safe." See pictures at www.ronspictures.org.

The EMS Open House was held on Sunday, May 15th in Fairfield. Over 100 residents were treated to number of interesting events. New this year was the Mountain Rescue Group. They are a member group of the Appalachian Search & Rescue Conference and certified by the National Mountain Rescue Association. They demonstrated litter lowering from the fire house’s roof. Most exciting was watching them lower themselves from Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Company Tower 6’s extended ladder bucket which was 100 feet in the air. A chopper from LifeNet flew in. A number of rescue dogs were there to perform various tasks. The event ended with the Fire Company’s emergency rescue personnel performing a vehicle extrication of a crash victim using the "Jaws of Life" as well as other tools. See pictures at www.ronspictures.org.

It’s June. The weather will be warmer and with school ending more people, young and old, will be bicycling and walking on our trails. This might be a good time to take a look at our Pennsylvania laws regarding both. In Chapter 35, Section 3510 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes book, there is a law that requires all bicyclists age 12 and under to wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet every time they ride their bicycle. As a matter of fact, it is recommended that all bicyclists wear a safety helmet when riding a bicycle. Please note that a bicycle is considered a vehicle and therefore when riding on a roadway must be operated in the same direction as required of other vehicles on the roadway. All bicyclists are required to use hand arm signals while on the road. Section 3507 mandates that bicyclists, who ride after dark, install reflective devices or lights on their bicycle. We know that pedestrians have the "right of way". But what are your responsibilities/duties regarding walking on our trails? Well, Section 3544 states that where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway. Bottom-line, please follow these laws. They are for you and your family’s safety on the road. For us drivers, slow down when in the Valley. Watch out for the unexpected when it comes to people walking, jogging and bicycling on our beautiful trails.

This month, we celebrate our national flag and fathers. National Flag Day is June 14th. Flag Day was officially established by the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916. On August 3, 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day. Be proud! Fly the flag that day. This year Father’s Day will be celebrated on June 19th. Father’s Day originated in 1909 when a woman named Sonora Dodd came up with the idea to celebrate her father who was born in June. She encouraged others to honor their fathers in June. It didn’t become an official holiday until 1972 when President Nixon issued a proclamation declaring the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.

Sign up for the 5th Annual Carroll Valley Citizens Association Golf Classic to be held on June 9th at the four-star Liberty Mountain Golf Course. There will be great prizes plus the chance to win a car for a hole in one on the 18th hole. The proceeds are donated to support our July 4th Celebration. Call Charles Dalton at 642-5844. The FBC Motorcycle Ministry is organizing a ride to help less fortunate. They plan to depart Carroll Valley on June 11th at 9:00 am to ride to Shanksville PA where they will pay their respects to those who died in the terrorist attack on 9/11/01. Immediately thereafter, they plan to meet with the Pastor of North Ridge Baptist Church to present a donation to a family in need. For more information contact Dan Patton at 642-6871. Borough meetings to be held are: Planning Commission (June 6th); Public Safety (June 13th); Borough Council (June 14th) and Parks & Recreation (June 22nd). Please be sure to mark your calendar for our July 4th Celebration. There will be new free children rides, a 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament, live music, civil war encampment, a car show and fireworks launched from the top Ski Liberty Mountain. See you there. If you have any questions call me at (301) 606-2021 or email at mayor@carrollvalley.org.