(5/2103) There are many holidays to celebrate in May. Some are bizarre – holidays like "Eat What You Want Day", "Twilight Zone Day," "National Chocolate Chip Day," and "Be a Millionaire Day" to name a few. I do like that "Eat What You Want Day" which is celebrated on May 11th. No one knows who created the holiday or the origin of the day. However, who cares! Mother’s day is Sunday, May 12th. There was a program I used to watch on our 12 inch black and white television back in the 1950s called "I Remember Mama". The story was about a Norwegian-American family residing in San Francisco in 1910. The story was told by the daughter of how mama raised her children with love and understanding so they could cope in the world. I grew up in East Harlem, New York city and our family lived in a three room apartment on 116th street First avenue. My mom made sure that I understood good from bad, how to respect and help others even when it meant sacrifice. I learned so much from her and my beautiful wife of 48 years. I watched and learned from my wife, while bringing up our children, what it meant to prepare them for the future and making the necessary choices so they could be successful in this world. On this Mother’s Day we should all remember those "mom moments" that made us who we are today.

This year the Adams County Police Memorial Services will be held on Friday, May 10th at the Oak Lawn Cemetery in Gettysburg. It is a remembrance performed by all Adams County Police Departments for their fallen officers. The Memorial Services begin at 10:00 am. On Armed Force Day, May 18th, as a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, I do plan to salute all the men and women who are serving in all branches of the service protecting our country. We all should recognize Memorial Day, May 27th . It is a day set aside to commemorate the men and women who have died in military service for their country. Through their sacrifice we are free.

School will be ending in early June and 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.

The Borough is starting to paint traffic lines on the trails. The primary reason why the Borough paints lines on some of the trails is for safety. By defining the lanes it makes it appear to the driver that the road(s) are more narrow. This has the effect of slowing traffic. When lines are used, the Federal guideline adopted by Pennsylvania calls for a double yellow line. The Borough only paints lines on those trails that have a lot of traffic.

Did you have the opportunity to attend the April 20th Fairfield Little League Association Opening Day parade on Main Street? I was honored to be asked to throw out the "First Pitch". I shared with everyone that the "First Pitch" in the United States was performed by President Taft in 1910. As a matter of fact, on that same day another baseball tradition was started. Because of President’s Taft large frame of about 300 lbs. and sitting in a narrow stadium seat, he got up to stretch during the seventh inning and everyone thought he was about to leave. Everyone out of respect also stood up. The "seventh inning stretch" was born. I also said that when I threw out the first pitch I was also recognizing the other individuals who played a key role in making the parade a reality and they were David Hazlett, Chief Hileman, Fairfield Borough, Hamilitonban Township and PENNDOT. If you would like to see the pictures, go to www.ronspictures.net

The Carroll Valley Citizens Association (CVCA) is holding their 7th Annual Golf Classic on Friday, May 10th at the Mountain View Golf Club, 4099 Bullfrog Road, Fairfield. The cost is $70 per golfer. The golf fee includes green fees, golf cart, pre-game snacks, beverages, door prizes, awards and post-game meal. Check in registration starts at 8:00 am. The format being used is a four person scramble with a 9:00 am shotgun start. The purpose of the event is to raise money for the July 4th Carroll Valley celebration. If you are interested, contact Charles Dalton at (717) 420-0744. Help us raise the funds needed to continue to provide an old fashion July 4th family picnic in Carroll Valley that has been enjoyed by all for the last nine years.

This year we have Primary Elections on Tuesday, May 21st . I have been honored to serve you as Mayor and I plan to run again. My motivation is public service. I served my country for twenty years in the military. As a subcontractor, I worked for the Government Accountability Office in Washington D.C. on the management of projects. And, for the past eight years I have had the privilege of serving you as Mayor. Please come out and vote. Select the candidate that you think best represents you in your local government. All that I have accomplished is because of your confidence in me and the relationships I have formed with other government and business entities. If you want to see how involved I have been in the community outside of the local government meetings, view my pictures at www.ronspictures.net. I believe there is still more I can do for our community if given the opportunity.

The May Borough meetings are: Planning Commission (Monday – May 6th); Borough Council (Tuesday – May 14th); and Parks & Recreation Committee (Wednesday – May 22rd). The Borough Office will be closed on Tuesday, May 21st – Primary Elections and Monday, May 27th – Memorial Day. Please slow down while driving in the Valley and do not drink and drive. If you have any questions, contact me at mayor@carrollvalley.org or (301) 606-2021.