(9/2017) On August 1st, the 2017 National Night Out event was held in Carroll Valley. The purpose was to strengthen the relationship between the citizens and first responders. It also was an opportunity for our residents to meet with representatives from different Adams County agencies. Over 407 adults and children were in attendance. Adams County SPCA gave 25 rabies shots and microchipped 3 pets. Boy Scout Troop #76 prepared free hotdogs and chips for the 12 and under crowd. They also ran the Bike Rodeo. In addition, many more Adams County community organizations came together to share how they can help our residents. Special thanks go to our Carroll Valley Borough Police Secretary, Jo Ann Myers (the event coordinator), and our Police Chief Richard L. Hileman II.

I would like to thank the following who met with our residents: Representative Dan Moul, Holly Sutphin representing Congressman Scott Perry, Adams County Constables Association, Adams County Sport Handgunners Association, Well Span Rehabilitation Program, Western MD K-9 Search and Rescue, PA Counseling Service Collaborating for Youth, Children’s Advocacy Center, Safe Kids, the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Adams County Sheriff James Muller, Adams County Constables, the Fairfield Fire Department Water Recuse Team, the police departments of Carroll Valley Borough, Cumberland Township, and Liberty Township, Katie Myers and the Fairfield High School Show Choir, Carroll Valley Councilor Sarah Skoczen and Dr. Lisa Wolkind, DVM for Adams County Community Cats and TNR program. To see the pictures of the event, go to www.ronspictures.net and select the NNO 2017 galley or go to Facebook.com/MayorRonHarris.

Under the leadership of Chief Dave Martin, Fountaindale Fire Company, the first Adams County Volunteer Emergency Services Association Junior Firefighter Academy class was held at the Adams County Department of Emergency Services Training Center from August 6th to August 12th. The 2017 class involved 18 cadets from 10 different fire departments from Adams and York County. Local department attendees were Colby Wivell from the Fairfield Fire Company and Colleen Rudisill, Zachary Haines, and Claudia Rudisill from the Fountaindale Fire Company. Plans were started in August of 2016 to get this first Academy up and running. The committee met for a year in preparation for this to happen.

In addition, Chief Martin spearheaded the efforts to get the new training tower completed in time for the Academy. He was recognized with a standing ovation at the graduation ceremony by 150 people who were in attendance. Lead Instructor Dustin Poist of the United Hook and Ladder Co. and Deputy Chief Sam Ginn aided Martin in the day-to-day activities of the Academy.

The week would not have been complete without Karen Rudisill who along with Martin and Ginn spent 24 hours a day with the cadets for the entire week. Karen served as "Mom" to all the cadets and staff with her preparation of food, daily laundry days, making sure cadets took their prescribed medication and lent a shoulder for everyone. Karen even got in on the training as she taught the cadets how to properly fold their clothing. When they lost their flag to the staff, the only way they could get it back was to properly fold their clothing to her satisfaction. This Junior Firefighter Academy was a team effort by many people – the cadets and families, the staff, the fire departments who provided apparatus and equipment and meals, the many businesses and folks who provided meals, transportation, clothing to those who provide moral support. It a was a team effort. As president of the Adams County Boroughs Association and Mayor of Carroll Valley Borough, thank you for a job "Well Done."

The month of September brings with it a time to honor the American worker on Monday, September 4th. On a somber note, September 11th is a time to reflect on the lives lost during a terrorist attack on our homeland during the morning of September 11, 2001. Nineteen militants hijacked four planes. Two planes hit the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in New York (2,606 victims). One plane hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C. (125 victims). And, the fourth plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (40 victims) because of the heroic efforts of the passengers. It was thought that the fourth plane’s target was the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. I encourage you to take a moment on September 11th to reflect on this horrible event and say a prayer for the victims who died and their families, especially the children.

The Carroll Valley Library has announced they will be holding a Coffee & Classic Movie Series every Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm. The first movie to be shown on October 4th is "Singing in the Rain". The next Teen Book Club meeting is September 25th at 6 pm. The Graveyard Book will be discussed. Bring a snack to share! An Adams County TV & Computer Recycling event will be held on Saturday, September 9th, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Adams County Emergency Services Facility at 230 Greenamyer Lane, Gettysburg. Check out the Adams County home page at www.adamscounty.us for all the details (cost and acceptable items). To participate you must pre-register by contacting the Adams County Planning Office at 717-337-9827. Registration deadline is September 6th. However, registration may end sooner if total items allowable are reached prior to September 6th. Flyers are available in the Carroll Valley lobby. The Carroll Valley Yard Sale is scheduled for September 23rd from 8 am to 2 pm in the Ski Liberty parking lot. The Pippinfest event will be held in Fairfield this coming September 23rd and 24th. On September 30th, Senator Richard Alloway’s Concealed Carry Seminar will be held at the Fairfield Fire Hall from 9 to 11 am. Registration will be restricted to the first 200 Pennsylvania residents in Senator Alloway’s 33rd District. To register online go to: http://www.senatoralloway.com/concealed-carry-seminar-fairfield/

Carroll Valley Borough meetings to be held in September are: Planning Commission (Sept 5th), Council Borough (Sept 12th), Finance Committee (Sept 25) and Parks/Recreation (Sept 27th). If you have any questions call me at (301) 606-2021 or email me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net.