(7/2013) Hope you are planning to attend the Carroll Valley Borough’s 9th Annual July 4th Celebration on Thursday. It starts at 2 pm and ends with a concert by the famous, internationally recognized, United States Army Field Band. On the last musical note played, a twenty-five minute speculator fireworks display will be shown on top of Ski Liberty Mountain. Free children rides include Circus City where our young attendees will be able to choose from 3 giant slides or play in one of 2 bounce areas. Others may be attracted to the challenge of our ultimate boot camp obstacle course. The end of the obstacle course has the participant come down a 20 foot super slide. We still have the Carroll Valley Freedom Train. If you are one of the first 300 riders, you will receive a free wooden train whistle. Another favorite for the family is the Farmer McCleaf’s Hay Ride through the valley. Don’t forget about the Horseshoe Tournament, Hole-n-One Competition, the Car Show and this year, the T-Ball Exhibition at 2 pm. Also this year, for a nominal fee, adults and children ages 6 and up, may want to zip thru the valley. For this ride, you are attached securely to a zip-line and off you go two stories above ground for 100 feet of pure exhilaration. There is so much more. Check it all out by going to www.cvjuly4th.com. See you there! I will be that guy taking your picture.

Summer has started which means those heat alerts are going to be broadcast again. There are three types of messages that are sent out to the populace and they are: Excessive Heat Outlook, Excessive Heat Watch and an Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory. An Excessive Heat Outlook is used to indicate that a heat event may develop and the emergency management and public health officials should be prepared. An Excessive Heat Watch means an excessive heat event may occur in the next 12 to 48 hours. Finally, an Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of the following criteria: heat index of at least 105E F for more than 3 hours per day for 2 consecutive days, or heat index of more than 115E F for any period of time. Why pay attention? According to the NOAA National Weather Service, the statistical data shows that heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. What to do? Here are a few tips. Slow down and do not perform any strenuous activities. Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids even though you may not feel thirsty. If you have problems retaining fluids, consult your physician before increasing your fluid intake. Eat light meals to decrease your metabolic heat production. Wear lightweight light-colored clothing. And naturally, try to spend time in an air-conditioned place.

Congratulations go out to Austin T. Stroup who on June 23rd received the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout Community Service project was building a fitness trail at the Federal Emergency Management Administration/Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD. He led his fellow Boy Scouts and other helpers throughout the past summer to complete the quarter mile trail which consists of four (4) health and fitness stations, and totaled over 500 hours of cumulative work. Congratulations to the Carroll Valley Police Department (CVPD). The CVPD received a $1,000 Community Drug Abuse Prevention Grant from the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane. The money was used to purchase two portable breath testing devices for officers in the field to be used in the detection and apprehension of intoxicated vehicle operators. These devices will also help in the detection and identification of underage alcohol violations. The officers will also be able to better detect when impairment may be the result of drugs and not just alcohol. Thanks is extended to the Adams County Collaborating for Youth’s Coalition members for their support. Would like to recognize Eileen Grenell, Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist; Camery Brown, Annie Roberts, and Josh Sites who are members of the coalition. Congratulations to three of our EMS providers, Holly Barnes, Patrick Henry and Zach Sites who were awarded the Meritus Excellence in Care Award. It is an annual award that recognizes outstanding EMS care provided by personnel in the state of Pennsylvania by Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Maryland. Of all the patient runs that originated in Pennsylvania last year that transported to Meritus, Holly, Patrick, Zach and the paramedic on the Maryland State Police helicopter were selected to receive this award for outstanding patient care. We all should feel proud that we have such individuals living/working in our community.

The Carroll Valley Citizens Association (CVCA) awarded their annual $1,000 scholarship to Kelly Quealy who is a recent Fairfield High School graduate and resides in the K Section of Carroll Valley. The requirements for this award included high scholastic standing, participation in community, volunteer and church activities as well as school related extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs. Kelly has been accepted by and will shortly attend St. Francis University located in Cambria County. Congratulations Kelly!

At the June 3rd meeting of the Planning Commission, a representative from the Eluma, Inc. presented the proposed changes to Part 6, Section F of the Carroll Valley Borough Zoning ordinance regarding regulations for cluster, townhouse and multi-family dwelling developments. While this amendment is being discussed for the Mallow Tract (107 acres adjacent to Section K), the changes would affect all future development in the Borough. After much discussion, a number of changes were recommended by the commissioners. The new version of the amendment incorporating the recommendations will be reviewed at the next Planning Commission meeting on July 1st at 7:00 p.m. Also at the same meeting, the issue of controlling the growth of grass, weeds, and vegetation on one’s property will be addressed.

Borough meetings to be held in July are: Planning Commission (July 1st), Finance Committee (July 8th), Council Borough (July 9th), Sewer & Water Authority (July 22nd) and Parks/Recreation (July 24th). Please reduce your driving speed when you are in the Valley. If you have any questions call me at (301) 606-2021 or email me at mayor@carrollvalley.org.