(11/2017) As of November 1st, we are 23 days to the unofficial or official start of the holiday shopping season. I guess if you want to make it seem like it is a longer period of time, you could always say you have 552 hours or 33,120 minutes left before you start on Black Friday. If you are wondering why it is called Black Friday it is because it relates to businesses recording their losses in red ink and gains in black. I don’t think that helps. One good thing though is this year we turn back the clocks and say goodbye to Daylight Saving Time in the early hours (2 am) of November 5th. That means an extra hour of sleep and at my age I want all the sleep I can get even if the rest of the nation wants to join in. You could use that extra hour to go online and shop. It is also a good time to check your smoke alarms.

Election Day is November 7th (Tuesday). The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All voting will be held at the Carroll Valley Community & Education Complex. If you have any questions regarding the election polls and voter ID, contact Ms. Monica Dutko, Adams County Director of Elections and Voter Registration at 717-337-9832. A sample of the Official General Election Ballot can be seen at www.adamscounty.us and then go to Administration > Elections and Voter Registration > Election Resources 2017.

On November 10th, our nation celebrates the birth of the United States Marine Corps. Did you know that the Marine Corps was created during the Revolutionary War? They are celebrating their 242nd birthday. Veterans day falls on Saturday, November 11th. It is a day we honor all Armed Forces veterans who have served our country. As they do each year, Fairfield School is holding a "Veteran’s Day Breakfast" on November 13th from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Fairfield High School cafeteria. All veterans as well as their spouse or guest are invited to attend. For more information you can call the office at 642-2045 or email fasdvets@fairfield.k12.pa.us. As a 20-year veteran, please accept my heartfelt appreciation. We celebrate Thanksgiving this year on November 23rd.

Around this time of year, the question always comes up as to whether someone can hunt in Carroll Valley. To clarify the rules, Carroll Valley cannot change state law regarding hunting; however, current state rules make legal hunting in Carroll Valley difficult. Pennsylvania has what are called "Safety Zones". In a safety zone, it is unlawful to hunt for, shoot at, trap, take, chase or disturb wildlife within 150 yards of any occupied residence, camp, industrial or commercial building, farm house or farm building, or school or playground without the permission of the occupants. It is unlawful to shoot into a safety zone, even if you are outside of the zone. Driving game, even without a firearm or bow, within a safety zone without permission is unlawful. For comparison, think of a safety zone as about one and a half football fields. Hunting on hospital and institutional grounds, and in cemeteries, is also prohibited.

The safety zone for archery hunters statewide, including those using crossbows, is 50 yards. Archery hunters carrying muzzleloaders during any muzzleloader season must abide by the 150-yard safety zone regulation. Around playgrounds, schools, nursery schools or day-care centers, the safety zone remains 150 yards. For further information, refer to www.pgc.state.pa.us. As Carroll Valley has grown over the years, it is more and more difficult to find a location outside these safety zones. Should you think someone is hunting too close to a residence, you can call the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Dispatch Center in Huntington at 814-643-1831 and an officer will check for violations. If you see persons hunting from vehicles or after dark, call County Dispatch at 9-1-1 to get the quickest response."

The Fairfield Fire & EMS Fall Gun Feed is scheduled for November 11th. The ticket price is $20 and are available from a Fire Department member or call 717.642.8842 for more information. The Fairfield Fire & EMS Bingo will be closed on Thanksgiving Day but on Saturday, November 25th (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) the Buck Fever Bingo will be held. The format/program will be the same as First Friday with 3 $1,000 Jackpot games! Call the Fire Department for further details. Come to play bingo and support the Fire Department.

If interested, you can view the pictures taken at the Fairfield Fire and EMS Open House, www.ronspictures.net. Based on the results of the October 25th Council and Finance Committee Workshop review of the Carroll Valley draft 2017 Budget prepared by our borough manager, Dave Hazlett, the current Borough tax rate will remain at 2.45 mills or .00245 of assessed value of land and buildings – meaning No Tax Increase. The next steps – Council approves the advertisement of the budget for public review at the November meeting and, if no changes, the tax ordinance will be signed at the December meeting. The Borough Office will be closed November 7th (Election Day). Meetings this month will be November 14th (Council Meeting), November 15th (Recreation Committee), and the Office closed November 23rd and 24th (Holiday). Please reduce your speed to make sure you, your loved ones, your friends and neighbors will be safe. If you have any questions call me at 301-606-2021 or email at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Happy Thanksgiving folks!