(12/2017) On October 27th, the Carroll Valley Recreation and Parks Committee, in partnership with Jarrell Studios and the support of many entities and volunteers, held Carroll Valley’s first movie night advertised as "Movie Under the Stars". The movie was Hotel Transylvania. Prior to the movie, a "Trunk or Treat" event was held. Approximately 200 were in attendance. It was so successful that six more are being planned for 2018. Thanks goes to Fairfield Fire/EMS, Carroll Valley Police, NEXTStep Martial Arts, Adams County Library and the Diamond Kings Baseball Travel Team. Special thanks to the volunteers: Tim Skoczen, Jeni and Jim Jarrell, Jessica Kraft, Lori Kilenda, Josh Laird, Kevan Taylor, Amanda Bell, Kathy Beard, Hunter Paulus, Charlee and Gayle Marthers. To see the pictures, go to ronspictures.net or type the website address in your browser: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-pgNVT3/.

I also had the opportunity to attend the Veterans Breakfast held on November 13th by the Fairfield School District. Over 120 veterans participated. Thanks goes out to Superintendent Karen Kugler, school staff and teachers, students, and Liberty Mountain Resort. To see the pictures, go to ronspictures.net.

On Tuesday, November 14th, the Borough Council met and approved the advertisement of the proposed 2018 Budget. This action made the proposed 2018 Budget available for residents’ review prior to its final adoption at the December 12th Council meeting. The 2018 Budget is the end-product of a three-step review process over a three-month period. The first review was performed by the Borough Manager. The second review was performed by the Finance Committee. The third review was performed by the Borough Council with the Finance Committee during their Budget Workshop.

The tentative budget is based on a millage rate of 2.45 mills that is 24.5 cents on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation which means there will be no Carroll Valley Borough tax increase for 2018. The distribution of the total tax paid, approximately, breaks down as follows: Carroll Valley is 14.50%, Fire Tax is 1.48%, Adams County is 23.19% and Fairfield School District is 60.83%. For every $1 of taxes paid, approximately15¢ is paid to Carroll Valley Borough for services. The proposed 2018 budget can be reviewed at the Borough office or at www.carrollvalley.org for the online version.

Sarah Skoczen, our Council President, received the Nobody’s Cats Foundation’s 2017 Marley award. The Foundation is a 501©3 non-profit organization that promotes the adoption of Trap Neuter Return (TNR) as the preferred strategy for humanely stabilizing and reducing free-roaming domestic feline populations in 15 south-central Pennsylvania counties. This approach prevents suffering among the cats, protects public health, reduces stress on wildlife, and enables communities to redirect desperately needed resources elsewhere. The annual Marley award is given to recognize an individual’s dedicated service in the promotion of the TNR program. Through Sarah’s leadership and a colony of dedicated volunteer caretakers, over 200 cats in Carroll Valley have been trapped, neutered and returned. She has set an example with her "feet on the ground" involvement. Sarah has also become a valuable resource to other communities such as Bendersville and Fairfield. Congratulations on your award. It is well deserved.

The Carroll Valley Citizens Association (CVCA) will be closing down at the end of this year after 44 years (1973-2017) of service to our Carroll Valley residents. CVCA was incorporated under the Membership Corporation Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on May 3, 1973. The purpose was to provide a community forum for the consideration of social, cultural, environmental, and government affairs. When the Charnita, (resort area development) went bankrupt, CVCA played a major role in the incorporation of the Borough of Carroll Valley in 1974. Thanks go to past and present members for all you have accomplished for the Borough over the past 44 years.

Thanksgiving is behind us and now on to December. The start of winter, also known as "winter solstice," is December 21st (Thursday). This is the shortest day of the year. Hanukkah begins in the evening of Tuesday, December 12th and ends in the evening of Wednesday, December 20th. Christmas is on the December 25th. Kwanzaa, a celebration that honors African heritage in African-American culture, is observed from December 26th to January 1st.

Internationally known photographer and Carroll Valley resident Kathy McCabe, is exhibiting her photographic art at the Garryowen Irish Pub, in Gettysburg, PA. The display will continue through the end of January 2018. Kathy’s work is being exhibited as "Kathy’s Vision", which focuses on landscapes, modern art, photo manipulations and macro photography. She has a unique perspective of her world, having been born with a congenital optical defect which limits her field of vision. She says, "For me, it’s not just about capturing the perfect image, it’s about seeing my world more perfectly, through the camera lens. This is what photography means to me."

Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 9th from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. A donation of $5 per person is being asked. Children 10 years old and younger are free. I have been told by an air traffic controller that Santa plans to arrive at 8:00 a.m. If you plan to attend, please note the time changes. December Borough meetings are: Planning Commission (Dec 4th), Borough Council (Dec 12th), and Parks/Recreation Committee (Dec 20st). The Borough Office will be closed on Dec 25th and Dec 26th. 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 MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Happy Holidays! I wish you and your family good health and happiness topped with loads of good fortune in 2018. Happy New Year!