(5/2017) There are a number of important dates in May. The Adams County Chiefs of Police Association will host Adams County Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Friday, May 5th at 10 a.m. at the Adams County 9-1-1 Center. May 14th is Mother’s Day – a day we should all remember those "mom moments" that made us who we are today. Remember to exercise your right to vote on May 16. Voting starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 8 p.m.,

This year all voting will take place in the new Borough building. What this means is that those voters (Carroll Valley District #2) who in the past went to Ski Liberty to vote now will go to the new Borough building to vote. Those voters who voted at the old Borough building will continue to vote at the new Borough building. Carroll Valley District #2 voters will enter the main entrance to vote in the Conference Room. Carroll Valley District #1 voters will enter the side entrance of the building (on the Library side when facing the building) and vote in the Meeting Room. To see who is running, go to www.adamscounty.us and under Announcements click Election Resources 2017 to review the candidate list.

Please come out and vote. Armed Forces Day is May 20th and Fairfield Fire & EMS is holding their EMS Open House on May 21st from 1 to 4 pm. Memorial Day is May 29th. On Tuesday evening, May 30th, Carroll Valley Borough partnering with the Adams County Library will be holding an Open House from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Some of the activities of the evening will include the unveiling of the Dedication Plaque, recognizing the official opening of the library and holding tours of the Borough Offices and the Police Department. Light refreshments will be served. Please mark your calendar to attend.

On April 15th, 150 people attended the Breakfast with Easter Bunny event held at the Fairfield Fire House. Thank you, Cole Brooks, Pat Feeser, Steve Fitez, Brad and Mike Hartdagen, Chuck Haynes, Adam Jacobs, David Metz, Diana Ratliff, Larry Schneider, Chuck Schussler, Brad Shughart, Kevan Taylor, and Colby Wivel. With over 300 participants and 5,000 stuffed eggs to be picked, the 2017 Carroll Valley Easter Egg Hunt, also held on April 15th, was a tremendous success! Many thanks go to those involved and they were Gayle Marthers, Tim, Sarah, Rachel and Amber Skoczen, Bruce Carr, Brenda Colesanti, Steve, Amanda and Jayden Bell; Chief Hileman, Lauren Clark, Bridget Heffernan, Susan Perotti, April Huster, Jamie Phillips, Jayden Campbell, Bridget Munsee, Dave, Noah and Josh Hazlett, Abby Hebenton, Hunter Paulus, Charlee Marthers, Tyler Pyles, Jim and Morgan Jarrell of Jarrell Studios. At the time of this writing, the April 22nd Fishing Derby has not been held. I am sure it will be great and it will be reported in the June issue. To see the pictures taken thus far, go to ronspictures.net and select the appropriate gallery.

As the weather warms up 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 whether it comes from people walking, jogging or bicycling on our beautiful trails.

The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) will be offered this summer in southwest Adams County, specifically in Carroll Valley. This SFP is recognized worldwide as a premier preventative program for children 10-14 and emphasizes having fun with parents while building skills to navigate the teen years. The program runs for seven weeks, once a week from 6 to 8:30 p.m. starting June 15 through July 27 and will be held at the Borough Park Pavilion. This program is free as well as proving free child care to family members under 10 and a free meal will be provided to enhance the family time together as well. Families receive a $25-dollar gift certificate the second week and another $25 upon graduating as well as various incentives along the way. Registration forms can be found at the Borough office or you can call Karen Breighner at 717-338-0300. Strengthening Families is a program of the Center For Youth and Community Development. Don't miss this excellent opportunity to have fun and learn with your family!

The May Borough meetings are: Planning Commission (Monday – May 1st); Borough Council (Tuesday – May 9th); and Parks & Recreation Committee (Wednesday – May 24th). The Borough Office will be closed on Monday, May 29th – Memorial Day. If you have any questions, contact me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net or 301-606-2021.