Community group to meet tomorrow
The Carroll County Community Association will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Westminster library branch meeting room, 50 E. Main St.
The speaker will be Richard Klein, president of the Community & Environmental Defense Services. He will discuss how to win battles involving proposed highways, landfills, shopping centers, airport expansion, dam building or housing projects.
He also will explain how to preserve all or part of a property before development construction begins, and will compare Carroll's growth management plans with other jurisdictions.
Klein is the author of the book, How to Win Land Development Issues.
The group also will discuss the airport expansion, incinerator, dam and reservoir, new Manchester high school and Manchester bypass and the value of the bog turtle.
Information: 410-374-6110.
Zoning hearing will be Aug. 9
The county commissioners have been given proposed amendments to Chapter 223, Zoning, to consider allowing wineries as a conditional use in the Conservation District subject to a front, rear and side yard setback of 200 feet.
The commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposals at 10 a.m. Aug. 9 in Room 311 of the County Office Building.
A pre-hearing workshop for the public to ask questions will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Room 105 of the County Office Building.
Copies of the proposed draft amendments are available at ccgovernment.carr.org and through the county attorney at 410-386-2030.
Eldersburg listed in 'Money' magazine
Money Magazine's annual list of Top 100 Best Places to Live this year features the southeast Carroll County community of Eldersburg.
The community of 31,800 people is ranked No. 56.
"We've always known Eldersburg is a great place to live. Now the rest of America is in on our secret," said County Commissioner Julia W. Gouge.
"Our work improving the economics of this county is paying off," said Commissioner Dean L. Minnich. "In every category that looked at tax rates, Eldersburg was below the average."
"As a resident of Eldersburg, I think we should have been ranked No. 1," said Commissioner Michael D. Zimmer. "But seriously, we have every reason to be proud -- a great educational system, very low crime rate, and terrific residents."
To compile its list, Money looked at places with populations between 7,500 and 50,000. The 2,876 areas originally considered were screened. The top 466 places were ranked based on: purchasing power, property taxes, education, job growth, availability of leisure and cultural activities, weather and health.
Community leaders and residents in the top 70 communities were interviewed. To see how Eldersburg scored in each category, visit Money Magazine's Web site.
Media center has a new video system
The Community Media Center has a new video production system that is allowing it to tape the Union Bridge Town Council meetings.
"Anycast" was first used July 23 at the town's monthly meeting. Anycast uses small, remotely-operated cameras and a computer that runs a video switcher system, soundboard and recorder.
Instead of a van full of equipment, Anycast fits into a suitcase-sized carrier and can be operated by one person for a remote location.
The Community Media Center is looking into the possibility of using the town's cable fiber feed to broadcast meetings live on Channel 23. Meetings can be broadcast at later times and dates also.
Information: 410-386-4415.
Water program airs through Aug.
The Community Media Center will broadcast on Channel 23 Mount Airy's Water Conservation Workshop that was held July 21.
The workshop was held by Mayor Frank Johnson to educate the public in simple ways to conserve water in their daily routines. Those attending were urged, among other things, to consider appliances that use less water, to limit shower time, and to wash full loads of clothes and dishes.
"Water conservation should be an ongoing policy," Johnson said. "This is something we should consider all of the time because water is a precious resource."
The program will air through August. For airtimes, see the Carroll TV Web site at www.carrollcountytv.org or the Carroll TV Guide available at public library branches.
Information: 410-386-4415.
Foundation awards $11,400 in grants
The Community Foundation of Carroll County has awarded its grants for 2007.
A total of $11,400 was awarded to 11 organizations in Carroll County, ranging from child care, to adult care, to education and historical organizations.