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Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Editorials

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State and Federal legislators representing the area

How it was
Cumberland Goes to War, which begins today, is not just a celebration of those who fought more than six decades ago in the most terrible war this world has seen.

Tips wanted
If Allegany & Mineral Counties Crime Solvers succeeds in its mission to help local law enforcement, then the community at large benefits. For the success to occur, the public’s help is needed.

Reason wins
Deborah Zamanali, a Karns Avenue resident, spent more than a year trying to win city zoning approval for a porch enclosure. Last Friday, Allegany County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Finan ruled that the enclosed porch is a permitted modification.

Fall foliage
Although autumn leaves offer us a spectacular color scheme, they also can be a danger to pedestrians and motorists — particularly when it rains. That is why Cumberland’s annual leaf collection is important from more than just an aesthetic viewpoint.

Trail exposure
If the national and regional attention being received by the Great Allegheny Passage in Allegany County is an indicator, expect to see even more trail enthusiasts visit Cumberland in 2010 and beyond.

Breakout alert
If an escape occurs at one of Maryland’s prisons, citizens now have the option of being notified of the breakout via an e-mail, text message, telephone or cell phone.

State and Federal Legislators representing the area

Be safe
Hunting continues to be one of the oldest and most revered of our traditions and, with all due respects to its detractors, it should be.

Breakout alert
If an escape occurs at one of Maryland’s prisons, citizens now have the option of being notified of the breakout via an e-mail, text message, telephone or cell phone.

Flu’s impact
Even in the best of times, it is often difficult for the American Red Cross to keep adequate blood supplies on hand. The challenge is even harder today because of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus outbreak.

Still 44 cents
After four straight years of seeing the price of a first-class stamp rise, the Postal Service will skip an increase in the coming year.

Public record
If there was one main idea public information officers in the area took away from last week’s discussion of the Maryland Public Information Act, we hope it is the fact that the state law is meant to help, not hinder, the public’s access to documents.

Plant a tree
When Gov. Martin O’Malley visited Cumberland a year ago to help honor students from Cresaptown Elementary and Fort Hill High schools, the students planted trees as part of the city’s urban tree canopy program.

State and Federal Legislators Representing the Area

Good sense
With influenza cases obviously on the increase, it is important for people to limit hospital visits as much as possible.

Thank them
When we hear of tragedies such as Wednesday’s traffic accident that claimed the lives of two women and an 11-year-old boy, our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

2010 Census
What’s the $64,000 question?

Teen drivers
Because motor vehicle accidents are the No. 1 killer of American teen-agers, the Maryland State Highway Administration is focusing on National Teen Driver Safety Week as a means of helping young motorists to develop safe driving habits.

Autism
Autistic children in Allegany County, as well as from the surrounding area, wil benefit from a new educational center to be opened next month on the campus of the Jefferson School at the Thomas B. Finan Center.

Defibrillators
Thanks to a federal grant, at least 33 automated external defibrillators — and maybe as many as 50 — will be located in Allegany County public schools and elsewhere around the county.

State and Federal Legislators Representing the Area

You can help
Tips from citizens frequently play an important role in solving crimes.

Fall cleanup
The Allegany County Habitat for Humanity is only in its infancy, but already it is making a contribution to the community.

Still thriving
It used to be that there were several parades throughout the year in Cumberland and Allegany County.

Job well done
Much of the news that comes out of our nation’s correctional institutions isn’t good news. All things considered, that shouldn’t be surprising.

Worth saving
The list of plays performed on its stage included some of Broadway’s greatest: “The Music Man,” “Oklahoma,” “South Pacific,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and “The Sound of Music.”

State and Federal Legislators Representing the Area

Parking
Until the recent installation of parking space kiosks downtown, it was not uncommon to see some employees of local businesses repeatedly stepping to the curb during the day to feed the parking meter and hang on to a parking space.

Fire safety
Those who know more about the subject than anyone else say that keeping your home fire-safe is the best way to prevent one type of tragedy that we must report far too often.

Early voting
It’s fortunate for Allegany County election officials that the state’s next primary election is still nearly a year away. There is plenty of work to be done to get ready for early voting in the 2010 election.

Outstanding
Congratulations to Jennifer Burdock Rankin, the Northern Middle School teacher in Garrett County who has been named 2010 Maryland Teacher of the Year.

Growth area
The Willowbrook Road-Williams Road area’s growth spurt, touched off by the new Western Maryland Health System hospital, is expanding yet again via a new access road to Allegany College of Maryland.

Milestone
Cumberland Chapter 172, Vietnam Veterans of America, reached a milestone Saturday, and we join a grateful Uncle Sam in tipping his hat to the former members of the armed forces in their 25th anniversary celebration.

College Night
One of the most informative — and perhaps lucrative — nights of the year will occur for local high school students Oct. 13.

State and Federal Legislators representing the area

Pragmatism
We liked the optimistic yet pragmatic approach Frostburg State University President Jonathan Gilbralter took the other day during the school’s fall convocation.

New laws
Speed cameras, a ban on texting while driving and stricter rules on drunken driving are among new laws taking effect in Maryland today.

Internet option
There’s something new at Mountain Ridge High School, Allegany County’s newest institute of public education.

Who did it?
Money talks, as the old saying goes, and hopefully any ensuing “conversation” will lead to an arrest for arson in the destruction at John Humbird Elementary School.

Texting
Maryland will join 17 other states and the District of Columbia on Thursday when its new state law that bans the sending or receiving of a text message while driving becomes effective.

Watch out
Our friends who ride motorcycles frequently tell us the biggest danger they face comes from the drivers of vehicles that have more than three wheels (motorcycles also come in three-wheeled versions for people who aren’t comfortable with having only two wheels on the road).

State and Federal Legislators representing the area

Fun for all
Our reinvigorated CanalFest/RailFest, which begins today, will offer more than just a good time for those who attend.

Second look
Cumberland’s mayor and City Council may end a policy that allows officials’ spouses to travel to conferences and seminars at the city’s expense.

Looking up
A 16-month study that was recently revealed had some good news about Allegany County, reflecting significant improvements over what was learned following the 2000 census.

Some relief
It wasn’t too many years ago that the average American would have been outraged at the thought of paying $2.50 for a gallon of gasoline. Today, we’re relieved — and almost delighted — when the price dips that low.

Tracks to Trees
A Bob Dylan/Joni Mitchell song popular nearly 40 years ago lamented that, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,” reflecting upon a development phenomenon that could be sympathized with by many of us who are old enough to remember it.

State and Federal legislators representing the area

POW/MIA
Among the first American Prisoners of War were the 11,500 men who died on British prison ships during the Revolutionary War.

It didn’t work
Only one successful prosecution has been recorded under a two-year-old law that was aimed at curbing gang activity in Maryland, and it came under a plea agreement.

Thanks
Gov. Martin O’Malley has delivered on his pledge to keep the north-south highway in Western Maryland on the front-burner.

Pinto water
The Maryland Public Service Commission should be commended for its decision to hold local hearings on a proposed water rate increase for the Pinto area.

Hidden threat
If you are age 55 or over and taking one or more prescription medications for medical conditions, the odds are good that you have no idea of the impact those medications may have on your ability to drive a car.

Census 2010
Montana lost a seat in the House of Representatives in 1990 because it counted illegal immigrants in the census and was denied a new House district in 2000.

State and Federal Legislators representing the area

Contraband
Momentum to give states the right to jam contraband cell phones in prisons continues to grow.

A dark day
Each generation of Americans has a defining event that sticks in living memory ... and it’s not a good memory.

Better idea
Nearly every home these days has a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL).

Better safe ...
We believe keeping Americans healthy and strong is of paramount importance. The governor of Maryland must think that way, too.

Starting gun has sounded
You can go crow hunting when that season opens in mid-August, but only on the appropriate days, of course.

President's speech optional for students in county schools
Some Allegany County teachers might broadcast President Barack Obama’s education speech in their classrooms on Tuesday, but no student will be required to watch it.

Health care’s senior moments

Drivers need refresher course
I’ve been thinking about writing this letter for a while and after my trip home from work today, I decided now is the time.

Quick action
Last week in this space, we implored local authorities to take swift and decisive action on law enforcement issues on Virginia Avenue.

Bright spot
Even in the midst of an income-sapping national recession, visitors are flocking to Maryland.

Closing shop
With abbreviated hours of operation and other cutbacks at local post offices, it’s becoming more and more difficult to conduct regular U.S. Postal Service business.
The decision by Paul Aber, owner of Aber’s Hallmark, to conclude the store’s run as a contract postal unit means one less place to buy a book of stamps, mail a letter, or send a package.

DNA delays
It has been said that the wheels of justice turn slowly, and a backlog in Maryland of DNA analyses has certainly contributed to the plodding pace of prosecution.

Wild West
Two serious incidents within 24 hours show that local authorities still are wrestling with chronic crime problems on Virginia Avenue.

Strip clubs
Mineral County’s government did the best it could last week in trying to keep strip clubs in line. The county commissioners voted to regulate where sexually-oriented businesses set up shop.

Recycle only
The signs on Allegany County’s recycling bins read, “Newspaper Only,” “Aluminum Cans Only,” “Green Glass Only,” and so on.

State and Federal legislators representing the area

Relief on way
Proof that government remains willing to act on behalf of its citizens became apparent Thursday when the Federal Trade Commission announced that as of next Tuesday, most prerecorded telemarketing calls will be banned.

Rumble
A dangerous intersection near Vale Summit might become a little safer if the state agrees to a county request for installing rumble strips.

Slot machines
What are the chances there will ever be a slot machine parlor at Rocky Gap State Park? We hope some light will be shed on that question today when the executive director of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation visits Cumberland.

Back to school
Schools throughout Maryland and in our tri-state area are reopening this week and next. So it is vitally important that motorists be on the lookout for children. The return of classes means more buses and cars on the road, and more children walking along school routes or waiting at school bus stops.

Thanks
One of the long-time members of America’s 9/11 Ride said he told its first-time participants they might be amazed at the type of reception they would receive on their way to the sites of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks ... particularly when they arrived in Cumberland.

Swine flu
The good news is that Maryland’s government is planning an ambitious and unprecedented effort that would provide free or reduced-price swine flu vaccine to any state resident who wants it.

State and Federal legislators representing the area
U.S. Senate

Be prepared
A purse-snatching came to a satisfactory ending this week at a local store when the alleged thief was arrested and the purse was recovered without any injuries to the victim.

9/11 Ride
Organized less than two months after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, America’s 911 Ride continues to grow.

Can’t afford it
We’ve begun hearing news reports that some economists are saying America’s worst recession since World War II is now over.

Suggestions
Maryland citizens have plenty of ideas on how the state can deal with its budget problems.

State and Federal Legislators representing the area

Good work
That the Allegany County Board of Education has saved more than $4.5 million in energy costs over the past 6 1/2 years is a remarkable accomplishment.

Meet here
The way a proposed water rate increase for Pinto area customers is being handled is disappointing.

Tuck it in
In a day when baggy pants and scanty clothing seem to be the clothing of choice for many students, it is refreshing to learn that Moorefield (W.Va.) Middle School will have a dress code this fall. And a strict one, at that.

No courtesy
Dog owners who walk their pets and fail to clean up after them are a problem in nearly every community. And, enforcing laws dealing with dog waste appears to be difficult to do.

Safe policy
West Virginia has come up with an appropriate way to allow families to place roadside memorials to mark where a loved one has been killed.

Curious
At a time when many states are furloughing workers and making other cuts, West Virginia’s governor is proposing a $500 bonus for the state’s 51,000 full-time employees.
Now comes word that unions representing state workers would rather have $1,000 pay raises instead of the bonuses. It makes us wonder.

STATE AND FEDERAL Legislators representing the area

Get ready
So far, so good.

Crackdown
Although it is discouraging to learn that 37 Allegany County businesses were cited recently for selling alcoholic beverages to minors, there seems to be an improvement in the situation.

Help arrives
Individuals and families who need help building a home now have Allegany County Habitat for Humanity as one possibility of assistance.

North-south
Gov. Martin O’Malley has repeatedly expressed support for a north-south highway in the far reaches of Western Maryland.

G.I. Bill
The new GI bill that became effective last Saturday is the most comprehensive education benefit program since the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Wellmobile
We realize that financial times are tight, but some of the ways that our governments have decided to cut spending are questionable and short-sighted. They likely to produce counterproductive results that prove expensive in the long run — and not just monetarily.

STATE AND FEDERAL Legislators representing the area

Twisters
Granted that some people actually chase them — either in search of thrills or for scientific research — few things are as terrifying as being in the path of an oncoming tornado.

Awareness
Parents in Morgan County, W.Va., are getting some extra help in making sure their children are not using drugs.



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