Published: December 16, 2006 09:06 am      

County engineer recognized for trail work

CUMBERLAND — A longtime county engineer received special recognition for his work on the Allegheny Highlands Trail on Friday.

Kevin Beachy received an official citation from the Allegany County commissioners for “administering the design and construction” of the trail, County Clerk Carol Gaffney said at Friday’s public meeting.

Steve Young, director of public works, said he was pleased the commissioners chose to recognize Beachy.

“With anything as big and as complicated as this, the saying is ‘the devil’s in the details.’ Kevin got to deal with the devil (on this project),” he said.

Young said Beachy worked after hours and on weekends on the trail, and will likely save the county two to three times the $300,000 initially reported.

Commissioner Dale Lewis added Beachy is a dedicated employee and the county is lucky to “have an employee of his caliber.”

Also Friday, commissioners recognized John E. Frank, a Frostburg native and lifelong educator, for his induction into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

“As far as I’m concerned, what I’ve achieved, anyone in this room is eligible to do and it’s easy,” he said, later thanking his wife. “This reward I get today belongs to hundreds of people in Allegany County.”

Commissioners were also appointed to serve on various committees over the next four years.

All three commissioners will be on the Board of Health, the Cumberland/ Allegany County Industrial Foundation, and serve as nonvoting members of the Board of Education for 16-month terms each.

Stakem will also serve on the Tri-County Council’s Executive Committee/General Board, Western Maryland Task Force Education Workgroup and Rural Coalition; Rural Broadband Coordination Coalition; Maryland Association of Counties’ Legislative Committee alternate and Education Subcommittee; Department of Juvenile Justice Advisory Board; Seniors and Law Enforcement To-gether; and the Greater Cumberland Regional Responsive Committee.

Hutcheson will serve on the Tri-County Council’s General Board and Western Maryland Task Force Education/ Tour-ism Workgroup, Western Maryland Health System, Potomac Highlands Airport Authority, MACo Legislative, Finance and Planning committees, Department of Social Services Board, Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and Rural Maryland Council.

Lewis will serve on the Western Maryland Consortium, Tri-County Council Western Maryland Task Force Workgroup, Allegany County Substance Abuse Task Force, Child Abuse Task Force, Human Resources Development Commission, Federal Correctional Institution Community Relations Board, Mental Health Advisory Board, and Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council.

The county will not hold a public business meeting next week. The next meetings are Dec. 28 with a work session at 9 a.m. and business meeting at 11 a.m.

The county will meet with members of the local delegation for a pre-legislative session meeting Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.

Tai Shadrick can be reached at tshadrick@times-news.com.