Garrett County Delegation Meets with Congressional Members & Federal Agency Leaders

Jun 7, 2019

On May 23, a delegation from Garrett County travelled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Congressional members and federal agency leaders on four priorities for Garrett County.

The delegation discussed:

(1) funding for the Oakland-Trout Run Combined Sewer Treatment Plant

(2) funding for Required Infrastructure Projects for Small Rural Municipalities including the Grantsville Sewer Treatment Plant, the Mountain Lake Park-Loch Lynn Water Distribution System Rehab Project and the Mountain Lake Park Stormwater Mitigation Project

(3) Better data of existing Broadband and funding for continued development

(4) Market-rate Workforce Housing Development funding assistance.

Issue papers on these priorities were developed and shared with officials and staff during the meetings. Garrett County’s delegation included: Mayor Peggy Jamison, Town of Oakland; Emily Newman Edwards, Town of Grantsville; Duane Yoder, Community Action; Cheryl DeBerry, Garrett County Economic Development; Nicole Christian and Holly Lane, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. The delegation met with Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative David Trone, staff from Senator Cardin’s office and top leaders for U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency.  By all accounts, the trip was a success. Not only was the delegation able to promote and garner support for these community priorities, they gained insight on potential funding sources. The delegation is in the process of following up on outstanding items from the meetings. The trip was organized by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce. The issue papers can be found on the Chamber’s website at www.visitdeepcreek.com/pages/legislative.

Garrett College reschedules Verso Resource & Success Fair to June 25th

Jun 6, 2019

Garrett College recently announced the Verso Resource & Success Fair, originally scheduled for June 18th, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 25th. The event will take place from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. noon in the Garrett Information Enterprise Center (GIEC) building on the College’s main campus in McHenry.

According to Julie Yoder, GC’s dean of continuing education and workforce development, the event will be able to provide additional support and resource information to the Verso employees.

“We rescheduled the fair to better accommodate the Verso employees, as additional resources have been brought online in an effort to provide multi-point support and information to meet their needs,” stated Yoder. “The event on June 25th will focus on providing the insight, coaching and information employees are in need of to begin the next chapter of their lives.”

Several partner organizations will be in attendance to answer any and all questions, discuss educational and career opportunities, and address financial implications.

“Organizations and individuals will be at the event to speak about life after dislocation, career planning, educational opportunities, understanding unemployment and financial funding, and will also provide one-on-one interaction, questions and answers, and coaching,” added Yoder.

Representatives from GC attended the initial Verso Resource Fair, and look forward to hosting the upcoming event at Garrett College.

“The first Verso event was a great success and we were pleased to participate with other community organizations,” stated Mike Tumbarello, GC’s director of enrollment management. “By speaking to individuals impacted by the closure, we gained a better understanding of their needs and “pain points” and have structured the event on the 25th to address those.”

Tumbarello continued, “This fair is not only about traditional career or educational paths, but will encompass opportunities to learn about the many opportunities available for the short- and long-term steps necessary to have a “soft landing” after the closure.”

Specific, interactive workshops and program resources will also be available on the following topics: job searching, starting a business, certificates and degrees, social services, and career opportunities in the manufacturing, allied health and transportation industries.

This event is free and open to all individuals affected by the Verso closure, including employees, families, and suppliers. Free parking is available and refreshments will be provided.

For additional information on the Verso Resource & Success Fair on June 25th at Garrett College, please contact Garrett College Continuing Education and Workforce Development at 301-387-3069 or the Admissions office at 301-387-3044.

Health Department Reports Second Rabies Case In 2019

Jun 5, 2019

Environmental Health Services of the Garrett County Health Department reports the second case of laboratory-confirmed rabies in Garrett County for 2019. On May 30, an altercation involving a raccoon and two dogs occurred in the Accident area. Both of the dogs are currently vaccinated against rabies.

The raccoon specimen was submitted to the Maryland Department of Health Rabies Laboratory on May 30, with positive results for the rabies virus being received on May 31. Following standard protocol, both dogs were immediately evaluated by a licensed veterinarian. The dogs will be closely monitored under the owner’s control for the next 45 days.

It is important to remember that if your pet is exposed to a wild animal, do not handle your pet within two hours after contact. If it is necessary to handle your pet, wear protective gloves and immediately wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you have been bitten by a wild animal that cannot be captured or exposed to an animal suspected of having rabies, seek medical treatment immediately.

Pet owners are urged to check the vaccination status of their dogs, cats, and ferrets. All dogs and cats are required, by law, to be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age and can be vaccinated as early as three months. The Garrett County Health Department will hold the second and final series of low-cost rabies clinics for 2019 in September. All dogs, cats, and ferrets at least three months of age are eligible for vaccination. For more information about rabies or rabies clinics call Environmental Health Services at 301-334-7760.

Adult Evaluation and Review Services Connects Clients to Services

Jun 4, 2019

If you are an older adult, and you are working to help make ends meet, but your spouse needs some assistance during the day, what can you do?

Daphne Gooding turned to the Adult Evaluation and Review Services (AERS) program located at the Garrett County Health Department. The mission of AERS is to evaluate adults, or those with disabilities to find out what assistance programs they may qualify for in Garrett County.

“I don’t know what we’d do without all their help,” said Daphne Gooding. “I really don’t! People need to find out what support is available for assisting them in living the most independent lives possible. It means a lot to maintain the maximum possible independence.”

Daphne’s husband, John, really does pretty well with taking care of himself most of the time, but he just needs a little assistance. If he’s alone for more than a few hours he gets confused as to what time it is and what he should be doing. He just needs someone to come in occasionally and keep him on track.

AERS was able to connect John with a personal care company who schedules time with John during the critical times when he needs the help the most. His caregiver helps with daily tasks as well as light housework as needed.

The program also recommended a special medicine dispenser with locks and alarms for when doses are due.

“It was so hard for me to keep his medications straight, and impossible for him,” Daphne said. “Now the pharmacy delivers his filled dispenser each week. An alarm goes off when he’s supposed to take his next dose, and only that dose is dispensed. The rest of the pills for the week stay locked up. It works so well, and it keeps us from worrying if we are making mistakes with his meds.”

AERS is a Maryland Medicaid funded program that provides comprehensive evaluations for anyone 18 or older, and also for older adults and functionally disabled adults who need connected to resources, need long term care, or are at risk for institutionalization. AERS staff are nurses and social workers. They identify services that can help individuals either remain in the community, or in the least restrictive environment, where they are able to function at the highest possible level of independence.

A team member does a free evaluation of the clients medical and social services needs by doing a basic routine check-up, reviewing all of the medications, talking to their doctor, and determining the need for assistance. Team members then talk to the client and their family about services available to assist the patient.

“We spend a big percent of our time connecting patients to resources,” said Kim Powell, RN. “For example, we do our AERS assessment to determine needs, but then we do additional paper referrals for meals, glasses, dentures, etc. A considerable amount of time is also devoted to phone calls to medical professionals concerning client health history and needs. One of AERS goals is to prevent premature placement in a nursing facility.”

AERS also does the medical eligibility for Community First Choice/ Community Options Waiver programs which provide attendant care, equipment, etc. for Medical Assistance clients. The program also provides Nurse Monitoring/Quality Assurance for the Residential Service Agencies which provide the direct care for the clients who are receiving services under the waiver.

Visit the Health Departments website for a complete list of referral agencies and services: GarrettHealth.org/aers or call AERS at 301-334-7746.

Chamber Announces 32 Recipients of Inaugural Work Ethic Diploma

Jun 4, 2019

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and Garrett County Public Schools presented Work Ethic Diplomas to 32 Class of 2019 graduates from Northern and Southern High Schools.

“On behalf of the Garrett County Chamber, congratulations to the 32 students in the Class of 2019 that have earned their Work Ethic Diplomas,” said Nicole Christian, president & CEO of the Garrett County Chamber. “We are very excited to be recognizing the inaugural Work Ethic Diploma recipients. We are proud their strong work ethic and know that because of it, they will be successful with their career and/or college endeavors.”

The Class of 2019 recipients of the Work Ethic Diploma are:

Noah Aiken

Ava Ashby *

Cheyenne Bagley

Samuel Beeman

Dakota Bittinger *

Lindsay Brewer *

Emma Broadwater *

James Dean *

Lauren Derato

Dillon DeWitt *

Miranda Dillsworth *

Emily Frazee *

Harley Frazee

Laura Frederick *

Zach Gilbert

Kaitlynn House *

Skyler Hornby *

Tyler Johnson *

Jamie Kight *

Carsyn King *

Jessica McClurg *

Zachary Miller

Allison Morris *

Madison Richard *

Ana Rhoten *

Kyliana Sisler *

Megan Smith *

Sarah Smith *

Sierra Tichnell *

Bailee Upole

Bridget Weimer

Devin West *

“Our graduates have learned the value of hard work.  This value will open the door of opportunity in the workplace, which will lead to the discovery of their talents and passions,” said Chuck Olsson, Chair of the Work Ethic Diploma program and Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer for First United Bank & Trust. The employers of Garrett County look forward to supporting their growth as the leaders of our future.”

To qualify for a Work Ethic Diploma, students had to earn a minimum of points in the following criteria: Discipline Standard, Attendance Standard, Absence Standard, Work Experience, Community Service/Internship Project Standard, Overall Grade Point Average Standard, Team Work Standard. They also had to complete an exit interview.

Students were also given the option to earn points by submitting to a voluntary drug test provided free of charge by the Garrett County Health Department. The students with asterisks by their name opted to participate and tested drug fee, which is indicated on their Work Ethic Diploma.

The Chamber hopes that by promoting the fact that being drug free can help our young people secure a job and earn better money, they can help to combat the opioid crisis ravaging our communities.

“These students demonstrate the abilities and characteristics that employers in our community are seeking,” said Laura Fike, Chair of the Chamber’s Workforce Development Task Force and Executive Director of Garrett Mentors. “We believe that the Work Ethic program is going to help businesses in determining quality candidates for open positions and we look forward to working alongside of them in our local businesses.”

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and Garrett County Public Schools launched the Work Ethic Diploma program in the spring of 2018 to address local workforce challenges by creating a pipeline of prospective employees who possess those quality attributes desired by employers. The Class of 2019 is the inaugural class and are guaranteed interviews and higher wages by the participating businesses. Full details on the program can be found at www.visitdeepcreek.com/pages/WorkEthicDiploma.

Thank you to the 36 business partners for their commitment to these students. For businesses interested in learning more about the program, please contact Holly Lane at 301-387-6171 or holly@garrettchamber.com.

Luke Strong

May 31, 2019

Logan Ray Kitzmiller, trustee, United Steelworkers Local 676, representing workers at Verso’s paper mill in Luke, Md. (shared by Len Shendel)

Luke Strong

“It’s in the worst of circumstances that we are afforded the opportunity to see the best in each other and in ourselves. This display of world-class human nature can be witnessed right now within the boundaries of the Luke Mill. The ever-present fear of a day that we cease to exist as we have for 131 years has come to pass, and one would naturally expect an unsavory, unbecoming reaction from the 675 souls within as a result.

However, this is most certainly not the case. From an outside perspective this would be perceived as an anomalous result, but to those 675 men and women, it is the only acceptable way of handling this. We were, and are, the best at what we do. We know this with every fiber in our bodies, and we choose to act as such until we are relieved of our posts. Nothing binds us to this, mind you; it is our personal choice as a collective body. We do not require hired security forces to watch our every move, or measures to be put in place to prevent defiant behavior. We are better than that by far.

This is our house, and we will treat it with the respect it deserves until the very last moment. Being a part of this group, it is impossible to quantify the pride of who we are, or the blood, sweat, tears and dedication it took to get here, to anyone on the outside looking in. This is simply the nature of the Luke Mill. This is how we do business. This is how we choose to be thought of in the world outside. In the worst-case scenario, this is how we want to be remembered.

In the coming days, we will make our last walks down the same beaten paths to our jobs as they stand in their current form; perhaps our last walks down those paths forever. However, the title of “job” is a poor and insufficient descriptor of what is currently being ripped from our hands, against our will. Jobs have no value beyond the monetary gain that you achieve from performing them. Jobs are always available and being offered; jobs are a dime a dozen.

The Luke Mill is something invaluable that we all hold in our hearts, minds and souls, and always will, far beyond our tenure here. Our lives have been enriched by being a part of something magnificent that everyone contributed to and took equal shares of the pride that comes with a job well done. Skills were learned and developed through gainful employment, doing something we were fully invested in. Our individual families were expanded immensely due solely to the closeness and familiarity we share with each other. A person couldn’t hope for a better support system and we are united and eternally bound together. We had something rare and beautiful among the pale blue buildings of a quiet corner of Western Maryland and West Virginia.

What describes our employment at the Luke Mill, then? While many words are fitting, if I were forced to quantify this mill in one word, I would say it is a legacy. We are comprised of fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, brothers and sisters and innumerable other family and personal ties. We are represented by multiple generations of families, neighbors and friends. Not only represented, but represented admirably. Problems, tensions and ideologies that commonly suppress societies are not present within our mill community. Borders and barriers that cause schisms and prevent the unity and strength that so many long for are not relevant here. While this may seem utopian and fantastical to some, it is merely a way of life for us. We are a family, and we are strong, resilient and unified; even in our darkest hour.

After the dust has settled, and life has moved on to whatever chapters we will choose to write next in our individual histories, what we have and what we carry with us from the Luke Mill can never be stripped away. While forces beyond our control may be able to take so much, there is no amount of power that can rend us of what is printed on the very fabric of who we are. Vincent Van Gogh once stated, “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”

There is no better quote to describe the people of the Luke Mill and our surrounding communities.

We are, collectively, lovers of many things, many ideas, many interests, and many people. We participate in our schools, charities, churches, sports leagues, local governments and organizations with grateful hearts, fervent passion and an unquenchable desire to constantly improve the world around us. We support others when it is needed and are not too proud to ask for the support of another when our own tears must be shed.

The Luke Mill has built a legacy of strength off of broad shoulders, unwavering pride in our work, who we are as a community, all that we have done to get here, and, most of all, a deep, admirable and all-encompassing love for one another, what we do and how it directly affects our community. A great book that reaches to the scale of a true epic has already been written in a small, oft-forgotten part of the world named Luke.

However, we know and believe that much of this story is yet to be written. As we conclude our current chapter, a stone has been cast into the waters, creating ripples that will begin the foundations of many chapters yet to come. Some ripples will, hopefully, begin again in the Luke Mill, while others will start composing a new story in other communities and businesses.

Regardless of the locations and storylines to follow, know that the world will forever be a better place anywhere that an employee of Luke walks. We are stronger than adversity. We are stronger than the challenges that lie before us. We are stronger than any adversary that may rise against us. We are Luke Strong.”