Keep Mt. Airy Small: Planning Commission – July 2023 Meeting Report
Planning Commissioner Resigns: Leslie Dickinson resigned from the Planning Commission effective July 31st. Beck Property: 2 days for…
Carroll County Schools Brace for Controversial Gender Identity Curriculum Starting This Fall
The forthcoming school year in Carroll County Public Schools is set to see the introduction of a new “Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sexual Orientation” curriculum. The county has been rife with heated debates and mounting concerns among parents and teachers regarding gender ideology in schools.|The Family Life Advisory Council, the 31-member committee made up of 25 parents, students, educators, and health care professionals, is scheduled this week to assess the curriculum developed for grades 6 through 12.
Storms wreak havoc on Carroll County
Storms bursted through Carroll leaving a path of destruction across the county.
Commissioners Rush Decision on $3,000 School Impact Fee for New Homes, Critics Question Revenue Potential
The urgency with which the impact fee decision was made and the absence of a comprehensive long-term plan for funding schools have sparked growing concern among residents and stakeholders. Many critics argue that a thorough study is not to be avoided; instead, it is necessary to understand how revenue from the impact fee can be maximized and whether it will be sufficient to address the county’s revenue shortfall.|The fee structure, ranging from $3,000 for single-family homes to $3,500 for townhomes, $1,125 for multi-family dwellings, and $1,500 for mobile homes, is predicted to generate marginal revenue, particularly with projections of new residential development declining due to inflation and interest rates.
Keep Mt. Airy Small: Planning Commission to Address Several Impactful Ordinances This Week
Mixed Use Zoning, Open Space, Cold Storage Property, and Cannabis Businesses are on the agenda The Mount Airy Planning Commission will…
Commissioner Kiler Sounds Off On Taxpayer Resources Favoring Pride Festivities Over Other Events
“I applaud their participation in it. I think we need to participate in as much as we can in all events…Whether we were seeking voters, or seeking members for whatever, that’s great,” Kiler stated.|Addressing the perceived political bias in the county’s involvement with Pride and Trans events over others, Kiler expressed his observations, saying, “But I’ll be honest, the new shiny penny isn’t the only thing going on in Carroll County. I didn’t see any of these groups (government agencies) at any of the carnivals. Historically I don’t see any of these groups at the 4H Fair.”
Carroll County Commissioners Approve Class 1 E-Bike Use on Park Trails
Carroll County Commissioners voted 3-2 to allow Class 1 e-bikes on some county park trails. These e-bikes have an electric motor that activates while the rider pedals and stops when the bike reaches 20 mph. The approved trails include Gillis Falls Recreational Area, the undeveloped side of Piney Run Park, and Westminster’s Union Mills Reservoir Trails, Hashawha, and Speigel Hill.
Carroll County Faces Blunt Reality as Legalized Cannabis Leaves Taxpayers in a Hazy Financial Situation
July 1, 2023 marked a historic day for Maryland as the state embraced legalized recreational cannabis. With nearly 60% of county residents voting in favor of the constitutional amendment, Carroll County joined the green wave of change. However, as the smoke begins to clear, concerns over the financial implications for taxpayers have sparked.|The lion’s share of the revenue will flow directly into the coffers of the Maryland Cannabis Administration, the regulatory body responsible for enforcing state cannabis laws. Additionally, a newly formed entity called the “Office of Social Equity” will manage 35% of the revenue, directing funds towards communities that have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.
Keep Mt. Airy Small: Quick Takes from the Town Council Meeting
Watch the whole meeting on Community Media Center! Even with a lengthy agenda, the Mount Airy Town Council conducted a refreshingly…
Evidence Builds of Political Bias and Taxpayer Fund Misuse as Carroll County Resources Present at LGBTQ+ Events
Many taxpayers questioned whether having local government resources at a left-leaning event, which featured drag queen story hour and other sexually suggestive activities for children, demonstrated a gross misuse of public funds.|The Carroll County Board of Elections, now operated by a Democrat-majority board, held a booth at the Westminster Pride Festival to recruit voters from what is widely known as an event favorable to Democratic voters.
The Carroll County Public Library and Carroll County Youth Service Bureau also held booths alongside Planned Parenthood, Trans Maryland, PFLAG and the Democratic Central Committee, while Health Department employees were seen handing out water bottles to festival goers.