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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Mayor Brian Grim on solving the Property Tax Crisis in Cumberland

From the desk of Allegany County News:

After the July 20, 2011 Municipal/County Forum Cumberland Mayor Brian Grim said that Cumberland Mayor and City Council wants to pursue either 1 year Property Tax Foreclosure or let the County pursue joint Tax Collection. That will have to be negotiated by the City and County. During the Forum Midland Mayor Craig Alexander responded to Mayor Grim idea of a 1 year Tax Foreclosure as a horrible idea that would result in distrust.

From the July 20 Public Municipal/County Forum


Commissioner and Mayors of Municipal Towns/Cities

From the desk of Allegany County News:

The July 20 Municipal/County Forum lasted from 4PM to 5:30PM.  Before the start of the Forum Commissioner jokingly said welcome to how to increase dry cleaning business in Allegany County. Of course he also jokingly said its cool in the room today. The meeting started with Commissioner McKay welcomes everybody to the Forum. Former Mayor Fiedler was the facilitator of the meeting. Mayor of the Municipals welcomed each other. The Mayor of Lonaconing was absent and a member of the City Council represented the Mayor of Lonaconing in his place. Former Mayor Fiedler of Cumberland gave a great introduction to everyone. Former Mayor Fiedler say that in 2000 the city of Cumberland had a 911 Center of its own and was later merged with the County 911 Center some years later. The Former Mayor also noted in 2000 the City of Cumberland had its own Election Board and System that also paid people to be Election Judges. That was later merged with the County Board of Election. Former Mayor Fiedler also said many ideas saved money that was long to list. Former Mayor Fiedler also admitted certain things didn't worked. Former Mayor Fiedler went on to say different things.

Commissioners before Meeting





Former Mayor Fiedler suggested to find strengths and weaknesses. Former Mayor Fiedler also said all Municipalities have equipment costs money to maintain. On strengths and Weaknesses. Mayor Brian Grim of Cumberland City said strengths are Police and Fire. Others include technological equipment, Grant Writing, and Water and Sewer Treatment. Mayor Grim goes on to say on Weaknesses are financing, bad business climate, and weak Real Estate Market. Mayor grim goes on to say more. The Mayor of Frostburg W Robert Flanigan states that Strengths says population grew in Frostburg from 2000 to 2010. Frostburg for Strengths is also a young Police Department. Frostburg as the mayor states its better cooperation between the city and Frostburg State University. The Mayor also states that Frostburg has a Volunteer and Paid EMS Personal. The Mayor of Frostburg didn't state any weaknesses. The Mayor of Barton John Bean didn't have much to state but was thankful it didn't have much problems. Lonaconing council member Warren Foote had only strengths like working with the county and not much money to do roads. the Mayor of Midland Craig Alexander has been in office since the late 1970's wanted to state first off he is a big supporter of Municipal Government and he also says if Midland is to unincorporate then the people of Midland would decide. The Mayor also goes onto say Midland does not manufacture anything that makes money. Midlands biggest strengths are volunteering like its Volunteer Fire Department that is one of the best, Streets, and cooperation. The Mayor goes onto say the county collects the taxes for Midland since the 1990's and has no tax deliquency since then. The Mayor of Westernport has said that Westernport has made tough challenges for the last few years. Westernport tough changes included the following, County assuming law enforcement, outsourcing of garbage collections, and so forth. The Mayor of Luke Ed Clemmons also stated that Luke is the backbone of Allegany County. The only Problem Luke has faced was a lack of communication regarding a death of a resident who left no will and the county auctioned off his home. The Mayor of Luke didn't have much to say. The following Mayors were there Craig Alexander Mayor of Midland; Mayor John Bean of Barton; Mayor Brian Grim of Cumberland; Mayor Bob Flanigan of Frostburg; Mayor Ed Clemons of Luke; Mayor Dan Laffey of Westernport and council member Warren Foote of Lonaconing, who was standing in for Mayor John Coburn.







Officals Reaction to Moody's Credit Watch

From the desk of Allegany County News:

Yesterday we picked a story regarding Moody's Credit Watch that also included Maryland. The reaction from Allegany County Officals is that they said Every Government including Allegany County is now on Credit Watch.