(9/2014) On August 5th the 2014 National Night Out event was held at Carroll Valley Commons. The purpose was to strengthen the relationship between the citizens and first responders. Over 400 adults and children were in attendance. The Good Samaritan Lodge #336, Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania of Gettysburg fingerprinted and videoed approximately 54 children as part of the Child Identification Program. Specials thanks goes to our Carroll Valley Borough Police Secretary, Jo Ann Myers, our Police Chief Richard L. Hileman II, and the Carroll Valley Municipal Services.

I would like to thank the following who met with our residents: Representative Dan Moul, PA State Police, Adams County Constables Association, Adams County Sport Handgunners Association, Cub Scout Pack#76 who held the Bike Rodeo, the Battlefield Harley Owners Group, PA Counseling Service Collaborating for Youth, Children’s Advocacy Center, Safe Kids, RABBITT Transit Authority, and the Adams County Sheriff James Muller. Carroll Valley, through the Boy Scouts, handed out approximately 100 free hot dogs to children. Again this year the Adams Electric Cooperative gave a high voltage demonstration. Also, special thanks go to our first responders: Fairfield Fire & EMS, Fountaindale Fire Department, and the police departments of Carroll Valley Borough, and Liberty Township. If you are interested in seeing the pictures of the event, go to www.ronspictures.net.

School has started which means school buses will be on the road again. Let us partner with the parents, teachers, administrators, and transportation personnel to keep our young residents safe when they are being transported to and from school. How do we do that? Follow the law. According to the Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, when you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended you must stop. When you approach an intersection where a school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you must stop. You must stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus. You must wait until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving. And most important, do not move until the children have reached a place of safety.

September 11th is a time to reflect on the lives lost during a terrorist attack on our homeland during the morning of September 11, 2001. Nineteen militants hijacked four planes. Two planes hit the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in New York (2,606 victims). One plane hit the Pentagon in Washington D.C. (125 victims). And, the fourth plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (40 victims) because of the heroic efforts of the passengers. It was thought that the fourth plane’s target was the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. I encourage you to take a moment on September 11th to reflect on this horrible event and say a prayer for the victims who died and their families, especially the children.

The "Medicine Take Back", a collaborative program between local law enforcement, adults, agencies and businesses, the Adams County Environmental Services, and Collaborating For Youth, will be returning to Fairfield (plus six other sites throughout the county) on Saturday, September 27th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Community members are encouraged to participate in the disposal of any expired, unused, and/or unwanted prescription medications (liquids, pills, powders) during the disposal hours. The disposal allows community members to dispose of their medicines properly, reducing both the availability to youth and the contamination of water sources. Again this year, pet medications will be accepted at the disposal site. Please, note: NO needles or sharps can be accepted. The Fairfield "drop off" site will be at the Fairfield Fire & EMS Department, 106 Steelman Street, and on site to collect the drugs will be members of the Carroll Valley Borough and Liberty Township Police Departments. For more information about the "Medicine Take Back", including opportunities to volunteer, contact Eileen Grenell, CFY Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist, at 717-338-0300

Borough meetings to be held in September are: Planning Commission (Sept 2nd), Public Safety Committee (Sept 8th), Council Borough (Sept 9th), and Parks/Recreation (Sept 24th). If you have any questions call me at (301) 606-2021 or email me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net (this is a new email address).