(9/2015) On August 4th the 2015 National Night Out event was held at Carroll Valley Commons. The purpose was to strengthen the relationship between the citizens and first responders. Over 450 adults and children were in attendance. The Good Samaritan Lodge #336, Free and Accepted Masons of Gettysburg assisted by Mike Reynolds of Tyrian Lodge #205 in Emmitsburg issued 72 child ID kits that night which is a new record.

Adams County SPCA gave 26 rabies shots and 3 microchips. Boy Scout Troop #76 prepared 106 hotdogs and chips for the 12 and under crowd. The Penn State Hershey Medical Center’s Life Lion helicopter, which provides state of the art medical evacuation, paid the crowd with a visit. Fairfield Fire and EMS demonstrated their water rescue abilities with their new equipment, Boat #2. Adams Electric was back with their terrific display of electricity safety. In addition, many more Adams County community organizations came together to share how they can help our local residents.

The winners of the Carroll Valley Police Department (CVPD) Scavenger Hunt were: Ragan Gass age 6; Makenzie McGlaughlin age 10; and Aleah Jacobs, age 6. Specials thanks goes to our Carroll Valley Borough Police Secretary, Jo Ann Myers (the event coordinator), 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, Adams County Constables Association, Adams County Sport Handgunners Association, Cub Scout Pack#76 who held the Bike Rodeo, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA, the Battlefield Harley Owners Group, Western MD L-9 Search and Rescue, PA Counseling Service Collaborating for Youth, Children’s Advocacy Center, Safe Kids, the Adams County Sheriff James Muller, Adams County Constables, Excalibur Towing for the wrecked vehicle, Liberty Mountain Resort Sign Shop, the police departments of Carroll Valley Borough, Cumberland Township, and Liberty Township Sanders Square for the ice cream prizes, Katie Myers for the Zumba dance demonstration and Dr. Lisa Wolkind, DVM for helping out in the Rabies Clinic. To see the pictures of the event, go to www.ronspictures.net and select the NNO 2015 galley.

The month of September brings with it a time to honor the American worker on September 7th. On a somber note, 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.

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.

The Pippinfest is being held in Fairfield this coming September 26th and 27th. The Fairfield Fire and EMS organization is hosting an Old Fashion Corn Bingo on Saturday, September 26th. Fifty-one (51) games of bingo will cost $25. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:00 p.m. Children 12 and under entry fee will be $10. Also on the September 26th you can turn in your unused or expired medication under the Drug Take Back Program being held at the Fairfield Fire House from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mark Oct 17th (Saturday) on your calendar to attend the Cash Bash (Cash prizes) event being held at the Fairfield Fire and EMS Fire House. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. with dinner served at 6:00 p.m. Menu includes Pulled Pork and Pit Beef. Tickets are $20. Children 12 and under ticket will go for $10. This is a fund-raiser for the 2016 Fireworks fund. We need your continued support. Hope you and the family will be able to attend.

Borough meetings to be held in September are: Planning Commission (Sept 8th), Public Safety Committee (Sept 14th), Council Borough (Sept 15th), Parks/Recreation (Sept 23rd) and Sewer/Water Authority (Sept 28th). Please reduce your driving speed when you are in the Valley and watch out for our young citizens walking to and from school. If you have any questions call me at 301-606-2021 or email me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net.