Summer kicks off a series of patriotic holidays. Coming up soon is Flag Day, a special day set aside to honor the symbol for freedom and justice that is recognized throughout the world. It would be great to see all of Taneytown "covered" with American flag that day! Make yourself a note, and fly the flag on Friday, June 14th. Before I write again, it will be Independence Day, and the celebration of our country’s birth. This week end will also be the 150th anniversary of the battle of Gettysburg. Take advantage of the close proximity and become part of history. This is to say nothing of the great summer your City has planned. Our committees and Parks & Rec department have been busy creating a summer to remember. Already we have had our annual Fishing Derby at Roberts Mill Park (May 25th). This is a tradition in Taneytown and family fun and prizes were enjoyed by all. The first of June kicks off the Taneytown Farmer’s Market. Again this year, on each Saturday morning throughout the summer months, in Memorial Park local farmers from the surrounding area will display the fruits of their labor. Come sample the freshest local produce! Eat healthy! Eat local! On that same day another annual event will occur at Carroll Vista, This is the annual "Walk for the Cure" which begins at 11AM (roads close at 10:45AM). After visiting the Farmer’s Market, come on over to Carroll Vista and participate in this worthy cause and support your favorite team of "walkers". The City is fielding a team and would welcome your support. On June 9th the Country Crusin’ Car Show is back in Memorial Park and I am excited about awarding the Mayor’s trophy to my favorite vintage vehicle. Admission is free, come down and check out all these "fine rides" The fun does not stop!, June is packed full of events! The greatest carnival in three states begins on June 10 and runs through the 15th. The Taneytown Fireman’s Carnival is back at the carnival grounds near Memorial Park. Lunch will be served during the day during carnival week. My favorite is the fried ham. The following weekend, Saturday June 22nd, holds more excitement. We are following last year’s very successful Wine & Arts festival with another one day event that is bigger and better. Wine Arts & Jazz Fest (see separate article). Three Carroll County wineries will be present along with a host of vendors of every type. All proceeds go to local charities. June also begins a family favorite, Movies in the Park, June 29th is our first feature. Its free and a great way to spend a Saturday evening. What great times ahead!

I want to thank everyone for their patience during the construction of the new water lines on York and Frederick Streets. I know there were times over the last month or so that traffic was a real problem during the day. I truly am sorry for the delays but by reconstructing the water lines after the Street Scape project was over, we were able to save a considerable amount of tax dollars. Speaking of tax dollars, I have mentioned in previous columns that the State has withheld funds traditionally given to local governments to repair roads (not Streetscape but City roads), and used these funds for other things. These tax dollars were our share of revenues arrived at buy set formula, from the gasoline and licensing taxes on vehicles. Slowly over the past several years, the State’s municipalities have been able to restore a portion of these funds. This year, member municipalities of the Maryland Municipal League were able to have the traditional amount of fund restored to about 50% of former funding levels.

We held elections for three City Council positions on May 6th. Elected to four year terms were Councilman Angelo Zambetti, Councilwoman Diane Foster, both incumbents and newly elected Councilman Joe Vigliotti. I congratulate all and welcome Joe to the Counsel. Thanks also for the good turnout for this election. It was somewhat better that previous elections. Thanks for making you voice heard. On a somewhat melancholy note, a longtime member of the City Council decided to retire. Jackie Bosivert, our Mayor Pro Tem and longtime council person and member of the Planning & Zoning Committee is stepping down. Jackie has been a great advocate for the citizens of Taneytown over her twenty plus years on the City Council and has been a supporter and friend. She will be missed. When you see Jackie around town, thank her for her service.

This year we continue our national remembrance of the sesquicentennial of the War Between the States (1861-1865). As you are most likely aware, Taneytown stood at the very crossroads of this conflict. Particularly, as it had to do with the Battle of Gettysburg. It was in Taneytown that the Yankee General George Meade made his headquarters and bivouacked his army. Our neighbor to the north, Gettysburg, is expecting huge crowds to visit this summer to tour the battlefield and remember those who fought and died so gallantly. A true student of this war will want to investigate it each and every aspect. So we in Taneytown can expect visitors from all over the nation, to seek out the place where Meade had planned to fight the battle but by a twist of fate, our fair City was spared the holocaust that was Gettysburg’s. Please welcome these visitors with true Taneytown (southern) hospitality (we are indeed, below the Mason Dixon Line). We have a town to be proud of. More than any other town in Carroll we have retained much of our Victorian architecture and charm. The look of our main street retains much of the look that Meade’s soldiers would have seen in the summer of 1863. If you have an historic property do your best to spruce it up and show it off. I know I will.

Have a great summer, enjoy all the family activities we have planned, visit our Farmers Market each week and help your neighbor!