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Letters to the editor
As published Sept. 5, 2007
Down, but not out
Most of us would agree that our downtown is the heart of Mt. Airy - and all of our hearts are aching in the wake of the tragic fires on September 2nd.
As anyone who spent any time at the scene - during the fire or afterward - would agree, there is no way to put a sunny face on what happened. Our community lost - for the moment - more than a half dozen popular businesses, including two much-loved restaurants, and homes for at least four families.
At the same time, there is much to be thankful for. No lives were lost. No one was physically hurt. And we know that we will as a community work together to rebuild. We know this because we've done it before.
In a 22 year span of time, downtown Mt. Airy burned out not once, not twice, but three times - in 1903, 1914 and 1925. And our forefathers rebuilt our downtown each time.
The downtown rebuilding of the last few years shows that we have the determination and perseverance to help rebuild again.
Many have asked how they can help, so many that I have been humbled by the outpouring. What can we do?
First, we can donate to the Mt. Airy Disaster Relief Fund to help the families who lost nearly everything. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to the Disaster Relief Fund at P.O. Box 53, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 or dropped off at Town Hall or New Windsor State Bank.
Second, we can roll up our sleeves and work together as a community in rebuilding the part of our downtown that was lost. We can help businesses re-open as soon as possible if they want to, or can.
We can support the downtown businesses in general. And we can support cooperative efforts, such as efforts by the Main Street Association, the town and business owners to rebuild and reopen.
As many have said, it's not whether you get knocked down, but whether you get back up. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but that's never stopped this community before.
Frank Johnson
Mayor, Town of Mt. Airy
Thank you!
On July 28, the Mt Airy Ridge Seals, who are part of the Frederick Summer Swim League, had the honor of hosting the annual All Star meet. With the help of our town officials and generous business owners, our event was a huge success!
The Mt. Airy Ridge Seals swim team would like to send huge thanks out to our business community, the Civil Air Patrol, town officials here in Mt. Airy and all the volunteers who helped to make this season and this special event successful.
All we can say is WOW! We love our town! We are so proud to live in such a warm and generous community. Our fundraising committee reached out to the business community for donations in the form of program advertisements and for our 50/50 raffle. In response our local business owners amazed us with their enormous support, generosity and encouragement.
As a result of our fund-raising efforts, our team raised nearly $2000! These funds go directly toward supporting our team to help purchase much needed equipment and helps with on going expenses.
We are proud of our Ridge Seals Swim team. In this very short and intense season, our simmers swam fast and furious while they broke new team records, won their division and had 25 swimmers achieve *All Star* status. Go Seals!
Special thanks also go out to the Civil Air Patrol, who helped to oversee parking as well as our town officials who worked with the team to establish parking and traffic control.
We would also like to thank the Mayor of Mt. Airy, Frank Johnson, for starting our event out with a few words to welcome the league to Mt Airy, and for supporting our youth summer swim program.
Until next season...Live slow.....swim fast! Ridge Seals Rock...
Special Events Committee
The Ridge Seals Swim Team
Thank you again for your carnival help
The Auxiliary to the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank everyone who helped with our food stand.
Even with the extreme heat during the latter part of the week, it proved to be a successful week. We had good attendance and patronage parade night, and also Saturday night with the fireworks extravaganza.
But most of all, we wish to thank the community for their support in buying our platters and other menu items. It truly made our week prosperous.
Our profits will be used to continue our support of the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Company, which is our primary purpose.
Winners of the big money raffle were: Pat Schmidt ($5,000), John Knight ($1,000) and Joe Gillis ($500), all of Mt. Airy.
David Eaves of Thurmont won the Mt. Airy Junior Fire Company's Caribbean cruise.
We hope to see you next year!
Helen Plunkard
Carnival Co-Chairman, Food Consessions
Auxiliary to the Mt. Airy Volunteer Fire Co.
Thanks for a successful season
The Nottingham Marlins Swim Team just completed their fifth season, winning its division with a record of 5-0. To end our season, we hosted the CMSL Division VIII Championship on July 28, with over 270 swimmers from three counties in attendance.
In addition to all our parent volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the divisional meet, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the area businesses that supported the team, by placing advertising in our program. They are:
Kerry Mandrik, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.; Catonsville Homes; Health Unlimited; Van Sant; Mt. Airy Children's Dental Associates; Mt. Airy Veterinary Associates; New York J&P Pizza; DRD Pool Management, Inc.; The Pet Loft; Achieve Speed Academy; Mt. Airy Liquors; Best Electric; Bear Creek Dental; D‚j… Vu; Super Suppers; Concetta's Italian Grocer; Retro Metro; The Vintage Coffee House; Sport Fair; Brian Lausch Photography.
The Secret Stork; The UPS Store; Mary Anne Ridgley & Rachel Kenney Price, Long & Foster Real Estate; Olde Towne Restaurant; Mathnasium; Mt. Airy Tile & Carpet; Mt. Airy Studio of Dance; Dana Lawler, Mary Kay; The Candy Bar; Knittin' Chicks; Firehouse Pottery; Jerry's Trophies; Siempre de Fiesta; and A Do or Dye Salon and Day Spa.
Many of these advertisers were second or third time supporters. We appreciate your commitment to our team and community. And a special shout-out to the folks at The Greene Turtle for hosting our fundraiser! Thank you all for helping make our season such a success!
Nottingham Marlins Swim Team Committee
July power surge
On the evening of July 29, 2007 (around 7 p.m.) several Mt. Airy residence's were struck by what seems to be a "power surge" from Allegheny Power. Volunteer firefighters from Mt. Airy responded to several calls for the smell of smoke and burning wires inside homes.
No storms were in the area at the time; they had all passed at least an hour before the power surge. Firefighters reported knowledge of Allegheny Power's coming out to the area shortly thereafter and said that they were repairing their "Phases" (the power circuits that send power out to homes in the area).
Allegheny Power's Thomas G. Hull, in a letter of denial dated Aug. 2, 2007 states, "The only problem(s) I can locate is storm trouble." He goes on further to say, "If there is additional information, such as one of our crews responding to a specific problem other than generated by the severe weather, please contact my office."
He has yet to return my urgent messages. Additionally, he instructed me to call my insurance company for reimbursement (to the tune of a $500 deductible - first) of my blown smoke detectors, melted wiring and blown thermostat in my heat pump (also verified by Van Sant Plumbing & Heating that my system was hit by a power surge), my now dead television, home computer, microwave, lamps, and burnt fuses in my hot tub.
Allegheny Power states, "Payment of your claim is respectfully declined." What claim? I have yet to actually speak to anyone at Allegheny Power even though I've called five times.
I am aware of other homeowners who've experienced this power surge and they need to come forward to get real answers from Allegheny Power! The Maryland Public Service Commission is looking for Mt. Airy residences to file their complaint at www.psc.state.md.us or call 1-800-492-0474.
Melissa Brois
Mt. Airy
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