July 2008

By FRANK M. JOHNSON, Mayor, Town of Mt. Airy
As published July 2, 2008

1. Fly the Flag on July 4th

Many remember that years ago flags were flown from electrical and telephone poles in the downtown area on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veteran’s Day. Town staff have over the last few months worked with Allegheny Power and Verizon to obtain permission for the town to fly the flags again from utility poles.

Over the last few weeks, with the help of donations (so far, from the Mt. Airy Lions Club, Marine Corps League and several downtown merchants), the town collected funds to purchase the holders, poles and flags themselves. As a result – starting on July 4th – the town will fly the flags again for these holidays.

We encourage everyone to fly the flag from their homes and businesses as well.


2. Saving Gas – By Being a Bicycle Friendly Town

There is no realistic plan in sight that will reduce costs of a gallon of gasoline anytime soon. We can, however, take steps to use less gasoline by encouraging other ways of getting around.

We could become a more bicycle friendly community simply by installing bicycle racks. Few places in Town now have bicycle racks. Installing a few racks, perhaps starting downtown, can make a difference. We can also encourage more racks in shopping centers.

We can as part of our development process ensure both parking for cars and accommodation for bicycles as well. We can also take steps individually to be sure to “share the road” for pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles.

Mt. Airy and our surrounding area could be well suited to be a good bicycling area – if we work together to make it possible.


3. Cable Changes

Everyone in town will be seeing changes to the cable lineup. Most will be seeing some more channels, and the former Frederick subscribers will receive the upgrades long ago promised, including on-demand.

For the first time, everyone in town on cable will have the public, educational and governmental channels for both counties. However, the process has not been flawless, and many of us will not be pleased to lose some independent Washington stations that for Frederick customers have been mainstays.

While local governments cannot by Federal law regulate channel lineups, we have asked Comcast to consider local preferences and to consider providing some of the favorites that many will miss.

Please note that the major change is targeted for completion by July 3, and will require a change of cable boxes for current Frederick customers in order to continue receiving cable services. Please read carefully all notices you receive in the mail from Comcast!


4. Town Email Update Service

If you would like to receive regular updates and notices as the town website is updated, please let us know at mtairy2@comcast.net. We will pass your email address along to our volunteer webmaster, Ned Burford, who will add you to the list.


5. Activities for Youth and Teenagers

The Friday night teen center is going well, and we thank residents who donated couches as well as the Mt. Airy Lions Club for donating a Playstation 2 along with several games. Many thanks to volunteers Pat Rockinberg and Linda Brown for making this activity a reality. We hope over time that we can expand upon it, and will continue to use feedback from the kids who attend to make it better.


6. Fill Your Recycling Bin

Many residents seem to appreciate the large size of the new recycling bins (65 gallon) and we know that many are using the new space to fill up their bins. While we are also working with those who have found the new bins too large, be advised that Frederick City has an option for larger bins – 90 gallons – and some of our residents have asked for two bins!

Recycling is not only required in town, but it’s also the right thing to do. It is a way to be good to the earth, but it is also a way to save on the $500,000 plus cost to pick up and dispose of trash for the town.