Union Bridge September/October 2005 Newsletter

Council Meetings	September 26 & October 24 – 7 pm.
Funding Committee Meetings	September 7 & October 5 – 7pm.
Planning & Zoning Meetings	September 15 & October 20 - 6:30 pm.
Council Work Sessions	September 12 & October 10 - 6:30 pm.

Office Closed Labor Day - September 5, 2005

With hot weather comes the recurring problem of kids being out past curfew. Curfew hours 10 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday until 6 a.m. of the following day; and 12:01 a.m. through 6 a.m. on any Saturday or Sunday. The new Deputy is interested in enforcing curfew. I would rather everyone bring their kids in before that becomes necessary. There really isn't any need for them to be out that late anyway. It also becomes a safety issue; even though Union Bridge is a relatively safe place to live there are no guarantees in life. Know where they are and keep them safe.
I wish to thank Jo Israelson for all the work that went into the Heifer Relief program held at the New Windsor Brethren Service Center. If not for Jo this would not have happened and an interesting part of local history would have continued to be overlooked, or worse yet, forgotten. We should be proud of the Roops and all the others who recognized a need and actually did something about it. If we all were as willing to help the less fortunate, maybe no one would have to go hungry. Thanks again to all involved.

I would like to remind everyone in town. If you wish to report a crime that occurred, please contact the Sheriff's office immediately. It makes an investigators job much easier when they can start on a case immediately after it occurs.
I would also like parents in town to ensure their children are wearing helmets when they operate bicycles, skateboards, and scooters.

DFC Chris Orwig
Community Deputy
Sheriff’s Office 410-386-2900
Tips 1-888-399-TIPS
Emergency 911
Non-emergency 410-386-2900

FUNDING COMMITTEE
The Funding Committee will hold a breakfast on September 18, 2005.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Restored Tennis Courts
The town has approved the low bid from Melvin Benhoff Sons, Inc., for the reconstruction of the town tennis courts on Thomas Street. Construction should be completed by October 2005. The courts will get a new surface, fencing, nets, and possibly some parking spaces. The town is interested in assisting residents in the formation of a town tennis club. Anyone interested in volunteering to head up this effort should contact the town office at 410-775-2711.

Do you know of elderly people in need of rental housing?
One-bedroom units are still available for rent at the new Shriner Court elderly housing project. The town worked in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to construct 20 units for lower income elderly persons. The units are located on a beautiful setting on Ladiesburg Road (near the Union Bridge Community Center).
If you are interested in renting one of these brand- new units, or if you know of an elderly person looking for housing, please call 410-775-2940 for information and qualifying guidelines.

Fair Housing
As part of the town's receipt of grant funds from the Maryland Small Cities Community Development Black Grant Program, we promote fair housing practices in The Town of Union Bridge. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex familial status, or disability. For more information about fair housing and the Fair Housing Act, visit www.hud.gov/fairhousing, or contact HUD's Mid-Atlantic office at Fair Housing Hub, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107-9344, or call 1-888-799-2085.

Stop Vandalism in our Town Parks!!
We are still asking all residents and park visitors to keep their ears and eyes open for acts of vandalism. If you see or learn of an act of vandalism, please report it immediately to the Carroll County Sheriff's Office in Westminster by calling 410-386-2900. If you see a crime and it's past business hours, dial 911 directly.
All vandals will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law. This is your town! A lot of money has been spent to improve park facilities. Please do your part now by keeping the parks and recreational facilities clean and vandal- free. Thank you.

WEST CARROLL RECREATION COUNCIL
The West Carroll Recreation Council serves Union Bridge, New Windsor, and surrounding areas. Anyone interested in Rec. Council programs or events is welcome to attend our meetings, which are held on the third Monday of each month at the Union Bridge Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Baseball/Softball Raffle Winners
1st Place: Danny McCabe-$100 + 4 Orioles tickets
2nd Place: Lily Lawyer-$50.00 + 2 Orioles tickets
3rd. Place: Ray Mattison-$50.00
4th Place: Brian Cox-$50.00
5th Place: Val Spurrier-$50.00
For more information about programs, call Community Coordinator Penny Rockwood at 410-857-3549.

CARROLL COUNTY RECREATION AND PARKS
Carroll County Recreation and Parks will be offering Dance Classes on Wed. evenings, Oct. 5-Nov. 16, 2005 at Elmer Wolfe elementary School.
A "Mommy and Me Pre-Ballet" Class (for ages 18 months to 3 years) will be offered from 6:30-7:15.
A pre-Ballet Class for ages 4-5 will be offered from 7:15-8:00 p.m.
Cost of each class will be $55. Scholarships are available where necessary.
For information please call Linda Stitely, Community Recreation Specialist, at 410-386-2994.

UNION BRIDGE CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN
The Union Bridge Church of the Brethren has a special Tuesday evening program for kids in grades K-5. It is called "Faith Weaver Friends Club". Games, crafts, snacks, music, and simple faith lessons are all part of each energy-packed session. The Club is fun and free. Working in a weekly journal will reinforce language and writing skills. This program runs Sep. 13 to Nov. 1, and another eight-week session will be held Jan. 17-March 7. Sessions begin at 6 p.m. and end at 7:30. We can help with transportation.
To get your child involved contact the Church at 124 S. Main St., Box 518 or call Pastors Jim or Amy at 410-775-2717 or Kay Horr at 410-635-2877.

THE UNION BRIDGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
The Union Bridge Business Association meets the third Monday of every month from 7:30 am to 9 am at the Buttersburg Inn. The organization is open to all businesses within and around The Town of Union Bridge.
Calendar for Meetings 05/06
Sept. 19 - speaker-Deputy Sheriff
Oct. 17-speaker-Nancy McCormick
Nov. 21 - membership meeting
Dec. - membership meeting
Jan. 16 - speaker-grants, fundraising
Feb. 20 - membership meeting
March 20 - membership meeting
April 17 - speaker-encouraging economic development
May 15 - membership meeting
June 19 - membership meeting
Mission Statement
The goal of the Association is to establish downtown Union Bridge as a gathering place and center of community life. We seek to preserve the unique historical aspects of the town while at the same time providing amenities and services to residents and visitors.
Goals
· To promote the commerce of locally owned and operated businesses.
· To provide incentives and support to attract existing and new such businesses.
· To encourage services and cultural events for visitors and residents in order to crate Union Bridge as a destination.
· To promote the historic aspects of the community while addressing modern concerns and needs of its residents.
· To promote to local, regional, and state localities the history, ecology, and cultural aspects that make Union Bridge a viable business community.

HOME OWNERSHIP
Make your dream a reality. Contact CDA at MOREHOUSE4LESS.COM
or call CDA at 1-800-638-7781.
CDA has 30-, 35- and 40-year fixed rate loans.

SEWER LINE BLOCKAGES
RESIDENTS, IF YOUR SEWER LINE BECOMES BLOCKED PLEASE CALL THE TOWN HALL AT 410-775-2711 BEFORE CALLING A PLUMBER.

*BRUSH PILE OWNERS*
THE TOWN HAS A CHIPPER THAT CAN BE USED FREE TO HELP ELIMINATE BRUSH PILES TAKING UP USABLE YARD SPACE. PLEASE CALL THE TOWN HALL TO RESERVE THE CHIPPER.

LEAF PICK-UP
The town will again offer leaf pick-up. Please call the town hall at 410-775-2711 to schedule a pick up.

COMMUNITY CENTER
THE CENTER IS AVAILABLE FOR PARTIES, WEDDINGS AND REUNIONS. CALL THE TOWN HALL TO INQUIRE ABOUT RENTING THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR YOUR FUNCTION.

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT
OCTOBER 31, 2005 6:30 TO 8 PM
(porch light on if participating)