Here is the May 2007 Town Managers Report.Town Manager’s ReportMay 2007Prepared by David HallerStreets:Staff installed the ‘welcome to Emmitsburg’ signsStaff has repaired a number of street lightsStaff installed speed bumps on Lincoln Avenue and North AvenueStaff coordinated several street paving projectsStaff repaired and cold patched a few sidewalks on Main StreetWater:Rainbow Lake is maintaining at the spillway and all wells are holding up wellThe roughing filters are now being backwashed twice everyday and the DE filters are being done once every weekStaff has recently flushed the raw line from Rainbow Lake to the Water Treatment PlantWater production and consumption. We produced and purchased an average of 336,537 gpd. We consumed an average of 303,816 gpd.The difference is “Backwash Water” …(9.7%). We purchased 240,800 gals. of water from MSM this month.48.2% of this water came from wells0.2.4% of this water came from Mt. St. Mary’s49.4% of this water came from Rainbow LakeWastewater:Mason Dixon Farms has started pumping and aerator maintenance has been performed on Lagoon No. 3We received about 1.4 inches of precipitation this month (the average is 4,5 inches)We have a deficit of 3.7″ of precipitation over the last six months. The average precipitation for the period from December 1 thru May 31 is 22.2″ and we have received 18.5″ for that period.There was an error in last month’s precipitation computation which indicated that we had exceeded the six month average by 3.5% when we exceeded by only 0.8″. It is also important to know that this six month average does not include Nov. 2006, a month in which we exceeded the monthly average precipitation by 1.4″Wastewater Treatment:We treated an average of 286,000 gpd (consumed 303,816 gpd) which means that 0.0% of the wastewater treated this month was “wild water”. This also indicat4es that approximately 67% of the 26,424 gpd increase in consumption this month went to outdoor useWe experienced no spills of untreated sewerage during the month of MayWe did not exceed the plant’s design capacity during the month of MayTrash:Trash pickup will remain Monday and Thursday for the Month of June, 2007Parks:Staff worked on the ball fields in Memorial ParkStaff coordinated and worked with S&W Construction on the replacement of the roofs on the Bathrooms and pavilion in Memorial ParkStaff coordinated the pouring of the concrete for the new bandstand in Community ParkStaff did some painting at the Community swimming poolMeetings Attended:05/05 With Hess Enterprises related to possible rezoning request at hotel site05/07 With sewer plant design engineers related to possible treatment methods05/09 With staff to review water capacity numbers05/10 With Dan Reaver related to his proposed commercial subdivision05/15 With Planning consultant to create water capacity section of Comp Plan update05/16 Water & Sewer Master Plan seminar-Hagerstown05/17 With Mayor and Representatives of MSM to discuss growth limits delineation05/24 Municipal/BOCC Water & Sewer Master Plan update05/24 MML POS funding meeting (Got $70,000 of POS money

Here is todays list of water related problems around the world.

Google Search: water drought
Build pond now, but wait for drought to end to fill it – Birmingham News – Build pond now, but wait for drought to end to fill itBirmingham News, AL – 2 hours agoPutting one in operation, though, should definitely be delayed until water restrictions are lifted. You need to r
6:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Drought challenges US south – Globe and Mail – Drought challenges US southGlobe and Mail, Canada – 5 hours agoEven without worsening drought, that will exceed the capacity of existing water supplies — and Phoenix has supplemented its groundwater s
6:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Drought brings disease risk to dwindling dam – Cyprus Mail – Drought brings disease risk to dwindling damCyprus Mail, Cyprus – 2 hours agoHe added that the fish were the first to be hit by the water shortage the island is facing. “The water levels have dropped
5:56 AM
water sewer rates
Worcester approves solid waste, water and wastewater budgets – Delmarva Daily Times – Worcester approves solid waste, water and wastewater budgetsDelmarva Daily Times, MD – 1 hour agoThere was also a change in commercial rates from $180 to $240 minimum and $4.25 to $5 per 1000 gallons
3:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Some South Florida associations still require house washing in drought – Sun-Sentinel.com – Some South Florida associations still require house washing in droughtSun-Sentinel.com, FL – 16 minutes agoTo Lopez, conserving water in the middle of a drought is more important. “In a couple of
3:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Drought challenges US south – Globe and Mail – Drought challenges US southGlobe and Mail, Canada – 2 hours agoEven without worsening drought, that will exceed the capacity of existing water supplies — and Phoenix has supplemented its groundwater s
3:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Spangenberg: Water wisely when it comes to established lawns – Northwest Herald – Spangenberg: Water wisely when it comes to established lawnsNorthwest Herald, IL – 6 hours agoEstablished trees and shrubs will also need water if true drought conditions develop. Water the entire roo
3:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Internalizing the critical weight of water – News & Observer – Internalizing the critical weight of waterNews & Observer, NC – 3 hours agoThere is drought in China. Flash floods in Texas just killed four people. Once-farmed land is becoming desert in China w
3:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Water alert in city – Jacksonville News – Water alert in cityJacksonville News, AL – Jun 21, 2007Jacksonville became the first city in the county Monday to impose mandatory water restrictions. A memo issued by the city Monday said washing veh
2:32 AM
Google Search: water restrictions
District bans watering indefinitely – KOAA – District bans watering indefinitelyKOAA, CO – 8 hours agoThe Cherokee Metropolitan Water District increased restrictions Friday because storage levels had dipped dangerously low. Only a third of the
12:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
China drought causes water shortages for millions – Washington Post – China drought causes water shortages for millionsWashington Post, United States – 7 hours agoBEIJING (Reuters) – Drought affecting large swathes of China has left more than 8 million people short of w
12:24 AM
Google Search: water drought
Spangenberg: Water wisely when it comes to established lawns – Northwest Herald – Spangenberg: Water wisely when it comes to established lawnsNorthwest Herald, IL – 35 minutes agoEstablished trees and shrubs will also need water if true drought conditions develop. Water the entire
Jun 22, 2007
water sewer rates
Saline water, sewer rates to get slight increases – Ann Arbor News – Saline water, sewer rates to get slight increasesAnn Arbor News, MI – Jun 19, 2007BY LISA ALLMENDINGER Saline water and sewer rates will rise slightly and some city employees will receive smaller than
Jun 22, 2007
“water saving”
Mayor plans to conserve water – Daily Sundial – Mayor plans to conserve waterDaily Sundial, CA – 13 hours ago… in conjunction with the LADWP, offers suggestions to businesses along with financial incentives to begin to implement water-saving mea
Jun 22, 2007
“water saving”
WaterFix Your Home – Wollondilly Advertiser – WaterFix Your HomeWollondilly Advertiser, Australia – Jun 19, 2007By Andre Boerema, New figures show almost 400000 households in Sydney have installed water saving devices in their homes. Each has s
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water drought
Conflict fuels drought, depletes water sources – Fort Worth Star Telegram – Conflict fuels drought, depletes water sourcesFort Worth Star Telegram, TX – 23 hours agoDAMRAT SURMI, Sudan — Decades of drought helped trigger Darfur’s violence as rival groups fought over scar
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water drought
Tips to help your lawn beat the heat – Seattle Post Intelligencer – Tips to help your lawn beat the heatSeattle Post Intelligencer – 52 minutes agoOne of the first signs I look for in a drought-stressed lawn is if my feet leave an impression in the grass as I walk ac
Jun 22, 2007
water sewer rates
City customers face planned increase in water rates – Santa Maria Times – City customers face planned increase in water ratesSanta Maria Times, CA – Jun 21, 2007By Malia Spencer/SENIOR STAFF WRITER A nearly 30-year-old city policy that allows for automatic annual increases
Jun 22, 2007
water sewer rates
Fitch Rates JEA’s (Florida) $41MM Water Revs 2007 Series C ‘AA … – Business Wire (press release) – Fitch Rates JEA’s (Florida) $41MM Water Revs 2007 Series C ‘AA …Business Wire (press release), CA – 17 hours agoJEA’s retail water and sewer rates are expected to remain competitive for
Jun 22, 2007
water sewer rates
Fowlerville council to vote on sewer, water rate hikes – Ann Arbor News – Fowlerville council to vote on sewer, water rate hikesAnn Arbor News, MI – 9 hours agoBY LINDA THEIL The Fowlerville Village Council will vote June 25 on a resolution to increase water and sewer rates
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water drought
Conflict fuels drought, depletes water sources – Fort Worth Star Telegram – Philadelphia Daily NewsConflict fuels drought, depletes water sourcesFort Worth Star Telegram, TX – 12 hours agoDAMRAT SURMI, Sudan — Decades of drought helped trigger Darfur’s violence as rival
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water drought
Drought effects on underground water – BlueRidgeNow.com – Drought effects on underground waterBlueRidgeNow.com, NC – 21 hours ago”When the well is dry we know the worth of water.” — Benjamin Franklin In spite of a drought that has been called the
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water drought
Drought May Further Impact Carpet Industry – WRCB-TV – Drought May Further Impact Carpet IndustryWRCB-TV, TN – 6 hours agoJ&J Industries and Shaw Industries have both already taken measures to help conserve water. However, if the drought continues, th
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water drought
Nursery professionals’ consensus: Go native, go green, give up St … – Naples Daily News – Nursery professionals’ consensus: Go native, go green, give up St …Naples Daily News, FL – 2 hours agoWhile plants may survive drought, ultimately all plants need water to thrive. “No plant can live
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water restrictions
Water restrictions to remain the same – North Kingstown Standard Times – Water restrictions to remain the sameNorth Kingstown Standard Times, RI – 15 hours agoNORTH KINGSTOWN – They’ve tried through education and water restrictions. But no matter what the water depart-
Jun 22, 2007
Google Search: water restrictions
Water Restrictions Could Soon Be Lifted – KCBD-TV – Water Restrictions Could Soon Be LiftedKCBD-TV, TX – Jun 21, 2007The city’s effort to conserve water takes a hit, but overall city leaders still believe water restrictions could be lifted as early
Jun 22, 2007

Here is my ode to the first day of summer 2007. This is the day that the sun is 75 degrees elevation above the horizon at noon.

Michelle Malkin has a story on the support for the Blue Angels in San Francicso. She mentions that the maybe if the Blue Angels fly naked, San Francisco would support their air show!

One of the most prolific bloggers is The Anchoress. Here’s a take on why she blogs:
quote:

My blog is my little world of freedom in which I indulge my own leanings. On my blog I blog about the things that interest me at the particular moment that I am sitting down and writing – whatever grabs my passion, so to speak – and when I write, I hope it is interesting to others as well, but I am writing for myself. I never allow others to dictate to me what I will write, or when. When people ask me why I’m not writing about this scandal or that headline-grabbing bit, or the latest missing blonde girl getting saturation coverage on FOX, the answer is always the same – I write what interests me. Unquote.

Here is an example of Ann Althouse. She blogs a several times a day about what interests her at that particular time. See here

Rick Lee blogs about his photography, usually one or a few pictures of what he did or has done. Rick Lee of “On Location with Rick Lee” has Thursday night as “Because Thursday is Grocery Night” with closeup pictures of vegetables.
My google trends indicate I read Robert Scoble more than any other blog. He writes about the internet and does a video interview for online viewing with movers and shakers and startups on the internet.

Look at my blogroll for other bloggers who I read regularly. My categories gives a hint at the topics I cover.

I blog Sunday Morning Hymn, Apple Inc, Emmitburg water lines, Emmitsburg Govt and what ever else that interests me. I may be on three blogrolls and 10 readers a day but the idea is to make, what was originally a two word description of a blog, weBlog or blog for short, a diary of random thoughts either private or public.

Here is a link to the Induction Ceremonies held by the Emmitsburg Lions Club , May 10th 2007. Past District Governor Ochoa presented a plaque honoring Emmitsburg Lion Herb Gingell. They donated to Lions Vision Research Foundation in his honor.
PDG Ochoa also inducted 4 new members. Lion Denise, Marilyn, Husband Bill and Bill Hartman.

Look at these pictures of the World War II Memorial that I took yesterday.

Very touching wreaths especially one that was from a High School Class of 1944 with a picture of a young man, probably from his high school year book. He most probably was killed in action…..

Then I think of the 14,000,000 men and women (they were referred to as ‘the boys’ and girls’) 10% of the United States population served in uniform during WW II. Kids really, college age kids operating airplanes, tanks, jeeps, slogging through jungles, mud, landings on beaches, all to secure our “Shining City on the Hill” the beacon to this day to people to strive to come to our country and live with the blessings, that we so take for granted.

They the “Greatest Generation” and all the other wars veterans, fought the great fight for us and gave the supreme , ultimate sacrifice that we may now enjoy freedoms unimaginable to most of the rest of the World.
Then I think of the Code Pink Rally, that I saw on the Washington Mall. It was located just around the bend of the Washington monument from the WW II memorial. They were there with their “Impeach Cheany”, there with the signs “Bush Lied” “Impeach them both”. They had a pair of tables on the sidewalk on the mall with bumper stickers and buttons for sale.
See this post on who lied.
I thought, “Is this a great country or what?” What a juxtaposition, Code Pink rally within walking distance of the WW II memorial; that conflict that allowed and saved for all the “Code Pinks” and their ilk, in this country the right to assemble and say what they wanted without fear of retaliation or tanks dispersing them.

My thoughts then turned to Emmitsburg. The veterans of Emmitsburg living, who continue to serve us today, and the dead that are memorialized on the Doughboy Monument and the American Legion monuments. Also I thought “wow, just last weekend was the project to place over 500 brass markers on the graves of Veterans in all of the Emmitsburg Cemetery!”

Then I think of Emmitsburg’s living WW II veterans who continue to serve us. Two veterans who come to mind are Bob Orner and Bob Myers (there may be others). Both of them still serve us even though they are over 80 years old. They work in the Jubilee Supermarket serving the public, Mr Orner behind the deli counter and Mr Myers stocking shelves.

So if you are in Jubilee some time, give them a hug or just say “Thank you Bob” for doing what you did for us.
So to, thank any veteran you meet for their contribution to retaining our way of life. For without them and their service …………… (complete the sentence with your words and send them by going to www.contactify.com/10012 and typing in the text box) and I will publish ones I judge “fitting and proper” with your permission. The decision of the judge will be final.

Dems Speak da Truth

They just don’t mean it. Lest we forget (the dems sure have, even their own words) how we came to this fateful place and time. hat tip mdd

“One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line.”
President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998.

“If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program.”
President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998.

“Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face.”
Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998.

“He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983.”
Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998

“[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.”
Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998.

“Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998.

“Hussein has … chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies.”
Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999.

“There is no doubt that . Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies.”
Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL,) and others, Dec, 5, 2001.

“We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.”
Sen. Carl Levin (d, MI), Sept. 19, 2002.

“We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.”
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002.

“Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.”
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002.

“We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seing and developing weapons of mass destruction.”
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002.

“The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons…”
Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002.

“I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force — if necessary — to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.”
Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002.

“There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years . We also should remember we have alway s underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction.”
Sen. Jay Rockerfeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002,

“He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do.”
Rep. Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002.

“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.”
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002

“We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction. “[W]ithout question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime … He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation. And now he has continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction … So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real …
Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003.

Here is an interesting site to check out.