December 30, 1990
Frall Developers' plan for projects in the Mount Airy area receives a crippling blow when the Town Council denies the builder's request for annexation of 33 acres off Route 808 in Carroll. The council is considering annexation of 100 acres in Frederick County just north of Prospect Road, but Frall president James Frey said previously that he considered the two projects as one, and that a denial of one would kill the other. The latter annexation could be a valuable source of water for the town, the developer said.
Court turns deaf ear
The U.S. Supreme Court decides not to hear the eight-year-old legal dispute over the Woodbine Glider Port. Now the whole matter returns to the Carroll County Zoning Board, which must rule on whether to issue a new permit for the airstrip after it revoked the original one in 1982.
Residents have demanded for years that the county zoning board amend the air strip's growing permit to restrict operating hours and the number of flights. Airstrip officials countered by saying only the Federal Aviation Administration could regulate the airways.
City manager job created
The Westminster City Council votes unanimously to create a city manager position to answer their questions and handle the day-to-day operations of the city. The council and Mayor W. Benjamin Brown both have supported hiring a manager, but Brown has fought against a council-controlled position, saying it carries out the council's threat last April to strip his limited powers. Brown promised to veto the ordinance and head a citizen-requested referendum on the issue.
Men get raped, too
Women in Carroll report sexual assaults far more often than men do, but the number of men who call the county's crisis hot line to say they have been raped is on the rise. Christine Frey, a volunteer coordinator and counselor at Carroll's Rape Crisis Intervention Service, says 11 of the past 110 calls to the hot line were from men, some of whom said they were raped by groups of women and others who said they were attacked by groups of men. Terry Blevins, manager of the Baltimore and Carroll County Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence 24-Hour Crisis Hot Line, a counseling and referral service, says about 10 percent of the agency's calls are from men who have been raped by other men.
Man sues fire company
David B. Rambol II, 28, of the 2300 block of Susanann Drive, sues theHampstead Volunteer Fire Company and five people for $5 million. The suit, filed in circuit court, claims the fire company was responsible for a beating Rambol received when the five people attacked him during a crowded dance at the fire hall last November. Rambol said in the suit that the fire company was at fault for allowing the fight and not stopping it soon enough; the suit said as a result of the fight Rambol sustained serious, painful and permanent injuries to his head, body and limbs, requiring expensive and ongoing medical treatment.
Commissioner hopefuls busy
As November nears, the six candidates for county commissioner continue to seek strongholds in the niches they have carved throughout the campaign.
Of the Republicans, incumbent Julia W. Gouge champions her experience and ability to provide continuity; Westminster farmer Donald I. Dell promotes his vision of a county preserving its rural character while allowing progress; and Richard T. Yates stresses his austere views on spending.
Among the Democrats, Manchester Mayor Elmer C. Lippy Jr. emphasizes his fiscal conservatism balanced by open-mindedness; Richard F. Will Sr. paints himself as the common sense leader willing to make tough decisions; and Sharon L. Baker identifies herself as the candidate with a social conscience.
Mining approval
The Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission approves a plan by Lehigh Portland Cement Co. to mine limestone on a portion of its land off Route 31 in New Windsor. The commission also recommends that Lehigh be issued a zoning certificate for its entire New Windsor site. The company, which now operates a quarry near its cement plant in Union Bridge, plans to develop the 750-acre site in New Windor gradually; the commission's approval was for the site plan for the initial phase, a 186-acre plot with a 66-acre quarry.
Trout vs. reservoir
While trying to get permits for Gillis Falls Reservoir, a 430-acre lake that would supply South Carroll with water, the county runs into resistance from state officials. Maryland officials are worried about disturbing Gillis Falls, which is designated by the state as a natural trout stream, and 177 acres of wetlands that would be inundated. State regulations prohibit building a reservoir on a natural trout stream. The county is asking for a reclassification of Gillis Falls.
CCC stands tall
Carroll Community College's new $1.5 million cathedral-like building on Washington Road in Westminster is formally dedicated. The 14-year-old college opened its doors with an enrollment of 600 students. Today, 2,300 students are enrolled.
