Times-Record from Denton, Maryland • Page 3

Gilpin Point, tomb may be aided by funding Clay Owens Times-Record HARMONY Colonel William final resting place is due to become a little more accessible. The Revolutionary War tomb is located in an area where the view of the Choptank River is splendid, but also at a site where parking and accessibility to the water have long been an issue. That could soon change for the better. George Jamar, capital projects coordinator for the Department of Recreation and Parks, received permission last week from the county commissioners to accept a bid to install a feet parking lot at Gilpin Point where Richardson who fought against the British in the battles of Long Island and Harlem Heights in 1776 is entombed along a scenic stretch of Choptank shoreline popular with visitors. The work is to be done by Choptank Excavating of Denton and will cost $7,165.

Jamar said 75 percent of the cost is coming from a Program Open Spaces grant and the balance from existing capital budget appropriations. Jamar said the county was aware of Gilpin Point being in an environmentally critical area and the work to be done reflected that. Despite the size of the planned parking lot, Jamar said only two trees would have to be cut down. He also said new trash cans would be installed to reduce the trash which commonly overflows the single can there now. Jamar also received approval to accept a Water Way Improvement grant of $16,000 for the replacement of the pump-out station at Choptank Marina.

Jamar said the current station, installed in 1994, needs constant repair and needs to be replaced with more efficient equipment. The grant comes from fees collected throughout the state and did not require any matching funds from the county. It will pay for the entire job. The company to do that work has not yet been chosen. Clay Owens Times-Record DENTON Saying the county will be dealing with growth issues for some time, Caroline Department of Planning and Codes Administration presented their Fiscal Year 2007 budget request to the county commissioners April 4.

Deputy Planner Shane Johnston presented the $4.7 million budget, $3.4 million for six capital projects and $1.3 million for operations, saying it would allow the department to fulfill its mission statement protect the pubic health, safety and welfare through sound land use and growth management practices while providing effective high quality services to the people of Caroline County and its local Director Betsy Krempasky said the budget, if approved, would require $4.5 million in local funds, with $231,000 coming from user fees such as building permits and various licenses. The six planned capital pro- jects would allow the department to continue what Johnston said was an average goal each year. try to do six or seven major (capital) projects each year. This budget will allow us to continue it, if you approve Johnston said. The projects are: $1 million for the Agricultural Land Preservation Fund.

$885,000 for the construction of a water system for the Jonestown and Nelpine Heights communities. $831,420 for the North County Water and Sewer Project. $550,000 to develop a database for the administration and the Department of Public Works. $100,000 to completely update the comprehensive water and sewer plan, including the engineering work. $25,000 for a new department vehicle for codes inspections.

The operations budget will include pay raises, and the hiring of a community planner, who would work with the towns and Council of Governments to coordinate efforts on shared matters. The department also plans to begin a search for a replacement for Krempasky, who is retiring in February. After hearing the proposed budget, Comissioner John Cole said it would require lot of due to growth in the county. He added he was to the $1 million requested for agricultural land preservation. Times-Record NEWS April 12,2006 PAGEA3 Attention Homebuyers! Homebuyers Education Seminar All home loan types VA Option Arms Bayside Mortgage Services, Inc.

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Such is the diversity of chores asked of an employee of the Maryland Park Service, but a job McNeil has enjoyed since the first day she started a work study program there while in high school at North Caroline High School over 20 years ago. truly love my job, you do something different every said McNeil, who grew up in Denton but now lives in Greensboro with her husband and three children. started here and never left. Other than being a waitress in high school, the only job I have ever McNeil must be pretty good at her job, too, because last month she was honored as the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Employee of the Year from among 25 nominees throughout the state. was surprised when I was told I had been selected, not why you do the job, to win an award like that, but I feel a reflection on the entire staff she said.

McNeil is one of six park service employees stationed at Tuckahoe, which comes under the DNR, who are in charge of planning events for, managing and maintaining Tuckahoe and Martinak State Parks, the Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area, the Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area and the Choptank River Fishing Pier. Now a Park Service Assistant Supervisor, McNeil said her interest in park service stemmed from a youth spent using Martinak State Park attending Martinak Days, fishing and canoeing; and her interest in horticulture. She actually began her park service as an intern at Adkins Arboretum, which is on the grounds of Tuckahoe State Park. worked my way up through the said McNeil. really love what I do.

I like working with the people and programming the events; helping them to enjoy their time here, whether they are here for an event or class, or camping here for the she added. Among the events McNeil helps plan for the park are the annual Easter Egg hunt the Saturday before Easter, and the Tuckahoe Triathlon in June. The Easter Egg hunt, which takes place this Saturday, annually draws over 1,000 kids and parents who go out in a frenzied search for about 3,000 eggs. dye hundreds of (about 2000) real eggs and it takes about three McNeil said. then we get about 1,000 plastic eggs (for special McNeil said the event is one of the more popular and once the call is given to start the hunt, all over in about 10 The Tuckahoe Triathlon takes place around the lakes, fitness and bike trails and draws 80-90 participants and more than 400 persons altogether including family.

friends and onlookers. is a really neat event. You get a mix of (competitors) who come to compete as a way to get ready for another event later on, as well as people who just come out for fun, just to see how they McNeil said. Those are just two of the many events the two parks offer. Others include the Junior Ranger and Ranger Pal programs, scales and tales wildlife camp, day camps and special interest camps like archery, rock climbing and canoeing.

The park also hosts Outlaw Days in September and the Haunted Hayride around Halloween. amazes me sometimes at how little people know of all that is available to them she said. lot of people say they have loved in Denton all their lives and never been here or realize what we In his nomination of McNeil for the award, park manager John Ohler said is friendly and upbeat, a consummate park professional who goes the extra mile. service is her number one priority; she displays a high level of professionalism; she takes on additional duties with sensitivity, cooperation, collaboration, trust and team effort. is dedicated to the park and an essential member of the Maryland Park Service and the Department of Natural McNeil said managing the park and all its campgrounds, trails and events, would not be possible without the teamwork displayed by the six-person staff.

a staff of six, you have to work as a team and all do whatever is required, whether day camp, mowing grass, working the late shift, or signing up for a she said. Besides Ohler and McNeil, the staff at Tuckahoe includes maintenance chief Martin Callahan, park technician Josh Gallagher and PSAs Jessica Conley and Tina Stevens. two seasonal park rangers during the summer, plus a seasonal staff of college students. PHOTO BY JOHN EVANS Debbie McNeil was recently named Maryland Department of Natural Resources Employee of the Year. She has been a park employee at Tuckahoe State Park for 20 years.

Raised in Denton, Greensboro resident has worked at Tuckahoe State Park for 20 years I truly love my job.You do something different every day. Debbie McNeil DNR Employee of the Year Planning and Codes seeks budget increase to meet added needs PHOTO BY CLAY OWENS Gilpin Point and the resting place of Col. William Richardson will soon have a new parking lot, thanks to a Program Open Spaces grant..