Fence at Tuckerman Drive?

I hope you can answer a question I have. I have lived in Harmans Woods South since it was built (1985). I am an avid runner and do alot of running through Harmans Woods. Recently there has been a fence put up atthe end of Tuckerman Dr. that connects to Graham Farm Circle. I know a lot of runners and walkers that used that path to get out to Severn Rd. Since there is a paved asphalt path connecting these streets I though this was an approved path for people to use. Now the only way for people to get out to Severn Rd. is by using Harmans Rd from Harmans South to the light at Boyer Farms. The is a very twisty and dangerous stretch of road for runners. Is there a reason that thisfence on Tuckerman Dr was erected?

Roger's December and November 2008 Watch Reports

Sunday Dec 7, 2008 Neighborhood Watch Report 256 Guys,A final reminder for the PCRC-Police Christmas Buffet on Wed, 10 Dec 08, at the Western District Police Station on MD170 across from Greenway Bowl. [PCRC President Dave Daughters' December newsletter is attached at the end of this report with more information.]Art Lisowsky has done an outstanding job soliciting food and prize donations from businesses here in our immediate area.If you can help Art pick up these donations at 2:00p.m, Wed, 10 Dec, it would be greatly appreciated! He can be reached at 410-206-0073 or 410-697-3324. Even if you can only pick up a few donations, it will really help him!Upcoming Dates:Noon-Midnight, Wed, 10 Dec 08-PCRC-Police XMAS Buffet.7:00p.m., Thurs, 22 Jan 09-The next Harman Civic Association meeting is scheduled for this date. We hope to hold this (our second meeting) in the new Frank Hebron-Harman Elementary School. The school is really beautiful!Events & Other Items:1) 3 Dec 08-Our watch folks reported a car tire was slashed in the Baggins Road/Strider Court area. You know the drill. Please call 911 or 410-222-8610 for any suspicious persons or vehicles.2) Harman Civic Association meetings-I have been reluctant to pass on specific details of major Harman Civic Association (HCA) initiatives prior to the meetings. There are also ongoing activities which need community support and attendance which I have not been giving a lot of publicity.If I put everything in the watch reports, folks won't need to come to the meetings! The HCA officers are a small group of dedicated residents who have a passionate desire to work for the good of the community. At the same time, almost all of the HCA officers work full time and are supporting multiple other community and youth organizations.Thus, I feel it would be a "slap in the face" for all their hard work to do otherwise.I just wanted to pass that bit of information out in case you hear of items going on in the community that aren't necessarily publicized in the watch reports.Of course, all safety and crime concerns will be quickly disseminated to you in these reports.That said, I will be sending out some major items the HCA has been working on (see item #2).3) 29 Oct 08-I do need to let you know the Harman Civic Association sent a letter to Senator Barbara Mikulski on the change of BWI-Marshall Airport flight patterns over our communities since the spring of 2007. The HCA cc:'d Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, State Senator Ed DeGrange, State Delegates Mary Ann Love, Ted Sophocleus, and Pam Beidle. The HCA also cc:'d County Executive John Leopold, County Councilman Daryl Jones, and County Exec Leopold's Community Constituent Rep Mark Chang.The HCA letter documented 49 overflights from early in the morning till late at night from July-Nov 07.If you have any specific complaints about the overflights (dates, times, locations), please send them to me now. That way I can be prepared for a follow up letter to Senator Mikulski as needed. As of this date, Senator Mikulski's staff is investigating the 29 Oct HCA letter.4) 1 Dec 08-Be wary of scammers trying to solicit funds for firefighters-PCRC President Dave Daughters forwarded a press release from Anne Arundel County Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia. "The Anne Arundel County Fire Department is issuinga warning to consumers to be extremely cautious when considering giving financial support to telemarketers purporting to be seeking funds for "firefighters"." "Recently, the department was contacted by several private citizens after receiving a phone solicitation on behalf of the "Firefighter Charitable Foundation" and the "Firefighter Support Foundation"." "Although both organizations are legal entities and are entitled to solicit in Maryland, neither organization supports, either directly or indirectly, any part of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department or its member volunteer companies.""The Anne Arundel County Fire Department is prohibited by law from soliciting anything from County residents or businesses." "Individual entities within the County including individual volunteer fire companies functioning as independent corporations, the Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the International Association of Firefighters IAFF Local #1563 do solicit within Anne Arundel County but should never represent themselves as the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.""Consumers with concerns who receive a telephone solicitation should contact the Office of the Secretary of State and speak with Mr. Michael Schlein at 410-974-5534 x3879 or via the internet at"http://www.sos.state.md.us/President Daughters added the following important item:"FYI, Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org) gives Firefighters Charitable Foundation, located in Farmington, NY, 0 stars, reporting that the organization spends 83.1% of its money on fundraising (good is 15-20%). BBB has nothing on either organization."5) Sat, 29 Nov 08 Garbage Pickup-What happened?!-I am guessing the recycling truck broke down for the special Saturday, 29 Nov garbage pickup (due to the Thanksgiving holiday).Folks in Harmans Woods and Matthewstown, at a minimum, had full recycling bins left behind. It looked like the regular garbage was picked up.This Saturday pickup will occur again on Saturday, 27 Dec 08 (due to the Christmas holiday). Hopefully, it will go through without a hitch!6) Carolyn from the Provinces watch passed on a new recommendation below in the General Items section for handymen (blue text). Thank you, Carolyn!Most recommendations in the General Items section have come from you folks on the watch. Your continuous feedback on the listed services is appreciated (quality of work, responsiveness, etc.). That way, I can pass it back to you by removing them from the reports.Also, let me know what kind of service you are getting if you call 911 or 410-222-8610. If you ever call 911 or 410-222-8610 and don't feel you are getting the level of service you should be getting, request to speak to the supervisor (and let me know).I have called 911 maybe 200 or so times over the last 13 years and have gotten good service, but we want to maintain that high level.Clubs & Activities for Kids:1) 4-H Club:Although 4-H provides many non-farm activities including computers, photography, public speaking, crafts and such this is a great opportunity for suburban youth to have a rural farm experience. The club is recruiting new members and encourages anyone who is interested to call Wendy at 410-812-9927. 4-H is open to all youth ages 8-18.2) The Student Tutoring and Retention (STARs) Progam resumed at New Life Fellowship (7605 Harmans Road) beginning September 6 at 9am. This tutoring program is free to the community and offers one on one attention in a wide variety of subjects for students from kindergarten to college. Tutoring will be held every Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m. For more information, call the church at 410.850.5767. General Items:1) Recommended plumbers:a) http://www.alphaplumbing.biz/ (Maria recommended from her work at Nationwide)b) http://www.servprooftowson.com/ (Keith in Harmans Farms recommended)c) Rob McCauley at 410-693-5280 (Cindy in Provinces recommended)2) Recommended handymen:a) I wanted to pass on a business we enjoy doing business with. We've had our windows replaced and are about to have a sliding door replaced. Their work is professional and they stand behind their work. They also do roofs and other home maintenance and services. Call 410-557-0555 and ask for Mike. (Carolyn in Provinces recommended)3) Landscaping Services:a) John Bridges (community resident) 410-519-9602 or 443-794-8138. He has employed at least one of our neighborhood kids. b) Miguel Sanchez (MAS Landscaping) 410-562-4007 (Mario in Ridge Forest recommended)4) Tom's Painting, Pressure Washing, and Cleaning Service 410-519-6062 (Mario in Ridge Forest recommended)5) Bounce Around (Tom's Painting in above item--his wife owns this business.) It is an indoor inflatable playground for birthday parties, etc. near BWI Marshall Airport in Linthicum at 410-519-60626) Mike's Auto Repair (410-850-0999) at7466 New Ridge Road, Suite 7, Hanover, MD 21076 (next group of buildings on the left after the post office, going north toward the airport rental car facility)7) Tree Cutting Service (410-859-0932) Please call Wayne Dixon.8) Harmans Woods News blog at http://therealharmanwoodsnews.blogspot.com/. Liz Greene is back with the Harmans Woods News. She can be e-mailed at http://us.mc634.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=lizgreene52@yahoo.com. It serves the Hanover, Harmans, Jessup and Severn communities.9) The Goddard School, 7538 Teague Road, Hanover, MD 21076 (owner Dipti Singh). Please visit http://us.mc634.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Hanovermd@goddardschools.comor 410-684-260110) Tutoring all subjects (410-551-8839 or 443-854-1390) Please call Liz Greene.11) BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Noise Complaint telephone number 410-859-7021 to report aircraft noise and specific overflights. Please note the specific time and as much detailed information as possible. Please let me know too.12) Street light out? Lost power in your house or neighborhood? Please call BGE at 410-685-0123 to report.13) Animal Control (410-222-8900)14) Anne Arundel County website is located at http://www.aacounty.org/. Good place to go to find out about any county agency or question. You can also get to the Anne Arundel County Police website from here. 15) County Roads (410-222-7940) to call in any county roads needing patching. They also handle trash/litter pick up along county roads.16) State Roads (410-766-3770) to call in state roads (any roads with highway numbers MD170, MD175, MD713 Ridge Road) to include road patching, traffic lights out, etc.17) Going on vacation or on a business trip? Please call 410-222-8610 to have your house put on the "police watch" while you are gone. It only takes a couple of minutes and gives our communities an additional police patrol.18) 3 websites to verify/check out the latest (and all previous lists) urban legends, folklore, or rumors. Anytime you hear some new shocking story about gangs, etc., please go there first before you send out an e-mail to other folks, family, or friends:http://www.snopes.com/http://www.urbanlegends.about.com/http://www.truthorfiction.com/19) Please call 911 or 410-222-8610 to report any suspicious persons, vehicles, or activities (day or night).Thank you for your support and keep the info coming! Roger Fox Western District View Western District Police-Community Relations Council December 2008 8273 Telegraph Road, Odenton, Maryland 21113 December 10, 2008 – Holiday Buffet and Party On Wednesday, December 10th, we will host the 17th Annual Holiday Buffet for the officers and staff at Western District. We'll begin serving at noon and continue until the midnight shift gets something to eat before they go out on the road. We've ordered a buffet spread of cold cuts and salads, but want to augment that with hot dish items and deserts – or anything you think the officers would enjoy. Food can be dropped off at the station anytime after 10:00 a.m. on the 10th, or if you can't get to the station, let us know and we'll pick it up. We are still looking for volunteers to help out with the serving during the mid to late afternoon. If you can help out for an hour or two between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m., let us know. At our regular meeting time of 7:30 p.m., we will have our party. There will be no business meeting. Family members are welcome. During the party, we will draw names of officers for door prizes. Sarah's House The morning after the buffet, we will be taking extra food to Sarah's House, the family shelter at Fort Meade. If you would like to make a personal donation to the shelter, bring it to the station and we'll deliver it. Please mark the item(s) with your name, address and telephone number so that Sarah's House can send you an acknowledgment. A copy of the Sarah's House wish list is included with this newsletter. January Meeting Our following meeting, on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, will be an open meeting with the District Commander, to allow us to catch up on events and any problems since the meeting in November. Holiday Precautions Now that the shopping season is here, there are some precautions to take to keep you from becoming a victim. When shopping, try to park in a well-lit area. Don't load yourself down with so many packages that you can't keep track of your purse or wallet and what's going on near you. It's better to take a couple of trips to your car. When going to your car, walk with someone else or near other shoppers. Avoid becoming isolated in the parking lot or garage. Put packages in the trunk or covered and out of sight. When you get home, you'll probably be tired and tempted to wait until morning to unload the car. Thieves know that and cruise residential areas during the night, looking for cars with Christmas goodies in them. Take the time to take packages into your home. You may be tired, but it's easier than filing a police report and going back to the mall to buy the things all over again. Remember that GPS devices and catalytic converters are still very high on the theft list. Keep the GPS out of sight when not in use (and wipe off the suction cup markings on the windshield). Be alert for individuals hanging out near parked cars, particularly at malls, train stations and common area parking lots. If they make you uncomfortable, call 911 and have the police check them. Some Final Words Have an enjoyable holiday, and see you at the buffet. Dave Daughters President 410-672-5703 http://us.mc634.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=dldaugh@aol.com Wed, November 26, 2008 Neighborhood Watch Report 255 Guys,Wanted to get a few important items out to you tonight, so I'll have to postpone a full report for a while. I have a lot of items that I'll put out at that time. I hope you are all able share Thanksgiving with family and/or friends and that you aren't going through hard times like so may of our fellow Marylanders and fellow Americans. For you folks who have garbage pickup on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day tomorrow), it will be pushed back to Friday. Those of us who have garbage pickup on Friday, we will have pick up on Saturday.I gotta tell you this is getting embarrassing for me. I hope none of my neighbors watch me too closely.Thanks to Linda Harris (Councilman Daryl Jones' Legislative aide) and her sending out the holiday garbage pickup dates, I think I'll get it right for these 2 upcoming holidays!Since Christmas will fall on Thursday too, this pattern will be repeated exactly on the same days.Important Dates:7:00p.m., Thursday, 4 Dec 08-The Harman Civic Association (HCA) will meet for the final time this year. Due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays falling at the time of our usual meetings (4th Thursday of the month), we only meet once during these 2 months.After this December 4th meeting, we will resume our normal schedule for the following HCA meeting on Thursday, 22 Jan 09 (first meeting in 2009).President Wayne Dixon has scheduled our first meeting in the Frank Hebron-Harman Elementary School Multi-Purpose room in the school [If for any reason the school is closed, we will meet in the Harmans Community Room at Arundel Mills Mall.]Entry into the Multi-Purpose room is on the side of the school (same side as the Chesapeake Mobile (home) Park.HCA Treasurer Rusty Bristow has scheduled 2 interesting speakers for the 4 Dec meeting at the school. First, Anne Arundel County Police Captain Wilson (from police headquarters) will speak for about 30 minutes. He is in charge of the Anne Arundel County Emergency Management Office.Second, Ed Peters from the county Health Department will speak for about 30 minutes on septic tanks. For those of you still using septic tanks, he will be providing some valuable information.Noon-Midnight, Wed, 10 Dec 08-The PCRC (Police-Community Relations Council) will host the 17th annual police buffet for our officers and their families.PCRC President Dave Daughters does an absolutely fantastic job taking charge of this event every year. You, in the community, have come forward every year to show your appreciation for the fine work our police officers do.If you are able to bring a hot dish, dessert, or any special dish you like to prepare, please bring it to the Western District police station any time after 10:00am, on Wed, 10 Dec.The buffet is held in the open meeting room at the front of the station, so all you have to do is walk in and someone should be there to happily receive your hot dish or whatever you would like to bring. [If you drop off a plate or dish you would like to have back, please put a piece of tape on the item with your name & way to reach you.]Cash donations are also welcome. They can be sent to the Western District PCRC at the Western District police station. Please e-mail me if you need more details.Last year when Dave, Moose, Cindy, and I were working the late shift at the buffet, a group of young police officers came in to eat together; it must have been around 9:30p.m or 10:30p.m. They may have come in just prior to going out on the road for the midnight shift or may have been working the swing shift (2nd shift). I was struck with the high calibre of their professionalism and at the same time of their youth (I guess that can happen when you realize you are getting close to the other end of your work career.)If these young men and women hadn't been in police uniform, I could have mistaken them for young white collar professional workers. They had that youthful exuberance and energy and exuded a "can do" attitude. Maybe what really hit me the most, when it seems everyone is looking for the "big paying" job, there are still fine young people (along with all the other officers, of course) who are dedicated in service to the community. For they, like so many other public servants (teachers, firefighters, other county workers), can't be coming into these job fields for the money!Thank you to all the fine officers who protect us 24 hours a day!Other News:1) 16 Nov 08-Will Williams sent me an e-mail. One of his family members found a key box with a key inside it. Will said it looks like those that are placed under a car for emergencies. If it is yours and you can identify it, please call Will at 410-551-6767.2) 12 Nov 08-Donna sent me an e-mail. She said:"FYI, we needed some repairs done around the house so we called Mike Van-phone disconnected and left several messages for America's Handyman and they never called back."Looks like I need to take these off our services listed at the bottom of the regular watch reports. Your feedback is always welcome for ANY item placed in the reports!3) 26 Nov 08-Senator DeGrange just sent out an important letter (please see below) regarding the current mortgage situation. Thank you for your great neighborhood watch support!Roger FoxNovember 26, 2008TO: THE CITIZENS OF LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT 32MARYLAND AND THE MORTGAGE CRISISMaryland, along with several other states, has made many strides to provide homeowners with protection against foreclosure.During the 2008 session, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation that requires increased oversight of mortgage lenders and extends the foreclosure timetable from 14 to 150 days. As an additional component of this legislation, Maryland recently entered into an agreement with six loan services companies to provide help to homeowners before they lose their properties. The companies, which serve about 25% of the mortgage loans in Maryland, include HSBC, Ocwen, GMAC ResCap, Litton Loan, American National Community Services and Citi.The loan service companies' agreement provides homeowners facing foreclosure with a "cooling-off period" that stops foreclosure actions, fees and penalties for 60 days. In essence this agreement makes the timetable extensions more beneficial for homeowners by providing homeowners with an opportunity to renegotiate loans or retain counseling. As part of the agreement, the companies will assign employees to serve as contact points for homeowners that are utilizing the state's Foreclosure Prevention Assistance Network and will also favor loan modification over foreclosure in order to keep families in their homes. In addition, the companies are required to periodically provide data to the State Commission of Financial Regulation.As a result of these strides, Maryland has already begun to see positive results. According to the State Department of Housing and Community Development the number of Maryland foreclosures dropped 15.6% from 9,453 to 7,974 from the second to the third quarter of 2008. The decrease was largely due to the extended foreclosure timetable.I will continue to work to improve the foreclosure crisis and will support legislation protecting homeowners from foreclosures.Please do not hesitate to contact me on this or any other legislative issue of concern to you. I continue to encourage and welcome your input.Sincerely,James E. DeGrange, Sr.State Senator, District 32James Senate Office Building11 Bladen Street, Room 101Annapolis, Maryland 21401(410)-841-3593(410)-841-3589 (fax)http://us.mc634.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=James.DeGrange@senate.state.md.us Thursday November 20, 2008 Neighborhood Watch Report 254 Guys,The watch received an official Anne Arundel County Police Press Release today regarding the false report floating around on the Internet (from both the police department and PCRC President Dave Daughters).I would have attached the file, but I am trying to cut down on sending attachments.Here is the press release released to the public by Sgt John Gilmer on behalf of Anne Arundel County Police Chief James Teare: "The Anne Arundel County Police Department has been made aware of inaccurate information that has been circulating on the Internet. Some of the information indicated that our department's stance was to avoid patronizing Arundel Mills Mall because of recent crime in the area. The department refutes this assertion. The Arundel Mills area has experienced a few incidents during the last two months; however, during this same time period over two million people have safely visited Arundel Mills. The safety of Arundel Mills' shoppers and the citizens of Anne Arundel County are of top priority." "The Anne Arundel County Police Department continues to have an excellent working relationship with Arundel Mills mall management and the security staff. The mall offers vehicle, bike, Segway, and foot patrols and operates an extensive CCTV system. When a crime occurs, mall management provides video footage to police personnel, which has been responsible for the closure of many cases. In addition, Arundel Mills Mall offers security related services such as escorts and direct dial access to security from all mall pay telephones. The center utilizes off duty Anne Arundel County police officers that supplement the normal patrol officers based in and around Arundel Mills, and works daily with the Anne Arundel County Police to ensure the safety of customers and employees." "The Anne Arundel County Police Department encourages everyone, regardless of where they shop or visit, to use common sense safety tips such as always locking vehicle doors, never leaving valuables visible in a vehicle, being aware of surroundings, and being prepared with keys in hand when walking to and from any shopping center. If you have any questions or concerns regarding past incidents at the mall, please feel free to contact the Anne Arundel County Police at 410-222-8610. We hope that you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable holiday season." Thank you for your great support!Roger Thursday, November 13, 2008 Neighborhood Watch Report 253 Guys,1) I have a short report to notify you of another robbery in the Arundel Mills Mall area. It occurred outside the Petsmart/Staples strip mall across from Arundel Mills Mall.I want to thank Jan (one of our watch folks) for sending a Baltimore Sun article (13 Nov 08) with the details. It stated:"A woman was robbed in the parking lot (across from) Arundel Mills Mall last night, the fifth person to be attacked there in the past month, Anne Arundel County police said.""The 28-year-old woman was walking across the parking lot around 7:00p.m, when a man demanded her purse, police said. The woman hesitated and the man reached into the waistband of his pants and brandished what appeared to be handgun, police said.""The woman gave the man her purse, and he ran into a waiting white Honda Civic that headed toward Arundel Mills Boulevard, police said."The other earlier robberies were reported here in the watch report, thanks to info from our watch folks and the Maryland Gazette.Ironically, I was at the police meeting last night (PCRC meeting). Captain Flemings is working special police actions to combat the recent spate of crimes. These actions will also take officers into surrounding communities (besides the mall areas). It is a good idea for folks going to the stores, go with others and not alone (particularly after dark).Let's all be watchful (day or night). If you see anything suspicious, please don't hesitate to call 911 or 410-222-8610. Better safe than sorry. Let the police check it out. Captain Flemings (& Chief Teare) are strong supporters of neighborhood watches & folks calling 911 to report suspicious persons/vehicles.As I have told you before, if you receive these reports (no matter where you live), you are part of the neighborhood watch.2) Jody, another watch person, pointed out to me that the link to the Harmans Woods News blog takes you to a suspicious website with "Paula" as the name of the website. Please don't click on that link in any of the previous watch reports.Please take this text and copy and paste it into your browser instead:http://therealharmanwoodsnews.blogspot.com/This (above) link should bring up the Harman Woods News. You should NOT get the "Paula" website. If you do, immediately get out of that website. [You shouldn't have a problem if you cut and paste the text here into your browser.]Thank you for your support and keep the info coming!Roger Fox