Frederick Maryland Online

This tip comes to us from Matthew Robb …

I just spoke with Verizon Customer Relations in Ohio, who told me Verizon FIOS (fiber optic network) has no concrete plans to install FIOS in Frederick or Frederick County in the near future–and it may be “years” before we see it. My contact said (a) we definitely aren’t on Verizon’s “2009 & Beyond” list and (b) Frederick isn’t even being discussed as a near-term target.

As anyone knows today, fiber optics is the future of Internet and television, offering transmission speeds theoretically almost unlimited.

At a time when nearby Montomery County, Howard County and even Leesburg are enjoying the blazing speed, reliability, and low cost of Verizon FIOS–a service Consumer Reports recently rated #1 nationwide while Comcast placed second from dead last on its list–Frederick and Frederick County still aren’t even on Verizon’s radar. In short: We aren’t worth their bother–not yet. While Verizon Customer Service suggested we will eventually get FIOS, no one knows when this might happen.

Meanwhile, all those glorious FIOS television commercials keep airing in Frederick County.

Thanks for the info Matthew. It kind of burns me up that we (Frederick County) are being passed up for this kind of service even though it’s being implemented all around us. I wonder if there is some technical issue that prevents this or just a narrow view of the Frederick market?

~Guy~

The Frederick Gazette has an interesting article about the City’s most recent attempt to stem the stinky tide of algae growing in Carroll Creek.

They have spent $5,200 for devices designed to keep algae from making itself seen and smelled by visitors.

Roelkey Myers, the city’s director of Parks and Recreation, said the city has a new weapon to fight the algae blooms that rise to the top of the creek as summer approaches.

The city recently bought 56 AquaSpherePRO units, or as they are better known, ‘‘bio-balls.”

Manufactured by Minnesota-based Bioverse, the six-inch plastic balls contain plastic bags that dissolve, releasing bacteria and enzymes into the water, reducing sludge and accompanying odors.

‘‘The enzymes essentially creep out of the ball and eat the material the algae needs to survive, while keeping the water health for fish and the environment,” Myers said. ‘‘…We are hoping it starves the algae right out of the creek.”

Myers said once water temperatures reach 40 degrees over several days, park attendants will tether the balls to the bottom of the creek with weights so they float underwater. The goal is to place eight ‘‘bio-balls” every 100 feet along the creek, changing them once a month for four months.

The city also plans to use the devices in Whittier Lake, which also faces similar algae problems.

Each month, the old bio-ball is discarded and a new one is used, meaning 56 devices are needed for both bodies of water, costing the city $5,200 for the pilot program.

The city will then look to see if they want to invest in four more months of the devices to carry them into October, when cooler weather returns.

Here is a little more about the Bio-Balls if you’re interested.

~Guy~

According to todays Washington Post, the the Md House passed Governor’s Speed Camera bill and it is close to becoming the law of the land:

The speed camera bill, which was proposed by Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), allows the state to install cameras in construction areas. The measure also would authorize local governments to use cameras in school zones and in residential neighborhoods with posted speed limits less than 45 mph. Violators would be fined $40 but would not get points on their licenses.

We already have Red Light Cameras at some select local intersections. What do you think? Are you in favor of Speed Cameras?

Lizfrog 

This little tidbit was buried in the comments on this post so I thought I would bring it to the forefront in case someone missed it.

The space being vacated by Value City discount store at FSK Mall will be filled by two new businesses.

William DeTora, the mall’s general manager, said Value City Furniture, owned by a company not connected with the discount store, and DSW-Designer Shoe Warehouse, will take over the space.

There will be two separate entrances after a “reconfiguration” of the space, DeTora said, with the furniture store using 48,000 square feet and the remaining 17,500 square feet for DSW.

Value City Furniture and DSW are expected to move in near the end of the year at FSK Mall.

~Guy~

Saw this today in the Baltimore Business Journal:

Hang up your running shoes, the Frederick Running Festival’s half-marathon is sold out.

A waiting list for entry into the half-marathon has begun, said the event’s owner and operator Elkridge-based Corrigan Sports Enterprises.

Registration is up 140 percent compared to this time last year, with 3,500 participants registered for the festival, organizers said in a news release.

More than 420 people have committed to running the festival’s full 26.2-mile marathon, a 252 percent increase from this time in 2007, organizers said.

The sixth annual CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Frederick Running Festival will take place May 3-4 and features fives races including the marathon, half-marathon and four-person relay. The event will take place at the Frederick Fairgrounds.

I guess not too many people have been put-off by the change in course after all!  Now, can we get someone to be our race day correspondent?

~LizFrog~

According to this article we may have another park in Frederick some day.

A Frederick County Circuit Court judge has ruled that the City of Frederick may move forward in court to seize 148 acres in Frederick’s West end for a $39 million regional park.

In January, property owners Hargett Farm Development, LLC asked Circuit Court Judge Theresa M. Adams to dismiss the city’s condemnation of its land off Butterfly Lane.

The company bought the property for $6.5 million in 2005. Frederick’s Planning Commission had approved construction of 158 townhouses on the property, part of a 645-home plan to be built by Pleasants Development of Clarksburg.

The city is seeking to instead use the land as a regional park. Its plans include substations for police and public works personnel, as well as improvements to the intersection of Butterfly Lane and Md. Route 180.

In her decision, received by City Hall Monday, Adams denied Hargett Farm Development’s request.

There is still some legal wrangling to do, but hopefully the city will prevail and we will get some much needed park land.

~Guy~

Frederick County has posted more info on the recent manure spill.

~Guy~

An advisory from the Frederick County website …

Jan. 27: Walkersville Issues Advisory to Boil Water
A manure spill upstream of the Town’s water plant may have contaminated the groundwater that is pumped and treated by the Town treatment plant. This boil water advisory is a precautionary measure in the event that contamination of the system has occurred. The Town recommends that residents served by this water system boil the water used for cooking and drinking purposes until further notice.

Cow poo in the water = not good.

~Guy~

This is kind of cool. While sitting around tonight watching the Chargers-Titans game and surfing, the top Digg post was about our beloved Carrol Creek Project.

And speaking about football, how about those Redskins? I kinda enjoyed watching the Redskins fold again under pressure.

~LizFrog~

…to rank the top stories of 2007 in three categories:

Top 10 Local Stories

Top 10 Sports Stories

Top 10 Photos

Just rank them from 1-10, one being the top story/photo and 10 being the least important of the choices, in your opinion.  Looking through the choices, I have to admit that there were a couple that I had completely forgotten about!

Lizfrog