Frederick Maryland Online

A snippet from Sunday’s FNP about the expansion of the Fort

Nearly 1,500 new jobs are forecast for Fort Detrick in the next few years and Frederick needs to prepare for them.

About 8,000 people pass through the base gates each day.

A panel of representatives from agencies were on hand Friday at the Frederick County Workforce Development board meeting to discuss growth the Federal Base Realignment and Closing, or BRAC, recommendations will bring to the military research base at the heart of Frederick.

Fort Detrick is the largest employment site in the county, made up of about 40 different government entities. It will become the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research, as well as continuing as a U.S. Army garrison.

“Most people don’t know who is on the fort and how to access jobs,” said Darlene Carver, chairwoman of the workforce board.

There are websites such as americajob.com that shows available job postings in the government. The meeting Friday was a step toward making those job opportunities listed through the local workforce office.

Bad credit? No job

One of the main factors in landing a government job, especially at Fort Detrick with the Department of Homeland Security and high technology laboratories, is security clearance.

Mike Hayes, director of military and federal affairs for the Maryland Department of Economic Development and a retired Marine brigadier general, said most people fail a security check because of bad credit.

Hayes and other panel members said young people need to realize early that handling their finances poorly or bad behavior can preclude them from a government job in the future.

Andy Moser, assistant secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, said the Maryland Workforce Exchange is a key site for job searching.

Maryland received a $4 million grant to help with planning and implementation for the expected influx of people because of BRAC changes, which will move personnel into Fort Detrick, Aberdeen and Fort Meade.

Construction at the bases is the first step, Moser and Hayes said, to build the facilities for the agencies on the bases.

That will create a lot of construction jobs, they said, but security clearance is still paramount.

“Even construction workers have to be cleared to get in the gate,” Hayes said.

However, Moser, even with its boost in employment, the BRAC influx is only 15 percent of Maryland’s growth. The rest is because of the state’s expanding economy. Moser said employers are also looking at an impending drop in the workforce as more people retire.

Hayes and Darryl Rekemeyer, director of the Fort Detrick Business Development Office, said the two main areas for employment at Fort Detrick will be medical research and information technology. Rekemeyer’s office deals primarily with companies that want to do business with the government.

1,500 new jobs is a good thing, but I can’t imagine what that’s going to do to the Rosemont corridor. Maybe a few more places to eat will pop up, if you can fight the traffic. I just hope this culls a few more cars off 270 every morning!

~LizFrog~

I was reading this article and this quote got me thinking …

Every city has a single word that defines it, that identifies most people who live there. If you could read people’s thoughts as they were passing you on the streets, you would discover that most of them are thinking the same thought.

So what say you? What is the one word that describes Frederick?

~Guy~

From the FNP this morning an eye opening review of recent Red Light camera offenses:

Police track red light violations

The Frederick Police Department has tracked the number of red light violations since cameras were placed at seven intersections more than two years ago.

The department recorded a total of 808 violations in September; 507 of those drivers were issued citations.

Police discarded violations for reasons including funeral processions, emergency vehicles with flashing lights, out-of-state vehicles, mismatched registrations or no record of the registration, or an unclear tag or vehicle image.

By location, the numbers break down as follows, with figures in parenthesis representing total citations since the program began:

East Third and East streets: 23 (711)

Motter Avenue and West Seventh Street: 54 (1435)

Opossumtown Pike and Thomas Johnson Drive: 74 (1861)

Rosemont Avenue and Montevue Lane: 122 (5217)

Rosemont and Schley avenues: 106 (432

East Patrick Street and Monocacy Boulevard: 84 (1952)

Willowdale Drive and Key Parkway: 44 (572)

Since the program began on May 31, 2005, 16,076 citations have been issued.

Drivers who receive a citation can view the video online at www.cityoffrederick.com. Click “View your red light video.” The password is the citation and registration number.

The Frederick Police Department reminds drivers to stop at the stop line, as required by law, before turning right when permitted to do so.

Violations frequently occur at Rosemont and Schley avenues and at East Patrick Street and Monocacy Boulevard.

I spent some time in Germany on business in 2005-06 and picked up 2 traffic tickets via Red Light and Speed cameras. The Germans don’t even have many road patrols anymore, relying almost entirely on cameras. I think the cameras are a good idea, especially given the evidence of the number of violations. The question is are they more important for public safety than for raising revenue?

~LizFrog~

A bunch of new restaurants have either opened or will be opening soon all over the Frederick area. For example …

• Green Turtle
• Hinode Japanese Restaurant
• La Dolce Vita Cafe
• Il Porto Fine Italian Restaurant
• Jackson’s Restaurant
• Cafe 611
• Foster’s Grille
• Greenberry’s Café
• The Wingery

I know I have missed some, but you get the idea. My free-for-all question to you is—which one of the new Frederick eateries are you most excited for? Which one is making your mouth water? Sound of in the comments.

~Guy~

I’ve mentioned Yelp before and I’m always poking around the site seeing what is being reviewed in the area. My poking has produced some finds and I thought I would share some Frederick Yelp reviews with you.

• You’ve hit the jackpot if you are looking for a deep selection of domestic microbrews as well as imported beer from Belgium, Germany, England and beyond. Joe W. on Ye Olde Spirits Shoppe.
• All of the atmosphere at La La comes from the people, and definitely not the decor! Justin S. on The Monkey La La.
• You may find it odd or not your cup of tea, but I think it’s charming that the entire staff dresses in period attire to maintain the spirit. Audrey W. on John Hagan’s Tavern.
• My favorite is the English toffee bit pretzel with peanut butter caramel dipping sauce. Joellyn on Pretzel& Pizza Creations.
• We usually just order a dozen and a half of medium blue claw, 1/2 pound of shrimp and keep the Heinekin comin’! Angel R. on May’s.

It’s free and easy to sign-up for Yelp and then you can start sharing reviews. Check it out if you have a hankering to be heard.

~Guy~

I want to take this Friday-Free-For-All (FFFA) to let you all sound off about this site.  I started this blog almost three years ago now and it has changed over time. But one thing that has remained constant is that Frederick Maryland Online is more than just a blog and more like a community. Since this is a community your input is very important.

So what do you like? What would you like to see more of? Do you like the FFFA? Is there content or features that are missing that you would really like to see?

Please take some time and sound off in the comments!

~Guy~

Although the weather is really nice today it has been pretty hot in ol’ Frederick County as of late. And from around July 4th deep into September, Maryland is hot and steamy. One sure way to help you through the dog days of summer is a nice frozen treat.

Where do you go for an ice cream cone, milkshake, or or other chilly snack when the mercury rises and the sweat starts to pour? I’ll give you hint as to what my favorite place is …

Please share your favorite Frederick location to get some cold treats in the comments below.

~Guy~

I have a question for all you foodies out there. What is your single most favorite place to eat at in Frederick?

It could be fast food or fine dining. Local or chain. Cheap or pricey. Popular or that little secret diner. It doesn’t matter. Just pick the one Frederick restaurant that makes your mouth water and share it in the comments.

~Guy~ 

I was reading this fun story from the FNP about our own local Batman and I couldn’t help thinking to myself that we are blessed with some great local celebrities. Maybe you prefer a more traditional celeb like a radio DJ. Or maybe you love (or love to hate) following our local politcos. Or maybe your interests run in the abstract and a sighting of a local character is more your cup of tea. But no matter what floats your boat, Frederick County is chocked full of interesting people.

Now my question to you is, who is your favorite local celeb or character? Please share your thoughts in the comments below! Maybe we will all learn about a new Frederick resident to keep our eyes on.

P.S. Sorry for the late Friday Free-For-All again. Next week I will try and get back on schedule. Thanks!

~Guy~

It’s going to be in the 90’s today so I suppose that means our journey into summer is complete. And with summer comes BBQs and with BBQs comes hamburgers.

Smacking some burger patties on a grill is pure summer gold if you ask me, but I don’t always have time to fire up ol’ sparky. Sometimes I have to go out to get my burger fix.

So the question of the day is: Where is your favorite place to get a burger in Frederick?

~Guy~