Plastic Bags

charlestown@herald-mail.com SHANNONDALE, W.Va. - The view from the spot on the Blue Ridge Mountain was exceptional, allowing motorists along W.Va. 9 to stop for a peek that allowed them to see all the way into Berkeley County. A gaze over the valley at the scenic overlook just below Chestnut Hill Road reveals light green-colored farmland winding through darker green forested areas. The Shenandoah River follows its winding path below and the misty blue mountains off in the distance actually are the mountains on the west side of Interstate 81 in Berkeley County, said Fred Blackmer, president of Keep Jefferson Beautiful.

HAGERSTOWN - The City of Hagerstown will start an advertising campaign next month intended to spark interest in a weekly recycling program that city officials initiated last year. City Engineer Rodney Tissue said the city plans to hang billboards and send literature with electric bills that will promote the Choose 2 Reuse program, which costs participating residents $150 a year and is available only to city residents. "We're in a never-ending endeavor to get people to do it," he said.

Hagerstown Councilman J. Wallace McClure said Tuesday night that he wants to organize an army of volunteers to clean up the city. McClure named the effort Operation Pride and Groom. To be successful, the effort will require volunteers to go out time and again to clean up trash and pull weeds, he said. McClure said he needs residents to tell him what public rights-of-way in Hagerstown are strewn with trash and overgrown with weeds so he knows where to take his army. He suggested volunteers work on Saturdays between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. They should wear long pants and long sleeves and bring gloves, two plastic bags and a trowel, if they have one, McClure said.

City awarded grant for community officers The City of Hagerstown was awarded a $250,000 federal grant to help pay for two community police officers who would work in the schools, U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes, D-Md., said in a statement Tuesday. The Hagerstown City Council must formally accept the grant for the money to be transferred to the city, City Police Chief Arthur Smith said. The $250,000 would cover all but $6,000 to $20,000 of the city's expenses for two officers for three years, Smith said.

Put smoking issue on ballot To the editor: To all the people in Maryland and the nation trying to ban smoking: If you all believe we all have the same rights, then in Maryland, and everywhere, put the right to smoke or not to smoke in bars, restaurants on the voting ballot and let the people decide - not groups or politicians. As far as I know, we all still have the right to vote. A point to ponder: Until now I haven't seen a death certificate or an obituary that said "Cause of death: Secondhand smoke.

HAGERSTOWN -- It was a hopeful crowd, comprised of people toting every kind of item you can imagine -- old paintings, baskets, clocks and toys. And they carried them in all sorts of containers, from plastic bags to a child's wagon. They had questions and they came for answers. When was it made? Where was it made? And, most importantly, how much was it worth? A steady stream of people made its way to and from Morris Frock American Legion Post 42 on Saturday morning to find out if their possessions were trash or treasure.

"Church doesn't really do anything except for your belief in God. " What else did you want church to do? "Try being hit by a car and wondering how that would feel. " No, thank you. "Hagerstown has grown a lot in the last few years, and I feel that we need a L.A. Weight Loss program back here again. Does anyone who reads Mail Call know how you go about that and where you would go to to see about getting another weight loss place back in this town?"

A Clear Spring man who has been a fugitive since being charged last month with allegedly operating a methamphetamine lab at his home was captured during a routine traffic stop Wednesday afternoon in Hancock. Bryan Michael Davis, 25, of 39 S. Martin St., has been wanted since Feb. 6, when agents from the Washington County Narcotics Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration raided the house he shared with family members. Police have said they found numerous items in Davis' upstairs bedroom that are used to manufacture methamphetamine, including Coleman fuel, drain cleaner, syringes, coffee filters, plastic tubing, blister packs containing pills, digital scales and packaging materials.

"About the landfill fees, why wait six months to review the new charges and see if they are competitive with surrounding areas? Do it now, Mr. Snook, instead of saying we might have to possibly lower it back down. Experience teaches that they will never be lowered back down. I suggest that the county finds a panel of volunteers of 10 seniors to go in and do a study as to why they are losing money. Now that may be interesting. " "Can someone tell me when the North Hagerstown High School Class reunion of 1984 is going to be and where it is going to be held?"