Time Limit

Would adding 1,000 slot machines help stem the flow of red ink from the state-owned Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort? Yes, a top state official says. Perhaps that and other predictions of better days to come are correct, but Gov. Robert Ehrlich and the General Assembly need to put a limit on how many more millions the state will spend there. Robert C. Brennan, the head of the Maryland Economic Development Corp. said the Allegany County facility lost $5.6 million last fiscal year.

Citizens speaking up during Washington County Board of Education meetings recently have had a little more time to make their points. Under board policy, each person is given five minutes to speak during the citizen-participation portion of the board's business meeting. During Tuesday's board meeting at the central office, a Hagerstown couple encouraging the board to start a edible schoolyard at Bester Elementary School exceeded the five-minute period without any comment from board members.

The Pleasant Valley Elementary Shool Chess Club placed first in the Riderwood January Scholastic Chess Tournament held Jan. 7 in Towson, Md. The club members, all playing in their first chess tournament, were led by Christian Villarosa, who placed fourth; Jonathan Clark, fifth; and Vincent Smith-Di Leo, 10th. Other chess club members competing in the tournament were Zachary Smith, Dominic Smith-Di Leo, Bryce King, Bronson King, Andrew Violet, Grant Austin, David George and Jared Brown.

Washington County Democrats announce two committee changes The Washington County Democratic Central Committee has elected Larry Barron to take over as vice chairman in place of N. Linn Hendershot, who died May 1. Barron became vice chairman on May 19. On June 16, the committee picked Willie E. Conyers to fill an open seat. Hoover is officially Libertarian candidate for Congress Gary William Hoover Sr. of Clear Spring officially has became the Libertarian Party's candidate in this year's race for Maryland's 6th District seat in Congress.

andrews@herald-mail.com A Washington County woman's fight to save her longtime pet raccoon is continuing, one week after she said she was giving up. Hagerstown attorney Jerome Joyce said Thursday that he and attorney Wiley Rutledge have gotten involved and are trying to find someone in Maryland certified to take in wildlife. At the same time, the Humane Society of Washington County is checking with wildlife refuges in Maryland and other states, according to Executive Director Paul Miller.

MERCERSBURG, Pa. -- The Tuscarora School Board will hold a town meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Mercersburg Elementary School. Board President Jane Rice said she cannot remember any general town meetings that were held in her 11 years on the board, although meetings were held to address specific subjects like renovations. To provide opportunities for everyone in attendance, individual comments will have a time limit. Richard Burkett, assistant high school principal, will monitor time and the Rev. Harold Yeager will serve as moderator.

Parking structure questioned By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Making sure there is adequate parking downtown has been an ongoing discussion for years, and one remedy that has been considered by Martinsburg City Council members is construction of a parking building. But it appears that idea may be getting less attention. Brad Edwards of Edwards Neff Inc., an Atlanta firm that was hired to do a parking study for downtown, told council members last week that building a parking garage can be costly, possibly as much as $2 million or more, said city council member Roger Lewis.

"I want the newspaper to run an article breaking down all the sources of income for the county and how much each of those sources contributed towards the 2002 budget. Thanks. " "The campaign sign for Chris Shank that is located at the entrance to the Boonsboro Park is at a very dangerous spot. It hinders you, you can't see oncoming traffic and it may cause an accident. It must be removed. " "How can a voter go to the poll and vote for the man with the plan, meaning Jim Brown, when he refuses to tell what his plans are?"

janeth@herald-mail.com Described as members of the "American heritage track team" by keynote speaker the Rev. John Schildt, nine Washington County high school seniors were honored with the Good Citizens Award by two local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Schildt, a historian and published author, is pastor of Bethel United Methodist Church in Chewsville. The students were recognized at an awards ceremony and tea at Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown on Feb. 16. The event was co-sponsored by the Antietam and Conococheague chapters of the DAR. Family members, school principals and guidance counselors attended, as did Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Morgan, Washington County Board of Education President Paul Bailey and school board members Bernadette Wagner and Russell Williams.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Jefferson County officials are talking about re-examining how the county's budget is formulated after a tough budget process in which the commission missed a deadline for getting its budget passed and wrestled with funding needs. The Jefferson County Commission missed a March 28 deadline before completing its recent 2007-08 budget and at one point, the spending plan was $8 million in the red. Commissioner Greg Corliss said previously that it was "painful" in what the commission wanted to fund but was not able to set aside money for. The commissioners have talked recently about fine-tuning the budgeting process.