(5/2015) There are a number of important dates in May. The Adams County Chiefs of Police Association will host Adams County Fallen Officers Memorial Service on Friday, May 8th at 10 am at the Oak Lawn Cemetery. At the service, a roll call of the seven fallen officers of Adams County, the 2014 Fallen Officers of Pennsylvania, the 2014 of out of county state agencies that have fallen officers, with survivors who live in Pennsylvania will be read. The second Sunday, May 10th is Mother’s Day – a day we should all remember those "mom moments" that made us who we are today. May 15th is the Police Officer’s Memorial Day. This day is set aside to honor and remember police officers who paid the ultimate price by giving up of their life while on duty to protect us. Armed Forces Day is May 16 and Fairfield Fire & EMS is holding their EMS Open House on May 17th from 1 to 4 pm. Local Primary Election is May 19th. This year, Memorial Day is celebrated on May 25th. It is a day set aside to commemorate the men and women who have died in military service for our country. Through their sacrifice we are free.

School will be ending in June and more people, young and old, will be bicycling and walking on our trails. This might be a good time to take a look at our Pennsylvania laws regarding both. In Chapter 35, Section 3510 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes book, there is a law that requires all bicyclists age 12 and under to wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet every time they ride their bicycle. As a matter of fact, it is recommended that all bicyclists wear a safety helmet when riding a bicycle. Please note that a bicycle is considered a vehicle and therefore when riding on a roadway must be operated in the same direction as required of other vehicles on the roadway.

All bicyclists are required to use hand arm signals while on the road. Section 3507 mandates that bicyclists, who ride after dark, install reflective devices or lights on their bicycle. We know that pedestrians have the "right of way". But what are your responsibilities/duties regarding walking on our trails? Well, Section 3544 states that where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway. Bottom-line, please follow these laws. They are for you and your family’s safety on the road. For us drivers, slow down when in the Valley. Watch out for the unexpected when it comes to people walking, jogging and bicycling on our beautiful trails.

This past April, I had the honor to be one of three judges at the 20th annual Recyclable Art Contest was held at the Adams County Arts Council’s Education Center. County students, grades K-12, were invited to turn trash into treasure and enter the contest. The Best in Show winner was Erin Briggs, Fairfield High School student, who made a prom dress out of starburst wrappers. To see the pictures of all the artwork and winners go to www.ronspictures.net.

Did you have the opportunity to attend the April 18th Fairfield Little League Association Opening Day parade on Main Street? You can see the pictures on www.ronspicture.net. At the April Council meeting, Austin Mackey briefed the members on his Eagle candidate project. Austin is a Fairfield High School sophomore honor student. He runs in the Cross Country as well as Track and Field. He is interested in computer programming and biology. For the past 4 years, he has been a member of the Fairfield Troop 76 and holds the rank of Life. In his effort to pursue the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts, he has taken on the task of being the project manager to construct a Veterans Memorial in Carroll Valley Commons to honor all military personnel for their service to our country.

The May Borough meetings are: Planning Commission (Monday – May 4th); Borough Council (Tuesday – May 12th); and Parks & Recreation Committee (Wednesday – May 27th). The Borough Office will be closed on Tuesday, May 19th – Primary Elections and Monday, May 25th – Memorial Day. Please slow down while driving in the Valley and do not drink and drive. If you have any questions, contact me at MayorRonHarris@comcast.net or 301-606-2021.