(8/2020) New police officer sworn-in

Ming Chung, 27-year veteran of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department was sworn-in by Mayor Kinnaird at the July town meeting, after being introduced by Police Chief Gregory Eyler. Chung he has been serving with the department since July 3.

In addition to having served as an officer with D.C. Metropolitan Police, Chang is as a certified bomb technician. After leaving the D.C. Force, he served for two and a half years as a bailiff at the Frederick County Court House.

Officer Chung told the Town Council that he and his family reside in Germantown but are looking to relocate to the Thurmont area.

Kinnaird said, "We're very happy to have you onboard with our police department," adding, "It is our sincere hope that you don't have to utilize your bomb experience ... "

Chung said, "I'd just like to say 'thanks' for the opportunity. I'm very excited to be here."

Public meeting sign-ins to change

The Thurmont Town Council decided at their July meeting to discontinue requiring individuals attending town meetings from having to reveal their addresses while signing-in.

The issue was brought to the Council's attention when the commissioners received a text message during public comment from an individual identified as Elliot Jones. He expressed his concerns about the meeting's sign-in sheet containing names and addresses of attendees having been posted on the internet as part of the meeting's minutes.

"I'm concerned that now we have so much internet visibility to the meetings, we now have an increased risk of doxing (unauthorized posting of someone's personal information on the internet) exposing speakers to danger and harassment," Jones wrote.

The council agreed with Jones' concerns, and agreed that beginning at the August 4 meeting, individuals signing-in will only have to indicate if they are, or are not, a town resident.

Eateries begin indoor re-openings

Thurmont Commissioner Wes Hamrick told the commissioners at their July meeting that a good number of town restaurants have reopened as far as offering inside-dining.

Hamrick said, "Please continue to support our local restaurants for carry-out. Some have reopened for inside dining at 50-percent capacity (as required under state COVID-19 restrictions), and some will be easing back into inside dining … while some may remain as carry-outs." He said the restaurants reopening their inside dining would also continue with carry-out service.