(2/10) Adams County is again in the news spotlight with a new proposal for a resort slot machine facility at the Eisenhower Inn and Conference Center site in Cumberland Township. The facility has been on the market since the death of owner Richard Michael and is a beautiful, well maintained enterprise.

Some say it is under utilized and under achieving, however tourism, bike week and winter bus tour weekends seem to keep the facility thriving. The pro and anti casino groups have become rejuvenated by the latest proposal by local businessman David Levan. Cumberland Township land use ordinances may need to be amended to allow for this type of use. A lawmaker decision to legalize table games in Pennsylvania, has rekindled the hopes of investors that additional applications will become available or that the licenses of those facilities already approved but not built will be available for their use.

Planning has begun for the 150th anniversary of The Civil War. Gettysburg and Adams County maybe expecting a four fold increase in visitation throughout the celebration and particularly in 2013. Main Street Gettysburg has been designated as the lead organization in assuring that events and visitation increases are handled and scheduled in a well planned manner. Emergency services, transportation, accommodations and site planning are top priorities as the planning process evolves.

James Robert Kirby has been named the new Superintendant at the Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower Historic Site. Bob comes to us from the Petersburg National Battlefield in Virginia. We welcome him and look forward to his vision as we plan for the Sesquicentennial celebration of the Civil War over the next few years.

The fields and orchards of Adams County are frozen but the activities of our agricultural community are in high gear. The Pennsylvania Farm Show has showcased many of our county residents as they have shown their animals, farm products and new innovative ways of making farming a thriving profitable business in these challenging economic times. Our fruit producing community is busy trimming, pruning and establishing new and innovatative practices and procedures to help produce higher yields at less cost.

Winter time is also repair time as farmers utilize their mechanical skills to get equipment ready for spring planting.

The North Gettysburg Trail, a walking/biking trail beginning in the Borough of Gettysburg and winding north along Old Harrisburg Road to the Gettysburg Area Senior High School is nearing final design and right of way approval. A DCNR design grant and Federal Highway Clean Air construction funding will complete the project with no local tax dollar requirement. Residents will be able to walk and bike, athletes can safely train and we will all be healthier all the while helping to reduce traffic in the area. Construction is planned for the 2010/2011 construction season.

An orphaned bridge on Belmont Road in Cumberland Township has been closed due to deterioration of abutments and erosion of the foundation. Adams County has been deemed responsible, under a PUC directive, to have the bridge replaced. Rights of way are being secured from several property owners so that the bridge can be raised and widen to meet PADOT bridge construction standards. Construction is also planned for the 2010/2011 timeframe.

Credit card payments for all licenses, fees and fines will soon be accepted at all Adams County offices. This change will be more convenient for our customers and less labor intensive for county staff.

A Central Court has been established which operates weekly at the County Court House. This new offering will allow certain magistrate proceedings to be held at a central location. Central Court will be more efficient for attorneys, clients and law enforcement personnel by allowing everyone to attend multiple proceeding at one location while saving time, travel expense and constable support.

Home sales and construction show signs of improvement in parts of Adams County. The number of homes being sold is increasing and the selling prices for homes is beginning to rebound. We all look forward to 2010 as the beginning of a decade of increasing employment opportunities, a vibrant recovering economy and good health for us all.