(1/15/2002) Jim Hoover filed his paperwork to run for mayor Tuesday. He is 37 years old and has been a commissioner since 1998.

Hoover's wife, Diana, is a nurse at Mount Manor Treatment Center, for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The Hoovers have three children: Amanda is 16, Brian is 13, and Elizabeth is 12.

For Christmas, Hoover received business cards and a bright, flag-motif cloth banner made by Amanda. "Elect Jim Hoover for Mayor" it reads.

The Hoovers moved into a converted schoolhouse on W. Main Street on Nov. 30, but they have been Emmitsburg residents since 1995.

Hoover supervises MARC train service at BWI airport as well as the service to Frederick, Brunswick and Martinsburg, W.Va. e's concerned because "nobody knows who anybody really is."

If elected, Hoover would like to improve communication with the public. He would also like to see the water lines improved throughout Emmitsburg. We've been working toward that, but we've got a long way to go," he said.Up for election on April 16 are the seats held by Mayor William Carr and Commissioners Hoover and Dave Vaughn. he terms are for three years.

Town passes senior housing complex ordnance

With a 4-1 vote, Emmitsburg Town Government commissioners passed an ordinance Monday defining the parameters of future senior housing complex in certain areas of the town.

The housing will be limited to people 55 years old or older and an adequate senior facility must be provided on-site or within 1,000 feet. The facility must contain a meeting room as well as numerous activities and programs for the seniors.

The town council has the right to review and approve any homeowners' association documents and covenants. The minimum lot size must be at least 2,000 square feet per unit, and a formula will determine the maximum density of the development.

Commissioner Jim Hoover raised a series of questions before the vote was taken.

He wanted to know how large the facility would have to be to be considered "adequate." He would like to see a zero-foot requirement for a facility so seniors wouldn't have to go anywhere, but could meet on-site.

"I was very disappointed but not surprised that the council voted to accept the senior housing as written," Hoover said today. "With so many questions, I think it will prove to be very hard to treat every case fair and to provide a development that will benefit the homeowners and the town."

Bob Rosensteel Jr. named Vigilant Hose Co. Member of the Year 

Twenty-year firefighter Robert A. Rosensteel Jr. was named Vigilant Hose Co. Member of the Year Award at its 118th awards banquet Saturday at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg.

A career firefighter with Citizen's Truck Company in Frederick, Rosensteel spends as much time as he can volunteering at Vigilant Hose.

"I do it because I love it, not for awards or recognition," Rosensteel said. His largest project this year has been figuring out which equipment will need to be replaced or purchased for the new $450,000 fire truck scheduled to arrive in May.

With a total of 469 fire calls, the Top Responder for 2001 was Randy Myers, and the Top Fire Police Responder was Sam Cool.

Two members were inducted into the Hall of Fame (the company's highest award): Guy A. Baker Jr. and the late Thomas L. Topper.

A check for $30,000 was presented to Vigilant Hose by Auxiliary President Dorothy Davis.

When the awards ceremony was over, a video was shown: "2001 - The Year in Review." Scenes from fires, rescues, Ground Zero, fund-raisers, and company celebrations captured the attention of the 250-member audience.

"It's the highlight of the evening," Rosensteel said.