The process got even more complicated when Ray Barnes, executive director of facilities services for Frederick County Public Schools, rejected an elementary school site offered as a proffer in one of the annexations.

"We are not in favor of the location of this public use site especially as it relates to a future school site," he said.

"It's not integrated into the development as it should be."

The 22-acre site was offered by Rockville developer Foulger-Pratt as part of the annexation of the 285-acre Crumland farms, where nearly 1 million square feet of commercial space and more than 1,000 new houses are possible.

That property and the 151-acre Thatcher farm, also being considered for annexation, are located on Frederick 's north end, on either side of U.S. 15. The Thatcher farm, which is owned by Columbia-based Corporate Offices Property Trust, is between the highway and the Monocacy River and has the potential for more than 1 million square feet of office space.

Barnes said the site would not get priority funding from the state because it lies outside a water and sewer service area.

"Our concern is the relation of the future elementary school site to the future residential development," he said.

The site is located away from the area planned for development.

Barnes said the other option would be to relocate the site closer to Willowbrook Road, which the developer will eventually extend to Opossumtown Pike.

An elementary school usually requires about a 15-acre site, he said.

Developers were expected to return revised drafts of the resolutions last Friday, so aldermen would be ready for additional discussion at their Wednesday workshop meeting.

The third property, the 101-acre Summers Farm, could add 310 new residential units and about 15 acres of commercial/retail space to a property at Mount Philip Road and Butterfly Lane.

Aldermen are scheduled to vote on the annexations at their 7 p.m. Sept. 3 meeting in the City Hall board room.

Remembering Ted

For Alderman David Koontz, the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy last week hit a little deeper, evident by the black armband he was wearing.

A 17-year-old Koontz was invited to the 1980 Democratic National Convention at the behest of the Kennedy presidential campaign.

Koontz couldn't even vote at the time but was impressed by Kennedy's message. He picked a precinct in his hometown of Hagerstown and campaigned for Kennedy winning him the only precinct in Maryland outside of Baltimore and Montgomery County, he said.

The accomplishment earned Koontz some notice.

Koontz, who is running for a second term as alderman, said the trip to the New York City convention and the opportunity to meet the Kennedy family was life-changing.

"The whole thing has been emotional simply because of that experience," he said.

Give to Goodwill

Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley can be the place to be for back-to-school shopping when considering replacing clothes, shoes and sports equipment.

The Goodwill's five area retail locations in Frederick and Carroll counties are also places where old clothes and equipment can be dropped off.

The organization is always looking for donations. For details contact 301-662-0622 or visit www.gimv.com.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.