Adventure Park USA owner Larry Stottlemyer's comments -- his first public statement since news broke that the county considered construction of the 44-foot-high amusement ride illegal -- were sent in a press release late Tuesday night through an advertising and public relations firm.

"The reaction and statements made by the county have been very upsetting," Mr. Stottlemyer said in the release. "We take safety very seriously at Adventure Park USA. I wouldn't have a ride on our site that I wouldn't feel perfectly comfortable putting my grandchildren on."

A representative of Robin Jones Marketing, the advertising firm that sent the release, did not respond Wednesday to a list of questions sent via e-mail for the amusement park owner.

County officials have warned and cited Adventure Park for constructing the $800,000 roller coaster, called the "Wild Cat," without proper permitting.

The county said the roller coaster was not on a site plan for the park approved by the county planning commission three years ago. Commissioner Jan Gardner, who sat on the planning board at the time, said no roller coaster plans were ever discussed.

Mr. Stottlemyer said the approved site plan includes an area for amusement rides and that's where the roller coaster is being built. Other rides nearby had not required additional permitting, he said.

The state, which has ultimate jurisdiction over amusement park rides, has inspected the roller coaster's construction and it is being built within safety regulations and guidelines of the manufacturer, he said.

The park's light-industrial zoning allows amusement park rides and structures as high as 60 feet.

"I've been following the rules and have been working with the State of Maryland to ensure that we are complying with all construction and safety requirements for the roller coaster," Mr. Stottlemyer said.

He said he believed there was confusion on the part of the county over how to handle the project, the first of its kind in Frederick County.

Once complete, 900 riders will travel the 1,509 feet track every hour, according to Roller Coaster Database, www.rcdb.com.

Mr. Stottlemyer said in a Saturday morning interview on local radio station WFMD that the roller coaster was originally constructed in 1975 for a traveling German carnival, designed to be set up in 14 days and taken down in seven for transportation to the next location.

Each ride takes a minute and a half, powered by electricity, he said. The electrical plug can be removed.

"We're making it a plug-in coaster to make sure that it's not considered a permanent structure," Mr. Stottlemyer said. "(It) has no footers or foundations to it at all."

According to Mr. Stottlemyer's statement, Adventure Park officials sought guidance from the Frederick County Division of Permitting on what regulations to follow to build the ride. Mr. Stottlemyer said he was told no building permit was needed because the ride was not constructed in the same way as a building.

"I think we're right in what we're doing and we don't have to get a permit for it," Mr. Stottlemyer told WFMD.

Commissioner Mike Cady, who along with Ms. Gardner said last week the entertainment venue should abide by county law or take the ride down, stood by his position.

"Adventure Park should abide by all county zoning laws, regulations and ordinances," Mr. Cady said Wednesday.

Ms. Gardner agreed. Adventure Park USA needed to comply with the county's building code, such as site plan approval, she said. Even a temporary structure needs a building permit, Ms. Gardner said.

"I'm happy to have a roller coaster in the county. I want the roller coaster to meet the rules and regulations, which extend beyond the state inspections. I think that what we're asking is very reasonable," she said.

During a Sept. 20 county planning commission meeting, the Town of New Market presented an annexation request to annex Adventure Park. At that meeting County Commissioner Mike Cady requested staff prepare a history of the enforcement activity. The following is a chronological history of the enforcement:

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.