By Ronda Wertman
tribune correspondent

CARPENDALE — Where is Rudolph?
The countdown to Christmas has just begun, but vandals have already made their mark in Carpendale.
A Buddy Lane resident told the mayor and council Tuesday that Rudolph had been stolen from her yard. For 16 years she has decorated for the holidays and this is the first time that vandals have struck her home.
Ridgeley Police Chief Mike Miller told the council that there have been other reports of vandalism and theft of holiday decorations.
“November was not a bad month,” said Miller, noting that his department has a lead on the suspects who robbed the paperboy and have been able to identify some of the graffiti found on the CSX building and scratched into a car on Maple Street.
Miller noted that the graffiti appears to be gang related and that they are following up on the concerns.
During the month officers responded to 22 calls including illegal dumping, illegal hunting and destruction of property.
Officers from the Department of Natural Resources and CSX having been working in conjunction with the department on the illegal hunting and dumping in town. Miller noted that there has been furniture, deer carcasses, televisions and more found. He said that in one period of observation he saw someone preparing to dump a load of brush, subjects illegally cutting fire wood, and a hunter without a license.
“I think you are doing a very good job,” said Mayor Butch Armentrout.  He noted that town is now in position to apply for reimbursement to the law enforcement coverage through the Police Protection Grant.
Miller said that 99 percent of the time spent in Carpendale has been enjoyable and that he and his officers have enjoyed meeting the residents and learning about the town. He said the department is considering adding a part-time officer, which would provide for additional coverage in both Ridgeley and Carpendale.
In other business, Armentrout reported on recent Development Authority and Region VIII, meetings throughout the area and a joint meeting of town and county officials which looked at the Knobley Mountain aquifer.
He announced that the Mineral County Commissioners are looking into concerns raised by the Cumberland Fire Department concerning reimbursement for calls into Carpendale, Ridgeley and the surrounding area.
“Cumberland does provide a very good service when they respond and so does Ridgeley,” said Armentrout.
 “We’re ready to go as far as winter,” said Armentrout, noting that salt had been delivered. Residents are reminded to keep their water meters clear of snow.
The council approved the purchase of a new digital meter system for the water meters. The new system would be good for five years and comes at a cost of $6,500.
On a final note, the council is looking at Ridgeley’s Building Safety Ordinance as a possible model for a similar ordinance in Carpendale.