The thinking bicycle

The Thinking bicycle

December 17, 2001

20011217 KED on bicycle

20011217 The Artist and the Frog

The Artist and the Frog

Kant Betrue, Staff Reporter,
December 17, 2001
New Bedford Herald

Westminster — A man was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, if you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.

The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week." The man took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want." Again the man took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.

Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"

The man said, Look, I'm an artist. I don't have time for a girlfriend, but a talking frog is cool."

________________________________________
Back to News Index
________________________________________
Copyright © 2001 New Bedford Herald

20011215 Terry Burk/Wakefield Valley Trail - New bridge to safety

New bridge to safety

Carroll County Times

By: Megen Wessel, Times Staff Writer

December 15, 2001

Span over stream all but completes middle portion of pedestrian trail

Through the early Friday morning rain, workers dressed in bright yellow raincoats and boots the color of mud installed two 55-foot sections of a steel walking bridge over the floodplain of a small stream along Tahoma Farm Road in Westminster.

The bridge is in the middle of the city's portion of the Wakefield Community Trail and nearly completes the first section of the city's first walking and biking trail.

The trail, when finished, will span about three miles from Wakefield Valley to West Main Street, allowing residents to walk or bike safely along Md. 31 and into downtown.

"They obviously can't do that now," said Thomas B. Beyard, director of planning and public works for the city.

The city began planning the trail in 1994, but money and land restraints kept the project from beginning.

The proposed trail was to extend northeast from Old New Windsor Road to Uniontown Road, but the first section of the trail, between Old New Windsor Road and Long Valley Drive, was to be located on property owned by the Avondale Run Homeowner's Association.

Approval to build the trail on the property would have required consent from a majority of the property owners in the association, said Chris Batten, a local land planning and design consultant hired to develop the initial plans for the trail.

So the city decided instead to develop plans for another section of the trail between Long Valley Road and Windsor Drive.

In July, the City Council awarded a $348,000 contract to Thomas Bennett & Hunter Inc. of Westminster for the construction of the 0.8-mile segment of blacktop pathway from Long Valley Road to Tahoma Farm Road.

This phase of the project, which includes widening of a sidewalk on Tahoma Farm Road near the newly installed bridge should be complete by April, Beyard said.

The city is using two federal grants, totaling about $193,000, and city money for the project, Beyard said.

Design work on the remaining portion of the trail, between Tahoma Farm Road and Windsor Drive, will begin this winter and construction is scheduled to begin in the summer.

The trail will be dedicated in memory of Terrence "Terry" Burk, 48, owner of the Treat Shop, his family candy business located in the TownMall of Westminster. Burk was killed while jogging in 1995.

Burk was running with two friends on Route 97 at Kalten Road when a car struck him and fellow jogger David W. Herlocker. Police said the 19-year-old man who was driving the car apparently fell asleep while coming home from work.

Burk's family established a memorial fund in Burk's name to help build the trail.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County sponsored the fund-raising effort, which eventually raised more than $6,000.

Another portion of the trail, from Windsor Drive to Uniontown Road, is already complete and usuable. Developers privately paid for the section, Beyard said.

"This will probably be one of the city's highest priorities behind the Carroll Theater project in the upcoming year," Beyard said.

©Carroll County Online 2001

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=2792495&BRD=1289&PAG=461&dept_id=156627&rfi=6

Westminster Sidewalks and Trails, Westminster Road Runners Club, Terry Burk, Dave Herlocker

NBH

2001111 On Veterans Day and Heroes

On Veterans Day and Heroes

Veterans Day Program
November 11, 2001 2:00 PM
At the Old Armory, Westminster, Md.
D.A.V. Old Glory Chapter #22
(c) Remarks by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff -
At the luncheon after the program at the V.F.W. Post 467
515 words - 3 minutes

__________________________________________________

It is an honor and a privilege to have an opportunity to stand before so many distinguished members of our community and share a few remarks about the meaning of Veteran's Day for me.

For me - it's all about heroes. The real heroes in our lives. September 11th changed - make that appropriately changed - the concept of hero for most Americans. It's a darn shame that we had to have such a dramatic cathartic moment for our collective social conscience to be re-ordered.

But President John F. Kennedy said it best when he said, "Things do not happen, things are made to happen." Now is the time in which we need to make things happen.

For me, September 11th only accentuated feelings that I've always maintained - since childhood. Athletes and movie stars have never been my heroes. I always felt that such hero worship was misplaced, displaced and inappropriate.

I always felt such Hollywood and sports hero worship sent the wrong message to our children and demonstrated a wrong set of values for our community. My heroes have always been teachers, soldiers, police officers, fire fighters and public servants.

One of my heroes - my grandfather, William Earl Wright, served in WWI and was a very proud charter member of Carroll Post #31 of the American Legion.

My father, Ed Frock, Sr., served with the Navy in heavy combat throughout WWII in the Pacific.

My father-in-law, David S. Babylon, Jr., served in WWII. He also served 25 years on Westminster City Council.

My brother-in-law, Colonel William T. Babylon, serves with the 18th Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

Freddy Magsamen, is one of our native sons who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. He was my childhood friend.

As I look out across this audience, and I look into the eyes of the many community leaders here today - I see many true living heroes. We all share the values of the veterans who we are here today recognizing. We stand here today, to pay homage to those, whose commitment and sacrifice to our community are inspirations for us all. Commitment and sacrifice to our community as epitomized by our true living heroes, who contribute daily to our community's quality of life.

To quote another living hero of mine - President George W. Bush. He said in his Inauguration speech on January 20th, 2001:

"America, at its best, is also courageous.

Our national courage has been clear in times of depression and war, when defending common dangers defined our common good. Now we must choose if the example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us. We must show courage in a time of blessing by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations."

Indeed, those are the words of another living American hero who is also a visionary. If it is possible, those words are even more true today, than they were when he said them many months ago.

May God bless all those who serve the cause of freedom and may God bless America. Thank you.

####

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Vote Nov 6, 2001 for Joe Baldi, Frederick City Alderman

Vote Nov 6, 2001 for Joe Baldi, Frederick City Alderman: “Good People making Good Things Happen”

[20011101 Vote Joe Baldi Nov 6 2001]

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Yes, there is a sushi bar in Carroll County

Yes, there is a sushi bar in Carroll County

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=2572212&BRD=1289&PAG=461&dept_id=156638&rfi=6

By: Stephen Snyder, Times Staff Writer October 31, 2001

Though Chinese food has changed significantly since being popularized in America, the ancient Japanese art of sushi has changed little

When it comes to sushi, it seems there's little room for improvement.

"Sushi originally came from Japan about 1,500 years ago," said [the] owner of North China restaurant in the Cranberry Plaza off Md. 140 in Westminster.

Since opening North China five years ago, {the restaurant] has operated the only sushi bar in Carroll County and attracted some notable patrons, including Westminster mayor Kevin Dayhoff.

[S]ushi chef Zheng Liu boast the ability to serve more than 80 varieties of sushi and the menu ranges from tuna to eel to sea urchin.

The sushi bar at North China is actually a bar, complete with bar stools and a bartender (the sushi chef). Patrons can order three basic variations on raw fish: sushi, sashimi and maki (or rolls).

Not all raw fish is sushi. Sushi actually means fish with rice. Each piece of fish is served on top of a small bed of sticky rice. Sashimi is the pure sliced pieces of raw fish that most people think about when they picture sushi.

Rolls, on the other hand, are combinations, usually raw fish and some fruit or vegetable, stuffed with sticky rice and rolled together with a thin sheet of roasted seaweed. There are rolls, like the kappa or cucumber roll, that contain no raw seafood at all.

Liu says their most popular item is California roll, a mixture of imitation crab meat and an avocado slice.

… [S]ushi is very popular at North China. The restaurant sells about 65 percent traditional Chinese food and 35 percent sushi….

Liu explained that sushi is popular because eating raw fish is actually healthier than eating it cooked. There is virtually no fat in sushi and you don't cook out any of the nutrients.

"I eat sushi a lot," said Lui while patting his stomach behind the bar. "Not fat," he added smiling.

Although sushi has been in Japan for hundreds of years, it is a relatively new phenomenon in China, where Lee lived before emigrating to the United States 12 years ago. Sushi only came when China began opening its borders to foreign trade. In fact, he said, it began showing up in China the same time that McDonalds did.

Liu learned how to be a sushi chef while living in Hong Kong.

©Carroll County Online 2001

20011031 Yes there is a sushi bar in Carroll County

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/ Blip.fm: http://blip.fm/kevindayhoff_soundtrack

20011011 Halloween Trick or Treating memo for October 31, 2001

Westminster Maryland Halloween Trick or Treating

MEMORANDUM - October 11, 2001

TO: Council Members

Thomas Beyard

John Dudderar

Chief Roger Joneckis

Carroll County Times

The Baltimore Sun - Carroll County

WTTR Radio

SUBJECT: HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREATING

Each year, The Mayor and Council designates a night for Halloween Trick or Treating. Pursuant to your approval at the Council Meeting of October 22, 2001, I would like to recommend that Halloween Trick or Treating take place on the evening of Wednesday, October 31, 2001.

Trick or Treating should be conducted between the hours of dusk and 8:00 p.m. and be restricted to children age 12 and under plus accompanying parents or adult guardians. Residents who wish to participate by providing treats to the children should turn on their outside light. Children are advised to wear some light colored clothing so as to be more visible to motorists and to go to homes in their immediate neighborhoods with lights. Motorists should pay particular care on the evening of October 31^st with so many children walking around City streets.

KEVIN E. DAYHOFF

Mayor

Baltimore Fall Cleanup October 13th, 2001

We were mayors once – and young.

Baltimore Fall Cleanup October 13^th, 2001

Ocean City Mayor Jim Mathias, Baltimore City Mayor Martin O'Malley and Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff share a moment to demonstrate that the key ingredient in community is 'unity', at the Biggest Clean Up Ever! Homecoming '01 Clean Up" - “Clean Up is Contagious” Baltimore Fall Cleanup October 13, 2001 (20011013 MM JM KD Trashsm)

20011013 Baltimore Fall Cleanup, Dayhoff Flat Kevin Files, Dayhoff selfportraits, People Mathias Jim, People O'Malley-Martin, 

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2013/06/baltimore-fall-cleanup-october-13th-2001.html
*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

20010829 MDE: Westminster awarded grant to upgrade wastewater treatment plant

20010829 MDE: Westminster awarded grant to upgrade wastewater treatment plant

Press Releases

Maryland Department of the Environment

Richard McIntire (410) 537-3012 (410) 716-8784-Pager

CARROLL COUNTY AWARDED GRANT TO UPGRADE WESTMINSTER'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

http://www.mde.state.md.us/PressReleases/133.html

ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 29, 2001) – Governor Parris N. Glendening today announced Maryland Board of Public Works’ approval of a $164,562 grant for Carroll County to upgrade and expand the existing Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant so that it may operate more efficiently.

“We are taking progressive steps to protect our finite natural resources without compromising the high quality of service Marylanders expect,” said Governor Glendening. “This funding will allow Carroll County to serve citizens from the Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant in a more efficient and effective way while at the same time, reducing the amount of nutrients being released into Maryland’s waterways. This grant assists with our on-going efforts to target state funds in Priority Funding Areas consistent with our Smart Growth Initiative.”

The upgrade to the existing Westminster treatment plant will include the construction of a Biological Nutrient Removal facility to improve nitrogen removal to a level of 8 milligrams per liter. The project also includes an expansion to increase the wastewater treatment capacity to 5 million gallons per day.

County officials are hoping this grant from the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Water Quality Infrastructure Program will assist them in helping meet the Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction goal of 40 percent.

“The financial assistance from MDE and the state of Maryland is essential to allow the city to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant,” said Westminster Mayor Kenneth A. Yowan. “This project will enhance water quality in the Little Pipe Creek watershed and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

The total cost of the project is $4.2 million of which $2.1 million is the local share being paid by the city of Westminster. The grant approved today increases the state’s participation in the project to more than $2.1 million.

###

Water and Sewer Westminster, Water and Sewer Westminster Wastewater Treatment Plant

20010824 Columnist Barry Rascovar is leaving the Baltimore Sun

Sun's Rascovar to retire next Friday

Aug. 24, 2001 by Josh Kurtz, Staff Writer

ANNAPOLIS -- It's official: Barry Rascovar, the influential political columnist and deputy editorial page editor of The (Baltimore) Sun, will end his 30-year career on the newspaper next Friday.

Maryland politics may never be the same.

"The Sun paper's losing really one of the premiere columnists," said state Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, a former governor and Baltimore mayor. "He was never very good to me. ... But I think he had some of the best insights into politics."

Rascovar, 55, accepted an early retirement package offered this summer by the Tribune Co., the Sun's Chicago parent.

[…]

For 10 years as a reporter and 20 years as an opinion writer, Rascovar has been one of the most visible and powerful observers of Maryland politics.

[…]

Some friends of Rascovar's privately grumble that he was the victim of a power struggle with Jacqueline Thomas, the editorial page editor who was brought in to replace Rascovar's friend and mentor, Joseph Sterne, who retired in 1998.

Read the rest here: “Sun's Rascovar to retire next Friday.”

20010818 A conversation between God and St. Francis on the subject of lawns

A conversation between God and St. Francis on the subject of lawns:

August 18th, 2001

GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and Nature. What in the world is going on down there in the Midwestern part of that place they call America?

What happened to the dandelions, violets, and thistle I created eons ago?

I had a perfect, no- maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with great abundance. The nectar from the long lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees, and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now, but all I see are these green rectangles.

ST. FRANCIS: It’s the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers weeds and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

GOD: Grass? But it’s so boring! It’s not colorful. It doesn’t attract butterflies, birds, and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It’s temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

ST. FRANCIS: Apparently so, Lord, they go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.

GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.

ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes twice a week.

GOD: They cut it? Do they bail it like hay? ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

GOD: They bag it? Why is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

ST. FRANCIS: No sir, just the opposite, they pay to throw it away.

GOD: Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow, and when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir.

GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut down on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows down the growth and saves them a lot of work.

ST. FRANCIS: You aren’t going to believe this Lord, when the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It’s a natural circle of life.

ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into piles and pay to have them hauled away.

GOD: NO. What do they do to protect the shrubs and tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil moist and loose?

ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

GOD: Where do they get this mulch?

ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them to make mulch.

GOD: Enough. I don’t want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you’re in charge of the Arts. What movie have they scheduled for us tonight?

ST. CATHERINE: Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It’s a real stupid movie about..........

GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.

_____

20010818: Turfgrass, Lawn care, Lawn Grass, Bagging Grass, Yard waste

Agriculture Nursery Stock and Landscaping Humor

Agriculture Nursery Stock and Landscaping Maintenance

See also: Agriculture Nursery Stock and Landscaping Plant Diseases

Agriculture Nursery Stock and Landscaping Plant Selection

20010729 Standoff MSP Bill

Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff
Billing Statement

August 7, 2001
Bill To:

Lt. Colonel Bill Arrington
Maryland State Police
Chief - Field Operations Bureau
1201 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208

Date, description of Services:

July 29, 2001, 2:30 AM to 6:30 AM
For Services and Supplies in the matter of the Maryland State Police assisting the Westminster City Police during standoff incident.

Itemized Services Rendered:

Staffing Costs: $7,526.17

Many Police Officers, hours of service
Wee morning hours surcharge
Special English accent surcharge
Out of City limits surcharge

Westminster Fire Depart. Medic Services
Elected official oversight (Mayor's prayers)

Supplies : $2,948.66

Pepper spray
Other herbs and spices
Three bean bags @ $412.37
Bunker shield rental charge
Helicopter landing zone

We are always proud to serve.

God Bless you and the work that you do for our community.


Total: $10,474.83
No sales tax.
Interest at 21% APR for accounts over 15 days.
We accept Master Card and Visa

__________________________________
Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff
PO Box 124, Westminster, MD 21158
kdayhoff@westgov.com

cc: Westminster Police Chief Joneckis
Westminster MSP Barrack Commander Terry Katz
Westminster City Council Public Safety Committee

20010727 MD Route 140 Improvement Study

MD Route 140 Improvement Study

July 27^th, 2001

Labels: Westminster businesses, Westminster Profile, Westminster Planning and Zoning, Westminster Rte 140, History Westminster

City of Westminster Development History:

There are essentially two types of development evident in the City of Westminster: the traditional, more dense development found in the older parts of Westminster, and the suburban, less dense development located on the outskirts of the downtown area. These two types of development feature residential, commercial, and industrial land uses.

The older parts of Westminster, centered on the intersection of Main Street and Railroad Avenue and extending east and west parallel to Main Street, were developed primarily in a traditional grid pattern, with buildings located closer together and next to the street than in the more recently developed areas. In the traditional part of the City, residential and commercial land uses are located within close proximity, allowing for easy pedestrian travel. This more densely built, mixed development prevailed until the 1950s when Maryland Route 140 was completed as a bypass for Main Street, along the northern and eastern sides of the City.

The construction of Maryland Route 140 made it feasible to develop land on the outskirts of the City of Westminster. With the exception of some residential areas, this newer developed area is characterized by buildings located farther apart and set back from the curvilinear streets in order to efficiently accommodate automobile traffic. In most areas, residential uses are separated from commercial and industrial uses, further necessitating the need for automobile travel. Commercial uses in the Maryland Route 140 corridor include an enclosed shopping mall, large retail stores laid out in a strip fashion behind large parking lots, and franchise restaurants. The City’s prime industrial corridor focuses on the Air Business Center, located in the northern part of the City on Maryland Route 97, and contains a mix of business and industrial uses.

Vacant lands located within the City of Westminster are minimal. Vacant areas include several commercially zoned parcels located adjacent to Maryland Route 140, as well as two large residentially zoned properties at the intersections of Maryland Route 31 with Route 140, and Maryland Route 31 with Uniontown Road. Approximately 235 acres of vacant land are available for residential development and 125 acres for commercial uses. Another 190 acres of land in the MD 97(N) Corridor are available for industrial uses. Available residential land and housing units in Westminster provide the capacity for an additional 3,761 people; however, the population projections show an increase of 6,575 people by the year 2020. The difference in these two figures is 2,814 or approximately 1,125 households. Based on currently permitted zoning densities, an additional 270 acres of Urban Residential land would be required to accommodate the increase in Westminster’s population.

While a portion of the projected population could be accommodated through in-fill development and mixed use structures in the downtown area, the City of Westminster will also need to annex land that is appropriate for residential development in order to accommodate the remainder of the projected population.

City of Westminster Transportation Network:

The City of Westminster and the surrounding area are served by eight Maryland State Highways: Route 140 (Baltimore Boulevard), Route 97 North (Littlestown Pike), Route 97 South (Malcolm Drive and Washington Road), Route 27 (Westminster/Manchester Road, Railroad Avenue/Liberty Street and Ridge Road), Route 32 (Main Street and Sykesville Road), Route 31 (New Windsor Road), Route 832 (Old Taneytown Road), Route 526 (Pennsylvania Avenue), Route 852 North (Old Manchester Road), and Route 852 south (Old New Windsor Road). The City of Westminster and the surrounding area are served by two primary east-west corridors: Maryland Route 140 (Baltimore Boulevard and Taneytown Pike) and Maryland Route 32 (Main Street), as well as two primary north – south corridors; MD Route 97 and MD Route 27.

Maryland Route 97 North, classified by Carroll County as a principal arterial, connects Route 140 to Pennsylvania Route 97, serving Littlestown and Gettysburg and providing a connection to U.S. Route 15. The Maryland Route 97 (N) corridor immediately to the north of Maryland Route 140 is the site of prime industrial land in Westminster. The City’s most significant industrial parks as well as the Carroll County Airport are located on Route 97 North.

Maryland Route 97 (N) also serves as a primary commuter route, connecting residents of northern Carroll County and southern Pennsylvania with employment destinations in Westminster and points to the south and east. During morning and evening rush hours, the volume of pass-through commuter traffic chokes the roadway, making it difficult for employees and clients of the industrial parks to safely make turning movements. This also results in long queuing of vehicles at the signalized intersections.

Maryland Route 97 South, between Route 140 and Route 32, is classified as a principal arterial, while south of Route 32, Route 97 is an intermediate arterial. This road continues south through Carroll County and into Howard and Montgomery Counties, intersecting with the Washington, D.C. beltway (I-495) and continuing into Washington, D.C. as Georgia Avenue.

Maryland Route 140 is classified as a principal arterial under the Carroll County system of functional classification. Maryland Route 140 is a divided multi-lane highway with good vehicular access; however, there are some traffic congestion problems during peak hours due to numerous access points along the highway and traffic signals at the major intersections. Portions of Maryland Route 140 are located outside of the Westminster corporate limits, so any corridor planning would require the involvement of the City of Westminster, Carroll County government, and the State Highway Administration. Eastbound Route 140 provides access from Westminster to Interstate 795, which joins the Baltimore Beltway (I-695); to the west, Route 140 intersects with U.S. Route 15 in Emmitsburg. This route serves commercial and commuter traffic between Carroll County, Pennsylvania, and the Baltimore area via I-795 and I-695. East of the Westminster corporate limits, Route 140 is a four lane, divided highway, with twelve foot wide travel lanes and ten to twelve foot shoulders. The posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour to the east of the City. Within the Westminster area, the speed limit decreases to 45 miles per hour, while the roadway width increases to provide for right and left turn lanes at intersections. West of Route 31, the width of Route 140 decreases to between forty-four and forty-eight feet, providing two twelve foot travel lanes with ten to twelve foot paved shoulders. The speed limit increases to 55 miles per hour in this area.

Maryland Route 140 has the highest average daily traffic (ADT) of any roadway in Carroll County. The 47,650 ADT recorded in 1995 by the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) in the vicinity of the Center Street intersection makes this section of roadway comparable to ADT volumes recorded on parts of I-70 in Frederick County. In addition to its commercial character, the Route 140 corridor provides access to the Baltimore regional markets via connections to I-795 and I-695. Goods and materials shipped from Pennsylvania and Baltimore, as well as commuters traveling to places of employment, use this important transportation link. The traffic volume, diversity of trip purposes, and vehicle mix on Route 140 create congestion and safety problems.

City of Westminster Economic Profile:

The City of Westminster contains two distinct major retail areas: downtown Westminster and the commercial corridor located along Maryland Route 140. The Westminster portion of Route 140 functions in many ways as the core business area for much of Carroll County. Included in the Route 140 corridor are numerous shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. The Maryland Route 140 corridor contains one large, enclosed shopping mall, a number of large “big box” retail stores, “in-line” or “strip” retail shopping centers, fast food restaurants, and offices. This area experiences significant commercial activity during both day and evening hours, including the weekends. The highest concentration of goods and services available to Carroll County residents is found along this highway. Demand is high for commercial land in the Maryland Route 140 corridor; however, there is very little undeveloped commercial land left in this corridor which is not impacted by steep slopes or other environmental and site constraints. Consequently, there has been a rapid increase in real estate values along certain segments of Maryland Route 140. As a result, commercial properties and rents in downtown Westminster are more affordable for small business owners, while major retailers and high traffic businesses continue to locate along Maryland Route 140. Many of the structures located in the Maryland Route 140 corridor have been built in the last 15 to 20 years and are in good condition, although some of the shopping centers have a dated appearance.

In addition to the commercial areas described above is the City’s primary industrial area, located along Maryland Route 97 in the vicinity of the Westminster Airport. This industrial area contains a mix of office space and manufacturing uses. The first industrial park, the Air Business Center, was developed by the County’s Industrial Development Authority and included advanced infrastructure such as fiber optic cable, with the purpose to promote employment for county residents in the form of research and development types of industries. There is a concern that this prime industrial area is being undermined by the number of retail and service-oriented businesses locating here due to a lack of vacant commercial land in the Westminster area. All of the structures in this industrial area were constructed recently, and development in the area is ongoing due to the emphasis on marketing the area. The County’s first buildings built on speculation of future users were constructed in the Maryland Route 97 industrial corridor.

The major employers in the City of Westminster in 1995 included Carroll County Government central offices (located on Center Street near MD Route 140), Western Maryland College (located on West Main Street and MD Route 140), Marada Industries (located on MD Route 97 North), and Carroll Lutheran Village (located west of MD Route 31).

Westminster envisions creating arts district

Westminster envisions creating arts district

By: Megen Wessel, Times Staff Writer July 25, 2001

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=2130100&BRD=1289&PAG=461&dept_id=156627&rfi=8

As the Carroll Arts Center project nears completion, Westminster officials hope to make the city more artist-friendly with possible help from newly passed legislation.

"The Carroll Arts Center is the first piece of the puzzle," said Westminster Councilman Damian Halstad, who broached the idea of an arts and entertainment district in Westminster during a City Council meeting earlier this month. "With that a reality, now would be a good time to start promoting the arts."

The legislation, signed in May by Gov. Parris N. Glendening, authorizes the secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development to designate one or more arts and entertainment districts within a county each year, a department spokeswoman said.

The measure, which the General Assembly passed on the last day of the session, followed a similar one in Providence, Rhode Island. The state law lets localities create arts and entertainment districts where a series of tax breaks apply.

In 1996, Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. proposed legislation that later passed and provided tax exemptions on personal income tax and sales-and-use tax for artists living in the Arts and Entertainment District in the Downcity Area of Providence.

Another piece of legislation passed that same year focused on tax incentives to property owners who convert buildings formerly used for industrial or commercial use into residential units.

In the roughly 10-block-square downtown Providence district, artists can receive income tax breaks, art purchases are exempt from sales tax, and developers who create spaces for artists to live and work can avoid paying property tax on the value of the improvements for 10 years.

Maryland's bill, sponsored in the Senate by Baltimore Sen. Barbara A. Hoffman, has some provisions that go beyond the Rhode Island law.

For instance, the Maryland legislation allows a local jurisdictioion to waive entertainment taxes in designated arts districts and expand a state economic development program so it can be used to fund arts-related projects.

The arts district concept has excited interest in many parts of the state, including Bowie, Hagerstown, Cumberland, Bethesda and smaller communities along the Prince George's County and Washington, D.C., line.

Although exact number of arts districts that can be created statewide in one year has yet to be determined, the law limits the number to six, said Karen Glenn, spokeswoman for the department of business and economic development.

Reach staff writer Megen Wessel at 410-751-5909 or mwessel at lcniofmd.com.

20010725 Wster Envisions Arts District cct

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835

20010719 Crabbers clamor at bake Salisbury Daily Times

Crabbers clamor at bake sdt

Wearing bright shirts, watermen object to new regs at political event

http://www.delmarvaheadlines.com/thedailytimesonline/pages/topnews.html#top%20story%202

The Daily Times, Salisbury, Maryland

By Tess Hughes, Special To The Times

CRISFIELD — Watermen used one of the Lower Shore’s most popular political parties Wednesday to protest new crabbing regulations.

‘‘We’re having the best season we’ve had in 15 or 20 years,’’ said Jay Carman of the Chesapeake, Atlantic and Coastal Bays Watermen’s Coalition. ‘‘Science doesn’t back up the regulations.’’

About 30 coalition watermen wore bright orange shirts at Wednesday’s 25th annual J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake to protest the state regulations that limit crabbers to working 8-hour days, six days a week.

‘‘I encourage all the watermen to join the coalition,’’ Carman also said. ‘‘We’re going to stand up and fight against these regulations.’’

State officials say the crab population must be protected for future generations.

Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend acknowledged the industry faces some serious challenges.

‘‘I think its a tough situation,’’ she said. ‘‘I feel for those who make their living on the water. We’re doing our best to balance the needs of today with the needs of the future.’’

Organizers said more than 5,100 visitors braved the rain and humidity to attend the event.

‘‘We usually average 4,700 to 4,800 visitors,’’ said Valerie Mason, the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce’s executive director. She also said visitors were still arriving an hour and 20 minutes before closing.

State Del. Rudolph C. Cane, who annually attends the event, said this year’s bake was more organized than in past years.

‘‘It is always exciting for me,’’ he said. ‘‘I get to meet people from all over the state,’’

Maurice Yates, 8, who came from Baton Rouge, La., to visit his father, said he wanted to attend next year, too.

‘‘The crabs are good,’’ he said.

Audrey E. Scott, a candidate for governor in 2002, said the atmosphere at the bake was ‘‘politically charged.’’

‘‘And I am part of the electricity,’’ she said. ‘‘I give (coalition members) a lot of credit. They’ve joined forces to get what they want.’’

####

20010718 25th Annual J Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake

Caroline and I had the pleasure to attend this event this and had a great time...

25^th Annual J Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake

http://www.crisfield.org/clambake.cfm

---

Wednesday, July 18, 2001 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Somers Cove Marina Crisfield, Maryland

"All You Can Eat" Menu

Steamed Crabs

Fresh Fried Fish

Clams: Raw Bar, Steamed & Fried

French Fried Potatoes

Corn on the Cob

Onion Rings

Watermelon

Beverages

$30 Donation - includes free mug and mallet!

This event is now recognized as one of Maryland's finest seafood festivals. Tickets are now on sale, and due to the tremendous response, ticket sales are limited to 5,000. With a purchase of 30 tickets or more, the Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce will provide your business or organization with a hospitality space, for a fee. Spaces are limited, subject to first-come, first-served.

For further information contact:
Crisfield Area Chamber of Commerce ~ 410-968-2500 ~ 1-800-782-3913

20010709 McCain Feingold Poison pill for political parties

McCain Feingold Poison pill for political parties

July 9^th, 2001

-----Original Message-----

From: Ellen Sauerbrey

Sent: Monday, July 09, 2001 9:12 PM

Subject: 20010709 McCain Feingold Poison pill for political parties

To Maryland political activists,

As you know, the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance "Reform" bill recently passed the Senate is now under consideration in the House. What you may not know is how horribly this measure will impact on the Republican party at the state and national level.

We are in a fight for our lives and I am calling on you to join me in contacting our Congressmen quickly, and vociferously urging them to oppose McCain-Feingold and instead to support the Ney bill which is far more acceptable.

I have attached an op-ed that I have submitted to The Sun that gives a full explanation of the issue, but let me briefly say that legislation that bans soft money from being shared with state political parties will decimate state political parties and leave in their place strengthened and unregulated special interest groups and the media.

"Soft money" is NOT inherently bad. In fact it is more accurately called non-federal money because it is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission.

It is used by state parties for overhead, voter registration, generic issue pieces, phone banks and get out the vote efforts.

Contrary to what you have heard, soft money is NOT unregulated. Just because it is not regulated by the Federal Election Commission does not mean that It is not regulated.

Every dollar is regulated by the law of the states in which it is spent. In addition, banning non campaign groups from running issue ads for two months prior to the election is a blatant infringement on the First Amendment.

Ellen Sauerbrey

McCain-Feingold- A Poison Pill for Political Parties

By Ellen Sauerbrey – Maryland Republican National Committeewoman

Our American political system is based on the ability of people with similar beliefs to band together in political parties to promote their political philosophy and support candidates of their choice.

Commenting on the effects of proposed campaign finance reform legislation, House Democrat Caucus Chairman Martin Frost observed “ The political parties would be neutered, and third-party groups would run the show”.

The McCain-Feingold bill, banning “soft money”, that has passed the Senate would indeed cripple political parties and leave special interest groups and the media as the major advocates of issues. If in place during the last election cycle, McCain-Feingold would have deprived the Democrat party of half of its funds and the Republican Party of one-third of the funds raised. However, special interest groups could still collect unlimited soft money from any source.

In campaign finance jargon, “Soft money” is evil money, or so we are told. Yet most people do not have the slightest idea what the term means.

Soft money is money raised and spent by political parties subject to state, not federal, election law. It is the money national parties transfer to state parties for non-federal purposes and share with state and local candidates. It is the money used for redistricting, overhead and issue debate by the state and national parties.

Soft money is voluntarily contributed, but it is disclosed and regulated. It is spent and recorded in accordance with state law.

Banning soft money will make illegal the money contributed by national parties to state party’s traditional voter registration, get out the vote, and absentee ballot programs whenever there is a federal candidate on the ballot. In the last election cycle the Republican National Committee sent $93 million “soft dollars” to state parties that helped fund 110 million get out the vote and generic issue pieces, 25 million absentee ballots, and 65 million generic phone calls.

Those who believe that strong political parties are the best defense against the influence of special interests, media moguls and self financed millionaire candidates, see the McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill as a disaster that will cripple the two-party system and federalize most of campaign finance and issue discussion. In usurping the authority of states to regulate campaign expenditures, it essentially nationalizes state election law.

National political parties are not just parties of Congress and Senators but work with states to promote Governors and local candidates. In the 2000 election cycle, the Republican National Committee contributed $11 Million to State Legislative Races and $7 million to Governors; all regulated by state law.

As McCain-Feingold strangles political parties, drying up nearly half of their funds, other interest groups could still collect unlimited funds from any source – unregulated and unreported. Labor union activity estimated by a Rutgers study to have been valued at $300 million in 2000 cycle is unregulated and remains unregulated.

Of the $500 million spent on issue ads during the 2000 election cycle, 68% was spent by third party special interest groups – twice that of both political parties combined. Under a soft money ban, political parties will be muzzled leaving unregulated special interest groups and the media to control political discourse.

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell has it right when he says, “In an effort to take money out of politics, we’ve taken parties out of politics.”

The Republican National Committee, made up of each state party chairman and the National Committeeman and Committeewoman from every state, has voted unanimously against the concepts in McCain-Feingold three times. Hopefully House members will join us in support of a true campaign reform measure that strengthens, not weakens, citizen involvement in their government.

####

20010612 Baltimore Sun: Ferguson fills Council Seat

Former bank chief to fill Westminster council seat
Ferguson's appointment effective immediately

See: 20010611 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Agenda

By Maria Blackburn, Sun Staff
Originally published June 12, 2001

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.council12jun12.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll

Westminster's Common Council appointed last night Thomas K. Ferguson, a former Carroll County bank president and chief executive officer, to the five-member panel, filling a spot left vacant by Kevin E. Dayhoff's election as mayor.

Ferguson, 59, led Carroll County Bank & Trust Co. for 18 years before its purchase by BB&T Corp. in 1999. He has lived on Ridge Road with his wife, Sandy, since 1975 and is executive vice president for community development at BB&T.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd throw my hat in the political arena. I have the time now to participate actively in city government," Ferguson said before being named to fill the remaining two years of Dayhoff's term. "I've always had an interest in downtown Westminster."

Other applicants for the position included Frank E. Wagner Jr., a Baltimore police sergeant and unsuccessful Common Council candidate in the May election, and John F. Curran Jr., a 19-year city resident.

Three council members supported Ferguson's appointment - the majority needed for the appointment. They were Council President Damian L. Halstad, L. Gregory Pecoraro and Roy L. Chiavacci.

Councilwoman Suzanne P. Albert did not vote - the majority was reached before the last candidate's name - Wagner's - could be read by City Clerk John Dutterer. Their names were read in alphabetical order.

Pecoraro complimented Ferguson's credentials and his community involvement in projects such as chairing the Westminster Fire Department's $1.5 million capital campaign in 1997 for its new fire station on John Street.

"I don't think there's been a worthwhile project in this community in the last 10 to 15 years that Tom Ferguson hasn't" been involved in, Pecoraro said.

The council was eager for Ferguson to assume his post. He was sworn in at the meeting and afterward, when he tried to sit with the audience, was directed to sit in the vacant council chair.

The last time the council appointed a new member was in 1994, when Pecoraro was selected to fill the seat left vacant by Kenneth A. Yowan, who was appointed as mayor.

Also last night: The council heard from three residents opposed to annexing the Bixler property, almost 45 acres of farmland on Route 97 north of Carroll County Regional Airport.

Edward Wentz, who lives in Kalten Acres, a 25-year-old subdivision near the property, said the city didn't need more development in this area. The council will likely vote on the annexation ordinance at the July 9 meeting.

Copyright © 2001, The Baltimore Sun

For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting agenda on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Mtg Agenda

For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting minutes on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes