Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Monday, February 28, 2005

20050225 Forbes: Cell phones you can't have ... yet

Forbes: Cell phones you can't have ... yet

In Japan and South Korea, future is already here

By Thomas Jackson, Forbes Updated: 3:57 p.m. ET Feb. 25, 2005

We've got some pretty slick phones on the American market today. From Motorola's Razr to Nokia's art-deco-inspired 7280, each is a pocketful of gadgets-camera, MP3 player, video game console and PDA-magically converged into one sleek package. But compared to their Asian counterparts, our handsets look a bit like grandpa's Automatic Electric.

Read the entire article here: Forbes: Cell phones you can't have ... yet

Saturday, February 19, 2005

20050218 Live Near Your Work Program Resurrected by Deitrich Curry

20050218 Live Near Your Work Program Resurrected by Deitrich Curry

Live Near Your Work Program Resurrected by Deitrich Curry

Capital News Service Friday, February 18, 2005

ANNAPOLIS - Genora Brown has been a homeowner for five years after accepting a $3,000 incentive to live closer to her work, but others haven't had the same opportunity since the program that provided the grant closed in 2003.

Now one lawmaker has introduced legislation to resuscitate the program that made it possible for Brown to walk to her Johns Hopkins University job.

"I'm a new homeowner and that's something to be proud of," said Brown at Thursday's hearing before the House Environmental Matters Committee.

The Live Near Your Work Program began in 1997 to encourage homeownership and reduce commuting long distances by providing an incentive for buying a home close to work.

The state, localities and employers each contributed $1,000 for a total incentive of $3,000.

State funding cuts eliminated the program in 2003.

"It was really just getting off the ground," said the bill's sponsor, Delegate Maggie McIntosh, D-Baltimore County.

The bill will require that the governor include at least $250,000 annually in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 for the Department of Housing and Community Development to fund the program. Funds are not to exceed $500,000.

During the program's six-year run, the state provided $1.35 million for 997 grants in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Prince Georges County, Montgomery County, College Park, Hagerstown, Westminster and Salisbury.

About 130 employers participated including Johns Hopkins University, The Baltimore Sun Co., Morgan State University, Perdue Farms Inc. and Pepsi Cola Bottling Co.

McIntosh said the return is one of the best parts about this program.

"State dollars leverage more than twice their amount," McIntosh said.

There was no opposition to the bill at the hearing and McIntosh said the bill had a good chance of passing because of its "very low" cost.

The governor's office said it had no opinion on the bill.

While the state ended its funding for the program, Baltimore City continued to participate, providing a total of $2,000 for each family from the city and the employer.

The program has aided more than 300 families over the past two years.

Homes were purchased at an average cost of $93,776 and had a median cost of $830,000, according to a report released by The Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors.

About 56 percent of the new homebuyers had an annual household income of $50,000 or less, the report also revealed.

Still, the city is ready for the state to join the program again.

"We are ready, willing and able to be the third party," said Kenneth J. Strong, homeowners' office director of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development.

Employers and local jurisdictions can decide how far the person must live from their work to qualify. Some jurisdictions paid the incentive for people to live in certain, underpopulated areas.

Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff said the program has helped revitalize his city by increasing families and citizens.

"A small amount of money can make a big difference when a young family purchases a home," he said.

Delegate Kumar Barve, D-Montgomery, an Environmental Matters Committee member, said the program has a variety of benefits.

"It encourages people to live where they work, while preventing congestion and improving the environment," he said.

Delegate Barry Glasman, R-Harford, also a committee member, called it a " laudable program."


Copyright © 2008 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism

http://www.journalism.umd.edu/cns/wire/2005-editions/02-February-editions/050218-Friday/LivingProximity_CNS-UMCP.html

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

20050202 WA Domestic Violence A Civil Society begins at Home



Domestic Nonviolence

A Civil Society begins at Home

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February 2nd, 2005 by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)

Note: This column first appeared in the Westminster Advocate on February 2nd, 2005. The Westminster Advocate web site does not have this column available – and so it is re-printed here for future reference. / Kevin Dayhoff, October 28th, 2006.

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Much has been written recently about the sharp divides in which we currently find our nation. I’m not sure what we can do about the acrimony and incivility on the national level, but I think that all behavior modification in our great nation starts at the grass roots level.

It starts with how we treat each other right here in our own homes, in our own community.

Unfortunately, physical and psychological violence is on the rise in our society; where it is frequently portrayed and emphasized by the media as an acceptable way for people to deal with problems. How often do we see featured in the media, the one person in the community meeting that attempted to promote their agenda by being impolite, loud, bizarre and disagreeable.

Regrettably, much of the violence in our community starts in our own homes. In Westminster, we treat domestic violence very seriously. Sadly, this is violence between loved ones in which the victims know one another.

Westminster Police Chief Spaulding recently said it best: “If we are going to make some sustainable progress against violence in our community, we need to start at home.”

We can all work together to reduce the incidences of violence in our community by teaching children non-violent conflict resolution skills and leading by example. Adults can help children by demonstrating behavior that express feelings without harming, learning to accept the feelings of others, finding compromise, and building consensus.

In our community, we have many initiatives to stop the violence in our own homes according to Connie Sgarlata, the Director of Family and Children’s Services. (For more information, please call (410) 876-1233).

Community outreach and advocacy such as the Comprehensive Domestic Violence Program (DVP), which includes The DVP Safe House and DVP Coordinating Council, are in place to help protect our friends, neighbors, family and loved ones. Because violence is a learned behavior, the ultimate risk for children who witness abuse is that they will grow up to be the next generation of batterers and victims.

The Children’s Counseling Program gives children a safe environment to share their feelings about what is occurring in their families. In addition, children can be taught alternative ways to express these feelings that are not abusive to others.

If we are looking for answers to address the incivility in our society, one place to start is by looking at our own behavior. Consider the example you set for your child, your friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.

I think that the answer lies in the ability to listen with respect to those with whom we deeply disagree, in an attempt to catch in their remarks some truth we may have missed, in order to find a meaningful compromise.

The folks that I admire are in no hurry to unpleasantly “correct” their opponent. There is not much that we can do about our nation’s leaders not being civil, but our families and community cannot prosper if society fails and we don’t rediscover some sense of civility and practice daily acts of kindness to one another.

Just so no to local reenactments of the Jerry Springer Show – it has no place in our community.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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