Westminster Common Council Members Frazier and Whitson weigh-in on incinerator and airport expansion

Westminster Common Council Members Frazier and Whitson weigh-in on incinerator and airport expansion

October 17, 2011

As a citizens of Westminster, we have wondered why some elected officials of Westminster haven’t publicly weighed in on issues that would have a large impact on Westminster.  Now that we are elected Councilmen. we would like to let our views be known on two issues that we believe will impact Westminster.  Here are our observations and concerns.

The first is the “waste to energy” incinerator that the county is currently thinking about building with Fredrick County. We are against it for several reasons:

The first of which is the cost to run it. There is a waste to energy incinerator in Montgomery County and every family in the county is charged a fee of several hundred dollars a year to keep it running. Do we need another fee in Carroll?

The incinerator also needs tremendous amounts of trash to keep it running, and needs the paper, cardboard and plastic that is and can be recycled to keep the operating temperatures high enough to run efficiently.  That means that the paper cardboard and plastic that is currently being recycled in Carroll will be burned and not reused.

This is a linear system and we live in nature, which is a cyclical system. A linear system takes, makes, and wastes. It takes things from the resource base and makes whatever we want to buy and creates wastes along the way. Ultimately what is made is also thrown away and in this case it will be burned. We should try to treat our resources like nature in a close looped system. We need to reuse the paper, cardboard, plastic and other “trash” instead of burning it. 

There are technologies in place that make this a more cost effective solution as well which have been recently shared with us at Council meetings. 

One final note that should put an exclamation point on our reasoning is that the incinerator in Harrisburg is the main reason for the city going bankrupt recently!!

The other issue that we are against that is also being looked at is the airport expansion. I have not seen, read or heard of any way that the airport expansion will benefit the people of Westminster or Carroll County.  If it will not somehow positively impact the welfare of the people than why spend the taxpayers money on it. 

The present airport is continuously operating at a loss  with no reason to think it will start to make a profit.  The present debt is 5 million dollars and counting!

The Federal government wants to invest 73 million in it and make it bigger, but after that we will be in charge of the upkeep, which will cost us more money as well.

Marada,  which was one of the main reasons for the expansion, is out of business!

Businesses are less likely to come to Maryland in general due to the heavy tax burden and our lower taxed neighbors.

If we accept Federal  money,  they will give us more mandates in what is required for the airport and have control, as opposed to local control, and we know how much money the Federal gov’t has right now.  – 14 trillion and counting.  Don’t think Carroll County is high on their priority list.

There are also environmental  concerns relating to fuel being dropped on local fields/noise/ as well as homes/land that people have lived on their whole lives that would have to be condemned and forced to move elsewhere in these difficult times.

There is no reason that a county government should be running an airport in the first place.  Governments are not good at being businesses and shouldn’t try to be businesses. 

4 of the 5 Commmisioners ran on a platform that they were opposed to the airport expansion and they should keep their word!

If a business were running an airport it would be more efficient.  In fact, we would be making money as a county if they turned a profit because the private company would be paying taxes.  Since the county runs the airport there is no tax revenue coming in from the airport! When the county loses money, due to the airport losing money, We the People of Carroll County lose!

Dennis Frazier and Paul Whitson ( 410 916 3645 )

Labels: Admin Letters to KevinDayhoffNet, Carroll Co Regional Airport, Enviro Solid Waste Man, Enviro Solid Waste to Energy, Letters to the Editor qv Admin Letters, People Frazier Dennis, People Whitson Paul

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/10/westminster-common-council-members.html

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Ralph Shewell: Why I can’t support two incumbents

Letter to the editor at Soundtrack

September 3, 2010

Ralph Shewell: Why I can’t support two incumbents

Editor:

Del. Stocksdale voted against the will of her constituents when she voted no to a referendum bill regarding the creation of a county police force. 

A local paper’s poll showed that 80% of respondents wanted the right to vote on this issue; an even higher percentage expressed the same view in letters to the Delegation.

Senator Haines and Delegate Shewell share the same constituents with Del. Stocksdale and both voted for the referendum their constituents demanded. 

Del. Stocksdale also worked against the majority Carroll County Delegation vote by sending a letter to the chairman of the hearing committee stating opposition to the bill and support of the Carroll Commissioners. 

Carroll Delegation policy is that you vote your view, but   you do not try to undermine the passage of a bill sanctioned by a majority vote of the Delegation.

In a letter dated February 8, 2008 addressed to the assigned committee chairman, Del. Stocksdale did just that, worked against the majority vote.  When confronted, she denied it until a copy of her letter exposed her actions.

Complicit with Del. Stocksdale in this tactic was Del. Susan Krebs who wrote a letter to the same committee chairman dated March 3, 2008 to try to derail the referendum bill. 

She too denied working against the bill’s passage until a copy of her letter was presented to the full Carroll Delegation.  (Despite this tug-of -war, Del. Shewell achieved passage of the bill in her subcommittee, her committee, and on the House floor.) 

Is it any wonder that Haines and Shewell have not endorsed Stocksdale or Krebs, but have done the opposite by endorsing their opponents?  This police issue will surface again.

Delegate Stocksdale had no personally sponsored bills passed in the last 4 years. Her excuse at the League of Women Voters’ Forum was that it is difficult for a Republican to pass a bill in the House controlled by Democrats. Why then were the other three Delegates able to pass multiple bills under the same conditions?

In lieu of passing bills, Stocksdale touts her constituent service, but fails to say that all Delegates provide constituent service with the assistance of a legislative aide and legislative liaisons in all departments of state government. Giving good constituent service is just part of performing her job.

For these and other reasons, I will vote for new leadership in District 5A and recommend it in District 9B.

Ralph Shewell

Westminster, MD 21158

[20100903 b Shewell LTE why I cant support two incumbents.docx]

Editor’s note: If you have a letter to the editor that you would like to submit to Soundtrack, please e-mail it to kevindayhoff@gmail.com  

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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

Soundtrack Op-ed: “Waste Not! – Carroll” speaks out on MGA incinerator legislation

Soundtrack Op-ed: Don West, co-founder of “Waste Not! – Carroll” speaks out on Maryland General Assembly incinerator legislation

February 14, 2010

Editor,

On Saturday, February 13, 2010, the Carroll County Times Opinion Page gave Senate Bill 228 a “thumbs down”. The bill, sponsored by Senator Alex Mooney, R – District 3 (Frederick and Washington Counties), prohibits the Maryland Department of the Environment from issuing a permit for the construction of an incinerator unless certain conditions are met.

Included in those conditions are that the incinerator is located in an area zoned for heavy industrial activity and that the site is at least 3 miles from a church, school, park, hospital or residential dwelling.

The CC Times asserts that Mooney was disingenuous in offering the legislation. Yet, Senator Mooney states he has received thousands of e-mails from his constituents in opposition to the Waste to Energy (WTE) incinerator that is proposed in his district. Rather than disingenuous, I view his legislation as an example of a senator responding to the needs and desires of those he serves.

The same column accuses Mooney of political posturing in an election year. That charge is easy enough to refute – Senator Mooney introduced a similar bill in last year’s legislative session. Last year was not an election year for County Commissioners in either Frederick or Carroll Counties.

Speaking of politicizing the issue, our own Commissioner Michael Zimmer ventured to Annapolis to testify against the same bill last week. He said he wants to make sure that Carroll County has an opportunity to reap the same benefits of WTE incineration as Baltimore City and Montgomery and Harford County. After examining this issue in some detail, I’m wondering what benefits Commissioner Zimmer has in mind?

Perhaps it’s all the money to be spent? With current projected construction costs upwards of $600,000,000, plus the financing and the anticipated operating expenses for the life span of the incinerator, we are facing a total cost to taxpayers in Carroll and Frederick in excess of 2 billion dollars!

Given current budgetary problems, I don’t see how anyone would view an expenditure of this magnitude a ‘benefit’. If you are interested in how bad it can get, look to Harrisburg, PA, where the city is nearly bankrupt following a botched upgrade to their incinerator.

Another ‘benefit’ of WTE incineration that proponents like to cite is the electrical energy the facility will generate. What they don’t say is that the incinerator is in reality a poor source of power, generating only about 1/10 of the electricity of a typical electrical plant. Also, any power generated goes first to the operation of the facility. Then Frederick County, as majority partner, gets second priority for the power.

Finally, Carroll County can get what’s left, providing we pay for it. That’s right, we will pay for the electricity generated by burning the trash that we pay to have burned in the incinerator that we are paying for! At the Dickerson facility in Montgomery County, financial records show that money from the sale of electricity doesn’t even offset service on the bonds issued for the initial construction of that incinerator; operating costs are borne by the residents and taxpayers.

In fact, if you compare the energy saved by recycling or composting waste destined for the incinerator versus the energy provided from its combustion, incineration is an enormous Waste of Energy!

Proponents of the incinerator would like you to think that with an incinerator burning our trash, we will no longer need landfills. This is false. First of all, as much as 20 – 25% of our solid waste can’t be burned. Most yard waste and construction & demolition refuse are two examples - other disposal methods will need to be used.

Plus the residual ash from the incinerator will need to be dealt with. Some propose that using the ash as a daily cover at the landfill is appealing. Montgomery County, however, pays to haul its ash to Virginia, where it is handled as a hazardous waste, at an additional cost of several million dollars per year. I’m not seeing any great benefit there, either.

Finally, proponents like to say that emissions from the Waste to Energy incinerator will be closely monitored. Carroll and Frederick’s agreement allows for the monitoring of 12 regulated emissions. Unfortunately, a recent report from the MDE for the Harford County incinerator identified nearly 200 toxins released! If that’s the level of monitoring we can expect at our proposed incinerator, I don’t think I would want my family to live 30 miles from such a facility.

An editorial in the CCT’s the following day accuses Senator Mooney of a “Not In My Backyard” motivation for proposing his legislation. Superficially, I can see where that could be argued, except that the adoption of his bill would mean that nobody in Maryland would have an incinerator within 3 miles of their home, school or church.

Perhaps it’s more accurately portrayed as NIABY, “ Not In Anybody’s Backyard”. For that, Mooney’s attempt at regulating future incinerator locations should be applauded, not ridiculed.

Some may view Senator Mooney’s legislation as an intrusion of state government into a local issue. However, when our local elected officials ignore the views of their constituents, and more importantly, the facts and ramifications of their decisions, seeking the assistance of another level of our government is our right and obligation.

Don H. West
Westminster

The writer is a co-founder of Waste Not! - Carroll

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/02/soundtrack-op-ed-waste-not-carroll.html

http://tinyurl.com/yfbl399

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/396634818/soundtrack-op-ed-waste-not-carroll-speaks-out-on

Admin Letters to KevinDayhoffNet, Enviro Solid Waste Man, Enviro Solid Waste Man Recycling, Enviro Solid Waste to Energy

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Letter to the editor from Sarah Abel-DeLuca

Letter to the editor from Sarah Abel-DeLuca

To the Editor:

In these hard economic times, it may seem counterintuitive to be generous; yet generosity, like honesty, is more than a virtue. It's also the best policy.

This year I've had ample opportunity to experience the immediate and tangible results of others' generosity, and it has inspired me to start living generously myself. To give just a few examples: community advocates Lyndi McNulty and Pam Zappardino contribute to virtually every good cause in Carroll County, so I said yes without hesitation to their recent requests to donate paintings for local charity auctions.

Local business owner Karen Pelton's charitable spirit has encouraged me to seek new outlets for my particular volunteering gift: supporting and mentoring fellow artists. The dedication and enthusiasm of Tim Rogers, Laurie Walters, a large group of excellent docents, and all the others who worked tirelessly on the recent Historic Westminster Holiday Home Tour paid my husband and me back a hundredfold for being hosts, as did the generosity of the tour participants.

Hundreds of people filed through all but one room of our 1870s Victorian house on a snowy, messy day -- yet our hardwood floors and carpets sustained absolutely no damage; none of our possessions was lost, stolen, hurt or disturbed in any way; and our house was left warmer and cozier by their visits, despite the chilly wind blowing in the front door. I should also mention local merchants such as Hickory Stick and The Flowerbox, who contributed decorations to houses on the tour.

The temptation, when times are tough, money is scarce, and fear is everywhere, is to pull in one's resources, stop giving to charities, and buy from the cheapest of big box stores rather than from local merchants or chains that have a commitment to their communities, the environment, or other good causes. I've given into this temptation many times myself. But thanks to the good example of citizens and businesses in our own community, I'm going to resist it this year. Pennypinching breeds scarcity. Generosity breeds abundance.

Pass it on.

Sarah Abel-DeLuca
Westminster

20090203 Letter to the editor from Sarah Abel-DeLuca
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Dr. Ecker invites folks to visit schools during American Education week

Dr. Ecker invites folks to visit schools during American Education week

An invitation, from the Carroll County School Superintendent Dr. Charles Ecker, to parents and the community to visit schools during American Education Week

Tue 11/11/2008

Dear Editor,

The week of November 16 – 22 is American Education Week. I would like to extend a warm welcome to our parents and members of the community to come see firsthand the wonderful things taking place in our schools.

The theme for American Education Week this year is Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility. More than ever before this statement is true. Every one of our students deserves the best education we can provide for them. It is their right and our responsibility as a school system. It is also the responsibility of parents and the community to support education in Carroll County. As part of that responsibility, I encourage you to take the time to visit a school in your community this week. I think you will be amazed at what our students and staff are accomplishing.

And please consider this. The time to visit our schools is not just during American Education Week. You are welcome to visit our schools anytime throughout the year. Our doors are always open to you. Take the time to be involved. As I have said many times before, we cannot do it alone. We need you. For us to be successful and for our student to succeed, we must all work together.


Chuck Ecker
Superintendent of Schools

_____

In other CCPS News:
Volunteer Training Schedule
Carroll Teacher Receives Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award
Applicants Sought for School System Audit Committee
Discover CTE @ Your Library
School System Reviews Operating Budget to Reduce Costs
Summer Enrichment Booklets Are on the Way
Board Meeting - November 12
Carrolltowne Elementary to Be Closed November 21
Taneytown Receives National Recognition for Physical Education
Feedback on Proposed Revisions to School Calendar Policy
View More News and Information

20081111 Dr Ecker invites school visits during American Education week

Back to school message from Dr. Chuck Ecker, Carroll County superintendent of schools

Back to school message from Dr. Chuck Ecker, Carroll County superintendent of schools

September 9, 2008

Editor,

It’s hard to believe, but the 2008-09 school year is here. As a school system, we are looking forward to an outstanding year filled with academic achievement and success for all of our students and staff.

As Carroll County citizens, we can take a great deal of pride in the education our students are receiving. Student achievement results rank among the highest in the state. Our employees are leaders in the field of education. Our support staff is second to none. However, we have many challenges that will face us this year. We must find ways to address the higher expectations for public schools, societal and cultural changes impacting students and their behavior, and limited fiscal resources.

As we begin a new school year, I would like to express how important the involvement of parents and the community is to our school system. I firmly believe that we cannot be successful and meet the challenges that face us without the help and support of parents/guardians, the business community, our elected officials, our fiscal authorities, and all other members of our community.

As parents, please take the opportunity to be involved in your child’s education. Take the time to visit your child’s school. Attend the programs and activities planned for the school year. Remember the importance your involvement can make not only to your child, but our school system as well. Only by working together can we provide our students with the opportunity they deserve to learn, to explore, and to grow.

Best wishes for the year,
Chuck Ecker
Superintendent of Schools

20080909 Back to school message from Dr Chuck Ecker

Carroll County government stands behind police statistics by Mark Ripper, Chairman, Staff Committee on Law Enforcement, Carroll County Government

Carroll County government stands behind police statistics by Mark Ripper, Chairman, Staff Committee on Law Enforcement, Carroll County Government

August 26, 2008

Dear Editor,

Carroll County Government stands behind the police statistics presented at a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting. Those numbers are available on the County’s web site, http://ccgovernment.carr.org, for anyone to review.

Data in the chart compare the average number of crimes handled per law enforcement officer for the three largest policing agencies in Carroll County: Maryland State Police, Westminster Police Department, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. The chart develops cost by looking at the number of crimes handled relative to the agency’s budget. The statistics come from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, Maryland UCR Crime Index Report and the county’s budget office.

For accuracy and fairness, the chart does not compare smaller crimes because they are not defined the same way by each agency. Any comparisons performed on these crimes would not be valid or meaningful.

The Maryland State Police is the County’s primary law enforcement agency and, as such, receive more 911 calls. The Sheriff’s Office supplements law enforcement efforts in the county. The Sheriff’s Office became a full-service agency less than 10 years ago, when a previous Board of Commissioners decided deputies would continue to supplement the trooper program.

Mark Ripper
Chairman, Staff Committee on Law Enforcement
Carroll County Government

(Editor’s note: Mr. Ripper’s assertions were previously confirmed by a public safety analysis who asked to remain anonymous so as to not be caught up in the ongoing controversy…)

Related: 20080813 CCSD Commissioner Presentation based on flawed statistics

Future of police protection delayed, but crime doesn't restPublished August 13, 2008 by Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster EagleOn Thursday, Aug. 7, the Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to not move forward with a plan to form a county police department...

Police Carroll Co Sheriff's Dept

Police Carroll Co Police Dept

20080826 Carroll County government stands behind police statistics by Mark Ripper

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Martes 26 de agosto de 2008

El gobierno del condado de Carroll defiende detrás de estadísticas de la policía Mark Ripper, presidente, comité de personal sobre la aplicación de ley, gobierno del condado de Carroll

El gobierno del condado de Carroll defiende detrás de estadísticas de la policía Mark Ripper, presidente, comité de personal sobre la aplicación de ley, gobierno del condado de Carroll

26 de agosto de 2008

Estimado Editor,

El gobierno del condado de Carroll se coloca detrás de las estadísticas de la policía presentadas en un tablero reciente de reunirse de las comisiones del condado. Esos números están disponibles en el Web site del condado, http://ccgovernment.carr.org, para que cualquier persona repase.

Los datos en la carta comparan el número medio de crímenes manejados por el agente de la autoridad para las tres agencias de vigilancia más grandes del condado de Carroll: Policía del estado de Maryland, Departamento de Policía de Westminster, y la oficina de Carroll del sheriff del condado. La carta desarrolla coste mirando el número de crímenes manejados concerniente al presupuesto de la agencia. Las estadísticas vienen del informe uniforme del crimen del FBI, del informe del índice del crimen de Maryland UCR y de la oficina del presupuesto del condado.

Para la exactitud y la imparcialidad, la carta no compara crímenes más pequeños porque no son definidas la misma manera por cada agencia. Cualquier comparación se realizó en estos crímenes no sería válida o significativa.

La policía del estado de Maryland es la agencia policial primaria del condado y, como tal, recibe más 911 llamadas. La oficina del sheriff complementa esfuerzos de la aplicación de ley en el condado. La oficina del sheriff se convirtió en una agencia del lleno-servicio menos hace de 10 años, cuando un tablero anterior de comisiones decidía a diputados continuaría complementando el programa del soldado de caballería.

Marque el destripador
Presidente, comité de personal sobre la aplicación de ley
Gobierno del condado de Carroll

(Nota de redactor: Las aserciones de Sr. Ripper's fueron confirmadas previamente por un análisis de seguridad pública que pidió seguir siendo anónimo para no ser alcanzado en la controversia en curso…)

Relacionado: Comisión Presentation de 20080813 CCSD basada en estadísticas dañadas

El futuro de la protección de la policía retrasado, sino el crimen no hace 13 de agosto de 2008 restPublished de Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster EagleOn el jueves 7 de agosto, el tablero de comisiones del condado votó 2-1 para no moverse adelante con un plan para crear a un Departamento de Policía del condado…

Departamento del sheriff de Carroll Co de la policía

Departamento de la policía de Carroll Co de la policía

El gobierno del condado de 20080826 Carroll defiende detrás de estadísticas de la policía la esfera de Mark Ripper: Contenido relacionado

Fijado por Kevin Dayhoff en 8/26/2008 04:20: 00 P.M.

20080521 Westminster Eagle: Letters to the editor in response to my May 14th 2008 Westminster Eagle column – “Pictures are worth a thousand words, but

Westminster Eagle: Letters to the editor in response to my May 14^th 2008 Westminster Eagle column – “Pictures are worth a thousand words, but not the whole picture”

Find my May 14^th, 2008 Westminster Eagle column here: Pictures are worth a thousand words, but not the whole picture

Or here: 20080515 Westminster Eagle: Pictures are worth a thousand words but not the whole picture by Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster Eagle Letters 05/21/08

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=978&NewsID=903777&CategoryID=17346&on=1

Humane Society right to stand for cow that couldn't

I take offense at the tone of Kevin Dayhoff's column on the Westminster Livestock auction in the May 14 edition of The Eagle ("Pictures are worth a thousand words, but not the whole picture").

It was both snide and sarcastic as he described the reported inhumane treatment of a sick cow left outside the auction house overnight without food or water.

While I was not there -- nor was he -- I've been to enough livestock auctions in Maryland and Pennsylvania to know that poor or substandard treatment does indeed occur.

I'm glad the Humane Society takes an interest in monitoring these establishments, which, after all, are in the business of making money off these animals.

Mr. Dayhoff's column conveys the attitude that these "events" were misrepresented by the Humane Society and perhaps, were something of a witch hunt. I can't speak to that, but I feel these animals deserve humane, compassionate treatment while they are in our care -- even if they are eventually destined for our dinner table.

Michele Gramens

Westminster

Humane society found wrongdoing in Westminster

In response to The Humane Society of the United States' investigation into the treatment of dairy cows at livestock auctions in four states, including the Westminster Livestock Auction, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer stated:

"The dairy cattle shown in the video were non-ambulatory and were abandoned in parking lots of these auctions and yards. These animals were not in slaughter facilities. However, even though this is not a food safety issue, these actions of animal cruelty are not acceptable."

Secretary Schafer was spot on -- these animals, including the cow at Westminster, were abandoned in helpless and painful conditions by farmers, haulers and auction employees who should have known better.

Maryland law requires market operators to euthanize downed farm animals who are too sick or injured to stand or walk, or place them in the care of a licensed veterinarian at the close of a sale. Westminster appears to have failed to abide by the law, and left the cow to suffer through the night.

The HSUS contacted the Humane Society of Carroll County, whose officer found the cow in such dire straits that he euthanized her and issued a citation to the cow's owner. These are the sad facts of a case now being investigated by the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

It is time for auction owners to treat animals humanely, and to act accordingly, both in terms of ethics and the law.

Miyun Park, vice president Farm Animal Welfare

Humane Society of the United States

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20080521 Westminster Eagle: Letters to the editor in response to my May 14^th 2008 Westminster Eagle column – “Pictures are worth a thousand words, but not the whole picture”

20071107 Letter to the Editor from Colonel Bob Keefer is the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

Letter to the Editor from Colonel Bob Keefer is the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

The following is a letter to the editor submitted to “Soundtrack” from Colonel Bob Keefer, the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

November 8, 2007

Dear Editor:

I am very disturbed and concerned about what our Board of Carroll County Commissioners is trying to do to the Office of the Sheriff and our Citizens most basic rights. I think the Citizens of Carroll County should be concerned too!

Here is the Issue! For the past 170 years, the Citizens of Carroll County have HAD THE RIGHT TO ELECT our chief law enforcement officer – the Sheriff. Currently, the Sheriff’s Office is providing full law enforcement services to the Citizens of Carroll County and is the only nationally accredited law enforcement agency in the County.

Today, the Carroll County Commissioners are trying to take this precious right to vote away from us. The Commissioners are in the process of setting up a police department with a chief they appoint (not one we choose) to do law enforcement and leave the Sheriff with civil process service and court security.

From actual cases in Maryland and other states, here is what will happen. Our opinion (voice) will no longer count, because we will loose our right to vote (choose) our top law enforcement officer, and the cost to the taxpayers will greatly increase.

If this attempt remains unchallenged, Carroll County will end up with three (3) law enforcement agencies (the Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland State Police and a County police force) thus creating triplicate capabilities. Unlike the Sheriff who is directly accountable to all the citizens, the police chief will be accountable only to the Commissioners. And with all this, there is absolutely nothing new that we will receive in services, protection or benefits.

What we will have are MUCH HIGHER TAXES.

The Sheriff’s Office has faithfully served the Citizens for almost two centuries and is now under attack. Purposely placed in the Judicial Branch of Government by the authors of our Constitution, the Sheriff is sworn to enforce all laws equally, fairly and without regard to political affiliation or differences and has allegiance only to the Citizens.

Please preserve your individual right to self determination and write, e-mail, call or meet with the Carroll County Board of Commissioners and insist that the choices on this very important issue be examined in public. Let the public have a say in this vitally important decision either through public hearings or referendum.

This decision will affect our taxes and our public safety for years to come. We deserve to have our voices heard now!

Bob Keefer

Mt. Airy

Colonel Bob Keefer is the Chief Deputy in the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

Editor’s note: for more information, click on: 20071108 Carroll County Connection Newsletter: Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 4, 2007 to form a county police department…

Or:

20070518 County Benefit Administrator responds to Sheriff retirement issue

Letter to the editor from Carroll County Government Benefits Administrator Bates about Carroll County Sheriff’s retirement plans

Carroll County Government offers different plan than LEOPS.

May 18^th, 2007

To the Editor:

Fraternal Order of Police head John Shippee’s recent letter that was posted on your blog raised some important issues regarding retirement and disability plans offered to the law enforcement officers of the County Sheriff’s Office. For purposes of clarification and future discussion, here are the facts regarding the retirement and disability plan benefits currently in place for those officers:

1. Retirement Plans: Unlike other jurisdictions, all County officers are enrolled in two local retirement plans: 1) a traditional “defined benefit” pension plan that provides lifetime monthly payments after 30 years of service (or at age 62) and 2) a 401(k) Plan to which the County makes contributions of between 3% and 6% of base pay. In order to receive the maximum 401(k) Plan County contribution of 6%, an individual must contribute 4% of his base pay to the Plan.

Adding social security retirement benefits to the mix, law enforcement officers who retire from the County Sheriff’s Office have three sources of income during retirement. It is important to keep this in mind when comparing Carroll County’s retirement plan benefits to those offered by other law enforcement agencies within the state. For example, the retirement plans offered to local law enforcement officers in other areas of Maryland do not include employer contributions to 401(k) plans, and Maryland State Police Officers are not eligible to draw social security benefits based on their time with the State Police.

2. Disability Plans: County law enforcement officers are eligible for both short- and long-term disability plans, 100% paid by the County. For officers permanently and totally disabled by a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty, substantial federal disability benefits are also available through the Department of Justice.

The retirement and disability benefits available to County Sheriff’s Officers are more than competitive when compared to those available to the average American citizen. The question that must be answered, however, is “are they sufficiently competitive to attract and retain qualified officers?” As has been pointed out, the County’s pension plan offers a pension after 30 years of service; most pension plans for law enforcement officers in Maryland offer a pension after 25 (or in some cases, fewer) years. It is also important to recognize that Carroll County relies on two local retirement plans instead of one, and on a disability plan provided separately from the pension plan. In the process of drafting changes to the retirement plan provisions in place for law enforcement officers of the Sheriff’s Office, it is important to keep in mind that a different approach than that taken by other agencies does not by itself mean an inferior approach.

William A. Bates

Bureau Chief, Benefits Administration

Carroll County Government

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For previous posts about Law Enforcement Matters see:

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office

Law and Order

LEOPS (Law Enforcement Officers Pension System)

Maryland State Police

Westminster Police Department

Carroll County FOP Lodge # 20