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
Showing posts with label Commissioner Perry Jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Commissioner Perry Jones. Show all posts

Friday, February 29, 2008

20080229 Westminster Eagle: “A pie in the face for a good cause,” by Kevin Dayhoff


Westminster Eagle Article

“A pie in the face for a good cause”

February 29, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

Photo by Kevin Dayhoff

Former Carroll County Commissioner Perry Jones, left, takes bids from Fraternal Order of Eagles’ members for the opportunity to toss a pie in the face of the local Aeries’ president, Ralph Goodwin, right, after last Thursday’s meeting at the non-profit’s facility on Airport Drive.

_____

Westminster - Last Thursday, after the regular board meeting of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Post 4378 in Westminster, Ralph Goodwin got a pie in the face.

However Goodwin, who is the president of the local Aerie (lodge) on Airport Drive, was all smiles.

Former Carroll County Commissioner, Perry Jones, quickly explained that Goodwin was on the receiving end of the pie as a result of a friendly and very successful contest to raise money for the Eagles’ building fund.

Goodwin acknowledged that he got the pie in the face because Jones had raised more money that he did.

Then Jones opportunistically auctioned off the chance to wield the pie to Brandon Dillon, who energetically outbid a cabal of women in the auxiliary, for the pie-tossing opportunity.

The Fraternal Order of the Eagles (FOE) purchased the former location of Bullock’s Airport Inn on May 31, 2006 after quickly outgrowing their first home base on Main Street in Westminster.

Since the move, membership has doubled in size. The FOE Auxiliary – the fundraising wing of the local lodge - was recently lauded for having the number one gain in new membership of all the Aeries in over 1700 cities across the United States and Canada,

The extraordinary membership growth has come in spite of being “the best kept secret in Carroll County,” said Josie Goodwin, Ralph Goodwin’s wife, and the president of the auxiliary.

As Mrs. Goodwin took a break from cheering on lodge member Dillon, an employee of Finch Services, she detailed with a big smile, “We’re people helping people… That’s our philosophy. In 2007, we donated $9,000 to charities. We take care of our own and we take care of the community.”

Jones, who has been a member for several years, said, “I always wanted to join when I was a commissioner and the Eagles were on Main Street, but I just couldn’t find the time to commit … and do it right… I felt it was a great way to keep working for the community. These are some of the nicest people around – and hardworking too.”

Blaine Brown, a Westminster volunteer firefighter and Aerie member said he joined because he likes the family environment of the local organization. “This lodge helps people and does good things for the community.”

Tim Kyle of Kyle Electric nodded in agreement as he munched on some popcorn. He said that he’s a member “because it is a good American diverse club” that comes together for Carroll County.

As he wiped the pie away from his mouth, Mr. Goodwin proudly concurred. “Our lodge here in Westminster – and our whole Eagles’ organization emphasizes diversity in our membership. We are an inclusive club that looks like our community.”

As Kyle looked around the room, he also pointed out that members come from all walks of life; “from white-collar professionals to laborers.”

“And the FOE just put President John F. Kennedy’s membership card in our national archives in Grove City, Ohio,” added Mr. Goodwin. “Seven U.S. presidents have been FOE members.”

Mr. Goodwin elaborated that the philosophy of the Eagles to share its good fortune as much as possible in the community. The local post contributes annually to several charitable funds throughout its national organization.

These include donations to help fight heart disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney ailments, and spinal cord injury. Then, locally, the Eagles have donated to Junction Inc., Change Inc., Carroll Hospice, the Westminster Public Library and needy families.

Funds donated by the Eagles come primarily through events at the FOE hall, and through raffles, 50/50 drawings, and members' dues. “You name it, we try it," said Mrs. Goodwin, who approved of the growing agitation that “Perry (Jones) should take a pie too.”

1977 Western Maryland College graduate Bill Treherne looked up from his sandwich and said that the lodge is “bunch of good people who support a lot of charities, while we have fun… Very family oriented and good food too…”

And smoke free too, said Gina Greene excitedly from behind the counter as she served up a BLT sandwich. The transition to a smoke free facility was “absolutely no problem. I think it’s brought out more people. The members switched (effortlessly)…”

Since it was first chartered in Westminster on July 21, 1996, the local Aerie has gathered almost 900 members.

“We have lots of members but… there’s always room for more help, and always a lot to do,” said Mr. Goodwin.

Established in Seattle in 1898, the Fraternal Order of Eagles is recognized nationally and internationally for humanitarian, charitable and community service. Each year, the Eagles raise funds to help combat diseases like cancer and diabetes, and support children and older adults in need.

For more information about the Eagles and the Eagles Auxiliary, call Ralph or Josephine Goodwin at 410-848-0668.

Kevin Dayhoff can be reached at kdayhoff@carr.org. Jim Joyner contributed to this article.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

20061119 Commissioner Perry Jones







On Thursday afternoon, November 16th, 2006, I had errands to run. I made a point of stopping by a Carroll County Board of Commissioners’ meeting for a bit of historic nostalgia as it would be one of the last meetings in which my good friend of many many years, Commissioner Perry Jones would appear in his official capacity as a Carroll County Commissioner.

The sound in the video is not good, (well – actually, it is essentially non-existent) but I just wanted to capture a brief visual of Perry conducting his official duties.

Also in the video is Commissioner Dean Minnich, and with his back to the camera, Carroll County Chief of Staff, Steve Powell.

I also attended the appreciation luncheon for Commissioner Jones last Friday, November 17th, 2006, and commissioner administrative assistants Cindy Parr and Tim Feeser did a wonderful job with the event.

In what could have been a sad or even maudlin event, Cindy and Tim kept it light and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

About 200 folks attended (?) in what was not quite a roast at all, but was never-the-less appropriately respectful with enough irreverent moments to make it delightful.

(I had been asked to participate in the hilarious video that was shown at the event and my schedule would just not quite allow it – and wow, do I regret it. The video was quite a bit of fun.)

For those
who are not aware of the circumstances. Commissioner Jones was not re-elected in the general election on November 7th, 2006.

His leadership and sense-of-presence will be greatly missed.

He served previously, for approximately 21 years , as an elected official of Union Bridge – as did his Dad before him. The last number of years, he served as mayor.

He was very helpful for me when I was the mayor of Westminster.

He is extraordinarily friendly, accessible and knowledgeable about government.

Four years can be a long time in politics; however,
many of us are looking forward to Perry coming back in four years.

Best of luck to ya Perry. Thank you for your wonderful service to Carroll County. Don’t be a stranger.

####

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

20060524 Commissioner Jones honored for public service


Commissioner Jones honored for public service

The Westminster Advocate has the story:

Community Briefs – May 24 –
Westminster Advocate

Commissioner Jones honored for public service



Carroll County Commissioner Perry L. Jones Jr. was honored April 27 with his alma mater Linganore High School’s Distinguished Graduate Award for Public Service. A member of the class of 1970, he is only the third recipient of this award.


Jones served on the Union Bridge Town Council for 10 years, from 1980 until 1990, when he was elected mayor. He served as mayor until 2002. That year, he was elected to an at-large seat on the Board of County Commissioners.


In 2005, Jones was selected as Maryland’s sole representative at the County Leadership Institute at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.


He sits on the board of directors for the Maryland Association of Counties, serving as its treasurer in 2005. He also belongs to the Maryland Mayors Association and served on the Maryland Municipal League board of directors from 1998 to 2002. He was inducted into MML’s Hall of Fame for his public service.


In addition to his public offices, Jones has volunteered with the Union Bridge Fire Company for nearly 30 years. He was captain of the ambulance company and served on the fire company’s board of directors.


He is a member of the Union Bridge Lions Club and an American Community Leadership semi-finalist.