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Showing posts with label Elections 2006 Carroll Co. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections 2006 Carroll Co. Show all posts

Monday, September 11, 2006

20060910 C Scott Stone’s thoughts on negative campaigning


C. Scott Stone District 5A candidate for delegate responds to negative campaigning
September 10th, 2006

See: 20060908 negative ads and fliers plague Carroll County primary election

From: Friends of C. Scott Stone [mailto:focss01@gmail.com] On Behalf Of Friends of C. Scott StoneSent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 11:23 AMTo: kdayhoff@carr.orgSubject: Reject Attack Ads

Dear Kevin,

During the nearly 40 years that I have lived in Carroll County, I have never seen political campaigns as hateful, hurtful, and deceitful as some of those presently underway throughout our county. Ranging from bold-faced lies to grossly distorted facts, vicious attack ads by candidates, their campaigns, and their minions do nothing but destroy our county, state, and nation.

Attack ads have nothing positive to say about the candidate or candidates they support. On the contrary, attack ads are mean-spirited, nasty smear efforts intended to discredit opposing candidates.

Take note of the organizations and business entities that are supportive of attack ads. Their complicity is despicable and inexcusable. In addition, voters should note which candidates advertise with such organizations and business entities. The old adage about birds of a feather should not be forgotten.

Political campaigns are a reflection of the character and integrity of the candidates. The behavior demonstrated by or supported by candidates during a political campaign is exactly the same behavior the candidate can be expected to demonstrate or support after being elected.

I urge you to reject those candidates utilizing the politics of personal destruction and to support those candidates who have demonstrated the values and integrity consistent with yours. Candidates utilizing attack ads have no business serving as our elected officials.

On Tuesday, September 12, please take the time to vote. Rejecting the evil inherently contained in attack ads sends a loud and resounding message that such behavior is completely unacceptable in Carroll County.

Sincerely,C. Scott Stone

http://www.cscottstone.com/
Authority: Friends of of C. Scott Stone - Theresa A. Stone, Treasurer

Sunday, September 10, 2006

20060910 Minnich A Concern About the Body Politic

Minnich: A Concern About the Body Politic
September 10th, 2006

From: Friends of Dean Minnich [mailto:tucker495@adelphia.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 8:54 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: A Concern About the Body Politic

Please feel free to distribute this to anyone who has a concern about ethical processes in an election; and anyone who received any of the venomous tracts mailed out this past week.

We all expect elections to be a time of debate and disagreement. In many local elections, for example, pro-growth development forces are being opposed by those advocating more cautious, slower-growth policies, resulting in intense public disagreements.


Carroll County, however, is unique among all in the level of outright vilification and downright hatred some have displayed. Their tactics mirror many used by extreme religious and political movements built more on fomenting hatred and division than on airing legitimate public policy differences.

1. Loyalty to the party is emphasized over policy or community and absolute adherence to certain slogans is required over all other considerations.

2. The focus is on division, attempting to exclude the opposition. A strong personal hatred is usually manifest, resulting in a "divide and conquer" mentality excluding those with differing beliefs or loyalties.

3. There is no real discussion, in favor of short slogans with little substance.

4. Complete intolerance is encouraged with one accepted perspective; others are to be excluded.

5. The opposition is dehumanized by "over the top" negativity about personality, personal habits, personal ethics and non-policy issues.

6. Campaign messages are all negative, vilifying the opposition as unfit to serve, with no positive policy comment.

7. Big lies are presented as fact, using deceit as a campaign tool that focuses on outright false or misleading statements that are easily disputed but then repeated anyway. The opposition is accused of standing for the very things they oppose, or failing to do the very things they have accomplished.

8. Sensationalism is reflected in substance and form, with outrageous, shocking statements that are repeated in a massive repeat advertising campaign where money is no object.

9. Cynicism is reflected in the disregard of accepted processes - elections laws, campaign regulations and normal community standards.

10. Behind it all is contempt for the voters. A belief that lies work, based on the assumption that voting public are fools. These groups despise the very public they say they want to serve.

Anyone who has faith in democracy must hope that on election day, voters will reject these efforts to destroy our sense of community and undermine our basic respect for one another. No matter who wins, let us encourage voters to support candidates who propose positive ways to solve problems by working together rather than those who just spew hatred and deceit.

####

Saturday, September 09, 2006

20060908 Negative ads and fliers plague Carroll County primary election











Negative ads and fliers plague Carroll County primary
September 8th, 2006

In the last week a number of negative ads have appeared in the Westminster Eagle and the Carroll Standard newspapers. Additionally negative fliers have appeared in mailboxes.

Both the Carroll County Times and the Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle have written about this.

In a statement released late Friday evening, September 8th, 2006, by current incumbent Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnick, he stated:

“On Monday morning, I will formally ask Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes to pursue all means of investigating the possibility of criminal action behind the recent spate of malicious campaign literature published in one weekly newspaper and mailed to thousands of county voters in their homes.

I believe that we have more than violations of election laws at issue, and I will request an investigation into the possibility of conspiracy and racketeering. The misrepresentation of facts that have been disseminated go beyond differences of opinion or mere ideology. They are the calculated attempt to destroy reputations and derail the electoral processes by which people choose their leadership. It cannot go unchallenged.” Dean Minnich Vice President, Carroll County Commissioners.

In a telephone interview with commissioner candidate Doug Howard this Friday afternoon; he said what lots of Carroll County Republicans are saying; “These are not the values of our party.”

A statement which was repeated in a piece of campaign literature advanced to KDDC by Mr. Howard. His campaign literature, slated to be released September 11th, 2006, also said; “Throughout this campaign we have presented our ideas without attacking other candidates or existing commissioners. I do not subscribe to or support the methods of personal attack or mudslinging that we have seen. Such negative campaigns undermine the serious business of choosing our elected officials.”

In a Justin Palk article in the Carroll County Times on Friday, September 8th, 2006:

Although Shewell and Stocksdale said they had not seen the ads or not reviewed them in detail, respectively, both distanced themselves from negative advertising generally.

"I've tried to stay on the high road," Shewell said. "Certainly a lot of the nastiness makes it a disincentive for the good people to run."

Stocksdale echoed those sentiments.

"I do not do negative campaigning," she said. "I don't think people appreciate negative campaigning."

You can read the rest of the article here.

Meanwhile - - I’d like to call upon all credible candidates for elected office in next Tuesday’s primary to condemn the negative campaigning. Please send KDDC your statements at kdayhoff@carr.org and I will be more than happy to post them on KDDC.

In the last issue of the Westminster Eagle and the Eldersburg Eagle, both Editor Jim Joyner and I wrote columns addressing this last minute dynamic in what many recall as one of the most unpleasant election years in 16 years.
The title of my column is: “Just so no to reality TV in Carroll County election campaigns.”

The title of Mr. Joyner’s column is: “Final daze Voters should be aware of wild political finish.”

I also have a Tentacle column addressing this issue of negative campaigning. “Why go negative?”

The Eldersburg and Westminster Eagle sent out the following e-mail alert calling attention to an article Editor Jim Joyner has placed on the web sites of the two county publications.

“County refutes ads mailers attacking commissioners”

You have been sent this e-mail alert from The Eldersburg and Westminster Eagle. These stories and other updates are posted on The Eldersburg Eagle Web site, http://www.kevindayhoff.com/2006/09/www.theeldersburgeagle.com and The Westminster Eagle Web site, http://www.kevindayhoff.com/2006/09/www.thewestminstereagle.com.

“County refutes ads, mailers attacking commissioners”

09/08/06 By Jim Joyner

Carroll County officials this week refuted several claims made in political ads this past week by a group called the Carroll County Republican Club, saying the bulk of the organization's accusations are false or misleading.

The group has distributed mailers, placed paid advertising in county newspapers - including The Eagle - and is reportedly also operating an automated messaging campaign, phoning homes in the county.

The bulk of the campaign is aimed at unseating the incumbent Board of County Commissioners, and suggests that voters opt for challengers.

Various aspects of the ad campaign claim that the current commissioners - Republicans Julia Gouge, Dean Minnich and Perry Jones - have spent money on extravagant travel, allowed multiple housing units with single building permits, have declined to spend money to build schools; and are proposing legislation that would allow the county to impose a personal property tax.

County officials say all those allegations - and others - are false.

Read the rest of the article here or here.

_________________
Meanwhile, Justin Palk, writing for the Carroll County Times has written two articles thus far.

On Thursday, September 07, 2006, Mr. Palk wrote a piece entitled: “State probing election adverts.”

Maryland's State Board of Elections is reviewing negative campaign ads from what appears to be a new Republican club in Carroll County for compliance with state law.

An organization calling itself the Carroll County Republican Club, which has sent out mailings to county residents, among other advertising, is not registered with the state as a political action committee, said Jared DeMarinis, director of the State Board of Elections' candidacy and campaign finance division.

DeMarinis said he could not comment further on the matter because the board is reviewing it.

In general, organizations that raise or spend money for a specific candidate in an election do have to register with the state, he said.

You can read the rest of this article here.

And then on September 8th, 2006, Mr. Palk wrote: “Candidates deny contact with group.”

Some of the Republican candidates being supported in ads being investigated by the State Board of Elections said they have had no contact with the group responsible for the advertisements.

Dave Greenwalt and Michael Zimmer, both candidates for Carroll County commissioner, and incumbent Dels. Tanya Shewell and Nancy Stocksdale, both seeking to retain their seats in District 5A, said they have no connection with and have no information about the group, which identifies itself as the Carroll County Republican Club.

You can read the rest of the article here.

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/
http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

Friday, September 08, 2006

20060907 Thoughts on the Carroll County primary election

Thoughts on the Carroll County primary election on Tuesday, September 12th, 2006.
Posted by Kevin Dayhoff September 7th, 2006


The Baltimore Sun has come out with its endorsements of candidates for elected office in the Carroll County primary next Tuesday. For the complete Sun article, click here.

For my KDDC post listing all the candidates for elected office in Carroll County click here.

**For the District 4 Senate election the Baltimore Sun gives the nod to incumbent Republican Senator David Brinkley “whose district includes parts of Carroll and Frederick counties…”

The Sun notes that Senator Brinkley is a “Republican who works well with and is respected by members on both sides of the political aisle in the legislature.”

I could not agree more. I would add extraordinarily knowledgeable, wise and thoughtfulness to his accolades.

**For the District 4B Delegate race, the Sun says that incumbent Republican Del. Donald B. Elliott should get the vote. The Sun cites his positions on transportation needs and the importance of agriculture reflect his constituents' views.

Another no-brainer. “Doc” Elliott is highly approachable, pleasantly straightforward, hard-working and, his knowledge on health-care issues is renown in Annapolis.

** For the District 5 Senate, Baltimore and Carroll County, the Sun endorses “newcomer Michelle Jefferson, a former chairwoman of the local Republican Central Committee and candidate for the state senate…” The Sun suggests that “Strained relationships between local officials and the county's delegation over home rule need to be smoothed out.”

Well, the strained relationships certainly need to be ironed out, but replacing the long-serving incumbent Senator Larry Haines is NOT the answer. Hopefully as the vote next Tuesday will illustrate, many Carroll Countians have no problem with the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis disagreeing with the Carroll County Board of Commissioners. We call it “checks and balances.”

In full disclosure, my family and I have counted Senator Haines as a friend for longer than he has been an elected official. I believe personal friendship means something. It has never interfered me with disagreeing with Senator Haines upon occasion, although no examples come quickly to mind.

I believe that as the vote will bear out; many Carroll Countians have been taken aback at the personal attacks on his profession, his church and his religion in his opponents’ overwhelming anxiety to marginalize him for disagreeing with the commissioners on issues.

The pundits, newspapers, opponents and activists have also greatly overlooked Sen. Haines’ excellent constituent service over the many years.

That is not to say I wish Ms. Jefferson to drop-out of her role in community leadership. I have a great deal of respect for her spunk. But perhaps before she eventually goes to Annapolis – or 225 North Center Street, in some capacity before her political career is over - she gets more experience before she ventures into the hallways and aisles of the Maryland General Assembly – where they eat their young and look longingly at friends for desert. At this stage in her career, Annapolis would eat Ms. Jefferson alive.

For the District 5A Delegate race, the Sun likes Republican C. Scott Stone and Del. Tanya Shewell.

I do also – however, no race in memory has given me more heartburn. My colleague as mayor, Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker deserves the consideration of the voters. Quite intelligent, experienced, knowledgeable on the issues and approachable; I think that he would represent Carroll County as equally well as Mr. Stone, Del. Shewell or incumbent Del. Nancy Stocksdale.

Of all of the candidates, I have known Del. Stocksdale for much longer than she has been an elected official and she wrote the book on constituent service.

I feel very strongly that I could go to any of the four with an issue and get a fair hearing. In the long-run, that may very well be how voters make a decision in the voting booth.

All four candidates and their supporters have been very pleasant to me about the enormous quandary in which I find myself. That speaks highly of all four contenders. Of the four, I find myself agreeing with Delegates Shewell and Stocksdale much more than I agree with Mr. Stone or Mayor Shoemaker; however, all four candidates are pleasant in disagreement.

I do not necessarily look for a candidate in whom I agree with across the board, I look for knowledge base, approachability, commitment to constituent service and someone with whom I can disagree without them getting disagreeable.

I wish we could send all four to Annapolis. Take your pick.

There has been some discussion in the community that the negative tone of the election will back-fire on all challengers and voters will return all the incumbents as a result.

For more on this, see my Tentacle column of August 23rd, 2006, “Why go negative?” and my Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle columns on September 6th, 2006: Eldersburg Eagle opinion: “Just say no to reality TV mentality in Carroll County election” and for the Westminster Eagle opinion: “Just say no to reality TV mentality in Carroll County election

In the District 9B Delegate contest to represent southern Carroll County, the Sun has endorsed incumbent Delegate Susan Krebs.

Another very difficult race for me as I very much like the positions of her challenger Larry Helminiak.

However, Delegate Krebs is quite hardworking, knowledgeable and friendly in any discussion on the issues. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her over the years and feel that Carroll County would be well served by another four more years by Delegate Krebs.

I think that Delegate Krebs has been done a great disservice by some of her rabid supporters by their negative campaign against Mr. Helminiak – and the commissioner opponents.

How much the behavior of some of her supporters will hurt her election day is to be seen. The approach by some of her supporters is not the Delegate Krebs that I have very much enjoyed getting to know over the years.

I also like what I see and hear from Mr. Helminiak. I disagree with both candidates on several of the issues, however, my experience with both leads me to say that Carroll County would be served well in Annapolis by both contenders.

Ultimately, the nod here may go to the incumbent, in spite of the behavior of some of her supporters – but this may be one of the closer races to watch in the central Maryland area.

The Sun did not address the race for Senator from District 9; however, Senator Allen Kittleman is a rising star in Annapolis and by all means needs to be returned to office. His positions, knowledge and advocacy on agriculture, business and finance and race relations serve him and our community well.

For Board of Education, the incumbents Gary W. Bauer and Patricia W. Gadberry deserve another term, however, the idea of Dave Roush ascending to an elected leadership position will be great for Carroll County in the big picture. Take your pick.

For Judges of the Circuit Court of Carroll County: Judges J. Barry Hughes and Thomas F. Stansfield should be overwhelmingly voted into a fifteen year term. In Carroll County, we don’t take politicizing the judiciary very well. Both jurists will join a legacy of the many great judges that has come from the Carroll County legal community and history will reflect upon them well.

_________________

I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it over and over again; a rule among classier community leaders prohibits promoting oneself by personally sniping at someone who holds a different point of view.

It is not only bad form but it makes you look like someone with the warmth and humanity of a water moccasin. It is always the source of amazement to observe folks who, in the same utterance, plead for understanding and tolerance for their views and then demonize or manufacture a personal attack on anyone who disagrees.

Often a candidate for office can more clearly define what they are against by positively articulating what they are for. Unfortunately, it would seem that many are only against things or persons and have no plan, vision or positive proposals for voters to consider.

In Carroll County the traditionally conservative Carroll County Democratic Party has disintegrated in the last 20 years. In the 1980s, some young and idealistic liberal Democrats hijacked the previously conservative Carroll County Democratic Party and swung it precipitously to the left – and off a cliff.

This has been a great disservice to Carroll County.

Formerly registered Democrats left the party in droves and joined the Republican Party. Traditional and very conservative Republicans have not adjusted well to this change and chaff at the approaches of the liberal “Rockefeller” Republicans.

(I hate to speak poorly of liberal Carroll County Democrats while they persist in a vegetative state but) since the Carroll County Democratic Party has not regained consciousness – (except in the municipalities, where liberals have quite a toehold) and shows no signs of recovering anytime soon; the tension in the Republican Party in Carroll County is palpable and will take a number of years to sort out.

It is imperative that a community have competing ideas and competition for leadership.

As it is, Carroll County must depend on competing ideas to come from the same party – the Republican Party. For many of us – we’re okay with that…

In central Maryland, many new folks have moved into the area and now that they occupy a home in a former corn field, they feel strongly that many of the folks in a leadership role and have handled issues, such as growth and development, poorly.

For someone like me that has become exhausted with the erosion of our traditional Carroll County quality of life, the NIMBYism, the increased complexity – and the growth and expense of government, as a result of poorly planned growth - - there are certainly examples that a sea-change in approach is/was necessary.

However, often many – not all - the new folks aspiring to be community leaders feel a huge sense of entitlement and are vehement about their positions and justify their unpleasantness by their sense of entitled outrage. Often these folks are insufferable.

To repeat a wonderful observation by the Washington Post some time ago – that I sure wish I had written: “The numbing repetition of uncorrected falsehoods creates a phony atmosphere of uncertainty around key questions... Eventually voters throw up their hands and accept the fact that they’ll never know for sure what the truth is, and confusion ensues.

Add to this dynamic: the unpleasantness of the challengers and in some cases, the incumbents, has turned-off many voters. Faced with the devil we know or the unpleasant challenger, many citizens are going to go in the voting booth and choose the incumbent. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, history will tell; besides, there will be more elections and we’ll have a plenty of opportunities to tweak or change the direction of government.

Carroll County has done quite well for almost 170 years, the next four years will work their way into the fabric of history just fine.

This is a wonderful place to live and it can only get better, because of, or in spite of government and elected officials.

Whether you agree or disagree with my thoughts, be sure to vote next Tuesday. In most races, the primary will determine our future.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.orgwww.thetentacle.comWestminster Eagle Opinion andWinchester Reportwww.thewestminstereagle.comwww.kevindayhoff.com

Monday, August 21, 2006

20060820 Carroll County Primary Election Coverage


Carroll County Primary Election Coverage
Last updated August 20th, 2006

Listed below are the candidates for elected office in Carroll as of the June 27th, 2006 filing deadline.

This post will stay here at the top of the blog posts until the primary.

The primary election is Tuesday, September 12th, 2006.

Of course, since it is a primary, I will probably not endorse anyone. I have never felt that endorsing candidates in a primary to be very smart. Once the primary election is over, you have to work with these folks and since, to the best of my knowledge, all the candidates are human, folks tend to have a memory… I know that I do…

Anyone who dares to leave the comfort of the little cocoon of their life and stick their necks out to run for political office is a winner. They are all to be respected and congratulated.

As time allows, I will attempt to get something for each and every candidate up on the blog. If you are a candidate or a supporter of a particular candidate and you have information that you would like to see on the blog, please feel free to email it to me at kdayhoff@carr.org. Please include the term: KDDC in the subject line. As time allows, I will be happy to get it up on the blog.

The best way to search for information about any particular candidate is to use the search engine at the very top left of the blog. Go to the silver bar at the top of the page and look for an entry field to the left of “search this blog.” It is an excellent search engine. Type in the last name of a particular candidate and hit enter.

The last day to register to vote in the Tuesday, September 12th, 2006primary is Tuesday, August 22, 2006

The last day to register for the November 7th, 2006 general election is October 17th, 2006

You may download a registration application form here. The phone number for the Carroll County Board of Elections is: (410) 386-2080. The web site for the Carroll County Board of Elections is here. If you have not had the opportunity to work with the folks at the Carroll County Board of Elections, you will pleasantly surprised how friendly, knowledgeable and helpful they are. They are definitely in the customer service business. (Disclosure: I was an election judge for 10 years in the 1990s…)

If you see any mistakes on this page, please email me at kdayhoff@carr.org and let me know. Please include the term: KDDC in the subject line.

State Senator, District 04
Paul Chamberlain (R)
(I) David R. Brinkley (R)

State Senator, District 05
(I) Larry E. Haines (R)
Michelle Jefferson (R)

State Senator, District 09
Rich Corkran (D)
(I) Allen H. Kittleman (R)

House Of Delegates District 04b
(I) Donald B. Elliott (R)
Bob Lubitz (R)
Timothy Schlauch (D)

House Of Delegates District/Circuit 05a
William C. Niner (R)
David D. Wallace II (R)
(I) Tanya Shewell (R)
Haven N. Shoemaker Jr. (R)
(I) Nancy R. Stocksdale (R)
Scott C. Stone (R)
Kevin R. Utz (R)

House Of Delegates District/Circuit 09b
Larry Helminiak (R)
(I) Susan Krebs (R)
Anita Lombardi Riley (D)

Judge Of The Circuit Court District/Circuit 05 (Choose two)
(Non-Partisan)
(I) Barry J. Hughes
(I) Thomas Stansfield
Kevin D. Wise

Carroll County Commissioners (Choose three)
Douglas Eugene Myers (R)
(I) Perry L. Jones Jr. (R)
Wade Emory Miracle (R)
Dave Greenwalt (R)
(I) Dean L. Minnich (R)
(I) Julia Walsh Gouge (R)
Christopher Eric Bouchat (R)
Doug Howard (R)
Michael D. Zimmer (R)
Mary Kowalski (R)
Dennis E. Beard (D)
Vincent F. DiPietro (D)
Richard F. Solomon (D)

Clerk Of The Court (Choose one)
Sarah E. Hackett (R)
Donald Sealing II (R)
Diane O'Leary (R)
Pamela L. Masimore-Grimes (R)
Florence J. Barnes (R)
Marlene K. Titus (R)
Nimrod Davis (D)

Judge Of The Orphans Court (Choose three)
(I) Dorothy V Utz (R)
(I) Herbert J. Reisig (R)
(I) John D. Carbaugh (R)
Richard Thomas Yates (R)

State’s Attorney - Unopposed
(I) Jerry F. Barnes (R)

Sheriff - unopposed
(I) Ken Tregoning (R)

Board Of Education
(Non-Partisan)
George E. Maloney
(I) Gary Bauer
(I) Patricia W. Gadberry
Dan Dekowski
Dave Roush
Ernest F. Sharff
Eric M. Weber
Barbara Shreeve

Register Of Wills
(I) Paul G. Zimmermann (R)
V. Valerie Shultz (D)

####

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

Friday, August 18, 2006

20060817 Re Elect District 5 Senator Larry Haines



August 17, 2006

For more information please click here.
Pasted below, please review Senator Larry Haines'
CANDIDATE STATEMENT


The citizens and voters of Maryland’s Legislative District Five have graciously bestowed upon me the honor and privilege to represent them in the State Senate and Maryland General Assembly for sixteen years.

I take the responsibility of public servant very seriously and am seeking re-election to the State Senate. As the ranking Republican member of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and the Senate Executive Nominations Committee.

I have had the privilege of providing leadership in many very important public policy issues including the Senate Special Commissions on Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance, Legislative Sportsman Caucus, Maryland Rural Caucus, and Taxpayers’ Protection Caucus.

The Senate President has given me the responsibility of serving on the Rules Committee, the Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds, the Special Committee on Substance Abuse, the Congressional Redistricting Committee and the Transportation Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The past twelve years, I have served as Chairman of the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis.

In 1990, I campaigned for a new and expanded State Police Barrack and a full service MVA Center for Carroll County and followed through on these promises. I have been instrumental and provided leadership in securing state funds for the Carroll County Hospital expansions, Hospice, the Carroll Community College Campus, the Agricultural Center, the Historical Society, the Carroll County Arts Council and other projects, including planning and development of the new courthouse.

I have sponsored a number of legislative initiatives of which 38 bills have become law including several major drug crime bills and increased funding for Maryland farmland preservation – now signed into law. I am recognized as the leader of the conservative block in the Senate for family and fiscal issues. I co-sponsored State Bill 4 known as Jessica’s Law, which mandates a 25 year mandatory sentence for a convicted sexual child molester. This bill was signed into law by Gov. Ehrlich in June.

Creating jobs at home, reducing taxes on families, and reducing the regulatory burden of local and state government will continue to be one of my top priorities.

The past Glendening/Townsend administration derailed and delayed our most significant transportation needs. During the 2003 legislative session I introduced a Joint Senate Resolution to fund and start construction of the Hampstead by-pass. With Gov. Ehrlich, myself, Del. Stocksdale and Del. Shewell we broke ground on June 30, 2006 - construction will be completed in 2 years.

We desperately need an inpatient drug treatment facility, and I have worked with the task force in helping this become a reality at The Springfield Hospital Center Prevention and Treatment Programs will be expanding as I serve on the Special Substance Abuse Committee.

I will continue to find sources to increase farmland preservation funding without increasing taxes.

I believe in small government, and that government should have a balanced budget just like our families, and that taxes must be cut to help families.
This is my twelfth year as Chairman of the Carroll County Delegation. As a Maryland State Legislator I have the responsibility to provide leadership that is in the best interest of my local constituency. I have a proven record of initiating and following through with local state projects.

I sponsored legislation to allow local governments to collect their own recordation taxes saving Carroll approximately $1 million annually based on recent collections. As Senator my role is to introduce local legislation initiatives. However, the Annapolis delegation has the final authority over local bills of which are subject to a public hearing prior to approval.

The current Board of Commissioners supported a 1% real estate transfer tax, the only bill the delegation rejected. This tax increase would have generated over $22 million in new annual revenue based on last year’s collections. This was an unnecessary increase, based on the surplus funds from other increased revenues. Direct aid from the state to Carroll County increased from $109,859 in FY 2004 to $155,228 in FY 2007 for a 41.3% increase.

My past initiatives to reduce government spending, reduce the property tax on owner occupied homes and the personal income tax will continue to be my program for tax reform.

My record is clear on gun control, gambling, abortion and capital punishment.
I oppose gun control, I support the second amendment, the citizens right to “keep and bear arms.”

Any type of legalized gambling is poor public policy. I have sponsored legislation to ban partial-birth abortion, which passed the Senate, and I have been the leader on pro-life issues.

Your support and vote is greatly appreciated.

####

Thursday, June 22, 2006

20060621 KDDC Future issues and future elected officials in Carroll County


What are the candidates for elected office proposing for the future of Carroll County?

June 21, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Considering that this is an election year, it looks like a portion of my social schedule will be attending political fundraisers.

I’m looking forward to attending as many political fundraisers as my pocketbook and time will allow. Besides it is well known that I like to eat.

For the most part you meet interesting folks who care about our community. I prefer to attend fundraisers as opposed to simply donating money to a particular candidate. Perhaps it is the frugal Carroll County farmer in me.

At a fundraiser I get to spend some time with exceptional community leaders who have decided to stick their necks out and give back to the community and ultimately, whether I support or not support the particular views of any specific candidate I applaud all candidates who leave the comfortable cocoon of their day-to-day lives and strive to contribute and make a difference.

Perhaps I am the eternal optimist, but I happen to think that there is no better place to live than Carroll County and things are only going to continue to get better.

The political season is young and we have time between now and the primary on September 12, 2006, however, many Carroll Countians are clamoring to hear discussions about plans and ideas about our future.

A word to the candidates, you lose me when you go negative. I don’t really care what went wrong last year or several years ago. I care about what are you going to do to continue to maintain our great Carroll County quality of life. I’m looking for the opportunities, the positive and a vision for the future.

I have no interest in personalities, although electing accessible, knowledgeable and friendly folks to be community leaders, who concentrate on the issues is always a plus.

So what are the issues? Okay, I’ll bite – here goes… Not in any particular order. And not necessarily as a function of what I agree with or disagree with for our future. Just to get the conversation started.

What will you do to bring Wi-Fi internet service to Carroll County so that we have universal access to high speed internet from one end of the county to the other. It is no longer a luxury. It is a quality of life issue. It is an economic development issue.

What will you do to bring about cable competition, so that we may have a choice?

What will you do to facilitate all folks from every corner in Carroll County having a say in government? The South Carroll, Finksburg and Mt. Airy areas of the county has grown a great deal over the last decade or so, they need to be a part of the future. Northern Carroll County has a stake in our future also.

What is your position on the municipal incorporation of Finksburg and Eldersburg? The best government is that government that is closest to the people we serve and many feel it would be better if folks from the Finksburg and Eldersburg area made many of their own decisions.

What are your proposals about the ensuring future supplies of water and wastewater treatment facilities in the county?

What is the future of solid waste management? What are your thoughts about waste-to-energy and generating electricity with our trash as opposed to hauling it out of the county and dumping it into a landfill?

What is the future of taxation in Carroll County? As demands for services and infrastructure improvements continue to rise, how are we going to pay for it and what do you propose to do about the increasing burden of residential property taxes?

What are your proposals for attracting economic development and jobs to Carroll County? Not only for the tax base, but to provide local employment for Carroll Countians.

What are your thoughts about expanding the opportunities provided by the Carroll County Regional Airport?

What are your proposals for future recreation opportunities for Carroll Countians?

Most everyone agrees in the importance of agricultural land preservation but what are your proposals to sustain the viability and future success of agriculture?

What is the future of public safety? What are your proposals to ensure adequate fire, emergency medical and police protection?

What will you do to develop workforce – affordable housing?

What your thoughts on ensuring an appropriate social welfare safety net for our neighbors who hit a bump in the road on the highway of life? What will you do to prevent and treat drug and alcohol abuse?

Talk with us about the future of schools and education? What will you do ensure adequate classrooms and continue the high quality of our schools? Tell us your plans for Carroll Community College?

What is the best future government of our county? Code Home Rule? Five commissioners? Charter government? The same form of government we currently have?

What will you do to facilitate appropriate, inclusive, civil and productive dialogue about our future?

What are your thoughts? I am considering making the subject of the issues that need to be discussed in the upcoming election season to be the topic of an upcoming Westminster Eagle column and I will appreciate your feedback so that the column may be as comprehensive as possible.

One last word on fundraisers: Alright, two words: Ice Cream.

Oh, and a word to candidates, I’ll be more than happy to post your response to this blogpost on kevindayhoff.com. E-mail me your thoughts and visions for Carroll County and I will put them up on the web-site – unedited - regardless of political affiliation or whether I agree or disagree.

Thanks a bunch.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060621 Future issues and future elected officials in Carroll County


What are the candidates for elected office proposing for the future of Carroll County?

June 21, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Considering that this is an election year, it looks like a portion of my social schedule will be attending political fundraisers.

I’m looking forward to attending as many political fundraisers as my pocketbook and time will allow. Besides it is well known that I like to eat.

For the most part you meet interesting folks who care about our community. I prefer to attend fundraisers as opposed to simply donating money to a particular candidate. Perhaps it is the frugal Carroll County farmer in me.

At a fundraiser I get to spend some time with exceptional community leaders who have decided to stick their necks out and give back to the community and ultimately, whether I support or not support the particular views of any specific candidate I applaud all candidates who leave the comfortable cocoon of their day-to-day lives and strive to contribute and make a difference.

Perhaps I am the eternal optimist, but I happen to think that there is no better place to live than Carroll County and things are only going to continue to get better.

The political season is young and we have time between now and the primary on September 12, 2006, however, many Carroll Countians are clamoring to hear discussions about plans and ideas about our future.

A word to the candidates, you lose me when you go negative. I don’t really care what went wrong last year or several years ago. I care about what are you going to do to continue to maintain our great Carroll County quality of life. I’m looking for the opportunities, the positive and a vision for the future.

I have no interest in personalities, although electing accessible, knowledgeable and friendly folks to be community leaders, who concentrate on the issues is always a plus.

So what are the issues? Okay, I’ll bite – here goes… Not in any particular order. And not necessarily as a function of what I agree with or disagree with for our future. Just to get the conversation started.

What will you do to bring Wi-Fi internet service to Carroll County so that we have universal access to high speed internet from one end of the county to the other. It is no longer a luxury. It is a quality of life issue. It is an economic development issue.

What will you do to bring about cable competition, so that we may have a choice?

What will you do to facilitate all folks from every corner in Carroll County having a say in government? The South Carroll, Finksburg and Mt. Airy areas of the county has grown a great deal over the last decade or so, they need to be a part of the future. Northern Carroll County has a stake in our future also.

What is your position on the municipal incorporation of Finksburg and Eldersburg? The best government is that government that is closest to the people we serve and many feel it would be better if folks from the Finksburg and Eldersburg area made many of their own decisions.

What are your proposals about the ensuring future supplies of water and wastewater treatment facilities in the county?

What is the future of solid waste management? What are your thoughts about waste-to-energy and generating electricity with our trash as opposed to hauling it out of the county and dumping it into a landfill?

What is the future of taxation in Carroll County? As demands for services and infrastructure improvements continue to rise, how are we going to pay for it and what do you propose to do about the increasing burden of residential property taxes?

What are your proposals for attracting economic development and jobs to Carroll County? Not only for the tax base, but to provide local employment for Carroll Countians.

What are your thoughts about expanding the opportunities provided by the Carroll County Regional Airport?

What are your proposals for future recreation opportunities for Carroll Countians?

Most everyone agrees in the importance of agricultural land preservation but what are your proposals to sustain the viability and future success of agriculture?

What is the future of public safety? What are your proposals to ensure adequate fire, emergency medical and police protection?

What will you do to develop workforce – affordable housing?

What your thoughts on ensuring an appropriate social welfare safety net for our neighbors who hit a bump in the road on the highway of life? What will you do to prevent and treat drug and alcohol abuse?

Talk with us about the future of schools and education? What will you do ensure adequate classrooms and continue the high quality of our schools? Tell us your plans for Carroll Community College?

What is the best future government of our county? Code Home Rule? Five commissioners? Charter government? The same form of government we currently have?

What will you do to facilitate appropriate, inclusive, civil and productive dialogue about our future?

What are your thoughts? I am considering making the subject of the issues that need to be discussed in the upcoming election season to be the topic of an upcoming Westminster Eagle column and I will appreciate your feedback so that the column may be as comprehensive as possible.

One last word on fundraisers: Alright, two words: Ice Cream.

Oh, and a word to candidates, I’ll be more than happy to post your response to this blogpost on kevindayhoff.com. E-mail me your thoughts and visions for Carroll County and I will put them up on the web-site – unedited - regardless of political affiliation or whether I agree or disagree.

Thanks a bunch.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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