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Showing posts with label Elections 2010 Carroll BOC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections 2010 Carroll BOC. Show all posts

Monday, February 07, 2011

Historic changes in Carroll County government are coming


Below, please find the file copy version of the Eagle Archive column for Sunday, August 22, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff.  Now that the new five-member board of commissioners has several months in office under their belts… a few folks have asked where it is that they may find this column…  A portion of it was published on August 22, 2010 by Carroll Eagle  DAYHOFF: Change is coming, but not as much as we've already seen  http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4631/change-coming-but-not-much-weve-already-seen/


Labels: Carroll Co CommissionersHistory 1830sHistory Carroll CoHistory Carroll Co Jan 19 1837 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/02/historic-changes-in-carroll-county.html also see: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/02/first-carroll-county-board-of.html

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The 2010 primary election on September 14 is fast approaching and with it, the next step in Carroll County’s great experiment in governance will come one-step closer.

Barrels of ink and antacid has been spilled on the discussions, hand-wringing and gnashing of teeth over the five-commissioner form of government that has had the county transfixed for over twelve-years.

The idea was first publicly floated several years before the failed attempt in a 1998 referendum.  That initiative came after years of whispers of discontent in the hallways of power.

This is not the first time folks in Carroll County have changed our form of government – and chances are it will not be the last.

From 1659 to 1837, the eastern half of Carroll County was governed by Baltimore County.  From 1695, Prince George's County governed the western portion of Carroll County until December 10, 1748 when Frederick County was formed.  

In fact, when the property, "Whites Level," which later become part of Westminster, was first purchased in 1733, it was actually part of Prince George's County.

As early as 1785, citizens petitioned Maryland Gov. William Paca to form "Paca County" from parts of Frederick and Baltimore counties.

In the Nov. 25, 1813, issue of the "Engine of Freedom," a newspaper in "The Forks,” later known as Uniontown, wrote that a petition was being forwarded to the Maryland General Assembly to form "Union County," with the county seat in Uniontown.  The effort failed

On March 2, 1833, a bill passed the General Assembly authorizing a vote on forming Carroll County in October 1833.  The vote failed, 593 to 554; although it was later speculated that it failed because of voter irregularities in the Baltimore County portion.

Finally, a bill was introduced in 1835 and passed the General Assembly on March 25, 1836 to form Carroll County.  This act was confirmed on Jan. 19, 1837.  It only took about 50 years, but Carroll Countians had finally changed their government.

From 1837-51 the governing body of Carroll County was called the "Levy Court."  It consisted of nine individuals; one from each of the nine existing election districts in Carroll at the time.  They were appointed by the governor of Maryland.

The Maryland Constitution of 1851 changed the "Levy Court" to the "Commissioners of Tax" and from 1853 to 1891, there were three at-large commissioners elected to two-year terms.  From 1893 to 1921 the county elected one commissioner every other year for a six-year term.

In 1926, the county fully transitioned to electing three commissioners for four-year terms.  In 1968, voters in Carroll County rejected both charter government and code home rule.  In 1984, code home rule was defeated.  In 1992, charter government was defeated at the ballot box.

In 1998, voters rejected a referendum to increase the Board of Commissioners to five at-large members and rejected a charter form of government.

According to an old Baltimore Sun article by John Murphy on November 29, 1999, “In 1998, the proposal for five at-large commissioners carried four precincts: three in Eldersburg and one in Mount Airy, where some residents seek better representation in Westminster, the county seat.  The five-commissioner proposal failed, 11,151-6,860.”

Undaunted, on Dec. 8, 1999, State Delegate Don Elliott brought the five-commissioner idea back up at a joint meeting of the county's state delegation and the commissioners.

On November 2nd, 2004 Carroll voters decided to approve a referendum to form a five-commissioner board elected by district rather than having three commissioners elected at large. 

But wait, it took another four-years - until Monday, April 7, 2008, before the Maryland General Assembly approved Senate Bill 675 on Option 1 to draw the boundaries of the five commissioner districts among the eight municipalities, 36 election precincts and 14 election districts in the county.

I wonder if anyone will dare to venture a guess as to how long this latest experiment will last.

I wonder if anyone will dare to venture a guess as to how long this latest experiment will last?

When he not busy keeping track of who’s on first and what’s on second, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com

Related:

The first Carroll County Board of Commissioners met on Friday, January 27, 1837

The recent celebration of Carroll County’s 174th birthday brings to mind several columns that I have written in the past about the early days of Carroll County

For an article about the recent birthday celebration party put on by the Historical Society of Carroll County, go here: Name from the past helps mark Carroll County's 174th birthday Published January 23, 2011 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle: WESTMINSTER -- Author Helen Jean Burn introduced Carroll County historical figure Betsy Bonaparte to a crowd of more than 100 people on Jan. 20 during the celebration of the county's 174th birthday. At an event held at Holy Cross Hall in Westminster -- ... ...  http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/5101/name-past-helps-mark-countys-174th-birthday/

The full-length version on my Explore Carroll Eagle Archive column, “DAYHOFF: Greetings to the new 'Levy Court,' a.k.a. the Board of County Commissioners,” http://tinyurl.com/285shup, published on December 5, 2010, may be found below…

EAGLE ARCHIVE By Kevin Dayhoff  http://tinyurl.com/285shup


All that remains of the Thanksgiving turkey dinner are the leftovers, and many Carroll County residents have now turned their attention to Christmas -- and, oh, yes, the new Board of County Commissioners.

This year, there are no leftovers in the commissioners' office.

In November, the president may have pardoned a turkey for the Thanksgiving holidays, but in our county family the gobbler did not survive and neither did any of the incumbent commissioners.

At 2 p.m. Monday, Carroll County gets a Christmas present when the first five-member board will be sworn into office. Of the new faces -- Robin Frazier (1st District), Haven Shoemaker (2nd), Dave Roush (3rd), Richard Rothschild (4th) and Doug Howard (5th) -- only Frazier has served before…  http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/4976/greetings-levy-court-aka-county-commissioners/


20100822 longver sdsom historic changes in CC govt

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Friday, September 10, 2010

The Dave Roush Westminster Leader election tabloid

September 4, 2010

Dave Roush, Republican candidate for commissioner district 3, Carroll County Maryland Board of County Commissioners.


The Dave Roush Westminster Leader election tabloid                                                                                                                      

See also:


[20100904 RoushWestminsterLeader]

Dave Roush, Republican, candidate, commissioner district 3, Carroll County, Maryland, Board of County Commissioners,

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Explore Carroll political coverage: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/politics/

Explore Carroll political coverage: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/politics/

Politics

20100831 MKane Wster (7)bsm.jpg

Republican Lt. Gov. candidate, Mary Kane, visits Westminster

Touring Main Street
Posted 9/01/10 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Posted 9/09/10 by Carroll Eagle
Posted 9/05/10 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 9/05/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Posted 8/29/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle


Rematch in South Carroll's District 9B House race

Election 2010
Posted 9/05/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle

District 5 Senate race draws two Republicans seeking Haines' seat

Election 2010
Posted 9/05/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle

ELECTION 2010: Early voting starts Friday in Carroll County and across the state

Residents can vote in primary election at Westminster Senior Center
Posted 9/03/10 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle

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Republican endorsements for Dave Roush Carroll Co. MD commissioner district 3



Republican endorsements for Dave Roush Carroll Co. MD commissioner district 3

Republican endorsements for Dave Roush, Republican candidate for commissioner district 3, Carroll County Maryland Board of County Commissioners.

August 23, 2010

Republican endorsements for Dave Roush, Republican candidate for commissioner district 3, Carroll County Maryland Board of County Commissioners.

Republican endorsements for Dave Roush Carroll Co. MD commissioner district 3                                                                                                                      


[20100823 endorsements for ROUD04_MAD-05]


Republican, endorsements, Dave Roush, Carroll County, Maryland, county commissioners, politics

20100823 ROUD04_MAD-05_Page_1.jpg

20100823 ROUD04_MAD-05_Page_2.jpg


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Thursday, September 09, 2010

Carroll County Maryland commissioners’ districts Senate Bill 675





Carroll County Maryland commissioners’ districts Senate Bill 675 http://tinyurl.com/255qtzp

Carroll County Maryland commissioners districts, Senate Bill 675, approved by the Maryland General Assembly on March 31, 2008, for use beginning with the September 14, 2010 primary elections.



[20100714 CC commissioner map ccboelections]

Carroll County, Maryland, commissioners, districts, map, Maryland General Assembly, Senate Bill 675,



Wednesday, September 08, 2010

David Jones letter to the editor


Dave's letter to the editor. 

Don't forget to vote for DAVID JONES on Tuesday,September 14th

September 8 at 8:48pm
Thomas Paine once said, "These are the times that try men's souls." The Obama presidency, with the support of a Democrat controlled congress, appears well on its way to bringing full blown socialism to our beloved United States of America with managed healthcare, entitlements, failure to close the borders to illegal immigrants, takeover of General Motors.

Then there's the O'Malley administration in our state of Maryland. Runaway spending, high taxes, harbor state for illegal immigrants. Dangerous and damaging policies that flaunt arrogance and disregard for the electorate.

Now, to our own Carroll County. High taxes, $80 M dollar high schools, frivolous lawsuits resulting in $24 M dollar settlements, an incumbent commissioner who publically states that the position she holds is "her seat." Could it get any worse?

Yes, these truly are the times that try men's souls.

On September 14th citizens will go to the polls to choose, among other positions, five commissioners by district.

In my view, the citizens of District 4 have several less than satisfactory choices in this primary election. You can choose someone who, while serving in his previous term, supported increasing your taxes and the cost of government. Your vote for this candidate will be a continuation of the same old tax and spend policies he supported in his first term. Think lawsuit that cost taxpayers $24 M dollars. Do you want your commissioner to foster economic development or harass small businesses with frivolous lawsuits on the taxpayers dime.

Or, you could choose a candidate who believes we don't have a spending problem but a revenue problem. This is the same candidate who has pledged to bring charter government to our county with its broad taxing authority. This before we have completed our first election under the expanded five commissioner board.

Finally, you can choose a leader who believes government is already too involved in your lives and charges you too much in the way of taxes for that intrusion. I am that leader.

I believe in open, transparent government. I pledge to work to have every penny of revenue received and every penny spent posted on the internet for your review. My goal as commissioner is to bring common sense government to our county. I pledge to have an open door to all citizens, not just the companies and individuals who made donations to my campaign. I encourage the discussion of issues that are important to you. The seat at the table belongs to you, the citizen taxpayer. A vote for me, David Jones is a vote to return integrity to your county government. I ask for your vote on September 14th.

David Jones for Carroll County Commissioner, D-4 - email

People Jones David, 2010 Maryland elections, Elections 2010, Elections 2010 Carroll BOC, Elections 2010 Carroll Co, 







Sunday, September 05, 2010

Haven N. Shoemaker, Jr ~~ Candidate for County Commissioner District 2


Shoemaker, Ehrlich, and Kane July 10, 2010 http://tinyurl.com/24yel2a


Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker and candidate for Carroll County Commissioner - Carroll County District 2; with the Maryland Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert L. Ehrlich and his lieutenant governor running mate, Mary Kane at the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department’s 125th annual carnival on Saturday night, July 10, 2010.  Find the full story on www.ExploreCarroll.com: : “Ehrlich joins the party for Manchester's 125th anniversary - Former governor on the campaign trail at annual fire department carnival” By Kevin Dayhoff http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4499/Bob-Ehrlich-Manchester-Carnival-Governor-campaign/ (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff)



Haven N. Shoemaker, Jr ~~ Candidate for County Commissioner

by Haven Shoemaker for County Commissioner on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at 9:20pm

Haven Shoemaker, Jr.
Candidate for County Commissioner
Carroll County, District 2
havenshoemaker@hotmail.com
410-239-4600

The Voice For The People of Hampstead and Finksburg

My wife, Patty, and I have been married for 22 years and we have one son, Haven. I’m a lawyer, but my roots are as blue collar as you can get. One grandfather was a logger from a mountain in North Carolina where my family has lived since 1755; the other grandfather was a West Virginia coal miner. My Dad worked for GM on the assembly line. He spent the lion’s share of the ‘70’s laid off which is where I developed my affinity for corn and beans. I spent a fair amount of my childhood in trailer camps. I grew up in a town in Cecil County, Maryland, which is a fraction of the size of Hampstead. It’s those small town values, work ethics instilled in me as a child, and my faith in the Almighty that I bring to the table as a candidate for public office.

It has been my supreme privilege to serve as Mayor of Hampstead for the past 7 years. In that period of time, many great things have occurred that will be part of the fabric of this county for years to come. We cut the ribbon on the Hampstead Bypass last August. We converted the old school site into 84 units of affordable senior housing…a $13 million venture. We built a 17 acre park in the heart of our downtown. We increased the size of our police department by 50%. We’ve improved and are still improving our water system. We have not raised any of our taxes a single cent in the 7 years that I’ve been Mayor! When the state cut monies to local government, I took decisive action!

While it has been spectacular serving in town government, I feel that it is time to prepare to turn the reign over. It has become quite clear that things aren’t quite right at the county front. This board of County Commissioners has lost touch with the people they represent. From spending $23.5 million to settle a lawsuit they provoked, to the ill-fated Pathwarp project, to the $1.8 million boon gaggle of an airport expansion, the ridiculous notion that creating a new county police force is cheaper than investing in our already existing Sherriff’s Department. It’s been one thing after another from the County Office. Don’t even get me started on taxes! Carroll County has one of the highest property tax rates in the state.

I know people are hurting. I see it every day in my law practice. I see the pain in their faces and the tears in their eyes. I also know that there is widespread distrust of government and politicians who won’t pull themselves away from the trough even after 20 plus years in office. I know that for government to be restored to the people, we have to start at the local level.

Please join me as I seek to provide a true conservative voice for Hampstead and Finksburg as County Commissioner in the newly formed District 2. Together we will make a difference!

Welcome to the online home for my campaign for County Commissioner.  Thank you for taking the time to visit.


I'm running for Commissioner because I believe that Carroll County is facing huge challenges right now and in the future.  With the expansion of the County Commission (going from 3 to 5, elected by district), it's important that we have common sense, conservative leaders who know the needs of their own areas but will also work tirelessly for the good of the entire county.
As your Commissioner, I will do the following:
  • Fight to keep taxes low and work to reduce property taxes
  • Work to ease the traffic gridlock on our roads
  • Ensure that county government uses our tax dollars efficiently
  • Improve our school system
  • Find solutions to our water needs and help our farmers.
We have a chance in this election to re-make our county government.  I want to do my part to bring transparency, openness, and common sense fiscal management to the Board of County Commissioners.  I would be honored to have your support.
Please check out where I stand on the issues and what I've done to put conservative principles into action as mayor of Hampstead.  Contact me directly if you have any questions at havenshoemaker@hotmail.com or 410-239-4600.

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Saturday, September 04, 2010

Latest News Updates from Michael Zimmer, Carroll County commissioner candidate for District 5



Home
Facts vs Attacks
News - 2010
The Issues - 2010
About The Commissioner
Contact
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Events & Appearances
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I serve as a Commissioner for Carroll County because I know I can make a real difference in the lives of everyday citizens of our county. This site contains my issue stands and information about my personal background that help to make that difference.

My temperament, education, experience, skills and talents have uniquely equipped me to be a Commissioner. I ask for your ongoing support. I am a leader who listens. That’s a lot more than a slogan. It’s how I live my life.

Michael D. Zimmer
Commissioner
Latest News Updates:
News 2010 - Main Page
 
Standing by record of service - Letter to the Carroll County Times. 8/30/10Undecided voters in Commissioner District 5 may be wondering who they can trust on the issue of property tax relief. Securing tax relief has been one of my top priorities during the term of the current Board of Commissioners.
 
Waste-to-Energy Updates - August 2010
PDF Document - Associated Builders & Contractors of Cumberland Valley Renewable Waste-to-Energy Resolution

Letter to The Baltimore Sun - from Charles J. "Buck" Miller, Jr., Hampstead
 
Press Release - 8/25/10
Yesterday the South Carroll Republican Club endorsed me for Commissioner in District 5. This follows the endorsement by the Maryland Republican Assembly...
 
Facts vs Attacks Page - a new page on this site posted 8/18/10
 
Press Release - 8/10/10
The candidate who continually seems to want to spin my record as Commissioner struck again recently with his attack on my practice of taking one or two meals a month at one of our local senior centers. He alleges this practice lacks an official purpose and is merely politics on my part. The official purpose of these visits is pretty simple. I go to the centers to listen.
 
Commissioner Zimmer denies wrongdoing in trips to senior centers - Carroll County Times. 8/9/10Commissioner Michael Zimmer said his frequent visits to senior centers in Carroll County aren't campaign-related and don't violate policies prohibiting the centers from holding political events.
 
County commissioners adopt lower tax cap - Carroll County Times. 8/6/10Carroll residents could see smaller increases in their property tax bills in the future. On Thursday, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt a reduction on the cap of the Homestead Tax Credit. They lowered the cap from 7 percent to 5 percent following a public hearing on the proposal.
 
Press Release - 8/3/10
My English teachers in high school taught me to cite my sources in my papers. My college speech professor taught the same lesson in that class. Certain attacks have been leveled against my record by one candidate in particular. This candidate has a habit of making outrageous observations of his spin about my votes, yet conveniently he seems to leave out key facts or blatantly misrepresent the facts in these attacks. He also conveniently fails to cite sources for his charges.

Facts vs Attacks Page
 
Record clear on police issues - Letter to the Carroll County Times. 7/28/10The next Board of Commissioners will tackle many issues. One concern will be the future of law enforcement. Here are the facts about my record.

In 2008 I wrote the governor to ask that he sign a referendum bill passed by the General Assembly to subject the future of law enforcement to a vote by the public. The majority on the board shot this referendum down in a two to one vote...
 
Press Release - 7/26/10
Recently one of the District 5 candidates has questioned my decision to hire a full time special assistant when I was skeptical of such hires several years ago. His attack ignores a simple reality of what happened during the General Election of 2006.
 
Carroll County Chamber Position Statement - 7/21/10
Chamber's position statement supports proposed Waste-to-Energy Facility.
"The Frederick/Carroll County Renewable Waste-to-Energy facility appears to be in the overall best interests of the County, its businesses, and its residents, and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the project."
 
Support offered for candidate Jim Rutledge - Letter to the Carroll County Times. 6/20/10
Since 2008 voters in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts have expressed their displeasure with the policies of President Barack Obama. Will this be the year for similar voter anger to be displayed in Maryland?
Washington-based policies seem to be oriented to ever-increasing spending and deficits. It is time to send a Senator to Washington who retains a love for freedom and a respect for constitutionally limited government and spending.

We have a choice this year to elect a new U.S. Senator. I'm backing Jim Rutledge for this task. In fact, he's asked me to serve as his honorary chair of his Carroll County campaign...
 
 
Press Release: Today I have filed for election as County Commissioner 06/08/10

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