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Showing posts with label MML Municipal League Carroll Chap. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MML Municipal League Carroll Chap. Show all posts

Thursday, August 07, 2008

This week in The Tentacle - Wednesday August 6, 2008

20080806 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle - Wednesday August 6, 2008

Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Insufficient Funds
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Recently the Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League has been the focus of some unwanted and undesirable attention.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Guilty or Not?
Roy Meachum
The apparent suicide of a Fort Detrick scientist was the weekend's conversational rage. Everyone knows someone who knows someone – that’s how it went.


One’s Inexperience and Immaturity
Joan McIntyre
Those aspiring to elected office need to learn before applying that it's a tough job and requires an equally tough skin. Do you question why I use the phase "applying?"


Monday, August 4, 2008
Who's watching the watchers?
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Picture a rally against the death penalty or a gathering of anti-war protesters. Peace signs, Grateful Dead music, chanting, tie-dyed clothing, and soap-box speeches about injustice, inequality, and corrupt abuse of power.


“Mega Trends” Become Non-Sequiturs
Steven R. Berryman
Seems like chaos rules anymore when analyzing the changing trends in world happenings and trying to make things make sense. Much of it just doesn’t follow, as in non-sequiturs. There are just too many data points now for old method.


Friday, August 1, 2008
The Better Man
Roy Meachum
Someone please explain when two candidates are in a race, why do we call our choice the "best" man? According to various faiths and sects, the only certifiably best man wound up crucified in one form or another.

Clothespin Voters
Edward Lulie III
Clothespin sales must be booming. It isn’t that people are suddenly turning off clothes dryers and using wind and sunlight to dry clothes. No, this isn’t about saving electricity or energy. It’s all about politics.


Thursday, July 31, 2008
Changing Political Trends
Chris Cavey
Last weekend my family made a quick road-trip to Swormville, New York, a small hamlet northeast of Buffalo with a really cool looking volunteer fire station. The primary goal was a visit with my brother-in-law; however, some interesting facts about presidential politics were identified along the way.


Trashing Trash
Joan McIntyre
The 2008 trash discussions have turned into nothing but garbage. No reusing, no recycling and definitely no reduction in the verbal waste being thrown around, and very little, if any, accountability.


Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Obama Phenomena
Kevin E. Dayhoff
With less than 100 days to go before the November presidential election, both presumptive candidates for the Oval Office continue to look for a key – knock-out – issue that will put them over the top.


Oh, Canada!
Tom McLaughlin
There are a many similarities between North Ontario, Canada and Western Maryland. One of the most obvious is the bears. Both areas must bow to what the residents consider regulations promulgated by a foreign government.


Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Graveyard of Armies
Roy Meachum
Both presidential candidates are in agreement: We are losing the war in Afghanistan. That's not what they say of course: We must shift troops from Iraq to take care of unfinished business in Afghanistan. I hope I managed to get that straight.


To Implement Justice – or Not
Farrell Keough
A recent conversation on the radio piqued my interest. A regular Tentacle columnist and our 3-B delegate to the General Assembly, Rick Weldon, talked about the decision facing Gov. Martin O’Malley on the death penalty.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

20080802 MML Scholarship is too important to be mismanaged

20080802 MML Scholarship is too important to be mismanaged

"There are two types of knowledge. One is knowing a thing. The other is knowing where to find it." -Samuel Johnson

MML Scholarship is too important to be mismanaged

August 2, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson’s assertion in a
July 31, 2008 article, “Town asked to cover cost of scholarships” by Times Staff Writer, Jennifer Jiggetts; that “No one was aware that there had been a change.” is not consistent with the Carroll County Chapter of the MML records.

Westminster - On July 31, 2008, Carroll County Times Staff Writer, Jennifer Jiggetts, had an article published in the paper: “Town asked to cover cost of scholarships.”

The
article explained, in part:

“The president of the Carroll County chapter of Maryland Municipal League is asking each county municipality to pay $375 to cover the cost of scholarships the league awarded.

“After a two-year hiatus, the Carroll chapter decided to give three $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing municipal careers. But the chapter was surprised to learn it would have no monetary help from the state association, said chapter president Frank Johnson. The scholarships were awarded in June, the same time the chapter found out they’d have to foot the bill entirely. The checks have recently been sent to students, Johnson said.”

I served as secretary/treasurer of the

Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League for five years (12/07/1999 – 05/16/2005.) I also served on the Maryland Municipal League board of directors annually for five consecutive years, from June 2000 to May 2005.

The
municipal scholarship referenced in the article was first adopted by the (statewide) MML board of directors for FY 1991.

It was continued for twelve years through FY 2002.

At that time, according to the
September 4th, 2003 Quarterly [Carroll County MML] Chapter Meeting Minutes Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md., the (statewide) MML board of directors “re-directed funds that had helped to support the Chapter Scholarship Program, in order to support a new academic fellowship/intern scholarship program initiative, which will create a partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs and the MML.”

For five years, from 2000 through 2004 - during my tenure as secretary/treasurer – the chapter tasked me in my capacity as the chapter secretary/treasurer to administer the
Carroll County Chapter of the MML scholarship program.

In those five years the Carroll County Chapter of the MML was proud to have efficiently distributed a total of $11,900.00 to a total of 19 students.

The purpose of the scholarship was to foster an interest in municipal government with the future leaders of our community. The
minutes of the September 4th, 2003 Quarterly elaborated:

“… to increase public awareness of municipal government in Carroll County and to foster interest and research in municipal government, to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service, and to provide needed financial support for students pursuing studies leading to a career in government or public service.”

Fast-forward to today. Ms. Jiggetts
wrote on July 31, 2008 that “After a two-year hiatus, the Carroll chapter decided to give three $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing municipal careers…”

In response to questions about the management of the contemporary scholarship program,
Mayor Johnson asserted that:

… he was under the impression that things stayed the same and the state would continue to supply the funds because they did so in the past.

When the state organization stopped funding the scholarship several years ago and the Carroll County chapter put it on hold, Johnson said he wasn’t around to have found out about the state’s decision.

“Our assumption was that nothing had changed from a few years ago,” Johnson said.
“No one was aware that there had been a change.”

Above and beyond conventional fiscal prudence that dictates that the source of funding is determined before a scholarship program begins, it is also wise to research the history – and precedence - of a successful program in order to build upon past performance to ensure future successability when the program is reconvened.

To that end, Mayor Johnson has served on the (statewide) MML board of directors since at least June 2007. His tenure is concurrent when decisions pertaining to the Carroll County Chapter scholarship program were being decided.

In his capacity as board member, is it too far a stretch of the imagination to suggest he could have easily asked about the current status of the old discontinued statewide MML scholarship program?

Of course another way of determining the history of a program is to ask one’s predecessors; which is how I did it…

In reference to “… [t]he checks have recently been sent to students,” basic common sense indicates that a person or an organization have the funds in the checking account before a check is written and distributed.

To further cloud the issues swirling around how the scholarship program has been administered under Mayor Johnson’s leadership; records indicate that he was in attendance at the
September 4th, 2003 Carroll County Chapter of the MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting at Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md. when changes to the program were discussed.

It was at this meeting when agenda item number 2 pertaining to the scholarship program was discussed and it was “agreed to continue our own self-funded scholarship program within the Carroll County Chapter.”

September 4th, 2003 Quarterly [Carroll County MML] Chapter Meeting Minutes - Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md.

[Agenda Item] 2. Discussion of the future of the Annual MML Scholarship.

MML Executive Director Scott Hancock and MML Liaison Candice Donoho gave a presentation on the 12-year old MML Chapter Scholarship Program. The MML Board of Directors has recently re-directed funds that had helped to support the Chapter Scholarship Program, in order to support a new academic fellowship/intern scholarship program initiative, which will create a partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs and the MML.

The MML Board of Directors is encouraging individual MML Chapters to continue self-funded scholarship programs and to develop scholarship program criteria that best fit the needs and desires of our respective chapters.

In the past, the Carroll County MML Chapter has assessed the Carroll County member municipalities a total of $1,500 to add to the $1,000 annual contribution from the MML. We then distributed five scholarships of $500 each at the annual June joint Carroll County/Frederick County Chapter meeting in Mt. Airy.

After thoughtful discussion, it was agreed to continue our own self-funded scholarship program within the Carroll County Chapter.

It was moved by Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols and seconded by Hampstead Councilman Chris Nevin to sponsor two $1,000 scholarships for Carroll County students who reside within the corporate boundaries of a Carroll County Municipality and to bill the eight municipalities for the $2,000. The motion passed unanimously.

The purpose of the scholarship is to increase public awareness of municipal government in Carroll County and to foster interest and research in municipal government, to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service, and to provide needed financial support for students pursuing studies leading to a career in government or public service.

Particulars as to how the MML Carroll County Chapter will adapt and implement the Scholarship Program will be discussed after the first of the year. Meanwhile, the Treasurer was directed to assess the eight municipalities pro-rata for the $2,000 for the scholarships.

Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols will continue as Chair of the Carroll County MML Scholarship Committee. Anyone who would like to work on the Scholarship Committee should contact Councilwoman Nichols.


As far as the original pro-rated funding plan is concerned – the scholarship levy for the purposes of funding the scholarship program - was adopted at
the April 27, 2000 meeting.

It was decided at
that meeting to raise the funds on a proportional basis based on precedent that went back to the “Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League Articles of Organization,” which were introduced on April 21, 1988 and adopted August 14, 1988:

Carroll County Chapter Maryland Municipal League Meeting April 27, 2000 Minutes Union Bridge Community Center 4770 Ladiesburg Road Union Bridge, Maryland:

MML Scholarship Levy: It was discussed that the $2,500 needed for the MML academic scholarship was funded: $1,000 from the MML's statewide office and $1,500 raised from the County Chapter's coffers. It was decided that we would levy each Carroll County town a percentage portion of the $1,500. Mr. Dayhoff asked if it would be acceptable to simply use the formula developed by Sykesville Town Manager Matt Candland in his January 17, 2000 Carroll County Census Committee budget. That was accepted.

The Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League ran a very successful scholarship program for five years.

In 2000 we awarded $830.00 each to three students for a total of $2490.00. In 2001 we awarded $625.00 each to four students for a total of $2500.00. In 2002 we awarded $500.00 each to five students for a total of $2500.00. In 2003 we awarded $500.00 each to five students for a total of $2500.00. In 2004 we awarded $1000.00 each to two students for a total of $2000.00.

To state the obvious, the current elected and appointed leadership in our communities are not going to be in office forever and it is critical that we bring along folks who will take our places in the future and carry the mantle of governance into the future.

The program was a great success because of all the hard work of officials in the past such as then-Taneytown Mayor Henry Heine, Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker, Hampstead Councilman Chris Nevin, Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols and others too numerous to mention.

To see the program end up on the front page of the newspaper portrayed in a less than favorable light is disturbing – especially since the misunderstandings were all so easily avoided.

Nevertheless, many of us agree and easily understand a quote from a
Carroll County Times July 20, 2008 editorial: “Juggling the intricacies of a municipal government can be challenging for anyone, and there are sure to be missteps along the way.”

No citizen expects perfection; however the level of incompetence and mismanagement that once again rears its ugly head in matters of Carroll County local government is unacceptable.

Especially in the light that Mayor Johnson refused to accept responsibility for the mistake by piously suggesting “No one was aware that there had been a change,” when the record does not support that defense.

Perhaps the only explanation for this latest of gaffs and missteps by the Mayor of Mount Airy – President of Carroll County Chapter of the MML – Member the statewide MML board of directors -
Senior Assistant County Attorney/Legislative Director – Baltimore Regional Transportation Board empowered representative for Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge - - is to revisit a February 9, 2003 20030209 Carroll County Times editorial: Frank Johnson – “A problem of wearing many hats”:

“… Frank Johnson has been wearing a lot of different hats lately, but the time has come for him to step back and make some realistic decisions about where he believes he can do the most good.

[…]

“Johnson also took a job as assistant to County Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge. And while he and others have said there is nothing legally wrong with collecting paychecks from both the Town of Mount Airy and the county, there likely is an ethical issue involved.
[1]

“At the very least, Johnson has spread himself too thin to be entirely effective in any one of the positions. And because his many positions span from Mount Airy to Carroll's municipalities to county government, that means the impact is being felt everywhere in the county.

“Johnson owes it to the people of Mount Airy, owes it to the towns, cities and organizations that make up the Council of Governments and owes it to taxpayers who pay his salary as Gouge's assistant to step back from some of these responsibilities.

“He must assess where he believes he can be most effective, and then concentrate on those areas.

“Wanting to help out in as many different ways as possible is an admirable trait, but it does no good if the person is running in so many different directions that it takes away from all of his various jobs and duties.”


Meanwhile, many of us agree in principle with Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker who noted: “$375 is a fairly small price to pay [for such an important program…].”

However, New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce is also correct when he “said changes need to be made to the scholarship program.

“‘You don’t go out and spend money before making the budget,’ he said. ‘If we know we’re going to do something, we budget for it. That’s basic. It’s the way towns operate.’”


And finally, Union Bridge Bret Grossnickle was correct when he said: “…the funds were unfairly split. They should have been divided per capita, not by town, he said.”

“‘$375 is not going to break us, but we have to do it differently next year,’ Grossnickle said.”


Nevertheless, as Mayor Johnson said in a
Baltimore Sun article on August 22, 2002: “We are all part of the same county," Johnson said. "What happens in one part of this county does have an effect on other parts. There is much more of a connection and a need for ongoing communication, a problem-solving approach that brings everybody to the table.”

Hopefully Mayor Johnson will be able to rekindle an “ongoing communication, a problem-solving approach that brings everybody to the table” and get the MML scholarship program back on track.

####

Related references:

Town asked to cover cost of scholarships” By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times, Thursday, July 31, 2008 – see: 20080731 Towns asked to cover cost of MML scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes

20030209 Carroll County Times editorial: Frank Johnson – “A problem of wearing many hats”

20000427 Carroll County Chapter MML Meeting at Union Bridge

20060617 Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson joins county attorney staff

MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Meeting Minutes

Labels:
MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap., MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Scholarship Program, Westminster Mayor 200105 200505 Kevin E. Dayhoff, People Carroll Co. Johnson – Frank Johnson,

[1] The matter of any potential conflict… was covered in a June 17, 2006 Carroll County Times article, “Mt. Airy mayor joins county attorney staff.” When Mayor Johnson was hired to be a senior assistant county attorney for Carroll County: “Before accepting the position, Johnson received approval from both the county ethics administrator and the Mount Airy Ethics Commission” See: 20060617 Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson joins county attorney staff

Saturday, August 02, 2008

20080731 Towns asked to cover cost of MML scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

20080731 Towns asked to cover cost of MML scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

“Town asked to cover cost of [MML] scholarships” By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the
Carroll County Times, Thursday, July 31, 2008

Town asked to cover cost of scholarships

By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 31, 2008

The president of the Carroll County chapter of Maryland Municipal League is asking each county municipality to pay $375 to cover the cost of scholarships the league awarded.

After a two-year hiatus, the Carroll chapter decided to give three $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing municipal careers. But the chapter was surprised to learn it would have no monetary help from the state association, said chapter president Frank Johnson. The scholarships were awarded in June, the same time the chapter found out they’d have to foot the bill entirely. The checks have recently been sent to students, Johnson said.

[…]

Johnson, who’s also the mayor of Mount Airy, said he was under the impression that things stayed the same and the state would continue to supply the funds because they did so in the past.

When the state organization stopped funding the scholarship several years ago and the Carroll County chapter put it on hold, Johnson said he wasn’t around to have found out about the state’s decision.

“Our assumption was that nothing had changed from a few years ago,” Johnson said. “No one was aware that there had been a change.”
[…]

Johnson said he has already paid the $3,000 from his personal savings account with the intent of reimbursement from Carroll’s eight municipalities. Johnson told town officials they needed to pay him back in July.

Johnson suggested the $3,000 scholarship bill be split evenly between the county’s eight municipalities.

With tight budgets and limited funds, some Carroll County town officials saw the payment as a surprise. Others were displeased at the proposed $375 amount.

Union Bridge Mayor Bret Grossnickle said the funds were unfairly split. They should have been divided per capita, not by town, he said.

“$375 is not going to break us, but we have to do it differently next year,” Grossnickle said.

New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce said changes need to be made to the scholarship program.

“You don’t go out and spend money before making the budget,” he said. “If we know we’re going to do something, we budget for it. That’s basic. It’s the way towns operate.”

Haven N. Shoemaker Jr., mayor of Hampstead, said the situation is a misunderstanding.

“Hampstead had no objection,” he said. “$375 is a fairly small price to pay.”


Reach staff writer Jennifer Jiggetts at 410-857-7873 or
jennifer.jiggetts AT carrollcountytimes.com.

20080731 Town asked to cover cost of scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/07/31/news/local_news/newsstory5.txt

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes

20030209 Carroll County Times editorial: Frank Johnson – “A problem of wearing many hats”

20000427 Carroll County Chapter MML Meeting at Union Bridge

20060617 Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson joins county attorney staff

MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Meeting Minutes

Labels:
MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap., MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Scholarship Program, Westminster Mayor 200105 200505 Kevin E. Dayhoff, People Carroll Co. Johnson – Frank Johnson,

Friday, December 05, 2003

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes - Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md.

CARROLL COUNTY CHAPTER
Maryland Municipal League, Inc.



*Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker President CC Chapter MML
1034 S. Carroll Street, Hampstead, Md. 21074 Telephone: (410) 239-7408
*New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce Vice President CC Chapter MML
P. O. Box 609, New Windsor, Md. 21776 Telephone: (410) 635-6575
*Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff Secretary - Treasurer CC Chapter MML
P. O. Box 1245, Westminster, Md. 21158-1245 Telephone: (410) 857-4208

September 4th, 2003
Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes
Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md.
6:30 pm Social hour
7:00 pm Welcome – Manchester Mayor Chris D’Amario
Invocation - Manchester Councilmember Mary Minderlein
Introductions - MML Chapter President Haven Shoemaker
7:10-7:45 pm Dinner
7:45 pm Business Meeting

Attendance:
There were 24 in attendance:
Manchester: Mayor Chris D'Amario, Councilmembers Steve Bankert, Mary Minderlein and Dan Riley
Mt. Airy: Mayor James S. Holt, Councilmembers Peter Helt and David Pyatt.
New Windsor: Mayor Sam Pierce, Councilmembers Ed Palsgrove and Charlotte Hollenbeck.
Sykesville: Mayor Jonathan Herman, Councilmembers Jeannie Nichols and Debby Ellis and Town Manager Matt Candland
Taneytown: No representatives in attendance
Union Bridge: Mayor Bret Grossnickle
Westminster: Mayor Kevin Dayhoff, Councilman Robert Wack.
Hampstead: Mayor Haven Shoemaker, Councilmembers Wayne H. Thomas and Chris Nevin.

Carroll County: Carroll County Emergency Management Coordinator William Martin, Administrator of the Carroll County Office of Public Safety Buddy Redman.
Carroll County Municipal Liaison Frank Johnson
Maryland Municipal League Executive Director Scott Hancock and Liaison Candice Donoho
_____

1. Treasurer's Report - Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff

The Treasurer’s report was given by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff and accepted. The MML CC Chapter Treasury has a total of $3,062.07 in it at present – however, the balance, after the $2,000.00 in outstanding checks recently written for the MML CC Chapter Scholarship are cashed, will be $1,062.07 in the account.

2. Discussion of the future of the Annual MML Scholarship.

MML Executive Director Scott Hancock and MML Liaison Candice Donoho gave a presentation on the 12-year old MML Chapter Scholarship Program. The MML Board of Directors has recently re-directed funds that had helped to support the Chapter Scholarship Program, in order to support a new academic fellowship/intern scholarship program initiative, which will create a partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs and the MML.

The MML Board of Directors is encouraging individual MML Chapters to continue self-funded scholarship programs and to develop scholarship program criteria that best fit the needs and desires of our respective chapters.

In the past, the Carroll County MML Chapter has assessed the Carroll County member municipalities a total of $1,500 to add to the $1,000 annual contribution from the MML. We then distributed five scholarships of $500 each at the annual June joint Carroll County/Frederick County Chapter meeting in Mt. Airy.

After thoughtful discussion, it was agreed to continue our own self-funded scholarship program within the Carroll County Chapter.

It was moved by Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols and seconded by Hampstead Councilman Chris Nevin to sponsor two $1,000 scholarships for Carroll County students who reside within the corporate boundaries of a Carroll County Municipality and to bill the eight municipalities for the $2,000. The motion passed unanimously.

The purpose of the scholarship is to increase public awareness of municipal government in Carroll County and to foster interest and research in municipal government, to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service, and to provide needed financial support for students pursuing studies leading to a career in government or public service.

Particulars as to how the MML Carroll County Chapter will adapt and implement the Scholarship Program will be discussed after the first of the year. Meanwhile, the Treasurer was directed to assess the eight municipalities pro-rata for the $2,000 for the scholarships.

Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols will continue as Chair of the Carroll County MML Scholarship Committee. Anyone who would like to work on the Scholarship Committee should contact Councilwoman Nichols.

2. Presentation by Carroll County Emergency Management Coordinator William Martin and Administrator of the Carroll County Office of Public Safety Buddy Redman

Bill Martin and Buddy Redman gave a general overview of the Carroll County Emergency Operations Plan. They also discussed the GIS Enhanced Base Mapping Project and other issues involving our current 911 system. Bill Martin discussed his background in the fire service and emergency response and shared some insights as to his plans in his new position with the Carroll County Office of Public Safety. The report was followed by questions and answers.

3. COG Report

Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols discussed that Emergency Services issues in Carroll County were comprehensively discussed and reviewed in the May 29, 2003 COG meeting. The meeting was well attended and everyone seemed to get a great deal of value out of the meeting. The next COG meeting will be held on September 18, 2003 at 7 PM.

4. Carroll County Commissioner Report - Frank Johnson, Municipal Liaison

Frank Johnson discussed various issues and gave a thorough overview of the many initiatives presently being undertaken by the Board of Commissioners. They included but were not limited to: State Roads and county transportation issues; billboards; the Commissioners upcoming Legislative Package which will include a Transfer Tax (growth paying for growth); the deferral process; adequacy standards; the growth task force - which will next meet on September 17, 2003. A question and answer period followed which included discussions of impact fees; schools and parks; senior citizen developments; fire and EMS service and roads and libraries.

5. MML Remarks - MML staff member Candace Donoho, MML Executive Director Scott Hancock

Scott Hancock extended regrets from MML President Mark Frazer who could not attend due to an unexpected commitment. This year's MML Theme under the leadership of President Frazer is Information Technology. The MML has hired a full time Information Technology expert. Every municipality now has a page available on the MML website for announcements.

Candace Donoho was recently given a significant and prestigious promotion to Carroll County MML Liaison. Candace Donoho discussed the recent municipal budget survey and the impacts of state budget cuts on municipalities state-wide. She also discussed the work of the MML Legislative Committee and the upcoming MML Fall Conference. This year's fall conference includes many more workshops and seminars than past fall conferences and attendance is expected to be the best ever. Washington DC Mayor Anthony Williams is the scheduled luncheon speaker.

6. Open discussion and Other Business

Buddy Redman asked that each municipality establish an emergency contact person.

Adjournment

The next meeting is in New Windsor on December 4th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. for Social time; Dinner at 7:00 p.m.; Meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff,
MML CC Chapter Secretary/Treasurer

Thursday, August 22, 2002

20020822 “Mayors consider an area council” By Mary Gail Hare, Sun Staff

20020822 “Mayors consider an area council” By Mary Gail Hare, Sun Staff

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.towns22aug22.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll

Mayors consider an area council

Board of towns' leaders would work with county; 'Enormous untapped talent'

By Mary Gail Hare, Sun Staff, August 22, 2002

Representatives of Carroll's eight towns, buoyed by their solidarity on growth management, are looking to form a council of town governments to work directly with the county commissioners on regional issues such as transportation, development and education.

The proposed countywide council would include mayors; town council members; school officials; and representatives from police, fire and emergency services agencies.

"We have enormous untapped talent on our councils, and we represent one-third of the county's population," said Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff. "A council would allow us input above and beyond the quarterly mayors' meeting."


The commissioners meet with the mayors four times a year, usually late in the afternoon. Often, job demands - nearly all the mayors have careers outside of town hall - keep town leaders from these daytime meetings.

"What gets accomplished in those meetings is up to the mayors," said Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier. "The agendas are largely fixed by the towns. We use the meetings as an opportunity to share information. We are always open to their concerns."

Hampstead Councilman Haven Shoemaker Jr., president of the Carroll chapter of the Maryland Municipal League, said he would use the league's framework to expand the mayors' meetings into a county council. The sessions - which would include other county departments and would be held more often and in the evenings - would operate as an arm of the league.

"It is wiser to build on MML," said Westminster Councilman Damian L. Halstad. "This is an organization with clout, stature and credibility."

Dayhoff introduced the concept Monday as town officials gathered to formally endorse growth-control measures that call for limiting or curtailing building permits in areas coping with water shortages or with crowded schools and roads.


But town officials decided that the council issue would be diffused if they included it in a letter to commissioners meant to detail their growth-control proposals. They decided to wait until next month to tackle the proposal.

The monthlong delay will give the mayors time to discuss the issue with their town councils and gather support.

"I think everybody will go for it," said Sykesville Mayor Jonathan S. Herman. "But, if it is not effective, people will lose interest. The effectiveness of this council is more important [than] what it is."

Mount Airy Town Council President Frank Johnson developed the towns' six-point growth-management strategy, which insists that the county plan with the towns in mind. He won support for the strategy from the other seven towns and from the Finksburg and Freedom area residents councils.

"We brought the county together on this issue that affects everybody," Johnson said. "We demonstrated the importance of corroboration, cooperation and standing together. The next step is long-term problem-solving."

Johnson told his municipal colleagues the next step is a county council that would include the county staff.

"We are all part of the same county," Johnson said. "What happens in one part of this county does have an effect on other parts. There is much more of a connection and a need for ongoing communication, a problem-solving approach that brings everybody to the table."

Halstad said that the towns have not had the best relationship with the county commissioners and that selling them on the idea could be difficult. Several candidates for county commissioner are members of the municipal league and were present at the signing.

"We need a board of commissioners that is sensitive and willing to listen," Halstad said. "This organization could fly once we have that. We can get ahead of the growth curve and participate in policy planning."

Shoemaker said he will add the council proposal to the league's meeting in Union Bridge on Sept. 19.

"This is an idea that is definitely worth exploring," Shoemaker said.


Labels: Carroll Co. Council of Govts COG, People Carroll Co. Shoemaker – Haven Shoemaker, MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap., Westminster Mayor 200105 200505 Kevin E. Dayhoff, Dayhoff press clippings, MD Municipal League

Friday, September 22, 2000

20000427 Carroll County Chapter MML Meeting at Union Bridge

20000427 Carroll County Chapter MML Meeting at Union Bridge

Carroll County Chapter

Maryland Municipal League Meeting

April 27, 2000

Minutes


Union Bridge Community Center

4770 Ladiesburg Road

Union Bridge, Maryland

6:00 p.m. Social hour

7:00 p.m. Welcome by Mayor Perry Jones

Pledge to the Flag

Invocation by New Windsor Councilmember Becky Harman

BUSINESS MEETING:

There were 22 in attendance:

Taneytown Mayor Henry Heine, City Councilmembers Jackie Boisvert and Jim McCarron, City Manager Chip Boyles, and Master Municipal Clerk Linda Hess,

New Windsor Mayor Jay Gullo, Councilmembers Becky Harman, Ronnie Blacksten, and Neil Roop

Westminster City Council Member Kevin Dayhoff,

Sykesville Mayor Jonathan Herman, Councilmembers Debby Ellis and Jeannie Nichols,

Mt. Airy Mayor Jerry Johnson

Union Bridge Mayor Perry Jones, Councilmembers Karen Kotarski, Kathy Kriemer and Don Wilson, Town Clerk Violet Hobb,

Manchester Councilmember Mary Minderlein,

Hampstead was not represented.

Maryland Municipal League Director of Research and Information Management Jim Peck, E3 Energy Services, LLC Principal Christopher Cook, Esq.,


Electric Deregulation – Chris Cook. Mr. Cook is a Principal with E3 Energy Service LLC. Taneytown Mayor Henry Heine introduced him. Mr. Cook gave us an overview on the restructured electric industry; bulk purchasing, municipal pooling, municipal aggregation, Carnegie Morgan/ Baltimore City pooling effort, State of Maryland Pool, and BGE price freeze service.


Carroll County Chapter MML Representation to EAAB. There was a presentation by Westminster City Councilmember Kevin Dayhoff on the history and present status of the Carroll County Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (EAAB). It was moved by Taneytown Councilmember Jim McCarron, seconded by New Windsor Councilmember Neil Roop that each municipality present will consult with our respective municipal councils and see if someone will step forward to be a representative to the EAAB. The motion was carried.


Carroll County Chapter MML Representation to EDC. It was discussed that currently, Hampstead Mayor Chris Nevin and Sykesville Town Manager Matt Candland represent the Carroll County Chapter of the MML with the Economic Development Commission (EDC). It was further decided that Mayor Nevin and Mr. Candland will be consulted to see if they wish to continue in that capacity. Taneytown City Manager Chip Boyles and Westminster City Councilmember Kevin Dayhoff were selected as replacements if either Mayor Nevin or Mr. Candland do not wish to serve.


Election of Officers.

President: Mt. Airy Mayor Jerry Johnson

Vice President: Taneytown Mayor Henry Heine

Secretary/Treasurer: Westminster City Councilmember Kevin Dayhoff


Treasurer's Report. Secretary/Treasurer Kevin Dayhoff reported that there is $2,605.40 in the checking account.


Dues: There was some discussion as to whether or not to levy dues from each municipality. If was decided that there would be no dues levied at this time. That the Treasury had enough money in it and it was purposeless to collect money simply for the sake of collecting money.


MML Scholarship Levy: It was discussed that the $2,500 needed for the MML academic scholarship was funded: $1,000 from the MML's statewide office and $1,500 raised from the County Chapter's coffers. It was decided that we would levy each Carroll County town a percentage portion of the $1,500. Mr. Dayhoff asked if it would be acceptable to simply use the formula developed by Sykesville Town Manager Matt Candland in his January 17, 2000 Carroll County Census Committee budget. That was accepted.


Carroll County Municipal Population Percentages (January 17, 2000)

April 27, 2000 Carroll County Chapter MML Scholarship Award Levy







Pro rata share


Mt. Airy (Carroll only)

1.9

7.85%

$ 117.75

Westminster

10.3

42.57%

$ 638.54

Hampstead

2.9

11.98%

$ 179.74

Union Bridge

0.7

2.89%

$ 43.37

Sykesville

2.3

9.50%

$ 142.55

New Windsor

0.8

3.31%

$ 49.57

Manchester

2.1

8.68%

$ 130.15

Taneytown

3.2

13.22%

$ 198.33





Municipal Total

24.2

100%

$ 1,500.00

Carroll County

75.8



Grand total

100




Communications Committee Report: Taneytown City Councilmember Jim McCarron presented the upcoming unveiling of the MML's new book, Maryland's 157, in Annapolis May 5, 2000. He also discussed Arbor Day and Municipal Week.


MML Time – MML Director of Research and Information Management Jim Peck. Mr. Peck discussed the MML Board of Directors Member at Large election at the MML Summer Convention in Ocean City on June 13, 2000.

He also discussed Senate Bill 626 and House Bill 1309: Truth in Taxation – Real Estate Property Tax Assessments.


MML League President Jay Gullo: President Gullo presented Certificates of Appreciation to:

Taneytown City Councilmember Jim McCarron – Communication Committee

Taneytown City Manager Chip Boyles – Communications Committee

Taneytown Mayor Henry Heine – Convention Planning Committee

Taneytown City Councilmember Jackie Boisvert – Convention Planning Committee

Westminster City Councilmember Kevin Dayhoff – Legislative Committee

Union Bridge City Councilmember Karen Kotarski – Elections Committee

Union Bridge Mayor Perry Jones – District Vice President