Showing posts with label Newspapers Frederick News-Post. Show all posts

Sunday, January 09, 2011

MediaHooker: Predictions 2011

Predictions 2011 by Steve Berryman http://mediahooker1.blogspot.com/2011/01/predictions-2011.html

[This column was intended for the Frederick News-Post, and they dropped it without explanation at the 11th hour. You decide why!]

Predictions 2011

Steven R. Berryman

Readers have my sincere apologies in advance; I can’t resist the seasonal urge to prognosticate happenings for this year. You can say you heard it here first.

Being the first to know is not always an advantage to the receiver, but this may afford ME some future bragging rights!

*The City of Frederick will hire an assistant to the assistant of the lead executive assistant working under Mayor Randy McClement. This will afford the further insulation of any position, and facilitate the tamping down of “news.”

*The Frederick County Board of County Commissioners will press hard for consensus on “Charter Government.” This in no way is impacted by anyone’s quest for the consolidating of power, but seeks to emulate the widely touted success by County Executive Ike Leggett of Montgomery County.

*The Frederick County Board of Education will open up the private bathroom upstairs in the penthouse level of the “Taj Mahal” building, aka their new offices. All administrative positions paying over $74,997 will now have to justify themselves to others making less than that.

Softball then becomes the official board sport during recess.... http://mediahooker1.blogspot.com/2011/01/predictions-2011.html

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Frederick News-Post: Saturn sawn in half to prove a point

Saturn sawn in half to prove a point

Originally published August 21, 2010

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?StoryID=108860#postComments

By Pam Rigaux
News-Post Staff

Raymond Reeder's house on Kemp Lane has a sign that says, "Beware of bulldog."

A "no trespassing" sign is posted at the entrance of the driveway.

He considers himself a gear head and a mountain man.

A week ago, Reeder, 39, sawed in half a 1998 Saturn station wagon... http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?StoryID=108860#postComments

*****

Monday, August 16, 2010

Frederick News-Post editorial: Politicians' tightrope

Originally published August 15, 2010

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_editorial.htm?StoryID=108591

Any member of Congress is faced with a dilemma in this age of outrage against government spending.

On the one hand, to be seen as effective, to assure his or her constituency that he or she is doing something, money needs to flow back into the district from federal coffers.

Roads and bridges need to be built, interstates mended, businesses boosted, jobs created.

On the other hand, our lawmakers mustn't be seen to be too greedy; in fact, they must eschew government spending, take a stand against it. In extreme cases, they must reject it altogether.

It's a tightrope walk for most politicians, a delicate dance between conflicting poles.

[…]

We can see both sides of this equation, and it was pointed out rather sharply in reporter Meg Tully's Political Notes column on Friday.

Andrew Duck, a Democrat running in District 6, fired a salvo at U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett after he saw Bartlett's chief of staff, Bud Otis, in attendance at a groundbreaking for the C&O Canal Big Slackwater restoration project in Washington County. That restoration has been paid for with federal stimulus money, and the event attracted representatives of U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, both of whom voted for the legislation.

Duck pointed out that Bartlett opposed the stimulus plan… http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_editorial.htm?StoryID=108591

20100815 FNPed Politicians tightrope

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/08/frederick-news-post-editorial.html

*****

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Frederick News-Post: 1 dead, 2 injured in U.S. 15 collision

Frederick News-Post: 1 dead, 2 injured in U.S. 15 collision
A two-vehicle crash this morning on northbound U.S. 15 at Roddy Creek Road left a woman dead. more »

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Top Frederick News-Post Headlines

April 3, 2010

Deputy injured, dog dead after 911 investigation
BURKITTSVILLE -- A Frederick County Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed a large German shepherd Friday afternoon after being attacked and injured, the office reported.

Property caught in county's cross hairs
WALKERSVILLE -- A rewrite of the county's comprehensive land use and zoning plan is making life difficult for Lewis and Tanya Ramsburg.

Fire heavily damages Emmitsburg apartment building
Firefighters were on the scene of a fire that did heavy damage to a three-story historic apartment building in the center of Emmitsburg Saturday morning.

Fire & Police Blotter
Man found after car chase

Fire heavily damages Emmitsburg apartment building
EMMITSBURG -- A fire Saturday morning heavily damaged a historic, 150-year-old building on Emmitsburg's town square, displacing residents of the building's 16 apartments. No one was seriously hurt, but damage is estimated at $1.5 million.

*****

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Steve Berryman: Just getting started

Frederick News-Post Steve Berryman: Just getting started

Best wishes go out to my fellow Tentacle colleague, Steve Berryman, who is “Just Getting Started” with a weekly column every Friday in the Frederick News-Post.

The column may be found here:. http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_columnist.htm?StoryID=102092

If one cruises through the comments that accompany his column on the News-Post web site, you will realize that this is going to be fun. It appears that there are many folks out there who are quite threatened by the mere idea that Mr. Berryman will be sharing his point of view in the Frederick news and commentary scene.

All the while, please understand that his initial toe-in-the-piranha filled waters that pass for meaningful commentary in central-Maryland these days, hardly states a position. Yet the personal attacks quickly began.

Not much in the way of counter-point or meaningful and welcome fact-filled disagreement. Just hate-filled venomous commentary.

Whatever.

Mr. Berryman begins his column with:

“As we are all in this together, it is my pleasure to write you my introductory column. Mea culpas in advance as this is meant to be explanatory, and not "ruthless self-promotion"! Aspects of my activist roles have made that necessary in the past.

"Each Friday my regular musings on this opinion page will usher in a weekend for you and, I hope, find you then better informed, possibly more enlightened, and certainly more awake for the reading.

"As a citizen-journalist, being selected to have a recurring voice was an honor, and a bit of a surprise, as in the past I have to admit to being something of an "equal opportunity provocateur" in my relations with The Frederick News-Post. Seems they were listening!

"My comments have appeared in many a columnist's and story writer's in-basket through online capabilities in the electronic versions of this newspaper. Please note that almost all of these comments clearly included my name, as I believe that anonymity confers a certain disrespect for civility..."

[…]

Read his entire column here: Frederick News-Post Steve Berryman: Just getting started - http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_columnist.htm?StoryID=102092 Originally published March 05, 2010

civility anonymous comments, Journalists Berryman Steven, Journalists Tentaclers, Newspapers Frederick News-Post, Politics Civility

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/steve-berryman-just-getting-started.html

http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/305804.html

*****

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Frederick News-Post: Troopers: Four found dead in Mount Airy home

Troopers: Four found dead in Mount Airy home

Originally published in the Frederick News-Post: September 25, 2009 - Updated 10:50 PM, September 25, 2009

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayBreaking.htm?StoryID=95728

By AP Associated Press

Mount Airy — Four people have been found dead in a house in Mount Airy , Maryland State Police said.

Spokesman Greg Shipley said troopers found the four, two adults and two children, about 5:30 p.m. today in a single-family home in the 300 block of Contour Road.

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayBreaking.htm?StoryID=95728

Related: State police: Four found dead in Mount Airy home

From other Baltimore sources

Troopers: 4 Found Dead In Mount Airy Homewbaltv.com

Four Found Dead Inside Mt. Airy Homeabc2news.com

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-mountairy0925,0,2712381.story

20090925 sdosm FNP Troopers Four found dead in Mount Airy home

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Friday, May 01, 2009

House Republican Whip Cantor speaks at Frederick Dinner by Meg Tully

I attended this dinner with six of my “The Tentacle” colleagues and this was a super event. Ms. Tully has done a great job of capturing it in print. I will post pictures later…

U S House Republican Whip: 'This country needs us' Originally published in the Frederick News-Post April 30, 2009 By Meg Tully News-Post Staff

U.S. House Republican Whip Eric Cantor urged Frederick Republicans to go forward as party leaders and focus on winning the midterm election in 2010.

"This country needs us as a check and a balance on the complete reign of power that is going on in Washington right now," Cantor said.

The Virginia representative spoke to about 240 people gathered for the annual Lincoln-Reagan Dinner at Dutch's Daughter restaurant Wednesday night. The dinner is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Frederick County Republican Central Committee.

Speaking about an hour before President Barack Obama held his own news conference in Washington, Cantor called several policies being enacted as divergent from Republican values, including the budget conference report adopted earlier in the day.

Calling the economy the top issue facing the nation, Cantor said Democrats think expanding the government will solve the country's woes.

"We've got our president deciding who to hire and who to fire as CEO of an auto company," Cantor said. "Now where has this country gone if this is where we are?"

[…]

Frederick County Republican Central Committee chairwoman Kelly Schulz was encouraged by Cantor's message.

[…]

Delegate Paul Stull was given the organization's first Lifetime Achievement Award for his work as a member of the central committee and then in the House of Delegates.

Read Ms. Tully’s entire article here: U S House Republican Whip: 'This country needs us'

20090430 SDOSM House Rep Whip Cantor speaks at Fred Dinner

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?StoryID=89622#postComments

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Another reason to not mow the yard

Reasons to not mow the yard ...

Mower sparks fire that destroys house [multimedia] By Gina Gallucci-White News-Post Staff Originally published in the Frederick News-Post April 30, 2009

Combustible materials left too close to a warm yard tractor ignited and caused a fire that destroyed a house Wednesday afternoon, according to the Division of Fire and Rescue Services.

Deputy Fire Marshal Ed Ruck estimated damage to the house at 5702 Catoctin View Court and its contents at $400,000.

[…]

The house had to be evacuated twice because the fire compromised the structure and the floor was starting to collapse, Ruck said. Several tankers had to be called because there are no hydrants in the area.

Members of the American Red Cross were called to the scene to assist the residents, he said.

[…]

Read the entire article here Mower sparks fire that destroys house [multimedia] – and then join me in advocating that the Maryland General Assembly outlaw mowing the yard.

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display_comments.htm?StoryID=89618#postComments

20090430 Reasons to not mow the yard Number One

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Frederick News-Post: 5 found dead in Middletown

Frederick News-Post: 5 found dead in Middletown

Hat Tip: Frederick News-Post reporter Cliff Cumber - http://twitter.com/cgcumber In the office:. Horrid situation in Middletown, few details. FCSO presser at 4. http://is.gd/taoR

FNP video and stills on the Middletown incident to feature on CNN. Updates on FNP: frm presser: http://is.gd/taoR

5 found dead in Middletown; deputies on the scene

Originally published April 18, 2009

From Staff Reports

Five people believed to be family are confirmed dead inside a house in the first block of Washington Street in Middletown , according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

More: 5 found dead in Middletown; deputies on the scene

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=89165

20090418 FNP 5 found dead in Middletown

In other news from the Frederick News-Post:

5 found dead in Middletown; deputies on the scene
Woman in critical condition after high-speed chase
Fire and police blotter
Johanna Stull, wife of lawmaker, dies
Bidders prepare for annual property tax sale

Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.westgov.net/ Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Frederick News-Post to suspend its Monday edition

FNP to suspend Monday edition

Related: 20090215 MD Senate Republican Caucus Mourning the Examiner

Originally published in the Frederick News-Post February 28, 2009

From Staff Reports

The Frederick News-Post will suspend printing its Monday edition starting in April, a measure the media company's owning family said underscores a commitment to saving jobs and subscribers' budgets.

March 30 will be the last Monday edition for the foreseeable future, said Editor and Publisher Myron Randall. The decision was driven by the effect of a dire economy on the 126-year-old newspaper and will cushion the organization financially over the coming months.

[…]

Monday's content will move to the Sunday and Tuesday editions.

[…]

The Frederick News-Post is the only continuously family-owned independent daily newspaper in Maryland.

Last year the newspaper celebrated its 125th anniversary and a record of never missing a scheduled day of publication.

Read the entire article here: FNP to suspend Monday edition

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=87045
20090228 FNP to suspend Monday edition

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Recent columns by Katherine Heerbrandt

Recent columns by Katherine Heerbrandt

December 24, 2008

Buck up, America Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/24/08 556 words
Whew. There aren't enough Christmas cookies and milk in the house to make that one go down easier. Thanks, Mr. Grinch, I mean Gingrich.

Merry mail redux Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/22/08 587 words
You know the ones I'm talking about. Printed on red paper with a border of snowflakes, those single-spaced, 10-point-type missives highlighting the exotic trips, the brainiac athletic offspring, the job promotions and the charity work rivaling Mother Teresa.

Hall bails on Hargett Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/19/08 551 words

Hall, a certain contender for Frederick mayor in 2010, sent a letter to Mayor Jeff Holtzinger and the aldermen Thursday, reiterating what she said in 2007 when she voted to condemn 148 acres west of the city for use as a regional park.

Hand me that shoe Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/17/08 536 words

Seems to me, though, you don't have to be a financial genius to figure out that unchecked, unabated, out-and-out greed on the part of a few is screwing it up for the rest of us.

Matter of trust Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/15/08 506 words
The immigration advocacy group has legitimate beefs with the sheriff's office over its public information requests regarding the sheriff's controversial partnership with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Sheriff Jenkins admitted his office didn't "cross all the "T's" and dot all the requisite "I's" in responding to CASA.

Breaking up is hard to do Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/12/08 553 words The mayor and Board of Aldermen received a Dear John letter last week, hand delivered in an envelope marked "Confidential." The breakup note didn't even try to soften the blow with an apology or well wishes, and ended with a terse directive that candidates must file at City Hall, not Winchester Hall.

Inspiring minds Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/10/08 556 words Last week 930 WFMD radio's Bob Miller and Blaine Young worked tirelessly to raise more than $123,000 for the 33rd annual Christmas Cash for Kids program. The money will buy toys for almost 3,000 needy kids in Frederick County.

All you need is love Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/08/08 560 words
How brave of Corrigan, a former naval officer, to say so out loud. He's right, of course. It's just that simple and just that complicated.

Passion vs. logic Katherine Heerbrandt By: 12/05/08 550 wordsThat's not a new concept, but it's an essential truth, especially when it comes to the issues of illegal immigration and "counting kids."

20081224 Recent columns by Katherine Heerbrandt

Frederick News Post Editorial New Credit Card Rules

Frederick News Post Editorial New Credit Card Rules

Originally published in the Frederick News–Post December 23, 2008

Federal officials have moved to protect credit card holders from several common practices employed by companies that issue cards. This has been a long time coming and, unfortunately, won't take effect until July 2010. Some also argue that the new rules don't go far enough in protecting cardholders from unfair and costly practices.

Still, the new rules are a big improvement. Perhaps the most important reform involves interest rates. When the new rules become active, card-issuing companies will no longer be allowed to apply interest rate hikes to existing balances. (There will be some exceptions, such as payments that are more than 30 days late.)

Read the entire editorial here: New credit card rules

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_editorial.htm?StoryID=84310

20081223 Frederick News Post Editorial New Credit Card Rules

Saturday, May 03, 2008

20080428 Dearbought resident Steve Berryman battles political apathy by Nicholas Stern Frederick News Post

Dearbought resident battles political apathy

Originally published April 28, 2008 By Nicholas C. Stern News-Post Staff

Steve Berryman Photo by Sam Yu

During his hour-long daily commute to work, where he estimates, bids and negotiates construction projects, Steve Berryman, a resident of the Dearbought community in Frederick, tunes in to talk radio.

A self-described news and information junkie, Berryman doesn't just allow what he hears to wash over him.

He uses the power of the pen to take a stand, to influence the way those around him think, and to clear his community from what he sees as a negative effect from Muslim worshippers and illegal immigrants.

Berryman said he began maintaining his blog, www.infoservesme.blogspot.com, several years ago.

"Writing about things that made me mad made me feel better," Berryman said.

One of those things was an appeal more than a year ago by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to build a worship and recreation center on agricultural land in Walkersville.

Berryman became the spokesman for Citizens for Walkersville, a group opposed to allowing an exception in zoning ordinances to build the Muslim center.

In February, the Walkersville Board of Zoning Appeals denied that exception.

Within the past three months, Berryman said, he was contacted by Help Save Maryland, a grassroots anti-illegal immigrant group, to be its Frederick County coordinator.

Berryman also contributes to a local political commentary website, www.thetentacle.com, where he is joined by, among others, Joan McIntyre, a former member of the Frederick County Planning Commission, and Rick Weldon, a state delegate representing Frederick and Washington counties.

Illegal immigrants, Berryman said, are a drain on precious education and health resources, and are disproportionately inclined to join violent gangs. Frederick County hasn't reached a critical stage, Berryman said, but the writing is on the wall.

Read the rest of the interview here:

http://infoservesme.blogspot.com/2008/04/dearbought-resident-battles-political.html

or here: Dearbought resident battles political apathy

Related: InfoServesMe by Steve Berryman

http://www.infoservesme.blogspot.com/

www.thetentacle.com

Monday, September 17, 2007

20070915 Antietam museum to display Civil War medal of honor by Karen Gardner, Frederick News-Post

Antietam museum to display Civil War medal of honor

By Karen Gardner, News-Post Staff September 15, 2007

An original Medal of Honor given to a Vermont man for his actions during the Battle of South Mountain will be donated to the museum at Antietam National Battlefield on Monday.

There will be a ceremony at 7 p.m. in the Visitor Center.

The medal belonged to 1st Lt. George W. Hooker, 4th Vermont Infantry. He was given the country’s highest honor for the single-handed capture of 116 Confederate soldiers and their colors at the Battle of Crampton’s Gap on Sept. 14, 1862.

Henry Willard, a direct descendent of Hooker will present the medal to park superintendent John Howard.

The program will also feature commentary by several historians.

Local author John Schildt will discuss the spirit of sacrifice of fighting service members in wars. Antietam historian Ted Alexander will speak on the Medal of Honor in the Civil War and the Maryland Campaign. His talk will cover the other medals awarded at Antietam.

Al Preston, historian of the South Mountain State Battlefield, will provide commentary on Hooker’s actions in the Battle of Crampton’s Gap. Singer Hedy Henderson will perform several patriotic numbers. Afterward, the medal will be on display in the visitor center lobby for the duration of the evening’s event. The event is free. For details call 301-432 -5124.

####

History American Civil War, History American Civil War Antietam

Sunday, March 25, 2007

20070324 Reporters on the move

Reporters on the move

March 24^th, 2007

Saturday, March 24^th, 2007 was, I think, the first story by Justin Palk as a reporter for the Frederick News-Post.

The article, “Yard waste collection set to begin next month,” was originally published today, March 24, 2007.

Justin Palk is perhaps one of the quickest reporters with the copy, (although, most all of us agree, the reigning record holder for being consistent and prolific, is Tom Stuckey, now retired, who was the AP Bureau Chief in Annapolis for many years. Read: “Go Ask Stuckey,” which I wrote for The Tentacle on December 6^th, 2007.)

In the past I could attend the same event with Mr. Palk and by the time I got home and called Mr. Palk with a question, he will have already traveled to his office and filed his article and be headed back out the door…

Several weeks ago I learned that Mr. Palk was moving on from the Carroll County Times to the Frederick News-Post. His first day with the Frederick paper was March 20^th, 2007.

At the Frederick News-Post, he will be initially covering the City of Frederick.

I was an elected official when Mr. Palk came with the Times in May 2003. I always appreciated his no-nonsense straightforward style. Over recent years he has covered a couple of the local Carroll County municipalities and the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis.

I guess one of the reasons I seemed to consistently understand Mr. Palk was the fact that before he started with the Carroll County Times he used to be a “software developer at Veridian Systems in Ann Arbor, MI.,” according to his Carroll County Times web site bio.

The web site bio also indicates that “He received his master's degree from the University of Maryland in May 2003, and his BS in computer science and English Literature from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in December 1999.”

His articles will be missed at the Carroll County Times. Reporters come and go over at the Times, some ya miss; others – you don’t.

Mr. Palk will be missed – especially his coverage of Annapolis.

Hopefully the Frederick News-Post, which I read online, almost every day, will quickly figure out that he will attract many readers by letting him travel over to Annapolis once a week. He has developed too big a following.

We wish Mr. Palk the best over at the Frederick News-Post. Frederick’s gain is Carroll County’s loss.

####

Friday, March 23, 2007

20070313 Another loony moment from Andy Rooney

Another loony moment from Andy Rooney

Andy Rooney doesn’t write – he types.

March 13^th, 2007 – March 22, 2007

As indicated by the March 13 Frederick News-Post editorial; the paper is taking some heat for printing Andy Rooney's March 5 column, “I feel a draft.”

Justifiably so. The editorial wrote: “In our opinion, Rooney made some thoughtless and downright untrue statements in that column…” I could not agree more… But the column by Mr. Rooney was unworthy of a response. That only draws more attention to his mindless mumblings.

I cannot find the column by Mr. Rooney on the Frederick News-Post web site, however, you may find here on Mr. Rooney’s web site… The column appeared on the CBS web site on March 11, 2007…

The Frederick News-Post editorial wrote:

Andy Rooney's March 5 column, "I feel a draft," addressed the current and pre-World War II composition of the U.S. armed forces. That column has drawn several indignant letters and other communications, and we understand why.

Rooney, a World War II veteran, complained that when, as a college student, he was drafted in August 1941, the Army was already full of soldiers who had joined up as a last resort because they couldn't make a go of it in the wider world. Rooney and thousands like him were called up by the draft intended to fill the ranks for the coming war.

[…]

Several letter writers have suggested that we should not have run Rooney's column. We believe the discussion that it generated has justified the decision to publish it.

The editorial is right – and then again, in a roundabout way, this last paragraph missing a more subtle point.

When I scanned the column, my thoughts were that it was a waste of my time and then I wondered that considering all the talented columnists available these days – Why in the world is the Frederick News-Post running Andy Rooney?

At the time I felt no overwhelming need to respond. I just put the column in the “Ann Coulter” category. I have arrived at a point where I simply ignore her See here: “20070303 Ann Coulter comment on Edwards is reprehensible and here and here: “20070305 Time to Give Coulter the Cold Shoulder.”

The editorial said, “We believe the discussion that it generated has justified the decision to publish it.”

Well, in order to elicit intelligent discussion, run an intelligent column. And it is not a matter as to whether or not I agree with the particular worldview of a particular columnist. Heckfire, I often do not agree with Joe Voltz – but I will actually read his column.

Andy Rooney is a washed-up has-been nebbish. Perhaps the Frederick News-Post may want to consider running a cogent column which folks are actually going to read and gain value.

Run a column which folks are actually going to read and gain value.

To utilize a Truman Capote quote to succinctly critique Mr. Rooney’s columns, ‘That's not writing, it's typing.”

####

Thursday, March 22, 2007

20070313 Mindless ramblings about peripatetic artisans of the keyboard

Mindless ramblings about old geezers, old columnists, young writers, and peripatetic artisans of the keyboard

March 13^th, 2007 – March 22, 2007

Joe Volz writes a column for the Frederick News-Post and I re-read a recent column today and enjoyed it… Old Soldiers Never Die by Joe Volz.

As a columnist Mr. Volz maintains a rather frenetic pace. If I am not mistaken, he writes three columns a week. I write two columns a week and sometimes that maxes me out. I marvel at the folks like Rick Weldon, Joe Volz and Wendi Thomas, who just seem to effortlessly knock out one interesting and well written column after another.

Certainly another writer for which I have always been impressed is the editor of the Carroll County Times, Jim Lee, who if I am not mistaken, writes most all of the 6 editorials a week that appear in the paper and a weekly column…

Then there is Kelsey Volkmann who just seems to knock out several articles a day – all week… and still have time to chat.

But anyway, where was I - - Oh, getting back to Mr. Volz…

I do not always agree with Mr. Volz but I try to read his column as often as possible. My favorite Joe Volz column in 2006 was his June 6^th, 2006, “The Obit Page.”

I wish I had a link – but then again, I don’t think the Frederick News-Post uses permalinks - - and their archives hidden behind a pay-wall is just really quite annoying, bit involves a scope well beyond this piece… Maybe Joe’ll consider letting me post it.

My favorite paragraph (among many) was: “Perhaps, the amateur obit writers may not match the skill of the late New York quip-witted humorist, Dorothy Parker, who once observed, ‘I don't care what is written about me as long as it isn't true.’ ”

Yes, I’m a huge Dorothy Parker fan.

Jim Lee over at the Carroll County Times has recently ventured into the world of blogs. In one of his recent posts, “Mega-bust,” in which he questioned aloud what you would do if you won the lottery, I wrote in the comment section:

Kevin Dayhoff wrote on March 12, 2007 1:27 AM: "If I were to win the lottery, the first thing I would want is advice; so I would probably endeavor to interview Annabel and Midge from Dorothy Parker’s “The Standard of Living.” Of course things were different in 1941; nevertheless, one can be sure that their guidance would be crucial. Then I would go get a Hoffman’s milkshake and a package of Starbuck’s coffee – and go back to my desk and go back to work. "

I wish I could link ya to the post on the Carroll County Times web site, but the paper does not use permalinks and the post, to the best of my knowledge, the blog entry has long since disappeared into cyber-space….

A recent Joe Volz column involved a human-interest story and I just thought it was a nice read – I guess especially since I had a number of friends who either live, work or went to school in New Jersey.

One of the great joys of toiling as a New Jersey newspaperman for a number of years was that I got to cover the state's great cultural institution -- organized crime.

So, when I moved to Maryland 30 years ago, where the crime is of a decidedly different caliber -- mainly disorganized -- I was distraught.

[…]

Down in Maryland, I encountered a bunch of non-violent criminals, like Vice President Spiro Agnew, who had no difficulty getting in trouble with the law. Frankly, their exploits weren't as colorful.

[…]

The prevailing wisdom among us Mafia watchers was that mobsters didn't have to worry about Medicare. They didn't live that long, invariably dying in their prime from a lethal dose of lead poisoning.

So, it is heartening to read the latest news from Fort Lauderdale. At least one old Mafia soldier has defied the odds.

[…]

You would think that Albert Facchiano, who turns 97 tomorrow and is appropriately nicknamed "The Old Man," would have gotten a little respect from Florida law enforcers just for dodging so many bullets for so long.

Read the rest of the column here and enjoy it: “Old Soldiers Never Die by Joe Volz.”

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

20070305 Frederick News-Post web cast

Cliff Cumber – star of the print and now visual media

March 5^th, 2007

As all of the internet media continues to vertically integrate we find Frederick News-Post journalist Cliff Cumber debuting as a luminary of the small screen in the Frederick News-Posts’ web cast, http://fnp3.newspost.com/.

But Cliff, we gotta tell you that Tina Wiseman with “Tina Tells All,” stole the show.

When is Doug Tallman going to get a web cast with the Gazette? Or Justin Palk or Jamie Kelly with the Carroll County Times?

Maybe Ms. Wiseman knows – get her back on the screen…

Go here to find the web cast - or here. Way cool.

And let’s weigh-in on from whom we wish to see in additional web casts?

Justin Palk?

Jamie Kelly?

How about Kelsey Volkmann with the Baltimore Examiner?

Come a little closer and I’ll tell ya a secret. The Carroll County Times has some of the very best news photographers around, so what’s up with the mug shots of Jamie and Justin anyway? Gentlemen, news web casting is the next cutting edge – go grab a news photog now and get us a better publicity shot…

Kevin

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