Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Politics Carroll Co Democrats Liberals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics Carroll Co Democrats Liberals. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Ben Cardin speaking at the Carroll Co Democratic Central Committee breakfast Oct. 14, 2017

Ben Cardin speaking at the Carroll Co Democratic Central Committee breakfast Oct. 14, 2017

At the last Carroll County NAACP meeting last on Sept. 28, 2017 it was requested that we call to the membership’s attention that U.S. Senator Ben Cardin will be speaking in Westminster at the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee breakfast October 14, 2017

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Ben Cardin Speaking in Westminster Carroll County Democratic Central Committee breakfast October 14, 2017

Please join the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee for our annual Fall Breakfast on Saturday, October 14th, from 9am - 11:30am at the Best Western Motel & Conference Center in Westminster.

The featured speaker for the morning will be US Senator Ben Cardin.

Cost is $40/person ($30 for students) and are available at the door. Organize a table of 8 or more in advance, and the cost is only $35 per person.

For more information contact Anita Riley - 410-781-0206 or dolcevitaap@verizon.net

Checks should be made out to "CCDCC" and mailed it to:

CCDCC
P. O. Box 2004
Westminster, MD 21158

Also please keep in mind other upcoming events & reminders from September Meeting

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Annual Civil Rights Tour January 4, 2018 – January 7, 2018

First Vice President Pam Zappardino asked for the flyer for this year’s Civil Rights Tour to be distributed to the membership. This year’s tour will take place from January 4, 2018 – January 7, 2018. More information will be coming. Until then - FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT DR. CHARLES COLLYER, (401)-258- 9834, or DR. PAMELA ZAPPARDINO at PAXWARTHOG@AOL.COM

Patriot Rally every Saturday at Locust Lane at Main Street across from the Library in downtown Westminster.

Pam also asked that the membership be reminded of the weekly gathering for Inclusion/Patriot Rally: Every Saturday from 1pm to 2pm in front of the Westminster Library (50 East Main Street). This is a peaceful gathering to spread the love! Make a sign to celebrate inclusion.

Ben Cardin will be speaking in Westminster Carroll County Democratic Central Committee breakfast Saturday, October 14, 2017. President Jean asked that I send out a notification for folks to be in touch with her, if you would like to join several others members of the Carroll County NAACP – to fill a table. Any questions, please contact President Jean. She may be reached at 410-861-6872 at home or (443) 386-7191 or jjlewis2@comcast.net Jean also texts…

The annual breakfast will be held on Saturday, October 14th, from 9am - 11:30am at the Best Western Motel & Conference Center in Westminster. Cost is $40/person ($30 for students) and are available at the door. Organize a table of 8 or more in advance, and the cost is only $35 per person. For more information contact Anita Riley - 410-781-0206 or dolcevitaap@verizon.net Checks should be made out to "CCDCC" and mailed it to: CCDCC, P. O. Box 2004, Westminster, MD 21158

Alice's Ordinary People film to be shown at the Carroll Arts Center on Oct. l6, 2017 at 7 p.m.

At the last Carroll County NAACP meeting last on Sept. 28, 2017 President Jaen Lewis requested that we call to the membership’s attention a free screening of Alice's Ordinary People with filmmaker Craig Dudnick at the Carroll Arts Center, Monday, October 16 at 7:00 pm.

In Honor of National Work and Family Month, the Carroll County Public Library presents, in partnership with Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality, The Community Media Center of Carroll County and the NAACP Carroll County,

A free screening of Alice's Ordinary People with filmmaker Craig Dudnick at the Carroll Arts Center, Monday, October 16 at 7:00 pm.

ABOUT THE FILM

Born in 1929, civil rights activist Alice Tregay was best known for fighting segregation in Chicago schools. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in the 1960s to improve educational opportunities for blacks. She directed local and national voter registration campaigns under Operation Breadbasket, which worked to improve job opportunities for African Americans. In the 1990s, she marched in Washington D.C. to demand that Congress and the White House create jobs. She received many prestigious awards for her outstanding work in civil rights and community service, most notably one presented in March of 2004 by young Illinois State Senator Barack Obama, who would become the 44th President of the United States and the first African American to hold that office.

The screening will take place at the Carroll County Arts Center, 91 West Main Street, Westminster, MD. A Celebrating America program.

For more information contact the Carroll County Public Library 410.386.4488

To register for this event click here: https://library.carr.org/programs/reg_one.asp?record=44136

The Carroll County NAACP is busily planning our 15th annual Freedom Fund Banquet Friday, October 20, 2017 at 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM at Martin's Westminster 505 Jermor Ln, Westminster, Maryland 21157.

Purchase your tickets by October 19, 2017 for only $55! (Tickets are $60 at the door.) Buy your tickets online - Or contact Jean (410)861-6378 or Bernard (410)876-2358. To purchase your tickets online, please go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/15th-annual-carroll-county-naacp-freedom-fund-banquet-tickets-37678478343

Appy Time For Learning Fundraiser When: Saturday, October 21, 2017
Where: Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar (634 Baltimore Blvd. Westminster, MD 21157) Cost: $9.00 per person, Kids 8 and under - $4.50 Click this link for a flier: http://appytimeforlearning.com/uploads/8/2/3/9/82394148/flapjackfundraiser.pdf

The Former Students & Friends of Robert Moton High School's Gospel Extravaganza on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 4 pm. Featuring these Gospel performers: Chosen Vessels - Damascus, MD; Who So Ever Will - Frederick, MD; Kermit Golden - Baltimore, MD; Voices of Affirmed Odyssey - Baltimore, MD; Spiritual Harmonizers – VA; With Special Guest; The Yancey Brothers – Newark, DE. For more information, contact Ernest Thomas 301-418-0333 or go to the Carroll Arts Council Website: http://www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org/eventdetail.asp?event_id=1774
Phone: 410-848-7272   Email: info@CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org Carroll County Arts Council: 91 West Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157

St. Paul's United Church of Christ's 3rd Annual Community-Wide Racial Justice event October 22, 2017 Busting Stereotypes about Racism: Beyond Confederate Monuments and Racist Relatives. An informational program aimed at understanding STRUCTURAL RACISM and exploring ways to alleviate it. Sunday, October 22, 2017, 3-5 p.m., St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 17 Bond Street (corner of Bond and Green) Westminster, MD 21157. Followed by Amazing Appetizers and Superb Desserts. A Free Will Offering will be taken to benefit: Carroll Citizens for Racial Equality and Carroll County NAACP. Scheduled speakers: Dr. Roxanna Harlow, Dr. Charlie Collyer, Dr. Richard Smith, Ms. Judy Jones, Dr. Jim Kunz, Mr. Gary Honeman, and the Rev. Dr. Marty Kuchma

The Woman's Club of Westminster will sponsor a Domestic Violence Education & Prevention Forum on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at the Carroll Arts Center from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. The Keynote speaker will be Keynote Speaker: Ms. Terry Smack, Founder, Terry’s Tag & Title. There will be a panel discussion: “Sharing Services & Consequences,” moderated by: Ms. Babs Condon, GFWC International Past President 2014-16. The event will also feature Three Live Skits by “Foolproof” Drama Group. There is no charge for admission and light refreshments will be served. Panel Discussion: “Sharing Services & Consequences” Moderated by: Ms. Babs Condon, GFWC International Past President 2014-16. For more information, feel free to contact me.

MD State NAACP Conference Convention Oct. 27-28, 2017

Carroll County One Book at Westminster Library on November 2, 2017. Book is "In Carrie's Footprints” by Warren Dorsey
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I am out of time – more when I get a chance. Any additions, corrections, or edits are always welcome with me.

Sent by CC NAACP Branch 7014 Secretary Kevin Dayhoff. I can be reached at 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com

If you would like to be removed from this email distribution list – just send me an email me with REMOVE in the subject line. If you know of someone who would appreciate a few current events announcements from the CC NAACP Branch 7014; have them send me an email with NAACP in the subject line and I will be happy to add their name and email address. Thanks

Find us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ccnaacp/

Find us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/ccnaacp

NAACP Carroll Co. Branch #7014
255 Clifton Blvd., Suite 310,
Westminster, MD 21157

NAACP STATEMENT ON ENDORSEMENTS OF POLITICAL CANDIDATES OR PARTIES BALTIMORE, MD – The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not endorse candidates or political parties, or engage in direct campaigning.

As the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, the NAACP actively works with our more than 2,000 branches to inform and encourage civic engagement through voter registration activities and public forums, and actively opposes voter discrimination and other policies that make it more difficult for citizens to cast their ballot.

The NAACP works to educate all political candidates to support policies that improve access to quality education and economic opportunity, criminal justice reform, the environment, healthcare and youth empowerment, with a dedication to removing race-based hatred and discrimination from society.

###


Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas here. (Feb 11, 2016 http://www.naacp.org/latest/naacp-statement-on-endorsements-of-political-candidates-or-parties/
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Monday, June 24, 2013

Breitbart: Carroll County Maryland Tea Party accused of violence

Breitbart: Carroll County Maryland Tea Party accused of violence

Democrats in
Maryland accused local Tea Partiers of having “violent tendencies

I went to Commissioner Haven Shoemaker's announcement today at the library, in spite of my concern that there would be violence. I'm just saying... http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/06/22/Tea-Party-Group-Banned-from-Town-Hall-Because-of-Maryland-Democrats-Smear

This is far beyond sad. I have my criticisms of the Tea Party folks and of the local Democrats - but I must say that fear of violence has never been a concern. I have witnessed Liberals trash places where they have held rallies. I have never worried about violence. I have worried about sheer nonsense out of both camps... I have never worried about violence from either the liberals or the conservatives in our community.

The only time I have ever worried about violence came from card-carrying Democrats when I worked for Civil Rights in the south in the early 1970s. I'm just saying...

TEA PARTY GROUP BANNED FROM TOWN HALL BECAUSE OF MARYLAND DEMOCRATS' SMEAR by MATTHEW BOYLE 22 Jun 2013 http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/06/22/Tea-Party-Group-Banned-from-Town-Hall-Because-of-Maryland-Democrats-Smear

Democrats in Maryland accused local Tea Partiers of having “violent tendencies,” resulting in them being banned by local law enforcement from attending an upcoming town hall event with their Congressman, Breitbart News has learned.

Local Maryland bloggers at Front Line State broke the story on Saturday morning, noting that “Carroll County Maryland Democrats have reportedly attempted to use the Sheriff’s department to keep members of a local Tea Party activist group from attending a ‘meet and greet’ with their congressional representative, Chris Van Hollen, on Monday June 24 at Caroll County Community College (CCCC).”

Van Hollen is the ranking member of the House Budget Committee

Michelle Jefferson of We The People (WTP), a local Tea Party group in the area, told Front Line State that she had spoken with Major Tom Long of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department when she returned home on Wednesday after the “Audit The IRS” rally in Washington, D.C.

Long told her that Don West, the recording secretary for the Carroll County Democratic Central Committee, had contacted the Community College’s campus security, the State Police, and the county sheriff’s office asking that We The People be banned from attending Van Hollen’s upcoming town hall event. He claimed the Tea Party group engages in what he described as “violent tendencies.”


It was later discovered that West, the Democratic Party official, filed an “interim peace order” against WTP’s Jefferson. Read more http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/06/22/Tea-Party-Group-Banned-from-Town-Hall-Because-of-Maryland-Democrats-Smear
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Friday, October 31, 2008

Election Day Food Drive to support Carroll County Food Sunday

Election Day Food Drive to support Carroll County Food Sunday

PRESS RELEASE October 8, 2008 – Posted October 31, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Martin Radinsky
443-520-7750
Carroll County Democratic Central Committee

Election Day Food Drive to support Carroll County Food Sunday

Westminster, MD - October 8, 2008 - The Carroll County Democratic Central Committee will be conducting and "Election Day Food Drive" during the upcoming Presidential Election in support of Carroll County Food Sunday.

Our goal is, with volunteer support, to have manned collection boxes at the polling places, respecting all electioneering laws. The community service event will be conducted in a non partisan fashion and volunteers will be asked not to engage in political activity while collecting for Carroll County Food Sunday. We welcome the support from all organizations, political clubs, and political parties in helping to feed our neighbors in need in Carroll County.

Should you wish to volunteer to assist in this community service project please email Martin Radinsky at maradinsky@comcast.net or call 443-520-7750. Carroll County Food Sunday will offer "Community Service Hours" for any student wishing to volunteer their time.

**********

Carroll County Food Sunday distributes from the following county sites - WESTMINSTER: from 10 to 11:15 am and 1 to 2:15 pm, Tuesday through Thursday, and 9 am to 11:30 am, Saturday at 10 Distillery Drive (ground floor). TANEYTOWN: from 9:30 to 11:15 am, Thursday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 44 Frederick Street. SYKESVILLE: from 10 am to noon, Wednesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Freedom Avenue and Liberty Roads. This organization is run by volunteers, and is always in need of additional volunteer help. Donations of money and/or food are gladly accepted.


20081008 Election Day Food Drive to support Carroll County Food Sunday

Sunday, September 07, 2008

It's Worse Than We Realized

It's Worse Than We Realized

Hat Tip: JAMS

September 6, 2008

This photo evidences a disturbing trend that is beginning to affect wildlife in the U.S.

Animals that were formerly self-sufficient are now showing signs of belonging to the Democratic Party as they have apparently learned to simply sit and wait for the government to provide for their care and sustenance.
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Often when folks ask... I tell them I’m a Republican because I don’t want to grow old waiting for the government to help me.

20080906 It is worse than we realized

Friday, August 29, 2008

Carroll County Times Editorial: City was wasteful in spending

Carroll County Times Editorial: City was wasteful in spending

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

City was wasteful in spending

No matter how the mayor or Westminster or council members want to spin it, sending 15 people to a conference and then racking up a $1,500 bill for an expensive meal of lobster and alcohol is not prudent given the city's dire financial situation.

In fact, it was just a month ago that Mayor Thomas Ferguson, in announcing the elimination of several positions and firing of several employees, said, "[The layoffs] are clearly driven by the economic environment we're in. Revenue is not growing."

He also said, "The city is looking at all aspects of the government to find productivity gains and cost savings."

Well, perhaps not all aspects.

In all it cost the city $19,000 to send 15 people to the Maryland Municipal League conference. The conference itself can be a good, learning experience. But the city could have done as most companies watching dollars do and saved money by sending half as many people and having them report back to everyone else about what they learned.

And then there's the matter of the extravagant dinner at the expensive Fager's Island restaurant and Bar, which some on the council have tried to pass off as worthwhile for its "team building" value, at a cost of almost $1,500.

Most families, when faced with mounting bills and difficulty paying, don't go out for extravagant dinners or engage in other wasteful spending. Perhaps a cookout with hamburgers and hotdogs would have been better for the "team building" atmosphere than throwing money around like there's no tomorrow, even as these same officials lamented the lack of money that is forcing them to fire people.

The mayor says he will pay the bill out of his own pocket. He says he has done that in the past. But the council members and others who spent the evening drinking alcohol and eating lobster amount to a slap in the face to the employees who were terminated, supposedly, because of budget woes. It's also a slap in the face to taxpayers, who all through the budget season listened to them moan and groan about how tight money was - to the point that the council never did hold a public hearing on the final budget.

Westminster voters today should be asking themselves about the decision-making abilities of the people who they have elected to office.

In front of the public, they whine about having no money in the budget. Then they scoot off in droves to a conference where money - that same tax money - flows quite freely. And upon being questioned, they defend their extravagance as somehow necessary and helpful to the city.

This conference is just one example, but if it is indicative of the way Westminster handles its finances, it is no wonder money is tight and people need to be laid off to pay for the alcohol and lobster.


20080827 Carroll County Times editorial: City was wasteful in spending

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/08/27/news/opinion/editorial/editorial533.txt

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Westminster officials: Spending $19,000 on conference worth it

Westminster officials: Spending $19,000 on conference worth it

By Bryan Schutt, Carroll County Times Staff Writer
Sunday, August 24, 2008

Westminster officials said the roughly $19,000 of expenses related to sending 15 employees to the Maryland Municipal League Conference on the Eastern Shore this past June wasn’t excessive, and they argue that the benefits from attending far outweigh the costs.

They also said the nearly $1,500 they spent on a social dinner for about 16 people that the city was to pay for was justified.

The bill, incurred at Fager’s Island Restaurant and Bar in Ocean City, included about $1,000 in food charges and $200 in alcohol charges plus a tip. The expenses were part of information received through a Public Information Act request filed by the Carroll County Times.

Unbeknownst to the officials, Mayor Thomas Ferguson said he planned to reimburse the city for the dinner bill, as he said he has in the past. Ferguson declined to offer proof showing he had paid the past dinner bills.

[…]

The 15-person contingent of city employees and officials attended the Ocean City conference from June 22 through 25. The dinner was on the night of June 22.

Reach staff writer Bryan Schutt at 410-857-7886 or bryan.schutt@carrollcountytimes.com.

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/08/24/news/local_news/newsstory4.txt

20080824 Westminster officials Spending 19K on conference worth it

Monday, June 16, 2008

20080623 Reception for Jennifer Dougherty June 25 at Salerno’s in Eldersburg

Welcome Reception for Jennifer Dougherty - Candidate for Congress

6th Congressional District of Maryland

Jennifer Dougherty Reception

DATE: Wednesday, June 25, 2008

TIME: 6:30 - 8:30 PM

LOCATION: Salerno's

Liberty Road

Eldersburg, MD

COST: $50 per ticket/$75 for two

PLEASE JOIN US AND HELP SUPPORT OUR CANDIDATE!

IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE IN THE 6TH

FOR INFORMATION/RESERVATIONS PLEASE CALL

ANITA RILEY (410) 781-0206

RICK SOLOMON (410) 552-0645

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO JENNIFER DOUGHERTY FOR CONGRESS

Carroll County Democratic Central Committee

5602 Gera Way

Eldersburg, Maryland 21784

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Testimony of MD Sen. David Brinkley in support of SB 675 Carroll County five districts legislation…

Testimony of MD Sen. David Brinkley in support of SB 675 Carroll County five districts legislation…

On or about March 7, 2008


Senate Bill 675 would create five new districts for the purpose of changing county commissioner elections in Carroll County from three commissioners elected at-large to five commissioners elected by district.  The bill adopts the districting plan known as “Option 1” prepared by the Carroll County Districting Commission in 2006.  The two options presented in the Commission’s final report are attached and available in color on-line at: http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/topics/redist-map/default.asp.

This same “Option 1” districting plan was incorporated in House Bill 491 which was passed by the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee during the 2006 Session.  However, that bill failed to reach final passage by sine die and the districting plan became the subject of court proceedings.  The case reached the Court of Appeals which ruled that only the General Assembly can create commissioner districts in Carroll County.  The court ruling reverted the 2006 election to three commissioners elected at-large.

The chief critic of the “Option 1” plan is Martin Radinsky, Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Carroll County, who views the map as a right-wing conspiracy patently unfair to Democrats because it “divides the pockets of Democrats that exist in the county, and I believe this is the intention of our 100 percent Republican delegation.” (Carroll County Times article, February 23, 2008)

I can assure this Committee that nothing is further from the truth than Mr. Radinsky’s comments.

First, there are strong policy reasons to adopt Option 1 over Option 2, including:

Option 2 violates the Commission’s own Guidelines by splitting municipal boundaries.  At the beginning of the districting process, the Commission adopted guidelines that included: “High regard should be given to the boundaries of political subdivisions, and where possible, the splitting of municipalities should be avoided.”  Option 2 bisects the municipality of Sykesville splitting the historic town from newer annexations including its major economic development project known as the “Warfield Complex.”  Option 1 does not split any municipal boundaries and supports a overall districting scheme in which larger municipalities serve as anchors for each district with Sykesville anchoring District 5 and Mt. Airy anchoring District 4.

Option 2 bisects a large unincorporated community planning area know as Finksburg.  On the eastern side of Carroll County is a growing residential area that does not have the advantages of municipal government but is organized informally within the Finksburg Area Planning Council.  Residents of this area oppose Option 2 because it literally splits in half the community planning area.  Option 1 preserves the unification of the Finksburg region and also supports the overall districting scheme in which larger municipalities serve as anchors for each district with Hampstead anchoring District 2.

Secondly, Mr. Radinsky is wrong when he claims that the Option 1 map “divides the pockets of Democrats” to provide an unfair political advantage to Republican commissioner candidates.  As shown by the attached tables, it is actually Mr. Radinsky’s Option 2 map that dilutes the Democrat voting strength.  In contrast, Option 1 provides the Democrats with two districts where the margin of Republican to Democrat voter registration is less than 16%.

As you can see from the voter registration data, the Carroll County Delegation has placed policy considerations above politics by selecting Option 1 and by rejecting Option 2 which would dilute Democrat voting strength by “dividing the pockets of Democrats that exist in the county.”  For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Committee give a favorable report to Senate Bill 675.





*****

Friday, January 18, 2008

20080126 Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner


Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner

Please Join Us January 26, 2008

Master of Ceremony: Josh Rales

Keynote Speaker: Attorney General Doug Gansler

6:00 PM Reception

7:00 PM Dinner

Martin's of Westminster

Reception $25

Dinner $50

FOR TICKET INFORMATION CONTACT

KELLY BUIE AT (443) 929-1242

TEAMBUIE05 AT MSN.COM

20080126 Annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner

Thursday, September 20, 2007

20070920 Carroll County Dems to hold Crab Feast on October 7, 2007

Carroll County Dems to hold Crab Feast

September 20th, 2007

THERE IS STILL TIME - CALL TODAY

The Carroll County Democratic Central Committee is holding its annual Crab Feast on Sunday, October 7, 2007.

It will be held at the American Legion at 2 Sycamore Street in Westminster from 1-5 PM and includes all you can eat crabs, chicken, BBQ rib bites, crab soup and beverages (beer included.)

Tickets are only $40 per person.

For further information or to obtain tickets please contact Kelly Buie at teambuie05 AT msn DOT com or (410) 751-0710.

Thank you from Carroll County Democratic Central Committee!

Sincerely,

Martin Radinsky, Carroll County Democratic Central Committee

By Authority of Phil Miller, Treasurer | Carroll County Democratic Central Committee | Carroll County | MD | 21157

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

20070818 Police Presence at Eldersburg Demonstration Raises Concern

Police Presence at Eldersburg Demonstration Raises Concern

August 18th, 2007

Found on:

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26039

http://www.carrollcountyprogressives.com/

http://wibspeakout.blogspot.com/2007/08/wib-westminster-in-solidarity-with.html

Police presence at Eldersburg demonstration raises concern...

At approximately 11:45am today during our demonstration four (4) Maryland State Troopers and one (1) Carroll County Sheriff Deputy pulled up at the Exxon gas station at the corner of Rt. 26 & Rt. 32. As Carroll County Sheriff Deputy McMillen approached me standing on the corner, I was surrounded by the State Troopers. They informed me that the sign I was holding was causing motorists to break the law and that I should not have 'Honk' to Impeach on the sign. They were respectful upon first talking to me and then you could feel their tension grow as Trooper Tindell stated, "...you really should not have the work 'honk' on your signs." At that moment I requested to speak to the duty officer for the Carroll County Sheriff's Department. Deputy McMillen stated that he would arrive in about thirty minutes. After the posse of troopers started to back off, we were able to speak to Deputy McMillen regarding why they were there. He then received a statement from Duty Officer Sgt. VanLeuvan over the radio and we were instructed to listen to the communication. Sgt. Vanleuvan asked Deputy McMillen, "Are these people in violation of any laws?" McMillen's response, "No." Sgt. VanLeuvan responded, "That there is nothing we can do."

At that point, I head my sign high above my head to express my freedom of speech about the impeachment of Bush, Cheney and Gonzales. Trooper Tindell continued his discussion with us stating, "We can pull any of these drivers over for unnecessarily honking their horns."

It was now two minutes of noon and we decided to disband anyway. Upon further thought and discussion, I took this a step further and contacted MD State Trooper Corporal Williams at the Westminster State Police Barracks regarding the police involvement. After much difficulty with communicating my concern, I stated that I would stop by the barracks to speak to him directly.

Upon arrival at the Westminster State Police Barracks just after 2:00 PM, I was greeted by Corporal Williams as he was sitting at the desk. He stated, "Before you ask anything, you are in fact breaking the law." He read article 26-101(f) of the Maryland Vehicle Law which pertained to article 22-401(b) of the Maryland Vehicle Law. Therefore, I questioned why the Troopers did not inform me of this article, but instead drove off ignoring the article and not issuing a citation. As you may imagine, I was not given a reason, yet Corporal Williams stated, "...we have a year and a day to file a charge against you." I went on asking why I was not informed of this article on Thursday, August 16, 2007 when I contacted the barracks and spoke to Sgt. Brawning about the upcoming demonstration. Again, I was not provided a reason why I was not informed about a law that I was being threatened with. I asked for an e-mail address for Lt. Richardson as was not provided one, yet I did receive the general e-mail address of westminster@mdsp.org to send any further communication about this incident.

I then drove to the Carroll County Sheriff's Department in Westminster and was greeted by a young US Navy Veteran waiting to go on a ride-along with one of the deputies. We discussed how most of the soldiers hate the war and believe it is all about oil and that most of them cannot wait to get out of Iraq. I thanked him for his service to our country, regardless of the misguided actions he was forced to take while enlisted. He readily agreed and then we were greeted by Sgt. VanLeuvan. I introduced myself and briefly recapped what transpired in Eldersburg earlier that day. I informed him that we were in fact breaking the law, and that I was informed of the article by Corporal Williams of the Maryland State Police. My opinion of his reaction was shock, as he did not seem familiar with the article at all. He went and retrieved the same Maryland Vehicle Law book and looked up the article that I mentioned. He read the entire article to me, something that MSP Corporal Williams refused to do. I then asked for a photocopy of the article so that I may share the information with the Carroll County Progressives to ensure that we did not continue to break that law in the future and he politely read each sub-heading individually to me so that I could write it down on my tablet. I thanked Sgt. VanLeuvan and left the Sheriff's Office.

I must say, I was quite surprised that the following officers and county official did not inform me of this article when I contacted them to ensure that I was not in violation of any laws, prior to the demonstration:

Sergeant Brawning of the Westminster State Police Barracks

Sergeant VanLeuvan of the Carroll County Sheriff's Department

Captain Jay Gribbin III of the Hampstead Police Department

Chief John Williams of the Sykesville Police Department

Chief William Spaulding of the Westminster Police Department

Carroll County Attorney Kim Millender

From this moment forward, the Carroll County Progressives demonstration will not be in violation of this article any further and will change their signage accordingly for future demonstrations. Stay tuned to this web page this week for our next planned demonstration. Much appreciation goes out to everyone that participated during this event.

We will be steadfast in maintaining our right to Freedom of Speech in this county and will still attend the September 15th March in Washington.

This county has not heard the last of us...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/26039

http://www.carrollcountyprogressives.com/

http://wibspeakout.blogspot.com/2007/08/wib-westminster-in-solidarity-with.html

Women in Black Westminster

Carroll County Progressives

Saturday, August 11, 2007

20070810 Carroll County Progressives to hold “Honk to Impeach” vigil in Westminster

Carroll County Progressives to hold “Honk to Impeach” vigil in Westminster

From the www.democrats .com web site: http://www.democrats.com/node/13920

Submitted by BBinMD on August 7, 2007 - 11:46pm.

MD

Honk To Impeach

VENUE: ***TIMES UPDATED*** Intersection of MD Rt. 140 & Englar Road

Westminster, MD 21157

starts: 08/11/2007 - 1:30pm ends: 08/11/2007 - 2:30pm

This Honk To Impeach demonstration will be held during heavy traffic times at this intersection, to help get the word out to the enormous amount of people that would like to change the Federal Government.

If this will be the first time you join us, please contact me at 410-440-2461 so that I can give you the information about the demonstration.

Thanks,

Brad Brown

brad.brown AT carrollcountyprogressives.com

####

Carroll County Progressives, Iraq War Reaction in Carroll Co., Women In Black Westminster

http://www.womeninblackwestminster.com/

http://www.carrollcountyprogressives.com/

Sunday, May 01, 2005

20041102 West Green St Wster Liberals by Justin Palk for the Carroll County Times

West Green St Wster Liberals by Justin Palk for the Carroll County Times

Webmaster’s note: In all three of my elections in Westminster in the past – May 1999, May 2001 and May 2005 - almost every one of my campaign signs, folks placed in their yards in the West Green Street area, were promptly removed…

Whatever… Oh there is no doubt that there are many really nice folks in the neighborhood. However, the perception of the Westminster community is that perhaps there are idiosyncratic examples of tolerance, but this area of town has a reputation for being elitist and condescending – and intolerance for anything or anyone who dares not believe as they do… May 2005/ked


Differences in politics don't prohibit folks from being friendly

By Justin Palk, Times Staff Writer, Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Lawns on West Green Street in Westminster are dotted with more Kerry-Edwards signs than might be expected, given that registered Democrats make up only one-third of registered voters in the county.

But the area is in a pretty progressive precinct, said resident Lloyd Helt.

However, with half the county's electorate composed of registered Republicans, it shouldn't be too surprising that some of those Kerry backers find their neighbors posting their own signs, urging passers-by to vote for the Bush-Cheney ticket.

Take the case of Helt and his wife, Ruth Gray, and their next-door neighbors, Jim and Mary Judge.

Helt and Gray have lived on Green Street for 10 years, and the Judges have lived there for five.

The Judges have a Bush-Cheney sign in their yard, while Helt and Gray have two signs in theirs - one supporting the Kerry-Edwards ticket, the other calling for the defeat of President George W. Bush.

Despite their differing political views, all four of them agree that they're pretty friendly neighbors. For the most part, the couples said, they don't even talk about politics.

"It's wonderful," Gray said. "It's America, it's democracy. Only through our signs do we communicate our politics."

They haven't even discussed it enough to agree to disagree about it, said Jim Judge.

"We don't have anything in common there," he said. "We just remain friendly neighbors."

Both couples said they usually have signs out.

This year, the signs are less of a mismatch than they could be, Helt said. In a year with local and state elections, the couple's lawn has signs for all the Democratic candidates. This year, with only federal races, things are a little less pronounced.

Reach staff writer Justin Palk at 410-751-5909 or
jpalk@lcniofmd.com.


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