September 21, 2004
Kevin Dayhoff (back row - center left) with the Maryland Army National Guard - Maryland partner city mayors visit to Estonia. This group picture was taken in the Estonian Parliament chambers, the Riigikogu, on September 21, 2004.
Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack Division of Old Silent Movies - www.kevindayhoff.net - Runner, writer, artist, fire and police chaplain. The mindless ramblings of a runner, journalist, and artist: National and International politics. For community see www.kevindayhoff.org. For art, writing and travel see www.kevindayhoff.com
Union Mills Newt Gingrich Visit
August 9th, 2003
The Union Mills
Built 1797
http://www.unionmills.org/gingrich.htm
In the picture to the left: left to right - James Shriver III, Mayor Kevin Dayhoff of Westminster, Newt Gingrich, Caroline Babylon, Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge and Tom LeGore
Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen, Gettysburg: A Novel of the Civil War,
MAYOR’S PROCLAMATION
Corbit’s Charge Day, June 29, 2003
WHEREAS, from 1861 to 1865, our nation fought in a Civil War to rid our nation of the scourge of slavery.
WHEREAS, Captain Charles Corbit led Companies C and D, First Delaware Cavalry, in a skirmish against General J.E.B. Stuart’s Cavalry Division on June 29, 1863 in Westminster, Maryland; which was a factor in General Stuart’s failure to reach the Gettysburg Battlefield before July 2, 1863; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster applaud the humanitarian efforts of Westminster’s citizens, who selflessly came together to the aid of the casualties of both Armies engaged in the conflict; and
WHEREAS, the end result of the American Civil War was that these United States became THE United States as the American Civil War helped to define our identify as a nation. The penalty for our sins, as a nation for allowing the scourge of slavery, was The American Civil War – but The Good Lord had a plan as providence saw through these terrible events in our great nation and our great community to accomplish great things; and
WHEREAS, The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster wish to commemorate the 140th Anniversary of Corbit’s Charge and pay homage to the bravery of the soldiers, from the North and the South and to our community’s citizens, who came together in the face of hardship and adversity.
NOW, THEREFORE, let it be known that I, Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff, do hereby declare Sunday, June 29, 2003 in
In honor of the soldiers who fought here so valiantly
and the sense of a community that came together as a result
of the horrible events of that day fateful 140 years ago.
Signed at City Hall this Twenty Ninth day of June
in the Year of our Lord, Two Thousand Three
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF, Westminster Mayor
February 1, 2003 Mayor’s Briefing Sheet
Maryland Municipal League’s Maryland Mayor’s Association - Mayor’s Press Conference February 1st, 2003
Also see:
For more information, click on: Maryland General Assembly Opera, Maryland Municipal League, Westminster City Finance, Maryland State Budget, Taxes Maryland.
[For past posts on “Soundtrack” about the Maryland Municipal League click on: Maryland Municipal League. Disclosure: I served on the Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors annually for five consecutive years, from June 2000 to May 2005.]
The recently released
Provisions of the FY 2004 state budget with potential negative impacts on municipal government include proposals to:
Withhold from local governments $102.4 million in Highway User Revenues. Cost to municipal governments in FY 2004 is $12,267,074 according to an analysis prepared last week by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services
Withhold $10 million in circuit breaker tax credit reimbursement payments to local governments to help pay for administrative costs of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Municipal impacts could approach $0.5 million.
Transfer to the state's general fund $29.9 million dollars from the local share of Program Open Space (POS) revenues. This represents a 48% reduction from the FY 02-03 program fund total. Total municipal losses will vary depending on what projects were planned for the coming year. However, an estimated 50% reduction to municipalities is likely in FY 2004.
Transfer to the state's general fund $8 million in the current fiscal year and $10 million in FY 2004 from the Waterway Improvement Program. Municipal impacts could approach $2.0 million.
Eliminate the Department of Natural Resources Community Parks and Playgrounds grant program. Since its inception two years ago, the program has provided around $11 million to local governments, with approximately 60% or $3.2 million of the funds going to municipalities in FY 2003 and 91% or $4.3 million in FY 2002.
Municipalities stand to receive additional funding through the following programs, which received more money in the Governor’s proposed FY 04 budget:
Increase to $8.7 million funding for the Community Legacy Program. Program funding has been $13 million and $6.5 million in each of the past two years. Municipalities received 76% or $10.7 million of these funds in FY 2002 and 83% or $2.3 million of available funds allocated thus far have been awarded to municipalities in FY 2003.
Increase by over $22 million, funding for the Maryland Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund and the Maryland Drinking Water Revolving Loan Program. Municipalities received $127 million or 32% of the available Water Quality Revolving Loan Fund monies from FY 2000 through FY 2003. Of the funding allocated from the Maryland Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund from FY 00 through FY 03, 75% or $15 million of the monies went to municipalities. State estimates put the total funds needed to rehabilitate aging wastewater treatment plants over the next twenty years to be $4 billion.
20030129
October 19, 2002
Picture caption: Westminster Mayor
Westminster Mayor
Dear Competitors, Judges, Parents, and Spectators:
On behalf of the City of
Veteran band parents and marching band enthusiasts know full well, while newcomers or “rookies” should be made aware of the fact - that today’s performances are the result of long hours of disciplined preparation during the late summer months.
Band directors, instructors, students, and parents have put in countless hours of practice and preparation to make today’s competition possible. The fine performances you will view on the contest field are just the tip of the iceberg called high school marching band. Thousands of dedicated hours of rehearsal and an inestimable amount of love for the activity have been willingly logged in - well before today’s event.
Competition is a wonderful thing! - It causes each of us to excel beyond our previous achievements. It can become an invidious and negative thing when it causes us to resent the achievements of others; however, you will not find any of that sort of thing here today.
While the competition is intense and only one band receives the
How do I know? I, and members of the Westminster City Staff have participated in the activity as far back as high school, of which one still is active in the Tournament of Bands judging community.
Please enjoy the contest and your time in
Best wishes,
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Mayor
KED/str
20021019 Freestate Spectacular XVI Marching Band Competition
Labels: Music, Music high school marching bands, Music Westminster High School marching band, Personal, Westminster Councilman/Mayor Dayhoff
"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."
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.
Westminster council OKs ’03 budget
The $21.9 million plan includes city's first tax increase in five years
May 14, 2002
The
"When you take the [Longwell] garage out, there's been very little real growth in our budget, only $100,000 over last year's" budget, said Councilman L. Gregory Pecoraro, finance committee chairman.
The city's budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, includes money for day-to-day operations, its building program and water and sewer funds. No changes were made in water and sewer rates.
4.8-cent tax increase
The property tax will increase 4.8 cents to 40 cents per $100 of assessed value.
That means the owner of a home with an assessed value of $125,000 will pay $500 in property taxes next year, instead of $440, officials said.
When work on the budget began in April, city officials faced a $2.1 million difference in spending and revenue. The council trimmed $1.6 million from the spending plan in a work session. The tax increase will generate about $500,000 in additional revenue, officials said.
The additional revenue will cover $300,000 in road repairs on
The budget calls for a 1 percent cost-of-living raise for city employees.
In addition, the city will reserve $125,000 for a pension enhancement plan for Westminster Police Department. The city and the 43-member police department have yet to agree on a plan.
Council President Damian L. Halstad said the council is on the verge of scrapping the existing plan and devising an alternative more agreeable to the department.
Other business
In other business last night, the council:
Introduced a revised special capital benefit assessment fee that calls for commercial and residential developers to pay about $1,000 more to help cover the costs of expanding services.
Canceled its meeting May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday.
20020514
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.council23apr23.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll
Officers disapprove of police pension plan
April 23, 2002
The Westminster Common Council unveiled last night a proposed $21.9 million spending plan for fiscal 2003 that calls for a 4.8-cent increase in the property tax rate - the city's first increase in five years.
"It's a pretty responsible budget that does two things - it tries to meet the city's current need to provide services and it also tries to look to the future for other needs," said Councilman L. Gregory Pecoraro, chairman of the council's finance committee, which drafted the proposed budget.
In another money-related matter, the council introduced last night an ordinance creating a pension enhancement plan for the city's 43 police officers.
Concern for adequate room in case of a large turnout by police officers prompted the council to move the meeting to a hearing room at the
The proposed 2003 budget, which includes monies for the water and sewer funds as well as building projects, is up $4.6 million from the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Pecoraro said more than half of the money is earmarked for construction of the
Under the spending plan, city employees will receive a 1 percent cost-of-living raise. This year employees received a 2.5 percent raise, plus $240.
While water and sewer rates will remain the same, the property tax will increase 4.8 cents to 40 cents per $100 of assessed value. The average
Pecoraro said the increase could provide the city with about $500,000 in additional revenue.
A public hearing on the proposed budget and tax increase will be held May 6. The council could take action on the proposals as early as May 13.
Local police officers - and several supporters from the Annapolis Police Department - showed up to voice their disapproval of the proposed supplemental retirement plan for the Police Department.
At a cost of $125,000 a year, the city would deposit the equivalent of 5 percent to 9 percent - depending on years of service - of an officer's annual salary into an account similar to a savings plan.
The
The organization questioned the viability of the plan to retain officers because its five years' vesting gives officers an excuse to quit in favor of employment by a police department offering the kind of plan they want - a 25-year retirement threshold and 50 percent guaranteed payback.
"Now is the time for the City Council to begin taking care of the employees that take care of the city and keep it running," the statement read.
20020423
Police object to pension proposal
April 14th, 2002
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.pension14apr14.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll
Police object to pension proposal - Council members say $115,000-a-year package is all city can afford; 'This is not acceptable'
By Athima Chansanchai, Sun Staff, April 14, 2002
A supplemental retirement plan for Westminster's Police Department unveiled at last week's Common Council meeting was supposed to satisfy dual goals of attracting and keeping city officers, but they don't like it. "This is not what they promised. This is not acceptable," said Daniel W. Besseck, International Union of Police Associations representative, who attended Thursday night's emergency meeting of the Westminster Police Association. Eight of 38 association members were in attendance.
Besseck was referring to the plan proposed by Westminster Councilman Roy L. Chiavacci, who serves as chairman of the council's Public Safety Committee. The plan would require the city to deposit the equivalent of 5 percent to 9 percent of an officer's annual salary - depending on years of service - into an account similar to a savings plan. It would cost the city $115,000 a year.
"The council's job is to make sure their employees are taken care of. It should be their primary responsibility. This is a slap in the face," Besseck said.
Members of the Common Council said the plan was a good one and all the city could afford as it faces a $2.3 million deficit.
Besseck's group has been working with
Officers at the meeting said that amount isn't enough to live on, especially if they have a family. One officer said he would receive only $1,026 a month in benefits if he were begin drawing from it when he retires in 2023.
Most officers said they would prefer the city use the Law Enforcement Officers' Pension System, or LEOPS, which returns 50 percent of an officer's salary after 25 years of service. According to the city's studies, this would cost $364,000 a year, or $17 million over 25 years.
"Though we're on a smaller scale than
"What's important here is that we work with the police officers and take into consideration their thoughts and feelings and be responsive to their needs," Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff said. "I truly believe the council worked on this with a sense of caring, depth and integrity.
"I understand clearly that the budget will not allow the city to go in the direction of LEOPS this year, but I would rather that we wait and do LEOPS when it's financially feasible than go to a pension enhancement plan."
Council President Damian L. Halstad said there was an involved series of discussions concerning the retirement options, and of them all, the plan proposed by Chiavacci was the most viable.
"LEOPS is not fiscally possible or prudent," said Halstad. "We're talking about this in a vacuum. We have to remember that there is a $2.3 million shortfall we have to trim from the budget, but the city is still willing to find money to implement this plan. ...
"Some people even view the whole plan as much too generous a windfall for the Police Department. The council showed great commitment to the force by moving this forward."
Police Chief Roger G. Joneckis said he would not comment on the program until he learned more about it.
He mentioned steps the city has taken to improve the department's situation, including pay raises and increased hiring to bring staffing to the full complement of 43 officers.
The union has been pushing for better retirement benefits to keep senior officers from pursuing jobs in other departments.
"They continue to train new people. You can fill bodies but not experience," Besseck said. "Maturity is everything in this job."
Chiavacci hopes officers change their views when they're given an opportunity for personal projections of their supplemental benefits on April 24.
"We tried to craft a plan that was both desirable and affordable, and quite frankly, it's generous," Chiavacci said.
He said he's disappointed by the negative reaction of some officers, but that he wants to hear what they have to say.
"If they did that, they can help us make it better than what it is. I welcome that input," he said.
Copyright © 2002, The Baltimore Sun
Maryland State Police,
by Kevin Spradlin January 2nd, 2002
WESTMINSTER, Jan. 02 -- City of Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff expressed his condolences for missing some of the recent Westminster Road Runners Club races, but promised he and his wife, Caroline, will be on the running scene soon.
"I guess one might say that I am taking a break from running that is not quite of my choosing," wrote a very busy Mayor on Tuesday in an email to the club. "It has just happened. I'm not necessarily happy about this turn of events -- but it is what it is and I'm going to make like a ball and roll with it."
Many remember the Mayor making an appearance last July at the
"I've taken breaks from running and college before and managed to get back into the groove at a later time," said Mayor Dayhoff, who is close to earning his Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy Administration and Analysis from Western Maryland College. "I guess my attitude is that being the Mayor is something that has a four-year cycle and that this is no rehearsal - I must do it well now. I feel a lot of responsibility."
"My first love is running," he said. "Caroline and I always look forward to the WRRC events, even if we don't run in them and just help out in any way that we can contribute. I'm quite out of shape and to try and run a race these days would not be responsible. I'll run again and I will get my degree."
In the meantime, WRRC members and
"I'm working hard on such things as the Terry Burk Trail - which is happening," said Mayor Dayhoff, "and the
Copyright
For problems or questions regarding this web contact [WRRC].
Last updated: January 02, 2002.
New bridge to safety
Carroll
December 15, 2001
Through the early Friday morning rain, workers dressed in bright yellow raincoats and boots the color of mud installed two 55-foot sections of a steel walking bridge over the floodplain of a small stream along
The bridge is in the middle of the city's portion of the Wakefield Community Trail and nearly completes the first section of the city's first walking and biking trail.
The trail, when finished, will span about three miles from
"They obviously can't do that now," said Thomas B. Beyard, director of planning and public works for the city.
The city began planning the trail in 1994, but money and land restraints kept the project from beginning.
The proposed trail was to extend northeast from Old New Windsor Road to Uniontown Road, but the first section of the trail, between Old New Windsor Road and Long Valley Drive, was to be located on property owned by the Avondale Run Homeowner's Association.
Approval to build the trail on the property would have required consent from a majority of the property owners in the association, said Chris Batten, a local land planning and design consultant hired to develop the initial plans for the trail.
So the city decided instead to develop plans for another section of the trail between
In July, the City Council awarded a $348,000 contract to Thomas Bennett & Hunter Inc. of
This phase of the project, which includes widening of a sidewalk on
The city is using two federal grants, totaling about $193,000, and city money for the project, Beyard said.
Design work on the remaining portion of the trail, between
The trail will be dedicated in memory of Terrence "Terry" Burk, 48, owner of the Treat Shop, his family candy business located in the TownMall of
Burk was running with two friends on Route 97 at
Burk's family established a memorial fund in Burk's name to help build the trail.
The Community Foundation of
Another portion of the trail, from
"This will probably be one of the city's highest priorities behind the Carroll Theater project in the upcoming year," Beyard said.
©Carroll County Online 2001
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=2792495&BRD=1289&PAG=461&dept_id=156627&rfi=6
Former bank chief to fill
See: 20010611 Westminster Mayor and Common Council Agenda
By Maria Blackburn, Sun Staff
Originally published June 12, 2001
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.council12jun12.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll
Westminster's Common Council appointed last night Thomas K. Ferguson, a former Carroll County bank president and chief executive officer, to the five-member panel, filling a spot left vacant by Kevin E. Dayhoff's election as mayor.
Ferguson, 59, led Carroll County Bank & Trust Co. for 18 years before its purchase by BB&T Corp. in 1999. He has lived on
"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd throw my hat in the political arena. I have the time now to participate actively in city government,"
Other applicants for the position included Frank E. Wagner Jr., a
Three council members supported
Councilwoman Suzanne P. Albert did not vote - the majority was reached before the last candidate's name - Wagner's - could be read by City Clerk John Dutterer. Their names were read in alphabetical order.
Pecoraro complimented
"I don't think there's been a worthwhile project in this community in the last 10 to 15 years that Tom Ferguson hasn't" been involved in, Pecoraro said.
The council was eager for
The last time the council appointed a new member was in 1994, when Pecoraro was selected to fill the seat left vacant by Kenneth A. Yowan, who was appointed as mayor.
Also last night: The council heard from three residents opposed to annexing the Bixler property, almost 45 acres of farmland on Route 97 north of
Edward Wentz, who lives in Kalten Acres, a 25-year-old subdivision near the property, said the city didn't need more development in this area. The council will likely vote on the annexation ordinance at the July 9 meeting.
Copyright © 2001, The Baltimore Sun
For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting agenda on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Mtg Agenda
For posts and information about Westminster Common Council meeting minutes on “Soundtrack” click here: Westminster Common Council Meeting Minutes
May 14, 2001
The 2001 Municipal Election was held on Monday, May 14, 2001 in the City of
NAME: NUMBER OF VOTES:
FOR MAYOR:
SUZANNE P. ALBERT 372 or 46% of the vote
KEVIN E. DAYHOFF 423 or 52% of the vote
Margin of Victory is [423 – 372] divided by [372 + 423] or 51 / 795 = 6%.
FOR COUNCIL:
EDWARD S. CALWELL, SR. 265
ROY L. CHIAVACCI 487
DAMIAN L. HALSTAD 572
FRANK E. WAGNER, JR. 152
Being the candidates who received the highest number of votes cast, Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff & Council Members Damian L. Halstad and Roy L. Chiavacci will be sworn into office at the Biennial Reorganization Meeting to be held on Monday, May 21, 2001 at 7:00 p.m.
20000427
April 27, 2000
Minutes
6:00 p.m. Social hour
7:00 p.m. Welcome by Mayor Perry Jones
Pledge to the Flag
Invocation by New
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
Sykesville Mayor Jonathan Herman, Councilmembers Debby Ellis and Jeannie Nichols,
Mt. Airy Mayor Jerry Johnson
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.
Election of Officers.
President: Mt. Airy Mayor Jerry Johnson
Vice President: Taneytown Mayor Henry Heine
Secretary/Treasurer:
Treasurer's Report. Secretary/Treasurer
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
April 27, 2000 | |||
Pro rata share | |||
Mt. Airy (Carroll only) | 1.9 | 7.85% | $ 117.75 |
10.3 | 42.57% | $ 638.54 | |
Hampstead | 2.9 | 11.98% | $ 179.74 |
0.7 | 2.89% | $ 43.37 | |
Sykesville | 2.3 | 9.50% | $ 142.55 |
New | 0.8 | 3.31% | $ 49.57 |
2.1 | 8.68% | $ 130.15 | |
Taneytown | 3.2 | 13.22% | $ 198.33 |
Municipal Total | 24.2 | 100% | $ 1,500.00 |
75.8 | |||
Grand total | 100 |
Communications Committee Report:
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
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 Mayor Henry Heine – Convention Planning Committee