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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
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
City of Westminster Getting Creative in Battle with Snow
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Monday, October 04, 2010
City to move forward with more water
Sunday, August 08, 2010
DAYHOFF: Clock docs make house call to fix historic Westminster clock tower on Main Street
DAYHOFF: Clock docs make house call to fix historic Westminster ... Explore Carroll By Kevin Dayhoff (Enlarge) Wayne Reifsnider, assistant superintendent for the City of Westminster Street Department, works to replace the hands of the 1896 ...
DAYHOFF: Clock docs make house call to fix historic Westminster clock tower on Main Street Eagle Archives Posted 8/08/10 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
In the early morning hours of Aug. 3, the old clock atop the old Westminster fire hall -- which served Westminster from 1896 to 1998 at 66 E. Main St. -- got a brand new shiny pair of hands. The venerable timepiece has been a fixture in town since it was dedicated at 3:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 1896.
City of Westminster workers used a crane from Thomas Bennett and Hunter, a local road-building firm; and Dave Booth of Precision Repair, a timepiece restoration firm, to accomplish the delicate surgery performed four stories in the air.
Clock doctor Booth was assisted by Wayne Reifsnider, assistant city Street Department superintendent. Meanwhile, Superintendent Larry Bloom, along with Jeff Glass, the city public works director; and city workers Shawn Lockard and Alan Miller, served as ground support.
Keeping the old timepiece working has been challenging for the city workers in the last number of years.
Miller said it was good to get it worked on, as he looked briefly up at the old clock. Lockard added, “I’m glad that we’re finally getting it fixed.”
[...]
If you would like to contribute, send a donation to the Westminster Clock Tower Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County, 255 Clifton Boulevard, Westminster, Md. 21158...http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4596/clock-docs-make-timely-house-call-citys-historic-timepiece/
When he is not fighting the ravages of time himself, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvICD3mOouw
LABELS: DAYHOFF MEDIA EXPLORE CARROLL, PEOPLE GLASS-JEFF, WESTMINSTER CLOCK TOWER, WESTMINSTER FILE MAIN ST, WESTMINSTER PW DIR JEFF GLASS,WESTMINSTER PW STREET DEPT, WESTMINSTER PW STREETS L BLOOM
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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
City of Westminster workers used a crane from Thomas Bennett and Hunter, a local road-building firm; and Dave Booth of Precision Repair, a timepiece restoration firm, to accomplish the delicate surgery performed four stories in the air.
Clock doctor Booth was assisted by Wayne Reifsnider, assistant city Street Department superintendent. Meanwhile, Superintendent Larry Bloom, along with Jeff Glass, the city public works director; and city workers Shawn Lockard and Alan Miller, served as ground support.
Keeping the old timepiece working has been challenging for the city workers in the last number of years.
Miller said it was good to get it worked on, as he looked briefly up at the old clock. Lockard added, “I’m glad that we’re finally getting it fixed.”
[...]
If you would like to contribute, send a donation to the Westminster Clock Tower Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County, 255 Clifton Boulevard, Westminster, Md. 21158...http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/4596/clock-docs-make-timely-house-call-citys-historic-timepiece/
When he is not fighting the ravages of time himself, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvICD3mOouw
LABELS: DAYHOFF MEDIA EXPLORE CARROLL, PEOPLE GLASS-JEFF, WESTMINSTER CLOCK TOWER, WESTMINSTER FILE MAIN ST, WESTMINSTER PW DIR JEFF GLASS,WESTMINSTER PW STREET DEPT, WESTMINSTER PW STREETS L BLOOM
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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
Thursday, October 29, 2009
News brief: Westminster to get fed stimulus grant, names arts task force
Photo caption: Westminster director of public works Jeff Glass explains
Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained the Westminster water department water meter replacement initiative at the Monday, October 26, 2009 meeting of the Westminster MD mayor and Common Council meeting at Westminster city hall. October 26, 2009 photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20091026 CowMCC Mtg (11)eGlass]
Westminster to get federal stimulus grant and names arts and culture task force
By Kevin Dayhoff
Westminster announced at last Monday night’s mayor and Common Council meeting, that skillful navigation of a “sea of paperwork” enabled the city to double a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – “ARRA” federal stimulus funds, to replace aging water meters throughout town.
Westminster director of public works, Jeff Glass, explained at the meeting that last May the city applied for a grant 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.
The grant application process was complicated. “To our credit we met the deadlines… To our credit others did not,” explained Glass. As a result, “the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install ‘wireless’ read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc...,” said Glass with visible pride.
The bidding process was performed in August and September; and the Maryland Department of the Environment signed off on the project on October 13. Glass presented the council with a proposal to approve a winning bid from Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the water system upgrade.
Just before the council voted to approve the project, council president Damian Halstad said that the grant will “go a long way in our budget process… It is always nice to ask for $400,000 and get $800,000.”
Under new business councilman Greg Pecoraro gave a detailed six-month status report on the findings of the Tri-Street Advisory Committee.
The committee had been established by the city “on August 25, 2008 to address neighborhood issues and concerns in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue, Union Street and West Main Street, with the objective of creating an action plan for improvement,” explained Pecoraro.
One of the recommendations acted-on by the council at the end of Pecoraro’s report was “under the goal of building economic vitality.
“The report recommended the creation of a task force of representatives from the City, Carroll County Arts Council, Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee, property owners, artisans and others, to be called the ‘Arts and Culture Task Force,’ to develop an ‘arts, culture and small business overlay zone’ for the Tri-Street neighborhood. The report urged the task force to focus on the Carroll Arts Center as a critical anchor in the Tri-Street neighborhood.”
For more, read the Nov. 1 edition of the Carroll Eagle http://www.explorecarroll.com/
Read the Westminster press release on the water meter replacement project pasted below:
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Mayor and Common Council
FROM: Jeffery D. Glass, Director of Public Works
DATE: October 21, 2009
RE: Water Meter Replacement Project- ARRA Stimulus Funds
The Department of Public Works applied for a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Funds) in May 2009 in the amount of $400,000 for water meter replacements.
Due to the complicated nature of requirements and stringent deadlines, a number of applicants were culled from the initial applications. This decrease in applicants provided an increase in available funding available to the City.
As a result, the City’s grant was increased to $821,200 which is sufficient to install “wireless” read capable meters for the remainder of the City’s meter inventory and cover all costs associated with the project such as required advertisement etc.
This project was put out to bid on August 12th, 2009. Three bids were received, opened and read aloud on September 8th, 2009. The bids ranged from $817,139.19 to$1,043,752.00 with one bid disqualification. The apparent low bidder was Benjamin Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. This bid was reviewed by staff and found to be complete and acceptable for forwarding to MDE for review.
The City received a letter of confirmation from MDE on October 13 2009, which acknowledges the review and approval of the project, which in general terms provides the green light to proceed. The next step is to provide the notice of award to Ben Franklin, the low bidder
I recommend The Mayor and Common Council accept the bid of Ben Franklin/PHS Burgemeister Bell, Inc. in the amount of $817,139.19 to complete the Water meter Replacement Project. This action will allow Notice of Award, and Contractual Documents to be executed.
20091026 sdosm d4 Westminster to get fed stimulus grant
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nd594 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/226742793/westminster-director-of-public-works-jeff-glass
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The Journalist and the snallygaster
Journalist may have been startled by snallygaster at city meeting - The snallygasters of Westminster’s Emerald Hill
The Westminster city council report by Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009 http://tinyurl.com/yhnjnb6
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/n4dt9 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/224678669/journalist-may-have-been-startled-by-snallygaster
Unforeseen drama erupted last Monday night, on October 26, 2009, just days before Halloween; as the bright light of a snallygaster suddenly shone upon Carroll County Times writer Bryan Schutt.
All the while, Mr. Schutt kept a steady and wary eye on the “witch” seated directly in front of him while he covered the meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council well into the dark of the night.
Outside, the winds howled, dogs barked and the moon winked from behind passing dark clouds as the august common council body deliberated passionately upon the various imperatives of the small principality in the shining white castle on Emerald Hill – Westminster City Hall.
In the background, calm and oblivious to the sudden appearance of the snallygaster, were Westminster volunteer fire department president Bill Brehm and Westminster director of public works Rev. Jeff Glass, who never skipped a beat as he waxed poetically and eloquently about the subtle nuances and ecstasies of the Westminster water meter replacement installation initiative...
One wondered if Dr. Zappardino’s capital ornamentation was constructed of velvet, taffeta, or the wool of a cottager’s hand. One could only wonder if she were acting-out on strict obedience to Elizabethan sensibilities or maybe the Westminster Common Council had recently reenacted, in closed session, the Westminster Sumptuary Laws which dictated the styles of hats for dignified women of class and stature.
If you will recall it was during the years between 1968 and 1974 in Westminster – err, strike that - 1568 and 1574 that “all Citizens wives in generall were constrayned to weare white knit Caps of woolen yarne, unlesse their husbands were good value in the Queenes booke, or could prove themselves Gentlemen by descent.”
The curiosity of the hat was only one of the many subplots and oblique soliloquies that played out in the audience as Rev. Glass reported that he was infused with the idea of receiving the wireless signals of the new water meters with their variable attenuators and adjustable phase-shifters and that as a result he saw an apparition of Ben Franklin himself as he found himself awash in a sea of paperwork.
But wait; was that really a drop of sweat appearing on Mr. Schutt’s brow or was he simply moved by the shared spirit of the moment or the contemplation of actually being able to use a semi-colon in his news article?
Perhaps we’ll never know.
Moments later, the councilmembers gratefully accepted the bidding of Rev. Glass so that Westminster water meter reader officials may be turned-on as they stalked city neighborhoods in search of a sign or a wireless signal or perhaps even a glimpse of Mr. Franklin himself.
Over the years, paranormal apparitions and unusual occurrences have come to be accepted as de rigueur at Westminster council meetings.
Sudden chilly air, unaccounted brief gusts of winds, the odd clapping of hands, folks cackling to themselves as they clanked weaving utensils and others lapsing into the speaking in tongues are nothing unusual at the bi-monthly meetings of Emerald Hill.
Many have attributed such occurrences to the appearance of snallygasters…
For those who are not aware of snallygasters; in Carroll County Maryland, the belief in witches and supernatural spirits were part of the northern European-German culture brought into this area by its settlers.
For example, the word "snallygaster" doesn't seem to be used as much in recent years, but it comes from a combination of two German words: “schnell geiste,” meaning “quick spirit.”
Not to be confused with the “außenseiters” or “aus landers,” which have recently visited upon the city with their sea gull daze, wanting us to quit our redneck ways…?
At this point, please join Elton John, Bernie Taupin and the Greek chorus as we sing the honky cat blues: “When I look back boy I must have been green, Bopping in the country, fishing in a stream, Looking for an answer trying to find a sign, Until I saw your city lights honey I was blind.
“They said get back honky cat, Better get back to the woods, Well I quit those days and my redneck ways, And oh the change is gonna do me good…
“And all the folks back home well, said I was a fool, They said oh, believe in the Lord is the golden rule…
“They said stay at home boy, you gotta tend the farm, Living in the city boy, is going to break your heart, But how can you stay, when your heart says no, How can you stop when your feet say go…”
Anyway, where were we? Oh - for those of us who grew up in Carroll County, the “Schnell Gieste” or snallygasters were often responsible for the shivers that resulted from a sudden drop in the temperature or gusts of wind that closed doors and scattered papers.
Anyone who has spent time in Westminster’s city hall is well aware of the unaccounted-for footsteps on the stairs, apparitions in the windows, the eerie creaking of woodwork, the moans of sheer delight, and the groans of the ancient historic structure that has bore witness to the vagaries of the American Civil War, deaths of children during the Spanish Influenza outbreak in 1918; and contemporary personal character assassinations that accompany small-town politics.
This brings to mind a curious remark by Mr. Schutt as he was leaving City Hall that evening. For some background, as you may be aware, the unofficial symbol of Halloween, the jack-o'-lantern, has its origins in the carving of a turnip. Not as tasty, by the way, if you are making pie.
Although several hundred years ago pumpkins were quite smaller than they are today, colonials used a pumpkin because it was more easily available than turnips.
The practice of carving a frightening face and placing fire inside the pumpkin was to frighten away banshees or “schnell geistes” from the spirit world.
Mr. Schutt was apparently unfazed by the appearance of Mr. Schell Geiste and labored-on with his work, without flinching…
Although unconfirmed reports indicate that as Mr. Schutt left the council meeting, he quietly inquired as to where might be the best place to buy a carving pumpkin in Carroll County.
Hmmm. Maybe after all – he believes. Ask him. Inquiring minds want to know…
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Okay, okay – OKAY - - I’ll write a different account for the newspaper. But my gosh I love it on this side of the note pad. Meanwhile stay in the shallow end of the pool.
Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009
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Photo captions:
The bright light of a snallygaster suddenly shone upon Carroll County Times writer Bryan Schutt and he kept a steady eye on the “witch” seated directly in front of him while covering the meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council on Monday night, October 26, 2009.
In the background, oblivious to the sudden appearance of the snallygaster, is Westminster volunteer fire department president Bill Brehm and Westminster director of public works Rev. Jeff Glass. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009 [20091026 CowMCC Mtg (3)b] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/n4dt9 or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/224678669/journalist-may-have-been-startled-by-snallygaster
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Westminster director of public works Rev. Jeff Glass never skipped a beat as he waxed poetically and eloquently about the subtle nuances and ecstasies of the Westminster water meter replacement installation initiative at the Monday, October 26, 2009 meeting of the Westminster MD meeting of the Common Council.
As Rev. Glass’ voice rose in praise of being stimulated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Carroll County Times writer Schutt stoically continued with his hypergraphic note taking and Dr. Pam Zappardino studied the room adorned with her capital ornamentation... Photo by Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009 [20091026 CowMCC Mtg 4 5 6] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/n4k7r or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/224740261/westminster-director-of-public-works-rev-jeff
20091026 sdosmked The Journalist and the snallygaster
Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff http://twitpic.com/n4dt9 and http://twitpic.com/n4k7r
Monday, October 05, 2009
Tom Beyard explains comprehensive plan at council meeting
At the September 28, 2009 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council, Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the 2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster. Planning director Tom Beyard explained that the comprehensive plan was the culmination of two years of work and that it was due to be adopted by October 1, 2009 in order to conform with Maryland State law.
The development of the plan, which began in earnest in October 2007, was broken into three phases, Beyard said. The first phase was a citizen survey, followed by additional public outreach, followed by the drafting phase.
Beyard advised that the municipal planned growth footprint and the planned water and sewer service area had not changed since its boundaries were agreed upon with the county government two years ago.
The plan did incorporate for the first time a water resource and municipal growth element. Both of which are new mandates from the Maryland General Assembly.
The city was “probably one of the first (municipalities in the state) to submit the water resources element… many municipalities had asked for an extension,” said Beyard.
Council president Damian Halstad remarked, “I’d just like to highlight that the state found it to be an incredibly thorough plan… very detailed…”
Later in the meeting the council voted to adopt the plan after more discussion of how proud the council and staff were to have received such good feedback from the state on how well the plan was developed and written.
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Photo caption: At the September 28, 2009 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council, Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the 2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster. Planning director Tom Beyard explained that the comprehensive plan was the culmination of two years of work and that it was due to be adopted by October 1, 2009 in order to conform with Maryland State law.
From left to right: Westminster planning director Tom Beyard, Westminster public works director Jeff Glass, Westminster recreation and parks director Ron Schroers, Westminster Common Council members Dr. Robert Wack and Tony Chiavacci. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff)
20090928 sdosm Tom Beyard explains comprehensive plan at council meeting
Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/tom-beyard-explains-comprehensive-plan.html http://tinyurl.com/y8fe4kz
http://twitpic.com/kfmn9 planning dir Beyard explains comprehensive plan at recent Westminster Council mtg http://tinyurl.com/y8fe4kz
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Westminster videos and Jeff’s giant lava lamp
Westminster videos and Jeff’s giant lava lamp
The Westminster mayor and common council meeting this evening was a lot of fun. It was upbeat, positive, and informative.
In this evening’s Westminster mayor and council meeting, city administrator Marge Wolf announced that the city has purchased 4 video cameras. Soon, various city employees will be trained, by the Community Media Center, to operate the cameras so that the city can get the word out better about all the great work the city is doing.
Of course it is a smart move on the part of the city and the effort is to be applauded.
After the meeting several of us were talking about my “Westminster News” playlist - http://tinyurl.com/lubncg - on my YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff
In particular, “20071008 Jeff and Joe discover a giant lava lamp” http://bit.ly/MQoOd. Please enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0vV59u5c-E&feature=player_profilepage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0vV59u5c-E
http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff#play/user/686F580EC3B58588
20090713 sdosm Westminster videos and Jeffs giant lava lamp