Maryland National Guard Pressroom: Beyard appointed to the top MD Army Guard enlisted post

Maryland National Guard Pressroom:

Beyard appointed to the top MD Army Guard enlisted post

-By the Maryland National Guard Public Affairs Office http://www.md.ngb.army.mil/absolutenm/templates/?a=987&z=11

Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Beyard will serve as the next Maryland Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major. He replaces Command Sgt. Maj. Leroy Hill, who will retire at the end of the month after a stellar career of nearly 30 years of service to the citizens of the United States and the state of Maryland. Command Sgt. Maj. Beyard currently serves as Command Sergeant Major of the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edgewood Area, Md., a job he has held since 2008… http://www.md.ngb.army.mil/absolutenm/templates/?a=987&z=11

'via Blog this'

*****

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

And the point is…

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/10a4hp or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359334499/westminster-dir-tom-beyard-watches-as-city

Westminster planning director Tom Beyard on the left, watches the mayor and council members as the new Westminster city attorney Elissa Levan on the right, explains a point; at the January 25, 2010 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council at Westminster City Hall in Westminster Maryland.

January 25, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff

[20100125 MCC TBB Elissa Levan] Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Westminster city attorney Elissa Levan, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster govt, Westminster Planning Dir Tom Beyard

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2010/01/and-point-is.html http://tinyurl.com/y9hfakp

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

Westminster dir Tom Beyard watches as city attorney Elissa Levan explains a point http://tinyurl.com/y9hfakp http://twitpic.com/10a4hp http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359334499/westminster-dir-tom-beyard-watches-as-city

*****

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

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

*****

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/

Tom Beyard explains comprehensive plan at council meeting

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/kfmn9

Westminster director of planning Tom Beyard explains comprehensive plan at recent Westminster Common 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.

______

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

Westminster Planning Dir Tom Beyard, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Planning Zoning, Planning, Dayhoff writing essays land planning, Westminster PW Dir Jeff Glass, People Chiavacci Tony,

Dayhoff writing essays land planning, People Chiavacci Tony, Planning, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster Planning Dir Tom Beyard, Westminster Planning Zoning, Westminster PW Dir Jeff Glass

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

*****

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/

CSM Beyard Receives the Maryland State Active Duty Award

MARYLAND ARMY NATIONAL GUARD HEADQUARTERS, 29TH COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE MG WARREN HODGES ARMORY, BUILDING E4305
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MARYLAND 21010-5401

MDARNG-29CAB 26 March 2009

CSM Beyard Receives the Maryland State Active Duty Award

Thomas B. Beyard, Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, Maryland Army National Guard, was recently awarded the Maryland State Active Duty Medal by Brigadier General James. A. Adkins, The Adjutant General of Maryland.

CSM Beyard received the award for participating in operations in support of the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. During the inaugural timeframe, his unit expanded and became Task Force Hawk, with responsibility for command and control of two aviation battalion task forces containing over 700 Soldiers and 40 helicopters. The two aviation battalion task forces, located in Virgina and Maryland, were prepared and ready to quickly move hundreds of Soldiers to the National Capital Region, if needed, to help maintain law and order in the event of an incident.

CSM Beyard was appointed to his current position of Command Sergeant Major of the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade effective August 1, 2008. The 29th Combat Aviation Brigade is one of the major commands in the Maryland Army National Guard with over 1,000 Soldiers. CSM Beyard has over 27 years of military service.

In the civilian world, CSM Beyard is employed as Director of Planning, Zoning and Development for the City of Westminster, Maryland. He has worked for Westminster government since 1987. He holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from TUI University. Beyard resides in Westminster, Maryland.

---end---

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

20071022 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Monday, October 22, 2007

Humanizing a Made-for-TV Governor

Katie Nash

The latest news stories surrounding Gov. Martin O'Malley have included endeavors to improve his public image. As he travels with his entourage to Maryland communities to unveil his ambitious tax-and-spend proposals, the media reports on the slight image adjustments O'Malley's consultants want them to see.

Wishful Thinking v. Reality

Tom McLaughlin

Now that Dad has passed away and I am free from my caregiver duties, I must elect where I am going to live. I have already decided to purchase a house in Middletown. (Down, Realtors, it's a private sale.)

EDITOR'S NOTE!

(EDITOR'S NOTE! Rick Weldon's column, which normally would have appeared on The Tentacle today, has been lost in the nether world we call cyberspace. It may appear unexpectedly later in the week, or it may be lost forever. Please remain hopeful. At least something written by Mr. Weldon, and prepared on another instrument invented to record man's intelligence and insight, shall appear here next week, even if a re-run is necessary.)

---

Friday, October 19, 2007

Magnificent Mayor

Roy Meachum

Thousands of words poured all out of the media for In the Street. The only time I heard Ron Young's name mentioned was by me. I explained to newcomers about how Frederick's long-time mayor created the festival they enjoyed.

Nobel, My Foot!

Edward Lulie III

Ronald Reagan never won the Nobel Peace Prize; he merely ended the Communist domination of Eastern Europe and ended the Cold War. Jimmy (Do you believe in Peanut Butter?) Carter did win the Nobel Peace Prize. Carter set the stage for the downfall of the Shah of Iran and ushered in a glorious new era of 5th century fanaticism plus helping spark the Iran-Iraq War.

---

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Bartlett Should Switch His Vote

Tony Soltero

As the word indicates, a representative's job is to represent. It is to reflect the views of the constituents of his or her district, and ensure that those views are advanced in Congress.

It Was, Indeed, Worthwhile!

Tom McLaughlin

"You are taking your daughter with you"? I heard this everywhere. Even across cultures.

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Shipwreck Known as SCHIP

Kevin E. Dayhoff

In 1997 the Republican controlled Congress enacted the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - a joint federal and state government initiative that provides low-cost health insurance for children of lower income families.

Perhaps, er, Definitely Maybe!

Norman M. Covert

Are we impressed? Commissioner David Gray (R) last week forged ahead of his Frederick Board of County Commissioners cohorts on the issue of illegal immigrant services. He proposed - and got his wish - that instead of recommending legislation that might address the problem, they would pass a resolution calling for a resolution.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2007

KKK's Spirit Marches On

Roy Meachum

The bigotry and racial hatred oozing out of Walkersville remind me of the hate and blind stupidity prevalent when I first moved up the turnpike.

A Blight on Enlightenment

Farrell Keough

As many of you are aware, we are in the midst of a rigorous paper tiger fight over how to deal with a huge influx of illegal intruders. Some have the audacity to believe we should view this circumstance as a problem. Nothing could be further from the truth.

---

Monday, October 15, 2007

Real ID: A Study in Contrast

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Think back to September 11, 2001. In that horrific environment and - more importantly - in the aftermath, a frantic flurry of activity framed the government's response.

WE GET LETTERS!

A reader from Emmitsburg provides an economics lesson on the cause of increased taxation. CLICK HERE!

October 10, 2007

Citizen-Soldier Awarded Bronze Star

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Many of us are extremely proud to learn that Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard, formerly of Hagerstown, was awarded the Bronze Star in a recent ceremony at the Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot in Kuwait.

20070608 Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot

Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot

June 14^th, 2007

For Flag Day what better way to salute the flag that to salute folks who are defending the flag and our way of life. One such person is Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard, who is the City of Westminster’s Director of Planning and Public Works in his civilian role.

Click here for more information about Tom.

Currently he is deployed with the Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot and he recently e-mailed some additional information about TF AVCRAD.

For Flag Day why not send him a care package…

Cards, coffee, cookies, and stuff from home can be sent to:

CSM Thomas Beyard
Command Sergeant Major
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

Below, please find more information about TF AVCRAD from Tom Beyard.

Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot

(TF AVCRAD 06-08)

TF AVCRAD 06 – 08 was officially formed on July 11, 2006. TF AVCRAD consists of over 225 soldiers from sixteen different states.

Soldiers come from HQ, ADMRU from Edgewood, Maryland; F Company, 135^th Aviation from Frankfort, Kentucky; 1106^th AVCRAD from Fresno; California; 1109^th AVCRAD from Groton, Connecticut; 1107^th AVCRAD from Springfield, Missouri; and soldiers from Alabama, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, New York, Hawaii, Ohio, North Carolina and Georgia.

TF AVCRAD 06 – 08 was formed to become the “fifth” AVCRAD. To date, the four organic AVCRADs already deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF). TF AVCRAD tests a new concept for Army aviation logistics – to bring together a command and control cell and match it with an enhanced AVIM plus – to perform the mission of an AVCRAD. This is a huge task and TF AVCRAD soldiers have met the challenge and are setting the standard for follow-on units.

The command and control cell comes from HQ, ADMRU, a unit of Maryland Army National Guard. HQ, ADMRU, as well as all of TF AVCRAD, is commanded by COL Timothy Gowen of Leonardtown, Maryland and CSM Thomas Beyard of Westminster, Maryland serves as Command Sergeant Major.

The enhanced AVIM plus comes from F Company, 135^th Aviation, with supporting maintenance and supply soldiers from the 1106^th, 1107^th and the 1109^th AVCRADs. This unique organization required intensive post-mobilization training for TF AVCRAD soldiers to reach the required level of individual and collective skill.

TF AVCRAD 06-08 executes the Theater Aviation Maintenance Program (TAMP) mission in support of OIF/OEF. TF AVCRAD soldiers provide: 1) National Maintenance Program (NMP) repair management capability; 2) back-up Supply Support Activity (SSA) operations; 3) “limited” Depot level maintenance support; and 4) on order, provide Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Support (AVIM) support to aviation units located in Kuwait and perform Air Port/Sea Port of Debarkation (APOD/APOD) operations.

TF AVCRAD soldiers are executing their mission at various locations including Camp Arifjan, the Kuwait APOD and SPOD, Udari Army Airfield at Camp Buehring, Ali Al Salem Air Base and Kuwait Naval Base in Kuwait, in addition to the work of the fix forward teams at Balad, Iraq and Bagram, Afghanistan and other locations in those countries.

Six TF AVCRAD soldiers completed a mission in Sinai, Egypt in support of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) and only recently TF AVCRAD assumed responsibility for the operations of the Theater Aviation Single Manager (TASM), a unique organization responsible for responding to non-standard problems and providing solutions in the aviation field, in addition to other important duties.

The 60+ soldiers from HQ, ADMRU are proud of the role they play in supporting the warfight. While aviation logistics doesn’t always get the attention of other important missions, professionals know and understand that aviation logistics helps insure the Army helicopters are always flying and ready for the next mission. “Semper volans”, Latin for “always flying”, is also the motto of TF AVCRAD. The unit is set to complete its mission and redeploy to Maryland in the October, 2007 timeframe.

POC: CSM Thomas Beyard

20070421 News from the Middle East

News from Task Force Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot 15 - 21 APRIL 2007 WEEK 41

“CSM Beyard presents CSM Boles of the 401st AFSB with a framed certificate…”

April 22, 2007

“Right, from left: CSM Beyard presents CSM Boles of the 401st AFSB with a framed certificate, a TF AVCRAD coffee mug and a TF AVCRAD challenge coin in appreciation for his work in ensuring that all TF AVCRAD Soldiers who were detailed to assist his unit with various missions were well cared for, properly equipped and supervised and treated professionally. COL Gowen echoes his thanks as well.”

For other posts about CSM Beyard, click here: T. B. Beyard

####

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0

20070303 News from CSM Tom Beyard in the Middle East

News from CSM Tom Beyard in the Middle East

March 3^rd, 2007

Pictured above is CSM Beyard at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Notice that he is close to a delineated mine field – but why is he smiling? I’ll bet that when he and I were working together in Westminster City Hall, we both wish the “mine fields” in Westminster were as clearly marked.

The other picture is CMS Beyard’s…also from “Week 34.”

In an e-mail from CSM Tom Beyard from February 25^th, 2007 he said:

“Just returned from trip to Bagram, Afghanistan to visit our fix forward soldiers there. Had pleasure to present AAM to one soldier and to see our soldiers in action supporting the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

“Our soldiers are doing sheet metal work and provided maintenance support for (my redact) aircraft. Bagram is surrounded by the most beautiful mountains you have ever seen. The actual Bagram air base was used by the Soviets in their war against Afghanistan in the 1980s. The temperature there was very cold and damp and I admire all soldiers working and living in that environment. It is a credit to the toughness and training of our soldiers.”

In his recent e-mail, CMS Beyard calls attention to

“… how our soldiers are saving the Army thousands of dollars in component repairs. Also, (take note of the) photographs from my recent trip to Bagram, Afghanistan.”

####

20070102 Happy New Year from Tom Beyard in Kuwait

Happy New Year from Tom Beyard in Kuwait

Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard sends “Happy New Year” greetings from Kuwait.

January 2^nd, 2007

CSM Beyard wrote, in part, in a recent e-mail, “We had nice party and all enjoyed the time together. Except that our New Year's celebration was 8 hours ahead of yours. At 12:00 midnight here, it was only 4:00 in Westminster. The time difference when you want to make a call is hard to deal with sometimes.”

CSM Beyard mentions a visit from Milblogger Michael Yon. I follow Mr. Yon’s blog and in a previous post here on “Soundtrack,” I mention his post from Kuwait: “From a Starbucks, on a U.S. Military Base, in Kuwait.”

Image: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/media/images/daybyday/10-21-06.jpg

Location: http://www.michaelyon-online.com/images/daybydaysingles/DayByDay-Pod4.jpg

CSM Beyard wrote: “We had blogger come here just last week. His name was Michael Yon, who is a former soldier who was embedded with an Army unit. He now writes about the military and he was interesting. We had breakfast with him and then he visited our shops and talked with our guys.”

On Mr. Yon’s post he has a picture of “Christmas lunch in Kuwait.” Another picture is “Soldier after soldier lined up to stand beside Santa, maybe to send photos home to children and family to show all is well.”

Perhaps they are Christmas scenes for which CSM Beyard is familiar?

In Mr. Yon’s post he mentions, “Here in Kuwait, where the dining facilities are bedecked in Christmas decorations, soldiers stream in from Iraq on convoys and stream back north along those bomb-laden roads. The service members here are not all rear-echelon people who never see fighting or blood.

Happy New Year Tom – be safe and thank you for your service.

####

20061227 What is Task Force AVCRAD?

What is Task Force AVCRAD?

December 27^th, 2006

Previous posts about Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard; the Westminster Director of Planning and Public Works on active duty in the Middle East, include a reference to “TF AVCRAD.”

Several folks have inquired; just what is “TF AVRAD?”

CSM Beyard was kind enough to e-mail me an explanation; which I have pasted below.

Meanwhile, last December 18^th, 2006, commanding general Brigadier General Patricia McQuistion; Colonel Tim Gowen, and Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard participated in a “Combat Patch ceremony,” all pictured in the top photgraph.

In the bottom photograph, you can see the combat patch on CSM Beyard’s right shoulder.

CSM Beyard writes, “It is patch with large A inside of black circle. This is patch of Third Army, the combatant commander we fall under. Third Army is Patton's Army, in honor of General George Patton, Jr. and his command of Third Army in WWII.”

He continues, “BG McQuistion wears many hats. First, she is Commanding General of Army Materiel Command (Forward) - Southwest Asia. Second, she is the C-4 (Army terminology for the staff officer responsible for logistics and supply) for Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC). Third, she is Director of Operational Sustainment for US Army Central, the Army component of Third Army.”

_____

Task Force AVCRAD (TF AVCRAD) 06 – 08

November 18^th, 2006

TF AVCRAD 06 – 08 was officially formed on July 11, 2006.

TF AVCRAD consists of over 220 soldiers from fifteen different states.

Soldiers come from HQ, ADMRU from Edgewood, Maryland; F Company, 135^th Aviation from Frankfort, Kentucky; 1106^th AVCRAD from Fresno; California; 1109^th AVCRAD from Groton, Connecticut; 1107^th AVCRAD from Springfield, Missouri; and soldiers from Alabama, Pennsylvania, Texas, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, New York, Virginia, Hawaii and Ohio.

TF AVCRAD 06 – 08 was formed to become the “fifth” AVCRAD.

To date, the four AVCRADs already deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF).

TF AVCRAD tests a new concept for Army aviation logistics – to bring together a command and control cell and match it with an enhanced AVIM plus – to perform the mission of an AVCRAD.

The command and control cell comes primarily from HQ, ADMRU and the enhanced AVIM plus comes primarily from F Company, 135^th Aviation, with supporting maintenance and supply soldiers from the 1106^th, 1107^th and the 1109^th AVCRADs.

This unique organization required intensive post-mobilization training for TF AVCRAD soldiers to reach the required level of individual and collective skill.

TF AVCRAD 06-08 executes the Theater Aviation Maintenance Program (TAMP) mission in support of OIF/OEF. TF AVCRAD soldiers provide:

1) National Maintenance Program (NMP) repair management capability;

2) back-up Supply Support Activity (SSA) operations;

3) “limited” Depot level maintenance support; and

4) on order, provide Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Support (AVIM) support to aviation units located in Kuwait and perform Air Port/Sea Port of Debarkation (APOD/APOD) operations.

Our soldiers are executing their mission at various locations including Camp Arifjan, the SPOD, Udari Army Airfield at Camp Buehring and Ali Al Salem Air Base and Kuwait Naval Base in Kuwait; in addition to the work of the fix forward teams at Balad, Iraq and Bagram, Afghanistan and other locations in those countries.

POC: CSM Thomas Beyard

Cards, coffee, cookies and stuff from home can be sent to:

CSM Thomas Beyard
Command Sergeant Major
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

…Tom is sure to see that it gets to good use… What he doesn’t need in his unit, is sure to be distributed in Iraq and Afghanistan…

####

20061225 CSM Beyard says Merry Christmas from Kuwait

Command Sergeant Major Tom Beyard wishes folks a Merry Christmas.

December 25th, 2006

I called CSM Beyard in Kuwait late Christmas Day in the evening. By that time it was early Tuesday morning, December 26th, 2006.

I dialed the number and he picked up the phone.

“This is Command Sergeant Major Beyard.”

It was as simple as that. However he was busy and we did not spend a long time on the phone. The telephone connection was good, but there was a great deal of activity on Tom’s end and he had a hard time hearing us at times.

My brother-in-law, a retired U.S. Army Colonel had a chance to extend best wishes and thanks. The Colonel asked him what he needed and Tom answered “coffee,” right away.

“We drink a lot of coffee… and finding good coffee is hard…,” Tom said.

He wished everyone home a Merry Christmas.

So, as I keyboard, coffee is wrapped in a box to go out in the mail Tuesday morning.

My wife is going to take it into the Post Office first thing in the morning. I have heard reports that filling out the paperwork to ship packages to the troops in the Middle East is a chore. Please let that not be the case. I’ll post an update as soon as I get a report from my wife.

Sooo, we now know he needs coffee.

Everyone has an empty shoe box lying around the house. I just grabbed an empty shoe box and threw a can of coffee in it with a few “Westminster” things lying around for “packing” and taped it shut and addressed it. It took only minutes.

The address is:

CSM Thomas Beyard
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

Kevin, December 25th, 2006

20061220 CSM Beyard Greetings from Kuwait

CSM Beyard Greetings from Kuwait

December 20^th, 2006

Command Sergeant Major Thomas B. Beyard, aka Westminster Planning and Public Works Director says “Merry Christmas” from Task Force AVCRAD, Patton Army Air Force Field, Kuwait, December 2006.

Cards and “stuff” (1) from home can be sent to CSM Beyard (2) at:

CSM Thomas Beyard
Command Sergeant Major
TF AVCRAD 06-08
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
APO AE 09366

And oh - - CSM Beyard shared in a recent e-mail:

“Last Monday, BG Patricia McQuistion, CG of AMC-FWD-SWA and Diretor of Operational Sustainment for U.S. Army CENTCOM, presented our commander, me and the soldiers of our unit with the Third Army combat patch to wear on the right sleeve of our uniform.”

“Third Army is also known as Patton's Army, in honor of WWII General George Patton and the success of Third Army in contributing to the liberation of Europe from the Nazis. Third Army was one of the most successful large units of that era. When the patch was presented, BG McQuistion said ‘Patton's Own’ and each soldier said ‘Always First’ ”

####

PS: My latest Tentacle column is up and it addresses folks serving in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan:

Wednesday, December 20, 2006, “An Uneasy Truce” by Kevin E. Dayhoff

Christmas is within a week and my thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women in uniform who are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Read the rest here.

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(1) From a 2003 list that I have handy, things to send are: baby wipes with Aloe, bar soap, deodorant, foot cream, foot powder, sun block, chapstick, disposable razors, shaving cream, hand lotion, q-tips, batteries, fans, insect repellent, paper, pens, envelopes, stamps, nuts, beef jerky, hard candy, gum, snacks and powdered drinks.

I have also read and heard that magazines, tootsie rolls, cookies and baked goods, coffee, tea, sugar, and creamer. Do not worry about collecting a bunch of stuff for a large package. Send little packages often.

Be sure to enclose a note to say who it is from. If/when you wrap something for shipping, wrap it in a recent local paper for folks to read. Folks like Tom are fairly voracious readers.

For those who may have a better idea as to what to send, please read over the list and make suggestions, additions, deletions or corrections in comments or e-mail. Once I have a better list… I’ll post it separately.

(2) Tom has said in several e-mails that he doesn’t need anything… Oh so typical Tom… Whatever. But knowing Tom, he will share with other soldiers…

#### ####

20061206 CSM Beyard with Westminster Flag in Kuwait

CSM Beyard with Westminster Flag in Kuwait

December 6th, 2006

Command Sergeant Major Thomas B. Beyard, aka Westminster Planning and Public Works Director says “Merry Christmas” from Task Force AVCRAD, Patton Army Airfield, Kuwait. December 2006.

For more posts on CSM Beyard, click here.

For more information on ESGR, go here: 20061206 What is ESGR? Or: The ESGR web site says; or: ABOUT ESGR; or: What is Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve?

You may leave a message for CSM Beyard in comments.

Kevin

20061206 What is ESGR?

What is ESGR?

December 6th, 2006

ESGR stands for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve.

When you are about to do business with a company or organization in Maryland, you want to take into consideration whether or not that business or organization has signed the Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.

In a previous post, the support of Sears for our men and women in uniform has been brought to light.

A fair question immediately comes to mind; what is the statement and what does it entail? Click here for that information.

Go to the ESGR web site and look for the section that says “SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYERS.” Use the pull down menu and check for businesses and organizations in Maryland that have signed the Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve.

A quick review of the list indicates that Carroll County Government (with the exception of the Carroll Co. bureau of highways?), the City of Westminster and other municipalities have not signed the Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve; although several businesses have signed the statement.

The list indicates that the following businesses and organizations have signed the statement:

CARROLL COUNTY BUREAU OF HIGHWAYS, Westminster; CARROLL INDEPENDENT FUEL COMPANY; DEPT OF JUVENILE SERVICES ST OF MD, Westminster; HOME DEPOT, Westminster; LOWES HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES, Westminster; TERMINIX INTERNATIONAL, Westminster; JOS. A. BANK CLOTHIERS, INC., Hampstead; CTGROUP ENVIR, Sykesville; MARTINS' PRODUCTS, Sykesville; SPRINGFIELD STATE HOSPITAL, Sykesville; TECHNOLOGY LLC, Mount Airy;

Of course, considering the support that the City of Westminster and Carroll County Government and the greater Carroll County community have traditional given; and currently give our men and women in uniform, all bets are that they are simply not aware of the statement…

Hopefully, some leaders in Carroll County and municipal government may take this opportunity to look into this visible and public display of support and investigate signing the statement.

A quick review of the list indicates that a number of county and municipal governments in Maryland have signed the statement…

Getting back to the original question; what is ESGR?

The ESGR web site says:

ABOUT ESGR

What is Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve?

Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense organization. It is a staff group within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (OASD/RA), which is in itself a part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

The nation's Reserve components (referring to the total of all National Guard members and Reserve forces from all branches of the military) comprise approximately 46 percent of our total available military manpower. The current National Defense Strategy indicates that the National Guard and Reserve will be full partners in the fully integrated Total Force. Our Reserve forces will spend more time away from the workplace defending the nation, supporting a demanding operations tempo and training to maintain their mission readiness.

In this environment, civilian employers play a critical role in the defense of the nation by complying with existing employment laws protecting the rights of workers who serve in the Reserve component.

ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. It is the lead DoD organization for this mission under DoD Directive 1250.1.

Read more here.

Hopefully you agree that local government and businesses visibly and publicly showing their support for our men and women in uniform is a good thing. Why not contact your employer, your favorite business or store, or your local government elected officials today and call to their attention this program.

Thanks.

Kevin

20061205 Why we should all shop Sears for the holidays

Why we should all shop Sears for the holidays

Sears and Activated Reservists

December 5th, 2006

Hat Tip AKBill

I feel very strongly about our obligation in the civilian ranks to support our citizen soldiers, especially in time of war.

For a bit of transparency, I served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1971 to 1973… And I have a number of members of my family who are either retired military, or are currently serving our country.

And - an appointed official with whom I was honored to serve with when I was an elected official is on active duty in the Middle East.

I was recently e-mailed this note from Col. AKBill, U.S. Army (Ret.):

A note about Sears and how they are handling their civic responsibility to our Activated Reservists--verified by Snopes

I assume you have all seen the reports about how Sears is treating its reservist employees who are called up? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more.

Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up...Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.

Suggest we all find a Sears manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.

Actually, please go to Snopes for the rest of the story – it gets better.

Kevin

20061124 Happy Thanksgiving from Tom Beyard

Happy Thanksgiving from Tom Beyard

November 24th, 2006

The Westminster Director of Planning and Public Works is currently serving our country in the Middle East.

He asked me to “say Happy Thanksgiving from (him) and hopefully a happy holiday season. I spent my Thanksgiving with our soldiers at LSA Anaconda, Balad, Iraq, north of Baghdad. I hope to spend Christmas with our soldiers at Bagram, Afghanistan, where we also have soldiers working.”

I asked Command Sergeant Major Beyard what he needed, if anything.

He responded by saying: “I am doing fine and our unit is doing fine. Your thoughts are fine with me. No need to send anything.”

Join me in thanking CSM Beyard for his service and wishing him a Happy Thanksgiving.

Kevin

PS: The best way to leave a message for CSM Beyard is to leave it in comments…

20060303 Westminster Director deployed to the Middle East

Westminster Director deployed to the Middle East

March 3rd, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

The latest of a seemingly never-ending string of new reporters writing for the Baltimore Sun in Carroll County has written an article in the February 28th, 2006 edition of the Carroll Sun on the Westminster Director of Planning and Public Works (DPPW) being deployed to the Middle East. I was interviewed for her article, however, I was not included…

Mr. Beyard is 1973 graduate of South Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown, MD and earned an A.A. Degree from Hagerstown Junior College, Hagerstown, MD in 1973. He then went on to earn a B.S. Degree from Towson State University, Towson, MD in 1977.

Mr. Beyard and I have worked together on quite a number of issues over the years.

My father-in-law, David S. Babylon, Jr., was the Westminster Common Council President when Mr. Beyard was hired on September 29th, 1987. Mr. Babylon always spoke very highly of Mr. Beyard. He was always aware, (as I became,) that Mr. Beyard has the consummate prerequisite knowledge, skills and abilities to competently look after all the affairs of Westminster in his purview.

Long before I became a Westminster elected official on May 10, 1999 – and shortly after Mr. Beyard arrived on the job, I met him when I was a member of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources District Conservancy Board (1988 – 1991.) The Conservancy Board worked with Mr. Beyard on some issues that had developed as the Maryland State Highway Administration planned to rebuild Westminster’s East Main Street.

I also had some contact with him as a member of the Carroll County Landscape Manual Committee (1987 – 1989.)

Later, when I was a member of the Carroll County Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (1994 – 1999,) I worked with Mr. Beyard on some “waste –to-energy” ideas; especially in 1997, when I was by the Carroll County Board of Commissioners to participate in the Carroll County Department of Public Works’ development of Carroll County’s Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan.

Mr. Beyard has always been a forceful advocate for Westminster (and his employees.)

When I was mayor (2001 - 2005,) the DPPW had one of the most difficult and complex jobs in the entire City of Westminster structure, which required nearly daily contact with Mr. Beyard.

If you read the Baltimore Sun article, the current administration of the City of Westminster is interested in making some structural changes to the management of the growing municipality. The merit and wisdom of those changes is the fodder for perhaps another column. Meanwhile, Westminster citizens voted for this group of community leaders and they, for the most part, were not bashful in telling potential voters that they aimed to make Westminster’s government bigger…

The DPPW was responsible for managing the City’s largest department. This department includes everything from providing safe drinking water, street maintenance, snow removal, parks and recreation, solid waste and recycling collection, comprehensive planning, housing and community development and wastewater treatment. Additional responsibilities added over the years included economic development, code enforcement, particularly with the property maintenance code, and service for the City on various boards.

The DPPW was responsible for all City activities, with the exception of finance and police. This includes well over 125 full and part-time employees with budgets totaling over $16 million. This equates to approximately 75% of all City employees and budget.

One of the many things to admire about Mr. Beyard is his commitment and service to our country. He enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve on March 22, 1982 and served in the U. S. Army Reserve until February 12, 1997 when he was released from the Reserves to join the Maryland Army National Guard.

Since he first enlisted with the Army Reserve in 1982 as a Private First Class, he has completed extensive formal military classes and earned a number of commendations and awards for his service; not to mention that he has risen through the ranks steadily. As of September 1, 2005, his rank is that of Command Sergeant Major.

The Baltimore Sun picks up the story well at this point. Excerpted from the article:

Carroll official is called to active duty

Westminster planning chief Beyard, 51, to leave in June for Kuwait with National Guard

By Laura McCandlish, Sun reporter. Originally published February 28, 2006

The man integral to running the daily business of Westminster for nearly 20 years announced last night that he has been called to active duty in the Middle East.

Thomas B. Beyard, Westminster's director of planning and public works since 1987, told the City Council he will depart in mid-June for a deployment based in Kuwait with the Maryland Army National Guard. Beyard, 51, who joined the Guard in 1997 after years with the Army Reserve, expects to return to his job in late 2007.

I’m sure you join me in wishing Mr. Beyard well and God-speed as he continues to serve our community and our nation in another capacity. We are quite proud of him.

Kevin Dayhoff

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ and http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

20020428 Mayor Dayhoff honored for support of reservists sun

Mayor Dayhoff honored for support of reservists sun

April 28th, 2002

Central County Briefs

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.cen28apr28.story

Mayor Dayhoff honored for support of reservists

Master Sgt. Thomas B. Beyard of Headquarters Aviation Depot Maintenance Roundout Unit recently presented the Maryland Employer Support for Guard and Reserve State Chair's Award to Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff.

The award is given to employers who have gone beyond the requirements for employer support of the National Guard. Beyard, Westminster planning director, said the city has always supported his service with the Maryland Army National Guard. Beyard said Dayhoff and the Westminster Common Council also deserve the "My Boss is a Patriot" award for their support of his military service.

The award was presented at a recent Common Council meeting.

19940223 Carroll County Unified Municipal Solid Waste Management and Recycling Services Program

Maryland Municipal League's Award For Excellence Competition

Carroll County Unified Municipal Solid Waste Management and Recycling Services Program

February 23, 1994

Ms. Karen Liskey

Maryland Municipal League

1212 West Street

Annapolis, MD 21401

RE: Maryland Municipal League's Award For Excellence Competition

Dear Ms. Liskey:

Please find enclosed the City of Westminster's application for the Maryland Municipal League's Eleventh Annual Award for Excellence Competition. This entry describes a program the City coordinated among six of the eight municipalities in Carroll County which reduced the public cost in contracting services for the collection of solid waste and recyclables.

We hope that the Maryland Municipal League finds the Carroll County Unified Municipal Solid Waste Management and Recycling Services Program an innovative approach towards reducing costs incurred by small municipalities in the provision of public services. We look forward to hearing from you. If there are any question, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (410) 876-1313, extension 9002.

Very truly yours,

Thomas B. Beyard

Director of Planning and Public Works

TBB/KLT:klt

cc: Mayor and Common Council

APPLICATION

FOR

THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE'S

ELEVENTH ANNUAL

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Submitted by

The City of Westminster

for the

Carroll County Unified Municipal Solid Waste

Management and Recycling Services Program

Population Category: Over 10,000 population

Respectfully,

W. Benjamin Brown

Mayor

Contact Person: Mr. Thomas B. Beyard

Director of Planning and Public Works

(410) 876-1313, extension 9002

OVERVIEW

Seven of the eight municipalities within Carroll County provide solid waste collection and disposal service to the residents within their corporate boundaries by contracting with a private waste management company. In June of 1992, the contracts for five of the municipalities expired. Prior to renewing their individual contracts, the City of Westminster under the direction and guidance of Mayor Brown, coordinated a program between six municipalities to jointly solicit unified bids for the provision of municipal solid waste management and recycling services. The unified contract would cover a three year period.

The municipalities which solicited the unified bid included the Town of Hampstead, the Town of Manchester, the Town of New Windsor, the City of Taneytown, the Town of Union Bridge, and the City of Westminster. By soliciting bids for solid waste management on a multi-jurisdictional level this program reduced the total cost of providing solid waste and recycling collection services. In the "Request for Bids" the total number of units from each municipality were combined together. The guarantee of a larger number of units permitted private haulers to reduce their overhead costs, and, therefore, submit bids which were lower than those submitted individually to each municipality.

The waste management company which submitted the lowest sealed bid was awarded contracts with five of the municipalities. The Town of Manchester retained their existing contractor, after the contractor lowered their rate equal to the rate quoted in the unified bid. Each of the other five participating municipality executed a separate contract with the successful bidder. Therefore, payment from each municipality is forwarded directly to the waste management company, forgoing the need to create a centralized bookkeeping and finance effort between the municipalities.

SAVINGS

Evidence that the service could be provided at a lower cost under a unified bid scheme was available since five of municipalities had already received individual bids. The contract for Manchester, the sixth municipality, did not expire until the end of 1993, therefore, a separate bid had not been requested.

Specifically, the unified bid approach will save Westminster $10,345.00 in collection costs over the course of the three year contract. Combined with the four other participating municipalities whose savings are clearly known, the total savings over the three year period of the contracts will be $91,175.00.

Under this unified bid approach only Union Bridge would have experienced a higher per unit cost than it would have had under an individual bid. So the that the other four participating municipalities could enjoy the cost savings available under this unified approach, in the spirit of intergovernmental cooperation they each agreed to pay a slightly higher fee to offset the increase that Union Bridge would have experienced. Therefore, Union Bridge retained their existing lower per unit fee, while the other municipalities were still able to save their taxpayers dollars.

Moreover, the cost savings did not end with the signing of the contracts. The bid specified curbside collection of recyclable products, such as glass, paper, and plastic. The contracts went into effect in August of 1993, and during Fiscal Year 1992-93 the combined curbside recycling rate averaged 18.7 percent. With the curbside recycling program, the five participating municipalities saved over $53,500.00 in avoided landfill tipping fees during FY 1992-93, in addition to the savings already described.

APPLICABILITY TO OTHER LOCALITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES

This type of unified bid scheme can reduce costs to small individual municipalities which must contract with private sector companies for municipal services. Enlarging the number of units serviced by joint approaches allows the provider to experience economies of scale, and offer the service at a lower cost. Small municipalities can then provide the types of services at a cost comparable to that which are typically only found in more densely populated areas.

Furthermore, a unified approach eliminated duplication of efforts, such as the cost of advertising a "Request for Bids" and the cost of supplying bid documents. With the unified approach these costs are borne by several municipalities, and, therefore, are spread equally among them. It is not necessary for each to publish a separate advertisement or prepare and supply copies of the bid document to every interested company. Staff time is also saved in the preparation process, since each municipality does not have to create and produce and individual bid.

This program does not add any additional costs to the process of requesting and awarding bids for public services which must be contracted out to private companies. When public services can be provided at a lower rate, the savings can be used to lower, or maintain, the tax rate. Ultimately, the taxpayer experiences the real savings.

####

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management, Westminster City Public Works Solid Waste Management