19960700 Kevin Fishing Oregon Inlet in North Carolina

Kevin Fishing Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks, North Carolina

July 1996

Westminster Common Council Minutes for July 8 2009

19960708 Council Minutes

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
July 8, 1996

QUORUM:

A meeting of The Mayor and Council was held in the City Hall Council Chambers on the evening of July 8, 1996, at 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Yowan; President Calwell; Council Members Albert, Chapin, Halstad and Pecoraro; Department Heads Beyard and Dutterer; Major Austin; and City Attorney Walsh, were present.

MINUTES:
The Minutes of the meeting of June 10, 1996, were approved as presented, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Halstad and duly passed.

CONSENT CALENDAR:
On Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mrs. Albert and duly passed, the Consent Calendar was approved, consisting of May Departmental Operating Reports, and … ? …

BIDS:
Bare Truck Center, Inc., shall be awarded the Street Department Dump Truck Bid, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Halstad and unanimously passed, based on their bid of $57,256.00. No other dealers submitted bids on the vehicle.

On Motion of Mrs. Albert, seconded by Mr. Halstad and unanimously passed, the Annual FY 1996-97 Roadway Paving Contract was awarded to Charles J. Miller, based on their low Base Bid of $137,512.50.

REPORTS FROM MAYOR:
Advised that R. Wayne Barnes, of Barnes-Bollinger Insurance Services, Inc., has consented to fulfill the remaining non-City position on the Westminster Town Center Board of Directors.

Noted the following arrangements in connection with the arrival of the Baltimore Ravens at Western Maryland College on July 15, 1996: daily shuttle-bus service to transport fans will be provided, the cost there of to be equally shared by the City and County; additional weekend shuttle service will be provided by the Maryland State Department of Transportation MTA buses; due to scheduling conflicts not allowing the participation of the Raven team members, the welcoming parade will not be held. An expenditure of up to $3,300.00 was authorized, from Unappropriated Surplus funds, on Motion of Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Halstad and unanimously passed, to pay for the estimated one-half of the cost of daily shuttle-bus service.

REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Mr. Halstad commented favorably on the Music of the Shirelles, the first of the "A Month of Sundays Summer Concert Series" held on the City Playground; and further noted the interest shown by the Carroll County Public Library in utilizing the Post Office building when it is vacated in the future.

ORDINANCES:
The final enactment of Zoning Ordinance No. 612 was Moved by Mr. Pecoraro, seconded by Mr. Chapin and unanimously passed. Adoption of the Ordinance constitutes favorable action on Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment No. TA 95-3, applied for by Taneytown Bank & Trust Company, to allow construction of a local bank branch.

NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Thomas K. Ferguson, General Campaign Chair of the Westminster Fire Department Building Fund, presented a status report on the volunteer efforts to raise $1,530,000.00, to fund relocation of their operations to the new John Street site. One hundred community volunteers have solicited $725,000.00 in pledged contributions to date. Mr. Ferguson requested a donation from The Mayor and Council, which was referred to the Finance Committee for further deliberation.

The Legislative Body pledged their financial support of the building program, in recognition of the firefighters' valuable service to the community.

Mr. Robert Cumberland requested the use of the Diffendal Parking Lot, by the Westminster Fire Department, to host the Cumberland Valley Firefighters' Convention on August 23 and 24, 1996.

Thereafter, on Motion of Mr. Halstad, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the request was granted, to include the all-day use of the Parking Lot on both days, and a parade to be held on Saturday, August 24th.

Town Planner Tucker presented the Third Amended Development Plan of the Carroll Lutheran Village subdivision. The Plan basically adds fifteen acres to the overall site, to accommodate the construction of additional Assisted Living facilities and Cottage Residences; and reaffirms the validity of previous agreements relating to the extension of Luther Drive and upgrading and improvements to Bell Road.

Thereafter, on Motion of Mr. Chapin, seconded by Mr. Pecoraro and unanimously passed, the Third Amended Development Plan of Carroll Lutheran Village was approved. Carroll Lutheran Village officials Geary Milliken, Terry Snyder, and Roy Chiavacci were present at the meeting.

CITIZEN COMMENTS:
Downtown property owner, David Max, requested to purchase fifteen temporary parking permits, for use of up to one year, on the metered Babylon Parking Lot.

The permits are for the benefit of American Red Cross employees that occupy the Winchester West building located at 56 West Main Street, and owned by Mr. Max. The parking permit request was referred to the Public Improvements Committee. Greater Westminster Development Corporation Executive Director, Douglas Mathias, distributed entries for "The Welcome Ravens Window Contest" promotion. Best judged business window with a football theme will be awarded free tickets to a Ravens' home game.

ADJOURMENT:

Council President Calwell adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

JOHN D. DUDDERAR

City Clerk

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

19960422 "The Happy Colors" The Dream of the Pink Zebras 04.22.1996 Binder # 15 v. #4.0095 07.1995 –

19960422 The Happy Colors Binder #15

19960422 "The Happy Colors" The Dream of the Pink Zebras 04.22.1996 Binder # 15 v. #4.0095 07.1995 –

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/1996/04/19960422-happy-colors-dream-of-pink.html

"The Happy Colors" The Dream of the Pink Zebras 04.22.1996 Binder # 15 v. #4.0095 07.1995 – 04/22/1996

"Life has a value only when it has something valuable as its object". HEGEL, Introduction to Philosophy of History (1852)

"We love life, not because we are used to living but because we are used to loving". NIETZSCHE, "On Reading and Writing" _ Thus spoke Zarathustra (1883-1892)

"Always develop solutions to challenges that can withstand testing conditions that closely approximate reality". GRANDPA DAYHOFF, "The Frozen Chicken Test" (11.1994)

...of which reminds me of a story that has been in my head for years... a love story called:

"The Happy Colors"

© Kevin Dayhoff April 22, 1996

A sultry August ocean breeze drooled over them as they stood poised at the railing on the balcony of the large art-deco condominium overlooking a vast ocean beyond. Far below little people and cars scurried about putting away the remains of another day at the beach. The cries of tired children, squeals of laughter and the banter of parental instructions all jumbled together with the calls of the sea gulls and an ocean's heartbeat pumped waves that crashed upon the shore. It was music written by the Great Composer in the sky. A piece called "The Happy Colors".

The colors were to be remembered so well. The breeze ruffling her long hair ever so delicately. The sparkle of her eyes as she gazed at the deep azure expanse of the ocean below. The deep maroon of the setting sun as it echoed off her glass of red wine held so deftly in her seasoned, thoughtful fingers. A warm smile sprung from her inviting crimson lips, brightening her face which reflected the flickering yellow candle light. A lone white candle stood sentry, melting on to a black tablecloth that maintained the remains of abandoned china and dessert for two. The cream of her graceful gown mimicked the creamy black russian captured in the solid glass grasped in his deeply creased and weathered hands. His graying hair contrasted with the dark black of his finely tailored black tuxedo.

Their conversation drifted from the previous discussion of how they had met, and parted, in their childhood years. Perhaps they had even been lovers in a previous life. The years had marched by. And although they had lived separately for all these years, they had never left each other. They hadn't regretted their lives apart, but, then again, they did. Neither had known the other was to be at this function. This meeting again, for the first time, all over again; it was of serendipitous happenstance. As wave upon wave crashed and pounded upon the shore below, their eyes remained transfixed upon one another, oblivious to the party's banter, as their hearts crashed and pounded in unison in their warm chests. A grandfather clock dutifully stood sentry and watched the crowd beyond, and kept them away, as it quietly announced the time, seemingly, only to them...Midnight.

A stimulating intellectual discourse ensued. Alice B. Toklas was instrumental to whatever it was, that Gertrude Stein became. F. Scott Fitzgerald needed the catharsis of Zelda's being in order to create. Nietzsche fleshed out the paragraphs of their life but Hegel defined their meaning and Sartre gave them the punctuation. They had built their lives, their own way, and though they had had their shortcomings here and there, they were happy with the lives they had lived, albeit apart. They had made the best choices that they could make, not that they always had the criteria necessary in order to make the choices. They had made their choices in life because they had to make the choices. They had soared in hostile air. In a life of no inherent meaning, they had created a meaning. Their meaning. Now, older and wiser, the works that they had created, the thoughts they had promoted, the decisions they had made; were all the foundation of the work that laid ahead, that needed to be done.

They continued on to a poem that had marked their decisions in life, by a sage author they had long since forgotten....Does one build a fence at the top of the chasm of life or provide for an ambulance below?

At that, the handsome young waiter tentatively inquired about their needs.... They had none. Then again. Maybe one more drink before they left the party and parted company once again. To again do what they had to do. Because it is what it is, this life of their's.

"Yes, I'll have another black russian for me and a glass of red wine for the lady. Thank you".

The jazz quartet played a soft number in the background as the party in her honor grew quiet, reflecting about their chance meeting. Many smiled, some mused philosophically, others miffed jealously. Meanwhile, on the balcony, the lovers discussed their latest endeavors as they entwined in dance to the soft caresses of the music, oblivious to the quiet banter beyond.

They danced so softly together. Her hand ran longingly through his graying hair. Her long hair blowing across his eyes. The sun dipping below a wanting horizon. The sea gulls sang their good night praises of yet another great day in a great life.

The wise grandfather clock called to them that it was, indeed, time to go. They wanted this moment to never end. As the waiter appeared at the door of the balcony, as they held each others hand so tightly and gazed into each others eyes, as they whispered how much they were in lover and how glad they were that they had found each other again.

They a paused at the railing of the 17th floor and gazed into the sun's remains of the day and promised that they'd never part again... At that;


they climbed upon the railing, and jumped.


Grandpa Dayhoff 04.22.1996

"The more absurd life is, the more insupportable death is". JEAN-PAUL SARTRE, The Words (1964)

"Man's 'progress' is but a gradual discovery that his questions have no meaning". SAINT-EXUPERY, The Wisdom of the Sands (1948)

"Life has to be given a meaning because of the obvious fact that it has no meaning". HENRY MILLER, "Creative Death", The Wisdom of the Heart (1941)

"Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve". ERICH FROMM, Man for Himself (1947)

To be an artist is to jump...to jump from the comforts and confines...from behind the railing...then experience the free-for-all-fall of the intellectual, artistic unknown and document the meaning, your own meaning that which you and you alone, give this existence.

This piece has been in my head for years. I have not a clue as to what "the jump" is all about. Perhaps I should have left "the jump" in my head, but I had grown tired of the space it was taking up. Perhaps, "the jump" is an existential artistic exercise and can be interpreted as affirming. Anyway, I've always gotten a kick out of the incongruous, Hemingway-twist ending. I guess I'm a bit worried that many will find this piece disturbing. Well, it is what it is. I think perhaps the piece is allegorical. It's art. It's done. Now I have room for another piece.....Mr. Eaton would have liked this I'll bet....

Grandpa Dayhoff 04.22.1996

"The Happy Colors" The Dream of the Pink Zebras 04.22.1996 Binder # 15 v. #4.0095 07.1995 –
Kevin Dayhoff, a slave to the masters of the page - the little soldiers in my life – words