20020514 Getty won’t seek reelection

Getty won't seek reelection
by Lauren King Carroll County Times

May 14, 2002

Del. Joseph M. Getty, R-Carroll, announced Monday that he would not run for re-election in an effort to honor the two-term limit promise he made during the last election.

Getty did say that he would like to run for state Senate some day, but not against Sen. Larry E. Haines, R-Carroll.

"I've waited to see how things were lining up as far as Larry Haines' decision," Getty said. "I really want to honor the term-limit pledge that I made, and it seemed like this was the right time to announce it."

He said that if Haines changes his mind about running for state Senate, he would run for the seat.

But for now, Getty said he wouldn't be dropping out of the political scene. He said that he plans to help with U.S. Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich's campaign for governor, and his petition against the governor's legislative redistricting plan is still going through the Maryland Court of Appeals process.

Getty said that he would not reconsider his decision about the House of Delegates even if the legislative redistricting plan were amended to give Carroll a district completely within the county. The current plan would pit the three Carroll delegates - Getty and Dels. Carmen Amedori and Nancy R. Stocksdale - against each other for two seats.

Under the governor's plan, Carroll's Fifth District will be shared with a portion of western Baltimore County, where Republican Del. A. Wade Kach is the current incumbent.

20020514 Baltimore Sun: Westminster council OKs 03 budget

Westminster council OKs ’03 budget

The $21.9 million plan includes city's first tax increase in five years

May 14, 2002

The Westminster Common Council adopted last night a $21.9 million budget for fiscal 2003 that includes the city's first tax increase in five years - 4.8 cents - and $2.5 million for the long-awaited Longwell parking garage.

"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 Royer Road. About $75,000 is designated for new salting equipment, improvements to the tot lot at Kings Park and a new position in the Fire Department.

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 Baltimore Sun: Westminster council OKs 03 budget

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.