Letters to the Editor for Saturday, January 28, 2006
Westminster should rethink partnership
Editor:
Thank you for John Westerman's Jan. 21 article on Estonia and its recent refusal to prosecute Harry Mannil.
I have been troubled by Westminster's strong association with Estonia for several years for another reason. Disturbing to me is the fact that the financing of our municipality's partnership program with that country is kept from the public record.
Since the Westminster/Estonia Partnership's money is handled by a powerful local non-profit, financial records like donor lists and expenditures abroad are unavailable for public examination. Yet Westminster City Hall employees, on city time, travel there. Any taxpayers' questions about costs at city council meetings I have been present at have not been well received or explained. We have recently seen in the news the possibly problematic relationship between government and non-profits.
Now we are facing some troubling international news about the justice system in Estonia.
To understand the hunt for Mannil, one has to understand who his hunter is and who Evald Mikson was. Dr. Efraim Zuroff is director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem, a world respected human rights organization, and he is its coordinator on Nazi War Crimes Research.
Zuroff considers Mannil to be one of the top 10 Nazi war criminals left living. It was while investigating another Estonian, Evald Mikson, Mannil's unit leader, that Mannil's name first surfaced.
Briefly, Mikson had served as deputy chief of the Estonian Political Police in Tallinn and as leader of the fascist Omakaitse vigilante squads in the Vonnu district during World War II.
Zuroff wrote in his 1998 paper, "anti-Semitism in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia," that "These units assisted the Nazi invasion in July 1941 and helped round up and slaughter Jews. In January 1942 the Nazi leadership reported that Estonia was judenfrei."
Zuroff discovered Mikson living in Iceland. The evidence he presented convinced the Icelandic Justice Ministry to seek a criminal murder case against Mikson, but Mikson died before he could be tried in Reykjavik. But before his death, Mikson revealed the Venezuelan whereabouts of former squad member Mannil.
It must be also considered that Mannil has grown extremely wealthy in the auto parts business in South America, where he fled in 1943 and where he still lives. He is a heavy monetary contributor to his homeland, Estonia. His financial success is considered a source of pride by the Estonian government. He is listed in the current Famous People of Estonia as "policeman and philanthropist." However, our own Justice Department doesn't allow him to walk on U.S. soil.
Perhaps it is time for our mayor and city council to examine the cost to all taxpayers of the city's four-year entanglement with Estonia. After reading the Mannil saga, I believe even more strongly that it is time for our city elected officials to do some important soul searching.
Rebekah Orenstein
Westminster
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2006/01/28/news/opinion/letters/letters28.txt
20060128 Westminster should rethink partnership rocctltte
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Thursday, January 19, 2006
20060118 Westminster Municipal Band looks to 2006
Ending year on musical note, Municipal Band looks to 200601/18/06 by
Photo: Members of the Westminster Municipal Band make their way along the parade route in
It's gray and cold outside, and spring concerts and summer parades seem so far away, but on a recent Monday, the Westminster Municipal Band started warming up for another busy 2006 schedule.
"We had a great year in 2005," said Sandy Miller, who has been the band director since March 2000.
The Millers are one of many husband-and-wife teams in the band. She plays the clarinet - when she's not out front and waving a baton, that is.
"We're looking forward to an even greater year in 2006," said Scott Flohr, a band member since 1978. When he is not playing the trombone, he also handles responsibilities as the band's vice president.
Flohr said he "takes a great deal of pride in being part of a community tradition that goes back to the 1800s É and I can't tell ya how much fun it is to play in the band."
According to the band's Web site, the organization was formed in 1893 as the Westminster City Band. The site's history of the band notes that in 1916, many members of the band went into the Maryland National Guard under the heading 'First Regimental Band of
The Web site adds that "a Color Guard was added in 1957 and is now the trademark that separates us" from other bands.
Westminster Common Councilwoman Suzanne Albert said she always enjoys hearing the band.
"I hear great compliments on how well the band performs and represents the city throughout the state," she said. "They always look so sharp marching up the street. ... I'm particularly impressed with the color guard."
Band president Greg Wantz, who started with the organization in 1978, is another example of the many "band families."
His wife, Karen, carries the band banner; brother Steve is the band's drum major; mom plays the saxophone and dad, Jim, plays the trombone.
"The band has been a family tradition for over 40 years," he said.
"We had many memorable performances in 2005, including the August community concert at Belle Grove Square, winning first place at the annual state fire fighters' convention in Ocean City and the Fourth of July parades in Catonsville and Havre de Grace," Wantz said.
"Huge crowds," he said. "Great publicity for
Band treasurer Delbert Myerly plays drums, and said, "I joined the band around 1960. It's a good group of men and women who love to play music. We come together like family and have a lot of fun."
Myerly also seizes every opportunity to drum up some donations for the band.
"We're a nonprofit and always looking for contributions," she said.
Band drum major Steve Wantz echoed what many band members said: "the one big highlight of 2005 was dedicating our newly renovated band home on May 15, 2005" on
Wantz said that for most of the history of the band, members rehearsed on the third floor of the old firehouse on
The fire company moved in 1998, and O'Lordan's Irish Pub now occupies the
Working with the Westminster Fire Department and city government, band members rolled up their sleeves, set aside their instruments and performed with shovels, hammers and screwdrivers for many months to get their new home ready.
According to Flohr, George West served as the renovation project manager, assisted by Jim Wantz; and Jay Markle was the head carpenter. Blaine Flickinger was chief electrician.
Flohr said he is also happy to now have a garage for the band's 1947 Chevrolet panel truck used to transport equipment to band events.
In 2005, the band played in 37 events. Just before Christmas, at its annual band member recognition event, Mike Mora, Chris Crofoot, Mike Buffington, Larry Myers, Tony LaRose, Eric Utermahlen, Gene White, Brandy Simpson, Sue Mora, Joan Magnant, Dave Miller and Charlie Simpson were all recognized for attending the most band events and rehearsals in 2005.
"We're all one big family. We're proud to represent
"It's a great satisfaction marching up the street celebrating a great family tradition and our community," Miller said.
Both Miller and Wantz noted that the band is always looking for new members and donations.
And although the band probably won't be going to
E-mail
©2004 MyWebPal.com. All rights reserved.
Contact us at webmaster@mywebpal.com
All other trademarks and Registered trademarks are property
of their respective owners.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
20060111 Open Season I Love You You Love Me
Open Season I Love You You Love Me
By Kevin Dayhoff January 11, 2006 6 PM
By Kevin Dayhoff January 11, 2006 6 PM
Today was open season, err - opening day for the Maryland General Assembly (MGA).
I arrived early in Annapolis. Partially because I wanted to see if I could stop by and see a few elected officials and get some bearings on the day and upcoming session in general. And to be sure to get a parking spot in a nearby parking garage.
If you are considering visiting the Maryland General Assembly during the current session that lasts until April 10, 2006, please take a look at: Helpful Hints for 2006 Maryland General Assembly visitors and familiarize yourself with the security procedures.
Not everyone can easily make it down to Annapolis so you may want to check out: Listen to the Maryland General Assembly. At this web site, you can listen to the proceedings on your computer. I believe the sessions are available live. I usually go through the pull down list and listen to past sessions that are available to be heard.
I then proceeded to check off the next big item on my checklist – coffee. I am not a morning person and leaving Westminster at 7:30 AM was not pretty. At this point, I usually sleep walk over to “City Dock Coffee” within very easy walking distance of the Statehouse at 18 market Street.
After obtaining coffee, I found a place to sit in the Statehouse and decided to see if I could find any wireless access. I found a site – but needed a password to get in. I haven’t a clue as to whether that password will be available to members of the press. That will be a future exploration.
If I remember correctly, there is internet access down in the pressroom, on the basement floor of the Statehouse. I didn’t go near there today. The Statehouse was packed with media and I didn’t need wireless from Annapolis today.
A new House of Delegates Office building is being built and apparently, it is running behind schedule. On the House side, the chaos of construction was omnipresent. A visitor was not allowed street-access to the House office building because of construction. In order to get into the House office building, you had to enter the Legislative Services building off Lawyer’s Mall, which is directly in front of the Statehouse. Once inside you went down one floor on the elevator and walked through the tunnel over to the House office building.
I have always been fascinated with the interconnecting tunnels. I have not a clue as to when they were built or any knowledge of their history. I have it noted to research this in the future.
The Statehouse has a tunnel that goes over to the Legislative Services building. From there you can walk, by tunnel over to both the Senate office building and the House office building. This is great to know when the weather is bad, as it so often is for the next ninety days.
As far as catching up with some elected officials before the opening session began at 12 noon – forget it. Not an elected official was to be found. They were all in meetings.
Oh, I did run across Harford County Executive David Craig and his beautiful wife Melinda. I consider David to be a good friend. When I was the Mayor of Westminster, he was the Mayor of Havre de Grace. He has a long history of being an elected official and is very wise and knowledgeable. In the past, he has been a Havre De Grace Councilmember and mayor. He has also served in the Maryland Senate and recently he was appointed Harford county executive when former executive Jim Harkins was appointed to head up MES – Maryland Environmental Services, by Governor Ehrlich.
Finding no elected officials, I made my way back to the Statehouse.
I arrived early to the press area in the House chambers, thinking that I would get a good seat. What was I thinking?
First of all – the press tables had been replaced with a number of rows of chairs for dignitaries. What space remained for the press was – well, very little. Almost non-existent. We all managed. But it was an endurance contest. We all stood for the ninety minutes of the opening session.
The opening session began at exactly 12 noon. I mean, exactly.
After a very very short opening prayer, the first order of business was the election of the Speaker Pro Tem. Piece of cake. Adrienne Jones (D – Dist. 10 Baltimore County) was nominated from the floor; seconded and unanimously accepted by voice vote. Delegate Jones has been a member of House of Delegates since October 21, 1997. She was first elected to be the Speaker Pro Tem in the 2003 legislative session.
So far – so good. Perhaps the spirit of Barney was present? It was a gritted-teeth love-in. All smiles and hugs. Can you sing: “I love you, you love me?”
As I wrote in my Tentacle column for this Thursday, January 12th, 2005: “The Kool-Aid Acid Test:”
“Maybe it is time that we ask for all the delegates and senators to go down several days early for group therapy in problem identification and conflict negotiation counseling? Or arrange for a guest appearance of Barney, the Purple Dinosaur, to lead the opening session in a rousing chorus of “I Love You – You Love Me.”
I asked a colleague who was mashed against me in the press area: “How long the love-in will last?” His prediction – 45 minutes.
He was wrong. It lasted about 12 minutes or until the time came to elect the Speaker of the House. This is when everyone started to squirm in his or her seats. The purpose of opening day is to be very friendly and ceremonial. It is universally accepted that there be no blood left on the floor the first day.
It is in that spirit, that the other day, the Republican Caucus had approached Speaker of the House Michael Erin Busch (D - Dist. 30 Anne Arundel County), to facilitate accepting a floor nomination for House Minority Leader, George C. Edwards (R - Dist. 1A, Garrett & Allegany Counties), to be Speaker of the House. Delegate Edwards has been a member of House of Delegates since January 12, 1983. He has been Minority Leader since the 2003 legislative session. Delegate Edwards didn’t have a snowball chance in heck in being elected, but the Republicans wanted to have the satisfaction of having an election instead of a plebiscite.
The Republican Caucus got three answers: no. No. NO!
I explained this in the “The Kool-Aid Acid Test:”
“For those of you following along in your books at home – there are 141 delegates in the Maryland General Assembly. Ninety-eight are Democrats – so I guess there is a good chance that the Democrats will elect ah, let’s think about this – a Democrat to be the Speaker of the House. Gee, brilliant deduction, eh?”
Michael Erin Busch (D - Dist. 30 Anne Arundel County) was nominated and seconded. When the voice vote was called, Speaker Pro Tem recognized House Minority Leader, George C. Edwards, who requested a roll call vote.
In other words, he asked that the votes for the speaker election be recorded on the huge tally board that overlooks the chamber. Surprise, Delegate Busch was elected by a vote of 95 to 34. Yes, for those math wizards reading along at home; that totals 129. There was an absence or two, but all the Republicans in the Anne Arundel contingent did not vote, perhaps appropriately, out of respect for their fellow county colleague.
Dignitaries were recognized and there was a moving series of tributes paid to the very popular Delegate Tony E. Fulton (D – District 40 Baltimore City,) who had passed way last May 20, 2005.
There were also some remarks by Speaker of the House Busch and Governor Ehrlich…
The “Calendar of Vetoed Duplicative Bills” on the “Consent Calendar #1” was put to a vote. These are the House bills that were approved in the last session of the legislature, but were for various reasons, duplicative. They are routinely vetoed by the governor and the House routinely votes to sustain the veto.
The “Calendar of Vetoed Policy Bills #2” was special ordered until Friday. In other words – they will vote on them on Friday instead of on opening day.
The ninety minutes went by quickly and at approximately 1:30 PM, it was all over.
The large lobby area between the House and Senate chambers was packed with opening day visitors. It is an interesting ritual. Media folks hunted down various elected officials for the obligatory “Opening Day in Annapolis” pieces.
One of the better primers for the opening of the 421st session of the Maryland General Assembly was written by my boss at the Westminster Eagle. Can you say: “suck-up?” Whatever. Please see his editorial: “A few key issues could set mood.” In part he wrote:
“While we hope for the best, there are a few keys issues facing the assembly that could give us an indication of whether partisan politics will rule in Annapolis.”
Another good piece on opening day and this year’s legislative session is today’s Frederick News Post article by Clifford G. Cumber: General Assembly gets ready to rumble. Writing for the Gazette, Doug Tallman and Thomas Dennison always do a good job covering the Maryland General Assembly. Their preview on opening day can be found at: As session dawns, veto overrides in play
For a good primer on the weekly “progress” of the Maryland General Assembly, please begin with reading General Assembly Journal 2006 - Part 1 and A 2006 Session Primer by Richard B. Weldon, Jr. (R – Dist. 3B, Frederick & Washington Counties.) Delegate Weldon had been writing a weekly commentary about his experiences in the Maryland General Assembly, ever since he first started representing Washington and Frederick counties in January 2003.
Other web sites that you may wish to visit are: Fired Up Maryland, Soccer Dad and The Hedgehog Report… to mention a few… Fired Up Maryland usually takes the Democratic Party point of view and Soccer Dad and The Hedgehog Report usually takes a conservative point of view. The Hedgehop Report also reports on many Howard County politics.
In the future, you may want to go and read the coverage of Bryan P. Sears in the Towson Times.
One of the best-kept secrets in political writing these days is the work of Justin Palk with the Carroll County Times. Mr. Palk has covered the Maryland General Assembly for four years… This will be his fourth year. Three years with the Carroll County Times and one year with the Capital News Service. For a short, quick and accurate view of the day-to-day reporting of the MGA, you will have a hard time finding better reporting.
I’d like to try and get down to Annapolis personally as often as possible, and bring you the latest on the Maryland General Assembly. Between personal trips, I’ll bring you as many updates as time will allow.
Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
####
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)