20070304 Truck “decorations” in Maryland.

Truck “decorations” in Maryland.

March 4, 2007

The low down on the raging debate on truck “decorations” in Maryland.

I guess I have avoided this topic because of the lack of a tactful manner in which it can be treated.

“Soundtrack” is not really set up to be the place to discuss such issues, but if ya really – really wanna read two great posts on the raging debate on truck “decorations” in Maryland – the place to go is Crablaw and the Pillage Idiot.

For those who are not aware of this pressing concern, Attila writes, “A state delegate from Allegany County, Leroy E. Myers Jr., has introduced a bill that would prohibit…”

Crablaw helps us find the legislation: “Delegate LeRoy Myers' House Bill 1163…”

What might even be funnier is that the ACLU has deemed it necessary to weigh-in with their opinion…

And OMG - - Reading Crablaw’s ponderings upon a hypothetical cross-examination is a hoot. Of course, one can only imagine that there would be a “legal definition” of the offending “decorations” and that might be the fodder for humor for decades… Where were you Daddy when Maryland struck a blow for civility, taste and the future of the planet?

And he’s only getting warmed-up. The rest of his post is a keeper…

Warning – do not read either post with your mouth full of say, Dr. Pepper…

If Maryland begins to outlaw poor taste, there is no end to where this nanny-state can go.

If you wanna smile – go immediately to here – and here.

####

20070304 Republicans Attack....Each Other

Republicans Attack....Each Other

This is going to be the longest presidential campaign any of us have ever had to endure…

Sunday, March 04, 2007 By Susan Estrich[1]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,256525,00.html

LOS ANGELES —

"I'm sure we'll disagree on issues from time to time, but I doubt you'll see the rancor that apparently may exist elsewhere," said Mitt Romney, commenting on the shouting match between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spokesmen about Obama supporter David Geffen’s anti-Hillary rant.

That was Feb. 23.

A week later, Romney went on the attack against his two major rivals, with rancor worthy of the angriest Democrat. Pushing one hot button after another, he accused John McCain of wrongly promoting amnesty for 11 million illegal immigrants, and Rudy Giuliani of being wrong on abortion, gay rights, and guns.

"He is pro-choice, he is pro-gay marriage and anti-gun," was Romney’s description of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "That's a tough combination in a Republican primary."

As for McCain, Romney criticized his role in the pending Senate debate about immigration, where the Arizona senator has been working with the man who beat Romney a few years ago, Ted Kennedy, to come up with a comprehensive reform package. "I do not believe amnesty is the right course for the 11 or 12 million illegal immigrants who are living here. It didn't work in the 1980s. It's not going to work in the 2000s either."

He also criticized McCain for not supporting a federal constitutional amendment to limit marriage to heterosexual couples.

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

Read the rest here.

####

[1] Susan Estrich is currently the Robert Kingsley Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of Southern California. She was previously Professor of Law at Harvard Law School and was the first woman President of the Harvard Law Review. She is a columnist for Creators Syndicate and has written for USA Today and the Los Angeles Times.

Estrich's books include the just published “Soulless,” “The Case for Hillary Clinton,” “How to Get Into Law School,” ...“Getting Away with Murder: How Politics Is Destroying the Criminal Justice System,” and "Making the Case for Yourself: A Diet Book for Smart Women.”

She served as campaign manager for Michael Dukakis' presidential bid, becoming the first woman to head a U.S. presidential campaign. Estrich appears regularly on the FOX News Channel, in addition to writing the “Blue Streak” column for foxnews.com.

20070304 CPAC, Blumenthal, Malkin, Coulter and politics as a contact sport

CPAC, Blumenthal, Malkin, Coulter and politics as a contact sport

March 4th, 2007

I had wanted to go to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington DC last weekend.

Time is not my friend and in hindsight I haven’t a clue as to how I could’ve done it. Nevertheless, grazing through the blogs I came across a video of the event that Max Blumenthal had put together. I found it on the Maryland Federation of College Democrats web site.

If you’d like to know more about Max Blumenthal go here for a brief bio and list of his pieces in “The Nation.” I cannot refer you to his blog because it has lots of “unpleasant words…”

It appears that he is a one-person cottage industry in the pursuit of painting Republicans in a profoundly unbearable - undesirable light – And I guess there’s the rub.

And he seems to have had some success in doing that.

Michelle Malkin was less than pleased to see Mr. Blumenthal at CPAC. She wrote:

“Interlude: Two punks from The Nation with a camera stopped by my book signing to ambush me about In Defense of Internment. Have they bothered to read the book? No. I look forward to their butchering of my comments and the predictable unhinged reaction.”

Mr. Blumenthal wrote:

“I met concentration camp enthusiast Michelle Malkin at her book signing at CPAC today. I merely asked her to autograph this photo and she launched into a prolonged hysterical rant at the lens of our video camera. From the looks of what she wrote on her blog, Malkin is not looking forward to seeing video of the encounter…”

Later Mr. Blumenthal added in a post titled, “CPAC: The Unauthorized Documentary:”

The video is finally ready! I’m having trouble embedding it on WordPress so just click here to view it.

A preview:

Michelle Malkin goes unhinged and launches a hysterical tirade into the lens of our camera. I ask Ann “John Edwards is a (My redact)” Coulter why she isn’t the same person on Sunday morning as on Sunday night. Tom Tancredo fanatics lose their cool when asked about connection between race and immigration, then try to conceal their neo-Confederate paraphenalia(sic). a curiously pale black Republican explains why black Republicans can’t get elected. Bob Barr, Grover Norquist and “Flipper,” the anti-Romney dolphin, discuss the conservative movement. I receive a special gift from David Horowitz…and much, much more!

Then later yet, Mr. Blumenthal writes, “Language police chief Michelle Malkin calls me an “(my redact).” Wait, who’s unhinged again?”

Looks like Ms. Malkin and Mr. Blumenthal won’t be exchanging Christmas cards anytime soon.

Of course with Ann Coulter’s reprehensible remark at the Conservative Political Action Conference, perhaps it really isn’t that hard to paint Republicans in an unpleasant light.

Speaking of Ms. Coulter’s unfortunate remarks, Michelle Malkin has weighed in. I’ll put her remarks in a footnote so that some of my friends who do not care to go to her site can read them absent any philosophical trauma.[1]

I’m just not sure what to make of the video. I sorta-kinda viewed it with an eye for “how not to conduct oneself” with someone with whom I have political disagreements. I believe that when working with someone who disagrees with me – that’s the time to turn on the charm, be profoundly polite and make sure that we can all go out and have a soda afterwards.

And I guess that is what is lacking in politics these days.

To be certain, Mr. Blumenthal is a “brave” person. I would be profoundly uncomfortable at a Cindy Sheehan rally or if I were to attend the YearlyKos Convention[2] with the specific agenda and purpose of gathering only information that paints Democrats in an unpleasant light.

Perhaps I wouldn’t be uncomfortable? Then again hopefully the professionalism simply would take over and I’d report upon the event straight down the middle. Whatever.

Of “left-wing conferences,” Michelle Malkin wrote:

CPAC's Friday night banquet honored many of these troops, along with modern civil rights leader Ward Connerly (who gave THE best, most eloquent, rousing, passionate, stalwart, and courageous speech of the entire conference), and other conservative leaders. After the dinner, journalist/happy warrior Joel Mowbray quipped to me:

"At left-wing conferences, you leave hating America. At right-wing conferences, you leave loving America."

Well, if you’d like another point of view – and I always do - - Mr. Blumenthal’s video came be found here. It certainly has some cringe worthy moments. I’d love to find a video with another point of view from Mr. Blumenthal’s.

####

[1] Enter Ann Coulter.

Her "(My redact)" joke was not just a distraction from all the good that was highlighted and represented at the conference. It was the equivalent of a rhetorical fragging--an intentionally-tossed verbal grenade that exploded in her own fellow ideological soldiers' tent.

There are countless conservatives who bring their children to CPAC. It's a family-friendly event. I brought mine last year and the year before. I met several parents with their kids there this year. We expect CPAC to be a place where conservative role models speak with clarity, passion, and integrity. There are enough spewers of mindless filth, vulgarity, and hatred on TV, at the movies, and in the public schools. We don't expect our children to be exposed to that garbage at the nation's preeminent conservative gathering.

I was in the back of the ballroom and did not see any children in the audience during Coulter's speech. But what if there had been?

Would you want your children hearing the word "faggot" spoken in such a casual and senseless manner? Would you like your first-grader or three-year-old running around the halls of CPAC singing "(my redact)?" Not me. Not anymore than I'd like my toddler singing "(my redack)" or "(My redack)"--favored epithets hurled at conservative minorities by leftist haters groping around in their empty intellectual quivers. There were hundreds of young conservative college students in the ballroom. Would you be proud of your college-age daughter spewing such epithets in her campus debates with leftists?

With a single word, Coulter sullied the hard work of hundreds of CPAC participants and exhibitors and tarred the collective reputation of thousands of CPAC attendees. At a reception for college students held by the Young America's Foundation, I lambasted the substitution of stupid slurs for persuasion-- be it "(My redact)" from a conservative or " (My redact)" from a liberal--and urged the young people there to conduct themselves at all times with dignity in their ideological battles on and off campus.

I made something else explicitly clear: Not all of us treat the communication of conservative ideals and ideas as 24/7 performance art. You can and should use humor to convey your message. You can enlighten and entertain--without becoming a tired old schtick. You can joke without becoming the joke.

[2] The mission of YearlyKos is to encourage and facilitate the promotion of progressive values. YearlyKos uses the term "progressive" to describe the common values held by most Americans, rather than as a reference to any political or partisan agenda. Progressive values include, for example, preserving and promoting the environment, equal rights for all human beings, separation of church and state, good governance and ethics in government, the private sector, and individual behavior, enlightened international relations, media reform, voters' rights, and election reform. YearlyKos intends to pursue these broad goals through social and cultural programs that center on progressive values and worldviews. Specifically, YearlyKos will focus on progressive community building through arts and education.

YearlyKos may develop and conduct classes, workshops, lectures, and seminars to educate the public about progressive values. It will present these programs at its own events and at progressive conferences, such as the annual convention held by bloggerpower.org.

To learn about the YearlyKos Convention, sponsored by bloggerpower.org with the generous support of YearlyKos Inc. please click here.

20070304 True Geek

True Geek

A couch blogger geek in action.

March 4th, 2007

My wife, pray for her, took the picture. One cannot be sure if she was gathering evidence or what. You would’ve thought her mother would’ve warned her from marrying a nerd. Then, again, maybe she was warned and didn’t heed the advice – cuz ya know geeks always get the girl.

Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.

####

20070303 Ann Coulter comment on Edwards is reprehensible

Ann Coulter’s comment about John Edwards is reprehensible.

March 3rd, 2007

And speaking of “20070303 The Pillage Idiot says” and “$)*%&#@(&!” - - whether it was a bad joke poorly delivered or whatever – Ann Coulter’s use of a slur to describe presidential hopeful John Edwards is reprehensible.

Click here to see Ann Coulter's controversial comments on John Edwards.

Or just click: “Ann Coulter uses slur to describe John Edwards @ CPAC”

There are plenty of polite and even colorful words available to disagree with the positions and views of presidential hopeful John Edwards.

Ms. Ann Coulter unnecessarily gave Mr. Edwards relevancy (see “John Edwards Hopes to Raise 'Coulter Cash' After Commentator's … Comment”) when she resorted to using a slur in her Conservative Political Action Conference presentation to describe the person that is John Edwards.

Disagreeing with his views provides more than ample fodder for discussion but attacking him as a person is off the table and cries out for an apology.

Until she apologizes, I certainly hope that Fox News and “Townhall.com” drops her from their repertoire.

Ann Coulter uses slur to describe John Edwards @ CPAC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx9Bi3C4rs8

#### !?*&%#@!! ####

20070226 Tapscott on Internet and government transparency

Tapscott on Internet and government transparency

Internet and government transparency

February 26^th, 2007 – Posted March 3^rd, 2007

I had missed it – but just came across a fascinating commentary by Mark Tapscott, the “editorial page editor of The Washington Examiner and a member of The Examiner Newspaper’s national editorial board.”

_____

Mark Tapscott: They aren’t laughing now about the Internet and government transparency

Mark Tapscott, The Examiner

Feb 26, 2007 3:00 AM

WASHINGTON - There were more than a few skeptical chuckles seven years ago when I first wrote in a Knight Ridder column that posting federal contracts and other spending documents on the Internet could restore public confidence in government by making it more transparent.

They aren’t laughing anymore. Using the Internet to foster greater transparency and accountability in government has not only become one of the few points of agreement between liberals and conservatives, it has even become official government policy.

Exhibit A here, of course, is passage last year of Coburn-Obama, aka the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, co-sponsored by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and enthusiastically signed into law by President Bush.

Coburn-Obama directs the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to establish a Google-like searchable database of most federal spending by 2009. You can view the preliminary Web site at FederalSpending.gov. You can also get a good idea of the benefits to come by checking OMB Watch’s superb Fedspending.org, a precursor to the Coburn-Obama database.

Read the rest here. More great links and this informative commentary is well worth the time.

####

Kevin

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.”

####

20070303 The Pillage Idiot says

The Pillage Idiot says... $)*%&#@(&!.

March 3^rd, 2007

I’d like to echo the remarks the Pillage Idiot recently made in a blog post: “$)*%&#@(&!.”

Kudos for our fearless leader of the Maryland Bloggers Alliance for saying that “George Carlin's seven words you can't say on the radio” rarely appear in his blog.

I must say that it is one of the reasons that I enjoy his blog.

I am dumbstruck to find the use of foul language in the blogosphere. Yeah, it’s an exercise of free speech, but nevertheless the right to free speech comes with responsibilities.

Whenever I come across a blog site or blog post with foul language, I exercise my right to move on to another web site – in haste.

If someone has such little grasp on their language skills and cannot articulate a position without the use of the foul language, my view is that they have little to offer me as to their opinion.

I dare say that I am hardly “little Miss Goody Two Shoes,” (Where did that expression come from anyway?) but I try hard to talk the walk and avoid the foul language on this web site and applaud Attila for his post and his blog.

Find his post here.

####

20070228 Reconnecting a friend to Fred Magsamen

Web site helps reconnect a friend to Fred Magsamen

February 28th, 2007 – Posted March 3rd, 2007

Last Wednesday’s Westminster Eagle has a letter to the editor about a column I wrote for the Westminster Eagle – and later a blog post I wrote on the Winchester Report on May 26th, 2006: "On Memorial Day, Freddy Magsamen is No. 11 in our hearts."

Web site helps reconnect a friend to Fred Magsamen

I just blundered (literally) across a story about Fred Magsamen that Kevin Dayhoff wrote for The Westminster Eagle way back in May 2006. ("On Memorial Day, Freddy Magsamen is No. 1 in our hearts," May 26, 2006.)

His story brought tears to my eyes. I am the Ken Van Arsdel whom he quoted in the article.

I can't tell you how much the article means to me. I counted Fred as a good friend É best friend É although I knew him for only a few short months.

The intensity of life as a soldier in Recon Company, CCN, seemed to distill daily experiences into moments that were both potent and poignant. Great friendships were formed quickly in the maelstrom of the events we lived. Sadly, they were often brought up short, as the odds caught up with us.

Mr. Dayhoff's article told me more about Fred than I ever knew, and I miss him all the more for it. Thank you for remembering him, and for sharing those memories with the world.

The Internet is a wonderful thing; without it I would never have seen your article.

Or would I? It is an experience like this that makes one question whether "divine intervention" or "karma" are more than just pop culture concepts.

Ken Van Arsdel

San Andreas, Calif.

(Editor's Note: The Magsamen article and others are available on our Web site, at http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/.)

####

20070303 Washington Co MD names Greg Murray County Administrator

Washington Co MD names Greg Murray Co Admin

Posted March 3rd, 2007

Hat Tip: Maryland Politics Today by P. Kenneth Burns. Check out this site the next chance you get, Lots of interesting stuff. I found the post about Greg Murray here.

A week or so ago, on February 21st, 2007, a colleague was named Washington County Administrator.

This public acknowledgment is somewhat belated, however, I’d like to publicly congratulate former Director of the Department of Water Quality Gregory B. Murray, for his selection as Washington County Maryland Administrator.

I had the pleasure and honor of working with County Administrator Murray on the Bay Restoration Fund Committee and I was quite impressed. Not only does he have a keen mind and is technological proficient, he is pragmatic, methodical, and well versed in environmental issues.

He will do Washington County a super job.

Below please find the news release from when he was selected and when he was officially appointed.

Congratulations Mr. Murray. Now get to work.

____

Washington County MD names Greg Murray County Administrator

Washington County Maryland News Release

Document Modified: 2/21/07 1:33 PM

Board of County Commissioners Names Murray County Administrator

http://www.washco-md.net/public_info/new_admin.shtm

After careful consideration of several highly qualified candidates, on Tuesday, February 20th, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners selected Gregory B. Murray, Director of the Department of Water Quality (DWQ), as the new Washington County Administrator.

The Commissioners cited Murray's 24 years of public administration and his leadership role over the County’s $205 million in Water Quality Department assets during his 10 years as DWQ Director. His Management and Public Administration experience includes budgeting, personnel, facility management, design and design review, regulatory compliance, project management, system evaluation, training, computer system and technology implementation, governmental operations and interaction with the public.

The Commissioners said Murray has an extensive knowledge of the County’s infrastructure needs, planning and regulatory issues, and shares a good working relationship all of the County’s departments, with community organizations and businesses, and with the County's nine municipalities.

He has authored regulations for State approval, local codes and ordinances, safety policies and rate studies and is a contributor to a nationally distributed Manual of Practice.

Originally employed by the Washington County Sanitary District as the Laboratory Director in 1983, Murray was WCSD Supervisor of Facilities from 1989-1994, served as Director of Utilities and Public Works for the Town of Hancock from 1994-97, prior to being employed as Director of Washington County's Water and Sewer Operations in 1997. The department's name was changed in 2003 to come in line with environmental regulations.

Under his direction, DWQ was one of the first such departments in Maryland to institute wireless remote technology for control of pumping stations. Electronic payment of water and sewer bills was also put into place during his term as Director.

He worked with the Governor's Office and the Local Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly on Senate Bill 320, the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Act, and was appointed by Governor Robert Ehrlich to the Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee. He has worked closely with Environmental Protection Administration and the Maryland Department of the Environment to improve the quality of wastewater processed by all County treatment facilities and ensure the quality of water supplied to customers on the County system.

Environmental Licenses held by Murray include Class 4 Water Treatment and Water Superintendent, Class 5 Wastewater Treatment and Wastewater Superintendent, Distribution System, Distribution Superintendent, Class 2 Collection System, Class 2 Collection Superintendent and Maryland State Sediment Control Inspector.

Murray has been commended on numerous occasions over his 10-year Directorship for helping reduce water and wastewater treatment costs through innovative practices and techniques. In 2005 he wrote a state grant that brought $6.5 million to the County for Biological Nutrient Removal upgrades to the wastewater treatment system as part of the Chesapeake Bay project. He was instrumental in closing of the outdated Nicodemus treatment plant, which saved millions in retrofitting costs for that outmoded facility.

He takes the reins from Rodney M. Shoop, who has served as County Administrator since 1995. Shoop announced his retirement in September of 2006.

The Board will officially appoint Greg Murray to his new role as County Administrator at its next scheduled meeting.

A native of Washington County, he currently resides with his family in the Smithsburg area.

_____

Meeting Summary Press Release

Note: This is a SUMMARY of the Commissioners Meeting for the purposes of a Press Release. These are not the official minutes of the meeting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: NORMAN BASSETT 240-313-2077

Review of Actions Taken in the Washington County

Board of County Commissioners Meeting February 27, 2007

http://www.washco-md.net/commissioners/summary/2007/070227.shtm#pic

APPOINTMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners officially appointed Gregory B. Murray as County Administrator. Murray, 46, has been the Director of the Department of Water Quality for ten years and brings 24 years of public administration and leadership to his new role as County Administrator. His Management and Public Administration experience includes budgeting, personnel, facility management, design and design review, regulatory compliance, project management, system evaluation, training, computer system and technology implementation, governmental operations including prior service with municipal government as Public Works Director and interaction with the public. He graduated from Heritage Academy, Hagerstown Junior College and also graduated with Summa cum laude honors from American Intercontinental University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program of the University of Baltimore. He is a member of the American Society of Public Administration, the American Public Works Association, the County Engineers Association of Maryland, the American Water Works Association, the Water Environment Federation and the Maryland Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies. He serves on numerous boards and commissions at the state and local kevel. He holds a number of environmental licenses including Class 2,4, and 5 Wastewater Treatment and Superintendent licenses. In 2006 he was selected by the Ministry of Personnel of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), along with State Administration Foreign Affairs Experts to represent Washington County and the environmental community as an international expert for exchange of technologies and ideas with the public and private sectors in Shandiong Province, PRC. A native of Washington County, Greg currently resides with his family in the Smithsburg area. Murray thanked the County for affording him educational opportunities and said he pledged to "work hard to make Washington County a better place to live, work and play."

####

20070302 Carroll unprepared to attract new jobs

Carroll unprepared to attract new jobs

Growth and Development

March 3^rd, 2007

Kelsey Volkmann, writing for the Baltimore Examiner has an article in the March 2^nd, 2007 edition of the paper about Carroll County’s current inability to attract jobs and commercial tax base.

Attracting meaningful jobs and employment and tax base in Carroll County is critical to Carroll County’s future. Yet getting the public policy in Carroll County to chart a different course that takes into consideration the importance of attracting jobs and employment is like changing the course of the Titanic in our county - considering the present level of rampant NIMBYism.

And zoning laws in Carroll County are tantamount to that acronym, something to the affect of BANANAS – “Build absolutely nothing anywhere near anything.”

Hardly a month goes by when folks do not rally against any new business and economic development in a negative contagion that has its roots in a sea change of public opinion against any new housing development.

As much as I have personally had enough of the new houses folks must begin to understand that there is a difference between economic development and residential development.

If that understanding does not develop soon, we will never be able to pay the necessary property taxes to keep the ever-increasing level of services in Carroll County.

Not to mention the enormous “transportation tax” Carroll County citizens are paying to commute to meaningful employment outside of the county.

See my post from December 9th, 2000: 20001209 Transportation 2nd Biggest Family Exp.

A report released November 30 by the Surface Transportation Policy Project (STPP) finds that households in the Baltimore region spend, on average, 14.7 percent of their budget, or more than $5,000 per year, on day-to-day transportation. That places transportation costs higher than health care, education, food, or any other household expenditure except shelter.

The report, "Driven to Spend," compiled data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and found that the poorest fifth of Americans pays a significantly larger percentage of income -- 36 percent—on transportation.

_____

Carroll ‘unprepared’ to attract new jobs

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner

Mar 2, 2007 3:00 AM

Carroll County - Carroll “is wholly unprepared to take advantage” of opportunities to attract new jobs, a new study reveals.

“Despite its size, location [and] educated and affluent population, Carroll’s economic performance is still that of a rural residential suburb,” according to a report from consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff…

“Carroll’s current inventory of zoned industrial land is in the wrong places, too broken up and outside existing sewer and water services areas.”

Consultants presented their findings Thursday to the Economic Development Commission.

Read the rest of her article here.

####

20070302 The White House Weekly Review

The White House Weekly Review

February 25-March 2, 2007

Sunday, February 25, 2006
President and Mrs. Bush hosted a State Dinner for the Nation's Governors in the East Room of the White House.

"I'm looking forward to our meetings tomorrow. It's a really good chance to talk about important issues for the country. ... I believe that governors add a lot ... to the worth of our nation. And I believe if we work together, we can do a lot of good things."

President Bush Hosts State Dinner for the Nation's Governors

• Guest List for the State Dinner in Honor of the Nation's Governors
• After Dinner Guest List for the State Dinner in Honor of the Nation's Governors
• Entertainment at the State Dinner for the Nation's Governors
• Menu for the Dinner in Honor of the Governors of the States and Territories

Monday, February 26, 2007
President Bush met with the National Governors Association. He later presented the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall. Then, the President participated in the presentation of the annual report to the Nation by the Boy Scouts of America.

"In men like Bruce Crandall, we really see the best of America. He and his fellow soldiers were brave, brave folks. They were as noble and selfless as any who have ever worn our nation's uniform. And on this day of pride, we remember their comrades who gave their lives and those who are still missing. We remember the terrible telegrams that arrived at Fort Benning, the families devastated, the children who traced their father's name on panel three-east of the Vietnam Memorial wall."

President Bush Meets with the National Governors Association

President Bush Presents the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall

• In Focus: Veterans

Tuesday, February 27, 2007
President Bush met with President Elias Antonio Saca of El Salvador. The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including our common commitment to strengthening democracy and economic development and our joint effort to address the problem of criminal gangs. The President then traveled to the U.S. Department of State, where he participated in the ceremonial swearing-in for Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte.

"American diplomacy is really critical to ensuring the safety and the security of our citizens. Terrorist enemies follow an ideology of hatred and death. In the long run, the only way to defeat them is to offer a vision that is hopeful and positive and optimistic. Spreading that vision requires strong leadership here at the State Department, and John Negroponte has the talent and the experience our nation needs in a Deputy Secretary of State. He's going to do a superb job for the American people."

President Bush Meets with President Saca of El Salvador

President Bush Attends Swearing-In of John Negroponte as Deputy Secretary of State

• In Focus: Global Diplomacy

In the afternoon, President Bush welcomed the 2006 NBA Champions, the Miami Heat, to the White House.

"Heat players volunteer their time in all kinds of causes, ranging from reading to drug prevention to youth basketball. This is a championship team on the court, and this is a championship team off the court, and it is my high honor to welcome to the White House as the NBA champs."

President Bush Welcomes the 2006 NBA Champion Miami Heat to the White House

Wednesday, February 28, 2007
President Bush met with leaders of 11 military service organizations, some of whom are partnered with the Defense Department’s “America Supports You” program, to thank them for their efforts in support of America’s troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world.These organizations have sent thousands of care packages, letters, and other items of support to our troops overseas as well as their families at home.

"One of the most enjoyable things I do as the President is to hear stories of my fellow citizens... stories of compassion, stories of care. I just talked to social entrepreneurs who have decided to help improve the lives of our servicemen and women and their families. There are some remarkable acts of kindness by people who have taken it upon themselves to serve their country by helping a neighbor in need."

President Bush Meets with Military Service Organizations

• In Focus: Defense

Thursday, March 1, 2007
President Bush traveled to the Gulf Coast, where he visited with grant recipients in Mississippi and later met with Mississippi elected officials and community leaders in Biloxi. The President had lunch with Louisiana elected officials and community leaders in New Orleans before visiting the city's Samuel J. Green Charter School.

The Federal government has committed more than $110 billion to help the Gulf Coast recover from Hurricane Katrina. President Bush remains committed to progress on all fronts in the Gulf Region, and will discuss progress in education as well as other reconstruction efforts.

"There's still work to be done here in Mississippi, and the Governor and I are going to go listen to some of the local officials describe to me what's on their mind and how we can continue to help. But times are changing for the better, and people's lives are improving, and there is hope. And I congratulate the good folks in this part of the country for their resiliency, their courage, and the fact that they never abandoned hope."

President Bush Meets with Elected Officials and Community Leaders in Louisiana

President Bush Meets with Mississippi Elected Officials and Community Leaders

President Bush Meets with Gulf Coast Grant Recipients

President Bush Visits Samuel J. Green Charter School

• Fact Sheet: Working with State and Local Leaders to Help Rebuild the Gulf Coast
• In Focus: Hurricane Katrina

Friday, March 2, 2007
Prior to departing for Indiana, President Bush announced he will travel to the storm ravaged areas of Georgia and Alabama on Saturday. Later, President Bush visited Silver Street Elementary School in New Albany, Indiana, and made remarks on No Child Left Behind. The No Child Left Behind Act is helping to raise student achievement in our Nation's schools, and Silver Street is an example of the law's good results – students at the school have met Indiana's achievement benchmarks every year since 2002. The President later met with students from University of Louisville's McConnell Center.

"I'm talking with people on the leading edge of change. And the reason why I've asked them to come in to see me is because I want to make sure that the goal I set by reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent over a 10-year period is a realistic goal. I know it's a necessary goal: it's necessary for national security purposes; it's necessary for economic security purposes; and it's necessary in order to be good stewards of the environment."

President Bush Discusses No Child Left Behind Reauthorization

• In Focus: Education
• Fact Sheet: The No Child Left Behind Act: Preparing Our Nation's Students to Succeed

President Bush Expresses Condolences to Tornado Victims in Georgia and Alabama

Monday, February 26, 2007

Press Briefing by Tony Snow

President Attends the 2007 Republican Governors Association Gala

President Bush Signs Antitrust Modernization Commission Extension Act of 2007

Notice: Continuation of the National Emergency Relating to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Irish-American Heritage Month, 2007

Nominations Sent to the Senate

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Press Briefing by Tony Snow

Vice President's Remarks to the Traveling Press

Interview of a Senior Administration Official by the Traveling Press

Nomination Sent to the Senate

Personnel Announcement

Personnel Announcement

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Press Gaggle by Tony Snow

President to Welcome Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand to the White House

Women's History Month, 2007

American Red Cross Month, 2007

Save Your Vision Week, 2007

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Ask the White House
David Almacy, White House Internet & E-Communications Director, discussed the the White House website.

Press Gaggle by Dana Perino

Presidential Delegation to Accra, Ghana for the 50th Anniversary of Independence

President and Mrs. Bush Saddened by Loss of Mario Chanes de Armas

Implementation of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement with Respect to the Dominican Republic and for Other Purposes

Message to the Congress of the United States

Notice: Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Zimbabwe

Memorandum for the Secretary of State

Personnel Announcement

Vice President's Remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference

Mrs. Bush's Remarks to the Press at Midway Atoll

Friday, March 2, 2007

Press Gaggle by Dana Perino

Amending Proclamation 8031 of June 15, 2006, to Read, "Establishment of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Momument"

President Bush to Welcome President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil to Camp David

Mrs. Bush's Remarks at the Announcement of the Native Hawaiian Name for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument

• Fact Sheet: Fulfilling the President's Vision for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument

Saturday, February 24, 2007

President's Radio Address
Embargoed until 10:06 AM ET

20070301 Boston police blow up traffic counter – save city

Boston police blow up traffic counter – save city

March 1, 2007

Police Blow Up Suspicious Device In Boston

The bravery never seems to end in Boston Massachusetts, the home state of what many of us otherwise feel is the greatest known threat to our national security, Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry. Alright, well maybe that’s political hyperbole, but nevertheless, last Wednesday, Boston police once again fearlessly saved the city and civilization as we know it by blowing up a traffic counter.

WBZ Boston has the story and gives us a glimpse at the tense moments. To see the video of this heroic act – click here or here for the video on “MyFox 25 News Boston.”

Actually, the video at “My Fox 25 News Boston” video is quite comprehensive…

“Part of Boston Shutdown After Suspicious Device Found Last Edited: Wednesday, 28 Feb 2007, 5:18 PM EST Created: Wednesday, 28 Feb 2007, 5:18 PM EST”

The WBZ coverage reads:

Feb 28, 2007 12:33 pm US/Eastern

Police Blow Up Suspicious Device In Boston

(WBZ) BOSTON There were some tense moments in Boston's financial district Wednesday morning as police were forced to blow up a suspicious device.

The bomb squad shut down busy Devonshire Street after someone spotted a green box chained to a no parking sign.

The box turned out to be some kind of traffic counting device and was completely harmless.

Can you remember the terrorism scare in Boston of several weeks ago:

First Suspicious Device Found Near MBTA's Sullivan Station
Timeline: Publicity Stunt Gone Wrong
Officials' Response to Crisis

I feel safer already.

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