20070600 2008 Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors

2007 – 2008 Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors

MML Home, MML Overview, Contact MML, Annual Reports, Board of Directors, Committees, Staff

Maryland Municipal League
1212 West Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-268-5514
800-492-7121

Board of Directors

The Maryland Municipal League is governed by a 31 member Board of Directors comprised of elected and appointed officials from throughout the state. The composition of the Board includes: president, first vice president, past president, 11 district vice presidents, 10 members at large, and 7 department representatives. Board members are elected at the Maryland Municipal League's annual business meeting in June and serve one-year terms. The Board meets six times during the year unless a special meeting is called.
Board of Directors Members

Stewart B. Cumbo, MML President, Councilman, Chesapeake Beach
Served as MML First Vice President (2006 & 2007), MML District 4 Vice President, Chairman (2005 & 2006) MML Convention Planning Committee. Served as President of the Southern Maryland Municipal Association. Member of the Governor's Public Safety Interoperability Working Group. Served as the Vice-Chairman of the Calvert County State Democratic Central Committee and serves on the State Rules Committee. Serves on the Calvert County Local Emergency Planning Committee. Serves on Board of Trustees of the Local Government Insurance Trust. Graduate and Fellow of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. Bachelor of Arts in criminology from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Management from the Johns Hopkins University. Graduate Police Executive Leadership Program from Johns Hopkins University and successfully completed the University of Delaware, Criminal Justice Leadership Institute. Leadership Maryland Class 2006. First Sergeant with the Department of Maryland State Police and a crisis negotiator (Team Leader) on their Hostage Recovery Team.



Sidney A. Katz, First Vice President, Mayor, Gaithersburg
Served as District 5 Vice President 2003 - 2007. MML Executive Committee member 2004 to present. Chair of the MML Leadership and Structure Subcommittee. President of the Montgomery County Chapter 2003 - 2007. Elected Mayor of Gaithersburg in 1998. Served as Councilmember 1978 - 1998. Inducted in the MML Hall of Fame in 1998. Owner of Wolfson’s Department Store in Olde Towne Gaithersburg.


David E. Carey, Immediate Past President, Commissioner, Bel Air
Serves on MML's Legislative Committee. Elected to a four-year term on the Bel Air Board of Commissioners and the Harford County Democratic Central Committee. Past chair of the Town of Bel Air's Economic and Community Development Commission. Member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, the National Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, and the American, Maryland and Harford County Bar Association.


Gary A. Comegys, District 1, (Somerset, Worcester, Wicomico, Dorchester)
Councilman, Salisbury
Member-at-Large and current MML Legislative Committee Member. President of the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Wicomico County and a member of the Salisbury Zoo Commission. Serves on the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Local Legislative Committee and the Wicomico County Visioning Committee and the Greater Salisbury Committee Urban River II Task Force. Area Engineer for Maryland State Highway Administration District 1 (Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester Counties).


Robert C. Willey, District 2 (Talbot, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Kent) Mayor, Easton
District 2 Vice President. Served as Councilmember and Council President, and elected Mayor in 2003. Past President of the Eastern Shore Association of Municipalities. Serves on the Local Government Action Committee for Chesapeake Bay Program and the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Board of Education. Attended University of Maryland and employed at Cadmus. Member of the EVFD, Elks Lodge and Past President of the Kiwanis. Enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.


Shelia Dixon, District 3 (Baltimore City) Mayor, Baltimore
District 3 Vice President. Mayor of Baltimore since 2007.


Leslie E. Roberts, District 4 (Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's) Councilmember, Leonardtown
District 4 Vice President.


Carolyn Shawaker, District 5 (Montgomery, Howard ) Mayor, Garrett Park
District 5 Vice President. Served four years on the Legislative Committee. Has served as 2007 President of the Montgomery chapter and also as Secretary. After forty years of teaching comparative religions, sociology and government, retired to spend full time on Garret Park town government activities. Also enjoys reading, gardening and travel with her husband.


Martin A. Burns, District 6 (Frederick) Mayor, Thurmont


District 6 Vice President.
John (Jerry) Ralston, Sr., District 7 (Garrett, Allegany) Public Safety Commissioner, Frostburg
District 7 Vice President. Served on MML’s Convention Planning Committee for 2004 & 2005. Allegany-Garrett Chapter Chaplain. Fourth term on MML Board of Directors and second term as Commissioner of Public Safety. Retired Maryland State Police Sergeant. Employed with Allegany County Department of Social Services as Child Support Agent 2001 to 2005. Member of Mountain Lodge #40 MTA/FOP, Maryland State Police Alumni Association, National Troopers Coalition, Honorary member Frostburg Fire Department, Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, Ex-Officio Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Historic Palace Theatre Board of Directors, Frostburg Museum, Allegany Arts Council, and the Frostburg Business/Professional Association. Serves on Frostburg's United Methodist Church Board of Trustees.


Jeffrey A. Cline, District 8 (Washington) Councilman, Williamsport
District 8 Vice President. Serves as Parks Committee Chairman, July Fourth Committee Chairman and on Williamsport Days Committee Marketing. Member of the MML Communications Committee, 2006 and 2007. He is a full time professional REALTOR ®, Licensed in Maryland and specializing in Washington County.


Malinda Miles, District 9 (Prince George's) Mayor, Mount Rainier
Member-at-Large 2005-2007. Second Vice President of Maryland Mayor's Association, President of Maryland Black Mayors Association and Vice President of PGCMA. Serves on the Board of Directors of National Conference of Black Mayors and as a Commissioner for Prince George's County Cable Commission. Served on MML’s Communication and Strategic Planning Committee. First Black female ever elected to the Mount Rainier City Council and first Black person to be elected Mayor in the City’s history. Elected to the Democratic Central Committee in 1982 and served on Amusement Ride and Safety Board, PTA President in several schools and recognized and profiled in “Women of Achievement in Prince George’s County”. Active member of Amistad Saint Paul United Church of Christ in Lanham, Maryland.


John Bunnell, District 10 (Cecil, Harford) Mayor, Cecilton
District 10 Vice President. Served four years on MML's Communications Committee. Served on the Town Council. Serves on the Cecil County Economic Development Commission, Cecil County Council of Governments, Cecil County Infrastructure Implementation Commission, Sassafras River Association Board of Directors, and Cecil County Democratic Central Committee. Previously served on the Rural Maryland Council, Cecil County Citizens Health Advisory Board, Cecilton Planning and Zoning, Parks and Recreation and the Comprehensive Plan Review. Graduate of the Cecil Leadership Institute, MD Certified Planners and MD Institute for Local Government. Served 12 years in the U.S. Navy and currently serving on Inactive Reserve for the U.S. Coast Guard.


Christopher M. Nevin, District 11 (Carroll, Baltimore) Councilman, Hampstead


Carl L. Anderton, Jr., Member-at-Large Commissioner, Delmar
Member-at-Large. Member of the Eastern Shore Association of Municipalities and Municipal Representative on the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore. Vice Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission of Delmar DE/MD and served as Chairman of the Salisbury Traffic and Safety Advisory Committee from 2001 to 2003. Enjoys spending time with his wife and children.


Judith M. Cox, Member-at-Large Mayor, Rising Sun
Member-at-Large. Member of MML's Structure of Leadership Subcommittee and MML's Mentoring Program. Serves on the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays, Board of Directors of Cecil County Economic Development Commission, Board of Directors of Cecil County Department of Social Services, president of the Human Services Developmental Corporation, Inc., Advisory Board Child Advocacy Center, Council of Governments of Cecil County, Rising Sun Business Association, Cecil County Commission for Women, Health Department Board of Cecil County, Board of Directors of Rising Sun Community Development Corporation, Cecil County Chamber of Commerce and Pastor Parish Relations Committee Janes United Methodist Church.


Judith F. "J" Davis, Member-at-Large Mayor, Greenbelt
Member-at-Large. Served from 1999 - 2006 as a member of MML's Legislative Committee. Former District 9 Vice President and Executive Committee Secretary. Served on the Scholarship Review Committee, Strategic Issues Committee, and as Chair of the Member Issues and Opportunities Subcommittee. Serves on the PGCMA Board of Directors and previously as the PGCMA Vice President, President and President Emeritus. Currently on the Zoning Ordinance Review Task Force and the Community Advisory Council for Greater Prince George's County Business Roundtable. Former Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Member of WINGS, Prince George's Elected Municipal Women. A 2002 Graduate Fellow, Academy for Excellence in Local Governance and taught for 35 years and retired in 1999.


Gregory Dotson, Member-at-Large Councilman, North Beach
Member-at-Large. Active member of the Southern Maryland Municipal Association. Serves as Council Liaison to the North Beach Events Committee as well as the North Beach Youth Activities Committee. Retired from the Air Force after more than 22 years of active service. Enjoys spending time with his wife and children.


Frank M. Johnson, Member-at-Large Mayor, Mount Airy


Darrell A. Miller, Member-at-Large Mayor, Capitol Heights


Craig A. Moe, Member-at-Large Mayor, Laurel
Member-at-Large. MML Executive Committee 2002-2003. Chairman, Convention Planning Committee 1999-2000. Former member of MML's Legislative and Convention Planning Committees. Governor's Emergency Management Advisory Council/State Emergency Response Commission. Laurel Volunteer Fire Department Past President, Fire Chief and member since 1976. Former two-term president of Prince George's County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. Member Maryland State Firemen's Association Executive Committee. Represented City Council on Laurel Planning Commission, Cable TV Arbitration Board and Budget Committee. Elected to six terms on Laurel City Council; Council President 1996-1998, Mayor since 2002. Appointed by Governor Glendening as Assistant Secretary of State - 2000-2003. Employed as Special Assistant to the Police Chief for Maryland Transit Administration.


Mabel R. Mumford-Pautz, Member-at-Large Councilwoman, Chestertown


Vic E. Newman, Member-at-Large Councilman, LaPlata
Member-at-large. Member of the 2006 Convention Planning Committee. 2005 - 2006 Vice-President of Southern Maryland Chapter. Member of the Town of La Plata Parks and Recreation Committee and Academy of Excellence Graduate. Currently works as a consultant for the Navy at the Patuxent Naval Air Station. Enjoys spending time with his wife and children and is working on a Masters of Systems Engineering Program through John's Hopkins University.


Jeffrey Z. Slavin, Member-at-Large, Councilmember, Somerset
Member-at-Large. Served since 2002 and current Chair of MML's Communications Committee. Vice Chair of MML's Communications Committee 2005. Secretary of the Montgomery Chapter since 2003. Former member of the Montgomery County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Real estate broker/property manager. J.D. Georgetown Law Center, Trustee of the Montgomery County Community Foundation, Class of 2005 for Leadership Maryland, Class of 1991 for Leadership Montgomery, Co-chair of the Family Philanthropy Affinity Group, Washington Grantmakers.


Elaine Murphy, Administrator, Hyattsville
City and Town Administrators Department Representative.


Jerry Hampton Director, Office of Code Enforcement, Hyattsville
Municipal Code Enforcement Department Representative. President of the Code Enforcement & Zoning Officials Association. Served on MML’s Convention Planning Committee 2005-2007 and as 2007 Board of Directors Liaison. Chairman of Social Subcommittee 2006-2007. Member of 2005-2006 American Association of Code Enforcement Finance Committee, member 2005 Prince George’s County Property Maintenance Code Review Committee. Fellow in the Academy for Excellence in Governance Program at the University of Maryland. 1984 Graduate of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and 1984-1986 Member, City of Gaffney, South Carolina Police Department and 1986-2001 Member, City of Hyattsville, Maryland Police Department.


Suellen Ferguson, Attorney, Glenarden, College Park, University Park


Kimberley Rau, Clerk, Laurel
Municipal Clerks Department Representative. President of the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association (MMCA). Member of the Prince Georges County Chapter. Current member of the MML Legislative Committee. Member of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Fellow in the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance.


Phil Bryan, Superintendent of Recreation, Rockville
Parks & Recreation Department Representative. Board member of Maryland's Recreation and Parks Association. Serves on the Rockville Department of Recreation and Parks, as well as Howard and Baltimore Counties' Department of Recreation and Parks.


J. D. Ervin Police Chief, Pocomoke City
Municipal Police Executives Department Representative to the Board of Directors for 25 years. Served on MML’s Legislative Committee for 6 years and on MML’s Communications Committee. President of the Police Executive’s Association. Serves on the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention Grants Committee, Statewide Communication Interoperability Commission and Worcester County Shore Line Commission. Graduate FBI National Academy 1978, Graduate University of Kentucky - Southern Police Institute, Police Executive Session 1985, and Polygraph Examiner since 1976. Member of the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Elks, Moose and Rotary Club. Enjoys travel, new challenges and people.


Lee E. Henry, Director, Public Works, Hyattsville
Public Works Officials Association Representative. Served on the Legislative Committee 2006 - 2007. President of the Public Works Officials Association 2007 - 2009. Received an MBA from UMASS. Public Works Director for City of Hyattsville 2004 to present and Town of Medway, MA Public Works Director 1997 - 2004. Enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchild.


Henry F. Marraffa, Jr., Councilman, Gaithersburg
Ex officio member of the Board of Directors. Member of the Montgomery Chapter and serves on the National League of Cities Board of Directors and the NLC Immigration Task Force. Served on the Governors Task Force on Eminent Domain 2005, and the Maryland State Physical Fitness Commission 1976-1982 and 1990-1992. Graduated Southeastern University in Business Management and owned construction/engineering software company. Semi-retired and enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

20070600 2008 Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors

20080623 Westminster Police Dept Sector "Beat Map"

20080623 Westminster Police Dept Sector "Beat Map"

20080623 Westminster Police Department Daily Briefing Report

Westminster Police Department
36 Locust Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157
410-848-4646
410-876-3100

Daily Briefing Report
JUNE 23, 2008

SECTOR ONE

On 06-18-08 at 3:30 PM, this department charged an 11 year old and a 14 male juvenile with possession of fireworks without a permit. Charges were forwarded to juvenile services.

On 06-20-08 at 10:03 AM, a resident of Westminster reported that an unknown suspect had burned mulch located under a piece of playground equipment located in the area of the Tot Lot located in Whispering Meadows.

On 06-20-08 at 10:19 AM, a resident of the 400 block of Daniel Dr., Westminster reported that an unknown suspect had thrown tomato sauce on their Ford Escort.

On 06-20-08 at 10:35 AM a resident of the 300 block of Buck Cash Dr., Westminster reported that an unknown suspect had thrown barbecue sauce on their Plymouth Breeze.

On 06-20-08 at 12:30 PM, this department charged a 12-year-old male juvenile with second-degree assault. Charges are being forwarded to Juvenile Services.

On 06-21-08 at 3:28 AM, this department arrested Donald Aaron Almstrom, age 30, of North Second Street, McSherrystown, Pennsylvania. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop in the area of Route 97 and Corporate Center Court and charged with several traffic violations.

On 06-21-08 at 7:56 AM, a resident of the 400 block of Leigh Masters Lane, Westminster reported that an unknown suspect(s) had damaged their mailbox. Damage is estimated at $100.00.

On 06-21-08 at 8:31 AM, an employee of a Wakefield Valley Golf Course located in the 1000 block of Fenby Farm Rd., Westminster reported that unknown suspect(s) had set fire to a sign. Damage is estimated at $700.00.



SECTOR TWO

On 06-20-08 at 2:37 AM, this department arrested Michael Eugene Leidy, age 47, of Old Westminster Road, Westminster. He was taken into custody in the area of the first block of Pennsylvania Avenue and charged with rogue and tampering with a motor vehicle.

On 06-22-08 at 1:53 AM, a resident of the first block of Pennsylvania Avenue, Westminster reported being assaulted by a known suspect.

SECTOR THREE

On 06-16-08 at 11:33 AM, a resident of the first block of West Green Street, Westminster reported that an unknown suspect damaged their screen door. Damage is estimated at $250.00.

On 06-19-08 at 6:30 PM, this department served a bench warrant on Rebecca Lynn Warehime, age 28, of East Green Street, Westminster. She was taken into custody at Central Booking and charged with violation of probation.

On 06-19-08 at 8:18 PM, this department arrested Edward Matthew Kroener, age 33, of No Fixed Address. He was taken into custody following an incident that occurred at Jiffy Mart located in the first block of West Main Street and charged with theft under $100.00.

On 06-20-08 at 1:11 AM, this department arrested Edward Christopher Robert Kotsch, age 28, of Upper Beckleysville, Hampstead. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop in the area of West Main Street and Bond Street and charged with driving under the influence, driving while intoxicated and several traffic violations.

On 06-20-08 at 7:32 PM, a resident of the 700 block of Johahn Dr., Westminster reported that an unknown suspect gained entry into their residence and removed jewelry and a piece of crystal from inside. Loss is estimated at $100.00.

On 06-20-08 at 10:40 PM, a resident of the first block of W. Main St., Westminster reported being assaulted by a known suspect. The incident occurred in the first block of W. Main St.

On 06-21-08 at 2:34 AM, this department arrested Daniel Patrick Miller, age 21, of Miller Road, Westminster. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop in the area of Longwell Avenue and South Street and charged with driving under the influence.

On 06-21-08 at 12:30 PM, this department served a criminal summons on Christopher Robert Meyer, age 28, of Cervade Lane, Randallstown and charged with violation of an ex-parte order.

On 06-21-08 at 2:40 PM, this department served a criminal summons on James Andrew Dodge Jr, age 19 of Old Hanover Rd., Westminster. He was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.
On 06-21-08 at 9:30 PM, this department served a bench warrant on Dawn Michelle Groft, age 31, of no fixed address. She was taken into custody at Central Booking and charged with failure to appear.

SECTOR FOUR

On 06-19-08 at 10:33 PM, this department arrested three sixteen-year-old male juveniles and a seventeen-year-old male juvenile. All four were charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance cocaine with intent to distribute, possession controlled dangerous substance not marijuana and possession of controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.

On 06-21-08 at 10:44 AM, this department arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile. He was charged with exceeding the max speed and driving on suspended license. He was released into the custody of his father.

On 06-22-08 at 1:26 AM, this department arrested Stephanie Lynn Pate, age 27 of Winchester Ave., Westminster. She was arrested following an incident in the first block of Winchester Avenue and charged with 3 counts of reckless endangerment, 2nd degree assault and disorderly intoxication.

20080622 20080625 Maryland Municipal League Summer Convention

20080622 20080625 Maryland Municipal League Summer Convention

MML 2008 Convention General Information

http://www.mdmunicipal.org/cv08/CVgeneralinfo.cfm

Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, Maryland, June 22-25, 2008

Location

All Maryland Municipal League convention activities, except for the seafood buffet at Phillips Crab House, will take place at the Convention Center, located at 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland.

Mark your calendar now for the 2008 MML Convention, June 22-25, 2008. Complete details will be published in the March 2007 issue of Municipal Maryland.

As of 4/2/08

MML Convention Workshop Descriptions for Convention Program Book

http://www.mdmunicipal.org/cv08/CVworkshops.cfm

Sunday, June 22, 2008

1:15 PM - 1:45 PM First Time Attendees Orientation

Moderator:

Speakers:

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Workshop: Consensus and Team Building (C)

Does interpersonal conflict in your municipality ever interfere with accomplishing town business? Does it sometimes seem as though everybody is pulling the town in a different direction? This workshop will provide attendees with a better understanding of how to resolve conflict and build consensus within a municipal setting. The workshop includes exercises and role plays built around hypothetical situations that will look familiar to anyone who has served as a local government official.

Speakers: Tom Reynolds, Manager, Research & Information Management, Maryland Municipal League

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Involving Youth in Community Decision Making

Encouraging youth voice and leadership can help local governments make better decisions, save money, and support positive youth development. Youth councils and commissions provide young people with opportunities to advise local officials on important issues facing their city and to serve in decision-making roles that better influence programs and services offered to youth. Participation on city boards, commissions, and youth summits are also ways that youth are influencing local governments in cities across the country. One way cities are involving youth in leadership opportunities is through a youth master planning process focused on developing comprehensive plans to promote the well-being of children and youth. In this workshop, participants will learn about how various strategies to promote youth engagement in community decision making are working in different communities.

Moderator:

Speaker:

Leon T Andrews, Jr., Director - Youth Development, National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families

Kate Sandel, Senior Associate - Youth Development, National League of Cities’ Institute for Youth, Education and Families

Monday, June 23, 2008

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM

Topic Roundtables

Moderator:

Speaker:

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM Municipal Budgeting (C)

The budget is a legislative act, a tool, and a process. Focusing on the operating budget, this workshop will review the role of budgeting in local government; introduce concepts of budgeting as they relate to financial management; discuss some of the key elements of budgeting; and address some current budgeting issues. The workshop will include group exercises designed to increase participants’ skill in dealing with their own municipal budgets. Participants are encouraged to bring a copy of their town’s most recently adopted budget to this session.

Moderator:

Speaker: Alfred E. Martin, Finance Director, Hagerstown

Jeanne Bilanin, Deputy Director, Institute for Governmental Service and Research

10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Opening General Session Keynote

Speaker: Joel Zeff

2:15 PM - 3:30 PM E-Mail Do’s & Don’ts (E)

If your city or town finds itself in the middle of litigation, there's a good chance your seemingly confidential documents, including e-mails, will be pored over by teams of lawyers looking for that “smoking gun.” The speakers for this session will tell you what to expect when the law allows your email to be “discovered.” Also covered will be some of the fundamental dos and don’ts of conducting municipal and personal business over email. Learn how you can prevent those “private” emails from becoming open invitations to embarrassment, hostile reactions from colleagues and constituents, and perhaps even a major security problem for town operations.

Moderator:

Speakers: Charles D. MacLeod, Attorney, Funk & Bolton

Victor K. Tervala, Attorney, Funk & Bolton

2:15 PM - 3:30 PM The New World of Cable Franchising (E)

The last two or three years have seen a great deal of change in the way cable television franchising works for Maryland cities. The principal driver for these changes has been the entry of Verizon and other telephone companies into the video market. Some cities now have two or more cable providers offering service in competition with each other – formerly an almost unknown situation. The telephone companies have persuaded the Federal Communications Commission to issue orders (currently on appeal) imposing strict deadlines and other conditions on local franchising. As a result, there have been significant shifts in how one negotiates a franchise and what a community can obtain in an agreement. At the same time, in a number of states the telephone companies have succeeded in passing legislation that takes most franchising authority away from local governments and moves it to the state level, although that has not happened thus far in Maryland. This session will discuss these developments, the status of the appeals of the FCC’s orders, and the best ways to approach franchising under today’s conditions.

Moderator:

Speakers: Frederick E. Ellrod III, Attorney, Miller & Van Eaton, P.L.L.C.

2:15 PM - 3:30 PM Creative Ways to Fund Playgrounds

Finding ways to fund playgrounds in your community always presents a challenge. In this session we have three panelists who will share their expertise on how your community can meet this challenge. They include a representative from KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization that works to rally communities to achieve better public policy, funding and public awareness for increased play opportunities by providing resources, including trainings, challenge grants, and publications for communities; Boundless Playgrounds, which is the first national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities create extraordinary barrier-free playgrounds where children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through play. The Boundless Playgrounds model identifies ways to garner support from families, corporations, foundations, government agencies, community leaders, civic groups and countless others in making a real difference in children’s lives. The third speaker is from the State of Maryland, Community Parks and Playgrounds Program. Through this program the State provides a dedicated funding source focusing on providing flexible grants that assist local governments rehabilitate, expand or improve existing parks, create new parks, or purchase and install playground equipment in older neighborhoods and intensely developed areas throughout the State of Maryland.

Moderator:

Speakers: James W. (Chip) Price, Program Open Space Grants Manager, Maryland Department of the Environment

Deborah Midford, Senior Director of Programs & Services, Boundless Playgrounds®

Ben Duda, Manager of RALLY KaBOOM!

2:15 PM - 3:30 PM Ethics (C)

Officials should have sufficient knowledge of their Public Ethics Ordinance as generally required by state law. Many officials fill out the necessary forms and assume that they have complied with the law. But, are their day-to-day actions living up to the intent of the law? The often fine-line differences between legal and ethical behavior will be illustrated in small group discussions.

Moderator:

Speakers: Ernie A. Crofoot, Attorney, Funk & Bolton

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Business Meeting

10:30 AM - 11:30 PM Municipal Dogs Parks

Get the Poop on the positive economics of these rapidly expanding social venues for dogs and their owners. You will also learn about some of the costs involved in creating a dog park, strategies to help offset the costs and dog park design.

Moderator:

Speakers:

John S. Marshall, Chief of Park Operations, Anne Arundel County

10:30 AM - 11:30 PM Historic Preservation (E)

Every community has features that make it unique -- historic buildings, open spaces, tree-lined streets and more. Local governments have lots of options to ensure the preservation of these important community assets, including historic area zoning ordinances, conservation districts, design guidelines and easements. Learn about the tools and financial assistance programs that are available to ensure the preservation of your community.

Moderator:

Speakers: Nicole A. Diehlmann, Administrator of Statewide Preservation Programs, Maryland Historical Trust

10:30 AM - 11:30 PM Police Departments and the Elected Leadership: Breaking the Culture Barriers (E)

What information should police departments share with their elected officials? What involvement with police department business is appropriate for elected officials? Sometimes there is a perception of “them against us.” Learn how to break the “culture” barrier to develop trust and open lines of communication.

Moderator:

Speakers: G. Frederick Robinson, Mayor, Bowie

John A. Foster, Mayor, Denton

Bernadette DiPino, Chief of Police, Ocean City

10:30 AM - 11:30 PM Mansionization: What Is It? How Can a City/Town Prevent It from Occurring?

There has been a lot of discussion about the pros and cons of “mansionization” in recent years. The workshop speakers will define “mansionization” and discuss the many issues a municipality will encounter when addressing this phenomenon.

We will consider the legal implications of regulations aimed at curbing mansionization and what lessons can be learned from the few “pioneering” jurisdictions that have decided to take action. The discussion will include a look at the controls that have been developed and applied by others in an effort to preserve the character of neighborhoods.

Moderator:

Speakers: Ronald M. Bolt, Attorney, Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong, Driscoll & Greenfeig, PC.

Chris Jakubiak, Jakubiak & Associates, Inc.

12:15 PM - 1:45 PM Big City Forum & Lunch

This is an informal session for officials from cities with populations of 20,000 or more. Pick up your lunch in the exhibit area and then join your colleagues to discuss issues of mutual concern.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Roundtable Forum with Cabinet Secretaries

Following the introductions, each Cabinet Secretary will move to a roundtable to conduct informal one-on-one discussions with municipal officials. This is your opportunity to ask specific questions about Department/Agency activities and their interaction with you and your municipal residents.

2:30 PM - 4:00 PM Quality of Life and the T.A.G. Approach (E)

Learn how using elements of public works, code enforcement, community Services and the police department can create an environment that deters and reduces crime in the community.

Moderator:

Speakers: John E. Moss, Chief of Police, Bladensburg

Timothy McNamara, Director of Code Enforcement, Bladensburg

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Employment Issues (C)

This workshop will provide an overview of preferred employment practices. Speaker will address how positions should be advertised and interviews conducted. Learn about risk management techniques concerning proper supervision of employees, as well as appropriate procedures for disciplining employees.

Moderator:

Speakers: Kevin Karpinski, Esq., Karpinski, Colaresi and Karp

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Housing Issues — Part 1: The Nuts and Bolts of Rental Housing (E)

In the next decade, Maryland faces a shortage of affordable housing; senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and working families will face the brunt of the problem. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Multifamily Financing Group facilitates the production and preservation of affordable rental housing opportunities through its lending products and works in partnership with the private sector to ensure financing gaps are met. This workshop highlights DHCD’s priorities and the use of tax credits, bonds, state loan funds and private equity in the development of affordable multifamily housing projects.

Moderator: Speakers: Patricia Rynn Sylvester, Director, Multifamily Housing, CDA, Department of Housing and Community Development

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Housing Issues — Part 2: Preserving Homeownership and Weathering the Foreclosure Crisis (E)

Homeownership is the most common way to build wealth, but for many today, homeownership is being threatened with exotic, or other unfavorable mortgage products; including homeowners facing mortgage payment resets. This workshop sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development will highlight the programs and services available to homeowners challenged with mortgages that no longer fit their financial situations and threaten their ability to build wealth.

Moderator:

Speakers: Bill Ariano, Jr., Deputy Director, CDA, Department of Housing and Community Development

Kelly Vaughn, Outreach Director, Department of Housing and Community Development

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Open Meetings Act (C)

This workshop will provide an overview of the Open Meetings Law and a review of some of the cases that have come before the Compliance Board. Topic content will also include a look at some of the complaints filed with the Compliance Board that were found not to be in violation of the Open Meetings Law.

Moderator:

Speakers: William R. Varga, Assistant Attorney General, Maryland Attorney General's Office

11:15 AM - 12:45 PM Update on ADA — Key Topics for Municipal Officials (E)

How can municipalities ensure that their streets, sidewalks, and intersections – their rights of way - are accessible to persons with disabilities? What are their responsibilities under the law? And how can municipalities best plan for the needs of persons with disabilities in an emergency? Representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice and the Access Board will explain the requirements and offer resources for local planning and implementation.

Moderator:

Speakers: Jeanine Worden, Deputy Section Chief, Disability Rights Section of the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice

Lois Thibault, Research Coordinator, The Access Board

11:15 AM - 12:45 PM Theft: Protecting Your City/Town, Its Employees, and Citizens’ Identities

Identity theft is a growing 21st century problem that increasingly demands that local government leaders take substantive steps to protect the personal and financial information belonging to both employees and citizens. This workshop will explore the expanding threat of identity theft and look at a variety of precautions and best practices that municipalities may wish to adopt when dealing with the challenge.

Moderator:

Speakers: Sue Johnson, Regional Marketing Manager, Legal Resources, Inc.

Sergeant Gary Renninger, Supervisor Financial Crimes Section / Computer Data Recovery Unit, Montgomery County

MML 2008 Convention Information

Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, Maryland,

June 22-25, 2008 You should be among the hundreds of city and town officials from throughout Maryland who will gather June 22-25, 2008 at the Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland to learn about and discuss municipal issues, to network with their fellow city and town officials, and to enjoy socializing at the Maryland Municipal League’s annual convention.

Attending MML’s 2008 convention could pay big dividends to you and your city/town!

Convention General Information

Full Convention Information Package (.pdf)

Golf Tournament Information (.pdf)

2008 Convention Registration Form (.pdf)

Convention Preliminary Program

Convention Hotel Information (.pdf)

Convention Hotels Amenities Chart (.pdf)

Convention Sponsor Opportunities (.pdf)

Municipal Main Street - 2008

Municipal Main Street Exhibitor Contract

Convention Exhibitor Information

Convention Exhibitor Guidelines (.pdf)

Convention Exhibitor Name Badge Form - Standard (.pdf)

Convention Exhibitor Name Badge Form - Municipal Main Street (.pdf)

Convention Center Service Rental Form (.pdf)

Convention Exhibitor Vendor Topic Tables Information (.pdf)

Convention Exhibitor Contract (.pdf)

Convention Commercial Exhibitor Information Brochure (.pdf)

Convention Center Shipping Fact Sheet (.pdf)

20080619 How my brother-in-law fishes for salmon in Alaska

How my brother-in-law fishes for salmon in Alaska

(It will be Monday all day - see we may as well have a smile...)

20080619 Fishing - the Alaskan way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc786RqjHhg

My wife says that it can’t be her brother because he is so kind and gentle. To which I respond that this is about salmon and catching salmon can more often than not bring out the beast in ya.



Kevin Dayhoff
http://www.youtube.com/user/kevindayhoff
http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

20080619 How my brother-in-law fishes for salmon in Alaska

20080622 Maryland Municipal League President 2006-2007 David E. Carey of Bel Air

Maryland Municipal League President 2006-2007 David E. Carey of Bel Air

David E. Carey, Immediate Past President, Commissioner, Bel Air

Serves on MML's Legislative Committee.

Elected to a four-year term on the Bel Air Board of Commissioners and the Harford County Democratic Central Committee.

Past chair of the Town of Bel Air's Economic and Community Development Commission.

Member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, the National Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, and the American, Maryland and Harford County Bar Association.

Information retrieved June 22, 2008

20080622 Maryland Municipal League President 2006-2007 David E. Carey of Bel Air

Maryland Municipal League presidents and board of directors, Maryland Municipal League, People Maryland Carey - David E. Cary

20080620 Virginia Minnick worked for the Democratic Advocate newspaper of Westminster for 43 years

20080620 Virginia Minnick worked for the Democratic Advocate newspaper of Westminster for 43 years

Virginia Minnick Feb. 25, 1908 to June 20, 2008

www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com.

Mrs. Virginia Naomi Shipley Minnick, 100, of Union Bridge, died Friday, June 20, 2008, at Carroll Lutheran Village Health Care Center.

Born Feb. 25, 1908 in Carroll County, she was the daughter of the late Howard S. and Emma Kate Geiman Shipley.

She was the wife of Emory Gere Minnick, who died in 1989.

Mrs. Minnick was a former member of the Union Bridge Church of the Brethren and the Bible class and more recently became a member of the Bark Hill Bible Church.

She was employed with the Democratic Advocate newspaper of Westminster for 43 years.

She was a former member of the Carroll County Board of Education, the Ladies Auxiliary of Carroll County General Hospital and Democratic Women’s Club.

Mrs. Minnick enjoyed homemaking, gardening, and growing roses.

Surviving are a sister, Jessie Eckenrode of Columbia; a number of nieces and nephews; and devoted friends, Clarence “Corky” Leppo of Union Bridge and Mary Grayson of the Mt. Union area.

She was predeceased by sisters, Hilda Britton and Alma Jones. A private graveside service will be at Mountain View Cemetery, Union Bridge, with Rev. Dr. Tom Darner, her pastor, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to Bark Hill Bible Church, 4350 Bark Hill Rd., Union Bridge, MD 21791 or Union Bridge Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 518, Union Bridge, MD 21791 or Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157.

Hat Tip: Grammy and the Carroll County Times obituaries

20080623 AP: Carlin, counterculture comedians dean, dies at 71 on Sunday

AP: Carlin, counterculture comedians dean, dies at 71 on Sunday

By KEITH ST. CLAIR, Associated Press Writer

George Carlin, the dean of counterculture comedians whose biting insights on life and language were immortalized in his "Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV" routine, died of heart failure Sunday. He was 71.

Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, went into St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon complaining of chest pain and died later that evening, said his publicist, Jeff Abraham. He had performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas.

[…]

Carlin's jokes constantly breached the accepted boundaries of comedy and language, particularly with his routine on the "Seven Words" — all of which are taboo on broadcast TV and radio to this day. When he uttered all seven at a show in Milwaukee in 1972, he was arrested on charges of disturbing the peace, freed on $150 bail and exonerated when a Wisconsin judge dismissed the case, saying it was indecent but citing free speech and the lack of any disturbance.

When the words were later played on a New York radio station, they resulted in a 1978 Supreme Court ruling upholding the government's authority to sanction stations for broadcasting offensive language during hours when children might be listening.

[…]

Read the rest here: AP: Carlin, counterculture comedians dean, dies at 71 on Sunday

Photo credit: http://images.google.com/url?q=http://www.georgecarlin.tv/George_Carlin_Bio.html&usg=AFQjCNFlyFPY0H17ntXVy6lhOQvPZMXm4w