20080807 ABC 7 News: “Statement of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo”

20080807 ABC 7 News: “Statement of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo”

ABC 7 News - Statement of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo

http://cfc.wjla.com/external.cfm?p=calvo080708

WJLA News Search Results for 'Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo'

Friday 08/08/08 8:22pm
Mayor and Wife Exonerated in Drug Smuggling Scheme

Thursday 08/07/08 7:07pm
FBI Opens Civil Rights Case in Mayor's Home Raid

Wednesday 08/06/08 8:27pm
Police: Two Arrested in Marijuana Shipping Plot; Raid on Mayor's Home Defended

Wednesday 07/30/08 6:33pm
Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

Related: 20080801 Berwyn Heights mayor’s home invaded dog shot

20080730 WJLA: Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

20080730 Berwyn Heights Mayor suffers home invasion dogs shot, Law and Order Lunacy, MD municipality Berwyn Heights, People MD Calvo – Cheye Calvo

More: Here, here, and here.

ABC 7 News - Statement of Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo

http://cfc.wjla.com/external.cfm?p=calvo080708

August 7, 2008

Thank you for coming today to our home. Trinity, her mom, Georgia, and I are very pleased that two arrests have been made and that a large quantity of drugs have been seized.

It is a great relief to us to be removed from the glare of suspicion. We knew we were not involved. Our friends, neighbors, and community knew we were not involved.

But people who didn't know us did not really know what to think. Apparently, based on yesterday's statement, the Prince George's County Police Chief still doesn't know what to think. But I think the rest of the world now knows what happened, and we are relieved that the truth has finally come out.

Trinity was an innocent and random victim of identity theft. Apparently, so were four or five other County residents whose names and addresses were stolen, and used as addressees on drug packages. However, Trinity and our family have not been treated as victims of a crime.

Instead, our home was invaded. Our two beloved Labrador retrievers are dead. My mother-in-law and I were tied up for nearly two hours. A shadow was cast over our good names. We were harmed by the very people who took an oath to protect us.

But now that truth has come out, the leadership of our two county law enforcement agencies have made things worse. They have falsely blamed the dogs' death on the dogs. They have blamed their illegal no-knock entry on my mother-in-law for shouting when she saw a SWAT team in the yard. And, although the rest of the world now knows it, the Chief of Police can't quite bring himself to say the word "innocent" –

Although he certainly isn't casting suspicion on the other five County homeowners whose identities were stolen by the deliveryman.

Sheriff Jackson said yesterday that his deputies were "engaged" by our dogs. This is simply false. The deputies opened fire and executed our dogs the very second they broke down our front door. The thoughtless execution of Payton and Chase was premeditated, without provocation, and appears to have been done for sport.

The officers were aware of the presence of our dogs before they broke down our front door. They had seen Payton earlier when the undercover officer delivered the package to our house. They had seen me walk both dogs through the neighborhood moments before the invaded our home. In fact, I waved to them.

Payton was shot some distance from the front door. He was shot where his body was found, near the entrance to the kitchen. After Payton was shot, Chase reacted to the gunfire and ran away from the deputies. He was hunted down and shot in the back while he fled. His body was found in the rear of the house.

We loved our dogs. Our community loved our dogs. They were a part of our family. They didn't deserve to die.

They don't deserve to be blamed for their deaths.

I call upon Sheriff Jackson to retract his false statement that our dogs "engaged" his deputies, as well as any suggestion that his deputies were justified in shooting our dogs. I also call upon law enforcement to release the photographs they took of our dogs after they were shot.

These images are shocking. They will show you what they did to them, and where they were located when they were killed. These photographs will tell the truth, if law enforcement refuses to do so.

I also call upon Sheriff Jackson to retract his statement that the "no-knock" invasion of our home was justified because my mother-in-law screamed when she saw the SWAT team in our yard. Last week, the spokesperson for the County police said the officers were justified in breaking down our door because a no-knock warrant had been issued.

This, too, turned out to be false. No such warrant was ever sought or obtained. In fact, when law enforcement invaded our house, they knew nothing about us except that someone had addressed a package containing marijuana to Trinity.

Although more than a dozen officers were at our house all day, they did not spend five minutes investigating who we are and what our lives are about. If they had, they would have found that we are regular, law-abiding, community-minded people. We have spent our lives in community service and certainly are not a threat to the public safety.

What is now most disturbing is that the Police Chief and Sheriff have reached public conclusions about the propriety of what happened without conducting any investigation whatsoever, and without ever talking to us at all. They are defending the indefensible.

They are unable to apologize for themselves. They are unable to investigate themselves. And they are clearly unable to reform themselves to make sure that this does not happen to any other innocent family in this County.
In this regard, we are already receiving reports of similar misconduct, including service of warrants at the wrong address, excessive use of no-knock entries, and other unjustified killings of family pets.

This has happened before, and without oversight, it will happen again. Our community is losing confidence in law enforcement based on what they did, and how our leadership has responded to what they did.

For this reason, we have asked the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice to investigate not only what happened to us, but also the larger question of policies and practices of County law enforcement agencies in executing warrants.

We have witnessed a frightening law enforcement culture in which the law is disregarded, the rights of innocent occupants are ignored, and the rights of innocent animals mean nothing. We would never have believed it if we hadn't seen it for ourselves.

Major Magaw, who heads the County's Narcotics Enforcement Division, has denied the existence of no-knock search warrants. This is despite the passage of House Bill 577, which was a 2005 amendment to Maryland's search warrant statute, which specifically provides for such warrants upon a proper application to a judicial officer.

What other statutory protections and civil rights are believed not to exist in Prince George's County? Why are senior law enforcement officials unaware of basic principles of Maryland law.

We need the Federal government to intervene and educate County officials about the rights and protections to which all American citizens, including those in Prince George's County, are entitled.

My family has come to deeply understand the pain and personal sorrow that results from injustice at the hands of our government, particularly the injustices that occur all too frequently here in Prince George's County.

We know that we are blessed in so many ways with the love and comfort of our community, our friends, and our families - -not to mention too many complete strangers. What saddens us most is that all too often, these injustices go unnoticed by law enforcement officials and those who are victimized are forced to suffer in silence.

When these actions first occurred, and I was on the floor, bound in my boxer shorts, looking over at the dead bodies of our wonderful, loyal family members, my initial reaction was that there had been a terrible, terrible mistake.

Now that the County has arrested the people responsible for this, and I have been forced to listen to them defend their actions without even reaching out to hear our story, it has become clear tome that the problems we face in the police and sheriff's departments are systemic, and today my family and I with our many friends begin to speak out to ensure that, though we are certainly not the first victims of brutal injustice in Prince George's County, we bring about far reaching changes that will make us among the last.

Trinity, Georgia, and I cannot turn the back the clock. Bullets cannot be put back in the guns. We may have our good names back, but we will never get our dogs back.

And we may never recover a sense of security and confidence in our law enforcement leadership.

We want to make clear that we support law enforcement and know that they have a difficult and important job to do. In my five years as Mayor, I have had the privilege to work with many outstanding law enforcement professionals, particularly Berwyn Heights Police Chief Patrick Murphy.

I want to thank Chief Murphy for his support through this tough time and for setting a fine example in our community of what policing should be.

Berwyn Heights is living proof that citizens can live safely inside the Beltway and our low crime rate speaks volumes about Chief Murphy's leadership.

Chief Murphy and his officers are largely responsible for the success of our Town because of their style of policing, their understanding of the importance of training and accountability, and their close partnership with the community.

This is the type of leadership that we must demand from our County law enforcement officials.

Governor Martin O'Malley Delivers Address on Fiscal Responsibility

Governor Martin O'Malley Delivers Address on Fiscal Responsibility

[ View Video / Read Remarks ]

WASHINGTON, DC (July 31, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley delivered a major address before the Center for American Progress today, focusing on the restoration of fiscal responsibility in Maryland. As states work to balance their budgets in the midst of a rising federal deficit, a faltering national economy and mortgage crisis, Governor O’Malley addressed how to restore fiscal responsibility while making critical investments in our shared priorities, like public education, infrastructure, energy and affordable, quality health care.

“Many States have had to deal with budget shortfalls by carving into priorities like public safety, public education and healthcare,” said Governor O’Malley. “None of the options are popular, but while some of these choices pull us backwards, other choices can and will move us forward – even in the toughest of times.”

Governor O’Malley, facing an inherited $1.7 billion structural deficit upon taking office, worked with leaders in the General Assembly to virtually close the budget shortfall through a series of reforms, including nearly $1.8 billion in spending cuts and reductions, the elimination of over 700 State positions, and the implementation of a progressive tax structure that allows 95% of Marylanders to pay the same or less in income taxes as they did in the prior year.

“Nothing that we accomplished in the three week Special Session was easy. But, throughout the difficult consensus-forging work, we continued to proclaim the goals that unite us: to strengthen and grow our middle class, and family owned businesses and farms; to improve public safety and public education in every region of our State; and to expand opportunity – the opportunity to learn and earn, the opportunity to enjoy the health of the people we love and the environment we love to more people rather than fewer.”

The Governor continued. “We eliminated government positions and implemented performance based management practices that helped eliminate nearly $20 million in overtime costs, and saved our State more than $20 million in Medicaid fraud recoveries. We closed the arcane, violent House of Corrections, which not only turned out to be the right thing to do morally, it also saved taxpayers $10 million. We replaced well-intentioned funding indexes that had fueled unsustainable spending in the past and threatened to accelerate spending in the immediate future. And we passed a package of legislation that modernized our tax code while lowering the income tax rate for 90 percent of Marylanders, and increasing the State Earned Income Tax Credit for hard-working families and our aspiring middle class.”

“When faced with a crippling structural deficit, we asked our neighbors in Maryland to embrace, once again, the politics of posterity. The politics which embraces the duty we have, not only to our neighbors, but to the next generation,” Governor O’Malley said. “The politics that believes tomorrow can be better than today, and that each of us has a personal freedom and moral responsibility, by our own actions and by our own investments, to make it so. Just as our parents and grandparents built our roads, our schools, and our hospitals with their blood, their sweat, their tears, and yes, with their hard earned dollars, we asked our fellow Marylanders to join us in choosing a better future for our own posterity.”

Governor O’Malley discussed the circumstances surrounding the inherited $1.7 billion structural deficit as context for the reforms the O’Malley-Brown Administration implemented to correct it.

“While a slowing economy exacerbated our circumstances, the primary cause was of our own making. In a flash of bi-partisan irresponsibility we had locked in nearly two billion dollars in increased expenditures, primarily in public education, while at the same time cutting income taxes for millionaires and everyone else by a billion dollars. And despite the $3 billion in backhanded stealthy property tax increases, fee and toll increases, and 40 percent increases in college tuition of our predecessor, the chickens of our bad math were coming home to roost. In the words of the great Abraham Lincoln, we could no longer ‘escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.’”

Outlining the strong, sustainable fiscal environment in which these reforms now place the State of Maryland, Governor O’Malley recognized the challenge that all states face in difficult economic times and the opportunities for progress fiscal responsibility can present.

“By taking these actions we were able to address a huge structural deficit that was years in the making. Two weeks ago the rating agencies affirmed Maryland’s Triple A Bond Rating, meaning that we’re still one of only seven states to hold the highest rating of credit worthiness from all three major bond agencies. But the true value of restoring fiscal responsibility is found in the progress that we are now able to make for the common good and stronger future that all of us would prefer.”

Former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta founded the Center for American Progress, the think tank that hosted Governor O’Malley for his address today, in 2003. The Center’s experts cover a wide range of issue areas, and often work across disciplines to tackle complex, interrelated issues such as national security, energy, and climate change. The Center is designed to shape national debate through dialogue with leaders, thinkers, and citizens, affecting positive change and developing a position of long-term leadership for America.

[ Watch Video ]

Additional Press Releases

http://www.gov.state.md.us/pressreleases/080731.asp

20080731 Gov O’Malley Delivers Address on Fiscal Responsibility

July 31 Center for American Progress: Fiscal Responsibility July 21 Signing of Evergreen Marine Agreement Transcript July 25 Infants and Toddlers Program Announcement July 24 Testimony Before Senate Subcommittee on Government Efficiency July 17 Leonardtown Capital for a Day July 10 Announcement of Statewide Interoperability Strategy July 8 DNA and Bearcat Announcement

"Republican Doesn't Plan Long Speech" by Michael D. Shear

20080809 McCain Does not Plan Long Speech at convention by Michael D. Shear for the Washington Post

"Republican Doesn't Plan Long Speech" by Michael D. Shear

Saturday, August 9, 2008; Page A06

Mark Salter, the top aide and longtime speechwriter for John McCain, has written a "working draft" of the senator's address to the Republican National Convention and is circulating the draft to a very limited number of his aides, sources inside the campaign said.

The speech as written runs roughly 21 minutes, but it could end up being even shorter, because McCain is not a fan of lengthy speeches, aides to the candidate said.

[…]

Read Mr. Shear’s entire piece here: Republican Doesn't Plan Long Speech

____

I’ll be attending and covering the Republican National Convention. I’d like to hear from others who are attending the convention in case there are some ways we can link up and collaborate. These events can be overwhelming and a bit of team work might very well be helpful.

I can reached at kdayhoff AT carr Dot org. And you may find me on: Facebook

Please consider putting Republican National Convention in the subject line so that I may discern your e-mail from the enormous amounts of spam I am receiving these days…

Thanks,

Kevin Dayhoff

This week in The Tentacle - Wednesday August 6, 2008

20080806 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle - Wednesday August 6, 2008

Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Insufficient Funds
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Recently the Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League has been the focus of some unwanted and undesirable attention.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Guilty or Not?
Roy Meachum
The apparent suicide of a Fort Detrick scientist was the weekend's conversational rage. Everyone knows someone who knows someone – that’s how it went.


One’s Inexperience and Immaturity
Joan McIntyre
Those aspiring to elected office need to learn before applying that it's a tough job and requires an equally tough skin. Do you question why I use the phase "applying?"


Monday, August 4, 2008
Who's watching the watchers?
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Picture a rally against the death penalty or a gathering of anti-war protesters. Peace signs, Grateful Dead music, chanting, tie-dyed clothing, and soap-box speeches about injustice, inequality, and corrupt abuse of power.


“Mega Trends” Become Non-Sequiturs
Steven R. Berryman
Seems like chaos rules anymore when analyzing the changing trends in world happenings and trying to make things make sense. Much of it just doesn’t follow, as in non-sequiturs. There are just too many data points now for old method.


Friday, August 1, 2008
The Better Man
Roy Meachum
Someone please explain when two candidates are in a race, why do we call our choice the "best" man? According to various faiths and sects, the only certifiably best man wound up crucified in one form or another.

Clothespin Voters
Edward Lulie III
Clothespin sales must be booming. It isn’t that people are suddenly turning off clothes dryers and using wind and sunlight to dry clothes. No, this isn’t about saving electricity or energy. It’s all about politics.


Thursday, July 31, 2008
Changing Political Trends
Chris Cavey
Last weekend my family made a quick road-trip to Swormville, New York, a small hamlet northeast of Buffalo with a really cool looking volunteer fire station. The primary goal was a visit with my brother-in-law; however, some interesting facts about presidential politics were identified along the way.


Trashing Trash
Joan McIntyre
The 2008 trash discussions have turned into nothing but garbage. No reusing, no recycling and definitely no reduction in the verbal waste being thrown around, and very little, if any, accountability.


Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Obama Phenomena
Kevin E. Dayhoff
With less than 100 days to go before the November presidential election, both presumptive candidates for the Oval Office continue to look for a key – knock-out – issue that will put them over the top.


Oh, Canada!
Tom McLaughlin
There are a many similarities between North Ontario, Canada and Western Maryland. One of the most obvious is the bears. Both areas must bow to what the residents consider regulations promulgated by a foreign government.


Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Graveyard of Armies
Roy Meachum
Both presidential candidates are in agreement: We are losing the war in Afghanistan. That's not what they say of course: We must shift troops from Iraq to take care of unfinished business in Afghanistan. I hope I managed to get that straight.


To Implement Justice – or Not
Farrell Keough
A recent conversation on the radio piqued my interest. A regular Tentacle columnist and our 3-B delegate to the General Assembly, Rick Weldon, talked about the decision facing Gov. Martin O’Malley on the death penalty.

Carroll County Times editorial: Look ahead for future shortfalls

Carroll County Times editorial: Look ahead for future shortfalls

Editorial for Monday, August 4, 2008

Look ahead for future shortfalls

Local governments are only a month into the new fiscal year, but they already need to be planning on additional shortfalls in next year's budget.

[…]

At the state level, budget analysts last month said revenues in the state were considerably off. Income tax revenue was almost $50 million short of projections, and sales tax revenue was down more than $25 million. Add to that shortfalls that states are experiencing in other areas, such as less gas tax money because people are changing their habits and driving less, and states across the nation are scrambling to figure out how to deal with shortfalls.

[…]

Now is not the time to get involved in costly long-term projects unless there is a clear need or an immediate return in the area of future savings. In addition, existing programs and where the money is going need to be closely examined to ensure that every single tax dollar collected is providing a definite return for citizens.

Many governments struggled this year trying to hold the line on their budgets. Some areas increased taxes or other fees to fill voids or make up for shortfalls. But with more and more families struggling to make ends meet, returning to taxpayers for additional money is going to be a hard sell.

[…]

Read the entire editorial here: Look ahead for future shortfalls

Westminster Dept Finance Budget 2009 – 2010 FY, Westminster Elections 20090511 Mayoral, Westminster Elections 20090511 Mayoral Financial Issues

20080804 Carroll County Times editorial: Look ahead for future shortfalls

Community Foundation of Carroll County Philanthropists of the Year event September 17, 2008

20080803 Carroll County Philanthropists of the Year Sept 17 2008
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Community Foundation of Carroll County Philanthropists of the Year event September 17, 2008

Related: 20051229 Community Foundation of Carroll County announces Philanthropists of the Year Award.

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: (410) 751-6238 Missie Wilcox at mwilcox@mktwks.com Randi Buergenthal at rbuergenthal@mktwks.com

AWARDS EVENT WILL HONOR PHILANTHROPISTS OF THE YEAR

Westminster, MD - Four prominent people, businesses and organizations will be recognized as the Carroll County Philanthropists of the Year during an event in their honor at The Portico of St. John Catholic Church in Westminster, on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, from 7:00 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The 2008 nominees for this third annual awards event will also be honored. Reservations are being accepted by the Community Foundation of Carroll County, which hosts the event, at 410-876-5505 or cfccinfo@carrollcommunityfoundation.org. Seats are $50 each or $500 for a table of ten.

Sponsorship opportunities are available! Contact Missie or Randi for more information.
Youth Nomination Form (PDF) POY Nomination Form (PDF)

The 2007 Recepients Were:

Family of the Year: Robert T. and Carolyn Scott, Westminster
Business of the Year: Stewart N. Dutterer Flower Shop, Pennsylvania Avenue, Westminster
Non-Profit of the Year: Mission of Mercy, Mt. Airy, Taneytown, and Westminster
Youth of the Year: Derrick Woolfson, 16-year-old Junior, Westminster High School

20051229 Community Foundation of Carroll County announces Philanthropists of the Year Award.

Carroll County Scrapbook Community Events, Non-profits and charities Carroll Community Foundation, Westminster Scrapbook community news and events

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2005/01/20051229-community-foundation-of.html

Virginia Harrison Board of Ed appointee running as write-in By Karen Kemp

20080731 Virginia Harrison Board of Ed appointee running as write-in By Karen Kemp

Board of Ed appointee running as write-in

By Karen Kemp, Carroll County Times Staff Writer Thursday, July 31, 2008

After being appointed to the Carroll County Board of Education in April, Virginia Harrison has decided she wants to serve on the board for another four years.

Harrison filed as a write-in candidate July 3, said Gail Carter, director of the Carroll County Board of Elections. Carter said Harrison first contacted the board about two months ago requesting information about running a write-in campaign.

Harrison was appointed at the April 9 board meeting by Gov. Martin O’Malley to fill a vacancy after member Jeff Morse resigned for using a racial slur while visiting a school construction site.

Her term expires in November, and she has attended four out of five board meetings so far.

However, Harrison said she has been involved in various school activities during the past 10 years and said she quickly absorbed the information about the processes involved in being a board member.

“I thought it was a good fit for me,” Harrison said.

While each polling place will have a list of write-in candidates posted on the wall during the election in November, Harrison’s name and those of other write-in candidates will not appear on the county’s touch-screen voting machines, according to Carter.

[…]

Read the rest of the article here: Board of Ed appointee running as write-in

Reach staff writer Karen Kemp at 410-857-7890 or karen.kemp@carrollcountytimes.com.

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/07/31/news/local_news/newsstory2.txt

Elections 2008 Carroll Co. School Brd, People Carroll Co. Harrison – Virginia Harrison

20080729 National Night Out on Crime August 5, 2008 in Westminster

National Night Out on Crime August 5, 2008 in Westminster

20080729 National Night Out on Crime August 5, 2008 in Westminster

July 29, 2008 – August 5, 2008

Related: Law and Order National Night Out Against Crime, Westminster Police Dept chron, Westminster Police Dept National Night Out on Crime

MEDIA RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Sgt. Keith Benfer
Community Education Bureau
Westminster Police Department
36 Locust Street
Westminster, Maryland 21157
(410) 848-4646

WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
36 LOCUST STREET
WESTMINSTER, MD 21157
410-848-4646

JEFFREY SPAULDING
CHIEF OF POLICE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2008

On Tuesday, August 5, 2008, Neighborhoods throughout the City of Westminster, Carroll County, and across the nation are ask to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the "25th Annual National Night Out" event. National Night Out, is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored by the various Law Enforcement Agencies and organizations nationwide.

This event will involve over 11,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 35 million people are expected to participate in "National Night Out Against Crime" on August 5, 2008.

National Night Out is designed to (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From at least 6 to 10 p.m. on August 5th, residents in neighborhoods throughout the City of Westminster, will lock their homes, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods throughout the Westminster will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, sidewalk parades, and visits from police, flashlight walks, and youth activities.

Contact Sgt. Keith Benfer at the Westminster Police Department 410-848-4646 for more details.

Westminster Church of God Pastor Raymond B. Duvall Jr. 410-848-7131
27 North Center Street 6- 8pm Lot beside the church

Carroll Lutheran Village, Pat Davis, 410-848-0090,300 St. Luke Circle 6:30-8:30pm Garden of Memories St Matthew Court

Eagleview Homeowners Association, Mike Redden,410-848-2372
Firestone/Tahoma Farm Rd, 6:30- 8:30pm

PNC Bank, Doreen Capece, 410-848-7351, 132 W. Main St, 6:00- 8:00pm Bank parking lot

WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
TIPS LINE—-(410) 857-8477

Washington Post: Venerable columnist Robert Novak retiring

Washington Post: Venerable columnist Robert Novak retiring

August 5, 2008

Longstanding columnist Robert Novak, cites ‘dire’ prognosis “in his battle against a brain tumor” – announces that he is retiring immediately.

It’s sad news for the many of us who have been reading his columns for most of our adult lives. Since 1963, he has helped fill in the blanks and helped shape opinions about national and international events.

The Washington Post is carrying the story by William Branigin and Howard Kurtz in the Tuesday, August 5, 2008 edition of the paper:

Citing 'Dire' Prognosis, Novak Retires Immediately

Related: Robert Novak's Latest Column

By William Branigin Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, August 5, 2008; C03

Columnist Robert D. Novak is retiring immediately because of a dim prognosis in his battle against a brain tumor.

Novak, 77, a conservative Chicago Sun-Times political commentator whose columns are syndicated nationwide, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week and was admitted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for treatment. He announced at the time that he was "suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period."

Yesterday, however, the Sun-Times quoted Novak as announcing his immediate retirement in view of what he called his "dire" prognosis. His last column appeared July 28 in The Washington Post.

[…]

Novak launched a political column in 1963 with Rowland Evans and continued it after his longtime partner retired in 1993…

[…]

Read the entire article here: Citing 'Dire' Prognosis, Novak Retires Immediately

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/04/AR2008080401063.html?nav=rss_email/components

20080805 Washington Post: Venerable columnist Robert Novak retiring

Washington Post: Venerable columnist Robert Novak retiring

Washington Post: Venerable columnist Robert Novak retiring

August 5, 2008

Longstanding columnist Robert Novak, cites ‘dire’ prognosis “in his battle against a brain tumor” – announces that he is retiring immediately.

It’s sad news for the many of us who have been reading his columns for most of our adult lives. Since 1963, he has helped fill in the blanks and helped shape opinions about national and international events.

The Washington Post is carrying the story by William Branigin and Howard Kurtz in the Tuesday, August 5, 2008 edition of the paper:

Citing 'Dire' Prognosis, Novak Retires Immediately

Related: Robert Novak's Latest Column

By William Branigin Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, August 5, 2008; C03

Columnist Robert D. Novak is retiring immediately because of a dim prognosis in his battle against a brain tumor.

Novak, 77, a conservative Chicago Sun-Times political commentator whose columns are syndicated nationwide, was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week and was admitted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston for treatment. He announced at the time that he was "suspending my journalistic work for an indefinite but, God willing, not too lengthy period."

Yesterday, however, the Sun-Times quoted Novak as announcing his immediate retirement in view of what he called his "dire" prognosis. His last column appeared July 28 in The Washington Post.

[…]

Novak launched a political column in 1963 with Rowland Evans and continued it after his longtime partner retired in 1993…

[…]

Read the entire article here: Citing 'Dire' Prognosis, Novak Retires Immediately

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/04/AR2008080401063.html?nav=rss_email/components

20080805 Washington Post: Venerable columnist Robert Novak retiring

Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave you

20080804 Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave you

And it’s still Monday…

August 4, 2008

Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSZcTs00ZGg

Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave you

20080804 Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave you

And it’s still Monday…

August 4, 2008

Led Zeppelin - Babe I'm Gonna Leave you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSZcTs00ZGg

Charles Krauthammer: No-Drill Policy Actually Harms Environment

Charles Krauthammer: No-Drill Policy Actually Harms Environment

August 4, 2008

In an argument that has yet to be adequately explored, Charles Krauthammer makes a convincing case that the U. S. “No-Drill Policy Actually Harms Environment.”

Charles Krauthammer: No-Drill Policy Actually Harms Environment

By CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER Thursday, July 31, 2008 4:30 PM PT

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposes lifting the moratorium on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and on the Outer Continental Shelf. She won't even allow it to come to a vote.

With $4 gas having massively shifted public opinion in favor of domestic production, she wants to protect her Democratic members from having to cast an anti-drilling election-year vote.

Moreover, given the public mood, she might even lose. This cannot be permitted. Why? Because as she explained to Politico: "I'm trying to save the planet; I'm trying to save the planet."

A lovely sentiment. But has Pelosi actually thought through the moratorium's actual effects on the planet?

Consider: 25 years ago, nearly 60% of U.S. petroleum was produced domestically. Today it's 25%. From its peak in 1970, U.S. production has declined a staggering 47%. The world consumes 86 million barrels a day; the United States, roughly 20 million. We need the stuff to run our cars and planes and economy. Where does it come from?

Places like Nigeria, where chronic corruption, environmental neglect and resulting unrest and instability lead to pipeline explosions, oil spills and illegal siphoning by the poverty-stricken population — which leads to more spills and explosions.

[…]

To read the rest of the column go here: Charles Krauthammer: No-Drill Policy Actually Harms Environment

20080731 Charles Krauthammer: No-Drill Policy Actually Harms Environment

if men vacuumed...

… if men vacuumed…

August 4, 2008

Oh, like you really wouldn’t understand. This photo is posted for Matthew Gunby. It’s a vacuum thing.

Matthew can be found these days at: http://www.gunbyphoto.com

20080804 20030500 if men vacuumed

Art photographers Gunby – Matthew Gunby, Erratum, Erratum caption contest, People Where are they now

if men vacuumed...

… if men vacuumed…

August 4, 2008

Oh, like you really wouldn’t understand. This photo is posted for Matthew Gunby. It’s a vacuum thing.

Matthew can be found these days at: http://www.gunbyphoto.com

20080804 20030500 if men vacuumed

Art photographers Gunby – Matthew Gunby, Erratum, Erratum caption contest, People Where are they now

20080804 The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

20080804 The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

It’s Monday and word has it that it’ll be Monday all day…

August 4, 2008

The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHChc2I7FKk



20080804 The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

20080804 The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

20080804 The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

It’s Monday and word has it that it’ll be Monday all day…

August 4, 2008

The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHChc2I7FKk



20080804 The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps

20080803 “Certain flaws are necessary for the whole…”

“Certain flaws are necessary for the whole…”

August 4, 2008

“Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Art The Library Quotes

http://quotes4all.net/authors/johann%20wolfgang%20von%20goethe/quotes.html

20080803 “Certain flaws are necessary for the whole…”

Moth at UTR

Moth at UTR

August 3, 2008

Moth

Dayhoff Daily Photoblog

20080803 Moth at UTR.JPG
20080803 DDP SDOSM Moth at UTR

Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20080731 Washington Post: Police Raid Berwyn Heights Mayors Home Kill His 2 Dogs

20080731 Washington Post: Police Raid Berwyn Heights Mayors Home Kill His 2 Dogs

Police Raid Berwyn Heights Mayor's Home, Kill His 2 Dogs

By Aaron C. Davis
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 31, 2008; B01

A police SWAT team raided the home of the mayor in the Prince George's County town of Berwyn Heights on Tuesday, shooting and killing his two dogs, after he brought in a 32-pound package of marijuana that had been delivered to his doorstep, police said.

Mayor Cheye Calvo was not arrested in the raid, which was carried out about 7 p.m. by the Sheriff's Office SWAT team and county police narcotics officers. Prince George's police spokesman Henry Tippett said yesterday that all the residents of the house -- Calvo, his wife and his mother-in-law -- are "persons of interest" in the case.

[…]

Read the rest here: Police Raid Berwyn Heights Mayor's Home, Kill His 2 Dogs

Wednesday 07/30/08 6:33pm
Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

Related: 20080801 Berwyn Heights mayor’s home invaded dog shot
20080730 WJLA: Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

20080730 Berwyn Heights Mayor suffers home invasion dogs shot, MD municipality Berwyn Heights, Law and Order Lunacy, People MD Calvo – Cheye Calvo

More: Here, here, and here.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073003299.html

20080802 MML Scholarship is too important to be mismanaged

20080802 MML Scholarship is too important to be mismanaged

"There are two types of knowledge. One is knowing a thing. The other is knowing where to find it." -Samuel Johnson

MML Scholarship is too important to be mismanaged

August 2, 2008 by Kevin Dayhoff

Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson’s assertion in a July 31, 2008 article, “Town asked to cover cost of scholarships” by Times Staff Writer, Jennifer Jiggetts; that “No one was aware that there had been a change.” is not consistent with the Carroll County Chapter of the MML records.

Westminster - On July 31, 2008, Carroll County Times Staff Writer, Jennifer Jiggetts, had an article published in the paper: “Town asked to cover cost of scholarships.”

The article explained, in part:

“The president of the Carroll County chapter of Maryland Municipal League is asking each county municipality to pay $375 to cover the cost of scholarships the league awarded.

“After a two-year hiatus, the Carroll chapter decided to give three $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing municipal careers. But the chapter was surprised to learn it would have no monetary help from the state association, said chapter president Frank Johnson. The scholarships were awarded in June, the same time the chapter found out they’d have to foot the bill entirely. The checks have recently been sent to students, Johnson said.”

I served as secretary/treasurer of the

Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League for five years (12/07/1999 – 05/16/2005.) I also served on the Maryland Municipal League board of directors annually for five consecutive years, from June 2000 to May 2005.

The municipal scholarship referenced in the article was first adopted by the (statewide) MML board of directors for FY 1991.

It was continued for twelve years through FY 2002.

At that time, according to the September 4th, 2003 Quarterly [Carroll County MML] Chapter Meeting Minutes Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md., the (statewide) MML board of directors “re-directed funds that had helped to support the Chapter Scholarship Program, in order to support a new academic fellowship/intern scholarship program initiative, which will create a partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs and the MML.”

For five years, from 2000 through 2004 - during my tenure as secretary/treasurer – the chapter tasked me in my capacity as the chapter secretary/treasurer to administer the Carroll County Chapter of the MML scholarship program.

In those five years the Carroll County Chapter of the MML was proud to have efficiently distributed a total of $11,900.00 to a total of 19 students.

The purpose of the scholarship was to foster an interest in municipal government with the future leaders of our community. The minutes of the September 4th, 2003 Quarterly elaborated:

“… to increase public awareness of municipal government in Carroll County and to foster interest and research in municipal government, to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service, and to provide needed financial support for students pursuing studies leading to a career in government or public service.”

Fast-forward to today. Ms. Jiggetts wrote on July 31, 2008 that “After a two-year hiatus, the Carroll chapter decided to give three $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing municipal careers…”

In response to questions about the management of the contemporary scholarship program, Mayor Johnson asserted that:

… he was under the impression that things stayed the same and the state would continue to supply the funds because they did so in the past.

When the state organization stopped funding the scholarship several years ago and the Carroll County chapter put it on hold, Johnson said he wasn’t around to have found out about the state’s decision.

“Our assumption was that nothing had changed from a few years ago,” Johnson said. “No one was aware that there had been a change.”

Above and beyond conventional fiscal prudence that dictates that the source of funding is determined before a scholarship program begins, it is also wise to research the history – and precedence - of a successful program in order to build upon past performance to ensure future successability when the program is reconvened.

To that end, Mayor Johnson has served on the (statewide) MML board of directors since at least June 2007. His tenure is concurrent when decisions pertaining to the Carroll County Chapter scholarship program were being decided.

In his capacity as board member, is it too far a stretch of the imagination to suggest he could have easily asked about the current status of the old discontinued statewide MML scholarship program?

Of course another way of determining the history of a program is to ask one’s predecessors; which is how I did it…

In reference to “… [t]he checks have recently been sent to students,” basic common sense indicates that a person or an organization have the funds in the checking account before a check is written and distributed.

To further cloud the issues swirling around how the scholarship program has been administered under Mayor Johnson’s leadership; records indicate that he was in attendance at the September 4th, 2003 Carroll County Chapter of the MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting at Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md. when changes to the program were discussed.

It was at this meeting when agenda item number 2 pertaining to the scholarship program was discussed and it was “agreed to continue our own self-funded scholarship program within the Carroll County Chapter.”

September 4th, 2003 Quarterly [Carroll County MML] Chapter Meeting Minutes - Dutch Corner Restaurant, 3154 Main Street, Manchester, Md.

[Agenda Item] 2. Discussion of the future of the Annual MML Scholarship.

MML Executive Director Scott Hancock and MML Liaison Candice Donoho gave a presentation on the 12-year old MML Chapter Scholarship Program. The MML Board of Directors has recently re-directed funds that had helped to support the Chapter Scholarship Program, in order to support a new academic fellowship/intern scholarship program initiative, which will create a partnership with the University of Maryland School of Public Affairs and the MML.

The MML Board of Directors is encouraging individual MML Chapters to continue self-funded scholarship programs and to develop scholarship program criteria that best fit the needs and desires of our respective chapters.

In the past, the Carroll County MML Chapter has assessed the Carroll County member municipalities a total of $1,500 to add to the $1,000 annual contribution from the MML. We then distributed five scholarships of $500 each at the annual June joint Carroll County/Frederick County Chapter meeting in Mt. Airy.

After thoughtful discussion, it was agreed to continue our own self-funded scholarship program within the Carroll County Chapter.

It was moved by Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols and seconded by Hampstead Councilman Chris Nevin to sponsor two $1,000 scholarships for Carroll County students who reside within the corporate boundaries of a Carroll County Municipality and to bill the eight municipalities for the $2,000. The motion passed unanimously.

The purpose of the scholarship is to increase public awareness of municipal government in Carroll County and to foster interest and research in municipal government, to recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service, and to provide needed financial support for students pursuing studies leading to a career in government or public service.

Particulars as to how the MML Carroll County Chapter will adapt and implement the Scholarship Program will be discussed after the first of the year. Meanwhile, the Treasurer was directed to assess the eight municipalities pro-rata for the $2,000 for the scholarships.

Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols will continue as Chair of the Carroll County MML Scholarship Committee. Anyone who would like to work on the Scholarship Committee should contact Councilwoman Nichols.

As far as the original pro-rated funding plan is concerned – the scholarship levy for the purposes of funding the scholarship program - was adopted at the April 27, 2000 meeting.

It was decided at that meeting to raise the funds on a proportional basis based on precedent that went back to the “Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League Articles of Organization,” which were introduced on April 21, 1988 and adopted August 14, 1988:

Carroll County Chapter Maryland Municipal League Meeting April 27, 2000 Minutes Union Bridge Community Center 4770 Ladiesburg Road Union Bridge, Maryland:

MML Scholarship Levy: It was discussed that the $2,500 needed for the MML academic scholarship was funded: $1,000 from the MML's statewide office and $1,500 raised from the County Chapter's coffers. It was decided that we would levy each Carroll County town a percentage portion of the $1,500. Mr. Dayhoff asked if it would be acceptable to simply use the formula developed by Sykesville Town Manager Matt Candland in his January 17, 2000 Carroll County Census Committee budget. That was accepted.

The Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League ran a very successful scholarship program for five years.

In 2000 we awarded $830.00 each to three students for a total of $2490.00. In 2001 we awarded $625.00 each to four students for a total of $2500.00. In 2002 we awarded $500.00 each to five students for a total of $2500.00. In 2003 we awarded $500.00 each to five students for a total of $2500.00. In 2004 we awarded $1000.00 each to two students for a total of $2000.00.

To state the obvious, the current elected and appointed leadership in our communities are not going to be in office forever and it is critical that we bring along folks who will take our places in the future and carry the mantle of governance into the future.

The program was a great success because of all the hard work of officials in the past such as then-Taneytown Mayor Henry Heine, Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker, Hampstead Councilman Chris Nevin, Sykesville Councilwoman Jeannie Nichols and others too numerous to mention.

To see the program end up on the front page of the newspaper portrayed in a less than favorable light is disturbing – especially since the misunderstandings were all so easily avoided.

Nevertheless, many of us agree and easily understand a quote from a Carroll County Times July 20, 2008 editorial: “Juggling the intricacies of a municipal government can be challenging for anyone, and there are sure to be missteps along the way.”

No citizen expects perfection; however the level of incompetence and mismanagement that once again rears its ugly head in matters of Carroll County local government is unacceptable.

Especially in the light that Mayor Johnson refused to accept responsibility for the mistake by piously suggesting “No one was aware that there had been a change,” when the record does not support that defense.

Perhaps the only explanation for this latest of gaffs and missteps by the Mayor of Mount Airy – President of Carroll County Chapter of the MML – Member the statewide MML board of directors - Senior Assistant County Attorney/Legislative Director – Baltimore Regional Transportation Board empowered representative for Carroll County Commissioner Julia Gouge - - is to revisit a February 9, 2003 20030209 Carroll County Times editorial: Frank Johnson – “A problem of wearing many hats”:

“… Frank Johnson has been wearing a lot of different hats lately, but the time has come for him to step back and make some realistic decisions about where he believes he can do the most good.

[…]

“Johnson also took a job as assistant to County Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge. And while he and others have said there is nothing legally wrong with collecting paychecks from both the Town of Mount Airy and the county, there likely is an ethical issue involved.[1]

“At the very least, Johnson has spread himself too thin to be entirely effective in any one of the positions. And because his many positions span from Mount Airy to Carroll's municipalities to county government, that means the impact is being felt everywhere in the county.

“Johnson owes it to the people of Mount Airy, owes it to the towns, cities and organizations that make up the Council of Governments and owes it to taxpayers who pay his salary as Gouge's assistant to step back from some of these responsibilities.

“He must assess where he believes he can be most effective, and then concentrate on those areas.

“Wanting to help out in as many different ways as possible is an admirable trait, but it does no good if the person is running in so many different directions that it takes away from all of his various jobs and duties.”

Meanwhile, many of us agree in principle with Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker who noted: “$375 is a fairly small price to pay [for such an important program…].”

However, New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce is also correct when he “said changes need to be made to the scholarship program.

“‘You don’t go out and spend money before making the budget,’ he said. ‘If we know we’re going to do something, we budget for it. That’s basic. It’s the way towns operate.’”

And finally, Union Bridge Bret Grossnickle was correct when he said: “…the funds were unfairly split. They should have been divided per capita, not by town, he said.”

“‘$375 is not going to break us, but we have to do it differently next year,’ Grossnickle said.”

Nevertheless, as Mayor Johnson said in a Baltimore Sun article on August 22, 2002: “We are all part of the same county," Johnson said. "What happens in one part of this county does have an effect on other parts. There is much more of a connection and a need for ongoing communication, a problem-solving approach that brings everybody to the table.”

Hopefully Mayor Johnson will be able to rekindle an “ongoing communication, a problem-solving approach that brings everybody to the table” and get the MML scholarship program back on track.

####

Related references:

“Town asked to cover cost of scholarships” By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times, Thursday, July 31, 2008 – see: 20080731 Towns asked to cover cost of MML scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes

20030209 Carroll County Times editorial: Frank Johnson – “A problem of wearing many hats”

20000427 Carroll County Chapter MML Meeting at Union Bridge

20060617 Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson joins county attorney staff

MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Meeting Minutes

Labels: MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap., MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Scholarship Program, Westminster Mayor 200105 200505 Kevin E. Dayhoff, People Carroll Co. Johnson – Frank Johnson,

[1] The matter of any potential conflict… was covered in a June 17, 2006 Carroll County Times article, “Mt. Airy mayor joins county attorney staff.” When Mayor Johnson was hired to be a senior assistant county attorney for Carroll County: “Before accepting the position, Johnson received approval from both the county ethics administrator and the Mount Airy Ethics Commission” See: 20060617 Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson joins county attorney staff

20080730 WJLA: Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

20080730 WJLA: Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

WJLA: Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0708/540029.html

Related: 20080801 Berwyn Heights mayor’s home invaded dog shot
20080730 Berwyn Heights Mayor suffers home invasion dogs shot, Law and Order Lunacy, MD municipality Berwyn Heights, People MD Calvo – Cheye Calvo, Law and Order Lunacy, People MD Calvo – Cheye Calvo

More: Here, here, and here.

posted by WJLA 6:33 pm Wed July 30, 2008 - BERWYN HEIGHTS, Md.

The Mayor of Berwyn Heights, Md. was the target of a drug raid Wednesday after a package containing several pounds of marijuana was shipped to his home, according to police.

Berwyn Heights Mayor Cheye Calvo is still reeling after a team of heavily armed sheriff deputies burst into his home Wednesday.

"It was an explosion followed immediately by gunfire," said Calvo.

The deputies bound the mayor and fired shots, killing the Calvo's two black Labradors. Calvo tearfully expressed his love for his "good dogs" while showing ABC 7 reporter Brad Bell, exactly where they were shot by a Prince George's county sheriff.

[…]

Read the rest here: Berwyn Heights Mayor Targeted in Drug Raid

20080801 Berwyn Heights mayor’s home invaded dog shot

20080801 Berwyn Heights mayor’s home invaded dog shot

Berwyn Heights mayor’s home invaded dog shot

August 1, 2008

The mayor of Berwyn Heights, Cheye Calvo, had his home invaded Wednesday evening, July 30, 2008.

More: Here, here, and here.

I have briefly worked with Mayor Calvo in the past, but I do not know him well. What I do know is that he is a very soft-spoken, kind, conscientious and an extraordinarily capable and competent person, who loves his community and is extremely well-liked by everyone.

For this to happen to him is simply an outrage…

His front door was broken-through and heavily armed folks invaded his home. In the melee that ensued, his two black Labrador dogs were shot and killed and he and his mother-in-law were tied-up, while his home was ransacked.

The police did not have far to look for the folks who did this. It was the Prince Georges County Sheriff’s Department – who, oops, made a mistake. Oh, nevermind...

Labels: 20080730 Berwyn Heights Mayor suffers home invasion dogs shot, Law and Order Lunacy, MD municipality Berwyn Heights, People MD Calvo – Cheye Calvo,

20080731 Towns asked to cover cost of MML scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

20080731 Towns asked to cover cost of MML scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

“Town asked to cover cost of [MML] scholarships” By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times, Thursday, July 31, 2008

Town asked to cover cost of scholarships

By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, July 31, 2008

The president of the Carroll County chapter of Maryland Municipal League is asking each county municipality to pay $375 to cover the cost of scholarships the league awarded.

After a two-year hiatus, the Carroll chapter decided to give three $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing municipal careers. But the chapter was surprised to learn it would have no monetary help from the state association, said chapter president Frank Johnson. The scholarships were awarded in June, the same time the chapter found out they’d have to foot the bill entirely. The checks have recently been sent to students, Johnson said.

[…]

Johnson, who’s also the mayor of Mount Airy, said he was under the impression that things stayed the same and the state would continue to supply the funds because they did so in the past.

When the state organization stopped funding the scholarship several years ago and the Carroll County chapter put it on hold, Johnson said he wasn’t around to have found out about the state’s decision.

“Our assumption was that nothing had changed from a few years ago,” Johnson said. “No one was aware that there had been a change.”

[…]

Johnson said he has already paid the $3,000 from his personal savings account with the intent of reimbursement from Carroll’s eight municipalities. Johnson told town officials they needed to pay him back in July.

Johnson suggested the $3,000 scholarship bill be split evenly between the county’s eight municipalities.

With tight budgets and limited funds, some Carroll County town officials saw the payment as a surprise. Others were displeased at the proposed $375 amount.

Union Bridge Mayor Bret Grossnickle said the funds were unfairly split. They should have been divided per capita, not by town, he said.

“$375 is not going to break us, but we have to do it differently next year,” Grossnickle said.

New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce said changes need to be made to the scholarship program.

“You don’t go out and spend money before making the budget,” he said. “If we know we’re going to do something, we budget for it. That’s basic. It’s the way towns operate.”

Haven N. Shoemaker Jr., mayor of Hampstead, said the situation is a misunderstanding.

“Hampstead had no objection,” he said. “$375 is a fairly small price to pay.”

Reach staff writer Jennifer Jiggetts at 410-857-7873 or
jennifer.jiggetts AT carrollcountytimes.com.

20080731 Town asked to cover cost of scholarships By Jennifer Jiggetts, Times Staff Writer for the Carroll County Times

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/07/31/news/local_news/newsstory5.txt

20030904 September 4th, 2003 Carroll County MML Quarterly Chapter Meeting Minutes

20030209 Carroll County Times editorial: Frank Johnson – “A problem of wearing many hats”

20000427 Carroll County Chapter MML Meeting at Union Bridge

20060617 Mount Airy Mayor Frank Johnson joins county attorney staff

MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Meeting Minutes

Labels: MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap., MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap. Scholarship Program, Westminster Mayor 200105 200505 Kevin E. Dayhoff, People Carroll Co. Johnson – Frank Johnson,

Westminster Eagle: “City water rates likely to increase” by Jim Joyner

Westminster Eagle: “City water rates likely to increase” by Jim Joyner

Study proposes rate increase for higher users, those outside city limits

By Jim Joyner jjoyner AT patuxent.com

Posted 7/30/08

City of Westminster water and sewer revenues will fall about $1 million short of breaking even this year, and needs "restructuring" to pay for current and future repairs, maintenance and expansion.

That's the word from a consultant's study released Monday evening at a meeting of the Mayor and Common Council.

"The obvious thing is that (the city) needs to raise more money," said Edward Donahue, president of Municipal and Financial Services Group, an Annapolis consultant hired to study the city's rate structure.

"The question," he added, "is how, and who's going to pay it?"

Donahue said the city has some $80 million in capital projects in its horizon related to water and sewer service -- including a $5.6 million water connection to the Medford Quarry and $36 million project to expand the city's wastewater treatment facility. A new structure is needed, he said, to pay those bills and future obligations.

The study recommends a higher rate for users who use more water, rewarding those who use less and setting up a system to charge out-of-city users more than in-city users.

The council did not take action on the study Monday, but Council President Roy Chiavacci said it sets the stage for a discussion that will extend into the fall before a decision is made.

According to the study, Westminster's current rates are fragmented somewhat, reflecting a long list of factors that determine what people pay.

Donahue said one of the flaws of the current system is that it allows a lower rate per gallon for users who consume more water, essentially a bulk discount, when it should charge a higher rate as a means of promoting conservation.

Under the consultant's plan, the city would charge a set fee per quarter -- suggested at $20.36 for fiscal year 2009 -- then a rate per 1,000 gallons up to 18,000 gallons quarterly, suggested at $2.34.

But if users cross over that 18,000 mark, the rate would more than double, to $5.86 per thousand gallons under the proposed scenario for FY 2009.

Lisa Zitomer, a consultant with of Municipal and Financial Services, acknowledged the boost in rates is drastic, but said is tough to curb bigger users "unless you take an aggressive step."

Councilman Dr. Robert Wack said there's no way to sugarcoat the fact that rates will increase, but attaching separate rates for higher users versus low users may be a good move.

"People who use the most will pay the most," he said, "and people who save the most will pay the least."

Inside outside

The other key factor in the rate structure calls for charging users outside the city more.

Donahue said the city already charges some additional amount to many of those users, but it varies -- from 12 to 25 percent more for water and 34 to 100 percent more for sewer service.

He suggested the city switch to a "utility rate" structure for out-of-city customers -- essentially setting up the city as a utility for those clients.

If the city adopted the proposal, it would charge those users 43 percent more on water rates compared to in-city customers; and 63 percent more on sewer service.

Officials said the city will host additional discussions, and public sessions, before a decision on any new structure made.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/404/city-water-rates-likely-increase/

20080730 Westminster Eagle: “City water rates likely to increase” by Jim Joyner