Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Monday, December 06, 2010

DAYHOFF: Greetings to the new 'Levy Court,' a.k.a. the Board of County Commissioners

KEVIN DAYHOFF- Explore Carroll: Greetings to the new 'Levy Court,' a.k.a. the Board of County Commissioners

EAGLE ARCHIVE By Kevin Dayhoff  http://tinyurl.com/285shup


(Enlarge) All that remains of the Thanksgiving turkey dinner are the leftovers, and many Carroll County residents have now turned their attention to Christmas -- and, oh, yes, the new Board of County Commissioners.

This year, there are no leftovers in the commissioners' office.

In November, the president may have pardoned a turkey for the Thanksgiving holidays, but in our county family the gobbler did not survive and neither did any of the incumbent commissioners.

At 2 p.m. Monday, Carroll County gets a Christmas present when the first five-member board will be sworn into office. Of the new faces -- Robin Frazier (1st District), Haven Shoemaker (2nd), Dave Roush (3rd), Richard Rothschild (4th) and Doug Howard (5th) -- only Frazier has served before…  http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/4976/greetings-levy-court-aka-county-commissioners/

20101205 SCE Greetings to the new Levy Court sceked

Alan Brody for The Gazette: This year's class of incoming legislators is looking to make immediate impact

"Meet the Freshmen" by Alan Brody 

Photos by Brian Lewis/The Gazette: Top row (from left): Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr. (D-Dist. 44), Bonnie Cullison (D-Dist. 19), C.T. Wilson (D-Dist. 28) and Cathleen M. Vitale (R-Dist. 33A). Bottom row (from left): Bill Ferguson (D-Dist. 46), Kelly Schulz (R-Dist. 4A), Joseph M. Getty (R-Dist. 5) and Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-Dist. 23A).


Writing for the Gazette, Alan Brody has written a wonderful primer on the freshman class of legislators in the upcoming Maryland General Assembly: http://www.gazette.net/stories/12032010/polinew204140_32544.php

Friday, Dec. 3, 2010

Meet the Freshmen

This year's class of incoming legislators is looking to make immediate impact
by Alan Brody | Staff Writer  


The 40 freshmen legislators who make up the General Assembly's Class of 2011 possess various backgrounds.

Only two of the 10 incoming senators have not served previously in the House of Delegates, and three House Republicans are reclaiming seats they lost or relinquished four years ago, so the number of "true freshmen" is lower. Several more have held local office, and others have Annapolis experience as one-time legislative staffers.

There are entrepreneurs, educators and, of course, numerous attorneys.

Predicting the political stars of tomorrow is something of a crapshoot, but here is a handful of newbies to keep an eye on during the upcoming legislative session — and beyond…  http://www.gazette.net/stories/12032010/polinew204140_32544.php

Democratic Advocate, December 6, 1946: City To Have Xmas Lighting

City To Have Xmas Lighting

Democratic Advocate, December 6, 1946.

CITY TO HAVE XMAS LIGHTING, Retail Merchants Assoc. Secured Necessary Generators For Lghting Decorations—Due to the untiring efforts of the Retail Merchants Association, Westminster will be able to have their Xmas Lighting as planned.

The Association appointed a special committee, composed of F. Kale Mathias, and Paul Bonsack, who made the proper contacts with the Sheppard Diesel Engine Co., Hanover, Pa., through the Maryland Supply and Equipment Co., of Baltimore, who are the distributors for the state of Maryland.

The generators will be set up and operated at three different sections, being placed on the pavements.

Adequate shelter and a maintenance crew for the operation will be taken care of by the Mayor and City Council of Westminster.

Plans are to have them installed by December 11 and they will be in operation by December 13.

Democratic Advocate, December 6, 1946.

19461206 City To Have Xmas LightingCity To Have Xmas Lighting

Democratic Advocate, December 6, 1946.

CITY TO HAVE XMAS LIGHTING, Retail Merchants Assoc. Secured Necessary Generators For Lghting Decorations—Due to the untiring efforts of the Retail Merchants Association, Westminster will be able to have their Xmas Lighting as planned.

The Association appointed a special committee, composed of F. Kale Mathias, and Paul Bonsack, who made the proper contacts with the Sheppard Diesel Engine Co., Hanover, Pa., through the Maryland Supply and Equipment Co., of Baltimore, who are the distributors for the state of Maryland.

The generators will be set up and operated at three different sections, being placed on the pavements.

Adequate shelter and a maintenance crew for the operation will be taken care of by the Mayor and City Council of Westminster.

Plans are to have them installed by December 11 and they will be in operation by December 13.

Democratic Advocate, December 6, 1946.

19461206 City To Have Xmas Lighting

*****

Carroll County government will have Christmas tree, and ceremony, after all



The annual Carroll County Christmas tree lighting ceremony on November 28, 2006.  Having a Christmas tree adorn the front of the county office building on North Center Street was begun with much fanfare in 2004 by then-commissioners Perry L. Jones, Jr., Julia Walsh Gouge, and Dean L. Minnich. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/2dq4mgx



Carroll County government will have Christmas tree, and ceremony, after all

Incoming Board of County Commissioners say Christmas tree ceremony will be restored despite budget woes  http://tinyurl.com/2dq4mgx

By Kevin Dayhoff

Yes, Carroll County, there will be Christmas… http://tinyurl.com/2dq4mgx

[…]

The incoming Board of County Commissioners has announced that a Christmas tree and lighting ceremony will be restored to Carroll County government, and will be held this Thursday, Dec. 9.

The commissioners-elect announced their decision in a press release to the media…  http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4989/carroll-county-government-will-have-christmas-tree-after-all/

*****

Commissioner Minnich provides some additional insight into terminations

December 3, 2010: Commissioner Minnich provides some additional insight into terminations

After I wrote, “Horn, Laxton, Evans and Ridgely out as Carroll County terminates appointees - Four get combined $250K in severance, leave payments” on December 1, 2010 [http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/,] many folks have asked why the employees were terminated.

And the answer is - I think I know but I have never gotten anyone to say it on the record…  For one thing, both Mike Evans and Steve Horn have been down this road before and maybe the answer lies in the history I wrote in the final third of my article.

It all began in a December 1, 2010 press release, “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts,” the county said the last day of employment for all four would be today — Wednesday, Dec. 1, and that, “In accordance with their employment contracts, leave payouts and severance will be honored.”

For the subsequent newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

Perhaps Commission Dean L. Minnich gives us some additional insight here:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2010


Commissioner-elect Haven Shoemaker is apoplectic that he didn't get a chance to carry out the threats he had made against certain staff members of the outgoing board of commissioners. He was a man with a plan, and it was going to happen, "right off the bat." Big changes, fast.

Richard Rothschild's comments in Friday's Carroll County Times smack of disingenuousness. In response to the dismissals of the four directors, he complained about the timing, and said, "the new board has never made plans to come in and make replacements without having talked with every appointed employee".  But during the hearings for the Pathways master plan he questioned the abilities and even the motives of at least two of the directors who took advantage of their contracts and vacated the premises before he arrives on Monday.

Former commissioners Robin Frazier was silent: But her actions of the past speak volumes. When she took office in her first term, she requested the resignations of all department heads. If they refused, she said, they could find themselves dismissed for insubordination, without accrued benefits. Of all the members of the incoming board of commissioners, the return of Frazier seems to cause the most concern among county employees.

Doug Howard of District 5 is apparently out of the loop already. While Shoemaker and Frazier have been making public comments about rapid changes and "right-sizing" the county staff, Howard says he thinks the release of four directors was intended to disrupt the transition from the current board of commissioners to the new five-member board. He said, "But it was never our intention to make massive changes without a process first." …  http://www.deanminnich.com/2010/12/protesteth-too-much.html

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20101203 Minnich provides some additional insight into terminations

All related……

December 1, 2010 Commissioner Minnich statement about the employee terminations

December 1, 2010 written statement by Carroll County Maryland Commissioner Dean Minnich about the employee terminations - - http://www.scribd.com/doc/44730025/December-1-2010-Commissioner-Minnich-statement-about-the-employee-terminations

In a written statement about the employee terminations, Minnich elaborated: “I would like to express my personal appreciation for their service, their sacrifices on behalf of the people and their collegial work with all of the employees of the county.

“As an elected representative, chosen by the people, I asked these people and every other employee for their skills, best work, the benefits of their education, experience, energy, sense of fairness and integrity, and they delivered admirably.

“Not once were any of them asked to engage in political or partisan activity in the execution of their work, and none of them abused or misused the trust we placed in them.

“It was faith in such people that gave me the confidence to step forward eight years ago, and to continue for a second term, and I am gratified for the experience of having worked with them.  I wish them well.”

See also:

December 1, 2010 Press release: Outgoing Commissioner Mike Zimmer is outraged by the decision to terminate the employees. 



“In an e-mail Commissioner Mike Zimmer’s office sent to fellow County Commissioner Dean Minnick, the county attorney, Kimberly Millender, Chief of Staff Steve Powell and assistant chief of staff Cindy Parr on November 24, Zimmer said, ‘An exhaustive description of my negative opinion of the action by Commissioners Gouge and Minnich would require a novel length tome’…” 

Commissioner Mike Zimmer was responding to a December 1, 2010 press release, “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts,” the county said the last day of employment for all four would be today — Wednesday, Dec. 1, and that, “In accordance with their employment contracts, leave payouts and severance will be honored.”

For the subsequent newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

20101201 Zimmer Press Release info for Scribd

Carroll, county, Maryland, employees, terminated, Dayhoff, Horn, Ridgely, Laxton, Evans, appointed, officials,




++++++

[20101201 Minnich statement info for Scribd]

Also see: December 1, 2010 press release: Carroll “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts”

Carroll County Maryland government: “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts” December 1, 2010 press release

In a December 1, 2010 press release, “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts,” the county said the last day of employment for all four would be today — Wednesday, Dec. 1, and that, “In accordance with their employment contracts, leave payouts and severance will be honored.”

For the subsequent newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

20101201 AppointeesLeave info for scribd

Carroll, county, Maryland, employees, terminated, Dayhoff, Horn, Ridgely, Laxton, Evans, appointed, officials,



+++++++


*****

December 1, 2010 Commissioner Minnich statement about the employee terminations

December 1, 2010 written statement by Carroll County Maryland Commissioner Dean Minnich about the employee terminations - - http://www.scribd.com/doc/44730025/December-1-2010-Commissioner-Minnich-statement-about-the-employee-terminations

In a written statement about the employee terminations, Minnich elaborated: “I would like to express my personal appreciation for their service, their sacrifices on behalf of the people and their collegial work with all of the employees of the county.

“As an elected representative, chosen by the people, I asked these people and every other employee for their skills, best work, the benefits of their education, experience, energy, sense of fairness and integrity, and they delivered admirably.

“Not once were any of them asked to engage in political or partisan activity in the execution of their work, and none of them abused or misused the trust we placed in them.

“It was faith in such people that gave me the confidence to step forward eight years ago, and to continue for a second term, and I am gratified for the experience of having worked with them.  I wish them well.”

See also:

December 1, 2010 Press release: Outgoing Commissioner Mike Zimmer is outraged by the decision to terminate the employees. 



“In an e-mail Commissioner Mike Zimmer’s office sent to fellow County Commissioner Dean Minnick, the county attorney, Kimberly Millender, Chief of Staff Steve Powell and assistant chief of staff Cindy Parr on November 24, Zimmer said, ‘An exhaustive description of my negative opinion of the action by Commissioners Gouge and Minnich would require a novel length tome’…” 

Commissioner Mike Zimmer was responding to a December 1, 2010 press release, “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts,” the county said the last day of employment for all four would be today — Wednesday, Dec. 1, and that, “In accordance with their employment contracts, leave payouts and severance will be honored.”

For the subsequent newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

20101201 Zimmer Press Release info for Scribd

Carroll, county, Maryland, employees, terminated, Dayhoff, Horn, Ridgely, Laxton, Evans, appointed, officials,




++++++

[20101201 Minnich statement info for Scribd]

Also see: December 1, 2010 press release: Carroll “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts”

Carroll County Maryland government: “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts” December 1, 2010 press release

In a December 1, 2010 press release, “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts,” the county said the last day of employment for all four would be today — Wednesday, Dec. 1, and that, “In accordance with their employment contracts, leave payouts and severance will be honored.”

For the subsequent newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

20101201 AppointeesLeave info for scribd

Carroll, county, Maryland, employees, terminated, Dayhoff, Horn, Ridgely, Laxton, Evans, appointed, officials,



+++++++


December 1, 2010 Commissioner Minnich statement about the employee terminations                                                                                                                            


*****

Sunday, December 05, 2010

December 1, 2010 Press release: Outgoing Commissioner Mike Zimmer is outraged by the decision to terminate the employees.

December 1, 2010 Press release: Outgoing Commissioner Mike Zimmer is outraged by the decision to terminate the employees. 


“In an e-mail Commissioner Mike Zimmer’s office sent to fellow County Commissioner Dean Minnick, the county attorney, Kimberly Millender, Chief of Staff Steve Powell and assistant chief of staff Cindy Parr on November 24, Zimmer said, ‘An exhaustive description of my negative opinion of the action by Commissioners Gouge and Minnich would require a novel length tome’…” 

Commissioner Mike Zimmer was responding to a December 1, 2010 press release, “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts,” the county said the last day of employment for all four would be today — Wednesday, Dec. 1, and that, “In accordance with their employment contracts, leave payouts and severance will be honored.”

For the subsequent newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

20101201 Zimmer Press Release info for Scribd

Carroll, county, Maryland, employees, terminated, Dayhoff, Horn, Ridgely, Laxton, Evans, appointed, officials,



++++++


20101201 Zimmer Press Release                                                                                                                           

Carroll County Times accuses outgoing Carroll County commissioners of corruption, secret meetings, and payoffs


Carroll County Times accuses outgoing Carroll County commissioners of corruption in office, secret meetings, and payoffs


SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2010

For a newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff on the whole affair, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

Outgoing Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnich fired back at the Sunday, December 5, 2010 Carroll County Times editorial: “Buyout reeks of payoff.” http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/article_4657ba0e-fef5-11df-a070-001cc4c03286.html

"The county commissioners offering buyouts and severance packages to county department heads was irresponsible, and taxpayers are lucky that the ultimate cost is only a little over a quarter of a million dollars… 

The secretive way in which they went about ensuring their political allies were well taken care of is deplorable, and their waste of taxpayer dollars is indefensible…http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/article_4657ba0e-fef5-11df-a070-001cc4c03286.html



Outgoing Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnich fired back:  “Sunday's Carroll County Times carried the editorial I expected; I could have written it in advance. Secret meetings, conference calls, reeks of payoffs, cronyism, all words used to express their editorial outrage at the departure of four county employees under the terms of contracts that allowed them to leave with severance pay and accrued benefits.

“Having worked for several newspapers, I can attest that the contracts were little different that many of those signed by newspaper executives and managers who have served at the pleasure of various publishers and group owners. I can attest that the newspapers also observed the appropriate rules and applicable laws for offering and accepting and announcing -- or not -- the changes in job status. Sometimes it is what is not said that speaks volumes...”  http://www.deanminnich.com/2010/12/its-about-facts-not-crusade-for-open.html

For a newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff on the whole affair, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/


20101205 sdosm CC Times accuses outgoing ccboc of corruption


Carroll Co Times accuses outgoing Carroll Co commissioners of corruption in office secret meetings and payoffs http://tinyurl.com/23maxsz

*****

December 1, 2010 press release: Carroll “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts”

Carroll County Maryland government: “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts” December 1, 2010 press release

In a December 1, 2010 press release, “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts,” the county said the last day of employment for all four would be today — Wednesday, Dec. 1, and that, “In accordance with their employment contracts, leave payouts and severance will be honored.”

For the subsequent newspaper article written by Kevin Dayhoff, which appeared in www.explorecarroll.com, go here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/4975/breaking-horn-laxton-evans-ridgely-carroll-county-terminates-appointees/

20101201 AppointeesLeave info for scribd

Carroll, county, Maryland, employees, terminated, Dayhoff, Horn, Ridgely, Laxton, Evans, appointed, officials,


Carroll County Maryland government: “County Terminates Four Appointees’ Contracts” December 1, 2010 press r...                                                                                                                              

*****

December 6, 1973: Birds Leave Manchester But Others May Come - The Carroll Record

Birds Leave Manchester But Others May Come

The Carroll Record, December 6, 1973.

The birds are gone from Manchester's Christmas Tree Park, but nobody is sure for just how long, including the "expert," Nelson F. Swink Jr. of the Wildlife Services Division in Annapolis.

The town turned to Mr. Swink earlier this year for help in getting rid of the hundreds of starlings and blackbirds that had come to the park to roost for the second straight year. "I was just getting ready to come up there when the mayor called and said the birds had left of their own accord," Mr. Swink told The RECORD this week. "That's a big roost," he said, "and I think they will probably be back.

There is a winter roost and a summer roost. I think the birds that just left were the summer roost, migrating south." But he believes the winter roost is on the way. If they do arrive, he is prepared to come to Manchester as promised and bring a variety of noise makers with him which he hopes will make life so miserable for the birds that they will decide to leave.

The Carroll Record, December 6, 1973.

19731206 Birds Leave Manchester But Others May Come


Saturday, December 04, 2010

November 30, 1945: No Xmas Decorations Or Treat For Children in Westminster

No Xmas Decorations Or Treat For Children Here

Democratic Advocate, November 30, 1945.

Announcement was made by Mayor Joseph L. Mathias that the municipal decorations for the coming Christmas season will be limited to the decorating of the tree at "The Forks".

Due to the lack of available manpower and the scarcity of required materials, the Mayor said the extensive decorating plan, which prevailed prior to the war, would not be resumed this year.

Mayor Mathias also announced that the City could not offer the Christmas treat to the children of the community this year because of the limitations to the supply of candies and fruits.

Democratic Advocate, November 30, 1945.







*****

Friday, December 03, 2010

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Gives Advice on Annoying Phone Calls

Democratic Advocate, December 2, 1971.

Annoying Phone Calls? Chamber Gives Advice

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce has received several complaints recently about annoying phone calls and calls which involve aggressive and bothersome sales techniques, a Chamber press release reported last week.

To deal with calls which are abusive or which involve pranks, the safest course of action starts with positive identification of the caller, the Chamber said. If there is any doubt, ask to return the call which will give you the opportunity to check the number for accuracy.

Most importantly, never, never answer questions of a personal nature unless you are sure of the identity of the caller, the Chamber cautioned.

Democratic Advocate, December 2, 1971.


*****

Holiday art shop at 13 John Street in Westminster






Holiday art shop at 13 John Street in Westminster


December 1, 2010


One Tree, Many Branches' Holiday Sale @ a holiday art shop at Gordon Wickes' old Cross Countries Travel location at 13 John Street, Westminster, MD




There are several artist's works, including Christina Collins-Smith's original photography, digital collage and painting designs, Donna Yarish, Jeremy Wright, and some vintage gift items, too.


Related: http://www.cdcsmith.net/


LABELS: 


http://www.flickr.com/photos/onetreemanybranches/sets/72157625514802874/show/


http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2083218621/holiday-art-shop-at-13-john-street-in
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/) http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald:   http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/
*****