Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack

Monday, December 06, 2010

Explore Carroll most read/emailed

http://www.explorecarroll.com/most/

most emailed

GRAND: Cruelest cuts of all may impact morale of good county employees
Posted: December 5th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
MOM: Not exactly like herding cats, but coaching kids is close
Posted: December 5th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
Carroll Movies
Posted: December 5th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
10 Days: A Guide to upcoming events in Carroll County
Posted: December 5th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
Budget issues nix county's tree lighting celebration
Posted: December 1st, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Islamic Society in Carroll County condemns attempted terrorist attack in Portland
Posted: November 29th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle, Westminster Eagle
Taneytown kicks off holidays with tree lighting, chorus
Posted: November 28th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
CULLETON: New commissioner board should press home rule, then take a step back
Posted: November 28th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
Carroll County tree farms prepare for an evergreen tradition
Posted: November 28th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
BETTER: I've still got it; sometimes I just can't remember where I put it
Posted: November 28th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/explore-carroll-most-reademailed.html

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

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

Posted 12/05/10 http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/4976/greetings-levy-court-aka-county-commissioners/

(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

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/dayhoff-greetings-to-new-levy-court-aka.html
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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

http://www.gazette.net/stories/12032010/polinew204140_32544.php

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

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/alan-brody-for-gazette-this-years-class.html
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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.

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

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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/

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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

Dean Minnich: Protesteth too much http://tinyurl.com/2dtprpq http://www.deanminnich.com/2010/12/protesteth-too-much.html

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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Labels: Carroll Co Commissioners, Carroll Co Govt News, Commissioner Julia Gouge, Commissioner Mike Zimmer, Journalists Laxton Vivian, People Evans-Mike, People Minnich-Dean, Political Scandal

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.”

December 1, 2010 Commissioner Minnich statement about the employee terminations

“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.

Sunday, December 05, 2010

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

20101201 Zimmer Press Release info for Scribd

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

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-1-2010-press-release-carroll.html

++++++

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44721103/20101201-Zimmer-Press-Release

20101201 Zimmer Press Release

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-1-2010-press-release-outgoing.html

Labels: Carroll Co Commissioners, Carroll Co Govt News, Commissioner Julia Gouge, Commissioner Mike Zimmer, Journalists Laxton Vivian, People Evans-Mike, People Minnich-Dean, Political Scandal

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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 http://tinyurl.com/23maxsz http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/carroll-county-times-accuses-outgoing.html

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

http://www.deanminnich.com/: It's about the facts, not the crusade for open meetings

http://www.deanminnich.com/2010/12/its-about-facts-not-crusade-for-open.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

20101205 sdosm CC Times accuses outgoing ccboc of corruption

Labels: Newspapers Carroll County Times, People Minnich-Dean, Political Scandal

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

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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

20101201 AppointeesLeave info for scribd

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

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44717786/Carroll-County-Maryland-government-%E2%80%9CCounty-Terminates-Four-Appointees%E2%80%99-Contracts%E2%80%9D-December-1-2010-press-release

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

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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

Carroll Co Dist Manchester, Animals birds, History 1970s,

Labels: Animals birds, Carroll Co Dist Manchester, History 1970s

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/december-6-1973-birds-leave-manchester.html

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2110873885/december-6-1973-birds-leave-manchester-but-others-may
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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.

19451130 No Xmas Decorations Or Treat For Children Here

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/november-30-1945-no-xmas-decorations-or.html

Labels: Annual Christmas, Annual Christmas Westminster, History 1940s, History Westminster 1940s, Westminster Mayor 1942 1963 Mathias

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/november-30-1945-no-xmas-decorations-or.html

Labels: Annual Christmas, Annual Christmas Westminster, History 1940s, History Westminster 1940s, Westminster Mayor 1942 1963 Mathias

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2090603382/november-30-1945-no-xmas-decorations-or-treat-for

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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.

19711202 Annoying Phone Calls Chamber Gives Advice

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/carroll-county-chamber-of-commerce.html

Labels: Bus Carroll Co Chamber Commerce,History 1970s, History 1970s Westminster

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

Monday, December 06, 2010

Explore Carroll most read/emailed

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Posted: November 28th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle

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Posted: November 28th, 2010 in Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Friday, December 03, 2010