20020822 “Mayors consider an area council” By Mary Gail Hare, Sun Staff

20020822 “Mayors consider an area council” By Mary Gail Hare, Sun Staff

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.towns22aug22.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll

Mayors consider an area council

Board of towns' leaders would work with county; 'Enormous untapped talent'

By Mary Gail Hare, Sun Staff, August 22, 2002

Representatives of Carroll's eight towns, buoyed by their solidarity on growth management, are looking to form a council of town governments to work directly with the county commissioners on regional issues such as transportation, development and education.

The proposed countywide council would include mayors; town council members; school officials; and representatives from police, fire and emergency services agencies.

"We have enormous untapped talent on our councils, and we represent one-third of the county's population," said Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff. "A council would allow us input above and beyond the quarterly mayors' meeting."

The commissioners meet with the mayors four times a year, usually late in the afternoon. Often, job demands - nearly all the mayors have careers outside of town hall - keep town leaders from these daytime meetings.

"What gets accomplished in those meetings is up to the mayors," said Commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier. "The agendas are largely fixed by the towns. We use the meetings as an opportunity to share information. We are always open to their concerns."

Hampstead Councilman Haven Shoemaker Jr., president of the Carroll chapter of the Maryland Municipal League, said he would use the league's framework to expand the mayors' meetings into a county council. The sessions - which would include other county departments and would be held more often and in the evenings - would operate as an arm of the league.

"It is wiser to build on MML," said Westminster Councilman Damian L. Halstad. "This is an organization with clout, stature and credibility."

Dayhoff introduced the concept Monday as town officials gathered to formally endorse growth-control measures that call for limiting or curtailing building permits in areas coping with water shortages or with crowded schools and roads.

But town officials decided that the council issue would be diffused if they included it in a letter to commissioners meant to detail their growth-control proposals. They decided to wait until next month to tackle the proposal.

The monthlong delay will give the mayors time to discuss the issue with their town councils and gather support.

"I think everybody will go for it," said Sykesville Mayor Jonathan S. Herman. "But, if it is not effective, people will lose interest. The effectiveness of this council is more important [than] what it is."

Mount Airy Town Council President Frank Johnson developed the towns' six-point growth-management strategy, which insists that the county plan with the towns in mind. He won support for the strategy from the other seven towns and from the Finksburg and Freedom area residents councils.

"We brought the county together on this issue that affects everybody," Johnson said. "We demonstrated the importance of corroboration, cooperation and standing together. The next step is long-term problem-solving."

Johnson told his municipal colleagues the next step is a county council that would include the county staff.

"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."

Halstad said that the towns have not had the best relationship with the county commissioners and that selling them on the idea could be difficult. Several candidates for county commissioner are members of the municipal league and were present at the signing.

"We need a board of commissioners that is sensitive and willing to listen," Halstad said. "This organization could fly once we have that. We can get ahead of the growth curve and participate in policy planning."

Shoemaker said he will add the council proposal to the league's meeting in Union Bridge on Sept. 19.

"This is an idea that is definitely worth exploring," Shoemaker said.

Labels: Carroll Co. Council of Govts COG, People Carroll Co. Shoemaker – Haven Shoemaker, MD Municipal League Carroll Co. Chap., Westminster Mayor 200105 200505 Kevin E. Dayhoff, Dayhoff press clippings, MD Municipal League

20020811 Law enforcement officers like Carroll

Law enforcement officers like Carroll

By Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Click here for more Carroll County News: The Carroll County Times

August 11, 2002

Some say it's the schools. Others say it's aesthetic qualities. For whatever reason, hundreds of police officers who work throughout Maryland have chosen Carroll as home.

Lt. Terry Katz, commander of the Maryland State Police Westminster barrack, said that based on anecdotal evidence, he figures several hundred police officers in Carroll work outside the county.

"There are hundreds, from Howard, Anne Arundel, the FBI, DEA, Baltimore County and Baltimore City, people I see," he said. The state police has 250 officers in Carroll and around 80 of the Westminster barrack's 102 MSP officers live in the county, Katz said.

Cpl. Leonard Mays works at MSP's headquarters in Pikesville and lives in Hampstead. Mays grew up in Anne Arundel County and moved to Carroll in 1984 when he became a resident trooper at the Westminster barrack.

"I live in a rural setting and I like that," Mays said. "The street we live in is a deadend, so we don't have traffic blowing through."

Another officer, Leonard Armstrong, also hopes that Carroll will stay country. Armstrong, captain of the field operations bureau for MSP's Pikesville office, has lived in Silver Run for the last 18 years.

"I have no plans to move," he said. "There is farmland all around me, part of an agriculture preservation program, so there is no chance of major development."

Armstrong said that the lack of violent crime in Carroll is a contributing factor to why he stays. During the first six months of 2001, Carroll had 22 general robberies, Baltimore County had 717, and Baltimore City had 2,814, according to MSP uniform crime report figures. Also in that time, there were no murders in Carroll, 12 in Baltimore County and 137 in Baltimore City.

Armstrong also prefers Carroll's quiet.

"When you live in a big development in Anne Arundel county, you have a marked police car outside, it tends to draw people to the door saying 'I just have a question,' " Armstrong said. "There comes a time when you don't want that. In 18 years [in Carroll], I've had about five people knock on my door."

Major Tom Long with the Carroll County's sheriff's office said that 44 of the sheriff's office's 52 sworn officers live in Carroll, too. Long has lived in Carroll his entire life, even when he worked as an officer in Charles County, St. Mary's County and Queen Anne's County.

"It's an attractive place to live," Long said. "A lot of troopers live here because commuting isn't a problem, especially to Maryland State Police headquarters in Pikesville. And troopers like the education here - a child isn't a number."

Long said that Baltimore County police officers who reside in Carroll have Carroll's radio channel in their police cars so they could act on calls when driving home.

"We are adding all these extra eyes to the county," he said. "When you live in a neighborhood and there is a police car parked there, it enhances your neighborhood's public safety. But one disadvantage is that police officers might see things, but whatever they get involved in, the local municipal officers or troopers have to take care of it."

Long used to live in Westminster and now resides in Union Bridge.

"I live on a farm now and the only people who can see me would have to be in an airplane," he said. "But I have had people come to my house, pre-cell phone days, when there was an accident. I am one of the crazy ones - I am listed in the phone book. A police officer is often tapped for free legal advice."

Lt. Col. William Arrington, chief of the field operations bureau with the Maryland State Police, grew up in Baltimore City but said that when he chose to live in Carroll, he was looking for a better life for himself and his family. Arrington lives in Mount Airy and works at the MSP's Pikesville headquarters.

Arrington doesn't mind his 30-minute commute; he has known officers with hundreds of miles to commute every day.

"In my position, I have responsibility for the entire state," he said. "Anywhere could be home. When I considered places to live, I thought if you are within one hour of your assignment, then you are considered close."

He said that he found a better life for himself in Carroll.

"You have country living with the convenience of a metropolitan area," he said. "I wish there was a way to stop growth, but I don't know if that would be fair. It would be denying folks the same opportunity I was looking for."

©Carroll County Online 2002

20020731 Carroll County Ag Center Ground Breaking Press Release

Carroll County Agriculture Center, Inc.

Website: http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/

For articles on “Soundtrack” about the Carroll Co. Ag Center

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20County%20Maryland%20Agriculture%20Center

702 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21158

PRESS RELEASE

July 31, 2002

Building for the Next Century - Honoring the Past, Focusing on the Future

Construction will begin on the new Danele Shipley Memorial Arena immediately after the completion of the 2002 Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair. The building will be completed in time for the 2003 Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.

MSG Associates of Columbia, Maryland is the contractor for the project. Charles J. Miller Excavating of Hampstead, Maryland is performing the site preparation work. Probst-Mason, Inc Architects has designed and is overseeing the project. The arena is named in honor of Danele Shipley a late Carroll County teacher known for her dedication to 4-H

Project background:

In 1995 the members of the Ag Board started to address the need to replace the animal barns on the lower section of the property. The present barns are more than showing their age. They constantly require maintenance before each fair, and have very limited use other than for the fair as they can only be used for animals and have no walls, no heat and are not handicapped accessible.

The first plans for the new building were drawn up in 1997. In response to community input, the Board spent many months in 1998 exploring additional options for the building. The current location was determined in 1999, and the design was started all over again. The design has changed considerably over the years, with additions and changes based on feedback from committee members, board members, Fair Board, neighbors and County departments. The result is exciting and shows foresight with regard to the Fair's needs and other educational opportunities and economic opportunities for the Citizens of Carroll County. Carroll County needs to not only preserve agricultural land, but we need to also preserve and expand the business of agriculture. This building will help preserve a future for agriculture in Carroll County.

The new facility will be constructed consisting of a 150’ x 350’ (52,500 square feet) clear span arena with an eave height of sixteen (16) feet. The rear of the building will have a food service area, storage and mechanical rooms and bathrooms with showers extending out from, and along side of, the rear arena wall measuring 25’ x 160’ (4,000 square feet). The front of the building will have two offices, bathrooms and an entrance measuring 33’ x 126’ (4,158 square feet) extending out from and along the side of the front arena wall. The building will have a total of 60,658 square feet.

The new facility will allow year round use. The new arena can be used to better serve the educational needs of the agriculture community, the constantly growing 4-H programs, the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair, and the expanding Carroll County 4-H Youth Development Program. When not in use by the Carroll County Agriculture Center members, the new arena will provide a facility for other exhibition and educational activities of public interest. The people that attend these activities will have a positive impact on the future of the Ag Center and the economy of Carroll County.

The building, as designed, is an open flexible use space. The ventilation is designed for livestock and the building has heat to allow year round usage for 4-H programs, FFA, livestock sales, community groups and any number of other educational and exhibition uses. The new building is also handicapped accessible; so all members of our community will have access. This new building changes a portion of the Ag Center property from a single-use area to a multi-use facility. This allows us to better meet the needs of all of our constituents, the Fair, 4-H, Carroll Kennel Club, many educational groups and various community groups and clients.

Funding

The initial community fund raising effort in 1997 raised $1,000,000 in cash and in-kind gifts for the $4.3 million building. Another $600,000 will be spent in site preparation costs. The project has also received $1,000,000 in grants from the State of Maryland. Additional fund raising together with county bond authorization of up to $2.5 million will enable completion of the project. This project demonstrates the history and tradition of community support for the Carroll County Agriculture Center, since Burns Hall was first built in 1954.

As the building project begins, the construction phase fund raising is also under way. Contributions can be at the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair or sent to the Carroll County Agriculture Center at 702 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21158. Pictures of the building will be on display at the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair. For more information call 410 848-6704.

Ag Center Background

The Carroll County Agriculture Center, Inc. was created in March of 1954 exclusively for “charitable, educational and scientific purposes.” It is still made up of the original seven member groups: Farm Bureau, Young Farmers, Farm Bureau Women, Homemakers (now Family Community Education), the Pomona Grange, 4-H All Stars and 4-H leaders. Standing Committees of the Ag Center include other groups, such as the Fair Board, the Farmers Market and 4-H Therapeutic Riding. It provides a permanent site for the annual Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair and other agriculturally related activities. In 1968 the Ag Center was granted tax-exempt status under the provision of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Mission of the Ag Center is:

To provide for agriculture related activities and educational programs.

To support the 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Grange and similar groups within Carroll County, Maryland.

To provide an accessible facility for use by supported groups, other charitable and educational organizations and the general public.

To pass to the future generations of Carroll County, a rich agricultural heritage.

The Ag Center Goals are:

To improve the facility in order to better provide services.

To better serve our target groups.

To increase the participation of the general community in our activities.

# # # #

20020718 Annual Tawes crab feast means politics, as usual

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.tawes18jul18.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dheadlines

Annual Tawes crab feast means politics, as usual
Tradition: The campaign trail led the prospective gubernatorial candidates and many others to Crisfield to eat and greet.
By Howard Libit and Tim Craig, Sun Staff

July 18, 2002

CRISFIELD - Three out of every four years, the annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake is an equal mix of crabs and politics. And then there are statewide election years, when almost everything involves politics.

If you're a politician, this is where you should be every year," Comptroller William Donald Schaefer said yesterday as he worked on a fried fish sandwich. "But if it's an election year, this is the place where you have to be. Because if you're not here, people won't know that you're running."

Of course, the 26th annual event at Somers Cove Marina attracted plenty who came for the crabs, corn and fried clam strips. But there was no escaping the politics in the 95-degree heat, whether it was in the form of stickers, fliers, banners or signs.

[…]

And for the 5,000 or so people who packed picnic tables and tents…

[…]

Named for former Maryland Gov. J. Millard Tawes, the crab feast has become one of the biggest events sponsored by the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce, with many Eastern Shore and statewide politicians making it a habit to attend…

[…]

"This is a very good-natured political gathering, very polite," said McDaniel College professor Herbert C. Smith, a close observer of Maryland politics. "At this event, Republicans and Democrats show they can get along. I don't know if it will be this polite in October."

[…]

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20020708 Westminster Drought Management Plan

Westminster Drought Management Plan

July 8^th, 2002

http://www.westgov.com/general/drought_mgmt.asp

On July 8, 2002, The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster adopted Ordinance No. 683 which amended Chapter 160 of the Westminster City Code entitled "Water".

In accordance with Section 160-13 of the Westminster City Code, the following Drought Management Plan proposed by the Director of Planning and Public Works and approved by The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster by Resolution No. R02-5, on July 8, 2002, governs the drought management of the City of Westminster's water system.

Click on the following links to download or view the Drought Management Plan and related documents:

Resolution No. R02-5

Drought Management Plan

Mandatory Water Use Restrictions (in effect during Stage 3 - Red status only)

If you are having trouble viewing these documents, be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This free software is available for download here

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Westminster City Hall

P.O. Box 710, 1838 Emerald Hill Lane,

Westminster, Maryland 21158-0710

410-848-9000

20020701 to 2003 SDOSM Westminster City Budget Summary

20020701-2003 Westminster City Budget Summary

INCOME			TOTAL	GENERAL FUND	SEWER FUND	WATER FUND
Taxes - Local - Property			4,150,000	4,150,000
Taxes - Local - Income			1,200,000	1,200,000
Taxes - Local - Other			260,000	260,000
License & Permits			297,300	297,300
Revenue from other Agencies
	Federal Grants &/or State Grants
		Police Protection	390,000	390,000
		Highway User revenue	800,000	800,000
		Other	702,467	702,467
	Carrol County Grants
		Shared Revenue	622,429	622,429
		Roads/Other	13,460	13,460
		Financial Corporations	8,516	8,516
Fines & Forfeitures			64,000	64,000
Service Charges for Current Services			5,065,993	506,100	2,351,748	2,208,145
Miscellaneous
		Interest Income	194,000	130,000	32,000	32,000
		Benefit Assessments	2,911,083	197,900	1,286,500	1,426,683
		Carrol County Septage Facility	310,000		310,000
		Other - Parking Fees	4,400	4,400
		Other	2,801,188	2,658,688	25,500	117,000
Prior Years Surplus or Allocations			864,566	864,566
Unfunded Deprication			12,666,000		834,000	432,000
TOTALS			21,925,402	12,869,826	4,839,748	4,215,828

EXPENDITURES			TOTAL	GENERAL FUND	SEWER FUND	WATER FUND
General Government
		Legislative	28,908	28,908
		Executive	41,433	41,433
		Elections	4,745	4,745
		Financial Administration	167,774	167,774
		Law	57,500	57,500
		Planning & Zoning	262,326	262,326
		General Services	265,176	265,176
		Other	431,192	431,192
Public Safety
		Police Department	2,869,171	2,869,171
		Fire Department	185,000	185,000
		Other	49,995	49,995
Public Works
		Streets, Highways and Alleys	3,951,028	3,951,028
		Sanitation & Waste Removal	872,526	872,526
		Recreation & Parks	1,463,431	1,463,431
		Other - Autos, Trucks & Equip	257,338	257,338
CDBG			69,162	69,162
Pension, Insurances, Etc.			1,893,121	1,893,121
Water/Sewer System Operation:
		Source of Supply	313,200			313,200
		Treatment, etc.	1,472,900		943,200	529,700
		Transmission & Distribution	614,800		278,300	336,500
		Customer Account	98,008		49,004	49,004
		Administrative & General	1,737,895		836,101	901,794
		Bond/Loan/MWQFA Loan Interest	107,784		50,392	57,392
		Amoritization Bond Issue Expense	4,704		2,459	2,245
		Deprecation	1,266,000		834,000	432,000
		Bond Principle Redemption	296,785		151,292	145,493
		Carrol County Septage Facility	185,000		185,000
		Capital Items (machinery, Equip., Etc.)	2,930,500		1,504,000	1,426,500
		Other	28,000		6,000	22,000
TOTALS			21,925,402	12,869,826	4,839,748	4,215,828