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, January 17, 2005

Remarks at Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration by Allan H. Kittleman January 16, 2005

Remarks at Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Allan H. Kittleman
January 16, 2005

Senator Kittleman honors his father, the late Senator Robert Kittleman, in his keynote address at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.





MLK Jr Day Celebration Remarks

Sunday, January 16, 2005

I want to thank the Martin Luther King, Jr. Howard County Holiday Commission for inviting me to speak this afternoon.   It is a great honor to be with all of you today to celebrate the life of a great American, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As many of you may know, the Commission was created in 1985 by an Executive Order issued by the County Executive.  This year marks the 20th anniversary of the annual celebration to honor Martin Luther King Jr.  

I especially want to commend the Commission for motivating young people.  During the past four years, over $2,700 has been presented to middle and high school students who were selected as winners for participating in the Martin Luther King, Jr. “Living the Dream Essay” contest.

When I was considering this year’s theme – “A Day to Dream – A Lifetime to Act”, I thought of my father, Bob Kittleman.  As many of you may know, my father passed away on September 11, 2004.  After his death, there were many kind words said about my father.  He would have probably been embarrassed by the attention paid to him.  That was just the kind of person he was.

My family moved to Howard County in the mid-1950s. My father was transferred to this area by Westinghouse. They bought a new home in Allview Estates [just off Route 29]. My father was a strong Republican and he quickly sought to get involved in the Howard County Republican Party. He got the names of two Republican activists in Howard County who lived in the 6th election district [his district] and he went to meet them. Their names were Remus and Leola Dorsey. My father often told me that Remus and Leola Dorsey were the first African Americans that he shook hands with in his life.  He always loved going to see the Dorseys – he especially loved Mrs. Dorsey’s chocolate chip cookies. Mrs. Dorsey is with us this afternoon.

Mrs. Dorsey can correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the conversation went something like this: My father said that he was there to work with the Republican Party and wanted to know if they would help him. Mr. Dorsey responded, yes and we are wondering if you would help us with civil rights issues in Howard County. My father said yes. And a lifetime relationship began.

My father joined the Howard County Branch of the NAACP. He later became the Chairman of the Education Committee. When my parents divorced in the early 1960s, my father got custody of the three children [quite unusual for the time].  He did not stop his work with the NAACP. As you can imagine, at that time in Howard County, it was not the most popular thing for a white person to be an active member of the NAACP.

Although I was fairly young at the time, my father told me that he would receive threats because of his involvement with the NAACP. He told me that he would come home and move my sister’s, my brother’s and my bed away from the windows just in case someone threw something through the window.  There was always a lot of rumors going around the community concerning my father’s activities.  People wondered why so many African Americans were coming to our house.  There were concerns that my father was going to sell our house to an African American.  Can you imagine such a terrible thing?  Despite all this, my father did not stop his efforts.

As the Chair of the Education Committee, he focused on the desegregation of the public schools.  He worked very closely with Silas Craft and Elhart Flurry.  Two of the great “triumvirate” – as my father would call Mr. Craft, Mr. Flurry and Morris Woodson.  All three were great civil rights leaders in Howard County.

My father spent many evenings meeting with school officials in an effort to get them to desegregate the public schools.  He wrote letters to, and met with, the superintendent of schools.  The superintendent and the Board of Education continued to hamper all the efforts to push desegregation.

My father loved to tell the story of when he and Mr. Craft [the President of the Howard County Branch of the NAACP] went to meet with Dr. Edward Cochran.  Dr. Cochran had just been appointed to the Howard County Board of Education.  Prior to that time, the Board of Education had voted consistently 3 to 2 to avoid desegregation.  With Dr. Cochran’s appointment, my father and Mr. Craft thought that there was a real opportunity to get a majority of the Board to push to desegregate the schools.  

They set up an appointment to meet with Dr. Cochran at his home in January.  There happened to be a large snowfall that day and no one in their right mind would have traveled out on the roads.  I recall Dr. Cochran saying that he did not expect them to be able to keep the appointment. 

In the evening, Dr. Cochran heard a knock at the door.  There was Mr. Craft and my father.  They had parked their car at the bottom of Dr. Cochran’s driveway [a fairly long uphill driveway] and walked up to meet with him.  The meeting was historic because Dr. Cochran indeed became the deciding vote to once and for all desegregate the Howard County Public Schools.  

When Mr. Craft resigned from the NAACP to accept employment outside Howard County, my father was appointed to replace him.  Later, when he was asked to run for the position, my father responded that he did not think it was right for a white person to be the President of the Howard County Branch of the NAACP.  To this day, he is the only white person to hold that office.

My father also told me stories of when he would go to a restaurant with his friends and being told to leave because the restaurant would not serve African Americans. 

He told me that lawsuits would be filed against the restaurant and the owner would be forced to serve African Americans.  My father told about one restaurant owner, who told my father and his friends, “I may have to serve you dinner, but I do not have to be in the restaurant when you eat.”  And the owner would leave until they were finished with their dinner.

After his work in the civil rights movement, my father continued to work for what he believed was right by serving in the State Legislature.  He served 19 years in the House of Delegates [becoming the Minority Leader in 1995.  He served 3 years in the State Senate until his death last September.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated:

“Cowardice asks the question – is it safe? 

Expediency asks the question – is it politic?
  
Vanity asks the question – is it popular?  

But conscience asks the question – is it right?  

And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe,nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.” 

In a 1963 speech, Dr. King also said:

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”  

My father stood for what was right during the times of challenge and controversy.  He did not ask if it was safe, politic or popular.  He only asked “is this right?”

I was talking with someone the other day about my father’s life.  She told me that she did not know about my father’s involvement in the civil rights movement.  I told her that many, many people came up to me after reading about my father’s life and said that they also did not know about his work in the 1960s.  I told her that the reason people did not know, was because my father didn’t talk about it.  My father saw his work as being the right thing to do.  He didn’t think that he deserved any recognition for doing the right  thing.  He didn’t consider himself a hero.  He considered himself simply a person who wanted to make sure that everyone was treated equally.

My father used his lifetime to make a difference for the good.  The question to us becomes, are we willing to do the same?  As Dr. King said, “Life’s most urgent question is:  What are you doing for others?”

Are we willing to go the route that is not safe, politic or popular?  Are we willing to stand for what is right and just? Are we willing to serve others?
If you think that you are not able to serve – let me close with these words of Dr. King:


“Everybody can be great …. because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love.”

20050116 Remarks at MLK Jr Celebration kittleman

*****

Friday, December 31, 2004

20003010 20041231 Coverage of Kevin Dayhoff by Benjamin Demers for the Carroll County Times for 2003 and 2004

20003010 20041231 Coverage of Kevin Dayhoff by Benjamin Demers for the Carroll County Times for 2003 and 2004

January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2004

Future of Even Start program in doubt as funds are cut, despite success

Without the Even Start program, Westminster resident Misty Miley said she wouldn't have the confidence needed to try and get her GED. While Miley has yet to receive the results of her high school equivalency test, which she took two weeks ago, she sa...
Mar. 19, 2004

Roundabout planned to ease traffic

Carroll County's Commissioners have awarded a contract for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Center Street and Gorsuch Road in Westminster to help deal with potential traffic problems from Winter Mills High School. The commissio...
Jul. 13, 2004

No rush to commit to build new school in North Carroll
In spite of public demand for a quick decision to construct a new school, Carroll County Board of Education members will not rush into deciding how to address overcrowding at North Carroll High School. At a March 11 public hearing and an April 14 boa...
Apr. 27, 2004

Carroll News BriefsBurnett named new higher ed secretary Former Coppin State College President Calvin W. Burnett was named acting secretary of higher education Monday by Gov. Robert Ehrlich. Burnett, a Westminster resident, spent 32 years as president of Coppin State b...
Dec. 9, 2003

'Lights On' lets kids shine
If it wasn't for the Lights On Afterschool program, East Middle School eighth-grader Crystal Bell claims she would be on the streets. Bell, like hundreds of students in Carroll County, says she has been positively affected by the program, which provi...
Oct. 10, 2003


20003010 20041231 Coverage of Kevin Dayhoff by Benjamin Demers for the Carroll County Times for 2003 and 2004

Sunday, December 26, 2004

20041226 Black Oak Associates plans to reacquire mall

Black Oak Associates plans to reacquire mall

Business Notes – Baltimore Sun

December 26, 2004

Black Oak Associates, owned by Dixon Harvey, has formed a new investment group to reacquire Carrolltown Center in Eldersburg.

Harvey first bought the mall in 1993 under Black Rock Associates, then sold it in 1999 to Equity Investment Group of Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Harvey said Black Oak Associates plans to redevelop the mall to complement surrounding shopping and dining options in the area.

Planning may take up to a year.

Black Oak Associates is based in Owings Mills.

####

Thursday, December 02, 2004

20041201 Baugher’s and Diabetes

Westminster Advocate

Baugher’s and Diabetes

Labels: Restaurants, Baugher’s

December 1st, 2004 by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)

November was National Diabetes Month, and I recently had the honor of recognizing Baugher’s Restaurant and its Manager John Jordan for their work raising awareness and funds in the fight against diabetes.

I take diabetes seriously, for just like many folks in Carroll County, diabetes is a part of my family history of over six generations in Carroll County. In my family, it was known as having the “sugar” problem. I have a nephew who has Type I diabetes. (It used to be called juvenile diabetes.) Several adults in my family have Type 2 diabetes. I know we are not the only folks with a personal experience with this disease.

As I grow older, like many folks in Carroll County, I need to start learning more about “the problem with sugar.” Right now, what little I do know is from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), which says that 6.3% of Americans have diabetes, but nearly one third are unaware that they have the disease. This means that out of 160,000 Carroll Countians, as many as 10,080 could have this disease, but 3,360 may not know it. Some diabetes symptoms include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability, and blurry vision. If you have one or more of these diabetes symptoms, see your doctor right away.

John Jordan, Baugher’s Restaurant and its employees have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers of diabetes and have raised money towards research for the prevention and cure of diabetes. It has been a privilege to watch Baugher’s Restaurant as they have organized walks, pie eating contests, and other fundraisers. Last March, patrons “voted” for their favorite Baugher’s employee by donating money to the ADA. The employee who collected the most money kissed the pig's snout while the loser kissed the other end. (Yes, you read that correctly, you get to kiss a pig whether you win or lose.)

The Baugher family has a 100-year history of leadership (and risk-taking) in our community, so such involvement is not a surprise. Baugher’s Restaurant is one Westminster landmark easily recognized by folks throughout the state.

Ed and Romaine Baugher were married in 1932. Their son, Allan was born in 1935, delivered at home by Dr. Bare for $12.50. In 1947, they built Baugher’s Restaurant for approximately $75,000. According to a family history, when the restaurant opened in January 1948, public opinion was that the restaurant would fail. Indeed, the restaurant did not make money until the 1960’s. In the late 1960’s, I would go to Baugher’s with Tom Senseney, Bobby Warner and Scott Bair, Jr. Then, Baugher’s for Breakfast was where community leaders would meet and discuss the pressing issues of the day. As a child, I would watch with rapt attention, consumed in observing the intense discussions. Particularly impressive to me was, no matter how much they disagreed, they were always friendly, respectful and courteous.

So if you are excessive thirsty and hungry, or irritable with blurry vision; don’t just assume that you are having a temporary reaction to holiday guests – see a doctor just to be sure, you’ll win and you won’t have to kiss a pig.

20041202 Youth Service Bureau Support Letter from Carroll County Chapter Maryland Municipal League

20041202 Youth Service Bureau Support Letter from Carroll County Chapter Maryland Municipal League

CARROLL COUNTY CHAPTER

Maryland Municipal League, Inc.

Kevin E. Dayhoff, Westminster Mayor, Secretary – Treasurer, Carroll Co. MML Chapter

P. O. Box 1245, Westminster, MD 21158

The Honorable Robert Ehrlich

Governor of the State of Maryland

State House

Annapolis, MD 21401


The Honorable Michael Steele

Lt. Governor of the State of Maryland

State House

Annapolis, MD 21401

December 2nd, 2004

Re: Request that the State increase the funding of the 21 Youth Services Bureaus by $2.1 million, or $100,000 for each existing youth Services Bureau. This request is in line with the State’s and local governments’ priority goals of positive youth development and creating communities where families thrive.

Dear Governor Ehrlich:

I have spoken with my fellow Mayors in Carroll County about requesting that the State increase the funding of the 21 Youth Services Bureaus by $2.1 million, or $100,000 for each existing youth Services Bureau. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to read why we feel this increased funding will aid in our shared vision of comprehensive and results-based solutions to the problems of the young adult population in our communities.

Youth Services Bureaus provide our communities with a great strategy to address juvenile crime. Youth Services Bureaus help expand access to mental health and substance abuse services, and to address the factors in each young person's life that inhibit them from reaching their potential as productive members of our community, thereby saving our cities and towns untold amounts of money should our communities have to address the results of their unproductive behavior.

As Mayors of cities who benefit from the important services of Youth Services Bureaus, we ask for your support in future funding of these important community resources. State statute mandates that Youth Services Bureaus provide counseling and community outreach services. These services are designed to prevent juvenile delinquency, minimize family disruption while promoting positive youth development. Ultimately, these services divert youth from the more costly juvenile and criminal justice system.

In our cities, Youth Services Bureaus are often the first resource for troubled youth and families. Their strong connection to local schools, law enforcement, and community agencies means they work with youth facing multiple problems such as substance abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, chronic family conflict, teen pregnancy, and school problems. Without places to address these issues, youth often spiral out of control and become involved in delinquent behaviors. When youth are identified early and diverted from future problems, they become assets to our communities rather than liabilities.

Youth Services Bureaus consistently evaluate their services to ensure quality. They have impressed both local leadership and the state legislature with their proven outcomes. The most recent study found 93% of youth who had completed formal counseling had not been adjudicated delinquent two years later.

In recognition of the cost effective success of existing Youth Services Bureaus and their potential for replication in other counties, the Joint Chairmen of the Budget and Taxation and Appropriations Committees requested that by October 1, 2004, the Office of Children, Youth and Families report its plan to expand the services of Youth Services Bureaus throughout the State.

Since 1990, $2.1 million State dollars annually have been allocated to Youth Services Bureaus to provide extensive unique programming in 21 areas of the state aimed at improved youth and family functioning and diversion from the more costly Juvenile Justice System.

In fiscal year 2003 Youth Services Bureaus generated $7.6 million additional funds from local governments, grants, fees and donations, increasing the $1.2 million annual investment to over $9 million dollars. Despite their ability to raise these additional funds, many Bureaus have waitlists and are unable to serve all youth and families in need of their services. Appropriate State funding is now necessary to strengthen existing Bureaus’ capability to provide needed services in their communities and allow the development of new Bureaus in unserved areas.

We ask that the State increase the funding of the 21 Youth Services Bureaus by $2.1 million, or $100,000 for each existing youth Services Bureau. This additional funding will achieve two outcomes: First, it will increase the number of youth and their families receiving counseling, decreasing the likelihood of their involvement in the more costly juvenile Justice system. Second, it will increase the provision of more community specific services, such as truancy prevention or substance abuse assessment and treatment by agencies with established relationships and reputations in their communities

These outcomes are in line with the State’s and local governments’ priority goals of positive youth development and creating communities where families thrive.

In addition, we support the proposal to expand the number of bureaus and suggest that over the upcoming three years, six new Youth services Bureaus be established in rural areas of the State, which are (1) currently unserved and (2) reflect the greatest unmet need. To effectively establish these Bureaus in their communities, a minimum of $200,000 new state funding per new Bureau would be required.

Additional Bureaus can be modeled after existing bureaus that serve a similar rural community. This will allow new Bureaus to utilize existing models to creatively access other funding sources to maximize the State appropriations.

Our vision is a State where each and every child has the opportunity to grow into a healthy and productive adult who in turn, will serve to benefit our future generations. Guaranteeing that all our children can access these valued services will help insure this aim.

Sincerely,

Kevin E. Dayhoff, Westminster Mayor

Secretary – Treasurer, Carroll Co. MML Chapter

P. O. Box 1245, Westminster, MD 21158

CC:

Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis

Carroll County Board of Commissioners

Carroll County Municipal Mayors

Members - Carroll Co. MML Chapter

Ms. Lynn Davis, LCPC, Exe. Director, Carroll Co. Youth Service Bureau


*Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker President CC Chapter MML

*New Windsor Mayor Sam Pierce Vice President CC Chapter MML

*Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff Secretary - Treasurer CC Chapter MML

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Wednesday, December 01, 2004

20041201 Westminster Town Hall Ticker

December 1st, 2004 Westminster Town Hall Ticker

By Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff

The Downtown Westminster Main Street Program and the City of Westminster cordially invites you to celebrate the 2004 Holiday Season in historic downtown Westminster by attending any the following community holiday events. Ample parking is available throughout downtown and parking is FREE after 5 PM and on Weekends.

Santa’s House

Santa will be in his Workshop at East Main Street and Locust Lane every Saturday in December until the Big Day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Santa will also greet children and shoppers in the downtown shopping area for Starlight Shopping 5 PM to 10 PM on Saturday, December 4th, 2004.

Westminster Holiday House Tour

The Westminster Historic District Commission will hold a Holiday House Tour from 3 PM to 8 PM this Saturday, December 4th, 2004. This year the proceeds will benefit Carroll Hospice. Many of the eight houses featured along Willis and Court Streets were built between the 1890s and 1920s. Also open will be Ascension Episcopal Church, the historic Carroll County Court House and City Hall, all adorned for the holidays.

Refreshments will be served in Ascension Episcopal's Holy Cross Hall. Antique cars and holiday music performed by local groups, will be featured along Willis Street. Tickets are $12 and include offers at several downtown restaurants. Tickets are available through Friday at Westminster area florists, Locust Books, the Hickory Stick, Inspirations and Westminster Antique Mall. Tickets are available the day of the tour at City Hall and the church. For more information, call (410) 848-7967.

Ladies Night Out & Starlight Shopping

Join your friends and neighbors in Downtown Westminster for Ladies Night Out and Starlight shopping. Ladies Night Out is on Thursday, December 2nd from 5 PM to 9 PM and Starlight Shopping is on December 4th from 5 PM to 10 PM. Enjoy 2 magical evenings of shopping, Santa, holiday music and treats at the many unique shops and eateries that only Downtown Westminster has to offer! Several restaurants, including Johansson's, Harry's, Rafael's, the Pour House, Giulianova and Main Street Deli, will participate. In the spirit of the season, Lady Luck Cards will be available at a number of participating downtown merchants and can be validated December 2nd-4th, along with 3 separate drawings for a 25.00 gift certificate to celebrate the holidays. For more information on these two great nights, call Kathy Gilmore at (410) 848-7116.

The 7th Annual Festival of Wreaths

The seventh annual Festival of Wreaths will hold its silent auction Wednesday December 1st through December 5th, 2004. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday: 10 AM – 8 PM and Sunday: 10 AM – 4 PM at the Carroll County Arts Council at 91 West Main Street in Westminster with more than 200 wreath-related works of art. Come view uniquely decorated theme wreaths and participate in an auction to benefit the Carroll County Arts Council. Winning bidders need not be present. Admission is free. Information: 410-848-7272.

Free holiday classic movies at the Carroll Arts Center

During the Carroll County Arts Council’s upcoming Festival of Wreaths, they will be showing several holiday classic movies on the big screen at the Carroll Arts Center. All films are free. Advance reservations are not required and tickets will not be distributed. Call (410) 848-7272 for a movie listing and times.

Friends of Carroll Lutheran Village Auxiliary will hold its holiday bazaar Saturday, December 4th, 2004 from 7 AM to 11:30 AM at Carroll Lutheran Village on St. Luke Circle. Poinsettias and other holiday flowers, baked goods, jewelry and handmade gift items by the Village Crafters will be on sale. A pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage breakfast will be served from 7 AM to 10 AM. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.25 for children. For more information, call (410) 848-0090

The 5th Annual Walt Michael & Co. Holiday Concert will be held at the Carroll Arts center - 91 West Main Street Michael, Mike Chapelaine and Tom Wetmore. Admission Fee. For tickets, call (410) 857-2771. on December 4th starting at 8 p.m. Catch the spirit of the season with an enchanting evening of music from Walt

For more information on Westminster activities and contacts, check our Web site at www.westgov.com. This information was gathered and prepared by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff. If you would like to see any additional or different information in this column - please contact me at kdayhoff@carr.org.


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Friday, November 26, 2004

Baltimore Sun Op-ed: Righting the CIA by Melvin A Goodman

Baltimore Sun Op-ed: Righting the CIA by Melvin A Goodman

Righting the CIA by Melvin A. Goodman Published on Friday, November 19, 2004 by the Baltimore Sun

President Harry S. Truman created the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947 to coordinate the various assessments of the intelligence community and to place the CIA outside the policy community. In this way, Mr. Truman wanted to encourage competitive analysis within the intelligence community and to make sure that policy-makers did not tailor intelligence to suit their interests.

Over the years, there have been many attempts to politicize intelligence. But no government has been so blatant as the Bush administration, which used phony intelligence to justify the war against Iraq and has introduced a new director of central intelligence, Porter J. Goss, to conduct a political housecleaning at the highest levels of the agency.

I joined the CIA in 1966 during the Vietnam War and witnessed a major campaign to ensure that intelligence supported the Johnson administration's troop buildup in Southeast Asia. Working-level analysts correctly estimated the size of the Viet Cong forces and even predicted the Tet offensive in 1966, but time and again, senior officials caved in to Pentagon demands to limit the order of battle for irregular forces and to downplay the strength of Vietnam's military capabilities. After Tet in 1968, the CIA made honest efforts to accurately assess the capabilities and strengths of the enemy.

We are witnessing a similar phenomenon today, with agency analysts trying to improve their Iraqi intelligence reporting after tailoring intelligence on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction and links to terrorism prior to the war.

[…]

I resigned from the CIA in 1990 because of the politicization of intelligence on the Soviet Union, which was championed by CIA Director William J. Casey and his deputy for intelligence, Robert M. Gates. The overestimates of the strength of the Soviet Union in the 1980s meant that the policy community was completely surprised by the Soviet collapse and missed numerous negotiating opportunities with Moscow.

[…]


Read the entire opinion piece here: Righting the CIA by Melvin A. Goodman Published on Friday, November 19, 2004 by the Baltimore Sun

20041119 Baltimore Sun Op ed Righting the CIA by Melvin A Goodman

Thursday, November 25, 2004

20041124 Happy Thanksgiving WA

Happy Thanksgiving WA

Westminster Advocate

“Happy Thanksgiving”

November 24th, 2004 by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)

Happy Thanksgiving. Happy Birthday Carroll Arts Center. The 850 seat, air conditioned, art deco “Carroll Theatre”, ancestor of the Carroll Arts Center, opened Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1937 near “The Forks”.

Admission to the Carroll Theatre in 1937 was 25 cents for adults and fifteen cents for children. The 10,500 sq. ft Carroll Arts Center is a great example of the adaptive re-use of one of only two existing examples of art deco architecture in Carroll County. Groundbreaking to renovate the old Carroll Theatre was held on a cold February 11th, 2002. The Carroll Arts Center opened April 4th, 2003.

Thanks to Jay Graybeal, I am able to explain more about “The Forks”. Graybeal explained in a 1999 Carroll County Times article, that after the Civil War, Westminster was “divided” into three distinct settlements known as “Dead End,” “The Forks,” and “Irishtown.”

The east end of town was referred to as “Dead End”. “Dead End”, the original Westminster [was formed by combining five villages: “Town of Winchester” laid out in 1764, New London, Winter’s Addition to Westminster, Bedford and Logsdon’s Tavern. In 1768 the Maryland General Assembly changed the name to Westminster. Westminster was in Frederick County until Carroll County was formed in 1837.]

On the west end, “The Forks” was formed near Pigman’s Addition by the road built to Chambersburg, Pa. and another road built to Taneytown.

Graybeal wrote that “[t]he extreme west end of Westminster received the name of “Irishtown” because prior to the Civil War three brothers, Dennis, James, and Terence Boylan, who came here from Ireland and helped build the Western Maryland Railroad from near Glyndon to Westminster, built themselves modest homes on the then sparsely settled part of what is now Pennsylvania Avenue.”

In addition to being thankful to the leaders that founded our community; we are also quite thankful for the artistic and cultural soul of our community centered at the Carroll Arts Center. The vibrancy of the arts and culture is often an important factor used by businesses in their decision to locate in Carroll County.

The power of art to strengthen our community is beyond measure. For not only does a strong and vibrant arts and cultural presence strengthen Westminster spiritually and philosophically – it also strengthens us financially and economically.

We are thankful for the vision and leadership provided by the Westminster City Council and staff, Carroll County Government, Maryland State Government, the Carroll County Arts Council, the private-public partnerships and many individual dream keepers and visionary community leaders who have brought forward this vital economic and cultural contribution to our community.

In addition to our families and our health, we have so many things to be thankful. As we begin the holidays, let our Thanksgiving also be revealed in the compassionate support our community renders to citizens who are less fortunate.

Let us reach out with care to those in need of food, shelter, and words of hope. May we remember our men and women in uniform, who are in harm’s way, defending our freedoms. As we gather with our families over a Thanksgiving meal, may we ask for patience, resolve, and wisdom in all that is to come.

© Kevin Dayhoff

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

October 2004 Maryland Municipal League Fall Conference


October MML Fall Conference
November 3rd, 2004 by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)
By the time you read this, the 2004 Presidential election will be over and hopefully, if there is a merciful higher being, we will have a clear cut winner.  Hopefully you voted.  Hopefully, it is now safe to watch TV again without getting an instant migraine.  Now that it is over, continue the aspirin therapy until the flashbacks of the obnoxious TV coverage of ugly charges and counter charges and counter-counter charges are over.  Can you say “Where’s the beef?”
Getting back to local matters, on October 21-23, I had the privilege to join Carroll County leaders such as Suzanne Albert, Laurell Taylor, John Medve, Haven Shoemaker, Jim McCarron, Frank Johnson, Bob Flickinger and Wendy Peters at the Maryland Municipal League’s (MML) Fall Conference.  While the MML’s legislative agenda for the upcoming Maryland General Assembly remains a priority, the conference has been greatly expanded in recent years. 
This year, over 225 elected officials from 70 municipalities, joined statewide leaders such as Congressman Roscoe Bartlett and Lt. Governor Michael Steele in an agenda that included nine workshops that touched upon issues that are affecting citizens today, including everything from environmental issues, growth and development to the Main Street program.  The main issues were growth and planning issues, and that five letter word: ‘water’.  The issue just doesn’t seem to go away.  Local officials, John Medve and Steve Horn gave excellent presentations on planning issues. 
Each year, the MML chooses several priority issues that directly affect the well-being of Maryland’s municipal citizens.  The MML then ushers these issues through the legislative process.  This year's legislative platform addresses public safety, restoring municipal resources and electric aggregation.
All three issues greatly impact the lives of local citizens, with the biggest priority being the issue of restoring funds that have been lost over the last three years because of problems in the state budget.  For the FY 2005 budget, approximately 36% of Maryland’s municipalities instituted or increased cost recoveries or user fees, 45% laid off employees or eliminated cost of living salary increases, 46% delayed construction projects and capital purchases, 48% used money from their savings accounts to pay operating expenses, and 18% increased property taxes. 
The most hotly debated issue was municipal electric aggregation.  The 1999 electric deregulation legislation specifically did not allow municipalities a reasonable opportunity to pool our citizens’ electric bills in an attempt to minimize the impact of electric deregulation and rising electric bills. The General Assembly has consistently said that it will not even entertain MML legislation to remedy this situation until 2006 at the earliest. 
Understanding this, the MML leadership wanted to change the Electric Aggregation Priority to request a Taskforce, instead of remedial legislation.  After a floor fight conducted by about 60 mayors, who dusted the cobwebs off the deep arcane corners of Roberts Rules and went on a parliamentary procedure safari trading motion and counter motion for 30 minutes, it was decided to attempt the legislation with a fall back position of a Taskforce.  Can you say – more aspirin please? 
The conference was time well spent.  We learned a lot about cutting edge challenges and creative solutions.  It is certainly a never-ending learning curve. 
20041103 
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*****

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

20041019 BRF Other Voices Working for the Bay cct

Working to help the bay

By Kevin Dayhoff, Other Voices
Carroll County Times
Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Last Wednesday, I attended the first meeting of the Bay Restoration Fund Advisory Committee. Gov. Robert Ehrlich appointed me to the committee to represent Maryland's 157 municipalities.

My first reaction after learning of the appointment was what have I gotten myself into? Paying more fees or taxes isn't necessarily popular with me or among us Carroll countians. Let's face it - being on the rules committee to advise MDE as to how to collect and administer Ehrlich's Bay Restoration Fund initiative, which will cost us more money out of our pocket, is not necessarily winning first prize.

But wait a minute, a portion of the revenue flow created by the Bay Restoration Fund is earmarked for four of our Sewage Treatment Plants in Carroll County, directly affected by federal regulations and it is important that Carroll County have a voice in this matter. Odd thing about these regulations is that they were not funded. They make the rules - we pay the bills.

For Westminster alone, the cost of implementing the recent spat of environmental regulations for our Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Plants could cost $11 million. The total cost of the upgrades necessary for the four Sewage Treatment Plants in Carroll County as identified in this fund - Freedom District, Taneytown, Mt. Airy and Westminster - is over $9 million, with the other plants in the county to be considered for funding later. Now just how are we supposed to pay for this?

In the coming years, one of the most important challenges to our quality of life will be the availability of quality drinking water. It is a well accepted goal that improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay is important for its scenic and recreational value, but the health of the bay also has an enormous economic impact on all of us, and not just in the cost of crabs and seafood, but in jobs and economic development.

The piece that has been missing after many years of talking about the problems of water quality and availability and the bay is how provide the resources to meet these challenges. Yes, what we are talking about here is how are we are going to pay for the upgrades to the 66 major sewage treatment plants throughout the state. And, just as importantly, how is accountability going to be established for the money collected and the implementation of the upgrades.

Did the Bay Restoration Fund initiative make everyone happy? Certainly not. The legislation was the subject of heated debate and discussion throughout the 2004 General Assembly session. Often the right thing to do is not always popular. I personally applaud Ehrlich for having the leadership to not just talk about the health of the Bay, the environment and the quality of our drinking water, but to actually do something about it.

It has been identified that upgrading sewage treatment plants is necessary in order to improve the health of the bay and protect our drinking water supplies, and this is one of Ehrlich's top environmental priorities. However important the quality of drinking water is to all of us, the Bay Restoration Fund wasn't easy or necessarily the popular thing to do, but it is a small price to pay considering the value we will get for our money.

For once we have a governor who is aware that the map of Maryland goes from Ocean City to Western Maryland and all points in between, including Carroll County. It's nice to be on the map again.

The Bay Restoration Fund fee will appear on a water and sewer bill coming to your house after Jan. 1. Remember that the money is going to benefit Carroll County, jobs and economic development, your drinking water, the environment and the Chesapeake Bay. In the long run, $30 a year is probably less than what it would cost if local government had to raise water and sewer bills in order to pay for the federal and state unfunded mandates. By working together we can all do better.

Kevin Dayhoff is Mayor of Westminster. To submit a piece for Other Voices consideration, send it to: Other Voices, c/o Carroll County Times, 201 Railroad Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157.

Monday, October 11, 2004

20041011 An evening with Ana Marie Cox




An evening with Ana Marie Cox

October 11, 2004

Wonkette In The Flesh: An Evening with Ana Marie Cox transcript of interview at Columbia Journalism School, October 2004

http://spj.jrn.columbia.edu/wonkette.html


Wonkette In The Flesh: An Evening with Ana Marie Cox
A political blogger visits Columbia Journalism School and the students survive. Sort of.

TRANSCRIPT: Columbia's SPJ chapter hosted Cox on Monday, Oct. 11, from 6-7 pm.

About 60 students attended as their classmate, Richard Morgan moderated the discussion.

Photos by Rebecca Castillo .

Also see a blog's version of the event.

More – much more…

Saturday, October 09, 2004

20041007 Looking at a change in our county government by Mike Zimmer

Looking at a change in our county government

Oct. 7, 2004 Michael Zimmer

Are five heads better than three? Delegate Don Elliott sure thinks so. He spoke forcefully and passionately in favor of the ballot initiative to change our form of county government at the September meeting of the South Carroll Republican Club.

The Elliott plan would both expand the number of Carroll Commissioners from three to five and also change our current at-large voting system to running and voting by district. Both the pro and con sides of the argument are starting to gear up for the debate of this question. I have started seeing vote 5 signs around the county in support of the initiative. Maybe the con side will sport signs saying, "Three is enough!"

I can see good points and negative points on both sides of the question.

[…]

I can see some advantages in adding two Commissioners.

[…]

On the con side, I'm concerned with the district system. I don't object necessarily to running by district but voting by district worries me a little. In some counties you run for a district seat but the whole county votes for you. This forces candidates to focus on the good of the whole county not merely look to their own area.

[…]

I wonder if Delegate Elliott or his colleagues gave any thought to a blend between countywide and district? For example, we could have four Commissioners elected by district. We have two single member delegate districts, which could each have a Commissioner. Delegate District 5A has two seats and could have two commissioners. This would solve the difficult challenge of drawing district lines. The fifth Commissioner would be elected at large. This person would be uniquely charged with looking out for the big picture and would serve as President to the Board. Well if this year's plan goes down in flames, maybe my suggestion will be the next alternative we will consider some years down the road.

Read the entire column here: Looking at a change in our county government

Saturday, September 25, 2004

20040924 Halloween Trick or Treating memo for October 31, 2004 in Spanish

Westminster Halloween Trick or Treating

MEMORANDUM – Septiembre 24th, 2004

Para: Miembros del concilio

Thomas Beyard

Laurell Taylor

Jeff Spaulding

Joe Urban

John Walsh

Carroll County Times

Westminster Advocate

Westminster Eagle

The Baltimore Sun - Carroll County

WTTR Radio

Tema: El día de la víspera de Todos los Santos “HALLOWEEN (TRICK OR TREATING)”

Cada ano, El Alcalde y los miembros del concilio designan una noche como el día de la víspera de Todos los Santos o Halloween (Trick or Treating). Conforme a su aprobación en la reunión del concilio de Septiembre 27, 2004, Yo quisiera recomendar que el día de Halloween (Trick or Treating) se tome acabo en la tarde de la noche del Sábado, Octubre 31, 2004.

El “Trick or Treating” deberá de conducirse durante las horas de la atardecer y las 8:00 p.m. y deberá ser restrictivo a los niños entre las edades de 12 anos y menos acompañados por los padres o guardianes que les acompañen. Los residentes los cuales quieran participar proveyendo los dulces a los niños deberán de encender las luces de afuera. Los niños deberán de vestirse en ropa de colores claros, para así poder ser más visibles por los conductores de vehículos y deberán de visitar solo las casas en sus vecindarios cercanos y solo aquellos con luz encendida. Los conductores de vehículos deberán de mantenerse particularmente con mucho cuidado en esta tarde/noche de Octubre 31, como muchos niños estarán caminando por las calles de la cuidad.

KEVIN E. DAYHOFF

Alcalde de Westminster

20040924 Halloween Trick or Treating memo for October 31, 2004

Halloween Trick or Treating

MEMORANDUM – September 24th, 2004


TO: Council Members

Thomas Beyard

Laurell Taylor

Jeff Spaulding

Joe Urban

John Walsh

Carroll County Times

Westminster Advocate

Westminster Eagle

The Baltimore Sun - Carroll County

WTTR Radio

SUBJECT: HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREATING

Each year, The Mayor and Council designates a night for Halloween Trick or Treating. Pursuant to your approval at the Council Meeting of September 27th, 2004, I would like to recommend that Halloween Trick or Treating take place on the evening of Sunday, October 31, 2003.

Trick or Treating should be conducted between the hours of dusk and 8:00 p.m. and be restricted to children age 12 and under plus accompanying parents or adult guardians. Residents who wish to participate by providing treats to the children should turn on their outside light. Children are advised to wear some light colored clothing so as to be more visible to motorists and to go to homes in their immediate neighborhoods with lights. Motorists should pay particular care on the evening of October 31st with so many children walking around City streets.

KEVIN E. DAYHOFF

Westminster Mayor

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Kevin Dayhoff in group photo in the Riigikogu chambers


Kevin Dayhoff in group photo in the Riigikogu chambers

September 21, 2004

Kevin Dayhoff (back row - center left) with the Maryland Army National Guard - Maryland partner city mayors visit to Estonia. This group picture was taken in the Estonian Parliament chambers, the Riigikogu, on September 21, 2004.


(20040921 Parliament 3 KED)

KED EE Visit 2004 Sept 17-23

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

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

20040920 Affect of the sound of jackhammers on the unborn

Affect of the sound of jackhammers on the unborn

Roanoke Times, Monday, September 20th, 2004

Melissa Williamson, 35, a Bullitt Avenue resident, worries about the effect on her unborn child from the sound of jackhammers. Roanoke Times, Monday, September 20th, 2004.

Off-beat news, Humor, Medicine and Health, Medicine and Health Smoking, Art Absurd Funny Photos

Sunday, September 19, 2004

The patrons at the bar at Schiphol Airport


“The patrons at the bar at Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam, The Netherlands by Kevin Dayhoff September 18, 2004

[20040918 002 Amsterdam KD.JPG]

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Sunrise in Amsterdam


Sunrise at the airport in Amsterdam

Schiphol, Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands 

Photo by Kevin Dayhoff September 18, 2004.

[20040918 001 Amsterdam Sunrise KD]

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Wednesday, September 15, 2004

20040914 Westminster acquires properties by Greg Guenthner for the Carroll County Times

20040914 Westminster acquires properties by Greg Guenthner for the Carroll County Times

Westminster acquires properties by Greg Guenthner for the Carroll County Times

September 14, 2004

City officials approved the purchase of two properties on Union Street to be rehabilitated.

The duplex, located at 45 and 47 Union St., will be sold to low or moderate income families to promote homeownership, said Karen Blandford, the city's housing and community development manager.

The city housing department hopes to change the balance between renters and homeowners in Westminster, Blandford said.

The houses will be sold in a shared equity program, Blandford said, which will allow the city to maintain a share in the appreciation of the property. The program also guarantees that the home will not be sold as a rental unit.

In other business:

Council approved the appointment of Calvin Wray Mowbray Jr., to the Carroll Regional Airport Technical Advisory Committee.

Mowbray is a pilot with a background in management and marketing.

Mayor Kevin Dayhoff issued a proclamation for Constitution Week for the week of Sept. 17-23.

Dayhoff also issued a proclamation recognizing Disabled American Veterans Forget-Me-Not Month.

- Greg Guenthner

Westminster Mayor 200105 200505 Kevin E. Dayhoff proclamations, Westminster Housing initiatives, Carroll County Regional Airport, Westminster Scrapbook Union St., Media journalists Guenthner - Greg Guenthner

Sunday, September 05, 2004

My Thoughts on the Five-Commissioner form of government by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff

My Thoughts on the Five-Commissioner form of government by Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff

Proposed Five Commissioner Form of Government

September 4th, 2004 / October 31st, 2004

Kevin Dayhoff, Westminster mayor

Five regionally elected Commissioners makes government closer to the people.  Increased representation increases the collective experience and intellectual abilities of the Board working for us. 

The services and additional representation required of well managed growth and progressive government will cost more money.  Additional representation will give us valuable return for our money that will justify the expense. 

Ultimately, I will respect the judgment and wishes of Carroll Countians on November 2nd, 2004. 
_________________________________________

I see no substantive downside to Five Commissioners, only benefits.  A regionally elected Five Member Board of Commissioners makes government closer to the people. 

It is a reality that the county has grown, and recognizing that reality there is an appropriate need for additional representation.  Increased representation increases the collective experience and intellectual abilities of the Board working for us. 

The services and additional representation required of well managed growth and progressive government will cost more money.  Hopefully, it is not the additional money we spend, it is the additional return for our money that will justify the expense. 

No one wants to see government cost more but everyone wants the additional services and there has been a consistent clamor for additional representation for many years. 

Our current form of government of three commissioners was essentially formulated in 1851.  In 1851, the population of Carroll County was less than 16,000 (and less than 1,400 in Westminster. 

Westminster also had a Commissioner and Burgess form of government until 1856.)  Today, it is more than ten times that number.  There were no public schools in Carroll County in 1851.  There were only 9 election districts in Carroll County.  The County budget was less than $20,000.  (As a point of comparison to today’s budget: The 1853 budget for Carroll County was $19,019.57.  That figure included: $3,062 for supervisors of roads; $1,052.07 for county commissioners; $254 election expenses; $166.86 for sheriff; $56 for wood; $343.78 for jail expenses and $1,530.30 for roads and bridges among numerous other miscellaneous items.)

Ultimately, I will respect the vote of Carroll Countians on November 2nd, 2004.  I trust and respect the voters judgment and wishes.

20040904 My thoughts re Proposed Five Commissioners



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