20060315 Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, 20, of Westminster

Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, 20, of Westminster

Westminster Eagle Obituaries 03/15/06

Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, USMC, of Westminster was killed instantly March 3, while on assignment in Al Qaim, Iraq.

Stationed out of Twenty-Nine Palms, Calif., he was on a convoy mission for which he volunteered when the Humvee he was traveling in overturned.

Lance Cpl. Snyder was born July 18, 1985, and lived in Carroll County until he followed his heart and chose to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduating in 2003 from Westminster High School.

After completing training at Parris Island and Camp LeJeune, he was stationed at Twenty-Nine Palms until his deployment to Iraq in February 2006.

He was a young man who truly loved and embraced life, and lived his 20 years to the fullest.

He attended Sandymount Elementary School and loved sports. He played soccer and baseball for many years through various recreational programs. He also loved everything outdoors, including fishing and being at the beach.

He loved hiking and activity, and spent many days at Cascade Lake and the Westminster Skate Park.

Snyder was a devoted brother and cousin who enjoyed family parties, playing football games and swimming in the pool. He was a wonderful role model to his younger cousins.

He was proud to be a Marine and filled the position with dignity. Just before his deployment, he said he volunteered for convoy escort security because in his words, "there was a position that needs to be filled and I'm a Marine."

He was the beloved son of Julia A. Snyder (nee Francis) of Westminster and Albert L. Snyder of York, Pa., and the beloved brother of Sarah Anne and Tracie Lynne.

He was the cherished grandson of maternal grandparents John and Cay Francis and paternal grandparents Albert and Rosemary Snyder; great-grandson of maternal grandmother Helyn Pessaro; dear nephew of Cathy and Grant Menefee, Jane and Tommy Perkins, Andy and Mary Anne Francis, Bonnie Snyder and Debbie and Mark Krause; loving cousin of Emilie, Luke and John Menefee, Tommy, Heather, Billy and Catie Perkins, Drew and Kayla Francis, Sam and Jess Krause; and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by a cousin, Lauren Francis.

A Mass of Christian burial was held in his home parish of St. John Catholic Church in Westminster on March 10, and burial took place at Garrison Forest Cemetery. Arrangements were by Pritts Funeral Home, Westminster.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Program, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 (www.dav.org).

20060306 Richard Haddad named new leader of Carroll Co. Chamber

Richard Haddad named new leader of Carroll County Chamber of Commerce

March 6th, 2006

It was recently just announced that Richard Haddad has been named President – or is it Executive Director of the

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Haddad when I was the mayor of Westminster and many of us are expecting great things from him taking over the reins of this venerable organizations of business and community leaders.

For a bit of history on the Chamber – go here.

For more posts on the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce on “Soundtrack,” click here.

Carrie Knauer, who has won numerous journalism awards, (here and here,) has written a “Question and Answer” piece with Mr. Haddad. Her article appeared in the Carroll County Times on March 6th, 2006.

The Carroll County Times unfortunately does not use hyperlinks, so the entire piece, which belongs to Ms. Knauer and the Carroll County Times, is pasted below.

For more work from Ms. Knauer, click here. Or enter “Carrie Ann Knauer” in your favorite search engine.

By Carrie Ann Knauer,
Times Staff Writer Monday,
March 06, 2006

Q&A
Name: Richard Haddad

Age: 64

Residence: Westminster

Title: Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President

Last book read: "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Richard Haddad started his position as president of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Feb. 27. Haddad was a member of the Carroll chamber for a number of years, and as a volunteer, he chaired the chamber's business and education committee and also served briefly on the organization's board of directors. Haddad said he is excited to take this position toward the end of his career so he will be able to apply much of the management skills he has learned at other positions to help his local community.

Q: Where are you from and how did you come to Carroll County?

A: Brooklyn, N.Y., born and raised. I had been pretty well on in my career, I was maybe 30 and working at Citibank in New York, and I was doing EEO program development [Equal Employment Opportunity] for Citibank at the time. I was their first EEO officer, and this was like in 1969.

There was a utility down here in the Washington, D.C.-area that had a lot of EEO problems and was looking for an EEO officer. I was interested in leaving New York, and I wound up taking that job. That's how I came down to Maryland, and that was in 1971 when I finally moved down here.

I lived in Howard County for about 25 years and then moved to Carroll County about 10 years ago.

Q: How do you see your role at the Chamber of Commerce?

A: I think that there's what you might call "back at the ranch" roles and then just the public roles. The back at the ranch roles basically include the management of the office and the operations and just making sure that everything moves smoothly and that sort of thing. Also very importantly, working with the staff, supervising staff, helping them develop potential, encouraging them to talk about issues, so that we can work together and congeal as a team. And that is the stuff that the public very rarely sees, that businesses just take for granted that somebody takes care of those sorts of things.

The out-in-the-public-eye roles are basically acting as a spokesperson for the chamber, and maybe most importantly for the chamber's long- term health, is working with the board to develop a vision for the chamber and then developing planning for that vision, that we have a step-by-step process for achieving where we want to go and that sort of thing.

And that's one of the things that really interested me in the chamber job because I have background in strategic planning, and so I was really excited about that. I did consulting here in Carroll County for a few years and did strategic planning, some of the board members knew about that, so they were anxious to bring that expertise here.

Q: What do you see as the chamber's role in the community?

A: Carroll is not like a county that's filled with Fortune 500 companies that recruit people from all around the world, and they put in their five or 10 years and then move on to somewhere else where they get another opportunity, where you have a lot of turnover and flow and no one's really invested in the community.

We're overwhelmingly small business owners; men and women who not only live in our community but send their kids to our schools, they attend our churches, they belong to our service organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions and that sort of stuff. These people have an important stake in the health of the community. There's not going to be the clash between what's good for the business climate and what's good for the community because they are such a part of the community that they're the same. So, they will work to create a strong business climate, and that in turn makes for a stronger and healthier county. I mean that's the way that I see things, no conflict at all, everything blends very well.

Q: What have you learned from your experience at other chambers?

A: First and foremost that a good staff is very important, but that a lot of involved volunteers is critical. A chamber is as good, is as active, is as effective as its volunteer members want it to be. And I firmly believe that we can be anything that we want to be. We can be the finest chamber in the country if we want to be. We've got the talent, the skills, the energy - it's all here. The question is how can we project ourselves to the community to get those people to bring all that stuff to us, so we can bring it all together.

That's something that I get excited thinking about, bringing that all together, and I've seen a little bit of that. I've chaired committees, with this chamber and other committees. You throw a new idea on the table, people go "we never thought of that before," and suddenly you're pulling people in who have never been involved with the chamber before because they like that particular idea.

The job shadow program started that way. It was existing all around the country but we had not done it in Carroll, the schools were doing it, and we started a job shadow program to see if we could match businesses with students who were interested in doing that kind of stuff. And it turned out to be one of the chamber's biggest events. We have a couple of hundred kids involved. It's a feel-good event also for the business community, doing something for the kids.

Q: There's been a lot of turnover with the staff and the board of directors at the chamber. Why do you think that has happened and how do you think this can be improved?

A; I'm not aware of unusual turnover on the board. I know there's been an isolated case here and there of somebody dropping off and that sort of thing.

I am aware that there's been a big issue with the staff. When I was in New York, I did a turnover analysis program for Citibank, that's what one of my responsibilities was as employee relations manager. And I learned there that there are lots of reasons why you can have [turnover] - you don't make assumptions about turnover.

The assumptions that most people make is that you're paying too little, and that's usually the wrong assumption - it's not what drives people in and out of organizations. Distribution of work, particularly in a small organization, is extremely important, and working conditions that you create, the kind of rapport with all the staff involved and that sort of thing.

We are now 100 percent staffed with newly restructured positions, and what I really want to do is keep my employee relations eye on the situation. I've already had conversations with the staff members. It's extremely important to me that they share problems, frustrations, that we work together as a team. But it's basically good communication, working together and being very open and honest with each other. I'm just going to try to see if we can do that and take it from there.

Q: What are some goals you would like to accomplish here at the Carroll chamber?

A: I love this community. I'm happy first of all to be here and I want to help to do something for this community. I'm very anxious to use all of my skills that I've picked up in my management career to basically try to apply them to specific situations here in Carroll to see what I can do to help improve things.

There's the routine ones, like grow membership, increase revenue, that sort of stuff, and obviously we need to do that to be a healthy chamber and to continue to growing. We've got a tight budget right now, and one way to relieve that budget is to bring in more money. So I've got to figure out ways to bring in more money and loosen that up a bit.

But that's an example of a situation in which I've faced a lot of problems like that in previous jobs. So I go back into my data bank, and I go "what would apply in this situation?" I just want to have an impact, and I think I can.

Q: What will be the next opportunity for the general membership of the chamber to meet you?

A: We have networking breakfasts, we have member luncheons where we have speakers, and there's a business fair that's coming up in March. The ones where I get the most interaction with the membership are the breakfasts and the luncheons and the mixers. And those are on the chamber Web site. I make it a point to get there and just introduce myself to as many people as I can.

####

20060303 Westminster Director deployed to the Middle East

Westminster Director deployed to the Middle East

March 3rd, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

The latest of a seemingly never-ending string of new reporters writing for the Baltimore Sun in Carroll County has written an article in the February 28th, 2006 edition of the Carroll Sun on the Westminster Director of Planning and Public Works (DPPW) being deployed to the Middle East. I was interviewed for her article, however, I was not included…

Mr. Beyard is 1973 graduate of South Hagerstown High School, Hagerstown, MD and earned an A.A. Degree from Hagerstown Junior College, Hagerstown, MD in 1973. He then went on to earn a B.S. Degree from Towson State University, Towson, MD in 1977.

Mr. Beyard and I have worked together on quite a number of issues over the years.

My father-in-law, David S. Babylon, Jr., was the Westminster Common Council President when Mr. Beyard was hired on September 29th, 1987. Mr. Babylon always spoke very highly of Mr. Beyard. He was always aware, (as I became,) that Mr. Beyard has the consummate prerequisite knowledge, skills and abilities to competently look after all the affairs of Westminster in his purview.

Long before I became a Westminster elected official on May 10, 1999 – and shortly after Mr. Beyard arrived on the job, I met him when I was a member of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources District Conservancy Board (1988 – 1991.) The Conservancy Board worked with Mr. Beyard on some issues that had developed as the Maryland State Highway Administration planned to rebuild Westminster’s East Main Street.

I also had some contact with him as a member of the Carroll County Landscape Manual Committee (1987 – 1989.)

Later, when I was a member of the Carroll County Environmental Affairs Advisory Board (1994 – 1999,) I worked with Mr. Beyard on some “waste –to-energy” ideas; especially in 1997, when I was by the Carroll County Board of Commissioners to participate in the Carroll County Department of Public Works’ development of Carroll County’s Ten-Year Solid Waste Management Plan.

Mr. Beyard has always been a forceful advocate for Westminster (and his employees.)

When I was mayor (2001 - 2005,) the DPPW had one of the most difficult and complex jobs in the entire City of Westminster structure, which required nearly daily contact with Mr. Beyard.

If you read the Baltimore Sun article, the current administration of the City of Westminster is interested in making some structural changes to the management of the growing municipality. The merit and wisdom of those changes is the fodder for perhaps another column. Meanwhile, Westminster citizens voted for this group of community leaders and they, for the most part, were not bashful in telling potential voters that they aimed to make Westminster’s government bigger…

The DPPW was responsible for managing the City’s largest department. This department includes everything from providing safe drinking water, street maintenance, snow removal, parks and recreation, solid waste and recycling collection, comprehensive planning, housing and community development and wastewater treatment. Additional responsibilities added over the years included economic development, code enforcement, particularly with the property maintenance code, and service for the City on various boards.

The DPPW was responsible for all City activities, with the exception of finance and police. This includes well over 125 full and part-time employees with budgets totaling over $16 million. This equates to approximately 75% of all City employees and budget.

One of the many things to admire about Mr. Beyard is his commitment and service to our country. He enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve on March 22, 1982 and served in the U. S. Army Reserve until February 12, 1997 when he was released from the Reserves to join the Maryland Army National Guard.

Since he first enlisted with the Army Reserve in 1982 as a Private First Class, he has completed extensive formal military classes and earned a number of commendations and awards for his service; not to mention that he has risen through the ranks steadily. As of September 1, 2005, his rank is that of Command Sergeant Major.

The Baltimore Sun picks up the story well at this point. Excerpted from the article:

Carroll official is called to active duty

Westminster planning chief Beyard, 51, to leave in June for Kuwait with National Guard

By Laura McCandlish, Sun reporter. Originally published February 28, 2006

The man integral to running the daily business of Westminster for nearly 20 years announced last night that he has been called to active duty in the Middle East.

Thomas B. Beyard, Westminster's director of planning and public works since 1987, told the City Council he will depart in mid-June for a deployment based in Kuwait with the Maryland Army National Guard. Beyard, 51, who joined the Guard in 1997 after years with the Army Reserve, expects to return to his job in late 2007.

I’m sure you join me in wishing Mr. Beyard well and God-speed as he continues to serve our community and our nation in another capacity. We are quite proud of him.

Kevin Dayhoff

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ and http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

20060301 Diary of a Desperate Dumpster Diver

Diary of a Desperate Dumpster Diver.

March 1, 2006 By Kevin Dayhoff (1072 words)

Warning: Because the following humor column is intended for human consumption, the Food and Drug Administration wanted it to be tested on animals.

However, the animal rights activists protested, forcing me to abandon testing and release the distressed critters. I released them in the lobby of the animal rights office. I figured those friendly folks could best take care of the mice and we all shared a common goal – that the mice be free.

Nevertheless, the long-term effects of reading this column remain uncertain. Please proceed at your own risk.

I enjoy folks, who in the past exhibited no interest in being human; who have contacted me recently, feigning a genuine interest in my well-being – and then casually ask: “Oh by the way, what are your future political plans?”

To which I would like to respond.

Thank you all, for your recent inquiries as to my well-being. I am touched.

How’s my day?

I’m having a great day.

Yes, I’m still overweight. Are you still mean and ill tempered? I can go on a diet and lose weight…”

Am I still unemployed?

Yes, I’m still writing for a living.

Of course, now that I am no longer in political office. I have no meaning in my life. I must be unemployed and homeless.

What am I doing with my days?

I’m so happy that you asked…

Today, for example, as I continue slouching towards dementia, I will investigate the haiku of dumpster diving consciousness and the real meaning of life. The Kabuki Morals Play of day-to-day existence in contemporary Maryland, when you are homeless and hungry, like most successful writers and artists.

I've reached the zenith of my existence. A 52 year old artist and writer; I consider being unemployed a badge of honor. I wear it proudly in humor, err, I mean honor, of artists and writers everywhere.

In a few minutes, I was about to go out and see what soup kitchen to visit. Put on my best clothes courtesy of the dumpster behind Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has been heaven-sent for those of us who are otherwise, road kill, on the highway to prosperity and plenty. Are you still trying to put it out of business?

I've developed dumpster diving into an art. Bet ya never knew that about me.

Ya know, the best table scraps are behind the pizza place… over at the shopping center, where I see you so frequently.

Yes, that one – the one you fought so aggressively commenting that it would be the end of civilization, as we know it.

Yes, it was a great farm, completely surrounded by new developments, the farmer went bankrupt. Shame isn’t it. The farmer reneged on a public trust and financial responsibility to maintain that property so the new residents could have a scenic view.

I understand the new development, on the land of that great farm, really supports your efforts to stop growth.

Oh - that neighborhood development that fought the shopping center now wants a sidewalk from their neighborhood to the shopping center. Didn’t you fight that sidewalk when it was proposed? I read recently where you are winning over the hearts and minds of the new folks by supporting the sidewalk and rebuilding the street in front of your house – with taxpayer dollars.

You use the word, “outrage” a lot. You should get help for that. Try eating more friendly vegetables. Go see “Brokeback Mountain” a fourth time.

Recently, I've been scouting a new place to live. I was living high on a hill, in the wooded area in the middle of the Rte 140 and Rte 27 interchange.

From there I monitored the comings and goings of so many folks like you… like so many busy ants, running here, then running there and then back again. It all seems so purposeful. So meaningful. The interchange of accomplishment. The crossroads to the future. And I observed it all, from my hilltop hide-away perch.

Anyway – I had to leave my Shangri-la, on top of the hill. One day, I gathered my meager belongings and traveled down river on a raft to a great place on the bank of the river on the other side of the old Westminster Power Plant.

It is a great place to continue my studies of the political-sociological development of benthic macroinvertebrates, phytoplankton, and echinoderms.

The real challenge to dumpster diving these days, is the thrill of breaking into locked dumpsters. I mean, isn’t it amusing that we have evolved so far as a sophisticated society, that some folks have elevated the art of supreme narcissism to the extent that they actually lock their trash away.

I guess I find the idea of sifting through office trash distasteful. The diving into the abyss of our oppressors is devoid of vision and creativity. It also involves an investment into personal protection gear.

Diving into a restaurant dumpster is not as hazardous to your health as diving into the dumpster of say, the liberal legislative offices in Annapolis. One might emerge, thinking thoughts of world domination or terminal narcissism.

My real goal in life is to dive in a dumpster some day and find a "Power Ranger."

The local college is the nirvana of dumpster diving. Just yesterday I traveled there and came away with a mother lode of great things that wasteful college students have tossed into the dumpster. I got an entertainment center shelf thingy-ma-jiggy. I'll put my TV, DVD, radio, and computer on it.

I do all my holiday shopping for my family up at the college.

When I was young, we used to go the county landfill on Kate Wagner Road. Oh, the good ole days. I once witnessed two pillars of the community fight over a cream and burgundy colored Victorian sofa.

Actually, the lure of dumpster diving is the thrill of the hunt. The quest for buried treasure and personal responsibility. The call of the wild in an increasingly civilized society that has taken the life-on-the-edge, life and death struggle out of our day-to-day experience.

Bet you didn't know that I could be quite so passionate about something. Did ya?

The coat you loaned me for last winter… I've dropped that in the mail. To save on postage, I cut the buttons off and put them in the pockets, in accordance with the latest law passed by the Maryland General Assembly.

Bye for now. Hope to talk with you again soon.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

NBH
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20060301 Westminster, Estonia and the Singing Revolution

Winchester Report: Westminster and the Singing Revolution

Kevin Dayhoff March 1, 2006 11 AM

Current whispers that Westminster will soon declare its independence and form an independent city-state are not true, although it can be admitted that many of the signs are in place.

After all, at approximately 6 square miles in size, Westminster is larger than the Vatican City, which declared its independence on February 11th, 1929 and is .2 square miles large. Actually, McDaniel College is larger than the Vatican City. By the way, the next larger country, San Marino is 23.5 square miles large.

Perhaps the beginnings of this whisper campaign perhaps began in 2002, when Westminster did sign a Declaration of Understanding and a Declaration of Friendship with Paide, Estonia.

Although they are not “treaties” with a foreign nation, we have exchanged a trade delegation, and had several cultural, academic and diplomatic exchanges. Moreover, we have continued fermenting an artistic, cultural and singing revolution.

In the past, Westminster has had several informal sister city relationships with Westminster, England, and Westminster, Colorado.

Creating a relationship with Paide grew from a program called Partners for Peace, a military program that started in 1991 to help Estonia to become stable, train management and improve communication between civilians and military personnel.

The program, headed by the Army National Guard, developed into a partner-city program in 1993.

The first presentation of the idea of Westminster developing a sister city relationship came at a meeting of the Mayor and Common Council on November 27th, 2000. The presentation was given by Col. Grant Hayden of the Maryland Army National Guard and James D. Ball, Carroll Community College vice president of instruction and student development.

Westminster’s Director of Planning and Public Works, Tom Beyard, then a Master Sergeant with the Maryland National Guard, was in Estonia during the summer of 2000, as part of his guard duty.
Over the past decade, the program has moved from strictly military-to-military events to predominantly civilian-to-civilian exchanges. The current focus of the program includes education, health, government, economic development, culture and philanthropy.

The partner city program pairs similar Maryland and Estonian municipalities to engage in mutual programs and activities. The Westminster Paide program is the most active and successful to date.

The Guard’s partner city program now includes several Maryland municipalities, as well as 14 other states. In addition to Westminster and Paide, the other nine partner city communities include Annapolis and Tallinn, Salisbury and Tartu, Oakland and Valga, Frostburg and Viljandi, Cumberland and Tapa, Harve de Grace and Sillamae, Grantsville and Torva, McHenry and Otepaa and Ocean City and Parnu. La Plata and Jogeva are candidates for 2004. These municipalities are engaging in a variety of activities to further good relations.

Paide, Estonia and Westminster, MD have many things in common. Paide got its name from the limestone, used when the town was constructed. This is a similarity shared with Westminster, which also has ties to limestone with a limestone quarry located just outside the city.

Other similarities between the two municipalities include tree-lined streets and a prominent Lutheran church in the downtown area. Paide is a little older that Westminster, by about 450 years. It became a municipality on September 30th, 1265.

Paide’s population is approximately 10,000 compared to Westminster’s population of 17,000. We are both located in a piedmont area.
Additionally, many are not aware that there are over 1,000 Estonians living in Maryland.

In order to support the Westminster – Paide partnership program initiatives in Westminster, a fund was created at the Carroll Community Foundation in October 2002, in an effort for our program to be self-sufficient and not utilize taxpayer dollars for the efforts, making it truly a grass-roots, community initiative.

We have an active advisory committee of approximately 25 members who provide guidance to our work. Our local businesses are involved and engaged in this process and see the benefits of participation.

Our partner city relationship brings favorable attention to Westminster. The visit of international guests provides great opportunities to highlight and showcase our city.
Exchange opportunities including municipal and student exchanges offer the potential for meaningful learning and professional development for municipal officials and staff. Cultural exchanges offer Westminster performers venues in Estonia to sing and dance and the same for Estonian performers who come here.

As part of our efforts to have cultural exchanges, the Partnership has had several highly successful fund raising events, for example, the visit from the Estonian Television Girls Choir performance on Feb. 8, 2003 and the January 22, 2004 concert featuring an Estonian singing group, “Rondellus,” both at Winters Mill High School.

Other successful partnership for peace efforts have included a July 2003 Community Foundation workshop in Paide and coordinated performances by Audrey Cimino and Eric Byrd Trio in the Paide Shanty Festival and Haapsalu Sea Music Festival.

Another exciting success was the visit, from July 10th through the 21st, 2004, by "Voce Viaggio" (Italian for "Traveling Voices") to Estonia, Finland and Sweden.

Voce Viaggio is a traveling troupe of singers from the Carroll County Children’s Chorus, led by executive director Diane Jones. During their tour, the chorus sang American-themed songs at several venues. The songs gave European audiences a better feel for America, as many elements of American history were incorporated in the music, according to Director Jones.

Roughly one-third of the European trip was paid for through fund raising, with the children's parents are paying for the rest. Not only did the 24-member peace delegation from Westminster, and their support staff (read: parents) build relationships and spread goodwill, but the trip also helped the chorus members learn about three distinct cultures.

The children took educational tours while on the trip and had many opportunities to experience different aspects of the countries they visit.
Thanks to our history and tradition of private public partnerships, our Paide Sister City Partnership program is a great success and enables Westminster to give as much it receives.

Many more exciting cultural, educational, economic development and artistic exchanges are planned for the future.

I guess as long as we can continue to do our small part for world peace and prosperity, perhaps, we can postpone declaring our independence and forming our own city-state.

Although, I can only imagine independence would come easily and bloodlessly for Westminster if Tom Beyard, Lyndi McNulty, Lori Graham, Diane Jones, Audrey Cimino and I held hands in front of the Carroll County Office Building and started singing Kum Ba Ya or "All we are saying, is give peace a chance," by the Beatles.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org
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20060228 Information you can use on annexation legislation

“Information you can use on annexation legislation”

February 28, 2006 By Kevin Dayhoff (1050 words)

To judge from the feedback on “Annex This” which appeared in The Tentacle on February 22, 2006, there is no doubt that issues concerning growth, development and annexation are a hot topic.

[February 22, 2006 – “Annex This” – “Once again the Maryland General Assembly is being asked to step between municipalities and county governments over an issue that threatens the peace and tranquility that should exist between them. This time another crisis is building over growth and development.”]

Many who responded had a fair point - we know how you feel, we want to make up our own minds on this issue – give us the talking points from both points of view, without any spin or commentary.

Okay.

First, to refresh your memory, Senate Bill 536 and its counterpart in the House of Delegates, House Bill 1239 are titled the “Annexation Planning and Procedures Act of 2006.”

The Fiscal and Policy Notes explain: “This bill provides for the implementation of a joint planning agreement (JPA) between a county and a municipal corporation, and sets forth provisions under which land may be annexed and developed by a municipal corporation. The bill takes effect June 1, 2006.”

As this column is being written, a hearing on SB536 is scheduled on March 1, 2006, in the Senate’s Education Health and Environmental Affairs Committee.

The House Environmental Matters Committee has scheduled a hearing on HB1239 for March 2, 2006.

One very good place to begin a thorough analysis of this legislation is to review the “Fiscal and Policy Note,” which is dated February 28, 2006. It can be found on the web at: http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/fnotes/bil_0006/sb0536.pdf. It is six pages long, so this column will not rehash what you can easily read for yourself.

The Feb. 6, 2006 Maryland Municipal League (MML) bulletin reports that in a meeting between the MML leadership and House Speaker Michael Busch, D., Anne Arundel County:

“Speaker Busch also indicated that he is monitoring the land use/growth issue and reassured MML that the Chairman of the Environmental Matters Committee Delegate Maggie McIntosh will not pass any legislation relating to growth or annexation that is not fair and balanced or more detrimental to one organization or another.”

The same MML bulletin reports on a meeting between Governor Ehrlich's new Director of Legislative Policy Alan Friedman and the MML Legislative Committee on Wednesday, February 1:

“When asked about the land use and growth issue, Mr. Friedman stated that, "The administration is sorry that MACo is going after MML." According to Mr. Friedman, it is obvious that growth is an issue and Maryland Department of Planning and Maryland Department of Environment have recognized growth issues. Mr. Friedman also said that the administration recognizes that planning is primarily a local issue and they are hopeful that the organizations can work it out.”

MML Legislative Chairman and Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo: “noted that it is unfair for the counties to attempt to shift the blame for crowded roads and schools to the municipalities and MACo's efforts to derail annexation are merely a smokescreen to hide the fact that counties are also responsible for controlling growth.”

As many requested, the arguments for both points of view (the MML and Maryland Association of Counties) are presented below – in their own words.

The Maryland Association of Counties’ website supports the legislation by stating:

“Annexation is increasingly becoming a mechanism to circumvent county land use policies and laws.

The problem has become more pronounced recently as developers more frequently partner with municipalities to annex large tracts for intense development. This practice arises from the existing annexation law denying county perspectives meaningful weight in annexation decisions.

To create a fair balance the existing annexation law must be refined to provide reasonable deference to adopted county land use policies and affected citizen concerns.

Annexations should be subject to all statutory Smart Growth standards now applicable to counties and development on annexed property should be consistent with county adequate public facility laws and zoning.

And, existing referendum rights should be extended to citizens living outside the annexing municipality, but proximate to the boundary of the property to be annexed, with a county having the ability to initiative a referendum not just in the property to be annexed, but also in the municipality.”

From the MML point of view, again, in their own words, in the beginning of February 2006, the MML explained its position on planning for growth:

“To better control growth and encourage mutual land use communication and cooperation between municipalities and counties, MML supports the establishment of joint municipal-county planning agreements and the development of growth boundaries around both incorporated and unincorporated population centers. This ensures that all parties are in agreement pursuant to future population allocation between incorporated and unincorporated areas.”

The MML continued by saying:

“According to MACo, growth boundaries should be established ONLY around incorporated cities and towns. Why shouldn’t counties also be required to establish growth boundaries around unincorporated areas such as Towson, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Waldorf, Kent Island, Columbia, Crofton, Germantown, Beltsville, Catonsville, Ocean Pines, Glen Burnie, Edgewater. MACo’s bill would do nothing to address out of control growth around these and other unincorporated population centers in the State.”

“Counties are not required by law to establish growth boundaries in county comprehensive master plans. Shouldn’t growth around unincorporated population centers also be accountable, responsible and subject to public input and scrutiny? If it makes sense for municipalities to establish growth boundaries, why shouldn’t counties also be required to do the same?”

“It is important that a distinction be made between annexation and growth. The issue is not annexation - the issue is growth. Restricting annexation will not restrict growth. Growth will simply occur in rural areas of the State on well and septic systems instead of around existing population centers on wastewater treatment plants.”

Finally, the MML offers this information:

“In 1990, excluding Baltimore City, 2.7% of Maryland's total land mass was located inside municipal borders. As of the year 2004, that percentage has increased to 3.3% in total land mass located within municipal boundaries. This represents an increase in total municipal landmass of just over 0.5% in the past fourteen years.”

There you have it. Both sides, in their own words.

This legislation, will at some time in the future, affect almost each and every Tentacle reader. If you have profound feelings about this legislation, now is the best time to weigh in.

Contact information on the Senate Education Health and Environmental Matters Committee is found at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/05sen/html/com/02eco.html.

Contact information on the House Environmental Matters Committee can be found at: http://www.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/com/04env.html.

Maryland General Assembly Opera, Maryland Municipal League, Maryland Association of Counties

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff(at)carr.org

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20060224 Kelly’s Dream Deferred by Kevin E. Dayhoff

Kelly’s Dream Deferred by Kevin E. Dayhoff February 24, 2006

Related:

Another Case of Cronyism in the Ehrlich Administration by Progressive Maryland: Gov. Ehrlich has been called on his cronyism once again, this time in Allegany County. His nominee for Allegany’s District Court bench, friend and former colleague Del. Kevin Kelly, has been judged unfit for the job and summarily rejected by a judicial nominating commission made up of the governor's own appointees. The Allegany lock, The Baltimore Sun

Or find it here: 20060218 Another Case of Cronyism Progressive MD

Baltimore Sun: 20050828 Politics fills space around judicial vacancy by David Nitkin and Jennifer Skalka

20060217 “Vacant judge position filled” By David Nitkin

Vacant judge position filled Ehrlich picks Cumberland solicitor for seat that had been empty since 2004 By David Nitkin Sun reporter February 17, 2006

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has filled the longest judicial vacancy on a district court in Maryland, but not with a friend from the General Assembly who wanted the position.

*****

Kelly’s Dream Deferred by Kevin E. Dayhoff February 24, 2006

On February 16, it became official that a longstanding friend of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., conservative Western Maryland Democratic Del. Kevin Kelly, would not have his name submitted to fill the judicial vacancy of the District Court of Maryland for Allegany County.

In the political arena where disappointment is frequently greeted by silence and friends who stare at the floor, folks often don’t heed what Martin Luther King once said: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

Many Tentacle readers are aware of the hard work of Delegate Kelly and were disappointed to learn that he was not to be referred to in the future as Judge Kelly.

As a newly minted elected municipal official in the late 1990s, I have fond memories of those folks who were friendly and helpful as I tried to unravel the byzantine rituals of the Maryland General Assembly. Perhaps, first among equals in that helpful group was Delegate Kelly.

Most members of the Frederick and Carroll County delegations were very supportive.

Several of the other names that quickly come to mind when I think of friendly folks who went out of their way to lend a hand were: Del. Brian R. Moe (D., Anne Arundel/PG); Del. Bennett Bozman (D., Wicomico/Worcester); Del. Norman H. Conway (D., Wicomico/Worcester); Sen. Donald F. Munson (R., Washington); then-Del. Charles McClenahan (R., Somerset, Wicomico & Worchester); and Judge Paul G. Goetzke, then Annapolis city attorney.

Always quick with a smile and a joke, Delegate Kelly went out of his way on several occasions to help when I barely knew the difference between the House Environmental Matters and Economic Matters Committees.

Many had lost track of this current sideshow, since the judicial vacancy for the District Court of Maryland for Allegany County has been unfilled since the fall of 2004. It was announced last Friday that Delegate Kelly was passed over for H. Jack Price, Jr., the city solicitor for the mayor and city council of Cumberland since 1990.

[…]

Read my entire column here: Kelly’s Dream Deferred by Kevin E. Dayhoff February 24, 2006

20060224 Kelly’s Dream Deferred by Kevin E. Dayhoff

####

20060217 “Vacant judge position filled” By David Nitkin

Vacant judge position filled

Ehrlich picks Cumberland solicitor for seat that had been empty since 2004

By David Nitkin Sun reporter February 17, 2006

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has filled the longest judicial vacancy on a district court in Maryland, but not with a friend from the General Assembly who wanted the position.

The governor has named H. Jack Price, solicitor for the city of Cumberland since 1990 and a private practice lawyer, to a seat on the Allegany County District Court.

Price, 50, fills a vacancy created when Judge Paul J. Stakem announced his retirement in 2004.

[…]

Kelly submitted his name to a nominating panel but was found not qualified for the position. After meeting in December 2004, the panel submitted three names to the governor, but Ehrlich waited until yesterday before announcing the selection.

Meanwhile, criminal cases backed up in the district court - to the consternation of many courthouse veterans.

[…]

Read the entire article here: Vacant judge position filled

20060217 “Vacant judge position filled” By David Nitkin

####

20060218 Another Case of Cronyism Progressive MD

Another Case of Cronyism in the Ehrlich Administration by Progressive Maryland

Retrieved February 18, 2006

Gov. Ehrlich has been called on his cronyism once again, this time in Allegany County. His nominee for Allegany’s District Court bench, friend and former colleague Del. Kevin Kelly, has been judged unfit for the job and summarily rejected by a judicial nominating commission made up of the governor's own appointees. The Allegany lock, The Baltimore Sun

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/bal-ed.kelly04sep04,1,3587363.story?coll=bal-opinion-headlines

http://progressivemaryland.org/page.php?id=1136&subid=1122

Related: 20050828 Politics fills space around judicial vacancy by David Nitkin and Jennifer Skalka: Politics fills space around judicial vacancy Some say Ehrlich wants friend on list of nominees; Allegany seat empty since 2004 By David Nitkin, Sun Staff, August 28, 2005

20060218 Another Case of Cronyism Progressive MD

20060205 Pocomoke City State of Pocomoke City report by Mayor Michael McDermott

Pocomoke City State of Pocomoke City report by Mayor Michael McDermott

State of the City Report

By Michael A. McDermott, Mayor

(Downloaded February 5^th, 2006)

As we turn the corner into 2006, it is good to review the progress of the city with a view toward the future. 2005 was a year of changes which impacted many aspects of Pocomoke City. The coming year will see further changes and transitioning, but my commitment to an open, approachable government will continue to guide our actions.

Last spring, we had just over 500 dwelling units at some stage in the development pipeline. That number has grown to 750. All of this projected, planned growth is identified as in-fill development (all built within the current corporate limits requiring no annexations). The types and styles of the housing will range from town houses and duplexes to larger, single family homes. It represents a good mix of available housing for families at various economic levels.

The focus on in-fill development is in line with the concepts being outlined by our updated Comprehensive Plan. The draft plan has been presented to the Planning and Zoning Board and is currently under review. The board is hopeful the plan can be presented for public comment by early spring. Following the adoption of the plan, the city will move into a review of current zoning templates now in effect to see if any will require modification.

Financially, the city is on strong footing. A Reserve Fund was established in December at the recommendation of our Accounting/Auditing Firm. Our debt service is not impaired and investments made by the city in the way of infrastructure, improvements and planned growth have created a positive cash flow for the city. We have been able to cut the tax rate in half on manufacturing equipment and look forward to additional reductions in the future. Creating a positive environment for commercial and industrial growth to flourish will remain a primary focus in the coming years.

In the spring, we will see the Mid-Atlantic Institute for Space and Technology locate their offices in our Industrial Park. Other tenants are expected to follow as Pocomoke City develops as an incubator for space based and other advancing technologies. This is one of the biggest opportunities projected in the region, and it is right in our own backyard. We will work closely with Worcester County and the Department of Economic Development to create and maintain a strong environment conducive for this emerging technology.

2006 will see a concerted effort to improve city parks and establish new opportunities for recreational activities. Upgrades include a large bandstand, improved Nature Trail, and a potential joint venture with Worcester County which would develop land around the 4^th Street MAC Center as a park. We are also exploring the creation of a Skate/Bike Park to meet the needs of our community.

Citizens can look for continued and growing opportunities to be involved in the governmental process in the coming year. There will be public meetings addressing the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning process. There will be meetings scheduled to receive input on the Skate/Bike Park concept and development. Efforts will be made this year to establish a community organization called Friends of the Park which will act as a vehicle to assist the city with improvements, upgrades, and beautification of our current park facilities. We will continue to work together with the Pocomoke Garden Club and the Downtown Association to further this process.

There will be efforts targeting neighborhoods with specific needs. Neighborhood meetings and clean up times will be encouraged and developed with the city providing assistance in the process. We will look for ways to help and encourage citizens as they work to strengthen and beautify their individual neighborhoods.

County requirements and our moral responsibilities will find us aggressively pursuing recycling with our city refuse. We will need the assistance and compliance of our citizens to insure that our costs for disposal remain static as we increase the percentage of recyclables in our weekly collections. Citizens will be kept abreast of any required changes before they occur.

2006 will see the further redevelopment of our downtown core. This will include restaurants, eateries, and other enterprising business drawn to our beautiful river front. At center stage should include the grand reopening of the MARVA Performing Arts Theater slated for early summer.

If the city were a convertible, I would tell you to “hold onto your hat!” The best is yet to come, and the future of Pocomoke City never looked brighter.

For more information on the happenings in Pocomoke City, please visit our website at cityofpocomoke.com.

20060203 HoCo Hayduke: New protocols on nonfunctioning traffic lights

HoCo Hayduke: New protocols on nonfunctioning traffic lights

February 5, 2006

I have not read the “new policy,” however, one of the obvious questions that comes to mind are staffing issues. Does the Howard County police department have enough officers to address all the intersections that may be impacted by a widespread power failure?

Is this an opportunity to utilize non-sworn, but trained safety personnel such as a “police auxiliary” or fire police?

There are reports that LED traffic signals require much less electricity. Perhaps the battery back-ups are the way to go? Then again, what is the fiscal note for retrofitting existing traffic signals with battery back-ups?

Clearly, as traffic congestion increases, this is an growing public safety issue... Meanwhile our hearts and prayers are extended to the families of the teenagers...

HoCo Hayduke

Friday, February 03, 2006

New protocol...

It won't bring back Scott E. Caplan and Theresa E. Howard, but it's a sensible policy that could save lives in the future.

In a change ordered after two teenagers were killed at a nonfunctioning traffic light in Columbia last month, Howard County police will require officers to stay at nonfunctioning signals until they are fixed or until a stop sign or another temporary device is taken to the scene.

The county also is moving ahead with plans to test its first battery backup system for traffic lights, which can keep a signal running for up to eight hours after it loses electrical power.

Read more: Click on HoCo Hayduke or go this article here: New protocol...

Westminster should rethink partnership Letters to the Editor for Sat., Jan. 28, 2006

Letters to the Editor for Saturday, January 28, 2006

Westminster should rethink partnership

Editor:

Thank you for John Westerman's Jan. 21 article on Estonia and its recent refusal to prosecute Harry Mannil.

I have been troubled by Westminster's strong association with Estonia for several years for another reason. Disturbing to me is the fact that the financing of our municipality's partnership program with that country is kept from the public record.

Since the Westminster/Estonia Partnership's money is handled by a powerful local non-profit, financial records like donor lists and expenditures abroad are unavailable for public examination. Yet Westminster City Hall employees, on city time, travel there. Any taxpayers' questions about costs at city council meetings I have been present at have not been well received or explained. We have recently seen in the news the possibly problematic relationship between government and non-profits.

Now we are facing some troubling international news about the justice system in Estonia.

To understand the hunt for Mannil, one has to understand who his hunter is and who Evald Mikson was. Dr. Efraim Zuroff is director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Jerusalem, a world respected human rights organization, and he is its coordinator on Nazi War Crimes Research.

Zuroff considers Mannil to be one of the top 10 Nazi war criminals left living. It was while investigating another Estonian, Evald Mikson, Mannil's unit leader, that Mannil's name first surfaced.

Briefly, Mikson had served as deputy chief of the Estonian Political Police in Tallinn and as leader of the fascist Omakaitse vigilante squads in the Vonnu district during World War II.

Zuroff wrote in his 1998 paper, "anti-Semitism in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia," that "These units assisted the Nazi invasion in July 1941 and helped round up and slaughter Jews. In January 1942 the Nazi leadership reported that Estonia was judenfrei."

Zuroff discovered Mikson living in Iceland. The evidence he presented convinced the Icelandic Justice Ministry to seek a criminal murder case against Mikson, but Mikson died before he could be tried in Reykjavik. But before his death, Mikson revealed the Venezuelan whereabouts of former squad member Mannil.

It must be also considered that Mannil has grown extremely wealthy in the auto parts business in South America, where he fled in 1943 and where he still lives. He is a heavy monetary contributor to his homeland, Estonia. His financial success is considered a source of pride by the Estonian government. He is listed in the current Famous People of Estonia as "policeman and philanthropist." However, our own Justice Department doesn't allow him to walk on U.S. soil.

Perhaps it is time for our mayor and city council to examine the cost to all taxpayers of the city's four-year entanglement with Estonia. After reading the Mannil saga, I believe even more strongly that it is time for our city elected officials to do some important soul searching.

Rebekah Orenstein

Westminster

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2006/01/28/news/opinion/letters/letters28.txt

20060128 Westminster should rethink partnership rocctltte
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

20060118 Westminster Municipal Band looks to 2006

Ending year on musical note, Municipal Band looks to 2006

01/18/06 by Kevin Dayhoff Special to The Eagle

Photo: Members of the Westminster Municipal Band make their way along the parade route in Kingsville during the 2004 Independence Day Parade. File photo by Mike Buscher.

It's gray and cold outside, and spring concerts and summer parades seem so far away, but on a recent Monday, the Westminster Municipal Band started warming up for another busy 2006 schedule.

"We had a great year in 2005," said Sandy Miller, who has been the band director since March 2000.

Sandy has been in the band for about 15 years with her husband, Dave, who plays the trumpet and fills in as the drum major occasionally.

The Millers are one of many husband-and-wife teams in the band. She plays the clarinet - when she's not out front and waving a baton, that is.

"We're looking forward to an even greater year in 2006," said Scott Flohr, a band member since 1978. When he is not playing the trombone, he also handles responsibilities as the band's vice president.

Flohr said he "takes a great deal of pride in being part of a community tradition that goes back to the 1800s É and I can't tell ya how much fun it is to play in the band."

According to the band's Web site, the organization was formed in 1893 as the Westminster City Band. The site's history of the band notes that in 1916, many members of the band went into the Maryland National Guard under the heading 'First Regimental Band of Maryland National Guard,' and were sent to the Mexican Border. In 1918, the band even went to France during World War I. The band reorganized in 1950 under the current name Westminster Municipal Band.

The Web site adds that "a Color Guard was added in 1957 and is now the trademark that separates us" from other bands.

Westminster Common Councilwoman Suzanne Albert said she always enjoys hearing the band.

"I hear great compliments on how well the band performs and represents the city throughout the state," she said. "They always look so sharp marching up the street. ... I'm particularly impressed with the color guard."

Band president Greg Wantz, who started with the organization in 1978, is another example of the many "band families."

His wife, Karen, carries the band banner; brother Steve is the band's drum major; mom plays the saxophone and dad, Jim, plays the trombone.

"The band has been a family tradition for over 40 years," he said.

"We had many memorable performances in 2005, including the August community concert at Belle Grove Square, winning first place at the annual state fire fighters' convention in Ocean City and the Fourth of July parades in Catonsville and Havre de Grace," Wantz said.

"Huge crowds," he said. "Great publicity for Westminster."

Band treasurer Delbert Myerly plays drums, and said, "I joined the band around 1960. It's a good group of men and women who love to play music. We come together like family and have a lot of fun."

Myerly also seizes every opportunity to drum up some donations for the band.

"We're a nonprofit and always looking for contributions," she said.

Band drum major Steve Wantz echoed what many band members said: "the one big highlight of 2005 was dedicating our newly renovated band home on May 15, 2005" on John Street.

Wantz said that for most of the history of the band, members rehearsed on the third floor of the old firehouse on Main Street or on the second floor of the Stone Building - above "B's Coffee Shoppe" on Liberty Street.

The fire company moved in 1998, and O'Lordan's Irish Pub now occupies the Stone Building. The band was homeless for several years.

Working with the Westminster Fire Department and city government, band members rolled up their sleeves, set aside their instruments and performed with shovels, hammers and screwdrivers for many months to get their new home ready.

According to Flohr, George West served as the renovation project manager, assisted by Jim Wantz; and Jay Markle was the head carpenter. Blaine Flickinger was chief electrician.

Flohr said he is also happy to now have a garage for the band's 1947 Chevrolet panel truck used to transport equipment to band events.

In 2005, the band played in 37 events. Just before Christmas, at its annual band member recognition event, Mike Mora, Chris Crofoot, Mike Buffington, Larry Myers, Tony LaRose, Eric Utermahlen, Gene White, Brandy Simpson, Sue Mora, Joan Magnant, Dave Miller and Charlie Simpson were all recognized for attending the most band events and rehearsals in 2005.

"We're all one big family. We're proud to represent Westminster," said Greg Wantz.

"It's a great satisfaction marching up the street celebrating a great family tradition and our community," Miller said.

Both Miller and Wantz noted that the band is always looking for new members and donations.

And although the band probably won't be going to France or the Mexican border this year, fans can stay tuned with their schedule at www.westminsterband.com, or by calling 410-848-8852 or 410-857-0344.

E-mail Kevin Dayhoff at kdayhoff AT carr.org.

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20060111 Open Season I Love You You Love Me

Open Season I Love You You Love Me

By Kevin Dayhoff January 11, 2006 6 PM

Today was open season, err - opening day for the Maryland General Assembly (MGA).

I arrived early in Annapolis. Partially because I wanted to see if I could stop by and see a few elected officials and get some bearings on the day and upcoming session in general. And to be sure to get a parking spot in a nearby parking garage.

If you are considering visiting the Maryland General Assembly during the current session that lasts until April 10, 2006, please take a look at: Helpful Hints for 2006 Maryland General Assembly visitors and familiarize yourself with the security procedures.

Not everyone can easily make it down to Annapolis so you may want to check out: Listen to the Maryland General Assembly. At this web site, you can listen to the proceedings on your computer. I believe the sessions are available live. I usually go through the pull down list and listen to past sessions that are available to be heard.

I then proceeded to check off the next big item on my checklist – coffee. I am not a morning person and leaving Westminster at 7:30 AM was not pretty. At this point, I usually sleep walk over to “City Dock Coffee” within very easy walking distance of the Statehouse at 18 market Street.

After obtaining coffee, I found a place to sit in the Statehouse and decided to see if I could find any wireless access. I found a site – but needed a password to get in. I haven’t a clue as to whether that password will be available to members of the press. That will be a future exploration.

If I remember correctly, there is internet access down in the pressroom, on the basement floor of the Statehouse. I didn’t go near there today. The Statehouse was packed with media and I didn’t need wireless from Annapolis today.

A new House of Delegates Office building is being built and apparently, it is running behind schedule. On the House side, the chaos of construction was omnipresent. A visitor was not allowed street-access to the House office building because of construction. In order to get into the House office building, you had to enter the Legislative Services building off Lawyer’s Mall, which is directly in front of the Statehouse. Once inside you went down one floor on the elevator and walked through the tunnel over to the House office building.

I have always been fascinated with the interconnecting tunnels. I have not a clue as to when they were built or any knowledge of their history. I have it noted to research this in the future.

The Statehouse has a tunnel that goes over to the Legislative Services building. From there you can walk, by tunnel over to both the Senate office building and the House office building. This is great to know when the weather is bad, as it so often is for the next ninety days.

As far as catching up with some elected officials before the opening session began at 12 noon – forget it. Not an elected official was to be found. They were all in meetings.

Oh, I did run across Harford County Executive David Craig and his beautiful wife Melinda. I consider David to be a good friend. When I was the Mayor of Westminster, he was the Mayor of Havre de Grace. He has a long history of being an elected official and is very wise and knowledgeable. In the past, he has been a Havre De Grace Councilmember and mayor. He has also served in the Maryland Senate and recently he was appointed Harford county executive when former executive Jim Harkins was appointed to head up MES – Maryland Environmental Services, by Governor Ehrlich.

Finding no elected officials, I made my way back to the Statehouse.

I arrived early to the press area in the House chambers, thinking that I would get a good seat. What was I thinking?

First of all – the press tables had been replaced with a number of rows of chairs for dignitaries. What space remained for the press was – well, very little. Almost non-existent. We all managed. But it was an endurance contest. We all stood for the ninety minutes of the opening session.

The opening session began at exactly 12 noon. I mean, exactly.

After a very very short opening prayer, the first order of business was the election of the Speaker Pro Tem. Piece of cake. Adrienne Jones (D – Dist. 10 Baltimore County) was nominated from the floor; seconded and unanimously accepted by voice vote. Delegate Jones has been a member of House of Delegates since October 21, 1997. She was first elected to be the Speaker Pro Tem in the 2003 legislative session.

So far – so good. Perhaps the spirit of Barney was present? It was a gritted-teeth love-in. All smiles and hugs. Can you sing: “I love you, you love me?”

As I wrote in my Tentacle column for this Thursday, January 12th, 2005: “The Kool-Aid Acid Test:”

“Maybe it is time that we ask for all the delegates and senators to go down several days early for group therapy in problem identification and conflict negotiation counseling? Or arrange for a guest appearance of Barney, the Purple Dinosaur, to lead the opening session in a rousing chorus of “I Love You – You Love Me.”

I asked a colleague who was mashed against me in the press area: “How long the love-in will last?” His prediction – 45 minutes.

He was wrong. It lasted about 12 minutes or until the time came to elect the Speaker of the House. This is when everyone started to squirm in his or her seats. The purpose of opening day is to be very friendly and ceremonial. It is universally accepted that there be no blood left on the floor the first day.

It is in that spirit, that the other day, the Republican Caucus had approached Speaker of the House Michael Erin Busch (D - Dist. 30 Anne Arundel County), to facilitate accepting a floor nomination for House Minority Leader, George C. Edwards (R - Dist. 1A, Garrett & Allegany Counties), to be Speaker of the House. Delegate Edwards has been a member of House of Delegates since January 12, 1983. He has been Minority Leader since the 2003 legislative session. Delegate Edwards didn’t have a snowball chance in heck in being elected, but the Republicans wanted to have the satisfaction of having an election instead of a plebiscite.
The Republican Caucus got three answers: no. No. NO!

I explained this in the “The Kool-Aid Acid Test:”

“For those of you following along in your books at home – there are 141 delegates in the Maryland General Assembly. Ninety-eight are Democrats – so I guess there is a good chance that the Democrats will elect ah, let’s think about this – a Democrat to be the Speaker of the House. Gee, brilliant deduction, eh?”

Michael Erin Busch (D - Dist. 30 Anne Arundel County) was nominated and seconded. When the voice vote was called, Speaker Pro Tem recognized House Minority Leader, George C. Edwards, who requested a roll call vote.

In other words, he asked that the votes for the speaker election be recorded on the huge tally board that overlooks the chamber. Surprise, Delegate Busch was elected by a vote of 95 to 34. Yes, for those math wizards reading along at home; that totals 129. There was an absence or two, but all the Republicans in the Anne Arundel contingent did not vote, perhaps appropriately, out of respect for their fellow county colleague.
Dignitaries were recognized and there was a moving series of tributes paid to the very popular Delegate Tony E. Fulton (D – District 40 Baltimore City,) who had passed way last May 20, 2005.

There were also some remarks by Speaker of the House Busch and Governor Ehrlich…

The “Calendar of Vetoed Duplicative Bills” on the “Consent Calendar #1” was put to a vote. These are the House bills that were approved in the last session of the legislature, but were for various reasons, duplicative. They are routinely vetoed by the governor and the House routinely votes to sustain the veto.

The “Calendar of Vetoed Policy Bills #2” was special ordered until Friday. In other words – they will vote on them on Friday instead of on opening day.

The ninety minutes went by quickly and at approximately 1:30 PM, it was all over.

The large lobby area between the House and Senate chambers was packed with opening day visitors. It is an interesting ritual. Media folks hunted down various elected officials for the obligatory “Opening Day in Annapolis” pieces.

One of the better primers for the opening of the 421st session of the Maryland General Assembly was written by my boss at the Westminster Eagle. Can you say: “suck-up?” Whatever. Please see his editorial: “A few key issues could set mood.” In part he wrote:

“While we hope for the best, there are a few keys issues facing the assembly that could give us an indication of whether partisan politics will rule in Annapolis.”

Another good piece on opening day and this year’s legislative session is today’s Frederick News Post article by Clifford G. Cumber: General Assembly gets ready to rumble. Writing for the Gazette, Doug Tallman and Thomas Dennison always do a good job covering the Maryland General Assembly. Their preview on opening day can be found at: As session dawns, veto overrides in play

For a good primer on the weekly “progress” of the Maryland General Assembly, please begin with reading General Assembly Journal 2006 - Part 1 and A 2006 Session Primer by Richard B. Weldon, Jr. (R – Dist. 3B, Frederick & Washington Counties.) Delegate Weldon had been writing a weekly commentary about his experiences in the Maryland General Assembly, ever since he first started representing Washington and Frederick counties in January 2003.

Other web sites that you may wish to visit are: Fired Up Maryland, Soccer Dad and The Hedgehog Report… to mention a few… Fired Up Maryland usually takes the Democratic Party point of view and Soccer Dad and The Hedgehog Report usually takes a conservative point of view. The Hedgehop Report also reports on many Howard County politics.

In the future, you may want to go and read the coverage of Bryan P. Sears in the Towson Times.

One of the best-kept secrets in political writing these days is the work of Justin Palk with the Carroll County Times. Mr. Palk has covered the Maryland General Assembly for four years… This will be his fourth year. Three years with the Carroll County Times and one year with the Capital News Service. For a short, quick and accurate view of the day-to-day reporting of the MGA, you will have a hard time finding better reporting.

I’d like to try and get down to Annapolis personally as often as possible, and bring you the latest on the Maryland General Assembly. Between personal trips, I’ll bring you as many updates as time will allow.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
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