20070718 Those losing jobs at Merc get 11 pages of spaghetti by Jay Hancock

Those losing jobs at Merc get 11 pages of spaghetti

Jay Hancock

July 18, 2007

As psychological trauma goes, losing a job ranks with divorce and the death of a loved one at the top of the scale.

Shame there's so much paperwork. The 11-page contract that laid-off employees from PNC Financial Services Group must sign is the most complicated severance deal I've seen for anybody without a regular seat on a corporate jet.

Hundreds of former Mercantile Bankshares workers have to think about whether to select "Option A" or "Option B" in their PNC separation deals. They're supposed to apply for state unemployment benefits, even while collecting severance checks from the company. They must decide whether to extend medical coverage, sign a confidentiality agreement and agree not to sue.

All while worrying about lost income, looking for a new job and potentially sinking into depression, which is common for the jobless.

"You have been advised to review this agreement and discuss your options with an attorney you choose," reads the PNC severance contract. Who can afford a lawyer? These folks are about to be unemployed.

[…]

In March, Pittsburgh-based PNC paid $6 billion for Mercantile, a legendary Baltimore institution and the largest banking company still based in Maryland.

PNC told more than 900 Mercantile employees in Maryland and nearby states that their jobs are gone. Hundreds are in Maryland, including 323 in Linthicum, where Mercantile had a back office.

Read his entire column here: Those losing jobs at Merc get 11 pages of spaghetti

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20070718 Westminster Eagle week in review

Westminster Eagle week in review

July 18, 2007

Kevin E. Dayhoff Thursday, July 19 Barnes keeps adapting to meet changing needs of law enforcement

Westminster Police Department Captain Randy D. Barnes, 50, graduated on June 8 from the 229th session of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

The Westminster mayor and Common Council recognized Captain Barnes at the last council meeting.

Westminster Common Council president Roy ... [Read full story]

Local News

Rides and fries keep Reese carnival spinning

More than 160 50-pound bags of potatoes will be peeled, washed, hand sliced and fried this week to make one of the signature dishes of the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Department's Carnival -- french fries.

"They're the best fries around," boasts Dave Reese, a volunteer who handles the fries... [Read full story]

News Briefs

Environs plan set for public hearing July 30

The county's update of the Westminster Environs Plan will face a dual public information session and public hearing on Monday, July 30, at the County Office Building.

The Westminster Environs Community Plan is designed to direct growth and development... [Read full story]

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Local Scout followed a faithful path to Eagle

When Richard Lyons began planning a service project to earn his Eagle Scout designation, he wanted to do something for his church community, St. John's Catholic Church in Westminster.

The 17-year-old rising senior at Westminster High School had in mind building a bell tower, but officials at St. J... [Read full story]

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Tasty menu for fun at 'Surf and Turf' festival

Offering summertime fun -- and food -- the Carroll County Farm Museum and the Maryland Cattleman's Association are sponsoring this weekend's "Surf and Turf" festival on the museum grounds.

The festival runs this Saturday, July 21, noon to 7 p.m.

Featuring crabs from Salerno's of Eldersburg and b... [Read full story]

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Pond set for fall facelift

The popular Westminster Community Pond off Route 140 is scheduled for an upgrade with new playground equipment, new pavilions and improvements to the pond's shoreline in the works.

And along with that facelift, county officials hope the State Highway Administration will also approve a new ... [Read full story]

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Harry Potter casting one final spell on readers

Magicians and muggles throughout Carroll County will be gathering in the wee hours of Friday morning -- including at the Carroll Arts Center -- for a bittersweet celebration, as the final Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," becomes available at local retailers and librar... [Read full story]

Focus on People

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Community Calendar

ARTS

The Tony Scuito Band will perform in a free concert Saturday, July 21, 1 p.m. at Locust Lane, downtown Westminster off Main Street. The Tony Scuito Band has toured with groups including the Little River band. The concert is sponsored by Coffey Music and Towles Marketing. For details, call ... [Read full story]

Doug... A Little Deeper

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Anybody else out there who's 'not yet a candidate'?

One of the best strategies for quickly moving up in the presidential polls is to be a candidate who's not yet a candidate.

I'm not sure if it this is the result of wanting what we can't have, the grass being greener on the other side of the fence or the hope that someone not yet in the race ... [Read full story]

Opinion

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Westminster Environs plan is sneak peek at coming attractions

Editorial

It's a long way from blueprints to reality, but as most people know (or at least anyone who's assembled a bicycle), you have to take one step at a time if you want to see a mission accomplished.

That's why, even in the dead of summer, it's important to focus on a community meeting and ... [Read full story]

Wolf at the Door

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Sky's the limit when arguing pros and cons of airports

When I receive a letter that's right on the money, I have an obligation to respond. We received just such a letter from Captain Allan Greene of Westminster, who faulted us for writing that we put our aircraft throttles forward against the stops upon takeoff.

He then detailed in his letter that he ... [Read full story]

The Passing Parade

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Sadly, reports of its demise are a bit premature

The mock funeral held by the NAACP at its national convention in Detroit on July 9 -- for the purpose of putting to rest once and for all the "N-word" -- may have been a noble gesture. But while that despicable term may be in its death throes, it's still a long way from being interred forevermore. [Read full story]

For Better or Worse

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Guilt: It's what's for dinner

"Dinner's ready!"

Doug sat down at the table. I put his plate in front of him and said, "Enjoy."

He looked down, then looked up at me, then looked down at the plate again.

"What is this?" he asked.

"A grilled cheese sandwich."

"This," said Doug, jabbing at his plate with his index finger, ... [Read full story]

[Local news archives]

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Continuing saga of Westminster's Library

Throughout Carroll County history there's always been an emphasis on education, church, civic and fraternal organizations, theatrical and singing clubs, community bands and seasonal celebrations.

Historically, folks in Carroll are known for coming together to overcome adversity and make things hap... [Read full story]

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Library has been at the center of the bookshelf in Westminster history

As noted in Katie Jones' story in The Eagle on June 13, plans were recently announced for the renovation of the 27-year-old Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library.

This news prompted some discussions of the history and origins of the library in Westminster. Of course, the histor... [Read full story]

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Carroll working to save and share 'Our Barn'

I recently had the opportunity to visit Carroll County's historic Marlin K. Hoff log barn, which was built between 1785 and 1795.

Those accompanying me included Community Media Center videographers Joe Cimino and Rod Boudreaux, who are planning an educational video of the barn and its relocation t... [Read full story]

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Commissioners should start 'coffin' up cash on 144-year-old debt

On June 23 and 24, Westminster and the Pipe Creek Civil War Round Table will host a commemoration of the 144th anniversary of Corbit's Charge.

For those unaware of this piece of history:

On June 29, 1863, Capt. Charles Corbit led approximately 100 Union cavalrymen from the 1st Delaware Cavalry, ... [Read full story]

Winchester Report:

Thursday, July 19

Captain Randy Barnes graduates from the FBI National Academy

June is the season when many friends and family come together to celebrate graduations. It was perhaps no different for friends, colleagues, and members of the Barnes family who celebrated Randy Barnes’ recent graduation.

All right, maybe it was a little different; for you see Westminster Police Department Captain Randy D. Barnes, 50, graduated on June 8 from the 229th session of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. FBI Director Robert S., Mueller, III, presented him with his diploma. The academy, which began in 1935, has to date, had more than 37... [Read full story]

20070718 News Clips

News Clips

July 18, 2007

STATE NEWS

Income taxes a likely focus in Md. budget debate
http://www.examiner.com/a-834082~Income_taxes_a_likely_focus_in_Md__budget_debate.html
Higher income taxes for the wealthy - and possible income tax cuts for the poor - are being considered by Gov. Martin O'Malley as he plans to fix a looming budget deficit. "I'm in favor of progressive taxation, where people who make a lot more pay more," O'Malley told reporters. House Republican Leader Anthony O'Donnell said the GOP does not think Maryland needs to raise any taxes to fix the deficit. "Marylanders are not undertaxed. ... What we have is a spending problem," O'Donnell said.

O'Malley endorses Rawlings-Blake
Governor backs longt ime ally for City Council president in tight race with Sarbanes
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.endorse18jul18,0,7823292.story
Taking a brief foray back into Baltimore politics yesterday, Gov. Martin O'Malley endorsed longtime ally Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake's bid to become City Council president in what is shaping up to be one of the closest races of this year's election. While O'Malley has been involved in the council president's race, he has steered clear of the mayor's campaign. Asked yesterday whether he intended to endorse a candidate in that race, he said: "We'll answer those questions on another day."

Schools average a grade of D-plus
49% say education is among the city's top two challenges
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.ci.schools18jul18,0,551088.story
The Baltimore school system earned poor marks from Democratic voters in the city, according to a new Sun poll, which shows education second only to crime as the most important issue in this year's mayoral election. Asked to grade the city schools, respondents gave the system an average mark of D-plus. Forty-two percent selected grades of D or Fail. "It's only because crime is such a big issue that schools are not jumping off the charts," said Steve Raabe, president of OpinionWorks, a nonpartisan Annapolis firm that conducted the poll for The Sun.

Council, schools clash on funding
County demands explanation for budget transfers of $13.9 million
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.showdown18jul18,0,4125681.story
Suspicious that school leaders are quietly expanding their bureaucracy, the Anne Arundel County Council has given them two weeks to explain how they scraped together $13.9 million to fund programs that county officials had previously rejected.
The school district also asked the council to increase the system's $869 million budget by $2.3 million to pay for climbing utility costs and the redesign of Annapolis High School. County Executive John R. Leopold yesterday sent a letter urging the county council to deny the school's request for $2.3 million to cover higher utility costs, saying, "I believe the Board of Education has failed to take advantage of opportunities to reduce these expenses."

Mama, who was that masked man?
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella18jul18,0,502590.column
Maybe Maryland Dems should put MD4BUSH back to work. The state party seems to have lost the art of political cyber-sleuthing.
Last week, the party sent out a long news release that opened with this claim: "Evidence is mounting that former Governor Bob Ehrlich and his new North Carolina law firm's Maryland-based staff are the driving forces behind a totally anonymous and controversial smear website." The party attached an e-mail that Ehrlich's once-and-current spokesman, Henry Fawell, sent during work hours to a reporter. It outlines "a very odd land deal" that the O'Malley administration had proposed, involving 74 acres of industrially zoned land in Queen Anne's County.Sorry, but all that proves is that Fawell isn't the only one who thinks the deal is fishy. By that reasoning, Compt roller Peter Franchot and Treasurer Nancy Kopp could be omalleywatch, too.

Of the GOP, by the GOP, for the GOP
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.vozzella18jul18,0,502590.column
A video on a new Web site called mdforfred purports to show the average "man on the street" in Bel Air singing the praises of presidential hopeful Fred Thompson, The Sun's Justin Fenton reports. One is Mike Geppi, chairman of the Harford County Republican Central Committee. Another is Scott Gibson, the county director of human resources, who was appointed to the $100,000-a-year position at the age of 24, after working hard on County Executive David Craig's campaign last fall. The only one whose GOP credentials are made clear is state Sen. J. Robert Hooper.

Carroll's del egates fare better on environment
http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2007/07/18/features/in_focus/focus995.txt
For those who don't remember middle school grammar, oxymoron means combining two words with opposite meanings, like "awfully good" or "deafening silence." Many people would say "Republican environmentalist" is an oxymoron. But some Carroll County Republicans have helped improve the party's environmental reputation. Just as national environmental groups score our federal elected officials, Environment Maryland, in conjunction with the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, has scored our state elected officials for the 2007 legislative session. According to its Web site, "Environment Maryland is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization." All four of Carroll's delegates scored 50 percent or higher. Although all three senators scored below 50 percent, David Brinkley and Larry Haines scored significantly higher than their lifetime scores.

Senator picks up endorsements from Anne Arundel County delegates in his House bid
http://www.examiner.com/a-833726~Senator_picks_up_endorsements_from_Anne_Arundel_County_delegates_in_his_House_bid.html
Two Anne Arundel County Republican delegates announced Tuesday their support for Sen. Andy Harris in his bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Wayne Gilchrest. But these same two delegates, Steve Schuh and James King, were also listed as "hosts" of a "fundraising picnic" in Severna Park last Friday for Gilchrest, the nine-term Republican congressman. "I was honored to do so," said King, a local restaurant owner. "It was not looked on as an endorsement."

Bay Bridge repairs to take longer than planned
http://www.delmarvanow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/NEWS01/70718028
Repairs to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge will take about six months longer than planned, leading to nighttime lane closings through fall of 2009, the Maryland Transit Authority reports. The delay comes because of changes to the authority's plan for replacing the deck on the westbound span. Authority spokeswoman Cheryl Sparks said officials haven't yet decided whether to suspend work in the summer months, when traffic on the bridge is heaviest.


NATIONAL NEWS

Ruppersberger wants company to with draw LNG plant application
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-md.co.digest18jul18,0,3436995.story
Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger is calling upon federal regulators to direct AES Corp. to withdraw its application to build a liquefied natural gas terminal on Sparrows Point.
Last month, a federal judge upheld a Baltimore County law that bans LNG plants from sensitive coastal areas such as Sparrows Point. Because of the federal court ruling, Ruppersberger wrote, "It seems the wisest course of action is for the applicant to cancel this proposal and begin the search for a better, safer, and more environmentally appropriate alternative elsewhere."

Congressman wants kids out of classroom, into nature
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/07_17-29/TOP
When President Bush and Congress touted the landmark No Child Left Behind education law, some said they left something out: learning about the great outdoors. Last week, Rep. John P. Sarbanes, D-Towson, introduced the "No Child Left Inside" bill, which would require states to develop goals for "environmental literacy" of graduates. It also would provide grant money for environmental education and teacher training. At a news conference yesterday at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation headquarters in Bay Ridge, Mr. Sarbanes said students need solid environmental footing to make important decisions about global warming, air pollution and water pollution.

On Iraq vote, Senate goes to the mattresses
GOP decries tactic as Democrats arrange overnight session in pullout bid
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/world/iraq/bal-te.warvote18jul18,0,3388594.story
By mid-afternoon yesterday, Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski -- an experienced hand at Senate all-nighters -- had picked out her cot in the Capitol's ornate LBJ Room yesterday. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin, a rookie preparing for his first overnight session in the upper chamber, broke out the bedding that his staff had given him for just such an occasion. Both were preparing for a long night ahead, a marathon floor debate between Democrats demanding a vote to pull U.S. soldiers out of Iraq and Republicans who have been using Senate rules to block the move. Republicans denounced the whole thing as a publicity stunt.

Officials seek U.S. funds to protect witnesses
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-md.ci.witness18jul18,0,6760942.story
Baltimore prosecutors can produce a long list of witnesses who have been intimidated, injured or killed. Yesterday, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings and Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy announced that they are seeking federal help to protect witnesses. "People are tired," Cummings said. "They are tired of seeing their loved ones harmed. And when it comes time to gather the evidence, nobody saw it because everybody's scared."He said he is proposing a bill called the Witness Security and Protection Act, which would provide $90 million in federal money to local jurisdictions over three years.

New Hotline Offers Parenting Advice On Drug Abuse
http://wjz .com/local/local_story_198181554.html
A new hotline was recently unveiled, which was designed to give Maryland parents help with keeping their children drug-free.
"So often we see [and] hear from parents who simply want some answers. They really don't know what to do," said Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. Cummings was at a press conference Tuesday promoting the services and hotlines offered to adults who want advice on discussing drug issues with their children.

20070719 Quote of the Day - Forgiveness

Quote of the Day – Della will tellya – Let go.

Thursday, July 19^th, 2007

Della will tellya

“My idea of forgiveness is letting go of resentment that does not serve your better interest, ridding yourself of negative thoughts. All they do is make you miserable. Believe me, you can fret and fume all you want, but whoever it was that wronged you is not suffering from your anguish whatsoever.”

Della Reese Actor

Thanks TC

20070718 Frederick News-Post coverage of recent Waste to Energy discussions

Frederick News-Post coverage of recent Waste to Energy discussions

July 18, 2007

For more information on Waste Management and Waste to Energy issues please click on: Environmentalism Solid Waste Management; Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Waste to Energy; or… Energy Independence or the label, Environmentalism.

Recent articles and editorials in the Frederick News-Post on the Waste-to-Energy solid waste management option:

Exploring options

| Editorial | By: | 07/18/07 | 509 words

The forum included a number of "experts" promoting several important options for handling the county's solid waste problem. Among them were area waste management officials touting the success of their counties' aggressive recycling programs, and the executive director of a regional waste disposal authority which is advising that a waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator is the answer to the county's trash problems in the future.

County officials still talking trash

| Front Page | By: Pamela Rigaux | 07/15/07 | 498 words

In fact, Harford was pro-recycling even before a 1988 Maryland Law required residents there to recycle 20 percent of their trash, said Robert Ernst, Harford County's recycling manager.

Trash talk

| Editorial | By: | 07/11/07 | 400 words

That doesn't mean that any solution(s) they ultimately decide on are going to sit well with all residents. So far, every attempt to address Frederick County's mounting (pun intended) trash problems have been met with resistance from other-minded people, including environmentalists, recycling enthusiasts and, in particular, those whose lives and property would be most impacted.

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Report dead links

20070718 July Meeting of the Carroll County Community Association set

July Meeting of the Carroll County Community Association set

Carroll County Community Association

(For past posts about the Carroll County Community Association on “Soundtrack”)

July Meeting

Westminster Library main meeting room

Monday July 30th from 7:00 - 9:00 PM

CCCA provides a place to express concerns about zoning, development, and landfill issues.

Members are residents who are interested in preserving the quality of life in Carroll County, concerned about property values, growing congestion, traffic and the preservation of important areas of the county for future generations.

This meeting is open to the public.

7-8:00 Community & Environmental Defense Services (CEDS) president Richard Klein will explain how to win a battle involving a proposed highway, landfill, shopping center, airport expansion, dam building, or housing project.

He will also explain how to preserve all or part of a property before a development company arrives on the scene.

Additionally, he will compare how well Carroll County growth management programs compare with those administered by the other counties in Maryland.

Klein is the author of How To Win Land Development Issues, a 280-page book which is available free on www.ceds.org.

CEDS consists of a nationwide network of legal and paralegal professionals who assist citizens and community groups with development issues that threaten a neighborhood or the environment. Presently, seventy-five percent of the those helped by CEDS have won to preserve their communities or their favorite streams, lakes, or parks.

For more info contact help@ceds.org.

8-9:00 CCCA will discuss the airport expansion, incinerator, dam and reservoir, new Manchester high school and Manchester bypass. Hear a discussion about the potential value of the bog turtle for Carroll County, for Maryland tourism, the environment, the local economy, and the heritage of Carroll County residents.

For more info contact Clemmy@marylandturtle.org

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20070719 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Thursday, July 19, 2007

The Wrong Direction

John W. Ashbury

Revisionist history curdles the mind. Examples of how we interpret our past in the mindset of today are so very numerous because "political correctness" has invaded our society to the point of being ridiculous.

A recent example here in Frederick is the remarks of Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who interpreted the Dred Scott Decision of 1857 in light of today's morals and societal evolution. His comments were almost in direct opposition to those made by the late Chief Justice of The United States, William Rehnquist, who spoke to the same group a few years ago.

Chief Justice Roger Brooke Taney, who resided in Frederick for more than two decades in the early 19th Century, headed a court that did not make law. Rather, the rulings by his court were anchored in the law of the land as passed by Congress and held constitutional by the court.

Waxing Poetic

Chris Cavey

The past two weeks seem to have been devoted to taxes. Property tax bills filled the carts, bags and trucks of mail carriers. Rumors out of Annapolis, gibberish from the Internet and speculation by the media have also been filled with tax increase speculation.

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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Three-Time Loser: Part II

Roy Meachum

Accompanied by her palm-weaving claque singing hosannas, Jennifer Dougherty ascended to the ante-bellum (barely) former courthouse and proceeded to act as if she had been - like many third world leaders claim - elected for life. That was January, 2002.

Lady Bird Johnson - Steel Magnolia

Kevin E. Dayhoff

A week ago today, Lady Bird Johnson, the celebrated wife of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, passed away at age 94.

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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Three Time Loser: Part One

Roy Meachum

Politicians' mentalities can amuse. I do not mean the basic conceit. After all, someone must win. Why shouldn't it be me, they say. I applaud that approach. Indeed, why not? The lottery's millions can be attributed to the basic notion. Why not me? I whole-heartedly cheer risk takers.

The Growing Chasm

Farrell Keough

Our "smart growth" Board of County Commissioners is at it again. Rather than a thorough and thoughtful approach, the heavy hand of government approach is once again the chosen tool of enforcement.

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Monday, July 16, 2007

Taxes, or Cuts and Slots

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Last Tuesday, Gov. Martin O'Malley rolled out his proposed budget cuts. They are designed to ease the $1.5 billion structural deficit facing Maryland in the next budget.

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Friday, July 13, 2007

Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson

Roy Meachum

She was never Lady Bird to me. We were Mrs. and Mister to each other each time we met. And during her husband's presidential years, I was in and out of the White House frequently. Bess Clements Abell brought me there.

Handicapping 2008

Edward Lulie III

It's early, but what the heck, let's have some fun and do an initial handicapping of the 2008 presidential race. We won't even bother with the numerous "second tier" candidates (Ron Paul, Joe Biden, etc.) because they will all fade out of the race as time goes by.

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Thursday, July 12, 2007

Tums Won’t Solve This Problem

John W. Ashbury

There is a large segment of Frederick County’s population that is being ignored by its elected officials. These taxpayers have paid their dues time and again, with a whimper mostly.

Time to Make A Change

Patricia A. Kelly

Michael Moore has done it again. He has succeeded in producing a political statement for public viewing as a movie in mainstream theaters. He succeeds where many films of significant artistic merit fail. He's playing in Frederick.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

"90 Seconds"

Kevin E. Dayhoff

It was nothing short of cruel irony that I happened to be on a guided tour of the United States Military Academy at West Point on the very day The New York Times editorialized for the United States to unconditionally surrender in Iraq. It was this past Sunday.

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Frederick Love Story

Roy Meachum

The story begins almost nine years ago on a lovely October Saturday afternoon, which I was enjoying on the front porch. It was in the old house, farther up North Market. A tall hedge still ran completely around the yard's outer rim, keeping out of sight both people and cars.

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20070718 Commissioner Zimmer to host three town meetings

Zimmer to host first of three 'town meetings'

July 18^th, 2007

Carroll County Commissioner Michael Zimmer will host the first of three "I'm Glad You Asked" Town Hall meetings this Thursday, July 19, beginning at 7 p.m. at the North Carroll Library, 2255 Hanover Pike, Greenmount.

The meetings are designed to seek public comment on various topics and field audience questions.

Additional sessions, both at 7 p.m., will be held in Westminster and Eldersburg, as follows:

*July 26 at the Westminster Library, 50 E. Main St., Westminster; and

*August 2 at the Eldersburg Library, 6400 Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpID=978&NewsID=823081&CategoryID=17320&show=localnews&om=1

20070718 Quote of the day - The Happiest People

Quote of the day - The Happiest People

Wednesday, July 18^th, 2007

“The happiest people seem to be those who are producing something; the bored people are those who are consuming much and producing nothing.”

William Ralph Inge (1860-1954) Cleric and writer

Thanks TC

20070717 State must investigate abuse of students - Commentary by Frank Keegan

State must investigate abuse of students

July 18^th, 2007

Frank Keegan, writing in the Examiner asks some important questions for us to consider over the matter of Timothy Gounaris. If you will recall, this is the gentleman who “taught at three area schools, two of them after he was forced to resign in 2000 over allegations he sexually abused students….”

It seems at a quick glance that the more layers of this matter that are peeled back, the more it gets curiouser and curiouser.

And just what did happen with Harford County (Dist. 34,) Republican Sen. Nancy Jacobs’ legislation that she filed in the Maryland General Assembly to address this very sort of issue? Actually, I honestly do not remember and I have made a few phone calls myself…

Meanwhile Mr. Keegan writes:

Commentary by Frank Keegan: State must investigate abuse of students

Frank Keegan, The Examiner 2007-07-17

BALTIMORE –

To any officials who claim the system worked in finally getting sexual predator Timothy Gounaris out of the public school system: Not good enough.

Gounaris taught at three area schools, two of them after he was forced to resign in 2000 over allegations he sexually abused students.

How can this happen? His plea in Baltimore County Circuit Court and sentence to 18 months in prison falls far short of answering that question.

The state must assure parents they do not send their children to school every day to be captive prey for abusers. Administrators must prove to taxpayers they are — at minimum — protecting children with the ever-increasing money extorted from us for continually declining results.

A judge last week sentenced Gounaris, on an “Alford” plea to a third-degree sex offense, meaning he maintains his innocence but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him….

[…[

Maryland’s failure to prosecute this case to the maximum and put the criminal and every public official involved on the stand under oath to get some answers is a failure to act in the people’s interest.

[…]

A bill by Harford County Republican Sen. Nancy Jacobs, (Dist. 34,) went nowhere last year, as did a promise by the state to require teachers who surrender certificates to reapply instead of just getting them automatically. The Department of Education promised “they were going to try to do it through regulation,” Jacobs said Monday.

But the Professional Standards and Teachers Education Board blocked the reforms. “I will introduce another bill,” Jacobs said.

[…]

Read his entire commentary here: Commentary by Frank Keegan: State must investigate abuse of students

… and then start asking some questions yourself…

Thank you Mr. Keegan for calling this to our attention.

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20070718 Lady Bird Johnson - Steel Magnolia

My Tentacle column is up on the web site.

July 18, 2007

Lady Bird Johnson - Steel Magnolia

Kevin E. Dayhoff

A week ago today, Lady Bird Johnson, the celebrated wife of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, passed away at age 94.

A Texan, she was born Claudia Alta Taylor on December 22, 1912, but her family called her "Lady." In her teenage years her classmates called her "Bird." It has been reported that she did not care for that nickname at that time, but it did stick. Later, her husband also referred to her as "Bird."

There are many reasons to celebrate the life and accomplishments of this steel magnolia of first ladies. Her husband was president at a tumultuous time in our nation's history. For many younger readers, President Johnson's term of office - from November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969 - might very well be characterized as "ancient history;" but many of us baby boomers remember it well.

(For an excellent first hand personal account of Mrs. Johnson, be sure to read Roy Meachum's "Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson" published on The Tentacle July 13.)

The outpouring of public affection for the former first lady, associated by many as part of the 1960s of long ago history, has caught many younger people by surprise.

Many have read, since her death, about how she championed conservation issues. Interestingly enough, she did not use the word environmentalist, but as much as anyone, she was an environmental pioneer.

Her lasting legacy of cleaning-up roadside America, her interest in wildflowers, conservation, and public beautification are only a small part of her rightful place in history as one of America's great public servants.

Other reports recall how she worked tirelessly for her husband's political career. One adjective that has frequently been used is "tenacious." That is certainly an appropriate way to characterize her support of her husband, whom history has appropriately remembered as one of the more "cantankerous," (to put it politely) political actors of all time.

What isn't as well reported was her incredible influence upon her husband and her advocacy for civil rights, education and housing initiatives, and welfare programs, including Head Start. Remember, it was President Johnson who signed the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law. You should also know that then-Senate Majority Leader Johnson was largely responsible for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Read the rest here: Lady Bird Johnson - Steel Magnolia

20070716 Monday evening sunset

Monday evening sunset

Daily Photoblog

Posted July 18^th, 2007

Monday evening I was doing some landscaping work at the 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County Arena at the Carroll County Agriculture Center and as I was leaving I was amazed with the sunset.

We’re trying to get things ready for this year’s Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.

This year’s Fair is scheduled for: July 28- August 3, 2007. For more information call: 410-848-FAIR or go to: http://www.carrollcountyfair.com/

For more articles and information on “Soundtrack” about the Fair click here: Carroll Co. 4-H Fair

Of course the sunset reminded me of the 1966 song by

The Cyrkle - Red Rubber Ball

20070718 SDOSM July 28 through August 3 2007 Fair Schedule

July 28 through August 3 2007 Fair Schedule

Posted July 18^th, 2007

Tentative Schedule – 2007 Carroll County 4-H FFA Fair (Final)

http://www.carrollcountyfair.com/2007/PDFS/FairSchedule%20Final.pdf

(Subject to Change without notice)

Carroll County 4H & FFA Fair: July 28- August 3, 2007

For more information call: 410-848-FAIR

or go to: http://www.carrollcountyfair.com/

For more articles and information on “Soundtrack” about the Fair click here: Carroll Co. 4-H Fair

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20Co.%204-H%20Fair

Friday, May 25, 2007– Writing Entries Due

Friday, June 15, 2007 – Fair Entry Deadline

Friday, June 29, 2007- Grandparent Essay Contest entries due

Beginning after July 5, 2007- Vegetable, Flower & Herb Gardens Judged

July 14, 2007 – Fashion Fun Fest

Wednesday, July 18, 2007- 6:30pm- Rabbit Judging Practicum

Saturday July 21 – 8am Set Up Livestock Area

10 am – Arc Welding Contest

Sunday July 22

8 am Set Up Indoor Exhibit Area, Set Up Livestock Area if Needed

Thursday, July 26

8 am – 8 pm Fair Beautification Entry Set Up

9 am – 1 pm Booths and Banners Entered

9am – 12 noon Engineering & Technology Exhibits Entered & Judged

10 am – 12 noon Shoe Box Floats entered and judged

2 pm – 5 pm Craft Department Exhibits Entered and Judged

3 pm – 6 pm General Department Exhibits Entered and Judged

Friday July 27

9 am Tractor Operator Contest and Certification

10 am Fair Beautification Exhibits Judged

11am Garden Tractor/Small Engine Operator Contest

2 pm – 5 pm Garden Exhibits Entered and Judged, Mechanical Arts Entered and Judged

2pm – 5pm Photography Department Exhibits Entered and Judged

3 pm – 5 pm Clothing and Silk & Dried Floral Exhibits Entered and Judged

3 pm – 6 pm Art Department Exhibits Entered and judged

3 pm – 7 pm Poultry Exhibits Entered

7:30 pm Interstate Tractor Pullers $10 Gate Admission (Open class of local pullers starts at 5pm)

Daily: Pig and Geese Races- Times TBA; Pedal Tractors-Times TBA; Ag Stravaganza-Times TBA;

Silent Auction-Shipley Arena; Roving Act: Stilt Man; Fame Racing Action Motor Sports Entertainment

Saturday, July 28

8 am Breeding Swine Exhibits in Place

8 am – 1 pm Carroll County Farmers Market

8:30 am – 12 noon Woodworking Department Exhibits entered and judged

9am – 1pm Indoor Building Closed to the Public for Judging

9 am – 4 pm Robotics Demonstration and Friendly Competition -Activity Tent

9 am Bicycle Contest, Breeding Beef Heifer Exhibits in Place, Breeding Swine Show followed by Breeding Meat Goat, Breeding Beef Heifer and Breeding Sheep Shows, Rocket Entry and Judging

9 am – 11 am Ag Commodities, Canning , Club Books, Natural Resources, Home Environment and Family Life Dept Exhibits Entered and Judged; Wool Exhibits entered in Ag Commodities area ( judging on Tuesday)

9 am – 12 noon Plants and Flowers Department and Clover Department Exhibits Entered and Judged

9am – 2pm Mini Horse Show (Upper Rings)

10 am Alpaca Show-TRP, Breeding Sheep Exhibits in Place

10 am – 12 noon Lost Arts Department Exhibit Entry and Judging

12 noon Rocket Launched; Children’s Pedal Pull Registration

1 pm Children’s Pedal Pull

1 pm – 3 pm Learning Stations Entered and Judged

1 pm – 10 pm Indoor Exhibits Open to the Public

1:30pm – 3:30 pm Service Learning Exhibits Entered & Judged

2:30 pm - 4 pm Liberty Belles (Baton Twirlers) in front of Shipley Arena

2:30 pm Tri-Star Martial Arts Demonstration – Finch Stage

3 pm Consumer Education Judging Contest

4 pm Clover Food Entry Bake Sale;

5 pm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Conservation Awards

5:30 pm Garden Tractor Pull–Upper Rings

6pm-9pm Market Livestock Arrive at Fair

7 pm “Be A Farmer Contest” Agstravaganza Tent,

Sunday July 29

7 am – 9am Market Livestock Exhibits Arrive at Fair

8 am Automotive Contest

9 am –9:00 pm Indoor Exhibit Building Open to the Public

9 am Dog Show, Market Goat Weigh In

9 am – 12 noon Rabbit Exhibits Entered

10 am Non-Denominational Worship Service conducted by Fellowship of Christian Farmers- Weigh in Market Swine and Sheep, Carriage Show

12 noon Gospel Travelers Concert-Activity Tent; Livestock Orientation,

1 pm Mule Show and Jump; Children’s Pedal Pull Registration;

2 pm Children’s Pedal Pull;

3 pm Clover Small Pet Show-Shipley Arena

3:30 pm Horse Drill Team- Upper Rings

4 pm Clover Poultry Exhibits Judged; Small Animal Dress Up-Shipley Arena

5:30 pm Parade Line Up TBA

6 pm Parade

7:30 pm Farm Bureau Contest-Activity Tent, Santmyer Family – Finch Stage

Monday July 30

8 am Rabbit Exhibits Judged; English Horse Show; Beef Steers in Place/ Weigh In

9 am – 10 pm Indoor Exhibit Building Open To the Public

9 am Poultry Exhibits Judged;

9 am – 7 pm Dairy Cattle, Dairy Steers, Dairy Goat Exhibits Entered

12 Noon Meat Goat Department Show;

2 pm Poultry Showmanship Contest

3pm Beef Clip Out Contest

5 pm Mini Fashion Review Activities Tent; Sheep Showmanship, Shepherd Classes and Club Groups

6:30 pm Carroll County Performing Arts Club-Activity Tent

7:30 pm Demolition Derby – Upper Rings

8 pm Karaoke-Activity Tent

7pm Dairy Cattle Exhibits in Place

7:15 Dairy Goat Orientation in tent out front

8 pm Dairy Exhibitor Orientation in tent out front; Entertainment Activities Tent TBA

8:30 pm Dairy Fit-Out Contest

Tuesday July 31

7:30 am – 8:30 am Dairy Steer Weigh in

8am Swine Showmanship

9 am – 8pm Indoor Exhibit Building Open To Public

9 am – 2 pm Children’s Day Activities

9 am Dairy Goat Fitting and Showing Followed by Breeding Goat Show in tent

9:30 am Horticulture Judging Contest

3 pm Dairy Goat Team fit out contest

4 pm Shepherds Lead Contest-Shipley Arena

5:30pm Market Sheep Show

7 pm Skid Steer Contest; Salem Bottom Boys-Activities Tent

Wednesday August 1

8 am Western Horse Show

9am – 1pm Indoor Building Closed to the Public for Judging

9 am – 11:30 am Food Exhibits Entered and Judged

9 am Rabbit Fitting & Showing Contest

10:30 am – 5 pm Medford & Nathan Blizzard Halls Closed for Cake Auction Prep.

12 Noon Market Swine Show

1pm – 10:30pm Medford & Alesia Buildings Open to the Public

6:15 pm Hall of Fame and Friends of the Fair Awards

6:30 pm – 10:30 pm Bake Sale of items Not in Cake Auction-Red Bldg.

7 pm Cake Auction; Horse Pull

Thursday August 2

8 am – 9 pm Sr. Citizen Exhibits Entered and Judged

9 am – 10 pm Indoor Exhibit Building Open to Public

8:30 am Dairy Judging Contest

10 am – 12 noon Small Pet Exhibits entered and judged

10 am Poultry Judging Contest

12 noon Beef Cattle Fitting & Showing Contest followed by

Dairy Steer Fitting and Showing Contest and Dairy Steer Show ( approx: 2:30)

1 pm Written Rabbit Judging Contest

1 pm – 2pm Sr Citizen Social with “Maybelle Jerkwater” -Activities Tent

5 pm Beef Steer Show

6:30 pm Grandparents contest Winners Announced

7 pm DJ and Dancing-Activities Tent; Mule Pull; Rabbit Awards Program

Friday August 3

9am – 10pm Indoor Building Open to the Public

9 am Dairy Cattle Fitting and Showing followed by Dairy Cattle Breed Shows; Livestock Judging Contest

2 pm Sr. Citizen Exhibits Released

3:30 pm Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair Exhibitor Awards Program -Activity Tent

4pm – 8 pm Pit Beef & Pork Dinner

4:30 pm Livestock Buyers Appreciation Picnic

5:30 pm Livestock Sale; Jay D. Henley – Finch Stage

8 pm Jason Michael Carroll Concert -Finch Stage $10 Donation at the Gate

9:30 pm Silent action closes, winners will be posted 9:45 in Shipley Arena

10 pm Raffle Drawing

Saturday August 4

8 am – 1pm Carroll County Farmers Market

9:30 am Indoor Exhibits Released, All remaining Livestock exhibits released

12 noon Indoor Exhibit Building Closed-all exhibits must be picked up prior to 12 noon

For Every Exhibitor—following exhibit release, Fair Clean Up begins and continues through Sunday August 5 until grounds returned to pre-fair condition.

Wednesday August 8-7:30 p.m. Fair Evaluation Meeting-Carroll Co Extension Office