Sunday, January 09, 2011

MarylandReporter.com launches redesigned website

Special edition, Sunday, January 9, 2011

MarylandReporter.com launches redesigned website

From: Len Lazarick
Editor and Publisher

MarylandReporter.com over the weekend launched a redesigned website that we think looks more vibrant and newsy, and adds some of the features you may be used to at other news sites.

The site now allows us to use more photos, makes commenting on our stories easier, improves our search function and adds a new blog called Annapolitics.

Our new site is easier to read and interact with. It gives more prominence for photos and better ways to display them and to share videos. We’ll be doing more of videos and more podcasts in weeks to come.

Almost all the content we’ve produced over the past 15 months has been moved to the new site. The rest will be moved Monday. The only downside is that if you saved a link to one of our stories or daily State Roundups in the past, those links will no longer work, and you’ll have to find those stories again. Also, if you’ve subscribed to RSS feeds, you’ll need to subscribe again as well. Sorry for the inconvenience.

MAKING COMMENTS: The new site allows readers to interact with us and with each other in a very easy way. While we will “moderate” the comments for inappropriate language or libelous content after they are posted, we will no longer need to “approve” the comments that come in. We hope you’ll take advantage of this.

ANNAPOLITICS: Some people call our whole news website a “blog” – we won an award in that category from the Society of Professional Journalists. But we didn’t really have a true blog on the site that would spur conversations with readers and sources. We’re hoping to put fresh content on the Annapolitics blog every day – hopefully edgier and funnier than our news stories. And we encourage our buddies (and our adversaries too) from other blogs of every stripe to weigh in with their postings.

SEARCHING: At last, the search engine on the site will display the results with the newest items first. If you’re looking for an old story, and you know the headline or topic, try putting that into the search function.

TWITTER: A window on the right side of our homepage shows tweets from users talking about Maryland politics. When the General Assembly session begins, we hope that our Twitter window will be a source for what is going on in hearings and meetings in real time.

GIVE US FEEDBACK: Let us know what you think about the redesign, and especially let us know if you think something is not working properly, or you can’t find an older story.

Some of the ideas behind our redesign came from the reader survey we did in October. We got 118 responses. Those surveyed overwhelmingly liked our stories and State Roundup, but gave lower marks to the site’s interactivity and ease of use.

redesign is the product of months of work by Associate Editor Megan Poinski, with the able technical assistance in the past month from Richard Peng of Mays & Associates, our web hosts from the start.

Thanks to them and to you for reading us.

Send your comments or concerns to me or Megan. (We’ve had some problems with our e-mail in the changeover this weekend, so if you get something bounced back, e-mail my home account atmailto:lenlazarick@verizon.net)

*****

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

Westminster MD City Offices Closed January 17 2011 in observance of Martin Luther King Day

Press Release regarding the City’s office closings on Monday, January 17, 2011. http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2011/01/westminster-md-city-offices-closed.html

JANUARY 7, 2011 LABELS: WESTMINSTER GOVT

Administrative offices will be closed, but the Westminster Family Fitness Center at 11 Longwell Avenue will be open regular hours 5:30am – 10pm.

City of Westminster

56 West Main Street

Westminster, MD 21157

Phone 410-848-9000

Fax 410-857-7476

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JANUARY 7, 2011 Contact: Information Desk

Phone: 410-848-9000

WESTMINSTER CITY OFFICES CLOSED JANUARY 17, 2011

With the exception of the Family Center Gym

Westminster, MD – City of Westminster Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, January 17, 2011 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Although the Recreation and Parks Department will be closed, the Westminster Family Fitness Center at 11 Longwell Avenue will be open regular hours 5:30am to 10pm.

20110117 COW MLK Day

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Agenda for the Carroll County MD Board of Commissioners for the week of January 10, 2011

http://www.scribd.com/doc/46539885/Agenda-for-the-Carroll-County-MD-Board-of-Commissioners-for-the-week-of-January-10-2011

Carroll County, Maryland, Board of Commissioners

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/01/agenda-for-carroll-county-md-board-of.html

Westminster Coin and Currency Show Sunday, February 06, 2011

Westminster Coin and Currency Show

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Exhibitions/Shows

Appraisals, buying, selling & trading

Sunday, February 06, 2011 09:00 AM thru 02:30 PM

Westminster Fire Department

John Street Quarters

28 John Street

Westminster, MD 21157

For more info: Carl Earl Ostiguy www.coinshows.com

20110206 Westminster Coin and Currency Show

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/01/westminster-coin-and-currency-show.html

Labels: John Street Quarters, Numismatics

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2665171013/westminster-coin-and-currency-show-sunday-february-06

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Patti S. Borda: Frederick mayor must choose new 'VP' of city

Frederick mayor must choose new 'VP' of city

Originally published December 29, 2010

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=114337

By Patti S. Borda News-Post Staff

Frederick Mayor Randy McClement has a pair of big shoes to fill as a result of a decision by his executive assistant to take a job in Brunswick.

Rick Weldon, who left his job as executive director of United Way of Frederick last year to help McClement, told the mayor on Dec. 20 that he had taken a new job that will start Jan. 17.

McClement said Tuesday he is taking some time before selecting a replacement. "I have to have the right person," he said. "It is the vice president of the corporation."

The executive assistant is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the mayor. The annual salary budgeted for the position is $82,500, McClement said.

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=114337

20101229 FNP Borda Frederick mayor must choose new VP of city

Frederick mayor: Decision about assistant likely by midweek | Front Page | By: Patti S. Borda | 01/07/11 | 488 words “I'm still perusing through my head who I want," he said Wednesday.

Site could replace Sagner Park plot's open space designation in Frederick| Front Page | By: Patti S. Borda | 01/05/11 | 395 words Rick Weldon, McClement's executive assistant, said Tuesday that unused open space in the Riverside Park development along the Monocacy River could qualify for the state Program Open Space designation that is to be re- moved from part of Sagner Park. Land surveys and assessments are being done on about an acre near the Monocacy River, Weldon said.

Wrapping up | Editorial | By: | 01/03/11 | 458 words You'll see a rundown of the main stories in Assistant Managing Editor Rob Walters' "Ask the Editor" column Saturday, and also in our story summing up main events in the order you voted on them on Sunday/today.

What's in & out 2011 | Steve Berryman | By: | 12/31/10 | 558 words Let's go with transitions and changes instead. Some are pretty clear; others are more fuzzy!

City expected to extend lease with National Park Service to preserve history| Front Page | By: Patti S. Borda | 12/29/10 | 540 words That would prevent the property at 5 Commerce St. from being used any time soon as a parking garage or another commercial use affiliated with a possible hotel on nearby property, said Earl "Rocky" Mackintosh.

Frederick mayor must choose new 'VP' of city | Front Page | By: Patti S. Borda | 12/29/10 | 419 words Rick Weldon, who left his job as executive director of United Way of Frederick last year to help McClement, told the mayor on Dec. 20 that he had taken a new job that will start Jan. 17.

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Firefighterbehavior.com Launched Today January 4, 2011

Cumberland Valley ExpressThe official newsletter of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association

Quick Links

CVVFA.org Facebook.com/CVVFA

Respondersafety.com

Youtube.com/respondersafety

Facebook.com/Emergency Responder Safety Insitute
Facebook.com/respondersafety

Twitter.com/respondersafety

Firefighterbehavior.com
Facebook.com/Firefighterbehavior

Firefighter Behavior Website Launched
Tom Savage named Editor
The CVVFA proudly launched www.firefighterbehavior.com today January 4, 2011. The page and an accompanying Facebook account will examine improper behavior on behalf of a small minority of fire service members whose actions are undermining the fire service.
Thomas L. Savage III fire service leader and political insider has assumed the position of Editor of the page.

Board of Directors Meeting this Sunday
The Board of Directors will meet at the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway MD on Sunday January 9, 2011 12:00 noon. The Annual Board meeting includes the budget for 2011 and handles normal association business. All members are welcome to attend.

2010 Review
Last year was a great one for our Association. Be on the lookout for a year end review that will take an in depth look at one our most productive years. Articles are being prepared for CVVFA.org and Respondersafety.com.

Happy New Year from CVVFA President Chief Greg Yost
Thank each of you for what you do in your community and for CVVFA.
I hope you and your family have a very Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Safe 2011.
Be careful out there! Let's work together to make CVVFA the best ever in 2011.
If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know-Greg

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Dean Minnich: Should commissioners make policy, or try to run ev...

Dean Minnich: Should commissioners make policy, or try to run ev...: " Look for some significant retooling in the office the Carroll County Commissioners, as the board seeks to put peopl..."

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 2011

Should commissioners make policy, or try to run everything?

Look for some significant retooling in the office the Carroll County Commissioners, as the board seeks to put people in place to take orders, rather than advise elected leaders.

This will mark the most significant difference between this board and prior one, which relied on information from senior staff and outside consultants to make policy, then turned the work over to the professionals and county employees.

This new board has been consistently sending signals that it will take charge. Haven Shoemaker, as a candidate, promised to clean house. Richard Rothschild and Robin Frazier have made no secret of their intentions to down-size government and the services the county provides. Doug Howard, despite his difficulties making the Carroll Area Transit work on the funds provided, commented that the five new commissioners have sufficient business skills to divide responsibilities among themselves and run the departments that are now administered by professional directors.

The morale in the county office building is at its lowest since the last time Frazier had an office there, apparently the results of micro-managing and inconsistent signals from the commissioners' office. Word is that Steve Powell, who as chief of staff for the previous board of commissioners was at the top of the chain of command, is now left out of policy meetings held by the commissioners directly with senior staffers... http://www.deanminnich.com/2011/01/should-commissioners-make-policy-or-try.html

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Dean Minnich: No plan is their idea of a best plan

Dean Minnich: No plan is their idea of a best plan: " It appears that the new Carroll County Commissioners not only hated the proposed Pathways plan for managing growth,..."

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Dean Minnich: It's okay that all five of the new commishes are a...

Dean Minnich: It's okay that all five of the new commishes are a...: " All five new commissioners are suffering through the tedious meetings and fattening meals and posh overindulgence o..."

MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 2011

It's okay that all five of the new commishes are at a resort

All five new commissioners are suffering through the tedious meetings and fattening meals and posh overindulgence of the Hyatt resort hotel in Cambridge this week, but it's okay.

Well, Robin Frazier might have participated in such rituals when she was commissioner before, but with restraint, I'm sure.

I certainly can't find fault, because I attended such gatherings of the Maryland Association of Counties in my first four to six years as a commissioner. I even went to one National Association of Counties meeting in Phoenix, and two mid-winter meetings, I think, in Washington.

It's good to go and learn. Talk with other commissioners and county council members or executives for a few days. Meet state government people with whom you will be interacting for four years, do a little face to face, because there's time later for watching your back... http://www.deanminnich.com/2011/01/its-okay-that-all-five-of-new-commishes.html

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Dean Minnich: Things to keep in mind in 2011 -- and beyond

Dean Minnich: Things to keep in mind in 2011 -- and beyond: " Everything you think you know may be wrong, but you can catch up if you're particular about where you get your info..."

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Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

Last week’s agenda for the Carroll County MD Board of Commissioners: Week of January 3, 2011

Last week’s agenda for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners: Week of January 3, 2011 ~ Revision 1

[20110103 sdosm CCBOC agenda]

Carroll County, Maryland, Board of Commissioners

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2664372821/last-weeks-agenda-for-the-carroll-county-maryland

on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/46537246/Last-week’s-agenda-for-the-Carroll-County-MD-Board-of-Commissioners-Week-of-January-3-2011" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">Last week’s agenda for the Carroll County MD Board of Commissioners: Week of January 3, 2011

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8th Annual Foreign Film Festival at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster

Friday, February 04, 2011

Film/Art shows

8th Annual Foreign Film Festival

Every Friday evening in February award-winning foreign language films.

Friday, February 04, 2011 07:30 PM thru 09:30 PM

Carroll Arts Center

91 W. Main Street

Westminster, MD

For more info: 410-848-7272 www.carrollartscouncil.org

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2664145373/8th-annual-foreign-film-festival-at-the-carroll-arts

http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/2011/01/8th-annual-foreign-film-festival-at.html

LABELS: ART ARTISTS CULTURE WESTMINSTER, ART CARROLL ARTS CENTER, MOVIES

[20110204 8th Annual Foreign Film Festival]

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/) http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

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MediaHooker: Predictions 2011

Predictions 2011 by Steve Berryman http://mediahooker1.blogspot.com/2011/01/predictions-2011.html

[This column was intended for the Frederick News-Post, and they dropped it without explanation at the 11th hour. You decide why!]

Predictions 2011

Steven R. Berryman

Readers have my sincere apologies in advance; I can’t resist the seasonal urge to prognosticate happenings for this year. You can say you heard it here first.

Being the first to know is not always an advantage to the receiver, but this may afford ME some future bragging rights!

*The City of Frederick will hire an assistant to the assistant of the lead executive assistant working under Mayor Randy McClement. This will afford the further insulation of any position, and facilitate the tamping down of “news.”

*The Frederick County Board of County Commissioners will press hard for consensus on “Charter Government.” This in no way is impacted by anyone’s quest for the consolidating of power, but seeks to emulate the widely touted success by County Executive Ike Leggett of Montgomery County.

*The Frederick County Board of Education will open up the private bathroom upstairs in the penthouse level of the “Taj Mahal” building, aka their new offices. All administrative positions paying over $74,997 will now have to justify themselves to others making less than that.

Softball then becomes the official board sport during recess.... http://mediahooker1.blogspot.com/2011/01/predictions-2011.html

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Newsmax: Juan Williams Lambastes NPR as Exec Who Fired Him Steps Down

Juan Williams Lambastes NPR as Exec Who Fired Him Steps Down

By David A. Patten

Thursday, 06 Jan 2011 06:03 PM

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/JuanWilliams-fired-NPR-Fox/2011/01/06/id/382102?s=al&promo_code=B6B2-1

News analyst Juan William contends that National Public Radio (NPR) promotes an “incestuous” organizational culture that is “not open to real news.” Williams’ scathing comments followed an independent review of his firing in October, which in turn led to the resignation of NPR news executive Ellen Weiss on Thursday.

Weiss fired the affable Williams for confessing on Fox News that he sometimes gets nervous when flying with Muslims dressed in traditional garb.

Shortly after the firing, NPR CEO Vivian Schiller said during remarks to the Atlanta Press Club that Williams should have kept his feelings between himself and “his psychiatrist or his publicist.”

Juan Williams, NPR, Fox, fired, Weiss

On Thursday, Williams told Fox News host Megyn Kelly: “The whole idea was to demean me, and make me to appear as if I was not only a lunatic who needed a psychiatrist, but I was a loose cannon and not a professional news person.”

Schiller later apologized to Williams for what she described as “my thoughtless remark.”

The firing touched off a storm of criticism from conservative leaders who slammed NPR for rampant political correctness and liberal bias.

Among those coming to Williams’ defense: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/JuanWilliams-fired-NPR-Fox/2011/01/06/id/382102?s=al&promo_code=B6B2-1

Journalists Williams Juan, Media Bias,Media Commentary, Media Radio NPR, Media TV Fox News

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2011/01/newsmax-juan-williams-lambastes-npr-as.html

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Detroit in ruins - Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre's extraordinary photographs

Detroit in ruins

Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre's extraordinary photographs documenting the dramatic decline of a major American city. For an interactive tour of January's best photo exhibitions and books, see The New Review's month in photography

Detroit in ruins - Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre's extraordinary photographs

The Observer, Sunday 2 January 2011