Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

This week in The Tentacle: Gas Tax, schools, local politics and commentary on the 2012 presidential campaign and more

This week in The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com Gas Tax, schools, local politics and commentary on the 2012 presidential campaign and more

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Gas Pains and Rough Roads
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal year 2013 state budget, released a week ago, is a full menu of difficult choices. However, one of the most troubling is the lack of funding for police protection and highway user revenue for municipalities.

Losing His Mojo – If He Ever Had It

Norman M. Covert
The locker room echoed with praise for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and it was almost with disdain that my friend and former colleague spat out the name of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. How quickly the room emptied and the showers came on.

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Tom McLaughlin
Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – I am really not that concerned about these reptilian serpents or any of the other 12 animals that glide by every Chinese New Year. However, living here, one cannot help but join in the festivities.



Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Capitol Hill Daze
Roy Meachum
Democratic candidate Tom Hattery’s mean attitude had much to do with pushing him away, from me and the electorate; that was 20 years ago when the thought of Beverly Byron losing was almost unthinkable. Mr. Hattery’s primary win was at least shocking to many.

Time for Charter School Proponents

Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
I guess one can call it "Straight Jacket Approval" in that – once approved – public charter school start ups have to enter the cold cruel world of real estate.



Monday, January 23, 2012

Appalling and Disgusting
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
The truly memorable moment of the South Carolina primary debate last Thursday night occurred within the first 10 minutes.

How We Got Where We Are

Cindy A. Rose
Before we get all warm and fuzzy over Education Week reporting Maryland is ranked the #1 school in the nation, take a closer look at the list of criteria to get that #1 ranking.

Shadow Inventory Lurking

Michael Kurtianyk
In comic book lure and during the Golden Age of radio, Lamont Cranston was a wealthy young man in New York City who was known as “The Shadow.” The radio broadcasts began with that famous question: "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"



Friday, January 20, 2012

Katherine Straightens the Mess
Roy Meachum
Reporter Katherine Heerbrandt earned my professional admiration over the long years in Frederick; we were colleagues on the local newspaper. Her most recent journalistic coup must not pass unremarked upon.

How can Obama get re-elected?

Joe Charlebois
How does President Barack Obama expect to get re-elected? He has consistently stated throughout his three years in office that "My administration will not rest until every American who is able and ready and willing to work can find a job.” Is he serious?



Thursday, January 19, 2012

How Fortunate We Are
Patricia A. Kelly
George W. Wireman died last week. He was known as the train man, and so much more. He was a polio survivor, rejected by the Army because of his deformed feet and legs, who walked and hiked everywhere, and visited all 50 states, including Hawaii four times – and he never had a driver’s license.

GOP Primary Season: Whatcha Talking About?

Chris Cavey
It has been an interesting week for the Republican Party since the Mitt Romney rout in the Granite State. So, for those of you who have been living in a hole, or perhaps just returned from another dimension within the past seven days, here are some random observations to ponder.

There They Go Again – Another Tax Increase

Blaine R. Young
I thought it must have been a dream – actually, a nightmare – because I certainly never believed that in the current economic times someone would propose to raise yet another tax for the purpose of raising money to build something that the market has said repeatedly is not needed and likely will not be successful.



Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Let the Veepstakes begin
Kevin E. Dayhoff
The consensus continues to gather steam that the GOP nomination to challenge President Barack Obama for president this fall will be former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Perhaps all the drama now moves to who will be his choice for vice president.

All Mixed Up

Norman M. Covert
I am tho’ confuthed! I find myself burned up that the gaggle of Republican presidential candidates never misses an opportunity at self-immolation. I’m slipping over the edge now with the dual dilemma of new Sixth Congressional District boundaries and sibling rivalry among our GOP inhabitants.

Through the Darkness – Again

Tom McLaughlin
I am not exactly the poster child for vasectomy. Two years ago, I went to see a doctor who must have sterilized most of the men, who wanted the procedure, in Frederick County.



Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Afzali Crashes Congressional Primary
Roy Meachum
Never in my over 28 years writing about Frederick politics can I remember when an elected freshman official has been so unrelenting and noisy – some say obnoxious – as Kathy Afzali.

The Argument for Slots

Farrell Keough
In our current environment, we are seeing new taxes under all sorts of rubrics. For instance, we have paid dearly over the years for our roads and highway systems – yet, today, we are facing newly designated tax schemes like Toll Roads.

Padding One’s Resumé At Our Expense

Shawn Burns
It is no secret that Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to run for president in 2016. He has an ambitious list of proposals he would like to see enacted in the next four years in order to bolster his resumé in order to appeal to progressives and Democrats on the national level.



Monday, January 16, 2012

Raw Political Ambition – Nationally and Locally
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Why is it that partisan politicians constantly place their own aspirations ahead of their party's best interests?


The Sixth, Education and Grandbabies

Michael Kurtianyk
More than any other, the most discussed topic in my circles recently has been about the candidates for the Sixth Congressional District seat. There were quite a few surprises, but before looking at some specific candidates, here is the list:

This week in The Tentacle www.thetentacle.com

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Steve Kelly – Gazette: Miller wants to ensure gas tax revenue would go to transportation projects

Miller wants to ensure gas tax revenue would go to transportation projects


Some say constitutional amendment is stronger, hands-off measure

By Steve Kelly, Staff Writer Friday, November 18, 2011

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said last week that he favors a super-majority vote in the legislature to transfer transportation money to other uses rather than a constitutional amendment that would keep the money off limits for other purposes.

The issue surfaced recently with talk of a possible gas tax increase to fund transportation projects, which the General Assembly could address in its upcoming session.

Transportation advocates and some business leaders have said they could support a gas tax increase to bolster the state’s depleted Transportation Trust Fund, but with the provision that a firewall be erected so the money only could be used for needed transportation infrastructure projects… http://www.gazette.net/article/20111118/NEWS/711189662/miller-wants-provision-to-ensure-gas-tax-revenue-would-go-to&template=gazette

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MML: Restoring Highway User Revenue :60

MML: Restoring Highway User Revenue :60


Watch this :60 PSA to find out how you can join Maryland's municipal officials in making sure our Governor and state legislators know how important it is to return Highway User Revenue to our cities and towns. ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qjCafZub2MA

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Summers says Bay Restoration Fund needs another 5 million, spars with Eastern Shore lawmakers over fairness of flush tax

Summers says Bay Restoration Fund needs another 5 million, spars with Eastern Shore lawmakers over fairness of flush tax

January 22, 2012

By Daniel Menefee

Environment Secretary Robert Summers
Environment Secretary Robert Summers

Environment Secretary Robert Summers told Eastern Shore lawmakers the Bay Restoration Fund needs an additional $385 million to upgrade 67 sewage treatment plants in Maryland and echoed Gov. Martin O’Malley’s call to double the flush tax to $60 a year. 


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

TheTentacle.com - Pat Kelly: George W. Wireman died last week

TheTentacle.com: "January 19, 2012

How Fortunate We Are by Patricia A. Kelly http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4869

George W. Wireman died last week. He was known as the train man, and so much more. He was a polio survivor, rejected by the Army because of his deformed feet and legs, who walked and hiked everywhere, and visited all 50 states, including Hawaii four times – and he never had a driver’s license.

He was a radio personality and a patriot. He was the historian of Thurmont, and a loving grandfather. He touched my heart deeply when he welcomed my little grandson and me into his home to see his train layout. We encountered him again, too, during a ride on the Walkersville Southern Railway, where he was chief conductor.

Last Saturday I attended Mr. Wireman’s memorial service. It was held at Catoctin High School, “Home of the Fighting Cougars.” There was a good turnout in the auditorium. There was a color guard. The community contributed to setting it up, and, young and old, turned out for this very special 91 year old.

Last week marked another death as well, that of ... http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=4869

'via Blog this'

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Monday, January 23, 2012

Newt Gingrich | Ann Coulter | South Carolina | The Daily Caller

Newt Gingrich | Ann Coulter | South Carolina | The Daily Caller:

By Jeff Poor - The Daily Caller


Coulter: ‘With Newt Gingrich you throw out the baby and keep the bath water’ [VIDEO]

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/22/coulter-with-newt-gingrich-you-throw-out-the-baby-and-keep-the-bath-water-video/

"On a Sunday morning appearance on “Fox & Friends,” conservative columnist Ann Coulter explained why Romney fell short in the South Carolina GOP presidential primary, blaming the priorities of South Carolina voters for Gingrich’s success.

“Apparently, South Carolinians would rather have the emotional satisfaction of a snotty remark toward the president than to beat Obama in the fall,” Coulter, the author of “Demonic: How the Liberal Mob Is Endangering America,” said. “We saw it in the debates when Gingrich would say things that didn’t really make sense. That is what you usually associate with Democrats, which I described in my last book, ‘Demonic,’ how mobs behave.”" Read more... http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/22/coulter-with-newt-gingrich-you-throw-out-the-baby-and-keep-the-bath-water-video/

'via Blog this'

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The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend or Why CNN Helped Newt by Lisa Miller


John King, the CNN moderator who asked Newt Gingrich about his ex-wife's interview, is married to Dana Bashhttp://www.allthingscnn.com/2008/06/john-king-dana-bash-married.html who expressed "concern" that Ron Paul was getting traction weeks ago.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zQKtslBonM&feature=related


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Dirty tricks: Fake CNN news alert slander(ed) surging Gingrich in SC

Newt Gingrich | CNN | News Alert | The Daily Caller:

Dirty tricks: Fake CNN news alert slanders surging Gingrich in SC


Read more:
http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/20/dirty-tricks-fake-cnn-news-alert-slanders-surging-gingrich-in-sc/

"Looks like someone has played a dirty campaign trick on Newt Gingrich.

A fake breaking news alert claiming the former House Speaker pressured his ex-wife Marianne Gingrich to have an abortion was sent to Republican activists in South Carolina early Thursday morning, CNN reports. The bogus alert came from an email account made to look like an official CNN account but is not actually affiliated with the news network." ... http://dailycaller.com/2012/01/20/dirty-tricks-fake-cnn-news-alert-slanders-surging-gingrich-in-sc/

'via Blog this'

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White House rushes to define Keystone message ahead of GOP - The Hill's E2-Wire

White House rushes to define Keystone message ahead of GOP - The Hill's E2-Wire:

By Andrew Restuccia and Ben Geman - 01/22/12

The White House is working to prevent President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline from becoming a political liability in an election year that will be dominated by jobs and the economy.

White House and campaign officials are emphasizing Obama's energy record in broad strokes -- highlighting steps the administration has taken to encourage oil and gas development and investments in clean energy. Those steps, the officials say, create far more jobs than approval of Keystone would have.

The decision Wednesday to deny TransCanada’s Keystone permit has further united Republicans around a common message: Obama is a job killer." ... http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/e2-wire/205655-white-house-rushes-to-define-keystone-message-ahead-of-gop

'via Blog this'

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Occupiers Glitter-Bomb Santorum Concession Speech - Summerville, SC Patch

Occupiers Glitter-Bomb Santorum Concession Speech - Summerville, SC Patch:

Gay rights activists and Occupy Charleston chant 'Rick, Rick, Rick, bigot, bigot, bigot.'

THE CITADEL — About 20 demonstrators crashed the Rick Santorum results party at the military college in Charleston.

As Santorum closed his speech focusing on building strong family values, a gay rights activist said: "Except when you're gay" and threw a handful of glitter in the air.

Members of the Occupy Charleston group joined in with chants of "Rick, Rick, Rick, bigot, bigot, bigot" and singing "Santorum, Santorum, you're a bigot." As police escorted the group out ... http://summerville.patch.com/articles/occupiers-crash-santorum-concession-speech

'via Blog this'

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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Cross Purposes: Bob Ehrlich's New Sun Column: Mrs. Reason's Take

Cross Purposes: Bob Ehrlich's New Sun Column: Mrs. Reason's Take: "Sunday, January 22, 2012

Bob Ehrlich's New Sun Column: Mrs. Reason's Take

The Baltimore Sun created a bit of a sensation yesterday when it announced that it was giving the late Ron Smith’s column to its longtime nemesis, former Governor Bob Ehrlich.

A lot of people were surprised by this news, including me." ... http://rjc-crosspurposes.blogspot.com/2012/01/bob-ehrlichs-new-sun-column-mrs-reasons.html?spref=fb

'via Blog this'



The Westminster Bunnies say 'Go Ravens!'


The Westminster Bunnies say 'Go Ravens!'

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.
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Baltimore football championship seasons have always started in Westminster … so should we be worried?

Baltimore football championship seasons have always started in Westminster ... so should we be worried?


Many Carroll County residents are getting a case of nostalgic Super Bowl fever as they look forward to Sunday's AFC championship contest between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.

For more than 120 years — since football debuted at then-Western Maryland College on Oct. 31, 1891 — football has been a part of the history of Carroll County.

Not to be overlooked is the fact that since July 1949, Baltimore football teams have held summer practice in Westminster. Names like Raymond Berry, Jim Parker, Art Donovan, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Eugene (Big Daddy) Lipscomb, Alan Ameche, and Wilbur (Weeb) Ewbank, just to mention a few, have become an important part of our Carroll County cultural history.

And yes, there is also that quarterback that was cut by the Pittsburg Steelers in 1956.

What was his name? Oh yeah, right. Johnny Unitas.

Unbelievable. According to an old history of the Baltimore Colts in my files, "Unitas was cut by… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/community/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0122-20120119,0,3298374.story


Related Read more: Of course, summer practice in Westminster is probably why the Baltimore Colts won its first National Football League division title in 1958:http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archive-1211-20111207,0,828252.story

And: For over 120 years, since football debuted at Western Maryland College on October 31, 1891, football has been a part of the history of Carroll County…



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A History of Heroes in Westminster's Fire Department - Westminster, MD Patch by Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Fire Hall 37 E Main Street 1879 to 1896

Westminster Patch: A History of Heroes in Westminster's Fire Department by Kevin Dayhoff and more from Westminster Patch on Friday January 20 2012

The Westminster Fire Department ladder apparatus from approximately 1879.
The 2012 Westminster Fire Department officers were sworn into office at the Jan. 5, 2012 meeting. These officers become a part of a history in Westminster of volunteers protecting lives and property... http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/blog-a-history-of-heroes-in-westminsters-fire-department

The Westminster Fire Department hand pumper from approximately 1879
The 2012 slate of officers for the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1 were sworn into office by Steve Wantz, the president of the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association, at the January 5, 2012 monthly company meeting in John Street Quarters at the firehall.

According to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1 website, the administrative officers for 2012 are: President - Robert Cumberland, 1st V.P. - Daniel Plunkert, 2nd V.P. - Matt Crise, Treasurer - Robert Ruby, Asst. Treasurer – Caroline Babylon, Secretary - Matt Davis, Asst. Secretary - Todd Leppert, Members at Large - Marvin Hollinger and James Eckard, Historian - Joe Ebaugh, Asst. Historian - Jim Brown, and Chaplain – Kevin Dayhoff.

Members of the Westminster Fire Department pose for a picture in front of the fire station at 37 E. Main Street in Westminster around 1880
The fire suppression operations officers sworn into office are: Chief - James Bangerd III, Asst. Chief - James Starry, Captain - Bryan VanFossen, LT 3-1 Jon Haddad, LT 3-2 Nick Krionderis, LT 3-3 Jason Tyler, LT 3-4 Kevin Utz, LT 3-5 Jason Bangerd, Sergeant 3-1 Brian Garbutt, Sergeant 3-2 John Bangerd, EMS Officers Captain- Jared Davis, Lieutenants- Laura Tyler, and Lieutenant- Hugh Hynes

These officers become a part of an historic legacy in Westminster of volunteers in the community selflessly coming together to take time away from their families to help protect lives and property.
According to research by the Westminster fire department historian, Joe Ebaugh, the minutes from the “Wednesday evening January 15, 1879” noted…http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/blog-a-history-of-heroes-in-westminsters-fire-department



Captions for pictures:

18790000 FBEast Main St Fire Station csm: Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Fire Hall 37 E Main Street 1879 to 1896

18790000 nd pumps-TNc: The Westminster Fire Department hand pumper from approximately 1879.

18790000 nd ladders-TNc: The Westminster Fire Department ladder apparatus from approximately 1879.

18800000s FBWFDbsm100: Members of the Westminster Fire Department pose for a picture in front of the fire station at 37 E. Main Street in Westminster around 1880. 




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Saturday, January 21, 2012

Plenty of good tea and great things to eat Tea Bar Cafe 7 E. Main St Westminster

Plenty of traffic moving easily in historic downtown Westminster

Larry Bloom Westminster St Dept works to get city streets clear 10:40 am

Westminster Maryland Online: Waste-to-Energy Plant in Taneytown? Maybe. and more from Westminster Patch

Westminster Maryland Online: Waste-to-Energy Plant in Taneytown? Maybe. and mor...: Today 33° 22° Tomorrow 32° 33° Waste-to-Energy Plant in Taneytown? Maybe. and more from Westminster Patch Janu...


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Kevin DayhoffI’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries. Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for Patuxent Publishing Co., The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO
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/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net
The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com http://www.thetentacle.com/author.cfm?MyAuthor=41
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/
Westminster Patch: http://westminster.patch.com/search?keywords=Dayhoff
E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.comBEST VIEWED IN Chrome
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/
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Auth. MSP the Snow Emergency Plan is in effect at 0200hrs for Carroll County

Roadway snow Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20120121 snowvz (1)]


Snow shadows Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20120121 snowvz (2)]


Several inches of snow had already fallen 
in Westminster by 2:30 a.m.; 
however it was just starting to turn into freezing rain… 
Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20120121 snow 2 30 am]

Auth. MSP the Snow Emergency Plan is in effect at 0200hrs for Carroll County


The Maryland State Police put the Maryland snow emergency plan in effect for Carroll County MD at 2 a.m.

The Maryland Department of Transportation announced that the Maryland State Police put the Maryland snow emergency plan in effect at 2 a.m. Saturday morning for Carroll County.

Previously the snow emergency plan went into effect the previous Friday evening for much of Western Maryland counties: at 11 p.m. for Allegany County; 10:30 p.m. for Garrett County and 11:30 p.m. for Washington County.

According to the department of transportation, the state police declare snow emergencies after receiving input from the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Once the snow emergency has been declared, parking is prohibited on streets and roads that are designated as snow emergency routes and the snow tires, all weather tires and or chains are required for vehicles traveling on the roadways.

When checked at 2:45 a.m., the National Weather Service forecast for Westminster and Carroll County had a “winter weather advisory posted.” “Snow before 4 am, then snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Low around 26. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. Total nighttime snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.”

For Saturday night the weather service was forecasting mostly cloudy skies. But most importantly for Ravens fans, the Sunday forecast says, “A slight chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 33. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.” And later Sunday night, Rain likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain, becoming all rain after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind between 3 and 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.”

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http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=lwx&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no National Weather Service radar image for the Maryland and mid-Atlantic region of the east coast taken at 2:37 a.m. EST.




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