Carroll County Maryland: Airport expansion back on track

Carroll County Maryland: Airport expansion back on track

 

Land Acquisition Case Concludes Clearing Path for Airport Safety Enhancements

 Carroll County MD Government sent this bulletin on 10/17/2025:

Westminster, MD, Friday, October 17, 2025 – “For nearly two decades, the Board of Commissioners (Board) has been evaluating and planning runway safety enhancements to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements at the Carroll County Regional Airport. The improvements will include expanding the existing runway from 5,100 feet to the FAA standard of 5,500 feet.

“The county has been in negotiations with the landowner, and while both parties understood the need for the land, they were unable to agree on reimbursement. The project requires three-tenths of an acre for the county to own and an avigation easement over much of the rest of the property. The negotiations led to the jury trial and its decision to award $3.5 million to the property owner.

“FAA representatives are aware of the decision and support the county’s acquisition of the land and avigation easement. As a result, the Board expects the FAA to reimburse the county for 90% of the $3.5 million, and the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) to cover 5%. The county will be responsible for the remaining 5%, or approximately $175,000.

“‘While the Board fully supports and upholds the rights of property owners, the acquisition of this property was necessary to ensure the airport meets required safety standards,’ said Board President Kenny Kiler. ‘Although we did not anticipate the jury awarding compensation for the full value of the property when only a portion was required, we understand the reasoning that the remaining land would have limited potential once the improvements are completed. The Board is pleased this matter has been resolved and looks forward to the successful completion of the enhancement project.’”

Source: Carroll Connect: Engaging Carroll County Citizens. https://www.carrollcountymd.gov/residents/county-news-releases/land-acquisition-case-concludes-clearing-path-for-airport-safety-enhancements/

Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2025/11/carroll-county-maryland-airport.html

+++ Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack +++ 

https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ 

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster "Dayhoff Westminster" 

 Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer. 

 Articles on the Baltimore Sun or Carroll County Times website: 

 June 29, 2004 to October 29, 2025: 

https://www.baltimoresun.com/?s=dayhoff&orderby=date&order=desc 

 Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff 

 Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/ 

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff 

 Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ 

 Dayhoff Art: https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ 

Dayhoff Westminster (Archived Nov. 27, 2024) https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/ 

 Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: 

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/ (November 2, 2025)

Karen Mock Brown, of Westminster

Karen Mock Brown, of Westminster

 

Local artist, devoted supporter of the Carroll County Maryland Arts Council, and faithful Westminster Grace Lutheran Church member, Karen Mock Brown, of Westminster, passed away on October 16, 2025.

 

Friends and family gathered at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster, MD, on Saturday, November 1, 2025 for a celebration of her life.

 

A life well lived. According to a tribute to Ms. Brown, found in the November 1, 2025 celebration of life bulletin:

 

On Thursday, October 16, 2025,Karen Amelia (Mock) Brown passed peacefully from this life into eternal  life with God. Karen was born and raised  in the Baltimore area and graduated  from Overlea Senior High in 1963. She later completed a BS degree from College of Notre Dame of Maryland, graduating in 1982.

 

After working in the corporate world for about 20 years, Karen "retired" to pursue a career in art. Never  one  to  stay  stagnant,  she  first  created  works  of calligraphy, which then led to painting with both acrylics and watercolors- often times combining words and images to create art with deeper meaning. 

Her goal was not just to elicit a response, but to touch souls. Painting led to collage, which then led back to her very first creative endeavor: sewing. At this time, Karen began to create art quilts. These beautiful quilts depicted natural images, told stories, and sometimes started conversations urging us to think deeply. In addition to creating art, she also taught various classes in technique and creativity. She would tell you that the following Mary Oliver quote summed up her life: "Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

 More important than her artwork, however, was her faith and her family.

 

Karen was an amazing mom who always had time for her children's pursuits and endeavors. She was their greatest cheerleader, but not afraid to give them a push when they were not living up to their full potential.

 

As a single mom, she introduced them to the joys of traveling by way of camping. The three of them could pitch a tent, in the dark, in under 10 minutes.

 

She was a dedicated Mimi to her five grandchildren. She never saw them as just one big collection, but knew all of them as individuals and spent time with each doing the things that he or she most enjoyed. Over the last 31 years, she attended, recitals, concerts, plays, and a variety of athletic activities in which her grandchildren outshone everyone else.

 

She was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church and volunteered in various ministries throughout the years.

 Karen is survived by her two children and their spouses: Susie and Eric Davis; and Sean and Jessica Quintilian; her five grandchildren Matthew  Davis, Abigail (and Brice) Ingram, Joshua (and Ashley) Davis; and Juliana and Bella Quintilian.

 

She survived by two great-grandchildren who lit up her life with their smiles. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who have their own special memories of Aunt Karen.

 

Karen also has many friends who will miss her presence in their lives including some whom she has remained close to since grade school.

 

Karen was predeceased by her parents, Emma and Robert Mock as well as her two older brothers and their spouses Charles and Virginia Mock, and Frank and Judy Mock.

A memorial service will be held at Grace  Lutheran  Church  in  Westminster  on  Saturday, November 1 at 11:00. The family will receive visitors after the service at a luncheon in fellowship hall. Karen would prefer you to forgo the black funeral attire and wear color, especially purple!

 In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster: https://gracelc.org/.

And the Carroll Arts Council also in Westminster: https://carrollcountyartscouncil.org/

+++ Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack +++

https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster "Dayhoff Westminster" Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Articles on the Baltimore Sun or Carroll County Times website: June 29, 2004 to October 29, 2025: https://www.baltimoresun.com/?s=dayhoff&orderby=date&order=desc 

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ 

Dayhoff Art:  https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Westminster (Archived Nov. 27, 2024) https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/

Names and contact information for Westminster and Carroll County elected officials

October 30, 2025: Names, positions, and email addresses for the Westminster and Carroll County elected officials; including the Carroll County Delegate to Annapolis – Maryland General Assembly:

May 2025 Westminster Mayor and Common Council members

Westminster Mayor Dr. Mona Becker: Mbecker@westminstermd.gov

Council President Tony Chiavacci: tchiavacci@westminstermd.gov

Councilmember Ann Gilbert: agilbert@westminstermd.gov

Councilmember Greg Pecoraro: gpecoraro@westminstermd.gov

Councilmember Kevin Dayhoff: KDayhoff@westminstermd.gov

Councilmember Dan Hoff: DHoff@westminstermd.gov

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 MEMBERS BY COUNTY: CARROLL COUNTY

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/gacocarr.html

Retrieved October 30, 2025

Maryland State Senator Justin Ready:

Maryland Delegate Chris Tomlinson:

Maryland Delegate April Rose

Maryland Delegate Eric Bouchat

DISTRICT 5

Sen. Justin D. Ready, District 5
James Senate Office Building, Room 315
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3683
e-mail: justin.ready@senate.maryland.gov

Del. Christopher Eric Bouchat (R), District 5

House Office Building, Room 321
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3200
e-mail: christopher.bouchat@house.maryland.gov

Del. April R. Rose (R), District 5

Lowe House Office Building, Room 213
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3070
e-mail: april.rose@house.maryland.gov

Del. Christopher L. Tomlinson (R), District 5

Lowe House Office Building, Room 321
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3359
e-mail: chris.tomlinson@house.maryland.gov

DISTRICT 42

Sen. Christopher R. West (R), District 42

James Senate Office Building, Room 322
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3648
e-mail: chris.west@senate.maryland.gov

Del. Joshua J. Stonko (R), District 42C

House Office Building, Room 215
Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3833
e-mail: joshua.stonko@house.maryland.gov

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 The current, October 30, 2025 Carroll County Maryland Board of Commissioners are:

President Kenneth Kiler (District 2),

Vice-President Joseph Vigliotti (District 1),

and Commissioners Tom Gordon III (District 3),

Michael Guerin (District 4),

and Susan W. Krebs (District 5).

Their email addresses are:

kkiler@carrollcountymd.gov,

jvigliotti@carrollcountymd.gov,

tgordon@carrollcountymd.gov,

mguerin@carrollcountymd.gov,

and skrebs@carrollcountymd.gov  respectively.

Carroll County Commissioner Kenneth Kiler, President, District 2: kkiler@carrollcountymd.gov

Carroll County Commissioner Joseph Vigliotti, Vice-President, District 1: jvigliotti@carrollcountymd.gov

Carroll County Commissioner Tom Gordon III, District 3: tgordon@carrollcountymd.gov

Carroll County Commissioner Michael Guerin, District 4: mguerin@carrollcountymd.gov

Carroll County Commissioner Susan W. Krebs, District 5: skrebs@carrollcountymd.gov

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+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

October 2025 City of Westminster Newsletter

October 2025 City of Westminster Newsletter

 

The October 2025 newsletter highlights upcoming fall events, City services, and updates on recreation and fitness programs.

 

The month kicks off with the Westminster Leaf Vacuum service starting on October 6 and continuing through December 5, 2025; residents must call (410) 848-9077 to request a pickup.

 

Open burning of leaves is prohibited within the city limits. For other collections, bi-weekly curbside collection of tree limbs, brush, metal, tires, and bulk trash, as well as weekly curbside yard waste collection, also require scheduling by calling 410-848-9077.

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Downtown Events in October include the Oyster Stroll on Saturday, October 11, from 12-4 PM on Main Street, featuring oyster farmers, vendors, and live entertainment like The Reagan Years, with proceeds benefiting Chesapeake Bay conservation.

 

The Downtown Westminster Farmers' Market operates every Saturday from 8 AM to 12 PM through November 22, 2025, with themed days such as "Touch a Firetruck + Ambulance Day!" on the 18th and "National Pumpkin Day!" on the 25th.

 

A free family event, Spooky Saturday, is scheduled for October 25 from 3-6 PM on Main Street, featuring trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, games, crafts, and live entertainment; it begins with the one-mile Spooky Sprint at 2:55 PM. Official Trick-or-Treating within city limits is set for October 31st from 6-8 PM, and residents are asked to turn on their front porch light to indicate participation.

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Recreation and Parks events at Wakefield Valley Park include a free Walk with a Naturalist-Sunrise Hike on Monday, October 13, from 7:30-8:30 AM (email appreciated for attendance). A free, required-registration Owl Prowl for all ages is planned for Tuesday, October 29, from 6:00-7:30 PM, starting with a presentation before a guided night hike.

 

The Westminster Family Fitness Center offers various membership options, including access to over 50 group fitness classes per week, open gym time for basketball and pickleball, and childcare services for youth 11 and under. Drop-in Pickleball is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and classes are offered throughout the month.

 

The Adaptive Recreation Program for peers with special needs (ages 18+) offers socialization, service projects, community outings, and a "Fit and Fun with Melanie" dance-exercise class. The City is also seeking volunteers for events like the Celtic Canter, Wine Stroll, and Fallfest, offering incentives such as tickets and merchandise.

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Looking ahead, the Miracle on Main event is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, and will include Santa's Treat, an ice rink, the Holiday Lane Market, the Jingle Bell Run at 4:55 PM, the Holiday Electric Parade, and the ceremonial tree lighting. Parade applications are currently open for local organizations and businesses. The newsletter also mentions a December community event, A Night in Bethlehem, a free outdoor theatrical adventure on December 5th and 6th.

 

Finally, the City of Westminster has been recognized as a Bird City Maryland, and its signature bird is the Eastern Bluebird.

+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

City of Westminster MD hosts 30th Annual Urban and Community Forestry Workshop Tuesday at McDaniel College

Westminster hosts 30^th Forestry Workshop

City of Westminster MD hosts 30th Annual Urban and Community Forestry Workshop Tuesday at McDaniel College. Over 85 attended. Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - The City of Westminster Tree Commission, the City of Westminster Planning and Community Development, and Bartlett Tree Experts hosted the 30th Annual Urban and Community Forestry Workshop Tuesday at McDaniel College.

Over 85 horticulturists and arb
orists from throughout the State of Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region attended.

According to information on the City of Westminster web site, “The annual workshop was established with the goal of improving the skills of arborists, foresters, gardeners, and landscapers from government agencies. To this end, the one day event brings in industry experts from around the country to provide professional training and education. State Foresters and private arborists and foresters are welcomed as well.

“All eligible attendees receive Maryland Licensed Tree Expert, Maryland Pesticide Applicator--Full Recertification and Continuing Education Credits from ISA (International Society of Arborists) . Offering these re-certification and continuing education credits is an ongoing service which recognizes the professional achievements of the attendees.”

Topics covered by the workshop included: “Safety in Arboriculture, Chainsaw, Big Tree Program, Regulatory Update, Insect Update, Disease Update, [and] Tree Pruning.”

Folks who attended the workshop learned from “experts in the areas of: Safety Issues and Advancements in the Green Industry, Latest Insects and Treatment Options, How to Identify and Manage Diseases in the Landscape, How to Identify and Address Abiotic/Cultural Issues, Proper Pruning Techniques, [and] Regulatory Compliance - Updates on New Laws, Procedures…”

The workshops and presentations included Insect Update by Dr. Laura Nixon University of Maryland. Extension Specialist – Ornamental IPM and Entomology; Electrical Hazard Awareness by Mr. Chris Sprague, Bartlett Tree Experts; Disease Update presented by Mr. Dave Clement, University of Maryland; Pesticide Update by Stephen Goff, Department of Agriculture; DNR Tree Expert Update and roadside tree permits, Mr. Dan Coy, Maryland DNR; Proper techniques for planting trees by Jeremy Baker Bartlett tree - Outdoor Demo; and the Benefits of root invigoration using an air spade by Dr. Glynn Percival Bartlett Research Lab - Outdoor Demo.

Photos caption: City of Westminster MD hosts 30th Annual Urban and Community Forestry Workshop Tuesday at McDaniel College. Over 85 attended. Tuesday, October 14, 2025 ] Kevin E. Dayhoff

Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2025/10/14/westminster-hosts-30th-forestry-workshop/

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff/articles

Kevin Earl Dayhoff Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/pfbid09HBywiMmxAJEoiE8UjSUcAcVHcRBK73YDt9tqHitANShD35TrUx2L2dPknPczvYcl

+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT

Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff