Carroll County Maryland: Airport expansion back on track
Land Acquisition Case Concludes Clearing Path for Airport
Safety Enhancements
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
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/
