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
Showing posts with label Carroll Co Commissioners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carroll Co Commissioners. Show all posts

Saturday, March 23, 2019

March 2004 Board of Commissioners begin community discussion session

March 2004 Board of Commissioners begin community discussion session

MEDIA RELEASE: BOARD INITIATES COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Beginning the month of March, 2004, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners will introduce an additional opportunity for the public to comment on current issues facing Carroll County. In an effort to further enhance their desire to make government more open to the community, the County Commissioners will provide this forum twice a month preceding their scheduled public agenda. The Commissioner Discussion time will begin at 9:30 AM on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.

The Board encourages all residents to take advantage of this opportunity for public discussion on concerns and issues facing Carroll County. The meetings will be held for 30 minutes in room 300A of the County Office Building. Citizens will be requested to submit their questions in writing regarding their specific concerns. Any questions that are not addressed during this period will be forwarded to the appropriate County staff, and a response will be forwarded in a timely manner.

The first such session will be this coming Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 300A of the County Office Building. The 30-minute time slot will be re-evaluated for future sessions as participation merits.

https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2019/03/march-2004-board-of-commissioners-begin.html 
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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council
Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019
Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
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Saturday, February 16, 2019

Former Carroll County Commissioner John B. Joy, 85, of Taneytown


Former Carroll County Commissioner John B. Joy, 85, of Taneytown

John "Dick" Joy, Jr. MARCH 17, 1933 ~ FEBRUARY 8, 2019 (AGE 85)

John B. “Dick” Joy, Jr., 85, of Taneytown died on Friday, February 8, 2019 at Gettysburg Hospital. Born March 17, 1933 in Baltimore, he was the son of the late John B. Joy, Sr. and the late Ella Louise (Kiefer) Joy. He was the devoted husband of Janet (Rodkey) Joy, to whom he was married for 64 years.

John was a graduate of New Windsor High School, class of ’51 and earned a B.A. degree in Economics from Western Maryland College in 1959.  He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Taneytown.  He served as Carroll County Commissioner from 1974-1978, was a member of the Carroll County Farm Museum Board for several years, and was a life-member of the Westminster Elks Lodge. John enjoyed cooking, gardening, and watching western movies. He was a fan of the former Baltimore Colts and had met many of the Colts players over the years.

Surviving, in addition to his beloved wife Janet, are his 5 children, John B. Joy III and wife Renee of Atlanta, GA, James T. Joy and wife Tawny of Shippensburg, PA, Susan J. Bowersox and husband Roy of Westminster, Alan B. Joy and wife Lynn of Littlestown, PA, and Robert P. Joy and wife Joyce of Sykesville;

Brothers-in-law, Fern Rodkey of Taneytown and Terry Smith and wife Janet of Hanover, PA; 13 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by brother, Thomas F. Joy, sister, Betty J. Bowman, and sister-in-law, Doris J. Rodkey.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME, 136 E. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD with Deacon Charles E. Barnhart, Jr. officiating.

Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.  The family will receive friends 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12th at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John’s name may be made to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 38 W. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD 21787.


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Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun
Westminster Fire Dept. and MTA Lodge #20 Chaplain and PIO
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/

Friday, September 29, 2017

Congratulations to Commissioner Steve Wantz for graduating from the Univ. of MD Academy for Excellence in Local Governance

Congratulations to Commissioner Steve Wantz for graduating from the Univ. of MD Academy for Excellence in Local Governance

Commissioner Steve Wantz, District 1, graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance on Sunday, September 24, 2017
 
September 28, 2017 by Kevin Dayhoff

It was announced today that Commissioner Steve Wantz, District 1, graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance on Sunday, September 24, 2017.

The graduation ceremony took place at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy Academy Fellows graduation ceremony in the University of Maryland Memorial Chapel.

I would like to be among the first to congratulate Commissioner Wantz on his accomplishment. Graduating from the academy takes long hours, and a great deal of perseverance, and dedication, on top of attending to the day-to-day time and energy challenges of being an elected official.

Westminster Common Council Member Suzanne Albert and I graduated among a total of five local Carroll County officials on June 2, 2001. We are well-aware of the challenges of attending out of town classes and spending long hours in the classroom in order to complete a minimum of 12 classes in a two year period, in order to be eligible to graduate.

In 1999, I was encouraged to take the classes, by my late father-in-law Dave Babylon, who had served on the Westminster Common Council for 25 years in the 1970s-1980s. He was a big supporter of the MML and emphasized looking beyond our walls – beyond of city limits for learning opportunities in order that we maintain Westminster’s reputation for being on the cutting edge of forward thinking governance.

On October 18, 1999, I explained in a memo, “The Academy is a joint effort of the Maryland Municipal League (MML), the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT,) and the University of Maryland Institute for Governmental Service (IGS.)

“The Academy is a voluntary training program designed as an educational response to the professional needs of local officials in Maryland. Local Officials are increasingly asked to do more, often with fewer resources. As more governmental decision making is made at the local level, increasingly, local officials are called on to understand and make decisions on highly complex issues with weighty implications to their jurisdictions.

“The Academy has been designed to help local officials meet the challenges of their roles. To receive the Academy certificate local government officials must complete training sessions on six core topics and six elective topics. Classes will be of varying lengths. On average, it is expected each Fellow will have completed between 25 and 40 hours of training.” 

On September 28, 2017, Carroll County government announced that “Commissioner Wantz joined more than 90 public officials from across the state to receive an Academy certificate in the presence of family and friends. All Academy Fellows completed a substantial number of program hours, which included core and elective classes designed to meet their professional needs as municipal or county officials in local government. Through the program, Academy Fellows not only enhanced their understanding of local government issues and ethical standards for public service, but also developed a foundation for informed policy making and effective governance.

Commissioner Steve Wantz said in a county media release, “This professional development program greatly increased my knowledge as a government official. The curriculum was challenging and included topics such as risk management, county financial management, employment issues, ethics, open meetings, and the Public Information Act. I thoroughly enjoyed working with officials from other jurisdictions and believe the program made me a stronger, more informed and effective leader for Carroll County.”

The release further explained “The Academy, which offered its first classes in 1998, is a collaborative effort between the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, the Maryland Municipal League, the Maryland Association of Counties, and the Local Government Insurance Trust.

“The School of Public Policy is recognized as one of the country’s premier programs in public policy and management. The School has more than 25 years of experience delivering acclaimed leadership development and public policy programs to public (federal, state and local) clients as well as for- and non-profit organizations and government agencies from abroad.”

Congratulations Commissioner Wantz. The classes you took to graduate from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance will serve you well and all of Carroll County will benefit.




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Saturday, May 06, 2017

More pictures from the Troop 1750 Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Matthew D. Yingling


More pictures from the Troop 1750 Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Matthew D. Yingling, Sat. May 6, 2017 at Zion United Methodist Church in Shipley Maryland. 

Hats off to Carroll County Commissioner Richard Weaver and Maryland State Police Captain Holly Barrett for taking the time out of their hectic schedules to not only attend, but speak well and stay after the ceremonies to talk with folks. RESPECT. 

Zion United Methodist Church in Shipley is always Norman Rockwell perfect for these occasions. 

It was great to see my Westminster High School Class of 1971 classmate Ronnie Zepp and his wife, Debbie Zepp, who also participated in the service. Thank you

Troop 1750 Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Matthew D. Yingling


Troop 1750 Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Matthew D. Yingling, Sat. May 6, 2017 at Zion United Methodist Church in Shipley Maryland.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Former Carroll County MD Commissioner Roger Mann has died

Former Carroll County MD Commissioner Roger Mann has died

Roger Mann was a county commissioner from 1974 to 1982



According to an obituary published by the Fletcher Funeral Home early Tuesday afternoon, January 27, 2014, former Carroll County Commissioner Roger Mann has died.


Former Carroll County Commissioner, Roger L. Mann, 85, of Selbyville, Delaware, formerly of Westminster, died Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at Homewood at Plum Creek.  Born December 4, 1929, in Finksburg, Maryland, he was the son of the late Carroll I. Mann, Sr. and Alpha Schaeffer Mann.

He began working, as a teenager, at Congoleum Industries in Finksburg, and shortly thereafter, became a lifelong entrepreneur.  He owned various produce stands in the Westminster and Finksburg area, Woodsboro, and Ocean City, Maryland; operated Mann’s Cider Mill in Westminster; and also for many years, owned and drove school busses in the Westminster area.

Roger was a two term Carroll County Commissioner, having been elected first in 1974, and re-elected in 1978.  Following his retirement from the Commissioner’s office, he relocated to Selbyville, Delaware, opened his produce stand in Ocean City, Maryland, and wintered in Florida.

He is survived by a son, Roger Larry Mann of Pooler, Georgia, a sister, Betty Mann Wiley of Estero, Florida, devoted friend, Gladys Morelock of Littlestown, Pennsylvania, and nieces and nephews, Kenny Mann, Joyce Crigger, Jerry Mann, Debbie Munshower, Cindy Lewis and Sandy Magnante.

He was predeceased by his former wife, Mae Barnhart Mann, and brother, Carroll I. Mann, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services, 254 E. Main St., Westminster.


Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will follow in Finksburg Cemetery. 
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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

From Tuesday, December 7, 2010: Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack: Carroll's 59th Board of County Commissioners sworn into office

Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack: Carroll's 59th Board of County Commissioners sworn...: Carroll's 59th Board of County Commissioners sworn into office 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/44811344/Carroll-s-59th-Board-of-County-Commis...

 - See more at: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2013/06/from-tuesday-december-7-2010-kevin.html#sthash.EpP4HiuH.dpuf

Carroll Co Commissioners 59th Brd, Carroll Co Commissioners, Dayhoff writing archives
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack: Kay Church, 66 of Manchester, July 6, 1946 - June ...

Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack: Kay Church, 66 of Manchester, July 6, 1946 - June ...: Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack: 20060713 Happy Birthday Kay Church : Happy Birthday Kay Church July 13 th , 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff Ca...


Kay Church, 66 of Manchester, July 6, 1946 - June 6, 2013



Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack: 20060713 Happy Birthday Kay Church: Happy Birthday Kay Church July 13 th , 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff Carroll County Commissioners Julia Gouge, Dean Minnich, and Perry Jon...

Kay Church, 66 of Manchester, July 6, 1946 - June 6, 2013




On Thursday June 6, 2013 Florence Kathleen (Kay) Church age 66 of Manchester, Md. passed away at the Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, MD.

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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Kay Church, 66 of Manchester, July 6, 1946 - June 6, 2013

Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack: 20060713 Happy Birthday Kay Church: Happy Birthday Kay Church July 13 th , 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff Carroll County Commissioners Julia Gouge, Dean Minnich, and Perry Jon...

Kay Church, 66 of Manchester, July 6, 1946 - June 6, 2013 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2013/06/kay-church-66-of-manchester-july-6-1946.html



On Thursday June 6, 2013 Florence Kathleen (Kay) Church age 66 of Manchester, Md. passed away at the Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, MD.

Born July 6, 1946 in Bluefield, West Virginia she was the daughter of the late Garland Wiley and Betty Jane Shupe and the wife of 43 years to Ronald Church. http://www.eckhardtfuneralchapel.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2112316&fh_id=11311

Surviving in addition to her husband is daughter Lisa Lynne (Church) Breeden, son Ronald A. Church Jr. son in law Andrew Breeden, and grandchildren Ethan, Chandler, Abby, Hannah and Elijah, sisters Karen Sipe of Columbus Ohio and Jinny Lynn Brooks of North Beach Md. and brothers David and John Shupe of Roanoke Va, Jason Shupe of Laurel Md, and Mason Shupe of Alexandria Va.

Kay Grew up in Silver Spring Md and was a 1965 graduate of Montgomery Blair High School. She was the Main Desk receptionist at the Carroll County Government office building for 20 years, retiring from that position in 2010.

Viewings will be held at Eckhardt Funeral Chapel P.A. 3296 Charmil Drive Manchester Md 21102 on Monday evening June 10 from 7:00-9:00 pm, and Tuesday June 11 from 10:00 am until noon.

Following the Tuesday viewing a memorial service will be held officiated by Father James K. Hamrick.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company ambulance crew for their exemplary service and care during our trying time. Donations of any amount will be accepted at both viewings to benefit this most worthy cause.

Online condolences may be made to www.eckhardtfuneralchapel.com.



Happy Birthday Kay Church
July 13th, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Carroll County Commissioners Julia Gouge, Dean Minnich, and Perry Jones surprise Carroll County Office Building receptionist Kay Church with a birthday cake for her birthday.

People Carroll County, Carroll County Commissioners, Carroll County Government News

Related: 20060706 KDDC Aunt Kay Birthday Cake and the Commissioners

Last Thursday was a milestone birthday for the receptionist at the Carroll County office building information desk, Kay Church, aka “Aunt Kay.

How old is she did you ask? Well, here at the Westminster Eagle, we’re not in the business of competing with The New York Times when it comes to divulging state secrets, but we will give you a hint. She’s the same age as President George W. Bush.

So just what does an “information desk receptionist” do? After all, I have always been focused on the fact that she has a friendly greeting, warm smile, and almost always has cookies. She sits almost exactly where the old Crowl ice cream factory used to be, long before the office building was there, so she is continuing a great tradition of hospitality through food.

When I wander into the building, Aunt Kay is quick to tell me where to go. In my years of working for the public I’ve been told where to go on a number of occasions, but no one does it as nicely as Aunt Kay.

According to our sources, Aunt Kay is part guidance counselor, honorary bailiff (armed with a salad shooter and hard carrots at the ready,) tour guide and mother confessor.

She is also the mother of two grown children. Well, three, if you count her husband, Ron, who also works for county government in the Bureau of Development Review.

Aunt Kay has worked for the county since August 1988, when, after working for Black and Decker in Hampstead, the Manchester Pharmacy and the Hampstead sewing factory, she took a job in personnel services (now called production distribution,) on the bottom floor of the building.

In November 1989 she got a promotion and a raise – to the first floor, where she has been found ever since in her “command station” at the main entrance of the building.

As for her job, Aunt Kay says, she’s “taken an avocation and turned it into a career. I like people and I like talking.”

Recently I had an opportunity to sit down with Aunt Kay so she could talk a little about her job. And talk is exactly what she did. It was like opening the flood gates of genuinely friendly southern charm.

Then again, getting Aunt Kay to talk was not only easy, but getting Aunt Kay to take a break is not really that unusual since she always takes time to help citizens as they hustle and bustle by her command post. And usually, no matter how busy she is, she acts like her sole job is to help you.

“I love serving the public. Carroll County citizens are the best,” as she bubbled over with pride about working for Carroll County government and flowery praise and admiration for her co-workers in the building.

She’s not the first to be the friendly public gatekeeper for the building, Bea Sauble had served in the position for ten years. Aunt Kay was quick and adamant to be sure that it was mentioned that she works with a team that includes, Patsy Hughes, Brenda Wetzel, Gina Ellis, Courtney Hammond and JoAnna Crone.

“This building is really something,” she elaborated. “Oh, everyone has their day now and then, but by far, this is the greatest, kindest and most caring group of folks … This building is all one big team.”

She also quickly added that she wished everyone could be aware of the “dedication, hard work and everything that goes into public service” by the county employees.

As Aunt Kay has now worked for county government for three decades and five different commissioner administrations, she has seen some changes over the years.

Every commissioner she “has ever worked with has been really dedicated. They take the time to get to know each employee’s name and they make you feel like an equal and valuable part of a team. Each and every one of them has been especially good to me.”

“Of course, the building was smaller. The county was smaller, but county government is still small enough to know its customers and be in the customer service business.

“I used to walk to work until the traffic began to worry me”, she lamented. Of course, what most readers don’t know, is that when Aunt Kay, the energizer bunny, talks about walking to work, we’re not just speaking of traveling by foot from around the block. “It’s only 10 miles from home to the county office building,” she adds casually.

One of her goals when she retires is the walk the 2,144 mile Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. But no one wants her to retire anytime too soon.

Asked how the tradition of the cookies began, she said that “cookies have always been a part of who I am. Being raised in the south, when visitors come you feed them. Besides, I love to bake.”

“This job… working with the public has been so good to me that the cookies are the least I can do to give something back. Folks used to be surprised (that cookies are available at the receptionist desk,) now folks stop by her desk before they see the bailiffs and ask for a cookie.”

Always greeting citizens with a smile and a cookie does give way to humor from time to time. When asked for a funny story or two, she lit up and immediately responded, “My favorite one - and it happens every day is the question: ‘Do these stairs go down?’”

For Kay Church everything is always looking up and the county is fortunate to have her and the many other hundreds of great county employees working for our quality of life and future.

Next time you are in the county office building - or call, say happy birthday to Aunt Kay. Her birthday was last week, but when you walk in the county office building, every citizen is special and every day is your birthday.

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Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.


E-mail him at: kevindayhoff AT gmail.com


His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com;  Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com  
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Thursday, February 07, 2013

The Tentacle Kevin Dayhoff: Carroll County Commissioner John L Armacost – R.I.P. http://tinyurl.com/bzdqmtk



The Tentacle Kevin Dayhoff: Carroll County Commissioner John L Armacost – R.I.P. http://tinyurl.com/bzdqmtk






Many were saddened recently to learn that the well-respected longstanding community leader and former Carroll County commissioner, John L. Armacost, died January 13.

I had the privilege and honor to work for Commissioner Armacost in several capacities in the 1980s when he was in office from 1982 to 1986 with Jeffrey Griffith and William V. Lauterbach. From 1986 to 1990, Commissioner Armacost served with Commissioner Griffith and then-newcomer, Julia Walsh Gouge.

In those years I served the county during Commissioner Armacost’s term in office on a number of state and county boards and commissions including the county landscape manual committee and the tree preservation committee, in addition to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forestry Board, and numerous agricultural committees with the University of Maryland and the County Extension Service.

I also worked with Dr. Raymond J. Miller, the University of Maryland's Vice Chancellor for Agricultural Affairs, on panel luncheons on present and future challenges to the Carroll and Frederick County agricultural community. The sustainability of the business of agriculture was consistently an important issue for Commissioner Armacost and I recall well his keen interest in those discussions.

Commissioner Armacost served as president of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners from 1982 to 1990. During his tenure he was well known for his sound conservative management of the county budget and his thorough knowledge of the nuts and bolts of how a county works on a day-to-day basis… http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5609
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Saturday, February 02, 2013

Commissioner Armacost's fiscal conservatism had its roots in Carroll upbringing - By Kevin E. Dayhoff, http://tinyurl.com/a4882bw


Kevin Dayhoff: Armacost's fiscal conservatism had its roots in Carroll upbringing http://tinyurl.com/a4882bw

Well-respected community leader and former Carroll County commissioner John L. Armacost died on Jan. 13 at age 89. During his tenure as a two-term commissioner, Armacost was known for his sound conservative management of the county budget and his knowledge of the nuts and bolts of how a county works on a day-to-day basis.

He served as president of the Board of County Commissioners from 1982 to 1990. He opted to not run for another term in 1990…. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-county/towson/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0203-20130130,0,3712037.story



Commissioner Armacost's fiscal conservatism had its roots in Carroll upbringing - By Kevin E. Dayhoff, http://tinyurl.com/a4882bw

January 30, 2013


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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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.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/
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Monday, October 29, 2012

English as the official language proposed in Carroll County MD


“English Only” Up in Carroll County by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 24, 2012

In Carroll County, a hearing is scheduled in New Windsor on October 30 to gather public input on a proposed ordinance, similar to the one passed by Frederick County officials in February to designate English as the official language of the county.

In Frederick County, the proposal passed by a vote of 4-1 and, according to the Associated Press, “requires official actions of Frederick County to be taken only in English.”

Of course, nevermind that federal and state laws mandate that various government agencies offer assistance to non-English speakers.

If a predominant number of the members of the Frederick and Carroll County Boards of Commissioners were from the Democrat Party, Republicans would be screaming bloody-murder about such legislation being a waste of taxpayers’ time and money… Oh, well, nevermind, moving right along here…

Although the idea for such an ordinance in Carroll County has been discussed since last winter, or earlier, the proposal was introduced by the Board of Commissioners September 27.

The entire kerfuffle over “English only” piqued my curiosity since our area of the state has only spoken English for approximately 25 percent of our history… In our modern history, anecdotal accounts indicate that German was the predominant language in Carroll up to around the time of the Civil War, especially in the northern and western portions of the county.

My thoughts were immediately channeled into a column I wrote October 20 in The Baltimore Sun, “Strictly speaking, Carroll's predominant language was once German.”

“In October 1833, in the area we now know as Carroll County, a vote was taken as to whether or not we should form a new county in Maryland from portions of Baltimore and Frederick counties.”

Much of the opposition to forming a new county came from the predominant German population in Taneytown, Manchester and Hampstead. “Some of those folks were not really sure they wanted to form a new county – especially with a minority that spoke English and owned slaves, and well, perhaps were not as well educated or cultured as the German population.

“There was a great deal of concern that the English speakers would never learn German – and thus would exploit the generosity of the German majority. Paying extra taxes to support the English speakers was also of great concern…

Ultimately, the October 1833 referendum was defeated.” … http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5414

Related – also see: Eagle Archive: Strictly speaking, Carroll's predominant language was once German by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/8hvbfy2



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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Rising number of Latinos spurs English language debate in Carroll County By Julie Scharper, The Baltimore Sun


Rising number of Latinos spurs English language debate in Carroll County -
Hispanic population, though still relatively small, has more than tripled since 2000 By Julie Scharper, The Baltimore Sun October 6, 2012

Adrian Barrera leads a crew of migrant farm workers from Mexico who pick apples at Baugher Farms. The migrants work on the farm for 8 months out of the year, then move on to work somewhere else or return to their native country until the next growing season. (Barbara Haddock Taylor, The Baltimore Sun / October 6, 2012)


Amid the quaint brick storefronts of Westminster's Main Street, Lily's Mexican Market sells Virgin of Guadalupe statues, sacks of dried beans and paddle-shaped cactus leaves. A mile away, the aisles of Las Palmeras grocery store are stocked with Salvadoran cheeses and pastries. A nearby Catholic church draws more than 200 people to a Spanish Mass each Sunday.

Mexican and Central American immigrants have flocked to Carroll County over the past decade, drawn by pastures and orchards that remind them of the rural villages in which they were raised. Some followed family members here; others sought to live among those who share their traditional values. Many say they felt welcome here, at least until a commissioner began a push to make English the county's official language… http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/carroll/bs-md-ca-latinos-in-carroll-20121006,0,4715149,full.story

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Also see related:

Hearing on county's English language bill set for Oct. 30


The Board of County Commissioners will hold its public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 30, regarding the proposal to designate English as the official language of Carroll County.

The hearing will be held at 7 p.m. at the New Windsor Community Building, Community Meeting Room, 1100 Green Valley Road, New Windsor.
This ordinance, if passed, would recognize English as the language in which all official county business will be conducted.

The ordinance, as proposed, can be read HERE

For commentary on the proposed ordinance, from an historic point of view, by Kevin Dayhoff, go to: Eagle Archive: Strictly speaking, Carroll's predominant language was once German by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/8hvbfy2




In October 1833, in the area we now know as Carroll County, a vote was taken as to whether or not we should form a new county in Maryland from portions of Baltimore and Frederick counties.

A bill authorizing the vote passed the General Assembly on March 2, 1833, according to "Carroll County Maryland, A History 1837-1976," by Nancy Warner, and "Advocates of the new county sprang into action" to help promote the vote.

They formed committees to write pamphlets containing arguments advocating a vote in favor of a new county. Several of my ancestors, the Warfields were members of this committee.
Some of the pamphlets were even printed in English — a special consideration, since the predominant language in Carroll County at the time was German.

Anecdotal accounts indicate that German was the predominant language in Carroll up to around the time of the Civil War, especially in the northern and western portions of the county… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archive-1021-20121020,0,7714126.story
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