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 Dist Hampstead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carroll Co Dist Hampstead. Show all posts

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Eagle Archive: In 1923, sheriff busted the Hampstead fireman's carnival for gambling



On Wednesday, Aug. 1, 1923, the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company carnival was accused of running a gambling operation and was shut down by Carroll County Sheriff William Phillips.

Phillips appeared on the carnival grounds with Carroll County State's Attorney Theodore F. Brown, and arrested the person in charge of the carnival's amusements, Thomas Zepp, and hauled him off to jail.

Pandemonium broke loose in Hampstead as a result. This was especially true because of the significance the Hampstead fireman's carnival has played in the history of the town…

*****

Monday, April 11, 2011

Maryland State Police: TROOPER INVOLVED SHOOTING FATALLY WOUNDS CARROLL CO. WOMAN

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2011


TROOPER INVOLVED SHOOTING FATALLY WOUNDS CARROLL CO. WOMAN
(HAMPSTEAD, MD) – Carroll County woman armed with handgun who was threatening suicide was fatally wounded by Maryland state trooper this evening after she refused repeated orders to surrender and repeatedly pointed the gun at him.  

                    The investigation is continuing and police are still on the scene in the 4600-block of Upper Beckleysville Road, Hampstead, Md.  Troopers from the Westminster Barrack were called to the home at about 5:40 p.m. today for domestic situation between the 40-year-old woman and her sister, with whom she lived.  While troopers were en route to the scene, second call was received informing troopers the woman had armed herself with handgun and was threatening suicide.  The woman’s sister reported she and her teenaged daughter had locked themselves in an upstairs bathroom.

                    Two troopers, Hampstead Police officer and Carroll County deputy sheriff arrived at the two-story home shortly before 6:00 p.m.  The preliminary investigation indicates the woman appeared at upstairs and downstairs windows repeatedly pointing the gun at the police officers.  The woman refused repeated commands to drop the weapon and continued to repeatedly point the gun at the trooper.  In fear for his life, the trooper fired his Department-issued .40 caliber pistol, wounding the woman.  

                    Emergency care was immediately provided and EMS units were summoned to the scene.  The woman was flown by Maryland State Police medevac helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center where she was pronounced dead.  No law enforcement officers were injured.  

                    Members of the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, Westminster Barrack Criminal Investigation Section, Internal Affairs Unit, and crime scene technicians from the State Police Forensic Sciences Division are continuing the investigation at the scene.  They are expected to remain at the scene until the early morning hours. 

                    After family members have been notified and the investigation has progressed, more detailed news release will be issued tomorrow morning that will contain identities and additional information.  

###


CONTACT: Greg Shipley
Office of Media Communications & Marketing
410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

*****

Friday, March 19, 2010

Baltimore Co. police have identified man found in burning car

Baltimore Co. police have identified man found in burning car just outside Hampstead last week
March 18, 2010 By Kevin Dayhoff

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/baltimore-co-police-have-identified-man.html Labels: Carroll Co Dist Hampstead, Carroll Co Dist Taneytown, Current Events, MD co Baltimore Co, MD co Baltimore Co issues, MD co Baltimore Co police

Baltimore County police have identified that a Taneytown man was the victim of a vehicle fire last week. Officials say the man is John David Metcalf, 48, of the 4600-block of Buffington Lane.

The autopsy revealed no evidence that John David Metcalf had been the victim of a crime, say Baltimore County police.

The incident occurred last Friday about 1:42 a.m., as firefighters and police responded to a vehicle on fire in the 4600 block of Black Rock Road of Upperco in the northern Baltimore County, just across the county line from Hampstead, Carroll County.

At the time, a man found inside the burning car was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to police, the victim was identified from dental records. The police investigation revealed that “Metcalf had been ill just prior to leaving work. It appears that while driving home, he stopped on the parking lot of Grace United Methodist Church. While parked at the location, a fire started in the engine of the vehicle. The victim’s death was caused by the car fire.”

The car fire last Friday is one of a rash of similar incidents in recent memory.

The Eagle reported yesterday that it was “Arson (that) caused $26,000 in total damage to two cars and a school bus in Mount Airy on Twin Arch Road.

Various media reports indicate similar car fire incidents in the southern York County, Pa., the Parkton area in northern Baltimore County and just last spring there was another death as the result of a car fire in a church parking in Hampstead

####

*****

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

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Maryland State Police: Two dead in Hampstead murder-suicide

Two dead in Hampstead murder-suicide

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

A tragedy as the result of domestic violence has once again struck Carroll County.

In an incident yesterday, an ex-husband is alleged to have shot his way into the home of his ex-wife, killed her fiancé, and then turned gun on himself.

By Kevin Dayhoff http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/03/maryland-state-police-two-dead-in.html Labels: Carroll Co Dist Hampstead, Carroll County crime, Crime, Dayhoff writing essays crime, MD State Police, Public Safety Domestic Violence http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/309053.html

(Hampstead, MD) – The Maryland State Police were called to the scene of an apparent murder-suicide, in the late-morning hours of Tuesday, March 16, 2010, just outside of the town of Hampstead in northern Carroll County, Maryland, which has left two men dead.

According to the Maryland State Police, a 911 call came in to Carroll County Emergency Operations Center shortly after 11:00 a.m. “from a woman in the 1200-block of Allview Drive. She told the dispatcher that her ex-husband had just come into her home and shot her fiancé before shooting himself.”

When police arrived they found two deceased males in a first floor family room at the rear of the house, according to Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley.

A subsequent investigation indicates that one of the males, identified as Michael L. Swift, III, 45 of the 3600-block of Benson Ave., Halethorpe, Baltimore County Md, is alleged to have used a shotgun to shoot his way through a sliding glass door in the back of the house.

At that point, police believe that Swift shot Zaidan S. “Steve” Asid, 51 and then turned the gun on himself. A .12-gauge shotgun was still in the possession of Swift when police arrived.

The police investigation revealed that the woman, (whom Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack will not identify because she is the victim of domestic violence,) who had made the 911 call, is apparently the former wife of Swift - and currently the fiancé of Asid, and lived at the home.

Police indicate that she was in the residence at the time of the shooting. She was taken for a medical examination, but found to be apparently unharmed physically. No one else was in the home at the time of the shooting.

The deceased were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies as the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit spent the rest of the afternoon investigating the scene.

The Maryland State Police said that the investigation is ongoing. Check back with Kevin Dayhoff - Soundtrack - http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ for more details as they develop.

#### http://www.mdsp.org/media/press_release_details.asp?identifier=911

*****

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

Saturday, May 23, 2009

MSP has made a positive ID made of man found in burning truck

Maryland State Police has made a positive ID made of man found in burning truck

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2009


(Hampstead, MD) � A forensic examination has resulted in the positive identification of the man whose body was found inside a burning truck on a Carroll County church parking lot early yesterday morning.

The victim is identified as Duane F. Fuller, 39, of the 2600-block of Susanann Drive, Hampstead, Md. The identification was made through the use of dental records by forensic experts at the Office of the State Medical Examiner.

The cause and manner of Fuller's death remain under investigation. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be investigated by State Police criminal investigators from the Westminster Barracks and deputy state fire marshals from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

At about 4:15 a.m. yesterday, members of the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department responded to extinguish a fully-engulfed pick up truck that was seen burning on the parking lot of a church in the 1600-block of Cape Horn Road, Hampstead. Fuller's body was found inside a 2006 diesel Ford utility pick up truck with a crew cab after fire personnel extinguished the blaze.

The truck belonged to Sunrise Safety Services of Glen Burnie. Fuller was employed by that company and was involved in work on the Hampstead Bypass, which is near where the victim was found.

The investigation is continuing.

###

CONTACT: Mr. Gregory ShipleyOffice of Media Communications & Marketing410-653-4236 (Office) 410-653-4200 (through Headquarters Duty Officer)

20090523 SDOSM MSP has made a positive ID made of man found in burning truck

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack:
http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art:
http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster:
http://www.westgov.net/

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Carroll County Sheriff’s Department: “Hampstead burglar confronted by resident; arrested”



Carroll County Sheriff’s Department: “Hampstead burglar confronted by resident; arrested”


Hampstead, Carroll County, Maryland, August 4, 2008 ---- Anthony Scott Busick aged 19 of Hampstead was arrested this afternoon by Sheriff’s Deputies for burglarizing a home on Upper Becklysville Road just outside the Town of Hampstead. At approximately 11:00 am, Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report from a resident at the home, who was awakened by loud “banging”. As the resident left his room to investigate, he encountered Busick, who apparently became frightened and fled the residence on foot.

During their investigation, sheriff’s deputies discovered that Busick had disabled the telephone line on the exterior of the home, before “kick[ing] open” the rear door. A witness identified Busick, who was located and arrested without incident at his home in Hampstead. Consequently, Busick was charged with several Criminal Law violations, including:

· First Degree Burglary
· Third Degree Burglary
· Fourth Degree Burglary
· Malicious Destruction of Property

Busick is currently being held at the Carroll County Detention Center while awaiting a bail review hearing before the District Court Commissioner.


# # #

20081004 Hampstead burglar confronted by resident arrested

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

20080428 The Havenator

20080428 The Havenator

The Havenator

April 28, 2008

In a recent phone call to a certain quintessential town in Carroll, I was greeted on the phone by the friendliest and perkiest town official, who put me through to the “MML Employee of the Year.” (“Meoy” – for short. Pronounced ‘meow.’)

As I chatted with Meoy, WAB, I remembered that I have had a number of requests to post the “Havenator Series” on the blog.

Soooo, without further adieu – here goes:

_____

“Q” May 10, 2008

Hampstead Mayor Havenator Q. Shoemaker and former-Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff share a moment as they reminisce about the “old days.” October 10, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff (with a Chris Ammann photo.)

“The Operation on Q.” May 13, 2004 Hampstead Mayor “The Havenator” Q. Shoemaker undergoes an “operation at the hands of his family and Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff

http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

http://gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

Kevin Dayhoff’s Facebook photo album

Kevin Dayhoff’s Facebook page

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Monday, April 28, 2008

20080428 The Havenator

The Havenator

April 28, 2008

In a recent phone call to a certain quintessential town in Carroll, I was greeted on the phone by the friendliest and perkiest town official, who put me through to the “MML Employee of the Year.” (“Meoy” – for short. Pronounced ‘meow.’)

As I chatted with Meoy, WAB, I remembered that I have had a number of requests to post the “Havenator Series” on the blog.

Soooo, without further adieu – here goes:

_____

“Q” May 10, 2008

Hampstead Mayor Havenator Q. Shoemaker and former-Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff share a moment as they reminisce about the “old days.” October 10, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff (with a Chris Ammann photo.)

“The Operation on Q.” May 13, 2004 Hampstead Mayor “The Havenator” Q. Shoemaker undergoes an “operation at the hands of his family and Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net

http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff

http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

http://gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

Kevin Dayhoff’s Facebook photo album

Kevin Dayhoff’s Facebook page

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Friday, May 11, 2007

20070509 In Hampstead Shoemaker, Nevin re-elected, newcomer Zynel picked

In Hampstead Election May 8th, 2007, Incumbent Hampstead mayor Haven Q. Shoemaker, incumbent councilman Chris Nevin re-elected, newcomer Joe Zynel picked for council seat.

Running on ticket pays off for Hampstead candidates

By Marjorie Censer, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, May 09, 2007

HAMPSTEAD — A ticket of incumbents and one newcomer succeeded in winning four-year terms in Hampstead’s municipal election Tuesday.

Incumbent Haven N. Shoemaker won the uncontested mayoral race, while incumbent Councilman Christopher M. Nevin and newcomer Joe Zynel captured the two available council seats. The three had campaigned as a ticket.

Shoemaker earned 425 votes from the 495 participating voters, which represented about 13 percent of those registered.

Nevin garnered 280 votes, while Zynel received 250, according to Town Manager Ken Decker.

Three of the other five candidates received more than 100 votes. Herbert E. Raver Sr. received 115, Danny R. Lee earned 106 and David Unglesbee garnered 105.

Kristi A. Yowell received 38 and Matthew M. Szybalski received seven, Decker said.

[…]

####

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

20070416 Carroll County EOC opens Monday evening


Carroll County Emergency Operations Center in action Monday evening, April 16th, 2007 (See Carroll County Public Information Administrator, Vivian Laxton’s press release pasted at the bottom of this post…

Posted April 17th, 2007

See also: 20070416 Press Releases for Baltimore Gas and Electric

Carroll County emergency response

The Carroll County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) opened for a couple of hours last Monday evening, April 16th, 2007 to swing-in and help the residents at the adaptively re-used former Hampstead High School.

Even though – by the time the operations center began to evacuate the senior residents, who had been without power since the wee hours of the moring, BGE got the power back on. So, as it worked out, the shelter was not needed but in the long run, it was a good drill and once again the EOC essentially operated flawlessly. (See pasted at the bottom of his post – links to one of the last times the EOC was activated and once again, performed flawlessly… The December 15th, 2007 train derailment in South Carroll.)

All of which should be comforting to Carroll County residents to know that once again, if emergency services had been needed – it runs well, by folks who really know what they are doing and are dedicated to protecting the public.

Some of the team members who gave up their evening to serve the public are in the photograph above. They are:

Mike Whitson, Carroll County Facilities Bureau Chief, is in the foreground.

Counter clockwise from Mr. Whitson is Ralph Green, the Carroll County Director of General Services.

Carroll County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Mark Gonder.

Ken Smallwood with the Red Cross.

Chrissy Calp, with the Carroll County Emergency Management – behind the computer terminal in the back.

Cyndi Ryan with the Red Cross.

Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association Liaison Leon Fleming - in the green shirt.

Also staffing the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center but not pictured was Bill Hall, Carroll County Emergency Management Coordinator; who had left earlier to go to the old Hampstead High School - “Hampstead Village.”

Jolene Sullivan, the Carroll County Director of Citizen Services who had left earlier to go open the North Carroll Senior Center.

Neal Roop, President, and CEO of Carroll Area Transit System, who was coordinating transportation for the seniors from Hampstead to the North Carroll Senior Center Shelter.

Vivian Laxton, the Carroll County Public Information Administrator.

Caroline Babylon with the Red Cross. And me – I took the picture.

____

20070416 Carroll County EOC opens Monday evening

News Release

For more information, contact: Vivian D. Laxton,
Public Information Administrator, 410-386-2973

For Immediate Release

Emergency Operations Center activates to assist seniors who lose electricity

April 16, 2007, 11:45 p.m. Carroll County emergency managers activated the Emergency Operations Center this evening to assist residents of an 84-unit senior housing center in Hampstead in anticipation of a night without heat or electricity.

Residents of the Villages of Hampstead, known as the old Hampstead School, first reported being without power to BG&E at 4 a.m. Power was restored by 11:15 p.m., before anyone had to be relocated to a shelter.

Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker requested the assistance of county officials as night approached. The facility is heated by electric heat pumps.

Agencies responded by arranging for cots to be set up in the North Carroll Senior and Community Center for as many as 70 of the approximately 100 residents.

The Departments of General Services and Citizen Services worked with the American Red Cross to establish the shelter. Carroll Area Transit Service provided two vehicles to transport residents. The Health Department agreed to send nurses to the shelter. Officers from the Hampstead Police Department and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office assisted. Once power was restored, the Emergency Operations Center shut down.

# # #

Carroll County emergency response

20061215 Press briefing at 6:30 pm on train derailment

20061215 Carroll Co. calling voluntary precautionary evacuation for train mishap

20061215 Sykesville Fire Dept Press Release by PIO Bill Rehkopf

20061215 CC PIO will host a news conference on train derailment

20061215 Train derails along Patapsco River

Thursday, November 23, 2006

20061121 WE Giving thanks WE


Crablaw
has George Washington's Proclamation of Thanksgiving from The Massachusetts Sentinel, October 14, 1789 – here.

Attila
shares a Psalm for Thanksgiving here.

Maryland Conservatarian
is “unabashedly thankful for having the good fortune to be an American.”

The Baltimore Reporter
hopes “you have a good one!”

Go here for Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation
from Washington, DC—October 3, 1863

And Monoblogue
is mumbling something about helicopters, WKRP and flying turkeys.

Hopefully you have spent Thanksgiving with family and loved ones. Please be sure to say a special prayer for all our men and women in uniform, in harms way.
_____

Giving thanks for history, and future, of America

11/21/06 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

This Thursday, America celebrates the American version of the "Harvest Festival," gathering families together and watching football; though it should be noted that this annual holiday originated as a celebration to give thanks for the annual harvest.

Of course, outside the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday is known as "Thursday," or "Jueves" in Taneytown.

Muchas personas piensan del d’a de acci—n de gracias como una maravillosa celebraci—n, que les permite tener un largo fin de semana disfrutando de una suculenta cena.

Today, there is no holiday that is more quintessentially American than Thanksgiving, according to many people -- including Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker, who shared his comments in English.

Our household has once again extended a warm invitation to Martha Stewart to join us for Thanksgiving. We're happy that she is out of the Big House, as it is imperative that America make room for more congressmen; especially since the last election has provided us with so many more great new prospects for "Club Fed."

In honor of the holiday, homage is paid to Ms. Stewart by delivering each and every paper to your door folded in the shape of a turkey.

(If yours did not arrive this way, call the editor immediately. And tell him I said, "Happy Thanksgiving!")

The layout for the newspaper was made-up of joyous and colorful words cut out of old political ads. To deliver your paper, I got up extra early, around 10 o'clock, and made an exact replica of the first Rural Free Delivery wagon used by Edwin W. Shriver to delivery mail in Carroll County on Dec. 20, 1899.

I constructed it out of scrap wood gathered from leftover stakes for political signs Ð and a glue gun.

I then created a jackass to pull the wagon, using some DNA lying around from the last election.

Thanksgiving in America was actually first observed at Berkeley Plantation, by the Virginia Colony on Dec. 4, 1619.

In the beginning of another American Thanksgiving tradition, 102 Pilgrims left Plymouth, England, in July 1620 to escape religious persecution.

They came to the New World as illegal immigrants to find a better way of life and persecute others who don't believe as they do or speak their language. But essentially they wanted to practice their religion without government interference, and since the ACLU did not exist at the time, they were allowed to do so.

The trip to the New World was planned by a government committee, which meant they arrived in December, without frozen food, Wal-Mart tents, replacement batteries for their laptops or ice cream.

The winter of 1620 to 1621 was unforgiving and half of the original boat-people died.

Although the local native Wampanoag Indians immediately passed a resolution that the illegal immigrants needed to learn the Wampanoag language; other more broad-minded Native-Americans kept the rest of them from perishing.

The pilgrims thanked the Native Americans by giving them smallpox and alcohol.

Later, as the New England colonists continued to annex Wampanoag land and build housing developments, the King Philip's War erupted, 1675Ð76, and the colonists exterminated the Native Americans and seized the rest of their lands.

Today, the tradition of King Philip's War is re-enacted in the form of public hearings in which the personal character and integrity of public officials is exterminated and all rules of civility seized.

Another American tradition began in 1621, when the New England pilgrims celebrated a feast of thanksgiving by giving thanks to God after a successful harvest.

Today, the Lord's Prayer has been replaced in school and public meetings by a moment of silent bewilderment, and any celebration of God has been systematically removed from public discourse and replaced by a greater conversation as to why our great country has lost its moral bearings.

Hopefully, this Thursday, you will spend the day with loved-ones and family.

Let us reach out to the xenophobic and to those in need of food, shelter, common sense and words of hope.

May we also remember our men and women in uniform in harm's way.

And may we ask that we be given patience, understanding, resolve, and wisdom in all that lies ahead for our great nation.


Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org.

©2004 MyWebPal.com. All rights reserved. Contact us at mailto:webmaster@mywebpal.com?subject=Ref%20:%20pnpid=978&body=Ref%20:%20pnpid=978 All other trademarks and Registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

20061007 O’Malley questions Hampstead By-pass


O'Malley questions priorities by Justin Palk of the Carroll County Times

Posted by Kevin Dayhoff October 10th, 2006

Last week, Carroll County Times writer, Justin Palk, picked up the story of the Democratic Maryland gubernatorial candidate criticizing the Hampstead by-pass.

It is a classic case of over-playing one’s hand. To be sure, there must be a road project or two that warrants some Monday-morning quarterbacking.

But the Hampstead by-pass ain’t it. Especially with appropriate land-use measures put into place to not facilitate sprawl in the future.

Quintessentially, this was economic and community infrastructure necessity as Hampstead was getting choked with standstill traffic every morning and evening and there was no way to widen the road through town…

The Hampstead by-pass has been discussed since the 1960s and under the leadership of Hampstead Mayor Haven Q. Shoemaker, his talented town councilmembers, the Carroll County Commissioners and the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis - - and Governor Ehrlich; it is now finally happening.

In The Carroll Record on March 23, 1972, the by-pass was discussed.

Yes, you read that correctly – 1972.

An article that appeared in The Carroll Record said:

State Asked To Accelerate Route 30 By-pass — The County Commissioners have asked a one-year acceleration in right-of-way purchases for the proposed Route 30 by-pass around Manchester and Hampstead. In a request to the State Highway Administration, the commissioners asked that $198,000 be shifted from the 1973-77 projections for work on Route 32 and be designed for the Route 30 by-pass.Under its present 5-year plan, the state agency would spend $91,000 for preliminary engineering and $413,000 for right of ways, during fiscal 1973. In the following four years $328,000 and $163,000 is planned for right of ways. Construction funds are presently ear-marked for 1975 and 1976. (The Carroll Record, March 23, 1972.)

It is also important to remember, that Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich took office, the state budget had a huge shortfall, a structural deficit and the transportation trust fund was essentially depleted.

Getting around to all the transportation needs of the state took some time and some difficult prioritization decisions as very finite resources had to be allocated as best as possible.

My previous post about this matter can be found here.

Anyway, I have always appreciated Mr. Palk’s work and I was happy that he looked into this story.

I have pasted below, for your convenience, Mr. Palk’s complete story, but anytime you get a chance, go to the Carroll County Times on-line and take a additional moment to seek out his work…

_____

O’Malley questions priorities

By Justin Palk, Times Staff Writer

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Few people in the Hampstead area would argue against building the bypass now being constructed around the town, said Haven Shoemaker, the town's mayor.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martin O'Malley, however, thinks it's an example of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s lack of vision for transportation in Maryland, said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O'Malley's campaign.

Not that that means the bypass is a bad project, Abbruzzese said.

O'Malley included the bypass in a list of items Ehrlich had spent state transportation dollars on rather than Baltimore's Red Line for mass transit when responding to a questionnaire from the Baltimore Transit Alliance.

Also in the list were an expansion of I-95 and Ehrlich's using Transportation Trust Fund dollars for non-transportation projects.

If O'Malley doesn't believe that the Hampstead bypass is a necessary project, he should try sitting on Md. 30 during rush hour, Shoemaker said.

"I think we've thrown more than enough money at mass transit," he said. "I think it's high time we receive funding for projects like this, particularly given the fact that we've been waiting for 45 years."

The Hampstead bypass is an $85.2-million project that will divert traffic off Md. 30, which runs through downtown Hampstead and carried approximately 19,000 to 24,000 vehicles a day through town in 2004, according to the State Highway Administration.

Construction workers broke ground on the project this year, and it is scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2008.

The Red Line would be Baltimore's first east-west rail line, part of a comprehensive expansion of mass transit in Baltimore that has a total cost estimated at $10 billion, according to the Maryland Transit Administration.

The list was only intended to show Ehrlich's overemphasis on roads and a lack of a statewide transit plan, not to criticize any particular project, Abbruzzese said.

"[Transportation planning] needs to be more than one road in one county," he said.

In his fiscal year 2007 transportation plan, Ehrlich included $7 million for ongoing planning for the Red Line, and projected spending money on engineering and right-of-way acquisition in fiscal year 2008, with construction to start in 2010.

On his Web site, Ehrlich lists several road projects among his transportation accomplishments, but also cites planning for new transit lines in and around metropolitan Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, and laying additional tracks for light rail service in Baltimore.

In the remaining weeks before the election, Abbruzzese said, the O'Malley campaign will be releasing a comprehensive transportation plan for the state, although no details are available yet.

Reach staff writer Justin Palk at 410-751-5909 or jpalk@lcniofmd.com.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

20061004 Mayor O’Malley criticizes Hampstead bypass

Mayor O’Malley criticizes Hampstead bypass


Posted by Kevin Dayhoff October 4th, 2006


A journalist-colleague I work with, Chris Cavy, just e-mailed me information that on the Baltimore Transit Alliance Questionnaire for Candidates for Governor. O’Malley went out of his way to single out the Hampstead By-Pass as part of a criticism of Governor Ehrlich’s transportation funding.


Mr. Cavey writes: “Unbelievable it is actually that high of a priority to pick on Hampstead’s long awaited transportation needs rather than any other project in our State.”


In a follow-up phone call with Mr. Cavey, a fellow Tentacle columnist and a regular columnist, every second Tuesday with the Jeffersonian, remarked: “I’m surprised and annoyed that a candidate for governor would have such a shallow grasp on the transportation issues in Carroll County and would go out of his way to criticize a basic infrastructure improvement critical for Carroll County’s future.”


Well – it is unbelievable that Mayor O’Malley would go out of his way to alienate all the moderate voters in Carroll County who understand that without a bypass, Hampstead’s future was being strangled by gridlock.


What was Mayor O’Malley thinking?


Below please find the question and answer. To view a PDF of the entire questionnaire, please find it here: For some background and introduction go here.


The Baltimore Transit Alliance writes:


Gubernatorial Candidates Offer Support for Transit

Responding to a questionnaire issued by the BTA, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and his challenger, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley both voiced strong support for transit in the Baltimore region. The candidates provided written responses on topics such as additional funding, commitment to maintaining the schedule for the Red Line planning process, and bus route restructuring. Although both candidates generally support BTA priorities, including construction of the Red and Green lines, improved connections to Washington, and short term improvements to the local bus network, the responses reveal differing priorities. Ehrlich's list of major issues facing transit in the region included safety and reliability of existing services, improvement of Mobility services for people with disabilities, bus route reform, and completion of the Red Line study. O'Malley called for a "first-class transit system," enhanced public participation in the planning process, bus system improvements, an "overhaul" of the MARC Train service, and incentives for businesses to locate near transit stations. To see the questionnaire and full responses from the candidates, click here.


4. For the Red Line, do you support completing the planning process by 2008 and initiation of construction by 2010?


Governor Ehrlich: My budget includes full funding for planning and engineering of the Red Line and money to start construction in 2010.


Mayor O’Malley: Yes. The Baltimore region has waited a long time for an east-west connector system that integrates the various modes of mass transit within the region. With the continued growth of the region, the upcoming challenges associated with BRAC and the possibility of shrinking federal funds for mass transit, we can ill-afford to wait any longer for implementation of the Red Line. While recognizing the need to follow the federal process, I will work toward achieving the milestones laid out for the initiation of construction of the Red Line in 2010.


As the elected leader of a largely transit-dependent community, I am acutely aware of the current administration’s practice of offering up unpopular, infeasible alternatives for review as a way to delay real progress. Major transit projects demand an open and participatory process, without losing a sense of urgency.


At the current time there is no funding to construct the Red Line, yet during the four years the Ehrlich administration has raided the Transportation Trust Fund, widened I-95, and built the Hampstead bypass. The current debate on funding is largely a zero-sum game because the Ehrlich administration hasn’t shown the leadership to bring fiscal balance to Maryland’s long-term transportation challenges. Instead, his regime assaulted the Transportation Trust Fund, diverting over $500 million to non-transportation programs.


_____

When I get a chance I’ll follow-up with this issue with more commentary and responses from Carroll County leadership.

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Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA. E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org http://www.thetentacle.com/ Westminster Eagle Opinion and Winchester Report http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/ www.kevindayhoff.com has moved to http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/