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Showing posts with label Dayhoff Media Westminster Advocate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dayhoff Media Westminster Advocate. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

20050921 Carroll Airport outlook good

Carroll Airport outlook good

Westminster Advocate: http://westminsteradvocate.com/


Historical Perspective: Carroll Airport outlook good

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

(586 words)

One board of commissioners after another, since the 1940s, has helped bring the Carroll County Regional Airport to the first-class facility that we know today, worthy of being named Maryland “Airport of the Year.”

The journey has been hard and not without controversy.

In the early 1970s, I would tag along to breakfast at Baugher’s with community leaders such as Bobby Warner, Scott Bair Jr., Jim Erb and Tom Senseney Sr. The airport was the often the center of contentious debate.

The Democratic Advocate reported on July 15, 1971, private developers wanted to take it over, and Commissioner John D. Meyer would have nothing of the idea. In September 1971, Meyer went on WTTR and said the county intended to develop its own land for an airport. On November 29, 1971, the Advocate said developers offered the commissioners $150,065 for the airport.

In a controversial decision, the commissioners said no.

Meyer announced: “I feel the county needs an airport for the proper economic development of the county … Nothing we do benefits everyone, and there are those that will disagree. But I feel aviation is just like TV; it’s here to stay. I feel it’s very important to the future growth of the county.”

The county forged ahead, and by the late 1970s, a 2,290-foot runway was constructed. In the mid-1980s, a 20-year master plan was adopted. The runway was extended to 5,100-foot runway by 1994.

Vivian Laxton and Gary Horst helped me bring the airport story up to date. I also interviewed some pilots. Horst has done an excellent job shepherding the airport to profitability and excellence in the last number of years.

In one of my favorite stories about Horst, on April 9, 1997, Max Bair, Horst and I flew out of the airport to do a site visit on a solid waste bioconversion facility in Tennessee. We flew down in a very small plane, sort of like being strapped to a surf-board with two lawn mowers attached for propulsion …

Today, the 5,100-foot runway is the sixth largest non-military runway in Maryland and handles about 100,000 flights a year. The airport has struggled financially in the past, but any initiative of this significance will have its setbacks. The airport is operated from its own enterprise fund, not through the county’s general fund, and a profit is projected for the 2006 fiscal year from nearly $2 million in gross revenues.

What is to be applauded is the perseverance on the part of the commissioners to plow ahead. Forget about any past mis-steps, real or imagined, and let’s concentrate on the lessons learned, the achievements and the future.

For Carroll to continue to attract economic development in today’s extremely competitive landscape, it is imperative that we capitalize on niche assets in place. The airport is a huge draw for new tax base and high-paying jobs.

I am looking forward to the completion of the airport’s Technical Advisory Committee’s new master plan. Carroll will greatly benefit from more corporate hangars, replacing the 20 by 80 foot retrofitted tin construction shed that currently serves as its terminal and extending the runway to 6,500 feet.

This committee, comprised of Martin Pittenger, Donald Vetter, Douglas Pollard, Brian Stites, Bonnie Jones, Jeffrey Smith, Edward Goldman, Peter Welles, Kevin Utz, Wray Mowbray, David Taylor and Tina Thomas, has worked hard for all us, and we owe them a big “thank you.”

The airport is critical to our economic future, and we must move forward, with all due, well-planned and thoughtful speed.

Cross posted.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

E-mail him at kdayhoff(at) carr.org

Thursday, August 18, 2005

20050817 Dedication of the Westminster Airport in 1943


1943 Dedication of Westminster Airport

Westminster Advocate

August 17th, 2005 by Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)

On June 22, 2005, The Carroll County Regional Airport (CCRA) was honored as the Maryland Airport of the Year by the Maryland Aviation Administration.

The airport, renamed as the CCRA in 1979 on Route 97 near Westminster has a long history. The airport supported military airlifts during the Korean and Vietnam War and still supports the Air National Guard and Maryland Civil Air Patrol.

Although I have failed to find any published accounts, folklore has it that barnstormers were using the cow pasture, that was located at what we now know as the CCRA, as early as the 1920s. In those days a pilot or flock of pilots would fly over a small rural town, attract attention and then land in a nearby farm field, sell tickets and perform stunts with their newfangled flying machines.

There are also no accounts available as to how the cows felt about this activity. Although I can only imagine, they may have a made a mess out of the fields at seeing “extra large flies with propellers” landing in the grass nearby.

Sometimes barnstormers came by invitation. The June 25, 1920, Union Bridge Pilot, reports “Captain Otto Swoboda, in charge of the US Army Recruiting office, has… arranged to send two aeroplanes for our Fourth of July celebration…”

According to the June 11, 1943 issue of the Westminster Democratic Advocate,Westminster's new airport was dedicated with a two-day event beginning” at 3:15 PM on Saturday, June 5, 1943, by Westminster Mayor Joseph L. Matthias. 600 folks and 50 aeroplanes attended. “Several rode horseback, some came on bicycles and many walked…” Scott S. Bair, Sr., and Carroll Crawford organized the dedication. In 1943, the airport was about 50 acres.

“The station was in charge of Miss Anne Reifsnider, assisted by Mrs. Belle Fringer…” (Mrs. Fringer was my first grade teacher at East End Elementary School at the corner of Green and Center Streets.)

“The Carroll County Canteen committee… Miss Adeline Hoffman and Mrs. Milson Raver…served the luncheon…sandwiches, baked beans, radishes, carrots, ice cream and coffee.”

Mayor Mathias…said, "Today we have assembled for [the] purpose of officially dedicating a new airport, a project which will play an important part in the service of our community, state and Nation. In this time of war, when everything must be done to advance the important science of aviation, Westminster is proud to have a part in this great development…This event is a milestone in the history of this community. May it greatly promote the War effort, and when the war is won may this airport be a valuable asset to the commercial life of a better tomorrow."

In 1946, Pan-Maryland Airways, Inc. selected Westminster Airport as one of its stops in a service authorized by the Public Service Commission to “operate scheduled flights between Baltimore, Annapolis, Easton, Cambridge, Crisfield, Chestertown, Westminster, Frederick, College Park, Havre de Grace, Bel Air, Elkton, Centreville and Brandywine.” Democratic Advocate, September 6, 1946.

The airport has been an integral part of Carroll County’s economic development strategy ever since. Today, the CCRA has a 5100-foot runway and handles about 100,000 flights a year. In my next column, we’ll pick the story up here.

Cross posted

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

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Thursday, July 14, 2005

20050713 Today’s Youth – They are Fantastic

Today’s Youth – They are Fantastic

Westminster Advocate

July 13th, 2005 by Kevin Dayhoff (528 words)

Four stills and a quantity of corn whisky were seized by police officers Tuesday morning at a local church. Deacon Willie Brown was arrested. Brown admitted in court that he had been tempted by the devil. Now that I have your attention, I should mention that the “Church of the Holy Moonshiners” incident occurred in 1921. In the July 8th, 1921 Union Bridge Pilot article I read, no mention was made as to how popular services were at the church...

However, this column is not going to be about history. It is about our future. Today’s column is about one of my favorite soapbox topics - today’s kids. I think they are fantastic.

Over the years, I have been very fortunate to have many great opportunities to spend time with young folks in our community; whether it is attending a Carroll County Children’s Chorus event, visiting or reading in schools, 4-H activities, Scouts or just spending time with my nieces and nephews.

Whether they are still in school, or in college, just joining the workforce or serving in uniform, today’s youth are an inspiration for us all. Today’s youngest generation is doing great things and I, for one, really appreciate it and want to thank them. And not just when I need them to teach me how to program my cell phone.

According to the United Nations Statistics Division, 21 per cent of the US population is under 15 years old. Thirty-four per cent of our population is over 60. That 21% is sure going to have to work hard to take care of that 34%. Might be a good plan to spend some time with them now. I don’t know about you, but with the way food is currently packaged, when I grow older, I’ll need some help with the circular saw and hammer necessary to break into my food.

Over and over, I am greatly impressed by the number of adult volunteers and teachers and youth leaders who give of themselves tirelessly, to give our youngest generation a leg up on the many challenges they will face.

Moreover, speaking of volunteering, perhaps we should all take note of the example today’s fantastic youth are setting for us. According to “Youth Service America”, youth volunteering is up 12% over the last 10 years. 73% of America's 60 million young people believe they can make a difference in their communities. Teenagers volunteer 2.4 billion hours annually. Teenage service is worth $34.3 billion to the US economy. Youth who volunteer just one hour a week are 50% less likely to abuse drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or engage in destructive behavior. Youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate, vote, and be philanthropic.

There are so many great organizations in our community that are making a difference and enabling our children to make a difference. Please find one for which you can donate your time or your money. Moreover, take time to thank a teacher, a choir director, a Scout leader or a volunteer today. They aren’t doing it for the money. They are making a huge investment in our future for which we are all benefiting.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr DOT org
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Labels: Art Writing Essays and articles


Thursday, August 26, 2004

20040825 WA History of Belle Grove Square in Westminster

Pictured above is the B. F. Shriver Company plant on Liberty Street, Westminster, Maryland, at what is now known as the “Stone Building” around 1885. The Stone Building is now the home of O’Lordans Irish Pub. This photo is from page 89 of “The Building of Westminster,” by Christopher Weeks, produced for the City of Westminster in 1978. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 78-74177. I cannot find an ISBN number – but to the best of my knowledge the book is out of print, however, copies on CD can be purchased from the City of Westminster. (updated March 7th, 2007 KED)


History of Belle Grove Square in Westminster


The 111th Annual Community Demonstration in Belle Grove Square


Westminster Advocate


August 25th, 2004 by Kevin Dayhoff, Westminster Mayor (528 words)


This Sunday, Westminster will hold its 111th annual community demonstration in Belle Grove Square. A tradition that began in 1893. It all began during the years following the Civil War when civic minded public improvements and amenities, such as gas lights, water systems, paved roads and concrete sidewalks were important public issues discussed in Westminster.


The coming of the railroad to Westminster in 1861 and the National Banking Act of 1864, accelerated Westminster's process of residential and commercial annexation and mercantile expansion, a process as old as the city itself. Westminster’s first annexation occurred in 1788, just 24 years after the City’s founding in 1764.


In the 1870s, Westminster annexed a residential development by George W. Matthews, which included the area around Belle Grove Square. (Mr. Matthews was part owner of the Wagner and Matthew's Foundry and Machine Shops, where “The Stone Building” is on Liberty Street.) In a tradition and practice carried on to this day; as part of the residential development, Mr. Matthews donated Belle Grove Square (named after his daughter - Carrie Belle) to be a community green space on May 8th, 1877.


Belle Grove Square was one of the first known deeded green spaces in the City. Belle Grove Square was restored by the GFWC Woman's Club of Westminster in 1976. The Club’s demonstrated civic minded generosity continues as it tends to the gardens to this day. In an interesting twist of historic fate, George W. Matthews’ son, George E. Matthews was the Mayor 60 years later in 1937, when the Westminster Playground was dedicated – the same year Carrie Belle died. (Mayor Matthews was elected in 1926 and died in office in 1938. He was also concurrently the Chief of Police.)


One such civic minded project, in 1893, was the fountain for Belle Grove Square. The cost of the fountain was $398.37. Just as with many other successful community improvements in Westminster, it was entirely paid for with contributions from the private sector, much of which was raised by having a festival. The festival raised $252.64 for the Belle Grove Square Fountain. Compare that to Westminster’s present day Fallfest, which began in 1978, and last year attracted over 40,000 visitors and raised over $25,000 for local charities. Fallfest will be held this year on September 23rd through the 26th, 2004. Civic-minded generosity and public demonstrations of coming together as a community have long been a part of Westminster.

The festival that raised money for the fountain in Belle Grove Square was held in 1893, which is also the year to which the Westminster Municipal Band traces its origins. That tradition of coming together in a public demonstration of celebrating community at Belle Grove Square has continued every year for 111 years. Other examples of local celebrations are the Flower and Jazz Festival in May; Celebrate Local Heroes in August, organized by Lori Graham in Dutterer Park (another example of civic minded generosity by another venerable family in Westminster – the Dutterer family) and Fallfest. Won’t you come out and join us for a great demonstration of community on Sunday evening, August 29th, 2004 and enjoy the annual Westminster Municipal Band concert in Belle Grove Square.