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Showing posts with label Dayhoff photos Wster gov't. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dayhoff photos Wster gov't. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

The new year means a new city attorney in Westminster

Last Monday was the second meeting of the Westminster mayor and common council for Westminster’s new attorney, Elissa Levan of the law firm of Funk & Bolton.

Folks have asked where my story appeared on the new attorney. It may be found here: http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3801/attorneys/ 1/12/10 http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb or here: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-means-new-city-attorney-in.html http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb

Posted below is the original copy I filed, before it was edited for length, for the newspaper:

January 26, 2010 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-means-new-city-attorney-in_27.html http://tinyurl.com/yb3b77p

Photo caption: Westminster appoints new city attorneys. New Westminster city attorney Karen Plumer Ruff (right) looks up to follow the discussion at the Westminster Common Council meeting last Monday as Elissa Levan (left in the background) studies her meeting notes. Seated beside Ms. Levan is the Westminster director of planning Tom Beyard. Picture by Kevin Dayhoff [20100111 MCCmtg (15)d]

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/zyn29 or here; http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/355686994/elissa-levan-karen-plumer-ruff-funk-bolton

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Elissa Levan Karen Plumer Ruff Funk & Bolton appted new Westminster city attorneys http://tinyurl.com/yb3b77p http://twitpic.com/zyn29

~~~~~

The new year means a new city attorney in Westminster

Elissa Levan and Karen Plumer Ruff of the law firm of Funk & Bolton appointed to be the new Westminster city attorneys

By Kevin Dayhoff for the Westminster Eagle January 12, 2010

The new year for Westminster city government will begin with new municipal attorneys for the first time in 30 years.

At the first meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council for 2010, the city announced the appointment of Elissa Levan and Karen Plumer Ruff to take the place of Westminster city attorney John Walsh who retired last December after serving the city for over 30 years.

In the meeting the council voted to authorize the Westminster mayor Kevin Utz to execute a letter of engagement, dated December 23, with the law firm of Funk & Bolton, with offices in Baltimore, Annapolis, and Chestertown, to represent the town.

A city press release, noted that the process for finding a new attorney began last November. Westminster council president Damian Halstad said that the city had sent out a request for proposals for legal services and received six responses. “We interviewed all of them and it was really, I think, an impressive crew. I think we hired – um … we made an excellent choice,” said Halstad.

Halstad introduced both attorneys who were in attendance for the council meeting. “We welcome them and look forward to a long relationship because we sure don’t like interviewing lawyers. The last one we kept for what, 30 years. So ah, that would make me 78, when they retire, and that would be fine.”

Councilman Greg Pecoraro responded when Halstad asked if there were any questions by saying “… it was a very good process as you mentioned. I was pleased that everyone was able to participate. I think that we did have a difficult choice to make…”

“It was helpful to go through it for learning. I mean you learn things when you go through the interview process... This firm … and ah, Ms. Levan and Ms. Ruff had read our comprehensive plan. They had a lot of good questions for us. And they just knew - I think they knew the most about the city. And that goes a long way towards winning over a prospective employer. We were all impressed,” said Halstad.

The firm’s web site notes that “Funk & Bolton, P.A. is a Mid-Atlantic-based law firm practicing primarily in five areas: commercial litigation, insurance regulation, government relations, local government law, and creditors' rights.

“We provide counseling, litigation and legislative services to insurers, other financial services companies, health maintenance organizations, managed care organizations, health plans, dental plans, counties, municipalities, businesses, and trade associations.”

According to the city press release, “With eleven attorneys, this firm is the most experienced of its kind, providing representation to numerous municipal corporations, counties, and other public entities in the state of Maryland, including the cities of Bowie, College park, Church Hill, Rock Hall, St. Michaels, Upper Marlboro, and Forest Heights.”

The release explained that Levan will be designated the city attorney and that Ruff will serve to “provide backup representation… Levan will have the overall responsibility of coordinating the legal services to the city.”

Funk & Bolton announced in April 2009 that Levan had “rejoined the firm after a year as a Maryland Assistant Attorney General. Ms. Levan is a member of the Local Government Practice Group in the firm's Baltimore office. With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Levan will resume her practice of counseling Maryland municipalities and public entities.”

Levan’s web site bio indicates that she “has been representing governmental clients since 1992, when, after a few years at other firms, she joined Levan, Schimel, Belman & Abramson, P.A. in Howard County (later, a regional office of Miles & Stockbridge, P.A.)

“Since then, Ms. Levan has provided advice and counsel to a diverse group of Maryland municipalities, including several of the largest jurisdictions in the State, the Cities of Bowie, and College Park, and many smaller towns, such as the Town of Church Hill on the Eastern Shore.

“She has recently been designated as the town attorney for the Town of Chesapeake Beach. She also spent a year in the Office of the Attorney General, representing the twenty-four Maryland sheriffs and their sworn deputies.”

Her bio also indicates she “has also provided general representation to private sector businesses, including several not-for-profit entities, such as the Corridor Transportation Corporation.

“Ms. Levan has been active for many years in the Maryland Municipal Attorney's Association and served, among other capacities, for several years as its liaison to the Maryland Municipal League's Legislative Committee. She has also been a member of the Maryland State Bar Association's Local Government and Administrative Law Sections, for both of which sections she has served on the governing Councils. She is currently completing her term as Chair of the Administrative Law Section (2008-09).

“She is a Fellow of the Maryland Bar Foundation. Ms. Levan was previously a member of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore-Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce and for several years chaired its Public Affairs Group, which undertook legislative education and advocacy functions for the Chamber.”

Levan is a 1985 graduate, with distinction, from University of Michigan. She was awarded her J.D. from George Washington Law School, where she graduated with honors in 1988.

Ruff’s Funk & Bolton web site bio indicates that she “began her career practicing in the area of zoning and land use law at Zanecki, Lally and McDonough, in Prince George's County, Maryland. In 1989, she joined the Howard County firm of Levan, Schimel, Belman & Abramson, P.A. (later, a regional office of Miles & Stockbridge, P.A.)

“For the past twenty years, Ms. Ruff has provided advice and counsel to a diverse group of Maryland municipalities, including the City of Bowie, the City of College Park, the Town of Church Hill, the Town of Edmonston and the Town of St. Michaels.

“Additionally, from 1998 until 2002, Ms. Ruff was the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Annapolis. Ms. Ruff has also served as counsel to the Annapolis Board of Appeals. Ms. Ruff has been a member of the Maryland Municipal Attorney's Association of the Maryland Municipal League for many years. She has served as President and Secretary. Ms. Ruff is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Anne Arundel County Bar Association.

Ruff earned her J.D from Catholic University of America in 1987, and graduated with a B.A. cum laude, from LaSalle University in 1984.

Halstad later indicated that Funk & Bolton will charge the city a rate of $150.00 per hour which is a slight increase over the $125.00 an hour charged by the previous city attorney.

A review of past court cases and council minutes of other municipalities throughout the state indicates that both attorneys have an extensive background in all aspects of municipal law ranging from zoning and land use law to immigration law enforcement.

After the meeting, the two attorneys then got right to work as the mayor and council convened a closed meeting to discuss property acquisition and emergency response procedures for the city.

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Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos Wster gov't, Dayhoff writing essays, Dayhoff writing essays Westminster, Westminster Council Mtgs


*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Friday, January 15, 2010

New year means a new city attorney in Westminster

Levan and Ruff retained to take place of longtime attorney John Walsh

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/y5men

By Kevin Dayhoff Posted http://www.explorecarroll.com/news/3801/attorneys/ 1/12/10 http://tinyurl.com/yeqxmcb

The new year for Westminster city government will begin with new municipal attorneys for the first time in 30 years.

At the first meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council for 2010, the city announced the appointment of Elissa Levan and Karen Plumer Ruff to take the place of Westminster city attorney John Walsh, who retired in December after serving for more than 30 years.

The city’s process for finding a new attorney began last November. Westminster council president Damian Halstad introduced both attorneys who were in attendance for the council meeting.

“We welcome them and look forward to a long relationship because we sure don't like interviewing lawyers,” he quipped. “The last one we kept for what, 30 years?”

Levan and Karen Plumer Ruff are both from Funk & Bolton, P.A., a Mid-Atlantic-based law firm practicing primarily in commercial litigation, insurance regulation, government relations, local government law and creditors' rights.

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Westminster MD appoints Arts and Culture Task Force

Westminster MD appoints Arts and Culture Task Force http://tinyurl.com/yfnr6yr #art

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/nct5s or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/226636303/westminster-md-appoints-arts-and-culture-task
At the October 26, 2009 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council, the council approved the recommendations of mayor Kevin Utz to appoint councilwoman Suzanne Albert; Sandy Oxx, from the Carroll County Arts Council; Beth Gerl and Sue Bloom, from McDaniel College; Jackie Finch and Lyndi McNulty, from the Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee; property Owners Ed Maiello, Lou Chang, Lloyd Helt; artists Sarah DeLuca and Bob Coffey; to the new committee. Pamela Zappardino will serve as the Chairperson of the Task Force.

Pictured are left to right: Westminster councilwoman Suzanne Albert, Lyndi McNulty, Westminster mayor Kevin Utz, Sandy Oxx, Jackie Finch, and committee chair Dr. Pam Zappardino. October 26, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff [20091026 CowMCC Mtg (10)]

Keep them in your prayers…
Art Carroll Co Arts Council, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos Wster gov't, People McNulty-Lyndi, People Zappardino-Pam, Westminster Council Albert S, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos Wster gov't, Westminster Art Culture Artists, Westminster File PA Ave, Westminster File PA Ave Comm, Westminster Mayor 2009 Utz Kevin, Art Artists Culture Carroll Co,

Related: “The Journalist and the snallygaster” http://tinyurl.com/yhnjnb6 Witches politicians journalists too http://twitpic.com/n4dt9 & http://twitpic.com/n4k7r - - “Journalist may have been startled by snallygaster at city meeting - The snallygasters of Westminster’s Emerald Hill” - The Westminster city council report by Kevin Dayhoff October 26, 2009 Read the entire story here: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/journalist-and-snallygaster.html http://tinyurl.com/yhnjnb6

Also related: Nancy Hernandez gives a presentation about upcoming services and programs from the Community Media Center to a friendly witch and the Westminster mayor and Common Council at their meeting at Westminster City Hall last Monday, October 26, 2009 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/10/hernandez-gives-presentation-to.html http://tinyurl.com/yzsdexq http://tinyurl.com/yzsdexq or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/226357461/hernandez-gives-presentation-2-friendly-witch

For more information, please see: Dayhoff literature of the absurd, Dayhoff writing essays, Journalists Schutt-Bryan Schutt, People Zappardino-Pam, Westminster Annual Halloween, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster PW Dir Jeff Glass, Annual Halloween, Dayhoff erratum reductio ad absurdum, Dayhoff writing essays people, Dayhoff writing essays politics, People Glass-Jeff, Westminster Council Meeting Notes, Westminster Council Albert S, Westminster Council Chiavacci Tony, Westminster Council Pres Halstad Damian, Westminster Council Wack, Westminster Mayor 2009 Utz Kevin, Community Media Center, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos people,

The press release from the city of Westminster is pasted below:

CITY OF WESTMINSTER
56 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone 410-848-9000
Fax 410-857-7476

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Thomas Beyard
October 26, 2009 Phone: 410-848-9000

ARTS AND CULTURE TASK FORCE APPOINTED

Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee selects members for important group

Westminster, MD - Mayor Kevin Utz appointed the newly formed "Arts and Culture Task Force" as part of the Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee Task Force activities. The Mayor and Common Council created the Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee ('Tri-Street Committee") in 2008 to address neighborhood issues and concerns in the area of Pennsylvania Avenue, Union Street and West Main Street, with the objective of creating an action plan for improvement. The Task Force was chaired by Councilman Greg Pecoraro and Councilwoman Suzanne Albert served as the vice chair. The twenty member committee met five times and presented its final report on March 9, 2009. That report was unanimously accepted by the Mayor and Common Council and implementation of its recommendations has begun.

Under the goal of building economic vitality, the report recommended the creation of a task force of representatives from the City, Carroll County Arts Council, Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee, property owners, artisans and others, to be called the "Arts and Culture Task Force", to develop an "arts, culture and small business overlay zone" for the Tri-Street neighborhood. The report urged the task force to focus on the Carroll Arts Center as a critical anchor in the Tri-Street neighborhood and to work to generate public support for the efforts of the Carroll County Arts Council to enhance this important facility and its programs.

Mayor Utz offered the following appointments to the newly formed "Arts and Culture Task Force."

"Arts and Culture Task Force"

Mayor and Council: Councilwoman Suzanne Albert

Carroll County Arts Council: Sandy Oxx and Councilwoman Suzanne Albert (Council Liaison to the Carroll County Arts Council)

McDaniel College: Beth Gerl and Sue Bloom

Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee: Jackie Finch and Lyndi McNulty

Property Owners Ed Maiello, Lou Chang, Lloyd Helt

Artisans Sarah DeLuca and Bob Coffey

Pamela Zappardino will serve as the Chairperson of the Task Force.

The date, time, and location for the first meeting has not been finalized, but the group will hold the meetings at the Carroll County Arts Center.

For questions or further information, please contact Tom Beyard at 410-848-9000.

# # #

The City of Westminster Administration Department is located at 56 West Main Street. This department oversees all of the departments in the General Government and is the central location for the City. For more information, call 410-848-9000 or visit www.westmmstermd.gov.

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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Monday, May 11, 2009

Poll workers work in the rain


Poll workers work in the rain

May 11, 2009

By Kevin Dayhoff

Poll workers work in the rain in the parking lot of the Westminster Fire Department John Street Quarters.

As of 3:30 this afternoon, approximately 465 voters had come to the polls to vote in the Westminster municipal elections.

Polls will remain open until 7 pm. The mayor’s office and two council seats are contested. The winners are expected to be announced at the Westminster Common Council meeting this afternoon at Westminster city hall at 1838 Emerald Lane.

Candidates for election in Westminster today are: Mayor: Suzanne Albert, Dennis Frazier, Kenneth Hornberger and Kevin Utz. Council: Anthony Chiavacci, Eleanor DeMario, William Gill, Damian Halstad, Darcel Harris and William Hughes.

Hampstead, New Windsor, Union Bridge will have municipal elections on May 12; and Manchester’s elections will be held on May 19. (From “For municipalities that still exist, elections renew a call to activism” Published May 10, 2009 by Carroll Eagle http://tinyurl.com/pdlfz4)

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20090511 COW election (18)b.jpg
20090511 COW election 18b

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