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 Diversity Hispanic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diversity Hispanic. Show all posts

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Westminster celebrates diversity at Tristreet block party

Westminster celebrates diversity at Tristreet block party

By Kevin Dayhoff, 3:45 p.m. EDT, September 17, 2013


Fully equipped with a spatula, sunglasses, hat and an apron, Darcel Harris was all smiles Sept. 15 as she answered questions, cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and helped coordinate activities for over 300 folks who attended the 11th annual Pennsylvania Avenue – Tristreet Association block party in Dutterer Family Park in Westminster.

The event included multi-cultural food dishes made by residents, local fruits and vegetables donated by local farmers, dancing, pie eating contests, and educational activities for children provided by the Westminster Police Department, the Carroll County NAACP and GROW Mission (God’s Regeneration of Westminster) – one of the many local grassroots community organizations in which Harris participates.

According to Harris, the March 2013 recipient of the of the 21st annual Carroll County Human Relations Commission achievement award, the neighborhood get together was the brainchild of former Westminster City Councilwoman, 1991-1995, Rebecca Orenstein.

Orenstein, 71, recently passed away on Aug. 31.






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Westminster celebrates diversity at Tristreet block party

Westminster celebrates diversity at Tristreet block party

By Kevin Dayhoff, 3:45 p.m. EDT, September 17, 2013


Fully equipped with a spatula, sunglasses, hat and an apron, Darcel Harris was all smiles Sept. 15 as she answered questions, cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and helped coordinate activities for over 300 folks who attended the 11th annual Pennsylvania Avenue – Tristreet Association block party in Dutterer Family Park in Westminster.

The event included multi-cultural food dishes made by residents, local fruits and vegetables donated by local farmers, dancing, pie eating contests, and educational activities for children provided by the Westminster Police Department, the Carroll County NAACP and GROW Mission (God’s Regeneration of Westminster) – one of the many local grassroots community organizations in which Harris participates.

According to Harris, the March 2013 recipient of the of the 21st annual Carroll County Human Relations Commission achievement award, the neighborhood get together was the brainchild of former Westminster City Councilwoman, 1991-1995, Rebecca Orenstein.

Orenstein, 71, recently passed away on Aug. 31.






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Westminster celebrates diversity at Tristreet block party

Westminster celebrates diversity at Tristreet block party

By Kevin Dayhoff, 3:45 p.m. EDT, September 17, 2013


Fully equipped with a spatula, sunglasses, hat and an apron, Darcel Harris was all smiles Sept. 15 as she answered questions, cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and helped coordinate activities for over 300 folks who attended the 11th annual Pennsylvania Avenue – Tristreet Association block party in Dutterer Family Park in Westminster.

The event included multi-cultural food dishes made by residents, local fruits and vegetables donated by local farmers, dancing, pie eating contests, and educational activities for children provided by the Westminster Police Department, the Carroll County NAACP and GROW Mission (God’s Regeneration of Westminster) – one of the many local grassroots community organizations in which Harris participates.

According to Harris, the March 2013 recipient of the of the 21st annual Carroll County Human Relations Commission achievement award, the neighborhood get together was the brainchild of former Westminster City Councilwoman, 1991-1995, Rebecca Orenstein.

Orenstein, 71, recently passed away on Aug. 31.





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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

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

Hearing on Carroll 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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From my undisclosed location, LOL, I’d like to say, thanks so much for the feedback.

Ya know, I'll bet you may also like "Celebrate Eat More Chicken ‘Buy-cott’ Day” Kevin E. Dayhoff August 1, 2012 http://www.thetentacle.com/ShowArticle.cfm?mydocid=5261 It got national attention. …

Most young conservatives do not give a rat’s behind about the “English only” or the gay marriage thing. Those who were born between 1981 and 1999, the Millennials, [http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/oct/14/dale-mcfeatters-millennials-the-cheapest/?partner=RSS] are now living at home with their parents after being away for years at college.

They are facing unsustainably high education debt, with the economy in turmoil, high unemployment, a dismal economic future and diminished prospects for the American dream of owning a home. The Millennials are collectively and totally bewildered by the prurient preoccupation of older Republicans in who people sleep with and what language they speak… in the face of an economic Armageddon…

Thanks again for reading the column and Explore Carroll.

As always, your thoughtful consideration is appreciated regardless of the outcome on any particular issue. Whether we agree or disagree, always find my door open for friendly civil and constructive dialogue.

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Carroll County government website:


Proposed Ordinance: English as the Official Language of Carroll County
Proposed Ordinance No. 2012-__ Notice of Public Hearing

Public Hearing: Tuesday, October 30, 2012, 7:00 p.m., New Windsor Community Building, Community Meeting Room, 1100 Green Valley Road, New Windsor

Although the idea for such an ordinance in Carroll County has been discussed since last winter or earlier; the proposal [20120927 CC Draft Ord English as the official language,] was introduced by the board of commissioners on Thursday, Sept. 27: http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/attorney/ordinance/2012-Ordinance-English.pdf

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English for Speakers of Other Languages

Carroll Community College: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Adult Education Program Now Administered by Carroll http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2007/07/carroll-community-college-english-for.html July 19, 2007 http://www.carrollcc.edu/about/news/release/174




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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




Search on the Baltimore Sun for Shoemaker:
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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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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Eagle Archive: Strictly speaking, Carroll's predominant language was once German

Eagle Archive: Strictly speaking, Carroll's predominant language was once German

Press 1 for 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.

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


Thursday, December 08, 2011

James Simpson DC Independent Examiner: AIM Special Report on CASA de Maryland published today

James Simpson DC Independent Examiner: AIM Special Report on CASA de Maryland published today

James Simpson, DC Independent Examiner September 20, 2011

AIM Special Report on CASA de Maryland published today

Many of you may wonder where I have been for the past six months or so. Obviously I have not been writing much publicly.

One of the major efforts I have been involved in is a report being issued today at Accuracy in Media (http://www.aim.org/).
This report documents the abusive and corrupt nature of a very influential illegal immigrant advocacy organization known as CASA de Maryland.
[…]
Please read the AIM report. It documents the corrosive effects the illegal alien issue is having on our government and society.


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Washington Post News Alert: Judge blocks the most controversial sections of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect

News Alert: Judge blocks the most controversial sections of Arizona's immigration law from taking effect
01:22 PM EDT Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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PHOENIX -- A judge has blocked the most controversial sections of Arizona's new immigration law from taking effect Thursday, handing a major legal victory to opponents of the crackdown.

The law will still take effect Thursday, but without many of the provisions that angered opponents - including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws. The judge also put on hold a part of the law that required immigrants to carry their papers at all times, and made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/28/AR2010072801794.html

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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

Sunday, February 01, 2009

The Santa Cruz River Band at the Portico Feb 15 2009

February 1, 2009

The Santa Cruz River Band at the Portico
St. John's in Westminster.
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009 6-8 PM
Tickets: $15 in Advance, $20 at the Door
Sponsored in Part by United Hands of Carroll County

Contact Info Phone: 4107262337 Email: ca17th AT yahoo.com

20090215 The Santa Cruz River Band at the Portico Feb 15 2009
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Sunday, May 06, 2007

20070506 On this date in history: The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed

On this date in history the United States passed the Chinese Exclusion Act.

May 6th, 2007

The photograph belongs to the “Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library.”[1]


According to the Library of Congress:

“The door to the Chinese American dream was finally slammed shut in 1882, when Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. This act was the first significant restriction on free immigration in U.S. history, and it excluded Chinese laborers from the country under penalty of imprisonment and deportation. It also made Chinese immigrants permanent aliens by excluding them from U.S. citizenship. Chinese men in the U.S. now had little chance of ever reuniting with their wives…”

Read the rest here: Library of Congress

Meanwhile, in Congress, the Washington Times is reporting May 5th, 2007 that “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday set a firm deadline on President Bush's efforts to work out an immigration agreement, announcing he will bypass the normal process and have the Senate debate an old immigration bill unless the White House can produce an acceptable alternative by May 14…”

Read the rest of the article here: “Reid sets immigration bill debate” by Stephen Dinan, THE WASHINGTON TIMES, May 5, 2007

References:

18820506 Chinese Exclusion Act

18801117 Treaty Regulating Immigration from China

For more about exclusion in California, visit The Chinese in California, 1850-1925: Exclusion.

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[1] This photograph is owned by the Denver Public Library. The Credit Line reads: “Western History/Genealogy Department, Denver Public Library.” For more information and photographs please see: “History of the American West, 1860-1920: Photographs from the Collection of the Denver Public Library.” The low-resolution reproduction is hopefully covered under the fair use clause of the 1976 copyright act to illustrate the subject of this post and for use for educational, scholarly purposes and private study.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

20061121 Yikes

Yikes

November 15th, 2006 – November 21st, 2006

Yikes, I take my eye off the ball for a couple of days and chaos has ensued…

And recently my life has not been my own…

Anyway, about a week ago or so, Crablaw posted a discussion of the unfortunate matter in Taneytown, whereby the city’s elected leadership, by a 3 – 2 vote, if I am not mistaken, have decided to “pass a resolution declaring English its official language but stopped short last night of a proposed change to the city charter,” according to an article in the November 14th, 2006 Baltimore Sun by Laura McCandlish

In the past, I have worked with most of the current elected leadership of Taneytown and they are a great group of folks, who are quite committed to their community and put in long hours.

I do not know Taneytown Councilman Paul E. Chamberlain Jr. In all candor, when Councilman Chamberlain first brought up the “English first” issue, I though it was campaign rhetoric in his bid to be relevant in his bid to unseat the popular Maryland Senator David Brinkley.

I consider Senator Brinkley to be a good friend and I have really enjoyed working with him for a number of years. I have not a clue as to what Councilman Chamberlain was thinking when he decided that he was going to jump from Taneytown councilmember to Maryland State Senator – and unseat Senator Brinkley?

The English First initiative sends the wrong signal to folks outside of Carroll County. Whether the legislation is a “statement” without force of law or just a publicity stunt, it is not a true signal of what we are as a greater community.

It has caused a “media storm” of unwanted attention to Carroll County for all the wrong reasons. We do so many things well in Carroll County. This legislation is a “damn shame.”

Historically Carroll County is a welcoming community.

By way of our roots, either as innkeepers and provisioners to travelers on their way west, or as shopkeepers or as folks looking to expand our economic base in the golden age of Carroll County’s small towns in the first part of the 1900s as communities looked to expand their economic base and attract folks to move to the country. Not too mention Carroll County’s agricultural roots, in which a visitor to the farm in the days before automobiles was a holiday and folks were welcomed with open arms.

Why even when Carroll County used German POWs for agricultural labor during WWII, there are plenty of stories and anecdotes about the German prisoners eating at the family dinner table on the farms…

A solution in search of a problem.

But Councilman Chamberlain’s continued pursuit has presented to those of us who are somewhat familiar with Taneytown, to be a solution in search of a problem.

I have not attempted to talk with Councilman Chamberlain, but I have played phone tag with Councilman James L. McCarron. Councilman McCarron is the gold standard of a locally elected official working hard for what is best for his city. I have served on several Maryland Municipal League committees with Councilman McCarron and we both served on the MML Board together.

I have some insight as to his thinking process when it comes to municipal government and I gotta tell ya, it means something to me when he says, as he as quoted in Ms. McCandlish’s article:

Councilman James L. McCarron denounced the measure. In his more than 22 years on the council, he said, no one ever came forward with a comment or complaint who didn't speak English.

"I have no problem making English the official language of the state of Maryland or even America, but to make it the official language of Taneytown is simply a nonissue," McCarron said. "It's not a unity resolution. It's a disunity one."
When someone is an elected community leader, one of his or her main responsibilities is to see to it that taxpayer dollars are handled as frugally as possible.

Introducing and pursuing municipal legislation, such as “English First” is a waste of taxpayer money and a waste of time for municipal elected and appointed officials.

On October 19th, 2005, I wrote a column in the Westminster Eagle titled, “20051019 WE Politics of personal destruction puts limits on future leaders

In that column I touched upon a number of “civility” matters…

In part: “Martin Luther King said it best; "In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

I guess I’ve been guilty of being silent on this issue. As I mentioned above, I thought it was so much election bluster…

I respectfully disagree with Councilman Chamberlain… Ultimately he need not answer to me. He has to answer to his constituents and provide leadership for Taneytown as he sees fit…

The worst thing that can happen to a community is that everybody thinks the same way all the time. It will be catastrophic if potential leaders are unwilling to step out of the comfortable cocoon of their lives to assume a leadership role or proffer a different point of view for fear of the politics of personal destruction.

Spanish-speaking workers in our community.

Ultimately, we are talking about are fellow human beings who have come to this country - just like us or our ancestors, at some point in time - to make a better life for our families and work hard in a foreign land.

In October 1833, in the area we now know as Carroll County, a vote was taken as to whether or not we should form Carroll County. Did you know that the ballots for that vote were printed in German, and English, for all the non-German speaking citizens?

Our Spanish-speaking workers will learn English, just as German-speaking Carroll Countians eventually did. Perhaps we should extend a helping hand, instead of backhanding them.

Kevin

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20061120 Crablaw’s stand-up mea culpa.



On November 17th, 2006 Crablaw wrote yet another stand-up post for which I admired: “Thank You to Kevin Dayhoff and MD Conservatarian for Taney Correction.”

Thank you for this post. Yes you may have not been aware of the history of Taneytown, (20061115 Taney Taneytown and Tupac Shakur,) but please do not lose sight that you never-the-less made your point.

What it is that can be learned from Crablaw’s post is that the “English First” initiative in Taneytown sends a negative and perhaps, even more importantly; an inaccurate message as to how welcoming a greater community that is our Carroll County.

My family roots in Carroll County may very well go back to the 1700s and the Carroll County I grew up in is by and large, a much more welcoming community than what it is that I worry, is our reputation.

To be certain, we have our challenges and we have to be ever constantly vigilant, but Carroll County is still, to a great extent, a friendly and welcoming community that cherishes hard work and family, and values a work-ethic that places emphasis on “it’s performance that counts.” Look that up in the dictionary and you will see a picture that includes a hard-working Spanish speaking family.

Yes, before anyone reaches for their keyboard with their itching flaming fingers to call to my attention slights and unpleasant behavior, there are examples of folks behaving badly in Carroll County, just as there is in any community.

The problems are important, but it is the response that is critical and for the most part, the Carroll County community comes together to address the unpleasant behavior as aggressively as possible.

Crablaw’s inadvertent point was excellent; that folks are going to be pre-disposed to think the worst of not only Taneytown, which is, by the way, is a wonderful community; but folks will also think poorly of Carroll County as a result of this misguided “English First” initiative.

Thank you for both your posts (here and here) Crablaw. I have more to say about the “English First” initiative in a piece that I began writing as soon as I read your original post. Time has not been my friend recently; however, as soon as I get this up on the blog, I’ll take a look at what I already wrote and see if I can’t get that post up also.

I grew up in the green industry and I made a living as a landscape contractor, designer – and raised nursery stock on a small farm for over 25 years. I have spent my entire life around Spanish speaking workers and they have my utmost respect and I think that “English First” effort is misguided and ultimately, unfair. Please read my Tentacle column on May 31, 2006: “The Great Mexican Maginot Line,” which begins;

Last Thursday, the United States Senate passed the "Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006" by a vote of 62 to 36. The legislation has sparked rigorous and rancorous debate as it supports a bi-partisan, multi-disciplinary approach to the challenges of immigration reform embraced by President George W. Bush.

Meanwhile, Crablaw’s forthrightness is exemplary. Besides, I will make more “mistakes” than you and I depend on colleagues and friends to keep me straight.

Mi amigo, te deseo a ti y tu familia un felíz día de acción de gracias. No comas y no bebas demasiado. Cuida tu dieta.

Kevin

Ref: http://www.crablaw.com/2006/11/thank-you-to-kevin-dayhoff-and-md.html

Friday, September 22, 2006

20060921 Spanish language coverage of the tragic traffic accident in Westminster


“Thumbs Up” © Kevin Dayhoff Sept. 21, 2006

Spanish language coverage of the tragic traffic accident in Westminster

Posted by Kevin Dayhoff September 21st, 2006

In regards to the local news coverage of the tragic accident in Westminster in which a bicyclist was killed on Rte 140, the Carroll County Times published an article today by Ari Natter and Tomas Pagan-Motta in the print edition which referred the reader to the story – in Spanish – on-line. Para la historia completa vaya a la página.

The Carroll County Times is to be congratulated for including an article in the language of the local Latino community of the victim.

I only wish that the paper had been able to find the space to publish the Spanish version in the print edition.

Never-the-less, I especially appreciated that the article was on-line. In today’s globalized world, one can only wonder just how many folks from this gentleman’s native community were able to access the article, by way of the internet, and read a news account about his unfortunate death. In my limited experience, knowing the circumstances is sometimes helpful in attempting to make some sense out of the tenuous mysteries of life and death.

In today’s world, at the first hint that a friend, a neighbor, former classmate or a loved one is involved in the news outside our immediate community, the first place the computer literate goes is on-line to find a local newspaper account.

Of course, this is easier now that more newspapers are on-line. It gets hard when the publication is in a foreign language.

My ear to the ground reveals that there are folks in our community who are unhappy that the Times did this. Ay caramba.

Folks, this is not a political issue and hurts one’s head when local activists project their political agenda ahead of their humanity. Putting the article in Spanish was a compassionate thing to do and again, the Times is to be applauded.

My article in the Westminster Eagle did not make it on-line until late Wednesday afternoon. I only wish that I had thought of making it available in Spanish.

As far as the criticism, if I worked for the Carroll County Times, I would be one of the first to present myself in Jim Lee’s office, the editor of the Times, and commence to pound on his desk with a frozen burrito requiring him to respond to the criticism – in the print edition, in Spanish. He may refer the readers to the on-line edition of the paper to read it in English.

Ya know, sometimes integrity requires one to do the right thing when everyone around you disagrees. Leadership is often leading folks to someplace to somewhere that they were unaware that they needed to go.

We live in a community in which many new folks have arrived that are of a different culture and speak a different language. They have feelings. They cry at tragedies. They have families and they work hard and try to do the right thing.

And oh, did I mention - they also speak a different language.

I ain’t threatened by that and nor should you. As an artist and a writer, I have probably more insecurities than the next person in the grocery store check-out line. The fact that the next person in line speaks Spanish just is not one of my hang-ups.

They will learn English just as most of our forbearers in Carroll County learned English when the predominant language was German.

The artificial walls in our community are not a Carroll County tradition and this is not the time to begin such a tradition. We have a tradition in Carroll County of being a caring and compassionate community and instead of erecting artificial walls we should be building bridges.

For those who are not aware, I made a living in the green industry. I used to say that I knew what a “greenhouse” was long before it was an “effect.” Growing up near Westminster Nurseries, I became aware of immigrant Spanish speaking workers long before they became a national discussion, much less a local conversation. I went on to work with Spanish workers throughout my professional life. Being around Spanish speaking folks is not an anomaly for me and I certainly don’t feel threatened, physiologically, socially, politically and most certainly not physically.

They are folks just like us. They have my utmost respect. They travel thousands of miles away from home to work long hours and send money home to make for a better life for their families. Can someone please explain to me where’s the problem?

And don’t tell me that they are taking away work from Americans. Any American that wants to work can compete for a job with anyone anywhere. It’s just that there is more work on hand than folks available to fill the jobs and the global market has stepped-in to fill a void. I don’t always like market forces, but the market is a natural phenomenon for which I have profound respect.

If someone can do my job better than me, then I guess they deserve to have my job and it is my responsibility to redouble my efforts to be employable.

I would like to see the local papers include more articles in Spanish. Not only is it good marketing, but it also aids in making our community the best salad we can be as we don’t lose our individual identity, yet come together to make a better whole.

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/ http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

Originally posted on KDDC: 4:42 AM Permalink