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

Saturday, August 25, 2007

20070822 Westminster Eagle Week in Review


Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Posted Saturday, August 25, 2007

2007 Carroll County Public Schools School Bus Schedules

Kevin E. Dayhoff


County fair emerged with Carroll's agricultural awareness
In researching the predecessor to what we now know as the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair -- which began in Taneytown in 1897 -- some folks have suggested that there was once a "fairground" at the site of the current Carroll County Regional Airport.

Well, perhaps they are partially right. Historic... [Read full story]

Local News


Carroll County fair ambassador heads to state stage
As the 2007 Carroll County Farm Bureau Ambassador, Sarah Rawlings handed out ribbons to all the livestock winners at this month's 4-H and FFA Fair and posed in all the photos during the livestock auction.

Now that the fair is over, the 17-year-old will represent the farm bureau on a larger stage, ... [Read full story]


City parks, trail earn POS funds

A ramp replacement, a new playground and an extension to Wakefield Valley Trail are all projects in Westminster that have been approved to receive Program Open Space money from the state.

The projects are approved for a total of $209,893 from POS, designated to Westminster through Carroll ... [Read full story]

Business Briefs


Taking a dive in Carroll

It may seem odd to some people that scuba divers from all over the state come to Carroll County to dive.

George Carter doesn't find it curious at all.

In fact, he counts on it.

Carter has been diving professionally for more than 20 years and is co-owner of Undersea Outfitters located in Finksburg. What is it about Carroll County that attracts divers from all over the state?

One draw is Hyde's Quarry, located between Westminster and New Windsor off of Route 31. The quarry has been a staple of the diving scene for years, presenting a training ground for fledgling divers as ... [Read full story]

Focus on People


Focus on People

Carroll CAP has pivotal role in Tri-Wing event

Twenty-six members of the Carroll Composite Squadron joined some 250 Civil Air Patrol cadets and officers from as far away as Nevada and Michigan at the annual Tri-Wing Encampment, held at Camp Fretterd in Reisterstown, July 28-Aug. 5.

The Tri-Wing ... [Read full story]

Opinion


Carroll County's school year starting on a strong note

Editorial

Carroll County Public Schools will open on Aug. 27 on a high note after learning last week that every school in the county met federal guidelines in the most recent round of standardized testing in math and reading.

Every school in the system made the benchmarks for "adequate yearly pr... [Read full story]

For Better or Worse


My relationship with wildlife is something to bee-hold
Doug was leaning back on the sofa, engrossed in something on his laptop screen, when I burst through the door off the deck and made a mad dash for the freezer.

"Ow ow ow ow ow ow!" I yelled. I needed an ice cube and I needed it fast.

"It's like living with a 5-year-old," Doug sighed. He sat forw... [Read full story]

Wolf at the Door


Throwing a wrench, and a little soup, into match making
Recently I happened to read a column written by two young people about their reaction to dating and their advice to others.

I loved the column -- if simply to muse how wrong they were!

"Dear Abby" I'm not, but nevertheless, for those of you looking for a soul-mate, I believe I have some advice.<... [Read full story]

Culleton on Carroll


Carroll has to stop growing homes and start growing jobs
First, there was the prediction from some regional planning council or other that Carroll was to be the fastest growing county in the next decade.

Next, there was the presentation by our own Economic Development Director Larry Twele that military base realignments would bring more than 400 new hou... [Read full story]

Community Calendar


Community Calendar

ARTS

The Carroll County Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., will host its annual Members Art Show, Aug. 16-Sept. 29 in the center's Tevis Gallery. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; Thursday until 8 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more details, call the center at ... [Read full story]

[Local news archives]

Caution: Busy on Board

Van Parys balances hectic schedule as student and school board member

Topics of conversation for new high school seniors these days might be summer vacations, breaks from homework and early plans for homecoming.

But last week, Liberty High School senior Rachel Van Parys was instead focusing on the environment, dress codes and "constructive possession."

These are the things the 16-year-old has to think about as she prepares for her year representing fellow students as the student member of the Carroll County Board of Education.

"I'm pretty excited," she says.

Van Parys... [Read full story]

Local News Saturday, August 25

School system again calling all volunteers
During the past school year, the Carroll County Public School system benefited from the support of 15,609 registered volunteers who collectively provided 113,710 hours of service.

"They make countless things happen," said Jane Farver, coordinator of the Carroll County Public Schools volunteer prog... [Read full story]


News Briefs

Shepherd's Staff collects for prescriptions

Carroll County's Shepherd's Staff wants to give you a pig.

As part of the nonprofit's effort to support county residents in need, Shepherd's Staff is seeking business owners to help the group raise money for its prescription assistance program.

The "... [Read full story]


City parks, trail earn POS funds

A ramp replacement, a new playground and an extension to Wakefield Valley Trail are all projects in Westminster that have been approved to receive Program Open Space money from the state.

The projects are approved for a total of $209,893 from POS, designated to Westminster through Carroll ... [Read full story]

More Headlines Back-to-School 2007-08

Kevin E. Dayhoff


Bergman: Closing credit for a master of cinema
On July 30, 2007, the acclaimed, enigmatic Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, passed away at age 89.

Bergman's genius is the source of an endless fascination for me. He was born in Uppsala, Sweden, a small college town on July 14, 1918. He drew much of his inspiration by attempting to figure out th... [Read full story]


Agriculture in Carroll has always been 'fair' game

The 2007 Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair drew to a close last Saturday as herds of folks flocked to pack up and clean up the grounds of the Carroll County Agriculture Center.

It's another successful fair for the history books.

Late last Friday evening, Andy Cashman -- the fair's overall livestoc...
[Read full story]


Song of the South: No grits, no glory

Recently, my family ventured on our annual sojourn south. It's a combination family reunion and vacation, as folks rendezvous from literally all over the world to a house with its very own ZIP code in Nags Head, N.C.

Many are aware of North Carolina's Outer Banks as a family values-oriented destin... [Read full story]


Barnes keeps adapting to meet changing needs of law enforcement

Westminster Police Department Captain Randy D. Barnes, 50, graduated on June 8 from the 229th session of the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

The Westminster mayor and Common Council recognized Captain Barnes at the last council meeting.

Westminster Common Council president Roy ... Read full story]


More Headlines Carroll working to save and share 'Our Barn'

Commissioners should start 'coffin' up cash on 144-year-old debt

Helen Thomas to speak at McDaniel College

Like the ever-ready bunny, at age 86, the "The First Lady of the Press," Helen Thomas soldiers-on in what many understand to be her single-minded mission to save the nation, even if she needs to do it all by herself.

A celebrated author, member of the White House Pres Corps, former United Press International reporter, and currently a Hearst newspaper columnist, Helen Thomas is slated to lecture at McDaniel College in Westminster Thursday evening, April 12.

In an era when the challenges faced by our nation are debated 24 hours a day by partisan talking heads well tra... [Read full story]


Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook
On March 2, Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy in Keymar announced that after 50 years in operation, it would close on March 9.

The closing comes in the wake of the death of one of the students on January 23.

Since the closing was announced, many Carroll Countians have rallied in sup... [Read full story]


A sordid saga of communists, reservoirs, congressman, and pumpkins
Contrary to what is being circulated; the Union Mills reservoir project in Carroll County will add another layer of protection to the site of the “pumpkin papers,” and this national treasure is not threatened.

Recently the old Whittaker Chambers “pumpkin patch&... [Read full story]


Who was Oriana Fallaci?

Who was Oriana Fallaci? On September 15, Oriana Fallaci, the Italian lioness of letters, died of cancer.

Although Ms. Fallaci was one of the world’s greatest artists of letters; she is today, relatively unknown in the United States.

A prolific – quite controversial - journalist and existential writer with an aggressive and indefatigable approach to life, she had been shot several times and left for dead, had torrid affairs and put on trial.

She never skipped a beat.

Born in Italy on June 29, 1929 Ms. Fallaci served in the fascist resistance ... [Read full story]


More Headlines

“The Wizard of Oz”
Local news coverage, in Spanish, of the tragic accident in Westminster
Former Texas Governor Ann Richards has died
The Carroll County Wormseed Story
IN HIS OWN WORDS: Larry Haines’ experience growing wormseed
Carroll County Maryland Vietnam Memorial Park, Westminster
On Memorial Day, Freddy Magsamen is No. 11 in our hearts
Flower & Jazz Festival Kicks Off the Spring Event Season in Westminster
IN HIS OWN WORDS: An Interview with Carroll Budget Director Ted Zaleski, part 6
IN HIS OWN WORDS: An Interview with Carroll Budget Director Ted Zaleski, part 5
IN HIS OWN WORDS: An Interview with Carroll Budget Director Ted Zaleski, part 4
IN HIS OWN WORDS: An Interview with Carroll Budget Director Ted Zaleski, part 3
IN HIS OWN WORDS: An Interview with Carroll Budget Director Ted Zaleski, part 2
IN HIS OWN WORDS: An Interview with Carroll Budget Director Ted Zaleski, part 1
Feedback on Westminster budget? Here's mine
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: an interview with Commissioners Minnich and Jones, part 1
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: an interview with Commissioners Minnich and Jones, part 2
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: an interview with Commissioners Minnich and Jones, part 3
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: an interview with Commissioners Minnich and Jones, part 4
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: an interview with Commissioners Minnich and Jones, part 5
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: an interview with Commissioners Minnich and Jones, part 6
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: an interview with Commissioners Minnich and Jones, part 7
Gordon Parks - An American Cultural Icon passes Away at 93
Community Leaders take action against underaged drinking
Carroll County Children’s Chorus Sing Spring

20070824 Margaret K. 'Peggy' Villella, 62, of Westminster


Margaret K. 'Peggy' Villella, 62, of Westminster

Many of us in the community were taken aback to open the Carroll County Times Friday morning and read that Peggy Villella had passed away.

Over the years as an appointed and then an elected official I had gotten to know Peggy as the ever-cheerful and vivacious receptionist for the Carroll County Times office on Railroad Avenue in Westminster.

When I moved to the other side of the computer and began writing columns for “The Advocate,” a weekly publication of the Carroll County Times, every time I visited the office, she would, no matter how hectic the day, act as if I were the only person in the world she needed to greet and help that day.

In a Carroll County Times article which was published in the paper today, (Face of the Times remembered for her warmth,) Karen Karaszkiewicz wrote what many of us felt, that she was the “face” of the Carroll County Times. In many ways a model for what corporations and government agencies need on the front desk – such as, for example, Kay Church, the receptionist for Carroll County government in the Carroll County office building on Center Street in Westminster. (See: 20060706 KDDC Aunt Kay Birthday Cake and the Commissioners and 20060713 Happy Birthday Kay Church)

Ms. Karaszkiewicz wrote

“A woman who was known by many as the face of the Carroll County Times will be remembered by friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors for her charisma and upbeat attitude.”

[…]

“For about the past 10 years, she had worked at the front desk, spreading her cheerfulness to everyone who walked into the building, whether they were customers or coworkers, according to Lori Blake, director of administration.”

Over the years in which I got to know her, she never ever had a bad thing to say about anyone. And as Ms. Karaszkiewicz wrote, “For about the past 10 years, she had worked at the front desk, spreading her cheerfulness to everyone who walked into the building, whether they were customers or coworkers, according to Lori Blake, director of administration.”

Upon hearing the news, Carroll County commissioner Dean Minnich spoke of having gotten to know her over his past years as newspaperman and remarked that she was always so upbeat, positive and always greeted you with a big smile. “There is so much bitterness in the world and it is such a shame to lose such a sweet person.”

Carroll County Times city editor Jamie Kelly spoke for many when he said, “It’s been a shock. She was just a wonderful lady. She loved people and it showed. It will be hard to adjust to the Times without her...”

There are many such folks in Carroll County and it is people like Peggy Villella that make our community a wonderful place to live. She will be greatly missed.

Her obituary reads:

Margaret K. 'Peggy' Villella, 62, of Westminster

Margaret Kay "Peggy" Villella, 62, of Westminster died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007, at her home.

Born July 10, 1945, in Washington, D.C., she was the daughter of the late James E. and Charlotte Houk Freeman. She was the wife of Frank Xavier Villella Sr., her husband of 39 years.

She was a graduate of Patterson High School. She had been a receptionist and cashier for the Carroll County Times since 1992.

She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Carroll Post 31 American Legion and of the VFW Post 467, both in Westminster.

She enjoyed going on ocean cruises, weekend getaways and trips to the mountains. She liked eating crabs and collecting dolls. She also enjoyed watching scary movies and science fiction movies; her favorite was the original version of "The Thing."

Surviving, in addition to her husband, are sons Patrick and Frank X. Villella Jr., both of Westminster; a brother, James E. Freeman of Lighthouse Point, Fla.; a devoted friend, Rita Shea Schiff of Baltimore; and eight nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St., Westminster, with Monsignor Arthur Valenzano officiating. Interment will be private.

The family will receive friends from noon to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-6536.

Villella Margaret 19450710 20070823

20070824 Quote of the day - Courage


Quote of the day – Courage


Friday, August 24, 2007


Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I'll try again tomorrow."


Maryanne Radmacher Writer and artist


Thanks TC

20070824 Quote of the day - Courage

Quote of the day – Courage


Friday, August 24, 2007


Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I'll try again tomorrow."


Maryanne Radmacher Writer and artist


Thanks TC

Friday, August 24, 2007

20071110 AP: Newsday - Writer Norman Mailer has died at age 84


Poet and short story writer Grace Paley passes away



Aug. 22, 2007



http://www.newsday.com/



Notable deaths


http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/sns-2007-deaths-pix,0,5859368.photogallery?coll=ny_wire_promo


(AP/Toby Talbot)



Poet and short story writer Grace Paley, a literary eminence and old-fashioned rebel who described herself as a "combative pacifist," died on Aug. 22.



She was 84. Paley, who had battled breast cancer, died at her home in Thetford Hill, Vt.

Among her story collections were "Enormous Changes at the Last Minute," 1974, and "Later the Same Day,"


1985. (AP/Toby Talbot)

20070823 Sanctuary cities and counties

Sanctuary cities and counties

Below is a list of cities and counties that have sanctuary policies, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service from June 2007.

August 23, 2007

Alaska

Anchorage

Fairbanks

Arizona

Chandler

California

Fresno

Los Angeles

San Diego

San Francisco

Sonoma County

Connecticut

New Haven

Illinois

Evanston

Cicero

Massachusetts

Cambridge

Orleans

Maine

Portland

Maryland

Baltimore

Takoma Park

Michigan

Ann Arbor

Detroit

Minnesota

Minneapolis

North Carolina

Durham

New Mexico

Albuquerque

Aztec

Rio Arriba County

Santa Fe

New York

New York City

Oregon

Ashland

Gaston

Marion County

Texas

Austin

Katy

Washington

Seattle

Wisconsin

Madison

[…]

Most cities that are considered sanctuary cities have adopted a "don't ask-don't tell" policy where they don't require their employees, including law enforcement officers, to report to federal officials aliens who may be illegally present in the country.

Localities, and in some cases individual police departments, in such areas that are considered "sanctuary cities," have utilized various mechanisms to ensure that unauthorized aliens who may be present in their jurisdiction illegally are not turned in to federal authorities. […]

More information can be found at: Sanctuary cities and counties

Thursday, August 23, 2007

20070823 Quote of the day - Gravitate

Quote of the day – Gravitate


Thursday, August 23rd, 2007


Responsibilities gravitate to the person who can shoulder them.


Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) Writer and publisher


Thanks TC

20070823 Quote of the day - Gravitate

Quote of the day – Gravitate


Thursday, August 23rd, 2007


Responsibilities gravitate to the person who can shoulder them.


Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) Writer and publisher


Thanks TC

20070822 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Edward Hopper: Poet of the ordinary

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks," 1942, oil on canvas, depicts a voyeuristic portrayal of ambiguous urban alienation and impersonalization as three customers and a soda jerk spend time together in the harsh glare of artificial light in the middle of the night.

The voyeuristic stark world of American Scene realist artist Edward Hopper was recently displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

_____

WE GET LETTERS!

A Frederick City resident takes issue with the media coverage of some current events and issues a caution for the upcoming national election. CLICK HERE!


Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Rove and Snow

Roy Meachum

Karl Rove and Tony Snow have announced their intention to leave George W. Bush's White House. They join the ranks of counselor Dan Bartlett, budget director Rob Portman, political director Sara Taylor, and deputy national security advisers J.D. Crouch and Meghan O'Suillvan.

Vietnam Today - Part Two

Tom McLaughlin

When we arrived in Hanoi, the first thing I did was book both my daughter Christine and myself on tours. Everyday was a different one, most lasting a full day. Little did I realize all of them had something to do with a Buddhist Shrine.


Monday, August 20, 2007

Real ID Real Frightening

John W. Ashbury

Unless the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - or Congress itself - makes an exception, or postpones the effective date of the Real ID sections of a funding bill passed in 2005, Maryland's drivers' licenses will no longer be acceptable as proof positive of who you say you are as of May 11, 2008, just eight months away.

Vietnam Today - Part One

Tom McLaughlin

The man in the crisp white uniform gave me a hard nudge. I looked around quizzically. A person behind me whispered, "You were talking too loud!" I nodded and lowered my voice. The line moved agonizingly slow in the 99-100 degree heat of Hanoi, Vietnam.


Friday, August 17, 2007

Dictator Pair

Roy Meachum

This mid-Atlantic region is blessed. One John "Lennie" Thompson may be, it figures, all this democracy can support. But we apparently have two; the other operates in Virginia. For those who don't read the Washington Post I'll explain.

What's in a Name?

George Wenschhof

Anger, fear, and hate fuel much of the political discussions that take place today. Labeling an opponent - or an issue - with a moniker that has a preconceived definition has become commonplace as a method in garnering support for a position or a candidate. The art and adroitness of conciliation has been shoved aside with "it's my way or the highway" type of mentality.


Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Path of Destruction

Chris Cavey

Daily we march closer and closer to the O'Malley special tax session of the Maryland General Assembly and the financial repercussions the average citizen will endure. Significant tax increases can be avoided or abated if a little common sense is applied to state government.


Wednesday, August 15, 2007

The Subprime Mortgage Mania Mess

Kevin E. Dayhoff

After several weeks of Wall Street volatility, it appears that the market has hopefully finally exhaled and calmed down.


Tuesday, August 14, 2007

What Was It?

Roy Meachum

The carnival at Iowa State University over the weekend had absolutely nothing to do with the nation's democratic process. Regard the $35 price to vote. Something like that could have occurred to Republicans from that corn-fed state.

Sound Character Building

Farrell Keough

Those halcyon days of summer are quickly coming to an end. The lazy days of little responsibility, long evenings of late sunsets, and friends available at all times of the day. Yep, just around the corner is another year when school books and dirty looks will abound.

20070822 MDE Investigation Report into Jet Fuel Dumping at Carroll County Regional Airport

MDE Investigation Report into Jet Fuel Dumping at Carroll County Regional Airport

August 22, 2007 – After investigating citizen concerns of fuel being dumped from aircraft using the Carroll County Regional Airport, the Maryland Department of the Environment recently issued a report stating it could find no evidence of such activity. The report is now available online at http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/airport/mde-report.pdf. (Or - -See report keyboarded below…

# # #

Related:

20070817 State to investigate mysterious stains in area near airport by Kelsey Volkmann

State to investigate mysterious stains in area near airport

08/17/2007

Residents’ complaints about fuel leaking from corporate jets have prompted a state inspector to investigate the black spots that dot roofs and sidewalks near the airport in Westminster.



[...]



Westminster activist Mary Kowalski, an outspoken opponent of a planned runway expansion, contacted the state to request a probe after the Carroll County Health Department determined that the substance probably was not jettisoned fuel.

Kowalski also suggested the spots could be oil residue from jet exhaust. “I think that’s a real concern as well,” she said.

Nancy Frick, a grandmother who lives along Snowfall Way, eagerly awaits results of the state investigation.


http://www.examiner.com/a-885776~State_to_investigate_mysterious_stains_in_area_near_airport.html



####

MDE Investigation Report into Jet Fuel Dumping at Carroll County Regional Airport

Martin O’Malley

Governor

Anthony G. Brown

Lieutenant Governor

Shari T. Wilson

Secretary

Robert M. Summers, Ph.D.

Deputy Secretary

Field Observation Report

http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/airport/mde-report.pdf

Per your (Herbert Meade) request, I recently took the opportunity to strive to evaluate the complaint received by your office (OCP) with regard to the possible airborne discharge of fuels by aircraft utilizing the Carroll County Municipal Airport located just north of Westminster.

I received your referral by e-mail late on WED15AUG07

I contacted Mrs. Mary Kowalski, via telephone, the morning of THU16AUG07 to discuss the nature, basis and background of the complaint.

It was during this conversation that she indicated it was her belief, that aircraft (primarily jets) were "dumping fuel" while approaching the airport from either direction.

She indicated that she lived northwest of the airport and was experiencing the problem, but that the problem was more prevalent in a residential neighborhood, southeast of the airport called "Autumn Ridge" and gave me the name address and phone number for a resident of that development who would act as a point of contact and point out the symptoms.

The concerns were primarily related to staining on dwelling roofs and the sidewalks that surrounded those dwellings.

We also decided during this conversation, that due to the rain that was falling as we spoke, any attempt at the evaluation of her complaint on this day would be futile.

Every effort humanly possible was made to respond on FRI17AUG07, but multiple response request in other jurisdictions, of a more acute nature, necessitated putting of the evaluation one more day.

At 1200hrs. on SAT18AUG07, I arrived in front of the dwelling designated as the point of contact in the Autumn Ridge development. The neighbor hood is all single family dwellings with incorporated garages, each enclosing and estimated 1500 to 2,000 square feet of living space, on parcels of land that would appear to average approximately 10,000 square feet.

The poc address is located on Snowfall Way not far from Bonfire Court (ADC12G13CL & ADC19G1CL)

To the west and northwest of most of the residences along Snowfall Way, is a common use green area for the residents. To the north east and east is a cornfield.

Beyond the common green area and on the way to the landing field is undeveloped and developed commercial property. The airport itself resides on the opposite side of MD route 97 from the autumn ridge development. (ADC12E11CL)

Initially, I walked around the poc address and adjacent addresses an looked at roofs. The use of binoculars made visualizing the roof surfaces, shingles and stains much easier.

Not all the roofs had stains. Those that did were interspersed with those that didn't with no apparent pattern or continuity that would suggest the cause of the stains came from above. If the source came from an aircraft moving above, one would not reasonably expect the intermittent skipping of roofs and that more roofs than not, were without stains that could be visualized.

The stains themselves seemed dry, very dull with diffuse, difficult to discern edges , which is the opposite if the shiny, almost wet looking stains with clearly defined edges that have been observed in previous cases.

Some of the dwelling shingles also show signs of lateral distortion. The edges of some of the shingles had lifted and curved creating the impression that they had some how gotten longer , or expanded lengthwise. This could be attributable to petroleum swelling or just temperature expansion

After some time inspecting roof surfaces from the ground, I spent quite a bit more time walking in and beyond the common green space to the rear of the dwellings and the partially developed commercial property beyond, looking for signs of "petroleum Distillate Induced Distress" (pDID or DID) in the surrounding flora.

There's an abundance of trees and shrubbery of varying age and size, deciduous and evergreen, in the common green area breaking up a great deal of grass. The partially developed commercial property is primarily grass, bordered by trees to the northeast and east. Cornfields can be seen to the east.

The expected dead topping or dead siding of trees and shrubs, along with the dead spotting of well rooted grass, nor any other sign of pDID, could not be observed.

Special attention was paid to the evergreens because they are the least likely to hide the dead spots that occur as a result of pDID. No vegetative distress of any kind, beyond some slight browning that is attributable to ground thicket or our present lack of rain could be observed.

All of this was also true for the area around the Westminster Community Pond and the facilities and areas at Corporate Center Court, which were inspected on the way to the airport.

Prior to arrival at the airport, I was informed by MEMA that Mrs. Kowalski wished to speak with me. During my telephone conversation with Mrs. Kowalski, she expressed her concern that I was not approaching this assessment in the manner that she desired.

She was informed that the assessment would progress in a manner that I determined was appropriate to circumstance.

She also retracted her earlier statement that the area around her dwelling, northwest of the airport was affected by fuel dumping.

Upon arrival at the Airport, I was allowed to inspect the grassy areas prior to both ends of the runway approaches for pDID and could observe nothing out of the ordinary.

I had the opportunity to interview a representative of airport management, a flight instructor, two pilots and the gentleman who actually operates the fuel truck that fills the jets when requested.

They indicated that the need to jettison fuel was related to an aircraft's ability to take off at a weight that exceeded it's certified landing weight. This is

a status normally associated with military and larger commercial aircraft.

They further indicated that none of the two jet and three turbo-prop aircraft that are based at this airport have the ability to jettison fuel.

They went on to say that the jettisoning of fuel is an emergency procedure only, and that the airport hasn't had a declared emergency in several years.

They admitted that there are visiting jet aircraft whose ability to jettison fuel is unknown, but they also theorized that discharging jet fuel into the 190 MPH

slip stream of an approaching aircraft, would almost certainly cause immediate dispersion, dissipation and evaporation, and the probability of fuel hitting the ground was virtually non-existent

I also learned that because these aircraft had much higher approach and landing speeds , they were using instruments to line up on the runway from a far greater distance than the smaller, gasoline powered aircraft I was observing in operation during my visit.

Based on this fact, I deduced that if the roof stains were attributable to aircraft losing fuel, dwellings in areas outside the two flight paths approaching the runway would not be stained.

I drove to and through the residential neighborhoods:

South of Route 140 and west of Route 31. (centerADC19B3CL)

Route 31, Main Street and Route 27 (centerADC19F6CL)

West of Sullivan Rd. (centerADC19J1CL)

In all of these locations, I could observe some houses with similar stains and lateral distortion of the shingles with no discernable patterns or pDID to vegetation.

Not being able to reasonably assign any value to the possibility of winds, blowing perpendicular to the approach path, having the potential to carry jettisoned fuel to these areas, I then drove to the town of Manchester, approximately ten miles northeast of the airport (centerADC14D1CL) where I could also observe houses with similar stains and lateral distortion of the shingles with no discernable patterns or pDID to vegetation.

Upon return to Westminster, I presented to Mrs. Nancy Frick, the poc for Autumn Ridge.

We had a long discussion and I explained all of my previous observations with regard to the unexplained roof staining. I informed her that based on all of my observations that there was no reason to believe or conclude that these stains were a result of the airborne discharge of jet fuel and, nowhere did I visualize any circumstance or condition that gave me the remotest inclination to sample for petroleum products.

Mrs. Frick then took me for a walk from her dwelling, up the street to Bonfire Court and down Bonfire Court . All along the way she was pointing out some charcoal colored staining on the sidewalks, indicating that they had been there for at least two years.

As we walked, I expressed to her that it was my observation that the stains were dry in appearance, not wet like an oil stain. They were propagated in a manner and direction that was consistent with the direction of the flow of cascading water during a rain event, following only the grade of the concrete which was at times in opposition to the predictable splash or spatter patterns one would expect from a passing aircraft.

I also pointed out to her that the presence of the charcoal colored stains on the sidewalks were uniformly, consistently and without exception interrupted by driveway ramps and parking pads, as well as sidewalk blocks that were not original to the development.

Everywhere there was concrete , original to the development, that was intended for pedestrian traffic only, one could discern some charcoal colored dry staining. Wherever the concrete was intended for vehicular traffic or was replaced subsequent to the original installation the stains did not exist.

I ask that she consider the possibility of two different grades or qualities of concrete being used when the development was built.

One lesser quality intended only for sidewalks and pedestrians, the other, better quality concrete intended for driveway ramps and pads, and that the staining was a result of a filler or undesirable contaminate incorporated into the aggregate that constituted the original sidewalk concrete that was not present in the driveway or newer concrete.

In conclusion, as hard as I tried, I could make no observation that remotely suggested the recent deposition of any form of petroleum oil, from any source, at any location I visited.

Bob Swann MDE-ERD