Thursday, May 08, 2008

20080430 New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food by WCBS TV

New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food - 'Sin' Tax Could Help Fund Struggling Hospitals

Apr 30, 2008

From the folks in “New Jersey, where in 1992 the Health Department made it illegal to serve undercooked or raw eggs. Violators could be fined $25 to $100. Hysteria resulted. Consumers bemoaned the governmental intrusion into their breakfast tables. Politicians pointed fingers. The law was quickly changed.” [20001208 Egg fans uneasy about FDA's 'No over easy' advice Egg fans uneasy about FDA's 'No over easy' advice December 8, 2000 In this story: Waiter! Take back these eggs!; How risky are soft-boiled eggs?; Reducing the risk]

Now New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food…

Meanwhile, I sure hope this doesn’t give members of the current Maryland administration or Maryland General Assembly any ideas…

New Jersey Lawmakers Consider Tax On Fast Food - 'Sin' Tax Could Help Fund Struggling Hospitals

Apr 30, 2008 Christine Sloan Reporting

NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) ― The sputtering economy has caused an increase in prices of many staples including gasoline, rice, ice cream, even beer. Now some lawmakers in New Jersey are considering taking food taxes a step further and install a proverbial "sin" tax on fast food.

Yes, the idea of marking up your favorite fast food burger or pack of fries is actually being tossed around, and it's not settling well with many residents.

[…]

The thought of taxing a Big Mac or a Wendy's burger came up at a New Jersey Hospital Association meeting where Gov. Jon S. Corzine was asked if it could be an option to help fund struggling hospitals. At the meeting, he reportedly called it a "constructive suggestion."

A spokesperson for the governor, however, told CBS 2 on Wednesday:

"The governor is open to reasonable solutions to help solve our financing problems, but there are no plans for any fast food tax."

State Sen. Richard Codey has been quoted as saying a tax on fast food "is a tax on the poor." And plenty of residents agree.

[…]

Still, some say taxing fast food isn't such a bad idea.

"I think this country has gone too much in the direction of fast and unhealthy food, and if people are taxed they may terminate that and turn toward more healthy foods," said West Orange resident Maureen Felix.

For now, the fast food tax is just an idea. Detroit lawmakers once toyed with it, but it never passed into law.

http://wcbstv.com/local/fast.food.tax.2.712510.html

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Wednesday, May 07, 2008

20080507 Statement By USDA Secretary Ed Schafer On HSUS Animal Cruelty Video

Statement By USDA Secretary Ed Schafer On HSUS Animal Cruelty Video

WASHINGTON, D.C. May 7, 2008 "Late last week, the Humane Society of the United States notified me that they were in the early stages of an investigation into the mistreatment of farm animals transported to livestock auctions and stockyards. The dairy cattle shown in the video were non-ambulatory and were abandoned in parking lots of these auctions and yards. These animals were not in slaughter facilities. However, even though this is not a food safety issue, these actions of animal cruelty are not acceptable.

"USDA's authority to regulate the treatment of animals includes the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and the Animal Welfare Act. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act protects animals when they are presented for slaughter at federally inspected establishments. The Animal Welfare Act allows us to ensure the proper care of live animals when used in biomedical research, testing, and exhibition. When animals fall within our authorities, USDA has acted to prevent animal cruelty such as this.

Policies for humane handling of animals, however, consist of a combined effort of federal, state, and local authorities, as well as private industry. Since learning about this investigation, we are reaching out to states and industry groups to address this issue.

"In my conversation with the Humane Society last week, I expressed my sincere desire to work with them to resolve these atrocities, and I trust USDA was given all the information HSUS has on this issue so we can thoroughly address it. It is essential that we work together in good faith to address these issues, and ensure that animals are treated with care and dignity."

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=219717

20080507 TSCRA Responds To HSUS Criticism Of Auction Market Cattle Handling

TSCRA Responds To HSUS Criticism Of Auction Market Cattle Handling

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 7, 2008—At noon today, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a long-time critic of animal agriculture in this country, released a video and news release calling attention to the alleged mishandling of downer cattle at livestock auction markets in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Texas.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), responded to the report on the incidents in the four auction markets, putting these cases into the larger national perspective.

LMA President Jim Santomaso points out, “America’s 1,200 livestock marketing businesses annually handle an astounding number of livestock. In 2006, according to government figures, 35.6 million head of cattle and calves moved through those markets. The overwhelming majority of those markets practice appropriate handling of all livestock moving through their businesses – because proper handling is both a humane and economic necessity.”

In Texas alone, TSCRA market inspectors check the brands and ownership of 4 to 6 million head of cattle sold through auction markets each year. TSCRA First Vice President Dave Scott, who is affiliated with livestock auction markets in Sealy and Brenham, says, “We have more than 80 men and women working in more than 100 livestock auction markets each week in Texas. It is regrettable that four isolated incidents have been highlighted by HSUS, but our experience tells us that with upwards of 4 million head marketed each year in Texas, mishandling of cattle at auction markets is not a widespread problem.”

TSCRA, working with the Texas Beef Council and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, offers free training in livestock handling procedures to all interested parties in Texas through the Texas Beef Quality Producer (TBQP) program.

Ashby Green, DVM, vice president of producer education, NCBA, says, “To date, in cooperation with the nation’s livestock markets, we have distributed more than 2,000 cattle care and handling training videos to the nation’s 1,250 livestock markets and other cattle sales locations, as well as veterinarians who work with these operations. Additionally, we are in the process of conducting hands-on staff training sessions at livestock markets led by cattle handling experts.”

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 131-year-old trade organization whose 15,000 members manage approximately 3.7 million cattle on 96.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement services, livestock inspection, legislative and regulatory advocacy and education opportunities for its members.

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Content.asp?ContentID=219716

20080507 MDA Investigates Animal Treatment at Westminster Livestock Auction Market

MDA Investigates Animal Treatment at Westminster Livestock Auction Market

MDA CONTACT: Sue duPont, 410-841-5889 or Julie Oberg, 410-841-5888

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 7, 2008) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is investigating a report of inhumane treatment of a non-ambulatory cow at the Westminster Livestock Auction in Westminster, Maryland on the evening of April 22 following a complaint by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

“MDA will not tolerate violations of its animal welfare laws and regulations and has been working to update and make them more stringent,” said Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson. “The report at the Westminster livestock auction is under investigation and we expect to have a determination with proposed regulatory action within two weeks.”

MDA licenses and regulates livestock auctions in the state and has an inspector on-site when an auction is taking place. The MDA inspector on duty at the Westminster auction was advised that the animal was down but was not aware of any mistreatment. The inspector responded the next day when notified of the HSUS complaint.

MDA has clear regulations governing the humane treatment of livestock at auction markets (COMAR 15.11.17) and each licensed market is provided a copy of the rules and protocols that they are required to follow. MDA has taken action to strengthen its penalties against anyone who violates state animal health laws and regulations.

House Bill 227, proposed by MDA and passed by the 2008 General Assembly, gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to issue administrative penalties (fines) of up to $10,000 in cases where these laws and regulations are broken. In addition, MDA is currently reviewing its livestock market and dealer regulations to determine what actions are needed to strengthen them.

Specifically in response to the Westminster Livestock Auction Market situation, MDA has reviewed and revised its protocols for inspectors at livestock auctions to include: reporting and tracking downed animals; officially informing the livestock auction management of action that must be taken; and following up the day after a sale to make sure that the appropriate disposition of any downed animals has taken place.

“We have been in the process of revamping our laws, regulations, and protocols that safeguard the health and welfare of the livestock under our jurisdiction for a number of years,” said State Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus. “Livestock auction markets have a legal and ethical responsibility to treat animals humanely and if they don’t, they will be penalized.”

###

Attachment: Q & A: Westminster Livestock Auction

http://www.mda.state.md.us/

20080507 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Pandering of Tulipomaniac Proportions

Kevin E. Dayhoff

In last week’s episode of “Democolypse Now,” the continuing saga of the deconstruction of America by the 2008 presidential campaign, we find Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton proposing a summer suspension of the federal taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel.

To be fair, the idea was first floated by the presumptive Republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, who has otherwise never been mistaken for an economist.

In a breath of fresh air, Sen. Barack Obama does not support the “Clinton-McCain Gas Tax Holiday” initiative. He rightfully has cited that the idea to suspend the 18.4-cent federal gas tax and 24.4-cent diesel tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day would save the average American only about $30, and the federal government would lose about $10 billion in revenue.

(Of course, it is not fully known as to how his now-former pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, feels about the gas tax holiday idea. As an aside, please, never hold me responsible for some of the insufferable sermons I have endured from liberal pastors in my past.)

Read the rest of the column here: Pandering of Tulipomaniac Proportions

Blacks on The Precipice

Tom McLaughlin

I am confused about Black America. What is the message Barack Obama and his supporters are sending?

Improving The Chesapeake – Part 2

Farrell Keough

Yesterday we explored the health of the Chesapeake Bay. We noted various terms like Point Source and how Atmospheric Deposition can break down into those constituents which are to blame for the algae blooms and low oxygen levels within the Bay.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Improving The Chesapeake – Part 1

Farrell Keough

We are facing yet another crisis. The Chesapeake Bay has algae blooms and low dissolved oxygen levels. After years of studies, programs, and billions of dollars, it seems we cannot prevent this body of water from being listed on the impaired waters list of the Clean Water Act.

Another View of “Wright”

Derek Shackelford

This last week of the primary presidential election season has not been about politics. It has more exemplified a mini-drama series.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Even when you know you're right…

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

...you might still be wrong. Seems obvious, right? So obvious that it shouldn't have to be said. Unfortunately, in spite of the clear nature of the conclusion, the business of politics is about absolutes.

Our 10 Most Dangerous Concepts

Steven R. Berryman

It has been said many times over the last week that before we can solve a problem, we first must be able to identify it; and thus get our arms around it. In many instances, by the simple act of stating the outline correctly, one can be drawn to solutions.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Color Them Very Purple

Roy Meachum

"The Color Purple" musical arrived on Baltimore's Hippodrome stage the night after the Rev. Jeremiah Wright staged his amazing performance of ego gratification at Washington's National Press Club.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

A Missed Opportunity

Tony Soltero

Nearly 30 years ago, as oil prices soared and waiting lines at gas stations overflowed, President Jimmy Carter laid out a proposal to deal with it. The following is from a speech he delivered in the summer of 1979:

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Seeing Red-Eye in the Camera

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The discussion and debate over speed and red light cameras continues to reverberate. It is one of a number of headaches lingering in the aftermath of the recent and unusual session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Las Vegas Finale

Tom McLaughlin

“Las Vegas was built and runs on tips” was the advice given to the bus load of passengers as we returned from the Grand Canyon in a not so subtle hint. To make sure we got the point, on the “menu” at the National Geographic Center where we were served the most god- awful lunch probably prepared from the remains of animals on failed expeditions, was advice on how much to tip him, which was between $5-$10 depending on the service.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

New Know-Nothings

Roy Meachum

When the county commissioners overwhelmingly rejected the notion of adopting English as Frederick's official language, I could but stand and cheer. The proposal came from Charles Jenkins, and I have no reason to doubt his motives.

Hardly Ablesons

Nick Diaz

I’m an ardent admirer of the United States of America, my adopted country, which welcomed me to these shores a half century ago. This great country has provided me with opportunities I wouldn’t have faced, had I remained in Communist Cuba.

Monday, April 28, 2008

General Assembly Journal 2008 – Volume 11

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Any General Assembly wrap-up would be incomplete without a scorecard of the work of the Frederick County Delegation. Normally, this column avoids conflict with other delegation members, and focuses on the back-and-forth with the county. Not this time, kiddies! Ahead: some serious onion peeling!

Free Money!

Steven R. Berryman

Congratulations for being smart enough to be in the United States of America. Everything is free here. And when you run out of money to spend, we’ll give you some of that, too. In Frederick County, if you can’t read this, I’ll bet there will be a sign on a bus in Espanol repeating it soon.

20080505 Click It or Ticket

Click It or Ticket

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On or after Monday, May 5

CONTACT:

Carroll County Sheriff’s Office – Lt. Mark Gonder – 410-386-2900

Hampstead Police Department – Cpt. Jay Gribbin – 410-239-8954

Manchester Police Department – Officer Eric Immler – 410-239-6900

Sykesville Police Department – Sgt. Shawn Kilgore – 410-795-0757

Taneytown Police Department – Cpl. James Brooks – 410-751-1150

Westminster Police Department – Sgt. Keith Benfer – 410-876-4646

Maryland State Police – Tfc. Paul Schur – 410-386-3000

C.R.A.S.H. Coalition – Kim Spangler 410-876-4965

Carroll County Kicks Off Click It or Ticket Enforcement Mobilization

No Excuses, No Exceptions – Buckle Up Day and Night

Carroll County, MD– The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, Hampstead Police Department, Manchester Police Department, Sykesville Police Department, Taneytown Police Department, Westminster Police Department and Maryland State Police, Westminster Barrack announced today they are joining with the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Safety Office and other safety advocates in renewing a pledge to save lives through the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization.

The campaign, which begins in Maryland on May 1, intensifies seat belt enforcement among all motorists and around the clock. Despite Maryland having one of the highest safety belt use rates in the nation at 93.1 percent, it is estimated that more than 90 additional lives could be saved every year if all motorists buckled up on every single trip.

“Although most motorists in Maryland do buckle up, it’s clear that many people still don’t take belt laws seriously,” Chief Jeff Spaulding, Westminster Police Department said. “So look for us to be out on the streets day and night making sure that everyone is buckled up.”

This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign will emphasize enforcement during nighttime hours – when drivers and occupants are less likely to wear seat belts. In 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 15,046 passenger vehicle occupants were killed between the nighttime hours of 6 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Nearly two-thirds (of those killed at night were NOT wearing seat belts — compared to less than half of the passenger vehicle occupants killed during daytime hours. Preliminary results in Maryland during 2007 indicate that 52 percent of MD drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes at night (8 p.m. – 6 a.m.) were not wearing seat belts. By comparison, only 36 percent of drivers killed in daytime crashes were not wearing seat belts

Young people, men in particular, are at greatly increased risk, and are among those least likely to buckle up at night. In fact, the most recent data available shows that roughly 66 percent of Maryland drivers killed not wearing seat belts at night were between the ages of 19-34 years old. In 2006, 73 percent of male passenger vehicle occupants between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes were NOT wearing seat belts.

Lt. Mark Gonder, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office said, “Worn correctly, seat belts have proven to reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 45 percent for front-seat passenger vehicle occupants and by 60 percent in pickup trucks, SUVs, and minivans. In fact, national data shows that more than three-quarters of passenger vehicle occupants who were in a serious crash in 2006 and were buckled up survived the crash.”

Increased law enforcement activities, including seat belt checkpoints, will be conducted nationwide during the 2008 Click It or Ticket mobilization. Paid national advertising, as well as State advertising, will support the mobilization by promoting the life-saving benefits of regular seat belt use, especially nighttime belt use, to all motorists.

Regular seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities. High-visibility enforcement has been proven effective at getting people to buckle up.

“Wearing your seat belt is easy and it costs you nothing. Not wearing your belt will probably cost you $25 in Maryland, or worse — it may cost you your life,” said Cpt. Jay Gribbin, Hampstead Police Department. “Be safe and buckle up day and night.”

“Buckle up” is one of the key messages of the State’s Choose Safety for Life campaign, a partnership to save lives and prevent injuries on Maryland’s roadways. For more information, please log onto www.choosesafetyforlife.com.

To learn more about the Click It or Ticket campaign and the lifesaving benefits of wearing your seat belt, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.

###

Editor’s Note: Click it or Ticket begins the first phase of a statewide traffic safety initiative called Chiefs’ Challenge. Federal, State, local, and municipal police agencies, county Sheriff’s Offices and other law enforcement agencies are committed to increasing safety belt use, and decreasing impaired and aggressive driving-related crashes. For more information about the Chiefs’ Challenge, please contact your local police agency.

Monday, May 05, 2008

20080505 CCBOC Agenda for the week of May 5, 2008

Carroll County Board of Commissioners Agenda for the week of May 5, 2008

Board of County Commissioners

Julia W. Gouge, President

Dean L. Minnich, Vice President

Michael D. Zimmer, Secretary

Carroll County Government

225 North Center Street

Westminster, Maryland 21157

410-386-2043; 1-888-302-8978

fax 410-386-2485; TT 410-848-9747

Agenda for the Week of May 5, 2008

Please Note: This weekly agenda is subject to change. Please call 410-386-2043 to confirm a meeting you plan to attend. All meetings will be held at the Carroll County Office Building

Room 311. (Unless otherwise noted)

Indicates Outside Activities

Monday ~ May 5, 2008

9:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Tour of the Robert Moton Center

Westminster, MD

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich & Zimmer

11:00 a.m. Bureau of Housing Homeownership Program ~ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Commissioners Gouge & Zimmer

Tuesday ~ May 6, 2008

9:00 a.m. Administrative Session ~ Closed

10:00 a.m. Board of County Commissioners Open Roundtable Discussion

County Office Building ~ Room 311 (Please Note Room #)

Followed by

Board of County Commissioners Open Session

County Office Building ~ Room 311

Update Findings on Woodbine Road ~ Restricting Truck Traffic

Department of Public Works ~ Mr. J. Michael Evans

Tuesday ~ May 6, 2008 ~ Continued

Briefing on Upcoming Public Hearing for

Establishment of Retiree Non-Pension Benefits Trust

Department of the County Attorney ~ Ms. Kimberly Millender

Department of Human Resources ~ Mrs. Carole V. Hammen

Deliberation and Possible Adoption of Proposed Ordinance for

Small Wind Energy Systems ~ Amendment to Chapter 223, Zoning

Department of the County Attorney ~ Ms. Kimberly Millender

Briefing on Upcoming Public Hearing

Carroll County Youth Service Bureau Capital Project

Application to the MD Community Development Block Grant Program

Youth Service Bureau ~ Ms. Lynn Davis

Department of Management & Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Municipality/Partnerships on Water Recharge Credits

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Chief of Staff ~ Mr. Steve Powell

Closed ~ Land Acquisition

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Administrative Session ~ Closed

6:30 p.m. Carroll County Family Center Annual Donor Recognition Dinner

Taneytown, MD

Commissioner Zimmer

Wednesday ~ May 7, 2008

8:00 a.m. The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll

Annual Community Forum

Westminster, MD

Commissioner Zimmer

Wednesday ~ May 7, 2008 ~ Continued

11:30 a.m. Carroll Soil Conservation District Open House

Westminster, MD

Commissioner Zimmer

7:00 p.m. Community Budget Meeting

Sykesville Middle School

Commissioner Zimmer

Thursday ~ May 8, 2008

Friday ~ May 9, 2008

Saturday ~ May 10, 2008

Sunday ~ May 11, 2008

8:05 a.m. “The Commissioners’ Report” – WTTR

Commissioner Gouge

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities, and facilities. If you have questions, suggestions, or complaints, please contact Ms. Jolene Sullivan, the Carroll County Government Americans With Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 410-386-3600/1-888-302-8978 or TTY No. 410-848-9747. The mailing address is 225 North Center Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157.Posted: 07/07/06

CARROLL COUNTY

a great place to live, a great place to work, a great place to play

BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES

Appointed by the Carroll County Commissioners

Week of May 5, 200

Monday, May 5, 2008

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

10:00 a.m. Carroll County Commissioners Open Roundtable Discussion

Carroll County Office Building

225 N. Center Street - Room 003

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Contact: Doreen Negley - 410-386-2043 FOLLOWED BY…

Carroll County Commissioners Open Session

Carroll County Office Building

225 N. Center Street - Room 311

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Contact: Doreen Negley - 410-386-2043

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Thursday, May 8, 2008

7:30 a.m. Economic Development Commission Executive Committee Meeting

Carroll County Office Building

225 N. Center Street - Room 105

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Contact: Bonnie Staub - 410-386-2070

9:00 a.m. Design and Architectural Review Committee

Carroll County Office Building

225 N. Center Street - Room 205

Westminster, Maryland 21157

Contact: Neil Ridgely - 410-386-2145

Contact: Doreen Negley - 410-386-2043

Friday, May 9, 2008

Saturday, May 03, 2008

20080428 Dearbought resident Steve Berryman battles political apathy by Nicholas Stern Frederick News Post

Dearbought resident battles political apathy

Originally published April 28, 2008 By Nicholas C. Stern News-Post Staff

Steve Berryman Photo by Sam Yu

During his hour-long daily commute to work, where he estimates, bids and negotiates construction projects, Steve Berryman, a resident of the Dearbought community in Frederick, tunes in to talk radio.

A self-described news and information junkie, Berryman doesn't just allow what he hears to wash over him.

He uses the power of the pen to take a stand, to influence the way those around him think, and to clear his community from what he sees as a negative effect from Muslim worshippers and illegal immigrants.

Berryman said he began maintaining his blog, www.infoservesme.blogspot.com, several years ago.

"Writing about things that made me mad made me feel better," Berryman said.

One of those things was an appeal more than a year ago by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to build a worship and recreation center on agricultural land in Walkersville.

Berryman became the spokesman for Citizens for Walkersville, a group opposed to allowing an exception in zoning ordinances to build the Muslim center.

In February, the Walkersville Board of Zoning Appeals denied that exception.

Within the past three months, Berryman said, he was contacted by Help Save Maryland, a grassroots anti-illegal immigrant group, to be its Frederick County coordinator.

Berryman also contributes to a local political commentary website, www.thetentacle.com, where he is joined by, among others, Joan McIntyre, a former member of the Frederick County Planning Commission, and Rick Weldon, a state delegate representing Frederick and Washington counties.

Illegal immigrants, Berryman said, are a drain on precious education and health resources, and are disproportionately inclined to join violent gangs. Frederick County hasn't reached a critical stage, Berryman said, but the writing is on the wall.

Read the rest of the interview here:

http://infoservesme.blogspot.com/2008/04/dearbought-resident-battles-political.html

or here: Dearbought resident battles political apathy

Related: InfoServesMe by Steve Berryman

http://www.infoservesme.blogspot.com/

www.thetentacle.com

20080503 Links to related materials on Carroll County Maryland’s future solid waste management decisions…

The 3-minute interview: Robin Davidov

Matthew Santoni, The Examiner 2008-04-21

BALTIMORE - The Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority manages three waste-to-energy facilities that burn trash to generate steam and electricity in Harford and Montgomery counties, and Baltimore City. Last week, Carroll County voted to join Frederick County in building a fourth. Harford County plans to expand its facility, said Authority Director Robin Davidov.

Why have Carroll and Harford had such different reactions to plans for new waste-to-energy plants?

The difference, I think, is that Harford County has had 20 years’ experience with a waste-to-energy facility. It’s been very reliable, it’s been a good neighbor and it’s generated electricity for the nearby Army base. Those counties which have had experience with waste-to-energy have had a good experience, and those without experience have a lot of questions.

How does waste-to-energy compare to increased recycling, which is being discussed as an alternative in Carroll?

Our first steps are to reduce, reuse and recycle. But not everything can be recycled. To those who say, “Let’s recycle more instead of burning it for energy,” it’s not an either/or. Harford County has the highest recycling rate in the state [57 percent in 2006], so they know the difference between waste that can be recycled and that which can’t. Most of Carroll’s trash isn’t being recycled right now. It’s going 190 miles to a landfill in Virginia.

How do you respond to citizens’ worries about the facilities producing greenhouse gases and pollutants such as dioxins?

Waste-to-energy plants actually emit less greenhouse gas than trucking and landfilling garbage because landfills produce methane, which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Dioxins are really pervasive. We’re pretty sure — not 100 percent — but pretty sure they’re destroyed at really high temperatures.

Examiner

Members of environmental panel quit over incinerator vote

Limo group: Unlicensed drivers ‘everywhere’ during prom season

3-year-old boy critically injured in lawnmower accident.

NAACP calls for statewide rally to protest killings by police

Public safety positions funded

The 3-minute interview: John B. Townsend II

The 3-minute interview: Esther Johnson

The 3-minute interview: Sandra Quel

The 3-minute interview: James Williams

The 3-minute interview: Vaughn Bennett

The 3-minute interview: Barry Levinson

The 3-minute interview: Greg Hamm

The 3-minute interview: George Jones

The 3-minute interview: Natalie Eddington

The 3-minute interview: Ann Compton

State Hispanic population growing; officials rethink outreach programs

Hispanic population in Md., Va.

Public pressure prompts change in natural gas project

Sewage sludge critics urge ban on spreading

Madame Tussauds cuts ticket prices, citing economic factors

_____

Links to related materials on Carroll County Maryland’s future solid waste management decisions… Related to: 20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released

20080317 Recent columns on the future of Solid Waste Management in Carroll and Frederick Counties

20080317 More information on Waste to Energy and the future of solid waste management in Frederick and Carroll Counties

20080309 The Sunday Carroll Eagle: “History will know us by our trash”

April 16, 2008

How to Make Trash Go Away

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Tomorrow the Carroll County Board of Commissioners will deliberate in open session and – hopefully – make a decision regarding the offer from Frederick County to join forces to make 1,100 tons of trash a day go away.

In The Tentacle:

March 6, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part 2

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The February 26th joint meeting between Frederick and Carroll County over how to make trash go away came after two years of discussions and deliberations resulting from the Frederick County commissioners’ adoption of Resolution 06-05, on February 16, 2006.

March 5, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part One

Kevin E. Dayhoff

On February 26, the Frederick and Carroll County commissioners met to discuss how to make a combined 1,100 tons of trash-a-day go away.

*****

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Recycling or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Waste to Energy

And:

19880900 To Burn or Not to Burn an interview with Neil Seldman

19960900 The Five Most Dangerous Myths About Recycling

“Pay as you throw” By Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer Sunday, August 12, 2007

20070912 Carroll County EAC votes to promote recycling by Carrie Ann Knauer