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, January 30, 2010

January/February 2010 E-newsletter of Off Track Art


======================tracks=======================
An E-newsletter of Off Track Art, an artists’ cooperative gallery
January/February 2010 by Charlotte Laslo, cqlaslo@netscape.net
===================================================
11 Liberty Street (Side Entrance)
Westminster, MD




New Year, new hours:

Tue-Wed: noon -6 PM
Thu-Fri: noon -7 PM
Sat: 10 AM - 5 PM
===========================================================


CELEBRATIONS
Happy Birthday, Off Track Art, celebrating one year as a coop gallery!

Join us in celebrating this young venue, along with celebrating Nancy Schmitt, who this winter becomes the second of rotating guest artists exhibiting with Off Track Art.

Come to our Opening Reception to see her wonderful, richly-colored felted objects.

New work in the gallery also include Linda Van Hart’s Meditation: Sense of Self and The Three Graces, beautiful collage statements created while in Budapest; vibrant new photographs by Gordon Wickes; Mary Decker’s bright, framed assemblages and other fun objects; Melinda Byrd’s intimate gestural drawings of jazz & blues musicians; and many more drawings, paintings, jewelry, and mixed media works that will delight and surprise!

Opening Reception: Friday, February 12, 2010... 5:30-7:30 PM. See you there!

GUEST ARTIST

By combining her fine arts and textile design backgrounds, Nancy Schmitt creates unique vessels, wall hangings and wearables made of felted wool. Her passion for working with wool fiber, along with the organic nature of the medium, help her connect the ancient traditions of felt making with modern artistry. Because wool is an organic medium, she must be willing to surrender preconceived design notions and allow the fiber to develop its own unique shape and form. The surface becomes truly three dimensional with the addition of beads that capture and reflect light. Sculptural cuts in the matte wool add texture and expose color changes in the fiber layers.

NEW WEBSITE

Off Track Art can now be found on the web. Many thanks to Gail Elwell for organizing things and getting our website launched. Look for art images and info on our new website: http://www.offtrackart.org/.

ARTISTS AT WORK at Off Track Art:

Feb. 5, 11, and 26, noon - 5 PM, Charlotte Laslo will be working on her jewelry creations at Off Track Art. Stop by and see them being made using wirework and knotting techniques.

Tuesday, Feb. 2, noon- 6 PM, Melinda Byrd will be at Off Track Art designing and constructing Valentine inspired cards with watercolors, collage, and printmaking. Come and request a custom made card for your loved one—bring photos if you like.

Tuesday, Feb. 23, noon – 3 PM Melinda Byrd will be at Off Track Art, doing watercolor highlighting a limited edition of “Monarchs & Milkweed in Color.”

OUT and ABOUT:

“Off Track goes off track,” an exhibit by gallery members will show this Spring in the Great Hall at Carroll Community College, opening April 18, runs through May 21, 2010.

Melinda Byrd’s work will be featured on Sunday, Jan. 31 in the Carroll County Times, in a photo-documentary of her woodcut process from design inception, transfer to wood, carving, to printing. An on-line video documentary of Handcrafted Traditions by Ken Koons will soon after be offered at: http://www.carrollcounty.tv/handcrafted_traditions/ Watch the process of the development of "May the Wind be Always at Your Back," the print soon to be available in Melinda’s print rack.

Gail Elwell is involved with The Artchicks, "Gathering," running February 7-March 19, 2010, with an opening on February 7, 2-4 PM at the Scott Gallery, Carroll Community College. “Gathering” then travels to Lubbock, Texas, May 17-June 18, at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts.

Looking forward, Gail’s collage project "52 Weeks" will open at the Christina Collin-Smith Gallery in Cumberland, Md., in June.

Cathy Sawdey participates in the Antreasian Gallery’s exhibit, “Nudes 2010,” February 5 through February 26, 2010, in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore. Reception is Friday, Feb. 5th, 6-9 PM.

Linda Van Hart is teaching Mixed Media Collage I & II, Design I, and Jewelry I, II, & III at McDaniel College spring semester. She will teach Reticulation and Hot Connections this summer at Common Ground Week II, July 12-16, 2010. For information and registration: http://www.commongroundonthehill.org/. These classes may be taken for fun or for undergraduate or graduate credit.

FAREWELL to MEMBERS

We are sad to bid adieu to our creative colleagues and wish them all success as they continue their artistic pursuits on other paths...

Becki Maurio, photographer.
Bob Sapora, sculptor.


MEMBERS:
Vestal Abbott
Melinda Byrd: http://www.byrdcallstudio.com/
Kevin Dayhoff: kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com
Mary Decker: http://www.chartruesemoose.com/
Gail Elwell: http://www.gailelwell.com/
Judy Goodyear
Charlotte Laslo
Cathy Sawdey
Gordon Wickes
Linda van Hart: http://www.tollhousestudio.com/
Bobby Waddell
Susan Williamson
Pamela Zappardino
GUEST, Nancy Schmitt: http://www.iveneverfeltsogood.com/

http://www.offtrackart.org/
Visit us on Facebook, too!

Related:

Off Track Art E-newsletter for October and November 2009 http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/2009/10/off-track-art-e-newsletter-for-october.html

Off Track Art Tracks August 2009 Newsletter Westminster MD http://tinyurl.com/pc4eok

Off Track Art
Off Track Art artist profiles
Off Track Art news and info
Off Track Art newsletters
Off Track Art on Facebook

Art Artists Culture Carroll Co, Art Artists Culture Westminster, Art Off Track Art, Art Off Track Art newsletter, Current Events

20100129 Enewsletter of Off Track Art


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

Friday, January 29, 2010

Recent stories in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff


Carroll County's 173rd birthday celebrates a patchwork quilt of history
Posted 1/24/10 by Carroll Eagle

New year means a new city attorney in Westminster
Posted 1/12/10 by Westminster Eagle

'Coach' Charlie Havens was a good sport, and a patriot, too
Posted 1/17/10 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Winter miseries include cold, wind and a threat to our ice cream supply
Posted 1/10/10 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Santa Claus is coming to town
Posted 12/14/09 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Westminster's holiday glow, from 'Kringling' to a parade of lights
Posted 12/13/09 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Memorial service set for 'Voice of Carroll County,' Dwight Dingle
Posted 12/02/09 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Community mourns the loss of photographer Charlie Magee
Posted 10/17/09 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle

Winter miseries include cold, wind and a threat to our ice cream supply
Published January 10, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... ice cream in the middle of a snowstorm. It, too, would probably result in a lot of paperwork. When he is not looking for ice cream in a snowstorm, visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

DAYHOFF: New years of the past carried doom, gloom ... and a few local bright spots
Published January 3, 2010 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... Year, we should all hold brighter hopes of the future, and make some good resolutions." Amen to that. When he is not partying in Taylorsville, visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Crime and vagrants greeted the new year in days gone by
Published December 27, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... it, but he is not sure. Like everybody else, Mr. Tuck is frustrated but isn't sure who to blame." When he's not wearing a New Year's party hat, visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net....
Snow day like this
Published December 20, 2009 by Carroll Eagle

Mary, Dolly and I all believe in Santa Claus, and you should, too
Published December 20, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... holidays with your family friends and loved ones. Merry Christmas and a happy Hanukah, too. When he is not listening to Dolly Parton Christmas music, visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Westminster electric Christmas parade winners announced
Published December 15, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
John Street Quarters at the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department was packed Monday night with participants from this year's Westminster Miracle on Main Street Holiday Electric Parade.The 10 winners in Westminster's first-ever electric light parade held ... ...

Westminster's holiday glow, from 'Kringling' to a parade of lights
Published December 13, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... the best place in the world for the Christmas holidays. No Grinches allowed. When he is not masquerading through town looking at Christmas lights, visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

20100124 sdosm Recent stories in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff Dayhoff Media Explore Carroll, Newspapers Explore Carroll

Recent stories in Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff http://www.explorecarroll.com/ http://tinyurl.com/yekyy84
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Taylorsville United Methodist Church transom window

Taylorsville United Methodist Church transom window

Transom window over front door - - Taylorsville United Methodist Church, Taylorsville, Carroll County MD, Founded in 1878. By Kevin Dayhoff December 24, 2009

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/10aa0l or here; http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359383267/taylorsville-united-methodist-church-transom

4356 Ridge Road, Mt Airy, MD. 21771, Tel: 410-875-4101

http://www.taylorsvilleumc.org/

[20091224 TUMC 10 overdoorb] Annual Christmas, Annual Christmas Carroll Co, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos churches, Religion Taylorsville United Methodist

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2010/01/taylorsville-united-methodist-church.html http://tinyurl.com/yzxe4ry

Taylorsville United Methodist Church transom window http://tinyurl.com/yzxe4ry http://twitpic.com/10aa0l http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359383267/taylorsville-united-methodist-church-transom http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2010/01/taylorsville-united-methodist-church.html

4356 Ridge Road, Mt Airy, MD. 21771, Tel: 410-875-4101

http://www.taylorsvilleumc.org/

Related:

The congregation of Taylorsville United Methodist Church stops to chat right after the Christmas Eve services on December 24, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/y8my5y4 #photos http://twitpic.com/vp3yf http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/12/congregation-of-taylorsville-united.html [20091224 TUMC 7]

Candles singing in K minor at Taylorsville United Methodist Church on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009 by Kevin Dayhoff Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/vdpwk or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/301906297/candles-singing-taylorsville-united-methodist [20091224 TUMC 5candle] http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/12/candles-singing.html http://tinyurl.com/y8wr36t

Candles at the Christmas Eve service at Taylorsville United Methodist Church by Kevin Dayhoff December 24, 2009 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2009/12/candles-at-christmas-eve-service-at.html http://tinyurl.com/yeqhg4s

[20091224 TUMC (2)acandle] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/vcofn http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/301671841/candles-christmas-eve-service-taylorsville

[20091224 TUMC candle] Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/vcpmv or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/301680572/candles-christmas-eve-service-taylorsville

Signs in front of the Taylorsville United Methodist Church announce the December 24, 2009 Christmas Eve service.
Christmas Eve services at Taylorsville United Methodist Church [20091224 TUMCsign] http://tinyurl.com/yz7dtmg http://twitpic.com/valdz

Annual Christmas, Annual Christmas Carroll Co, Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Dayhoff photos churches, Religion Taylorsville United Methodist

Kevin Dayhoff December 24, 2009

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

Seriousness, young man, is an accident of time

Seriousness, young man, is an accident of time

"You take the old Goethe much too seriously, my young friend. You should not take old people who are already dead seriously. It does them injustice. We Immortals do not like things to be taken seriously. We like joking. Seriousness, young man, is an accident of time."
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

And the point is…

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/10a4hp or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359334499/westminster-dir-tom-beyard-watches-as-city

Westminster planning director Tom Beyard on the left, watches the mayor and council members as the new Westminster city attorney Elissa Levan on the right, explains a point; at the January 25, 2010 meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council at Westminster City Hall in Westminster Maryland.

January 25, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff

[20100125 MCC TBB Elissa Levan] Dayhoff Daily Photoblog, Dayhoff photos, Westminster city attorney Elissa Levan, Westminster Council Mtgs, Westminster govt, Westminster Planning Dir Tom Beyard

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2010/01/and-point-is.html http://tinyurl.com/y9hfakp

Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff

Westminster dir Tom Beyard watches as city attorney Elissa Levan explains a point http://tinyurl.com/y9hfakp http://twitpic.com/10a4hp http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359334499/westminster-dir-tom-beyard-watches-as-city

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

Charlie Brooker - How To Report The News

Charlie Brooker - How To Report The News

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtGSXMuWMR4

PrivateCustard January 27, 2010

OMG - - What a hoot:

Via: theobserver by @tommytomlinson How to do a TV news report (brief bad language, but well worth it). http://bit.ly/ctuhAm (via @SavannahGuthrie)



20100127 sdsom YT Charlie Brooker How To Report The News
*****
Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Saturday night Roller Derby Opera at the Ag Center arena in Westminster

Saturday night Roller Derby Opera at the Ag Center arena in Westminster

By Kevin Dayhoff January 24, 2010
The local Chesapeake Roller Derby team, “Mutiny” defended the ship well, but it was the South Jersey Derby Girls who staged the mutiny last Saturday evening at the Danele Shipley Memorial Arena at the Carroll County Ag Center in Westminster and took the flag.

The real winners for the evening were the more than 1000 fans that packed the arena for the debut of roller derby in Carroll County on a cold dark night in the middle of the winter.

Inside the crowd warmed up quickly to the thrills, spills, and personalities of the roller derby event of operatic proportions.

Craig Giles of Westminster attended the event with his wife, Lois, and son, Jeff. “It’s a life experience. You have to see it (at least) once. It was either this or go to the opera and (this was so convenient,) you can get right down close and up front with the action,” said Giles. Lois Giles, interjected, “I was curious.”

Jalna Brown, who was there with her sister, Lori Graham, said, “We were out for an adventure and ended-up at the roller derby. It reminds me of skating on Pennsylvania Avenue (in Westminster) in the 70s.”

“I missed my calling,” said Graham; who was all smiles as she followed the action.

Brenda Roper, also from Westminster, interjected, “I think I could take Lori Graham out,” as everyone laughed. “I’m here with my husband, (Gil Roper,) he’s here for the costumes.” A point, which Gil did not deny.

Bruce Main, the afternoon host on WTTR introduced all the players before the event. “I’ll bet you can’t put all the players’ names in a newspaper article,” said Main in an interview at the arena.

All of the skaters, most of whom are employed as professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, accountants and architects in their daytime jobs, adopted a “derby name.” Many of which were, ah, colorful, advised Main as he displayed a print-out of the rosters.

As he surveyed the mayhem and excitement that was unfolding at the arena, Main said WTTR has entered into a media partnership with the roller derby team. “We’re thrilled to be a part of bringing such a colorful event to Carroll County.

“First time we have ever had a roller derby in Carroll County,” repeated Main, who also served as the official starter for the game last Saturday.

“It’s going to be a learning experience with the ‘jammers’ and understanding how the scoring goes,” explained Main.

For more information as to the rules and intricacies of roller derby, be sure to read Explore Carroll writer, Charles Schelle’s “Shipwrecked in a concrete jungle,” and “Mutiny at the Ag Center” in the January 17 Carroll Eagle.

The roller derby “has been well received by the listeners,” continued Main. “I was in tears laughing so hard on air announcing the names last Friday…”

The announcer and one of the organizers of the event, Jeff "Homescar Runner" Tomhave said “it looked like everyone is having a good time.” He mentioned that it was good to see the community come out to support the team and raise money to help fight breast cancer. Tomhave, whose wife, Brandy "Marzipain" Tomhave skates with the team, said he also serves as one of the referees when they practice at the arena during the week,

“It’s been fun,” said the Mutiny team coach, “Siouxsie Slaughter,” during a brief break in the action. Slaughter, goes by the name of Susan Rose at her daytime job at Vinci Stone Products in Marriottsville - and is the owner of the Black Eyed Susan Skate Shop.

“The majority of the people (involved in roller derby locally) are professionals who have gotten together to support raising money for the American Breast Cancer Foundation” the charity partner with the Chesapeake Roller Derby.

Knockout Rose, who was introduced by Main as “Roses are red, some are pink too, but watch out for her or you will be black and blue,” was interrupted, as she started to explain some of the game, by living up to Main’s introduction, and was sent to the penalty box.

As she skated away, she blurted-out that her real name is Monica Yankovich. She is a landscape architect with the firm of Mahan Rykiel Associates.

Knockout Rose explained that she discovered the Ag Center because she is also involved with the Oriole Dog Training Club, which has agility trials at the arena.

Slaughter said of the evening’s bout, “the team worked well together… Some of the (players) are new skaters. Great first event. We’re looking forward to (our next event) at the Shipley Arena in March.”

At that point, she caught the eye of the team physician, Dr. Jason W. Hammond, of the Union Memorial Orthopedics and Sports Medicine practice at the Westminster Professional Building.

Other than a few cuts and bruises, there were no reports of significant injuries at the event. Hammond, explained later, “I don’t skate or I would have to treat myself,” as he kept a watchful eye on the athletes skating in the oval.

Reinforcing the opera component of the drama of the skating event at the arena last Saturday evening was, Lara Bruckmann, a lyric soprano classical opera singer, who sang the national anthem during the opening ceremonies.

Bruckmann, whose skater name is “Doris Day of Reckoning,” also skates with the Junkyard Dolls with the Charm City Roller Girls. She said, “our opener is Saturday, January 30 at the Du Burns Arena in Canton, Baltimore.

I haven’t figured how to use my voice as a weapon on the track yet because I become too winded from skating,” said Bruckmann with a wry smile.

Bruckmann added, “One of the things that makes (local) roller derby so effective as a grass roots is there are so many of the skill sets required represented by all the professionals who skate in the leagues. We have graphic artists, lawyers, nurses…” and it’s all good family fun.

#####
*****
[20100123 RollerDerbyAgCtr 28 29]
Ag Carroll Co MD Ag Center, Dayhoff writing essays, Dayhoff writing essays Sports, Sports Roller Derby
Sat night Roller Derby Opera at Ag Center arena Westminster MD http://tinyurl.com/yfkoef8 http://twitpic.com/109uli

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

This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle http://www.thetentacle.com/

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
“Mac” Mathias: A Civil Rights Lion
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Former Republican U.S. Senator Charles McCurdy (Mac) Mathias, a native son of Frederick, has died at the age of 87. He was living in Chevy Chase, where his family reported that he died Monday from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Another Adventure Among The Apes
Tom McLaughlin
Bukit Lawang, Sumatra, Indonesia – The orangutan ambled just ahead of us, we were repeatedly told. The guide and tracker, in constant communication by yelling into a hand phones, kept assuring us the ape lingered very near but when we arrived at the spots, mom and son had just left.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Great Expectations
Roy Meachum
Many voices – including mine – were raised against Democrat Martha Coakley’s indolent campaign in last week’s loss to Republican Scott Brown; they bumped heads in Massachusetts’ special election for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seat. On further thought I find she was no less guilty than the majority of Americans who swept Barack Obama into the White House.

It’s a Joke, Son
Norman M. Covert
The pollster asked for an assessment of President Barack Hussein Obama’s first year in office. My best response was a guffaw and reference to one of America’s great Post World War II legislators, fiery Southern Senator Beauregard Claghorn, who opined, “It’s a joke, son!”

The Cart Before The Horse…
Farrell Keough
Our delegation to Annapolis has recently voted to endorse a pilot program for a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) trash mitigation system. Will this program help mitigate the tremendous amount of trash we send to the landfill and potentially save our citizens money? Let’s explore some of the possibilities.

Monday, January 25, 2010
The Law – Revisited
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
It just wouldn’t do to pretend to have enough credibility as a political participant or observer to update the great work penned by French statesman and economist Frederic Bastiat. Monsieur Bastiat’s best-known work, The Law, was published in 1850, written during and after the French Revolution of 1848. French society was turning to socialism, and M. Bastiat crafted an essay designed to halt the conversion.

Information Overload
Steven R. Berryman
Pity the news and information junkie in making it through the last week. Taken in totality, and in “real time,” one can actually see the earth spinning a little faster on its axis; or, at least, notice changes occurring virtually faster than people can consider the implications.

“Let me count the ways…”
Michael Kurtianyk
Last week was my 10th anniversary as a Realtor® in Maryland. I realized this as I renewed my license with the state. It’s odd to think that in 1999, when my wife and I made the decision to move here, that we’d actually have accomplished so much in the short amount of time here in Frederick County. Herewith are some things I’ve learned:

Friday, January 22, 2010
True Democracy
Roy Meachum
Coming one day before Barack Obama’s first anniversary as president, Tuesday’s TheTentacle.com column anticipated the big object lesson held up by both parties:

“Righting” The Ship
Joe Charlebois
With all due respect to Dick Morris, Eileen McGann and other noted columnists, I was the first to re-coin the phrase “It’s the shot heard ‘round the world!” as my wife and I sat watching the Massachusetts special election returns Tuesday evening.

Thursday, January 21, 2010
“Parting is such sweet sorrow…”
Tony Soltero
I moved to Frederick County from Baltimore County in the late summer of 2002. I was starting a new job in Northern Virginia, and I decided to move here so I could be within viable commuting distance of anywhere in the Baltimore/Washington area.

Traveling Down the Road
Patricia A. Kelly
As this goes to press, I hope to be asleep after a 12 1/2 hour flight home from Egypt. I've been very lucky to travel and to live in other countries, and my departure reminds me of some of those experiences. The lesson learned, as it can only be learned by seeing in person, is that other people are different than we, in thinking and behavior, and that it's okay. They're quite happy, thank you.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Hating over Haiti
Kevin E. Dayhoff
In a moment that could warm all but the coldest of hearts last Saturday, in the midst of all the despair that is now Haiti, Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton set aside their political differences for a joint appeal to raise money for that earthquake-ravaged country.

Almost in a sewer….
Tom McLaughlin
Medan, Indonesia (Sumatra Island) – The guide books all said I should avoid this place. They were right. What a dump! The city stretches from the Straits to the mountains in one long unending blur of low rise buildings, smog and horrific traffic.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
January 19, 2010
Roy Meachum
Barack Obama marks his first anniversary in the White House tomorrow. Ironically, the first major test of his administering the nation’s problem comes today in the election for the late Ted Kennedy’s senate seat.

Politics, Motorcycles, Basketball and FCC
Nick Diaz
Oh, what fun it is to ride the waves of local and state news these days. There’s never a dull moment. Something will happen.

Monday, January 18, 2010
Humorous Politics
Steven R. Berryman
Don’t “mis-underestimate” the value of humor in the politics of the day ’round this county of late. Pardon the Bush-ism, but it seems to fit the chaos. The amount of inherent comedy now is limited only by your personal perspective in our political matters at hand here in Maryland.

Marriage, Politics, Haiti and Conan O’Brien
Michael Kurtianyk
So I asked my best friend, my wife Brenda, what I should write about this week. Her response was: “How about love and marriage?”

20100128 sdosm This week in The Tentacle

*****

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

Shower Girl





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

Top stories for Explore Carroll by Kevin Dayhoff in 2009


I was recently asked what I felt were the “noteworthy” stories that I wrote for Explore Carroll in 2009. http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2010/01/top-stories-for-explore-carroll-by.html http://tinyurl.com/ybzd7wf

That’s always a tough question… I worried about the term “noteworthy.” It sounds so pretentious. Nevertheless, pressed - - if I had to choose, I think they would be, in random order:

60 years ago, Davis opened the first chapter of the library book Published January 16, 2009 by Carroll Eagle ... , 1870? Think you know? …with "Sunday Carroll Eagle" in the subject line. When he's not talking with his pet stuffed animal named "Mr. Moose,"

Martin Luther King and Marvin Gaye still show us the way Published January 14, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... quot;: "For only love can conquer hate, You know you've got to find a way, To bring some understanding here today ... Talk to me so you can see, Oh what's going on ..." Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Sheryl gives advice on banking and toilet paper, one square at a time Published March 4, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... units. In the end, this is one of those messy pesky problems when we may need more than two or three squares. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. . ...

Studying the economics of rewarding bad behavior Published March 18, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... paying for food with change, is comforted by the fact that the folks who caused this mess will be keeping their jobs. And now I'm sure that you, too, will sleep easier at night. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. ....

Dayhoff says: When it comes to Obama on Jay Leno, get over it Published March 26, 2009 by Westminster Eagle

DAYHOFF: Cutting a ribbon on history at the Westminster Water Treatment Plant Published April 29, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... prosper. Note: next week's column will review a more in-depth history of the story of the early Westminster water systems. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster, where he served as mayor from 2001 to 2005. When he is not enjoying a great glass of Westminster ... ...

Crunching numbers, and historic perspective, in Westminster election
Published May 12, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... “I’m humbled and anxious to get started.” The writer, Kevin Dayhoff, is a history columnist for The Eagle newspapers. He served as ... did his grandfather Frank Thomas Babylon for several years in the 1890s.

Dayhoff: The rebirth of the Cockey's Tavern building in Westminster Published May 12, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... column in the Carroll Eagle of The Baltimore Sun for more of the rich history of Cockey’s. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

Dayhoff: New councilmember tackles alleged hit and run driver Published June 1, 2009 by Westminster Eagle, Carroll Eagle ... Westminster city police arrived and took control of the situation The accident is under investigation. All in a day’s work. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. ...

Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster? Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle ... . Think you know? If so, drop me a line at ... , and be sure to put Carroll Eagle in the subject line. Thank you. When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... . ...

'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle ... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/. ...

DAYHOFF: 11th Air Cavalry Troop memorial recalls service of Carroll natives Published July 11, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... to help honor these men and their families, as well those others named on the memorial who paid so dearly in the service of their community and nation. Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... , or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Westminster council meeting details city improvements and comprehensive plan Published July 25, 2009 by Westminster Eagle ... for the annual Christmas parade. With that, council president Damian Halstad gaveled the meeting to a close and folks quickly paraded out the door. Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/...

Dr. Ira Zepp, 79, McDaniel College and Westminster civil rights leader, dies Published August 4, 2009 by Westminster Eagle The Rev. Dr. Ira Gilbert Zepp Jr., professor emeritus of the religious studies department at McDaniel College, died peacefully at his home on Aug. 1. He was 79. In a memorial tribute by McDaniel College president Joan Develin Coley, she recalled that Dr. ... ...

Shriver remembered for Special Olympics and also for a connection to Carroll Published August 16, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle ... ; and the mother-in-law of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. However, it is through the Special Olympics that she will live on through the ages. Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Community mourns the loss of photographer Charlie Magee Published October 17, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle ... s choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at http://www.prittsfuneralhome.com/. Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ ...

ARCHIVE: Guy Babylon made world class music, but never really left Carroll
Published October 11, 2009 by Carroll Eagle ... a kind-hearted family man and friend ... who happened to play keyboard for Elton John. When he is not listening to "Madman Across the Water," Kevin Dayhoff may reached at ... or visit him at www.westminstermarylandonline.net. ...

Westminster city clerk dies Published October 9, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle Westminster and Carroll County officials are mourning the loss of City Clerk Laurell Taylor, who died at her home Thursday morning.“She was a very dedicated city employee,” Mayor Kevin Utz said in an interview with The Eagle. “She did everything asked of her ... ...

Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting Published October 5, 2009 by Westminster Eagle The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last on Sept. 28 began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening. Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the ... ...

Westminster to get federal stimulus grant Published October 29, 2009 by Westminster Eagle Westminster announced at Monday night’s mayor and Common Council meeting that navigation of a “sea of paperwork” enabled the city to double a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) federal stimulus funds, to replace aging water meters ... ...

Black & Decker has been an important tool for Carroll County Published November 8, 2009 by Carroll Eagle ... a brain drain in the community. When he is not in the shop working with Black & Decker tools, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at ... or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Hundreds attend Cartwright memorial in Union Bridge Published November 22, 2009 by Carroll Eagle UNION BRIDGE — More than 500 people crowded into the social hall at the Union Bridge fire station on Nov. 16 to pay respects to Staff Sgt. Charles Isaac Cartwright, 26, of Union Bridge, who was killed Nov. 7 in action while supporting combat operations in ... ...

Public safety, code issues among items at Westminster roundtables
Published November 29, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... recommended continuing the Main Street roundtable meetings on a monthly basis with the property owners and church representatives. — Kevin Dayhoff

'Voice of Carroll County,' Dwight Dingle, dies at age 63 Published December 6, 2009 by Carroll Eagle At a Memorial Mass celebrated Dec. 3 at St. John Catholic Church in Westminster, about 250 family members and friends recalled Dwight O. Dingle as a community leader, a trusted voice and a man who always advocated for Carroll County. Dingle, the popular, ... ...

Memorial service set for 'Voice of Carroll County,' Dwight Dingle Published December 2, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle Perhaps Vivian Laxton, Carroll County public information administrator, said it best last week when she said, “The voice of Carroll County fell silent this week.” Dwight O. Dingle, the popular, larger-than-life community cheerleader and longtime on-air ... ...

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.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/

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

Westminster Police Department Receives Donated Police Vehicle

Westminster Police Department Receives Donated Police Vehicle

January 13, 2009 http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/01/westminster-police-department-receives.html

Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/104n7c or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/357669187/westminster-md-police-dept-receives-donated

WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES DONATED POLICE VEHICLE

The Westminster Police Department is very pleased to announce that they have recently been the recipient of a 2010 Ford Explorer police vehicle, which was donated to the Department by Water Depot, Inc. of New Windsor. The vehicle was donated by the leadership team of Water Depot, Inc. to support the Community Education Section of the Police Department in their continuing outreach efforts to children in the Westminster area. These efforts include the D.A.R.E. Program (Drug Awareness and Resistance Education), Shop With A Cop, Camp Cops and many others.

The keys to the donated vehicle were presented to Chief Spaulding by a representative of Water Depot, Inc. during the Common Council meeting on January 11, 2010. Pictures of the vehicle are attached.

# # # # #

MEDIA CONTACT

Sgt. Keith Benfer
Community Education Section
Westminster Police

WESTMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT
TIPS LINE—(410) 857-8477

Westminster MD Police Dept Receives Donated D.A.R.E. Program Police Vehicle http://tinyurl.com/ydyypqu http://twitpic.com/104n7c http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/357669187/westminster-md-police-dept-receives-donated

Westminster Police Dept, Westminster private public partnership

*****

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

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Senator Charles Mathias, a champion of civil rights, dead at 87

By Kevin Dayhoff January 25, 2010

Former Republican U.S. Senator Charles McCurdy (Mac) Mathias has died at the age of 87.

Although he is most remembered for his decades of fervent support for civil rights; he was also know as an advocate for the Chesapeake Bay, against the war in Vietnam, and his repeated clashes with the conservative wing of the Republican Party.

Mathias served in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 6th congressional district, which includes Carroll County, from 1961 to 1969.

Afterwards he served in the U.S. Senate until 1987. He was succeeded by Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, who still holds the seat to this day.

He was born into a politically prominent old Maryland family in Frederick on July 24, 1922, where he attended public schools and graduated from Frederick High School in 1939.

He was the son of Charles Mathias, Sr. and Theresa Trail Mathias. Several ancestors in the Mathias family had served in the Maryland General Assembly.

A recent Washington Post tribute noted, “Sen. Mathias's great-grandfather served in the Maryland legislature in the 1860s, and his grandfather was a state senator who campaigned with Theodore Roosevelt. When the future senator was a boy, his father took him to the White House to meet presidents Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover.”

He was living in Chevy Chase, Maryland, where his family reported that he died Monday from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Mathias also served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1959 to 1960.

He graduated from Haverford College, Pennsylvania, in 1944; attended Yale University; and went on to receive a law degree from the University of Maryland in 1949

He served in the U.S. Navy, during World War II, from 1942 to 1946. After 1944, he was stationed in the Pacific Ocean theatre of the war and later in Japan, where he personally saw the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, after it was destroyed by an atomic bomb.

He returned home after the war and receiving his law degree, briefly practiced law in Frederick. He served as an assistant Maryland Attorney General from 1953 to 1954 and then moved-on to serve as the municipal attorney for the city of Frederick from 1954 to 1959.

It was while he served as the Frederick city attorney that he first developed a reputation as a stalwart advocate for civil rights.

While serving in the Maryland General Assembly in 1959, he worked hard to see that Maryland finally ratified the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Maryland had not ratified the amendment, which gave African-Americans certain rights and privileges after the Civil War, almost 90 years earlier. Maryland was one of several states that did not ratify the amendment in the 1860s.

In 1968, according to multiple sources, including a New York Times tribute: in “his first election, to the Senate … he defeated Daniel Brewster, a Democratic incumbent who was a friend and former classmate at the University of Maryland Law School. Mr. Brewster had been an usher at Mr. Mathias’s wedding in 1958, and Mr. Mathias had been godfather to Mr. Brewster’s son.”

The Washington Post noted that Mathias described “the future of the Republican Party in a 1996 interview with the Baltimore Sun, Sen. Mathias said (at that time): ‘I'd like to think there would be a place for Abraham Lincoln, a place for Theodore Roosevelt, a place for Dwight D. Eisenhower. If there's a place for them, I'd like to think I could find a small niche.’

“In 2002, Sen. Mathias announced his opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and in 2008 he wrote an article for The Washington Post endorsing the presidential candidacy of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

“Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Ann Bradford Mathias of Chevy Chase; two sons, Charles B. Mathias and Robert F. Mathias of the District. Other survivors include a sister, Theresa M. Michel of Frederick; a brother, Edward Trail Mathias of Baltimore; and two granddaughters.”

*****
, , , , , ,

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

The trouble with tooth number 18


*****

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

The opera singer waits in the wings

The opera singer, Lara Bruckmann, waits in the wings as she studies the drama unfolding in the roller derby oval… January 23, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff
Click here for a larger image: http://twitpic.com/10a6dm or here: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359353122/the-opera-singer-waits-as-she-studies-the-roller

Lara Bruckmann, a lyric soprano classical opera singer, sang the national anthem during the opening ceremonies for roller derby skating bout between the local Chesapeake Roller Derby team, “Mutiny,” and the South Jersey Derby Girls last Saturday evening, January 23, 2010, at the Danele Shipley Memorial Arena at the Carroll County Ag Center in Westminster. photo by Kevin Dayhoff January 23, 2010. [20100123 RollerDerbyAgCtr (38)c opera singer]
~~~~~
The opera singer waits in the wings

January 23, 2010 by Kevin Dayhoff


The local Chesapeake Roller Derby team, “Mutiny” defended the ship well, but it was the South Jersey Derby Girls who staged the mutiny last Saturday evening at the Danele Shipley Memorial Arena at the Carroll County Ag Center in Westminster and took the flag.

Reinforcing the opera component of the drama of the skating event at the arena last Saturday evening, January 23, 2010, was Lara Bruckmann, a lyric soprano classical opera singer, who sang the national anthem during the opening ceremonies.

Bruckmann, whose skater name is “Doris Day of Reckoning,” also skates with the Junkyard Dolls with the Charm City Roller Girls. She said, “our opener is Saturday, January 30 at the Du Burns Arena in Canton, Baltimore.

I haven’t figured how to use my voice as a weapon on the track yet because I become too winded from skating,” said Bruckmann with a wry smile.

Bruckmann added, “One of the things that makes (local) roller derby so effective as a grass roots is there are so many of the skill sets required represented by all the professionals who skate in the leagues. We have graphic artists, lawyers, nurses…” and it’s all good family fun.

For more information as to the rules and intricacies of roller derby, be sure to read Explore Carroll writer, Charles Schelle’s “Shipwrecked in a concrete jungle,” and “Mutiny at the Ag Center” in the January 17 Carroll Eagle.

####
20100123 The opera singer waits in the wings

[20100123 RollerDerbyAgCtr (38)c opera singer] Ag Carroll Co MD Ag Center, Art Artists Culture, Sports Roller Derby

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/01/opera-singer-waits-in-wings.html http://tinyurl.com/y8be33p

The opera singer waits as she studies the roller derby oval 23Jan10 - Kevin Dayhoff http://tinyurl.com/y8be33p http://twitpic.com/10a6dm http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/359353122/the-opera-singer-waits-as-she-studies-the-roller
*****

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

The new year means a new city attorney in Westminster

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

~~~~~

The new year means a new city attorney in Westminster

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

By Kevin Dayhoff for the Westminster Eagle January 12, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

####

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


*****

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