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

Wednesday, March 22, 2000

20000322 President Clinton State Dept. Fact Sheet on Global Warming

President Clinton’s March 22, 2000 State Department Fact Sheet on Global Warming

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Agra, India)

March 22, 2000

FACT SHEET ON
PRESIDENT CLINTON'S INDIA TRIP: PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT, PROMOTING CLEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
AND COMBATTING GLOBAL WARMING

Today, in a visit to Agra, India, site of the Taj Mahal, President Clinton will announce several new initiatives to strengthen Indo-American efforts to protect the environment, develop clean energy resources and combat global climate change.

There is broad scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions -- primarily in the form of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels -- are at least partly responsible for an increase in global temperatures over the last century. Many developing nations are especially vulnerable to the projected impacts of global warming, particularly coastal flooding, increased incidence and severity of storms and drought, and increased incidence of disease.

The Clinton Administration is taking aggressive steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the past year, President Clinton has issued directives to reduce energy use in federal buildings to 30% below 1990 levels by 2010, and to target tripling of the use of bio-energy in the U.S. over the next decade.

With greenhouse gas emissions from developing nations projected to surpass those of the industrialized world within a few decades, the United States is committed to ensuring broader developing country participation in global efforts to combat climate change. One of the principal goals of the President's climate change policy is to encourage developing nations to adopt clean energy technologies that can help them achieve their development goals while alleviating local air pollution and avoiding greenhouse gas emissions.

The new initiatives that will be announced today include:

Joint Statement on Cooperation in Energy and Environment: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Minister of External Affairs Jaswant Singh signed a joint statement on cooperation on energy and environment issues on behalf of the United States and India. The statement outlines a common agenda on clean energy development and environmental protection, including:

-- Two ambitious national Indian environmental goals:

-- 10% of new electric power will come from renewable energy sources by 2012;

-- and approximately 15% improvements in energy efficiency in power production will be made by 2007-08.

Creation of a binational 'Joint Consultative Group' on Clean Energy and the Environment that will focus on clean energy projects and policy, commercial development of clean energy, and, enhanced cooperation on global climate change;

Promotion of a shared vision that countries can achieve robust economic growth while protecting the environment and taking action to combat climate change;

A reaffirmation of the urgent need for international dialogue on ways both developed and developing countries can participate in actions to combat climate change, consistent with treaty obligations under the Framework Convention on Climate Change;

Agreement to work in closer partnership on the further elaboration of mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol, such as the Clean Development Mechanism; and

Acknowledgement of the essential role of the private sector and reference to new initiatives.

South Asia Regional Initiative (SARI) Energy Program: The SARI Energy Program is a new $50 million USAID program designed to accelerate investment and trade in clean energy among South Asian nations, including India, Bangladesh and Nepal, which the President announced in Bangladesh on Monday. Program support will help countries foster regional cooperation and develop the appropriate policy, regulatory, and investment environments to encourage private investment. The program will promote the use of clean energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help stimulate economic growth.

U.S. Export-Import Bank Line of Credit: The Ex-Im Bank will provide a $200 million specialized line of credit targeted for clean energy development projects through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Power Finance Corporation.

Clean Energy Trade Mission: To further the goals of President Clinton's International Clean Energy initiative, the Department of Commerce will lead a trade mission to India focused on clean energy projects by the end of the year.

Greenhouse Gas Pollution Prevention Project (GEP): USAID will provide $20 million for a three-year extension of this program to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and cleaner fuel use. GEP will:

-- expand the efforts of India's National Thermal Power Corporation to increase efficiency in its power generation plants;

-- help increase use of clean energy technology in power production;

-- build local institutional capacity, and increase public/private partnerships for climate change abatement efforts; and

-- design and demonstrate climate change abatement initiatives in cities.

Energy Conservation and Commercialization (ECO) Project: USAID will provide $25 million for ECO, a program to help promote commercialization of energy efficient technologies and services. ECO will provide technical assistance and training to the Ministry of Power, electric utilities, and regulatory commissions on policy reforms and will work to address market constraints to greater use of energy efficiency products and services.

Resumption of Bilateral Energy Consultations and Technical Assistance: DOE will resume its cooperative efforts on non-nuclear power sector policy reforms, and on public and private collaborative projects related to clean energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency. DOE programs were suspended in 1998 in the context of policy-based restrictions on U.S. assistance to India.

Resumption of EPA Technical Assistance: EPA will re-establish its environmental cooperation program in India with proposals to address air quality management, strengthening implementation of environmental policies and regulations, risk assessment and management of priority pollutants, and greenhouse gas reduction projects. EPA programs were suspended in 1998 in the context of policy-based restrictions on U.S. assistance to India.

Joint Private Sector Statement: The Confederation on Indian Industry and the U.S. Energy Association announced a joint statement to cooperate on trade and investment for clean energy development in India. The parties announced creation of a new 'green business center' in Hyderabad and a 'matchmaker' initiative to help bring investors in contact with business/project opportunities.

[End of Document]

Thursday, February 03, 2000

20000203 Chief Keeney LEOPS MGA Testimony

Chief Keeney LEOPS MGA Testimony

TESTIMONY OF CHIEF FRED KEENEY, DISTRICT HEIGHTS POLICE ON BEHALF OF THE POLICE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE MARYLAND MUNICIPAL LEAGUE ON SENATE BILL 175 LAW ENFORCEMENT PENSION SYSTEM

February 3, 2000

Good morning madam chair and members of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. My name is Fred Keeney and I am currently the Chief of Police for the City of District Heights. I am here representing the Police Executive Committee of the Maryland Municipal League. The Police Executives applaud the efforts of Senator Exum and the remaining Prince George’s County Senators, especially Senator Currie, whom represents District Heights, for bringing forward SB 175. This bill will make it more attractive for local government to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers Pension System known as LEOPS.

Currently, municipal law enforcement officers participate in one of three state pension plans; the traditional State Retirement Plan, Police and Fire Enhanced Plan and LEOPS. While not all local governments participate in one of the state’s pension systems, we believe that by allowing employee contributions to LEOPS, this plan becomes more attractive to participating local governments and will encourage them to make LEOPS available to the employee.

In Prince George’s County for example, more than twenty municipal agencies employee in excess of 300 police officers. Of these agencies, a mere handful participates in the state pension system because of the cost to local government. These costs range anywhere from approximately 18% to 24 % of the employee’s salary. With the authorization of an employee contribution of 5%, this reduces local government cost to approximately 13% to 19%, a much more attractive cost. LEOPS is not only an issue in Prince George’s County, but statewide.

I have heard from elected officials and police chief’s from Western Maryland and our Eastern Shore, all acknowledging recruitment and retention of police officers is a problem. In unison, we know that something must be done to enhance the benefits of municipal law enforcement. While many local governments do what they can to accomplish this, few have the ability to have their own pension system and rely upon the state to provide this benefit. The recruitment and retention of municipal law enforcement officers is a concern statewide!

Though this legislation only amends LEOPS, I would suggest that the committee evaluate amending all three pension systems that municipal law enforcement officers participate in to allow employee contributions. This will allow local governments in the system to move up to an enhanced program and perhaps encourage participation from non-participating local governments. The ability to participate in LEOPS or the state’s other pension system’s will greatly assist us with recruitment and retention of officers.

Sunday, January 02, 2000

20000102 SDOSM 17770000 2000 Archives of Maryland Historical List Senate Legislative District Key

17770000 2000 Archives of Maryland Historical List Senate Legislative District Key

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/speccol/sc2600/sc2685/senate/html/senatekey.html

For researching past Maryland State Senators,

first review the list below and then go to:

Return to Maryland Government, Historical List

OR MORE SPECIFICALLY, GO HERE:

Archives of Maryland Historical List Maryland Government

Return to Maryland Government, Historical List

Maryland State Archives

Also see: Archives of Maryland Historical List General Assembly Introduction

http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/speccol/sc2600/sc2685/html/gaintro.html

COUNTIES, CITIES, AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

(As referred from: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/speccol/sc2600/sc2685/html/senlist.html)

See also the key to Senate Legislative Districts OR: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/speccol/sc2600/sc2685/senate/html/senatekey.html

_____

1777-2000

Counties
1777-1837

WS - Western Shore: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Calvert, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Montgomery, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Washington
ES - Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Worcester

1837-2000

Allegany County - AL
For 1967-1974 see Legislative Districts 1B & 1C
For 1975-2000 see Legislative Districts 1 & 2

Anne Arundel County - AA
For 1967-1974 see Legislative Districts 6A, 6B, & 6C
For 1975-1982 see Legislative Districts 30, 31, 32, & 33
For 1983-1990 see Legislative Districts 29, 30, 32, & 33
For 1992-2000 see Legislative Districts 27, 30, 31, 32, 33

Baltimore City - BC
For 1865-1902 see Baltimore City - Districts 1, 2, & 3
For 1904-1922 see Baltimore City - Districts 1, 2, 3, & 4
For 1924-1966 see Baltimore City - Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
For 1967-1974 see Legislative Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12
For 1975-1982 see Legislative Districts 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, & 47
For 1983-1992 see Legislative Districts 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, & 47
For 1992-2000 see Legislative Districts 8, 10, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, & 47

Baltimore County - BA
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 13
For 1975-1982 see Legislative Districts 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, & 13
For 1983-1992 see Legislative Districts 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, & 12
For 1992-2000 see Legislative Districts 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 42, 46 & 47

Calvert County - CV
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 6C
For 1975-1982 see Legislative District 30
For 1983-1990 see Legislative District 29
For 1992-2000 see Legislative Districts 27 & 29

Caroline County - CA
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 15
For 1975-1982 see Legislative District 35
For 1983-2000 see Legislative Districts 36 & 37

Carroll County - CR
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 2
For 1975-2000 see Legislative Districts 4 & 5

Cecil County - CE
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 15
For 1975-1982 see Legislative District 34
For 1983-2000 see Legislative Districts 35 & 36

Charles County - CH
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 5
For 1975-1982 see Legislative Districts 28 & 29
For 1983-2000 see Legislative District 28

Dorchester County - DO
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 16
For 1975-1982 see Legislative District 35
For 1983-2000 see Legislative District 37

Frederick County - FR
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 2
For 1975-2000 see Legislative District 3 & 4

Garrett County - GA
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 1C
For 1975-2000 see Legislative District 1

Harford County - HA
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 14
For 1975-1982 see Legislative Districts 5 & 6
For 1983-1992 see Legislative Districts 34 & 35
For 1992-2000 see Legislative Districts 6, 34 & 35

Howard County - HO
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 3C
For 1975-1982 see Legislative District 14
For 1983-1992 see Legislative Districts 4, 13, & 14
For 1992-2000 see Legislative Districts 12, 13 & 14

Kent County - KE
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 15
For 1975-1982 see Legislative District 34
For 1983-2000 see Legislative District 36

Montgomery County - MO
For 1967-1974 see Legislative Districts 3A, 3B, & 3C
For 1975-1992 see Legislative Districts 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, & 20
For 1992-2000 see Legislative Districts 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, & 21 & 39

Prince George’s County - PG
For 1967-1974 see Legislative Districts 4A, 4B, & 4C
For 1975-1982 see Legislative Districts 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, & 28
For 1983-2000 see Legislative Districts 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, & 27

Queen Anne’s County - QA
For 1967-1974 see Legislative District 15
For 1975-1982 see Legislative District 34
For 1983-2000 see Legislative District 36

St. Mary’s County - SM
For 1967-1974 see Senate, Legislative District 5
For 1975-1982 see Senate, Legislative District 29
For 1983-1992 see Senate, Legislative Districts 28 & 29
For 1992-2000 see Senate, Legislative District 29

Somerset County - SO
For 1967-1974 see Senate, Legislative District 16
For 1975-1982 see Senate, Legislative District 36
For 1983-2000 see Senate, Legislative District 38

Talbot County - TA
For 1967-1974 see Senate, Legislative District 15
For 1975-1982 see Senate, Legislative District 35
For 1983-2000 see Senate, Legislative Districts 36 & 37

Washington County - WA
For 1967-1974 see Legislative Districts 1A & 1B
For 1975-2000 see Legislative Districts 2 & 3

Wicomico County - WI
For 1967-1974 see Senate, Legislative District 16
For 1975-1982 see Senate, Legislative Districts 35 & 36
For 1983-2000 see Senate, Legislative Districts 37 & 38

Worcester County - WO
For 1967-1974 see Senate, Legislative District 16
For 1975-1982 see Senate, Legislative District 36
For 1983-2000 see Senate, Legislative District 38

Legislative Districts
1967-2000

1967-1974

District 1A - Part of Washington County
District 1B - Part of Allegany County & part of Washington County
District 1C - Garrett County & part of Allegany County
District 2 - Carroll & Frederick counties
District 3A - Part of Montgomery County
District 3B - Part of Montgomery County
District 3C - Howard County & part of Montgomery County
District 4A - Part of Prince George’s County
District 4B - Part of Prince George’s County
District 4C - Part of Prince George’s County
District 5 - Charles & St. Mary’s counties
District 6A- Part of Anne Arundel County
District 6B- Part of Anne Arundel County
District 6C - Calvert County & part of Anne Arundel County
District 7 - Part of Baltimore City
District 8 - Part of Baltimore City
District 9 - Part of Baltimore City
District 10 - Part of Baltimore City
District 11 - Part of Baltimore City
District 12 - Part of Baltimore City
District 13 - Baltimore County
District 14 - Harford County
District 15 - Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s & Talbot Counties
District 16 - Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties

1975-1982

District 1 - Garrett County & part of Allegany County
District 2 - Part of Allegany County & part of Washington County
District 3 - Part of Frederick County & part of Washington County
District 4 - Part of Carroll County & part of Frederick County
District 5 - Part of Baltimore County, part of Carroll County & part of Harford County
District 6 - Part of Harford County
District 7 - Part of Baltimore County
District 8 - Part of Baltimore County
District 9 - Part of Baltimore County
District 10 - Part of Baltimore County
District 11 - Part of Baltimore County
District 12 - Part of Baltimore County
District 13 - Part of Baltimore County
District 14 - Howard County & part of Montgomery County
District 15 - Part of Montgomery County
District 16 - Part of Montgomery County
District 17 - Part of Montgomery County
District 18 - Part of Montgomery County
District 19 - Part of Montgomery County
District 20 - Part of Montgomery County
District 21 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 22 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 23 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 24 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 25 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 26 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 27 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 28 - Part of Charles County & part of Prince George’s County
District 29 - St. Mary’s County & part of Charles County
District 30 - Calvert County & part of Anne Arundel County
District 31 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 32 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 33 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 34 - Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne’s Counties
District 35 - Caroline, Dorchester & Talbot Counties & part of Wicomico County
District 36 - Somerset & Worcester Counties & part of Wicomico County
District 37 - Part of Baltimore City
District 38 - Part of Baltimore City
District 39 - Part of Baltimore City
District 40 - Part of Baltimore City
District 41 - Part of Baltimore City
District 42 - Part of Baltimore City
District 43 - Part of Baltimore City
District 44 - Part of Baltimore City
District 45 - Part of Baltimore City
District 46 - Part of Baltimore City
District 47 - Part of Baltimore City

1983-1992

District 1 - Garrett County & part of Allegany County
District 2 - Part of Allegany County & part of Washington County
District 3 - Part of Frederick County & part of Washington County
District 4 - Part of Carroll County, part of Frederick County & part of Howard County
District 5 - Part of Baltimore County & part of Carroll County
District 6 - Part of Baltimore County
District 7 - Part of Baltimore County
District 8 - Part of Baltimore County
District 9 - Part of Baltimore County
District 10 - Part of Baltimore County
District 11 - Part of Baltimore County
District 12 - Part of Baltimore County
District 13 - Part of Howard County & part of Prince George’s County
District 14 - Part of Howard County & part of Montgomery County
District 15 - Part of Montgomery County
District 16 - Part of Montgomery County
District 17 - Part of Montgomery County
District 18 - Part of Montgomery County
District 19 - Part of Montgomery County
District 20 - Part of Montgomery County
District 21 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 22 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 23 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 24 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 25 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 26 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 27 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 28 - Charles County & part of St. Mary’s County
District 29 - Calvert County, part of Anne Arundel County & part of St. Mary’s County
District 30 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 31 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 32 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 33 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 34 - Part of Harford County
District 35 - Part of Cecil County & part of Harford County
District 36 - Kent & Queen Anne’s Counties, part of Cecil County & part of Talbot County
District 37 - Dorchester County, part of Caroline County, part of Talbot County & part of Wicomico County
District 38 - Somerset & Worcester Counties & part of Wicomico County
District 39 - Part of Baltimore City
District 40 - Part of Baltimore City
District 41 - Part of Baltimore City
District 42 - Part of Baltimore City
District 43 - Part of Baltimore City
District 44 - Part of Baltimore City
District 45 - Part of Baltimore City
District 46 - Part of Baltimore City
District 47 - Part of Baltimore City

1992-2000

District 1 - Garrett County & part of Allegany County
District 2 - Part of Washington County
District 3 - Parts of Washington & Frederick Counties
District 4 - Parts of Frederick & Carroll Counties
District 5 - Part of Carroll County
District 6 - Parts of Baltimore County & Harford County
District 7 - Part of Baltimore County
District 8 - Parts of Baltimore County & Baltimore City
District 9 - Part of Baltimore County
District 10 - Parts of Baltimore County & Baltimore City
District 11 - Part of Baltimore County
District 12 - Parts of Baltimore County & Howard County
District 13 - Parts of Howard & Prince George’s Counties
District 14 - Parts of Montgomery & Howard Counties
District 15 - Part of Montgomery County
District 16 - Part of Montgomery County
District 17 - Part of Montgomery County
District 18 - Part of Montgomery County
District 19 - Part of Montgomery County
District 20 - Part of Montgomery County
District 21 - Parts of Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties
District 22 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 23 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 24 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 25 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 26 - Part of Prince George’s County
District 27 - Parts of Prince George’s, Anne Arundel & Calvert Counties
District 28 - Charles County
District 29 - Parts of Calvert & St. Mary’s Counties
District 30 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 31 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 32 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 33 - Part of Anne Arundel County
District 34 - Part of Harford County
District 35 - Parts of Harford & Cecil Counties
District 36 - Kent County & Queen Anne’s County; & parts of Cecil, Caroline & Talbot Counties
District 37 - Parts of Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico Counties
District 38 - Somerset & Worcester Counties; & part of Wicomico County
District 39 - Part of Montgomery County
District 40 - Part of Baltimore City
District 41 - Part of Baltimore City
District 42 - Parts of Baltimore City & Baltimore County
District 43 - Part of Baltimore City
District 44 - Part of Baltimore City
District 45 - Part of Baltimore City
District 46 - Parts of Baltimore City & Baltimore County
District 47 - Parts of Baltimore City & Baltimore County

Saturday, January 01, 2000

19991231 Yeltsin Dec 31 1999 resignation speech

Yeltsin's resignation speech

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6584973.stm

Boris Yeltsin annouced his resignation on the last day of the 20th Century

Russian President Boris Yeltsin's shock resignation speech came in an address on Russian television on 31 December 1999. This is the full text of his speech.

Dear Russians, very little time remains to a momentous date in our history. The year 2000 is upon us, a new century, a new millennium.

We have all measured this date against ourselves, working out - first in childhood, then after we grew up - how old we would be in the year 2000, how old our mothers would be, and our children. Back then it seemed such a long way off to the extraordinary New Year. So now the day has come.

'Contemplated long and hard'

Dear friends, my dears, today I am wishing you New Year greetings for the last time. But that is not all. Today I am addressing you for the last time as Russian president. I have made a decision. I have contemplated this long and hard. Today, on the last day of the outgoing century, I am retiring.

Many times I have heard it said: Yeltsin will try to hold on to power by any means, he won't hand it over to anyone. That is all lies. That is not the case. I have always said that I would not take a single step away from the constitution, that the Duma elections should take place within the constitutional timescale. This has happened.

And likewise, I would have liked the presidential elections to have taken place on schedule in June 2000. That was very important for Russia - we were creating a vital precedent of a civilized, voluntary hand over of power, power from one president of Russia to another, newly elected one.

'We must go'

And yet, I have taken a different decision. I am standing down. I am standing down earlier than scheduled. I have realised that I have to do this. Russia must enter the new millennium with new politicians, new faces, new intelligent, strong and energetic people. As for those of us who have been in power for many years, we must go.

Seeing with what hope and belief people voted during the Duma elections for a new generation of politicians, I understood that I had done the main job of my life. Russia will never return to the past. Russia will now always be moving forward.

I must not stand in its way, in the way of the natural progress of history.

Why holding on to power for another six months, when the country has a strong person, fit to be president, with whom practically all Russians link their hopes for the future today? Why should I stand in his way? Why wait for another six months? No, this is not me, this is not in my character.

'Forgiveness'

Today, on this incredibly important day for me, I want to say more personal words than I usually do. I want to ask you for forgiveness, because many of our hopes have not come true, because what we thought would be easy turned out to be painfully difficult.

I ask to forgive me for not fulfilling some hopes of those people who believed that we would be able to jump from the grey, stagnating, totalitarian past into a bright, rich and civilized future in one go.

I myself believed in this. But it could not be done in one fell swoop. In some respects I was too naive. Some of the problems were too complex. We struggled on through mistakes and failures. At this complex time many people experienced upheavals in their lives. But I want you to know that I never said this would be easy.

Today it is important for me to tell you the following. I also experienced the pain which each of you experienced. I experienced it in my heart, with sleepless nights, agonizing over what needed to be done to ensure that people lived more easily and better, if only a little. I did not have any objective more important than that.

'Not leaving because of my health'

I am leaving. I have done everything I could. I am not leaving because of my health, but because of all the problems taken together.

A new generation is taking my place, the generation of those who can do more and do it better. In accordance with the constitution, as I go into retirement, I have signed a decree entrusting the duties of the president of Russia to Prime Minister Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.

For the next three months, again in accordance with the constitution, he will be head of state. Presidential elections will be held in three months time.

I have always had confidence in the amazing wisdom of Russian citizens. Therefore, I have no doubt what choice you will make at the end of March 2000.

In saying farewell, I wish to say to each of you the following. Be happy. You deserve happiness. You deserve happiness and peace.

Happy New Year, happy new century, my dear people.

BBC Monitoring selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.


Tuesday, November 09, 1999

19991108 Superbowl Sunday

Superbowl Sunday

I got this in an e-mail and I can’t help myself. I simply must post it… Please enjoy.

Superbowl Sunday

November 8th, 1999

A guy named Joe received a free ticket to the SuperBowl from his company. Unfortunately, when Joe arrived at the stadium, he realized that his seat is in the last row, in the corner of the stadium. He's closer to the Goodyear Blimp than the field.

About halfway through the first quarter, Joe sees through his binoculars an empty seat, 10 rows off the field, right on the 50 yardline.

He decides to take a chance and makes his way through the stadium and around the security guards to the empty seat.

As he sits down, Joe asks the gentleman sitting next to him, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?"

The man says "No."

Now, very excited to be in such a great seat for the game, Joe again inquires of the man next to him, "This is incredible! Who in their right mind would have a seat like this at the SuperBowl and not use it?!"

The man replies, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first SuperBowl we haven't been together at since we got married in 1967."

"Well, that's really sad," said Joe, "but still, you couldn't find anyone to take the seat? A friend or close relative?"

"No," the man replies, "They're all at the funeral."

####

Monday, October 25, 1999

19991025 City Space Study Minutes

CITY OF WESTMINSTER, MARYLAND
CITY SPACE STUDY COMMITTEE

MINUTES
OCTOBER 25, 1999

A meeting of the City Space Study Committee of the Westminster City Council was held in the office of Finance Director Steve Dutterer on Monday, October 25, 1999 at 11:00 a.m.

Present were Committee Members: Public Works Director Thomas B. Beyard, Finance Director Steve Dutterer, City Attorney John B. Walsh, Jr. and Chairman Councilman Kevin Dayhoff. Absent was Councilman Greg Pecoraro.

1. The Mission Statement of the City Space Study Committee was discussed.
That discussion included:

The purpose of the City Space Study Committee is to establish what will be the future administrative office needs of the City of Westminster.

In the new millennium, Westminster, like most municipalities, will increasingly be in the customer service business. Westminster will be forming partnerships and collaborations with the business community and our citizenry. As more Federal and State programs and mandates are being placed at the local level of government, we will need to maximize the most efficient governmental response to these expanding roles and complexities of government.

After projections about our future needs are established, we will formulate an approach as to how we can best meet those projected administrative office needs. Since the City has perpetual existence, it does not appear to make good fiscal sense to rent rather than own a facility.

We believe that it is in the City's best interests and that the public will be best served by the re-centralization of City's administrative services in one administrative office facility located in such a manner that it will further expanding upon the 'City Campus approach'

2. Identification of past considerations and deliberations upon City space study needs. There was some discussion about the City Hall Space Planning and Feasibility Study executed by Cho, Wilks and Benn Architects in May of 1991. Mr. Dayhoff questioned how the determination was made to not implement the centralization as recommended by the study. The Committee lamented the cost of duplication of support functions and lack of expandability that has resulted because the recommended centralization was not executed.

3. The Committee discussed an analysis of the present situation. The Committee asked the Department Heads to develop and divide current and future square footage and staffing needs for 1 year, 5 year, and 10 year increments. In that regard, the following was discussed.

a. Staffing Projections
b. Present square footage requirements
c. Future square footage requirements
d. Identified the need to establish our present cost per square foot
e. Future square footage demands for Council Chambers

4. The Committee felt the need to identify potential sites for future City space needs.

a. The old J.C. Penny Building
1. The status of and the potential for more space from the old J. C. Penny building
2. There was some discussion on perhaps the feasibility of purchasing the old J.C. Penny building.
b. EZ Letter Quick Stick property next to the existing Police Department at 36 Locust Street
c. The Leister property to the rear of City Hall
d. The old Post Office at 83 E. Main Street
e. The Farmer's Supply Site at Liberty and Green Streets.
f. The old Farmer's Fertilizer & Feed Property on Railroad Avenue more recently referred to as the Southern States property.
g. Expand City Hall
h. The Key Lot

5. The Committee discussed the capital requirements of the City's future space needs with respect to the possibility of building a parking garage on the Longwell Parking lot and the expansion of the existing police station.

6. There was some discussion about centralizing all of the space needs for the City's administrative offices and if that direction were chosen, what would be the disposition of City Hall if we were to move the offices out of City Hall. The conversation digressed to the last time the City Administrative offices were moved from the old Fire Hall to the Longwell Mansion in the late 1930's.

7. There was some discussion about what sort of administrative organization might be desired in the future for the City's offices. There was some discussion about centralized, reintegration of staff and offices and maintaining an integrated, contiguous campus from the City's Street Department to the Police Department to City Hall to the Armory Building. At that point discussion followed regarding whether or not the old Post Office would fit in to that central office scheme or whether it would be better to build on the Key Lot or the Leister property.

The Committee indicated its intention to meet on
Monday, January 24, 2000 at 11 A.M. in the office of Finance Director Steve Dutterer to continue its discussions.

The Committee adjourned its meeting at 12:00 p.m.


_____________________
Kevin E. Dayhoff, Chair

Tuesday, October 12, 1999

19991012 City aims to clean up Pa Ave By Kevin Griffis Carroll County Times Staff Writer

First published Tuesday, October 12, 1999

City aims to clean up Pa. Avenue

Westminster fines landlord; actions against drug trade to continue

By KEVIN GRIFFIS Carroll County Times Staff Writer

The city of Westminster fined a Pennsylvania Avenue landlord $2,000 Monday for failing to vacate and secure his property - a move Mayor Kenneth A. Yowan described as ``just the beginning'' to force landlords to evict known drug sellers.

Yowan said the city will also look to notify the mortgage companies that hold the properties' mortgages and file civil suits against landlords who fail to do anything about tenants who are known drug suppliers.

The city has continued to apply police pressure to the area, instituting foot patrols, and, on Thursday, raiding a 73 Pennsylvania Ave. apartment that Westminster Police Chief Roger Joneckis said was a hangout for crack cocaine users and sellers.

Joneckis said his department has more initiatives planned for the area but could not yet elaborate.

But the city and the police force can only do so much to control the drug problem and crime along Pennsylvania Avenue, Yowan said at Monday night's City Council meeting. The city needs the cooperation of neighborhood landlords.

``Unfortunately, we have run into problems with five or six landlords, whose properties harbor persons involved in repeated drug activities but who don't seem to want to cooperate with the city and other property owners,'' Yowan said, reading from a prepared statement.

``Rather, they just want to sit back, collect their money and turn a blind eye to problems with their properties.''

The owner of 22-24 Pennsylvania Ave. is the first landlord to draw a fine from the city in its push to improve the neighborhood.

Yowan suggested the man's inaction, and similar responses the city has received from other landlords, was not fair to the neighborhood or to the city's taxpayers.

``It is time for them to seriously consider being part of the solution instead of part of the problem, and the sooner the better for them,'' Yowan said.

The landlord, Robert Foster, could not be reached for comment Monday night.

Yowan also announced the date of a clean-up of Pennsylvania Avenue.

The scheduled date is Oct. 30, and the city's public works personnel and equipment will be out to work on the road and its alleyways with neighbors, he said. People who want to participate are asked to meet at 8 a.m. at Vince's Seafood, at the corner of West Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, to organize, Yowan said.

Joneckis said his department has been in contact with area businesses and plans to ask Western Maryland College fraternities and sororities to aid in the clean-up.

In other business Monday night:

The City Council designated Sunday, Oct. 31, from dusk until 8 p.m., as the night for children to go trick-or-treating in the city.

The council asks that children wear light-colored clothing and only go to homes with a porch light on.

Wednesday, October 06, 1999

19991005 Halloween Trick or Treating memo for October 31, 1999

Westminster Maryland Halloween Trick or Treating

MEMORANDUM - October 5, 1999

TO: City Council Members

SUBJECT: HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREATING

Halloween Trick or Treating should be conducted the evening of Sunday, October 31,1999 between the hours of dusk and 8 PM and is restricted to children age 12 and under plus accompanying parents or adult guardians. Residents who wish to participate by providing treats to the children should turn on their outside light. Children are advised to wear some light colored clothing so as to be more visible to motorists and to go to homes in their immediate neighborhoods with lights. Motorists should pay particular care on the evening of October 31st with so many children walking around City streets.

KENNETH A. YOWAN

Mayor

cc: John Dudderar

Chief Roger Joneckis

Thursday, September 02, 1999

19990901 Maryland Municipal League (MML) Synopsis by Kevin Dayhoff

Maryland Municipal League (MML) Synopsis

By Kevin Dayhoff

Wednesday, September 01, 1999

The Maryland Municipal League, founded in 1936, works as a advocate for municipalities throughout the State of Maryland, strengthening the role and capacity of municipal government through research, legislation, technical assistance, training and the dissemination of information for its members.

MML is a statewide organization in Maryland composed solely of municipal officials.

The Maryland Municipal League represents 154 municipal governments and 2 special taxing districts throughout the state of Maryland. The MML is a voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments.

Wednesday, September 01, 1999 / ked

May 30, 2005 UPDATE

Disclosure: I served on the Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors annually for five consecutive years, from June 2000 to May 2005.

I graduated from the University of Maryland Academy for Excellence in Local Government in June 2001.

I served on the Maryland Municipal League’s Legislative Committee in 1999-2000 and 2001-2002.

I served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Carroll County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League for five years (12/07/1999 – 05/16/2005).

I was first elected to the Westminster City Council in May of 1999 and served as the Mayor of Westminster from May 2001 until May 16th, 2005.]


Wednesday, September 01, 1999

19990901 Cuban Ambassador Vicki Huddleston State Department Bio

Cuban Ambassador Vicki Huddleston State Department Bio



September 1999



Biography



Vicki Huddleston


Principal Officer, USINT, Havana, Cuba


http://www.state.gov/www/regions/wha/cuba/huddleston_vicki.html


In September 1999, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, a career Foreign Service Officer, became Principal Officer at the United States Interests Section (USINT), Havana, Cuba. Over the past two years, she has been Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs with responsibility for West and Francophone Central Africa. She was United States Ambassador to the Republic of Madagascar from 1995-1997.


Ambassador Huddleston was Deputy Chief of Mission in Port-au-Prince from 1993-1995 during the deployment of the Multinational Force to Haiti. She was Deputy and then Coordinator of the State Department's Office of Cuban Affairs from 1989-1993.


Earlier in her career, she was chief of the Economic Sections in Sierra Leone and in Mali. She has worked in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, the Office of Mexican Affairs, and as Country Desk Officer for Bolivia. In 1988-1989, while working for Senator Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow, she drafted the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) legislation which became law in 1990. Prior to entering the Foreign Service, she worked in Peru and Brazil for the American Institute for Free Labor Development. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru, she organized the financing for the two housing cooperatives in Arequipa.


Ambassador Huddleston has received four Superior Honor Awards and two Meritorious Honor Awards. In 1994-1995, she shared with members of the U.S. Embassy in Haiti the Distinguished Service Award and the Award for Valor. Her husband Robert is a retired Foreign Service Officer. Arizona is her home state.


Cuba

####

Friday, August 27, 1999

19990827 City Space Study Com Original memo

MEMORANDUM

TO: Mayor Kenneth A. Yowan

FROM: Council Member Kevin E. Dayhoff

DATE: August 27, 1999

RE: Space Study Committee

At its last meeting, The Mayor and Common Council agreed to an extension of the City's lease of space at Winchester West, located at 56 West Main Street. As you know, for the past five years, the City has rented space at that location for its Finance and Housing offices. The current five-year lease expires on February 28, 2000, and the extension which was approved at the last meeting, extends that period for an additional five years.

Due to time constraints and other operational issues, I fully concurred with the recent action in approving the extension of the lease. However, it is my recommendation that a Space Study Committee be established promptly to look at the issue of the City's space needs in the near and distant future. I make that recommendation for three reasons:

1. Since the City has perpetual existence, it does not appear to me to make good fiscal sense to rent rather than own a facility;

2. Even a cursory view of the current space occupied by Finance and Housing indicates that it is used almost to its maximum. There is very little room for expansion; and

3. There are other sites which may be more suited for the City's needs over the long haul.

In that regard, I believe that the City has a wide range of possible options with respect to its future space needs. Those options include the possibility of building above City Hall where the City currently owns land, the use of the Southern States property or the Farmers Supply property, or the purchase of an existing facility.

This memorandum will advise you that I am willing to chair such a committee or serve as a member. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to discuss this matter further.

CC: All Council Members
Thomas B. Beyard, Director of Planning and Public Works
Stephen V. Dutterer, Director of Finance
John B. Walsh, Jr.

Thursday, August 05, 1999

19990801 Carroll County Maryland Election Districts

Carroll County Election Districts

August 1, 1999

01-0 Taneytown Election District
01-1 City of Taneytown
02-0 Uniontown Election District – Mayberry
03-0 Myers Election District - Silver Run, Union Mills
04-0 Woolery’s Election District - Finksburg, Gamber, Patapsco
05-0 Freedom Election District – Eldersburg
05-1 Town of Sykesville
06-0 Manchester Election District
06-1 Town of Manchester
07-0 Westminster Election District
07-1 City of Westminster
08-0 Hampstead Election District
08-1 Town of Hampstead
09-0 Franklin Election District - Taylorsville, Winfield
10-0 Middleburg Election District - Middleburg, Keymar
11-0 New Windsor Election District
11-1 Town of New Windsor
12-0 Union Bridge Election District
12-1 Town of Union Bridge
13-0 Mount Airy Election District
13-1 Town of Mount Airy
14-0 Berrett Election District - Woodbine

Monday, August 02, 1999

19990801 List of Carroll County Maryland Election Districts

Carroll County, Maryland Election Districts

August 1, 1999

01-0 Taneytown Election District

01-1 City of Taneytown

02-0 Uniontown Election District – Mayberry

03-0 Myers Election District - Silver Run, Union Mills

04-0 Woolery’s Election District - Finksburg, Gamber, Patapsco

05-0 Freedom Election District – Eldersburg

05-1 Town of Sykesville

06-0 Manchester Election District

06-1 Town of Manchester

07-0 Westminster Election District

07-1 City of Westminster

08-0 Hampstead Election District

08-1 Town of Hampstead

09-0 Franklin Election District - Taylorsville, Winfield

10-0 Middleburg Election District - Middleburg, Keymar

11-0 New Windsor Election District

11-1 Town of New Windsor

12-0 Union Bridge Election District

12-1 Town of Union Bridge

13-0 Mount Airy Election District

13-1 Town of Mount Airy

14-0 Berrett Election District - Woodbine

19990801 List of Carroll County Maryland Election Districts

Tuesday, July 20, 1999

19990720 Electric Deregulation Workshop Synopsis

"Electric De-regulation and Energy Performance Contracting for Local Governments"

07/20/1999: I attended an all day Regional Energy Workshop on "Electric De-regulation and Energy Performance Contracting for Local Governments" at Howard Community College.

There were three components to the workshop:

1. Electric De-regulation: An introduction to the new regulations being implemented in Maryland to let customers to choose their own energy provider. This session provided training for local governments on how implement aggregation, pooling and bulk purchasing programs. Presentations were made on proposed programs that specifically assist local governments in their energy provider selection.

2. Energy Performance Contracting: This session included an overview of a new program being offered by the Maryland Energy Administration to local governments, which assists in implementing projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.

3. Maryland Grant and Alternate Financing Opportunities: The MEA is offering a series of grants to local governments that provide planning phase assistance to implement an Energy Performance Contracting program. This session also presented information on alternative financing programs offered by the Maryland State Central fund and municipal bonds.

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Westminster City Council

P.O. Box 1245

Westminster, MD 21158-0124

Monday, June 14, 1999

19990614 The Kennedys by Hugh Sidey Time magazine

June 14, 1999

Hugh Sidey, who “has reported on and written about nine U.S. presidencies for TIME” has penned a short and concise piece of why the Kennedy family continues to be relevant in American history – no matter what your political persuasion.

Time magazine Monday, June 14, 1999 Heroes and Icons by Hugh Sidey Monday, June 14, 1999

With its mix of political triumph and human tragedy, their saga enthralled the nation and made them America's most powerful family

The Kennedy clan, the pre-eminent American political family of our time, seems to be cast in the stars, the distant stuff of legend.

But look down. They march ever more numerous among us. There's a spot on Washington's infamous Beltway where an unsuspecting family might find their children in school with a couple of Joseph and Rose Kennedy's 54 great-grandchildren.

That same family could be the neighbors of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of the Kennedy clan's five surviving originals (there were nine). It could be served in the Maryland assembly by delegate Mark Shriver, nephew of the martyred John Kennedy (and one of 29 grandchildren of Joe and Rose). And it could fall under the growing political hand of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, oldest child of the murdered Robert Kennedy, now Maryland's lieutenant governor and touted for higher office.

Members of such a Beltway family would have as good a chance as not to pass Ethel Kennedy, Bobby's widow and still the exuberant duchess of Hickory Hill, while driving to work along the Potomac River parkways.

[…]

The Kennedy clan is embedded in American political culture of the past half-century like no other family. They arrived at that power base through cold calculation and the blunt instrument of their immense wealth but also because of honorable service to the nation, their reckless exuberance and glamour--and family tragedy beyond measure.

[…]

Read the entire article here: The Kennedys

Related:

Dubious Influences: Century's Villains and Antiheroes

Five Captivating Romances: When Love Was the Adventure

####

Label: President John F. Kennedy – see also Kennedy Family

19990614 The Kennedys by Hugh Sidey Time magazine

June 14, 1999

Hugh Sidey, who “has reported on and written about nine U.S. presidencies for TIME” has penned a short and concise piece of why the Kennedy family continues to be relevant in American history – no matter what your political persuasion.

Time magazine Monday, June 14, 1999 Heroes and Icons by Hugh Sidey Monday, June 14, 1999

With its mix of political triumph and human tragedy, their saga enthralled the nation and made them America's most powerful family

The Kennedy clan, the pre-eminent American political family of our time, seems to be cast in the stars, the distant stuff of legend.

But look down. They march ever more numerous among us. There's a spot on Washington's infamous Beltway where an unsuspecting family might find their children in school with a couple of Joseph and Rose Kennedy's 54 great-grandchildren.

That same family could be the neighbors of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, one of the Kennedy clan's five surviving originals (there were nine). It could be served in the Maryland assembly by delegate Mark Shriver, nephew of the martyred John Kennedy (and one of 29 grandchildren of Joe and Rose). And it could fall under the growing political hand of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, oldest child of the murdered Robert Kennedy, now Maryland's lieutenant governor and touted for higher office.

Members of such a Beltway family would have as good a chance as not to pass Ethel Kennedy, Bobby's widow and still the exuberant duchess of Hickory Hill, while driving to work along the Potomac River parkways.

[…]

The Kennedy clan is embedded in American political culture of the past half-century like no other family. They arrived at that power base through cold calculation and the blunt instrument of their immense wealth but also because of honorable service to the nation, their reckless exuberance and glamour--and family tragedy beyond measure.

[…]

Read the entire article here: The Kennedys

Related:

Dubious Influences: Century's Villains and Antiheroes

Five Captivating Romances: When Love Was the Adventure

####

Label: President John F. Kennedy – see also Kennedy Family