20070108 CCBOC Agenda

The agenda for the Carroll County Commissioners for the week of January 8, 2007

Board of County Commissioners

Julia W. Gouge, President

Dean L. Minnich, Vice President

Michael D. Zimmer, Secretary

Carroll County Government

225 North Center Street

Westminster, Maryland 21157

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

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

Agenda for the Week of January 8, 2007 ~ Revision 1

Please Note: This weekly agenda is subject to change. Please call 410-386-2043 to confirm a meeting you plan to attend. All meetings will be in Room 300A, (Unless otherwise noted) Carroll County Office Building.

• Indicates Outside Activities

Monday – January 8, 2007

8:00 a.m. 5^th Annual Pre-Session Breakfast

Frederick, Maryland

Commissioner Minnich

8:30 a.m. Carroll County Health Department Seminar

“Law Enforcement Aspects of a Catastrophic Health Emergency”

McDaniel College

Commissioner Zimmer

Tuesday – January 9, 2007

1:00 p.m. Open Session

Carroll County Public Schools Education Foundation Presentation

Carroll County Public Schools ~ Dr. Charles Ecker and Ms. Robin Kable

Briefing on Upcoming Public Hearing for Amendment to Chapter 44 ~ Pensions

Department of the County Attorney ~ Ms. Kimberly Millender

Department of Human Resources ~ Ms. Carole V. Hammen & Mr. William Bates

Briefing on Upcoming Public Hearing ~ Rezoning No. 210 for 44 Liberty, LLC

Location: 44 Liberty Road, Sykesville

Department of the County Attorney ~ Ms. Kimberly Millender

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Request Approval of the 2007 Legislative Packet

Department of the County Attorney ~ Ms. Kimberly Millender

Tuesday – January 9, 2007 ~ Continued

Exercise the Option to Purchase a County-held Preservation Easement –

White Rose, LLC

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Exercise the Option to Purchase a County-held Preservation Easement –

Nelson and Janice Barnes

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Request Approval ~ Installment Purchase Agreement Resolution

Doris Sherwood

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Amendment to Zoning Maps 13, 14 and 41

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Approval of Annual Transportation Plan for FY 2008

Department of Planning ~ Mr. Steve Horn

Department of Management and Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Acceptance of Grant Award ~ MD Emergency Management Agency under the

Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant Program ~ Update the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Plan

Office of Public Safety ~ Mr. Scott Campbell

Management and Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Capital Budget Resolution C-06 ~ Transfer of Funds to

Low Volume Road Improvement 07

Department of Public Works ~ Mr. J. Michael Evans

Department of Management and Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Capital Budget Resolution C-07 ~ Transfer of Funds to

South Pleasant Valley Road

Department of Public Works ~ Mr. J. Michael Evans

Department of Management and Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Request Approval of the YMCA Quarterly Report

Department of Management and Budget ~ Mr. Ted Zaleski

Route 29 Extension Concept Discussion

Commissioner Zimmer

Bid Approval ~ Jasontown Road Improvement

Department of Public Works ~ Mr. J. Michael Evans

Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton

Bid Approval ~ Brush Chipper

Department of General Services ~ Mr. Ralph Green

Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton

Tuesday – January 9, 2007 ~ Continued

Bid Approval ~ Cooperative Research & Development Agreement

Analysis of Piney Run Reservoir between US Army Corp and

Carroll County Government

Environmental and Resource Protection ~ Mr. Jim Slater

Bureau of Purchasing ~ Mr. Rich Shelton

Bond Sale Award - Resolution Awarding the County's Consolidated Public Improvement Refunding Bonds of 2007

Department of the Comptroller ~ Mr. Rob Burk

Administrative Session

Chief of Staff, Mr. Steve Powell

Wednesday – January 10, 2007

2:00 p.m. Carroll Hospice Inpatient Facility Grand Opening

Westminster, Maryland

Commissioner Zimmer

5:00 p.m. Board of Education Meeting

Board of Education Office

Commissioner Zimmer

Thursday – January 11, 2007

12:00 p.m. Annual Chamber of Commerce State of the County Luncheon

Martin’s, Westminster

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich and Zimmer

2:00 p.m. Leadership Carroll Class

Martin’s, Westminster

Commissioners Gouge, Minnich and Zimmer

Friday – January 12, 2007

7:00 a.m. Taneytown Business Breakfast

Thunderhead Bowling Centre

Commissioners Minnich and Zimmer

Saturday – January 13, 2007

5:30 pm. Gamber Volunteer Fire Department Annual Awards Banquet

Gamber Fire Hall

Commissioners Gouge and Zimmer

Sunday – January 14, 2007

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

Commissioner Zimmer

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

Posted: 07/07/06

CARROLL COUNTY

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

20070106 Snowzilla

Snowzilla

January 7, 2007

The credit for the top photo goes to AP.

Snowzilla under construction Photo by MARC LESTER / Anchorage Daily News Powers family members, with help from neighbors, construct a giant snowman in their Columbine Street yard, Dec. 24, 2006. At top are Jackson Powers and John Woolsey. Billy Powers climbs the scaffolding at left, next to Darrell Estes and Tucker Powers. At bottom is Rod Zieger.

I hate snow, but a 22 foot snowman is kinda cool.

For more – go here and here .

Not everyone is happy.

Whatever.

####

20070107 Kelsey Volkmann previews Martin Luther King events at CAC

Kelsey Volkmann previews Martin Luther King events at CAC

January 7^th, 2007

Kelsey Volkmann, writing for the Baltimore Examiner, has penned two previews of Martin Luther King Legacy Day events at the Carroll Arts Center. The two articles were published in the January 4^th and 5^th, 2007 editions of the paper.

Westminster theater with segregated past to honor King

And

Professor credits NAACP’s influence on war movies as aiding future gains

In “Westminster theater with segregated past to honor King” she describes the efforts of a local community leader, John Lewis – and the Baltimore Colts to desegregate the movie theatre in the mid-1960s.

For more information on the history of the Carroll Theatre, go here, or here.

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner, Read more by Kelsey Volkmann

Jan 4, 2007 3:00 AM

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com

Westminster - An art-deco theater in Westminster with a segregated past has planned a day of events honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

“About eight to 10 of us held the first demonstration for integration outside the Carroll theater in the early 1960s,” said John Lewis, a civil rights activist and Carroll County native. “People were surprised that somebody had the audacity to demonstrate, but we didn’t disturb the peace. We simply picketed and went home.”

Read the rest of this article here.

Professor credits NAACP’s influence on war movies as aiding future gains

Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner
Read more by Kelsey Volkmann
Jan 5, 2007 3:00 AM
kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com

BALTIMORE - The NAACP’s influence on World War II movies laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement, a local historian said.

With the U.S. government repeating the words “unity,” “tolerance” and “brotherhood” to build support for the war, blacks encouraged Hollywood to include black heroes in movies of that time, said Thomas Cripps, a retired history professor at Morgan State University in Baltimore City.

Using film clips from “Sahara,” “Crash Drive” and “In This Our Life,” Cripps will give a lecture titled “Movies, Race and World War II” as part of the Carroll Arts Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Read the rest of this article here.

20070107 MLK breakfast scheduled for January 13

Westminster Eagle Web Update:

MLK breakfast scheduled for Jan. 13

01/03/07 – January 7^th, 2007

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=978&NewsID=773120&CategoryID=17320&on=1

The Carroll County NAACP will hold its third Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast at Martin's Westminster on Saturday, Jan. 13. The two-hour event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and precedes the national holiday on Monday honoring Dr. King.

Angela M. Eaves, Associate Judge of the District Court of Maryland in Harford County since 2000, will be the featured speaker. Judge Eaves attended high school in Texas and is a graduate of the University of Texas and its law school. Initially a prosecutor in Texas and a lawyer for the Legal Aid Bureau, she received the Pro Bono Award of the Office of the Attorney General in 1996.

She has been active in several professional committees in Maryland in the areas of family law, domestic violence and correctional reform.

Originally sponsored by graduates of the Robert Moton School, the MLK breakfast has become an annual event of the local NAACP chapter.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 years of age and younger. They must be ordered by Tuesday, Jan. 9 and are available by calling 410-876-7759.

####

20070107 An Inconvenient Truth to be shown at the CAC

“An Inconvenient Truth” will be shown at the Carroll Arts Center on January 13^th, 2007

http://www.carr.org/arts/index_files/Page441.htm

“An Inconvenient Truth”

Saturday, January 13 2:00 & 7:00 pm

$5 Adults/$4 Arts Council Members, Seniors 60+ and Students 18 & Under.

Rated PG; 96 min; 2006

Stay for a moderated discussion of this film’s important topics following the presentation by the Catoctin Maryland Group – Sierra Club.

Carroll Arts Center

91 W. Main St., Westminster

For more information: Contact: Dan at 410-857-4129 or dooze@qis.net

This renowned film offers a passionate and inspirational look at former Vice President Al Gore’s fervent crusade to halt global warming’s deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. www.climatecrisis.net

####

20070107 MLK Legacy Day at the Carroll Arts Center

Martin Luther King Legacy Day at the Carroll Arts Center on Monday, January 15, 2007

January 7^th, 2007

http://www.carr.org/arts/index_files/Page441.htm

Martin Luther King Legacy Day

“Ruby Bridges”

Monday, January 15 10:30 am

Free

The true story of Bridges, an African-American girl who, in 1960 at age 6, helped to integrate the all-white school of New Orleans. She was the only black girl to come to the school she was sent to, and since all the white mothers pulled their children out of class, she was the only one there at all. She faced a crowd of angry white citizens every day, yet she emerged strong thanks to encouragement by her teacher, a white woman from the North named Barbara Henry. With the help of her teacher and her mother, she eventually broke down a century-old barrier and played a significant role in the civil-rights movement.

Martin Luther King Legacy Day

Sankofa Dance Troupe

Monday, January 15 2:00 pm

$10 for adults and $7 for CCAC Members, Students 18 & Under and Seniors 60+

Colorful and energetic dancers and pulsating rhythmic drumming combine for an unforgettable experience and introduction to traditional African arts.

Martin Luther King Legacy Day

“Movies, Race and World War II”

Lecturer Tom Cripps

Sponsored by The Maryland Humanities Council

Monday, January 15 7:00 pm

Free - Advance Reservations Suggested

Cripps is a retired University Distinguished Professor Emeritus from Morgan State University. He shares his years of research and writing with audiences throughout the state. His talk, which will include screen clips from movies such as “Sahara” starring Humphrey Bogart, “Crash Dive” starring Tyrone Power and “In This Our Life” starring Olivia de Havilland, is sure to stir honest debate and reflection. The audience will learn how film was not merely a form of entertainment during WWII, but also a means of teaching and indoctrination.

20070106 Fidel Castro says he "remains in the loop"

Fidel Castro says he "remains in the loop"

31 December, 2006 – January 6th, 2007

My January 3rd, 2007 Tentacle column is on US relations with Cuba and South America in the coming year – 2007. Please find it here:

Castro Watch, by Kevin E. Dayhoff, Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007”
We have many things to look forward to in 2007 and certainly at the top of the list is the eventual demise of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.

Read the rest here. I’d love some feedback… I have, in the past, done a great deal of research on Cuban-American relations and I plan to re-visit much of my research, brush it, break it down into bite-size and write about it, in the coming months.

Meanwhile, the BBC is carrying an article about Cuban President Castro’s New Year’s message…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2006/12/061231_fidelmessage.shtml

Photo from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/images/2006/12/20061226161704_42389181_castro_afp203body.jpg

According to the BBC on December 31, 2006, Fidel Castro says he “remains in the loop:” “Castro issues New Year's message - In his New Year message, ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro has said he is recovering slowly from his surgery.”

Fidel Castro says he "remains in the loop"

Castro issues New Year's message

31 December, 2006 - Published 19:12 GMT


In his New Year message, ailing Cuban President Fidel Castro has said he is recovering slowly from his surgery.

"Concerning my recovery I always said it would be a long process," he said in the written message, read out by announcers on state-controlled media.

"But it is far from being a lost battle," he added.

Read the rest here.

The 80-year-old leader handed over control of the country to his brother Raul in July, when he underwent urgent intestinal surgery.

President Castro traditionally sends a message broadcast by state TV and radio to Cubans on New Year's Eve to mark the anniversary of the 1 January 1959 revolution that brought him to power.

"I have not stopped being in the loop on main events and information.

"I have had exchanges with our closest comrades always when co-operation has been necessary on vitally important issues," the statement read.

The president also thanked the Cuban people for their courage during his recuperation.

Speculation about President Castro's medical condition has been rife.

Although Mr Castro's health is a state secret, Cuban officials have said that he is not suffering from cancer or any terminal illness, and that he is recuperating.

####

20070107 The religions of the 535 members of the 110th Congress

The religions of the 535 members of the 110th Congress

January 7^th, 2007

Reformed Chicks Blabbing fills us in on different religions of the members of Congress.

They got the information from: “SmartChristian.com”

Catholic 155; Baptist 67; Methodist 61; Presbyterian 44; Jewish 43; Episcopal 37; Protestant nondenominational 26; Christian nondenominational 18; Lutheran 17; Mormon 15; United Church of Christ 7.

Eastern Orthodox 5; Christian Science 5; Assemblies of God 4; Unitarian Universalist 2; African Methodist Episcopal 2; Buddhists 2; Evangelical 2; Seventh Day Adventists 2; Christian Reformed 2; Disciples of Christ 2; Church of Christ 2; Congregational Baptist 1; Anglican 1.

Reorganized Mormon 1; Quaker 1; Church of God 1; Muslim 1; Evangelical Lutheran 1; Church of the Nazarene 1; Evangelical Methodist 1.

No affiliation 6

Read the rest of their post here.

####

20070106 Church resource web sites that rock.

Church resource web sites that rock.[1]

January 6, 2007

Hat Tip: Pastor Jam – who, has a direct connect with G_d: Genesis, 21:12: “And G_d said to him: … in all that Sarah hath said to thee, hearken to her voice…”

Pastor Jam sent me the following list in a recent e-mail.

~ Of course, for contemporary politics and such, I also read and recommend, “Reformed Chicks Blabbing.” They rule.

_____

1. Seth Godin
Site: sethgodin.typepad.com
Why it Rocks: Seth Godin is a best-selling author and marketing guru who gets the YouTube-fueled market. While he doesn't claim to be a Christian, his valuable insight into marketing strategy is still applicable to your church.

2. Mark Batterson
Site: evotional.com
Why it Rocks: Mark Batterson is a blogging madman, consistently posting multiple times a day. He’s always upbeat and inspiring, and shares very cool stories about his congregation, National Community Church in Washington, D.C., that will get your creative juices flowing.

3. Simply Strategic Guys
Site: simplystrategicshow.com
Why it Rocks: Tony Morgan and Tim Stevens are the ultra-innovative Simply Strategic Guys (authors of the popular Simply Strategic series), supplying down-to-earth wisdom and laughs about ministry, leadership and life via blog or podcast.

4. Worshiphouse Media
Site: worshiphousemedia.com
Why it Rocks: Worshiphouse offers a huge collection of mini-movies, motion graphics, still images and editable clips you can purchase online to up your church's creative ante.

5. Lightcast Media
Site: lightcastmedia.com
Why it Rocks: Designed to help churches stream their live services online, this site will help your church distribute itself more broadly and efficiently.

6. Relevant Leader
Site: relevantnetwork.com
Why it Rocks: This site offers timely church-related news, articles and resources mixed with chic, modern designs—and it can all be delivered straight to your inbox.

7. 37signals
Site: 37signals.com
Why it Rocks: Peruse the company’s Signal vs. Noise blog or download the Getting Real PDF book for insights on getting work done smart, fast and cheap. While 37signal’s focus is Web-based software, the same lessons can be applied to your leadership team.

8. Monday Morning Insight
Site: mondaymorninginsight.com
Why it Rocks: Blogger Todd Rhoades heads up Monday Morning Insight, a compilation of stories and resources geared to pastors and church leaders across the U.S. and the world. The site offers a bundle of newsy content on all types of church leadership issues—trends, ideas, worship, technology, and personnel issues. Don’t miss the handy Q&A for ministry questions.

9. Church Relevance
Site: churchrelevance.com
Why it Rocks: Kent Shaffer, one of the founders of a design and marketing firm that caters to churches, offers up loads of useful statistics and practical advice on successful church design, marketing and management.

10. Ridge Stone Backstage/Gary Lamb's blog
Sites: ridgestonebackstage.com
garylamb.blogspot.com
Why They Rock: Gary Lamb pastors Ridge Stone, a church plant in Georgia, and his candid blog follows the ups and downs of his personal journey. A companion blog, Ridge Stone Backstage, offers behind-the-scenes tips and insights for other church planters.

11. Lifehacker
Site: lifehacker.com
Why it Rocks: Discover the software downloads and Web sites that actually save time. This site is a goldmine of practical advice (such as how to automate repetitive tasks) and various techie tips for increased efficiency and productivity.

12. Christianity Today's Weblog
Site: christianitytoday.com/ct/features/news/weblog
Why it Rocks: This site is your one-stop shop for all the Christian-related news that's fit to print. And we mean all, with at least 100-plus links in every issue, plus commentary on the online feature stories.

13. Lark News
Site: larknews.com
Why it Rocks: Sometimes pastors just need to laugh, and laugh you will at this site featuring satirical news stories a la The Onion, poking good-natured fun at Christian happenings.

14. Effective Web Ministry Notes
Site: eministrynotes.com
Why it Rocks: Maintained by a few members of Campus Crusade for Christ, this site is your guide to more effective Internet ministry. It provides a wealth of helpful tips, as well as news and links about technology and online marketing, delivery and response.

15. eBible
Site: ebible.com
Why it Rocks: Welcome to Bible study version 2.0. Free to join and use, this program is much more than just the Bible onscreen. Check out the loads of commentary and study helps, inter-connected passages and topics; add titles to your personal bookshelf; and bookmark your favorite verses.

16. Bloglines/Google Reader
Sites: bloglines.com
google.com/reader
Why They Rock: Lose the outdated bookmarking system already! These ingenious aggregators track hundreds of Web sites, so you’ll only visit the ones with updated content. The sites rely on RSS (Really Simple Syndication), but all you need to know is they can save you lots of time.

17. Godbit
Site: godbit.com
Why it Rocks: Godbit’s purpose is to help the Church catch up with the rest of the world in adherence to standards given by the World Wide Web Consortium, the governing body of best-practices on the Internet. The site also highlights churches, freelance designers and Web agencies that are on the cutting edge of Web methodologies.

18. Free Church Resources
Site: lifechurch.tv/open, seacoast.org/allaccess
vineresources.com
Why They Rock: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Each of these three churches is offering their marketing and media resources to the world, free of charge. Find mp3 downloads, graphics, sermon materials and more, and then tweak them to suit your church.

19. Church Marketing Lab
Site: flickr.com/groups/cfcc
Why it Rocks: In this valuable group, you can share your in-process communication pieces and get helpful feedback from other church communicators.

20. Church Marketing Sucks
Site: churchmarketingsucks.com
Why it Rocks: I'm tooting my own horn here, but if you're not checking out this site, you need to be. Find cutting-edge news, ideas, tips and dreams about how the Church can effectively share the greatest story ever told.

-Outreach magazine, "Web Exclusives," January/February 2007

[1] -Outreach magazine, "Web Exclusives," January/February 2007

20070103 Jamie Kelly and Megyn Kendall link rumors denied

20070103 Jamie Kelly and Megyn Kendall link rumors

Jamie Kelly and Megyn Kendall link rumors denied

January 3^rd, 2007 – January 6^th, 2007

It what can only be understand as “news” to a certain someone in Mr. Jamie Kelly’s life; rumors of a link between Fox News Channel journalist Megyn Kendal and our own Jamie Kelly of the Carroll County Times, were vigorous denied by Mr. Kelly in a recent phone call.

Avid readers of the Carroll County Times are usually aware when various members of the local paper’s news staff go missing from time-to-time.

And it was not unnoticed that Carroll County Times city desk editor Jamie Kelly took some time off recently

Then, as a coincidence(?) it was announced as the new year began, that Fox News Channel personality Megyn Kendall has changed her name – to Kelly.

Hmmmm.

FishbowlDC reported that she changed her name back to her maiden name.

Could this be a ruse to put us off the trail of a breaking news story right here at home in Carroll County? Inquiring minds want to know.

First, on June 22, 2006, there was an oblique link between Jamie Kelly and Megyn Kelly…

But rumors really began flying as early as last July 28^th, 2006, when it was rumored that Mr. Kelly was spotted with Ms. Kendall at the Cafe Milano in DC eating pizza.

Ms. Kendall “was wearing a tight white strapless summer dress and looked gorgeous. She also is sporting platinum blonde hair now. She sat in the corner seat at the bar on the left as you walk into the bar area.”

And Mr. Kelly, well, he was dressed in his usual young journalist attire; jeans, blue shirt – with the shirt tail hanging out, a new brown and yellow stripped sweater. Reports were that he looked rather dapper.

And then, the day after Christmas, Ms. “Kendall (was spotted) at the Pentagon City Nordstrom… She was wandering around men’s furnishings talking on her cellphone. She’s very attractive (not just hot for D.C.), but she definitely looks older in person than on t.v. She also has a smoker’s voice that’s kind of sexy on t.v., but not so much in person.”

Well, we all know that Mr. Kelly is a clothes-horse and loves Nordstrom.

Is it that Mr. Kelly, who has recently been feeling a bit under the weather, has been running himself ragged in his double-life?

Is it all just a coincidence?

Then how does one explain this photo that has recently surfaced?

“Photoshop” says Mr. Kelly.

“That’s just crap and you know it," responded Mr. Kelly (with a smile.) “There is no truth to the rumor that I’ve hooked-up with Megyn Kendall – or Kelly, or whatever her name is,” waxed Mr. Kelly.

Meanwhile, Jeff Bercovici and John Cook posting on “Radar Online” has reported upon a possible link between Ms. Megyn Kelly and Brit Hume.

For months, a rumor has been circulating among TV news insiders in Washington, D.C., and New York that Brit Hume, Fox News Channel's managing editor in Washington and host of prime-time hour Special Report, has been having an extramarital affair with a younger colleague. The object of his alleged attentions: Megyn Kendall, a general-assignment correspondent who has been with the network since 2004.

There is no evidence to suggest that the rumors are true. Of the half-dozen sources who relayed the allegation to Radar, none could claim first-hand knowledge, and several Fox insiders said they believed it to be false. Still, the whispers have grown so loud that Hume and Kendall have been forced to deny them repeatedly to curious colleagues. (One Fox source said Hume seemed genuinely amused and somewhat flattered to be linked by gossip to the attractive and much younger Kendall.) A Fox spokesperson also flatly denied it, and suggested it was being "shopped around" by enemies of the network.

(Well, one thing is for sure, here at Soundtrack, we know that we totally made-up a connection between Jamie Kelly and Megyn Kelly because, well, we just couldn’t help ourselves. Mr. Kelly is way too much fun and besides, it was too good a coincidence and a wonderful photoshopping opportunity.)

For now, we’re going to take Mr. Kelly at his word. But we’ll keep our ears to the ground and you’ll be the first to know if we find any additional information on this story of intrigue and wonder.

####

20070106 The UN military force on parade

The UN military force on parade.

January 6^th, 2007

One of our latest Maryland Blogger Alliance members, “The Pubcrawler” has captured a picture of the UN military force on parade.

And another new member can be found here: “Rockin’ Catoctin”

Welcome to the mayhem.

Too funny. Thanks.

Maryland Blogger Alliance

Pillage Idiot (Rockville)
Soccer Dad (Baltimore)
Maryland Conservatarian (Baltimore)
The Baltimore Reporter (Baltimore)
The Sun Lies (Baltimore Area)
The Not So Free State (Woodlawn)
monoblogue (Salisbury)
Crablaw (Reisterstown)
Kevin Dayhoff (Westminster)
Politics, Hon (Baltimore)
blogger1947 (Gwynn Oak)
Jousting for Justice (Owings Mills)
The Voltage Gate (Frostburg)
Howard County Md. Blog (Ellicott City)
The Hedgehog Report (Columbia)
Rockin' Catoctin (Frederick)
The Pubcrawler (Gaithersburg)

20070104 1870s Dead Horse inspires intrigue and curiosity

1870s Dead Horse inspires intrigue and curiosity

January 5, 2007

(AP Photo/Sheboygan County Historical Research Center) This photo provided by the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center shows a man sitting on a dead horse. The picture taken in Sheboygan sometime between 1876 and 1884 has sparked curiosity, speculation and jokes from people throughout the country, thanks to some newspaper publicity, the Internet and blogging. No one knows who the gentleman is, his occupation, or the exact circumstances surrounding it, said Beth Dipple, director of the Center. "It is a great picture and every time I see it I just laugh," she said. "But this time the novelty is everybody else is seeing it for the first time. The whole world is seeing it now."

The Examiner is carrying an Associated Press story about an historic photo, the subject of which is “a stovepipe-hatted man sitting on a dead horse in the middle of a dusty, deserted street.”

The photo was originally published as part of “a 2007 (newspaper) calendar with the scene. A response from readers prompted the newspaper to report about it. From there, it took off on the Internet and blogging.”

“After writing two stories about the picture, The Sheboygan Press has received more than 50 calls and e-mails about it…”

“No one knows who the gentleman is, exactly what year the picture was taken or the circumstances surrounding it, said Beth Dipple, director of the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center, which has had the picture in its collection for at least 20 years.”

“Dipple said about all that's known about the picture is it was taken (in Sheboygan, Wisconsin,) at South Eighth Street and Indiana Avenue between 1876 and 1884 - based on the bridge over the Sheboygan River in the background and the lack of railroad tracks that were installed in 1884.

“The city had laws on the books that required people to stay with their dead horses until they were picked up and disposed of, Dipple said.”

Of course, anyone who has read newspapers from the 1800s knows that folks had perhaps an even better sense of humor back then than folks do today.

Then again, in our contemporary age when everything is over-thought, over-analysed and overwrought, the explanation for the picture may be mundane or even documentary in purpose; who knows.

I love to tell the story about an art show I had in Baltimore in the mid-1980s, in which quite a number of my mixed media constructions incorporated a great deal of orange paint.

As I hung back relatively incognito during a portion of the show’s opening, a young lady had gathered a group of folks around her as she explained the deep psychological meaning of my use of orange paint.

It was complex – and it was intense. It was foreboding…

It was a load of crap. I used the orange paint because a friend of mine, who owned a hardware store, had several gallons of orange paint returned and he sold it to me a greatly reduced cost…

Whatever.

Sometimes “a stovepipe-hatted man sitting on a dead horse’ is just a man sitting on a dead horse.

But the picture is kinda neat - - after of course, an animal lover like me gets past the fate of the horse…

Oh, anyway, for more reading on this story go to:

1870s photo of man on dead horse sparks national humor or

1870s Dead Horse Photo Sparks Mystery

####

20070105 State Police Superintendent Stops Drunk Driver

Maryland State Police Superintendent Tim Hutchins Stops Drunk Driver

The Maryland State Police Superintendent, (Command Sergeant Major, 29th Infantry Division Aviation Brigade, Maryland Army National Guard, 1968-2004; a retired Maryland State Trooper; former Barrack Commander and graduate of the Maryland State Police Academy,) is certainly no stranger to rolling up his sleeves and getting it done himself:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 5, 2007

STATE POLICE SUPERINTENDENT STOPS DRUNK DRIVER AFTER CITIZEN REPORTS ERRATIC DRIVING

(Brandywine, MD) The Superintendent of the Maryland State Police stopped a suspected drunk driver Friday afternoon in Prince George’s County after a motorist made a #77 call to report erratic driving.

A concerned motorist saw the driver of a tan Ford Ranger weaving and dialed #77. The motorist was connected to the Forestville Barrack and the duty officer broadcast a lookout to all troopers in the area. Colonel Thomas E. “Tim” Hutchins, Secretary of the Maryland Department of State Police heard the original look-out, continued to monitor the updated locations and was able to locate the vehicle as it was driving on westbound Accokeek Road west of Maryland Route 5 in Brandywine, Maryland.

After observing the driver of the Ford Ranger commit a number of traffic violations, Colonel Hutchins conducted a traffic stop as other troopers converged on the area. Following the driver’s inability to perform a series of standardized field sobriety tests, he was arrested and transported to the Forestville Barrack for processing. The driver, identified as Jeremy Michael Plemons, 25, of Nanjemoy, was charged with Driving Under the Influence and other traffic citations.

Troopers encourage motorists to immediately contact law enforcement by dialing 9-1-1 or #77 when they observe dangerous driving behavior or suspect a motorist is driving impaired. Since impaired drivers are often involved in motor vehicle collisions, the call made to law enforcement could save a life. And when a call is made to the State Police for a trooper to respond, the responding trooper could very well be the Superintendent himself.

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