Dayhoff Soundtrack

Saturday, April 05, 2008

20080404 News Clips

NewsClips 04-04-2008

STATE NEWS

Power plant regulation runs afoul of terms

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.rate04apr04,0,6054848.story

The Senate voted yesterday to regulate any new power plants built in Maryland, brushing aside warnings that its action could scuttle a $2 billion settlement of the state's prolonged legal battle with Constellation Energy Group. While considering a bill to ratify the settlement, senators voted 27-18 in favor of an amendment that would require all new power plants built in Maryland to first offer their electricity for sale in the state and be regulated by the Public Service Commission. Sen. Thomas M. Middleton, chairman of the Finance Committee, warned that the change "puts the agreement in jeopardy." The settlement with Constellation announced last week is contingent on the legislature approving a bill ratifying the terms without any deviation, he said. Sen. E.J. Pipkin, an Eastern Shore Republican who introduced the amendment, hailed the Senate vote.
"This is three years of working through tedious documents and paperwork to say enough is enough," he said. "Tonight, the Senate went on record saying it wants to take regulatory action for relief on ratepayers." The Senate vote came after the House had given preliminary approval to the Constellation settlement bill, despite some delegates' questions and complaints about its being rushed through.

Senate votes to repeal computer services tax

Offered in its place are millionaire surcharge, a combination of cuts

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-md.computer04apr04,0,4794851.story

The Maryland Senate voted last night to repeal the computer services tax and replace it with a combination of cuts and an income tax surcharge on millionaires. The bill would scrap sales tax on computer services (expected to generate about $200 million a year) and instead impose a three-year surcharge on personal earnings exceeding $1 million. Del. Christopher B. Shank said House Republicans consider the computer tax "hastily enacted and ill advised" but would not support the Democratic majority's alternative tax on millionaires. "Their solution is to impose yet another tax is not necessary on a segment of the economy that can easily leave the state, find tax accountants and other tax avoidance strategies," said Shank, a Western Maryland Republican. "It sends yet another message about Maryland's negative business climate at an extremely bad time." Sen. David R. Brinkley, the minority leader from Frederick and Carroll counties, tried to replace the income tax surcharge with trims from state funds dedicated to transportation, the environment, health care and higher education. He also proposed using part of the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund's surplus. "There are alternatives to raising the income tax yet again," said Brinkley, who also tried to make the case for using more of the state's general fund reserves. Repeal of the computer services tax would be a major victory for business groups that warned the levy could destroy Maryland's high-tech industry. But the proposed alternative has received a cold reception from some business interests who lobbied hard for a repeal.

Arundel policy change finds more suspected illegal immigrants

http://www.examiner.com/a-1320116~Arundel_policy_change_finds_more_suspected_illegal_immigrants.html

Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold's office says a new policy at county jails has helped flag foreign-born prisoners for federal immigration officials. Under the policy that began in March, federal authorities are contacted immediately when immigrants are processed at the jails so their status can be checked. In the four weeks since the new policy began, 45 inmates were reported, more than half were identified as possible candidates for deportation proceedings and 13 were released to ICE custody.

County budget moves forward as General Assembly session concludes

http://www.examiner.com/a-1319940~County_budget_moves_forward_as_General_Assembly_session_concludes.html

The winners and losers in the fight for next year’s funds in Carroll will soon take shape as commissioners delve into their budget — albeit several weeks late. The county had delayed the budget process, waiting to see how much money the state would cut from its contributions to the county as it tried to close a $1.7 billion structural deficit. With the General Assembly’s session ending Monday, the county plans to hold nearly a dozen work sessions, public hearings and agency meetings into the next several weeks in time to introduce its proposed budget by the end of April and adopt it by the end of May. Harford County released its proposed budget last week. It included reduced spending on construction projects and about the same amount for day-to-day operations. Howard introduced its proposed capital budget last week, and Anne Arundel will propose its budgets in May.

Vouchers likely to win support

http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080404/METRO/753727229/1004

School-choice supporters appear likely to win a sizable victory in this year's General Assembly. The Senate has already passed a bill that gives a tax credit to businesses who donate to scholarship funds for private schools, and a House committee is scheduled to hear the measure today. Supporters of the Building Opportunities For All Students and Teachers in Maryland bill say the tax credit is important to help keep open Catholic and other tuition-based private schools, which are often alternatives to failing public-school systems. The powerful Maryland State Teachers Association opposes the measure, saying the state cannot afford to give handouts to private schools when its public schools are cash strapped. The supporters say they have 74 sponsors on the House version of the bill, three more than needed to win approval. "The program is very popular," said Delegate James E. Proctor, former high school principal and a lead sponsor of the proposal in the House. "People think that it's a Catholic school proposal, that it's a Catholic voucher, but in reality any education organization — public, private, parochial, whatever — can participate."

U.S. Might Pay for Part Of Bethesda Road Work Montgomery Welcomes Navy's Reconsideration

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/03/AR2008040303745.html

The Navy will ask the Pentagon to consider paying for some of the road and Metro improvements needed for the expansion of the Navy hospital in Bethesda, reversing a decision that had dismayed county and state leaders, according to a report being issued today. The hospital's expansion is part of the Pentagon's base realignment plan, known as BRAC, which calls for closing Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the District and moving much of the care of wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan to Bethesda. "The fact they're putting it into DAR is good news," Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said. "It reflects an understanding that there will be an impact on the community. Of course, it's just a first step."

Repealing levy could hurt road projects

Montgomery, Prince George’s forced into transportation dilemma

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040408/polinew205522_32359.shtml

With the Senate approving the repeal of the $200 million computer services tax on Thursday and more cuts to the transportation budget in the offing, Prince George’s and Montgomery lawmakers are hoping their road projects will stay on course. ‘‘This region has the second-worst congestion in the country,” Henson said. ‘‘That’s why the department has such an aggressive transportation program. Any cuts to the Transportation Trust Fund would affect projects, but we understand the General Assembly has difficult decisions to make.” Whether cuts to the transportation fund will stop any projects in Montgomery or Prince George’s poses a dilemma for the counties’ lawmakers.

For schools, no news from General Assembly is good news

Session sees school funding and Grasmick staying, for now

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040408/polinew205524_32360.shtml

For education advocates, perhaps the biggest news of the 2008 session is what did not happen. Teacher pension costs were not shifted onto the backs of counties. Longtime state schools Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick was not ousted. And a funding formula to give money to schools where the cost of education is the highest looked likely to be left untouched as the chambers entered the weekend prepared to work out final details of the budget. The Maryland State Teachers Association is pleased that schools have not borne the brunt of budget cuts and hopes that will still be the case on Sine Die. While the new spirit of cooperation has not yet brought Grasmick and O’Malley together to launch any new initiatives, O’Malley did include $7.6 million in a supplemental budget submitted on Monday for a program to offer special education services to children from birth to 3 years old. While the feelings between the two probably have not changed, putting their differences aside was ‘‘good government,” Hoffman said. ‘‘I’m grateful for it. I think everybody is.”

Wynn's early exit leaves tough choice, hard feelings

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.wynn04apr04,0,1362419.story

When he decided to leave Congress before the end of his term to join a Washington lobbying giant, Rep. Albert R. Wynn left his constituents with a choice: Pay for a costly special election to fill his seat or go unrepresented in the House for the remainder of the congressional session. The dilemma is rankling even some of his fellow Democrats. "Congressman Wynn's decision makes more financial sense for him than it does for the state," state Sen. Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County, a Democrat whose district overlaps Wynn's, said yesterday. "It leaves a gap in representation, it causes controversy about a replacement, and then it raises issues about potential conflicts of interest." Asked whether it would be better for the constituents if he completed his term and spared taxpayers the cost of a special election - estimated by some at $2 million if both primary and general elections are required - Wynn declined to comment. O'Malley wants to push legislation through the General Assembly to allow the state to skip a special primary and go straight to a special general election. A single vote held quickly could cut costs to an estimated $1 million and allow the winner to enter Congress before the legislative year ends in September. State senators introduced a bill for a special general election in July, which would give the victor six months to serve in Washington. Peter James, the Republican nominee for the 4th District, said Wynn's decision symbolizes a culture in Washington that he is seeking to change. "That's why Congress has such a low rating," he said. "Guys like to take off and start lobbying. It's a shame it's all about the money to most people, it appears."

Ehrlich Back On Campus To Talk Persuasion

http://wbal.com/stories/templates/news.aspx?articleid=4270&zoneid=3

Former Governor Ehrlich was back on campus Thursday at Towson University as he spoke to students in a "Persuasion" class. Ehrlich has attended Dr Rick Vatz's class twice a year at Towson since the early 90's to speak about persuasion and answer questions from students of the professor of rhetoric and communication. "Don't be afraid to ever give your opinions," he told students in the lecture room. He told students to don't allow opponents to ever label them. "Because your opponents will always try to label you," said Ehrlich just before he took questions from the students in the lecture room at Towson University. "In debate, in a corporate environment, academic environment, (and in a) political environment, you never want to be labeled, ever. Unless it is accurate, because your opponents will always try to label you."

Tech Tax Repeal Gets Senate OK; O'Malley Says Lawmakers Should Not Worry About Approving "Millionaire Tax"

http://wbal.com/stories/templates/news.aspx?articleid=4264&zoneid=3

The Maryland Senate has given its final approval to legislation to repeal the state's computer service sales tax that was set to take effect in July. In the final vote, both those Senators Republican Nancy Jacobs and Democrat Roy Dyson voted against the bill. Another Republican, Barry Glassman of Harford County voted against the bill when the Senate took the final vote. Earlier today, the Senate rejected several Republican backed amendments. Those amendments sought to repeal the tech tax without creating a new 6.25 percent tax on people who make more than a million dollars a year. Late this afternoon, Governor Martin O'Malley spoke out for the first time about the computer tax repeal legislation. The governor praised the bill, but admits it will be a "tough vote" for lawmakers. The governor says lawmakers should not worry about the "political ramification" of voting for an income tax hike so soon after the special session. The governor says those facing the higher tax rate can afford it.

EDITORIALS/OP-EDS

Betting on a slots mirage

http://www.examiner.com/a-1319917~Betting_on_a_slots_mirage.html

We’re not finished with this session, but legislators should worry about the next. Specifically, how to pay for their profligate spending. They raised taxes in the special session. But what happens when legislators “need” more money again? Will they rely on slots revenue? Think again. The state’s revenue estimates for slots are increasingly looking like a pipe dream — if the measure passes next November. And what happens if the current credit crisis prevents the slots license winners from building the entertainment centers envisioned to house the machines? What’s clear is that slots are a big “if” on many fronts. Legislators must not build budgets with the predicted slots revenue factored into them. Even if the referendum passes, there is no guarantee the state will strike it rich.

Bad decision on tech tax dogs legislature

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2008/04_03-57/OPN

Last year's legislative special session was supposed to get the state's serious fiscal problems off the table for 2008. It was not supposed to produce this, from a letter titled "Tech Businesses Welcome in the Commonwealth of Virginia": The letter, from a Republican state senator from Virginia, is an undisguised lunge at Maryland high-tech businesses alienated by the "tech tax," a new 6 percent levy on computer services, including software design and data processing. It's just a faint foretaste of what we'll see from Virginia and other states if the new Maryland levy actually takes effect on July 1. The General Assembly is in overdrive right now, and the debate might be settled soon. But as this is written, the option pushed by the governor was to pay for the repeal by a combination of budget cuts - including in the transportation fund - and an income tax surcharge on the 0.2 percent of the state's income tax filers who make more than $1 million a year. We're not enthused by either of these options ourselves, but the tech tax is pure folly and has to go. We hope the governor and legislators, this time at least, can come up with a fix that doesn't make the overall situation any worse.

State House surprises

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040408/polilee203928_32365.shtml

After a bruising November legislative special session, the state’s largest tax hike in history and the collapse of his approval ratings, Gov. Martin O’Malley offered an unambitious agenda for this year’s 90-day session. Looking for consensus ‘‘feel good” items, O’Malley focused on public safety, the environment and helping foreclosed homeowners. Expanding the state’s DNA database to help police fight crime was a sure crowd pleaser. Also, a wider DNA pool helps exonerate the innocent as often as it helps convict the guilty. So what’s not to like? Plenty, according to the Legislative Black Caucus, which vigorously opposed the bill and helped gut it. Hands down, the Black Caucus is the most important emerging political power in State House politics. In a Democratic-dominated state and state legislature, the black vote is greatly amplified. So when the Black Caucus mobilized against O’Malley’s DNA bill, crying ‘‘racial profiling,” the bill was doomed. Black lawmakers feared the police would target innocent blacks just to have their genetic fingerprints on file. ‘‘Once the government has your information, you might spend your life trying to clear your name when mistakes are made,” said one black official. Puzzled white lawmakers questioned their black colleague’s concerns. When one white delegate called their fears ‘‘irrational” black lawmakers took it personally and stormed out of the meeting room. After some hasty apologies and fence-mending, O’Malley’s bill was watered down to the blacks’ satisfaction. Now let me ask you a question: Which of the following three groups would you imagine least likely to support November’s slots referendum? The racetrack owners, the local governments or the state teachers union? Surprisingly, it’s the racetrack owners. They are withholding support until they get more concessions from the state. True, Senate President Mike Miller threatened the teachers with defunding their pensions but the teachers are powerful enough to call that bluff. Instead they’re going for the money. So, on Election Day, look for teachers passing out slots ballots at polling places. Perhaps their familiar ‘‘apple” logo will be replaced by three apples in a row, a slots jackpot.

Wrapping it up

http://www.gazette.net/stories/040408/poliras203923_32362.shtml

As weary legislators rush to wrap up their 2009 session in the State House so they can get out of town at midnight Monday, they leave behind some important unresolved problems. The biggest immediate worry is Maryland’s still-growing budget shortfall. Neither O’Malley nor the legislature was willing to make large enough budget cuts to eliminate Maryland’s on-going spending-to-revenue gap. Instead, they turned to one-time revenue gimmicks. They also stripped large sums of money from transportation projects and shifted that cash into the general fund. At this point, the governor has no choice. If revenues slump badly, his only realistic option is belt-tightening, even if it hurts programs near and dear to Democratic lawmakers and O’Malley. A second area of lingering concern focuses on Maryland’s inadequate supply of electrical power. Brownouts could become routine in a few years because state policymakers and politicians have largely ignored this burgeoning problem. Encouraging power companies to come into Maryland and build gas-fired power plants or wind farms won’t be easy given the state’s past nastiness toward Constellation and protests from local groups opposed to most forms of new energy production. The governor still has to develop a proactive power plan — one with strong legislative backing — if he wants to persuade Constellation and its competitors that erecting new energy facilities in Maryland isn’t a waste of their time and money.

20080402 Westminster Eagle articles by Kevin Dayhoff and Heidi Schroeder on Carroll County Board of Education Jeff Morse’s resignation

Westminster Eagle articles by Kevin Dayhoff and Heidi Schroeder on Carroll County Board of Education Jeff Morse’s resignation:

Jeff Morse incident is a lost opportunity by Kevin E. Dayhoff

April 2, 2008

Over the past few weeks it was revealed that Carroll County Board of Education member Jeff Morse used a racial slur while describing a rock formation during a review of construction at the new Manchester Valley High School.

The incident ultimately led to Mr. Morse resigning from his position with ...

[Read full story]

School board eyes options after Morse resignation By Heidi Schroeder Friday, April 04

The chair of the Carroll County Human Relations Commission said this week that while Board of Education member Jeffrey Morse's recent use of a racial slur was "stupid" and "insensitive," she was sorry that the incident ended with his resignation on March 26.

"It was a stupid thing to do, it was an... [Read full story]

Jeff Morse incident is a lost opportunity by Kevin E. Dayhoff

April 2, 2008

The incident ultimately led to Mr. Morse resigning from his position with the school board last week.

The events have brought up a fair amount of talk about the history of race relations in Carroll County.

One of the topics in subsequent community discussion has been the persistent rumor of Ku Klux Klan activity in Carroll County -- an urban legend which is not supported by history.

Some confusion regarding the KKK in our county may stem from a instance in August 1998 in which a KKK rally was held in Carroll County, Virginia -- not here in Maryland. A Klan member was subsequently prosecuted for burning a cross.

The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, Virginia v. Black, where the decision was overturned. The white defendant's attorney, by the way, was David P. Baugh, an African-American.

This brings to mind Supreme Court Justice Hugo Lafayette Black, whose enduring legacy is his steadfast advocacy for equal rights.

Justice Black figured prominently in three landmark cases involving civil rights issues: Chambers v. Florida, 1940; Gideon v. Wainwright, 1963; and Betts v. Brady, a 1942 case which involved the right to legal counsel (that case did originate in Carroll County).

Justice Black had been nominated to the Supreme Court in 1937. His confirmation was difficult after allegations surfaced that he was a former Ku Klux Klan member (a fact which Justice Black admitted in a famous speech in October 1937 after he was confirmed).

The work of civil rights in our nation would have suffered a serious setback if Justice Black had been denied a seat on the Supreme Court.

One advantage we have in living in Carroll is that it is still small enough to hold our leadership to high standards.

So it was that after Mr. Morse offended and hurt our friends and neighbors with his remark that the community demanded that he be held accountable.

Mr. Morse made a terrible mistake, for which he apologized and then put action to words. He resigned last Wednesday, but the following evening he attended a Carroll County NAACP meeting with Superintendent Dr. Charles Ecker and school board President Cynthia Foley.

Mr. Morse's remark comes at a time when folks are beginning to realize that while we may not have "KKK running around," we just may have very polite prejudice -- and we need to talk about it.

Yet, many folks are reluctant to talk about race for fear of making a mistake and being branded a racist. After all, "No good deed goes unpunished" is the motto of many community activists in Carroll County.

Nevertheless, the Carroll County NAACP is working hard to facilitate meaningful conversation about racial relations in Carroll County.

Please do not confuse the local NAACP chapter with the national NAACP's Baltimore chapter, which seemingly finds racists hiding in every difficult moment.

When the national and Baltimore chapters wanted to brand Carroll County racist as a result of the Bowling Brook incident, it was the Carroll chapter who stood up for our county.

And so it was true that the Carroll County NAACP chapter did NOT call for Mr. Morse's resignation -- and for good reasons.

Nelson Mandela said it best. To not forgive is the same as us taking poison ... and then waiting for our enemies to die.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that," observed Martin Luther King Jr. "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. ... (T)oughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction."

By many accounts Mr. Morse is not a racist. He has just received a crash course in sensitivity and, if he had remained on the board, all indications were that Mr. Morse would have taken the lessons learned and put them to work for all of us.

Now, we will never know.

In light of Mr. Morse's resignation it is hard to find a win-win in this difficult series of events. One thing that we have learned is that the Carroll County NAACP is part of the solution.

Hopefully, we can also learn that good folks make mistakes. And if we bestow such dire consequences to good folks, what are we going to do when we are faced with a real racist in our community?

I'm just asking.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. E-mail him at kdayhoff@carr.org.

####

School board eyes options after Morse resignation

04/02/08 By Heidi Schroeder

"It was a stupid thing to do, it was an insensitive thing to do, he should never have said it," said Virginia Harrison, chair of the Human Relations Commission, of the comment, but added, "but I just felt like ... as a community we should have been able to resolve the issue."

Morse submitted his resignation following the school board's March 26 meeting.

The resignation followed an apology to the board last week for making an "inappropriate comment" during a tour of the under-construction Manchester Valley High School. The school board did not reveal what the statement was, but acknowledged that someone on that tour had lodged a complaint, which led to a board review.

In a statement from the school board, officials noted Morse's apology to those on the tour and to citizen groups, including the NAACP and Human Relations Commission, but said that after hearing citizen comments on the issue at the board meeting, Morse determined it was in the best interest of the board to resign.

Carroll County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Charles Ecker said that at the March 26 meeting, six or seven residents requested to speak. After those comments -- of which Ecker said some were in favor of Morse's resignation and some were opposed -- the board met in closed session and accepted Morse's resignation.

Harrison said she was sad that the situation reached that conclusion.

"I was very sorry that he resigned, because I felt that it was something that could have been resolved," Harrison said.

She was among those to whom Morse apologized following the comment, and Harrison said that his willingness to meet with community leaders and discuss his comment was "courageous."

Morse had been selected by Gov. Martin O'Malley from a field of 22 applications to join the board in May 2007 following Thomas Hiltz's resignation.

In the event of a vacancy -- such as Hiltz's -- the governor is responsible for appointing a new representative to the vacant post.

However, given the proximity of the November election -- when voters will elect candidates for Morse's former seat and the seat currently held by board president Cynthia Foley -- Ecker said he plans to propose to Gov. Martin O'Malley that the board operate with four members until the election occurs.

####

20080404 Recent Westminster Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Recent Westminster Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

April 4, 2008

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Friday, April 04

Jeff Morse incident is a lost opportunity
Over the past few weeks it was revealed that Carroll County Board of Education member Jeff Morse used a racial slur while describing a rock formation during a review of construction at the new Manchester Valley High School.

The incident ultimately led to Mr. Morse resigning from his position with ...
[Read full story]

Inns and hotels important in the early history of Carroll County
I was excited to read Heidi Schroeder's article in last week's edition of The Westminster Eagle about the renovations under way on one of Carroll County's most storied icons, Cockey's Tavern: "New page in tavern's rich history."

Hats off to the Historical Society of Carroll County for moving ahead...
[Read full story]

Hypocrisy and poor money management plague client No. 9
Last week the story broke that (now former) New York Gov. Eliot "Mr. Clean" Spitzer, otherwise known as "love client No. 9," had violated his marriage vows and broken a number of laws by taking "acting lessons" with an "aspiring-singer."

Spitzer mercifully resigned on March 12 and ended a sensatio...
[Read full story]

Beet juice, Romeo and Juliet and the 1856 Guano Islands Act
Recently, I needed a break from the presidential campaigns, winter, solid waste management and waste-to-energy, taxes, the cost of electricity and gas and other headaches of February 2008.

If you're like me, these issues are a bit much for a cold winter.

And I'm sure that, like me, your thoughts...
[Read full story]

Trouble with trash is nothing new, but the technology may be
One of the difficult decisions currently facing our community is the trouble with trash.

When the last major decision occurred in 1996 and 1997, I was chair of the county's Environmental Affairs Advisory Board.

At that time, I was impressed with the combination of an aggressive recycling program...
[Read full story]

More Headlines

Don't let 'wrap rage' leave you in stitches

Looking at Bowling Brook one year later

'Tech Tax' will have crippling impact on Carroll

It's easy to demonstrate for peace; harder to work for it

How culture and song can save a nation

Dr. Martin Luther King's enduring words

Courthouse history seems to match theatrical flair of current case

Something we really must talk about

####

19460405 No Class Graduating From High School In 1950

No Class Graduating From High School In 1950

Democratic Advocate, April 5, 1946.

(Posted – April 5, 2008)

Each spring, for more than 20 years now, the Carroll county's high schools have been turning out a graduating class.

But in 1950 an unusual situation will prevail. In that year there will be no graduation exercises of the high schools.

The reason will be that schools that have the seventh grade this year (1946) started under the 12-year program recently prescribed State-wide for Maryland's public schools. Students in the eighth grades and upwards will finish their high school course under the old 11-year program.

Hence, by 1950 the last class of the 11-year students will have been graduated and the first class of the 12-year students will have a year more to go. There just will be no graduation exercised at Westminster and other county high schools in 1950.

Democratic Advocate, April 5, 1946.

*****

For other posts on “this day in history” on “Soundtrack:” History This Day in History

For other posts on history on “Soundtrack:”

Historical Society of Carroll County

History

History African-American

History American Civil War

History American Civil War Antietam

History American Civil War Corbit's Charge

History American Civil War in Carroll County

History American presidential inaugurations and addresses

History American Presidents

History American Presidents State of the Union

History American Presidents – and the Supreme Court Conference at FDR Presidential Library Nov. 11 and 12 2007

History Carroll Co.

History Carroll Co. Banking

History England

History European

History Finksburg Woolery's Dist.

History Frederick County

History MD

History MD Maryland General Assembly

History MD Maryland State Government

History Mount Airy Maryland

History Political

History Taneytown

History This Day in History

History Westminster

History World War II

####

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff http://www.livejournal.com/

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Accept differences, Be kind, Count your blessings, Dream, Express thanks, Forgive, Give freely, Harm no one, Imagine more, Jettison anger, Keep confidences, Love truly, Master something, Nurture hope, Open your mind, Pack lightly, Quell rumors, Reciprocate, Seek wisdom, Touch hearts, Understand, Value truth, Win graciously, Xeriscape, Yearn for peace, Zealously support a worthy cause. (Author; Renee Stewart)

NBH

Friday, April 04, 2008

20080404 Recent Westminster Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Recent Westminster Eagle columns by Kevin Dayhoff

April 4, 2008

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Friday, April 04

The incident ultimately led to Mr. Morse resigning from his position with ...
[Read full story]

Hats off to the Historical Society of Carroll County for moving ahead...
[Read full story]

Spitzer mercifully resigned on March 12 and ended a sensatio...
[Read full story]

If you're like me, these issues are a bit much for a cold winter.

And I'm sure that, like me, your thoughts...
[Read full story]

Trouble with trash is nothing new, but the technology may be
One of the difficult decisions currently facing our community is the trouble with trash.

When the last major decision occurred in 1996 and 1997, I was chair of the county's Environmental Affairs Advisory Board.

At that time, I was impressed with the combination of an aggressive recycling program...
[Read full story]

More Headlines

Don't let 'wrap rage' leave you in stitches

Looking at Bowling Brook one year later

'Tech Tax' will have crippling impact on Carroll

It's easy to demonstrate for peace; harder to work for it

How culture and song can save a nation

Dr. Martin Luther King's enduring words

Courthouse history seems to match theatrical flair of current case

Something we really must talk about

####

19760425 The greatest play in baseball history

The greatest play in baseball history

Posted April 2, 2008

Photo caption: Outfielder Rick Monday of the Chicago Cubs dashes

between two men in the Dodger Stadium outfield in

Los Angeles, in this April 25, 1976 photo, snatching an

American flag the men were about to burn.

By Jim Roark, Los Angeles Herald Examiner via AP

I got this in an email and I thought it was a great share…

Hat Tip: ciecker

The greatest play in baseball history.

And it didn't even involve the ball. Do you remember it?

http://www.keepingapace.com/blogarchives/sports/baseballs_greatest_play.php

The greatest play in Major league baseball occurred on April 25, 1976. Do you know where it happened? Who made it? The teams involved?

I found it on YouTube:

Rick Monday Saves American Flag

Chicago Cub baseball player Rick Monday saves an American flag from would be flag burners during a game in 1976. Full clip, with comments by Tommy Lasorda and Steve Garvey.

Sadly, according to a published account: “Roark, whose photo was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, lost his job, became a night cook in Portland and was beaten and killed outside a restaurant in 1995. He was 49.”

20080402 Recycling is better than incinerator by John Witiak

Recycling is better than incinerator by John Witiak

Carroll County Times letter to the editor by John Witiak on April 2, 2008

Editor:

To build or not to build a waste to energy plant is the burning question in the minds of more than a few Carroll County taxpayers who want to breathe healthy air.

The wrong decision may result in polluting our will to succeed at truly getting control of our waste stream.

We must follow the commissioners' deliberations closely. We must participate in the decision as to whether we should burn or hold off and devote ourselves wholly to recycling. The implications for the future? Mammoth.

For instance… Read the rest of his letter here: Recycling is better than incinerator

####

20080331 GOPAC Chair Michael Steele’s brief web site bio

GOPAC Chair Michael Steele’s brief web site bio

April 3, 2008

In this past Wednesday’s Tentacle[1] column (The McCain Vice President Decision) I said that of my top three dream choices for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain’s vice presidential running mate; one of the three is former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele.

The other two were Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

When I researching the column I re-read my latest Tentacle column, I came across the brief bio for Mr. Steele pasted below for the couple of folks I heard from who not familiar with him…

McCain - John McCain, Presidential election 2008, Steele - Michael Steele, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

The Honorable Michael Steele

GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele was born on October 19, 1958 at Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County and was raised in Washington, DC. He graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School, earned his bachelor's degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University in 1981 and his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1991. Mr. Steele also spent three years as a seminarian in the Order of St. Augustine in preparation for the priesthood.

In 2003, Chairman Steele earned a place in history when he became the first African American elected to statewide office in Maryland. He was the nation's highest-ranking African American Republican elected official and the only sitting African American Lt. Governor in the country.

In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Chairman Steele to serve a term on the Board of Visitors of the United States Naval Academy. Other affiliations include the State House Trust, the East Baltimore Development Corporation, the Export-Import Bank Advisory Committee and the Prince George's County Chapter of the NAACP.

Among the distinguished awards and honors received by Chairman Steele, he has been named a 2005 Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellow in Public Leadership and was awarded a Bethune-DuBois Institute 2005 Award for his work in the ongoing development of quality education in Maryland.

Chairman Steele is a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Landover Hills, MD, where he attends mass regularly with his wife Andrea and their two sons, Michael and Drew.

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[1] April 2, 2008

The McCain Vice President Decision

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Speculation persists as to who presumptive Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain will choose as a running mate. This upcoming decision has sparked a growing debate among many political pundits for a number of reasons…

20080403 The United States Electoral College

The United States Electoral College

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/

April 4, 2008

For folks who have asked how many Electoral College votes are allocated for each of the states…

For other questions about the Electoral College go here: The United States Electoral College

How did the terms "Elector" and "Electoral College" come into usage?

The term "electoral college" does not appear in the Constitution. Article II of the Constitution and the 12th Amendment refer to "electors," but not to the "electoral college." In the Federalist Papers (No. 68), Alexander Hamilton refers to the process of selecting the Executive, and refers to "the people of each State (who) shall choose a number of persons as electors," but he does not use the term "electoral college."

The founders appropriated the concept of electors from the Holy Roman Empire (962 - 1806). An elector was one of a number of princes of the various German states within the Holy Roman Empire who had a right to participate in the election of the German king (who generally was crowned as emperor). The term "college" (from the Latin collegium), refers to a body of persons that act as a unit, as in the college of cardinals who advise the Pope and vote in papal elections. In the early 1800's, the term "electoral college" came into general usage as the unofficial designation for the group of citizens selected to cast votes for President and Vice President. It was first written into Federal law in 1845, and today the term appears in 3 U.S.C. section 4, in the section heading and in the text as "college of electors."