20071003 Kathryn Leiter watch

20071003 Kathryn Leiter watch

Kathryn Leiter watch

October 3^rd, 2007

Recently folks around town have taken notice of one of the several talented writers for the Carroll County Times - Kathryn Leiter.

I’d post her web site picture, but when I had a chance to talk with her at a community function some time ago, she told me she hates the picture…

I just checked the web site and the same photo she hates is still up on the site…

If I am not mistaken, I was told that she is a former copy editor. Which may explain why her pieces are written so tightly? As opposed to that of an old short story writer such as myself, who all too often goes rambling-on in this and that direction. (There’s a reason I write columns – and only a few articles…)

And – as an added bonus, she is from the area - Catonsville, so she knows the lay of the land and has some insight into our community traditions – and history…

I’m not quite sure when she first started writing articles, but recently many appreciated her articles on disaster preparedness, local governments’ web sites becoming more customer-friendly, the Monarch butterflies, or the non-profits – a subject near and dear to the hearts of many Carroll Countians.

And who can forget the great piece on the vaccination clinic at the Ag Center:

“It’s raining cats and dogs and ferrets. The Carroll County Agriculture Center’s riding barn was filled with hundreds of cats, dogs and ferrets, as owners took advantage of the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Clinic Sunday….”

But her recent “Sunday package” published in the Sunday, September 30^th, 2007 edition of the paper, on our youngest generation beginning to assume leadership roles in the community, really caught the attention of the community.

Ultimately, if one is not academically schooled in the matter of “community leadership succession”; even the most unsophisticated in our community understands that our youth are the folks who will need to take over the reins one day.

If not for any other reason than the fact that at some point, us older folks want to retire and let someone else take on the responsibilities (read: headaches and opportunities) of maintaining our community as a great place to live – and grow old.

Moreover, there are those of us, this writer in particular, who feel that the current 18 to 30 year-olds have a great deal of promise. See also: 20050713 Today’s Youth – They are Fantastic and 20070601 Out of the mouths of today’s future leaders

Personally I have had the pleasure of working with Manchester town councilmember Ryan Warner for several years and it is about time he got the attention that he deserves. Whether one agrees with him or disagrees with him – and I have done both over the years – he is a perfect gentleman and always has what is in the best interests of the community at heart.

And what else can be said about Dr. Herb Smith, he has now been selflessly tutoring future leaders for several decades and it was nice to see him get the attention he deserves.

So the next time you go to the Carroll County Times web site or pick up a copy of the newspaper at the newsstand, be sure to look for her byline, along with my other favorites these days, Ryan Marshall, Carrie Ann Knauer and Jordan Bartel – to mention a few.

Kathryn Leiter watch

Four under 40

Alexander Hamilton hadn’t even reached 20 when he first showed interest in politics. James Madison and Edmund Randolph joined the political arena in their early 20s. Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth held political office in their early 30s.... Sep. 30, 2007;

Starting young

Many Carroll County council members are retired from their careers, giving them the time to put in to the community. When Ryan Warner was 24, he decided he didn’t want to wait until he retired. Warner was first elected to the Manchester Town Co... Sep. 30, 2007;

Prof: Interest in activism steadily rising

Herb Smith has been a political science professor at McDaniel College in Westminster since 1971 and has been involved in politics since he was 14 years old. Q: What do you think attracts younger people to politics? A: Well, there’s always the a... Sep. 30, 2007;

Hampstead moves to online bill payments

Hampstead residents will be able to save their stamps the next time their water bills arrive as the town becomes the first in the county to allow residents to pay their water bills online. The addition to the town’s Web site launched Tuesday, a... Oct. 1, 2007;

Protection for pets: Owners bring animals to Ag Center for Anti-Rabies Vaccination Clinic

It’s raining cats and dogs and ferrets. The Carroll County Agriculture Center’s riding barn was filled with hundreds of cats, dogs and ferrets, as owners took advantage of the Anti-Rabies Vaccination Clinic Sunday. “It’s a g... Oct. 1, 2007;

Learning lessons in lemon lore

When life handed them lemons, even the Victorians made lemonade. At the Carroll County Farm Museum’s final Learning Lunch for the year, food historian Pat Reber gave a group of 17 the history on the summertime drink. The British or European ver.. Oct. 2, 2007;

Fallfest-ivities: Part of food sales go toward selected groups

The carnival rides don’t open until Thursday, but Westminster Fall-fest starts today with a fundraising event. Festivities officially begin with Dine Out Westminster, an event where 10 percent of all food sales benefit four Fallfest groups: Car... Sep. 25, 2007;

Ready to take flight: Youths prepare butterflies for migration at Monarch Madness

Jennifer Jaco delicately handles a monarch butterfly, placing it on the tip of a child’s nose. As the butterfly flutters away, children cheer and parents take pictures. However, this isn’t your average butterfly. This butterfly has a smal...
Sep. 24, 2007;

Goodwill, Salvation Army preparing for busy season

As fall approaches, residents will delve into their wardrobes and don warmer clothes. With the switch from shorts to jeans, residents are cleaning out their closets and donating more to area charity organizations, according to Wayne Hatcher, director...Sep. 20, 2007;

Carroll News Briefs for Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007

Public input sought for emergency plans The public will soon get an opportunity to weigh in on county plans to prevent and manage disasters. A public hearing on a revised Emergency Operations Plan and new Hazard Mitigation Plan is expected to be sche... Sep. 26, 2007; scored 249.0

Labels: Kathryn Leiter watch; Art Writing Essays and articles, Carroll County Times