Recent Explore Carroll articles and columns by Kevin Dayhoff

Recent Explore Carroll articles and columns by Kevin Dayhoff

And a letter to the editor in which I was mentioned…

High winds in Sykesville might not be a twister
Published July 27, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Eldersburg Eagle
SYKESVILLE — Strong winds whipped through Carroll County’s rolling hills Sunday evening was enough to cause damage to homes, but the National Weather Service says that it did not appear to be a tornado. The storm downed trees and power lines, damaged cars ... ...

Lighting the faces of children, and a dark day for taxation
Published July 26, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... of state and national government, we may be feeling "very blue over the outcome" for many years. When he is not feeling blue over taxes, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com, or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/. ...

Hoby Wolf advocates for things the county has already done
Published July 26, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... on this project. They have. On Feb. 26, 2007, Commissioner Michael Zimmer visited Harford County's facility (along with Eagle columnist Kevin Dayhoff.) Then, the board traveled to York, Pa., on April 30, 2007, to view that operation. They have also been to ... ...

Westminster council meeting details city improvements and comprehensive plan
Published July 25, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... for the annual Christmas parade. With that, council president Damian Halstad gaveled the meeting to a close and folks quickly paraded out the door.

Jackson's death created a wave of empathy in Westminster
Published July 19, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... our citizens on hearing the mournful intelligence of Jackson's death ..." When he is not listening to the music of the "Jackson 5," Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff AT gmail.com, or visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....

Hampstead man arrested for setting Greens Apartments fire
Published July 13, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
damage is estimated at $450,000, according to fire marshals. Kevin Dayhoff contributed to this report....

DAYHOFF: 11th Air Cavalry Troop memorial recalls service of Carroll natives
Published July 11, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... to help honor these men and their families, as well those others named on the memorial who paid so dearly in the service of their community and nation.

Bringing Corbit's Charge, and Douglass, back to Westminster
Published July 5, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... for his age," Crutcher responded that Douglass has "rested a lot" over the years. When he's not traveling back in time to the 1800s…

DAYHOFF: Margaret Mitchell wrote what she knew; the rest is gone with the wind
Published July 2, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... And that is all I know for right now. Hope you and your family have a great Fourth of July weekend.

Westminster was all abuzz for the great fly roundup of 1914
Published June 28, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... reminds me that it was Groucho Marx who once said, "Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana." When he is not swatting flies…visit him at http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/....


DAYHOFF: Hoffa Field and the Sheathing of the Sword
Published June 23, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... . Lightner and the June 1922 American Sentinel newspaper article have left us with an extensive and fascinating account of the “The Sheathing of the Sword.”

'Year without summer' killed crops ... and created a monster
Published June 21, 2009 by Carroll Eagle, Westminster Eagle
... village folk that it's not a bad idea to keep a torch handy on these cool summer nights. When he is not playing with laboratory-harnessed lightning…

Historic Blue Ridge College bell dedicated In Union Bridge
Published June 20, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
UNION BRIDGE — Several hundred folks braved threatening weather June 20 to witness the unveiling and dedication of the historic 1900 Blue Ridge College bell in Lehigh Square, the original site of the college which had thrived in Union Bridge from 1898 to ... ...

When city got 'sole' in the 1920s, it was cause for a celebration
Published June 14, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
... be the guest speaker. There will be a retirement ceremony for worn flags. Guests may bring old flags for retirement. When he is not waving the flag…

Remember when you could walk to work in Westminster?
Published June 7, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
When he's not on a "walk-about" in Westminster…

Company H: from the Frizellburg greenhouses to the sands of Omaha Beach
Published June 3, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... (have) come a long way from the old parade field in Frizellburg.” Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

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

In 1925, planting the seeds of employment, production
Published May 31, 2009 by Carroll Eagle
When he's not roaming the streets of historic Westminster looking for old factories…

Celebration of memory and change
Published May 26, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
This year’s Westminster Memorial Day ceremonies witnessed many changes over the past — although the solemn tradition of 142 years continued. On Memorial Day the normal hustle and bustle of downtown Westminster paused to remember fallen veterans, and ... ...

Dayhoff: Maryland National Guard Company H, had its beginnings in the flower business
Published May 22, 2009 by Westminster Eagle
... We are deeply indebted to those who fought and died to give us the unalienable right to live free and cherish liberty in the pursuit of happiness. Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster.

20090728 Recent Explore Carroll articles columns by KED

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://www.westgov.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1040426835 Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/ Blip.fm: http://blip.fm/kevindayhoff_soundtrack

Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.westgov.net/ Westminster Maryland Online http://www.westminstermarylandonline.net/ http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/) http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/

“The Law of the Garbage Truck” by Kevin Dayhoff

“The Law of the Garbage Truck” by Kevin Dayhoff

Carroll commissioners approve pact join Frederick $500M WTE proj http://tinyurl.com/nrf7qc
For more on Waste-to-Energy: http://tinyurl.com/nwcuwd

20080205_GarbageTruck_ld.jpg

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Enviro%20Solid%20Waste%20to%20Energy

20080205 Twitpic FB Garbage Truck 20090702

Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

20080503 Links to related materials on Carroll County Maryland’s future solid waste management decisions…

The 3-minute interview: Robin Davidov

Matthew Santoni, The Examiner 2008-04-21

BALTIMORE - The Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority manages three waste-to-energy facilities that burn trash to generate steam and electricity in Harford and Montgomery counties, and Baltimore City. Last week, Carroll County voted to join Frederick County in building a fourth. Harford County plans to expand its facility, said Authority Director Robin Davidov.

Why have Carroll and Harford had such different reactions to plans for new waste-to-energy plants?

The difference, I think, is that Harford County has had 20 years’ experience with a waste-to-energy facility. It’s been very reliable, it’s been a good neighbor and it’s generated electricity for the nearby Army base. Those counties which have had experience with waste-to-energy have had a good experience, and those without experience have a lot of questions.

How does waste-to-energy compare to increased recycling, which is being discussed as an alternative in Carroll?

Our first steps are to reduce, reuse and recycle. But not everything can be recycled. To those who say, “Let’s recycle more instead of burning it for energy,” it’s not an either/or. Harford County has the highest recycling rate in the state [57 percent in 2006], so they know the difference between waste that can be recycled and that which can’t. Most of Carroll’s trash isn’t being recycled right now. It’s going 190 miles to a landfill in Virginia.

How do you respond to citizens’ worries about the facilities producing greenhouse gases and pollutants such as dioxins?

Waste-to-energy plants actually emit less greenhouse gas than trucking and landfilling garbage because landfills produce methane, which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Dioxins are really pervasive. We’re pretty sure — not 100 percent — but pretty sure they’re destroyed at really high temperatures.

Examiner

Members of environmental panel quit over incinerator vote

Limo group: Unlicensed drivers ‘everywhere’ during prom season

3-year-old boy critically injured in lawnmower accident.

NAACP calls for statewide rally to protest killings by police

Public safety positions funded

The 3-minute interview: John B. Townsend II

The 3-minute interview: Esther Johnson

The 3-minute interview: Sandra Quel

The 3-minute interview: James Williams

The 3-minute interview: Vaughn Bennett

The 3-minute interview: Barry Levinson

The 3-minute interview: Greg Hamm

The 3-minute interview: George Jones

The 3-minute interview: Natalie Eddington

The 3-minute interview: Ann Compton

State Hispanic population growing; officials rethink outreach programs

Hispanic population in Md., Va.

Public pressure prompts change in natural gas project

Sewage sludge critics urge ban on spreading

Madame Tussauds cuts ticket prices, citing economic factors

_____

Links to related materials on Carroll County Maryland’s future solid waste management decisions… Related to: 20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released

20080317 Recent columns on the future of Solid Waste Management in Carroll and Frederick Counties

20080317 More information on Waste to Energy and the future of solid waste management in Frederick and Carroll Counties

20080309 The Sunday Carroll Eagle: “History will know us by our trash”

April 16, 2008

How to Make Trash Go Away

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Tomorrow the Carroll County Board of Commissioners will deliberate in open session and – hopefully – make a decision regarding the offer from Frederick County to join forces to make 1,100 tons of trash a day go away.

In The Tentacle:

March 6, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part 2

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The February 26th joint meeting between Frederick and Carroll County over how to make trash go away came after two years of discussions and deliberations resulting from the Frederick County commissioners’ adoption of Resolution 06-05, on February 16, 2006.

March 5, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part One

Kevin E. Dayhoff

On February 26, the Frederick and Carroll County commissioners met to discuss how to make a combined 1,100 tons of trash-a-day go away.

*****

Related: Environmentalism Solid Waste Management or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Recycling or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Waste to Energy

And:

19880900 To Burn or Not to Burn an interview with Neil Seldman

19960900 The Five Most Dangerous Myths About Recycling

“Pay as you throw” By Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer Sunday, August 12, 2007

20070912 Carroll County EAC votes to promote recycling by Carrie Ann Knauer

20071010 Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council recommends “Pay as You Throw” program to reduce waste, by Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer

20071112 Frederick County seeks Carroll participation in trash incinerator

Carroll County Times editorial from November 14, 2007: “Talk some trash with the county”

20080318 Frederick News Post Tourism Council opposes incinerator by Karen Gardner

20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released

Links to meetings and videos:

http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/pubworks/sw-future/default.asp

Board of County Commissioners Meetings

Future of Solid Waste Dates Released

Commissioner Discussion on WTE Shared Facility March 28, 2008

Future of Solid Waste Options March 10, 2008, public discussion

Future of Solid Waste Options March 5, 2008, public discussion

Joint meeting with Frederick County Board of County Commissioners
February 26, 2008

Presentation on home composting February 28, 2008

Economics of a shared Waste-to-Energy facility February 21, 2008

Presentation of recycling policy February 14, 2008

Discussion of integrated materials management strategy November 19, 2007

Report on recycling and update on solid waste August 14, 2007

Environmental Advisory Council Meetings

County's electronic recycling March 11, 2008

Food waste composting January 8, 2008

Council priorities review December 11, 2007

Presentation on composting November 13, 2007

Resource assessment, continuation of EAC discussion on waste management October 9, 2007

EAC discussion on waste management September 11, 2007

Pay per throw, Recycling August 14, 2007

Municipal waste options July 10, 2007

Pay per throw program, Solid waste practices in Montgomery County, and update on commercial recycling June 12, 2007

Solid and hazardous waste management, Sierra Club's waste management views, and Lancaster waste-to-energy trip May 8, 2007

Links to documents:

Waste To Energy Option for Carroll County

U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration

Waste to Energy: Investment/Expense/Income

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations on Addressing
Solid Waste in Carroll County

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations (DPW's presentation)

Managing Recycling and Reuse

Multiple Pathway Health Risk Assessment

Municipal Waste Combustion Ash, Soil, and Leachate Characterization

Carroll County Waste Reduction, Recycling and Buy Recycled Policy

Resource Assessment (Richard Anthony report)

Solid Waste Decision Timeline

Integrated Materials (Waste) Management System

Carroll County, Maryland Solid Waste Management Options (R.W. Beck report)

Cumulative Health Risk Study for Dickerson Area Facilities

20080421 The 3-minute interview: Robin Davidov by Matthew Santoni, The Examiner

The 3-minute interview: Robin Davidov

Matthew Santoni, The Examiner 2008-04-21

BALTIMORE - The Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority manages three waste-to-energy facilities that burn trash to generate steam and electricity in Harford and Montgomery counties, and Baltimore City. Last week, Carroll County voted to join Frederick County in building a fourth. Harford County plans to expand its facility, said Authority Director Robin Davidov.

Why have Carroll and Harford had such different reactions to plans for new waste-to-energy plants?

The difference, I think, is that Harford County has had 20 years’ experience with a waste-to-energy facility. It’s been very reliable, it’s been a good neighbor and it’s generated electricity for the nearby Army base. Those counties which have had experience with waste-to-energy have had a good experience, and those without experience have a lot of questions.

How does waste-to-energy compare to increased recycling, which is being discussed as an alternative in Carroll?

Our first steps are to reduce, reuse and recycle. But not everything can be recycled. To those who say, “Let’s recycle more instead of burning it for energy,” it’s not an either/or. Harford County has the highest recycling rate in the state [57 percent in 2006], so they know the difference between waste that can be recycled and that which can’t. Most of Carroll’s trash isn’t being recycled right now. It’s going 190 miles to a landfill in Virginia.

How do you respond to citizens’ worries about the facilities producing greenhouse gases and pollutants such as dioxins?

Waste-to-energy plants actually emit less greenhouse gas than trucking and landfilling garbage because landfills produce methane, which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Dioxins are really pervasive. We’re pretty sure — not 100 percent — but pretty sure they’re destroyed at really high temperatures.

Examiner

Members of environmental panel quit over incinerator vote

Limo group: Unlicensed drivers ‘everywhere’ during prom season

3-year-old boy critically injured in lawnmower accident.

NAACP calls for statewide rally to protest killings by police

Public safety positions funded

The 3-minute interview: John B. Townsend II

The 3-minute interview: Esther Johnson

The 3-minute interview: Sandra Quel

The 3-minute interview: James Williams

The 3-minute interview: Vaughn Bennett

The 3-minute interview: Barry Levinson

The 3-minute interview: Greg Hamm

The 3-minute interview: George Jones

The 3-minute interview: Natalie Eddington

The 3-minute interview: Ann Compton

State Hispanic population growing; officials rethink outreach programs

Hispanic population in Md., Va.

Public pressure prompts change in natural gas project

Sewage sludge critics urge ban on spreading

Madame Tussauds cuts ticket prices, citing economic factors

_____

Links to related materials on Carroll County Maryland’s future solid waste management decisions… Related to: 20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released

20080317 Recent columns on the future of Solid Waste Management in Carroll and Frederick Counties

20080317 More information on Waste to Energy and the future of solid waste management in Frederick and Carroll Counties

20080309 The Sunday Carroll Eagle: “History will know us by our trash”

April 16, 2008

How to Make Trash Go Away

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Tomorrow the Carroll County Board of Commissioners will deliberate in open session and – hopefully – make a decision regarding the offer from Frederick County to join forces to make 1,100 tons of trash a day go away.

In The Tentacle:

March 6, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part 2

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The February 26th joint meeting between Frederick and Carroll County over how to make trash go away came after two years of discussions and deliberations resulting from the Frederick County commissioners’ adoption of Resolution 06-05, on February 16, 2006.

March 5, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part One

Kevin E. Dayhoff

On February 26, the Frederick and Carroll County commissioners met to discuss how to make a combined 1,100 tons of trash-a-day go away.

*****

Related: Environmentalism Solid Waste Management or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Recycling or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Waste to Energy

And:

19880900 To Burn or Not to Burn an interview with Neil Seldman

19960900 The Five Most Dangerous Myths About Recycling

“Pay as you throw” By Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer Sunday, August 12, 2007

20070912 Carroll County EAC votes to promote recycling by Carrie Ann Knauer

20071010 Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council recommends “Pay as You Throw” program to reduce waste, by Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer

20071112 Frederick County seeks Carroll participation in trash incinerator

Carroll County Times editorial from November 14, 2007: “Talk some trash with the county”

20080318 Frederick News Post Tourism Council opposes incinerator by Karen Gardner

20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released

Links to meetings and videos:

http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/pubworks/sw-future/default.asp

Board of County Commissioners Meetings

Future of Solid Waste Dates Released

Commissioner Discussion on WTE Shared Facility March 28, 2008

Future of Solid Waste Options March 10, 2008, public discussion

Future of Solid Waste Options March 5, 2008, public discussion

Joint meeting with Frederick County Board of County Commissioners
February 26, 2008

Presentation on home composting February 28, 2008

Economics of a shared Waste-to-Energy facility February 21, 2008

Presentation of recycling policy February 14, 2008

Discussion of integrated materials management strategy November 19, 2007

Report on recycling and update on solid waste August 14, 2007

Environmental Advisory Council Meetings

County's electronic recycling March 11, 2008

Food waste composting January 8, 2008

Council priorities review December 11, 2007

Presentation on composting November 13, 2007

Resource assessment, continuation of EAC discussion on waste management October 9, 2007

EAC discussion on waste management September 11, 2007

Pay per throw, Recycling August 14, 2007

Municipal waste options July 10, 2007

Pay per throw program, Solid waste practices in Montgomery County, and update on commercial recycling June 12, 2007

Solid and hazardous waste management, Sierra Club's waste management views, and Lancaster waste-to-energy trip May 8, 2007

Links to documents:

Waste To Energy Option for Carroll County

U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration

Waste to Energy: Investment/Expense/Income

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations on Addressing
Solid Waste in Carroll County

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations (DPW's presentation)

Managing Recycling and Reuse

Multiple Pathway Health Risk Assessment

Municipal Waste Combustion Ash, Soil, and Leachate Characterization

Carroll County Waste Reduction, Recycling and Buy Recycled Policy

Resource Assessment (Richard Anthony report)

Solid Waste Decision Timeline

Integrated Materials (Waste) Management System

Carroll County, Maryland Solid Waste Management Options (R.W. Beck report)

Cumulative Health Risk Study for Dickerson Area Facilities

20080416 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

How to Make Trash Go Away

Kevin E. Dayhoff

Tomorrow the Carroll County Board of Commissioners will deliberate in open session and – hopefully – make a decision regarding the offer from Frederick County to join forces to make 1,100 tons of trash a day go away.

In recent separate interviews with Carroll County Public Works Director Mike Evans, and Carroll County Commissioners Mike Zimmer and Dean Minnich, the conversation quickly turned away from the actual choice to the intellectual, critical criteria necessary in order to make such a legacy decision.

Both commissioners bristled over the political threats and emotional advocacy and pleaded for more scientific information.

Commissioner Minnich immediately identified science and long-term safety as a decision driver. Commissioner Zimmer also identified science; and both commissioners agreed that a thorough public education and discussion process was critical.

And what an education process it has been so far. In a series of recent conversations with a few old-timers, all agreed that we have never witnessed such an exhaustive and open public discussion and education process on any public policy decision or environmental issue.

Bear in mind, a review of my files indicates that this is my fourth go-round regarding what to do with trash in Carroll County in 41 years – going back to 1967. It was a few short years after the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, that trash really hit the fan in Carroll County.

Read the entire column here: How to Make Trash Go Away

Las Vegas Bound

Tom McLaughlin

Viva Las Vegas! Viva Las Vegas! The Elvis Presley tune has not left my brain since I decided to visit that city in the desert.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Havemus Papam!

Roy Meachum

After the cardinals' votes are counted, a white plume from the Sistine Chapel tells St. Peter's Square and the world "We have a pope!" "Havemus Papam," in Latin, once the customary language within the Vatican's walls.

A Change in Direction Needed

Nick Diaz

As your son or daughter and their friends were moving from elementary school to middle school, you may have noticed that a number of them did not want to be identified as “smart kids” – even though they had always done rather well during their elementary years. Some of them were afraid that they would be picked on by other students if it were known that they were bright. Others just wanted to fit in.

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Monday, April 14, 2008

General Assembly Journal 2008 – Volume 9

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

It never ceases to amaze. The Maryland General Assembly Session is 90 days long, as defined in the state constitution. Legislators are summoned to Annapolis on the second Wednesday of January every year. At that moment, the 90-day session seems almost eternal, the thought of time away from home and family adds burden to those long winter nights.

Charlton Heston: A Commentary

Steven R. Berryman

I would never pretend to write a biography or obituary for Charlton Heston, and certainly have nothing first hand to offer as does The Tentacle’s Roy Meachum, but I have been affected by his life and his death. And his work.

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Mother Egypt Cries – Again!

Roy Meachum

Lurking in newspapers' back pages, correspondents report there are riots along the Nile over the scarcity and cost of bread. For Egypt's millions of poor, it is not simply "the staff of life." Those flat loaves are life itself.

"Leatherheads" & "Smokey Joe"

Roy Meachum

Much to my surprise, "Smokey Joe's Cafe" enchanted and George Clooney's new flick did not.

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

Sine Die Came Too Late

Chris Cavey

This week the General Assembly was dismissed from Annapolis to return home to the real world. And not a moment too soon. The annual legislative session is like a visit to the dentist; you know it has to happen and you’re glad when you are finished – especially if you had a political root canal.

An Open Letter to the Commissioners

Joan McIntyre

I want to thank you in advance of the adoption of next year’s budget. I do this primarily because I know this may well be the most difficult budget year in many of your careers. There will be very little thanks in this particular portion of your job.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Wendi Peters – Mount Airy’s Steel Magnolia

Kevin E. Dayhoff

People were delighted to see former Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., last Friday when he came to Frederick County in support of Mount Airy Councilwoman Wendi Wagner Peter’s re-election bid.

Fallen from Grace

Tom McLaughlin

I have trouble equating human life with money. It’s like combining an apple and an orange to make a new fruit. Shakespeare and algebra simply will not go together in a publishable book.

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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Bemoaning Rick Weldon's Farewell

Roy Meachum

The legislative process, state or federal, frequently invokes the image of grass growing; it is generally long and tedious, unmemorable. The real trick for a journalist comes from watching out for "moles," the bills that work slightly undercover, like the fuzzy critters.

How to Avoid Getting Run Over…

Farrell Keough

Sometimes you are the bug and sometimes you are the windshield. It seems that recently we taxpaying residents of Maryland have been the bug. Of course, this covers a multitude of sins.

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Monday, April 7, 2008

“1984” Predicts 2008

Steven R. Berryman

Enabling legislation passed by our Maryland General Assembly will allow Frederick to use red light cameras for law enforcement. Frederick is now one small step closer to becoming Montgomery County. Your accuser may be “Big Brother” instead of a police officer. Beware the trend.

The Yin and the Yang of Annapolis

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

This place is really odd. There is just no more appropriate one-word definition. We begin our legislative session in middle of winter’s icy grip, and we end it in all of spring’s emerging glory.

Moses Without a Chariot

Roy Meachum

Charlton Heston and I met a couple of times in Washington. He went to testify before a congressional hearing, something about the American Film Institute.

Timeline to date on the Carroll County Maryland Integrated Waste Management Decision

Timeline to date on the Carroll County Maryland Integrated Waste Management Decision

April 15, 2008

March 2005 - Carroll County secured the services of R.W. Beck to complete a comprehensive study on the County’s waste management options.

October 2005 - R.W. Beck presented their report on long term waste disposal options indicating that WTE may be the lowest cost waste disposal option.

January 19, 2006 – Carroll County Commissioners adopted resolution 658-06, which among other things directed the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority (NMWDA) to conduct a procurement for waste-to-energy facilities, as detailed in the R.W. Beck Report.

May 3, 2006 - Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised in Waste News (the most widely read solid waste weekly periodical with a circulation of over 50,000. The RFQ was posted on the NMWDA’s website along with all addenda.

August 1, 2006 - The NMWDA received 12 responses from the RFQ (9) technologies/vendors were deemed qualified to submit.

October 6, 2006 – Request for Proposals (RFP) were released to prequalified vendors.

December 2006 - Frederick County secured the services of RTI International to model Frederick County’s solid waste disposal system/alternatives, using EPA’s Municipal Solid Waste-Decisions Support Tool.

March 26, through April 1, 2007 - Staff from Frederick and Carroll Counties, NMWDA and HDR Engineers visited several European waste management facilities and met with European waste management agencies.

April 20, 2007 - NMWDA receives three WTE proposals from pre-qualified vendors.

July 14, 2007 - Frederick and Carroll Counties hosted a solid waste forum, at Frederick Community College with speakers from the Environmental Protection Agency, neighboring jurisdictions and SWANA.

September 29, 2007 – DPW staff and Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) held a workshop on solid waste disposal.

October 9, 2007 - Carroll County staff attended the presentation of RTI internationals model of Frederick County’s waste disposal system/alternatives. The report showed the net total “Criteria Pollutant Emissions” for WTE to be the lowest of all options modeled (local landfill, and out of state landfill).

October, 2007- Based on a recommendation of the EAC, Carroll County secured the services of Richard Anthony to perform a resource assessment study of Carroll County’s waste.

November 15, 2007 - The EAC presented their recommendation on solid waste option to the Carroll County Commissioners.

November 19, 2007 - DPW Staff with the assistance of the NMWDA presented their recommendation to the Carroll County Commissioners

December 13, 2007 - DPW Staff, NMWDA, EAC and the Carroll County Commissioners had a panel discussion on solid waste disposal.

February 14, 2008 – Carroll County Commissioners adopted a County Government recycling policy

February 21, 2008 - DPW staff presented information on the economics of a WTE facility to the Carroll County Commissioners

February 26, 2008 - The Carroll County and Frederick County Commissioners had a joint meeting on solid waste management strategies. The Frederick County Commissioners invited the Carroll County Commissioners to join them in building a 1,600 ton per day WTE facility in Frederick County.

March 5 and 10, 2008 – DPW hosts public information meetings to explain the integrated materials management strategy for handling all of Carroll County’s waste.

Tuesday, April 8^th, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 003 of the County Office Building - Carroll County residents are encouraged to attend a public workshop. This meeting will allow residents the opportunity to ask questions regarding solid waste options for Carroll County. The Board of County Commissioners, Public Works Staff, and members of the Environmental Advisory Council as well as other industry professionals will be in attendance.

Thursday, April 10^th, 2008 - Public Hearing: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 003 of the County Office Building. Carroll County residents are invited to attend and offer their views as they relate to Frederick County’s invitation for Carroll to become a partner in a waste to energy facility.

Thursday, April 17^th, 2008 - The Carroll County Board of Commissioners will deliberate and make a decision regarding the Frederick County offer at 11:30 a.m., in Room 311 of the County Office Building.

20080410 CCDPW Statement for the Record at Public Hearing

Carroll County department of public works “Statement for the Record at Public Hearing, April 10, 2008”

The following is the statement read into the record by the Carroll County department of public works at the public hearing held by the Carroll Count board of commissioners, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Room 003 of the County Office Building. At that time Carroll County residents were invited to attend and offer their views as they relate to Frederick County’s invitation for Carroll to become a partner in a waste to energy facility.

*****

Commissioners; on February 26, 2008 the Frederick County Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 to invite you to join them in a joint ownership project to construct a waste-To-energy (WTE) facility in Frederick County.

In 2006, the Carroll County Commissioners passed Resolution 658-06. That resolution gave direction to the Department of Public Works to explore many areas in search of a solid waste management strategy. One of the elements of the resolution was direction to work with the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority to gather information about WTE and examine all aspects of WTE including cost, benefits and risks. The resolution also required us to explore partnership options with nearby jurisdictions.

There has been a robust dialogue about reuse and recycling as much of our waste as possible. We are redoubling our efforts in the area of recycling and are happy to report that single stream recycling is having some measurable impact. In FY 2006, before single-stream went into effect, the residential rate was 22.7%. Today, the rate is 25.4% per household. This is an increase of 12%. At the same time the great public discussion that has happened over the past year between the Environmental Advisory Council, Department of Public Works, and the press has helped make people more aware of the importance of recycling.

You have indicated a willingness to expand our staff so that we can focus one person exclusively on the reuse/recycling issue. I hope the person we select will be a pleasant blend between a persuasive and passionate speaker, and a skilled technician with detailed knowledge of the dynamic markets that exist in the recycling world.

Recycling and reuse takes care of part of the problem, but there is still garbage. By accepting the Frederick County offer we will be able to ensure a safe and reliable method of disposing of garbage for generations, while using it as fuel to generate much needed electricity. Both the Times and the Eagle did polls, asking their readers if you should accept the Frederick offer. The Times had over 500 responses, with over 70% saying yes. The results in the Eagle were similar.

Commissioners; you have a statutory responsibility to provide a safe and sanitary means of disposal for all of the county’s waste. I feel that building more landfills or transferring our waste out of State is both economically unsustainable and a moral affront to the environment. Much of the European Union is moving toward banning all organic material from landfills. That is not a bad policy.

This is a legacy decision on your part. If you choose not to join Frederick, I think Carroll County will be quickly replaced by another county. We all have the same problem. In every case we studied, communities with WTE facilities have robust recycling programs. Why should we pay to destroy material that someone else will buy from us for recycling? There is a rational nexus.

If you approve the joint venture concept, we will go about the process of soliciting Best and Final Offers from the two firms who are the finalists in the procurement process. Simultaneously, we will work out the details of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the approval of both Boards of Commissioners and the Authority. Each of our roles will be defined and procedures will be established to ensure an amicable working relationship over a long period of time. This process will take about 4 months. At the end, you will be asked to sign the contract and MOU. If you sign at that time, we are committed for the whole project baring failure of some sort on the part of the contractor or failure of the Authority to secure satisfactory financing. That point should occur about July, 2009, with construction starting about May, 2010, and operation commencing about July, 2013.

20080408 A workshop on the future of Carroll County Maryland’s solid waste options

A workshop on the future of Carroll County Maryland’s solid waste options

7 PM, Tuesday, April 8, 2008

(I attempted to “live blog” this event as I watched it on cable TV. If anyone who attended the event has any corrections, amendments, additions or edits – please be in touch and I’ll be more than happy to make the appropriate changes.) See also: 20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released and 20080408 Links to related materials on Carroll County Maryland’s future solid waste management decisions

This evening, the Carroll County Commissioners, the Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council, and the Carroll County Department of Public Works held a workshop on the future of Carroll County Maryland’s solid waste options.

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At 7 PM Cindy Parr, Carroll County's director of administrative services introduced the panel members and welcomed everyone to the workshop.

Some of the panel members she introduced included:

Carroll County Maryland Board of Commissioners Michael Zimmer, Julia Gouge, and Dean Minnich.

Robin B. Davidov, the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority’s executive director

Penn Township’s environmental director Gene Hejmanowski, Penn Township, Pa.

Neil Seldman, Washington-based Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a nonprofit research group that advocates for resource conservation

Members of the Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council

Michael Evans, county public works director.

Representatives from Covanta Energy and Wheelabrator Technologies of Houston, Texas.

And others…

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7:06 PM The first question:

Nancy Dunn: The question I would have … whether the county staff has the will to operate a comprehensive recycling in the county?

Mike Evans answers yes.

Vince DiPietro: Why aren’t we taxing people who do not recycle? The proposed tax would be referred to as a “recycle tax and it would appear on the homeowner’s property tax…

Mike Evans: Approx. 50 percent of the waste that comes to the landfills is generated by households.

Dean Minnich: reiterated that there is an emphasis by the current board to increase recycling.

EAC member Sher Horosko discussed having a bar code on each household’s trash container so that the government may keep track of the disposition of each homeowner’s trash.

Mr. DiPietro wants to go after the house of anyone who does not recycle.

Penn Township representative Hejmanowski discussed his constitutional right to go through a person’s trash. In Penn Township - 1990 took 4,000 tons of trash. 17 years later. 3,039 tons. [see: “Pay as you throw” By Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer Sunday, August 12, 2007 and 20071010 Carroll County Environmental Advisory Council recommends “Pay as You Throw” program to reduce waste, by Carrie Ann Knauer, Times Staff Writer]

Rebekah Orenstein: “Thank you for the meeting… It cheers my soul that the EAC is here.” She encouraged folks to go to the EAC web site to see their recommendations. [see: Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations on Addressing Solid Waste in Carroll County and 20070912 Carroll County EAC votes to promote recycling by Carrie Ann Knauer] We don’t want an incinerator. We do not want the airport to be expanded. We don’t want a police force.

Gentleman from Finksburg is in favor of an incinerator. Suggests that we bring in more trash and build a larger incinerator.

Mr. Evans discussed rail options that have been explored in the past.

(Another question – I did not understand who asked it): Has mandatory recycling been explored?

Mike Evans responded that it has been explored. It is a decision that the commissioners must make. Recent court decisions seem to support the ability of local government to implement mandatory recycling.

Robin Davidov said that Montgomery County is the only county in Maryland that has mandatory recycling.

(A discussion ensued of various recycling rates in various jurisdictions. I wish I had recorded the various numbers…)

Penn Township representative Hejmanowski described his process of checking the town residents’ trash.

EAC member and Mount Airy town council president Dave Pyatt discussed Mount Airy’s recycling efforts under the leadership of Wendi Peters. Mount Airy’s recycling rate has currently leveled-out at around 31 percent. He discussed some of market challenges with recycling.

A long and complicated question was asked about the particulars of the efficiency of the proposed waste-to-energy plant and specific business aspects of the operation.

Dean Minnich remarked that he views generating electricity as part of recycling trash. The bottom line for Commissioner Minnich is it safe?

Mike Zimmer cited an Environmental Matters report (I did get the name of the report) which has determined the Montgomery waste-to-energy facility to be safe… He was curious as to whether or not there is a report available that refutes the aforementioned report.

Covanta and Wheelabrator representatives addressed some of efficiency questions such as: 650 KW hours per ton of trash. There was some discussion about a compare and contrast with the efficiency ratios of generating electricity with coal and or oil…

Mr. Evans then detailed the business considerations..

EAC Chair Karen Merkle explained that many of the studies have only had a short duration of perhaps 5 to 15 years and that her concern was the long term affects for as much as 50 years.

Robin Davidov explained that waste-to-energy plants have operated in Europe for 50 years and studies have concluded no hazardous ramification…

_____ 8 PM _____

There ensued a protracted discussion of epidemiological studies and the construct of the various studies…

Neil Seldman questioned why no environmental groups support waste-to-energy.

[See: “U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration,” signed by the Carroll County Commissioners on August 30, 2007. It is a two page document… and an action item on page two reads:

WHEREAS, many counties throughout the nation, both large and small, are reducing global warming pollutants through programs that better provide economic and quality of life benefits such as reducing energy bills, preserving green space, implementing better land use policies, improving air quality, promoting waste-to-energy programs, expanding transportation and work choices to reduce traffic congestion, and fostering more economic development and job creation through energy conservation and new technologies.]

Mr. Seldman said that living next to waste-to-energy is dangerous. [See: Cumulative Health Risk Study for Dickerson Area Facilities]

That the only folks who are here supporting the waste-to-energy plant are the folks who have a vested interest... (Clapping – I missed some of his additional remarks…) He addressed a number of financial aspects of solid waste management. [See: 19880900 To Burn or Not to Burn an interview with Neil Seldman]

Robin Davidov addressed a previous question as to what if EPA standards are not met. She explained that has not happened in the history of the plants in which the Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority has been involved.

Covanta representative: Covanta operates 34 WTE plants in North America. We process 15 million tons per year. Some of our facilities are steam generating. 24 facilities are on an EPA performance track which recognizes operations that have operated within the guidelines… We are the most highly regulated combustion utility in the nation…

All of the communities in which they operate a plant have aggressive recycling programs.

He cited an example of one facility that has increasingly improved their recycling program. He noted some of the improvements in the recycling markets.

Wheelabrator representative: Wheelabrator operates 16 plants. Wheelabrator is a wholly owned subsidiary of Waste Management - the largest recycling company in the country.

Dean Minnich: Wanted to know more about the difference in the East Coast recycling market with that of the West Coast. Paper is stronger on the West coast…

Robin Davidov remarked 70 percent of our recycled paper material goes to China.

Dean Minnich: asked if either Covanta or Wheelabrator have ever been sued for health impacts and their answer was no.

Sally Sorbello from Frederick Co. praised the CC EAC - - including the pay as you throw. She feels that we are getting premature. She said that there is no public support for a waste-to-energy facility in Frederick. She noted that the Frederick Tourism Council is against the waste-to-energy. She suggested that a recycling facility recovery park would be a tourist draw. She asked as to why a recovery park has not been more thoroughly pursued. She had questions about the disposition of the ash. [See: 20070305 “Better options than burning our trash” Carroll County Times letter to the editor by Sally Sorbello]

John D. Witiak, Union Bridge advocated recycling strategies and believes that a recycling center would be a better alternative than an incinerator. [See: 20080402 Recycling is better than incinerator by John Witiak or find it here - Recycling is better than incinerator]

Karen from Brunswick and that she is against the waste-to-energy facility and in favor of recycling.

Mr. Witiak wanted to know why the county hasn’t hired a consultant to help evaluate the options. [See: 20080306 Timeline to date on the Carroll County Maryland Integrated Waste Management Decision]

Mr. Evans explained that this process began with a consultant and the county has utilized various consultants throughout the process.

Ms. Davidov explained visiting countries in Europe and gathering information.

Dean Minnich discussed the challenges of 100 percent recycling and risk ratios associated with any decision we make.

A gentleman from Chesterfield Farms explained his operation of recycling and composting combined food waste, horse manure and yard waste.

The Wheelabrator representative gave an overview of gasification technologies.

Steve Cassis, Solid Waste Analysis Group in Frederick was concerned that the issued were being oversimplified and that the question is not recycling versus waste-to-energy…

The workshop ended at 9:03.