20070703 City street department walking the streets

City street department walking the streets

Westminster Eagle

07/03/07 By Kevin E. Dayhoff

Westminster Street Department employees pause for a picture by the City’s new 2007 10-ton International multi-purpose diesel dump truck on June 15^th, 2007. Photo by Caroline Babylon

When they are not operating equipment such as this you may very well find them walking the street.

Members of the Westminster Street Department include:

Larry Bloom, Butch DuVall, Bubba Strawsburg, Don Hann, Larry Pitinger, Michael Pupaza, Pat Walsh, Billy Walsh, John Robertson, John Linthicum, Hank Jarrell and Shawn Lockert.

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If you've been out and about in Westminster in the wee hours of the morning near the playground and City Hall, you may have noticed a group of burly men walking together.

Recently the Westminster Street Department employees began "trying to do a wellness campaign," and have been walking a mile just before work two days a week, according to Larry Bloom, Westminster's superintendent of Parks, Buildings and Streets.

"We're trying to encourage the employees to be healthier," said Bloom. "Hopefully the city will see a reduction in our health insurance premiums as a result."

"We have a mile course laid out that takes us by city hall and around the playground and back," he said.

Showing off a picture of a grandchild, department employee Butch Duvall said, "hopefully exercise will keep me around longer to watch this little one grow up. Exercise helps; gives ya more energy for the day and wakes the body up. I ain't gettin' no younger."

Bubba Strawsburg, too, said he wanted "to get in shape," but coworker John Robertson Sr. rolled his eyes and said, "Some of 'em jog."

Bloom said members of the department would like to walk three days a week, but right now it's two.

Another employee, who asked not to be identified, said Westminster City Administrator Marge Wolf was scheduled to join the group, but so far has been a "no-show."

When reached for an explanation, Wolf pledged that she's "going to do it too," but hasn't been able to work it in her schedule.

She also said she usually walks with her dog and the dog would be annoyed if she walked without it.

But one employee responded that Wolf's dog, too, "is welcome to join us."

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20070621 Westminster Eagle Week in Review

Westminster Eagle Week in Review

June 21^st, 2007

Local News

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News Briefs

By Kevin Dayhoff

City takes delivery of new diesel dump truck

Last Friday, instead of getting an early start on the weekend, many employees of the Westminster Street Department hung around the shop a few minutes after work.

They were waiting with anticipation for the expected delivery of a new, 2007 10-ton Inter...

[…]

The $125,400 truck replaces a vehicle that was 13 or 14 years old. The new truck was included in the fiscal year budget that will end June 30 and came-in $10,000 under budget, according to Larry Bloom, Westminster's superintendent of Parks, Buildings and Streets.

"We worked carefully with Bare Truck Center, used the state bidding contract, ordered it early, and saved the city money," said Bloom.

[…]

[Read full story]

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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Carroll working to save and share 'Our Barn'

I recently had the opportunity to visit Carroll County's historic Marlin K. Hoff log barn, which was built between 1785 and 1795.

Those accompanying me included Community Media Center videographers Joe Cimino and Rod Boudreaux, who are planning an educational video of the barn and its relocation t...

[…]

These two talented artists have completed a number of great documentaries, including recent videos on the work of the Westminster Municipal Band and the Carroll County Children's Chorus.

[…]

Who could deny the appeal of a dancing chorus line including Dave Roush, County Chief of Staff Steve Powell and Commissioner Dean Minnich singing "Our Barn" to the tune of Petula Clark's hit, "Downtown?"

[…]

[Read full story]

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Mom is the law

Prior to six months ago, Elizabeth Duvall of Westminster could be found driving her two sons around in her minivan.

While she still drives her family around in a minivan, Duvall's driving techniques have been "tweaked" a bit after attending the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission Academy in Sykesville.

Last Friday, Duvall graduated with the academy's latest class, and was recognized as the top driver of emergency vehicles.

"They would tease me that I probably don't drive my minivan the same way," Duvall laughed of her classmates' comments.

But she added ...
[Read full story]

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Airport groups vow to continue opposition
Despite last week's approval by the Carroll's Board of County Commissioners to expand the runway at Carroll County Regional Airport, citizen groups say they will continue to oppose the issue as it enters its next phase -- a two-year environmental study.

The results of the study could still halt th...
[Read full story]

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Family that plays, stays together

Ken, Stephanie and Ryan Koons have turned their love for music into a family affair.

The husband, wife and son trio, known as Wherligig, will perform traditional Celtic and Nordic music in celebration of the Summer Solstice this Thursday, June 21, at the Carroll Arts Center in Westminster.

Initially formed in 1985, Wherligig has evolved over the years in the type of music the group plays, the instruments they use and the members who play in the band.

Ken and Stephanie have been the core of the band since its inception, and several years ago son Ryan joined them to make it a...
[Read full story]

Business Briefs

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Main Street Minute
Turn up the heat for a new summer look

It's the first week of summer vacation and the transition from spring fashions to summer flip flops has begun.

If you're looking to add some pizzazz to your summer look without venturing too far from home, just take a walking, shopping tour of Downtown West...
[Read full story]

Recreation

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Sideline View

Athletes offered a banner year in Carroll County

It wasn't long ago that Carroll County was barely a factor when it came to state high school championships.

With the significant population boom of the past 15 years and the accompanying growth of youth feeder programs throughout the county, Carroll's high school teams started to become more competitive.

County programs took another huge step during the 2006 -07 school year, as five of seven Carroll high schools won state titles.

The run began in the fall, when the Francis Scott Key boys cross country team won the Class 2A...
[Read full story]

Opinion

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Familiar face at police barrack is benefit for Carroll County
Editorial

One of the first moves for the new Maryland State Police Superintendent Terrance Sheridan was a welcome one for Carroll County.

Last week Sheridan announced that he was reinstating longtime Westminster Barrack commander Lt. Dean Richardson to that post.

Richardson has been the comman...
[Read full story]

Wolf at the Door

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It's all over but the shouting, unless there's a legal battle
When Commissioner Michael Zimmer voted against the expansion of the Carroll County airport last week, my faith in human nature was renewed. I remember clearly who was holding up his signs on election day.

Now that the expansion has been included in the airport's master plan, there's still much to ...
[Read full story]

The Passing Parade

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There's a full house in the theater of the absurd ...
And it's little wonder, what with the series of absurdities that have dominated the media lately.

On center stage -- where I fear she'll remain until she's either carried off in a straight jacket or loses her girlish figure -- is that living Barbie doll, Paris Hilton, who was born into a fortune a...
[Read full story]

Healthy Recipe
Appealing taste comes from fresh bananas

This week's recipe focuses on the good health and taste of bananas, and is provided by JaDenna Jones, Health Educator and Cessation Coordinator for the Carroll County Health Department.

Discovered by Alexander the Great on his conquest of India in 327 B.C...
[Read full story]

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