20060909 KDDC Dallas official wants city ban on baggy pants

“Mel-Chun Jau, Dallas Morning News, Associated Press: Kevin Deamus, 26, and his brother, Markus Deamus, 19, of Dallas, check on the radiator of their car in the parking lot of a grocery store near Fair Park in Dallas on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2006.

A Dallas man has had it with baggy pants that overexpose, so he wants the city council to look into a ban on wearing the oversized trousers that often slip so low as to show underwear. Ron Price, a Dallas school board member, has asked the city council to look at strengthening the law to give citations to those who expose their underwear.”

_________________

Dallas official wants city ban on baggy pants

September 9^th, 2006

I went out to a nice restaurant in Westminster Saturday evening with Miss Caroline, Grammy and Aunty Betty, C.E. (Chaperon Emeritus). While waiting for our dinner we could not help but notice that most of the patrons looked like they were students from McDaniel College.

To our left was a large table full of young men. They seemed well-dressed, with the exception of a few baseball caps on backwards… To our left there was a table of four young co-eds. The guys were awfully absorbed with themselves. But at one moment I noticed that the table of co-eds had spotted the table full of guys.

Then, almost as if on cue, one of the young men got up and he had on these baggy pants that were positioned in such a manner as half his behind was hanging out. Sooooouie! See my previous post on the wisdom of baggy pants… here: “20060706 Baggy pants and crime prevention.”

I noticed that the young ladies were amusedly not impressed.

Oh well.

So what’s-up with slovenly dress? It obviously did not impress the ladies.

I remembered seeing on one of the cable news programs, a piece that said a gentleman in Dallas Texas wants to ban baggy pants.

Well, lots of luck on that paradoxical pilgrimage chasing that windmill. You can’t outlaw bad taste and besides, criminalizing boneheaded attire is not quite what I would want a municipal police force spending time and limited resources.

But there you have it. The young man at the restaurant needed to get a “fashion ticket” for looking like a jerk, but I’m not sure it is a good idea for taxpayer money to go into calling to the young man’s attention that he looked stupid and that folks were making fun of how poorly he was dressed.

I can see it now. Prisoner number 1: “Whatcha in for dude? I’m doing 5 to 10 for murdering a convenience store clerk. But, like, I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it”

Prisoner number 2: “I’m doing life with no parole for having my behind hang out in public.”

Prisoner number 1: “Wow man, bad break.”

The Dallas Texas story begins:

“Dallas official wants city ban on baggy pants” By JAMIE STENGLE, Associated Press

DALLAS — A Dallas man has had it with baggy pants that overexpose, so he wants the City Council to look into a ban on wearing the oversized trousers that often slip so low as to show underwear.

Ron Price, a Dallas school board member, has asked the City Council to look at strengthening the law to give citations to those who expose their underwear.

“I think it’s disrespectful, it’s dishonorable and it’s disgusting,” said Price, who made the recommendation last week to the City Council. “I have no problem with the top of your Hanes label being shown. My problem is when grown men walk about the city with pants below their buttocks.”

Council members have asked the city attorney to look into the issue. City Attorney Tom Perkins said this week he’s investigating the legalities and will report back to the council.

But experts say that such a law might not hold up, so to speak.

Read the rest of the article here.

Government shouldn't act as parents for their citizens.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org
http://www.thetentacle.com/
Westminster Eagle Opinion and
Winchester Report
www.thewestminstereagle.com
www.kevindayhoff.com

20060909 KDDC Billy Schroeder Giulianova Groceria

Billy Schroeder out in front of his Giulianova Groceria at 11 E. Main St. in Westminster, MD 09/07/2006 © Kevin Dayhoff

Billy has a great cooking class. Give him a call at (410) 876-7425 for more information.

According to Billy’s web site, “A classically trained chef by the U.S. Army, Bill is a licensed meat cutter, sous chef, saucier, banquet chef, executive chef, and is the sole proprietor of Giulianova in downtown Westminster. On top of that, he is proficient on the 12-string guitar. While all of the aforementioned facts are true, Billy also has a B.S. in B.S.

“Bill has been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1975, and is a religious education teacher at St. John's Catholic Church in Westminster. He is a follower of Saint Francis and spent a short time as a Fransican seminary student. His other religions include Baltimore Orioles Baseball, the Beatles, and an unhealthy obsession with the Three Stooges.

“Happily married for 24 years to his wife Jane, Bill is the father of a pair of daughters Clare and Beth. You can hear his voice through the laughter on his commercials on WTTR AM 1470.

He also sponsors the Giulianova Green and Gold Tailgate show, the official pre-game show of McDaniel College football and basketball on WTTR's broadcasts, and he has happily fed more than his fair share of Bair Stadium tailgaters.

“Opened in 1986 by Tony D'Eugenio, Giulianova has been a cornerstone of downtown Westminster's Main Street community for two decades, serving the town's Italian grocery needs.

“Bill Schroeder bought the store from Tony in the summer of 2003. While the line of ethnic foods has greatly expanded, Bill has never deviated from the principle of selecting the finest quality Italian goods for Giulianova's customers.

“The hoagies are the same as the day the doors opened in 1986, that is to say, they are still the best in town. The lasagnas, sauces, and other products produced in the store are derived from the tradition passed down by Mama D'Eugenio. After handing them down to her son Tony, she was more than happy to share them with Bill.

“Don't bother driving to Philadelphia, New York, or even Baltimore. Giulianova has been, and will be your source for the finest Italian goods, right in your backyard!”

Find out more at his web site here.

####

20060909 KDDC Main Street Westminster on a lazy late summer afternoon

Main Street Westminster on a lazy late summer afternoon. This photo was taken from near Giulianova Groceria at 11 East Main Street looking west to the railroad tracks (c) Kevin Dayhoff 09/07/2006

20060908 KDDC So just what are the facts

So just what are the facts?

In regard to the recent deluge of negative ads and fliers (see the previous post below) - - just in time for the Carroll County Primary election next Tuesday, September 12^th, 2006, just what are the facts? Best government is facilitated by an informed electorate. It is important that accurate information be disseminated in order for you to make the best vote possible for the future of Carroll County.

Just say NO to negative advertising.

When you receive a negative flier or read a negative ad, please compare it the flowing information obtained by KDDC – and spread the word:

Education

In the last four years, seven major educational buildings have opened or begun the construction process. Parr’s Ridge Elementary – open

Ebb Valley Elementary – under construction

New high school in North Carroll – site under negotiation

New middle school in South Carroll – site under state review

Nursing and Allied Health Building, Carroll Community College – open

Classroom #4, Carroll Community College – architect selected

Finksburg Library – under construction

*More than $20 million spent to provide full-day kindergarten countywide

Roads

In the last four years, the Commissioners have spent or committed more than $36 million to resurface or rebuild 216 miles of roadway, including new roads and bridge projects. Included are:

Rt. 32 between Rt. 26 and Malcolm Drive/Piney Ridge Parkway (County is paying $2.5 million, or half of the total cost); South Pleasant Valley ($2.3 million), Obrecht Road, from 97 to White Rock ($2.3 million); Piney Ridge Parkway ($400,000); Shepard’s Mill Road ($4.77 million); Gorsuch Road roundabout

Commissioners also facilitated construction of the Hampstead Bypass.

Parks

In the last four years, more than $11 million has been approved for new recreational facilities. Large projects include: Leister, Krimgold, West Carroll Regional parks, as well as Bark Hill ball fields and a gymnasium for the new South Carroll Senior Center.

Other projects:

Ball field improvements at 20 parks or schools

Playgrounds at 5 elementary schools

Walking trails at 3 parks

Cape Horn Park

North Carroll Senior and Community Center

Hap Baker Pistol Range

Piney Run new pavilion

Equestrian Center ring improvements and new storage unit

Hashawha renovations

Equipment for the Carroll Arts Center

Water

Once system expansion is complete, the county will have an additional 4.5 million gallons of water capacity from Liberty Reservoir and new wells. In addition, the Commissioners are seeking required state and federal support for Gillis Falls and Union Mills reservoirs.

Salaries

Department heads in Carroll County earn at least 20% less than their counterparts in neighboring counties. Only 3 county employees earn more than $100,000. All have 20+ years of service. They are the chief of staff, director of general services, and director of public works.

In 2002, two people served as chief of staff (executive assistant and special assistant). Together they earned $155,377. In 2006, the sole chief of staff earns $116,439.

Pension plan

Under the Carroll County Pension Plan, a person with 30 years of service earning $30,000 would receive an estimated $525 a month. A State of Maryland employee with the same salary and years of service would receive $1,350 a month; a Frederick County employee would receive $1,500 monthly.

Hotels

County employees who attend conferences that require overnight stays are allotted $240 per night. Any expense over that amount is reimbursed by the employee. (Copies of personal reimbursement checks are attached to credit card statements for verification purposes.)

Special assistant Tim Feeser has never stayed at the Hyatt in Cambridge.

Credit cards

Credit cards have been issued by the County since the 1980s. They are not for personal use. They are for the sole purpose of paying for budgeted items. The Comptroller monitors and approves all payments.

$119 spent at the Treat Shop was for a hospitality basket purchased by the Department of Economic Development to welcome a new business.

The County paid for representatives of Standard & Poor, Moody’s, and Fitch bond-rating agencies to eat at the Antrim in Taneytown. The bill for 17 people totaled $1,579.43. The county’s positive bond rating allowed taxpayers to save at least $1.5 million in interest that year.

Travel

The County has not funded any oversees travel by Commissioners in the past four years. As an elected officer of the National Association of Counties, Commissioner Gouge represented Maryland at an annual conference in Hawaii in 2005. She provided her own air fare and meals. The County paid for the registration fee and hotel room for her during the conference.

Access to public records

As required under Maryland’s Public Information Act, all requests for information are fulfilled within 30 days. Access to public records is not restricted. Visitors to the County Office Building are allowed to enter any department. Bailiffs were assigned at the building’s entrance following 9/11 for the protection of the public, public records, and county employees.

Taxes

The Board of County Commissioners lowered the amount a homeowner’s property taxes can increase by 3 percentage points. They instituted a tax credit for senior citizens. They have never proposed legislation for a personal property tax.

Growth

The number of new housing units permitted has dropped from 1,294 in FY03 to 737 in FY06. Buildings approved for construction under the previous board will continue to be built into 2008.

####

20060908 KDDC Negative ads and fliers plague Carroll County primary election

Negative ads and fliers plague Carroll County primary

September 8^th, 2006

In the last week a number of negative ads have appeared in the Westminster Eagle and the Carroll Standard newspapers. Additionally negative fliers have appeared in mailboxes.

Both the Carroll County Times and the Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle have written about this.

In a statement released late Friday evening, September 8^th, 2006, by current incumbent Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnick, he stated:

“On Monday morning, I will formally ask Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes to pursue all means of investigating the possibility of criminal action behind the recent spate of malicious campaign literature published in one weekly newspaper and mailed to thousands of county voters in their homes. I believe that we have more than violations of election laws at issue, and I will request an investigation into the possibility of conspiracy and racketeering. The misrepresentation of facts that have been disseminated go beyond differences of opinion or mere ideology. They are the calculated attempt to destroy reputations and derail the electoral processes by which people choose their leadership. It cannot go unchallenged.” Dean Minnich Vice President, Carroll County Commissioners

In a telephone interview with commissioner candidate Doug Howard this Friday afternoon; he said what lots of Carroll County Republicans are saying; “These are not the values of our party.” A statement which was repeated in a piece of campaign literature advanced to KDDC by Mr. Howard. His campaign literature, slated to be released September 11^th, 2006, also said; “Throughout this campaign we have presented our ideas without attacking other candidates or existing commissioners. I do not subscribe to or support the methods of personal attack or mudslinging that we have seen. Such negative campaigns undermine the serious business of choosing our elected officials.”

In a Justin Palk article in the Carroll County Times on Friday, September 8^th, 2006:

Although Shewell and Stocksdale said they had not seen the ads or not reviewed them in detail, respectively, both distanced themselves from negative advertising generally.

"I've tried to stay on the high road," Shewell said. "Certainly a lot of the nastiness makes it a disincentive for the good people to run."

Stocksdale echoed those sentiments.

"I do not do negative campaigning," she said. "I don't think people appreciate negative campaigning."

You can read the rest of the article here.

Meanwhile - - I’d like to call upon all credible candidates for elected office in next Tuesday’s primary to condemn the negative campaigning. Please send KDDC your statements at kdayhoff@carr.org and I will be more than happy to post them on KDDC.

In the last issue of the Westminster Eagle and the Eldersburg Eagle, both Editor Jim Joyner and I wrote columns addressing this last minute dynamic in what many recall as one of the most unpleasant election years in 16 years.

The title of my column is: “Just so no to reality TV in Carroll County election campaigns.”

The title of Mr. Joyner’s column is: “Final daze Voters should be aware of wild political finish.”

I also have a Tentacle column addressing this issue of negative campaigning. “Why go negative?”

The Eldersburg and Westminster Eagle sent out the following e-mail alert calling attention to an article Editor Jim Joyner has placed on the web sites of the two county publications.

“County refutes ads mailers attacking commissioners”

You have been sent this e-mail alert from The Eldersburg and Westminster Eagle. These stories and other updates are posted on The Eldersburg Eagle Web site, www.theeldersburgeagle.com and The Westminster Eagle Web site, www.thewestminstereagle.com.

“County refutes ads, mailers attacking commissioners”

09/08/06 By Jim Joyner

Carroll County officials this week refuted several claims made in political ads this past week by a group called the Carroll County Republican Club, saying the bulk of the organization's accusations are false or misleading.

The group has distributed mailers, placed paid advertising in county newspapers - including The Eagle - and is reportedly also operating an automated messaging campaign, phoning homes in the county.

The bulk of the campaign is aimed at unseating the incumbent Board of County Commissioners, and suggests that voters opt for challengers.

Various aspects of the ad campaign claim that the current commissioners - Republicans Julia Gouge, Dean Minnich and Perry Jones - have spent money on extravagant travel, allowed multiple housing units with single building permits, have declined to spend money to build schools; and are proposing legislation that would allow the county to impose a personal property tax.

County officials say all those allegations - and others - are false.

Read the rest of the article here or here.

_________________

Meanwhile, Justin Palk, writing for the Carroll County Times has written two articles thus far.

On Thursday, September 07, 2006, Mr. Palk wrote a piece entitled: “State probing election adverts.”

Maryland's State Board of Elections is reviewing negative campaign ads from what appears to be a new Republican club in Carroll County for compliance with state law.

An organization calling itself the Carroll County Republican Club, which has sent out mailings to county residents, among other advertising, is not registered with the state as a political action committee, said Jared DeMarinis, director of the State Board of Elections' candidacy and campaign finance division.

DeMarinis said he could not comment further on the matter because the board is reviewing it.

In general, organizations that raise or spend money for a specific candidate in an election do have to register with the state, he said.

You can read the rest of this article here.

And then on September 8^th, 2006, Mr. Palk wrote: “Candidates deny contact with group.”

Some of the Republican candidates being supported in ads being investigated by the State Board of Elections said they have had no contact with the group responsible for the advertisements.

Dave Greenwalt and Michael Zimmer, both candidates for Carroll County commissioner, and incumbent Dels. Tanya Shewell and Nancy Stocksdale, both seeking to retain their seats in District 5A, said they have no connection with and have no information about the group, which identifies itself as the Carroll County Republican Club.

You can read the rest of the article here.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

www.thetentacle.com

Westminster Eagle Opinion and

Winchester Report

www.thewestminstereagle.com

www.kevindayhoff.com

20060908 KDDC An advance copy of Howard for Commissioner Ad

An advance copy of a Doug Howard for Commissioner Ad due to be released September 11^th, 2006

September 8^th, 2006

Pasted above is a Doug Howard campaign ad that Mr. Howard was kind enough to advance to KDDC. The above image may be too small to read well, so below please find the text. I have reformatted some of the paragraphs for readability on a blog…

September 11, 2006

Dear Carroll County Republican Voter,

Tomorrow, you will go to the polls. I respectfully ask for one of your votes for County Commissioner.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the many of you that have supported our effort, volunteered your time and provided encouragement. So many of you have been to our web site, attended forums or contacted me directly.

I am proud of the positive campaign that we have run.

I am proud that we have created plans for the future, set specific goals and offered new ideas.

Throughout this campaign we have presented our ideas without attacking other candidates or existing commissioners.

I do not subscribe to or support the methods of personal attack or mudslinging that we have seen. Such negative campaigns undermine the serious business of choosing our elected officials.

These are not the values of our party.

I do believe that we need a change on the Board of Commissioners. It’s time to bring a business approach to managing our county government.

We need less taxes, control on spending and economic development.

I want to bring my business experience, ability to work with others, command of new technologies, enthusiasm, energy, conservative philosophy and strong family values to county government.

I ask for your vote!

Respectfully yours,

Doug Howard

Candidate, County Commissioner

####

20060908 KDDC d1 Commissioner candidates discuss approaches to growth

Commissioner candidates discuss approaches to growth
September 8th, 2006

In case you missed it – I had…and just found it… On August 27th, 2006 Justin Palk writing for the Carroll County Times wrote a piece on growth issues in the county.

Anecdotally, I have heard reports that some folks have grown tired of a discussion on growth issues in Carroll County. I have certainly not.

For those of us who were born and raised in Carroll County, we remember “quality of life” in Carroll County from long before it was a campaign issue.

When we were quite younger – growth was an issue for other reasons. Counties and communities after World War II were anxious to attract jobs and new folks to our communities as a matter promoting a continued quality of life. We needed the economic development and candidly we needed new blood.

Of course, Westminster was always a bit of an anomaly because of its history of attracting business because of its position on the routes west. New folks and businesses were attracted to Westminster in the early 1800s; after the Civil War; in the boom years of the 1890s after the “Panic of 1883,”, and in the very early 1900s.

Westminster has also always seen folks settle here as a result of Western Maryland College – McDaniel College.

New folks were a good thing until around when I-795 opened in 1985. At that point the paradigm began to change as agricultural land that had previously been handed down to the succeeding generation began to be more valuable growing houses that whatever economics it could generate as a farm.

It was in the 1980s and 1990s that we started to see a precipitous erosion of our quality of life. Growth and development brought about congestion, complexity, traffic problems and a lost sense of cohesiveness in the community.

Of course, this all came to a head in the election of 2002, when a grass-roots sea-change caused the voters to elect folks who would be aggressive about managing growth.

This aggressive approach to managing growth needs to be maintained as it will take awhile to get properties that have been purchased and zoned for growth to make their way through the system.

The property rights put in place prior to 2002 and purchased by a contract purchaser cannot be removed by plebiscite – whether we like the fact that all those houses are going to come there or not… We cannot deny someone their purchased legal rights because public opinion has changed.

However, we can learn from this lesson and be careful how we go about zoning property and designating appropriate residential growth areas in the future. Which is, as far as I am concerned – few and far between. We have the residential rooftops – what we need are local jobs.

Which bears out my point - now that the paradigm has changed, we need to see it through or the reasons why many of us call Carroll County home, will no longer exist.

The article is titled, “Candidates put forth policies to manage growth.”

It begins:

Between April of 2000 and July of 2005 - the latest date for which data is available - Carroll's population increased by 11.7 percent, from 150,897 to 168,541, according to the Maryland State Department of Planning.

That makes Carroll the ninth fastest-growing jurisdiction in the state in absolute terms, and seventh in terms of percentages.

MDP estimates that by 2010, the county's population will grow by another 11,000 residents.

That growth increases the pressure to improve infrastructure, such as roads - the state is studying how to increase the capacity of Md. 140 through Westminster, and improve Md. 26 between Md. 32 and Liberty Reservoir - and schools - such as a proposed high school in the northeastern part of the county.

The Times asked each candidate for Carroll's Board of Commissioners whether they think the county is doing enough, too much, or too little to manage growth in Carroll, and to explain why. What follows are the responses we received.

Please find the time to read the rest of the article by clicking here.

####

20060908 Negative ads and fliers plague Carroll County primary election

Negative ads and fliers plague Carroll County primary
September 8th, 2006

In the last week a number of negative ads have appeared in the Westminster Eagle and the Carroll Standard newspapers. Additionally negative fliers have appeared in mailboxes.

Both the Carroll County Times and the Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle have written about this.

In a statement released late Friday evening, September 8th, 2006, by current incumbent Carroll County Commissioner Dean Minnick, he stated:

“On Monday morning, I will formally ask Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry Barnes to pursue all means of investigating the possibility of criminal action behind the recent spate of malicious campaign literature published in one weekly newspaper and mailed to thousands of county voters in their homes.

I believe that we have more than violations of election laws at issue, and I will request an investigation into the possibility of conspiracy and racketeering. The misrepresentation of facts that have been disseminated go beyond differences of opinion or mere ideology. They are the calculated attempt to destroy reputations and derail the electoral processes by which people choose their leadership. It cannot go unchallenged.” Dean Minnich Vice President, Carroll County Commissioners.

In a telephone interview with commissioner candidate Doug Howard this Friday afternoon; he said what lots of Carroll County Republicans are saying; “These are not the values of our party.”

A statement which was repeated in a piece of campaign literature advanced to KDDC by Mr. Howard. His campaign literature, slated to be released September 11th, 2006, also said; “Throughout this campaign we have presented our ideas without attacking other candidates or existing commissioners. I do not subscribe to or support the methods of personal attack or mudslinging that we have seen. Such negative campaigns undermine the serious business of choosing our elected officials.”

In a Justin Palk article in the Carroll County Times on Friday, September 8th, 2006:

Although Shewell and Stocksdale said they had not seen the ads or not reviewed them in detail, respectively, both distanced themselves from negative advertising generally.

"I've tried to stay on the high road," Shewell said. "Certainly a lot of the nastiness makes it a disincentive for the good people to run."

Stocksdale echoed those sentiments.

"I do not do negative campaigning," she said. "I don't think people appreciate negative campaigning."

You can read the rest of the article here.

Meanwhile - - I’d like to call upon all credible candidates for elected office in next Tuesday’s primary to condemn the negative campaigning. Please send KDDC your statements at kdayhoff@carr.org and I will be more than happy to post them on KDDC.

In the last issue of the Westminster Eagle and the Eldersburg Eagle, both Editor Jim Joyner and I wrote columns addressing this last minute dynamic in what many recall as one of the most unpleasant election years in 16 years.
The title of my column is: “Just so no to reality TV in Carroll County election campaigns.”

The title of Mr. Joyner’s column is: “Final daze Voters should be aware of wild political finish.”

I also have a Tentacle column addressing this issue of negative campaigning. “Why go negative?”

The Eldersburg and Westminster Eagle sent out the following e-mail alert calling attention to an article Editor Jim Joyner has placed on the web sites of the two county publications.

“County refutes ads mailers attacking commissioners”

You have been sent this e-mail alert from The Eldersburg and Westminster Eagle. These stories and other updates are posted on The Eldersburg Eagle Web site, http://www.kevindayhoff.com/2006/09/www.theeldersburgeagle.com and The Westminster Eagle Web site, http://www.kevindayhoff.com/2006/09/www.thewestminstereagle.com.

“County refutes ads, mailers attacking commissioners”

09/08/06 By Jim Joyner

Carroll County officials this week refuted several claims made in political ads this past week by a group called the Carroll County Republican Club, saying the bulk of the organization's accusations are false or misleading.

The group has distributed mailers, placed paid advertising in county newspapers - including The Eagle - and is reportedly also operating an automated messaging campaign, phoning homes in the county.

The bulk of the campaign is aimed at unseating the incumbent Board of County Commissioners, and suggests that voters opt for challengers.

Various aspects of the ad campaign claim that the current commissioners - Republicans Julia Gouge, Dean Minnich and Perry Jones - have spent money on extravagant travel, allowed multiple housing units with single building permits, have declined to spend money to build schools; and are proposing legislation that would allow the county to impose a personal property tax.

County officials say all those allegations - and others - are false.

Read the rest of the article here or here.

_________________
Meanwhile, Justin Palk, writing for the Carroll County Times has written two articles thus far.

On Thursday, September 07, 2006, Mr. Palk wrote a piece entitled: “State probing election adverts.”

Maryland's State Board of Elections is reviewing negative campaign ads from what appears to be a new Republican club in Carroll County for compliance with state law.

An organization calling itself the Carroll County Republican Club, which has sent out mailings to county residents, among other advertising, is not registered with the state as a political action committee, said Jared DeMarinis, director of the State Board of Elections' candidacy and campaign finance division.

DeMarinis said he could not comment further on the matter because the board is reviewing it.

In general, organizations that raise or spend money for a specific candidate in an election do have to register with the state, he said.

You can read the rest of this article here.

And then on September 8th, 2006, Mr. Palk wrote: “Candidates deny contact with group.”

Some of the Republican candidates being supported in ads being investigated by the State Board of Elections said they have had no contact with the group responsible for the advertisements.

Dave Greenwalt and Michael Zimmer, both candidates for Carroll County commissioner, and incumbent Dels. Tanya Shewell and Nancy Stocksdale, both seeking to retain their seats in District 5A, said they have no connection with and have no information about the group, which identifies itself as the Carroll County Republican Club.

You can read the rest of the article here.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
http://www.thetentacle.com/
Westminster Eagle Opinion and
Winchester Report
http://www.thewestminstereagle.com/
http://www.kevindayhoff.com/

20060908 KDDC Doug Howard candidate for the Carroll County Commissioners

Doug Howard, candidate for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners

Doug Howard, a candidate for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, owns a business consulting and small business services called BDG Entrepreneurial Services, Inc. He has a B. S. Economics, Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania. Born March 4, 1965, he is the married father of six children; he lives in Eldersburg and is involved in many community activities.

He has a web site which can be accessed by clicking here.

ABOUT DOUG HOWARD

The Candidate

Doug and his wife Bette are the proud parents of six children (four girls and two boys). They live in Quail Meadow in Eldersburg and are active members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Randallstown. Doug owns BDG Entrepreneurial Services; a company based in Sykesville that provides professional and support services to small business owners in three states.

He is also the founder of Start-Up Carroll, a program that provides free services to people that want to start their own business. Doug and Bette are members of the Republican Party and support and participate in many community activities.

Carroll County Commissioner candidate Doug Howard on the ISSUES

I am committed to…

Driving Economic Development by

• Attracting the right kinds of business to locate in the County by creating a business-friendly environment for business to operate• Studying our workforce to identify economic development opportunities• Continuing to help new businesses start and grow in the county • Creating an economic development fund for new business and business growth

Improving Education by

• Working to attract and retain the best teachers• Shifting more resources into the classroom• Supporting accountability and performance standards in our schools• Seeking more cooperation and coordination between the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education

Reducing Taxes by

• Supporting strong economic development• Changing the way we budget to produce more efficiency in government• Reducing the cap on property tax assessments 1% per year• Reviewing other taxes and fees for possible reductions

Creating a Vision for the Future by

• Developing and implementing his “Carroll is the Place” Plan• Managing growth and maintaining community services through careful planning• Working with citizens, organizations, the business community and other local and state officials to set priorities, develop strategies and get results.


Read more about this candidate here and here.

####

20060908 KDDC A Carroll County Times article on Bailey Laird

A Carroll County Times article on Bailey Laird
September 8th, 2006

We were very happy to open-up the Carroll County Times this morning and see an excellent article on our friend Bailey Laird by Times writer Penny Riordan. When you get to “From China to Carroll,” you will also see a great picture of Ms. Laird at work in the classroom by Ken Koons.

The article begins:

For Linton Springs Elementary School teacher Bailey Laird, time spent teaching in China prepared her well for her first full year teaching all-day kindergarten.

"It was very challenging for me," she said. "I think it made me much stronger." Laird was a senior at Salisbury State University when she signed up to teach at an international school in Beijing. Students led the program, which meant Laird and her fellow student teachers did most of their lesson planning without a curriculum to follow.

Please read the rest of the article by clicking here.

####

20060907 KDDC Westminster Utility workers repair water leak in Main Street

Westminster Utility workers repair water leak in Main Street

Westminster, Maryland, USA Sept. 7, 2006 - Members of the City of Westminster Utilities Maintenance Department pause for a quick photograph after they have finished repairs to a leaking water main Thursday, September 7th, 2006 in Westminster at Main Street and the Railroad Tracks: LtoR Troy Rhodes, Cory Stouffer, Ted Conlon, Zac Amoss, Shawn Mann and Steve Miller. © Kevin Dayhoff

20060907 KDDC Thoughts on the Carroll County primary election

Thoughts on the Carroll County primary election on Tuesday, September 12th, 2006.

Posted by Kevin Dayhoff September 7th, 2006

The Baltimore Sun has come out with its endorsements of candidates for elected office in the Carroll County primary next Tuesday. For the complete Sun article, click here.

For my KDDC post listing all the candidates for elected office in Carroll County click here.

**For the District 4 Senate election the Baltimore Sun gives the nod to incumbent Republican Senator David Brinkley “whose district includes parts of Carroll and Frederick counties…”

The Sun notes that Senator Brinkley is a “Republican who works well with and is respected by members on both sides of the political aisle in the legislature.”

I could not agree more. I would add extraordinarily knowledgeable, wise and thoughtfulness to his accolades.

**For the District 4B Delegate race, the Sun says that incumbent Republican Del. Donald B. Elliott should get the vote. The Sun cites his positions on transportation needs and the importance of agriculture reflect his constituents' views.

Another no-brainer. “Doc” Elliott is highly approachable, pleasantly straightforward, hard-working and, his knowledge on health-care issues is renown in Annapolis.

** For the District 5 Senate, Baltimore and Carroll County, the Sun endorses “newcomer Michelle Jefferson, a former chairwoman of the local Republican Central Committee and candidate for the state senate…” The Sun suggests that “Strained relationships between local officials and the county's delegation over home rule need to be smoothed out.”

Well, the strained relationships certainly need to be ironed out, but replacing the long-serving incumbent Senator Larry Haines is NOT the answer. Hopefully as the vote next Tuesday will illustrate, many Carroll Countians have no problem with the Carroll County Delegation to Annapolis disagreeing with the Carroll County Board of Commissioners. We call it “checks and balances.”

In full disclosure, my family and I have counted Senator Haines as a friend for longer than he has been an elected official. I believe personal friendship means something. It has never interfered me with disagreeing with Senator Haines upon occasion, although no examples come quickly to mind.

I believe that as the vote will bear out; many Carroll Countians have been taken aback at the personal attacks on his profession, his church and his religion in his opponents’ overwhelming anxiety to marginalize him for disagreeing with the commissioners on issues.

The pundits, newspapers, opponents and activists have also greatly overlooked Sen. Haines’ excellent constituent service over the many years.

That is not to say I wish Ms. Jefferson to drop-out of her role in community leadership. I have a great deal of respect for her spunk. But perhaps before she eventually goes to Annapolis – or 225 North Center Street, in some capacity before her political career is over - she gets more experience before she ventures into the hallways and aisles of the Maryland General Assembly – where they eat their young and look longingly at friends for desert. At this stage in her career, Annapolis would eat Ms. Jefferson alive.

For the District 5A Delegate race, the Sun likes Republican C. Scott Stone and Del. Tanya Shewell.

I do also – however, no race in memory has given me more heartburn. My colleague as mayor, Hampstead Mayor Haven Shoemaker deserves the consideration of the voters. Quite intelligent, experienced, knowledgeable on the issues and approachable; I think that he would represent Carroll County as equally well as Mr. Stone, Del. Shewell or incumbent Del. Nancy Stocksdale.

Of all of the candidates, I have known Del. Stocksdale for much longer than she has been an elected official and she wrote the book on constituent service.

I feel very strongly that I could go to any of the four with an issue and get a fair hearing. In the long-run, that may very well be how voters make a decision in the voting booth.

All four candidates and their supporters have been very pleasant to me about the enormous quandary in which I find myself. That speaks highly of all four contenders. Of the four, I find myself agreeing with Delegates Shewell and Stocksdale much more than I agree with Mr. Stone or Mayor Shoemaker; however, all four candidates are pleasant in disagreement.

I do not necessarily look for a candidate in whom I agree with across the board, I look for knowledge base, approachability, commitment to constituent service and someone with whom I can disagree without them getting disagreeable.

I wish we could send all four to Annapolis. Take your pick.

There has been some discussion in the community that the negative tone of the election will back-fire on all challengers and voters will return all the incumbents as a result.

For more on this, see my Tentacle column of August 23rd, 2006, “Why go negative?” and my Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle columns on September 6th, 2006: Eldersburg Eagle opinion: “Just say no to reality TV mentality in Carroll County election” and for the Westminster Eagle opinion: “Just say no to reality TV mentality in Carroll County election”

In the District 9B Delegate contest to represent southern Carroll County, the Sun has endorsed incumbent Delegate Susan Krebs.

Another very difficult race for me as I very much like the positions of her challenger Larry Helminiak.

However, Delegate Krebs is quite hardworking, knowledgeable and friendly in any discussion on the issues. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with her over the years and feel that Carroll County would be well served by another four more years by Delegate Krebs.

I think that Delegate Krebs has been done a great disservice by some of her rabid supporters by their negative campaign against Mr. Helminiak – and the commissioner opponents.

How much the behavior of some of her supporters will hurt her election day is to be seen. The approach by some of her supporters is not the Delegate Krebs that I have very much enjoyed getting to know over the years.

I also like what I see and hear from Mr. Helminiak. I disagree with both candidates on several of the issues, however, my experience with both leads me to say that Carroll County would be served well in Annapolis by both contenders.

Ultimately, the nod here may go to the incumbent, in spite of the behavior of some of her supporters – but this may be one of the closer races to watch in the central Maryland area.

The Sun did not address the race for Senator from District 9; however, Senator Allen Kittleman is a rising star in Annapolis and by all means needs to be returned to office. His positions, knowledge and advocacy on agriculture, business and finance and race relations serve him and our community well.

For Board of Education, the incumbents Gary W. Bauer and Patricia W. Gadberry deserve another term, however, the idea of Dave Roush ascending to an elected leadership position will be great for Carroll County in the big picture. Take your pick.

For Judges of the Circuit Court of Carroll County: Judges J. Barry Hughes and Thomas F. Stansfield should be overwhelmingly voted into a fifteen year term. In Carroll County, we don’t take politicizing the judiciary very well. Both jurists will join a legacy of the many great judges that has come from the Carroll County legal community and history will reflect upon them well.

_________________

I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it over and over again; a rule among classier community leaders prohibits promoting oneself by personally sniping at someone who holds a different point of view.

It is not only bad form but it makes you look like someone with the warmth and humanity of a water moccasin. It is always the source of amazement to observe folks who, in the same utterance, plead for understanding and tolerance for their views and then demonize or manufacture a personal attack on anyone who disagrees.

Often a candidate for office can more clearly define what they are against by positively articulating what they are for. Unfortunately, it would seem that many are only against things or persons and have no plan, vision or positive proposals for voters to consider.

In Carroll County the traditionally conservative Carroll County Democratic Party has disintegrated in the last 20 years. In the 1980s, some young and idealistic liberal Democrats hijacked the previously conservative Carroll County Democratic Party and swung it precipitously to the left – and off a cliff.

This has been a great disservice to Carroll County.

Formerly registered Democrats left the party in droves and joined the Republican Party. Traditional and very conservative Republicans have not adjusted well to this change and chaff at the approaches of the liberal “Rockefeller” Republicans.

(I hate to speak poorly of liberal Carroll County Democrats while they persist in a vegetative state but) since the Carroll County Democratic Party has not regained consciousness – (except in the municipalities, where liberals have quite a toehold) and shows no signs of recovering anytime soon; the tension in the Republican Party in Carroll County is palpable and will take a number of years to sort out.

It is imperative that a community have competing ideas and competition for leadership.

As it is, Carroll County must depend on competing ideas to come from the same party – the Republican Party. For many of us – we’re okay with that…

In central Maryland, many new folks have moved into the area and now that they occupy a home in a former corn field, they feel strongly that many of the folks in a leadership role and have handled issues, such as growth and development, poorly.

For someone like me that has become exhausted with the erosion of our traditional Carroll County quality of life, the NIMBYism, the increased complexity – and the growth and expense of government, as a result of poorly planned growth - - there are certainly examples that a sea-change in approach is/was necessary.

However, often many – not all - the new folks aspiring to be community leaders feel a huge sense of entitlement and are vehement about their positions and justify their unpleasantness by their sense of entitled outrage. Often these folks are insufferable.

To repeat a wonderful observation by the Washington Post some time ago – that I sure wish I had written: “The numbing repetition of uncorrected falsehoods creates a phony atmosphere of uncertainty around key questions... Eventually voters throw up their hands and accept the fact that they’ll never know for sure what the truth is, and confusion ensues

Add to this dynamic: the unpleasantness of the challengers and in some cases, the incumbents, has turned-off many voters. Faced with the devil we know or the unpleasant challenger, many citizens are going to go in the voting booth and choose the incumbent. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, history will tell; besides, there will be more elections and we’ll have a plenty of opportunities to tweak or change the direction of government.

Carroll County has done quite well for almost 170 years, the next four years will work their way into the fabric of history just fine.

This is a wonderful place to live and it can only get better, because of, or in spite of government and elected officials.

Whether you agree or disagree with my thoughts, be sure to vote next Tuesday. In most races, the primary will determine our future.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
www.thetentacle.com
Westminster Eagle Opinion and
Winchester Report
www.thewestminstereagle.com
www.kevindayhoff.com

20060907 KDDC C Scott Stones Primary Election Endorsements

C. Scott Stone’s Primary Election Endorsements

In a recent email, candidate for the District 5A’s delegate seat for Carroll County, C. Scott Stone has weighed in with his endorsements for the Carroll County primary. Pasted below, it its entirety, please find his thoughts:

The outcome of the Republican Primary Election on Tuesday, September 12th,
is critically important to the future of Carroll County.

The battle between slow-growth, moderate Republicans and pro-growth, radical Republicans that began in 2002 is not yet over. The current state legislators in District 5 and many non-incumbent County Commissioner candidates want to return to those days of rampant, unrelenting residential growth throughout Carroll County.

We offer our wholehearted support for the following candidates. These
individuals have demonstrated their commitment to teamwork and possess proven records of accomplishments on behalf of Carroll County citizens.

Together, we believe they represent the best and brightest prospect for
Carroll County’s future.

Carroll County Commissioners:
Julia Walsh Gouge
Dean L. Minnich
Perry L. Jones, Jr.

Maryland State Senate:
David R. Brinkley (District 4)
Michelle Jefferson (District 5)

Maryland House of Delegates:
Donald B. Elliott (District 4B)
Haven N. Shoemaker, Jr. (District 5A)
C. Scott Stone (District 5A)
Susan Krebs (District 9B)

Carroll County Republican Central Committee:
Michael R. Guerin
Roberta J. Windham

Judges of the Circuit Court of Carroll County (non-partisan):
J. Barry Hughes
Thomas
F. Stansfield

Board of Education of Carroll County (non-partisan):

Gary W. Bauer
Patricia W. Gadberry

We know you are busy, but your vote is crucial. When you go to the polls, please consider voting for these outstanding candidates. Our county, our future, hangs in the balance!

Sincerely,Friends of C. Scott Stone
http://www.cscottstone.com/
Authority: Friends of of C. Scott Stone - Theresa A. Stone, Treasurer