20060830 KDDC "Li'l Abner" is coming to Carroll County

"Li'l Abner" is coming to Carroll County

A September Song production of "Li'l Abner" is coming to Carroll County September 15, 16, 17, 22, and 23, 2006.

This is a great show for a great cause! Tickets are still available at (410) 386-4400. Please spread the word!

This is being held at Century High School this year due to the construction at Westminster High School.

The proceeds benefit programs in Carroll County that benefit people with disabilities.

Y'all Come!

According the September Song website:

September Song Community Theatre in Westminster, Maryland has organized and performed a Broadway musical at Westminster High School in each of the past 30 years.

The brainchild of school teachers Arnie Hayes and Robert "Doc" Kersey, profits earned by these productions have been given to local charities to the tune of more than $250,000 over that span. Current beneficiaries of this annual effort are CHANGE, Inc. and the Carroll County Therapeutic Recreation Council: organizations that provide services to citizens with developmental disabilities.

This late September event, ergo the name, engages a wide segment of the Carroll County community, and now regularly includes volunteers from Baltimore, Howard and Frederick Counties, as well as nearby Pennsylvania.

Thrivent for Lutherans, formerly known as the Lutheran Brotherhood, matches ticket sales for two of the five performances, and for many years, the 50-60 page program was printed without charge by the Carroll County Times Newspaper.

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20060825 KDDC Newspaper articles on Mr. Babylon

Newspaper articles on Mr. Babylon

August 25, 2006

Two very nice articles have been written about my father-in-law, former Westminster Common Council President David S. Babylon, Jr. passing away.

Although our family would have certainly rather attention had been given to Mr. Babylon’s accomplishments under different circumstances, it has been heartwarming to see friends and neighbors turn out for visitation and to read about a celebration of his life in the newspaper.

And a special thank you goes out to the Westminster Fire Department for the outpouring of help and comfort last Tuesday night when he passed away.

Since June 1^st, 1949, on countless occasions, my father-in-law has left the comfort of home, office and family to go out into the night with the fire department, to provide a public service of public safety to citizens in need.

It was nice to see the outpouring of the membership to our home when Mr. Babylon was in a time of need. Ultimately, it was Mr. Babylon’s time to be called home and he is at peace now - in spite of the incredible efforts of the EMS personnel from the Westminster Fire Department.

Mr. Babylon’s obituary can be found here. Marjorie Censer, with the Carroll County Times has an article here. And Fred Rasmussen wrote an article in the Baltimore Sun here.

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20060825 KDDC The art of the question

The art of the question

August 25, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

I would like to call to your attention two intelligent and thoughtful “question and answer” blog posts that I have noticed in the last several days.

The first one was the work of monoblogue, when Michael Swartz interviewed District 37 Senator Richard Colburn.

The second is the work of Crablaw, when Bruce Godfrey interviewed Saqib Ali, a Democratic candidate for the 39th District.

Perhaps you are saying to yourself - - well, I’m not really that interested in the elections in District 37 or 39…

Actually, it is important to all of us that an aggregate collection of the very best community leaders that we can find be elected to the Maryland General Assembly.

It is going to take electing good folks from throughout the state to ensure a prosperous future, a quality of life and sustainable approach to the many challenges we face in Maryland.

The two questionnaires reflect the thoughts of two very sharp minds – and give us an important insight to some of the conversations that are going-on across the state.

Both posts, here and here are worth the time to read.

I’m not sure that I am a fan of the “great person” theory of history. All great accomplishments and examples of moving the ball forward takes a large group of individuals working together for the greater good.

Providing depth and thoughtful insight into the byzantine machinations of government and business is one of the more important tasks for bloggers. This great democratization – leveling of the playing field, if you will, is an important right, which those of us on the Internet hold dearly. However, unfortunately, there is not enough conversation or focus on the fact that with these “rights,” come important responsibilities.

Certainly the more colorful blogs, with the reckless conversations, sensational approaches and locker room language get attention, but in the long view it is not necessarily good for the medium or the citizens we serve.

We need a few more bloggers like Mr. Swartz and Mr. Godfrey (and the Association of Howard County Bloggers.)

That’s my view, what’s yours?

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

20060825 KDDC Carroll Co. Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge

Carroll Co. Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge

August 25, 2006

Pasted below, please review Carroll County Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge. For more information please click here.

Primary: September 12, 2006
General: November 7, 2006

My Fellow Citizens:

For years, the abbreviation CCG has meant Carroll County Government. I am pleased that during this term of office, we have been able to change it to mean Citizen Centered government (with a small g). That means seeking consensus between citizens and the commissioners. It also means collaborating with other counties and agencies to find out what really works.

I came into office with a desire to create an atmosphere where all citizens are served in a fair, friendly and civil manner. When I was a little girl, government was there to serve the people. For a period of time that attitude changed. I am proud to say we have turned the tide again and County government has moved from closed to open.

In order to recognize the critical importance of the towns, we established the Council of Governments. Each town is represented by its elected officials and participates in a meaningful sharing of ideas, experiences and concerns. The Council promotes representation at the county level from all segments of the County.

In my current term, I have been able to make plans and strategies for the future. Many of the things we planned have been built. There is much more to do.

The next Board of Commissioners will vote on the next Master Plan, which will set the direction for economic development, residential growth and public facilities for years to come.

The next Board of Commissioners will have to address water needs. I support the creation of reservoirs and working with the towns to maintain their water supplies. We also need to protect the quality of the water we drink, and ensure that we do not grow beyond the water supplies we have.

The next Board of Commissioners has to finish dealing with the school crisis. The county must provide the majority of the funding for all-day kindergarten. I have formed relationships with the school system that make it easy for us to work together with a common purpose.

The next Board of Commissioners will have to address the needs of seniors. I have been at the forefront of plans for senior centers, and I just cut the ribbon at the new North Carroll Senior Center. A new center is planned in South Carroll as well.

Through my involvement with the National Association of Counties, I was able to bring home a free prescription discount plan that is available to all citizens. In less than a year, citizens have saved over one hundred thousand dollars on prescriptions, at no cost to the County.

I believe that County government must always be as efficient as possible, and we must do all we can to minimize the cost to all citizens while providing necessary services. We have established the Senior tax credit in order to make it possible for senior citizens to stay in their homes. We improved the homestead tax credit by lowering the cap from 10% to 7% as a way of reducing the effect of escalating home values.

I am a seventh generation Carroll Countian. I want to protect our rural heritage by preserving farmland. Many years ago we set a goal of 100,000 acres in preservation. We now have preserved 50,000 acres with 50,000 to go. This is beautiful farmland that will not become residential development that requires schools and other spending for infrastructure.

I need your support to continue on with the important business of keeping Carroll County all that it can be. After all, it is your government.

Sincerely,

Julia W. Gouge

---

My husband, Jesse, and I have been married for 47 years. We are the proud parents of four children and nine grandchildren

We have also been the parents of four foster children and sponsors for three foreign exchange students. We are active members of Shiloh United Methodist Church.

As a family we have been active in our church, volunteer organizations, civic organizations, 4-H, and Boy Scouts. I personally have been a 4-H Leader and an active member of the Federated Woman’s Club, Soroptimists, extension Homemakers and Lioness Club. The love and cooperation of my family have made my life in public service possible.

If you would like to help my campaign, either financially or by working with the campaign team, please call me at 410-239-3119 or send your check to:

Friends of Julia Gouge
444 Lees Mill Road
Hampstead, MD 21074

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20060824 KDDC Carroll Jt Neighborhood Assoc CC Regional Airport Exp Fact Sheet

Carroll Jt. Neighborhood Assoc. CC Regional Airport Exp Fact Sheet

August 24, 2006

I wanted to call to your attention a Fact Sheet e-mailed to me from the Carroll Joint Neighborhood Association concerning the issues of a possible expansion of the Carroll County Regional Airport.

For more information, contact Carroll Joint Neighborhood Association at cjna01@adelphia.net or (410) 857-1970

CARROLL COUNTY REGIONAL

AIRPORT EXPANSION FACT SHEET

Last Updated: August 13, 2006

Our Carroll County Government is promoting an expansion of the airport that would more than double the airport’s size, adding many more hangars and extending the runway by 1,300 feet, to a total of approximately 6,400 feet.

Airport Expansion Would Drain County Funds

The airport was expanded 12 years ago and it continues to lose money. Last year, there was a net operating loss of over $100,000.00. In the last six years, losses were more frequent than gains, and the losses were substantially greater than the gains. If the airport's size doubles, the potential exists for even greater losses. Since the airport is owned by the County and subsidized by County funds each year, who would make up for the increased losses?

If the airport is expanded, numerous security measures would need to be put into place. The County is attempting to acquire funds from Homeland Security. However, Homeland Security funds are very tight. If they cannot fund the added security, the County has said they would fund it. How much would that cost? Would the county, in fact, pay for added security, or would they leave us with an airport over twice the size, with inadequate security. (We were told on April 11, 2006 that current security at the airport consists of “somebody at the gas pump.”)

A County administrator informed us in the spring that County funds would pay $2 million toward the runway expansion. Now, they are waffling on this information. What are the real facts?

Taxpayer dollars are finite and are better spent on commercial revitalization projects and needed services.

Airport Expansion is Unnecessary

There is no evidence to suggest a need or demand to accommodate larger corporate jets. A County administrator told us for months that there was a long waiting list for corporate hangars. When asked for a copy of the waiting list, he replied, "I stopped keeping a waiting list."

At a June 7, 2006 meeting a County Commissioner remarked that “these numbers don’t add up,” referring to projections regarding future use of the airport. The community has never received updated or corrected data from the county.

Airports in nearby counties have ready access to major interstate highways. This makes them suitable for airport expansion projects. We have no such interstate highway access.

What Can I Do?

Go to ccramasterplan.com and learn more.

Write letters to the editor of Carroll County Times, the Eagle, the Advocate, Baltimore Examiner, Baltimore Sun, or the Gazette.

Ask the County Commissioner Candidates (including incumbents) where they stand on an expanded airport.

Help raise public awareness by sharing this information.

For more information, contact Carroll Joint Neighborhood Association at cjna01@adelphia.net or (410) 857-1970

20060823 KDDC David S Babylon Obit

David S. Babylon, Jr.

September 4, 1923 – August 22, 2006

Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home

91 Willis Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157

410-848-3933 Fax 410-876-3284

David Snider Babylon, Jr., 82, died at his home on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, after an extended illness.

Born on September 4, 1923 in Westminster, MD, he was the son of the late D. Snider Babylon and Marion Cover Babylon. He and G. Evelyn Fluck Babylon were married October 16, 1948 by her father, the Reverend Dr. William A. Fluck, in Hatfield, PA.

Mr. Babylon was a 1941 graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy. He was one of the youngest Captains commissioned in the U. S. Army during World War II. He graduated from Gettysburg College in January 1948 with a BA degree in Economics.

After graduation, he continued in a business, Cunocar Bookkeeping Service, begun in his college years. Many in Westminster have fond memories of Mr. Babylon’s green “office-on-wheels,” in which he would travel from business to business. He sold his business in 1986, to retire, travel, and enjoy his family and friends. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends at his home on Willis Street.

Much of life was dedicated to public service. He joined the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company #1 on June 1^st, 1949. Serving in the fire department was one of the passions in his life. He served for many years as secretary/treasurer. Some members still recall how he stopped by the station every morning to “match for coffee” – flipping a 1923 silver dollar.

Mr. Babylon served as a Westminster Common Councilman for 25 years, from 1964 to 1989; at which time, he retired. For 16 of those years, he served as the Common Council President as did his grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon, in 1898 and 1899.

Mr. Babylon was a member of Carroll Post 31 American Legion for over 60 years, as well as a member of the Westminster Elks Lodge 2277, and a member and past president of the Westminster Lions Club for over 50 years, for which he was named a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1994. He was a member and past president of the Westminster Riding Club; of which his sister, Eleanor Cover Babylon was a founding member.

He was also an active member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church on Carroll Street in Westminster as was his family for two previous generations.

As a business professional, Mr. Babylon served as President and board member of the Westminster Hardware Company for many years. He served as a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Carroll County Bank and Trust Company from 1961 until 1999 as well as Mason-Dixon Bancshares from 1991 to 1999. His grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon and father, D. Snider Babylon, also served as President of the Westminster Hardware Company and as a Director and President of the Westminster Savings Bank, the predecessor of Carroll County Bank & Trust.

He was on the Board of Directors of Piney Branch Golf & Country Club, the Raymond I. Richardson Foundation for Bowling Brook School and the Albaugh and Babylon Grocery Co.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, their spouses and six grandchildren. Marian Babylon Rognlien and her husband, Ronald L. Rognlien and daughter, Marnie, of Nokesville, VA. Col. William T. Babylon, US Army (Ret.) and his wife, Lt. Col. Patricia Jean Cronen Babylon, US Army (Ret.) and their children, Franklin Thomas and his fiancé, Rosalena Magroski; Elizabeth Anne; and David Snider Babylon III, of Anchorage, AK. Caroline Babylon and her husband, Kevin Dayhoff, of Westminster, MD. Sarah Babylon Dorrance and children Jamie and Melissa, of Mount Airy, MD.

He was predeceased by his stepmother, Caroline Billingslea Babylon, sister, Eleanor Cover Babylon, brother Thomas Cover Babylon, and son-in-law James Dorrance.

The family will receive friends at the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home at 91 Willis Street, Westminster, MD from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8, Friday, August 25. The Westminster Fire Department will hold a memorial service at 8:15 p.m. Friday evening, August 25.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street in Westminster at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 with the Reverend David B. Helfrich officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. before the service at Grace Lutheran Church. Entombment will be private at the family mausoleum at Krider’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evelyn and David S. Babylon Community Fund, c/o The Carroll Community Foundation, 255 Clifton Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157.

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20060823 KDDC Sarah Palin for governor of Alaska

Sarah Palin for governor of Alaska

August 23, 2006

We should all have a governor that looks like this.

Then again, we should all have a governor that thinks like this and this. Looks like she needs to run for president.

Click here to view the election results!

And check out this quick commercial: "Time for a Change" It may take a moment to load, but it is a good commercial, I like the part at the end “Frugally paid for by …” and the little kid running about with a sign.

Could someone from Alaska tell us what the lay of the land is in Alaska? What’s the general election look like. I have not been following the election much, in spite of the fact that I have a great brother and sister-in-law - - and a wonderful niece and nephew that live in Anchorage… I’m usually more interested in being a good uncle than following the politics. However, Ms. Palin seems like a great future…

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20060822 KDDC David S Babylon Sept 4 1923 to Aug 22 2006

David S. Babylon, Jr.
September 4, 1923 – August 22, 2006

Westminster City Councilman, 25 years: May 11, 1964 to May 19, 1989,
Council President, 16 years: May 1973 to May 1989

Terms of Office:
7 terms: One 2-year term, one 3-year term and five 4-year terms.
May 1964 to May 1966
May 1966 to May 1968
(changed to 1969 when terms were changed to four years)
May 1969 to May 1973
May 1973 to May 1977
May 1977 to May 1981
May 1981 to May 1985
May 1985 to May 1989
(Council President Babylon chose to not run for an eighth term).

Brief Bio as of May 19th, 1999

Mr. Babylon is retired. He was a self-employed accountant and tax consultant for 40 years.

He served as a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board of The Carroll County and & Trust Company from 1961 until 1999 as well as Mason-Dixon Bankshares from 1991 until 1999.

He served as President and Board Member of the Westminster Hardware Company for many years. He was on the Board of Directors of Piney Branch Golf & Country Club, and the Raymond I. Richardson Foundation. He has been a member of the Westminster Lions Club for 51 years.

He has been a member of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company #1 since June 1st, 1949 - - for over 50 years, serving many of those years as fund-raiser and as Treasurer.

Public service is not new to Mr. Babylon and the Babylon family. Mr. Babylon's Grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon, also served as President of the Westminster City Council, in 1898 and 1899. F. Thomas Babylon and David Snider Babylon, (Mr. Babylon's Father) also served as President of the Westminster Hardware Company and as Director and President of the Westminster Savings Bank, the predecessor of Carroll County Bank & Trust Company.

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20060823 KDDC Michelle Jefferson for District 5 Senate

Michelle Jefferson For State Senate: District 5

I'm Michelle Jefferson and your candidate for State Senate, District 5.

So often our elected officials become too indifferent and unresponsive to the wishes of the people they represent. Politicians start to believe they know more about the issues impacting Carroll and Baltimore County families than those who are actually confronted with them every day. The residents of District 5 know what is best for their families. They alone are in a position to determine how best to live their lives.

The unfortunate truth is that the district has suffered as a result of this political arrogance, and I believe that is unacceptable.

As your State Senator, I will work to change this negative and harmful attitude. I will work for you in Annapolis. I pledge to confront the issues most important to the residents of our district, not those of special interest groups or personal friends.

An elected official is a public servant who should be both accessible and accountable to the people they represent. To be an effective representative, I believe it is essential to maintain an open and honest relationship with other elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation. This dialogue is a fundamental part of representing the people, and getting the job done.

On September 12, I ask for your vote so together we can make a real difference.

For more of Ms Jefferson's positions and vision, please go to her web site: here.

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20060823 David S Babylon Obit

David S. Babylon, Jr.

September 4, 1923 – August 22, 2006

Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home

91 Willis Street, Westminster, Maryland 21157

410-848-3933 Fax 410-876-3284

David Snider Babylon, Jr., 82, died at his home on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, after an extended illness.

Born on September 4, 1923 in Westminster, MD, he was the son of the late D. Snider Babylon and Marion Cover Babylon. He and G. Evelyn Fluck Babylon were married October 16, 1948 by her father, the Reverend Dr. William A. Fluck, in Hatfield, PA.

Mr. Babylon was a 1941 graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy. He was one of the youngest Captains commissioned in the U. S. Army during World War II. He graduated from Gettysburg College in January 1948 with a BA degree in Economics.

After graduation, he continued in a business, Cunocar Bookkeeping Service, begun in his college years. Many in Westminster have fond memories of Mr. Babylon’s green “office-on-wheels,” in which he would travel from business to business. He sold his business in 1986, to retire, travel, and enjoy his family and friends. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends at his home on Willis Street.

Much of life was dedicated to public service. He joined the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company #1 on June 1^st, 1949. Serving in the fire department was one of the passions in his life. He served for many years as secretary/treasurer. Some members still recall how he stopped by the station every morning to “match for coffee” – flipping a 1923 silver dollar.

Mr. Babylon served as a Westminster Common Councilman for 25 years, from 1964 to 1989; at which time, he retired. For 16 of those years, he served as the Common Council President as did his grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon, in 1898 and 1899.

Mr. Babylon was a member of Carroll Post 31 American Legion for over 60 years, as well as a member of the Westminster Elks Lodge 2277, and a member and past president of the Westminster Lions Club for over 50 years, for which he was named a Melvin Jones Fellow in 1994. He was a member and past president of the Westminster Riding Club; of which his sister, Eleanor Cover Babylon was a founding member.

He was also an active member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church on Carroll Street in Westminster as was his family for two previous generations.

As a business professional, Mr. Babylon served as President and board member of the Westminster Hardware Company for many years. He served as a Director and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Carroll County Bank and Trust Company from 1961 until 1999 as well as Mason-Dixon Bancshares from 1991 to 1999. His grandfather, F. Thomas Babylon and father, D. Snider Babylon, also served as President of the Westminster Hardware Company and as a Director and President of the Westminster Savings Bank, the predecessor of Carroll County Bank & Trust.

He was on the Board of Directors of Piney Branch Golf & Country Club, the Raymond I. Richardson Foundation for Bowling Brook School and the Albaugh and Babylon Grocery Co.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, their spouses and six grandchildren. Marian Babylon Rognlien and her husband, Ronald L. Rognlien and daughter, Marnie, of Nokesville, VA. Col. William T. Babylon, US Army (Ret.) and his wife, Lt. Col. Patricia Jean Cronen Babylon, US Army (Ret.) and their children, Franklin Thomas and his fiancé, Rosalena Magroski; Elizabeth Anne; and David Snider Babylon III, of Anchorage, AK. Caroline Babylon and her husband, Kevin Dayhoff, of Westminster, MD. Sarah Babylon Dorrance and children Jamie and Melissa, of Mount Airy, MD.

He was predeceased by his stepmother, Caroline Billingslea Babylon, sister, Eleanor Cover Babylon, brother Thomas Cover Babylon, and son-in-law James Dorrance.

The family will receive friends at the Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home at 91 Willis Street, Westminster, MD from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8, Friday, August 25. The Westminster Fire Department will hold a memorial service at 8:15 p.m. Friday evening, August 25.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll Street in Westminster at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 26 with the Reverend David B. Helfrich officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. before the service at Grace Lutheran Church. Entombment will be private at the family mausoleum at Krider’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evelyn and David S. Babylon Community Fund, c/o The Carroll Community Foundation, 255 Clifton Blvd., Westminster, MD 21157.

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20060822 Defiant mannequin arrested claims - self defense

Defiant mannequin arrested claims - self defense

Westminster

August 22, 2006

By Kant Betrue, Rhoiders

Chaos ensued in a local J.C. Penney Co. store recently when a rouge mannequin attacked a hapless shopper looking for the right blouse.

Police were called and sources close to the incident have reported that a mannequin was arrested at the scene and hauled off in handcuffs.

Defiant throughout the ordeal, the mannequin, (who may or may not be an android or a cylon,) latter identified as Mrs. Roberto Caricature, said that she was only acting in self-defense.

The Department of Homeland Defense immediately raised the national threat level to a soft yellow-orange crèmesicle, for possible mannequin uprising activity.

According to published accounts, Mrs. Innocent Civilian, 51, “said she was ambushed by a legless female mannequin at the company's Westminster Mall store, a skirmish that left her with a bloodied scalp, a cracked tooth, recurring shoulder pain and numbness in her fingers.”

The Associated Press reports, Ms. Civilian “said the incident happened… in the women's department, as she was shopping for a blouse. The only one in her size was on the mannequin. As a salesclerk was removing the garment, the dummy's arm flew off and struck” Ms. Civilian in the head…

Ms. Civilian, of Westminster, remarked that since the alleged “run-in with a store mannequin,” she has been traumatized by the incident and “something must be done with the rampant abuse of shoppers at the hands of lawless mannequins.”

The Los Angels Times reports, the “alleged attack was the latest in a string of mannequin mayhem incidents nationwide.

"There are a slew of lawsuits like this," said mannequin manufacturer Barry Rosenberg, who joked that stores should run background checks on dummies before letting them mingle with shoppers.

“Most of the cases involved mannequins toppling over onto customers, but an Indiana woman claimed she caught herpes from the lips of a CPR training dummy. She dropped her lawsuit against the American Red Cross in 2000 after further tests revealed that she didn't have the disease, according to news reports.”

Meanwhile, the mannequin, Mrs. Roberto Caricature, claims self-defense.

Seems the mannequin had a bad childhood. It wasn’t her fault.

Ms. Caricature explained loudly as she was lead away in handcuffs, that she was particular modest and had “tired of folks just taking her clothes off in public and leaving her exposed.”

“I have my rights,” she extolled, according to police reports. “People just walk to us mannequins all the time and fondle and ogle us. It’s not right I tell ya. It’s not right.”

"'My mom got beat up by a mannequin' was the joke around my house, "Ms. Civilian said.

For Mrs. Caricature, it is not a laughing matter. “Mannequins across the land are demanding our rights. We’re tired of being victimized.”

Mrs. Caricature, who claims to be an “adroidaquin,” the child of a marriage between an android and a mannequin, claims that she is tired of the abuse. “We dream of electric sheep too,” she elaborated.

The Los Angeles Times, for which it has long been suspected of being run by mindless, stateless androids, agreed. (There are no American flags in front of the building…)

“Getting roughed up by a dummy isn't a slapstick affair. The fiberglass figures can weigh as much as 100 pounds, said Rosenberg, chief executive of Mondo Mannequins in Hicksville, N.Y.

“He added that his company had been named in numerous lawsuits by retailers who themselves have been sued over dummy-related injuries.

“Mannequin maulings and litigation aren't new. In 1990, a Florida woman collected $175,000 after a faceless Macy's dummy fell onto her neck and reportedly injured a disc.

“In 1993, a Minnesota woman was knocked unconscious by a falling mannequin at a Dayton's department store, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. She needed five stitches and several chiropractic sessions to recover but didn't sue.

“And in 2001, a Canadian shopper in Vancouver won a $330,000 verdict after a Gap store mannequin landed on her head. Elizabeth Ball was apparently jinxed when it came to store displays. A few years earlier, while shopping at a lighting store, she was beaned by a falling chandelier, according to the Canadian Press.”

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20060821 KDDC Welcome

20060820 KDDC The Howard County Gang of Four

The Howard County Gang of Four
August 21, 2006

Howard County Bloggers host an on-line county forum for the upcoming elections.

The Baltimore Sun article by Larry Carson that Crablaw first called to my attention: “Local bloggers play political role” was published Sunday, August 20. 2006. Of all the Sun’s writers, I appreciate Mr. Carson’s work.

You may wanna be sure to read Crablaw’s observations.

David Keelan at HoCoBlog observes: “Local bloggers play political role.”

I first mentioned the “Gang of Four’s” participation in the election here.

HoCo Hayduke reports,
“In case you haven't heard, the Gang of Four (Local Bloggers) will be sponsoring
an on-line candidate forum for most local elections beginning in October. More
details here.” Actually, the author of the HoCoMD Blog kindly emailed me the press release earlier today. Thanks. This is a great opportunity for Howard County voters and a perfect role for the four blogs: HoCoMD Blog; The Hedgehog Report; HoCo Hayduke; and Howard CountyBlog.

The first three paragraphs of Mr. Carson’s article are:

Candidates' forums can be inconvenient -- and lengthy -- to attend, but a
politically diverse group of Howard County bloggers is planning an electronic
question-and-answer session for the general election that voters can use when
and how they please.

Although Republicans David Keelan and Dave Wissing
and Democrats Ian Kennedy and Evan Coren do not share the same political
philosophy, they all started local blogs based on politics or development, and
they eventually connected and decided to collaborate.

They appear to
have achieved a level of civility in short supply in Washington or Annapolis
these days.

A sampling of posts on KDDC that are Howard County oriented are:

20060819
KDDC Wi Fi for Carroll County
19 Aug 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff… As
I was grazing the blogs of my colleagues in Howard County, I came across this
excellent post by Evan on the Howard County Blog: “Wi-Fi.”. In my column for the
Westminster Eagle, I have written two pieces specifically on Wi-Fi...

20060808
KDDC The Howard County Gang of Four bloggers
8 Aug 2006 by
Kevin Dayhoff… “Politics in the Enchanted Forest:” The political silly season
has already begun in Howard County , known as the former home of the " Enchanted
Forest ." In our neighboring county, politics have recently started to resemble
the...

20060624
KDDC The Running Mate Decision
24 Jun 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff…
The political silly season has already begun in Howard County, known as the
former home of the "Enchanted Forest." In our neighboring county, politics have recently started to resemble the storybook theme park that prospered in...

And this is as far as I have time today to chat or graze my colleague’s site… Maybe more later? Meanwhile, other work is going to interfere to my life on the net… I’m looking forward to working this Association of Howard County Bloggers – they are quite a talented group of folks and their blogs are an invaluable source of information for me.

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

20060820 KDDC Frederick County Commissioner election questionnaire

Frederick County Commissioner election questionnaire
August 20th, 2006

I found out about the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce commissioner questionnaire from reading Clifford G. Cumber’s August 18, 2006 “Political Notebook” on the Frederick News-Post website.

For anyone not familiar with Mr. Cumber’s work, you should check out the Frederick News-Post and take a look at his political coverage. It is excellent.

For the Frederick County primary election for commissioner, the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce has posted on their web site responses to a questionnaire. You can find it by clicking here.

Gee, I wish someone would do this in Carroll and Howard County - - Information on all the candidates – all in one place.

It is 72 pages long… Happy reading.

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

20060831 KDDC Candidates on Frederick County Ballot

Candidates on Frederick County Ballot

This post will stay here at the top of the blog posts until the primary. The primary election is Tuesday, September 12th, 2006.

Listed here are the candidates on the local Frederick County, MD ballot according The Tentacle:

*- indicates incumbent

** - indicates General Election Candidate – No Primary

CONGRESSIONAL SIXTH DISTRICT

Roscoe G. Bartlett (R) * Frederick County

Joseph T. Krysztoforski (R) Baltimore County

Andrew Duck (D) Frederick County

Barry J. C. Kissin (D) Frederick County

Donald Leo Toker Jr. (D) Montgomery County (withdrawn)

Robert E. Kozak (Green) Frederick County **

STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 3

Tim Brooks (R) Frederick

Alex X. Mooney (R) Frederick *

Hugh M. Warner (R) Frederick

Candy O. Greenway (D) Frederick

George D. Wenschhof (D) Frederick (withdrawn)

STATE SENATOR DISCTRICT 4

David R. Brinkley (R) New Market *

Paul Chamberlain (R) Taneytown

HOUSE OF DELEGATES DISTRICT 3-A

Patrick N. Hogan (R) Frederick * **

Linda Naylor (R) Frederick **

Galen Ronald Clagett (D) Frederick * **

Sue Hecht (D) Frederick **

HOUSE OF DELEGATES DISTRICT 3-B

Roy Burke II (R) Brunswick

Richard B. Weldon Jr. (R) Brunswick *

Paul Gilligan (D) Burkittsville **

HOUSE OF DELEGATES DISTRICT 4-A

Joseph R. Bartlett (R) Middletown *

Paul S. Stull (R) Walkersville *

Maggi Margaret Hays (D) Walkersville (added)

HOUSE OF DELEGATES DISTRICT 4-B

Donald B. Elliott (R) New Windsor

Bob Lubitz (R) Westminster

Timothy Schlauch (D) Westminster **

FREDERICK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Ronald L. Bird (R) Frederick

Mike Cady (R) Frederick *

Samie Conyers (R) Frederick

Micky Fyock (R) Woodsboro

David Gray (R) Walkersville

Thomas C. Henderson (R) New Market

Charles A. Jenkins (R) Frederick

Elaine McCulloh Kessinger (R) Frederick

John R. Lovell Jr. (R) Jefferson *

Edward Lulie (R) Jefferson

Stan Mazaleski (R) Emmitsburg

Joan McIntyre (R) Frederick

Billy Shreve (R) Frederick

John L. Lennie Thompson Jr. (R) Walkersville *

Richard M. Floyd (D) Jefferson **

Jan H. Gardner (D) Frederick * **

Kai John Hagen (D) Thurmont **

Ron Wolf (D) Frederick **

Diane Dougherty Zimmerman (D) Frederick ** (withdrawn)

FREDERICK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY

Dino E. Flores Jr. (R) Frederick

Charlie Smith (R) Middletown

William Bill Poffenbarger (D) Frederick **

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT

Sandra K. Dalton (R) Walkersville**

Richard O. Gibbs (D) Frederick**

REGISTER OF WILLS

Virginia P. Fifer (R) Frederick*

Patricia A. La Grange (R) Frederick

Irene Hawkins Weddle (R) Walkersville

Sarah E. Finefrock (D) Frederick (added)

JUDGE OF THE ORPHANS COURT

James S. Grimes (R) Frederick

Tim May (R) Frederick*

Adrian McC. Remsburg (R) Middletown

John M. Tregoning (R) Frederick *

Fern I. Hines (D) Union Bridge **

John H. Norman (D) Monrovia **

FREDERICK COUNTY SHERIFF

Harold L. Domer Jr. (R) Thurmont

William G. Folden (R) Jefferson

Chuck Jenkins (R) Thurmont

Thomas Johann (R) Woodsboro

Tony Lawson (D) Jefferson

Charles I. Tobery Jr. (D) Emmitsburg

DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE (Female)

Anne L. Dudley – Frederick

Barbara Adele Fine – Middletown

Diana L. Fink – Ijamsville

Maggi Margaret Hays – Walkersville

Janine Mahraun – Frederick

Florence D. Schell – Walkersville

DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE (Male)

Sushil K. Bhattacharjee – Frederick *

Russ Currey – Middletown *

Jim Hall – Frederick

Ted Jensen – Frederick (withdrawn)

Bob Kresslein – Middletown *

Adam Schultz – Thurmont

Stephen G. Slater – Jefferson

Tony Soltero – New Market

REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Bill Ashton – Frederick *

Robert A. Bree Rettig – Ijamsville

Mechelle Brooks – Frederick

Tim Brooks – Frederick *

Senitta Renee Conyers – Frederick

Dino E. Flores Jr. – Frederick

Phillip Greene – Frederick *

Michael Hough – Frederick

Blaine Mossburg – Frederick

Eric T. Myers – Middletown

Katherine Nash – Frederick

Jacqui Nigh – New Market

Carol Lee Powell – Frederick

Mary C. Rolle – Frederick

George Elias Salibi – Frederick

Kelly M. Schultz – New Market

Bryan Smith – Frederick

FREDERICK COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION (Non-Partisan)

Daryl Boffman – Frederick *

Bonnie Smith Borsa – Frederick *

Fern Brittain Jr. – Frederick

Barrie S. Ciliberti – Frederick

Whitney McDyer Duck – Brunswick

Angie L. Fish – New Market

Lanie Lile – Frederick

Leslie Ann Mansfield – Frederick

Mike Schaden – Frederick *

Jean Smith – Mount Airy *

Jonathan Switzer – Frederick

####

20060820 KDDC CC Primary Election Coverage

Carroll County Primary Election Coverage
Last updated August 20th, 2006

Listed below are the candidates for elected office in Carroll as of the June 27th, 2006 filing deadline.

This post will stay here at the top of the blog posts until the primary.

The primary election is Tuesday, September 12th, 2006.

Of course, since it is a primary, I will probably not endorse anyone. I have never felt that endorsing candidates in a primary to be very smart. Once the primary election is over, you have to work with these folks and since, to the best of my knowledge, all the candidates are human, folks tend to have a memory… I know that I do…

Anyone who dares to leave the comfort of the little cocoon of their life and stick their necks out to run for political office is a winner. They are all to be respected and congratulated.

As time allows, I will attempt to get something for each and every candidate up on the blog. If you are a candidate or a supporter of a particular candidate and you have information that you would like to see on the blog, please feel free to email it to me at kdayhoff@carr.org. Please include the term: KDDC in the subject line. As time allows, I will be happy to get it up on the blog.

The best way to search for information about any particular candidate is to use the search engine at the very top left of the blog. Go to the silver bar at the top of the page and look for an entry field to the left of “search this blog.” It is an excellent search engine. Type in the last name of a particular candidate and hit enter.

The last day to register to vote in the Tuesday, September 12th, 2006primary is Tuesday, August 22, 2006

The last day to register for the November 7th, 2006 general election is October 17th, 2006

You may download a registration application form here. The phone number for the Carroll County Board of Elections is: (410) 386-2080. The web site for the Carroll County Board of Elections is here. If you have not had the opportunity to work with the folks at the Carroll County Board of Elections, you will pleasantly surprised how friendly, knowledgeable and helpful they are. They are definitely in the customer service business. (Disclosure: I was an election judge for 10 years in the 1990s…)

If you see any mistakes on this page, please email me at kdayhoff@carr.org and let me know. Please include the term: KDDC in the subject line.

State Senator, District 04
Paul Chamberlain (R)
(I) David R. Brinkley (R)

State Senator, District 05
(I) Larry E. Haines (R)
Michelle Jefferson (R)

State Senator, District 09
Rich Corkran (D)
(I) Allen H. Kittleman (R)

House Of Delegates District 04b
(I) Donald B. Elliott (R)
Bob Lubitz (R)
Timothy Schlauch (D)

House Of Delegates District/Circuit 05a
William C. Niner (R)
David D. Wallace II (R)
(I) Tanya Shewell (R)
Haven N. Shoemaker Jr. (R)
(I) Nancy R. Stocksdale (R)
Scott C. Stone (R)
Kevin R. Utz (R)

House Of Delegates District/Circuit 09b
Larry Helminiak (R)
(I) Susan Krebs (R)
Anita Lombardi Riley (D)

Judge Of The Circuit Court District/Circuit 05 (Choose two)
(Non-Partisan)
(I) Barry J. Hughes
(I) Thomas Stansfield
Kevin D. Wise

Carroll County Commissioners (Choose three)
Douglas Eugene Myers (R)
(I) Perry L. Jones Jr. (R)
Wade Emory Miracle (R)
Dave Greenwalt (R)
(I) Dean L. Minnich (R)
(I) Julia Walsh Gouge (R)
Christopher Eric Bouchat (R)
Doug Howard (R)
Michael D. Zimmer (R)
Mary Kowalski (R)
Dennis E. Beard (D)
Vincent F. DiPietro (D)
Richard F. Solomon (D)

Clerk Of The Court (Choose one)
Sarah E. Hackett (R)
Donald Sealing II (R)
Diane O'Leary (R)
Pamela L. Masimore-Grimes (R)
Florence J. Barnes (R)
Marlene K. Titus (R)
Nimrod Davis (D)

Judge Of The Orphans Court (Choose three)
(I) Dorothy V Utz (R)
(I) Herbert J. Reisig (R)
(I) John D. Carbaugh (R)
Richard Thomas Yates (R)

State’s Attorney - Unopposed
(I) Jerry F. Barnes (R)

Sheriff - unopposed
(I) Ken Tregoning (R)

Board Of Education
(Non-Partisan)
George E. Maloney
(I) Gary Bauer
(I) Patricia W. Gadberry
Dan Dekowski
Dave Roush
Ernest F. Sharff
Eric M. Weber
Barbara Shreeve

Register Of Wills
(I) Paul G. Zimmermann (R)
V. Valerie Shultz (D)

####

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