20080511 Roads, property rights, recklessness, four letter words, reservoirs, and ruin by Kevin Dayhoff

Roads, property rights, recklessness, four letter words, reservoirs, and ruin

Long version of my Sunday Carroll Eagle column for Sunday, May 11, 2008

By Kevin Dayhoff (826 words)

Writer’s note: A shorter version of this column appears in the Sunday Carroll Eagle on May 11, 2008: Roads, reservoirs, property rights and four-letter words Below please find an earlier – longer draft of the column… KED

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Road construction and maintenance has always been a hot topic in Carroll County and recently, funding street maintenance is the cause of great concern for Westminster officials in the budget process.

History frequently mentions discussion of funding street maintenance in Westminster. In the Westminster municipal election of 1890 the issue that bitterly divided the community was the condition of the streets. Approximately 550 citizens voted in that election to decide whether or not the City should take out a bond for $25,000 for street improvements.

In another example, on April 27, 1927, an emergency bill was passed in the Maryland General Assembly that authorized Westminster “to borrow Seventy-five Thousand Dollars, to be secured by a bond issue… not exceeding four and one-half per cent… (to) be used and applied exclusively to the paving and improving of the streets, curbs, and gutters of the town…”

However, Governor Albert C. Ritchie vetoed it. 1927 was not a good year for Westminster in the Maryland legislature. Another bill passed by the legislature provided “for the extension of the (city) limits of Westminster.” It was also vetoed.

This leads me to a reader’s question from some time ago: why there are so many sharp curves on old county roads. The answer is that the roads went in between and around property lines. In days gone-by, agricultural fields and property rights were far more important than straightening out roads and using eminent domain was totally out of the question.

This brings to mind a question poised by a number of folks in the last several months: has Carroll County government ever used eminent domain in its history to acquire property?

The short answer is no – never. Eminent domain is a “four letter word” in Carroll County. Property rights have always been a sacred cow in Carroll County.

In days gone by, our county population was considerably smaller and we were a close-knit community; therefore government was always able to come to mutually agreeable terms when it came to projects involving the good of the greater community.

The long answer is that a number of years ago - in the only example of eminent domain even being discussed was a convoluted road right-of-way dispute in the southern part of the county. A solution was eventually found in which eminent domain was ultimately not used.

Recently, the term, eminent domain, has been used rather recklessly by folks that are obviously not aware of our history and traditions.

Which brings us to the anniversary of another reason eminent domain is so unpopular in Carroll County – Liberty Reservoir. One reader has asked whether or not Carroll County used eminent domain for Liberty Reservoir. Oh my goodness, what a sore subject. Again, the short answer is no – wrong government; that was Baltimore City.

On April 10, 1931, Governor Ritchie signed into law the “Legislative Act of the Patapsco River Basin,” which allowed Baltimore City to condemn and completely destroy the town of Oakland Mills in Carroll County. (Governor Ritchie must have really not liked Carroll County.)

Ill feelings about that legislation have long-since become a part of the “personality” of Carroll County. Diana Mills Scott has written an excellent account of the (horrible) “story of a Carroll County community lost to the waters of Liberty Reservoir,” for the Historical Society of Carroll County and our own Bob Allen wrote about it in the Jan. 6, 2008, edition of the Sunday Carroll Eagle ("Awash in History.")

The legislation said: “The City of Baltimore had complete authority to remove mills, factories, workshops, stores, farms, churches, graveyards, school houses, dwelling houses, out houses, or anything that hindered the updating of the Baltimore City water system.” (I’m not making this up.)

Salt is poured in the wound every time Carroll County government has to write a check to Baltimore City for Carroll County water made available by Liberty Dam(n).

Okay, now that we have got that little bit of unpleasant history behind us; last week’s Sunday Carroll Eagle history trivia question must have been much harder than I anticipated. I asked: “What American president made a whistle-stop appearance in Westminster on May 4, 1912?”

It was President Theodore Roosevelt. Only one person got it right. The person who got it right must be hiding in an undisclosed location with Vice-President Dick Cheney as they only identified themselves as “PATMD1950.” Another day – another mystery.

For this week's Sunday Carroll Eagle trivia question for the famed coffee mug, let’s try Civil War history. Who was the legendary Confederate cavalry commander, who was delayed on his way to the Battle of Gettysburg by “Corbit’s Charge,” as his unit came through Westminster on June 29, 1863. On this date in 1864, he was mortally wounding in Battle of Yellow Tavern in Virginia.

Think you know? Drop me a line at kdayhoff@carr.org, and I might just pull your name for the incredible coffee mug. And please put Sunday Carroll Eagle in the subject line. Thanks.

When he is not watching the History Channel with a big bowl of grits, Kevin Dayhoff can be reached at kdayhoff AT carr.org

Eminent domain Carroll County Commissioners

20080511 Roads, property rights, recklessness, four letter words, reservoirs, and ruin by Kevin Dayhoff

20080512 West Middle School to celebrate its 50th anniversary

Westminster West Middle School to celebrate its 50^th anniversary

By Kevin Dayhoff May 12, 2008

This Saturday, West Middle School, 60 Monroe Street in Westminster, will celebrate its 50^th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Currently one of nine middle schools in the county for grades six through eight, it was originally built in 1958 alongside the William Winchester Elementary School on a 24-acre portion of the old Albaugh and Babylon farm.

When it was first constructed it was named the Westminster Junior High School and it housed grades seven through nine.

This Saturday the festivities will include 1950s food refreshments, videos and interviews and an antique car show. If you are one of the more than 20,000 students who attended either the middle or junior high school there, this is a wonderful time to revisit. The event is open to the public.

For more information please call the school at 410-751-3661 or go the school’s 50^th anniversary web site at: www.carrollk12.org/wml/anniversary.htm.

Kevin Dayhoff can be reached at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20080511 Bryan Schutt watch

Bryan Schutt watch

May 11, 2008

One of the latest reporters, who write for the Carroll County Times, that I have been following recently, is Bryan Schutt.

He has only been with the paper since March of 2008. He came to the Times after he earned his B.A. in Journalism in December of 2007 at Penn State University. And for a Yankee, he really doesn’t write badly at all.

Of course, as many readers are aware, I read writers. Too often, the headline for any particular article is misleading and the lead paragraph – the slug – is all too often a compromise between a writer and a copy editor who wants to punch up some interest in the piece.

So I read writers – not headlines.

I first met Mr. Schutt at the Main Street Mile event in Westminster and he asked good questions. He is typical of so many of the new young reporters that arrive at the Times; eager and energetic.

Of course, some of the new ones present as clueless and have an attitude. He seems to have some confidence. There is a big difference between attitude and confidence.

However, as I mentioned before, he asked good questions. And for the female readers, he looks like he is an avatar from GQ.

Of course, one of the first assignments they often get is Westminster city government. What a tough assignment as the current administration has mistaken transparent government to mean translucent; and no group of elected officials around manages the news as well as these folks.

As is so often the case with young reporters, especially at the Times, they fail to challenge their sources.

Anyway - one of several pieces I have taken notice of recently were the two articles on hybrids. I own a Prius and I love it.

*****

As gas prices continue to climb, companies are looking for new ways to power autos In 1985, a Ford Escort was rated at 26 combined miles per gallon. Twenty-three years later, the new heavily advertised Ford Focus is rated at a combined 28 mpg, according to fueleconomy.gov, a Web site that rates fuel efficiency. A 1988 Honda Civic r... May. 11, 2008

Hybrid owners pleased As a retiree, 66-year-old Kenneth Vrtacnik is determined to be economical. “Any way I can save, as far as the environment goes, I try to,” Vrtacnik said. The Westminster resident said he used to commute to Washington, D.C., astride his Ha... May. 11, 2008

Manchester to review fiscal year 2009 budget Fighting the same rising costs of health care, electricity and gasoline prices as other towns, Manchester’s town officials said they worked to save money and create a balanced budget that provides similar services to the town, at similar prices... May. 12, 2008

Taking to the skies: Maryland residents experience one-of-a-kind ride in World War II training plane There were no decorated pine trees, no sprinkled and shaped cut-out cookies and no familiar ringing sounds from the Salvation Army bell but sure enough, it was Christmas at the Carroll County Regional Airport Sunday for two Maryland residents. Vid... May. 12, 2008

Westminster overhauls Capital Improvement Plan Budget concerns became a reality in Westminster Monday, when the proposed Capital Improvement Plan featured a scaled-back fiscal year 2009 budget. The Westminster Common Council was presented with a CIP drastically different from the one originally a... Apr. 29, 2008

Westminster Flower & Jazz Festival offers gift ideas for mom Flowers and mothers go hand in hand, and Westminster has a history of successfully joining the two for its annual Flower & Jazz Festival. Always scheduled for the day before Mother’s Day, the festival is a prime opportunity for last-minute Moth... May. 9, 2008

Driven by her dad’s influence, Nancy Weller isn’t easily intimidated and is certainly capable of pulling her own weight Big-block engines, turbo chargers, and plain-old raw horsepower used to be exclusively under a man’s domain, but not anymore. Video Nancy Weller of Taneytown has been competing against and beating her male counterparts in tractor-pull compe... Apr. 28, 2008

City officials tout budget document's new look Westminster’s new budget document represents a bright spot in an otherwise tough fiscal year to plan, according to city officials, and now, they say it’s time for residents’ input. While the old budget was about 25 pages of numbers,... May. 5, 2008

History lives Today, Dan Graf of Hampstead will be at work as a plant operator for Maryland Paving. Video Sunday, Graf was roughing it outdoors, dressed in his wool Confederate uniform and battling Union soldiers. Graf was one of about 300 re-enactors taking pa... May. 5, 2008

Postage rates to increase Soon-to-be graduates and married couples getting ready to mail thank-you cards and invitations might want to make a trip to the post office to stock up on Forever Stamps before May 12. In tune with other rising costs across the country, many of the U... May. 3, 2008

Special Olympics Sportsmanship, activism primary themes of county games Video Hundreds of athletes and volunteers crowded Westminster High’s Ruby Field for the annual Carroll County Special Olympics Wednesday. Competitors, ages 8 to 58, competed in a range of ... May. 1, 2008

Proposed Westminster plan focuses on water, sewer issues Although city officials say Westminster needs additional funding for street work, water and sewer funds make up the majority of the six-year Capital Improvement Plan that was proposed during this week’s Common Council meeting. The water and sew... Apr. 30, 2008

Carroll Police Brief for Monday, May 12, 2008 Theft Milton Charles Humble, 26, of the 4300 block of Middleburg Road in Union Bridge was arrested Sunday by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and charged with being a fugitive from justice from the state of Pennsylvania. His original charges... May. 12, 2008

Carroll Police Briefs for Monday, April 28, 2008 Driving while impaired - Ryan Dorsey, 35, of the unit block of James Street in Westminster, was arrested by Westminster police Saturday and charged with driving while intoxicated and driving while impaired. He was released on his own recognizance. - ... Apr. 28, 2008

Westminster council delays budget hearing Westminster city officials decided to hold off on the fiscal year 2009 budget public hearing because they believe the city government needs to re-evaluate the lack of funds put forth for city streets in the Capital Improvement Program. Instead, the C... May 6, 2008

20080503 Dog park not in Carroll County budget – but ya don’t mess around with Jim

Dog park not in Carroll County budget – but ya don’t mess around with Jim

May 7^th, 2008

As if developing the Carroll County Budget is not difficult enough this year, here comes a debate and discussion about a “dog park” that is not even in the budget.

I have often wondered why newspapers print letters to the editor that state things that are not true by most accepted standards… In this case, the item was brought to the commissioners’ attention and they voted it down…

As far as the commentary as to what a paper reports upon and what it does not – that has been an item of discussion since the beginning of newspapers and that debate will continue for eons into the future.

Although I can certainly understand the writer’s frustration, writing so caustically about the paper’s sense of prioritization may very well not be a well-considered strategy.

I suggest that the writer pull out an old copy of the Jim Croce classic, “You Don't Mess Around with Jim” the next time he considers hitting the “send” button.

“You don't tug on Superman's cape/You don't spit into the wind/You don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger/And you don't mess around with Jim”

*****

Letters to the editor Saturday, May 03, 2008

Dog park not in county budget

by Carroll County Commissioner Michael D. Zimmer

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/05/03/news/opinion/letters/letters661.txt

Editor:

On April 28 the Times printed a letter to the editor containing inaccurate information regarding county funding for a dog park in our budget process.

The writer was under the mistaken impression that such an appropriation was supported by the Board of Commissioners. This is actually the direct opposite from the truth.

This was a proposal requested by our Parks and Recreation Department, but not recommended by the Budget Department in the recommended budget. Such items receive a direct appeal to the board from the department head and an up or down vote by the commissioners.

In this case when the Parks and Recreation head made his appeal I told him that I could not support such an appropriation under any circumstances and that I was not persuadable on this point.

On April 16 when the board deliberated and voted on various budget requests all three of us voted not to fund the dog park. There were a number of significant proposals from me that occurred at that meeting. As of the writing of this letter the Times has not reported on the content of this meeting.

For example the Times did not report on my suggestion that we offer tax relief during the meeting. It did not report my request to delete a future position from the County Attorney's office and cease having a designated liaison to the General Assembly from the County Attorney's office. And the Times hasn't reported that I suggested defunding the position of Planning and Development Policy Coordinator.

I don't blame the letter writer for not knowing the facts on the dog park being voted down. He's obviously using the Times as his primary news source.

Michael D. Zimmer Eldersburg The writer is a member of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners.

Dog park isn't worth the cost

http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/articles/2008/04/28/news/opinion/letters/letters665.txt

Editor:

It was with total dismay and astonishment that I read the article on the county commissioners' support of a dog park costing over $70,000.

A dog park? Talk about government being involved in every aspect of our lives.

This is further evidence that county taxes should be lowered. The commissioners obviously have more money than they know what to do with.

How about giving some of it back to the taxpayers instead of blowing it?

William Yost Westminster

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

The 3-minute interview: Robin Davidov

Matthew Santoni, The Examiner 2008-04-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examiner

Members of environmental panel quit over incinerator vote

Limo group: Unlicensed drivers ‘everywhere’ during prom season

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

NAACP calls for statewide rally to protest killings by police

Public safety positions funded

The 3-minute interview: John B. Townsend II

The 3-minute interview: Esther Johnson

The 3-minute interview: Sandra Quel

The 3-minute interview: James Williams

The 3-minute interview: Vaughn Bennett

The 3-minute interview: Barry Levinson

The 3-minute interview: Greg Hamm

The 3-minute interview: George Jones

The 3-minute interview: Natalie Eddington

The 3-minute interview: Ann Compton

State Hispanic population growing; officials rethink outreach programs

Hispanic population in Md., Va.

Public pressure prompts change in natural gas project

Sewage sludge critics urge ban on spreading

Madame Tussauds cuts ticket prices, citing economic factors

_____

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

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

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

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

April 16, 2008

How to Make Trash Go Away

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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

In The Tentacle:

March 6, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part 2

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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

March 5, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part One

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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

*****

Related: Environmentalism Solid Waste Management or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Recycling or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Waste to Energy

And:

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

19960900 The Five Most Dangerous Myths About Recycling

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

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

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

20071112 Frederick County seeks Carroll participation in trash incinerator

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

20080318 Frederick News Post Tourism Council opposes incinerator by Karen Gardner

20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released

Links to meetings and videos:

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

Board of County Commissioners Meetings

Future of Solid Waste Dates Released

Commissioner Discussion on WTE Shared Facility March 28, 2008

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

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

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

Presentation on home composting February 28, 2008

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

Presentation of recycling policy February 14, 2008

Discussion of integrated materials management strategy November 19, 2007

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

Environmental Advisory Council Meetings

County's electronic recycling March 11, 2008

Food waste composting January 8, 2008

Council priorities review December 11, 2007

Presentation on composting November 13, 2007

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

EAC discussion on waste management September 11, 2007

Pay per throw, Recycling August 14, 2007

Municipal waste options July 10, 2007

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

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

Links to documents:

Waste To Energy Option for Carroll County

U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration

Waste to Energy: Investment/Expense/Income

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations on Addressing
Solid Waste in Carroll County

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations (DPW's presentation)

Managing Recycling and Reuse

Multiple Pathway Health Risk Assessment

Municipal Waste Combustion Ash, Soil, and Leachate Characterization

Carroll County Waste Reduction, Recycling and Buy Recycled Policy

Resource Assessment (Richard Anthony report)

Solid Waste Decision Timeline

Integrated Materials (Waste) Management System

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

Cumulative Health Risk Study for Dickerson Area Facilities

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

The 3-minute interview: Robin Davidov

Matthew Santoni, The Examiner 2008-04-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Examiner

Members of environmental panel quit over incinerator vote

Limo group: Unlicensed drivers ‘everywhere’ during prom season

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

NAACP calls for statewide rally to protest killings by police

Public safety positions funded

The 3-minute interview: John B. Townsend II

The 3-minute interview: Esther Johnson

The 3-minute interview: Sandra Quel

The 3-minute interview: James Williams

The 3-minute interview: Vaughn Bennett

The 3-minute interview: Barry Levinson

The 3-minute interview: Greg Hamm

The 3-minute interview: George Jones

The 3-minute interview: Natalie Eddington

The 3-minute interview: Ann Compton

State Hispanic population growing; officials rethink outreach programs

Hispanic population in Md., Va.

Public pressure prompts change in natural gas project

Sewage sludge critics urge ban on spreading

Madame Tussauds cuts ticket prices, citing economic factors

_____

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

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

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

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

April 16, 2008

How to Make Trash Go Away

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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

In The Tentacle:

March 6, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part 2

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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

March 5, 2008

Making Trash Go Away – Part One

Kevin E. Dayhoff

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

*****

Related: Environmentalism Solid Waste Management or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Recycling or

Environmentalism Solid Waste Management Waste to Energy

And:

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

19960900 The Five Most Dangerous Myths About Recycling

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

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

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

20071112 Frederick County seeks Carroll participation in trash incinerator

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

20080318 Frederick News Post Tourism Council opposes incinerator by Karen Gardner

20080331 Future of Solid Waste Public Hearing Dates Released

Links to meetings and videos:

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

Board of County Commissioners Meetings

Future of Solid Waste Dates Released

Commissioner Discussion on WTE Shared Facility March 28, 2008

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

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

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

Presentation on home composting February 28, 2008

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

Presentation of recycling policy February 14, 2008

Discussion of integrated materials management strategy November 19, 2007

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

Environmental Advisory Council Meetings

County's electronic recycling March 11, 2008

Food waste composting January 8, 2008

Council priorities review December 11, 2007

Presentation on composting November 13, 2007

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

EAC discussion on waste management September 11, 2007

Pay per throw, Recycling August 14, 2007

Municipal waste options July 10, 2007

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

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

Links to documents:

Waste To Energy Option for Carroll County

U.S. Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration

Waste to Energy: Investment/Expense/Income

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations on Addressing
Solid Waste in Carroll County

Environmental Advisory Council Recommendations (DPW's presentation)

Managing Recycling and Reuse

Multiple Pathway Health Risk Assessment

Municipal Waste Combustion Ash, Soil, and Leachate Characterization

Carroll County Waste Reduction, Recycling and Buy Recycled Policy

Resource Assessment (Richard Anthony report)

Solid Waste Decision Timeline

Integrated Materials (Waste) Management System

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

Cumulative Health Risk Study for Dickerson Area Facilities

20080430 This week in The Tentacle

20080430 This week in The Tentacle

This week in The Tentacle

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Seeing Red-Eye in the Camera

Kevin E. Dayhoff

The discussion and debate over speed and red light cameras continues to reverberate. It is one of a number of headaches lingering in the aftermath of the recent and unusual session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Las Vegas Finale

Tom McLaughlin

“Las Vegas was built and runs on tips” was the advice given to the bus load of passengers as we returned from the Grand Canyon in a not so subtle hint. To make sure we got the point, on the “menu” at the National Geographic Center where we were served the most god- awful lunch probably prepared from the remains of animals on failed expeditions, was advice on how much to tip him, which was between $5-$10 depending on the service.

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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

New Know-Nothings

Roy Meachum

When the county commissioners overwhelmingly rejected the notion of adopting English as Frederick's official language, I could but stand and cheer. The proposal came from Charles Jenkins, and I have no reason to doubt his motives.

Hardly Ablesons

Nick Diaz

I’m an ardent admirer of the United States of America, my adopted country, which welcomed me to these shores a half century ago. This great country has provided me with opportunities I wouldn’t have faced, had I remained in Communist Cuba.

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Monday, April 28, 2008

General Assembly Journal 2008 – Volume 11

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Any General Assembly wrap-up would be incomplete without a scorecard of the work of the Frederick County Delegation. Normally, this column avoids conflict with other delegation members, and focuses on the back-and-forth with the county. Not this time, kiddies! Ahead: some serious onion peeling!

Free Money!

Steven R. Berryman

Congratulations for being smart enough to be in the United States of America. Everything is free here. And when you run out of money to spend, we’ll give you some of that, too. In Frederick County, if you can’t read this, I’ll bet there will be a sign on a bus in Espanol repeating it soon.

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Friday, April 25, 2008

Why the Uproar?

Roy Meachum

Reading closely the Pennsylvania Democratic primaries this week, it's difficult to see why the Clinton camp is in such a joyous uproar.

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Thursday, April 24, 2008

Republican of the Year

Patricia A. Kelly

My mom, Dorothy Kelly, recently featured in the Frederick News Post with a headline that included the word “Opinion,” was born in Tioga, Texas, on April 14 1925 to Raymond and Dovie Bodovsky, farmers, is the 2007 Republican of the Year for Frederick County.

A Prime Example

Chris Cavey

Last week was quite an adventure…a two-day trip to St. Paul, Minnesota – site of the 2008 Republican National Convention. The goal for the trip was to “scout out” the city, the Maryland Delegation’s hotel accommodations, and available venues. The best part, however, was my side trip to the State Capitol.

Order from The Smorgasbord

Joan McIntyre

The newest trend is mini burgers. I’m going one better and giving you four mini-articles this week. Would you like bacon, or cheese, or fries on the side?

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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Winds of Darkness

Kevin E. Dayhoff

On April 12, Gov. Martin O’Malley announced his administration’s opposition to the construction of wind power generators on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Days in The Desert

Tom McLaughlin

"Good luck to you" is the farewell greeting stated to people when used instead of "bye" or "have a nice day" here at Sam’s Town Casino and R.V. Park.

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

"Mr. Inside" Out

Roy Meachum

For a little shy of 25 years, Josef Ratzinger furnished John Paul II a strong base. While the ebullient Polish prelate toured the outside world, kissing earth and babies by the score, the man who would become Benedict XVI tended to inside chores.

Keeping the Basket Full

Farrell Keough

I have the great privilege of enjoying a variety of friends. It is likely that my ability to keep and keep up with these people is more a tribute to my wife, (She Who Must Be Obeyed), than to my sterling personality.

This is NOT a Test! – Part 2

Steven R. Berryman

Now that you have been exposed to the various levels of potential hazards hanging over us all like Damocles’ sword in Part 1 on yesterday’s TheTentacle.com, the onus to take action now lies squarely on you.

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Monday, April 21, 2008

General Assembly Journal 2008 – Volume 10

Richard B. Weldon Jr.

Last week, we spent some time considering the end of the General Assembly session. The conclusion: Rest easy Marylanders, the legislature has gone home for the year.

This is NOT a Test! – Part 1

Steven R. Berryman

Your radio or television begins the strange squealing, coded sounds you have heard so often before. “Here we go again” is the first thought that comes to mind. Programming is instantly interrupted. In disbelief, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) continues with “This is NOT a Test!”