As it is with nearly every Maryland county, Carroll has its own list of historical "firsts."
In Carroll County, for instance, the first rural free delivery postal route in the nation was established (in 1899).
The very first reaping machine was invented and patented here (1839). And in 1764, the first Methodist congregation in North America met near present-day New Windsor.
Yet unlike Maryland counties such as Anne Arundel or Washington counties, Carroll did not host key events in the founding of the nation or endure the trauma of a major Civil War battle.
That's why veteran filmmaker and Westminster resident Marilyn Maguire assumed a more grassroots perspective in 2007 when she began mapping out "Carroll County's Legacy," her recently completed 58-minute-long video history of her adopted home county.
"Joe Getty (one of numerous local historians interviewed in 'Carroll County's Legacy') has the perfect line that you hear very early in the film," Maguire explains.
Getty, in recounting the various waves of English, Irish and Pennsylvania-Germans who comprised the county's earliest white inhabitants, notes:
"The history of Carroll County is the history of everyday life, of ordinary people doing ordinary things, and so when you talk about our history you're talking about the thread of everyday living in the patchwork of Carroll County's history."
[…]
Living 'Legacy'
The Carroll County Community Media Center will hold the premiere of the television documentary "Carroll County's Legacy" on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 6 p.m., at the Community Media Center, 1301 Washington Road in Westminster. The screening will be followed by a question and answer period with the producer, Marilyn Maguire of Maryland Public Television. The premiere is free and open to the public, although reservations are requested. To RSVP, call 410-386-4415.
In addition, excerpts from "Carroll County's Legacy" can be viewed on the Carroll County History Project's Web site, http://www.carrollhistory.org/.
DVD copies of "Carroll County's Legacy" can be purchased for $30 by calling the Community Media Center, at 410-386-4415.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Pallywood – When Pictures Lie Kevin E. Dayhoff
After Hamas, the terrorist organization that has controlled the Gaza Strip since June 2007, unilaterally broke a cease-fire on December 19 and resumed shelling southern Israel, Israeli warplanes sprang to Israel’s defense December 27 by attacking Hamas throughout Gaza. Hamas responded immediately with “Pallywood.”
Land Below The Wind Tom McLaughlin
Santubong, Borneo – The Israeli incursion into Gaza has been met with indifference here in this Moslem land. The news has been buried in the second sections or on pages 14-15 in The Borneo Post, the local English language daily.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Kingdom of Jerusalem Redux Roy Meachum
Once there was a Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem. The men who founded it wore a huge cross from their shoulders down to their knees. Many did not always do Christian things. They judged the natives as infidels. They killed many. Random cruelties were allowable on those worthless. That was anybody who did not bow to the cross. They moved right in.
Dumbing Down Mathematics – Part 1 Nick Diaz
Since the 1980's, there have been substantial efforts nation wide to weaken mathematics education in America, and, unfortunately, these efforts have largely been successful.
Monday, January 5, 2009
This Shakeout Year Steven R. Berryman
There is really nothing overtly negative about encountering an economic shakeout period such as the one we have entered. In fact, what we will discover this New Year is that long-term national prosperity for America herself depends on a boom and bust cycle.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Welcome, Stranger, Welcome Roy Meachum
Moving to Frederick can be traumatic. This is such a friendly city. The old buildings radiate comforting warmth. "Good morning" is freely offered and returned.
For Old Times’ Sake Joe Charlebois
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Obsession In Washington Kevin E. Dayhoff
Obsession, the new fragrance from the elite media for 2009… As we await the dawn of a New Year, we look forward to many questions and challenges. However the subplot for 2009 has got to be how long the obsessive, passionate love affair between the press and President-elect Barack Obama will last.
Through the Gazing Ball… Chris Cavey
A few days ago in the quiet of the night, I sat alone in a dimly lighted room, referred to as my office, wondering what would be in store for the citizens of Maryland in 2009. Summoning all my strength, I once again gazed into my wife’s jet-black bowling ball seeking a glimpse into the future of Maryland politics.
Fun A World Away Tom McLaughlin
Santubong, Borneo – Getting used to some things here in Borneo takes time. I need to be careful with the traffic, a life threatening situation.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Most Celebrated "Angry Young Man" Dies Roy Meachum
Sir Harold Pinter may not have been the leader of Britain's "Angry Young Men" playwrights and novelists, but he was certainly the most prominent. He died last week, on Christmas Day.
Terminology and Political Correctness Farrell Keough
This is the time of year when resolutions are made and broken. I shall attempt to follow in that hallowed tradition. “Eat and drink whatever you want.” The beauty of this resolution is that soon you will not be able to afford it, hence you will diet and sober up whether you want to or not.
Monday, December 29, 2008
General Assembly Journal 2009 – Volume 1 Richard B. Weldon Jr.
In a nod to my Navy submarine background, a common countdown tool was the number of days and a wake-up call until some significant milestone.
What’s in and What’s out for 2009 Steven R. Berryman
Every year we have major shifts in trends, policy, attitudes, and happenings. The 2008 / 2009 transition is no different, and is more important than usual.
December 24, 2008
Keeping Christmas Kevin E. Dayhoff
Tomorrow we celebrate Christmas. The pageantry, art, decorations, traditions, and music of the season – especially the music – have all the ingredients for great family memories.
December 17, 2008
Time flies like an arrow Kevin E. Dayhoff
As I’ve grown older, the joy of the Christmas season has slowly but surely become overshadowed with pressure and chaos. Certainly not to be overlooked is the emphasis on the materialism and over-consumption that has insidiously eroded the joys of the season.
December 10, 2008
In Your “Koobface” Kevin E. Dayhoff
Last week I had all the pleasure and honor to be among the 120 million users of the social networking web site “Facebook” who were targeted by a computer virus known by the unusual name of “Koobface.”
December 3, 2008
When cupcakes grow on trees Kevin E. Dayhoff
It was serendipitous Monday evening, the day that President-elect Barack Obama unveiled his national security team, that I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Melvin A. Goodman, a former CIA analyst, discuss his latest book, The Failure of Intelligence: The Decline and Fall of the CIA, during the ninth annual Resnick Lecture at McDaniel College.
Labels: Dayhoff Media The Tentacle Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/
Monthly meeting of the Westminster Fire Department, Westminster, Carroll County Maryland. Depicted is Kristen Boyer, department secretary to the left and on the right is president Danny Plunkert. (20090107 WFD meeting)
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/
McDaniel College/ Carroll County Public Schools MLK Essay Writing Contest
Essay Questions:
High School Compare and contrast Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideal of the beloved community to Barack Obama’s vision for our country as expressed in his November 4, 2008 victory speech.
Middle School Identify the common themes between Barack Obama and Martin Luther King, Jr. and how you think this has impacted Obama’s political success in becoming the president-elect.
Elementary School Imagine that you are Martin Luther King, Jr. and write a letter to Barack Obama. What problems in the community would you ask him to address and why?
3 Prizes Will Be Awarded Each including:
$100.00 Cash Prize (High School Winner) $75.00 Cash Prize (Middle School Winner) $50.00 Cash Prize (Elementary School Winner) MLK Commemorative T-Shirt Certificate Gift Bag
Essays Due January 16, 2008
The essay should be no longer than 250 words for elementary students a 500 words middle and high students. Essays will be judged on the following: ideas, word choice, sentence fluency, voice, conventions, organization and relevance to the essay question. The essay must be the original work of the student. Each entry must include the student’s name, phone number, school, grade and teacher’s name/contact number.
Please send all entries to MahlĂa Joyce, Office of Multicultural Services, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157-4390.
Essays may also be hand delivered to our office (Lower level of Rouzer Hall : Mon. – Fri. 8:30am-4:30pm). Essay’s can also be delivered to your teacher or guidance counselor.
Winners will be recognized at the formal program on Monday, February 4, 2008. One winner will be selected from the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Sponsored by McDaniel College’s Office of Multicultural Services, Carroll County Public Schools’ Department of Minority Achievement and Intervention Programs and the Carroll County NAACP
20090116 due date 09 CC NAACP MLK writing contest SDOSM 20090108 Annual Martin Luther King Day, Carroll Co NAACP, Diversity NAACP Carroll Co Chap, NAACP Carroll Co Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Art http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/
“Sheriff sets plan for New Year; includes alternative funding and furlough”
Westminster, Carroll County, Maryland, January 7, 2009 ---- Sheriff Kenneth L. Tregoning is pleased to announce the law enforcement strategic priorities for 2009: “Promote Professional Development & Wellness; Implement New Technologies that Enhance Public Safety Communications & Information Sharing; Promote Service Excellence through Maintenance of [Accreditation] Standards; and, Increase Outreach Efforts.”
As with any organization the establishment of new goals is not the challenge, rather it’s their execution - an increasingly difficult task in a declining economy. In considering Governor Martin O’Malley’s December appeal to elected leaders, Sheriff Tregoning submitted a five (5) day furlough plan to the County Comptroller’s Office this past month, thereby returning the 2% salary increase legislated for his position this year.
With local government freezing employee Career Ladder Promotions this past summer in response to falling revenue projections, Sheriff Tregoning said, “I can not justify accepting a salary increase when my employees aren’t receiving theirs.” Likewise Sheriff Tregoning trimmed several projects from the coming year’s budget before submitting it to the Commissioner’s Budget Office for approval, including funding for transitioning deputies to a different model handgun and non-mandated training programs.
However, to insure that employee safety, professionalism and public service are not compromised by funding shortfalls, the office has established “Professional Development & Wellness” as its top priority. With the lowest rate of disability, death and retirement benefits among Maryland’s Sheriff’s Offices, funds for the evaluation of those programs are included as a budget item. Further, the office plans to expand its partnerships with public safety advocacy groups such as the Law Enforcement Employees & Families Association, and the Concerns of Police Survivors.
Additionally, the office will increase its pursuit of grants and scholarships from professional organizations to fund additional training and equipment needs. In fact, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office was recently notified by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention that it had been awarded more than $27,000 towards the agency’s goal of establishing “Public Safety Communications & Information Sharing”, or interoperability.
Contrary to the declining economy, the demand for police services continues to increase, including the incidents of identity theft, computer crimes and fraud. These crimes are costly to the victims, many of whom are seniors on a fixed income. For law enforcement, the investigations are labor intensive as they require expensive technology and extensive collaboration with criminal justice agencies abroad. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to partner with local and state government to expand the use of the use of technology to enhance investigative solvability and operational efficiency.
Likewise, the county’s population continues to increase in both size and diversity – leading the Sheriff’s Office to “Increase Outreach Efforts” not only to share resources with our government and public safety partners, but to define the community’s changing needs and align Office resources to communicate with new cultures, prevent emerging crime trends and close existing cases.
In as much, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office takes seriously our obligation to provide quality service in a fiscally responsible manner. Until the full impact of budget shortfalls are known, the Sheriff’s Office will continue the cost saving measures implemented this past year, including restrictions on fuel consumption, off-duty vehicle usage and participation in the county’s car wash program. Embracing the challenges that lie ahead, we look towards the continued innovation of our staff and ever expanding partnerships to secure public safety.
# # #
20090107 Carroll County Sheriff sets plan for New Year
Here’s the official announcement from first lady Laura Bush’s office, via Sally McDonough, her press secretary.
“The president, Mrs. Bush, Barbara, and Jenna are deeply saddened by the passing of their cat India (“Willie”). The 18 year-old female black American shorthair died Sunday, January 4, 2009 at home at the White House.”
“When Barbara was nine years old, she named India after the former Texas Ranger baseball player, Ruben Sierra, who was called “El Indio.” When Barbara and Jenna moved away to college, India, affectionately called “Kitty” by the family, stayed at the White House with the president and Mrs. Bush.”
“India was a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades. She will be greatly missed.”
By Anne E. Kornblut and Joby Warrick Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, January 6, 2009; A01
President-elect Barack Obama stunned the national intelligence community by selecting Clinton White House chief of staff Leon E. Panetta, a longtime Washington insider with little intelligence experience, to serve as the next head of the CIA.
The decision -- which was also met with wariness on Capitol Hill -- reflects a desire to change the intelligence power structure, officials close to the selection said yesterday. Obama has chosen retired Navy Adm. Dennis C. Blair as the director of national intelligence, a job he intends to reinforce as the "lead horse" on intelligence issues, an official close to the selection process said.
Panetta, 70, is widely regarded as a good manager who knows the government bureaucracy well. Panetta, a former eight-term member of Congress who has run a think tank in California for the past decade, has no significant ties to the agency that Obama has criticized for using harsh interrogation methods. Panetta has openly objected to the use of such methods, writing in an essay last year that the United States "must not use torture under any circumstances." Obama had trouble filling the CIA slot in part because other candidates were perceived as tainted for having supported aspects of the Bush administration's interrogation and intelligence programs.
[…]
That would be the “Bush administration's interrogation and intelligence programs” that kept us safe…
My wife called this to my attention the other day and we are less than pleased…
Ya know – this is nuts. Maryland should be encouraging the use of EZ Pass as it saves the state a great deal of money in personnel expenses and other assorted overhead with efficiency fueled by technology.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is such a moonbat…
Jan. 7, 2009 JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST
In response to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry announcing the expulsion of all embassy personnel, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said that Israel will continue to protect itself from its enemies, amongst them Hamas and Iran, Israel Radio reported.
The Foreign Ministry added that every country must decide whether it is on the side which is fighting terrorism, or the side supporting it.
The Venezuelan came in response to Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has condemned the Israeli campaign in Gaza, where nearly 600 Palestinians have been killed in ground and air strikes.
Richard Landes calls up a film clip onto the screen of his laptop to give an example of "Pallywood" - a term he invented as a take-off on "Bollywood." The difference between the two, however, couldn't be greater. Whereas the latter is the name now used for the Indian movie industry, the former refers to what Landes asserts are pernicious productions staged by the Palestinians, in front of (and often with cooperation from) Western camera crews, for the purpose of promoting anti-Israel propaganda by disguising it as news.
It's a pretty harsh claim, and one that has earned the associate professor at Boston University - and co-founder and director of the Center for Millennial Studies - the reputation in certain circles as a right-wing conspiracy theorist. This perception of the French-born American, who divides his time between the United States and Israel, completely contradicts how he describes himself.
"I consider myself on the Left," says Landes, during an hour-long interview earlier this month in Jerusalem. "I've always been a liberal. I've always been in favor of progressive projects."
But, according to Landes, in the current global climate, a dangerous meeting of forces is taking place that must be fought: the blood-libels of pre-modernism and the post-modernist constructs of reality that allow for them. "It's like a wedding of pre-modern sadists to post-modern masochists," insists Landes. "It's a match made in hell."
Discussing breakthroughs in mass communications - comparing the advent of the printing press to that of cyberspace - Landes believes that there is an opportunity to combat misinformation on a large scale through the Internet. Indeed, Landes himself maintains two Web sites, Second Draft and Augean Stables.
Scientific discourse, he is convinced, is no longer exclusive to the universities. On the contrary, he says, "Academia is stuck." It is the blogosphere, he concludes, where the real war of ideas can be won.
Define "Pallywood." Pallywood is a term I coined - when I was looking into the Muhammad al-Dura case in October 2003 [the famous case of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy shot in the crossfire at the beginning of the second intifada in 2000, broadcast by France 2 TV] - to describe staged material disguised as news. The Palestinians regularly fabricate scenes for TV cameras, which, when sent to Western media outlets, are cut down to the believable three-second sight bite. And what makes it to the evening news is a stringing together of these staged scenes.
"... Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson instructed Burris in a closed-door meeting that he would not be seated."
Although Ms. Erickson is on solid technical and legal ground - this is a shame. Mr. Burris is well-liked, respected, capable and competent. Another example of politics is stranger than fiction. We're now entering "The Twilight Zone"...
***** Senate officials this morning rejected Roland Burris's effort to be seated as the successor to President-elect Barack Obama, telling the former Illinois attorney general that he lacked the requisite approval of state officials to be sworn in with the rest of the class of 2008 in today's launch of the 111th Congress.
With a stand-off remaining among Illinois officials over Gov. Rod Blagojevich's effort to appoint Burris to Obama's seat, Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson instructed Burris in a closed-door meeting that he would not be seated.
While working in my office this afternoon, I heard the sound of “back-up beeper” outside. Upon looking out my window, I saw the City of Westminster public works street department personnel removing yard waste from my neighbor’s home across the street.
The bulk pick up program in Westminster is superb and the men and women of the department do a super job. They are some of the real unheralded heroes in our community. They usually get very little attention, yet go about their jobs on a day-to-day basis, and are a key component to our quality of life in Westminster. 20090105 Public Works bulk pick up
Kevin Dayhoff www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/
I’m just catching up on my reading after the hectic holidays and being away for the last week and I came across this article in the Carroll County Times.
Oh my. I can only be sure that this report from the Westminster Police Department did not sit well with some of the folks up on Pennsylvania Avenue in Westminster who like to sustain attention to themselves by keeping a steady drumbeat of doom and gloom and therefore stay relevant by maintaining an air of crisis.
Despite resident concerns about truck traffic and speeding vehicles on Pennsylvania Avenue, data compiled by the Westminster Police Department shows that the two issues are not major safety risks.
Although truck traffic on Pennsylvania Avenue is 2.4 times higher than the average amount of truck traffic on other roadways of its type, Westminster Police Chief Jeffrey Spaulding said there’s no objective evidence that the trucks have contributed a significant level of collisions, property damage or injuries, according to data he presented at a recent meeting of the Tri-Street Area Advisory Committee, which centered on various traffic issues.
On Stage Jan. 10, 2009 Common Ground on the Hill presents Folk Blues Legend, Chris Smither 8pm Tickets, $19/17 CCAC members, Senior 65+ and Students
Winter Classes January 8 – March 26, 2009 Open Studio with Model: Winter Session 7:00 – 10:00pm $120/100 CCAC Members, One time Drop-In $20
Art Lecture Series January 8,2009 Mary Cassatt: American Impressionist Noon and 7:00pm $10 Drop-In fee
Accessibility Notice: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to the Carroll County Government and its programs, services, activities and facilities. If you have questions, suggestions, or complaints, please contact Jolene Sullivan, the Carroll County government Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, at 410/386-3600,888/302-8978 or TT#410/848-9747. The mailing address is: 10 Distillery Drive, First Floor, Suite 101, Westminster, MD 21157
20090105 What is Happening at the Carroll Arts Center
Kevin Dayhoff Art http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/