20060616 KDDC Red Fridays

Red Fridays

Like many folks, my e-mail inbox is constantly filled with jokes, anecdotes, internet rumors, and e-mails portraying patriotism and support for the troops. I guess I don’t mind. Although some days, I could do without.

Fortunately I don’t get a lot of spam. I use the Carroll County Public Library for my e-mail address and they have an excellent spam blocker in place.

Every now and then, e-mails for products that make me blush appear. Or e-mails for products or services that I have no idea as to why anyone would want or need - get through.

Many of the e-mails about patriotism or friendship are certainly nice; however, I rarely feel the need to forward them so that the world can be saved.

However, I got the e-mail pasted below from a good friend and this one struck a rare cord. To wear a bit of red every Friday in support of our men and women in uniform just seems a great idea.

I was about to keyboard that it also is relatively effortless, and then I thought that whatever effort it may take to find a red garment to don every Friday certainly pales in comparison to the efforts of our troops stationed overseas in 122 countries - - and especially Iraq and Afghanistan.

I recently came across some impressive statistics, that, although they are from a couple of years ago, are no less profound today.

The United States Army, not including the other branches of the service, numbers a force of “more than 480,000 active duty military personnel, 205,000 Army Reserve soldiers, and 350,000 members of the Army National Guard, supported by an additional 230,000 civilian employees. The Army currently has 140,000 soldiers and 20,000 civilians located in 122 countries around the world.”

I certainly hope that the idea of wearing red every Friday catches on. The e-mail is pasted below. If I am not mistaken, the friend (GOPCharlie) that sent me the e-mail reads this blog… Thanks a bunch!

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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Hat Tip: GOPCharlie - Thanks!

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RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or ! over- bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says w hen asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

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20060615 Dinner at Baughers

"Tinker, Evers to Chance"
(c) Kevn Dayhoff
June 15, 2006

Dinner at Baugher's with Caroline, some good friends and three legendary baseball players
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20060615 KDDC Heroism on the Home Front

"It's a picture that represents all that the best Americans are fighting for..."
Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

PHOTO OF THE MORNING

By Michelle Malkin · June 16, 2006 08:35 AM

Time.com: Utah State grad Christina Lakey carries a cardboard cutout of her deployed husband, Army Reserve Spc. Benjamin Lakey, who's in Afghanistan.
Reader Dave C. e-mails:

MM -- Here's a fantastic photo I hope you'll consider for your website (even w/ the best of MSM exposure, it could use more): The grad is my brother's squadmate's wife, and it's powerful to see her hand touching "his" as she carries his memory, current welfare, and future hopes confidently forward. It's a picture that represents all that the best Americans are fighting for, more and more meaningful the more you look at it. Strength & Honor!! Dave Chiu

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20060615 KDDC The secret life of secret meetings

The secret life of the secretive nature of closed and open meetings

March 16^th, 2006 / June 15, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

I first began writing this several months ago when issues over “secret meetings” arose in Mt. Airy. It is my view that suggestions that “secret” meetings were taking place were really all about folks disagreeing with the decisions of other community leaders. To charge an elected official with making decisions “secretly” is an attention grabber as this has become a “cause de jour.”

The issue is being brought up again, as some of the very same folks who recklessly engaged in character assassination and accusations that previous elected officials held “secret” meetings are now conducting themselves in a similar manner.

The issue as to whether or not “secret” meetings took place is one matter.

But more importantly, is the matter of why is it that such meetings and methodologies of approach were unacceptable before and now they are. There’s the rub.

When charges of “secret” meetings are bantered about frivolously, it trivializes what is otherwise a very serious issue and does a disservice to citizens.

Making decisions with the utmost of transparency in today’s government is a must. No longer is the paradigm of “Madisonian” representative government, where elected officials are chosen to make decisions for the folks they serve, appropriate.

In today’s’ world of 365/24/7 news and information dissemination, citizens often know as much about the complex issues as the elected officials and constituents these days, often as not, want a say in the decisions and have “hired” elected officials to implement those collective decisions.

It is called “Jeffersonian participatory government” and this columnist happens to feel that it is a better form of government.

Ultimately, as I will touch upon further down in this piece, the hypocrisy of the folks making the claims of “secret” meetings is rancid. The very folks repeating the accusation as often as possible, in an attempt to “make” the charges appear to be true, are smart enough to file a complaint with the “Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board.”

Nevertheless, all of this has a deleterious affect on the quality of government.

The manner in which public officials are treated in today’s slash-and-burn, win at any costs public dialogue continues to fathom new depths.

Why would anyone want to do the job? How many, otherwise capable and competent community leaders, have said to friends, family and colleagues – “you have to be nuts to be an elected official these days.”

If, we as a collective society continue to treat well meaning folks, who leave the comfortable cocoon of their private lives, to take the office of a locally elected official at, perhaps, 75 cents per hour, and all the abuse you can stand; then we are only going to have nuts seek the positions.

Instead of a conversation about what is in the best interests of the greater number of citizens and what can bring us together, the discourse has deteriorated into a series of reactionary conversations and ugly character assassinations; often involving unpleasant public hearings, uninformed, if not childish conspiracy theories, political spinelessness and personal attacks.

One of the latest in a series of personal attacks is where otherwise honorable citizens have been tried and convicted by innuendo in various local publications, for holding “secret” meetings or not bargaining with their constituencies in good faith. Simply because they may have a different approach to what they feel is the best path to the future for Carroll County.

This may work for the uninformed masses, however, the approach is being used by folks who otherwise, should know the law better and should set a better standard for public conversations.

Point of order: in the State of Maryland, a meeting is either “open” or “closed.” The terms “open meeting” or “closed meeting” are legislated terms, governed by state law.

Just as there is no such thing as being partially pregnant, there is no such thing as deliberations being held by decision-making elected or appointed officials in a “secretive nature.” Unless, that is, the term “secretive nature” is being used in an attempt to recklessly accuse persons of wrong doing, by manipulating public opinion.

In actuality, that level of conversation is really much more appropriate for an idle and often uninformed chatter in a local bar and not quite the standard of what we would like to expect from community leaders in a position to mold and shape public policy.

If indeed, the decisions were made in a “secretive nature,” the proper term for that is “illegal nature.”

If there is any question as to whether or not meetings were held inconsistent with Maryland State law, the issue can be brought before the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board. The final arbiter of such matters is the compliance board, not a columnist, politician with an axe to grind or an editorial board with an agenda. In situations where individuals disagree with a decision of the compliance board, the matter can be determined in court.

For additional information, the Web site for the Maryland Office of the Attorney general has excellent information available under “Open Government.” The web address is: http://www.oag.state.md.us/opengov/index.htm.

Instead of suggesting that a public body has violated the law and manipulating a trial in the court of public opinion, take the matter to the Open Meetings Compliance Board Complaint and get a formal determination or otherwise, forever hold your peace.

The procedures for asking the compliance board to make a determination if there has, indeed, been a violation of the law, can be found at: http://www.oag.state.md.us/Opengov/Openmeetings/complaint.htm.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

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20060615 KDDC Mayor Frank Johnson and Deja Vu

Mayor Frank Johnson and Deja Vu all over again

June 15^th, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff

Several folks have called this to my attention: "Frank Johnson named Senior Assistant County Attorney/Legislative Director," posted on the Carroll County Government Web site on June 13th, 2006. You can go here and read it.

I have also been reminded of an editorial by the Carroll County Times pertaining to the matter of Mayor – then Council President Johnson, holding two public positions concurrently.

I have found the editorial in my archives. The editorial was written on February 9^th, 2003 and it was entitled: “A problem of wearing many hats.”

Since the Carroll County Times does not use permalinks, I will paste the editorial, in its entirety, below.

With respect to the Mt. Airy Ethics Commission; one wonders how it is that the commission was able to make a determination as to whether or not Mayor Johnson holding two positions of public trust and profit simultaneously was an impropriety - and keep matter the confidential.

Although my ear to the ground never indicated that the information was leaked by anyone associated with the commission; it has been persistently alleged to be an open secret that nothing is confidential in Mt. Airy.

In the previous Mt. Airy town administration, it seemed that many confidential memos were alleged to have been immediately leaked to advocacy groups, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners and the press.

Deja vu seems to be the operative word in Mt. Airy government. It has been suggested in many circles, that immediately after taking office, just several weeks ago after the May 1^st, 2006 municipal election; Mt. Airy officials held an unannounced meeting with MDE officials over the status of Mt. Airy's water situation – the Friday before Memorial Day.

Although such meetings may be appropriate, if not necessary, meetings such as this were characterized in the press, among advocacy groups and in the May 1^st, 2006 election as inappropriate.

A community certainly has a right to determine for itself what meetings are to be public and not public as long as such determinations are consistent with current Maryland and municipal law.

So what has changed - except perhaps, the folks involved in the current meetings? Hmmmm?

Back in March 2006, I wrote a piece on the open meetings issue, or rather the suggestion that “secret” meetings were taking place in Mt. Airy and did not post it on my web site or run it as a column. Perhaps there is no better time to dust it off and post it.

As far as Mayor Johnson holding an appointed position in County government and being the mayor of Mt. Airy; I’m not sure that I have a problem with that as long as adequate disclosures are made and Mayor Johnson appropriately recuses himself when matters may arise in which there may be a perception of conflict.

Mayor Johnson’s sense of public service to our greater community is to be admired.

However, I believe that I read where he said that he was going to resign from his county position, if – or upon his election as mayor. I just did a quick search of my archives and I cannot find where it is that I read that information. Perhaps a kind reader may have the cite and forward it to me?

The problem appears to be one of consistency. It is a problem that frequently presents itself with legislative bodies and elected officials. It certainly has raised its ugly head in Westminster in the past year and for the past four years in Annapolis - - and now appears to be an issue in Mt. Airy.

The other challenge called to my attention in Mt Airy seems to be the matter of the “town administrator” position that has quickly been raised since the election. This issue has also been a hot potato in Westminster.

Perhaps, if a candidate for the position of mayor, has in mind that they want to hire a town administrator to do their job after they are elected, maybe they ought to disclose that to the voters before the election and let the voters decide if that is how they want their town run.

In Mt. Airy, the concept of having a town administrator run the town appeared out of nowhere immediately after the election. When folks said, hold on here, let’s talk about it, the mayor and some members of the Mt. Airy replied, what do ya mean, talk about it? We have decided that it is a good idea and now we are going to move forward.

The very same folks who suggested that this was the approach of the previous administration, are the ones leading the way. What has changed? What is different? It certainly does not meet either the optics test or the smell test and to be perfectly blunt, appears to be situational ethics.

Mayor Johnson said in a letter to the editor in the Carroll County Times, earlier today, June 15^th, 2006: “A few days ago, the Times excoriated me for asking the town council to approve a town administrator at the June council meeting rather than tabling the idea… This decision was not made behind closed doors. The proposal was on the pre-announced public agenda for the council meeting, and it was openly discussed. In fact, I answered more than a dozen specific questions. The town council took public comment on the proposal. Even if one takes umbrage at my request for a decision, this all occurred in an open meeting to which the public was not only invited, but in attendance.”

(For more background: Editorial for Thursday, June 8, 2006: “Campaign promises apparently mean nothing to the newly elected mayor and council members of Mount Airy. At Monday's council meeting, Mayor Frank Johnson refused to postpone a vote on his personal proposal to add a staff position, saying waiting to get...” Read the rest of the editorial here.)

This response, although certainly plausible for this columnist, was not acceptable for issues in the previous administration. There’s the rub. What has changed? What is different? Why were these things unacceptable in the previous administration, but perfectly fine now?

Read the rest of his letter to the editor, “Government is open in Mount Airy,” here.

Things just get curiouser and curiouser in Mt. Airy and there is no end in sight.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

For additional background:

State refuses to help in Mount Airy ethics leak investigation: “The state prosecutor's office has refused to help investigate an alleged leak of confidential information regarding a pending ethics investigation in Mount Airy, and the town's mayor said there are no plans to pursue an investigation…

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Open-government mayor stops taping meeting Publish Date: 06/08/06; By Katie E. Leslie News-Post Staff: “MOUNT AIRY -- Minutes into Monday's public hearing about a new downtown zoning classification, Mount Airy Town Council Secretary Peter Helt realized the meeting was not being recorded.

When he asked newly elected Mayor Frank Johnson why, Mr. Johnson said he made the decision to stop taping after a conversation with town attorney Lynn Board, who was hired by the council following Mr. Johnson's inauguration.

Mr. Helt appeared stunned….”

Read the rest here.

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Mt. Airy council resumes taping, Jun. 9, 2006: “After a two-week hiatus the Mount Airy Town Council will resume tape recording council meetings. When a citizen expressed concern about an unrelated proposed ordinance during a public hearing at Monday night's meeting, councilman Peter Helt asked why...” Read the rest here.

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“Two public hearings not taped” Thursday, June 8, 2006 by Carolynne Fitzpatrick, Gazette Staff Writer “Mayor decides not to record hearings; reverses decision after realizing it violated town code:” “The public will not have a chance to review the tapes of two hearings that took place on Monday, after Mayor Frank Johnson decided not to continue taping public meetings — a decision that was revoked after council members discussed it….” Read more here.

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Carroll County Times Editorial for Feb. 9, 2003

A problem of wearing many hats

Mount Airy Town Councilman Frank Johnson has been wearing a lot of different hats lately, but the time has come for him to step back and make some realistic decisions about where he believes he can do the most good.

The councilman was instrumental in rallying support and bringing together a Council of Governments in Carroll at a time when communication between the county office building and Carroll's municipalities was sorely lacking. He remains a vocal advocate and is actively involved as the organization gets up and running.

Johnson also took a job as assistant to County Commissioner Julia Walsh Gouge. And while he and others have said there is nothing legally wrong with collecting paychecks from both the Town of Mount Airy and the county, there likely is an ethical issue involved.

That issue is compounded by Johnson's other involvement in Mount Airy, where he serves as zoning administrator and is the council's liaison to the planning commission.

At the very least, Johnson has spread himself too thin to be entirely effective in any one of the positions. And because his many positions span from Mount Airy to Carroll's municipalities to county government, that means the impact is being felt everywhere in the county.

Johnson owes it to the people of Mount Airy, owes it to the towns, cities and organizations that make up the Council of Governments and owes it to taxpayers who pay his salary as Gouge's assistant to step back from some of these responsibilities.

He must assess where he believes he can be most effective, and then concentrate on those areas.

Wanting to help out in as many different ways as possible is an admirable trait, but it does no good if the person is running in so many different directions that it takes away from all of his various jobs and duties.

©Carroll County Online 2003

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20060615 KDDC Commissioners to put Code Home Rule on Ballot

Commissioners to put Code Home Rule on Ballot

This just in earlier from the Westminster Eagle and Eldersburg Eagle:

EAGLE ALERT: Code Home Rule initiative put into motion

Thursday, June 15, 2006 5:21 PM

By Jim Joyner

The Board of County Commissioners on Thursday took the first step toward placing Code Home Rule on the November ballot as a voter referendum.

By consensus, the commissioners announced their "intent" to place Code Home Rule before voters - essentially kicking off a process that requires at least two public hearings, then a formal vote by the Board before Aug. 21 in order to place it on the Nov. 7 election ballot.

Code Home Rule is a change of the county's form of government that would expand on the county's ability to enact certain types of legislation without approval by the General Assembly. The General Assembly would still hold the authority over issues including new taxes, but County government would obtain bonding authority, the ability to enact impact fees and could even change the number of commissioners and establish a district form of government - without General Assembly approval.

"We'd still be obligated to go to the general Assembly for certain things," noted Commissioner President Julia Gouge.

County Attorney Kim Millender said Code Home Rule includes many of the provisions of charter government, but without the need to establish a formal charter, which usually sets up an executive and legislative branch.

Commissioner Perry Jones noted that the board has received many phone calls and letters about making Code Home Rule a voter referendum, and said, "I was skeptical at first ... (but) I'm for this (placing it on the ballot)."

By law, the commissioners must record their "intent" to place Code Home Rule on the ballot, then must hold at least two public hearings, giving 30 days notice. After that, the board must vote to formally place Code Home Rule on the ballot - all this must be done prior to Aug. 21 in order to be done this year.

But the commissioners also said they hope to go farther, and have a series of informational meetings over the summer - either before, along with or after the public hearings. Millender said the University of Maryland Intergovernmental Service Department has expressed a willingness to help run information meetings to help residents grasp the differences in the government forms.

Millender said staff will work out a tentative schedule and return to the commissioners next week for review.

Gouge expressed some concern that the time frame may be too quick to make voters comfortable with the Code Home Rule proposal, and said the public hearing will, she hoped, let residents tell the board if it's too short a period to educate the public. "Is that really enough time? That's what we need to hear."

Commissioner Dean Minnich backed the effort, but said the hearings and informational meetings will be crucial. "Everybody will know what we're doing, when we're doing it, and why."

E-mail Jim Joyner at jjoyner@patuxent.com.

20060615 KDDC Ehrlich announces Public Hearing on GA Electric Rate Leg

Governor Ehrlich announces Public Hearing on General Assembly Electric Rate Legislation

Thursday June 15 2006 3:50 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Governor’s Office

Thursday, June 15, 2006 Henry P. Fawell

(410) 974.2316

Governor Ehrlich Announces Plan to Hold Public Hearing on General Assembly’s Electric Rate Legislation

ANNAPOLIS – Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced he would hold a public hearing on the Maryland General Assembly’s attempt to mitigate rising electricity costs for Baltimore Gas & Electric customers. The Governor will schedule the hearing for early next week.

“Lawmakers had two obligations in the special session: adequately protect BGE customers and toughen penalties on sex offenders who prey on our children,” said Governor Ehrlich. “We agreed on a comprehensive sex offender initiative, but lawmakers fell short of their obligations to BGE customers. I have grave reservations about a plan that forces one million Marylanders to pay $109 million in interest while giving back to BGE $220 million that I had secured for customers. I look forward to a thoughtful, dignified and informative discussion next week with the citizens effected most by the General Assembly’s actions.”

Governor Ehrlich will release a schedule and further details later this week.

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For some additional perspective read:

Consumers resent interest charge
By Tricia Bishop

Sun reporter

Originally published June 15, 2006

"Consumer anger that forced alternatives to the proposed 72 percent increase in electricity bills was rivaled by perhaps only one other sentiment: not wanting to shell out extra money in the form of interest payments to Baltimore Gas and Electric."

Read the rest here.

And read the Baltimore Sun's angle on developing events:

Assembly passes rate bill
Veto-proof votes in House, Senate enact limit on BGE increases, fire PSC; Ehrlich plans to hold public hearing on plan next week

By Andrew A. Green and Jennifer Skalka

Sun reporters

Originally published June 15, 2006, 3:40 PM EDT

Read the article here.

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Planning a pathway in Carroll County from 1961 into the future

Planning a pathway in Carroll County from 1961 into the future
June 14, 2006 by Kevin Dayhoff (639 words)

As the work continues on an update of the Carroll County Comprehensive Plan - Pathways to Carroll’s Future Landscape, it is a good time to reflect on some of the history of master planning in Carroll County and some of the past community leaders who worked hard to provide us with the firm foundation we have today, which allows us to confidently plan our future.

The methodology of developing our “Pathways” plan and the emphasis on community involvement and consensus building are once again highlighting Carroll County in a groundbreaking and leadership position throughout the state.

Then again, when it comes to master planning, leadership is something that comes quite naturally to our county. We have a history of excellence.

In November 1961, the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission issued the first Carroll County Master Plan, entitled “Agriculture.” The report was developed under the visionary leadership of George A. Grier, the planning director for Carroll County at the time.

Community leaders serving on the 1961 Planning Commission were Chairman E. Miller Richardson, Russell Royer, Walter Harner, and Clarence Shaw. The Agricultural Advisors were Chairman John Bixler, Frank Bushey, Jonathan Dorsey, George Tracy, and Lloyd Wilhide.

The 1961 Carroll County Master Plan was the inspiration of Mr. Grier who began his tenure with county government in 1959. He was the county's first planning director. He later served as the county administrator. Mr. Grier retired in 1983 after almost 25 years of public service.

Before Mr. Grier, a Harford County native, came to Carroll County, he was working as the Harford County planning director. However, he is another of the many examples of leadership attracted to Carroll County as a result of McDaniel College.

Carroll County was not new to Mr. Grier when accepted the commissioners’ offer of employment. He had attended, then – Western Maryland College, for three years, before he served our country in World War II.

The 1961 plan was only 54 pages, but it was an innovative approach to planning in the state in the early 1960s and many folks credit our “Master Plan” approach as the model for the Maryland Planning Act of 1992.

Once again, yesteryear’s trauma is today’s routine. .The concept of doing a master plan for the county was extraordinarily controversial in 1961. Now, state law mandates that local governments develop and update a master plan every six years.

When it comes to planning, to give folks, who have moved to Carroll County in recent years, some perspective when they complain to my generation about congestion and a loss of quality of life in Carroll County - - when folks from my generation joke that when we grew up in Carroll County, there were more cows than people, we aren’t kidding.

In November 1961, there were 48,274 head of cattle, plus 19,193 milk cows, 21,222 hogs, 333,546 chickens, 1,762 sheep and 1,045 horses. The population of the county in 1961 was 52,785.

In 1961, Carroll County was ranked number one or two in the state for land in farms; total number of cattle, hogs, and chickens; production of wheat, barley, hay, and sweet corn; and total number of tractors, grain combines and corn pickers. 77.5 percent of Carroll County was farmland.

Page 42 of the 1961 report contains a series of recommendations that are amazingly just as relevant today. In a future column we will review those recommendations and compare them to the current goals of the Pathways’ plan.

Meanwhile, we no longer have more cows that people in Carroll County. The need for careful land use planning is more important than ever.

Growth and development are some of the most difficult and challenging issues of our time. If you care about our county’s future, make time to visit the “Pathways” website at www.carrollpathways.org. Please get involved and be part of the solution.

20060614 SDOSM WE Planning a pathway in CC from 1961 p1.doc

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
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Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: www.westgov.net

19970320c-0979-Little-bit-o.gif
Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

20060614 KDDC Dinner at Harry's

Dinner at Harry’s
© Kevin Dayhoff
July 18th, 2006

Caroline and I enjoyed dinner out Tuesday evening at Harry’s Main Street in Westminster.

While we ate, we enjoyed the mellow sounds of “Blue suede shoes - blue note Harry.” The food was delicious, the service attentive, the company and conversation grand and a great time was had by all.

Doesn’t that look just like Harry? Whadda ya think?

For past posts about Harry’s Main Street, please see: “20060614 KDDC Dinner at Harry's” and “200600603 KDDC Can you guess who this community leader is?” After the page comes up, scroll down a bit to view the post…

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.
E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org
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Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

20060615 KDDC Goodbye Dan Rather and good riddance

Goodbye Dan Rather and good riddance
June 15th, 2006

Captain's Quarters said it best of the idol of the left: "Has there ever been a major journalist as egotistical and hypocritical as Dan Rather?" (Posted by Captain Ed at March 13, 2006 07:31 PM)

Then again, perhaps Mr. Rather did us all a favor. His bias, liberal and agenda driven reporting is partially responsible for the backlash and subsequent evolution of conservatives demanding a voice in information dissemination. He was quite instrumental in proving that the "MSM-Big 3" could not be counted on to give us fair, accurate and objective news.

Howard Kurtz, writing for the Washington Post brings us up to date on the future of Dan Rather.

Stopwatch Ticking for Dan Rather

CBS to Drop Ex-Anchor From '60 Minutes'

By Howard Kurtz

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 15, 2006; Page C01

NEW YORK -- CBS executives have decided there is no future role at the network for Dan Rather, making it certain that the man who sat in the anchor chair for 24 years will depart by this fall.

Read the rest of the story here.

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20060614 KDDC Dinner for Butterflies

Dinner for Butterflies
(C) Kevin Dayhoff
June 14, 2006

20060614 KDDC Dinner at Harry's Main Street Grille

"Dinner at Harry's"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
June 14th, 2006

Harry's Main Street restaurant

Harry's Main Street Grille
65 West Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157
410-848-7080
Closed on Sunday
http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Restaurants%20Harry%27s%20Main%20Street

Kevin Dayhoff Art: www.kevindayhoff.com (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/)

20060614 KDDC Lights Out, the second shoe

Lights Out, the second shoe

If you have not had a chance to read Jamie Smith Hopkins' article in the Sun the other day; find time to read it. She covered how this Maryland General Assembly continues to be disastrious for Marylanders.

Jamie Smith Hopkins continues to be one of the Baltimore Sun's best writers.

Much of Maryland's "industry" and employment is government. However, not eveyone can work for the government. Governmant pays no taxes, it only consumes taxes.

So who is left to pay the bills? The answer is you and me. And if Maryland continues to perpetuate its anti-business reputation, "you and me" are going to only have to pay higher and higher taxes as business continues to flee of find somewhere else to establish and grow.

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Legislature makes businesses uneasy

Business leaders are concerned that lawmakers keep doing things to create an unfriendly climate

By Jamie Smith Hopkins

Sun reporter

Originally published June 14, 2006

Be sure to read the rest of Ms. Hopkins' article here.

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The piece in the Wall Street Journal, to which Ms. Hopkins refers has been hard to find for me. However, I did manage to find it on the "Howard County Blog." I have pasted below the Howard County Blog's entry from April 18th, 2006:

Lights Out In Maryland

I share with you, dear reader, a perspective (that I happen to share) from the Wall Street Journal.

Lights Out in MarylandApril 15, 2006; Page A6

No homeowner would be overjoyed to hear that his electric bill is going up by 72% on July 1. In an election year, that just might make him mad enough to blame the politicians seeking his vote.

So it goes in Baltimore and surrounding areas in central Maryland, where 1.2 million homeowners were informed recently that they would have to shell out an average of $743 more a year for electricity, and where the Governor and every member of the state legislature are up for re-election in November.

But if lawmakers are worried, they have only themselves to blame. In 1999 the assembly imposed price controls as part of legislation deregulating the state's electrical power industry. Hoping to avoid taking political responsibility for that decision, the legislators froze residential rates at 1993 levels minus 6.5%. Seven years later that political bill is now coming due.

The legislature's ire has focused on Constellation Energy Group, parent of Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., the state's largest electric utility. In an effort to blackmail the utility into agreeing to below-market rates, it tried to block a planned merger between Constellation and Florida Power & Light that has nothing to do with the rate increase. Not only was this probably unconstitutional — the U.S. Constitution protects interstate commerce — it was arguably illegal under state law. The assembly wanted to bypass the Public Service Commission, the regulatory body created nearly a century ago with the specific aim of insulating public utilities from politics. The commission is currently evaluating the proposed merger.

But the politicking didn't stop there. Legislation passed both houses requiring the merger to be studied by Attorney General Joseph Curran Jr. Mr. Curran happens to be the father-in-law of Martin O'Malley, the Democratic Mayor of Baltimore running for governor against Republican incumbent Robert Ehrlich. The legislation called for Mr. Curran's office to report back in January — a convenient two months after the election.

The effort fell apart last week when the Governor vetoed the legislation as well as a second bill stripping him of the power to appoint members to the Public Service Commission. The Governor then worked out a deal with the House to reintroduce price caps (with moderate increases) until 2009. But the Senate wouldn't go along so neither the compromise bill nor an override of the vetoes passed before the legislative session expired on Monday. Governor Ehrlich is now trying to work out a deal for lower rates with Constellation, while also considering calling the legislature back to Annapolis. But why bother? The longer the legislature stays out of session the safer everyone is.

Constellation is the only Fortune 500 company headquartered in Baltimore. It employs hundreds of people at an energy trading floor downtown — jobs that could easily be moved to a friendlier state. After this experience, it's not hard to understand why Constellation might want to do just that.

This episode is just one more example of how Maryland is developing a reputation for being a bad place to do business. Within the past year, the legislature has increased the minimum wage and foisted a new health-care tax onto Wal-Mart. During his four years in office, Governor Ehrlich has had to beat back $7.5 billion in tax hikes in a state with a budget of about $29 billion. The message being sent to job creators is clear: Lights out.

April 18th, 2006

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20060614 KDDC A surprise for WH Press pool

Will your spouse miss you for a couple of days?
Posted June 14th, 2006 2:15 AM

It seems like a plot from the TV series "West Wing."

"Editor and Publisher" has a story about coordinating the press in the secret plans to fly President George W. Bush to Iraq. It is very interesting read.

Surprise for Reporters: Bush to Baghdad

By By E&P Staff

Published: June 13, 2006 10:00 AM ET
NEW YORK President George W. Bush, seeking to bolster support for Iraq's new government and the U.S. war effort at home, made a surprise visit to Iraq on Tuesday to meet Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Read the rest here.

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20060614 KDDC The problem with cows

This just in from "Regret the Error."
Posted June 14th, 2006 1:45 AM

Corrections and clarifications

Monday June 12, 2006
The Guardian

In an article Is it OK ... to drink cow's milk? (Ethical living, page 26, G2, June 6), two mistakes were introduced in the editing. Comments which were made by by an unnamed former dairy worker, whose mother runs an animal sanctuary, were mistakenly attributed to Gordon Tweddle for which we apologise. We also caused the writer to say that cows are responsible for "19% of global warming". In fact cows are responsible for 20% of methane gas, and methane gas accounts for 19% of global warming.

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20060613 KDDC Microsoft sucks

In Humiliating Microsoft, Apple's Simply Charming
Posted June 14, 12:21 AM

Many folks have been in touch about the new Apple TV ads. They are a hoot. Bob Garfield, who writes a column, "Garfield's Ad Review," for "Advertising Age," has just published a fun review of the ads:

In Humiliating Microsoft, Apple's Simply Charming

New Ads Skewer Windows' Various Shortcomings

By Bob Garfield

Published: May 14, 2006

Apple is one weird company. It makes great products and bizarre decisions. But above all, in all its stubborn Jobsian iconoclasm, Apple is consistent. You know what it means, what it stands for and what it will always stand for.

Namely: Microsoft sucks.

Read the rest here. The article has available the ad, if you have not seen it.

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20060612 KDDC 2006 1st Special Session hearing information

2006 1st Special Session hearing information current as of June 9, 2006 - 9:22 a.m.

June 12, 2006 5:16 PM

The following information - pasted below - is from the Maryland General Assembly web-site and can be found on the web here. Be sure to go the link to get the rest of the hearings schedule... And check this pagetomorrowto see if they have the Senate and/House agenda posted.

COMMITTEES HOLDING HEARINGS ON JUNE 13, 2006

HOUSE ECONOMIC MATTERS	SENATE FINANCE

JUNE 13, 2006

HOUSE ECONOMIC MATTERS

                                 10:00 A.M.     Joint Hearing Room
                                            Legislative Services Building
                                            Annapolis, MD


Subject:  - Electric Restructuring Legislation
         - Joint with the Senate Finance Committee

NOTE:  Members of the Senate Special Commission on Electric
      Utility Deregulation Implementation are invited to attend.

SENATE FINANCE

                                 10:00 A.M.     Joint Hearing Room
                                            Legislative Services Building
                                            Annapolis, MD


Subject:  - Electric Restructuring Legislation
         - Joint with the House Economic Matters Committee

NOTE:  Members of the Senate Special Commission on Electric
      Utility Deregulation Implementation are invited to attend.

20060610 KDDC Aunt Caroline and the Goats

Aunt Caroline and the Goats

Aunt Caroline, who may be the best aunt in the world, helped our niece Saturday morning with her 4-H goat project…

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20060610 KDDC Graduation Party

Graduation Party

Caroline and I had the opportunity to attend a wonderful graduation party Saturday afternoon.

I have written it before and I will write it again that we are very fortunate to have many fantastic young adults making their way up the leadership ranks these days.

We met many wonderful folks and neighbors at one of Westminster’s finer homes. The food was marvelous. My only remark on the food, is that for a family with so many traditional southern traits – where were the grits? After-all, grits goes with everything.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060610 KDDC The Airstrike meets the Beastie Boys

The Airstrike remix by Allahpundit

(Note - To see the video released by Centcom on You Tube, go here. "Zarqawi Airstrike: CENTCOM-released video of the strike that got Zarqawi.)"

To see the remix with the Beastie Boys, "Sabotage" overlaid - go here.

I found this by way of Michelle Malkin, Hot Air and You Tube. Unless you are registered with You Tube, don't go to that web-site for 'Beastie Boys remix' video, it has been flagged. I'm registered - it does not take that long nor is it difficult, I'm just still at the stage where registering for all these web-sites is a hassle...

This video is done by Allahpundit.

Hot Air inroduces it by saying:

Video: The airstrike remix

posted at 1:44 pm on June 8, 2006 by Allahpundit

Dedicated to all the brothers and sisters at Yearly Kos, who I know would enjoy this little bit of triumphalism as much as I do.

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20060609 KDDC NYTimes: I Saw a Deadhead Sticker on a Bentley

I Saw a Deadhead Sticker on a Bentley
New York Times

By HEATHER TIMMONS

Published: June 9, 2006

HERTFORDSHIRE, England, June 8 — Jerry Garcia must be spinning in his grave.

This week, on spacious lawns surrounding a turreted, gargoyle-encrusted mansion north of London, thousands of hedge fund managers and the bankers and lawyers who love them gathered for their own alternative festival, called Hedgestock.

Read the rest here.

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20060609 KDDC Southern California Barbeque

"Southern California Barbeque"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
September 18, 2005

As much as we have enjoyed the unusually mild, pleasant and cool Maryland spring. Caroline and I are looking forward to summer cookouts. Pictured above is a great cookout that Caroline and enjoyed while we were visiting San Diego last September. The hot dogs were superb.

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20060609 KDDC Women’s Club Basket Bingo fundraiser

20060609 KDDC Women’s Club Basket Bingo fundraiser

The Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department social hall was the place to be this Friday evening as about 200 basket bingo-ers were out in full force.

They all came out to support the Westminster Women’s Club’s fundraising event to purchase defibrillators for the Carroll County Agriculture Center’s Shipley Arena.

Caroline, Grammy and I attended. I enjoyed chowing down on the food provided by the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Hat’s off to the Westminster Women’s Club and everyone who worked hard to make this event a success.

If you would like to make a donation to help the Carroll County Agriculture Center purchase defibrillators, please make a check out to: Westminster Woman's Club, P.O. Box 242, Westminster, Md. 21158. For more information, contact Jo Harp Past -President at chinookersmom@yahoo.com.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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20060609 KDDC Rare Car Spotted in Westminster

"Rare Car"
(c) Kevin Dayhoff
June 9, 2006

20060609 KDDC Horse and rider at Belmont Park

I found this great picture on the BBC.

The caption read: "A horse and rider on the track at sunrise at Belmont Park in Elmont, N. Y., U.S.A. Photo: Ed Betz/AP"

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20060608 KDDC rock, paper, scissors

Rock, paper, scissors

This was dinner conversation this evening with friends at Johansson's in Westminster. I found it via Wonkette... which led me to "Under Their Robes," a blog which features "News, gossip, and colorful commentary about the federal judiciary." Please enjoy.

Oh - Under Their Robes is a fun site also. You may wanna bookmark it.

Be sure to read this.

I'll go ahead and paste a copy of the order at the bottom of this post.

The teaser pasted below came from the New York Sun:

June 08, 2006

The Wisdom of Solomon?

"Faced with the inability of two bickering attorneys to resolve even the most innocuous scheduling questions without his intervention, a Florida federal judge yesterday ordered the two to meet on the steps of the federal courthouse and resolve their latest quarrel by playing 'one game of 'rock, paper, scissors,'" Fortune reports. Underneath Their Robes (via Wonkette)"is nothing short of awesome."

Posted by Daniel Freedman at June 8, 2006 10:18 AM

---

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA ORLANDO DIVISION

AVISTA MANAGEMENT, INC., d/b/a Avista Plex, Inc.,

Plaintiff,

-vs-

WAUSAU UNDERWRITERS INSURANCE COMPANY,

Defendant.

______________________________________

ORDER

This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff's Motion to designate location of a Rule 30(b)(6) deposition (Doc. 105). Upon consideration of the Motion – the latest in a series of Gordian knots that the parties have been unable to untangle without enlisting the assistance of the federal courts – it is

ORDERED that said Motion is DENIED. Instead, the Court will fashion a new form of alternative dispute resolution, to wit: at 4:00 P.M. on Friday, June 30, 2006, counsel shall convene at a neutral site agreeable to both parties. If counsel cannot agree on a neutral site, they shall meet on the front steps of the Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse, 801 North Florida Ave., Tampa, Florida 33602. Each lawyer shall be entitled to be accompanied by one paralegal who shall act as an attendant and witness. At that time and location, counsel shall engage in one (1) game of "rock, paper, scissors." The winner of this engagement shall be entitled to select the location for the 30(b)(6) deposition to be held somewhere in Hillsborough County during the period July 11-12, 2006. If either party disputes the outcome of this engagement, an appeal may be filed and a hearing will be held at 8:30 A.M. on Friday, July 7, 2006 before the undersigned in Courtroom 3, George C. Young United States Courthouse and Federal Building, 80 North Hughey Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801.

DONE and ORDERED in Chambers, Orlando, Florida on June 6, 2006.

Copies furnished to: Counsel of Record

Unrepresented Party

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