Sunday, January 29, 2012

This week in The Tentacle: Gas Tax, schools, local politics and commentary on the 2012 presidential campaign and more


This week in The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com Gas Tax, schools, local politics and commentary on the 2012 presidential campaign and more

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Kevin E. Dayhoff
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s fiscal year 2013 state budget, released a week ago, is a full menu of difficult choices. However, one of the most troubling is the lack of funding for police protection and highway user revenue for municipalities.
Norman M. Covert
The locker room echoed with praise for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and it was almost with disdain that my friend and former colleague spat out the name of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. How quickly the room emptied and the showers came on.
Tom McLaughlin
Kuching, Malaysian Borneo – I am really not that concerned about these reptilian serpents or any of the other 12 animals that glide by every Chinese New Year. However, living here, one cannot help but join in the festivities.


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Roy Meachum
Democratic candidate Tom Hattery’s mean attitude had much to do with pushing him away, from me and the electorate; that was 20 years ago when the thought of Beverly Byron losing was almost unthinkable. Mr. Hattery’s primary win was at least shocking to many.
Earl 'Rocky' Mackintosh
I guess one can call it "Straight Jacket Approval" in that – once approved – public charter school start ups have to enter the cold cruel world of real estate.


Monday, January 23, 2012

Richard B. Weldon Jr.
The truly memorable moment of the South Carolina primary debate last Thursday night occurred within the first 10 minutes.
Cindy A. Rose
Before we get all warm and fuzzy over Education Week reporting Maryland is ranked the #1 school in the nation, take a closer look at the list of criteria to get that #1 ranking.
Michael Kurtianyk
In comic book lure and during the Golden Age of radio, Lamont Cranston was a wealthy young man in New York City who was known as “The Shadow.” The radio broadcasts began with that famous question: "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!"


Friday, January 20, 2012

Roy Meachum
Reporter Katherine Heerbrandt earned my professional admiration over the long years in Frederick; we were colleagues on the local newspaper. Her most recent journalistic coup must not pass unremarked upon.
Joe Charlebois
How does President Barack Obama expect to get re-elected? He has consistently stated throughout his three years in office that "My administration will not rest until every American who is able and ready and willing to work can find a job.” Is he serious?


Thursday, January 19, 2012

Patricia A. Kelly
George W. Wireman died last week. He was known as the train man, and so much more. He was a polio survivor, rejected by the Army because of his deformed feet and legs, who walked and hiked everywhere, and visited all 50 states, including Hawaii four times – and he never had a driver’s license.
Chris Cavey
It has been an interesting week for the Republican Party since the Mitt Romney rout in the Granite State. So, for those of you who have been living in a hole, or perhaps just returned from another dimension within the past seven days, here are some random observations to ponder.
Blaine R. Young
I thought it must have been a dream – actually, a nightmare – because I certainly never believed that in the current economic times someone would propose to raise yet another tax for the purpose of raising money to build something that the market has said repeatedly is not needed and likely will not be successful.


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Kevin E. Dayhoff
The consensus continues to gather steam that the GOP nomination to challenge President Barack Obama for president this fall will be former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Perhaps all the drama now moves to who will be his choice for vice president.
Norman M. Covert
I am tho’ confuthed! I find myself burned up that the gaggle of Republican presidential candidates never misses an opportunity at self-immolation. I’m slipping over the edge now with the dual dilemma of new Sixth Congressional District boundaries and sibling rivalry among our GOP inhabitants.
Tom McLaughlin
I am not exactly the poster child for vasectomy. Two years ago, I went to see a doctor who must have sterilized most of the men, who wanted the procedure, in Frederick County.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Roy Meachum
Never in my over 28 years writing about Frederick politics can I remember when an elected freshman official has been so unrelenting and noisy – some say obnoxious – as Kathy Afzali.
Farrell Keough
In our current environment, we are seeing new taxes under all sorts of rubrics. For instance, we have paid dearly over the years for our roads and highway systems – yet, today, we are facing newly designated tax schemes like Toll Roads.
Shawn Burns
It is no secret that Gov. Martin O’Malley wants to run for president in 2016. He has an ambitious list of proposals he would like to see enacted in the next four years in order to bolster his resumé in order to appeal to progressives and Democrats on the national level.


Monday, January 16, 2012

Richard B. Weldon Jr.
Why is it that partisan politicians constantly place their own aspirations ahead of their party's best interests?

Michael Kurtianyk
More than any other, the most discussed topic in my circles recently has been about the candidates for the Sixth Congressional District seat. There were quite a few surprises, but before looking at some specific candidates, here is the list:

This week in The Tentacle www.thetentacle.com

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I’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries.
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Rural Marylanders support tighter regulations on septic systems and taxes for Bay clean-up, poll says

Rural Marylanders support tighter regulations on septic systems and taxes for Bay clean-up, poll says

A new poll found that 62% of rural respondents favored tighter regulations on septic systems, and 57% favored “limiting the number of septic systems in rural areas.”

The poll of 801 registered voters by Opinion Works in mid-December found statewide support was 72% for tighter septic regulations, and 69% for limiting the number septic systems in the state.

Rural respondents were surveyed in southern and western Maryland counties, as well as the Eastern Shore…http://marylandreporter.com/2012/01/20/rural-marylanders-support-tighter-regulations-on-septic-systems-and-taxes-for-bay-clean-up-poll-says/

Rural Marylanders support tighter regulations on septic systems and taxes for Bay clean-up, poll says

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I’m a newspaper reporter. I’m pushy, inconsiderate and I do not respect boundaries.
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoffTwitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/
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Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Westminster Bunnies say 'Go Ravens!'


The Westminster Bunnies say 'Go Ravens!'

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Baltimore football championship seasons have always started in Westminster … so should we be worried?

Baltimore football championship seasons have always started in Westminster ... so should we be worried?


Many Carroll County residents are getting a case of nostalgic Super Bowl fever as they look forward to Sunday's AFC championship contest between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.

For more than 120 years — since football debuted at then-Western Maryland College on Oct. 31, 1891 — football has been a part of the history of Carroll County.

Not to be overlooked is the fact that since July 1949, Baltimore football teams have held summer practice in Westminster. Names like Raymond Berry, Jim Parker, Art Donovan, Gino Marchetti, Lenny Moore, Eugene (Big Daddy) Lipscomb, Alan Ameche, and Wilbur (Weeb) Ewbank, just to mention a few, have become an important part of our Carroll County cultural history.

And yes, there is also that quarterback that was cut by the Pittsburg Steelers in 1956.

What was his name? Oh yeah, right. Johnny Unitas.

Unbelievable. According to an old history of the Baltimore Colts in my files, "Unitas was cut by… http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/news/community/ph-ce-eagle-archive-0122-20120119,0,3298374.story



Related Read more: Of course, summer practice in Westminster is probably why the Baltimore Colts won its first National Football League division title in 1958:http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/carroll/neighborhoods/westminster/ph-ce-eagle-archive-1211-20111207,0,828252.story

And: For over 120 years, since football debuted at Western Maryland College on October 31, 1891, football has been a part of the history of Carroll County…



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A History of Heroes in Westminster's Fire Department - Westminster, MD Patch by Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Fire Hall 37 E Main Street 1879 to 1896

Westminster Patch: A History of Heroes in Westminster's Fire Department by Kevin Dayhoff and more from Westminster Patch on Friday January 20 2012

The Westminster Fire Department ladder apparatus from approximately 1879.
The 2012 Westminster Fire Department officers were sworn into office at the Jan. 5, 2012 meeting. These officers become a part of a history in Westminster of volunteers protecting lives and property... http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/blog-a-history-of-heroes-in-westminsters-fire-department

The Westminster Fire Department hand pumper from approximately 1879
The 2012 slate of officers for the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1 were sworn into office by Steve Wantz, the president of the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association, at the January 5, 2012 monthly company meeting in John Street Quarters at the firehall.

According to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1 website, the administrative officers for 2012 are: President - Robert Cumberland, 1st V.P. - Daniel Plunkert, 2nd V.P. - Matt Crise, Treasurer - Robert Ruby, Asst. Treasurer – Caroline Babylon, Secretary - Matt Davis, Asst. Secretary - Todd Leppert, Members at Large - Marvin Hollinger and James Eckard, Historian - Joe Ebaugh, Asst. Historian - Jim Brown, and Chaplain – Kevin Dayhoff.

Members of the Westminster Fire Department pose for a picture in front of the fire station at 37 E. Main Street in Westminster around 1880
The fire suppression operations officers sworn into office are: Chief - James Bangerd III, Asst. Chief - James Starry, Captain - Bryan VanFossen, LT 3-1 Jon Haddad, LT 3-2 Nick Krionderis, LT 3-3 Jason Tyler, LT 3-4 Kevin Utz, LT 3-5 Jason Bangerd, Sergeant 3-1 Brian Garbutt, Sergeant 3-2 John Bangerd, EMS Officers Captain- Jared Davis, Lieutenants- Laura Tyler, and Lieutenant- Hugh Hynes

These officers become a part of an historic legacy in Westminster of volunteers in the community selflessly coming together to take time away from their families to help protect lives and property.
According to research by the Westminster fire department historian, Joe Ebaugh, the minutes from the “Wednesday evening January 15, 1879” noted…http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/blog-a-history-of-heroes-in-westminsters-fire-department



Captions for pictures:

18790000 FBEast Main St Fire Station csm: Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Fire Hall 37 E Main Street 1879 to 1896

18790000 nd pumps-TNc: The Westminster Fire Department hand pumper from approximately 1879.

18790000 nd ladders-TNc: The Westminster Fire Department ladder apparatus from approximately 1879.

18800000s FBWFDbsm100: Members of the Westminster Fire Department pose for a picture in front of the fire station at 37 E. Main Street in Westminster around 1880. 



Saturday, January 21, 2012

Plenty of good tea and great things to eat Tea Bar Cafe 7 E. Main St Westminster


Plenty of good tea and great things to eat Tea Bar Cafe 7 E. Main St Westminster

January 21, 2012

Plenty of traffic moving easily in historic downtown Westminster

Larry Bloom Westminster St Dept works to get city streets clear 10:40 am

Waste-to-Energy Plant in Taneytown? Maybe. and more from Westminster Patch


Today s 33° 22° Tomorrow s 32° 33°
Waste-to-Energy Plant in Taneytown? Maybe. and more from Westminster Patch

January 21, 2012

Your News

January 21, 2012

Waste-to-Energy Plant in Taneytown? Maybe.

Frederick News Post | Jan 20, 2012 | 0 Comments

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A private company has approached Taneytown with a proposal to build a privately-funded waste-to-energy trash facility there. This makes the joint incinerator project with Frederick County a little more complicated.

CHAT: Thoughts, Predictions on Ravens-Patriots

Sean Welsh | Jan 20, 2012 | 3 Comments

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Patch editors from Baltimore led a fan chat Friday.

State Highway Crews Prepare for Winter Weather

Kym Byrnes | Jan 20, 2012 | 0 Comments

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The State Highway Administration is encouraging central Maryland residents to be prepared for wintery weather tonight.

Sheriff Recommends Locking Doors

Valerie Bonk | Jan 20, 2012 | 0 Comments

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Sheriff Kenneth Tregoning and Administrative Services Chief Major Phil Kasten updated the Board of Commissioners at their open session meeting Thursday.
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Local Voices

January 21, 2012

New Blog: The Carroll Character

Audrey S. Cimino

Did you ever wonder why Carroll County is such a great place to live and work? Here is one woman's answer to the question.
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Community Bulletin

January 21, 2012

Government

Commissioners Rededicate the Freedom Shrine

Kym Byrnes | Jan 21, 2012

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On Thursday, Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. the commissioners held a ceremony to rededicate the Freedom Shrine. The ceremony was held to "…

Things to Do

January 21, 2012

2:00 pm

Weird Weather Program

The Bear Branch Nature Center is holding a program for ages 7-12 featuring questions about weather, experiments and more. …
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Auth. MSP the Snow Emergency Plan is in effect at 0200hrs for Carroll County


Roadway snow Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20120121 snowvz (1)]


Snow shadows Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20120121 snowvz (2)]


Several inches of snow had already fallen 
in Westminster by 2:30 a.m.; 
however it was just starting to turn into freezing rain… 
Photo by Kevin Dayhoff [20120121 snow 2 30 am]
Auth. MSP the Snow Emergency Plan is in effect at 0200hrs for Carroll County


The Maryland State Police put the Maryland snow emergency plan in effect for Carroll County MD at 2 a.m.

The Maryland Department of Transportation announced that the Maryland State Police put the Maryland snow emergency plan in effect at 2 a.m. Saturday morning for Carroll County.

Previously the snow emergency plan went into effect the previous Friday evening for much of Western Maryland counties: at 11 p.m. for Allegany County; 10:30 p.m. for Garrett County and 11:30 p.m. for Washington County.

According to the department of transportation, the state police declare snow emergencies after receiving input from the Maryland State Highway Administration.

Once the snow emergency has been declared, parking is prohibited on streets and roads that are designated as snow emergency routes and the snow tires, all weather tires and or chains are required for vehicles traveling on the roadways.

When checked at 2:45 a.m., the National Weather Service forecast for Westminster and Carroll County had a “winter weather advisory posted.” “Snow before 4 am, then snow, freezing rain, and sleet. Low around 26. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total nighttime ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. Total nighttime snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.”

For Saturday night the weather service was forecasting mostly cloudy skies. But most importantly for Ravens fans, the Sunday forecast says, “A slight chance of rain, freezing rain, and sleet after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 33. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.” And later Sunday night, Rain likely, possibly mixed with freezing rain, becoming all rain after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind between 3 and 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.”

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http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=lwx&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no National Weather Service radar image for the Maryland and mid-Atlantic region of the east coast taken at 2:37 a.m. EST.