Dayhoff Westminster

Dayhoff Westminster
www.kevindayhoff.city Address: PO Box 124, Westminster MD 21158 410-259-6403 kevindayhoff@gmail.com

Friday, November 10, 2017

Caroline and I took the Opiate Overdose Rescue Training

Caroline and I took the Opiate Overdose Rescue Training on Thursday, November 9th, 2017 1-3 pm in Grace Hall at Grace Lutheran Church.


We took the training along with many community leaders, including folks like Rev. Malcolm Stranathan, Rev. Marty Kuchma, Sue Thomas, Marian Shipley, Ted Dix, and Ronnie Wantz, among others.


The workshop was hosted by Families against the Stigma of Addiction, Inc. in partnership with Carroll County Health Department. Our trainers were Heather Asbury, Linda Auerback, Beth Schmidt, and Michelle McVay.


The training was excellent. The purpose of the training was to teach participants about opioids and their effects, how to recognize and respond to an overdose, how to administer Intra-nasal Naloxone, the Good Samaritan Law and other resources.


Hat Tip to Pastors Martha and Kevin Clementson for helping to make the training session happen.

The work never stops at the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept

The work never stops at the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. 5Nov2017 with Lt. Kim Darby and Briana Paige

Saturday, November 4, 2017

Caroline helped with selling food for the Ag Center this evening at the bingo event

Caroline and I helped with selling food for the Ag Center this evening at the bingo event. The place was packed. I think they said they sold 650 tickets. It may have been cold and rainy outside, but in the Shipley Arena, the evening went like clockwork and everyone seemed to have a good time

4Nov2017

Friday, November 3, 2017

BGE Grant opportunities; including the Emergency Response Safety Grant

BGE Grant opportunities; including the Emergency Response Safety Grant

Nov. 3, 2017 - At the October 27, 2017 BGE Carroll County Local Advisory Council meeting, facilitated by the BGE External Affairs Manager Megan Eaves, at the meeting facilities at The ARC of Carroll County, one of the several topics covered was the BGE Grant opportunities; including the Emergency Response Safety Grant.

According to a BGE information press release on Dec. 21, 2015, the Westminster Fire engine and Hose Co. No. 1 was awarded a LUCAS chest compression device. (For a full length article on the BGE Westminster Fire Dept. LUCUS grant, by this writer – go here: https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2016/02/new-life-saving-equipment-put-into.html)

Other awards in Carroll County included: Carroll County Amateur Radio Club — Emergency Communications Update; Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association — AED Replacement; Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company — Replacement Vent Saws.

Also awarded: Manchester Fire Engine and Hook and Ladder Company — Turnout Gear Locker Replacement; Maryland Military Auxiliary Radio — MARS Portable Communications Kit; New Windsor Fire & Hose Company — Rescue Tool Power Unit; North Carroll Auxiliary Police — Vehicle Replacement; and Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department — Cellular Booster / Repeater.

In that release BGE stated:

“Baltimore Gas and Electric today announced that it is awarding $325,000 in emergency response and safety grants to 65 nonprofit emergency response and public safety organizations in 10 Maryland counties and Baltimore City as part of its Emergency Response and Safety Grant program. There were 19 first-time award recipients. BGE will hold an event in early 2016 to formally recognize all of the organizations being awarded grant funding.

“‘BGE is proud to once again give back to nonprofit public safety and emergency response organizations who selflessly give their time and energy to maintain safety in the communities that we serve,’ said Valencia A. McClure, Director of Communications and Corporate Relations for BGE. “This grant funding will allow these agencies to purchase equipment, and support programs, and services that are vital to their preparedness and the overall safety of our community.’

“BGE’s Emergency Response and Safety Grant program, now in its fourth year, is an integral part of BGE’s continued commitment to supporting safety and reliability while also enhancing the communities it serves. It supports nonprofit emergency response and public safety organizations by providing funding that is vital to their success. Some of this year’s grants will assist agencies in purchasing items such as thermal imaging cameras, GPS systems, smoke alarms, portable radios and funding emergency preparedness drills and equipment. To date, BGE has provided over $1 million to 194 emergency response organizations, who share BGE’s commitment to the safety of central Maryland residents…”

[…]

BGE encourages eligible 501c3 organizations that respond to the community’s needs during emergencies to apply for grants of up to $10,000 each. Grant applications are available online at bge.com/emergencyrespondersgrant each September through the end of October.

“BGE presented $310,000 to last year’s 48 grant recipients. A number of grant recipients spoke about how they use the grants in this brief video. In addition to supporting the emergency responder community in Maryland, BGE provides training for fire, police, 911 centers, and emergency management organizations who routinely work around utility equipment. BGE is recognized for its own emergency response record, ranking among the top utilities in the nation for rapid response to gas emergency calls and in working to prevent damages to energy equipment.

“BGE plays an integral role in working with Maryland communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues, and other initiatives that help enhance our neighborhoods. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of education, environment, community development and arts and culture…


Emergency Response and Safety Grants

Grant Description:

This grant is a way for BGE to further support organizations that are just as committed to safety as we are. BGE encourages 501c3 organizations that respond to the community’s needs during emergency preparedness and response efforts to apply for a grant.

https://www.bge.com/SafetyCommunity/Community/PublishingImages/star-icon.jpgThe Emergency Response Grant is open December 1 - January 15.https://www.bge.com/SafetyCommunity/Community/PublishingImages/star-icon.jpg

For questions, email csr.bge@bge.com.

Grant Criteria
Organization must be a 501c3 non-profit.
Organization must meet the grant guidelines for eligibility.
Grant range - $500-$10,000
Up to $2,000-Small, local size organizations focused on one community
Up to $10,000 – Mid to large organizations working across multiple communities

Grants are considered for new and existing programs that fall within the description guidelines and requests funding that clearly demonstrates improvement in response efforts to urgent needs of the community.

All applications must include a project budget indicating how the grant will be spent.

Applications will not be accepted requesting basic operating expenses.

The project must be geographically located in the BGE service territory.

All awarded grantees must submit a brief report within 8 months of receiving funds detailing expenditures of the grant.

BGE employee engagement is preferred but not required.

View more information from previous years:





Information retrieved on 3Nov2017 from the BGE website: www.bge.com... This information has been compiled and assembled from multiple sources - all of which I have tried to be very careful to cite. That said - any and all mistakes that may appear in this article are my fault and mine alone.


The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 and our brothers and sisters in emergency response greatly benefited from the BGE Emergency Safety Grant in 2015. At a time of decreasing financial resources, increasing strain on emergency response resources, as well as increased competition for a constricted revenue flow; this writer felt that it was important to spread the word about an additional resource in the community. 
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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

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/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Westminster Fire Dept. debuts a Facebook page to track events with Santa this Christmas season.


As we can see from this picture from Dec. 15, 2015, Santa frequently stops by the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. Watch the WFD Santa run FB page for upcoming times, places – and schedules for Santa visits in Westminster this December 2017. (1Nov2017) Kevin Dayhoff photo https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1981063725497691&id=1979153135688750

November 1, 2017 - Westminster Fire Dept. debuts a Facebook page to track events with Santa this Christmas season.


Hello everyone! Welcome to the WFD Santa run FB page!

We will use this page to help keep you all updated about Santa's annual visit to Westminster and his plans to visit everyone on the fire truck.

This year he will be riding with us December 11th-15th from 6pm-9pm and will be at the fire station on December 16th from 7-11am for breakfast.

Please share this page with all your friends and remember to click the follow button as well.

We will update you on Santa's planned routes with us thru the neighborhoods as soon as Santa's official navigator, Rudolph gives us the go ahead.

The nights of the Santa run we will do our best to update you live with Santa's current location so you can be ready to meet him.

As always, Santa is catching a ride with your firefighters and if we have to take an emergency run, Santa does too. That means he may have to adjust his plans and we'll do our best to let you know.

So make sure you LIKE, SHARE and FOLLOW and look for future updates!



For more articles, pictures, and information on the Westminster Fire Dept., go to “The Winchester Report” here: https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/Fire%20CC%20Depts%2003%20Westminster
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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

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/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Sunday, October 29, 2017

Brittany Hill is in the building


Brittany Hill is in the building. 29Oct2017 

Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co No 1

Lay Leader Rich Shuster and Pastor Kevin Clementson begin the processional

Lay Leader Rich Shuster and Pastor Kevin Clementson begin the processional for church services on Reformation Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church. 29Oct2017. Happy Reformation Sunday

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Caramel Creams

Caramel Creams - I'll just this right here.

The work and the calls never stop for the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept

The work and the calls never stop for the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. 27Oct2017

The Westminster Jr. Women’s Club judged the annual Westminster Halloween Parade

The Westminster Jr. Women's Club judged the annual Westminster Halloween Parade. It was great to see them. 27Oct2017

Grammy, Caroline and I are having dinner at Asian Sakae

Grammy, Caroline and I are having dinner at Asian Sakae, 405 N Center St,Westminster MD 21157 (410) 857-7625 27Oct2017 Our server was John. We liked our dinner and we like Asian Sakae. Now, off to the annual Westminster Halloween Parade. See you there.

Electric Vehicles - BGE Customer Education and Outreach - BGE EVSE Infrastructure Dev Considerations

Electric Vehicles - BGE Customer Education and Outreach - BGE EVSE Infrastructure Development Considerations: On Friday, I was in a BGE Local Community Advisory Council meeting that is reviewing the future infrastructure, such as residential and public charging networks and facilities that is needed for charging electric vehicles. It was fascinating 27Oct2017

Grace Lutheran Church celebrated the 500th anniversary of Reformation

Grace Lutheran Church celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation Friday with a potluck dinner and a showing of a recent Rick Steve's film about the history of Martin Luther, and the events of the Protestant Reformation. Grace has had a number of activities this year to celebrate this milestone. 27Oct2017. It was a great evening.

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

At Rock Salt in Westminster

At Rock Salt in Westminster with Col..Bill Babylon, Grammy Evelyn Babylon, Sherry Wensel Bowers, and Caroline Babylon. Nov. 7th, 2017 will be the one year anniversary of the opening of Rock Salt. Our server, Gena, could not have been more accommodating. Our dinners and the service were great. We are looking forward to coming back. October 24, 2017

Eight years ago Laura Russell stole the spotlight at the Westminster mayor and Common Council meeting on Sept. 28, 2009


Eight years ago Laura Russell stole the spotlight at the Westminster mayor and Common Council meeting on Sept. 28, 2009

Oct. 9, 2017 – Sept. 28, 2009

Our friend Laura Russell, stole the spotlight at the Westminster mayor and Common Council meeting on Sept. 28, 2009. In an article I wrote for the Baltimore Sun that was published October 5, 2009, I reported, “Budget woes dominate Westminster mayor and council meeting. Westminster City Hall - The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last Monday began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening.

The meeting began with a presentation by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Westminster as club vice president Lyndi McNulty unveiled plans for raising money to purchase an electric three-wheeled “T-3 Personal Mobility Vehicle” for the Westminster Police Department.” …

Alas, sadly, the link to the story no longer works. But it is just as well as Laura Russell and Lyndi McNulty stole the show anyway… Just saying….
 
Photo caption: Westminster City Hall Sept. 28,2009 - The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last on Sept. 28 began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening. By Kevin Dayhoff Posted on 10/05/09 Left to right: councilmember Dr. Robert Wack, councilmember Tony Chiavacci, council president Damian Halstad, councilmember Greg Pecoraro, councilmember Suzanne Albert.  (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff)

Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting

Westminster Common Council report By Kevin Dayhoff Posted 10/05/09

The meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council last on Sept. 28 began with plenty of smiles, but the mood quickly turned somber as a discussion on budget woes dominated the balance of the evening.

Mayor Kevin Utz conducted a public hearing on the 2009 Comprehensive Plan for Westminster.  Planning director Tom Beyard explained that the comprehensive plan was the culmination of two years of work and that it was due to be adopted by October 1, 2009 in order to conform with Maryland State law.

The development of the plan, which began in earnest in October 2007, was broken into three phases, Beyard said. The first phase was a citizen survey, followed by additional public outreach, followed by the drafting phase.

Beyard said the municipal growth footprint and the planned water and sewer service area had not changed since its boundaries were agreed upon with the county government two years ago. The plan did incorporate for the first time a water resource and municipal growth element.  Both are new mandates from the Maryland General Assembly.

The city was “probably one of the first (municipalities in the state) to submit the water resources element… many municipalities had asked for an extension,” said Beyard.

Council president Damian Halstad remarked, “… that the state found it to be an incredibly thorough plan… very detailed…”

Later the council voted to adopt the plan.

Under reports from the mayor and council members, there was much discussion about the success of the recent Fallfest community festival the previous weekend.

Utz and Councilmember Tony Chiavacci also noted how well the recent Westminster Police Department sobriety checkpoint exercise was planned and executed.

Police Chief Jeff Spaulding noted that although the checkpoint only resulted in taking one driver off the road for being allegedly driving while impaired by alcohol, “the whole point (of the checkpoint) is prevention…  The message will get out… (It’s) a public awareness tool.”

The mood of the council turned noticeably serious as the council president brought up “Budget Amendment No. 1” for adoption.

Utz explained “this reduction in the budget came as a direct result of the governor’s reduction in highway user revenues…”  Other council members noted that the state Board of Public Works recently voted to not send $818,000 in revenue due the city from taxes collected by the state designated for the city’s coffers – in order to balance the state budget.

A press release describing the budget amendment explained that the state reduced the Highway User Revenues from $747,580 to $74,758 and Police Aid from a budgeted $400,000 to $254,826.

Council finance committee chair Dr. Robert Wack described the state cut as “unexpected and unfortunate,” as he went on to further explain that “we will (probably) have to do this again.  We need citizen input as to what we can do without,” said Wack.

This is a “one time reduction,” said Wack of the budget amendment.  “This does not do anything about our structural budget deficit. There will be more reductions. The hole is just getting deeper.  (Increased) taxes are also on the table,” explained a clearly concerned Wack.

Wack and Councilman Greg Pecoraro gave an analysis of the steps the city has taken to address the city’s budget woes and what may lie in the future.  He also emphasized the need for public feedback.

“What is it the citizens want the city to do in the way of services?” asked Pecoraro as it was explained that in order to balance the budget in the future, a reduction in services offered by the city may need to be discussed.

Pecoraro lamented that if the city continues to provide all the services it currently maintains, the future budget challenges mean that “we are going to be able to do none of them well.”

City administrator Marge Wolf said that she expects the state to withhold an additional $329,000 from the city in January.

Among the cuts approved by the Common Council were cancellations of the paving contract, technology purchases and a police vehicle which totaled $267,950 in capital expenditures; diversion of the $100,000 contingency reserve to operating accounts.

Also, the city converted $215,000 of Union Street property proceeds to operating accounts; reduced departmental operating budgets by $155,086; revised the take home vehicle policy to institute a partial employee payback of costs by $15,768; and captured $65,000 in savings from reduced tipping fees.

Moving on to brighter topics, city parks and recreation director Ron Schroers talked about Fallfest in the final stages of the meeting.  He also described a series of state grants the city had already received to make some infrastructure improvements.

Public Works director Jeff Glass gave a brief presentation on ongoing efforts to work the Maryland Department of the Environment on future mandated upgrades to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The city’s roadway overlay and improvements program was also discussed.  As a result of the state cuts, the city had to withdrawal plans to re-surface certain streets in the city.

Wolf tried to put a bright face on a bleak picture at that by remarking that “this is not the best of times, but it doesn’t mean we don’t have good projects underway.”

As if on cue, Lori Graham, representing the business community, gave a report on the “Midnight Madness,” downtown business celebration held in conjunction with Fallfest.  She also gave an update on plans for the upcoming community ‘electric’ Christmas parade.

Also at the meeting, there was a presentation by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Westminster as club vice president Lyndi McNulty unveiled plans for raising money to purchase an electric three-wheeled “T-3 Personal Mobility Vehicle” for the Westminster Police Department.

This was followed by Historical Society of Carroll County presenting to the city with a copy of a new publication authored by Historical Society curator Cathy Baty entitled “Images in America: Westminster.”

The meeting ended on a positive note as Graham and others reminisced about “Fantastic Friday,” a new feature at Fallfest in which special needs children were treated to an afternoon of carnival rides.

“The community has its share of problems but we still come together to do good things,” said Graham.


More pictures and information: http://tinyurl.com/y95zket




http://twitpic.com/kkupu Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting http://tinyurl.com/ycvrd2q

http://twitpic.com/kkupu Budget woes dominate Westminster council meeting http://tinyurl.com/ydgusz6


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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

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/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Sunday, October 22, 2017

If you are near a TV, “Anthony Bourdain, Parts Unknown” is in Pittsburgh


If you are near a TV, "Anthony Bourdain, Parts Unknown" is in Pittsburgh on CNN - Comcast Ch 48.

"S10 E04 · Pittsburgh Today, Oct. 22, 2017 9 PM on CNN • Season 10 Bourdain delves into a dining scene at a crossroads; partly defined by blue-collar, working-class comfort food and partly by foodie boom town catering to the new high-tech industry."

Journalists Bourdain Anthony, Food, US st PA Pittsburgh, 

Caroline Babylon helps lead services at Grace Lutheran Church

Caroline Babylon helps lead services at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster. 22Oct2017