Eldersburg National Night Out on Tuesday August 5th!

This year's National Night Out will be Tuesday August 5th at the Sykesville Freedom Fire Department from 6pm until 9pm. 

If the event if like others, there will be firetrucks on display, perhaps a helicopter, police cars, booths from local business with lots of handouts, and free food samples from many local restaurants.  Local politicians also congregate there, such as Maryland House of Delegates member Susan Krebs and County Commissioner Doug Howard.  I wonder if new delegates Warren Miller and Trent Kittleman and State Senator Gail Bates will be there.  I have yet to meet Delegate Miller and Delegate-elect (hopefully) Kittleman.

According to the Sykesville Freedom Volunteer Fire Department website, you'll also receive a smoke alarm for attending.

Carroll County Commissioner Primary Election Results

The 2014 primary election was held this week and the Carroll County Commission will look a little different next year.

In District 1, it appears as if our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did not want Robin Bartlett Frazier to win reelection.  The now lame-duck commissioner made headlines by praying to Jesus before every meeting, which to me makes it sound like she hates Jews and other non-Christians.  Robin Jesus Frazier was defeated by Steve Wantz.

District 2 saw Richard Weaver win the primary in a race to replace Haven Shoemaker, who sought a seat in the Maryland House of Delegates.

In District 3 voters learned that incumbent Commissioner and Board President David Roush lost to challenger Dennis Frazier.  District 3 encompasses the Westminster area.

District 4 saw Richard Rothschild get re-elected.  Many moderates considered Rothschild to be in cahoots with Robin Lord and Savior Bartlett Frazier in pushing extreme conservative issues, such as reducing the size of the government, with no regard to the impact on services provided by the county.  County parks?  Screw them!  Sewer and water distribution - not important! No taxes?  Ahem, Amen!

In District 5 incumbent Doug Howard easily won over the suspected Frazier and Rothschild-funded right-wing challenger Cathey Allison, who billed herself as a true conservative, which many take to mean one that prays to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ before meetings and wants to eliminate the government entirely.

Are you satisfied with the results of the County Commissioner primary elections?

Phil Kasten: the Sheriff Candidate With Pancakes!

I had the opportunity to attend Phil Kasten's Pancake Fundraiser on Saturday at the Sykesville Freedom Fire Department.  Phil Kasten is running for sheriff in Carroll County.

Kasten is everything I would expect in a sheriff: tall, thin, athletic, serious, military experience, and police experience.  And did I mention serious?  I'm certainly not poking fun at him.  Imagine a clown like me being sheriff?  No one would take me seriously.  Now that I think about it, I doubt that anyone takes me seriously as it is.  But I'm perfectly fine with that.

Phil Kasten talking with Carroll County residents.

I figured some local dignitaries would be there.  And I was right.  County Commissioner Doug Howard was there, as was current commissioner and House of Candidates candidate Haven Shoemaker, former Freedom Area Citizen Council President Ellen Dix, Delegate Justin Ready, current and soon-to-be retired Carroll County Sheriff Ken Tregonning, and House of Delegate candidate Eric Bouchat.  Unfortunately, I missed Mr. Bouchat.  I'm keenly interested in meeting him as he will be the primary candidate for House of Delegates District 9A, most of which is in Howard County and which my part of Carroll County has been sucked.

After I got my breakfast, I briefly spoke to Mr. Kasten.  He proudly informed me that Carroll County has the lowest Type 1 crime in Maryland.  Type 1 crime includes homicides, assault, battery, rape, robbery, burglary, larceny theft, automobile theft, and arson.

I later spoke to Delegate Justin Ready.  He's a few years younger than me, but is full of energy and very social.  He seems like someone that could be one of your friends - you know, the one that is responsible and actually wants to make a difference.  I mentioned that he lacked a Wikipedia page, which I offered to write.  I asked him if he had any information that he'd like me to add.  He jokingly mentioned that he can bench over 160 and is a part-time superman.  I like a good sense of humor!

At last, I briefly met Mr. Haven Shoemaker, who is a current member of the Carroll County Commission, but is running in a very crowded House of Delegates race for District 5, which includes current Delegate Susan Krebs Justin Ready, Donald Elliott, and Nancy Stocksdale.  More on that later.

Delegate Justin Ready talking with Carroll County residents.

Doug Howard Campaign Kick-Off

Several weeks old, but....

I had the opportunity to attend Doug Howard's campaign kick-off for Carroll County Commissioner back in December.  I've known Doug for about 10 years as he was active in the Carrolltowne United.  Anyone remember that group?  Doug's a good guy.  I brought my camera, but forgot to reload the rechargeble battery, so basically I had a $700 paper weight wrapped around my neck.  Therefore, I had to use my iPhone for pictures. Fortunately, some other guests shared their photos with me.

I didn't know what to expect at this event.  It was held at the Cre-A-TV in the former London Fog warehouse in Eldersburg, which is a really interesting place, Cre-A-TV that is.  Check out their website.  Battle of the Bands is coming!  Anyway, I have never been to a political kick-off.  In fact, I don't think I've ever been to any political event, if you can believe that.

Doug said this would be his last run for County Commissioner, which pleases me as you know that I don't like politicians who sit comfortably for life.  I sincerely believe there needs to be term limitations.  Are you listening Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin, and Steny Hoyer, et al?

Much to my surprise, there were some special guests there.  Delegate Gail Bates, who is running for Allan Kittleman's State Senate seat sat behind me.  Allan Kittleman is running to replace Centennial High School doofus Ken Ulman (the guy who's got his head up Martin O'Malley's ass), who is running with New Yorker Anthony Brown (who also has his head up Martin O'Malley's ass - must be a big ass!) for lieutenant governor and governor, respectively.

Also in attendance was Harford County Executive and Republican candidate for governor David Craig.  He was a lot shorter than I expected.  This is not a good thing as everyone knows you have to be tall to be a successful political candidate.  Taller people are smarter, right?

The kick-off included speeches by the local politicians and special guests active in the community.  Doug's son was the master of ceremony and he did an excellent job.  If he doesn't find a role for himself in politics, I suspect he'll be a successful public speaker elsewhere.  Oh, and did I mention that there was food?  Did I ever mention that I like food?

There were a bunch of other local political people, but since it's been a month and a half, I can't remember who they are anymore.  If you read this blog, feel free to help identify this fine looking group of people.  Obviously that's Mrs. Bates on the far right.  Doug Howard is the 4th from the left and David Craig is to the right of him.  Never Mr. Craig is Haven Shoemaker.

Carrolltown Center OUT - Eldersburg Commons IN

Well, now we know.  Unless you've been hiding under Martin O'Malley's rain tax, you know that Carrolltown Center will be razed and rebuilt with a Super Wal-Mart as the anchor.  The name of the shopping center will be called Eldersburg Commons.

Last night County Councilman Doug Howard held a Town Hall Meeting at the newly built Sykesville Freedom Fire Hall.  There was a lot of talk about the county budget, the rain tax, the county sheriff, the library, the Veterans' Association, and the fire department.  But more on that later.

Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard.  Photo Courtesy of mdduckman

Black Oak Associates partner Dixon Harvey and property manager Ray Keil joined several hundred Eldersburg and Sykesville residents for this town hall meeting, easily the largest meeting seen in South Carroll since the court trial when old man Jenkins got caught with Estelle in his jalopy.

Black Oak partner Dixon Harvey.  Photo courtesy of mdduckman

Mr. Harvey unveiled his plans for a new $50 million shopping destination that, as I mentioned, will be anchored by Super Wal-Mart, with approximately 20 surrounding stores.  Negotiations are on-going for the other stores, but it appears that they may be in the order of a Bed, Bath, & Beyond, a clothing store such as Ross, a beauty store, a vision eye care center, several restaurants, including an Italian restaurant and a Mexican restaurant, probably something similar to a Chipotle or a California Tortilla.

photo courtesy of mdduckman

The obvious first observation is - there's already a Wal-Mart, why do we need a Super Wal-Mart?  But as Dixon Harvey explained it, without Super Wal-Mart, this project doesn't happen.  He emphasized that they did reach out to Target several times, and even flew to Minneapolis to meet with them trying to get them to come to Eldersburg.  But, alas, Target doesn't seem to be interested in Eldersburg.  As I thought about it, I realized that this is not Dixon's fault.  If no other anchor's want to come to Eldersburg, what is he supposed to do?  Hold out for another 12 years? Is that what we really want?  It's not what I want.

photo courtesy of mdduckman

Furthermore, the second obvious question is, "What is going to happen to the old Wal-Mart?"  Mr. Harvey said that he can't speak for Wal-Mart, but he would assume that another or several mid-sized retailers would fill the spot, retailers such as an arts and crafts store (read Michael's) or an electronics store (H.H. Gregg?).  He said that he asked about purchasing the property from Wal-Mart, but they declined.  Perhaps Wal-Mart will hold onto it to make it a Sam's Club?  I honestly think that's too much saturation of similar shopping experiences for both to survive in a town the size of Eldersburg.  We're Eldersburg, not Bel Air or Columbia.

photo courtesy of mdduckman

As you can imagine, there was a lot of hostility in the crowd.  "Why aren't you building a Target?"  He already stated that they weren't interested.  One woman crowed that the old Carrolltown Center was a great place for her kids to go hang out.  What does this new shopping center have for them?  Mr. Harvey politely responded that this is a shopping center.  And I agree with him.  Why is he obligated to build a playground for our children?  He owns retail spaces.  He's not the benevolent overseer of our children.  He's no more responsible for building a place for our children to hang out than McDonald's, Radio Shack, or Bank of America would be.

Some people were asking for the old Wal-Mart to be razed and turned into a park.  As I mentioned, Wal-Mart owns the property.  What do you think the chances are that Wal-Mart will 'give' the land to Carroll County?  You know Carroll County won't be able to buy it. The budget is already tight.

There were a lot of people that were getting angry at this development. 'We moved here because it was a small town.  We don't want all this development.  If you want all of those things move to Columbia!'  I agree with them, but you have to be realistic.  Whether you like it or not, the Baltimore suburbs are expanding, because no one wants to live in a city that murders nearly 300 people per year and the schools are worse than the prisons.  Baltimore County is now doing a pretty darn good impression of the city.  Lots of people are calling Eldersburg home and commuting to D.C., Baltimore, and areas in between.  It's obvious that Eldersburg will grow with it.

Another resident got up and asked what is going to happen to all of the existing wonderful shops.  Seriously?  That's why the mall is considered a dead mall.  Any mall that has a church, a fitness room, any dollar store, and a batting cage is a dead mall.  Those stores knew what they were getting into.  Mr. Dixon did not hide any truth from them.  They were on short-term month-to-month leases.  I wish them the very best, but they do not belong in a new revitalized shopping district.  Perhaps they could move to the Liberty Exchange.  I hear there is a lot of dead space there.

The meeting then got really interesting when some of the old timers started asking if there was going to be a bus line from Randallstown.  Something was said about 'keeping those people from crossing the bridge'.  Yikes!  Felt like I was in a meeting in Mississippi in 1952.  I harp on providing stores that cater to people that the meet the local demographics, and I certainly make fun of Randallstown, but I don't say that publicly in a meeting when 200 plus people are looking at me.

So that's the meeting in a nutshell

What are your thoughts given the 'facts'?

Eldersburg National Night Out

I went to my first Eldersburg National Night Out this year.  The event previously had been held at the Carrolltown Center, since they weren't using their parking lot for anything.  I read that there was no electricity available for them to use this year, so the event had to be relocated.

I read that it was being held at the Sykesville Freedom Fire Department fair grounds.  I drove by last week to check out the fields because one of my kids was to have a soccer practice there.  To my surprise, there were two excavators and a bulldozer in the fields with a wide ditch running from the far end of the field to the fire department.  How in the heck are we supposed to play soccer there?  And have a National Night Out?

Today I was surprised when I arrived and the ditches were filled and covered with straw and quick-grow grass.  The construction tractors were moved to the side.  And the parking lot and adjoining fields were full of cars!

Like a little kid I was immediately drawn to the Sykesville Freedom fire trucks.  Here's the new 2012 Pierce Pumper.  I've seen this truck pass us on the road.  It has some serious lights on it.  Strobes, colored circling lights.  You can't miss this monster coming at you.

Here's one of the Sykesville police cars.  This thing looks like a real bad ass.  The best place to find this car is sitting at the bottom of the hill on Raincliffe Road and at the intersection Obrecht Road and Wimmer Lane doing radar.  If you're doing 25.1 miles per hour, they will nail you.  I know it drives people nuts, but I go like 19 mph on those roads.  And it's always good to smile and waive as you're driving by.

Here is a 1957 Ford Sykesville Police car.  Back in 1957, you could see this car sitting at the bottom of the hill on Raincliffe Road and at the intersection Obrecht Road and Wimmer Lane doing radar.

Here is Carroll County Sheriff's obligatory Mobile Command Unit.  All jurisdictions throughout the country are required to have one.  I'm sure this was obtained with Department of Homeland Security grant money.  This vehicle comes in handy at the 4th of July parade in Westminster and at events like National Night Out.

Are you old enough to have watched M*A*S*H?  This is a 1953 Dodge mobile hospital truck.  This thing is in great condition.  Alan Alda was not to be found.

Here's a partial ensemble of the Sykesville Freedom Fire Trucks.  Note the first responder ATV12.

Here's the 2007 E-One Pumper.  I think I went for a ride in this fire truck for my son's 5th birthday.

National Night Out was entertaining.  I saw Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard, Maryland State Delegate Susan Krebs, former candidate Larry Helminiak, several of my friends, and Sparky the fire dog.  We got free pencils, entered plenty of raffles, got free tea from Starbucks, and a free hot dog and soda from the fire department.  I was pushing my daughter in her wheel chair and she said she wanted a soda.  The fire department was requesting $1 to purchase a soda.  I told my daughter that we had to go back to the car to get my wallet.  I then heard one of the fine firemen say, "Don't worry dad.  What would like, sweetheart?" (obviously to my daughter, not me)  Thank you!  Support your local fire department.  Please make a donation.

Here's a picture of the fire department's rebuilding efforts.  If you recall, the reception hall burned down in that huge snow storm several years ago when the weight of the snow collapsed the roof and it sheered the gas light, which ignited and burned it down.  The new hall seems bigger and more aesthetically pleasing.  I look forward to when it opens.

Did you make it out to National Night Out?

More Lights Attacking Eldersburg

You'll recall that a few weeks ago I posted about how Eldersburg is under attack from scrolling and stationary LED light signs. They are a deterioration to the quaint scenery of Eldersburg. I can tell how much gasoline costs at the Shell Station from 3 miles away now. Is that necessary? I know that Jiffy Lube is running a special on windshield wiper blades, a sale that I learned about while crossing the Liberty Reservoir.

I received several comments and agreeing complaints from readers. They agreed that these signs are detracting from our town and wanted to know what we can do about it. Complain to your state delegate Susan Krebs. Complain to your Carroll County Commissioner Doug Howard. Complain to the Carroll County Office of Zoning and Planning.

Since then several of you have given me examples of more places that have these signs. They include:

Carroll Community Bank


The new Crown Station on Liberty Road (they finally took down the hand-painted bed sheet with their logo and replaced with a legitimate sign - with LED lights).


And Liberty High School, this sign on Route 32.


When will this madness end?

Stolen From My Yard - Doug Howard

I got a call on Saturday morning from my neighbor.

"Look outside."
"Why?"
"Our Doug Howard signs are gone/"
"What?!!!"

It was true. In the middle of the night someone had stolen our "Doug Howard for Carroll County Commissioner" signs from our yard.

Oddly though, the Mike Zimmer for Carroll County Commissioner sign was still standing in my other neighbor's yard. Coincidence? You be the judge.

Both my neighbor and I quickly posted on Facebook that our signs were stolen. Not half an hour later Doug Howard showed up with new signs for our yard. I love this guy!!! He means business. And I think you should vote for him. He understands how legislation will impact your local community and businesses.


On a related note, I saw Mr. Howard's opponent, Mr. Zimmer at Wal-Mart on Sunday, I think it was. He was all decked out in his Vote for Zimmer t-shirt. He also had his shorts hiked up. And he missed half of his belt loops with his belt. And his socks were all hiked up to his knees. He's lucky he wasn't arrested by the fashion police. How embarrassing would that be? Can you imagine the headline? 'Carroll County Commissioner Arrested for Dressing Like a Dork'.