This will be my final column for a while. I am going on leave for an indeterminate length of time. The increase in my real estate workload has caused me to spend less time on things outside of real estate (and my family). So, I will leave you with some thoughts as I take my sabbatical.
Last week, the five largest providers – JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Ally Financial, Wells Fargo and Bank of America – agreed on a deal with 49 states (not Oklahoma) to settle charges of “abusive and negligent” foreclosure practices dating back to 2008.
My first experience visiting a public library occurred when I was in the first grade in Syracuse, NY. I was fortunate enough to go with the second graders to our local library.
The combination of tax season and a poor economy has Americans more watchful of the money they’re trying to save and not trying to spend. We look to maximize every deduction that we can, so that we don’t give up more money to the government.
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!"
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:
2012 should be an interesting year locally. Politically, there will be elections in Congressional Sixth and Eighth Districts, along with the Board of Education. Much will be written on these races before it is all over.
As the year ended, the housing market saw home sales improve both locally and nationally. Existing home sales increased four percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.42 million in November from 4.25 million in October.
It’s been quite a year in Frederick County. Let’s take a look back, with apologies up front for missing things.
Well, we finally did it. Last week, President Barack Obama visited Fort Bragg (NC) and paid tribute to the soldiers at that Army post. More than two hundred of the men and women killed in Iraq came from Fort Bragg.
Holidays seem to bring out the best in people, what with all the celebrations, etc. However, I was recently a guest at the first annual Maryland Transportation Awards Dinner held at the North Bethesda Marriott.
For many, the issue of immigration brings hostile discussions among even the friendliest of neighbors and colleagues. We see that immigration is a popular topic among the Republican candidates for president, as can be seen from the recent debates.
Whatever happened to Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 Plan? Remember that one from the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza? It’s the one where there will be a 9% business flat tax; a 9% individual flat tax; and a 9% national sales tax.
What do you call a business who doesn't give its customers what they want, when they want it? An out-of-business business. In order for a business to succeed, a business must find out what the customers want, and give it to them.
Remember the days when Minnesota Congressman Michelle Bachmann was the GOP frontrunner for president? Of course you do. It wasn’t that long ago. She won the Iowa straw poll in August, and was the darling of the right-wing politicos.
Last week, the Frederick Fairgrounds was the site for the biannual Good Samaritan Dinner. Twice a year, Frederick Memorial Hospital celebrates the contributions of past and present donors with a dinner and an update on its growth.
Recently, members of the Frederick Coffee Club had the opportunity to tour the Visitor Center, located on 151 South East Street. You know the building: it’s the unassuming building next to the Frederick County Public Schools headquarters, affectionately known as the “Taj Mahal.”
As this country continues is slide toward a double-dip recession (some would say we’re already there), it’s time for our government to address the falling housing market. It is true that all real estate is local: what this means is that what happens in Frederick, MD, is different than what happens in Austin, TX, or Cleveland, OH.
There are quite a few podcasts out there, and all of us who download and listen to them gain quite a bit of enjoyment. My tastes run the gamut: real estate, sports, music, literature, and the like.
Wasn’t it great to see the Baltimore Orioles defeat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in the final game of the regular baseball season? Even if you’re not a fan of baseball, or a fan of the Orioles, then surely you had to be impressed with the way the Orioles, long since out of the playoff race, came from behind to win that game.
R.E.M. has called it quits after 31 years. This truly came out of the blue, with no indications that they would disband. Through the years, there were reports that the band would split up, most notably during the recording of Fables of the Reconstruction, and when drummer Bill Berry left the band in October 1997.
Approximately 50 people were at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Urbana Regional Library last Friday. You might ask why this was special event. It has to do with an exhibit of items from the Library of Congress, thanks to Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. I was the host of the day’s events.
Many of us are planners. We schedule, we organize, and we run our businesses with all the decisiveness of a CEO. We do what we can to keep our business, not only afloat, but profitable. In economically tough times, good businesses must consistently look to raise revenue and lower expenses.
The first week of school has come and gone, and it seems that – overall – it has been a smooth opening for our children.
One of the great joys about being active in local politics is meeting with local elected leaders to discuss issues. Much has been made in recent weeks about issues specific to Frederick City.
It was with great amusement that Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) offered to meet and discuss a compromise on a new law limiting collective bargaining among unions in that state. The bill, known as SB-5, was signed into law on March 31.
Recently on Frederick’s Forum on WFMD-930AM, Frederick City Police Chief Kim Dine remarked to me off air that since arriving here in 2002, he has worked with three different mayors: Jennifer Daugherty, Jeff Holtzinger, and Randy McClement.
It was with deep regret that I learned of the departure of John Kroll as director of Frederick County’s Finance Division. Rumors had been circulating for about a week before that someone was going to be let go, but to some of the people I spoke with, it wasn’t Mr. Kroll.
It was with great regret that many Americans not only watched President Barack Obama’s speech on the debate over the debt ceiling, but also the response by House Speaker John Boehner.
County Commissioner Blaine Young began the public meeting on July 12 at Winchester Hall, by quoting a portion of a speech made by the one of our greatest president – Abraham Lincoln.
Texas did it again. On July 7 the state government, whose governor is Rick Perry, executed Humberto Leal Garcia, Jr., a 38-year-old mechanic from Mexico. He was charged in 1994 with the murder of 16-year-old Adria Sauceda. Her body was found hours after he left a party in San Antonio with her.
In the 27-page report titled “Frederick County, Maryland, Services Assessment Studies”, authored by PPP Associates, there is a section that deals with which services should be considered for “Public Private Partnerships” (a.k.a. “privatization”).
So, the privatization report has been released. People have had a week or so now to review the consultant’s document. Some have graded the report an “A;” others have given it a “C.” Not surprisingly there’s an “F” stamped on some copies.
Did you see that the Frederick County Board of Education reached a tentative agreement this week with its three employee unions at Frederick County Public Schools? Indeed. If approved, the contract will go into effect July 1.
So, have you been to Wegmans yet? If you haven’t, then you have missed quite a bit, actually.
So, Bob Dylan recently turned 70 years old. It’s hard to believe for me, as I’ve listened to his words and songs my entire life.
I just purchased a new American flag to post off our front porch. I did so because we hadn’t had one for a while. I took a picture of my daughters holding our new flag, and it is posted on my Facebook page. I felt it was time, what with Memorial Day and the 4th of July coming up.
This is the article I wasn’t going to write. I wasn’t going to write about the end of the world; I also wasn’t going to write about “The Rapture.” Nor was I going to lend credence to that side of the religious debate.
Let me get this straight: eight petitioners, and those behind them, who brought them together, had 60 days to come up with two thousand valid signatures to force a special election for the Frederick County Charter Writing Committee. This comes out to each petitioner obtaining only nine (4/5!) valid signatures each day (60!).
May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. It’s time our local community shines a spotlight on finding a cure.
So, at long last, President Barack Obama has released his birth certificate. Now will the “birthers” and “certers” please shut up?
I, for one, am eager to see Donald Trump run for president. He will be fodder for the nation’s comedians, and a great sporting match for the rest of us to watch.
On Saturday, our family had the great good fortune to participate in the Grand Opening of the Brunswick Public Library.
According to the Academy of American Poets’ website (www.poets.org): “National Poetry Month is now held every April, when… libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.”
It’s time for lawmakers from both sides to step up and do what’s best for Maryland. It’s time to shut up and support Gov. Martin O’Malley’s “Invest Maryland” Program.
Last week, the great movie actress Elizabeth Taylor passed away. Though only 79, she lived a full life, and much has been made of the number of weddings: seven husbands and eight marriages (Richard Burton twice).
In a press release dated March 4, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners announced that 15 candidates were selected to be interviewed for the new Frederick County Charter Board.
Whenever I hear the phrase “Dream Team,” I think of the great 1992 Men’s Olympic Basketball Team. It included 10 Hall of Fame players* and three Hall of Fame coaches.** The team itself was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame – that’s how good it was. They won by an average of nearly 44 points a game.
The other day, I stopped for dinner at my brother-in-law’s house. I saw that there was a copy of Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” on the kitchen counter.
On those days when Mother Nature permits, I take a walk in the morning in my neighborhood. Until recently, all I heard were the crows who flew around cawing at anything that moved. Even a slowpoke like me.
One of the highlights last week for me was sitting in at the Fredericktowne Rotary dinner with my fellow Rotarians. At our table, the discussion centered around “Jeopardy!” and the battle of wits between the human players and a computer.
Well, it was another interesting week in Frederick County. The week began with Super Bowl festivities. Many here gathered around their bowls of chips and HDTVs, all wanting to see what would happen this year – with the commercials.
Well, it’s been an interesting week here in Frederick County. We had a little bit of snow plus ice in some areas. And the Board of County Commissioners was hard at work fulfilling promises made during the campaign.
Well, it’s been a fine week here in Frederick County. We had a bit of snow fall down on us. Some reports were of snowfalls somewhere north of nine inches. You never really know for sure.
With dire predictions about the 2011 real estate market, it’s time to return to a local analysis of the situation.
Just last Wednesday I watched, with others, the speech President Barack Obama gave at the memorial service for the victims of the shootings outside a Tucson, Arizona, Safeway store nine days ago. This was his finest speech to date, and it ranks up there with the best presidential speeches in history.
I watched on television as the news unfolded from Tucson, Arizona. At the time of this writing, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is still fighting for her life because some wingnut decided to take a gun and shoot her and others at a Safeway store. Congresswoman Giffords was there for her first “Congress on Your Corner” event this year.
Much speculation has centered on who will replace Rick Weldon as the City of Frederick’s executive assistance to Mayor Randy McClement.
The time has come for us to move forward with changing our form of government. The Board of County Commissioners should be congratulated for moving forward with putting this item, not only on the agenda, but following legal counsel’s advice on how to proceed.
With their decision December 14 to move forward with appointing a charter board, the Frederick County commissioners followed through on one of their campaign promises.
Well, they did it. On December 14 the Frederick Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to appoint a charter writing board for a new form of county government. Long time readers know that I have been an advocate for this change.
Two weeks ago, I was asked by one of the dance instructors if I’d be willing to help in Middletown’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
There are so many things swirling around the county this holiday season that it’s tough to keep track of everything. Last Friday evening, our family attended Middletown’s “Christmas in the Valley” event. The evening began with participants donating a gift, and in return, the child would receive a stocking.
I’ve had a chance in recent days to spend a lot of time at the Landon House in Urbana. Kevin Dolan, the owner, has done a great job with the building. Situated on about six acres of land, it has an interesting history.
So it’s time to move on to other things. This week has seen a great deal of “newsworthy” items, so let’s go through the week that was….
So, since the election is over, I have had the opportunity to return to something I enjoy doing tremendously: reading. During the course of the campaign, I would stay up to read documents and pdf files emailed to me about everything to do with issues and politics. I stayed up to get caught up on Facebook, Twitter, local politics, and the like.
There were 5,816 early voters for the General Election, about four times as many early voters as there were before the primary election in Frederick County. I was surprised by the higher turnout in early voting. I hadn’t anticipated this, and I daresay not too many other candidates did either.
The forum last Tuesday at Frederick Community College was an almost a repeat performance of the one conducted just before the primary. There were 10 candidates (not 11 – more on that later), and each of us was asked two questions, and then we could speak on up to five others.
One of the things I’ve joked about with people close to me is that I would love to come out with a “tell-all book” after this campaign is over. So many things go on behind the scenes, and it is easy to get caught up in all of the claptrap that is local politics.
Not all the candidates were asked back to meet with representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Frederick County Firefighters Association this evening. All of the candidates met with these groups before the primary at Hollow Creek in Middletown.
Out campaigning to be a county commissioner is hard work. Not everyone will agree with you, but most are pleasant and welcoming. However, I have noticed several things that have struck me as different or unexpected.
I met with a gentleman a few weeks ago named Peter Murray, who performs cost segregation analytical services for businesses. It was set up by a mutual friend, who suggested we meet.
I was glad to have had the opportunity to spend so much time at The Great Frederick Fair. I was at the Democrat tent most of the time, when I wasn’t with friends and colleagues eating (more on that later) or going to the booths to meet with people.
With over 60 polling places in Frederick County, our team worked hard to put up signs all through the evening. I called the Board of Elections to get a ruling on when we could start putting them up and was told that we couldn’t put them up until around 7 P.M.
How many of you watch the Summer Olympics? You know the part when the marathoners run into the stadium for their final lap? Well, that’s what this final week of campaigning feels like. For me, who wasn’t a last-minute entry into the commissioner race, this has been a marathon of meeting people, going door-to-door, and researching the issues.
It amazes me how people work to put together a party in a short amount of time. It was only two weeks ago when I spoke with someone who said: “Let’s have a party at my house for you.” I agreed, though I thought that two weeks wasn’t enough time.
As always, the first day of school is a mixture of sadness and happiness. I am sad because I have less time with my family (my wife is a pre-K teacher at Lincoln Elementary, so she started today also), but getting back to a routine helps with the scheduling.
I had my 30-minute interview with the Frederick Chamber of Commerce this morning. It was held at Frederick Community College, and there were four people there reviewing the answers I gave to their questionnaire.
“You know what one of the cool things about being in a campaign?” I asked my wife. “It’s that I don’t have to think about what to wear each day anymore. It’s either the polo shirt with my name on it, or the t-shirt with my name on it.”
You know it’s been a long summer of campaigning when my girls said to me today: “Another carnival? I don’t want to go to another carnival. Do we have to?”
You haven’t lived ’til you’ve tried southern-fried snickers. I had some at the Thurmont Carnival when I was there campaigning with my family. It’s a simple recipe: poke a stick in one end of a frozen Snickers bar, dip it in pancake batter, and deep fry it in oil.
It has been said that you can tell the commitment of a person to his/her community by the level of service he/she provides for the betterment of others. Groups like Rotary, Elks, boards, and commissions help define a person’s perspective on society.
I thought that after last night’s rain, the temperatures might have cooled down a bit, but it hadn’t. However, I did go door-to-door hoping people were home. When no one answered, I left my literature.
Today (July 3rd) is our 16th anniversary, so I thought I’d share with you how I spent this day before The Fourth of July.
I’ve had the good fortune to work with www.tvfrederick.com on a weekly venture called “The Michael K Show.” As I said on the show, it’s “live, online, and archived.”
My wife Brenda planned a great Father’s Day dinner for our family, and her sister’s family, at our house. The weather was hot, and it was great spending time with family. My nephews (9 and 4) had stayed over the previous two nights, and so it was a full house all weekend.
Something that was weeks in planning finally came to fruition. A friend had agreed to hold a fundraiser for me at his house. We used online social media, personal communications, and phone calls to invite people to our event.
After a slow week politically the week before, this week began with a bang up breakfast meeting. I was invited, along with other candidates, to the monthly general membership meeting of the Frederick County Builders Association and Land Use Council.
In case anyone missed it, the current Board of County Commissioners has voted 4-1 to raise impact fees beginning July 1 as follows:
I had the good fortune of going to the Doug Gantzler fundraiser at a local supporter’s home in Frederick. It was a good turnout, in spite of the rain that fell over the weekend. It was great seeing everybody and there were great discussions and plans for this summer’s campaigns.
I had set a deadline of Memorial Day weekend to complete interviews of county staff and other leaders in the county as part of my research. I must say that everyone has been gracious with their time and their sharing of information.
So right now, as I’m going to fundraisers, meeting with leaders, researching, and the like, I see what people mean when they told me the following: it’s the campaigning that is the most difficult part of the process of becoming county commissioner. They cite the time needed to do everything and the endurance to execute all of the commitments.
The deadline has come and gone. Now what? April 30 was the last day wherein a first-time homebuyer who purchased a home by today would receive a tax credit of $8,000 from the government. By purchase, I mean a valid, legal contract accepted by today, with a settlement date by June 30, 2010.
I had an interesting conversation last week with someone about perceptions. A person came up to me and said: “I’ve been hearing that you’ve been seen at (insert establishment here) and frankly, we’re concerned.”
Back on March 16, 2010, I made some public comments to the Board of County Commissioners on the suggested delay of funding for the addition and modernization of Lincoln Elementary School, where my wife teaches. The $24 million dollar construction project has been postponed in the current Capital Improvements Program until 2014.
I learned over the April 10-11 weekend what a ring cutter is. Some of you probably know, but I had not a clue. Believe me, it’s not something I keep around the house. I barely know the difference between a wing nut and a peanut. So let me tell you what happened.
Today was the day when the Board of County Commissioners met with the mayor and aldermen of Frederick City. I watched it this evening at home, and then re-watched it online later in the week, and it was great television.*
Our family typically drives up to New York to see my mom and my wife’s parents, all in Upstate New York. However, this year, due to my candidacy and real estate commitments, we stayed home. It was great to get caught up with work and reflect on a few things.
March 27-29 – Administrivia – One of the things no one tells you about when running a campaign is the balancing act between work, campaign, and family. I had a long list of things I needed to take care of for the campaign – marketing, volunteers, etc., which I’d planned to do Saturday morning.
Saturday, March 20 – FCBA Home Show – I had the opportunity to take my family to the Fairgrounds today for the Frederick County Builders’ Association Home Show. It was a beautiful day, and when I was there, the booths were busy.
Tuesday, March 16 – Morning View – This was quite a day. The morning was spent watching the Board of County Commissioners proceedings on television.
Monday, March 8 – One of the great things about filing and being a candidate is that you get to meet some great people along the way. Today was no exception. My first meeting this morning was with someone who is active in the development community. We discussed how growth affects the local economy, and what is currently in the pipeline regarding residential and commercial growth.
Wednesday, March 3 – I had the good fortune of being in Winchester Hall for the swearing-in ceremony of Blaine Young as commissioner for Frederick County. I sat next to my friend Jay Geiser, the owner of Doc Geiser’s Carryout and Catering. The room was packed, and I understand that there were even more people in an overflow room, watching the ceremony on television monitors.
February 22, 2010 – Spent two hours discussing charter form of government in Frederick County with people who’ve gone through the experience in Maryland. I must say that this issue, historically, has been broached by many people through the years.
February 9 – More Snow – With the prediction of 10-to-20 more inches of snow, I decided that now, more than ever, the snow removal people and salt distributers deserve our utmost respect. Having put in long hours already, the group has only a day or two to rest, check in with things at home, and then return for more work.
January 27 – The Day After – With yesterday’s “Announcement Day” events having been completed, it was time for me to focus on gaining traction. Today was spent reviewing and evaluating all that happened yesterday. Our goals were successful; we had great turnouts at all of our events; we signed up volunteers to help us with our campaign; we received some very generous contributions; and we let the media know that we’re off and running.
January 24 – Well tomorrow is the big day. Our campaign team has worked hard to prepare for it. I’ll announce to the world what has been one of the worst-kept secrets in town: that I’ll be running for county commissioner in Frederick County. What the citizens don’t see, but the politicians do, is that it takes a village to raise a candidate.
On January 13, I filed to run for commissioner for Frederick County, as a Democrat. Should I have told my wife and children? J Just kidding!
Last week was my 10th anniversary as a Realtor® in Maryland. I realized this as I renewed my license with the state. It’s odd to think that in 1999, when my wife and I made the decision to move here, that we’d actually have accomplished so much in the short amount of time here in Frederick County. Herewith are some things I’ve learned:
So I asked my best friend, my wife Brenda, what I should write about this week. Her response was: “How about love and marriage?”
I am proud to be a first-generation American. You see, my father (rest his soul) was born in western Ukraine, outside Lvov.
I remember my days on the Board of Directors at the Weinberg Center for the Arts. We struggled through some changes and did our level best to ensure that the Weinberg remained solvent.
In case you missed it, there is an empty seat in the House of Delegates. Yes! Now former Del. Rick Weldon, who represented his constituents (southern Frederick and Washington Counties), has accepted the role as City of Frederick’s chief administrative officer. So, the Frederick and Washington County Republican Central Committees must choose from the top three candidates put forth by a nominating committee.
This is, in a word, sad. Why is it that the Board of County Commissioners continues to create an adversarial relationship with the municipalities? It’s ridiculous that dealings have become so strained that the only way to communicate with our county leaders is through lawsuits?
If you weren’t at the City of Frederick’s inaugural celebration at the Weinberg Center last Thursday, you missed a beautiful event. Handled expertly by Master of Ceremonies John Fieseler, executive director of the Tourism Council of Frederick County, the hour-long program ran smoothly.
The incoming Frederick City aldermen and mayor have quite a full plate after they’re sworn in on December 10. The biggest challenge for them will be the city’s budget deficit, estimated at $8-$10 million.
I like it that Maryland’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is testing a new mixture for pre-treating roads this winter. It seems that the $25,000 pilot program will treat this winter’s roads with a mixture of salt water and a sugar beet molasses byproduct.
So, the current aldermen overrode a veto by Mayor Jeff Holtzinger on the city’s Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, the Board of Aldermen voted to approve it. Mayor Holtzinger vetoed the plan, citing the approximately 1,100 acres intended for development in the future may not have future water and sewer capacities. Thus, the mayor doesn’t want to mislead those property owners by having them think their parcels could be developed.
I must say that I am impressed with the caliber of Mayor-Elect Randy McClement’s transition team. Beginning with Dale Driscoll, whom I admire greatly, and Alderman-Elect Karen Lewis Young, who will be co-chair with Mr. Driscoll.
Last Friday, President Barack Obama signed a bill extending the first-time homebuyer tax credit through April 30, 2010. Though controversial (more on this later), overall, it’s a positive step to improve our economy.
The results are in, and the voters have chosen Randy McClement over Jason Judd in the City of Frederick election. Before getting into the specifics, Congratulations are due both candidates for running a strong, civil race. Despite pressures from others, both men campaigned without slinging mud. Let’s hope the county races next year are run with the same decorum and respect.
What an extremely cordial, civil race for mayor of the City of Frederick. This is a great breath of fresh air from the race four years ago.
Were you as surprised as I was at the weight The Gazette placed on the city buyout? I agree with them that it was an important issue – the costs of the buyout are staggering. I anticipated that the annexation issue would be a close second – but not, it seems, to The Gazette. Good for them for taking the long view on what the voters should be focusing in on when they go to the polls.
Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha! Rush Limbaugh was approached earlier this year and asked to join a group of investors attempting to purchase the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. Too funny.
Quite the furor over President Barack Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize this year, isn’t it? Such silliness! The deadline for the nominating committee to submit candidates was February 2nd, and his name was submitted on time.
The most responses I’ve received to my contributions to TheTentacle.com have come from two recent posts: my summer reading list and my take on the city aldermanic race (I love that word: “aldermanic”; so many connotations). I may post something on the mayoral race prior to the General Election, but until then, here’s my Fall Reading List:
Many are extremely disappointed in the voter turnout in the Frederick City elections this year. To have only a 17.98 percent turnout was indeed horrible. Only 4,485 of the city's 29,943 registered Republicans and Democrats cast ballots.
Whatever happened to going green? Didn’t it seem that the big buzzword in housing in 2008/early 2009 was going green? Has this become a fad that has passed already? What does it mean to go green anyway?
Well, tomorrow (September 15) is Primary Day for Frederick City. More than ever, the city’s registered voters must go out and vote for those candidates who represent them in their parties.
Last Friday I attended a “Music on the Terrace” program at C. Burr Artz Library. It was a beautiful midday, with a gentle breeze blowing over Carroll Creek. The terrace was packed with citizens enjoying the salsa music (as performed by Sin Miedo), and the free Rita’s ice cream.
In response to all of the rhetoric about health care, we can agree on one thing: not reforming the health care industry is not an option. We need to do something.
Theodora Cohen was someone I knew back in college at Syracuse University. She lived upstairs on the fourth floor of Shaw Hall – she being a student at SU’s Visual & Performing Arts Department.
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is presently lobbying Congress to extend the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit for an additional year. Currently, it ends later this year.
I love language. I especially like the etymology of words and phrases. Did you know, for example, that the “dog days” of summer actually relates to Sirius, the “dog star,” which rises and sets with the sun?
Ah! The joys of summer! As the days get longer and I am busy with work, I love listening to music as I drive in the car and head out on the road. Of course, this is in between the Bob Miller and Blaine Young shows! So, herewith is my current summer music listening list, as found on my IPod.
Ah! The joys of summer! As the days get longer and I am busy with work, I love beginning the day (6 A.M.) with a cup of coffee, The Frederick News-Post (Washington Post on Sundays), and then a chapter or two of a book I am currently reading. So, I’d like to share with my readers my summer reading list:
Another legend passed recently: Walter Cronkite. I am not too young to remember him, nor am I too old to forget who he was. Growing up, he was a fixture on our television set at dinnertime.
Foreclosures have been on the rise in recent years, and we’re seeing an increase locally of properties being foreclosed. A foreclosure is defined as a legal process by which the lender seizes property of a homeowner, usually due to the homeowner not making timely payments on the mortgage.
So what is it with these Republican governors these days? Is there some sort of Kool-Aid trough they’re drinking from that’s making them go wacko? In no particular order, let’s look at the Hall of Shame.
I was thinking over the weekend how great it was that the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team made it to the finals of the Confederations Cup in South Africa. I remember when I was growing up that the biggest claim to fame for the team was a win over England in 1950. That was at the World Cup, which was played in Brazil. It was dubbed “The Miracle on Grass” (not to be confused, of course, with the “Miracle on Ice” in the 1980 Olympics).
I can’t believe that any of our county commissioners would vote against a request by Life Technologies, Corp. The company is simply looking for a $25,000 economic development grant as part of a larger grant from the State of Maryland.
Does it feel like the economy is doing better? Are you seeing signs that give you hope for a better future? Have we hit bottom and are now starting to climb up out of our doldrums?
On Saturday, June 6th, my wife Brenda joined nearly 45,000 other participants in the 20th Annual Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure. She left at 6 A.M. and joined others from our neighborhood and car pooled all the way to DC.
Whatever happened to Sunday dinners? Have they gone the way of bowling and hula hoops? You know what I mean – the fixture of a Sunday dinner when, on a day of rest, you spend the day with family and culminate in a big dinner with all the fixings and desserts. Summers would be an outdoor barbecue and winters would be heartier meals like stew, or pot roast, or some such thing.
Over the holiday season, I asked my nephew (college freshman) why he never replied to my emails. His reply: “I don’t use emails. I text message and use Facebook.”
A day doesn’t go by that I’m not asked: “How’s the real estate market? Any good news?” I’m here to say that we’re seeing increases in the number of properties going under contract this spring.
Last Friday, my wife and I had the good fortune to attend Frederick Memorial Hospital’s Good Samaritan of the Year affair at The Lynfield Events Complex. We were worried that we’d get more rain, but I had my own contingency plan. For the last two weeks, I’d been building an ark in the back yard. Fortunately, the rains hadn’t arrived, or I’d have taken the boat off its mooring.
As of this writing there are over one thousand confirmed cases of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, commonly known as Swine Flu (more on this gentle misnomer later). The majority of the cases are in Mexico and the United States.
As a member of the Fredericktowne Rotary, I am proud of the work our international organization has done since its inception in 1905. Its mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
On Sunday morning, I heard the church bells ring as I went to get the morning papers. I wanted to make sure that I picked them up before my 7-year-old daughters got to them. I knew what the headlines were going to be, and I didn’t want daughters to read the headlines before my wife and I had a chance to talk and prepare for that conversation.
I’m not sure when I first heard Bob Dylan. My guess would be at home on the radio hearing “Blowin in the Wind,” or “Like a Rolling Stone.” Growing up, my musical tastes veered toward what today would be called “Classic Rock” or “AOR (“Album-Oriented Rock”).
Isn’t it crazy how each spring, when the weather turns warmer and the sun comes out, our spirits rise along with the blossoms? We survived another winter – its cold spells, its dreariness, the ever-present winds. We built snowmen, slid down hills, stayed home from school, took liberal leave from work, and cozied up next to our fires.
I remember the first time I looked at the moon through a telescope. I was a child at someone’s house and someone called me over to look through one. The full moon took up the entire field of vision. I could see the craters clearly, and to date I’d never seen anything like it. That moment stays with me today.
We can and should do a better job of recycling here in Frederick County. Recycling means separating and collecting materials for processing and remanufacturing into new products, and the use of the products to complete this cycle.
If current legislation is passed by the General Assembly, funding to the Maryland State Arts Council would decrease from $16.6 million to $10.6 million. This is on top of the 14 percent cut last year, used to balance the budget.
It has often been said that there’s a fine line between genius and madness. Think of some people whom you consider to be geniuses? Does Albert Einstein come to mind? Thomas Jefferson? Benjamin Franklin?
When I first heard the news that The Frederick News-Post was suspending its Monday edition, my first thought was: “Uh oh, it’s the beginning of the end. The FNP will go the way of other newspapers around the country.”
On February 18, President Obama unveiled his administration’s plan to address our continuing housing crisis. President Obama’s $75 billion Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan would help struggling homeowners by providing incentives to lenders, servicers, mortgage holders and borrowers to help modify mortgage loans.
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