NAACP opposes commissioner diversity commission

NAACP opposes commissioner diversity commission

(In full disclosure I am on the board of the Carroll County NAACP)

Carroll County commissioner withdraws diversity commission initiative after NAACP chapter president expresses opposition 

Akira Kyles Carroll County Times |Jun 29, 2020

In the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Commissioner Eric Bouchat withdrew his initiative to establish a diversity commission after the president of Carroll County’s NAACP chapter expressed her opposition toward it.

[…]

Bouchat previously said he’d like for the commission to look into memorials to lynching victims and Black Americans who served in the Civil War, but Lewis said the NAACP chapter has already been engaged in projects to do both.

She said the chapter has been involved with rededications at Ellsworth Cemetery in Westminster, where Black veterans are buried. And she said the chapter is involved with the Carroll County Coalition of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project, which began meeting in February to discuss ways to bring awareness and improved understanding of lynching history.

According to Wantz, after Lewis spoke with him, the board took a step back.

Wantz said, “We’re pulling back the reins to allow for the groups that have been putting the sweat and tears into doing all this research and let them do their job.”

Lewis said she was speaking as an individual, but discussed it with the rest of the NAACP board members.

“We met [Thursday] night, and there was total agreement that we do not do this diversity thing that Commissioner Bouchat introduced,” Lewis said.

“What was going to be the end result? Was this going to be a group that was founded and it would be dropped after an election cycle? Your support would not be there after that? I don’t think it was necessarily heartfelt,” Lewis said.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/news/cc-diversity-commission-opposition-20200629-qly35tzhlrbkvolsl6xm66wjay-story.html

https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10220004403153983

https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2020/06/naacp-opposes-commissioner-diversity.html 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NPR: K-Pop's Digital 'Army' Musters To Meet The Moment, Baggage In Tow

NPR: K-Pop's Digital 'Army' Musters To Meet The Moment, Baggage In Tow

June 24, 20202:00 PM ET Heard on Morning Edition HAERYUN KANG

A week before President Trump held his controversial campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla., was when Viviana Dark, a K-pop fan from Wisconsin (who has requested pseudonymity over concerns of online harassment), first heard of plans to "sabotage" the event. Users on TikTok, the exceptionally popular social-video platform, were urging others to reserve tickets to the rally, with no intention of actually going. "You know how a TikTok challenge happens? It was kind of like that. 'Everybody go do this!' And it spread like wildfire," Dark, 19, tells NPR Music.

She signed up for two seats, received a confirmation email from the Trump campaign — "I'm counting on my loyal supporters like you" — and never showed up to the rally, which drew just a few thousand supporters to the 19,000-seat auditorium on June 20.

It's not clear how much TikTok teens and K-pop fans should be credited for the rally's disappointing turnout; Trump's campaign originally claimed it received more than a million requests for tickets. A stage prepared for overflow was never used.

Dark, who supports the girl groups TWICE and GWSN, is no stranger to political activism in coordination with her K-pop community. She has a Twitter group chat with fellow idol fans from all over the world, where they exchange info about stars, petitions and hashtag movements. To "clog up" the platform, she tweeted #WhiteLivesMatter and #KeepAmericaGreat hashtags, coupled with irrelevant fancams of her favorite stars, as a way of diluting the usefulness and relevance of the tags.

"I'm Black before I'm a K-pop stan," she says. "The main point of why we were fighting was for the Black Lives Matter cause, not to get recognized [as K-pop fans]."

But getting recognized they are, as "maestros of social media," "an unexpected ally," "unlikely heroes." This month, fans of BTS matched the boy band's $1 million Black Lives Matter donation in roughly a day. Others are credited with flooding the iWatch Dallas app with fancams (and sinking its App Store ranking) after the Dallas police asked people to report "illegal activity" from the George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests.

Read much more here: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/24/882867577/k-pops-digital-army-musters-to-meet-the-moment-baggage-in-tow

Popular and well-respected community leader Thomas B. “TD” Dent has died

Popular and well-respected community leader Thomas B. “TD” Dent has died

Thomas B. “TD” Dent, 69, of Westminster passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 25, 2020 of an apparent heart attack


Thoughts and prayers for Tommy Dent: I am sad at the loss of my childhood friend Tommy Dent who died suddenly this morning, Thursday, June 25, 2020, despite the valiant efforts of several medic crews from the Westminster Fire Dept. who looked after him and tried to save him until the very end. RESPECT.

The picture above is from a recent picture on May 16, 2020. Tommy was one of our neighbors at the Westminster Fire Department John Street fire station and we will miss him. I understand that flowers are already piling-up at the door to his shop at 26 Winter Street in downtown Westminster.

I just stopped to say hi yesterday – Wednesday June 24, 2020. The last thing I remember of my friend was that smile. I watched him wave goodbye in my side view mirror. Never in a million years did I think it would be the last time I would see him.

Tommy and I have been friends since very early in my childhood. I remember Tommy - and Doug Chandler as among my first friends… Tommy and I first met around 1959 at United Used Cars. We were both there to get candy from Pop Wilson. (Kevin Wilson’s grandfather.)

Tommy grew up on Ralph Street and I grew up several blocks away on Green Street behind Samios Food Market at the corner of Washington Road. Tommy and his Ford, Mark Causey and I spent a good bit of time together – especially during the years of Mark’s illness – and through participating in sports together at Westminster High School.

Tommy was a wonderful friend, a great leader and lived a life of grace. Tommy got it honest. His parents were wonderful and kind people. Tommy was extremely talented. He worked hard at his small business. Westminster is a much better place because of Tommy. He will be greatly missed.

++++++++++++++++++

Thomas B. “TD” Dent, 69, of Westminster passed away suddenly on Thursday, June 25, 2020 of an apparent heart attack. TD was born on May 20, 1951 in Baltimore to the late Thomas Bernard Sr. and Pauline Loretta Brown Dent.

TD was a graduate of the Westminster High School class of 1970. In high school he stood-out as a student leader, a member of the student senate, a great singer, a member of the Key Club, the Varsity Letter Club, and a three-sport athlete. TD - number 32 - was co-captain of the football team, number 30 on the basketball team, and was a record-holder in track and field.

He was a standout singer and performer for high school music teacher Herb Sell. TD performed at Westminster High School with Jester Hairston, and Duke Ellington.

After high school, TD was employed by Black and Decker until it closed. At that time, he opened TOMMY D’S Detailing which he owned and operated for 34 years until his untimely death.

TD is survived by his niece, Krystal Tripp and her husband Kirk of Baltimore, his nephew Chucky Robinson of Westminster, his great-nieces and great-nephews and a host of cousins and friends. He also leaves his cherished friend Michelle Billings.

He attended Strawbridge United Methodist Church in New Windsor. Throughout his life, TD actively participated in various sports. He played football for the semi-pro football team, the Carroll County Chargers, and played on the Jets softball team in Carroll County.

TD was a valued lifetime friend of Dave Johansson and a bouncer for over 30 years at Johannsson’s restaurant in Westminster where he was known by many friends. He was also a fixture at Raphael’s.

He was a great neighbor of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, and a faithful lifetime friend of the Wilson family at United Used Cars.

TD was a very popular, respected, and admired community and business leader. No one was a stranger to TD. He also always had a smile and kind word for everyone.

He was well-known, all his life, for his immaculate black Ford. He will greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, TD was predeceased by siblings Gerald Brown, Pamela Dent Graham, and Jennifer Dent Robinson.

Visitation will be held for TD on Thursday, July 2, 2020 from 4 to 8 pm at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster and on Friday, July 3rd from 11 am to 12 noon at which time his funeral service will begin. Social distancing measures, face covering, and a 50% capacity level will be in place at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Strawbridge United Methodist Church Cemetery. 

The family welcomes friends to join them for the service via video or telephone. We use Zoom for internet video and telephone conference calling. There is no charge for you to participate. Use the link below or dial the telephone number below to be connected to the event.

Join from PC, Mac, iOS or android: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4034588869
Join by telephone: Dial 1 301 715 8592 or 1 929 205 6099
and enter meeting number 403 458 8869

In lieu of flowers, donations to help defray funeral costs may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.prittsfuneralhome.com

Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel
412 Washington Road
Westminster, MD 21157
(410) 848-7533
www.prittsfuneralhome.com

                     
https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10219991565833058

Let us bow our heads and join in a short prayer.

O god of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother Tommy Dent. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this very difficult time.

Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.

May memories of happy times sustain us, the support of family and friends comfort us, and may God's love embrace you and your family and bring you peace.

Rest in paradise my friend. See you again someday. God be merciful to your good soul.

Thinking of you as you find peace during your journey and sending strength to your family as they mourn. I pray that peace will be found for all.

No words can express how much this hurts.

Amen

(A shout out to Blaine Brown, Dale Fletcher, Nikki Heuer, Guy Garheart, and Debbie Soper O’Hara for reaching out to me at a difficult time… THX)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219957861270465&set=a.10203968656950350&type=3&theater

PayPal donation to the Carroll County NAACP Branch #7104

PayPal donation to the Carroll County NAACP Branch #7104

To make a donation to the Carroll County NAACP Branch #7104 scan the QR code with any mobile device. Thank you for your support. (June 23, 2020)

Outrage in Rockland: The Lynching of Howard Cooper

This is the story of the racial terror lynching of Howard Cooper that occurred in Towson (Baltimore County) MD in 1885. Cooper's is one of at least 41 lynchings known to have occurred in Maryland between 1854 and 1933.

A video by Pennant Productions, Ltd.

Labels: Lynching, Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, MD Lynching Memorial Project, NAACP Carroll Co

https://ccnaacp7014.blogspot.com/2020/06/harford-county-committee-of-maryland.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=mRmxRC4Te8o#action=share

Gilbert Year of the Woman Commission scholarship contest

Gilbert Year of the Woman Commission scholarship contest

May 15, 2020 by Kevin Dayhoff with Ann Thomas Gilbert, Abby Gruber, and Heather Mullendore and Westminster Parks and Recreation.

The commission would like for applicants to prepare a multi-media presentation or an essay of 500 words or less, about a woman that has had a positive impact.

The contest is open to college students or Carroll County school children, whether they are in public or private schools or being home-schooled.

Please email your submission to WESTMINSTERREC@WESTGOV.COM

The subject line must read: YOW SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

Please include your name and contact information in the body of the email.

The prize to be awarded is $500.00.

Deadline: June 1, 2020

In January the Westminster Gilbert Commission established a multi-media scholarship contest for the City of Westminster’s celebration of the Year of the Woman in honor of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment. 

The 19^th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified on August 18, 1920 after a long struggle known as the women's suffrage movement.

On May 3rd, our Time Flies discussion centered on the Westminster Year of the Woman Commission spearheaded by Westminster Councilwoman Ann Gilbert and the leadership of the Westminster Family Center and the Recreation and Parks Department of the City of Westminster.

It was in late February – early March that the commission initially announced a multi-media scholarship contest for the City of Westminster’s celebration of the Year of the Woman. Soon after that the scholarship contest, much of our daily lives were overtaken by the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020.

Although the commission has received some essays, it was recently decided to extend the submission deadline until June 1^st. 

According to the contest guidelines, the commission would like for applicants to prepare a multi-media presentation or an essay of 500 words or less, about a woman that has had a positive impact. Subject matters could include but are not limited to historical or public figures or a woman you know personally. The contest is open to college students or Carroll County school children, whether they are in public or private schools or being home-schooled

Submissions are due by the end of the business day on June 1^st, 2020. 

Please email your submission to WESTMINSTERREC@WESTGOV.COM. 

The subject line must read: YOW SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST.

Please include your name and contact information in the body of the email. The prize to be awarded is $500.00.

The commission was quick to add that this is donated money and not taxpayer money.

For more information go to: https://www.westminstermd.gov/489/Year-of-the-Woman

Related: Dayhoff: Feminine touch eased Westminster’s growing pains Kevin Dayhoff, Carroll County Times | May 08, 2020 | https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/lifestyles/cc-lt-dayhoff-051020-20200508-bdoq37gp5bag7e7i5ucgzyeynq-story.html

And:

Dayhoff: Gilbert commission on Year of the Woman reminder of key events from past century Kevin Dayhoff Carroll County Times |May 01, 2020

Just a few months ago, in January, Westminster Councilwoman Ann Thomas Gilbert gathered many leaders from throughout the county to a meeting to brainstorm how to celebrate the Year of the Woman in Westminster and the many milestones in our local community such as the first women jurors in May 1957.

In Westminster, Gilbert assembled local leaders that included Abby Gruber, Kristen McMasters, Sandra L. Anderson, Stephanie McCown, Jessica Taylor, Heather Mullendore, Melissa Thompson, Kati Townsend, Tasha Cramer, Christina Kuntz, and Val Giovagnoni. For a while, Kevin Dayhoff was the token male in the group. Later I was joined by Steven Jakobovic, the new director of the Historical Society of Carroll County.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/lifestyles/cc-lt-dayhoff-050320-20200501-wcnkva2rvza6lmdpvaaev5e7wu-story.html

++++++++++++++++++

Related: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219567443670269&set=a.10203968656950350&type=3&theater

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2020/05/16/gilbert-year-of-the-woman-commission-scholarship-contest/

https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2020/05/gilbert-year-of-woman-commission.html

The Community Foundation of Carroll County is seeking applicants for the Mike Eaton scholarship fund.

The Community Foundation of Carroll County is seeking applicants for the Mike Eaton scholarship fund.

By Kevin Dayhoff May 3, 2020

Since 2011 a Mike Eaton Scholarship has been awarded annually to recognize inspirational teachers, like Eaton, in the lives of the current graduating class of Westminster High School.

The purpose of the fund is to honor the life of WILLIAM GRANVILLE ”MIKE” EATON by providing a scholarship(s) for a Westminster High School graduating senior(s) and an annual award for an outstanding teacher at that same school both based on the criteria established for this fund in the application

One of the requirements of the scholarship is that the student write an essay about their most inspirational teacher.

More information about the scholarship may be found on the Community Foundation of Carroll County website. Find it at http://tinyurl.com/Mike-Eaton-CFCC.

For a copy of the scholarship application click here.

More information about the life and times of William Granville "Mike" Eaton may be found in article that appeared in the Carroll County Times on March 1, 2019, by Kevin Dayhoff.

An article titled, “Dayhoff: 'Indubitably,' remembering Mike Eaton, who taught so many in our community’ reports, Many folks in Carroll County have heard of William Granville “Mike” Eaton at some point in their life. Eaton taught English and drama in Carroll County Public Schools for 41 years before he retired in 1971 — 36 at Westminster High School.

He was one of the many friendly and kind patriarchs in Carroll County for over a half-century. He passed away from cancer on April 24, 1995; however he maintains to this day, a profound influence over who we are as a community.

Eaton was born in Centerville on the Eastern Shore of Maryland on June 22, 1908. He came to Westminster in 1926 to attend Western Maryland College, where he graduated in 1930. It was in that year that he began his teaching career at Elmer A. Wolfe High School in Union Bridge.

In the early 1930s, he concurrently earned his master’s degree, in 1935, from Columbia University in New York.

After a year at Elmer Wolfe, he taught for three years at Charles Carroll High School in Silver Run before coming to Westminster to teach at the original 1898 Westminster High School on Center Street.

He was there for only one year before the “new” Westminster High School opened on Longwell Avenue, where he taught for the entire life of the building as a high school, in Room 106.

Eaton nurtured future leaders through the Kiwanis Key Club and inspired many students, friends, and colleagues to great success. Among his students was writer, director, and actor Ernest Thompson whose work includes “On Golden Pond.” Thomas has subsequently, over the years, won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and Writer’s Guild of America awards.

Read much more here: https://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/cc-lt-dayhoff-030319-story.html

https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/community-foundation-carroll-county-seeking-applicants

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2020/05/03/the-community-foundation-of-carroll-county-is-seeking-applicants-for-the-mike-eaton-scholarship-fund/