Carroll County Observer

Carroll’s public school system has decided to remove seven more books from school libraries, bringing the county’s removed book total to 21. What are your thoughts? #CarrollCounty #carrollcountymd #maryland #schools #library #bannedbooks

Interesting messaging in the clips from 2020 and 2024 from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. #angelaalsobrooks #larryhogan #mdsen #mdpolitics #maryland #election #senate #democrat #republican #police #lawenforcement

Listen to find out about the future of the Carroll County Observer. #maryland #carrollcounty #carrollcountymd #news #localnews

State Senator Justin Ready on June 19, 2024 in Hampstead, Maryland. #maryland #wesmoore #justinready #mdpolitics #carrollcountymd #hampsteadmd #politics #taxes #gop #republican

Solar projects on agricultural land in Carroll County is still an ongoing issue. Commissioners are now looking to get more involved with actions happening from the State of Maryland. #carrollcountymd #maryland #solar #solarpower #solarfarm #agriculture #rural #mikeguerin #commissioners

On June 11, 2024 around 9:51 AM, officers responded to a report of a burglary at the Stonehouse Bakery located at 12 East Baltimore Street. Bakery employees discovered the cash register drawer was open, though it still contained small bills. After closing the drawer, they found the office safe was missing. Security camera footage showed a white male suspect, wearing a “Hurley” hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants, entering the bakery, opening the cash drawer, and then exiting while carrying a heavy red reusable bag. The suspect was observed walking towards the nearby laundromat before disappearing behind 30 East Baltimore Street towards Benner Lane. The suspect appeared to be of a slim build with younger facial features. Anyone with information about the identity of this individual is asked to contact Officer D. Myers at dmyers@taneytownmd.gov or (410) 751-1150.

Four defendants were held without bond for an alleged kidnapping that occurred in Westminster on May 21, 2024. Additionally, a fifth defendant was held without bond for allegedly threatening to retaliate against the female victim on May 24, 2024. Additional details here: https://carrollcountyobserver.com/2024/05/29/latest-developments-in-the-alleged-kidnapping-incident-that-occurred-in-westminster-on-may-21st/

Commissioner Vigliotti proposed a change that would leave in the Recordation tax increase but remove the Property tax increase for FY25. Vigliotti attempted multiple proposals to find funding by removing current one time funded projects or by using existing unallocated funds. There was no official vote taken on a motion for these approaches on May 16th. Commissioners have decided to hold an additional Work Session meeting on Tuesday April 21st starting at 9:00am. Commissioners are expected to come to a decision about the the final FY25 budget on that date.

On May 16th during the “FY25 Adopted Budget Work Session” a motion was made to pass the budget with two tax increases (Property tax and Recordation tax). That motion failed by a vote of 2-3. Commissioners Kiler and Rothstein voting yes while Commissioners Vigliotti, Guerin and Gordon voted no. Next Work Session scheduled for May 21st at 9:00am

Statement made during Public Session in the morning of May 16, 2024 by Carroll County Commissioner Kenny Kiler.

Images from Day 1 and Day 2 early voting locations in Carroll County (Eldersburg and Westminster) #CarrollCountyMD #Maryland #MDVotes #EldersburgMD #WestminsterMD

You can watch the full Budget work session meeting (more than 4 hours) from April 9th here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W06jDCrcf4Q

Pay close attention to the ongoing FY25 Carroll County Government budget meetings. There appears to be a push to increases taxes this year to cover the shortfalls in revenue. Not every jurisdiction is taking this approach. What are your thoughts? Watch past and upcoming budget discussions here: https://www.youtube.com/@CarrollCountyGov/streams #CarrollCountyMD #Maryland #HarfordCountyMD

Video from FY 25 Recommended Budget Presentation March 19, 2024 on the Carroll County Government Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_YUwv7lwTk #CarrollCountyMD #Maryland #Library #KennyKiler

Maryland House of Delegates debate over legislation for Carroll County Sheriff pay raise - March 16th Maryland Muckraker covered the story here: https://www.mdmuckraker.com/p/carroll-sheriff-pay-raise-passes Legislation passed the house 124-12

This is a highlight reel of statements from the discussion on March 7th. A good writeup on this issue can be found here from the Maryland Muckraker: https://www.mdmuckraker.com/p/commissioners-discuss-removing-supermajority

On March 4th the Carroll County Democratic Club held a forum for candidates running for Board of Education in 2024. All four candidates running in 2024 attended (Muri Lynn Dueppen, Amanda Jozkowski, Greg Malveaux and Kristen Zihmer). A supporter of The Observer took this video at the event and shared it with this entity.

Video shared to The Observer from the Community Outreach meeting on March 5th regarding a proposed storage facility to be located next to Carroll Highlands in Eldersburg Hopefully Carroll County Government recorded the meeting and will be sharing that on their Youtube channel soon. #CarrollCountyMD #Eldersburg #EldersburgMD #Maryland

Remarks from Former Governor of Maryland Bob Ehrlich at the campaign event for Carroll County BOE candidate Kristen Zihmer on February 22nd #Maryland #CarrollCountyMD #BoardOfEducation #BobEhrlich #GOP #Republican #Conservative

Opening remarks from former Delegate Susan Krebs at the campaign event for Carroll County BOE candidate Kristen Zihmer on February 22nd #CarrollCountyMD #Maryland #BoardOfEducation

Video from the “Beat The Winter Blues An Evening Of Dinner And Drinks With Bob Ehrlich“ event held by Carroll County BOE candidate Kristen Zihmer on February 22, 2024. #CarrollCounty #CarrollCountyMD #Maryland #boardofeducation

Carroll County Commissioner Kenny Kiler spoke about the recent sale of the Baltimore Sun during Priority Carroll on January 25th. #CarrollCountyMD #BaltimoreSun #CarrollCountyTimes

Commissioner Kenny Kiler made the following remarks on January 25, 2024. #CarrollCountyMD #Maryland #socialmedia

Conversation with State Senator Sarah Elfreth about SB0386 - Voting Rights for Student Members of the Board SB0386: County Boards of Education – Student Members – Voting Rights and Participation in Executive Sessions View the legislation here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2024RS/bills/sb/sb0386f.pdf Article from 2023 on this topic: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/02/21/maryland-lawmakers-introduce-bills-expanding-student-school-board-member-voting-rights/ #Maryland #MDPolitics #CarrollCountyMD

Greg Malveaux held an event at Greenmount Station Restaurant in Hampstead on January 22nd. This is some of what he had to say to the crowd at that event. #CarrollCountyMD #Maryland #Education #BoardofEducation #Politics