Opinion

Zirpoli: In memory of Virginia and Jenny

Over the last two weeks, our agency, Target Community & Educational Services, lost two friends. Virginia and Jenny were clients who lived in two of our Target homes. Both were medically fragile and succumbed to a combination of medical challenges during recent hospitalizations. Needless to say,...

Editorial: Be vigilant, learn about programs to increase motorcycle safety

A 19-year-old Mount Airy man was killed May 27 after losing control of his motorcycle on westbound Interstate 70, sliding across the road surface and into a guardrail. A 37-year-old died in August, 2018 when the motorcycle he was driving, headed north on Francis Scott Key Highway, struck a truck...

Edelman: Administration should take steps, including inducements, to avoid war with Iran

In 1991, the United States fought Iraq to force Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. After Operation Desert Storm ended, the United Nations Special Commission conducted extensive investigations and declared that there was no evidence that Iraq still had biological weapons program. American Iraq policy...

Nonprofit view: Woman’s Club of Westminster has served Carroll County for over a century

A longstanding partner in enhancing the quality of life in Carroll County is the GFWC Woman’s Club of Westminster Inc., a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) International, a nonprofit organization of 3,500 clubs dedicated to improving communities through volunteer service....

Kennedy: Carroll County should seriously explore charter government

Kudos must go out to the Board of Commissioners for their sponsoring of the educational forum on the various styles of government available to the county going forward. As reported, the professional presenters each gave a detailed description of the three styles that counties in Maryland have the...

Editorial: Carroll County teacher salaries far more competitive after new agreement

Teachers can put away their red garb. They should keep the colorful clothes they have been wearing off and on in solidarity off and on for the past several years at functions such as Board of Education meetings to shine a light on sub-par salaries for educators in Carroll County for potential future...

Nonprofit View: “Help for Today ... Hope for Tomorrow”

Nonprofit View: Mission of Mercy's mobile dental clinic up and running, serving those who need it

Letter: Trump viewing party on tap for Tuesday

On Tuesday, June 18, President Donald Trump will formally launch his re-election campaign at a rally at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. For the nearly 60,000 Carroll County voters who supported President Trump in 2016, there will be an official Trump campaign watch party at O’Lordans Irish...

Letters: Happy birthday to the U.S. Army; eliminating children won't help Disney

A happy birthday to the U.S. Army (and our flag) Happy birthday. It’s is always a fun way to start the day when you can wish someone a happy birthday. Well, in this case we get to provide birthday wishes to all those who are currently and have served in our U.S. Army. Since its official beginnings,...

Letters: Columnist should try to understand others; columnist needs to be a problem-solver

Columnist calls names rather than trying to understand others I write today to congratulate the all-knowing, all-seeing [columnist Rick] Blatchford, as he follows the current trend of calling names rather than attempting to understand opposing points of view. You see, by his definitions, I think...

Letters: Thankful for rec and parks programs; tax increase may be coming; retirees need help

Moms in Westminster grateful for Rec and Parks While our children were playing at Westminster City Playground, another mom and myself started discussing how we are going to keep our five children under the age of 7 busy this season without spending a lot of money. Thankfully, the Westminster Deparment...

Editorial: Tonight's forum a chance for Carroll countians to learn about forms of government, possible change

Most people only think about local government during election season — and based on turnout numbers, not enough people think about it then. But those with any interest on how countywide legislation is ratified and whether the current form of government is due for a change should absolutely turn...

Editorial: Thumbs up for D-Day heroes, farmer on 'Good Morning America,' cricket player, Special Olympics

Thumbs up: The soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, 75 years ago were honored by Carroll County officials Thursday, and we want to use this space to do the same. Members of the 29th Division Association Post 48, which serves to keep the history of the 29th Infantry Division alive,...

Editorial: Impressive Carroll grads show the future is in good hands

Another season of graduations wrapped up Saturday night when seniors from Winters Mill High School became the seventh and final public school class to walk across the stage at McDaniel College, out of their youth and into a future that will mean venturing into the workforce for some, enlisting...

Editorial: Transportation meeting a chance to look into the future, provide input

If you are attending the meeting hosted by the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board tonight, don’t expect immediate gratification. But if you do turn out, listen to discussion about a series of long-term transportation proposals and then let your opinions be heard, you could help shape some...

Kat's Meow: Furry companion helped chronic pain sufferer learn to cope, thrive

The anticipation began to bubble up into excitement. The possibility peaked with a hope and then plummeted like an empty wish dashing my heart into broken shards on the ground because no one picked me to be on the dodgeball team at recess. In childhood, many of us have had those kinds of experiences....

Milliken: Cost, regulation burden aging services; nonprofits carry out their mission

As I prepare to retire this month and reflect on my 45 years in senior living, I am amazed at how much change there has been yet how much must still occur to meet the need that lies ahead. Consumer demand, recruiting and retaining staff, working within Maryland’s regulatory environment, and managing...

Scanlan: Perennial budget fight between county, school system like something out of Twilight Zone

You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. A land where school systems are adequately funded. Next stop, the Twilight Zone! Imagine, if you will, a community that supposedly values public education,...

Pyatt: Picking the right medications a bit like throwing darts

When I reflect back on my life, I’ve often thought about the toughest thing I’ve had to do. Running a marathon is right up there. Graduating with an engineering degree? It’s a close call. But No. 1 is probably on occasion taking on the pharmaceutical and medical establishment. This is as close...

Rothstein: A call for action this Memorial Day — and every day

Upfront, I would like to take a moment and recognize all those in our community who have served or are currently serving, as well as any who have lost a loved one in service. We are humbled by your sacrifices. In 1982, President Reagan shared the following: “In America's cities and towns, flags...

Wack: Real ID too great a sacrifice of individual liberty in the name of safety

You know something is likely a very bad idea when organizations as politically diverse as the ACLU and the Cato Institute are allied in their opposition. The topic of their shared disdain is the Real ID Act of 2005, a bit of post-9/11 Congressional activity that generated controversy the day it...