Explore Carroll: Opinion http://www.explorecarroll.com/ Recent news from ExploreCarroll.com en-us 2010 The Baltimore Sun Media Group, All Rights Reserved. technical@baltimoresun.com (Technical Help) HOBY: If consumer demand isn't there, no tax credit will help create jobs http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3932/wolf/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3932/wolf/ It's unbelievable to me that we haven't seen more static from small business owners regarding the plan for a $5,000 tax credit per new hire, as unveiled by President Barack Obama at last week's State of the Union address. As a guy that has owned small business operations, I think... Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST Historic 1857 quilt inspired by the politics and faith of its era http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/3929/dayhoff/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/3929/dayhoff/ In a recent column I noted that one of the quilts in Nancy Gibson's presentation, "Pieces of the Past: An Overview of Carroll County Quilts," at the Historical Society of Carroll County on Jan. 19 was the 1857 Buckey eagle quilt. I've had a people ask me for more... Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST Kids say the darndest things, and then won't stop saying them http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/3925/mom/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/3925/mom/ Nothing brings my children to hysterical laughter as much as, well ... "passing gas." I know, who wants to read about such a topic on Sunday? Trust me, I'd like nothing more than to never have to hear about it again. However, with two 5-year-olds, such discussions and comments are... Sun, 07 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST Diversity training must be a process, not a single event http://www.explorecarroll.com//3911/diversity/ http://www.explorecarroll.com//3911/diversity/ After reading about the "ethnic remark" recently made by the chairman of the Carroll County Planning and Zoning Commission ("Planning chairman apologizes for ethnic comment," The Eagle, Jan. 24), and the subsequent call for sensitivity training for key public officials in our county, I feel a need to address a... Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST Political landscapes change, but let's not lose the 'Carroll' party http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3909/hoby/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3909/hoby/ As an avid reader of editorials and letters to the editor, I'm always fascinated by the great workmanship of some letters -- and the sudden revelations people have, many of which are not factual. I read one letter recently detailing the writer's objections to Republican leaders, such as Larry Helminiak, in... Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST Zimmer: county should shift to larger role for Sheriff's Office http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3833/zimmer/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3833/zimmer/ At the 2010 State of the County Address on Jan. 14, I shared an initiative that had been previously detailed in a letter to Commissioner Julia Gouge. This is -- word for word -- what I expressed in the letter to my fellow commissioners: The time has come for this Board of Commissioners to... Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST Economic difficulties are part and parcel due to lack of our own industry http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3890/culleton/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3890/culleton/ The economic crisis and our slow recovery from it are, in large part, caused by a deeper problem -- the erosion of our industrial base. We no longer make the bulk of manufactured goods sold in this country. And this situation worsens month by month and year by year. Because free... Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST Diversity of talent is crucial to stand out in an increasing job market http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3886/hoby/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3886/hoby/ County Commissioner Dean Minnich has recently made it more and more clear that he does not intend to seek re-election in 2010. I've always wanted to give advice to someone making such an announcement. Not that Dean listens to me very frequently, mind you -- but just once I'd like to see... Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST Maryland casinos still in the starting gate, and maybe on the wrong horse http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3811/grand/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3811/grand/ Too little too late for Maryland to play catch-up? Sorry to say it, but that may be the case in regard to Maryland's chances of competing with neighboring states for gamblers' dollars. While we're just coming out of the starting blocks after more than a decade of bitter debate and... Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST Hoby: Sprinkler systems or not, cold weather plays havoc with pipes http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3809/wolf/ http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/3809/wolf/ With this cold weather, this week I can write about fire as well as the chill. When my wife Pat and I returned to Eldersburg one day this week, we were greeted with a frozen home. My thoughts immediately turned to my opposition a few years ago against forcing new homes to... Sun, 17 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST