Readers took their opinions to Carroll County Patch sites this week and we have rounded up the most poignant, interesting, clever, funny and interesting of them. Carroll County Going to Court Over Newspaper Request "The State wants to disarm you; track you; tax you; and control you. I, on the other hand, want to respect your freedom. You're very welcome." --Commissioner Richard Rothschild "Is the wasted cost or the intent more disconcerting? The fact that some of these Commissioners apparently have something so terrible to hide that it necessitates such a ridiculous showing, should be very …

This week, Carroll County Superintendent Steve Guthrie said he will present options for cost savings, including school closures, as the county faces declining student enrollment and continuing costs to maintain and improve facilities. The prospect of school closures sparked conversation among Westminster and Eldersburg Patch readers. Have an opinion on the debate over schools? Share them in comments.  “The schools here, while perhaps award-winning, are SO run down. Their technology is years behind - if they are allowed to use it at all (my son attends a school where the administration is anti…

Readers took their opinions to Carroll County Patch sites this week and we have rounded up the most poignant, interesting, clever, funny and interesting of them. Have a story you want Patch in Carroll County to cover this week? Tell us in comments. We are listening!  Bumbo Baby Seat Recalled After Skull Fracture Reports “C'mon, people. They're going to recall every baby product if everyone continues to use them incorrectly and bring harm to a child.” -  Kristin McLaughlin Franchot: 'Deep Tax Cuts' Offset Expected Gaming Revenue “Gambling casinos attract people who enjoy reckless risks. If we …

Readers took their opinions to Carroll County Patch sites this week and we have rounded up the most poignant, interesting, clever, funny and interesting of them. Have a story you want Patch in Carroll County to cover this week? Tell us in comments. We are listening! Carroll Democratic Party Election Headquarters to Open Aug. 4 "Good luck, you all are going to need it!" - Native Carroll County Shows Up, Speaks Out on Chick-fil-A Controversy  "Great. It sure seems like plenty of people appreciate Chick-fil-A all day, every day. I don't think the event was needed." - WestMonster Ask an Officer: …

It was a big week for news in Eldersburg, with readers commenting most on stories about a likely ban on employers in Maryland from seeking Facebook passwords. Maryland Likely to Ban Employers From Seeking Facebook Passwords: "Never thought I'd see the day that this administration would do something right in Annapolis. That said, this is good law, in-tune with The Constitution & Bill Of Rights." -Zoobie "Finally, someone takes the privacy rights of the 4th Amendment of the Constitution seriously, unlike the Supreme Court that allows strip searches for just about any minor violation. I'm sure a…

  Readers took their opinions to Carroll County Patch sites this week, commenting most on stories about a teen that died in a single car collision, the Carroll County voting guide and Mega Million lottery coverage. Teenager Dies in Single Car Accident: "I could not imagine losing a child." - S&WCarroll County Voting Guide: Congressional Candidates: "Tax increase on diesel every year? It's already too high." - Pamela A. L. ShorbWinning Mega Millions Ticket Sold in Baltimore County: "I'm happy one of the winners was from Maryland. Especially from a lower-income community. Congrats on your new …

  Readers took their opinions to Carroll County Patch sites this week, commenting most on stories about charges that were dropped against former counselors at a juvenile services program following a student death, and whether Carroll County schools should start later. Charges Dropped Against Five Bowling Brook Staffers: "It seems new leadership is required in the State Attorney's Office and the Sheriff's Department. Two homicides botched where the perpetrators go free. I'm puzzled why this isn't on the national media radar screen." - David J Iacono Comment: 'The County Isn't Doing Business …

  Readers took their opinions to Eldersburg Patch this week, commenting most on stories about underage drinking in Eldersburg, whether colleges should ban the sale of bottled water and a controversy over a dropped murder charge in Carroll County.  Murder Charges Dropped, State's Attorney Blames Sheriff "This judge and every sheriff involved should be JAILED.... so we have a murderer walking the streets of Carroll because of bad cops....what the hell...what role did the Hampstead cops play in this Mickey Mouse operation?" - Buck Harmon "The commissioners could have established a professional …

Readers took their opinions to Eldersburg Patch this week, commenting most on stories about their favorite gyms in Eldersburg, a new bowling alley and Starbucks in town, and state legislation that could hurt education funding. Freedom Lanes Bowling Alley Opens Its Doors.  "That is awesome... Eldersburg needs that. A great activity for young and old." Pamela Peck-High  Starbucks Drive-Thru Now Open in Eldersburg.  "I think this location should do well. Very nicely done. One thing they're going to have to fix in the parking though. There is black asphalt curbing that runs down along the front …

Eldersburg readers took their opinions to Patch this week, commenting most on a story about a local teacher who created a new tool for students, proposed legislation for homeschoolers, time off from work for parent-teacher conferences, and what should replace Kmart in the Carrolltown Shopping Center. Here is a selection of some of our most noteworthy comments.   Liberty Math Teacher Launches eNotebook App "How wonderful it would be for all students to be equipped with tablets loaded with all necessary reading material/textbooks and with eNotebook! This would certainly help them with …

Eldersburg readers took their opinions to Patch this week, commenting most on the closing of the Kmart, the Carroll County Commissioners’ objections to the ‘driveway tax’ and a Corvette-driving 87-year-old. Here is a selection of some of our most noteworthy comments. Eldersburg Kmart Slated to Close "Now there is a chance to improve the mall and bring in some wanted businesses to that highly visible area." - Gerald Smith "What a shame. Carrolltown has lost a lot to commercialized greed. First the "e" in its name and now the only store in town that sells the most American-made products without…

Readers took their opinions to Eldersburg Patch this week, commenting most on stories about the Carroll County Commissioners and whether Eldersburg has too many gyms. (Update) Carroll County Commissioner Agenda Feb. 13 through Feb. 19 "Why did the county hire a lobbyist if members of this board are spending so much time away from Carroll County in Annapolis??? This is nuts..." - Judith Smith Exploring Issues in Eldersburg: Too Many Gyms? “I'm very conflicted about Gold's Gym moving into the Carrolltown mall. On the one hand, I welcome more opportunities for Eldersburg residents to get …

Readers took their opinions to Eldersburg Patch this week, commenting most on stories about the halt of birth and death certificate distribution at the Carroll County Health Department, whether dog parks are needed in Eldersburg, same-sex marriage, and two new Carroll County Economic Development positions. Carroll County Health Department Halts Distribution of Birth and Death Certificates "This is really too bad. CCHD has been issuing birth/death certificates for a long time and the fee is reasonable. It's going to cause all kinds of hassle for folks. I'd much rather deal with CCHD than …

  Patch has compiled the most blunt, thoughtful and outrageous comments on Carroll County Patch sites this week. Readers talked the most about Carroll County’s exceptional recycling rate, a recent ruling saying the commissioners violated the Open Meetings Act, whether textbooks should be taxed and why home births are on the rise. Commissioners Violated Open Meetings Act “Look, I am the first to agree that this meeting was a sham. In my ideal world, they would not have held it at all. That said, quite frankly as a taxpayer, I'm more annoyed at Neil Ridgley on this one. The ONLY reason they …

Readers commented most this week on Patch stories in Carroll County about county budget talks, what Eldersburg needs to be a vibrant community, a county decision against expanding the airport, Starbucks coming to Eldersburg and a woman’s calling to change young lives. Budget Talks: County FY13 Expenditures to Include Takeover of More State Costs "The school system is run by the county, including hiring decisions, why wouldn't we budget for it?" - Jeffrey Fiske Starbucks to Replace K Bank in Eldersburg "I think this will provide a good meeting point. While the Safeway Starbucks is convenient …

Readers in Carroll County were not shy about commenting on local Patch stories this week. Popular articles included a story about Carroll County Regional Airport expansion options and the latest on the potential Freedom area biking and walking trails. Freedom Bike and Walking Trail Discussion: ‘We’re Starting From a Clean Slate’: "In other words get yourself a bike rack because this trail won't be happening this decade."-Paul Kuegler Man Charged in Assault With Baseball Bat Released on Bail: "This is an obscenity. The hard-working Middle Eastern clerk that was violently attacked by the SAME …

Carroll County readers took their thoughts to the Patch comments section this week, reacting most to stories about their commute, the decision to remove a billboard with Spanish and the lack of hotels in Eldersburg. How Long is Your Commute, Eldersburg? "It's all 32! If this was two lanes down to Clarksville commute would be less than 30 minutes on average." - Tom Spanish Billboards in Carroll County? ‘Inappropriate,’ Says Rothschild  "It's very simple. This is not Mexico, Spain, or whatever. If you think it should've stayed, then who's to say there shouldn't be a French billboard, or any …

Just in time for the upcoming “Be Nice On the Internet Week,” Patch has compiled the most blunt, thoughtful and outrageous comments on Carroll County Patch sites. Readers talked the most this week about stories on K-Mart, Peebles and the Carrolltown Mall in Eldersburg and a Christmas Eve assault in Westminster. Exploring Issues in Eldersburg: Carrolltown Mall -- "I think the whole area should be leveled. Then put in an 'Avenue'-type shopping area including a nice movie theater, like the one in White Marsh. It's a very depressing area of the community as it stands now. And since it's right on …

Readers took their opinions to Carroll County Patch sites this week, flocking most to stories about Nimby fights across the region, things to do for teens in Eldersburg, a commissioner report on bonuses, and the governor’s formal acceptance of PlanMaryland. Us Against Them: Nimby Fight Get Us Going -- "The process that has been used to develop Carroll would cater to Nimby concern. Thousands of plastic homes built to minimum standards at best.... by GREED-driven developers." - Buck Harmon Exploring Issues in Eldersburg: Fields, Parks and Skateboards -- "Since the movies and bowling center …

Readers took their opinions to Carroll County Patch sites this week, flocking most to stories about water towers in Eldersburg, couponing, the election of new officers for the Carroll County Board of Commissioners and traffic signals following an accident on Route 140.  COUPONING IS COOL: "Another way I get great coupons is e-mailing the manufacturer directly and telling them how much you enjoy their product. You’d be surprised what they will send you in the mail for some positive feedback. I get ‘free samples’ as well as money saving coupons through Printapons." - Helenhartt WATER TOWERS IN …