Kevin Earl Dayhoff, Community Contributor

Carroll County history and community reporter Kevin E. Dayhoff has been a freelance writer and artist since 1971.

In addition to Westminster Patch, he currently contributes to several publications, including several online media sites.

In 2009 he won a Maryland Delaware DC Press Association award for editorial critical thinking for an investigation into a racial incident involving a Carroll County school board member. In 2006, he was recognized by George Washington University for authoring one of the top 12 Maryland and Virginia political websites.

He served as the mayor of Westminster from 2001 to 2005 and as a Westminster city councilman from 1999 to 2001. He was a self-employed nursery stock farmer, landscape designer, property management consultant, and freelance technical writer from 1974 to 1999. He served as a statewide elected member of the Maryland Municipal League Board of Directors 2000 to 2005.

He is currently a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Capitol Beat - Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, a Silver Life member of the NAACP, and serves on the executive board of the Carroll County NAACP.

Kevin Dayhoff has served as the chaplain of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 and the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge #20, since January 1, 2011. He also serves as a member of the church council at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster.

It is believed that several branches of his family have believed in what we now know as Carroll County since the 1600s.

He is a native of Westminster, Carroll County, MD, where he currently lives. kevindayhoff@gmail.com. www.kevindayhoff.org