This week I've been seeing reports crop up around the website the feds are using to show congressional districts receiving stimulus funds and the number of jobs created.

Trouble is, 440 of the districts listed don't exist; they have apparently received more that $6.4 billion that has created 28,430 jobs.

They've been termed "phantom districts" by Watchdog.org (not affiliated with this column), the group that first discovered and reported the phenomenon.

Maryland, for example, has eight districts -- the sixth covers Frederick and seven other counties and is represented by U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, a Republican.

Recovery.gov shows 15 additional districts that have received $7.6 million and created 34.8 jobs, (I guess 15 of those are new congressmen and women?)

"The bad news is that the Obama Administration's information about the impact of the $1 trillion Democratic deficit-financed stimulus bill is so laughably inaccurate, it can't be trusted," Bartlett said in a statement.

According to Watchdog.org, the integrity of the data has come under scrutiny several times in the past month. The website's overseers said the faulty data are coming from those who report it, Watchdog.org said.

Businesses you can trust

I write a lot, and will write a lot in this column, about less-than-reputable businesses and people -- those who are out to get you to make a quick buck and line their own pockets.

But I also want to give a shout out to those who hold themselves to higher standards, who will go the extra mile for their customers.

(Before you fire up an e-mail ready to start tapping out a "please mention so-and-so" note, realize I'm not going to do this often.)

But this week I'm going to plug a program sponsored by the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek and The Frederick News-Post, which seeks to honor the most ethical businesses in the county.

It is the second year for the Frederick County Business Ethics Awards, which allows just about anyone to nominate a business that exemplifies the highest ethical standards.

Once the nominations are in (and the deadline for 2010 passed Nov. 15), companies can choose to apply -- that's when the hard work really begins. The businesses need to prove why they deserve the award, and that involves a multisection report that is adjudicated by a panel of worthy, objective judges. Last year, each applicant was sounded out for its commitment to business ethics and its ethics program, asked for practical examples of its ethics program in practice, and demonstrated its commitment to stakeholders, such as the community, its employees and services.

Eight companies accepted that challenge for this year's award. Sixteen have been nominated for 2010, and we'll let you know who they are on the business pages of The News-Post in due course.

It demonstrates that numerous companies in the Frederick area are held in high esteem, or take their ethical efforts seriously. 2009's entrants ranged from some of our oldest established companies to relative newcomers.

Woodsboro Bank took the top prize this year, along with Frederick Memorial Hospital, which won the Pacesetter Award.

For 2010, the award will be divided into categories of large and small companies: those with 100 people or more, and those smaller than that.

An awards recognition dinner is set for 6 p.m. March 13 at Coblentz Hall at Hood College.

Cliff Cumber is an assistant city editor at The Frederick News-Post. Frederick Watchdog can be contacted by e-mailing watchdog@newspost.com or following on Twitter at twitter.com/FNPwatchdog.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.