*****RED NET ALERT*****

I happened to be in courtroom 2 at the District Court of Maryland on Baptist St. in Salisbury this afternoon. I witnessed the Honorable Judge Bruce Wade preside over a protective order hearing for the wife of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputy who now stands accused of the sexual abuse of his step-daughter.

The wife was seeking the extension of the temporary protective order currently in place to protect the step-daughter. As I listened to her testify I felt terrible for her. I thought how this Christmas is going to be next to impossible both emotionally and financially, as she testified through tears about her salary and the need for financial assistance from her husband, who is currently out on bond.

She has the new mini van. the family house, three kids, and a salary of $1000.00 per month. Talk about hard times. One thing that confuses me though. The protective order currently only offers relief to the step-daughter who was the victim of the abuse.

The wife asked the judge to extend the order to grant relief for the remaining 2 children due to the fact that she had been advised by her husbands father that her husband has been feeling suicidal. She indicated that she felt that he probably feels that in light of the charges against him, he has nothing to lose, but the judge wouldn't do it.

He stated that no evidence had been presented that indicated the husband was a threat to the remaining two children. pray to God that nothing happens to the two remaining children.

WCSO Press Release

Major Salisbury Fire On Jersey Road

John Culver bought this Farm 3 years ago and actually planned on having a controlled burn on one of the two chicken houses this coming Saturday. However, as luck would have it, there's no electricity to this particular chicken house, yet they had a heat lamp with an extension cord going to it to a shed right next to it for their water pump. Their guess is that this is what caused the fire.

Sadly the Culver's lost 2 dogs in the fire and one is loose and hasn't returned to the property. I was told earlier on that this dog had been burnt too. There was also mention over the radio that one person got burned from this fire as well.

Four Stations came to this fire. Delmar, Laurel, Sharptown and Hebron. I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get this Post up. Blogger has been giving me a hard time loading pictures and I'm about to pull my hair out. If things start working better I'll have more photos to show from the fire.

An Off Duty Salisbury Fire Fighter happened to be driving by when he saw the fire and called it in over his radio. At that exact moment, someone was on the line with 911 telling them about it as well.

A Time Fore Change

Article published Dec 10, 2007
www.washingtontimes.com

December 10, 2007

By Herb McMillan - The Maryland First Congressional District race has become the most hotly contested and closely watched Republican primary in America. Incumbent Wayne Gilchrest, who's sided with Democrats 52 percent of the time this session, is being challenged by conservative state Sen. Andy Harris, and as of last week, state Sen. E.J Pipkin.

Mr. Gilchrest cosponsored legislation to give amnesty to illegal immigrants. He is pro-choice, and voted for taxpayer funded abortions. Mr. Gilchrest has consistently voted for non-war-related deficit spending and joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to vote for an Iraq troop withdrawal timetable. Prior to Mr. Pipkin's entry, Dr. Harris had closed the polling gap on Mr. Gilchrest, and raised more money.

President Bush won 62 percent of Maryland's First Congressional District vote in 2004. Re-electing a liberal incumbent to maintain Republican control of this seat is not a political necessity. All of the candidates, including the incumbent, are good, patriotic, honorable men. The question for fiscal and social conservatives is which candidate to unite behind.

I served in the Maryland General Assembly with Dr. Harris and Mr. Pipkin, representing an area partly within the First Congressional District. Dr. Harris, an anesthesiologist and Navy Reserve Commander, served during Operation Desert Storm. He also served as Senate Minority Whip during the Ehrlich administration. Mr. Pipkin is a retired investment banker in his second state Senate term. I like and respect both men. More importantly, I know their voting records, and they measure conservatism far more accurately than campaign soundbites.

Dr. Harris and Mr. Pipkin both have strong anti-tax records. However, Dr. Harris has consistently voted against bloated budgets that created Maryland's structural deficit. Mr. Pipkin hasn't voted against a single budget, and state spending has grown by over 25 percent since he became a senator five years ago. This year, Mr. Pipkin broke with most Senate republicans to vote for Gov. Martin O'Malley's budget. It exceeded tax receipts by $1 billion, increased spending by 8 percent, and eradicated a $1 billion surplus.

During Maryland's special legislative session, Mr. Pipkin said, "Maryland doesn't have a revenue problem; Maryland has a spending problem." That's true; but unfortunately Mr. Pipkin is part of the spending problem.

Dr. Harris is part of the solution. A true fiscal conservative, he recognizes the direct link between spending and taxes, and understands government must live within its means, just like we do.

Mr. Gilchrest has voted for greater firearm restrictions. Mr. Pipkin says he's pro-gun, but Dr. Harris actually has an outstanding Second Amendment voting and leadership record. Dr. Harris and Mr. Pipkin oppose drivers licenses and in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, with Dr. Harris taking the lead on these issues. Mr. Gilchrest supports benefits for illegal immigrants, and cosponsored amnesty legislation. Mr. Gilchrest and Mr. Pipkin have voted for stricter environmental regulations, and increased car and power-plant emission standards. Dr. Harris opposed these measures.

There are significant differences between Dr. Harris and Mr. Pipkin on social issues. Dr. Harris is pro-life. Mr. Pipkin and Mr. Gilchrest are pro choice, and have voted for taxpayer funded abortions. Mr. Pipkin voted for the Medical Decision Making Act. This bill had little to do with medical decision making, and lots to do with homosexual "marriage." It established a state registry for gay "life partners" and was viewed as a first step toward legalizing homosexual "marriage" and civil unions. Dr. Harris, who strongly supports traditional marriage and opposes civil unions, voted against it. Moderate Gov. Bob Ehrlich vetoed it, stating, "It codifies a new relationship of "life partners" that could lead to the erosion of traditional marriage." Finally, Mr. Pipkin voted to fund a free needle program for drug addicts. Dr. Harris believes drug addicts should seek rehabilitative treatment or buy their own needles, and voted accordingly.

An objective view of the record leaves one wondering why Mr. Pipkin decided to challenge Mr. Gilchrest. His Web site says he's an "Eastern Shore Conservative." Yet Mr. Pipkin's state Senate votes for big-government spending, greater government regulation, expanded government programs, and abortion mirror Mr. Gilchrest's votes in Congress. Why would Eastern Shore conservatives trade a liberal congressman for one that's almost as liberal when they could elect a proven conservative like Dr. Harris?

Republicans lost their congressional majority because they failed to lead in accordance with conservative principles. They said all the right things, but didn't do them. It's easy to campaign against taxes; nobody wants them. Its harder to vote against excessive spending; everyone wants something.

To regain America's trust and deserve the majority, we must elect congressmen who not only say the right things, but do them. Actions speak louder than words, and Dr. Harris's consistent, conservative record speaks for itself. The Republican Party needs a strong dose of conservative medicine, and Dr. Harris is the right prescription for an ailing Congress.

Herb McMillan served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2003-2007 and chaired the Taxpayer Protection Caucus.

The Fox In The Henhouse

Tonight should prove to be a VERY interesting Council Meeting. One of the items on the agenda is the Mayor wants to appoint Lynn Cathcart to the board of Zoning,Housing & Appeals. Gary/Barrie/Lynn/Donnie/Richard/Eric/Davis/SAPOA are all connected through campaign contributions? So what happens is, Lynn sits on the board that will enforce 4-3 legislation that she helped gut, along with the fact that she wanted 4-2 in her own neighborhood, yet not for the rest of us in the city!

More on this later........

One Fire Fighter NOT Afraid To Use HIs Real Name

As a firefighter you have few times to save a life in a fire. The opportunities are few and far between for several reasons. Smoke detectors have been one of the key elements of this fact. Sprinklers and public education also play a role here. However there are those opportunities where none of these advantages are in place to prevent a tragedy and the firefighters come into play. I joined the fire department 28 years ago and have made a save or two in a fire. I have also pulled victims out that did not survive because the fire had too much headway to overcome. I think the average firefighter is just there to help a person in his time of need. It doesn't matter if its a broken pipe or a fully involved house. The one constant is that they are always there, whether career or volunteer, you can count on them being there. I respect the opinions of the readers post and he is entitled to his opinion. He left the service for the resons stated and that was his choice and the reasons are not new. However in my career the rewards have far exceeded the negatives. I will do this as long as my body will allow me to. We are a different breed and I'm proud to be a part of the fire service.

Bryan Records

How Much More Can I Give?

While this post may seem like it's all about me, it's really about how petty vindictiveness is costing the taxpayers of Salisbury more money out of their already picked pockets. And how good people get smeared and labeled by everybody's favorite Mayor.

Barrie Tilghman has made a career in the past 2 years of blasting the Blogs and all of their negativity. She has created "The Dirty Dozen" along with former and one current Council Member and combined the two as offering nothing to the community and nothing but negativity.

While I can't speak for the dozens of "Dirty Dozen," I know a lot of the people Barrie Tilghman blasts have IN FACT given much to their community, state and nation in very positive and self-sacrificing ways.

For myself, I would like to state the following as a FACT. Back when I had issues with the Salisbury Zoo, my Wife and I still made an offer to sponsor animals at the Salisbury Zoo and purchase a Grandparent Membership. There were no conditions to our donations. We just wanted to support the animals and give our grandson something meaningful that we believe in.

The City changed the legislation creating a "not a friend of the Salisbury Zoo" status and sent ALL of our money back. Gee, a whole new set of rules just for little old me.

Then when the City was completely attacked by criminals with Graffiti, I personally offered to Urban Salisbury that I would pay for 100% of the clean up of ALL Graffiti throughout the City. My offer was denied and the Mayor intervened to have the City pay for it instead. I also walked the streets at nights for months in order to insure it would come to an end and it did.

That being said, I got a call at the last minute this past summer telling me the Jaycees were dropping the 4th of July extravaganza in which I stepped up to the plate and offered to pay cash, $10,000.00 to $20,000.00 out of my pocket to keep the event. It was too late, the Jaycees didn't tell me till 2 days had passed and the Fireworks Company had already relocated their equipment and event. But I let it be known I'd be there for them next year.

Most recently, hence the photo above, I knew City Clerk Brenda Colegrove was being denied by the Mayor every year as they would offer $1,200.00 in their budget for a new digital recording system, knowing it fell short of the actual cost of such a system and they wouldn't have to buy it. Barrie Tilghman is so dead-set against the public getting information easily that she's made sure for years that Brenda Colegrove and Kim Nichols, two of the hardest working and most professional people in all of Salisbury government, went without something that would make their lives a little easier.

Therefore, I offered to pay for the system, allowing Brenda and Kim the opportunity to make their jobs so much better and certainly more efficient. As you can clearly see from this letter, the City is refusing the accept my donation, (not that it's a big deal to me) simply because it has Joe Albero's name on it. At least I can take some satisfaction in knowing that if I hadn't stepped up with the offer, who knows when Brenda and Kim would have gotten this equipment?

My point to this whole Post is NOT what Joe Albero does for the City. It is about YOU the Taxpayers losing out because the City refuses to accept my donations. Everyone knows very clearly Joe Albero cannot buy/bribe the Mayor, nor would I ever want to try! They accuse me of being negative, but I've tried to do positive things and been refused. Why? Because I'm exposing what they don't want the public to know. Or pointing out when they are over the top in their behavior toward citizens. Or animals for that matter.

In the end it is the Taxpayers that pay the price for such ignorance and pettiness. After all, why accept something good from Joe Albero when she can just stick the costs to you?

More importantly, please do NOT allow this woman or anyone else say the Blogs, Joe Albero, or The Dirty Dozen are bad people and only negative! As I said, many of the people she bashes have fought in wars for us, raised funds for charity, and spoken out for you when you can't or are afraid to. In addition to the things I expose, I've also given pats on the back when earned, posted police press releases, and promoted community events like the Jaycees Christmas Parade, Movies in the Park, and Relay for Life, to name a few. And I post pictures of beauty from out my back door for people to enjoy. Now how the hell are those things "being negative"???

Barrie Tilghman is simply full of crap. I've even given her a pat on the back from time to time when she finally gets one right like the Westside Little League homecoming. But would she EVER do the same for Joe Albero? No, of course not. But that's okay because I have proven to be the better person each and every time, even when she's suing me. And I can live with that.

Our Exclusive Monday Message From Congressional Candidate Andy Harris.

Friends,

I wanted to talk today about being a true fiscal conservative.

There are two parts to being a fiscal conservative. The first is opposing all new taxes and the second is opposing wasteful spending. Most politicians only focus on the first part of being a fiscal conservative and ignore the second. They oppose new taxes, but they vote for every wasteful spending bill that comes down the pike. The result is an ever increasing national debt and the creation of a structural deficit at the state level.

I have a consistent record of fiscal conservatism. As a State Senator, I have opposed all statewide net tax increases. One of the first things I did when I decided to run for Congress was to sign the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" to oppose all new net tax increases while in Congress. After I signed the pledge, the president of ATR Grover Norquist said, "By signing the Pledge, Senator Harris demonstrates his allegiance to hard-working taxpayers nationwide, as well as dedication to taxpayers in Maryland. I applaud his leadership and dedication to the ideals of limited government."

As a State Senator, I have opposed wasteful government spending. I have voted against 6 of the last 9 state budgets including the budget offered by Governor O'Malley. As a member of Congress, I will oppose all wasteful government spending.

Despite their attempts in an election year to portray themselves as fiscal conservatives, my opponents have poor records on fiscal conservative issues. Both Gilchrest and Pipkin have voted for higher taxes. Gilchrest has voted for a 15 billion dollar federal gas and energy tax. Pipkin voted for the 340 million dollar "flush tax" on every homeowner in Maryland.

Both Gilchrest and Pipkin have also voted for wasteful government spending. Gilchrest has voted for every single pork-laden Democratic appropriations bill. He even voted to override President Bush's veto of one of the bills. President Bush vetoed the bill because he believed the increase in spending was irresponsible. Apparently, Gilchrest disagreed.

Like Gilchrest, Pipkin has voted for irresponsible spending. Pipkin voted for Governor O'Malley's budget in April. That budget stole 900 million dollars from the rainy day fund which gave Governor O'Malley the justification he felt he needed to increase taxes by 1.5 billion dollars in the Special Session. I voted against that budget, Pipkin voted for it.

When deciding who will protect your tax dollars as your congressman, I hope you will consider someone who will oppose new taxes and wasteful government spending.

Merry Christmas,

Andy