I Just Couldn't Resist!

"I don't think the Daily Times could get a story right if someone wrote it for them. They reported that a oil truck overturned on Union Church Rd today and it is a dead end road. They even referenced Salisbury. Well just in case they would like to correct their article, since I know they read Joe's blog for much of their news ideas, the road was Green Hill Church Rd, which is in Nanticoke, and it may be worth while to mention that while in response to the oil truck overturning, the west side fire truck crashed into a ditch, and nearly on its side. So much for the DT."

Exposed Breast In Photo Costs Umatilla Fire Chief His Job

UMATILLA, Fla. -- The chief of a small central Florida volunteer Fire Department was asked to resign after he e-mailed pictures that showed the exposed breast of a 26-year-old car crash victim, officials said Monday.

GO HERE to read more.

Emotions Run High On Eve Of NH Primary

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Her voice quavering, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton struggled Monday to avoid a highly damaging second straight defeat in the Democratic presidential race. Republicans John McCain and Mitt Romney scrapped for success on the eve of a New Hampshire primary that neither could afford to lose.

GO HERE to read the entire story.

Fire In Delmar Maryland

You might ask yourself, why don't I have pictures? Well, I've been on the go all day and quite frankly, even though it's right down the road, I don't feel like going.

I've had two phone calls about it and apparently it's along Railroad Ave. There's lots of these red trucks everywhere with flashing lights. They have people blocking roads off but I'm home early from the Council Work Session, I'm enjoying what company I have here right now and if you'd like to go take a look, there's plenty red trucks there with no flames. I hope everyone is OK.

Maybe next time?

Bill Ahtes & Co. Were A No Show At Council Work Session

There were no fireworks tonight at the Council Work Session and as a matter of fact, it ended around 5:10 PM!

Chief See came strolling in the door and obviously wasn't given the heads up about certain people feeling sick and not able to attend earlier today and ultimately removed from the Agenda.

Also not there was Debbie Campbell, (on a business trip) and Terry Cohen, (home with very sick children). Nevertheless, we'll wait for yet another day and hope that more citizens fight to get these meeting started at 6:00 or 7:00 PM instead of 4:30 PM.

Lisa Tate Turns Down Zoo Director Position For Medical Reasons!

"With deepest regrets and disappointment, I must rescind my offer to accept the position as zoo director for the Salisbury Zoo for medical reasons. Due to a serious medical condition, I do not feel I will be able to adequately fulfill the requirements of the position at this time. I wish the Salisbury Zoo the best and brightest possible future."

Could it be she never told the City of her Lawsuit????????? SBYNEWS.COM brings it to the people again!

Tonight's Council Work Session at 4:30 PM

I am exhausted from trying to find one of these...They are new on the market, so, everybody and her/his brother is buying them up as fast as they hit the shelves. CVS said they have been flooded with calls asking for them. Please... if you see one, (picture below) give me a call ...thanks

Granddad Speaks Out On Collective Bargaining

Joe,

Yesterday someone commented on the D/T grapevine about Rick Pollitt and his support of collective bargaining for the Wicomico County Sheriff's Deputies. As a result of the printed comment, several people responded via Internet comments. Although you don't usually print things that generate from the D/T, I would ask that you consider reproducing this e-mail on the blog because I feel that it will generate responses that will serve to enlighten the public.

As you know, I am a registered Republican and am not, in most instances, pro union. I am not towing a party line, I just believe that in the private sector they serve only to keep money flowing to pay high salaries to union reps who don't do 1/4 of the work of the people who work hard everyday to pay dues. They have also served more recently to facilitate the closure of local places of employment and the loss of many, many much needed jobs. That being said, collective bargaining for the Deputies differs from private sector unions, and I support it wholeheartedly. My reasoning is this:

First.....Deputies and all other emergency services personnel are subjected to intense political pressures as a result of either doing or not doing their jobs. Anyone who doubts that - write a councilman a ticket for speeding and see what happens. Fail to patrol the neighborhood of an elected official when requested and see what happens. There are no laws to protect law enforcement officials from retaliation and if there were, 99.9% of the time the law enforcement officers wouldn't have the money to pay an attorney to represent them in a court action necessary to protect their rights. I highly doubt that the current Sheriff would permit his administration to treat the deputies poorly, but I know for a fact that his predecessor did - frequently. And there is no way to know what the next Sheriff would be like. Additionally, in the private sector anyone who works more than 40 hours a week is entitled by law to receive monetary compensation at the rate of 1 1/2 times their regular hourly rate. BUT emergency services personnel aren't entitled to receive 1 1/2 times their regular rate of pay until they work over 172 hours in a 28 day cycle.

There are instances where police officers have mortgaged their homes to pay for a legal defense against a blatant violation of their rights only to run out of money before the case was heard by the court. A government can postpone and stall as long as it takes. The governments money never runs out as long as the tax money comes in. A collective bargaining contract can keep labor issues in a local court and can help assure that they're heard in a timely manner. It levels the playing field and allows the deputies to get a fair shake on important matters such as disability and retirement.

Second....and maybe most importantly....the People voted for it. 70% of the voting public voted to grant the deputies collective bargaining with binding arbitration and our county council people decided to water down the vote of the people. They hunted for a loophole and they elected to hang their decision on whether or not the word "county" referred to the newly elected county executive OR the council. It is clear to me that the word "county" referred to both. By doing what the council is doing they have effectively removed "binding arbitration". This is something the PEOPLE specifically voted for.

What gives the county council the right to over ride a vote of the people? I have spoken to my council person who has taken a weak position on the matter. He indicated that he wasn't sure the people knew what they were voting for. Well....did the people know what they were doing when they voted you in? Are you saying that you constituents are stupid? Your vote to eliminate binding arbitration is a slap in the face to your constituents. There were safeguards that could have been put in place that would have eliminated the possibility of causing the taxpayer financial hardship WITHOUT undermining the will of the people. How dare you stand in in the face of your constituents and intentionally contradict their wishes!

We need to look aroud us and see whats happening. More and more people are crossing party lines and voting for the candidate they think will do the best job regardless of their party affiliation. People can say what they want about me being a republican and not believing in everything a republican politician says or does. That's just tough shit. A very important part of our democracy has been forgotten. That is the part that says our elected officials are supposed to represent us. They are simply not doing it. They are doing what they choose to do. I would pose this question to the members of the county council. Where is it listed as part of the core beliefs of your respective parties that you should ignore what the people want and do as you please? You are representatives....not dictators. And it's not a matter of what side of the isle you sit on. The democrats are just as guilty as the republicans. It's not just national or state politics, it's local politics as well. Look at what the mayor is doing to the city.

The voters of Wicomico County would do well to stand up and demand that their will be carried out by the county council. The FOP would do well to not let this thing go much further without having a judge review the intent of the referendum to stop those council people involved from circumventing the will of the people.

People across the nation are demanding change. They are tired of speaking out and not being heard. The political tide is changing and this type of behavior by our elected officials is precisely the reason. The people want representatives in office who will do the work of the people, rather that find reasons to ignore the people and do what they want.

Rick...great job. John and Joe.....very disappointing indeed. But...elections will come around again. This time maybe the people will be more enlightened.

Grand dad will be watchin'.

Monday's Forum With Congressional Candidate Andy Harris

Friends,

While in Salisbury on Saturday, I received once again a very warm reception I have grown to enjoy every time I come down to the Lower Shore.

While there, I was able to see two of my Senate colleagues who have endorsed my candidacy. I am humbled by the support I have received from elected officials throughout the district and especially on the Shore.

When talking to the press on the Shore, I routinely get asked "How can voters know you will represent the values of the Shore?" It is a legitimate question so I wanted to take time to answer it today.

I believe the endorsement of my candidacy by Senators Rich Colburn and Lowell Stotzfus shows that I will be the best representative of shore values.

Senator Stotzfus has lived on the Shore and farmed for decades and is currently the 5th most tenured member of the Maryland State Senate. We served in the Senate Leadership together and he knows my work, which is why he has endorsed me.

Senator Colburn is the only State Senator who was born and raised on the Shore. He knows the Shore better than any other elected official, and he believes I will be the best representative of those values.

Most of the major issues to people on the Shore are the same as the issues important to people throughout the district. People care about Winning the War on Terror, Ending Illegal Immigration, and Bringing Fiscal Responsibility to Washington. I will do all of those things which is why so many people have endorsed my candidacy.

I hope you will give me the opportunity to represent you in the same way Senators Stotzfus and Colburn have done for years.

God Bless,

Andy

Bank Robery

Excerpted from an article which appeared in the Dublin Times about a bank robbery on March 2.

Once inside the bank shortly after midnight, their efforts at disabling the security system got underway immediately.

The robbers, who expected to find one or two large safes filled with cash & valuables, were surprised to see hundreds of smaller safes throughout the bank.

The robbers cracked the first safe's combination, and inside they found only a small bowl of vanilla pudding.

As recorded on the bank's audio tape system, one robber said, "At least we'll have a bit to eat."

The robbers opened up a second safe, and it also contained nothing but vanilla pudding.

The process continued until all safes were opened.

They did not find one pound sterling, a diamond, or an ounce of gold. Instead, all the safes contained covered bowls of pudding.

Disappointed, the robbers made a quiet exit, each leaving with nothing more than a queasy, uncomfortably full stomach. The newspaper h eadline read:

IRELAND 'S LARGEST SPERM BANK ROBBED EARLY THIS MORNING...