Andy Harris On Bill Reddish @ 7:40 AM Friday Morning

Congressional Candidate Andy Harris will be on the Bill Reddish Show at 7:40 AM tomorrow morning. That's 1320 AM, WICO.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA

CITY OF SALISBURY

CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
JANUARY 14, 2008 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301

************************************************************

6:00 p.m. CONVENE - LORD'S PRAYER - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

6:07 p.m. PROCLAMATION/CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION - Mayor Barrie P.
Tilghman
* Proclamation proclaiming January 2008 as National Mentoring Month
* Certificates of Appreciation recognizing organizers of CSAFE Christmas
Party

6:15 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS - Internal Services Director Pam Oland
[includes $170,000 of change orders for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion and ENR Upgrade project]

6:30 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA - City Clerk Brenda Colegrove
* December 10, 2007 Minutes
* December 17, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes
* Resolution No. 1612 - accepting donation of a tennis court net from Salisbury University
* Resolution No. 1613 - accepting funds awarded through the Justice Assistance Grant
* Resolution No. 1614 - reappointment to City Board of Elections Supervisors
* Resolution No. 1615 - reappointments to Marina Committee
* Resolution No. 1616 - reappointments to Planning and Zoning Commission
* Resolution No. 1617 - reappointments to City Park Committee
* Resolution No. 1618 - reappointments to Zoo Commission
* Resolution No. 1619 - reappointments/appointment to the Friends of Poplar Hill Mansion Board of Directors

6:35 p.m. ORDINANCE - City Attorney Paul Wilber
* Ordinance No. 2045 - 2nd reading - imposing a 60-day moratorium on
adult establishments

6:50 p.m. RESOLUTION - City Administrator John Pick
* Resolution No. 1620 - authorizing City to issue and sell General Obligation Bonds ($3,605,000)
1. Waverly Drive Storm Sewer Project $ 1,300,000
2. Fire Station #2 - Renovations $90,000
3. Fire Station #16 - Truck Replacement $950,000
4. Riverwalk - Engineering for Repairs Along Wicomico River East Prong $100,000
5. Beaverdam Drive Bridge - Repairs $322,000
6. Mill Street Bridge - Repairs $327,000
7. Elevated Water Tower/North - Engineering $500,000
8. Costs of Issuance $16,000


* Resolution No. 1621 - Enterprise Zone eligibility - Plaza Gateway Salisbury LLC
* Resolution No. 1622 - approving lease with Urban Salisbury, Inc. for operating a park and flea market
* Resolution No. 1623 - approving lease with Shore Fresh Growers Association and Urban Salisbury, Inc. for operating a producer's farmers' market

7:50 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS

8:00 p.m. ADJOURN

Your Salisbury Tax Dollars Hard At Work, AGAIN!

Click on images to enlarge.
Here we go again Ladies & Gentlemen. Here is a Salisbury Deputy Fire Chief and a Salisbury Vehicle being USED to go to work in Delaware. That's right, Mr. Gordy obviously doesn't give a sh!t what the Taxpayers think, he's using your car and your gas to get there too. This is the second time I've driven past this business location and it's the second time I've snagged him doing so.

What say you now Mayor Barrie Tilghman and Fire Chief See? Taxpayers, here's your opportunity to say how you feel as I can assure you ALL of them are reading this Blog!

RESOLUTION NO. 1618

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Salisbury, Maryland that the following individuals are confirmed for reappointment to the Zoo Commission for the term ending as indicated:

Name Term Ending

Margot Hall 12/31/2010

Linda Wainer 12/31/2010

The above resolution was introduced, read and passed at the regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salisbury held on the 14th day of January, 2008.

You're Kidding Me, Right?

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On January 8, 2008 at approximately 10:10 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by the below listed subject for traffic violations on South Salisbury Boulevard. During the traffic stop, the officer detected the odor of suspected marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The subject was removed from the vehicle and was found to have a bag of suspected marijuana on his person.

ARRESTED: Angel Luis Maldonado, 23 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800000873

On January 8, 2008 at approximately 10:18 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department made contact with the below listed subject in the area of Smith and Newton Streets. During the conversation with the subject, the officers noticed an item in her hand. A closer inspection of the item revealed that the item was a smoking device containing suspected cocaine residue.

ARRESTED: Sarah Alise Davis, 22 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of Cocaine
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC# 200800000951

Wicomico County Sheriff's Department Press Release

On 1-9-08, a Deputy with the WCSO stopped a Mercury Grand Marquis for exceeding the speed limit on Quantico Rd. just North of the Village of Quantico. As the Deputy exited his vehicle and approached the operator, the operator then accelerated quickly in an apparent attempt to flee from the Deputy.

The Deputy returned to his Patrol Car and pursued the Grand Marquis southbound the Quantico. During the pursuit, the Deputy observed the lone operator throw what the Deputy recognized as a large bag of marijuana from the vehicle.

As the Grand Marquis approached Catchpenny Rd., the operator lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole belonging to Delmarva Power.

The pursuing Deputy was able to apprehend the operator of the Grand Marquis who was identified as Kieth A. Jackson of Philadelphia, PA.

Deputies from the WCSO were able to recover to what amounted to approximately half a pound of marijuana from the roadway. Because of the amount, Jackson was believed to have intended to distribute the marijuana.

Jackson was transported via ambulance to PRMC, (remember that siren call I mentioned yesterday) for evaluation and was released after it was determined Jackson was uninjured. Jackson was taken to the WCDC where he was held on $100,000.00 Bond!

Charges:
1. Speeding
2. Attempt to Flee and Elude
3. Reckless Driving
4. Unregistered Vehicle
5. Driving Without a License
6. Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute
7. Possession of Marijuana

A half pond of marijuana is about 250 Grams. There are 28 Grams to an Ounce. Meaning this bust had around 9 Ounces at a minimal street value of $300.00 an Ounce or $2,700.00 minimum. I'm told some Marijuana is valued more than $2,000.00 an Ounce!

RESOLUTION NO. 1616

BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Salisbury, Maryland that the following individuals are reappointed to the Planning & Zoning Commission for the term ending as indicated:

Name Term Ending

James W. Magill 12/2012

Scott Rogers 12/2012

The above resolution was introduced, read and passed at the regular meeting of the Council of the City of Salisbury held on the 14th day of January, 2008.

HELLO!!! Isn't it the 10th of January, 2008 TODAY? HMMMMMMM?

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City Council has scheduled an additional work session for 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

The work session will be held in Conference Room 305 of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street).

OK, I give, what for???????

Zoo Leadership?

The Daily Times has an article under on the editorial page today talking about the Director's Position for the Salisbury Zoo. They basically say that it's become a difficult position to fill because of all the different groups that keep the Zoo under a microscope making the job thankless in so many ways. They mention the Public Works Director, Zoo Commission, nearby residents, zoo staff and of course those of us that see a million dollars of taxpayer money being funneled to the Zoo.

If the DT wants to dig a little deeper they might find that there have been on going problems with Zoo Directors prior to Mr. Rapp. Of course they paled in comparison to his on and off site shenanigans. Just in the years Jennifer was employed there they had a Director that spent most of his zoo time writing books on the cities dime. He was quite the speaker so he was able to convince any and all superiors that he was doing the best he could for the Zoo. He always felt he was way under paid for the job and pretty much left the staff to do what they wanted, within reason. While he was busy with personal projects the staff was left to baby-sit his children while doing their daily work load. The Zoo actually managed to maintain it's good quality thanks to the Curator and staff that worked very hard at maintaining the natural look of the Zoo. Please keep in mind this happened with only 4 keepers that covered a 7 day work week with just 2 keepers caring for the entire collection all weekend long.

The next Director was a very competent gentleman that had very serious health issues. The staff liked him very much but would routinely have to go to his home to make sure he literally was still breathing. He would often not come into the Zoo for days and City Hall did little about it. Had he been in good health he could have made the Zoo shine but he finally became gravely ill and passed away.

The person to fill the Director position was very short lived. He lasted almost to the last day of his probationary period before the City let him go. He couldn't work with anybody on staff, Friends Members, City Hall, or with the Zoo Commission.

After all those trials and tribulations, Mr. Rapp was considered for the position. He was working as the first full time educator for the Zoo. He was charismatic but had no real experience as a director or manager and was very young. Perhaps too young. His antics were not limited to off the Zoos grounds. He was chastized several times for his behavior outside of the Zoo. He couldn't seem to grasp that he represented the Zoo both on and off grounds. Ron Alessi covered up his mistakes and lack of management skills regularly.

The Education Building, Otter Exhibit and new Coati and Tropical Bird exhibits were all in the works prior to him taking over the helm. The Public Restrooms were his baby and took three years to complete. So much time had elapsed with it's building prosess that city plumbers couldn't find the water main to get water to the building. After jackhammering newly laid concrete and tile floors up, someone remembered that the main was somewhere near the back of the Bird Garden. The stage was also his work. Ron Alessi had to have his workers come in and lower it after compeletion because it was to high not to have a railing around it and that would obstruct viewers from seeing the stage. Luckily no one was seriously hurt during that daunting task. The Flamingo exhibit was built thanks to a very zealous construction crew. They didn't let anyone get in their way and aside from some pool issues, the exhibit was done in record time.

Rapp had an issue with anyone that didn't completely agree with him. Most people don't realize just how vindictive he had become. There are several former employees that know just how cruel he could be. And two Councilwomen found out his true colors when they dared to cut jobs at the Zoo. Few City Taxpayers knew that the two paid education positions had been empty for half a year. If you have two positions empty for that length of time without anyone noticing, are they necessary? There's Rapp's reign in a nutshell. His more colorful antics are in his deposition. Remember the Mayor backed him 100%. His antics finally caught up with him and we all know the outcome there. Hopefully he has learned to act more maturely in his new position with DLite. Time will tell.

So what can you gather from any of this history of the Salisbury Zoo? Is it time to have a little more input from City Hall when it comes to making sure people are performing their duties competently while employed? Is it time for the Zoo Commission to get some new faces and new ideas? They have members on the committee that have been there for the better part of three decades.

With the right amount of checks and balances a competent person can direct the Zoo into it's former beauty. It takes people caring and being watch dogs. Turning a blind eye and hoping for change without scrutiny isn't going to help things down there. And until the Zoo can relieve the burden they put upon the taxpayers of Salisbury, they better get used to it. The Zoo is a luxury item in the Cities budget. It is in no way is a necessity. Change is inevitable and the Zoo is in dire need of some.

Hebron WWTP Discharge

If you look closely at the first photo, (click on images to enlarge) you can clearly see the difference in color in the water as the discharge is following the current. Are they supposed to be bleaching the river? Looks like it's time for the MDE to come back to the Eastern Shore?

Today's Wildlife Photo

Click on image to enlarge. A friend took this shot locally in mid December.

The Daily Times On Line

If you went to The Daily Times On Line Version of the Paper, you didn't get the news of the day. Rick Pollitt's VETO was NOT produced on line. You'll have to purchase the Paper to get the scoop. That is, until they read this and within minutes you'll find it posted. That being said, you're welcome.

There's much more to come though. Did you see "Our View" this morning? Yeah, you know me, I'll be on that one like there's no tomorrow. More to come.....

Fraternal Order Of Police President Responds To John Cannon's Letter

We have reviewed the response of Wicomico County Council President, John T. Cannon, to an editorial appearing in the Daily Times concerning a referendum providing for collective bargaining with binding arbitration for the County Sheriff’s deputies. This referendum was thoroughly and publicly debated by the representatives of the Wicomico County government and the Fraternal Order of Police prior to being considered by the voters of Wicomico County in 2006. The referendum was approved by an overwhelming majority consisting of two-thirds of the voters casting a ballot.

As a result of the passage of the referendum, the voters directed the County Council to amend the County Charter to provide for a labor code that would ensure that a process be put in place to elect a certified collective bargaining agent for sheriff’s deputies and to bargain a labor agreement setting forth wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Charter Amendment also mandated that the County Labor Code provide for binding arbitration in the event that the County and certified collective bargaining agent failed to reach agreement on any items being considered for inclusion in the Agreement.

In an effort to subvert the will of the electorate, the elected County Council has crafted a labor code that guts the decision of the voters to establish binding arbitration to resolve disputed items to be included in a labor agreement. The Council’s action is disingenuous at best and an outright attempt to mislead and trample the will of the voters at its worst. In an effort to mislead the voters into believing that the labor code actually comports with the referendum, the Council has attempted to hide behind the Constitutional concept of separation of powers between the legislative branches of Wicomico County government. The labor code suggests that any award granted through binding arbitration shall be binding only on the County Executive since he/she sets the budget and not the County Council. According to the Council President, all the Council can do is delete items in the Executive’s budget, however, he fails to mention that the Council’s power to delete items includes negotiated pay raises, pension benefits, health benefits and other items contained within a labor agreement. This attempt at a legislative sleight of hand surely will not fool the two thirds of the electorate who voted for binding arbitration. The referendum did not provide for binding arbitration to apply only to the executive branch of the Wicomico County government allowing for the Council to circumvent the process by deleting funding for negotiated items.

In closing, the President and members of the Wicomico County Council should be directed to look 30 miles to the east at Ocean Cityty>, MD where voters passed a virtually identical referendum culminating in the Ocean City Town Council enacting a labor code with binding arbitration on both the Mayor and Town Council. That code has enabled Ocean City, Maryland to bargain two labor agreements with FOP Lodge No. 10 without any limitations on an arbitrator concerning the Ocean City Council’s ability to disregard an arbitrator’s award. The Labor Code proposed by our County Council will force the County to expend County tax dollars to contest litigation seeking to uphold the will of the County’s voters and taxpayers. If the Council President and his elected colleagues on the Council either mislead or disregard the wishes of the two-thirds of the voters of Wicomico County who approved the referendum, they should be prepared to face these very same voters, as the council has not respected their collective will, by exempting themselves from binding arbitration.


Respectfully submitted,

Wicomico County Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 111
Mark Wagner, President

Public Works Director Jim Caldwell Finally Responds

OK, so there's no date on the leter and the gramar is not so great either. Obviously this guy does his own work and does not have an assistant. Some elderly people refuse to accept help from their Staff and my guess is that Mr. Caldwell is, well, shall we say, old fashioned?

Look Jim, why drag out the inevitable? Someone dropped the door on the Jaguar, it was human error, sh!t happens, learn from it, fix the doors so it won't happen again and move on. Nope, not the City of Salisbury and the Salisbury Zoo. They always have to cover things up and do it Barrie's way.

So Lisa Tate was supposed to start on Feb. 4th, eh? That's not what The Daily Times stated. Oh well, she's a has been anyway. I'm pleased to hear the Red Wolfe Exhibit is finally ready to open. After years of waiting, people will certainly be excited to see what's so exciting about this Exhibit and why it took so long. I can see their anticipation now! They'll get down there, see it, be extremely bored and wonder just what in the hell took so damn long? It will be yet another Salisbury Zoo disappointment, similar to the Tropics Trail, PLEASE!

As for the major fundraising in early 2008, this is early 2008 and Mr. Goetz wants to know what you're planning on doing to raise these funds? We already knew there was $500,000.00 stupidly set aside for the Zoo while we ALL know the Zoo isn't capable of raising the other $1,500,000.00 anyway.

So let's take this in order.
1, Didn't answer question.
2, Answer is not true.
3, Question answered.
4, No real answer.
5, Question answered.

Yep, looks like Barrie has her man.

Harris Fundraiser With Dr. Ben Carson Generates $41,500

Annapolis - Tuesday night, world renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson was a special guest at a congressional fundraiser for State Senator Andy Harris M.D. The event brought in over $41,500 for the Harris campaign.

At the event, Dr. Carson emphasized our nation needs someone in Washington who shares Andy's values. "I appreciate Dr. Carson's willingness to take time out of his busy schedule to help raise money for my campaign," said Andy Harris. "To have one of my physician colleagues assist my campaign is very humbling."

Dr. Carson is a world renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, author, and motivational speaker. Dr. Carson carries with him his message of hope for and faith in the human spirit and the remarkable ability of the human brain. He is sought out around the world for his expertise in separating conjoined twins and conducting brain surgery to control seizures, with an emphasis on the use of cerebral hemispherectomies, in which half of the brain is removed to stop intractable seizures. A recipient of numerous awards and honors, the author of three popular books, and the co-founder, with his wife Candy, of a non-profit organization to help hard-working youth fund a college education, he enjoys a life rich in accomplishments and deep satisfaction.

The Andy Harris for Congress campaign has broken every Republican primary fundraising record in Maryland's first congressional district. In the last FEC filing, the Harris campaign out-raised his opponent by over a 3 to 1 ratio.

Can Wicomico Deputies Receive What They Ask?

This is the bottom line question regarding Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt's veto of County Council legislation setting up the collective bargaining / binding arbitration apparatus for the Wicomico County Sheriff's Department. This is one of those few occasions where I don't claim to have the right answer.

Pollitt is absolutely correct that the Wicomico County Council should not cede there authority regarding budget matters to the County Executive. Unlike the Barrie Tilghman administration and the Salisbury City Council, Pollitt understands the importance of separation of powers.

The Maryland Way - If You Can't Win, Change the Rules

The rules are simple - there are no rules. If you can't win today, change the rules tomorrow and demand a rematch. This is how Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is attempting to get rid of Maryland Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick.

Grasmick refuses to resign. The State Board of Education continues to have faith in her. What's O'Malley to do? According to Senate President Mike Miller, Grasmick will not survive another term. Why not? O'Malley and the Democrat-controlled legislature will merely change the law as to how a superintendent is appointed.