The Delmarva Blogs Have Arrived!

Ladies & Gentlemen,

For several months I have been working closely with WMDT 47 News trying to work with them on their Internet presence and we have finally arrived. What started with Salisbury News will expand into several local Blogs you can access right from their Home Page.

If you simply go to their home page and look on the left hand column, look for the link named BLOGS. You can access us through this new tool. It's my understanding WMDT has cut two commercials they'll be airing to promote the BLOGS as well.

Comptroller Wants To Tax Pony Rides?

I am a member of the Maryland Horse Council and we have another member with a very peculiar situation. The Comptroller's office has decided to apply the entertainment tax to pony rides - determining that a pony is a piece of equipment. It's gone to court and is now being appealed by the operator. They have assessed this tax (and fees) retroactively and the costs would basically put this man out of business (at least here in Maryland). He took the issue to court. It's now under appeal.

MHC's position is that pony rides (and carriage rides) are activities that are a part of agricultural activities (such as a horse farm operation) and as such are exempt from the entertainment tax.

This is basically a "test case" on behalf of the Comptroller's office and I've been asked by MHC to get a feel from my colleagues as to their opinion on this issue. There are many pony and horse farms out there giving pony rides who have never been required to pay this tax - it could have a negative effect on these activities if the tax is imposed across the industry.

Another Fire Department Accident

GO HERE to see their official article.


BALTIMORE (AP) -
A Baltimore Fire Department spokesman says four firefighters have been suspended without pay after a fatal December crash involving a fire truck.Kevin Cartwright says the firefighters have been off duty since the Dec. 9 crash, and within the last two weeks they were suspended without pay until a final disposition hearing, where they could face additional penalties. That hearing won't occur until the investigation is complete.Forty-nine-year-old Irina Petrov, her husband, 35-year-old Mikhail Petrov, and 24-year-old Igor Saub were killed when a fire truck responding to an emergency call in Northwest Baltimore went through a red light and collided with their SUV.The four firefighters in the truck, driver Nathaniel Moore, Lieutenant Thomas Moore, who is no relation to the driver, Kenneth Jacobs and Darryl Alexander, suffered minor injuries.

Breaking News!

Sheriff Mike Lewis, County Council President John Cannon, County Council Members Gail Bartkovitch and Joe Holloway today at 3:15pm all announced their endorsement for congressional candidate Andy Harris at the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce. More to come...

Major Breaking News!!!!!

I have just been informed a man on Mt. Hermon Church Road just dragged a woman into a home at gunpoint. Wicomico County Sheriff's Department has the road blocked off and are investigating the scene as we speak. The man will NOT answer the phone in the home. More to come.........

Edwards Is Out

Word on the street is Presidential Candidate John Edwards is out of the race.

John Edwards bowed out of the Presidential race for the White House today saying it was time to move aside "so that history can blaze its path." The campaign is now left to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The Salisbury Zoo Fails To Do Mandatory Reports

Click on image to enlarge.

The report you see above is a State of Maryland Necropsy Report on an animal that had died some time ago at the Salisbury Zoo. If you look about 3/4 of the way down the page you'll see the following. "OTHER: Gizzard full of glass and a penny and an un-detonated 22 cal shell." It goes on to say more, but the 22 cal shell is of interest. What is even more interesting is what is happening or not happening with the Zoo's ISIS, International Species Information System.

A little bird told me that there hasn't been anything coming in about the collection at the Salisbury Zoo. Are they going to claim there have been no deaths or acquisitions? We all know that isn't the case since the "new" male Jaguar died not that long ago and that the Red Wolfs are on site.

Perhaps things are backlogged because of being short staffed or perhaps there is no one watching the troops. You know that saying about when the cat's away, or is it dead? Regardless of what the excuse might be, the Zoo is already going to be scrambling to prepare for re-accredidation without a Director in place. If the AZA catches wind that the Zoo is MIA with their record keeping, who knows what the AZA could do?

I know the Salisbury Zoo has NOT reported ANY information in more than 6 months. "They have not submitted any records (or at least the ones I have pulled up) on their collection to ISIS (International Species Information System), in at least the past 6 months if not more. This is a critical aspect that both AZA and others look at. If the records are not kept up to date then the information could be questioned."

"If you have the ISIS program (www.isis.org) and pull up general information searches for a particular species, it then lists all institutions with said species. As I was doing so today I noticed a Salisbury animal coming up late and check on a few other species for the zoo and it all showed the same (Red)

The system shows you how currently the information is, as animals can die between downloads. Greens are current w/i the last 3 months, Yellow is currently btwn 3-6 months and Red shows that it has been over 6 months that the information was sent."

So what does all this mean? It means the Zoo will fail its AZA Accreditation in more ways than one. It means the Mayor is again, still doing NOTHING to manage that facility professionally. Yes, Salisbury News has its own COEIU, (Crack Offshore Electronic Intelligence Unit) Agent in the field who has access to all this information.

Read all you want in Letters to the Editor and or Grapevine plugs for the Salisbury Zoo, you people are not being truly informed. I also blame Gary Comegys who is also on the Zoo Commission for this failure as well. Back when my Wife worked at the Zoo, this was a vital part of a Zookeepers job, many did not fill out their daily reports and the Zoo got in trouble for such, (the "laundry List") from the AZA.

I truly do not understand what Mayor Tilghman is doing but obviously they are trying to fly under the radar and get away with things the AZA should be acting on immediately. That being said, the final fault lies on the AZA NOT doing their job as well.

It's not looking good for the Salisbury Zoo and the Staff there.

COUNCILWOMAN SAMPLE-HUGHES SCHEDULES FOURTH DISTRICT ONE CITIZEN’S FORUM

The District 1 meeting scheduled for January 24th was cancelled due to weather. Please see below for new date.

Wicomico County Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes will hold the fourth in a series of citizen’s forum meetings on Thursday, February 7th at 7:00 P.M. at the Richard Hazel Youth Center-Salvation Army located at 429 North Lake Park Drive. The previous District One forums have been in Hebron, Delmar and San Domingo.

Councilwoman Sample-Hughes said that she will be joined by County Council President John T. Cannon and Sheriff Mike Lewis. According to Mrs. Sample-Hughes, the main agenda items for the meeting will be anticipated 2008 highlights, the opening of the new American Legion Post #145 and two new initiatives from the Services Division of the Department of Social Services.

Wicomico County District One includes Delmar, Hebron, San Domingo, Salisbury- West Side and Mardela Springs. Mrs. Sample-Hughes said the theme of the forums is “Creating Community Connections.” She commented that the purpose of the forums is to provide citizens with an opportunity to speak face-to-face with their elected officials. She further noted that this is the continuation of the fulfillment of her campaign promise to hold quarterly meetings throughout District One.

Mrs. Sample-Hughes said that “I encourage as many of my constituents who possibly can to join us for this important meeting.”

For More Information, Please Contact Councilwoman Sample-Hughes at 443-366-5846 or Via Email at ssample@wicomicocounty.org

Wicomico County Sheriff's Department NAILS Another Bad Guy!

Gilchrest Only Gets 40%

Contrary to popular belief, Wayne Gilchrest will only receive 40% of his Congressional pay once he's voted out of Office.

For many years there has been an e-mail that goes around stating Congressmen get 100% of their pay until they die, that's just not true. It's true if you have 20 years or more in the Congress but if you don't reach that plateau, in Wayne's case he'll get 40% of it. "Newt changed all of that."

I had a wonderful conversation with Mrs. Gilchrest over this matter the other day and she even mentioned the Health Care that's provided to Congressmen and IMO it's a joke! You get the choice of three policies, 2 of which are HMO's and the other is a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Policy you have to pay into, (I believe). Most recently Mrs. Gilchrest went to the Doctor's Office for arthritis in her back and their Insurance Policy REFUSED to pay for it.

So things are NOT as glorious as they have been made out to be. I'm NOT at all suggesting that the Gilchrest Family is in any way, shape or form upset with what is offered to them. They are very grateful for the income, the health coverage and the opportunity to have served the State of Maryland and the United States.

However, should Gilchrest have served the 20 years required, Marylander's would be paying out a full $125,000.00 a year for the rest of his life and or perhaps his Wife's life to boot. At the rate we're looking at today the Gilchrest Family will receive a $50,000.00 a year salary for the rest of his life.

Not too shabby for an old Eastern Shore Painter, eh Wayne?

Andy Harris Delivers Major Breaking News At 3:15 Today!

Dr. Berger, (above) has held his very own fundraiser for Andy Harris as well as Mr. Jim Perdue and Mark McIver. HOWEVER, today will be a MASSIVE day for Congressional Candidate Andy Harris as the Eastern Shore has welcomed him into their homes and talked one on one about the issues that are most important to those on the Shore.

Even those close to Wayne Gilchrest, (and I mean really close) have admitted that "Wayne has really pissed off a lot of Republicans." Upon further discussion it was revealed the reason for such was because of his Vote and support to remove troops from Iraq.

Pipkin is simply out of it. Polls are showing he's not even close to being competition and Andy has a record of beating the incumbent, which I'm sure he'll prove TODAY to be the case against Wayne.

Cathy & Greg Bassett will be crushed over what will be exposed today at 3:15. Be careful what you say Cathy, Andy just might need you and or keep you on Staff. The Daily Times has known what's about to happen today for two days and will have plenty of time to either ignore what will happen today, place it way back in the Paper or they'll do the honorable thing and make it the Front Page News it deserves to be. Tomorrows Newspaper will tell us all just how professional The Daily Times is?

Nevertheless, if you can get off work and be at the Chamber Building at 3:15 you'll see first hand what I've been holding back for three days now. Stick a fork in Wayne, he's well done.

500+ Gang Members Now In Salisbury

You can sugar coat it any way you like, Gang Members are all over the City of Salisbury and as the MSM did everything they could to ignore and refuse to put up any of the graffiti I exposed 2 years ago this month, the reality of crime and Gang Members are now a huge topic and something must be done right away.

Barrie Tilghman and Chief Webster flat out denied any such thing two years ago, claiming there were no Gangs in Salisbury but the reality of it is, they were here, they're growing and they're destroying the quality way of life that is left in Salisbury.

So what does that say for the leaders of our community? It says they'll say and do anything to put a spin on reality and THIS is why I have challenged them right from the very beginning. I believe Chief Webster is a decent guy buy I also believe he has very poor management skills and if Gangs and Crime aren't apparent enough for all of you, then go back into the closet and turn off this Blog Site for good.

Even The Daily Times openly exposed the real issues, 2 to 3 years too late but they're finally admitting there is in fact a problem. Heck, they even stated Salisbury was the #2 crime area in the entire State behind Baltimore! OMG, are you people listening?

Nevertheless, there was a packed house last night with the top officials in the County bringing you REALITY and TRUTH! I guess that's kind of tough for The Daily Times to hide any more.

NO Barrie Tilghman! NO Chief Webster! They don't care Ladies & Gentlemen. If you ignore it long enough you will forget it and it will go away. Well, now the Daily Times is even willing to expose the crime and gang problem in Salisbury and they have finally, (after 2 years) joined the Blogs. You get what you pay for, right?

I loved the on picture above showing one way to FIX crime is to CLONE Mike Lewis! ROTFLMAO! Don't miss the PAC14 presentation but be prepared for them to have LOST the footage of Joe Albero asking good questions as they don't like me too much and seem to "LOSE" footage of me whenever I'm around. Let's see what happens this time around?

Parkside High To Host 2nd Annual Peaceable Communities Fair Saturday, Feb. 9

Parkside High School will host its second annual Peaceable Communities Fair Saturday, Feb. 9, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This year’s Peaceable Communities Fair will feature a special appearance by professional boxer Fernando Guerrero of Main Street Gym, and workshops on Relational Aggression/Bullying, Internet Safety, and Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills. Agencies that will be involved in the Peaceable Communities Fair include Life Crisis Center, Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, Salisbury University's Center for Conflict Resolution, Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention, Main Street Gym and Wicomico County Board of Education.

“This event will offer the people a chance to learn about topics that will help them better serve the youth in their community,” said Katie Griffin, conflict resolution teacher at Parkside High School. ”It also will give youth the opportunity to learn leadership skills such as mediation and conflict resolution.”

Those who attend the fair will receive valuable information for their families, as well as food, fun and prizes. This event at Parkside High is free and open to the community., and both adults and students are welcome to participate. Child care for children ages 2-10 will be provided.

The Peaceable Communities Fair is funded through a grant from MACRO (Maryland's Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office). For information, please call Katie Griffin at 410-677-5143.

One Year Ago Today

On weekends when no one is in the GOB, this is what you'll find and see. A Skate Park has been a major topic in Salisbury for years, yet it always finds its way into a trash can or through a shredding machine.

One can only hope they'll leave these kids, (being kids) alone and allow them to enjoy the landscape the have throughout the Downtown area to enjoy until they do something exciting for once for young kids and young adults. After last nights meeting on crime, a Skate Park is very much needed!

Gas Prices A Year Ago

Crime Report Website

There's a new Crime Report Website in which you can type in an address and get an updated crime report daily. GO HERE to see how it works and what they have to offer.

Salisbury Council Is Out Of Order

First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances“.

The framers of the Constitution felt that freedom of speech, the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and the right of the people to present their grievances to the government was so important that it was the FIRST AMENDMENT ..

NOT THE CITY OF SALBURY…Those laws and the enforcement thereof is good enough for millions of people in the United States under a democracy but not applicable for LOUISE SMITH and BARRY TILGHMAN, and MR. WILBER.

Louise Smith (in case someone does not know) is to lead the council to be fair and just under Robert’s Rules of Order here is an excerpt’

“to act according to its considered judgment AFTER a full and fair "working through" of the issues involved. Robert's Rules provides for constructive and democratic meetings, to help, not hinder, the business of the assembly. Under no circumstances should "undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members or limit full participation“

Not only did Louise not abide by Robert’s Rules, I really question weather or not she knows her responsibility to conduct the meeting under those rules. Much less the guarantees of the Constitution of the United States.

I was watching the meeting on Monday night, and was about to loose my temper, and almost went down to the council chambers to protest the treatment of Council woman Terry Cohen, and Council woman Debby Campbell by Mrs. Smith and the Mayor and Gary Comegy’s and the lack of enforcement of the rules by Mr. Wilber.

If no one is paying attention, no one cares, no one is willing to take a stand against the behavior of Louise Smith, gaveling down Terry Cohen whilst performing her duties as an elected official, Showing preferential treatment to the Mayor and Mr. Comegy’s during their childish and moronic “out of order” behavior while Ms. Campbell was speaking on behalf of the citizens of Salisbury, I would like to alert you to the loss of your freedoms.

Another heavy duty set of words come to mind .
“Dereliction of Duty“ Ms. Smith has a sworn duty to the members of the council and to the Citizens of Salisbury . In my opinion and it is there to see in every Council Meeting, She is an abysmal failure……..FAILURE and the people of Salisbury are allowing her to continue. Along with the Mayor, and all of her androids.

My right to speak, and my right to assemble, and my rights guaranteed by the Constitution are my most precious rights Why do we allow the Mayor, Mr. Comegy’s, Ms Smith, and Mr. Wilber to take away our rights by their by their behavior and their treatment of our Elected Officials the Council Meetings?

In my opinion the Mayor and Gary Comegy‘s acted like children, and I counted (and I know the facts of the Drainage Project) 6 bold faced lies when the Mayor, Comegy’s ; Public Works android, Mr. Campbell, and Pam Olsen answered direct questions of Council woman Cohen, and Campbell. concerning dates, and procedure, of the Storm Water Drainage Project. Folks, as an example ; Mr. Comegy’s is a project engineer and denied knowing the “process “of a State funded project if that is true he should be fired. He admitted in public that he does not know the “procedures” of his job. PROJECT MANAGER” Look it up on the computer, or under State Highway job descriptions.

Speaking of jobs, I also believe that Mr. Wilber is complacent, he is supposed to tell Louise what the rules are if she is not enforcing them, Mr. Wilber did not does not do his job. He should never allow the Mayor, Comegy’s and Louise to behave in the way they do.

There is really no sense in calling attention to the person who is supposed to show leadership and some level of couth (manners) and in my opinion not only acts like a spoiled child, and wants the attention, is loud and twists the facts like a piece of taffy, but . THE MAYOR. By her actions on Monday; night sucking on a piece of candy trying to talk, and facing the camera full face, was without a doubt equal to the behavior of some of the trash starlets on television . (I am sure you know who I am making reference to) but hey it gets attention.

I wish that I could say the words that her behavior invoke, I and wish that the Citizens of Salisbury would react and do something about it..

We are all guilty of complacency if we allow government officials to behave like those I have stated my opinions about in this posting, But some other folks ( far too many to list here) have felt the same as I do.

Those who expect to reap the benefits of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it."
-- Thomas Paine, The Crisis Number IV

“If one man is enslaved we are all enslaved” paraphrased Abraham Lincoln.

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."
-- George Bernard Shaw

SPD Press Releases

On January 25, 2008 at approximately 9:19 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department executed a search and seizure warrant on a residence located on the three hundred block of Lake Street pursuant to a controlled dangerous substance investigation. As a result of the search and seizure warrant, a substantial quantity of suspected crack/cocaine was recovered, in addition to a set of scales and an amount of U.S. currency.

ARRESTED # 1: Joseph Nathaniel Blue, Jr., 41 years of age Cambridge, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute
Possession of cocaine
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia (3 counts)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 20080001368

On January 26, 2008 at approximately 8:22 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of E. Church St. for traffic violations. During the traffic stop, the officer observed what appeared to be a quantity of suspected crack/cocaine on the floor of the vehicle. The substance was retrieved, and is believed to be crack/cocaine.

ARRESTED: Cathie Jo Jackson, 56 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of cocaine
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800002581

On January 27, 2008 at approximately 9:38 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to a residence on the four hundred block of West Isabella Street for the report of an assault with a knife. Upon arrival the officers met with a single victim who advised that the below listed suspect had attacked him with a kitchen knife, attempting to cut the victim in the facial area. The victim was able to escape from the suspect and notify the police, who responded and took the suspect into custody. The victim received a minor injury to his lip, and the suspect was not injured. Upon investigation, the suspect was found to be in possession of a large number of fraudulent identifications.

ARRESTED: Christian Santiago Garcia, 32 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Possession of a deadly and dangerous weapon with the intent to injure
False statement to police officers

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800002985

On January 27, 2008 at approximately 4:24 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Hollywood Video Store on South Salisbury Boulevard in reference to a shop lifting. The witness to the event was able to provide a vehicle description for the suspects as they left the area. While responding, officers were able to locate the suspect vehicle and stopped the vehicle, which was occupied by the two (2) below listed suspects. As the officers checked the vehicle, the officers located 23 DVDs that had been taken from Hollywood Video. In addition, the officers located a quantity of suspected heroin and CDS paraphernalia containing heroin residue.

ARRESTED # 1: Jason Parker Abbott Glasgow, 21 years of age Delmar, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (under $ 500)
Possession of Heroin
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking

ARRESTED # 2: Dana Arthur Lank, 2nd , 28 years of age Willards, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (under $500) of Heroin

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800003019

On January 28, 2008 at approximately 12:45 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Sav-a-lot Store on Cypress St. for the report of a shoplifter that had fled from the scene. Upon arrival, officers met with store employees who advised that a suspect, listed below, had been observed taking food items from the store without making any attempt at payment. The subject fled from the store when confronted. A description of the suspect was broadcast to officers in the area and the suspect was located behind a business on Burton St.

ARRESTED # 1: Shafton Maurice Cuffee, 33 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft (under $ 500)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 20080003101