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Sunday, February 03, 2008
Giants Win Supperbown 17-14 Over Undefeated New England
The Giants were able to score their final touchdown with 35 seconds left in the game. 1 second remains, the Giants have won the Superbowl and the perfect season ends for the Patriots. Congratulations New York Giants!
Worcester Transplant?
Some are allegedly claiming this could be none other than Police Chief Allan Webster? Hmmmmm. Of course, who would believe that, right?
We May Have Found the Secret!
First I want congratulate the Daily Times for publishing the first article that is both accurate and critical of the Barrie Tilghman administration since I began following Salisbury city government. Is this the end of the Tilghman Times?
We shouldn't get our hopes up yet. We may have just stumbled upon a little secret. Perhaps the paper has a policy of only criticizing Tilghman when the malfeasance reaches eight (8) figures. If that is the case, the fact that Tilghman's people lost over $10 million of tax money triggered the article.
There is also the possibility that since this story is so big (for Salisbury) and will be so widely reported with or without the participation of the good folks at the Daily Times, Managing Editor Erick Sahler and company just figured that there is only so much lipstick that you can put on this pig. Time will tell whether this is true or not.
Executive Editor Greg Bassett may believe that this is a case of not being able to win. Absolutely not! I simply believe that we need to take a wait and see attitude. Greg Latshaw, the reporter covering the Salisbury government is very good. Back in August of 2007 I stated that Latshaw could prove very dangerous because of his ability as a writer. To date, he has done a pretty fair, if incomplete, job. I also recognize that the paper has only so much space and Latshaw only has so much time.
However, given the history of city reporting by the Daily Times (particularly when done by Joe Carmean and Laren Hughes Hall) it is only prudent to wait and see. Remember, both Bassett and Sahler have always refused to admit that Hall's reporting was ever anything less than accurate and balanced. I've always wondered if Gannett knew that they were paying for a press secretary for Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman.
In the meantime, keep up the good work! We'll see if this is a trend, or merely a flash in the pan.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, media, Gannett, Tilghman Times, Barrie Tilghman, journalism, balance
We shouldn't get our hopes up yet. We may have just stumbled upon a little secret. Perhaps the paper has a policy of only criticizing Tilghman when the malfeasance reaches eight (8) figures. If that is the case, the fact that Tilghman's people lost over $10 million of tax money triggered the article.
There is also the possibility that since this story is so big (for Salisbury) and will be so widely reported with or without the participation of the good folks at the Daily Times, Managing Editor Erick Sahler and company just figured that there is only so much lipstick that you can put on this pig. Time will tell whether this is true or not.
Executive Editor Greg Bassett may believe that this is a case of not being able to win. Absolutely not! I simply believe that we need to take a wait and see attitude. Greg Latshaw, the reporter covering the Salisbury government is very good. Back in August of 2007 I stated that Latshaw could prove very dangerous because of his ability as a writer. To date, he has done a pretty fair, if incomplete, job. I also recognize that the paper has only so much space and Latshaw only has so much time.
However, given the history of city reporting by the Daily Times (particularly when done by Joe Carmean and Laren Hughes Hall) it is only prudent to wait and see. Remember, both Bassett and Sahler have always refused to admit that Hall's reporting was ever anything less than accurate and balanced. I've always wondered if Gannett knew that they were paying for a press secretary for Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman.
In the meantime, keep up the good work! We'll see if this is a trend, or merely a flash in the pan.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, media, Gannett, Tilghman Times, Barrie Tilghman, journalism, balance
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Hypocrisy Reigns in Salisbury (Along With the Usual Lies)
In this morning's Daily Times the public was fed more misinformation from the Tilghman administration as well as hypocrisy. Again, City Adminstrator John Pick is the Tilghman appointee charged with feeding falsehood to the taxpayers and voters of Salisbury.
This is not a question of whether the administration lied to its citizens, but simply one of when. They were either lying when they stated that they did not need additional staff, or they are lying now.
Pick's (and the administration's hypocrisy) comes to play when Pick now claims that:
Of course this does not explain the fact that the administration has lied at least twice about this same issue. As shown above, Pick blames the problem on staffing levels. On Friday, Pick told WBOC:
What you have not read (seen, or heard) in the media is that the Barrie Tilghman administration didn't even know how much in property tax revenue they were owed. Think about that when you go to pay your property taxes. If the auditor didn't reconcile the accounts for the city, they still would know how much they were owed at the end of last June. They probably don't have a clue what they were owed at the end of December, 2007.
Another item that you are not seeing in the mainstream media is the administration's willingness to not only mislead the public, but their refusal to tell the truth to the City Council. Time and again, City Finance Director Pam Oland, along with at least one member of her staff, have stated that they are reconciling cash and investment accounts each month. According to the auditor this is probably true (at least since February or March of 2007). The problem lies with the competence of the staff and the fact that management DID NOT review the work of that staff. The auditor clearly states that reconciliations were not done properly and they were not reviewed by Oland or her chief assistant in Finance.
If you are a Salisbury tax payer and want to see the best (and cheapest) show in town, head on down to the GOB Monday around 4 PM. As we stated Friday, things are getting a little too complicated for Barrie and her crew to keep fibbing on the fly. Watching them explain this fiasco should be sadly entertaining.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, fiscal policy, corruption, scandal, Barrie Tilghman, John Pick, Pam Oland, audit
City Administrator John Pick stressed the financial wing of the Internal Services Division, with three people shouldering all accounting duties -- including director Pamela Oland -- continues to be severely understaffed.How many times has Councilwoman Debbie Campbell (and since her recent election, Councilwoman Terry Cohen) asked the administration if they needed additional staff in order to discharge their duties properly, and on time? Each time, either Mayor Tilghman, Pick, or city finance chief Pam Oland has stated that they did not need additional staff. Now that they have been caught in the midst of a financial scandal, they don't have enough staff.
This is not a question of whether the administration lied to its citizens, but simply one of when. They were either lying when they stated that they did not need additional staff, or they are lying now.
Pick's (and the administration's hypocrisy) comes to play when Pick now claims that:
He will recommend the council include in the June budget space for adding an extra accountant and a financial analyst.Time and again, the question has been raised, but the administration has stated that they didn't need any more staff. When the budget is presented, DO NOT be surprised that the Tilghman administration will propose to cut a fairly popular or important city service and claim that it's necessary to pay for additional staff in the Department of Internal Services (Finance). Will the Mayor cut the bureaucracy that she has been feeding throughout her tenure? Highly doubtful.
Of course this does not explain the fact that the administration has lied at least twice about this same issue. As shown above, Pick blames the problem on staffing levels. On Friday, Pick told WBOC:
"They thought they were doing it correctly but they were not. They thought those adjustments were supposed to be made at the end of the year, but that's not correct. That's corrected now," said Pick, who noted the adjustments are supposed to be made each month.Which is it John? Not enough people? People who don't know how to do their job? According to the city's auditors both are false. We won't argue that the city needs more competent people in the finance department (the auditor has recommended this for at least two years), but the auditor found the lost $10.2 million, not the finance department when they reconciled the accounts at the end of the year.
What you have not read (seen, or heard) in the media is that the Barrie Tilghman administration didn't even know how much in property tax revenue they were owed. Think about that when you go to pay your property taxes. If the auditor didn't reconcile the accounts for the city, they still would know how much they were owed at the end of last June. They probably don't have a clue what they were owed at the end of December, 2007.
Another item that you are not seeing in the mainstream media is the administration's willingness to not only mislead the public, but their refusal to tell the truth to the City Council. Time and again, City Finance Director Pam Oland, along with at least one member of her staff, have stated that they are reconciling cash and investment accounts each month. According to the auditor this is probably true (at least since February or March of 2007). The problem lies with the competence of the staff and the fact that management DID NOT review the work of that staff. The auditor clearly states that reconciliations were not done properly and they were not reviewed by Oland or her chief assistant in Finance.
If you are a Salisbury tax payer and want to see the best (and cheapest) show in town, head on down to the GOB Monday around 4 PM. As we stated Friday, things are getting a little too complicated for Barrie and her crew to keep fibbing on the fly. Watching them explain this fiasco should be sadly entertaining.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, fiscal policy, corruption, scandal, Barrie Tilghman, John Pick, Pam Oland, audit
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READ THE AUDIT MANAGEMENT LETTER!
I can't stress this enough. YOU need to take the time to read this material. Once you do YOU'LL be convinced the incompetence of a CPA and what they attempted to deliver to the Auditors. GO HERE to read the Auditor's Management Letter.
Then let's NOT forget the Press Release on Pam Oland.
*PRESS RELEASE April 3, 2006
CITY HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Pamela Oland as the City’s new Director of Finance. Ms. Oland will replace John Cawley who retired January 27, 2006.
Ms. Oland is a Certified Public Accountant with many years of experience in senior level, financial positions. She has a wealth of experience in the areas of accounting and auditing in the private sector. Most recently Ms. Oland was employed as a Senior Internal Auditor with Perdue Farms, Inc. Prior to that, she worked as Vice President of Finance with Megellan Health Services. She began her professional career with the accounting firm of Arthur Anderson. She worked for this firm for five years, progressing to Experienced Senior Accountant.
Ms. Oland is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics, and is also a Member of the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors. She is a native of Pennsylvania and has been living in the Salisbury area for more than a year.
As Director of Finance, Ms. Orland will be responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial functions of the City, including utility billing, accounts payable and accounts receivable, payroll, and investments. She will serve as the Chief Financial Advisor for the City Administrator, Mayor and the City Council.
Ms. Oland will begin her new assignment on April 18, 2006. For further information, please contact John Pick, City Administrator, at (410) 548-3100.
The big question for YOU is, How's She Working For Ya? Yet Barrie said NO ONE will be fired.
I'll close with, do NOT forget that Barrie Tilghman was ONE step away from increasing the Water and Sewer Rates because of a shortfall in that Department. At the 11th hour they/we found $8,500,000.00 in that account and the Mayor rescinded the increase. NOW the Mayor stalled all the information to Council Members extremely late and was successful in a 14% tax increase while also making sure Council Members could NOT access Department Heads without her permission.
Yeah, I'd say there's a LOT more here than meets the eye and you know what, we need Kenny Beck back! At least he was good enough to dig through these kind of stories in the MSM and expose them for what they are. Greg Latshaw did a fine job with his article but like everyone else before him, he's catching on to what's really going on, meaning he too will be relocated very soon.
Then let's NOT forget the Press Release on Pam Oland.
*PRESS RELEASE April 3, 2006
CITY HIRES NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE
Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Pamela Oland as the City’s new Director of Finance. Ms. Oland will replace John Cawley who retired January 27, 2006.
Ms. Oland is a Certified Public Accountant with many years of experience in senior level, financial positions. She has a wealth of experience in the areas of accounting and auditing in the private sector. Most recently Ms. Oland was employed as a Senior Internal Auditor with Perdue Farms, Inc. Prior to that, she worked as Vice President of Finance with Megellan Health Services. She began her professional career with the accounting firm of Arthur Anderson. She worked for this firm for five years, progressing to Experienced Senior Accountant.
Ms. Oland is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics, and is also a Member of the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors. She is a native of Pennsylvania and has been living in the Salisbury area for more than a year.
As Director of Finance, Ms. Orland will be responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial functions of the City, including utility billing, accounts payable and accounts receivable, payroll, and investments. She will serve as the Chief Financial Advisor for the City Administrator, Mayor and the City Council.
Ms. Oland will begin her new assignment on April 18, 2006. For further information, please contact John Pick, City Administrator, at (410) 548-3100.
The big question for YOU is, How's She Working For Ya? Yet Barrie said NO ONE will be fired.
I'll close with, do NOT forget that Barrie Tilghman was ONE step away from increasing the Water and Sewer Rates because of a shortfall in that Department. At the 11th hour they/we found $8,500,000.00 in that account and the Mayor rescinded the increase. NOW the Mayor stalled all the information to Council Members extremely late and was successful in a 14% tax increase while also making sure Council Members could NOT access Department Heads without her permission.
Yeah, I'd say there's a LOT more here than meets the eye and you know what, we need Kenny Beck back! At least he was good enough to dig through these kind of stories in the MSM and expose them for what they are. Greg Latshaw did a fine job with his article but like everyone else before him, he's catching on to what's really going on, meaning he too will be relocated very soon.
Correct Me If I'm Wrong?
ADOPTED:
Total Budget $42,834,930
Fund Breakdown:
General $29,289,244
Parking Authority $804,802
Water and Sewer $12,669,100
Marina $59,816
Septage $11,968
That being said, isn't $10,200,000.00 more than 25% of the ENTIRE City Budget that just sort of disappeared without notice? Yet, it was there?
If YOU were fortunate enough to have, let's say, $10,000.00 in YOUR Bank Account and $2,500.00 just disappeared, would YOU notice that something was out of whack? Now do it in the Millions and YOU'RE a Professional CPA!!!!!!
Yeah, I'd say not only should some heads roll, temination is in order. It really is that simple. Makes you truly wonder about that 14% Tax Increase, eh?
GO HERE to READ the Audit! Don't just bitch about it, read it for yourself and see what this Mayor has done to YOUR money!
Total Budget $42,834,930
Fund Breakdown:
General $29,289,244
Parking Authority $804,802
Water and Sewer $12,669,100
Marina $59,816
Septage $11,968
That being said, isn't $10,200,000.00 more than 25% of the ENTIRE City Budget that just sort of disappeared without notice? Yet, it was there?
If YOU were fortunate enough to have, let's say, $10,000.00 in YOUR Bank Account and $2,500.00 just disappeared, would YOU notice that something was out of whack? Now do it in the Millions and YOU'RE a Professional CPA!!!!!!
Yeah, I'd say not only should some heads roll, temination is in order. It really is that simple. Makes you truly wonder about that 14% Tax Increase, eh?
GO HERE to READ the Audit! Don't just bitch about it, read it for yourself and see what this Mayor has done to YOUR money!
What Ever Happened To Bully Fire Fighter Wayne Barrall?
Remember the guy that showed up at my front door pounding away on Thanksgiving Day scaring the crap out of my Grandson? Well, he went to Court recently for his alleged criminal activity, blowing it off like NOTHING was going to become of it, even laughing at me a week or so ago asking me if I was going to show up for his pretrial hearing. I responded, I don't have to be there, it will take care of itself.
Well, it turns out, Wayne Barrall is in fact going to Trial and his, I'm A Fire Fighter didn't seem to be a sell job on the Judge. Wayne has a history of being Hot Headed and hopefully this time around Wayne will learn his lesson and or the State will put him away for a while to TEACH him a lesson, if need be?
I had wondered why he was so quiet lately, as well as the Local Fire Fighters. Either they didn't want it exposed that he was going to Trial or Wayne has made damn sure they didn't know about it. Now they do.
So even though I didn't go to the pretrial, it's good to know the State of Delaware looked closely at the evidence and feel the need to try this man. See you in Court in March, Wayne.
More Censorship At The Daily Times
If you happen to have the Print Edition of The Daily Times AND access to the Internet, go look at the difference between the On Line Letter To The Editor from Mr. Bob Caldwell verses the Print Edition. Is this called Yellow Journalism?
UPDATE: Delmarvanow.com now has removed the 2-day old Letter and put up the current, which are the same as in the printed.
GO HERE to read the AUDIT!
UPDATE: Delmarvanow.com now has removed the 2-day old Letter and put up the current, which are the same as in the printed.
GO HERE to read the AUDIT!
Posted In Today's Daily Times Story Chat
This scenario makes for a classic case as to why Salisbury needs another alternative source of media.
For many years, The Daily Times has 'cow-tailed' to the whims of the Mayor and her cabinet. Propaganda generated by the Mayor's office, dissemnation of inaccurate information, lack of timely audits, these were all telling signs. . . . except . . . for THE DAILY TIMES.
I am glad that SBYnews, Duvafiles, Monoblog, and others have come on the scene. Maybe now, we'll begin to get some accurate news depictions to what is really going on. The Daily Times news slant is so obvious!
Just as FOX news has blazed a new media trail . . .maybe our alternative news sources will follow.
For many years, The Daily Times has 'cow-tailed' to the whims of the Mayor and her cabinet. Propaganda generated by the Mayor's office, dissemnation of inaccurate information, lack of timely audits, these were all telling signs. . . . except . . . for THE DAILY TIMES.
I am glad that SBYnews, Duvafiles, Monoblog, and others have come on the scene. Maybe now, we'll begin to get some accurate news depictions to what is really going on. The Daily Times news slant is so obvious!
Just as FOX news has blazed a new media trail . . .maybe our alternative news sources will follow.