Maryland 65, Virginia Tech 69
Salisbury Men 53, Marymount 59
Salisbury Women 64, Marymount 69
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
First Students for Safer Communities Meeting Held Tonight
I was able to make the Students for Safer Communities meeting tonight which was held tonight at Salisbury University's Fireside Lounge. 25 students showed up to the meeting starting the discussion and laying the foundaition for a club to address community relations and inner student relations. SFSC is will become an official club on Salisbury's campus after the usual customs are met and thus will be officially recognized and bound by school policy.
Students shared their experiences as well as possible avenues to follow in response to the problem of crime and community relations. These students touched base on myriad of questions and issues which were discussed in an open forum. Students were filled with concern of where the community was heading and seemingly lack of crack down on crime most of all. They addressed and recognized that it is a community problem and no fingers should be pointed at anyone. Our students are genuinely scared and we deserve the same protection and equitable service was another tone of the meeting. Founder Melissa Q said " We need to work within ourselves to give respect to the community and we would like in return the same respect from the community so we can work together to fix the problems".
The group wishes to expand their contacts and continue with the current discourse they have with local officials. In up comming meetings they are going to form the core mission statement as well as adopt a code of conduct for members to abide by. "Also we need to stay on focus and not get distracted by other issues which are brought up outside of the main focus of our group" Melissa said.
Hopefully this is the catylist which spurs discourse between students and locals. Melissa also went on to say that "There are changes which need to be made within the student body" as well as "we know that there is not going to be an immediate change, but we need to start somewhere".
As for my editorial on this issue, proper discourse is the cornerstone of any process for change and improvement. I hope that the community and these individuals can come together to start mending the problems which have and are occuring. We need to address this problem of crime right away! It affects us all. Those who terrorize and run the area crime rings need to have the maximum penalty incurred on them. We can all get behind this!
Students shared their experiences as well as possible avenues to follow in response to the problem of crime and community relations. These students touched base on myriad of questions and issues which were discussed in an open forum. Students were filled with concern of where the community was heading and seemingly lack of crack down on crime most of all. They addressed and recognized that it is a community problem and no fingers should be pointed at anyone. Our students are genuinely scared and we deserve the same protection and equitable service was another tone of the meeting. Founder Melissa Q said " We need to work within ourselves to give respect to the community and we would like in return the same respect from the community so we can work together to fix the problems".
The group wishes to expand their contacts and continue with the current discourse they have with local officials. In up comming meetings they are going to form the core mission statement as well as adopt a code of conduct for members to abide by. "Also we need to stay on focus and not get distracted by other issues which are brought up outside of the main focus of our group" Melissa said.
Hopefully this is the catylist which spurs discourse between students and locals. Melissa also went on to say that "There are changes which need to be made within the student body" as well as "we know that there is not going to be an immediate change, but we need to start somewhere".
As for my editorial on this issue, proper discourse is the cornerstone of any process for change and improvement. I hope that the community and these individuals can come together to start mending the problems which have and are occuring. We need to address this problem of crime right away! It affects us all. Those who terrorize and run the area crime rings need to have the maximum penalty incurred on them. We can all get behind this!
Parkside 52, Wicomico 42
Parkside High
Free throws were the down fall of the Lady Indians tonight who could not overcome a 5 point Parkside lead throughout most of the game which ended with a final lead of 10. Wicomico was able to keep pace with the Rams throughout most of the game, including a late spurt in the 4th quarter which got quelled.
Parkside's Ashaneyia Hyland scored the opening bucket which spurred an 8-1 run with 5:33 left in the 1st frame. Wi-Hi roared back on a 9-0 run by way of a steal and lay-up by Aubrey Green and briefly took the lead. Ashaneyia Hyland hit a last second three to put the Rams up 15-10 at the end of the first.
Wi-Hi was able to score 9 compared to the Rams' 4 to knot it up at 19 midway through. Kiara Doughty was able to manuever out of a triple team to create the tie for Wi-Hi. But Parkside's Lauren Fountain was able to step infront of a pass into the post to create a fast break and a 3 point goal by Hyland which led the Rams to a 7 point run and a 27-19 halftime lead.
To start the third the Indian's scored 5 points from Tasha Ward adn Aubrey Green to cut the lead to three. Shortly after a scoring spree errupted and Sharara Dubose scored 8 to help extend the lead to 39-30 for Parkside.
The fourth showed the Ram's ability to counter for every made Wi-Hi basket. Parkside was burdened by full court pressure but often were able to connect on endzone passes for easy buckets. Again missed free throws, including a line violation, kept the Ram's lead to be only as low as 9 points. Dubose came up big again in the 4th with big rebounds and a few tallies.
Game notes: A muddy game with lots of whistles slowed the game down some, but the tenacity for both teams shined through with the girls diving for loose balls and hustling up and down the floor. Both teams played great hard defense causing problems for each other during the game.
Free throws were the down fall of the Lady Indians tonight who could not overcome a 5 point Parkside lead throughout most of the game which ended with a final lead of 10. Wicomico was able to keep pace with the Rams throughout most of the game, including a late spurt in the 4th quarter which got quelled.
Parkside's Ashaneyia Hyland scored the opening bucket which spurred an 8-1 run with 5:33 left in the 1st frame. Wi-Hi roared back on a 9-0 run by way of a steal and lay-up by Aubrey Green and briefly took the lead. Ashaneyia Hyland hit a last second three to put the Rams up 15-10 at the end of the first.
Wi-Hi was able to score 9 compared to the Rams' 4 to knot it up at 19 midway through. Kiara Doughty was able to manuever out of a triple team to create the tie for Wi-Hi. But Parkside's Lauren Fountain was able to step infront of a pass into the post to create a fast break and a 3 point goal by Hyland which led the Rams to a 7 point run and a 27-19 halftime lead.
To start the third the Indian's scored 5 points from Tasha Ward adn Aubrey Green to cut the lead to three. Shortly after a scoring spree errupted and Sharara Dubose scored 8 to help extend the lead to 39-30 for Parkside.
The fourth showed the Ram's ability to counter for every made Wi-Hi basket. Parkside was burdened by full court pressure but often were able to connect on endzone passes for easy buckets. Again missed free throws, including a line violation, kept the Ram's lead to be only as low as 9 points. Dubose came up big again in the 4th with big rebounds and a few tallies.
Game notes: A muddy game with lots of whistles slowed the game down some, but the tenacity for both teams shined through with the girls diving for loose balls and hustling up and down the floor. Both teams played great hard defense causing problems for each other during the game.
Worthy Of A Post
Interesting how the "paid folks" like to attack someone anonymously. Nobody said you all had to stay.
Remember your leader "Maykrantz" ratified an agreement on your behalf. Supposedly had your best interests at heart. You agreed to live by that contract. We all told you to be careful what you asked for; you may just get it. Now that you have it, you no longer want it? Sorry guys, real life jobs don’t work that way. You don’t have a say in the matter as to “who” you report to. Remember, you’re an employee. Just show up and do your job that you promised to do.
However that too is also a double edged sword. Nobody is keeping you here either. Leave when you wish. Trust me, we’ll find replacements for you. Everyone is replaceable.
Perhaps you guys should reread your own website:
Town of Ocean City
Department of Emergency Services
Fire/EMS Division
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Ocean City Fire/EMS Division is to provide emergency life safety service, which will protect and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of our community.
Town of Ocean City
Department of Emergency Services
Fire/EMS Division
Core Values
We Value:
TRUST – Trust is the cornerstone of all relationships and we will continuously strive to build and earn trust both within the department and community we serve.
COMMITMENT – Committed to the community we serve. In all things, we do what we say we are going to do.
INTEGRITY – Adherence to high principles and professional standards. We do what we say we will do, the right thing, not the easy thing.
PARTNERSHIP – Teamwork is of the utmost importance in all that we do, in both our interaction with the community and with each other.
COURAGE – Having the courage to do what is right, even in the face of personal or professional adversity.
ACCOUNTABILITY – Being responsible for our actions.
QUALITY – Commitment to provide quality services through positive change and continuous improvement.
PROFESSIONALISM - Following the highest standards of ethical conduct.
TEAMWORK – Achieving more by working together than we can achieve as individuals.
COMMUNICATION – Communicating expectations to employees and providing honest and timely feedback on performance.
EMPOWERMENT – Developing and retaining individuals who continually excel in their performance; we will empower people to successfully accomplish goals.
COMMUNITY – To be caring and compassionate to those who we serve and to strive to make the place we live and work better for all.
RESPECT – To respect each other and those we serve.
STAFF - The members of our organization are valued as our most vital asset.
………I believe that you have tossed all of this out the window. It truly is a sad day in Ocean City, Maryland.
--- Concerned Ocean City Taxpayer & Resident
Remember your leader "Maykrantz" ratified an agreement on your behalf. Supposedly had your best interests at heart. You agreed to live by that contract. We all told you to be careful what you asked for; you may just get it. Now that you have it, you no longer want it? Sorry guys, real life jobs don’t work that way. You don’t have a say in the matter as to “who” you report to. Remember, you’re an employee. Just show up and do your job that you promised to do.
However that too is also a double edged sword. Nobody is keeping you here either. Leave when you wish. Trust me, we’ll find replacements for you. Everyone is replaceable.
Perhaps you guys should reread your own website:
Town of Ocean City
Department of Emergency Services
Fire/EMS Division
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Ocean City Fire/EMS Division is to provide emergency life safety service, which will protect and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of our community.
Town of Ocean City
Department of Emergency Services
Fire/EMS Division
Core Values
We Value:
TRUST – Trust is the cornerstone of all relationships and we will continuously strive to build and earn trust both within the department and community we serve.
COMMITMENT – Committed to the community we serve. In all things, we do what we say we are going to do.
INTEGRITY – Adherence to high principles and professional standards. We do what we say we will do, the right thing, not the easy thing.
PARTNERSHIP – Teamwork is of the utmost importance in all that we do, in both our interaction with the community and with each other.
COURAGE – Having the courage to do what is right, even in the face of personal or professional adversity.
ACCOUNTABILITY – Being responsible for our actions.
QUALITY – Commitment to provide quality services through positive change and continuous improvement.
PROFESSIONALISM - Following the highest standards of ethical conduct.
TEAMWORK – Achieving more by working together than we can achieve as individuals.
COMMUNICATION – Communicating expectations to employees and providing honest and timely feedback on performance.
EMPOWERMENT – Developing and retaining individuals who continually excel in their performance; we will empower people to successfully accomplish goals.
COMMUNITY – To be caring and compassionate to those who we serve and to strive to make the place we live and work better for all.
RESPECT – To respect each other and those we serve.
STAFF - The members of our organization are valued as our most vital asset.
………I believe that you have tossed all of this out the window. It truly is a sad day in Ocean City, Maryland.
--- Concerned Ocean City Taxpayer & Resident
Clarification On Some Issue Relating to Our Schools
I have read the posts relating to our schools in Wicomico County and some of the comments as well. I greatly appreciate the fact that Mrs. Holloway, President of the WCBOE, reads this blog. Since she does, I would like to ask a few questions relating to the BOE policies and what appear to be State or Federal mandates. I would be greatful if Mrs. Holloway would take the time to answer them and address any comments (legitimate comments) posed by the readers. An impromptu forum so to speak. I think it would be helpful and informational.
I have three questions.
1) Is it true that the State of Maryland has determined that a disproportionate number of minorities have been suspended and, therefore have instructed our school administrators to ignore certain conduct violations?
2) Some time ago the Wicomico County Board of Education initiated a pilot program entitled "School Based Wellness Program". Can you tell us if this program still exists and if so where and what it consists of?
3) The proposed new Bennett High School is to be built in Fruitland I believe. By the time it is completed where (in a percentage) will the student population be in relation to it's design capacity and how long is it expected to take until the school is up to the maximum capacity.
I hope Mrs. Holloway doesn't mind answering a few questions. I think this is an excellent opportunity to educate the public.
Thank you in advance.
Respectfully,
Bob Harris
I have three questions.
1) Is it true that the State of Maryland has determined that a disproportionate number of minorities have been suspended and, therefore have instructed our school administrators to ignore certain conduct violations?
2) Some time ago the Wicomico County Board of Education initiated a pilot program entitled "School Based Wellness Program". Can you tell us if this program still exists and if so where and what it consists of?
3) The proposed new Bennett High School is to be built in Fruitland I believe. By the time it is completed where (in a percentage) will the student population be in relation to it's design capacity and how long is it expected to take until the school is up to the maximum capacity.
I hope Mrs. Holloway doesn't mind answering a few questions. I think this is an excellent opportunity to educate the public.
Thank you in advance.
Respectfully,
Bob Harris
PRESS RELEASE FROM FIRE CHIEF LARMORE
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2/20/2008
At their meeting of 19 February 2008, the City Council voted that Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company Chief Chris Larmore be given complete authority and responsibility for all fire and emergency medical services for the Town of Ocean City. This is an interim appointment that comes with seven conditions enumerated by Council President Mitrecic who advised Chief Larmore that official correspondence would be forthcoming. Chief Larmore advised the City Council that, upon receipt and study of the City proposal, the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company would respond promptly. In the intervening time, Chief Larmore stated that the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company will continue to provide emergency responce. Chief Larmore also stressed his appreciation for the support of the community which will continue to be the primary focus of any future decisions.
Wednesday's Sports Preview
Tonight the Lady Indians' of Wicomico take on The Lady Rams at Parkside high tonight at 7pm. Both teams post an 11-3 conference record, but the Indians have the edge with a 16-4 overall record to Parksides 15-4. Both are behind the 15-1, 20-1 Pocomoke Warriors in the Bayside South Division. On paper, this should be a great game for some school pride!
Kent Island's girls visit Snow Hill at 7pm and Snow Hill men's team visits Kent Island at 7pm. Snow Hill men's team is 15-0 in conference play as will as a 19-0 over all record.
On the NCAA side, The Terps start their campaign for their bid to make a run in Field of 64 against Virginia Tech. Maryland (17-9) is comming off a win over Florida State this past weekend. To make the Big Dance Maryland needs to try and win out without any blowouts to impress the selection committee. Tech 14-11 are looking in as a long shot for the Big Dance and to try and play spoiler to the Terps. The game is at home which will be plus for Maryland as well as leading Tech in the major statistical categories. Tech is also looking to end a 3 game loosing streak, all in conference play.
This will be one to watch. The game is televised on the Comcast Channel, channel 21 at 9pm.
The Men and Ladies teams from Salisbury travel to Marymount tonight.
Kent Island's girls visit Snow Hill at 7pm and Snow Hill men's team visits Kent Island at 7pm. Snow Hill men's team is 15-0 in conference play as will as a 19-0 over all record.
On the NCAA side, The Terps start their campaign for their bid to make a run in Field of 64 against Virginia Tech. Maryland (17-9) is comming off a win over Florida State this past weekend. To make the Big Dance Maryland needs to try and win out without any blowouts to impress the selection committee. Tech 14-11 are looking in as a long shot for the Big Dance and to try and play spoiler to the Terps. The game is at home which will be plus for Maryland as well as leading Tech in the major statistical categories. Tech is also looking to end a 3 game loosing streak, all in conference play.
This will be one to watch. The game is televised on the Comcast Channel, channel 21 at 9pm.
The Men and Ladies teams from Salisbury travel to Marymount tonight.
Talk About Ironic!
All you have to do is Google Heather Zara Detroit and you'll be amazed at the end results. I was tipped off the other day to do so but have been too darned busy to find the time. Well, out of curiosity I did it today and look what I found!
Heather Zara won a contest, (hat tip to her) and actually won a chance to become the Traffic Reporter for a Station in Detroit. ROTFLMAO!
If she's not reporting traffic, you can probably catch her at a sporting event around town. "I'm a huge sports nut, and I love my Detroit and MSU sports!", she said.
Coast Guard Is Closing Down In Wicomico County
The Coast Guard Recruiting Office in the Court Plaza is closing down. At first I thought perhaps they were worried about being shot by stray bullets but it's far worse than that. On June 1, 2008 they will close their doors for good and leave Eastern Shore applicants having to drive to Baltimore or Hampton Roads Virginia.
Why, might you ask, are they closing their doors. Because the Dee, Dee, Deeee's graduating from the Kiddy Warehouse CAN'T pass a simple Aptitude Test! It's bad enough the Coast Guard can't get in your face during Boot Camp any more, they even lowered the length of Boot Camp from 10 weeks down to 8 weeks.
It's getting easier to join, yet Wicomico County youths aren't capable of making the grade.
I Miss Ocean City!
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It's not very often any more that I am able to take the time and discuss personal things on this Blog Site. However, I will do so for the moment because I feel it's necessary.
Look, point blank, I MISS OCEAN CITY! I miss the friends I had out there. I miss the excitement. I miss Dumsers Ice-cream! OMG, I could go on and on about the Bay, the Ocean, Boating, Harley Rides, The Ocean City Today and Stewart Dobson's Editorials, Fagetaboutit!
One of the things I truly miss most is the winter! In the winter time, that's when you got to meet your neighbors. That's when people united and you know what, there wasn't a single miserable person in that whole Town!
I don't miss the traffic but I always remember when winter came just how sweet it was to NOT see a PA Tag! You wanna know where I came up with the word I'm so well known for, (IDIOT) it was summer time in Ocean City!
I miss clamming every day. I miss taking my labs out into the Bay and playing ball for hours on end. I miss the skyline from West Ocean City. However, I have to admit, I USED to miss New York City too and I got over that.
I enjoyed meeting so many new people last night and that's what hurts the most. Seeing those kind of people who truly care. When they shake your hand a hug usually comes along with it. Perhaps I don't frequent Ocean City because it hurts too much? All I can tell you is, go there this winter before it's too late! Tell them Joe Albero sent ya! Then bring me back some Dumsers Ice-cream!
"I Will Not Tolerate It"
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You can clearly see from the looks coming from Rick Pollitt & Sheriff Lewis, these are the "Uncle Tom's" of the Wicomico County Families.
Rick went on to talk about trusting the people who work for the County as if they were an extended Family Member.
Rick then said the County has some serious weaknesses in accounting but the Insurance Company should pay back what the Taxpayers lost.
He went on to say, "Nothing is more important than securing the public's trust."
Taxpayers have been VIOLATED and the fact that so many thousands of gallons of diesel fuel went unaccounted for is simply inexcusable. Tires that had disappeared and such an incredible volume of oil and anti freeze, it just makes no sense.
Now considering I have received certain tips in this case and have forwarded such information to Sheriff Lewis, this case is far from over. There are now additional avenues that will create more twists and turns in a direction no one had thought of because no one would believe it extends as far out as it actually does.
Before you get caught, my strong suggestion is, IF you believe you may be involved in omne way, shape or form, get on the phone and call Sheriff Mike Lewis personally and discuss it right away. I'm serious Folks. This thing is larger than life and if they have to find you, the price will be far greater then if you turn yourself in and help them with their investigation.
Granted, I make no promises and I speak only for MYSELF. However, I personally know where some of this is going because of tips made to me personally and I strongly suggest you make their job easier.
SU Students Are Scared!
Hey Joe,
My name is Melissa, I'm originally from New York but I'm in my third year at Salisbury University. I'm contacting you because Im starting a new student organization on campus called Students for Safer Community (SSC). Basically I started this group because I've had a lot of money stolen out of my house and I've had many more friends robbed or held up or injured by locals in the past few years, and then recently something happened that pushed me over the edge.
My boyfriend (Stephen) is stationed in Iraq for a year and he came home for his two week leave on December 2nd. I picked him up from the airport and brought him back to Salisbury and later that night he went out to Monkey Barrell with his friends. Around the time that it closes he was standing outside waiting to be picked up when he heard a girl screaming around the side of the building. When he went to check it out someone hit him in the face from behind with some object probably a crowbar or bat and then continued to attack him while he was on the ground. The owner of the bar and bouncers came out and they jumped into a car and drove away. Stephen had bruised ribs, a severly broken nose, had to get 15 stitches in his forehead and eyebrow. They didn't steal his wallet they just attacked him no reason.
SO I took it upon myself to raise hell. I made a speech at the next University Forum that made the president look pretty bad..it basically said that I felt I had been lied to when promised safety at this school, and had I known the level of crime I never would have come here. However the crime is a problem OFF campus not on, so there is only so much she can do. Dr. Dudley-Eschbach put this little councel of the University VP, Dean, and Chief of Police and together we have been meeting with the chief of police to express our concerns because there is a general feeling that exists among students that we are not treated fairly by the community, especially the police. Our university is the economy of this city it would be a depressed area without the school. Although many of us were not raised here, we live here most of the year and consider ourselves citizens with the same rights as everyone else.
On the student group level I will be working to bring awareness to students on how to protect themselves and things they should know and watch out for. I will also be trying to raise their level of political awareness and involvement. I want to work with the community because I know although students are easy targets we are not the only victims. The biggest challenge I think we face is the police. They don't give a shit about us. I was called in to talk to Detective Sargeant Kaiser and I thought it would be about what happened to Stephen but all he did was take a picture of me and interogate me about being underage in the bar (which I was not). All they do is give out noise/alcohol citations while in other places students are being robbed. One time my friend came home from a night out and some locals tried to fight him and his friends. He ran inside to call the police, the operator hung up on him, and his roomate was shot in the stomache. Things like this happen ALL the time to us. It just goes unreported."
Thanks so much,
Melissa
Deal Melissa,
You just reached thousands of people with your message and I know to some local politicians, this means the world to them. SU Students MUST be recognized as well as RESPECTED, not jailed because they were too loud. Granted, there are a lot of problem Students. However, the City wants taxpayers to believe they're are much more bad Students than there are good because they only hear of you when something bad happens.
I hope this message reaches out to the audience you're looking for and changes are made right away. Communication is what is necessary and you're doing a wonderful job by reaching out. Keep me posted. I'd love to know how successful you are and or if your attempts fail. If the people you want to reach out to don't listen, bring it back to me and we'll expose it and those people will become accountable.
My name is Melissa, I'm originally from New York but I'm in my third year at Salisbury University. I'm contacting you because Im starting a new student organization on campus called Students for Safer Community (SSC). Basically I started this group because I've had a lot of money stolen out of my house and I've had many more friends robbed or held up or injured by locals in the past few years, and then recently something happened that pushed me over the edge.
My boyfriend (Stephen) is stationed in Iraq for a year and he came home for his two week leave on December 2nd. I picked him up from the airport and brought him back to Salisbury and later that night he went out to Monkey Barrell with his friends. Around the time that it closes he was standing outside waiting to be picked up when he heard a girl screaming around the side of the building. When he went to check it out someone hit him in the face from behind with some object probably a crowbar or bat and then continued to attack him while he was on the ground. The owner of the bar and bouncers came out and they jumped into a car and drove away. Stephen had bruised ribs, a severly broken nose, had to get 15 stitches in his forehead and eyebrow. They didn't steal his wallet they just attacked him no reason.
SO I took it upon myself to raise hell. I made a speech at the next University Forum that made the president look pretty bad..it basically said that I felt I had been lied to when promised safety at this school, and had I known the level of crime I never would have come here. However the crime is a problem OFF campus not on, so there is only so much she can do. Dr. Dudley-Eschbach put this little councel of the University VP, Dean, and Chief of Police and together we have been meeting with the chief of police to express our concerns because there is a general feeling that exists among students that we are not treated fairly by the community, especially the police. Our university is the economy of this city it would be a depressed area without the school. Although many of us were not raised here, we live here most of the year and consider ourselves citizens with the same rights as everyone else.
On the student group level I will be working to bring awareness to students on how to protect themselves and things they should know and watch out for. I will also be trying to raise their level of political awareness and involvement. I want to work with the community because I know although students are easy targets we are not the only victims. The biggest challenge I think we face is the police. They don't give a shit about us. I was called in to talk to Detective Sargeant Kaiser and I thought it would be about what happened to Stephen but all he did was take a picture of me and interogate me about being underage in the bar (which I was not). All they do is give out noise/alcohol citations while in other places students are being robbed. One time my friend came home from a night out and some locals tried to fight him and his friends. He ran inside to call the police, the operator hung up on him, and his roomate was shot in the stomache. Things like this happen ALL the time to us. It just goes unreported."
Thanks so much,
Melissa
Deal Melissa,
You just reached thousands of people with your message and I know to some local politicians, this means the world to them. SU Students MUST be recognized as well as RESPECTED, not jailed because they were too loud. Granted, there are a lot of problem Students. However, the City wants taxpayers to believe they're are much more bad Students than there are good because they only hear of you when something bad happens.
I hope this message reaches out to the audience you're looking for and changes are made right away. Communication is what is necessary and you're doing a wonderful job by reaching out. Keep me posted. I'd love to know how successful you are and or if your attempts fail. If the people you want to reach out to don't listen, bring it back to me and we'll expose it and those people will become accountable.
Evem My Wife Tells Me We Need To Go To The Next Level
Yesterday was quite the day. So many things were going on at once, to fit anything personal into the equation was almost impossible. Granted, most days for me are pretty busy but yesterday was over the top.
On top of all that, we welcomed in a RECORD DAY on this Blog. I know it gets old for some of you to hear this but this wasn't just a record day, this was DOUBLE our highest record!
Yesterday brought on what seemed like a million comments, since they all had to be moderated. Mind you, many of them had to be rejected as they were far too out of line and unacceptable. Nevertheless, we have some 210 comments that were moderated and accepted in one day alone. I'm sure Bill Duvall is saying, I'll bet Albero wrote all those comments under anonymous. Nope Billy, (and others) I was out of town most of the day.
The next level means a newspaper or magazine style format so we can feature current event articles and then sports and local news elsewhere. When my Wife says we need to go to that level and friends are suggesting the same, I have to agree. Our hits yesterday and from what I'm seeing already today, (we're on the same track as yesterday) something needs to be done.
I want to thank so many of you for the support and visiting Salisbury News. We do keep it real here. We do tell it like you'll never see it in The Daily Times and we're FREE! Yes, we have critics that attack my every move. Nevertheless, we have people on board that have YOUR interest in mind and we're all out there exposing the truth and we're out there exposing things you'll read some 5 days later in The Daily Times.
We don't have 200 people on Staff like they do and I hope we never get that large. However, I have heard all the requests for so many of you who would like to advertise here. We'll have that available very soon. We're going to do what we can to please as many of you as we can and we'll be open to any of your suggestions. If you go to The Daily Times Website, tell us what you like and don't like?
A new format will be coming soon and again, thank you so much for visiting and supporting us.
On top of all that, we welcomed in a RECORD DAY on this Blog. I know it gets old for some of you to hear this but this wasn't just a record day, this was DOUBLE our highest record!
Yesterday brought on what seemed like a million comments, since they all had to be moderated. Mind you, many of them had to be rejected as they were far too out of line and unacceptable. Nevertheless, we have some 210 comments that were moderated and accepted in one day alone. I'm sure Bill Duvall is saying, I'll bet Albero wrote all those comments under anonymous. Nope Billy, (and others) I was out of town most of the day.
The next level means a newspaper or magazine style format so we can feature current event articles and then sports and local news elsewhere. When my Wife says we need to go to that level and friends are suggesting the same, I have to agree. Our hits yesterday and from what I'm seeing already today, (we're on the same track as yesterday) something needs to be done.
I want to thank so many of you for the support and visiting Salisbury News. We do keep it real here. We do tell it like you'll never see it in The Daily Times and we're FREE! Yes, we have critics that attack my every move. Nevertheless, we have people on board that have YOUR interest in mind and we're all out there exposing the truth and we're out there exposing things you'll read some 5 days later in The Daily Times.
We don't have 200 people on Staff like they do and I hope we never get that large. However, I have heard all the requests for so many of you who would like to advertise here. We'll have that available very soon. We're going to do what we can to please as many of you as we can and we'll be open to any of your suggestions. If you go to The Daily Times Website, tell us what you like and don't like?
A new format will be coming soon and again, thank you so much for visiting and supporting us.
Democratic Club Meeting Tonight
Reminder: Democratic Club Meeting Tonight - 7:00 PM Knights of Columbus
Emerson Avenue - Salisbury
Speaker - Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman - City of Salisbury
Come pick up Frank Kratovil for Congress literature and yard signs!
Volunteer for the Home and Garden Show this weekend at the Civic Center
Learn about the big increase in Democratic Turnout in the Feb 12 Primary
Brainstorm ideas for the spring and fall campaign!
Emerson Avenue - Salisbury
Speaker - Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman - City of Salisbury
Come pick up Frank Kratovil for Congress literature and yard signs!
Volunteer for the Home and Garden Show this weekend at the Civic Center
Learn about the big increase in Democratic Turnout in the Feb 12 Primary
Brainstorm ideas for the spring and fall campaign!
QAC Gets Tough On Illegal Immigrants
MDPT - The Queen Anne's County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution requiring all vendors in the county to follow all laws concerning illegal immigrants. Failure to do that will result in a breach of contract and termination in the relationship with the vendor.
Commissioner Gene Ransom (D-Dist. 3) sponsored the resolution, he says that county is taking the clear position that they do not knowingly conduct business with vendors that employ illegal immigrants. "Everyday I run into folks facing tough economic conditions, and it;s simply not fair for people and companies who work hard and play by the rules to have to compete with companies that cheat by employing illegal aliens."
The tally was unanimous (5-0) on a board with four democrats and one republican. Ransom says that the commissioners were unaware of any shenanigans involved with vendors hiring illegal aliens. Although they saw it as a federal issue, it was important to take a stand on the matter because it's about laws being broken. He adds that the number of phone calls on a local level is amazing.
Ray Lewis Pimps His Ride!
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While Sheriff Mike Lewis was sitting back enjoying a Sunday afternoon at his home there was a knock at the door. Low and behold, it was a County Employee with a boat load of information on Ray Lewis and people within Wicomico County.
Sheriff Lewis contacted the State Police the following day and they said, WE KNOW! The WBI put two and two together and while this whole mater was in fact under investigation, Sheriff Mike Lewis made the traffic stop two nights ago and thought to himself, self, I wonder if this could be the truck everyone has been looking for?
The first two pictures clearly show violations. One, the vehicle has no identification markings to handle whatever material they're handling. Secondly, the mud flap on the left rear was busted in half, meaning it serves no purpose. This was certainly enough to pull someone over.
Now, here's what I'm told. Sheriff Lewis made arrangements to attend the Pittsville Town Meeting Monday night. When he arrived, no one was there. The Daily Times printed the meeting would in fact be going on but this was not the case.
Considering one of the hot topics in Pittsville is patrolling, Sheriff Lewis took it upon himself to do just that, he started patrolling the area on his own. He then found his way towards Parsonsburg and ultimately back to Rt. 50 where he pulled over this Box Truck.
I can't say this enough Ladies & Gentlemen. This is called, "Proactive Police Work." The criminals have to get to and from wherever they're creating a crime and 99% of the time they're doing so in a vehicle.
How Ray Lewis didn't know there was a new Sheriff in Town is beyond me. Perhaps he felt he was untouchable? Perhaps we don't know the whole story? I will say the Lewis Family has certainly been spending day and night on this Blog trying to post support for Ray Lewis.
I will personally say that there was quite a bit of evidence coming out of those buildings that allegedly belong to the Taxpayers. A man is not guilty until proven innocent, this is America. However, the evidence is stacked up against Ray Lewis for the moment and to whomever the Idiot is who's claiming Ray paid for that fuel, even though he knew it was illegal, BITE ME! That's just one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.
Ray certainly knew what he and his Staff were doing. As for the Commissioner and their decision to release everyone, that's a whole new Post I'm certainly going to touch on.
The truck above was converted to carry stolen diesel fuel and had 6 hidden tanks in the back. High speed pumps were used to convert the fuel quickly and even as I stood inside, the fumes were overwhelming. How a driver rode around with this stuff stinking like it does is beyond me.
My hat is tipped to Sheriff Mike Lewis and WBI for a job well done. Let's just hope this case is handled properly and these people go away for what they deserve, should they be found guilty. Am I being nice, OR WHAT? LOL
PKB on BAL with The Ehrlichs
In case you have not heard, I was on The Bob and Kendel Ehrlich Show on WBAL (1090AM). For those of you who missed it or are too far south of the signal, Click Here to hear the entire hour (minus the commercials.)
Hello Teenagers: Welcome To The Nanny State
From Maryland Politics Today
For this one, I had to dig back into my archive of clippings, my work going back to high school because I wrote a story for YoungD.C. when the District of Columbia decided to join the rest of the area in having a graduated licensing system in 1999. In the article, I looked at Virginia and Maryland. But for obvious reasons I am going to look at Maryland.
For this one, I had to dig back into my archive of clippings, my work going back to high school because I wrote a story for YoungD.C. when the District of Columbia decided to join the rest of the area in having a graduated licensing system in 1999. In the article, I looked at Virginia and Maryland. But for obvious reasons I am going to look at Maryland.
When the original graduated licensing system it was dubbed at the time as the most comprehensive Graduated Licensing System in the country by Norman Grimm whowas Director of Driver and Traffic Safety Services for AAA Mid-Atlantic. It was initiated in July of that year based on a system that was implemented in Ontario Canada of that year.
Under the law, it required all new drivers to take a 36-hour driver’s education course, which includes six hours behind the wheel. Applicants must also turn in a 40-hour practice log when they take the driving test. A parent or guardian must sign that book if the new driver is a teenager.
Since that time a rash of accidents happened in 2004. In the following session in 2005, lawmakers banned teenagers from using a cell phone while driving and also from driving between 12midnight and 5 a.m. Also, the state banned teen drivers from having teen passengers other than their immediate family members.
Fast forwarding to 2007, we have had another rash of accidents involving teenagers…guess what we are doing in 2008, only this time lawmakers are looking to introduce teenagers as to why we conservatives refer to Maryland sometimes as a nanny state.
Let me be clear, setting the curfew for 10 p.m. for 16-years-olds and 12midnight for 17-year-olds is a good idea. There isn’t that much exciting happening after 10:00pm anyway (yes I am a dork.) I also think that officers notifying parents on moving violations is also a great idea. Rather find out on the spot than weeks later in the mail. Also a good idea is giving punishments to teens that we adults face when we break driving laws.
Other than those common sense moves, there is no reason to raise the learner’s permit from 15 years and nine months to 16. In Virginia, you have to be 15 years old before you get a driver’s permit and hold on to the permit for six months before you can apply for a provisional drivers license according to my article in 1999. Now, the Commonwealth South requires one to be 15 years and six months for a learner’s permit and 16 years and three months for a driver’s license. In addition, those under 19 must take a state-approved driver’s ed. program.
Of course we can take the road of the District, where you have to be 16 to get a permit then 16 years and six months before you can get a restrictive license, but we know how well most DC drivers are. (Just kidding, please do not email me about that comment)
Above all the pettiness of how old one can be before we can drive, We ESPECIALLY should not give drug and alcohol test to teenagers when they are applying for a license. You are not only embarrassing them in front of an already packed MVA branch, but you are criminalizing them at the same time.
What does it say when a perfectly well behaved teenager has to submit to drug and alcohol testing to get a driver’s license, especially when the only reason they are getting one is because of their age. This teen has not been in trouble with the law, has good grades and is active in the community in addition to helping out their family whenever they can. But under the proposal, the state of Maryland thinks that teenager has been using drugs and has partaken of alcohol because they are under the age of 21. The law says that the state does not trust teenagers.
Someone needs to tell the bill’s sponsor, Del. Marvin Holmes (D-Dist. 23B) that if he wants to test his kids for cheeba and the sauce that’s fine, it’s America, that’s his right. But because he doesn’t or didn’t trust his teenagers when it came time for them to get a license, he should not indoctrinate the rest of the state with his views on how to be a parent.
At some point, and it’s coming up very, very soon, parents will have to be held responsible for their kids. It is not government’s job to make sure that teenagers are behaving themselves. The responsibility has always been and always will be with the parents, no matter how many laws are passed to make the job of parenting easier.
Annapolis already seems to favor punishing the young. If they were truly trying to make things equal, they would have banned talking on a cell phone while driving for ALL drivers and not just teenagers.
Lawmakers should concentrate strengthening the rules for teens that already have a license with common sense rules like notifying parents when their teens get a moving violation and driving curfews. Raising the minimum age for learner’s permits and licenses does not make any difference in my book. Giving drug and alcohol testing to teens that have yet to sit behind the wheel is far from common sense, but a personal philosophy for people like Del. Holmes who don’t trust teenagers at all.
The bottom line in any equation whether it’s 15-, 10- or five years ago or in current time, parents are the factor and they need to step up and be parents.
P. Kenneth Burns is the editor/writer of Maryland Politics Today and is a contributor Salisbury News and Red Maryland. He lives in Laurel, Prince George’s County. His email is kennyburns@marylandpolitcs.us.
Gordy Won't Let Go Of Wayne Gilchrest
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Clearly, the Gordy Family will not let go of the fact that Wayne lost. The signs are still up today at the Gordy Marts around the City, ALL around the City.
Responsibly, the Andy Harris Campaign has been out collecting their signs while Gilchrest and Arminio still have their signs posted everywhere.
The Key Word Here Is, VOLUNTEER
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With more than 200 people in attendance, "there's about 5 times the normal crowd here tonight" said one Police Officer. Citizens were standing for hours. They were packed against the wall like Catholics on Christmas Day in Church. They were even lined out the hallway, 99% of them there to support their Volunteer Fire Fighters.
It's a trust thing. One hour before the Council met last night they were handed a 19 page "Overview and recommendations for the fire service" by the Emergency Service Director, Joseph Theobald. The Volunteers simply can't trust the Council, it's that simple.
Some Council Members threw a fit over the short notice of such an important document and the length of it, they had literally no time to review it. Sound familiar Salisbury? Other Council Members wanted to talk about how they represent the people, maybe not everyone attending but they represent the people. IMO, BS! THE PEOPLE were there last night, open your eyes! The people spoke out against the majority of the Council, been there, done that. Welcome to Salisbury, I thought to myself.
I saw the Barrie Scheme hard at work last night in the City Council and I personally challenge them as they did not VOTE to amend the Agenda last night, yet they voted on an item that wasn't even on the Agenda and The Daily Slime didn't even pick up on it.
Perhaps I'm wrong. Perhaps this is just the Eastern Shore and the Good Old Boys can do whatever they like? Nevertheless, it was slammed in the Chief's face last night and I then came to learn that Salisbury Chief See was a Guest last week in the Council Meeting. Wanna know why? Because Chief See is desperate to keep the Fire Fighters he currently has and IF the Town of Ocean City goes 100% paid, Salisbury will get crushed!
The Police were present in full force last night as it was told to me their Chief had been asking around, who can tow Fire Trucks? They expected a riot last night and I even overheard one of the Officers on the phone telling command that things were pretty normal, no one was getting out of line and he recommended they release at least the day shift Officers. Now that's too funny!
Mr. Bobby Jester got up at one point and expressed to one of the Council Members that their math wasn't so great. You see, this Council Member challenged how in the heck someone could figure out it would cost the City $7,000,000.00 if they went to a fully paid Staff? Well, Bobby clearly explained by throwing out the number of paid Fire Fighters they would have to hire, plus benefits. That came to around $4,000,000.00 a year. Then there's the real estate the Volunteers own as well, worth millions. There was NO rebuttal from the Council and or that particular Council Member challenging the numbers in the first place.
I need to at least get this Post up and get to more details later. This way if someone has something to say, they can get started now. More to come.....
Keepin It Real!
In regards to last night’s burglary and police chase:
“The four suspects were identified as Eric Darel Coleman, 20, and Antonio Lamar Harmon, 21, both of Salisbury, and Tiffany Nicole Handy, 20, and Darnell Terrell Harmon, 22, both of Fruitland. They were charged with burglary, felony theft and malicious destruction of property.”
Eric Coleman - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=87040076
Darnell Harmon - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61872621
Atonio Harmon - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=176981617
Seem like some stand up citizens right there.
“The four suspects were identified as Eric Darel Coleman, 20, and Antonio Lamar Harmon, 21, both of Salisbury, and Tiffany Nicole Handy, 20, and Darnell Terrell Harmon, 22, both of Fruitland. They were charged with burglary, felony theft and malicious destruction of property.”
Eric Coleman - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=87040076
Darnell Harmon - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=61872621
Atonio Harmon - http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=176981617
Seem like some stand up citizens right there.
Is the Wicomico Liquor Control Board on the Straight and Narrow?
Kudos to Wicomico Councilwomen Gail Bartkovich and Stevie Prettyman! When local politicians seem all too willing to let transgressions slip by rather than criticize neighbors, Bartkovich and Prettyman held their ground Tuesday night when the audit for the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board was presented to council.
Mrs. Bartkovich refused to allow LCB auditor John Stern to brush aside her questions regarding a discrepancy in the Board's beginning inventory numbers. Bartkovich had obviously done her homework prior to the meeting and would not allow Stern's explanation that the bottom line number would not be affected by this error; or that the other numbers were still correct. A change of approximately $100,000 in beginning inventory would affect the profit margin of the LCB (and not for the better). If, as Stern opined, the error would have been covered in the purchases account we still have the question of a material error. Stern promised Bartkovich an answer today. Hopefully she will share it with the public.
Mrs. Prettyman had two questions for Stern and LCB chairman Herman Haemel. First, under who's authority did the LCB determine how much income to distribute to the county each year? Prettyman does not recall the council ever voting on a new method of income distribution between the LCB and the county. Stern could only point to discussions between the County's Finance Director and the LCB. If it turns out that the County Council had voted on the matter, fine. I'm sure that Prettyman will admit that her memory is like the rest of our's. If, however, the bureaucracy rather than the elected representatives of the people approved such a measure this is cause for alarm.
Another inquiry from Mrs. Prettyman didn't seem to sit very well with LCB chair Haemel. It seems that the LCB has awarded contracts of over $50,000 to a board member, Ron Alessi. Prettyman merely asked whether there was a policy covering such matters. Are there competitive bids, etc? Through Haemel's non-answer we received one. There do not appear to be competitive bids. In all fairness, you wouldn't normally bid out projects of this size. However, you also wouldn't award the contracts to board members. Haemel hedged a bit too much for my liking when he claimed that Alessi's price "was the cheapest price for that quality of work". That's a bit too subjective for my tastes when you're handing out money to a board member. Since the LCB doesn't have a policy in place, perhaps the County Council could demand one!
Again, three cheers to Bartkovich and Prettyman!
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, Gail Bartdovich, Stevie Prettyman, LCB, audit
Mrs. Bartkovich refused to allow LCB auditor John Stern to brush aside her questions regarding a discrepancy in the Board's beginning inventory numbers. Bartkovich had obviously done her homework prior to the meeting and would not allow Stern's explanation that the bottom line number would not be affected by this error; or that the other numbers were still correct. A change of approximately $100,000 in beginning inventory would affect the profit margin of the LCB (and not for the better). If, as Stern opined, the error would have been covered in the purchases account we still have the question of a material error. Stern promised Bartkovich an answer today. Hopefully she will share it with the public.
Mrs. Prettyman had two questions for Stern and LCB chairman Herman Haemel. First, under who's authority did the LCB determine how much income to distribute to the county each year? Prettyman does not recall the council ever voting on a new method of income distribution between the LCB and the county. Stern could only point to discussions between the County's Finance Director and the LCB. If it turns out that the County Council had voted on the matter, fine. I'm sure that Prettyman will admit that her memory is like the rest of our's. If, however, the bureaucracy rather than the elected representatives of the people approved such a measure this is cause for alarm.
Another inquiry from Mrs. Prettyman didn't seem to sit very well with LCB chair Haemel. It seems that the LCB has awarded contracts of over $50,000 to a board member, Ron Alessi. Prettyman merely asked whether there was a policy covering such matters. Are there competitive bids, etc? Through Haemel's non-answer we received one. There do not appear to be competitive bids. In all fairness, you wouldn't normally bid out projects of this size. However, you also wouldn't award the contracts to board members. Haemel hedged a bit too much for my liking when he claimed that Alessi's price "was the cheapest price for that quality of work". That's a bit too subjective for my tastes when you're handing out money to a board member. Since the LCB doesn't have a policy in place, perhaps the County Council could demand one!
Again, three cheers to Bartkovich and Prettyman!
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, Gail Bartdovich, Stevie Prettyman, LCB, audit
Gary Comegys, A Synonym for Foolishness; Shanie Shields, A Synonym for Hypocrisy
The latest edition of the Merriam-Webster Political Dictionary is out and Salisbury is shamed by multiple entries. This morning's Daily Times shows why.
It appears that Salisbury Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen have begun distributing a newsletter and have set up a website. Kudos to them for wanting to reach out to their constituents. Of course this doesn't sit too well with two of their colleagues on the Salisbury Council.
Councilwoman Shanie Shields, the council's great orator and Tilghman administration house intellectual ("I ain't never seen no wasteful government spending") doesn't think too highly of Campbell and Cohen's efforts:
We can also see why Salisbury Councilman Gary Comegys is included under "foolishness":
In December, 2007 Comegys was toeing the Barrieland line by claiming that "this audit thang (sic) has been blown out of proportion". That's right Gary. Misplacing over $10 million of taxpayer money is nothing to worry about.
At the same meeting Comegys incorrectly stated that the city was balancing (reconciling) its accounts. Of course that hasn't been true for years.
At the council's last work session, which was to design solutions to some of the city's financial management problems Comegys left the meeting early and Councilwoman Louise Smith cut the meeting short rather than seek real solutions without the Tilghman administration marionette there to pull her strings. Perhaps Comegys should worry about his own time management skills rather than worrying about Campbell's and Cohen's.
"Real solutions for the community"? Come on Gary. What have your real solutions been? A triple subsidy to the old mall developers. Refusal to adopt an annexation policy until every developer who wanted to be annexed had been accommodated (ending with the infamous Sassafras Meadows annexation). Let's not forget that even after the Dunn-Comegys council claimed that they would do no more annexations until after the annexation policy was in place, they tried (fortunately the media shamed Dunn into backing down).
Recent Comegys "solutions" have included a double-digit tax increase while refusing to discuss an alternative. Last year Comegys, Shields and Smith were literally watering at the mouth to increase water and sewer rates by 10% and only stopped when persistent questioning by Campbell and Cohen forced the administration to admit that they were misrepresenting surpluses in the city's water and sewer fund.
Amusingly, Comegys and Shields didn't yell quite so loud when Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman wanted the taxpayers to fund a quarterly propaganda sheet that includes the tales of a fictional family. Of course this wouldn't be a problem since the taxpayer is picking up the tab. Perhaps Comegys should be listed under "hypocrisy" as well.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, Debbie Campbell, Terry Cohen, Daily Times, Gannett, Gary Comegys, Shanie Shields, Barrie Tilghman, Louise Smith, taxation, fiscal policy, hypocrisy, audit
It appears that Salisbury Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen have begun distributing a newsletter and have set up a website. Kudos to them for wanting to reach out to their constituents. Of course this doesn't sit too well with two of their colleagues on the Salisbury Council.
Councilwoman Shanie Shields, the council's great orator and Tilghman administration house intellectual ("I ain't never seen no wasteful government spending") doesn't think too highly of Campbell and Cohen's efforts:
"To me, this is not being a team," said Councilwoman Shanie Shields, who once put out a minority newsletter with County Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes. "Nobody knew anything about it. To me, it's a personal agenda."As the Daily Times points out, Shields has been "guilty" of the same offense. In the past, County Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes has offered Shields space on her newsletter. We have consistently applauded Sample-Hughes for her efforts to reach out to her constituents through newsletters and quarterly meetings. Perhaps Shields is upset because Campbell and Cohen didn't offer to put her name up there with their own. Perhaps Shields wants to approve all of the content prior to publication?
We can also see why Salisbury Councilman Gary Comegys is included under "foolishness":
"I find it ironic Terry and Debbie have the time to do a blog, but not to do real solutions for the community," Comegys said.Such a comment is particularly sad in light of Comegys' own recent comments regarding the city's audit and the disgraceful state of the Tilghman administration's financial management of the Salisbury government.
In December, 2007 Comegys was toeing the Barrieland line by claiming that "this audit thang (sic) has been blown out of proportion". That's right Gary. Misplacing over $10 million of taxpayer money is nothing to worry about.
At the same meeting Comegys incorrectly stated that the city was balancing (reconciling) its accounts. Of course that hasn't been true for years.
At the council's last work session, which was to design solutions to some of the city's financial management problems Comegys left the meeting early and Councilwoman Louise Smith cut the meeting short rather than seek real solutions without the Tilghman administration marionette there to pull her strings. Perhaps Comegys should worry about his own time management skills rather than worrying about Campbell's and Cohen's.
"Real solutions for the community"? Come on Gary. What have your real solutions been? A triple subsidy to the old mall developers. Refusal to adopt an annexation policy until every developer who wanted to be annexed had been accommodated (ending with the infamous Sassafras Meadows annexation). Let's not forget that even after the Dunn-Comegys council claimed that they would do no more annexations until after the annexation policy was in place, they tried (fortunately the media shamed Dunn into backing down).
Recent Comegys "solutions" have included a double-digit tax increase while refusing to discuss an alternative. Last year Comegys, Shields and Smith were literally watering at the mouth to increase water and sewer rates by 10% and only stopped when persistent questioning by Campbell and Cohen forced the administration to admit that they were misrepresenting surpluses in the city's water and sewer fund.
Amusingly, Comegys and Shields didn't yell quite so loud when Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman wanted the taxpayers to fund a quarterly propaganda sheet that includes the tales of a fictional family. Of course this wouldn't be a problem since the taxpayer is picking up the tab. Perhaps Comegys should be listed under "hypocrisy" as well.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, Debbie Campbell, Terry Cohen, Daily Times, Gannett, Gary Comegys, Shanie Shields, Barrie Tilghman, Louise Smith, taxation, fiscal policy, hypocrisy, audit
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