Breaking News

Shots fired behind the Wicomico County Visitors Center. A woman was heard screaming and the Delmar and WCSO are searching the woods as well as a State Police Helicopter with infra red censors on it to search for the woman.

More to come.........

I've just returned from the scene and the Police didn't find anything. The helicopter picked up a couple of images but said they had moved rather quickly, so they felt it was probably animals.

My Friend Thom Gulyas Chimes In On The OCVFC

Well, seems like we’ve been able to mix Politicians, Volunteer Professionals, Paid Professionals and now look at the mess that has been created. It is a wonder at times that anything gets accomplished when something like this happens. We have created a sense in the community that some fear no one will respond when they need help the most. Don’t discount this thought; this is what your public feels is happening behind their backs and they’re making it well known.

Is there enough blame to go around? Who cares? That’s not what this writer wants to visit anyway. What most people hope… myself included… that should the need arise for assistance that the “Professionals” will respond. I honestly don’t give a rat’s backside if they are paid or not. I know most of these folks first hand; I was a volunteer for several years in Ocean City. I went through basics with Chief Larmore and we really had some good times together as a group. You can say what you want, as I’m sure someone will, but I’ve seen this man in training with all of us. We all learned together to stay alive on a fire scene.

I realize that Jay Jester may not be everyone’s cup of tea either. To me, he has always been a friend. Even though our paths don’t cross often enough these days, he is the type of person that you would be lucky to call a “friend.” Let me share something with you that few folks know. When I was going through a tough time with a family member who was fighting cancer, Jay was there. There has never been, nor will there probably ever be, someone like Jay who you can honestly count on as a true “friend.” I don’t mean the type of person who you go to parties with or a ball game. Anyone can do that. I mean the type of man who you can call at 2 am because you need help with a problem and he drops what he is doing to get there. I’ve requested his help and he has followed though. That, my friends, is what the meaning of a “true friend” is. Look, I know Jay can be a bit rough about the edges, but that’s what makes him who “he” is. He has always been quick with an answer of wit; but he is always respectful nevertheless.

On the Paid Professional side we have any number of folks. I do not claim to know Joe Theobald. I’ve never met the man. Chuck Barton, whom I know just in passing, has always struck me as a man of integrity. Why they didn’t give him the option of leading the Paid Professionals I do not know. Perhaps he saw the writing on the wall and didn’t want it? Just speculation on my part. But I do know that Chuck is a wealth of information that would compromise the Town of Ocean City should he be lost.

The other Paid Professional that I would like to also mention is the union representative, Michael Maykrantz. Look, I’ve known Maykrantz for almost 20 years. He was one of the first people to turn me into Chief Roger Steger for following his fire truck too close on my very first call. What can I say? I wanted him out of the way…I had to get there! I didn’t resent him for doing that. Looking back, I would have done the same thing If I were him. I could have killed someone; even though it was the dead of winter. Maykrantz was there a second time (along with Sackadorf and a few other friends) when I entered a building a bit hastily before anyone else. No tools, no water. Rags on the stove at The General’s Kitchen. When Sackadorf and Maykrantz knocked out that side window and came in…only to tell me to get outside that they wanted to “talk to me.” I got my talking….and then some. I’ll never forget that. From what I remember, I was the Volunteer NEWBIE and I believe they were both Paid Professionals. I know it saved my life in future incidents. However, on a lighter note, Salty-Dog-Fire-Supply is always the place to buy. Right krantz?

ALL of these men and women are fine people whom I have come to respect. ALL of them train…and train…and train. ALL of them are prepared for most everything that they encounter on a daily basis. I’ve seen the Volunteer Professionals and the Paid Professionals work on people who I knew were deceased. Why did they continue? Because you never stop working while the decedent’s family is standing there…watching. Never.

Although my life has taken me in a different direction with my family and my business, I have told these Volunteer Professionals and Paid Professionals that we may disagree on some things. Hey, that’s life, right? But should I EVER need medical assistance or fire assistance, I damn sure hope it is one of the Volunteer Professionals or Paid Professionals from Ocean City that comes to aid. I would trust them with my family’s safety. Anytime. Anyplace.

I only hope that not too much is lost in the way of friendships between these two groups. I do hope you all can mend those deep wounds someday…soon. We need to be able to count on each other. However, even in this time of pressure, I’m proud to see that both sides do your best to remain calm while in the public’s view. That speaks volumes in itself.

I would hope that the Volunteer Professionals and the Paid Professionals work together and hire a professional facilitator to help both sides get back on track. We, the Public, deserve and expect your best. You’ve given it in the past and I believe you’ll be able to get it all together again. Don’t worry about the injections of the politicians at City Hall. The Public will take care of anything necessary there.

Good luck you all and may God Bless you all... All you Professionals. You’re going to need it.

Your Friend,
Thom Gulyas
Past Volunteer Firefighter #47
Ocean City, Maryland

PS…. Should the need arise for anyone to take a cheap shot at me, please don’t do so here on Joe's Blog. I'll provably miss it and wouldn't respond anyway. I’m always available at my office at ACE Printing & Mailing in Berlin Maryland. Stop by and discuss anything anytime.

Station 16 Valued At $798,000.00!

While Mike Dunn, Gary Comegys and Mayor Barrie Tilghman did everything they could to GIFT the old Fire Station to Bill Ahtes and the Arts Council Group, a REAL appraisal, (not Chief See's phony drive by appraisal) and the building that they wanted to give away has been professionally valued at $798,000.00!

So the question is, IF this Blog wasn't around, YOU would have been screwed out of almost $800,000.00! Like me or not, this Blog has made a difference. In the beginning, I also offered to start the bid at Auction at $250,000.00 simply to prove to everyone this building had more value to it and the City should NOT give it away.

Now of course the Mayor and certain Council Members are never going to come back and say Albero was right. That's cool. The bottom line to me is, they were forced into getting a true value on this property and while taxes have gone up, they need to sell this property for real value and help pay for the new Fire Station. They can also put that money towards upgrading the Salisbury Zoo. There are several places they could help out within the community but giving it away was simply unacceptable.

The ball is now back in the Mayor's court, will she GIVE it away now that the Public is well aware of what the property is truly worth?

Have We Nailed The Suspect?

I just added this photo, taken two weeks ago and posted on the Sheriff's Department Sex Offenders Site.


That composite sketch of suspected kidnapping subject (in Delaware, attempted abduction of 14 year old.) looks just like JERMAINE WRIGHT. You know, the guy who just got out of ECI who murdered that young girl, lives on West road. (supposedly) here in town.

This was a message sent to me earlier today. We contacted the Wicomico County Sheriff's Department and they have in turn contacted the Delaware State Police.

I'll add, they agree, this could be a match. Thanks to this HOT TIP, we may have put two and two together and this is what's so fantastic about this Blog. We'll keep you posted.

Delmar Fire Chief's Wife Allegedly In Car Accident This Morning

Someone recently commented that the Wife of one of the Fire Chief's in Delmar was allegedly in a serious accident today responding to a fire call.

Again, allegedly, they ran a stop sign and struck a woman coming from the high school with her kids in the car. The lady had to be cut out of the car.

Again, I truly enjoy the Fire Chief of Delmar and I'm sorry to hear of this accident. The concern of the reader is, of course, why are Firefighters running stop signs?

Maybe this kind of stuff has been going on a lot more than we ever knew, it just wasn't being reported? Gotta love that Daily Times, eh?

Blogs Are Not As Easy As They Look

Councilwomen Campbell & Cohen created their own Blog Site offering updated political information to the Public. While this is certainly a noble attempt, their Site falls short of regular posts, discouraging visitors from visiting on a regular basis.

I had personally hoped this would be a daily Blog but I personally knew I'd be dreaming, considering I know just how busy these two people are. If only the Public truly knew how much life it takes out of you.

It would be a different story if you're someone like Comegys and Smith, having easy access to whatever you want. They make Debbie & Terry's life hell giving them things at the last minute and their having to do crash research and everyone wonders why they ask so many questions at Council Meetings.

Mayor Tilghman and Smith laugh the entire time because they know the Public isn't privy as to why they do ask all those questions but it is what it is and we can only hope thing will turn around after the next election.

Getting back to their Blog. My other hope, (dream) was that I wouldn't have to attend all those Council Meetings and Work Sessions. As you can easily see with the multitude of Posts I put up daily, this Blog has become somewhat overwhelming and extremely time consuming. Oh, I'm not complaining. I'm simply sharing that I know more than anyone else out there just how tough it is to run one of these things.

Just imagine how huge I'd be if I had a Staff of 200, like the Daily Times! Then again, no one is really complaining about what we deliver, so we're doing fine with what we have.

Debbie & Terry should reconsider their quest in the Blogosphere and IMO simply offer a once a week postings, preferably a Sunday Morning Blog? Rather than having people go there every day and get disappointed, once a week would please most and also take some of that pressure away from irregular postings. Just a thought?

Sometimes Divorce Is Inevitable, OCFD

While I attended last nights Ocean City Council Meeting, it was completely packed again, standing room only. Obviously the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department is the hottest ticket on the Shore.

I'm going to start off here somewhat getting away from the main story because I feel the need to give everyone an understanding of just what these Volunteers are actually going through.

The closest comparison I can give to their situation is very similar to a couple divorcing. Many parents tell their children, you're head of household, pull it together and save this marriage. What many people do not get is that you cannot control your spouse. If your partner cheats on you, lies and has no regard for everyone else involved, sometimes divorce is inevitable. That being said, the long and short of the OC Volunteer Fire company is the spouse that was cheated on and lied to. The trust is gone.

Last night the Council President clearly admitted he had done the Volunteers wrong. He did things behind their backs, lied and manned up to his portion of his involvement by apologizing and asking for forgiveness. The Mayor never offered such an apology and perhaps had hoped that since the Council President said it, maybe his guilt was relieved in the hopes that the Council President was speaking for everyone involved?

I can tell you that there came a time in a Budget Meeting where the Paid Firefighters and others on the Council, (and Mayor) snuck in a new Fire Truck and yes, even a new Fire Chief. All of which was never mentioned to the Volunteers and they later learned their intent was to turn the entire Department into a paid Fire Fighting Service. They never confronted the Volunteers on any of it.

The Council President went on to say, (after his apology) he wasn't sure if they could mend the damage that had been done but they were willing to do everything in their powers to make things work.

IMO, this could be one of those things where they know they screwed the Volunteers and by apologizing and stating that they are willing to do anything to repair it, they may actually intend NOT to fix and mend things, yet they can come back in the end and say, well, we offered everything possible to make things right and hope the Public forgives them?

That of course is my opinion because I am so used to Salisbury Politics and especially the former Council President Mike Dunn. You couldn't trust a word out of that guys mouth and whenever you challenged him he'd chop your head off or have you removed from a Council Meeting for expressing your feelings.

I will say that the drama from the OC Council is very tame compared to Salisbury as well. There's no attacks back and forth and they handle themselves very professionally. The Salisbury City Council should be forced to watch these people, (7 of them, 8 including the Mayor) work.

Now, Councilman Hall actually stated the most intelligent statement of them all. He said, this is not a game. If Ocean City were to have a catastrophe, you have 100 Volunteers that actually total 300 to 400 people when you add their families into the scope of it all. These are Families that sacrifice every day of the week, 365 days a year. If something serious were to happen and we didn't have these Volunteers, you're talking about another internal disaster because we'd only have 40 paid Firefighters to care for the entire City. "We need 300 to 400 Firefighters, not 40!"

This is a very serious matter to consider because there has been years of training for such a situation and to lose all those Volunteers, (which is a serious possibility) could cripple the City.

I spoke with Chief Laramore and we discussed this possibility. Quite frankly, they may have no choice but to walk out. The reason for such is the serious tension between the Paid Firefighters and the Volunteers. If YOU had attended last night, the paid were separated from the Volunteers and when I was speaking to other Firefighters outside the building before the meeting, believe me, they all do not want anything to do with one and other. Life time friendships have been destroyed and many do not ever feel they can be mended.

If you saw the arrogance of the Paid Firefighters, not even willing to go to the podium to speak unless the Volunteers left their place at the table in front of the Council, it was disgusting to see!

The solution may end up in a divorce and the Volunteers may just have to move to West Ocean City and provide a service there 2nd to none there. The hope from the Mayor & Council is for all of them to get together and talk this out till the end. The Volunteers have agreed to do so, they just weren't able to settle on a date last night.

Why Ocean City can't learn from what happened to the City of Salisbury and how screwed up that environment is, is beyond me? The Volunteers in Salisbury were screwed in a big way and I doubt many reading this will disagree. The Mayor, Chief See & Gordy really divided all of them and have such control over the Department, not many are happy with the outcome.

The Volunteers need to learn from that history and decide, do they divorce Ocean or do they settle in and change rolls in their own homes? The Volunteer Chief put on the table a proposal that would divide the Paramedics from the Firefighters and that's what they'll discuss in a future meeting, as mentioned earlier.

There was another major issue I'd like to bring to the table here and that is a major question asked to the Paid Firefighters. If you're no longer on your shift and a fire breaks out, are you allowed and or do you go to the fire anyway. The answer is, NO. However, they tried skirting around the answer by comparing Baltimore as an answer, not OC. They were asked again, more directly and in the end their stated their insurance would not cover them and they were not willing to take that risk. You ALL know I have a word for that and it rhymes with wussy.

I'll add something the Volunteer Chief stated. "I don't see why we have to fight so hard just to volunteer." That was very powerful.

More to come.

Joe

PRESS RELEASE

Effective March 17, 2008, parking will be prohibited on both sides of Wayne Street and Avery Street between Bateman Street and S. Division Street. This restriction is the result Council of the City of Salisbury Resolution 1630 passed on February 11, 2008.

For more information, please contact Ray Birch at 410-548-3177.

James S. Caldwell, P.E.

Director of Public Works

Public Notice

The City Council has scheduled an additional work session for

4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 to discuss a proposed FY08 budget amendment.

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

North Salisbury Teacher Debbie Wilkins Named Wicomico Teacher Of The Year

Debbie Wilkins, a fifth-grade teacher in the Magnet Program at North
Salisbury Elementary, was recognized for her outstanding work in the
classroom when she was named 2008-09 Wicomico Teacher of the Year March 17.

Interim Superintendent of Schools Thomas B. Field and Board of Education
President Robin Holloway announced Wilkin's honor at the end of the annual
Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet. The 25th annual Wicomico
Teacher of the Year Banquet was held at The Commons at Salisbury University
with more than 250 people in attendance. Guests included the newly named
Wicomico Superintendent of Schools (effective July 1) Dr. John Fredericksen
and his wife, Dr. Renee Fredericksen, and Dr. Darla Strouse, head of
Maryland's Teacher of the Year Program.

"I am proud to say that my 28 years of teaching has been in Wicomico
County," wrote Wilkins in her Teacher of the Year writing prompt. "I am also
proud to say that if I had the opportunity to start over, to choose another
career, it would be 'Teacher.'"

"It is my hope that I inspire the desire to learn."

As Teacher of the Year, Wilkins will represent Wicomico County's more than
1,200 teachers. Her nomination for Wicomico Teacher of the Year came from
several of her fifth-grade students, who praised their teacher for inspiring
students to learn more about a topic by "talking about a topic" but not too
much, which "makes students research about that topic." Her leadership in
helping students put on a Veterans Day celebration each year means that "We
now understand that veterans do anything to protect our country."

"She's very kind and she's a person who is my role model," another student
wrote. A third student said Mrs. Wilkins "inspires people to learn by
making it fun," and that she is organized and outgoing but "can still
discipline if needed." "She really cares about what we learn and how we
learn it," the student wrote.

Wicomico's new Teacher of the Year will begin her year in style, arriving at
North Salisbury Elementary School at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday chauffeured in a
classic 1949 Buick provided for the occasion by Wicomico music teacher and
auto enthusiast Buck Burton. Her students, other fifth-grade Magnet
students, and fellow North Salisbury staff members will turn out to greet
her when she arrives. An assembly for the whole school will follow, with
Wilkins seated in a giant "chair of honor."

Wilkins will be featured, along with all of this year's semifinalists, in a
"Working Together for Children" Teacher of the Year special on PAC 14.

Later this year, Wilkins will represent Wicomico County Public Schools in
the Maryland Teacher of the Year contest. Wicomico is proud to have two
former Maryland Teachers of the Year, Bonnie Walston and Aaron Deal, working
in its school system on behalf of students.

Debbie Wilkins, 2008-09 Wicomico Teacher of the Year

Wilkins graduated from Snow Hill High School and received a bachelor's
degree from Salisbury University in 1975. She began her teaching career in
1977 as a third-grade teacher at Glen Avenue Elementary, where she taught
until 1988. Later that year, she began teaching in the school system's
Magnet Program for elementary students at North Salisbury Elementary,
initially as a third-grade teacher. She now teaches fifth grade in the North
Salisbury Elementary Magnet Program.

"Mrs. Wilkins is one of the most creative and innovative teachers in the
county," said her supervisor, Lee Powell, supervisor of the Magnet Program.

In addition to what she does every day in the classroom, Wilkins has taken
on extra activities that make learning even more fun and educational for
North Salisbury students and provide opportunities for parents and the
community to share in what students learn. Seventeen years ago, she began
helping her students put on a Multicultural Fair with food, games and
cultural information. "This program has grown each year. Students have the
opportunity to share their culture or learn about a new one. Parents also
play an important role. They become part of it," Wilkins wrote. Other North
Salisbury students have the opportunity to explore other cultures through
the Multicultural Fair.

Each November, Wilkins also guides her students in putting on a Veterans Day
Program. In preparation for Veterans Day, every North Salisbury fifth-grader
writes a letter to a veteran who is serving or has served the country.
Wilkins' students lead the program, serving as speakers, greeters and ribbon
makers. The event is attended by North Salisbury students and is open to the
community and its veterans. Through the Veterans Day program, North
Salisbury fifth-graders and other students "understand how they earned their
freedom, the sacrifices that were made so they could learn and feel safe at
school," Wilkins wrote.

Top Teachers

Twenty-seven semifinalists were selected to complete a writing prompt and
undergo an interview with a blue-ribbon judging panel of former Wicomico
teachers of the year. Based on results from the interview and writing
exercise, the judging panel chose a finalist to represent each school level.
Finalists were, in addition to Wilkins for the intermediate level, Virginia
Mogan, kindergarten teacher, Prince Street Elementary (Primary); Bettina
Postles, science teacher, Wicomico Middle (Middle); and Melissa Schock,
Social Studies teacher, Wicomico High (High School).

The other semifinalists for Wicomico Teacher of the Year were:

Primary:
Mindy Craft, Grade 2, Beaver Run Elementary
Barbara Culver, Schoolwide Title 1 Resource, Charles H. Chipman Elementary
Terri Goldman, Primary Special Education, Delmar Elementary
Jacqueline Lemon, Grade 2, Fruitland Primary
Melissa Echard, Prekindergarten, Northwestern Elementary
Tara Parsons, Grade 2, Pemberton Elementary
Mary Mackes, Kindergarten, Pinehurst Elementary
Debbie Karten, Grade 2, Westside Intermediate
Ronna Bievenour, Prekindergarten, Westside Primary
Deborah Simpkins, Grade 2, Willards Elementary

Intermediate:
Matthew Guy, Grade 4, East Salisbury Elementary
Theresa Spicer, Grade 4, Fruitland Intermediate
Priscilla Basehart, Title 1 Reading, Glen Avenue Elementary
Lisa King, Grade 3, Pinehurst Elementary
Melissa Thomas, Grade 5, Pittsville Elementary and Middle
Jean McMullin, Grade 4, Prince Street Elementary
Kim Messick, Grade 5, Westside Intermediate

Middle:
Mary Laurenzano, Math, Bennett Middle
Renee Hesson, Reading Intervention, Mardela Middle
Dottie Walls, Computer Education, Pittsville Elementary and Middle
Krista Brown, Math, Salisbury Middle

High:
Jeff Baer, Choral, Mardela Middle and High
Ben Vickers, History, Parkside High

All 102 Teacher of the Year nominees were invited to attend the banquet,
which spotlights not just the year's most outstanding teacher, but all
Wicomico educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership, a commitment to
excellence, dedication to teaching the children of the community, and
professional achievement, said Karen Leimann, coordinator of the Teacher of
the Year Program.

Friend of Education, Business Sponsors

Each year at the Wicomico County Teacher of the Year Awards Banquet,
Wicomico also honors a "Friend of Education" who has generously supported
Wicomico schoolchildren and schools. This year's recipient of the "Friend"
Award will be the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. Since 1984, the
Community Foundation has supported local nonprofit organizations like the
Wicomico County Public Schools in many ways. Schools can receive Excellence
in Education Awards through the Community Foundation for outstanding
programs or projects. The Foundation manages the Samuel Seidel Memorial
Reading Forever Endowment Fund, which since 1991 has given nearly $70,000 to
support the purchase of library books in school media centers; The
Children's Fund, which supports after-school programs in Wicomico, and the
Charles and Gladys Goslee Youth Help Fund, which provides financial
assistance to students in need.

"The Foundation believes in the power of philanthropy and provides community
leadership through grants, nonprofit support programs, charitable
partnerships, and local initiatives on the lower Eastern Shore, especially
in Wicomico County," Leimann said. "Wicomico schools and students are very
fortunate to have the Community Foundation as a partner."

Tracy Sahler
Public Information Officer
Wicomico County Public Schools

Slow Start

While I have many posts to put up this morning, especially last nights OC Council Meeting and the end results from that meeting, I have several things on my plate this morning that will slow me down from my regular barrage of posts.

This week's DVD releases-3/18/2008

"I Am Legend",starring Will Smith,and based on a 1954 sci-fi novel of the same name by Richard Matheson,will be among this weeks DVD releases.It is actually the 3rd film adaptation of the novel,the movies "The Last Man on Earth"(1964) and "The Omega Man"(1971)are also based on the "I Am Legend" novel.Alot of CGI effects,nevertheless a great film.Widescreen

Other Theatrical Releases this week:

• "Atonement"-Keira Knightley and James McAvoy star as tragic lovers seperated by a lie-widescreen
• "Enchantment"-Live action Disney romantic comedy/real-life fairytale stars Patrick Dempsey-widescreen,also on Blu-ray

Other releases:

• "After Dark Horror Fest-8 Films to die for"-Second installment of "Horror Fest" films-great independent horror-Consists of the following titles:

"Borderland "
"Crazy Eights "
"The Deaths of Ian Stone "
''Lake Dead ''
"Mulberry Street ''
"Nightmare Man ''
"Tooth & Nail ''
''Unearthed ''

• "Bull Durham"(1988)-commentary added
• "The Ice Storm"(1997)-2 disc set
• "Love in the time of Cholera"-deleted scenes,alternate scenes
• "Revolver"-widescreen
• "Don't Drink the Water "(1969) -widescreen
• "Mafioso" (1962) - Criterion Collection -widescreen

Tv on DVD this week:

• "McHale's Navy-Season Three "-5 disc set
• "Married With Children - The Complete Eighth Season"- 3 disc set
• " The Wild Wild West - The Fourth Season"-6 disc set
• " Battlestar Galactica - Season Three "Commentary,6 disc set
• "Bionic Woman - Volume One "-2 disc set
• "Go Diego Go! - Moonlight Rescue "-fullscreen,Nickelodeon childrens show movie length episode

Thats all for this week!

MOVIE TRIVIA:George Romero was inspired to create his breakout film "Night of the Living Dead"by the novel.

Calling On Legislators To Limit Spending

Dear Legislator,

The Senate has passed Governor O’Malley’s budget. The vote was disappointing. Only 7 members voted against a budget funded on record tax increases; a budget that unsustainably increased spending and added to Maryland’s structural deficit, even as our economy slides into recession.

This week, the House takes up the budget. The Maryland Taxpayers Association strongly urges the House to offer amendments that will reduce spending consistent with today’s lower revenue reality. If such amendments are not accepted, MTA urges legislators to vote against a budget that:

· Is based on record tax increases

· Creates future structural deficits

· Counts on revenue from a future referendum (slots)

· Exceeds inflation plus the rate of population growth

· Does not allow for a possible revenue shortfall.

Legislators have a fiduciary duty. Simply offering budget amendments doesn’t fulfill it. You can’t sing with the choir against tax increases on Sunday and then vote for fiscally irresponsible budgets on Monday. Many legislators did that last year and it did not go unnoticed.

Expanding the size, scope and funding of government simply hasn’t produced positive, measurable results. It’s time to say “no” to business as usual and “yes” to working families, small businesses, and retirees. They can’t afford another structural deficit and more tax increases.

It’s time to freeze new programs, unneeded government expansion and spending.