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Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Live From The Downtown Plaza


Oh, they're in trouble now!

USB Modem Broadband Capable

Salisbury News is now live from anywhere and everywhere. I went into Verizon and bit the bullet for a wireless high speed connection so I can now be mobile and cover just about anything live. Things are about to change Ladies & Gentlemen. I am on the Downtown Plaza sending this Post as we speak. Next we'll try downloading a photo and see how that works. I'll be back.

Jury Awards $1.769 Million To Daughter Of Man Killed In Collision With A Fire Truck

A Kansas City, Kansas jury awarded $1.7 million to the daughter of a man killed in a collision with a Kansas City fire truck in a case that exposed the cover-up of numerous procedure violations by the fire department in the case of Sabrina Bacerra, a minor, Natural Dependent Daughter and Legal Heir of Aaron M. Bacerra, et al v. Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas.

GO HERE for the full story.

The New $5.00 Bill

Room 305 Goes Wi-Fi


Once the County Council wrapped up their meeting today I asked if I could speak. Mr. Cannon was happy to allow me to do so and I asked a simple, yet important question. I stated that the City Council is now broadcasting their audio files of each meeting on their Website, what's the chances of getting Wi-Fi for the Press?

Mr. Cannon stated he didn't have any real problem with that but asked, don't we already have Wi-Fi in the building? Mr. Baker responded, yes, but that's secured and I do not believe the County is going to allow anyone on the outside to use our server.

Mr. Creamer chimed in and said, you're all wrong. We already have Wi-Fi in this room and it's not secured! Mr. Baker said, I don't believe we have an unsecured access available in this room. Mr. Creamer again stated that he knows for a fact they do. He even stated he'd be willing to go get his laptop and get on the Internet right away, if we'd like? He then stated that the previous Council had approved an unsecured Wi-Fi access.

So much for my question, eh? If you know where I'm going with this, we're going LIVE from Council Meetings from here on out! I'm talking about downloading almost instant photos and instant information to you while it happens.

Joe "G" from the Daily Times was blown away by my question and their answer. He too admitted he could have saved a TON of time if he knew he could have brought in his laptop and worked right from that very room.

Nevertheless, we're going to have a BLAST with this. You wait and see though. Barrie will find a way to scramble it, you mark my words. Things are about to get real fun around here now Folks!

Only In New York!

Must Win Game For Capitals Tonight!

Tonight at 7:00 in DC, the Capitals are playing in a must win game against the Division leader of the Carolina Hurricanes. Currently they are only two points behind Carolina for the Division lead and each of the three Divisional leaders no matter what their record is go to the playoffs. The Caps are 8-2 in their last ten keeping the gap close and are 5 for 6 on the road. The final two at large playoff spots are occupied by Boston and Philadelphia with 91 points. Washington has 88 points and Carolina has 90. If the Capitals loose they will then be 4 points behind Carolina with two remaining games. A loss would mean that the Caps would have to win out with Carolina, Philly, or Boston loosing out.

Alexander Ovechkin has led the Caps with 62 goals and 47 assists. It will be a harder case for Ovechkin to be awarded the Heart Memorial Trophy for being the MVP of the NHL if the Capitals do not make the playoffs. Look for him to step up with a big game to secure the win.

Carolina who is 7-2-1 in their last 10 have been doing their part to stay in the post season. Goalie Cam Ward has been hot, giving up 3 or more goals only twice and save percentage over .900 in 9 of the last 10.

The Ovechkin, Ward battle is the key matchup tonight.

Carolina leads the series 4-3 this season against Washington and the game will be broadcasted on Comcast Sports.

A SEIZURE DOG For Christopher

Christopher has been given an incredible opportunity to obtain a seizure response dog, through an organization called 4 paws for ability. Our family must raise $11,000, the amount of money equivalent to what it will cost for the training and placement of this service dog in our home. We have planned a 5K run/walk and stroller strut for May 17th starting at Asbury Methodist Church in Salisbury, MD. The dog will help alert caregivers to seizure activity. The dog will provide much needed balance assistance that will improve Christopher’s mobility. The dog will also be an invaluable asset in decreasing social barriers affecting those that suffer from seizure disorders. Having a dog trained to specifically deal with seizures will give Christopher more independence as he grows, and will give his parents some piece of mind.

GO HERE to see their official Website.

Boy, 6, Found With Two Loaded Handguns At School

RANDALLSTOWN, Md. (AP)- Baltimore County police say a 6-year-old boy has been turned over to his parents after he was caught with two loaded handguns at Randallstown Elementary School.

According to police, the boy was detained after a 9 millimeter Kahr handgun fell out of his pocket in a classroom. A search of his backpack turned up a 40-caliber Glock handgun.

Police say both weapons were fully loaded, each with a round in the chamber.

It is not known if juvenile charges have been filed.

This was sent to me in an e-mail with no credit as to where they received it.

The Dough Rollers Aftermath


Here's a video taken today of the Dough Rollers that burned down over the weekend.

Can a Public Hearing Really Be a Pleasure to Attend?

I wrote this post last week and neglected to post it. As I was watching the Wicomico County Council meeting this morning I was again reminded at the great chasm between how our County government behaves towards its citizens (and the minority members of council) versus the approach taken by the Salisbury City Council "leadership". -

Someone from outside Wicomico County will read this and probably think that I'm crazy. Go almost anywhere else in the country to attend a public hearing or a council meeting and you'll probably be treated with courtesy and respect. However, if you make a habit of attending (or watching) both Salisbury City Council meetings and Wicomico County Council meetings the difference is stark.

Let's use Wicomico County Council's public hearing Tuesday night as an example. Council President John Cannon asked the public to limit their remarks to two or three minutes. Very few of us did. Yet, were speakers interrupted? The closest thing to an interruption came when two separate speakers went on for quite some time. In the first case, Cannon politely asked the gentleman to wrap things up after speaking for over ten minutes. In the second case, Cannon stated that he would appreciate it if the speaker would wrap things up, but that he would certainly be given the opportunity to speak again after the other speakers had an opportunity to have their say.

For over two hours seven council members, County Attorney Ed Baker, and council staff sat quietly and listened to their constituents. As I stated earlier, people from outside of Wicomico County would think that I'm crazy for applauding council members for doing their job. That's exactly what our elected officials are supposed to do, right?

Well, if you watch or attend Salisbury Council meetings then a Wicomico Council meeting seems to be something from another universe.

At Salisbury Council meetings you are able to witness gavel happy Councilwoman Louise Smith constantly interrupting the two Councilwomen who don't happen to march to Mayor Barrie Tilghman's drum. If you are a member of the public, make sure that you agree with Tilghman, Smith and their cohorts. If not, you'll be interrupted (at best), gaveled down, thrown out, or even threatened with arrest. Smith is even foolish enough to put some of her threats in writing.

If you happen to agree with Smith (read Tilghman), you are allowed to speak ad nauseum. If not, you are usually cut off.

The differences between the two bodies is like night and day. Perhaps that's one reason why Wicomico County is beginning to get its fiscal house in order and Salisbury can't balance its own checkbook.

Note: Before someone comments about the recent landfill scandal, remember that this began under the old regime and was finally uncovered.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

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"Open Government" Pocomoke Style = FOIA For Public Information Program


The corrupt officials who run Pocomoke City may talk a good game about “Open Government” there is a complete line of BS on the Mayor’s web blog about it.

THE FACT IS I HAVE TO FOIA AND USE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT LAWS TO FORCE THESE CROOKS TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAM MANDATED BY PUBLIC LAW:

I would like to obtain a copy of the ‘public information program regarding the purposes and application of this chapter’ as required by Section 37-3(D)

People of Pocomoke WAKE UP!!!

The “election” today is a farce until the un-elected dictator of Pocomoke City is removed from Office.

Thats ripe the people have to force the government to provide copies of a ‘Public Information’ program MANDATED BY LAW & STATUTE FOR OVER 25-YEARS!!!


If you want to read more click here: Pocomoke Ethics in Government

It’s Pocomoke

Barrie Tilghman and the Tax Differential Scam

During Monday's "State of the City" address, Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman again called for a "tax differential" for Salisbury. Now notice that she didn't call for a tax differential for Salisbury residents, or Salisbury taxpayers.

There's a simple reason. Tilghman doesn't want a true tax differential. That would mean a reduction in the property tax rates of Salisbury property owners. Instead, Tilghman wants the county to cut her a check. Gotta feed that bureaucracy don't ya know.

I happen to support a true tax differential. I understand the County government's reasoning in not being able to grant one, I just happen to believe that it is the right thing to do. I would NEVER support Tilghman's idea of a "tax differential". If the Maryland legislature ever decided to force Wicomico County into providing a differential (which I am also opposed to), I can only hope that our County Council would return that money to taxpayers. The Salisbury city government doesn't need more money to spend. They need to start being good stewards of the tax dollars they are already receiving.

It was unfortunate that Greg Latshaw of the "Daily Times" did not understand that what Tilghman is calling for is not a true tax differential.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

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Breaking News: The Graffiti Is Back In Salisbury





Although Mayor Tilghman stated the Salisbury Police Department was only one position shy of being fully staffed yesterday, although she stated the Graffiti was gone, the Mayor should have been at the time well aware that the District Court House was nailed big time by graffiti artists as well as 212 E. Main Street as well as the markings I have provided. I'm told much of this, (if not all) was done on Sunday night. You tell me, did the people who own these buildings simply MISS that they were tagged?

You see Mayor, yesterday was a record day here on this Blog and today will probably be even better, (Tuesday's usually are better than Monday's, believe it or not). That being said, people are going to think back to yesterday's State of the Screwed Up City Address, your words and then they'll see these photos and think, (like I did) Bull Sh!t!

Nope, you didn't see this in the Daily Times, I wonder why? However, we are your other source for REAL News and Information as well as Opinion. Call it whatever you want, Salisbury News delivers!

I made some phone calls to the proper people and they're NOT happy! How is it they made sure the Court House was immediately cleaned up, 212 E. Main Street, yet NONE of these other buildings were taken care of and the graffiti removed within 24 hours? Who owns 212 E. Main Street?

There is a Policy in which Chief Webster is supposed to enforce for the City having all graffiti removed within 24 hours. The County obviously took their end of the deal seriously. Why do the Mayor and Chief ignore such a partnership? Oh well, I guess the property owners will be fined and the Main Street area will be well cared for because it stands out more so than any other street?

The Re-Packaging of a Boondoggle

Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman's "State of the City" address on Monday provided us with a glimpse of how a truly devious mind works. For several years Tilghman and her "Dream Team" promoted the idea of a revitalization of the "North Prong" area of the city. The unstated goal has seems to be the gentrification of the West Side of Salisbury. To those of you not familiar with the term, gentrification usually has the end affect of driving the poor black folks (and Latinos) out and replacing them with nice, well coiffed white folk.

To date Tilghman and her minions have been unsuccessful in their pursuit. Their desire to subsidize developers through a Community Development Corporation (CDC) have been a bust. Too many of the unwashed see it for what it is (a bureaucratic boondoggle designed to consolidate Tilghman's power while funneling city funds to her friends). The state has, so far, refused to fund Tilghman's attempts to push a large portion of the minority community out of the city. Oh, what to do?

To get around this little problem Tilghman has devised a brilliant solution! The North Prong project is no long an economic development issue. It is now an "environmental disaster"! Tilghman is now seeking federal funds, with the help of Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (?-MD).

I have to give the old gal credit. No one can slap lipstick on a pig like Barrie! By relabeling her little scam an "environmental issue", she may be able to get the funds she desires. She may also be able to attract some of the more moderate tree huggers to her cause (Tilghman already seems to have the radical WET crowd firmly in her pocket).

Peeling off some of the opposition is key to her plan. She'll need help for STEP 2 of her minority eradication program.

STEP 2 involves a new "task force" that Tilghman has established. Their first charge will be to replace the "Fitzwater Street townhouses" with "Workforce Housing". Translation - she wants the city to take over those row homes west of the Perdue plant and replace them with housing that will sell for somewhere between $150,000 and $250,000. Who will be living there? It certainly won't be any of the hourly workers at the Perdue plant.

Of course this brings us to STEP 3. Tilghman didn't discuss this while telling her little story. STEP 3 will be coming up with a way to get Perdue to leave the city. Why? You can't have a Yuppie heaven on the West Side with that big ol' smelly chicken plant. Who wants to buy a $400,000 condo that overlooks those steam pipes? Forget how much Perdue pays in taxes and how many people the company employs.

Again, I have to give credit to Tilghman. She has done a masterful job of re-packaging her boondoggle. She may even get her funding.

Whether its two, five, ten, or fifteen years down the road the poor folks of the West Side will be able to thank Barrie Tilghman and Shanie Shields as they are being evicted from their homes.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

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Hold It, Hold It, Wait A Minute, Wait, Wait, Just A Second...


OK, NOW! PULL MY FINGER!

A Salisbury News Exclusive


Meet your new Zoo Director Joel M. Hamilton, 48 formerly from Rhode Island. I welcomed him to Salisbury yesterday and wished him luck on the new job. He looks like a nice guy, he's got my support.

Joel had his own Zoo Exhibit Design Company before coming to Salisbury. There must not be many Zoo's out there expanding or doing a complete make over.

OH WAIT, who am I kidding? Even though the rest of the United States is experiencing a DEPRESSION, Salisbury wants to move forward with a $36,000,000.00 Master Plan. So why not hire your own internal designer and do it for less, right?

Well, that would mean it would also make more sense to fire Paul Wilber and hire an internal Attorney to work directly for the City, right? You could then get rid of Lore' Chambers and let John Pick do what he was hired to do anyway.

Oh well, when you guys figure it all out, let me know, OK? In the mean time, welcome Joel and again, best of luck to you.

John, John, Seriously, Listen To Me..........


All I need is another $2,000,000.00 and I can get the Bar completed and the stripper pole installed in the new Fire Station. Pleeeeeeeeeease John, it's for morale and retention.

From Bad To Worse!






Who Is Running This Country?

1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.

2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.

3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country
and who are very good at crossword puzzles.

4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but
don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their
statistics shown in pie charts.

5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind
running the country -- if they could find the time -- and if they
didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.

6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the
country and did a far superior job of it, thank you very much.

7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't
too sure who's running the country and don't really care
as long as they can get a seat on the train.

8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who's running
the country as long as they do something really scandalous,
preferably while intoxicated.

9. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another
country but need the baseball scores.

10. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure there is a country...
or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for.
There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist
atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country or galaxy,
provided, of course, that they are not Republicans.

11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the
grocery store.

12. None of these are read by the guy who is running the country
into the ground.

A Record Day

It's been some time since you've see that headliner. Yesterday was a HUGE day here on Salisbury News. The LIVE Chat Room for the Mayor's State of the Screwed Up City Address, was a huge success. Thanks GA!

Then there was all the people coming in on a Monday to see what had happened to Dough Blowers on the Boardwalk. Finally, I believe there was obvious interest late in the Indoor Skate Board Park.

All in all there was some incredible discussion all the way around. I hope it continues on the Skate Park concept but we'll just have to wait and see on that one.

Nevertheless, thank you, welcome, and we hope you enjoy the other source for news and information here on the Eastern Shore.

Man Feet!


Guess who's feet this belongs to?

Pine Bluff and Camden Ave. Intersection Closing

The intersection of Pine Bluff and Camden will be closed Wed. April 2nd for public works. This is right next to Asbury Church on Camden. There are the electronic road signs which keeps you posted on the day the work will take place; the original date for the work was Tuesday. I'll post again if there are any changes.

O's Bullpen Only Bright Spot in Season Opener

Camden Yards,

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays scored 6 runs after a 2 run first by the O's to win the game. Jeremy Guthrie gave up 5 earned runs in the loss for the Orioles in 5.1 innings of duty. Guthrie got into trouble in the 5th by giving up 2 runs and leaving men on 1st and third with one out for Matt Albers. Albers, in his O's debut, got them out of the inning and did not give up a hit in his 2.2 innings pitched. Biran Burres came in the 9th and gave up only one hit. Both pitchers gave the O's the chance to come back but the bats were cold for the rest of the game. Kevin Millars 2 run double in the first were the only tallies for the O's the whole game.

James Shields pitched 7 innings for his win and Eric Hinske hit a solo shot in the 4th inning for the Rays.

This was Tampa Bay's first opening day win in 8 years.

Boxscore here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=280331101

Today's Wildlife Photo

This weeks DVD releases: 4/1/2008



"Alvin and The Chipmunks" is my favorite new release for this week.Having seen it,I think it was a decent family flick and Jason Lee is one of my favorite actors.And who can resist Alvin,Simon & Theodore?

Other theatrical releases:

  • "The Good Night"-stars Gwyneth Paltrow & Danny Devito-widescreen
  • "Sweeney Todd:The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"-Graphic Tim Burton Victorian era tale,stars Johnny Depp-2 disc set

TV on DVD:

  • "Martin-The Complete Fourth Season "-4 disc set
  • "Father Knows Best-Season One"-4 disc set
  • "Murder,She Wrote-The Complete Eighth Season"-5 disc set
  • "The Wrong Medicine-60 Minutes"
  • "The Science of Sleep-60 Minutes"

Other DVD releases this week:

  • "The Osmonds-in Las Vegas - Collector's Edition"-2 disc set
  • "Hidalgo"-Bluray release
  • "Blue Man Group - How to Be a Megastar Live!"-2 disc set

Thats all for this week.By the way,I am impressed to see that older black&white TV shows like "Father Knows Best" are becoming available on DVD.For those of you who do not buy alot of movies-alot of larger libraries carry TV series on DVD that most rental stores would not carry.