What Are YOU Going To Do?

Today is Earth Day, and the question has been asked all day... What are YOU going to do for Earth Day to make a permanent difference, in your life and into your future?
Earlier today, Joe posted a picture of a beautiful Indigo Bunting.
How many do you have in your backyard?
Most of you will not be able to say you have any. I thought I would post a little known bit of history about why we don't have them.
My 93 year old Grandfather, grew up during some of Americas hardest times and lived during some of it's best and he has watched and experienced first hand the loss of a lot of wildlife. He shared the following with me ...

If you want blue birds you have to provide the proper shelter for them. Blue Birds are attracted to areas that have places to nest that are about 5-7ft. off of the ground. He added...
After America took to the roads in automobiles and less and less people kept horses; people did not keep their pastures fenced anymore.
Rotten Fence posts are a favorite place for blue birds to nest. With the disappearance of fence post from our nations landscape, came the disappearance of Blue Bird habitat.
Yes, of course there are rotten trees that have holes somewhere around that height, but they aren't consistent like the consistency of the fence posts around a horse pasture.
In the early 1980 bluebirds had almost disappeared from North America.
When the wooden fence post phenomenon was recognized; ecologists started hanging bluebird houses 5-7ft off of the ground all over the country.
The Boy Scouts played a huge role in getting these houses hung.
You are now probably wondering; What about the Blue Bird population before Europeans took over the continent and started building fences?
Read on Europeans brought something with them that Native Peoples did not keep.

Bluebirds are easy prey for domestic cats.
Because they nest so low to the ground cats can rob their nests, and when the bird is entering and exiting the nest they swoop down just low enough for a waiting kitty to snatch them.

This brings us back to the original question; What Can YOU do for Earth Day?

Keep your Cat in the House !
Domestic cats let outside will kill something whether they are hungry or not. They are predators, it is sport, and they usually don't eat what they kill.
Cats have no enemy in the wild that they cannot escape other than man, and the introduction of them into our ecosystem is one of the most irresponsible things that we as humans can do.

It is easy, it is free, and it will have a profound impact on the environment. In a couple of years you may even see Bunnies and lots of different Song Birds in your backyard.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO OBSERVE ARBOR DAY WITH TREE PLANTING

Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., joined by school and county officials, will plant a tree in observance of Arbor Day this Friday, April 25th at 10:00 A.M. at the newly-renovated Prince Street Elementary School in Salisbury. Pollitt said he chose the location because, “There is a close relationship between renewing our natural environment at the same time we renew our schools. Both will have a significant impact on the world we leave the next generation.”

“Arbor Day reminds us of how fragile our natural environment has become and that it is our obligation to future generations to assure the survival of the trees,” said Mr. Pollitt in anticipation of the event.

Update On OC Murder

There was a heated "discussion" with the local yardman Sunday about how much money he was to be paid for his services on her yard. He confessed last night to the murder. I also found out from a friend of Ms. Parker that she was very nice, but also very hot headed. She was also not American....Asian I was told.

Hooper's Fundraiser On Thursday

Talia Pleasant is 4 years old. She has had a long life in and out of hospitals due to cancer. She has been battling multiple childhood cancers for most of her life. Her cancer is no longer treatable. She has been given 2-3 months to live. She wants to go to Disney World to see Cinderella and her castle.

Patrick Brady and my friends at Hooper's Crab House at the Rt.50 bridge in West Ocean City are having a fundraiser for her on Thursday, April 24th from 5-8pm. The admission is $30 at the door. Hooper's is providing dinner including all you can eat crabs, shrimp, hush puppies, corn on the cob, clam strips, baby back ribs and fried chicken, soda and draft beer.

Would you like to know more about Talia? Would you like to make a donation? Please visit www.caringbridge.org/md/taliapleasant.

If you would like more information regarding the fundraiser at Hooper's, please call Patrick Brady at 410-213-1771.

When: Thursday, April 24th 5 - 8 pm

Where:
Hooper's Crab House
12913 Ocean Gateway
West Ocean City

Admission: $30 donation

Includes: All you can eat crabs, corn on the cob, shrimp, hush puppies,
clam strips, baby back ribs, fried chicken, soda, draft beer

PLEASE COME OUT FOR A GREAT DINNER FOR A GREAT CAUSE.

Delmarva Technology Expo Update

The Delmarva Technology Expo is right around the corner. On Wednesday, April 23, from 10AM – 4PM, local and global technology vendors will be displaying solutions that can help Delmarva’s small to medium businesses (SMBs), non-profit, and government agencies increase efficiency, improve security, contain costs, and increase customer responsiveness. This exciting, highly visual event will draw approximately 150 business and technology decision makers from across the Delmarva Peninsula to learn more about leveraging technology solutions to improve their operations.

Highlighting the event will be appearances by the Microsoft Across America Truck and the Cisco Network on Wheels van. These vehicles are large, mobile showcases of IT solutions that travel the country for their respective organizations.

Microsoft will demonstrate several of their popular new software titles, including the Exchange 2007 mail server, Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, and Windows Server 2008, the latest version of their flagship operating system for network servers.

Cisco will be demonstrating their industry leading wireless networking, network security, IP Telephony, and their very popular SMB solutions, including Integrated Services Routers that simplify network communications by combining routing, switching, security, and wireless solutions in a single, easy to manage network appliance.

The event’s keynote address, by Chris Deegan of Cisco Systems, will highlight the need for a comprehensive, systems level approach to securing critical business data. This will be a great opportunity to learn about the network threats that are targeting Delmarva’s organizations every day.

Breakout sessions are offered to expo attendees, providing useful information on a variety of topics including web development, Internet marketing, IP Telephony, computer networking, and security. These sessions will be conducted by industry experts from Inacom Information Systems, Cisco Systems, Avaya, and Microsoft.

Solutions on display have been selected to touch vertical markets prevalent across the Delmarva peninsula, including banking and finance, medical, manufacturing, government agencies, and professional services.

Sponsors of the event include:

· Inacom Information Systems

· Cisco Systems

· Microsoft

· Avaya

· Symantec

· IKON

· DiCarlo Precision Instrument

· Home Theatre Solutions

· Mail Movers

· Hewlett Packard

· Comcast

More information about the Delmarva Technology Expo, including a list of sponsors and detailed information about breakout sessions can be found at www.delmarvatechexpo.com.

When The Truth Starts To Hurt

Today's Wildlife Photos

A Wonderful Message From A Far Away Viewer

Joe Hi !!! I was born and raised in MD but since my husband passed away i move to Oklahoma with my children but i go to your blog everyday to see what is happening in MD . Please keep up the good work !!

My son is stationed in the US Army he is deploying later this year but i am Site Admin on a support forum for family friends etc of military and i was wondering if you would mind if i shared that picture with our members i will give you the credit on our forum that the picture belongs to u . Its just a small group of us right now ..

I am always proud when i see support for our troops past, present and future . I wish i was in Md to see your dad's yard with that . Thanks to your dad for showing his support to our Military.

Thanks so much,

Sandee
IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS,
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!!
P.A.M. To Alan

More Pipes Planned To Run Off Into The River?

There is allegedly another outfall pipe scheduled for dumping, right into the north prong. It is supposed to run down William St, onto Park Ave then to Isabella and into the river. How can this Mayor have a visioning committee meeting while planning another overflow pipe of unfiltered/treated storm water? The old pipe is located at the NE corner of the north prong.

April 29 WNC Meeting - ENVIRONMENT

Greetings all! Please keep your calendar marked for one week from today! Tuesday, April 29, 2008 the WNC will host a forum on the "Environment" at Mallard Landing in Salisbury. Speakers include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Audubon Society. Our meeting will begin at 6:30 PM. An agenda and press release are coming. If you have any questions, please let me know. Happy Earth Day.

Jim Ireton

COUNTY EXECUTIVE UPDATES LANDFILL INVESTIGATION

On March 11th, Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced that a Certified Fraud Examiner, Robert A. Garvey, Jr., of the accounting firm of McLean, Koehler, Sparks & Hammond of Hunt Valley, MD, had been hired to perform a forensic audit on the County’s landfill operation. This followed as a result of arrests alleging theft and a conspiracy to commit theft at the landfill by county employees and outside individuals.

“So far, the investigation into the landfill operation covers the period 2005-2007,” said Executive Pollitt. “Using accepted forensic accounting practices, our examiner has determined that the dollar theft amount of off-road diesel fuel from the landfill is approximately $400,000. He estimates that 75 tires valued at about $45,000 were stolen. Mr. Garvey continues to audit the value of other alleged stolen goods such as anti-freeze and gasoline.

“I have instructed Mr. Garvey to vigorously continue his investigation in conjunction with the Wicomico Bureau of Investigation,” continued Pollitt. “My position on this exercise is that we shall ‘Leave no stone unturned.’ I have asked him to look at all phases of the landfill operation including activities of and relationships with outside vendors. I have also told him not to hesitate in taking the investigation beyond the confines of the landfill if indicated.

“I can offer a small consolation to our citizens in this matter in that the county’s insurance carrier will most likely reimburse us in the amount of $250,000 for our loss. Needless to say, I shall pursue civil litigation where appropriate to recover the value of what has been stolen from our citizens.” Mr. Pollitt added that, “The only deadline for the completion of this investigation is when I am satisfied that there is no place else to look.”

Mayor Tilghman Is At It Again!

North Prong Meeting at New Fire House (Cypress St., Salisbury, MD) tonight at 6pm.

Many might ask why this is so important? Because this Mayor, Barrie Tilghman, is doing everything she can to DRIVE everyone out of that part of the neighborhood, including the Farmers & Planters Co.

It's time everyone come together in support towards one and other. Let's start tonight.

Landlord Laws & Legal Bills

Monday night's city council work session, let's see...

It started off with the landlord licensing and rental registration law that STILL isn't finished. The council, really, Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen, had to work through the dry details of how to get the administration to get this right. The two interesting points to me were Debbie Campbell asked for language to make property owners prove their non-conforming houses were approved to be non-conforming houses and Terry Cohen was happy the addition of some tenant protection language that she asked for was put in, and she asked for more such references to be added. Gary Comegys left after this item, I think, so that left Shanie and Louise with Debbie and Terry.

Then came the flood mitigation study. Sounded like it had been done well. (I had been to one of these meetings and these guys rocked!) Debbie Campbell asked that Camden be added back to a list of at-risk areas, and the guy presenting noted that even though the flooding was due to stormwater, that was a good idea.

The real fireworks came with the discussion about the legal bills that are always running over budget and whether the council should be involved in deciding how deep the legal department ought to get into defending some cases. Barrie Tilghman put a long memo out in front of everybody and Terry Cohen said it would have helped to have had it ahead of time. Barrie made some excuse, but we've seen her do this before, while Louise sits there but bashes Terry and Debbie for not having their questions sent in ahead of time.

It sounded like Barrie's memo was really an assassination piece against Debbie and Terry for running up legal bills. But get this: Wilber charged YOU the taxpayer $2,200 to write a legal opinion to answer a question Terry raised All he had to do was send her an email or call her. She didn't ASK for a big legal opinion, just an answer. Maybe the problem was the question was posted anonymously by one of YOU on this blog, "a less than reputable website" as the mayor said and called me out by name. This is how your tax money is being spent, Salisbury.

As the mayor tried to wrap herself in the Constitution and put words in Terry's mouth (didn't work for Gary Comegys, remember, Barrie?), Terry stood her ground. Then Debbie calmly made several good points to show why even the legal department needed to live within its budget. These ladies were working hard tonight for YOU!

When Terry mentioned that taxpayers were concerned about the legal bills, Shanie basically called Terry a liar, saying SHE (Shanie) hadn't heard anything from anybody. She said, "I don't believe that. When I see hundreds of letters to the editors and Grapevines and get calls, then I'll believe it." If not those exact words, darn close. And Louise got upset with Terry for taking Shanie to task about believing her. A standard for one side, a different one for the other, eh, Louise?

There's your invitation, folks. Are you going to leave Terry and Debbie out to twist in the wind, or are you going to come out from behind your anonymous posts and support them, support yourselves?

The current budget discussion wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be, although Debbie asked good questions, and the evening ended with Louise and Shanie shooting down the idea of posting the work session minutes on the city website. Shanie said no one cares, no one asks for them, and hardly anyone visits the city website anyway. Forget that most people didn't even know such minutes exist!

The night ended with a couple of points of general discussion, like getting the council to consider options for personnel grievances. Shot down, of course.

Sometimes it's exciting to watch these meetings, sometimes it's frustrating. The one thing I know is, hard as it may be for some of you to come forward and speak out, you got to do it. Otherwise, you just voted two great people in just to leave them high and dry. In the end, you're going to be the losers if you don't start standing up for them and for yourselves.

Just my humble opinion.