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Wednesday, June 04, 2008

From Today's Daily Times

The Daily Times deliveries late today

Deliveries of The Daily Times are running late today due to a mechanical problem in the press.

Some residents may not get their papers until noon.

GO HERE to see the official article.

What to do in the Area?

From a young SBYNews.com reader.

Nick,

I'm 19 years old and live in Delmar. I attend SU, but am trying to find things to do in my free time, especially over the summer. I'm not old enough to go over to bars etc. in OC, so a huge amount of recreational/social opportunity is lost right there. As a local blogger, I thought that you might be able to suggest a few interesting things to do/see locally. I've lived here long enough that I'm familiar with the centre and the shorebirds etc., but I'm trying to find smaller venues that are interesting, as well as ways of getting more personally and socially involved in the community here If you have any ideas or suggestions (crazy is good!), that would be wonderful.

Thanks, Michael

Michael,

Unfortunately you are in that quasi I'm too old for a lot of stuff and not old enough for the rest of being a legal adult. Live music is hard to come by unless you are 21. Seacrets and The Bottle and Cork are 21 and over shows. The Wicomico Youth and Civic Center is hosting Willie Nelson July 30 and WWE August 10th. Slim pickings. Night life is going to be a little tough for you.

A few suggestions. Go camping and night fishing at Assateague. It's fun, relaxing, and not crowded. Roast some smores. BBQ'n during the day playing horseshoes, bocce, whiffle ball, and what ever sport all day is how I spent a lot of my free weekends off from running when it was nice. It kept us active all day; we literally spent an hr and a half playing knock-out in the New Zoo at my place non stop and it was a blast!

Get involved with the clubs at school. Many kids stay around and you can go out and do activities with the members. Some groups, like Greek Life, have convocations and leadership workshops which you can go to if you become a member of a Greek Organization.

Community wise you can offer your services up to charities and volunteer services. Go to local festivals and events like Pork in the Park or the Tawes Crab Feast in July in Crisfield. Look for local organizations such as Jaycees or political clubs.

If you have any sign ups, volunteer services, charity events, suggestions, or any events that Michael or any of our youth could participate in please do not hesitate to post a response or email us at SBYNEWS.com for us to post.

Unlike Eastern Shore Gas, Delmarva Power has Some Class

This morning a representative from Delmarva Power came to our house and formerly apologized for the negligent behavior of their employee last week.

As you may remember we reported that last week we found a Delmarva Power Truck parked in the middle of our backyard. We had not ordered any work to be done nor had our neighbors, nor had the building adjacent to our property. My husband looked around the neighborhood and didn't see anyone from DP&L, so he called the Pocomoke Police Department. The officer responded with a DP&L employee in the back of her car. He had parked in our yard as he set off on foot to read meters. Problem is our property is located smack dab in the middle of least 300 parking spaces that adjoin us. So our question was "why are you parked in our yard, especially in the middle of the yard"?

Many may feel that this was an overreaction to this situation, however, we have had the unique experience of having a utility company come onto our property and cause over a hundred thousand dollars in damages, all of which are still left in disrepair.

Mr. Thornton of Delmarva Power, stated that the company has very specific rules of conduct as it pertains to the parking of company vehicles when reading meters, and that what this employee did was completely out of line.

Thank you Delmarva Power for having the class and integrity to apologize when wrong, and make sure that your customers are treated with dignity and fairness.

We are still waiting for Eastern Shore Gas and their subcontractors to step up to the plate and do the right thing.

Warning: If you are a citizen of Pocomoke City and ESG is your gas provider please be advised that Pocomoke City does not require this company or it's subcontractors to be licensed or post a bond or be permitted to dig up your property to perform any sort of work on your private property. In plain English, if they screw up and damage anything on your property you have personally go after them reparation; your City offers no protection to you the citizen against these unlicensed contractors!

Open Question Response

John Swanson the Chair of the City Park Committee has emailed me and will be giving me a response on the City Park area. I thank him for taking the time to answer these questions that have been posted, it is much appreciated.

I will have this post up as soon as I get his email.

SALISBURY v STU LEER: NOW HIS LEGAL COSTS MUST BE PAID!


For a case in Maryland’s Court of Special Appeals, the rules provide that “the
prevailing party is entitled to costs,” unless the Court orders an allocation
among the parties. Normally, the costs do not include any attorney’s fees, but
that’s a moot matter because Mr. Leer didn’t need or have an attorney in order
to beat the City, which has paid almost $12,000 in legal fees for that case
plus another $6,000 for the case that Mr. Leer also won in the Wicomico County
Circuit Court.

In this instance the "costs" include the expense incurred by Mr. Leer to
reproduce the necessary copies of his brief, and there may be other items as
well. It has been reported that the Court has ordered the City to pay those
costs in full, without any allocation.

If that's so, the total expense paid by the City in this one matter as a result
of Barrie Tilghman’s attempt to “get even” with Mr. Leer for supporting someone
who ran against her in 1998 will approach if not exceed $20,000.00

An Open Question on City Park Part 3

There is always little things that can be done to make the area look better and City Park needs it. These piles of mulch do not look that healthy and the areas which could use some mulch have not received it.

Why are their two gross looking piles of mulch right next to the path that are going to waste just like those bio-logs?




These are pictures of two garden like areas that have not been kept. That mulch could of been used here, but no, the areas are not tended. City park has many open areas where there is not anything there such as the wide open area where those bio-logs are from the last post. A few small garden areas with some benches or picnic tables would be nice; just something to make the area not look as barren.

Still if the shoreline growth needs to mature as some have said, then why have not these other areas been improved or new gardens added?

Looking at the surrounding areas the ground looks terrible being barren.



Even the memorial on Picnic Island has not been up-kept.
What do you Salisbury want done with the park? What would you like to see? What do you think that needs to be done?

Again what has been planned for this area and when will the needed work to make this park look amazing for everyone take place?

Today's Wildlife Photo

Grand Theft Auto & Then Some


On June 2, 2008 at approximately 5:20 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Friendly Food Store on N. Salisbury Boulevard for the report of a theft of gasoline. The officers were given a description of the suspect vehicle and located the vehicle while en route to the food store. The suspect vehicle fled from the officers and refused to stop until striking a curb and coming to rest in the area of the Court Plaza on S. Salisbury Boulevard. The suspect, listed below, then fled from the vehicle and was apprehended after a short foot chase. Further investigation of the incident revealed that the vehicle operated by the suspect had been reported stolen from Laurel, Delaware, and the suspect was currently wanted as an escapee from a detention facility in Delaware.

ARRESTED: Victor (nmn) Pena, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (over $ 500)
Theft (under $ 100)
Theft of a motor vehicle
Fleeing and eluding
Numerous traffic violation charges
Fugitive-Delaware
Escape

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800019402

Help

On the morning of Sunday, May 25th 2008, the Batey Family of Bridgeville, DE lost their home and all their worldly possessions in a house fire. Fortunately, no life was lost but they have lost EVERYTHING. Some things can never be replaced such as photos, mementos, and personal artifacts that have been collected throughout the years.

Currently they are living in a hotel awaiting the insurance company to locate a rental house for them. They are in desperate need of clothing and shoes. They will also need home furnishings and basic kitchen items like pots, pan, silverware, plates, bowls, and glassware.

We are currently looking for a furniture store to donate bedroom furniture for the family. Several WalMart gift cards have been donated and are greatly appreciated and very useful.

A 50/50 raffle in currently taking place to benefit the family. Tickets are $10 each. The drawing will be held August 1st. Our goal is to raise $10,000, $5,000 for the family and $5,000 for the winner.

A fund has been set up so people can send donations:

Bank of Delmarva

Batey Family Fund

c/o Stephanie Somers

2727 North Salisbury Boulevard

Salisbury MD, 21801

Certainly, the family needs clothing but please remember that the need for clothing will be short lived by the need for money so before considering donating your old boots consider donating money or purchasing a raffle ticket.

Clothing sizes:

........................Pant Size..Shirt Size.....Shoe Size

Mark (Dad)................34..........L.............9.5

Liz (Mom)..................6...........S.............7.5

Gemma 6 y.o. (girl)........6...........6.............13

Annika 4 y.o. (girl).......4...........4.............10

Kii 2 year old (boy).......3T..........3T............10

Leeoni 8 month old (girl) 9 month

If you have items, you would like to purchase tickets, or to inquire about items still needed please leave a voicemail message or email at:

Phone: 410-219-1919 or 866-413-2219

Email: bateyfamilyfund@gmail.com

To view photos from that devastating morning go to: http://www.bridgeville72.com/sub_pages/news/fire/structure/05252008_gallery.htm

Dig deep FOLKS! You never know when this could happen to you and you are the one relying on strangers to survive and rebuild.

Thank you for your consideration and support.

Free Fishing Derby Offered this Weekend By Wicomico Recreation, Parks And Tourism

Hook, Line and Sinker

Wicomico Recreation, Parks and Tourism Offers Free Fishing Derby this Weekend

(Salisbury, MD) Cast your rod at Salisbury City Park this Saturday (June 7) during Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism’s Annual Fishing Derby. The Annual Fishing Derby is a free event, open to children 15 and under.

Registration will begin at 7:30am (advanced registration is not necessary), and fishing starts promptly at 8:00am. Each child must bring their own rod and bait. Several catch and release contests are planned. Trophies will be awarded for the biggest fish, most fish caught, youngest angler, most unusual catch and more. Each participant will also receive a gold fish and t-shirt to take home (while supplies last).

In preparation for the Derby, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will help stock the pond at Salisbury City Park this Thursday, June 5. Approximately 500 Blue Gills will join the pond’s current inhabitants including Catfish, Large-Mouth Bass, Perch and Carp. A specific time has not yet been announced by the Department of Natural Resources for the stocking of the pond, but members of the media are welcome to attend this unique preparation. If you contact us with your interest to attend, we will send you a final notification once a specific time is announced.

For more information on this year’s fishing derby or the stocking of the pond please contact Program Director Chad Ford at 410-860-2447 or email pembertonpark@wicomicocounty.org.

The Annual Fishing Derby is brought to you by Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism in partnership with the Salvation Army Youth Club and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

If you would like to learn about other upcoming programs offered by Wicomico County Recreation, Parks and Tourism sign up for email alerts at www.wicomicorecandparks.org.

O'Malley Appointee Doesn't Qualify for Office

The last time I checked, to serve on a county liquor licensing board you had to be (not only) a Maryland resident, but a resident of the county where your appointment rests. True to form, little things like this don't bother Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley.

John Wade, who was recently disqualified as a candidate for the Princess Anne Town Commission because he failed the residency requirement, is an O'Malley appointee to the Somerset County Board of Liquor License Commissioners.

Wade has a driver's license from Georgia, is reportedly driving a car with New Jersey tags, and reportedly has a residence in Delaware! By Somerset County standards, the man is absolutely cosmopolitan.

It seems that Wade is just one more example of the type of governance we can continue to expect from O'Malley. Let's keep trying to raise those taxes and leave little things like the law to others.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

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In Wicomico, Cutting Taxes Is Absurd

During yesterday's Wicomico County Council meeting one thing was made abundantly clear - the Wicomico County government has little interest in tax relief for its residents and NO desire to make meaningful spending cuts.

I arrived a few minutes late to Tuesday's meeting. I walked in to find that the agenda had been changed and the vote on the FY 2009 county budget had been moved up. Unfortunately, I was there to hear two councilmen express views on county fiscal matters which distressed me to no end.

Councilman Bill McCain (D) provided the public with his views on tax policy. Referencing Councilman Joe Holloway's (R-5) attempts to cut the county income tax rate McCain stated, "(it is) ...absurd to cut a county revenue source." It appears that McCain views our tax dollars not as OUR money, but as "a county revenue source" to be spent by our county government.

Given that five members refused to even research the potential cost of an open ended pension liability (which could cost taxpayers over $1 million), assuming that McCain and his like-minded cohorts will spend tax money wisely could prove both dangerous and expensive. McCain's apparent belief that taxpayer money is the county's lends credence that he shouldn't be trusted with fiscal decisions.

Councilman Dave MacLeod (D-4), while taking a different approach, leads Wicomico down the same fiscally disastrous path. Stating that he doesn't subscribe to the "doomsday scenario", he believes that "we can look forward to a BIGGER and BETTER budget down the road". While I have to credit MacLeod with being so open, I have to condemn his philosophy of government.

When discussing fiscal matters, BIGGER is not de facto BETTER. I know that MacLeod is a man of good heart and conscience. He feeds the homeless and hugs trees. These are admirable qualities. Expropriating funds from the taxpayer to redistribute wealth has proven disastrous almost everywhere it has been tried (the exceptions being in relatively small, homogeneous populations).

The bottom line is simple. Are we here to be slaves to the government or is government to serve us? In Wicomico County, the views of our elected officials is becoming rapidly clear. We are blessed with two council members (Holloway and Prettyman) who understand that government should serve the taxpayer. McCain and MacLeod apparently believe the opposite. We have three members who, at least rhetorically, are sitting on the fence.

Retaining their perch will not only give council members John Cannon, Gail Bartkovich, Sheree Sample-Hughes splinters, it will strengthen the voters' belief that they too subscribe to the McCain / MacLeod philosophy of government.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

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John Wade's Election Fraud



Ladies & Gentlemen, never in all my years have I seen something so blatant and obvious. I'm told there were close to 90 some odd absentee ballots for John Wade, all but 8 votes for him were actually legal.

As you can CLEARLY see from the two photos above, the same person signed these absentee ballots as they all came in like this. This man needs to be arrested and throw into jail.

This Country was created to give us the freedom to get out and vote for the person we believe is the best person to represent us. John Wade is a liar, a scam artist and IMO a criminal. This scumbag can use any excuse he'd like to come after me but I have clearly seen first hand just how desperate this man is and when he was a "No Show" at all yesterday, I knew for sure the guy was a piece of sh!t. I also knew everything I had picked up about the guy was accurate because any good human being would have stood up to what I have been saying and defend himself.

John Wade refused to talk to the Press after numerous phone calls and he refused to show up at the polls. I am calling out for Governor O'Malley to terminate this lying sack of sh!t immediately from the Maryland State Liquor Board and I expect to hear something today in reference to that decision.

I am confident that when the Lt. Governor comes to Town next week and views these ballots they will feel comfortable their decision to terminate him was the right one.

Shame on you Mr. Wade, for trying to cheat the American Voting System. You don't even belong in the Unites States of America, let alone Princess Anne! You Sir are responsible for each and every one of those ballots and I certainly hope there's a price to pay for breaking the law.

My final hope is that the proper authorities in Princess Anne move forward to have this man prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Time will tell?

A Dear Friend Writes Me And Says.........

Friends, Family ...,

Allow me tonight, as I listen to the strands of Marvin Sapp's Never Could Have Made It Without You, to reflect on those who survived the transatlantic journey - whose very DNA had to change in order to survive; those who survived the beatings, the toll in the fields under the searing hot sun; those whose language, religion, mothers, fathers, sons & daughters - those whose very names - were taken from them; those whose backs on which this country was built;

Allow me tonight to remember Sojourner Truth; Harriett Tubman; Frederick Douglas; those who dared to lead during Reconstruction only to see it stripped away...

You know that they hoped; you know that they prayed; they cried for one day ...

Allow me tonight to remember Booker T; Mary Mccloud Bethune; Malcom; Martin; Fannie Lou Hammer ...

Who lived for the day....

And here we are - their seeds -about to witness the first African American nominee for the presidency of these United States of America;

Here I am - one whose paternal grandfather and grandmother were slaves.

Here I am - a child who went to a segregated elementary and high school

Tonight witnessing something that I thought that neither I or my children would ever live to see.

Yes, I know that this Democratic primary has been of historic proportions with the first viable female candidate as well,

But allow me tonight to remember - 'cause I never would have made it without THEM.

Question of the Day, Wed 6/4

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? As an adult, what is your profession? Do you still have a dream to become something else?

Summer Classes For Men

Summer Classes for Men at THE ADULT LEARNING CENTER

REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED by Friday, July 2, 2008

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays-- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion.
Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning
at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups.
Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:0 0 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum
Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations.
4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM , location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion
Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.
Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.