DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Attention
Monday, July 07, 2008
A Comment Worthy Of A Post
Breaking News
Atlantic Tractor is the John Deere Dealership by the Shorebirds Stadium just off Rt. 50. Here's what I've been told. Get this! They didn't just come in there and steal large equipment on Saturday night! They came BACK on Sunday and did it again!
Allegedly the tractor trailer was found in Hagerstown and I'm also told they have them on video stealing the stuff too. NONE of this has made it to the Press so you're getting beginning information on what I'm sure will turn out to be very big news.
They took zero turn mowers, you name it. Very expensive equipment. Let's see where this leads us in the next day or two. Since it's too late for the Daily Times to do much of anything, expect a story in about two days from them on this one. :-)
Oasis Properties Makes Headlines Again
Rehoboth builder charged with fraud
Daily Times Staff Report • July 7, 2008
REHOBOTH BEACH — A Rehoboth area builder has been charged with fraud, Delaware State Police said.
Police said Curtis M. Ricketts, 45, of Rehoboth Beach, who is the owner of Oasis Property Development, was charged for allegedly failing to pay subcontractors for their services and for allegedly failing to complete work on a new home that he contracted to build for a New Jersey man despite receiving money for the work.
Police said they launched an investigation following a complaint by the 53-year-old Westmont, N.J., victim, who was not identified. They said Ricketts had entered into a contract with the victim to build a 2,913 square foot home on Bay View Road.Ricketts was indicted June 13 by the Sussex County Superior Court on one count of new home construction fraud worth less then $100,000 and 10 counts of improper retention of contractor funds.Police said Ricketts turned himself into detectives at Troop 4 and was released on $11,000 bond.The amount of money allegedly defrauded was $62,251.38, police said.
Anyone who feels defrauded by Ricketts is asked to contact Detective Scott Gray at 302-856-5850, Ext.227.
Theft At Lowe's Update
I just got off the phone with Sheriff Lewis referencing the Lowe's theft posted earlier this morning. I sent the information to Sheriff Lewis before I ever posted it and Sheriff Lewis wanted me to know that he was on the case personally.
He made contact with the management at Lowe's and they did NOT report it at all to any Police Agency. It was news to Sheriff Lewis when I sent him the e-mail and he too was quite surprised that it had not been reported.
The tag numbers have been traced back to a Salisbury residence and the Sheriff's Department is awaiting a Corporate response out of Baltimore to see if they do in fact want to prosecute this individual.
All that being said, what's your thoughts on this matter? I can't believe that Lowe's didn't report it and in the very least set an example. They had the car, the tag number and the guy running off leaving much of what he stole right there in the parking lot as evidence.
Nevertheless, I think Sheriff Lewis should be recognized for his own personal attention on this matter as he did not pass it off to another Officer to handle. Crime is simply out of control and the more they let things slide around here, the worse it's going to get, IMO. Now let's hear yours?
GANNETT'S DOWNWARD PLIGHT CONTINUES
The stock has broken yet another 52 week low today.
Stock is now trading at $18.62 per share or more than $1.00 lower than previous record low.
http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=GCI
Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases
Incident: Disorderly Conduct
Date of Incident: 5 July 2008
Location: S. Westover Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Harley N. Williams, 52, Salisbury, MD
Narrative: On 5 July 2008 at 2:20A.M., a deputy in the area of S. Westover Drive made contact with a subject later identified as Harley Williams who was being extremely loud and disruptive on the street. Williams repeatedly used loud and profane language towards the deputy who was investigating an unrelated incident. Williams’ behavior occurred in full view of several residents who happened to be outside at the time and whose attentions were drawn to the spectacle being created by Williams. The deputy gave Williams several chances to leave the area and go home without being arrested, but Williams refused. At one point Williams left the area, only to come back and confront the deputy again. At this time Williams was placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct and Hindering and Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer.
Williams was transported to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center where he was processed and charged. After an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, Williams was released on Personal Recognizance.
Incident: Driving Suspended
Date of Incident: 5 July 2008
Location: Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Elliott Shane Jones, 27, Crisfield, MD
Narrative: On 5 July 2008, a deputy on patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation and discovered that the operator, Elliott Shane Jones, had his license to drive a vehicle in Maryland suspended. Jones was arrested and taken to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken before the Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Jones was held on $10,000.00 bond in the Wicomico County Detention Center.
Incident: Possession of Cocaine and Marijuana
Date of Incident: 6 July 2008
Location: Jersey Rd at Billy Gene Jackson Park, Salisbury, MD
Suspects:
1. Keith Allan Dale, Jr., 23, Salisbury, MD
2. Nathenal Gharden Whitworth, 46, Eden, MD
Narrative: On 6 July 2008 at 4:50 PM, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Dale on Jersey Road in the area of Billy Gene Jackson Park. While speaking with the two occupants, the deputy observed what he recognized as marijuana on the shirt of the passenger. The deputy proceeded to search the vehicle and located suspected marijuana and cocaine hidden inside a paper bag in the interior of the vehicle. Based on this finding, both subjects were arrested.
Both subjects were transported to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center where they were processed and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Cocaine. After an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, both subjects were released on Personal Recognizance.
Incident: Attempt to Flee and Elude
Date of Incident: 5 July 2008
Location: Quantico Road, Hebron, MD
Suspects: Deborah Ann Church, Quantico, MD
Narrative: On 5 July 2008, a deputy on patrol attempted to stop a Jeep Wrangler operated by Deborah Ann Church for a traffic violation on Quantico Road just west of Hebron. Instead of stopping, Church continued westbound towards Quantico. The deputy pursued Church’s vehicle through the Village of Quantico and onto Cherrywalk Road where Church stopped in front of a residence in the 6400 block. Upon making contact with Church, the deputy discovered that Church’s vehicle was unregistered and uninsured and had been displaying registration plates that belonged on another vehicle. Church was arrested for attempting to flee and elude and was taken to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center.
After processing and an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner, Church was held on $10,000.00 bond in the Detention Center.
More Traffic Problems Caused By Geese
Joe,
This morning there was a goose sitting in the South bound lane of Rt 13 at Priscilla St. blocking traffic. SPD and WCSO was on the scene. I managed to take one photo that came out. At first I thought she was helping people save gas by making them slow down or stop. Further investigation her mate had been killed and was in the grass behind her. They mate for life and she was staying near them. A Fireman assisted the goose was removed and all was well.
Joe
You Make The Call?
I have been reading your blog for about a month or so now and love it! I live in Delmar, De. but still find it interesting!
Anyway, thought I'd see if you knew the answer to this question at the end. This morning I was sitting in the Lowes parking lot while my husband went in to get a spark plug for his mower. I sat in the van and watched a well dressed clean cut young man come out with a cart full of rolls of wire, probably 10 or more rolls. He started putting it in the trunk of his plain looking grey family sedan when all of a sudden he started throwing all he had put in back out into the parking lot, left the cart full of rolls there and squealed off, running over one of the rolls. I could not figure out what in the word he was doing and then saw 4 employees rushing out of the building into the lot. Figured something was up so I took this guys tag number just in case. He was gone then and the employees were picking up rolls and taking them back into store. Come to find out he was stealing them. Hubby estimated there was about $700 worth of copper wire there and that the guy could sell it for money. I've heard of people stealing the copper wires from air conditioning systems, etc. But this guy was really bold or stupid! I'm wondering if you know if , since he didn't actually get away with it, can the police run his tags and arrest him for anything? I made sure the employees had the tag number. 6ASP96
I know you get a lot of mail so thank you for taking the time to do all you do!
Here's Why Mike Ash From Bay Fireworks Chose To Retire
Hello Joe,
Thanks for the props about the show in Willards. I could not have asked for a better retirement show. Bob did one hell of a job putting that together.
I have attached a copy of the 8" shell that exploded on me that made me decide to retire before my luck ran out. I was in the middle of the white light and saw God. This was shot by my wife at last May's 400th anniversary show in Jamestown VA. She was fortunate to catch this as it happened. She has had this photo win one contest and has been published in 2 photo compilation books.
Thanks,
Mike Ash
Quote of the Day...Today You Get Two! Read, Chew, Repeat
Curtis Dall, FDR's son-in-law as quoted in his book, My Exploited Father-in-Law
"Our job is to give people not what they want, but what we decide they ought to have."
Richard Salent, former president, CBS News
Salisbury and Wicomico County, On Its Way To Socialism?
Earliest stages of Socialism right here in Wicomico County. There are examples all around us. Vacant "free enterprise" buildings taken over by various local government entities. It's been done slowly over time, in order not to alarm the average taxpayer. Unchecked, this governmental intervention will cause departmental budgets to increase at an exponential rate whereby the only way to keep the "machine" going is to assess average taxpayers to make up the difference using every method imaginable. Usually they target the small guy who has little or no voice and fewer financial resources to defend him/her. They're trying to find any way to fee us, license us, and tax us to make up the difference of their ever-increasing budgets. It's an equation that cannot be solved without higher taxation.
Look at the Facts:
FACT
Buildings that have been occupied by government entities in recent years: Service Merchandise Building (Mount Hermon Rd.), Lowes Building (Old Ocean City Rd.), JC Penny's Building (Main St.), Thrift Drug Store (Waverly Shopping Ctr.), Trailways Building (East Main Street), E.S. Adkins Building (North Salisbury Blvd.), Smullen Pool & Spa Building (East Main St.), Ace Hardware (Mt. Hermon Rd.), Purity Bacon Building (South Division Street), Allenwood Shopping Center (Rt. 13), Shoreline Office Supply (Bateman Street), and several other residential properties recently condemned on Fooks Road near the airport. These buildings have not only been taken over by government, but they have been removed from our assessable tax base, and are not generating any real property tax revenues.
FACT
While the average taxpayer is off working in order to make ends meet, SPECIAL INTEREST, is working hard to circumvent the process by excluding themselves from the contributing to the public coffers. Some of these special interest groups actually sponsored legislation to exclude themselves - School Teachers - from paying any real estate taxes on their own homes while increasing the tax burden on ordinary taxpaying folks. – (HB 965 – EXEMPTION FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS) But that wasn’t enough, the very next legislative session they tried again and this time they included OTHER ELITE GROUPS - School Teachers, Law Enforcement, and Fire Fighters in the proposed bill – (HB 197 – PROPERTY TAX CREDIT SCHOOL TEACHERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS).
FACT
Wicomico County experienced the largest tax increase--24%--in the history of our County government. This was just the beginning before the 2% revenue cap was passed by referendum by a majority vote.
FACT
Wicomico County imposes $5,250.00 impact fee on all newly constructed single family dwellings. Most municipalities have followed suit – (Fruitland - $5000.00, Pittsville - $10,000, and other locals are following the trend).
FACT
Initially the majority of former Wicomico County council members voted to expand and build a "Prison for Profit" to incarcerate immigrants to the tune of approximately 22 million dollars. Fortunately, for taxpayers, the council reconsidered their action and decided to scrap the proposal. However, taxpayers were burdened and saddled with the cost of the frivolous conceptual Architectural & Engineering process.
FACT
Each year since 1977 in Wicomico County and other Maryland Counties hundreds of acres of farmland have been taken over by the government as the State purchases the land development rights – (Agriculture Preservation Act) - in order to preserve the land in perpetuity for agriculture use. This forces homebuyers into densely populated city limits, and thus limiting their homebuilding options. Never again, can each succeeding generation purchase a piece of this land for purpose of building his or her dream home. Clearly this is a form of US COMMUNISM.
FACT
While our local government budgets are increasing, we are losing some our largest tax base contributors such as Dresser, Campbell Soup, Crown Cork & Seal, Duo Sofa, Field Container, Shawnee Homes, among many others. This is partially due to higher local taxes, NAFTA, and GATT.
So when your local and regional commerce officials tout that they are doing wonders in promoting the business climate for our area, think again, and be mindful of what has actually transpired? The FACTS speak for themselves.
Johnnie Miller
FREE Classified Ads For Saturday, July 12, 2008
Question of the Day, Mon 7/7
Yahoo . . . an excuse to eat chocolate today! What's your favorite chocolate dessert or candy? Do you eat it just for special occasions?
New Jersey Cops Get Real Time Video Snoop System
Coming to a Municipal Government Near YOU!
Cape May County Herald
July 5, 2008
Lower Township Police Chief Edward Donohue announced that the Department of Homeland Security will provide the Lower Township police with a Real Time Video Surveillance System through the U.S. Army’s Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program, or CEDAP.
Donohue stated that the police department applied to the Army’s CEDAP Program last year for the system.
The system consists of several cameras that can feedback live video to police headquarters or vehicles from several miles away. Donohue states the system will be utilized for police surveillance operations, tactical operations, and to monitor critical infrastructure as needed. For security reasons, Donohue would not reveal the exact number of cameras or their complete capabilities.
Donohue noted that the system is free of charge at no cost to taxpayers.
Lower Township Police Officer Kevin Lewis will fly to Raleigh, N.C. in August to be trained on the new system. The officer’s flight, lodging and meals are all covered by the program, again at no cost to taxpayers.
Donohue noted that this is the third time that the department has utilized this program and has previously received Thermal Imaging Night Vision Equipment and Fiber Optic Cameras from the program, all at no cost.
More Info on Blood Sucking Texas Cops
Opinion: Austin, It’s Time to Rise Up
It’s time to get mad and put the Austin Police Department in their place.
They are now planning to pull you over, and if they suspect you’ve been drinking, the police will stick a needle in your arm, and take your blood without a warrant. You cannot refuse, and they will do this by force. If you resist, you will be tasered and held down against your will while they remove a “sample”.
“My intent in the future is to make it so there is no such thing as a refusal. You can refuse all you want, but we are going to aggressively seek search warrants,” said Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo, in an interview with KXAN, a local city television station. (See the original article & video report here: http://www.kxan.com/global/story.asp?s=8581029&rnd=552.5117347010923 )
That’s right– the so-called “peace officer”, in charge of serving the public trust and upholding the law and Constitution is going to be pinning you to the ground with his knee, dutifully, while driving a needle into you.
This “No Refusal” DWI policy has already been implemented and field tested in San Antonio (see video below).
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2PZ9qDLLv70
PLEASE TAKE five minutes out of your life to voice your disapproval of this coming policy to these Police authorities and our elected city officials. If you’ve never voiced a complaint before about anything, trust me, it is LEGAL, you will not get in any trouble. In fact, it’s rewarding– You will feel better about yourself.
Tell these people what you think, let them know that instead of spending resources and manpower on violating human rights, the police department should get around to more important issues– for example, making sure the Governor’s mansion is not set on fire and nearly burned to the ground.
Contact any and/or all of the following:
Austin Police Chief Acevado’s Office: 512-974-5030
Austin Police Community Liason Office: 512-974-4700
E-mail the Austin Police Department: apd3@ci.austin.tx.us
Contact the Austin City Council:
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/contacts.htm
This policy, which violates basic human rights and the Constitution, is being handed down from the Federal government, not the State of Texas. And it’s just the beginning. Today it’s your blood, tomorrow the rest of your dignity follows, and finally, you realize you basically have the rights of a slave. Which are listed below.
Think about it: The NAZI’s were not even near this level of police invasion. All they asked for were your “papers”. These newly trained police officers, the majority of which will be combat-hardened Iraq war veterans, are going to be demanding your blood.
In Just Two Years
In just two years . Remember the election in 2006?
Thought you might like to read the following:
A little over one year ago:
1) Consumer confidence stood at a 2 1/2 year high;
2) Regular gasoline sold fo r $2.19 a gallon;
3) The unemployment rate was 4.5%.
Since voting in a Democratic Congress in 2006 we have seen:
1) Consumer confidence plummet;
2) The cost of regular gasoline soar to over $3.50 a gallon;
3) Unemployment is up to 5% (a 10% increase);
4) American households have seen $2.3 trillion in equity value evaporate (stock and mutual fund losses);
5) Americans have seen their home equity drop by $1.2 trillion dollars;
6) 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
America voted for change in 2006, and we got it!
Remember it's Congress that makes law not the President. He has to work with what's handed to him.
Quote of the Day........'My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it.' -- Barack Obama
Part 2:
Taxes...Whether Democrat or a Republican you will find these statistics enlightening and amazing.
www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html
Taxes under Clinton 1999 Taxes under Bush 2008
Single making 30K - tax $8,400 Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $14,000 Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $23,250 Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K - tax $16,800 Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $21,000 Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 Married making 125K - tax $31,250
Both democratic candidates will return to the higher tax rates
It is amazing how many people that fall into the categories above think Bush is screwing them and Bill Clinton was the greatest President ever. If Obama or Hillary are elected, they both say they will repeal the Bush tax cuts and a good portion of the people that fall into the categories above can't wait for it to happen. This is like the movie The Sting with Paul Newman; you scam somebody out of some money and they don't even know what happened.
PART 3: You think the war in Iraq is costing us too much? Read this:
Boy am I confused. I have been hammered with the propaganda that it is the Iraq war and the war on terror that is bankrupting us. I now find that to be RIDICULOUS. I hope the following 14 reasons are forwarded over and over again until they are read so many times that the reader gets sick of reading them. I have included the URL's for verification of all the following facts.
1. $11 Bi llion to $22 billion is spent on welfare to illegal aliens each year by state governments. Verify at: http://tinyurl.com/zob77
2. $2.2 Billion dollars a year is spent on food assistance programs such as food stamps, WIC, and free school lunches for illegal aliens. Verify at: http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
3. $2.5 Billion dollars a year is spent on Medicaid for illegal aliens.
Verify at: http://www.cis.org/articles/2004/fiscalexec.html
4. $12 Billion dollars a year is spent on primary and secondary school education for children here illegally and they cannot speak a word of English! Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.0.html
5. $17 Billion dollars a year is spent for education for the American-born children of illegal aliens, known as anchor babies. Verify at http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
6. $3 Million Dollars a DAY is spent to incarcerate illegal aliens. Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
7. 30% percent of all Federal Prison inmates are illegal aliens. Verify at:http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
8. $90 Billion Dollars a year is spent on illegal aliens for Welfare &
social services by the American taxpayers. Verify at:
http://premium.cnn.com/TRANSCIPTS/0610/29/ldt.01.html
9. $200 Billion Dollars a year in suppressed American wages are caused by the illegal aliens. Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/ldt.01.html
10. The illegal aliens in the United States have a crime rate that's two and a half times that of white non-illegal aliens. In particular, their children, are going to make a huge additional crime problem in the US Verify at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/12/ldt.01.html
11. During the year of 2005 there were 4 to 10 MILLION illegal aliens that crossed our Southern Border also, as many as 19,500 illegal aliens from Terrorist Countries. Millions of pounds of drugs, cocaine, meth, heroin and marijuana, crossed into the U. S from the Southern border. Verify at: Homeland Security Report: http://tinyurl.com/t9sht
12. The National Policy Institute, 'estimated that the total cost of mass deportation would be between $206 and $230 billion or an average cost of between $41 and $46 billion annually over a five year period.' Verify at: http://www.nationalpolicyinstitute.org/pdf/deportation.pdf
13. In 2006 illegal aliens sent home $45 BILLION in remittances back to their countries of origin. Verify at: http://www.rense.com/general75/niht.htm
14. 'The Dark Side of Illegal Immigration: Nearly One Million Sex Crimes Committed by Illegal Immigrants In The United States ....' Verify at: http://www.drdsk.com/articleshtml
The total cost is a whopping $ 338.3 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.
Why are we THAT stupid?
WCLCB - Just More of Your Tax Dollars at Work
Note that this is essentially a copy of those expensive postcards that we discussed in an earlier post. Remember that Haemel, Alessi & Co. keep bragging about the $400,000 that they give to the county government each year? Given that a full page ad in Metropolitan runs from $1,200 - $1,500 per month, how much more should be going back to the taxpayers of Wicomico County?
Add back the fancy postcards, full page newspaper ads, contributions to the pet groups of the board members. While I can only guess, these folks might owe us another $50,000 - $100,000!
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, WCLCB, Liquor Control Board
Motivational Poster of The Day
Great Question!
I do not have the time to go to the MVA and get a booklet and research it. I wish to know who has the right of way in this particular situation. The intersection I'm using just happens to be one I encounter a problem at pretty much every day. Ok.....lets say I am traveling from S. Division Street in Fruitland, MD towards RT. 13. I have stopped at the stop sign to make sure no traffic is headed South so that I may freely cross. I cross and now I am in the median, at the stop sign between the north and south bound lanes of traffic. There is a vehicle that has just pulled up at the stop sign across from me {still on S. Division but wishing to turn onto 13 and go south}. I am waiting for traffic to clear, so that I may make a left and go 13N. Do I have the right of way since I am in the middle of 13 technically still on the highway? I am finding that more and more I am turning at the exact same moment the person is attempting to get into the median. I feel I have the right of way, but then again don't we all. :}~ Thanks so much for your time and assistance in this. Oh and on another note {just happens to be at this same intersection} there are signs posted on the south bound lane that states no left turn, and on the north bound lane that states no left turn. It cracks me up to see people do it anyway. And all the time too. Just waiting for someone to get rear ended b/c they slam on their brakes to make the turn and meanwhile they have a vehicle going 60 right behind them. Thanks again and keep up the great work. You truly are appreciated by the majority of us.
Sincerely,
What road rules?"
Last Year At This Time
FITHP Live Scanner Feed UPDATE
Just a little message to everyone that the Sussex Live Feed is now back on line. The old live feed was being hosted by the Sussex Co Fireman’s Association and was down a lot. We put together another pc / scanner set up just for the Sussex feed that is now being supplied by Fire in the Hole along w/ JBA Design!
We now have 3 counties that you can listen free of charge to. But we will always take donations to help run the site….
Here are the counties and the direct links….
Sussex County Delaware -- http://www.fithp.net/sussex.htm
Wicomico County Maryland -- http://www.fithp.net/wicomico.htm
Dorchester County Maryland -- http://www.fithp.net/dorchester.htm
We are currently trying to get Talbot County Maryland and Kent County Delaware on line also.
All you need to do is click the link provided and your computers windows media player will pop up and the the live feed.
Please let us know what you think about the on line scanner services that we provide for your enjoyment!
Thanks…
Wayne Barrall
Owner “Fire in the Hole”