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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Sam's Club Corporate Responds

I just received a message directly from the Sam's Club Corporate Office letting me know they're following Salisbury News and they feel they have been very competitive price wise on their fuel. However, they mentioned they'll be monitoring it very closely from Corporate to assure we're receiving the very best prices around.

Hey, for what it's worth, my hat is tipped to them and I thank them for the response.

Willards Builds New Firehouse For $1.2 Million

Hey Joe, just thought I would let you know about another local FD that voted to build a new building the other night for the bargain price of about 1.2 million. The Willards fire dept voted this past Monday to add on a building to their existing building that is the same size if not a little bigger than the now standing building. This FD currently houses 2 engines (one older and smaller), a tanker, a full size rescue truck, a brush truck and a traffic control unit. It also has medium sized kitchen and a meeting room, radio room and two bathrooms. Their ambulances currently are housed in another building they built a while back along with offices in the renovated old firehouse on the same lot. The new firehouse will make them able to house their two ambulances and the rest of their equipment and maybe a new piece in the future and also house their new utility vehicle. So tell me why again Salisbury had to spend so much money?

Want A Ticket To The Bash In Crisfield Next Week?

If you plan to go to the Tawes seafood affair next Wednesday (July 16) and need
a ticket, please buy one or more from the City of Salisbury. It seems that the
Mayor spent about $2000 for the City’s “tent” there, wuhich includes a block of
tickets that she’s trying to sell to recoup some of the taxpayers' money that
otherwise will be wasted so that she or various FOB's can cavort at Somers Cove
Marina. The number to call is 410-334-3031.

BREAKING NEWS! Scam In Salisbury

"I wanted to let everyone know about a scam that is going on in Salisbury. I had 2 teenage girls stop by our home on Monday evening about 4:30pm. They handed me a laminated flyer of books and magazines they said they were selling to earn points for a trip at their college. The girls said they were my neighbors down the street. They also said that they were sponsored by Barnes and Noble and suggesting that you buy the books, then donate them to Johns Hopkins. They will say ANYTHING to get money out of you. In my case, they told me it was for Autism research….they probably read my bumper sticker. They will ask if you have pets, a dog for example. Do not leave your animal out in the yard because they will steal your dog and sell it for money. They showed me a receipt and said that “this is what your neighbors are spending” ($110). They will say anything to “relate” to make you feel guilty to give them money. When I told them I could not afford anything, they asked me if I could do half, I said no, then they tried to get me to make a contribution and they would come back and wash my car. I did not give them anything, but my aide just called me and told me that this is a scam. Another lady she works for got hit as well as her neighbor and she’s reported it to the police, I did also. Apparently, there is a man that there is a warrant out for his arrest…he collects kids on drugs or who are homeless, promises them a hotel or food, make a little money etc. and then drops a group of them off in developments to go door to door. This man is dangerous and I’m told that these kids are known to seek revenge also if you do not donate. So make sure your home and cars are locked up and that your animals are kept inside when you are not out with them, and of course children too.

To think that I felt guilty not giving them money, then to find out it was a scam. I reported it to the police as soon as I found out. They are hitting Salisbury hard. Report anything suspicious. Alert your neighbors."

TRUCK 16 FAILS INSPECTION!


The same Fire Truck that injured Fireman Dave Merritt and ultimately ended his career was inspected recently for its yearly certification and it failed!

The City, (who was supposed to order the other new Ladder Truck two years ago) is now down to only ONE!

You're doing a bang up job there Mayor Tilghman. You just keep praising See, Gordy and Comegys for their fine work in the City while the Fire Fighters read their handbooks and come to realize that ANY ONE of them can be FIRED if they injure themselves and can't return back to work within 3 months.

Yeah, some BROTHERHOOD!

County Executive Pollitt's Letter To The Editor Today

Mr. Pollitt recognized Salisbury News as part of the MSM and apologized for not delivering it here as well. Thanks Rick, Joe

"EDITOR OF THE TIMES:

I’d like to compliment you on Monday’s editorial entitled “Liquor Board’s fate undecided”. You addressed two issues, one involving transparency in government and the other the future of the dispensary system in Wicomico County. On the first, I could not agree with you more. Any agency responsible to or regulated by the government that refuses to operate in the sunlight of full disclosure, particularly in the area of finances, will not inspire confidence from the people it serves. On the contrary, it will serve only to increase suspicion and attract unnecessary attention to what should be a relatively routine enterprise.

In fact, at my first meeting with department heads upon assuming the office of county executive I made a commitment to a “glass house” approach to governing. I told my staff that there should never be a need for a Freedom of Information Act request from the county government. If something is a matter of public record, then it shall be shared without hesitation and without formality. If the information requested by the county council of the Liquor Control Board is, in fact, public information, it should be provided fully and immediately. Why add to a climate of acrimony and mistrust by stubbornly clinging to a no-win position?

On the larger question of the continued relevance of the dispensary system, it is no secret that I do not believe the government should be in the business of selling alcohol. It’s just not what we’re here for. Apparently, many agree as Wicomico is one of only four Maryland counties that continue to operate in such a manner. On the other hand, we have a system that has been in place since the repeal of Prohibition and we should not rashly alter or abolish it until we are confident we can replace it with something better. I attended the recent county council meeting where it was decided to organize a study commission to consider the question. I informed the council that I have already begun such an effort and would be happy to share what information I develop with them.

We will be contacting those counties that have most recently made the transition from dispensaries to private enterprise to learn from their experiences. We want to know the fiscal impact of the change as well as how the community addressed the social concerns. I acknowledge, as did the editorial, that the dispensaries will likely turn over about $400,000 to the county in new revenue this year. Where I differ is in my belief that we do not need to choose between the dispensaries and significant income for county coffers. It is critical that any changes we make, at a minimum, be revenue-neutral and, if possible, generate even more funds for county services through license fees and other assessments. I met last week with a retailer in Annapolis who is active in the industry statewide and he assured me this is a goal we can achieve.

Equally important, we want to make sure our local zoning controls will be effective in preserving the integrity of our neighborhoods, preventing new liquor stores from cropping up on every corner. This will involve coordinating our efforts with our municipalities, where most stores are likely to locate. We want to be sure we protect our neighborhoods while still providing the accessibility to the product that our hospitality industry and private citizens demand.

We are beginning an important community debate that will have lasting ramifications for the social and business fabric of our county. The topic requires serious and sober reflection, based on the best information available. The testimony of other communities who have already been through this process will be invaluable. However, the matter cannot be rushed haphazardly. Before we ask the public to participate in a referendum, binding or otherwise, let’s get the facts before them and provide an opportunity for a vote based on reason, experience and a full exchange of ideas and opinions. Then, if change is to come, we will be better prepared to make it a change for the better."

Buy Now And Avoid The Rush To Riverside Drive

As of last week the developer of Salisbury’s luxury “condo on the creek” –
River Place – has deeded a total of 4 of its 42 units: 3 in 2007 and another in
2008. And on June 11, a second “indemnity deed of trust” on the remaining
units for another loan to the developer by the Bank of Delmarva was recorded,
this one for $750,000, the earlier one is for $12 Million.

Has anyone heard the latest on the condo that’s dead in the water on Fitzwater
Street?

Rick Pollitt - Let's Drag Our Feet

In Thursday's Daily Times, an op-ed by Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt attempts to argue the County Council should not make any hasty decisions about the WCLCB. Unfortunately, Pollitt's arguments are so one sided that they infer a position that he claims not to take - namely keeping the dispensary system intact.

Pollitt opens his argument by applauding "open government". Well, I wouldn't expect Rick to oppose Mom or the flag either. It is irrelevant to the piece, but Pollitt needs to be careful of throwing stones in his "glass house" of transparency. The current handling of future funding for PAC-14 (a subject of a future post) is one example his administration not operating in a transparent manner.

From here on, Pollitt attempts his famous fence-straddling act:
If the information requested by the County Council of the Liquor Control Board is, in fact, public information, it should be provided fully and immediately. Why add to a climate of acrimony and mistrust by stubbornly clinging to a no-win position?
IF? No Rick, there is no "if" about it. The WCLCB is a public agency. As such there finances are open to public scrutiny. Your own county attorney says so.

Pollitt then hedges his bet's further. He's against the government being in the liquor business but... We shouldn't make any hasty decisions ...

First of all, this is not an issue of whether the government should be in the liquor business. This is an issue with two primary components:

Government should not by in ANY business. Government cannot perform most tasks as well as the private sector. If we want government to control the wholesale and retail distribution of controlled substances, such as alcohol, why don't we shut down all of the pharmacies and let government handle that as well?

The second major component is one that is particular to Wicomico County. The WCLCB is cheating the taxpayers. While the WCLCB claims to be the friend of the taxpayer, we already know that the Wicomico taxpayer is being cheated out of tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Every dollar spent on their political advertising is money that should be going to the taxpayer. Why are two board members receiving contracts from the WCLCB? Why is money that ultimately belongs to the taxpayers of Wicomico County going to sundry non-profit groups? If I want to donate to the Boy Scouts, the Leukemia Society, or some social club then I will. Who gave three non-elected appointees the authority to give away the taxpayers' money?
Pollitt is a Democrat and a nice guy. Therefore he would be loathe to address either of the main arguments for dismantling the dispensary system. If he publicly agrees that government should not be in ANY business, he may well be kicked out of his own party. Being a nice guy he doesn't want to address the second argument because it may offend some folks.

Pollitt's main argument is that we shouldn't be hasty. He's right. However, I don't remember Pollitt saying that we "shouldn't be hasty" when he was shilling for Gov. Martin O'Malley's tax increases.

The County Council is not being hasty. They are being deliberative. If this matter goes to referendum in November, that is but one step in a multi-year process.

Such a referendum, assuming that it passes, is non-binding. The county government would then need to formally petition the legislature to dismantle the WCLCB. The legislature would have to pass such a measure and then O'Malley would have to sign it. There is plenty of time to explore zoning and other issues.

Pollitt argues that dismantling the current system be revenue-neutral. Yet, that is exactly what the Council is attempting to do with their study committee.

Pollitt is not a stupid man. Therefore, when he argues that we need to prevent "new liquor stores from cropping up on every corner" and that we need to preserve "the integrity of our neighborhoods" we have to infer that his is being disingenuous about wanting to end this antiquated and corrupt system.

Wicomico County's Liquor Licensing Board will ensure that there won't be a liquor store on every corner. Even if they didn't, the market would. Even if the market didn't work, as far too many Democrats seem to believe, the county and municipal governments can insure that the integrity of our neighborhoods are preserved. Of course we can only hope that Salisbury's government would do a better job with this than they do in regulating the city's slumlords.

If Pollitt was genuine about these concerns, why isn't he taking the lead on issues like impact fees and an adequate public facilities ordinance that would have a lasting impact on our county? Instead he is trying to drag the feet of county government on this issue and wailing about the revenue cap the rest of the time.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

BREAKING NEWS! Paramedics Can't Get Through!!!!!

A Paramedic just called into Central and stated THE BRIDGE IS UP, WE CAN'T GET THROUGH! What say you now Comegys, Tilghman, Gordy & See?

A Local Doctor Who Forgot Where He Came From

"I am one of the providers at one of the doctor's offices mentioned in the blog. The nurses showed me the comments. What a crock! After reading your blog my next two patients of the morning are 38 min and 23 min late...therefore putting me and all the rest of my patients behind. You can thank your fellow patients for being late. Look in the mirror!"

Dear Doctor So and So:

Might I suggest TAKING those other patients waiting patiently in your coral and telling the two patients who probably aren't going to show up to GET IN LINE! This is all a part of business and others shouldn't suffer or lose money waiting around because some people just can't be on time. Funny part is, you're going to send them a bill for not cancelling 24 hours in advance anyway!

Blaming your Customers has to be one of the dumbest things one could do. Remember, "Customers Always Come First?" For some ODD reason, people look up to Doctors and Lawyers as great businessmen and women, WRONG! They certainly are special at what they do, I'll give you that. HOWEVER, as business people, investors and so forth, they're the worst business people going. Ask a Doctor about an illness. Ask a Lawyer about legal issues. However, DO NOT ask them about the economy or where to put your money because they suck at it.

Comment for Tim Chaney

Tim Chaney wrote a comment on another post relating to property taxes. The conversation seemed to be leaving the original topic and I believe that there is much to be learned by open dialogue. So here we go.

I don't know about the city, Tim, but the county has a hefty impact fee. The impact fee is $5250.00 for the county. But wait. The town of Pittsville has an impact fee of $7,000.00. which is about to be raised to $10,000.00. In fact the Town Commissioners will have the second reading of the change this month. That will be $15,250.00 before your back hoe breaks the ground. (not too shabby for someone who doesn't know that much about the county huh?) I'm not saying that's good or bad...it's just the way it is.

In closing, on a blog it's probably better not to give everything one knows on a specific issue if you hope to open dialogue. To do so only leads to a long boring post on which no one will want to make comments......and to me that's not the purpose of this blog.

Salisbury Police Department Press Release

On July 8, 2008 at approximately 12:12 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect pursuant to an arrest warrant charging the suspect with his involvement in the robbery of the Royal Farms Store on South Division St. On June 30, 2008, Officers responded to the Store in reference to an armed robbery and subsequently made two (2) arrests, David Tyler and Angela Walker. Further investigation identified the below listed subject as also involved in the robbery.

ARRESTED: David Bruce Whetstone, 20 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
CHARGES:
Robbery
Conspiracy to commit robbery
Second degree assault
Malicious destruction of property
Theft (over $ 500)
Conspiracy to commit theft (over $ 500)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC# 200800022960

I know it has been 5 days since the last Press Release and I know there's only ONE above. It's all they're producing Folks and like the Chief says, crime must be down, right?

For The Very First Time, I'm Disappointed In County Executive Rick Pollitt


You See, for quite some time now I have been developing what I believe to be not only a fantastic business relationship with Rick Pollitt but a personal one as well.

I happen to appreciate this man with the highest regard of respect and support. However, this morning even I have to admit that I'm a bit disappointed.

Ladies & Gentlemen, believe it or not, Salisbury News has surpassed the Daily Times in readership and this can be proven very easily. As I've said in the past, just ask any one of your friends, if they have a computer there's a VERY strong chance they're a reader of Salisbury News.

That being said, County Executive Pollitt chose to write an article about the Liquor Dispensary System in today's Daily Times and I know Rick is a strong follower of Salisbury News, so he has to know many people have dropped their subscription and now rely on Salisbury News.

That being said, we never received a copy of this message to provide to all of you and for once, (should Rick forward it to me) we'll be a day behind the Daily Times, LMAO! Quite frankly, it does hurt a bit. Not much, but a little bit. LOL

So come on Mr. Pollitt, GET WITH THE TIMES and recognize the fact that ALL information should be divided between ALL parties and leave it up to us to print it or not. Fair is Fair!

I should add, even Mr. Pollitt told me, ( in fun) that if Salisbury News added a Comics Section to the Blog even he'd consider dropping his subscription too. WELL? ;-)

Another Troubling Intersection

Joe,

I was reading about the improvements to the intersection at S. Division, Onley, and Bateman, and while I think a light would be much better, something is better than nothing.

I was wondering how you and other people felt about the disastrous changes at Division and Isabella? Before, there was a stoplight. Then they made it a Blinker with a 4-way stop, now the blinker is gone and only the 4-way remains. It's like the city wants there to be accidents. I also shudder to think of the money pissed away using those chicanes and the new curbing that has been put in.

Is there any way someone could find out the logic behind removing a perfectly good light and replacing it with an accident waiting to happen?

A concerned reader.

SALISBURY - WICOMICO WILL NEVER BE THE SAME

"www.SBYnews.com has opened up so many eyes to so many people that have traditionally been 'walking in the dark' that the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County will never be the same.

I've never seen so much exposed in corruption, scandals, improprieties, conflicts of interest, special interest, crooketry, that in comparison to the Sopranos it makes them look like angels.

It's no wonder that SBY News has been labeled THE BEST THING GOING."

Navy Petty Officer Mike Monsoor

Navy Petty Officer Mike Monsoor

PO2 (EOD2) Mike Monsoor, a Navy EOD Technician, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for jumping on a grenade in Iraq , giving his life to save his fellow SEALs.

During Mike Monsoor's funeral in San Diego , as his coffin was being moved from the hearse to the grave site at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery , SEALs were lined up on both sides of the pallbearers route forming a column of twos, with the coffin moving up the center. As Mike's coffin passed, each SEAL, having removed his gold Trident from his uniform, slapped it down embedding the Trident in the wooden coffin.
The slaps were audible from across the cemetery; by the time the coffin arrived grave side, it looked as though it had a gold inlay from all the Tridents pinned to it. This was a fitting send-off for a warrior hero.

This should be front-page news instead of the crap we see every day.

Since the media won't make this news, I choose to make it news by forwarding it onto you guys. I am proud of our military and the men and women who serve in it. They represent the highest and finest values of this country.

Question of the Day, Thur 7/10

A few days ago, 'there was news of contractor fraud.

Have you ever been a contractor's victim? Where you the customer or the subcontractor? What happened? How much did they get you for? Where you able to get your money back? (Worst contractor)

Have you had luck with good contractors? Would you like to share their name with the less fortunate that have not had the same luck? (Best contractor)

Quote of the Day


"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people"~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Jesse Jackson Wants to Cut Obama's Nuts Off!

Proposal to Increase DNA Collection Law.

From the Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

The Maryland House of Delegates is proposing a new DNA collection law pushed by Governor O'Malley. Under the proposed law, Maryland police and law enforcement agencies would routinely collect DNA samples from anyone arrested for a criminal charge in Maryland. The result would be an expanded database of DNA from which to search in future cases, but civil libertarians argue that it is a violation of the rights of a person who has not been convicted of a crime.

Similar laws are in place in 12 states, including Virginia, and are being actively considered in 22 other states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

Members of the Maryland legislatures Black Caucus are against the proposal, saying that it unfairly targets African-Americans, who are arrested at a much higher rate than whites. Supporters of the bill suggest that it is no more of a violation than collecting fingerprint samples during the booking process, but DNA is arguably much more personal, and contains sensitive and detailed information about a person's medical history and background.

Coming To a Town Near You!

Mix a Little Mortgage Meltdown with High Fuel Costs, Depreciation of the Dollar, Souring Food Prices Costing & Ever More Layoffs. We have all the ingredients of a Holy Sh*t Cake!


California town creates parking havens for homeless

RAW Story
Published: Wednesday July 9, 2008

Every night at dusk in this wealthy California coastal town, Barbara Harvey puts down food for her golden retrievers, Phoebe and Ranger, and watches as they go for their evening walk.
Not long afterwards, the 66-year-old mother-of-three clambers into the back of her white Honda CR-V, pulls up a blanket, and beds down for the night, snuggling next to her beloved dogs for comfort.
"For the most part I sleep okay," says Harvey. "But it is very cramped. And my dogs are big. The CR-V wasn't designed for people to sleep in."
This was not quite the old age Harvey had been hoping for. Until recently she rented an apartment that featured a garden bristling with roses and heavy with the scent of jasmine.
But when Harvey's job as a 37,000-dollar-a-year (23,600 euros) notary evaporated in the US sub-prime mortgage crisis, she found herself penniless and destitute in a town where the average price of a home is one million dollars.
Harvey's nightly "home" now is the quiet carpark of the historic Santa Barbara Mission, one of 12 sites around the town that is part of a safe parking program run by a non-profit outreach group, New Beginnings.
According to Michael Stoops, executive director of the Washington-based National Coalition for the Homeless, Harvey's experience is not exceptional.
"We are receiving reports from different agencies and individuals in the field that it is becoming more common," Stoops said. "It's definitely a trend.
"For people who lose their homes or their jobs their worst nightmare is to end up living on the streets, literally homeless. So for many it is preferable to live in their vehicles."
In Santa Barbara, the traditional middle-class has all but disappeared as property prices have soared, according to Gary Linker, executive director of New Beginnings.
New Beginnings has sought to help people who are living out of their vehicles, like Harvey, by organizing a network of safe overnight parking havens, mostly in church and public carparks.
Based on what he has seen, however, Linker is skeptical about suggestions of middle-class homelessness reaching epidemic proportions.
"I wouldn't use the word many, but there are some (middle class)," Linker told AFP.
"We are seeing more people, who I wouldn't call classic middle class, but more accurately are lower middle class, versus people who are chronically homeless and bouncing around for 10-15 years."
New Beginnings has received a flood of donations from all over the United States as a result of the publicity surrounding Harvey's case, evidence perhaps that her story has struck a chord in difficult times, Linker says.
"She could be anybody in this country who is essentially one paycheck away from losing their home," Linker said. "That is what resonates with people."
New Beginnings manages 12 parking lots across Santa Barbara, which are currently filled by some 55 vehicles.
Linker said that the profile of people enrolled in the program varies.
"There are clusters, people who are disabled, people who are mentally ill, substance abusers, people who are war veterans," he said.
Perhaps surprisingly, around half of the people have jobs.
"In our last appraisal, just around half are working. We have electricians, plumbers, bus drivers. We had one case where a woman had nothing -- and now she is the night supervisor at one of our local supermarkets," he said.
"People of all walks of life working lower-income jobs are in our program."
While the ultimate aim of the program is to place people in permanent housing, some in the safe-parking scheme are in no hurry to leave.
Guy Trevor, a 53-year-old British-born interior designer who lost his home and his job in the mortgage crisis, says he spent three months living in a pick-up truck before entering the parking scheme.
"The real difference is you're not sneaking around any more," Trevor said. "You feel safe. It's nice to feel safe."
Former software engineer and dotcom CEO, Jess Jessop, 54, has lived with his two sons in a converted school bus for the past four years, three of them in Santa Barbara. He says the parking scheme is a "life-saver."
"Wherever else we've, it's almost always okay for one day, maybe two. But nobody wants you to stay, so you're constantly being forced -- usually in the middle of the night -- to move on. And that's pretty tough," he told AFP.
"But here with this program we've had a stable home for over three years, and my kids are part of the community."
Single parent Jessop, who saw his career implode after the 2001 dot-com crash, says the situation in Santa Barbara has attracted national attention as America's economic problems have deepened.
"In 2001 there were a bunch of us in the dot-com community who suddenly found out what it was like to be out of work, out of the picture, not earning," Jessop said.
"Right now there's a whole new crop of people facing that. There are so many people on the edge of the same situation."

Is The PCPD Enforcing Marylands Cigarette Tax Law?

On The Maryland Criminal Defense Blog I found an interesting article...

Surprising Maryland Criminal Offenses

You can be charged with a crime in Maryland if you purchase more than 2 packs of cigarettes from out of state and transport them home, as a Maryland resident, according to this report.

Cigarettes are much cheaper in Virginia and North Carolina, due to the fact that the average tax is $2 per pack here, while it is only about $1.20 in Virginia. So even if you literally walk across the border, and bring back 3 packs of cigarettes, you are a criminal.

I wrote to him and asked exactly how much of fine one would be looking at if they were caught doing such a horrible thing.

My God, don't let your mother go down to the VA line and pick up a couple of cartons of smoke for herself and your dad and maybe your Aunt Sue, or she may just end up in jail.

I have had a lot of questions lately as to why the Pocomoke PD has been hanging out at Royal Farms. Is this why? Are they watching people with Maryland tags and then pulling them over for true price shopping. God forbid you have a coupon!

If this is so and I hope one of the officers or the Mayor chimes in on this topic and sets the record straight. Just how much does the City make on this type of 'crime'?

I totally get the 50 dozen cartons in the trunk of a car with New York plates, but 10 or less cartons really shouldn't be an issue.

If you work in an office in Salisbury and live in Pocomoke and all your office buds give you $30 bucks to pick them up a carton of their favorite brand once a week... what is the big deal? Your not reselling them, your giving your friend a break to save him a few on his carton. It's no big deal.

I have that the fine is $1000. per carton! That's a lotta bucks folks... does this money go into the city treasury or to the state.

If it goes to the state there is no point in paying the Pocomoke City police Department to do it. Let the State Officers handle it. A couple of months ago people were questioning why there were so many cars in town especially over at a couple of the apartment buildings were full of cars with VA tags. Mayor McDermott responded to this complaint that it was up to the state to enforce the tags on the cars in town to make sure that they were in compliance. So if this is the stance the town is taking about matters of the state I believe that their is no reason to enforce a stateinitiative to prevent Marylanders (especially ones in border towns) from purchasing cigarettes at a more reasonable price.

Let me know what you think.

A Cat Named Lucky

If you're thinking, 'This is going to be a heart wrenching story about a cat that
got run over by a truck then had to walk 100 miles uphill to get home after
being bitten by a snake,' you're absolutely wrong!












Menopausal Woman With Nasty Temper Has 85 Grand Prix For Sale

1. NO, it is not a 'condo-car' that's been garaged all its natural life. It's a $600 car.

2. YES, the odometer reads 24k miles, but I am VERY certain it has rolled over and it's actually 124k miles. It's a $600 car.

3. YES, it is restorable. Anything is restorable if you have the time and money! But, in its current condition, it's a $600 car.

4. YES, the interior is very clean. NOTICE I DID NOT SAY IT WAS MINT! It is clean... one tiny tear on the drivers seat back, broken arm-rest on drivers side, TWENTY THREE YEARS OLD!!! Again, it's a $600 car.

5. YES, it does start and run very well. My son drove it to and from work for several months while his daily-driver was being repaired. Not bad for a $600 car!

6. NO, my boyfriend and his tool box do NOT come with the car. In other words, you're buying a TWENTY-THREE YEAR OLD, SIX HUNDRED DOLLAR CAR, people! I cannot guarantee that it will 'last at least a year' or that 'it will make it all the way to Oregon in September'. Sheesh... I mean, c'mon! My crystal ball broke a lonnnnnng time ago. What's more, it's a $600 car.

7. YES, it is quiet. But will it disturb your neighbors? HOW THE HELL DO I KNOW? I don't even KNOW your neighbors! I know you can squeal tires pretty loudly, even in this old $600 car.

8. NO, I will NOT pay for your gas if you drive here from East Jesus and decide not to buy the car for any reason. Why would you drive 3 hours to buy a $600 car anyway?

9. NO, I am NOT interested in donating the car to your worthy cause. My son needs the money. He's a kid, for crying out loud! Do you really think he'd be advertising this $600 car for SALE if he wanted to 'help you out because you're down on your luck because your boyfriend left you and took your car and you have no way to get back and forth from....'. You get the picture.

10. Did I mention it's a $600 car? That does NOT mean it's a $400 car, or a $500 car, or even a $550 car! THE PRICE IS $600, get it?

11. NO, I do not own a firearm. Yet.

If you've read this far, then you must be somewhat interested in the car, right? Be advised, I am in no mood to be trifled with after the 250 stupid phone calls I received over the weekend. That's right... 250, mostly assinine people, asking questions relating to the above 11 answers. Ever dealt with a woman whose hot-flashes run about 500 degrees? Seriously. Do NOT poke the bear, or if you do, do so at your own risk.

I am not going to post my phone number, as my Xanax prescription is empty and I cannot afford to have it refilled until this Friday. That being said, I do have twenty photos of the car from every angle, aspect, perspective and view which I would be happy to send to you via email. Just click on the pretty blue link at the top of the post, and I promise I'll email you back lots of full-color photos that were taken just this morning.
****Only after I have determined that you are not going to be yet another idiot such as those mentioned above will I give you my phone number and/or address so that you may come and see the car****

Deputy Fire Chief Gordy Is Everywhere, At Your Expense


On Wednesday I was over in Delmar picking up some horse feed and along came Bill Gordy driving his City vehicle. I dropped off the feed at the house and went to my building on the Plaza and there he was again, in casual clothes just driving around. My guess the first time is that he was visiting the Family business in Delmar. The second time is any one's guess? It must be nice, that's all I can say about that.

Bryan & Brittinghams In Delmar, DE.






Have you ever been to this Store? First of all, it's just over the Delaware line in Delmar, so it's TAX FREE! Secondly, their prices tend to be lower than anyone else anyway and their selection of items is just unbelievable! Dogs, Cats, Horses I don't care what animal you have, they stock products to serve all your wants and needs. They also have gardening supplies, tools, it reminds me of one of those small town Hardware Stores and everyone is polite and they appreciate your business. So if you're looking for a pet supply store locally, drop in and tell them you heard about them in Salisbury News. NO, I don't get a break or any special deal on anything. This is a rare find any more so give them a visit.

Another Follow Up On Graffiti

I went back to a place on the tracks, an old loading dock for trains, where I saw graffiti that was next to a business on 13 with a large tagging on the other side of the fence. There was graffiti all over the loading dock. I have more pics, but they have inappropriate junk on them. Real intelligent, I bet you had to think long and hard on those sayings.

Now I bring this follow up on two points. First when I drove up there was a SPD officer was patrolling. We rolled down our windows and I said what I was doing and he absolutely had no problems with me being there. It was nice to an officer back in these little enclaves patrolling. Thank you!

Secondly I went back specifically because the proximity of the tagging on the business (and up and down the tracks from here to UP and here to Giant) and to this area. Coincidence? The first picture shows how close these two were to each other.

Clearly we all are getting wise on you and you better think twice before perpetrating this crap again. Enough is enough and people are tired of this! You've been blogged!



To see my last post with links to other posts click HERE!

From A Concerned Reader on Graffiti

The other week I was talking to a reader of Salisbury News and the individual was telling me about a tag that looked like it said ABM, or "all about money" on a stop sign by Upper Ferry. With genuine worry and distress the individual was appalled at the notion that territory was marked all the way out there. I finally was able to check it out and sure enough you can tell driving by it it looks like ABM. Clearly the A and B are clear as day, but the last letter looks a little runny. Is it a heart or an M? Either way all this tagging needs to stop.

What does everyone think?



This was taken on South Brown Street in Fruitland, clearly visible on the side of the road as you are driving towards the athletic fields on Brown Street; about quarter mile away from Crown.

Is the graffiti problem spreading out from the City of Salisbury? You decide and give your input!

New Pedestrian Signs, Lights at South D and Onley

At one of the most busy and dangerous intersections in town, the Onley/South Division/Bateman Street has added signs and pedestrian actuated lights to alert drivers to pedestrians crossing. Many students use this crossing throughout the school year from morning to night.

This is a problematic intersection and I'm speaking from experience because I lived in the New Zoo for 3 years. With all the traffic from the artery of South Division both directions coupled with those coming down Bateman and the all the streets off South D causes back ups and accidents. Pedestrians would sometimes wait 5 or more minutes to get across because the large amount of traffic constantly flowing through. Fortunately some Good Samaritans with common sense would stop to allow pedestrians not to have to play Frogger to make it across. Still to make a left turn onto South D was hard to do and still is.

These lights and signs are improvements from nothing, to a crosswalk, and sign in the middle of the road. This is a welcomed improvement to ensure the saftey of everyone.







Gloucester Co. Supervisors, Sheriff Indicted

GLOUCESTER (AP) -- Four of the seven members of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors have been indicted for allegedly conducting public business in secret.

Supervisors Teresa Altemus, Michelle Ressler, Robert "Bobby" Crewe and Gregory Woodard were indicted Tuesday on a total of 12 misdemeanors.

A special grand jury report says the four conspired to seize control of the board and hired an interim county administrator without permission.

The report also says they enlisted Sheriff Steve Gentry to disable network accounts and seize the computers of the county administrator and attorney after they were terminated at a board meeting. Gentry was indicted on one misdemeanor count of unlawful warrantless search.

Woodard and Gentry both say they did nothing wrong. Altemus, Ressler and Crewe couldn't immediately be reached for comment.

GO HERE for the official story.

1950's Woolworth's Menu

Forget McDonalds, Burger King, and all of the other "fast food" joints. Lunch at the counter in any Woolworth was a treat.

If any of you have doubt about what we kids paid for a coke and a sandwich at Woolworth's in the 1950's, here's proof of the era we lived........and it was a GREAT ERA to grow up in !!!!

farm boy


Farm Boy,

Man, do I remember those days. Woolworths was one of my favorite places to go when I was a kid in NYC! Remember the fountain sodas? The Root Beer Floats! Thanks for bringing me back down memory lane!

Perhaps the Salisbury City Council Could Learn a Lesson

In Virginia, a majority of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors and the county Sheriff have been indicted for meeting in secret. Between all of the seemingly unnecessary closed sessions and "Privileged and Confidential" memos, the poor folks on the Middle Peninsula can't hold a candle to our own body of Barrieland Bandits.

As I speculated in an earlier post, it seems that the prosecutors in Virginia just seem to take public corruption a little more seriously than they do in the People's Republic.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings