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Thursday, September 25, 2008

OUT OF GAS, OUT OF LUCK

You Read It Here First!

OUT OF GAS, OUT OF LUCK: MOTORISTS TRAVELING SOUTH LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER GASOLINE OUTAGES, SITUATION IMPROVES IN VIRGINIA

Consumers Seeing Higher Occurrences Of Supply Shortages in Atlanta, Nashville, and Knoxville; Gas Outages Sparking Panic Buying In Some Southern Markets

Towson, MD (September 25, 2008) – Half the gasoline stations in the Atlanta area don’t have gas, AAA is reporting, and motorists traveling to points south will likely encounter spot gasoline outages in a number of cities on their auto trips. That’s the warning that auto travel counselors with AAA Mid-Atlantic are providing to club members and the motoring public.

A number of gas stations in major cities in the Southeast region of the country have empty pumps, the auto club advises. Compounding things, there has been a run on gas in some markets, as some motorists go into a panic mode, the motorists’ group noted. As a result, consumers in Atlanta, Nashville and Knoxville are seeing higher occurrences of gasoline shortages today.

“In each of these major southern markets, some filling stations and convenience stores have run out of fuel, others are running low on inventory and are waiting for the next tank wagon to come in, while others aren’t reporting any supply problems at all,” said Ragina C. Averella, AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Manager of Public and Government Affairs. “Therefore, motorists traveling south should have at least a half a tank of gas, and no less than a quarter tank, just in case they encounter outages around major metropolitan areas, such as Atlanta, Knoxville, and Nashville.”

Serpentine gasoline lines are growing at gas stations in some southern cities, running 40 cars deep, (not at a Gordy Mart though) an Atlanta TV station is reporting. Minor supply outages are reported in and around Chattanooga, Tennessee. Moderate incidents of outages are still the norm in the western portion of the Carolinas, particularly around Charlotte, North Carolina, Hendersonville, North Carolina, and in the vicinity of Spartanburg, South Carolina, caution auto travel counselors with AAA Mid-Atlantic. “This indicates the fuel outages have been sporadic in nature across parts of the south, and not system-wide,” said Averella.

In addition to supply issues, motorists driving south are also likely to encounter higher pump prices than they will back home, advise AAA Mid-Atlantic auto travel counselors. “Be prepared for sticker shock, southern style,” said Averella. As proof, the average price of gas in Georgia is $3.96 a gallon, according to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report. However, it’s $4.04 in Atlanta, where the cost of mid-grade is $4.24 a gallon, and premium is going for $4.43. Diesel fuel is fetching $4.32 a gallon. The price of gas in Nashville is sky high too. Motorists traveling around the Greater Nashville area find themselves paying $3.99 a gallon for regular unleaded, which is down from $4.05 yesterday, according to Daily Fuel Gauge Report. In contrast, prices have calmed down around the Knoxville area. Last week, motorists in Knoxville were paying $4.77 a gallon on Monday, the highest price in the nation at the time, AAA East Tennessee reported. This morning a gallon of regular unleaded is $3.54.

However, the supply situation is improving in Tallahassee, which had been plagued with supply issues earlier in the week, the auto club is reporting. The situation has also improved in Virginia this week, according to Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, which is tracking the situation. Last week, nearly 15 percent of the gas stations in Virginia were reporting outages, the Virginia Petroleum, Convenience and Grocery Association told the news media. At the time, suppliers in the state were sending tanker trucks to “pick up the product” in Maryland, Pennsylvania and other border states, a spokesman for the group told the media.
In fact, the situation in Atlanta has gotten worse, according to Randy Bly, the Director of Community Relations for AAA Auto Club South. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has called on motorists there to help out by “reducing unnecessary travel, carpooling and using mass transit.”

Most of the supply problems in the Southeast region can be traced to the Colonial Pipeline, which shut down as Hurricane Ike was approaching landfall. Since then, the pipeline, a major gasoline and diesel fuel distribution artery to the Southeast and Eastern Seaboard, has been running at 25 percent capacity. Normally, the Colonial Pipeline delivers a daily average of 100 million gallons of gasoline, home heating oil, aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products from the Gulf Coast to 267 marketing terminals located near the major population centers of the Southeast and Eastern Seaboard, including Virginia, the District of Columbia and parts of Maryland.
Compounding matters, some major refineries have still not come back on line due to damage to the electrical grid in Texas. “In some markets, the situation is even worse than it was in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” said Bly. “It has been a slow process this time around. Even after a refinery restores power, it can sometimes take up to a week or more until the refinery is at full production. All refineries should be on line by next week and many already are back in the refining processes, but at reduced capacity.”

Consumers traveling to or through these markets should begin looking for a station prior to their gas tanks dropping below one quarter full, advise auto travel counselors with AAA Mid-Atlantic. The auto club is receiving reports of panic buying in some markets, including cases of motorists filling multiple containers of gasoline. AAA is advising motorists to avoid panic buying and to avoid topping off their tanks. “Motorists should fill their tanks as they normally would.”

AAA Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, has nearly four million members in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It provides a wide range of personal insurance, travel, financial and automotive services through its 50-plus retail branches, regional operations centers, and the Internet. For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.AAA.com

Don't Let The Democrats Fool You On The Bailout

This is a MUST SEE. Go HERE.

WCLCB - How Many Ways Can You Pick A Pocket?

In discussing the spending practices of the WCLCB I once used the following analogy:
You're walking down the street and a mugger sticks a gun in your face.  He demands all of your money.  You hand it over.  The mugger takes pity and hands $20 back, "so you can get home".

This is basically what the Wicomico County dispensary does.  ALL of the money left after LEGITIMATE OPERATING EXPENSES is supposed to go to the Wicomico County taxpayers.  Instead, AFTER paying the legitimate expenses, the dispensary board hands out YOUR money to various groups both in and out of Wicomico County.  They pay YOUR money so that dispensary employees can drive stock cars around the Monster Mile.  They go shopping at Kuhn's Jewelers.

But wait!  The good members of the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board have a new way to spend YOUR money.  They have now chosen to threaten our elected officials and let us pay for it.  Read More ...

Change Of Venue For Relay For Life Tomorrow

Hi Joe! If you would please be able to help us get the word out that the American Cancer Society's 15th Annual Relay For Life of Wicomico County being held tomorrow (9/26/08) has been relocated from the Shorebirds Stadium to the Crown Sports Complex in Fruitland, Md due to the weather forecast. The event times and agenda will remain the same. (Open to the public from 5:30-11 pm Friday and 6am-8:30am on Saturday. Admission is free to the public. Opening Ceremonies begin at 6:00pm on Friday with the "Fight Back" Closing Ceremony scheduled for 8am on Saturday morning). The closing ceremony will feature very special surprise guests and we encourage everyone to come out- it'll be well worth it ;)

Thanks so much for your help :)

Stacy Bernstein
Publicity Chair
Relay For Life of Wicomico County

Salisbury News

Come on now, you have to admit, Salisbury News HAS been delivering the best news and information recently than ANY other source out there. We can't always deliver breaking news but if you had to depend on the Daily Times, you wouldn't have the chance to make it to Jim Ireton's meeting tonight. Glad we can be of service to all of you.

Eastern Shore Running Out Of Gas?

"I had lunch with my brother at lunch. He works for Taylor Oil and could tell me Eastern Shore is almost out of gas. You may want to top off your tank. Baltimore is having trouble with the pipelines from Texas. CATO is already out of fuel on Marine Road. Apparently all the surplus is limited or gone."

Does anyone else out there know more about this situation?

That "Dysfunctional" PAC-14 Board (and other misleading propaganda)

Wicomico County residents are being barraged with disinformation by proponents of "transition" of PAC-14 that would be funded in part by higher cable TV rates. COMCAST is not behind this scheme, which is apparently the product of the Salisbury City administration of Barrie Tilghman and Salisbury University’s administration. Whether the Wicomico County government is also behind the scheme remains unclear.

To grease the skids, the University – through its Assistant Vice President for Administration & Finance (Betty Crockett) – has fostered the notion that the existing board of directors of PAC-14 is "dysfunctional" because it has not met for a long time. The pertinent fact is that Ms. Crockett, who is that board’s chairperson, has not scheduled a meeting for about 2 years or more, and during that time has been a leader in the surreptitiously planned and staged transition, including the assemblage of a "task force" for that purpose. She has not even bothered to tell the board about that maneuver, in which it seems that certain members of the City Council (Louise Smith and Shanie Shields) – but not the Council’s appointee to the board (Debbie Campbell) – have participated.

And now Barrie Tilghman’s assistant, John Pick, is spreading the notion that the board does not exist. However, the Wicomico County attorney (Edgar Baker) has stated just the opposite. Where the City’s attorney (Paul Wilber) stands on this has not been disclosed.

Anyone interested in more detail about this scheme and its perpetrators is in luck. At 10 AM on September 26 (Friday) it will be discussed at a meeting of the PAC-14 "Partners" (City, County and SU) somewhere in the Government Office Building. There has been no notice given, but the meeting is being described as open to the public if you can find it.

F.O.P. Press Release

September 25, 2008

The Wicomico County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 111 is disappointed with the decision that was reached by the Honorable Circuit Court Judge David B. Mitchell in reference to the case; Wicomico County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 111 vs. Wicomico County Council, County Executive, and County Administrator Case # 22C08000521.

In November 2006, a referendum vote was approved with 73 percent of Wicomico County voters approving a change to the county charter allowing for collective bargaining with binding arbitration for Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputies. In December 2007, the Wicomico County Council adopted a labor code which established collective bargaining with binding arbitration only on the county executive and not the council. The County Executive vetoed the labor code on January 9, 2008, and the Council overrode that veto on January 15, 2008. As a result a Writ of Mandamus was filed on April 4, 2008 asking the court to review the matter. A trial was held on August 22, 2008, and a Decision and Order was issued by Judge Mitchell on September 19, 2008. In the Order, the court found that the referendum approved by the voters was unconstitutional.

The FOP Lodge will explore what options are available and determine the next course of action. With the high level of support from the voters of Wicomico County, the FOP Lodge will continue in our efforts to improve retirement and disability benefits as well as obtain collective bargaining for sheriff’s deputies. The FOP Lodge # 111 would also like to take this opportunity to express our thanks for the support offered by the citizens of Wicomico County.

Any questions contact Matt Cook, at 443-880-5516.

FOP Lodge # 111

Salisbury Police Department Press Release

On September 6, 2008 at approximately 9:30 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to a residence on the 100 block of Princeton Avenue for the report of a home invasion robbery. Upon arrival, Officers met with witnesses who advised that several suspects had been observed forcing entry into the residence, then assaulting one of the occupants of the residence. The occupant of the residence was struck several times by the suspects before the suspects fled from the area after taking an amount of U.S. Currency. The victim was transported to the Peninsula Regional Medical Center where he received treatment for injuries to his head, then was released. Salisbury Police Detectives met with several witnesses and were able to identify the suspects, listed below, that were involved in the assault and robbery. During the week of September 13, 2008, these suspects were located and taken into custody.

ARRESTED #1: Broderick Lee Miles, 17 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #2: Myron Devin Ellison, 16 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #3: 15 year old juvenile Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #4: Timothy Jamar Mitchell, 18 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #5: Garrick Levin Wharton, 16 years of age Salisbury, Maryland
ARRESTED #6: 14 year old juvenile Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Armed robbery
Robbery
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Burglary
Conspiracy to commit armed robbery
Conspiracy to commit first degree assault
Conspiracy to commit theft (under $ 100)
Possession of a dangerous weapon

DISPOSITION: All adults released to Central Booking, all juveniles released to parent or guardian. CC # 200800033703

SU Lacrosse coach offends some local residents

At Monday nights council meeting, the mayor handed out awards to the SU lacrosse team for the championship season they had. While i applaud the squad for the teamwork, the SU lacrosse coach introduced one player and used language to the effect of when we had our little setback this guy stepped up. The setback he was referring to of course was the vandalism and criminal behavior of 2 of his players that turned the camden avenue area into a war zone. I'm sure some local residents would have preferred the coach to have used better wording and maybe dedicate the victory to the people affected by those actions.

Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac

Here are a few facts pertaining efforts to regulate Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac. The two giant mismanaged enterprises at the center of our economic and financial mess.

The following link will show the effort by the Bush administration in 2003 & John McCain and others in 2005 to address the the giant companies huge accounting irrelgularites:

http://sweetness-light.com/archive/bush-mccain-tried-to-reform-housing-finance

Also, from the congressional record bellow, is John McCain's speech on senate floor, in 2005 to try to pass regulation reform pertaining Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac:

Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005

The United States Senate May 25, 2006 Sen. John McCain [R-AZ]: Mr. President, this week Fannie Mae's regulator reported that the company's quarterly reports of profit growth over the past few years were "illusions deliberately and systematically created" by the company's senior management, which resulted in a $10.6 billion accounting scandal. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's report goes on to say that Fannie Mae employees deliberately and intentionally manipulated financial reports to hit earnings targets in order to trigger bonuses for senior executives. In the case of Franklin Raines, Fannie Mae's former chief executive officer, OFHEO's report shows that over half of Mr. Raines' compensation for the 6 years through 2003 was directly tied to meeting earnings targets. The report of financial misconduct at Fannie Mae echoes the deeply troubling $5 billion profit restatement at Freddie Mac. The OFHEO report also states that Fannie Mae used its political power to lobby Congress in an effort to interfere with the regulator's examination of the company's accounting problems. This report comes some weeks after Freddie Mac paid a record $3.8 million fine in a settlement with the Federal Election Commission and restated lobbying disclosure reports from 2004 to 2005. These are entities that have demonstrated over and over again that they are deeply in need of reform.

For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac–known as Government-sponsored entities or GSEs–and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market. OFHEO's report this week does nothing to ease these concerns. In fact, the report does quite the contrary. OFHEO's report solidifies my view that the GSEs need to be reformed without delay. I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole. I urge my colleagues to support swift action on this GSE reform legislation.

Unfortunately, the bill ( 2nd attempt to regulate this mess) was blocked by Democrats and was never passed.

It's just worth noting that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac gave contributions to lawmakers who are sitting on committees that "should" regulate them. Question is WHY???

A lot of those who received contributions from the two companies sit on the House Financial Services Committee, the Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee, or the Senate Finance Committee. Sen. Chris Dodd (D) of CT, chairman of the Senate banking committee, received the most from Fannie and Freddie's PACs ($133,900 since 1989). Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), who chairs several House Financial Services Subcommittees, received $65,500. It's also worth noting that Barak Obama came in second in contributions ( $126,349) while only serving four (4) years. Go figure….

It's Reported Deal Near On $700 Billion Bailout

Lawmakers are closer to a compromise on a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street. President Bush prepares to host talks at the White House on the economic crisis with Congressional Leaders and Presidential rivals John McCain and Barack Obama. I say, BITE ME! Let those thieves who created this mess get themselves out of it. What do you think? I know this is more complicated than just saying NO.

Over 300 Comments In One Day!

Yesterday proved to be quite a big day comment wise. As usual, when some comments go up it brings out the worst in some and I had to delete a good 50 or more comments but for the most part it was a big day.

I'm pleased to see so many people finally getting on board with comments, even if they're anonymous for the most part. Discussion and healthy debate is what is needed on the Eastern Shore and the more each of you get involved, the more informed we become.

I know I brought up, (or should I say back) an old Post but I only counted a small portion of those comments in my numbers as people continued to add to that old Post. Nevertheless, Blognetnews has been having some issues lately, (only with Salisbury News?) as it has not been picking up the comments for a good part of this week. I wonder if that will change our position this week in the #1 ranking. It doesn't really matter as I'd like to see some other quality Blogs enjoying that spot for a while as some of them deserve it.

That being said, THANK YOU! We're simply trying to make a difference here and allow YOU the opportunity to voice your opinion.

Classified Ads

While ads come in daily, if you have something you're trying to sell, put it up on the FREE SBYnews.com Classified Ads.

Send your items to, alberobutzo@wmconnect.com and I'll get the posted for this Saturday.

Business Increases 100% At Gordy Mart Today


While driving past the Nanticoke Rd. Gordy Tiger Mart this morning it was very evident business was actually up 100% compared to yesterday. Baby steps! Click on image to enlarge.

Do You Have A Backup Plan?

Ireton To Discuss New Crime Task Force TODAY


Salisbury

Neighborhood activist and Wicomico Neighborhood Congress Chairman Jim Ireton will address the creation of the new Salisbury Crime Task Force. On September 23, 2008 the city administration announced the creation of a new crime task force. While Ireton believes that citizen involvement and the job city police officers do is imperative to fighting crime, he will discuss trends in Type 1 Crime in the city, show the timeline of events that have led to the failure of city hall to address Salisbury’s crime problem over the past decade, and urge specific action be taken immediately to begin to reduce crime numbers in our most at-risk neighborhoods.

Ireton will speak at 4:30 PM at 110 W. Church Street in Salisbury, in the Old City Hall Building downtown. A power point presentation will accompany his remarks, and a question and answer session will follow.

WHO IS JACK WHEELER?

Jack Wheeler is a brilliant man who was the author of Reagan's strategy to break the back of the Soviet Union with the star wars race and expose their inner weakness. For years he wrote a weekly intelligence update that was extremely interesting and well structured and informed. He consults(ed) with several mega corporations on global trends and the future, etc. I think he is in semi-retirement now. He is a true patriot with a no-nonsense approach to everything. He is also a somewhat well known mountain climber and adventurer.

**********************************

Subject: Dr. Jack Wheeler Regarding Barack Hussein Obama

Written by Dr. Jack Wheeler

The O-man, Barack Hussein Obama, is an eloquently tailored empty suit. No resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world works, no balls, nothing but abstract empty rhetoric devoid of real substance.

He has no real identity. He is half-white, which he rejects. The rest of him is mostly Arab, which he hides but is disclosed by his non-African Arabic surname and his Arabic first and middle names as a way to triply proclaim his Arabic parentage to people in Kenya . Only a small part of him is African Black from his Luo grandmother, which he pretends he is exclusively.

What he isn't, not a genetic drop of, is 'African-American,' the descendant of enslaved Africans brought to America chained in slave ships. He hasn't a single ancestor who was a slave. Instead, his Arab ancestors were slave owners. Slave-trading was the main Arab business in East Africa for centuries until the British ended it.

Let that sink in: Obama is not the descendant of slaves, he is the descendant of slave owners. Thus he makes the perfect Liberal Messiah.

It's something Hillary doesn't understand - how some complete neophyte came out of the blue and stole the Dem nomination from her. Obamamania is beyond politics and reason. It is a true religious cult, whose adherents reject Christianity yet still believe in Original Sin, transferring it from the evil of being human to the evil of being white.

Thus Obama has become the white liberals' Christ, offering
absolution from the Sin of Being White. There is no reason or logic behind it, no faults or flaws of his can diminish it, no arguments Hillary could make of any kind can be effective against it. The absurdity of Hypocrisy Clothed In Human Flesh being their Savior is all the more cause for liberals to worship him: Credo quia absurdum, I believe it because it is absurd.

Thank heavens that the voting majority of Americans remain
Christian and are in no desperate need of a phony savior.

His candidacy is ridiculous and should not be taken seriously by any thinking American.

Pass this on to every thinking American you know!

Snopes says the article is true HERE.

WHY???

Why did Barrie Tilghman and Chief Alan Webster stand before TV cameras stating there were no gangs in Salisbury?
Answer: Because they are liars.

Why did Barrie Tilghman stand before TV cameras in her state of the city address stating “Crime is down”?
Answer: Because she is a liar.

Why does Barrie Tilghman and her administration turn a blind eye to everything wrong within the city until there is an upcoming election?
Answer: Because she could care less about anything that does not serve her or those pulling the puppet masters strings.

Why is Shanie Shields on a crime task force? Shanie stated recently, during the budget meetings, that crime is under control, so why be on a crime task force if crime is under control.? Shanie also said the shootings
at the Night Club on Roland St wasn't murder because they knew who they were after.
Answer: She is up for re-election and Barrie needs her to continue to tow the line.

Why did Gary Comegys insist the police department did not need an increase stating they are fully staffed knowing crime is out of control? Shootings in his own neighborhood should have spurred him on to give the SPD what they need to perform their duties and keep the city safe.
Answer: Other than him being a moron, he wanted to spend the money on toys for the fire department hoping to gain their support should he be stupid enough to run for mayor.

Why was Joe Albero ignored by the mayor and her chief of police, when he exposed the gang activity, prostitution, drug trade, the body of a woman found in the Industrial Park, and countless other crimes, all within the city?
Answer: Because he doesn’t bow down to Barrie. How could she or chiefy sue him if she admitted he were right about something, anything?

Why was Dan Dougherty or Davis Ruark not requested to sit on the crime task force?
Answer: Barrie hates Davis Ruark and Dan Doughtery won’t sugar coat the facts to suit her lowness.

Why is Lt. Mike Drury an Intelligence/Gang Supervisor with the DOC not requested to participate in this crime task force?
Answer: Barrie doesn’t want anyone with real knowledge of gangs and their activity letting it be known that we have high ranking members of the Crips gang or any other gang, living right here.

Why does the city need yet another crime task force when the Chamber of Commerce has an existing crime task force in place?
Answer: A mayoral election is upon us and Shanies seat in District 1 is fair game for any honest person that wants to run.

As you read these questions and my opinions in the form of answers don’t for one minute think I am opposed to having a crime task force. What I am opposed to is the mayor pulling this out of her butt just before the mayoral election when crime has run rampant for years with nothing done to deter it. If you look at the list of people giving of their time on this task force you have got to question why some of them are there. What purpose do they serve? Who's purpose do they serve? The city is always whining about the duplication of services this task force is nothing more than a duplication of a task force already in existence. It's a waste of a lot of good peoples time just to let a little light shine on Barrie. I can't wait to read the opinions of the many as to WHY???

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release


Incident: Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute
Date of Incident: 23 September 2008
Location: 700 Block of Dennis Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Frederick Leon Palmer, 27, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 23 September 2008 at 8:40 PM, deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office served a search and seizure warrant on a residence in the 700 block of Dennis Street. The warrant was the culmination of an investigation into the sale of illegal drugs from within the residence. Upon their arrival, the deputies located Frederick Palmer inside the residence in the process of preparing marijuana for distribution. During a search of the residence, deputies recovered marijuana, packaging materials, a digital scale and a loaded firearm. Assisting in the warrant service were members from the Maryland State Police.

Palmer was arrested and transported to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Palmer was held in the Detention Center without bond.

Charges:
Possession of a Firearm during a Drug Trafficking Crime
Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute
Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone

Quote of the Day

You don't want to act, or even talk, alone. . . you don't want to 'go out of your way to make trouble.' . . .But the one great shocking occasion, when tens or hundreds or thousands will join with you, never comes. That's the difficulty. The forms are all there, all untouched, all reassuring, the houses, the shops, the jobs, the mealtimes, the visits, the concerts, the cinema, the holidays. But the spirit, which you never noticed because you made the lifelong mistake of identifying it with the forms, is changed. Now you live in a world of hate and fear, and the people who hate and fear do not even know it themselves, when everyone is transformed, no one is transformed. . . .You have accepted things you would not have accepted five years ago, a year ago, things your father. . . could never have imagined." :

GM's LARGEST AUTO DEALER ANNOUNCES CLOSURE

Yesterday, General Motors largest US auto dealer announced it was closing its doors on 13 franchises and leaving 2700 workers jobless.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/worlds-top-selling-chevrolet-dealership-group-closes-retail-operations.html

Two Years Ago Today


While these visitors were here from Salisbury England, I'll never forget what the Mayor, Barrie Tilghman did to Debbie Campbell. Once this Council Meeting was over, everyone was heading out to dinner and the Mayor purposely did not invite Debbie Campbell to join them. I've got one word for her and I'll refrain from using it. However, when I called her a waste of good spe&m, I was right on target.

Congressional Candidate Andy Harris Is Serious About The Eastern Shore





As I sit in my Office at this given moment, Andy Harris and Friends stand on the corner of Mill St. and Main Street waving to people passing by and asking for their support.

Unlike Frank Kratovil who has proven time and time again he won't show up here until the very end. I called it months ago and I was exactly right. No one can deny Andy is serious about your vote and wants to make a difference in Congress.

Oh, by the way. I asked him this morning what he felt about the bailout and he said, "it changes every day." He went on to say, "I have a mortgage too, are they going to help me pay mine and every one else's?" The package stinks and the details must be brought forth for anyone to even consider such a thing.

By the way, I hope he leaves soon because the horns honking away are driving me nuts! LOL

Fruitland News

Joe,

On October 6 Fruitland will hold its election for City Council. There are two candidates up for re-election: Raymond Carey and Gloria Ortiz. Both have filed their candidacy to another term. Three other candidates have also filed: Edwin Cowell, Fred Giles and Mark Miciotto.

On September 30, a Candidate forum will be held at 7:00 pm at Fruitland City Hall and residents are encouraged to come meet and learn about these candidates in person.

It is certain to be quite informative and entertaining. Many are anxious to ask Mark Miciotto about the campaign issues he is running on: how to keep the city’s code enforcement officer and police department at bay while he continues to run his private business ( a code violation) out of the very nice building that city employees built for him (while working of course) when he was on the council from 2002-2006, how he plans to “encourage” police officers (just one, of course) to help him out whenever he and his family members get into trouble or needs a "favor" and best of all, how he plans to fire Chief Phillips and replace him with a less desirable “partner in grime.”

In 2006, Miciotto had the same plans but was defeated miserably. He has learned nothing in the past two years and is again seeking a council seat for his own personal agenda. It is his hope that he and Gloria Ortiz (two peas in a pod) will be re-elected because then he will try to convince one more council member to oust Chief Phillips and continue his personal agenda. The result: one corrupt city.

Fruitland residents are smarter than that and regardless of his campaign promises (or maybe in consideration of them) Mark Miciotto should be sent packing AGAIN!

JOHN'S EGG BUSINESS

John was in the fertilized egg business.

He had several hundred young layers

(hens), called 'pullets,'

And ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.


He kept records,

And any rooster not performing

Went into the soup pot

And was replaced.


This took a lot of time,

So he bought some tiny bells

And attached them to his roosters.


Each bell had a different tone,

So he could tell from a distance,

Which rooster was performing.


Now, he could sit on the porch

And fill out an efficiency report

By just listening to the bells.


John's favorite rooster, old Butch,

Was a very fine specimen,

But this morning he noticed

Old Butch's bell hadn't rung at all!


When he went to investigate,

He saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets,

Bells-a-ringing, but the pullets,

Hearing the roosters coming,

Could run for cover.


To John's amazement,

Old Butch had his bell in his beak,

So it couldn't ring.


He'd sneak up on a pullet,

Do his job and walk on to the next one.


John was so proud of old Butch,

He entered him in the Renfrew County Fair

And he became an overnight sensation

Among the judges.


The result was the judges

Not only awarded old Butch the No Bell Piece Prize

But they also awarded him the Pulletsurprise as well.


Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making.


Who else but a politician could figure out

How to win two of the most highly coveted awards

On our planet by being the best

At sneaking up on the populace

And screwing them

When they weren't paying attention.


Vote carefully this year,

The bells are not always audible.

Chalk Drawings

Will Drivers Trade Privacy for Discounts?

Posted: Tuesday, September 9 at 05:00 am CT by Bob Sullivan

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Low-mileage drivers who install this gadget in their cars could get a discount from their insurance company in exchange for letting the firm track some of their driving behavior.

Of all the things that seem unfair about auto insurance, this is perhaps the worst: Infrequent drivers who log less than 5,000 miles a year, are charged roughly the same as long-distance commuters who cover 30,000 miles a year.

High-tech advances may end this inequity soon, but the cure could be worse than the disease – if it’s not carefully regulated. Occasional drivers will soon have a chance to lower their insurance rates, but only if they agree to extensive electronic tracking of their driving habits.

New gadgets installed in cars will be able to tell insurers how many miles drivers have logged, what times of the day they drive, and even how frequently they abruptly stop and start. Other incarnations of the technology involve GPS devices that can even tell insurers precisely where drivers have traveled, and if they obeyed local speed limits.

"Pay as you drive" auto insurance pricing has been in the works since 1988, when California state legislators passed insurance reform that required insurers to weigh actual miles driven when setting rates. Years of appeals and technological hurdles postponed the pay as you drive provisions of the law, but the stage was set in 2006 when the CA Dept. of Insurance gave firms two years to submit proposals for compliance with the 1988 law. The deadline passed in July.

In the meantime, insurers around the country began asking consumers to volunteer mileage information, offering small discounts to occasional drivers. But the self-reporting system has obvious limitations, so the industry began exploring electronic mileage monitoring systems.

Now, Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. is poised to offer the first nationwide Pay As You Drive insurance plan, called MyRate. The program is already available in seven U.S. states – Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Michigan, New Jersey and Oregon.

Customers who sign up for MyRate get an immediate 5 to 10 percent discount and the promise of up to 25 percent reduction in exchange for installing a small electronic device under the hood of their car. In some markets, Progressive says it could raise rates up to 9 percent for drivers who log too many miles or engage in other risky behavior.

The device connects with the car's diagnostic computer through the OBD II port included in all cars since 1996. In earlier versions, consumers had to download data from the gadget every six months and send it to Progressive, but now the device comes with an attached cell phone that "phones home" every day, said Richard Hutchinson, MyRate program manager.

Progressive’s electronic mileage tracking system has been under development since 1998. It does not include a GPS device and Progressive does not have access to location information, Hutchinson said. Auto insurance rates are impacted by only three criteria -- miles driven, time of day and abrupt stops and starts.

Drivers on the road from midnight to 5 a.m. -- the most dangerous time -- get dinged. Rush hour driving is considered moderately risky, while other times are the least risky, Hutchinson said. Access to that information allows Progressive to accurately price its risk, the company claims. But early feedback from consumers gave the firm a clear message that it must balance the need for more data and consumers’ privacy concerns, Hutchinson said.

"Their biggest concern is, ‘Do you know where my whereabouts? And so we've stayed away from the GPS," he said. California-based Consumer Watchdog wants to make sure GPS or location-based information doesn't creep into any insurers' plans. It has lobbied the CA Dept of Insurance to make sure consumers won't be required to participate in location-based tracking. It wants insurance companies to offer low-tech alternatives for pay as you drive discounts, such as regular manual odometer inspections.

"We don’t have a problem with them knowing your mileage, it's the broader possibilities here," said Carmen Balber of Consumer Watchdog. The group objects to proposals that require anything beyond mileage data, including Progressive’s “time of day” tracking. “We think you should be able to give these discounts without putting people in a situation where they have to choose between a fair insurance rate and their privacy, Balber said.”

Balber compared insurance driving data collection to Easy Pass and other electronic toll payment mechanisms. Both store information about drivers that can end up being used as evidence in lawsuits or other legal actions, she said.

Balber also argued that while Progressive’s MyRate is an optional service, the firm offers automatic discounts to all participants, meaning those who don’t sign up will be forced to pay more.

But other analysts say mileage-based discounts will lower costs for the insurance industry as a whole, and most consumers will benefit. Programs also encourage motorists to drive fewer miles annually, reducing the number of accidents, pollution and national infrastructure costs, they say. A Brookings Institution report published earlier this year said nationwide implementation of pay as you drive insurance would result in savings of $52 billion – and low-mileage drivers would save an average of $256 each year. Of course, high-mileage drivers would pay more.

"A minority (or our customers) is philosophically opposed to this tracking behavior and our response to that is ‘fine,’" he said. The firms plans to keep MyRate voluntary and be clear about what it’s doing with all the data it collects. “We want people to be comfortable with what we’re doing. We believe in complete transparency,” Hutchinson said.

So far, GMAC Insurance is the only other insurer to announce plans for a major low-mileage discount based on electronic tracking. GMAC uses the OnStar system to track miles driven, and offers discounts to drives who log less than 15,000 miles per year.

Other insurance firms are in various stages of testing But with California regulators forcing the issue – the state’s requirements will be finalized next year – mileage tracking devices will likely be available to most drivers very soon.

It's Time To Go To Mass


A Requiem Mass will be held soon to mourn the death of hundreds of trees in Wicomico County and the surrounding area.

Those who have noticed the phenomenon wonder what could have caused this unexpected, unnecessary devastation of our forest primeval. Could it be Dutch Elm Disease? Global warming? Blight? Root rot? The answer is no, it is not any of these, it is something much worse…..BPTRS, or as it’s better known, “Barrie Parsons Tilghman Reelection Syndrome”.

It seems that as each election season draws near, Salisbury’s mayoress is compelled to find something to endear her to the citizenry. What could it be this year? The pristine condition of our treasured Wicomico River? Yeah, right. The fantastic strides made over the past ten years in upgrading Salisbury’s infrastructure? Hardly. Perhaps she could point at the newly developed area that once housed the “Old Mall”? Oooops.

What to do? The answer is obvious - - - CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION!!

The past six or seven meetings have begun with the same routine: Council president Smith stumbles her way through the opening ceremony, then tries to master the approval of the agenda and the minutes of the last meeting. After being guided through that minefield by City Clerk Colgrove, Ms. Smith turns the meeting over to her honor.

In a ceremony that typically lasts between 15-25 minutes, Mayor Tilghman, emulating the smooth command of language and process exhibited by Ms. Smith, presents a bucket full of Certificates. The certificates are presented to city employees for doing their jobs, staff members for attending events, and Little League baseball players. Last Monday, she handed out certificates to all 87 (at least) members of the SU Lacrosse team. Rumor has it that next meeting all middle school students who earned “Honor Roll” status during the past 6 years will be honored. They may not be able to vote, but they do have parents, grandparents and friends who do!!

We do have to give credit to the Mayor for bringing one vital element to her office - - transparency. We can see right through her.

THE OCPD BEGINS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM VIA EMAIL

The Ocean City Police Department is set to begin a community outreach program that will help keep the community better informed on a variety of police related information. By using a community email list, the OCPD will disseminate press releases and newsletters regarding crime prevention tips, current event information, officer related updates and community training news.

“Community communication is very important in keeping our city safe,” commented Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette A. DiPino. “Our duty as police officers is not limited to patrolling your streets but also to finding proactive ways to keep you informed.”

The community outreach program is a quick and cost effective way to reach citizens with time sensitive messages and important crime prevention tips. “The Ocean City Police Department believes in the philosophy of Community Policing,” continued DiPino. “Community Policing is the idea that we are here to not only serve and protect our citizens from crime, but we are here to provide the public with information that will allow them to prevent themselves from being a victim of a crime.”

While several residents have already been included in the mass-email list, the Ocean City Police Department is asking that any individuals who are interested in receiving police updates send an email of interest to Public Affairs Specialist Jessica King at jking@ococean.com

Question of the Day, Thur 9/25

This month is National Coupon Month.

Do you clip coupons? Are you able to use all your coupons before they expire? Are you part of the coupon-cutting team at your workplace? Where do you go to find your coupons?

Porn For Women










Andy Harris For Congress Fundraiser

Mike & Denise Lewis
Bill & A. Kaye Kenney


Have the pleasure to invite you to A Family Picnic & Barbeque

In Honor of
Sen. Andy Harris, M.D.
Candidate for U.S. Congress

Sunday, October 12, 2008
2:00pm – 5:00pm

$25 / adult Children under 13 Free
$250 Sponsor


Location: Residence of Mark & Hala McIver
26144 Nanticoke Road
Salisbury, MD 21801

Kindly RSVP by October 4, 2008

Contact: Mark McIver 443-735-2836 - email: "mailto:mark@andyharris08.com" mark@andyharris08.com

Please mail donation to:
Andy Harris for Congress
c/o Mark McIver
26144 Nanticoke Rd.
Salisbury, MD 21801

Yes, I will attend. Please find enclosed my donation for ___________.
Number of person(s) attending_________________.
No, I will not be able to attend. Please find enclosed my donation for ____________________________.

Name:______________________________ Tel: ___________________________
Address:_________________________________________ Email:_________________________
City, State, zip code:________________________________

Paid for by Andy Harris for Congress. Federal law limits contributions to Andy Harris for Congress to $4,600 per election ($2,300 primary and $2,300 general) from individuals and $5,000 per election from multi-candidate federal PACs. Contributions by corporations, foreign nationals, and federal government contractors are prohibited. Contributions to Andy Harris for Congress are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Herman "Bud" Lloyd Purnell, R.I.P.

Herman "Bud" Lloyd Purnell
Salisbury - Herman "Bud" L. Purnell, III, 65 of Salisbury died Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. Born in Salisbury he was the son of the late Herman L. Purnell, Jr. and Jane White Insley Purnell.

A disabled Vietnam Army Veteran he received The Order Of The Silver Rose and was a member of The American Legion in Snow Hill. He was a Mason serving under the York Rite, a member of The Centennial Lodge #221 where he was Past Master, a member of the Tall Cedars, past member of the Shriners, and a past patron of The Order Of The Eastern Star. He was a self-employed land surveyor and was taking college classes at Wor- Wic Community College and Salisbury University until he became ill.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years Elizabeth Purnell, son Herman Purnell IV and his wife Dawn of Hebron, grandson Herman Purnell V, granddaughter Elizabeth Purnell, a great grandson Kaden Alexander Purnell, sister Jane Purnell, special cousins Leonard Purnell, Leslie Padgette, and George White, and several other cousins.

A funeral service will be held Monday at 2 pm at Bounds Funeral Home on East Main Street in Salisbury. Rev. Dean DeFino and Rev. John Kalfayan will officiate. Interment will follow in Parsons Cemetary. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6 pm - 8 pm where a Masonic service will be held.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Herman to the Masonic Temple Foundation, Inc. 110 N. Division Street, Suite 105, Salisbury, MD 21801

OCEAN CITY POLICE CHIEF SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT OF MD CHIEFS OF POLICE

Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette A. DiPino was recently sworn in as the first female president in the 47-year history of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association.

Chief DiPino has been a member of the MCPA since 2003. She held the office of 1st Vice President and was previously seated in several leadership roles throughout the past five years.

“I am tremendously honored to be president of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association,” Chief DiPino commented. “Not only is it a great privilege for me professionally, but to serve as the first women president in the history of the MCPA is something that I take great pride in personally.”

Chief DiPino was installed as president during a ceremony that was held at The Clarion Hotel on September 10, 2008.