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Monday, September 29, 2008

Congress Votes Down Bailout

While Wayne Gilchrest voted for it, it failed and the DOW dropped more than 500 points to boot. 228 to 205 against the Bailout. Oil dropped down to $98.00 a barrel. It dropped $10.00 a barrel as soon as the news came out about the bailout.

So far today the DOW is down -553.47. S&P is down 79.4. NASDAQ is down 141.23.

Put your seat belts on Folks because we're in for a ride like you've never seen before. If too many Americans go to the Bank and starts pulling their money out, we're done.

See how your Congressperson voted HERE.

Fruitland Police Department Press Release

On 09/25/08 officers responded to five separate residences in the E. Main St area of Fruitland regarding thefts from motor vehicles as they were parked at residences. In each case, motor vehicles were left unlocked, ransacked and in some cases, property stolen. Further investigation led to the arrest of :

Charged: Bryan Lamont Waters, Jr., 20 yoa Booth St, Salisbury, MD

Charges:
Theft $500
Theft Scheme
Rogue and Vagabond

Disposition: Released to Central Booking

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases


Incident: Possession of Marijuana
Date of Incident: 25 September 2008
Location: Naylor Mill Road at Milford Twilley Drive, Salisbury, MD
Suspects: Taven Lee Parker, 22, Salisbury, MD


Narrative: On 25 September 2008 at 10:32 PM, a deputy stopped a vehicle operated by Taven Parker for exceeding the speed limit on Naylor Mill Road. While speaking with Parker, the deputy became suspicious of the possible presence of illegal drugs inside Parker’s vehicle. A WCSO drug K9 responded to the scene and scanned the vehicle, during which the K9 alerted to the presence of the odor of illegal drugs. Upon searching the vehicle, the deputy located a baggie containing marijuana in the ashtray.

Parker 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, Parker was released on Personal Recognizance by the District Court Commissioner.

Charges:
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Incident: Theft over $500
Date of Incident: 28 September 2008
Location: Lillian Street at Chestnut Tree Road, Hebron, MD
Suspects:
1. Corey M. Williamson, 25, Snow Hill, MD
2. Christopher L. Newman, 21, Snow Hill, MD
3. Charles E. Newman, 25, Snow Hill, MD


Narrative: On 28 September 2008 at 1:15AM, a deputy was patrolling through Hebron, MD when he observed a vehicle parked on the side of the road near the intersection of Lillian Street and Chestnut Tree Road. Upon approaching the operator, identified as Charles Newman, the deputy was advised that the passenger of the vehicle was fixing a flat tire. The deputy instructed Charles Newman to pull the vehicle further off the road. After this was done, the deputy discovered that the two passengers were not fixing a flat tire, but instead located them behind an Acura that was parked in close proximity to Newman’s. When the deputy investigated further, he saw the two passengers were in the process of removing the wheels from the Acura. Two wheels had already been removed and they were in the process of taking off the third. It was later determined that the trio intended to steal all four wheels from the Acura.

All three were arrested and transported to the Central Booking Unit at the Wicomico County Detention Center where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, the three suspects were released after posting $5,000.00 bond each.

Charges:

Theft over $500

Pohanka Does Give Back To This Community:


Joe,

This is in response to the Can you Trust Pohanka? comments on your Blog. More specifically the comment from Anonymous 9:06 asking for us to tell them exactly what we do for the Community.

Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury provides jobs to over 250 local people; those employees are encouraged by the owner to donate money and time to the local community to make it a better place for everyone. The owners and management of Pohanka do not only encourage their employees but they lead by example.

Last week you could see Pohanka’s Owner, General Manager, Human Resources Director, Public Relations Director, Marketing Director and many other employees in the Wicomico River pulling out recliners and bicycles along with 13 giant bags of trash, to help make Salisbury a little more beautiful.
Like any other company Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury is in business to make a profit, making a profit is not wrong, ask any business owner. However, Pohanka is committed to filtering a large percentage of their hard earned profit back into the local community. Pohanka chooses to care about this community; not just because it is where we do business, but because we care about our employees and our customer’s families and are focused on making the Eastern Shore of Maryland an even better place to live for future generations!

Sandy Fitzgerald, the Owner of Pohanka focuses so much on our community that she hired a Public Relations Director. Not one car dealership I know of has ever hired someone to do charity work in the community. But it doesn’t stop at hiring an employee to do charity work. Every employee of Pohanka is encouraged to and are ready and willing to help with local charity events by: purchasing raffle tickets, selling subs, collecting backpacks for local needy children for back to school, serving on local charity boards, collecting money from other employees and baking 48 dozen cookies for our troops overseas, donating 45 shoeboxes full of toiletries for our troops, driving Pohanka provided vehicles in the Christmas parade, donating time shares and personal condo’s to charities to auction off to help them raise funds. These are just a few of the things that we as Pohanka Automotive Group in Salisbury do for this community.

You asked for exactly what we do for the community and here is a list of the events, charities and other community activities that have been supported by Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury between January 2007 and September 2008 either by monetary, in-kind or time donations. Please click on the link or cut and paste into your browser.

http://www.dicarlo1.com/uploads/DPI-DONATION07-08.pdf

Next time you are at a golf tournament for your favorite local charity and see a car on a hole, watching a parade and see a car driving a dignitary, or watching your kid’s play football remember this event is possible because of Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury, its hard working employees and our customers’ business support and satisfaction.

I think I speak for all businesses when I ask, next time you have a problem with Pohanka or any company, please take the time to call and get the issue addressed and give the company a chance to earn your business back. Things do go wrong and no business is immune to setbacks. However if you don’t give the company the chance to fix the problem and earn your business back, then you have no right to criticize. We want your business and we want to earn your business so please give us the opportunity to make it right!

Again, if you have any issues with Pohanka Automotive Group of Salisbury, please feel free to call or e-mail me directly @ 410-548-3411 x8158 or ndicarlo@pohankaofsalisbury.com

Thank you for supporting local businesses trying to do the right thing!

Respectfully Submitted,

Nina DiCarlo

Public Relations Director
Mercedes-Benz of Salisbury/Pohanka Automotive Group
2013 North Salisbury Blvd.
Salisbury, MD 21801

p. 410.548.3411 x8158
f. 410.749.4626
m. 410.251.8028

Citi Buys Wachovia's Banking Division

Citigroup Inc. bought out Wichovia's banking division today. They will absorb up to $42 billion of losses from Wichovia's $312 billion loan portfolio. The FDIC will absorb the remaining losses. UNBELIEVABLE!

A Salisbury News Exclusive





The GOB Has A New Council Table. While I had mentioned there was a new Council Chambers Table in the works, here's an early view of the craftsmanship from your County Public Works Staff. Nice work guys! They saved a small fortune by doing it in house. The new design will allow each and every Council Member, Attorneys, Mayor & County Executive to actually see one and other while holding Council Meetings.

Tee Off For The Tomorrow Fund

Friends of Recreation & Parks Annual Golf Tournament features Halloween Theme

(Salisbury, MD) The Friends of Recreation and Parks annual golf tournament will take place Wednesday, October 29 at Nutters Crossing Golf Club in Salisbury, MD. All participants will receive 18 holes of golf, golf cart use, beverages, and a goodie bag. Following play, lunch will be provided by the Salisbury Moose Lodge #654. Costumes are encouraged at this year’s tournament in celebration of Halloween. Prizes will be awarded to the foursome with the best costume.

All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Friends of Recreation and Parks Tomorrow Fund. This fund provides need-based scholarships to local children so that they may participate in after-school, summer camp and other community recreation programs. These programs offer children a safe and friendly environment. To date, the Friends of Recreation & Parks has awarded more then $30,000 in scholarships to area youth.

The tournament entry fee is $300 per four-person team. Teams must register by Tuesday, October 14. Download a registration form from the main page of www.WicomicoRecandParks.org. Registration will be accepted at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center box office, open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Completed forms and payment can be mailed to Friends of Recreation Golf Tournament, 500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, MD 21804.

Drinking With A Redneck Girl

A Mexican, an Arab, and a redneck girl are in the same bar.

When the Mexican finishes his beer, he throws his glass in the air, pulls out his pistol, and shoots the glass to pieces. He says, 'In Mexico , our glasses are so cheap we don't need to drink with the same one twice.'

The Arab, obviously impressed by this, drinks his beer, throws it into the air, pulls out his AK-47, and shoots the glass to pieces. He says, 'In the Arab World, we have so much sand to make glasses that we don't need to drink with the same one twice either.'

The redneck girl, cool as a cucumber, picks up her beer, downs it in one gulp, throws the glass into the air, whips out her 45, and shoots the Mexican and the Arab. Catching her glass, setting it on the bar, and calling for a refill, she says,

'In America we have so many illegal aliens that we don't have to drink with the same ones twice.'

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN


Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced today that a series of kick-off meetings are set for October to begin the work on updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan. Pollitt said, “Public participation is central to the success of this effort which is under the auspices of the Salisbury-Wicomico Planning, Zoning and Community Development Department. Each kick-off meeting will include a public workshop.”

The first two workshops will focus on rural issues surrounding County land preservation policies and rural village development. The first two meetings will be on the east and west side of Wicomico County, respectively. Issues will include development requirements in the agricultural zones, subdivision clustering and the overall size of the County’s rural and resource areas, sensitive area protection, rural village development, mineral resources, and waste treatment (septic) issues.

The third meeting will focus on Metro Core and suburban land use issues. It will concentrate on economic development, transportation issues, and issues surrounding the provision of water and sewerage services.

The schedule for the kickoff/public workshop meetings is:

· Public Workshop- East-Side Rural Issues

Wor-Wic Community College, Guerriere Hall, Room GH 101, Salisbury, Maryland

October 1, 2008, 7:00PM to 10:00PM

· Public Workshop- West-Side Rural Issues

Rockawalkin Community Hall, 6772 Rockawalkin Road, Hebron, Maryland

October 2, 2008, 7:00PM to 10:00PM

· Public Workshop- Metro Core Issues

Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, 500 Glen Avenue, Flanders Rooms 1, 2, & 3, Salisbury, Maryland,

October 22, 2008, 7:00PM to 10:00PM

Class Envy? or ...

... Franchot for Governor?

An editorial in this morning's Daily Times read more like your typical Democrat whining, until you get to the end.  To base an op-ed on a report issued by the "Progressive Maryland Education Fund" is suspect at best.  To dance around the edges of "tax the rich" is to be expected from the left.  To call for more state spending while refusing to acknowledge that spending is at the core of the state's fiscal crisis is to be expected.  To claim that:

Efforts by Comptroller Peter Franchot to more strictly enforce existing
tax collections, including an examination of vendors that win state or
federal contracts to make sure they do not owe additional taxes to
either government, can help bridge the revenue gap and thereby free up
funds to help enable more Marylanders to share in the benefits of
living in the nation's wealthiest state.

is ridiculous on its face.

Sure, I would love to see a primary fight between Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and his not so friendly Comptroller.  However, to argue that better tax enforcement is going to "bridge the revenue gap" in Maryland doesn't even qualify as a pipe dream.

Should Franchot continue strenuous tax enforcement?  Absolutely.  That's what he was elected to do.  That's the number one duty in his job description. 

Are Maryland's growing fiscal problems due to a "revenue gap".  Of course not.  The root of the problem is spending.  There will always be a "revenue gap" when there is no control on spending.

The so-called "structural deficit" is merely a politically correct term for "we want to spend more than we have".  If the O'Malley administration and his Dem pals in the legislature were serious about solving the problem, it wouldn't be through more tax increases.  They have already demonstrated to the rest of us that this won't work.  Perhaps they might realize it themselves one day.

However, the attitude in Annapolis (and the Lower Shore according to the Daily Times) is one of give me, give me, and then give me some more.  How much would be saved simply by making state employees drive their own vehicles and pay for their own gasoline during their commutes?  How much would be saved by reforming public education rather that simply assuming that the solution is always one of "more money".  How much would be saved by simply reducing the state's desire to act as some sort of supra county funding agent?

It is true that Wicomico County would be hard hit by a drastic reduction in state funding because of the revenue cap.  However, by pushing spending decisions to the lowest level of government and forcing citizens to make hard decisions we can eliminate many of these ills over the long term.

Of course, if the nanny state disappears what do liberals have to offer?

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

Mark Miciotto Visits Salisbury News


Tuesday is a big day for Delmarva. I'm not sure why Fruitland scheduled a Forum on Tuesday night, the same time Congressional Candidates will be holding a Debate at SU at 7:00 PM. Nevertheless, there are 5 Candidates running for City Council in Fruitland. There's no way I'm going to miss the Debate at Holloway Hall and I doubt there's a single contributor from Salisbury News that would be willing to go to Fruitland instead, so we may just have to rely on information from some of you on their event.

Mark came to my Office last week because he had heard conflicting things about Joe Albero and was man enough to come to my Office and sit down and get to know me. My hat is tipped to him for doing so and my statement to him was that I felt his connection with Mark Dumeyer, (IMO) was going to hurt him. While he stated Mark was only an acquaintance, he stated he knew his Girlfriend better.

Mr. Miciotto seemed to be a nice enough guy but I truly don't know him well enough to voice an opinion yet, so I'll leave that up to the residents of Fruitland to voice their own opinions here.

Chalk Drawings

Bill & Judy Hearne Save Relay For Life











While Bill Hearne is recovering himself from his stint with cancer, Bill & Judy Hearne are the sole owners of the Crown Center in Fruitland. The Hearne's got a last minute call from the staff of Relay for Life in desperate need of an indoor facility for this years event as the rain was pouring down and the Shorebirds Stadium just wasn't going to work out.

As usual, the Hearne's opened their doors and hearts to everyone and cancelled the events scheduled at the Crown Center for the price of the electricity. While many business owners would take advantage of such a distress situation, the Hearne's have always come through for Salisbury and we cannot forget the "Good People" that they are.

That being said, other "Good People" were there to support this event, far too many to mention without this being the longest Post ever on Salisbury News. Hopefully the photos provided will show some of them and most of them wouldn't want to be mentioned anyway. That's how "Good People" are.

I can't help but throw out this plug for the Crown as well. Laser Tag is coming to the Crown Center. Party Room,s are also being added but I know the younger people reading this will enjoy knowing that Laser Tag will be coming very soon.

It goes without saying, thanks for all the support at this event and hopefully in a comment someone will be able to tell just how much they raised at this years event.

Question of the Day, Mon 9/29

Here are a few monthly observances that I did not get to post this month:

National Baby Safety Month - Is your baby safe?

National College Savings Month - Do you have a college fund started for your children?

Update Your Resume Month - With major lay-offs reported every day, do you have an updated resume available "just in case?" Remember, just last month alone, 28,000 people lost their jobs?

Ocean City Firefighter / Paramedic Injured During Successful Water Rescue

An Ocean City Firefighter/Paramedic was injured during his successful effort to rescue three exhausted swimmers. The Ocean City Fire Department was dispatched just before 2:00 a.m. on Sunday to 37th Street and the ocean. Upon arrival, the Ocean City Police Department confirmed the sighting of at least two swimmers in distress.
Firefighter/Paramedics Derrick Simpson and Delbert Baker entered the water. Baker had three victims on his buoy, and released one victim to Simpson so they could continue their swim to shore.

After all rescuers and victims were on shore, two victims and one Firefighter / Paramedic were taken to Atlantic General Hospital. The Firefighter / Paramedic was kept for observation and has been released.

At least 15 additional Fire Department personnel responded to assist at the scene. The rescue effort lasted approximately 26 minutes. Assistant Fire Chief Duke had command of the incident.

The Ocean City Fire Department encourages those on the beach to enter the water only when the Ocean City Beach Patrol is on duty.

Salisbury Police Department Press Release

On September 24, 2008 at approximately 11:25 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the area of Camden Avenue and North Boulevard for the report of a disorderly subject. Upon arrival, the officers met with a female victim who advised that she had been assaulted by the suspect, listed below, following an argument. During the argument the suspect assaulted the victim as the victim drove her vehicle. The victim exited the vehicle, to escape the suspect, and walked from the area. The victim returned to her vehicle and found that the suspect had damaged the vehicle, and had stolen property from the vehicle. The officers located the suspect a short distance away, and recovered the victim’s property. A search of the suspect’s person, incident to arrest, revealed a large quantity of suspected crack /cocaine. The crack/cocaine was field tested and was found to be fake.

ARRESTED: Terrance Maurice King, 23 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault
Theft (under $ 500)
Malicious destruction of property
Possession of fraudulent CDS with intent to distribute
Possession with intent to distribute fraudulent CDS as real CDS
Possession of a noncontrolled substance believed to Be a controlled substance

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800036036

Saturday's Ticket Sales At The Civic Center


I popped into the Civic Center to see how things were going Saturday morning and was very pleased to see that people were heading up there to buy their Fernando Guerrero/Showtime Fight Tickets.

This young couple was coming out of the Civic Center when I approached them and asked if they had just purchased tickets to the Fight. They replied, I'm a working man and this was the only time I could get up here and get them. She wants to actually get into Boxing and I said, would you like to meet Fernando? They stood there in shock and said, really? Hence the photo.

We're 4 days away from the Fight Folks. We need to sell this event out and get Showtime to return to Salisbury. So please tell all of your friends and family to get out there and get their tickets. You can go on line HERE to see what's still available.

Hot Lips & Frank




Do you remember that one show of M.A.S.H. where Frank and Hot Lips were going somewhere in the jeep and you just knew Hot Lips was going to insist on driving?

Early Saturday morning I was with some friends at the Civic Center and no sooner did I see the Mayor and her Husband come out of the Civic Center I said to my friend, how much money do you want to bet that the Mayor is driving, like Hot Lips? He said, IS THAT HER HUSBAND? I said, yes. Do you want to bet?

Mind you, we couldn't see their car in the parking lot until they backed out of their spot BUT I KNEW IT! We started cracking up like there's no tomorrow. Not necessarily at the Mayor but remembering that scene from M.A.S.H. brought this scene over the top.

Kratovil Costs Locals 10 Cents A Gallon At The Pumps?




Not far from each other, this Gordy Tiger Mart clearly proves when you support one Candidate, it actually costs you 10 cents more at the pumps. Sam's Club had lines like there's no tomorrow and quite frankly, after I went into Sam's after gassing up I ran into a couple who had just signed up for a Sam's Club Membership because of this Blog and were VERY pleased at the return on their investment at the pumps alone. We talked about how much they'll save on other items and they firmly agreed.

Seems to me a vote for Kratovil is a vote for higher gas prices.

Pancake Tossing For Cancer




Fernando Guerrero and Hal Chernoff tried showing off their sporting skills by tossing pancakes. A young girl with a rare form of spinal cancer was the purpose behind this $1.00 for three pancakes being tossed as far as humanly possible. Hal made it about 50 feet while Fernando held Saturday's record of 180 feet. So they know, when I returned later that day, someone else had tied Fernando for the exact same length. It was a lot of fun watching these guys go at it and I hope they raised a lot of money for this great cause.

Go Cart Races




One of the other attractions at the Lawn Mower Races were the Go Carts. Butch Gardner was having a blast from Gardner Signs, as were the other drivers in the race. Fortunately they were able to get in a race or two before the rain came in too heavy to continue.

The Lawn Mower Races









Early Saturday morning the track was dry and the races got off to a great start. This event was a lot of fun to watch and there were actually quite a lot of people there before the rain set in. I stayed around until the rain was coming down too hard to risk destroying my equipment and as I returned around 5:00 that evening the place was like a Ghost Town. The track was way too muddy to continue but it was enjoyable while it lasted.

Famous Dave's Finally Opens


I haven't had the time to visit this new restaurant but I was told by a reliable friend they they were invited and couldn't believe how great the quality of food they served. It looks and sounds like Salisbury has a winner here.

Fighting Fire With Criminals

There will come a day when someone will actually take the time to fully investigate the Salisbury Fire Department and surrounding Fire Departments as well but just recently I came to learn several issues in which Mayor Tilghman needs to be held accountable once again because of her LACK of leadership.

First of all, your very own Chief See just put in an application to the Delmar Fire Department. Volunteer status or not, he has abandoned his own Department after spending $10,000,000.00 on a brand new facility. Deny it Chief, I dare you.

Then, to top it off, 3 other Salisbury Paid Firefighters that I know of, (I'm told there were actually 5 total but I only have 3 other names at the moment) have sold their homes in Salisbury and purchased homes in Delmar, DE. and have also applied to join the Delmar Fire Department as well.

While I'm happy to see Delmar get such quality Fire Fighters, Salisbury continues to lose quality Volunteers and when I preached to all of you over the past two years that people were jumping ship and were NOT going to relocate to the new Fire Station, I was exactly right.

So what has this $10,000,000.00 Fire Station brought us? Would you believe, CRIMINALS? A year or so ago I brought to every one's attention that there was only one paid black Firefighter. Chief See and Deputy Chief Gordy went into a damage control spin and immediately hired another black professional Firefighter named David Cox. You remember David, don't you? He's the guy who was recently arrested for allegedly impersonating a Police Officer. GO HERE to see the article and evidence against Mr. Cox.

What many of you didn't know is, Cox was hired even though he had a criminal history. That's right, See & Gordy absolutely 100% knew this guy was trouble but they needed another black Firefighter so they hired him anyway.

For the first time in Salisbury's History, a Firefighter was arrested for criminal activity, or so they claimed anyway. I came to learn that was complete BS. Now I'd like all of you to go into the Maryland Case Search Files and look up a Mr. Ronald Brandon Jones, recently hired by the Salisbury Fire Department. Mr. Jones has quite the criminal history as well, yet the SFD refuses to recognize such history because they are desperate for people and are ignoring standard protocol.

I ask you Folks, why is the Mayor creating a Criminal Task Force, yet they're hiring criminals within?

Now this is nothing new to the Eastern Shore as Sharptown has one of their own Firefighters with a criminal history, Mr. Cooper. I wish I had more time to investigate all of the names within these Fire Departments to see just how bad things are but I ask you Folks, you have placed trust in the Leaders of these Departments to make sure that when your home is in danger, you want people you can trust going into your home and secure your life long possessions. Do you want people with criminal a history going into your home?

I may get some Firefighters not liking this particular article and Lord knows I'll get some of that crap, we save lives. I respect those men and women who do in fact put their lives on the line for you and I but IF you have a criminal history, you don't belong in the Fire Department. I would hope they would agree.

As for the Firefighters who are leaving their Volunteer status in Salisbury and moving to Delmar and joining the Delmar Fire Department they are,

Chief David See
Brandon Records
Zach Keenan
Zach Bridges

I should add. There was a study done a couple of years ago asking each and every Firefighter what they thought of the Salisbury Fire Department and the Leadership there. Overwhelmingly, Firefighters complained one after the other that Chief See was not running the Fire Department, he was extremely difficult to get along with and See was pissed at the results.

Today, most Firefighters state that See is nowhere to be found any more and quite frankly he's the last guy that should have a take home vehicle as he rarely ever scows up to a fire AFTER he has left work for the day. One Firefighter even told me in all the years he's been there he has only seen See show up ONE time after hours to a fire. Many believe his vehicle should be taken away as he's not a team player and never has been.

Never ask someone to do something you wouldn't do yourself, that's what I say. It just goes to show you that the Leadership in Salisbury sucks in most Departments and it's time for a change. I know many of the Council Members will be reading this article and I'd even expect some of this to come up in future Debates. The SFD is hiring criminals and yes, they do background checks on every single person brought into the Fire Department. See & Gordy don't play by the rules and I think it's time to make some serious changes, not that See is working anyway, he's never there.

Stabbing In Salisbury

I'm told at around 10:30 PM last night there was a stabbing in Salisbury. I'll look around for more details but Salisbury is becoming a scary place to live!