Brooke Mulford has just been diagnosed with Cancer. Brooke is 4 years old and is the daughter of Rob and Amy Mulford. They are at the Children's Hospital in Philadelphia. The Mulfords will need our support during this trying time. Please keep Brooke and her family in your prayers.
God Bless,
Trinity Church
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Congratulations to Salisbury News and the Salvation Army
With the economy in decline, turmoil around the world, and other non-profits decrying drops in funding, the Salvation Army in the three lower shore counties saw a 62% increase at their kettles this Christmas season. In addition, all kettles were manned only by volunteers this past season - the first time in recent memory.
Our thanks goes out to the 442 individuals and 255 groups who volunteered their time to help provide a better life to our neighbors in need. From local luminaries such as Wicomico Sheriff Mike Lewis and Salisbury Councilwoman Debbie Campbell to folks who don't even want their names mentioned in public, your neighbors saw a need and rushed in to fill the breach. For that, much credit should be given to Salisbury News publisher Joe Albero.
I know, you either love him or hate him. It doesn't matter. Albero saw a problem. He publicized it. He pushed, prodded and begged for volunteers. He selflessly gave hours of his own time - sometimes 6, 8, or more hours at a stretch. Albero, along with the aid of a friend, kept the problem before the public eye while ringing ringing a bell AND keeping Salisbury News operational. This was no small task and its importance should not be underestimated. Without a continuing barrage of fresh content, Albero's army of "Joeys" (my term for his loyal readers) wouldn't have stayed put. Without them coming back to Salisbury News multiple times each day, the public would not have been fully aware of the need and some number of those volunteers would not have materialized.
What did Albero ask in return? Nothing.
What has Albero received for his laudible efforts? A pile of grief and abuse.
Albero's detractors have attacked him with claims that run from the amusingly absurd to the borderline psychotic. Somehow Albero is taking food from the mouths of poor people by asking people to volunteer their time to the Salvation Army (otherwise the Salvation Army would be paying the homeless to ring bells according to the Albero haters). Albero is doing it merely for the attention. Given that he (in effect) owns his own press, this claim is simply bizarre. Albero could have easily rung the bell for an hour and then ran his own picture time after time throughout the season. I have even read comments that claim Joe is evil for giving his time.
The bottom line is simple. We should be applauding people like the Salvation Army, Mike Lewis and Jim Perdue. We should also be applauding the hard work of people like Joe Albero and the hundreds of folk who gave their time to help others. To the detractors I can only hope you find the cure for what ails you.
This post originally appeared in Delmarva Dealings
Our thanks goes out to the 442 individuals and 255 groups who volunteered their time to help provide a better life to our neighbors in need. From local luminaries such as Wicomico Sheriff Mike Lewis and Salisbury Councilwoman Debbie Campbell to folks who don't even want their names mentioned in public, your neighbors saw a need and rushed in to fill the breach. For that, much credit should be given to Salisbury News publisher Joe Albero.
I know, you either love him or hate him. It doesn't matter. Albero saw a problem. He publicized it. He pushed, prodded and begged for volunteers. He selflessly gave hours of his own time - sometimes 6, 8, or more hours at a stretch. Albero, along with the aid of a friend, kept the problem before the public eye while ringing ringing a bell AND keeping Salisbury News operational. This was no small task and its importance should not be underestimated. Without a continuing barrage of fresh content, Albero's army of "Joeys" (my term for his loyal readers) wouldn't have stayed put. Without them coming back to Salisbury News multiple times each day, the public would not have been fully aware of the need and some number of those volunteers would not have materialized.
What did Albero ask in return? Nothing.
What has Albero received for his laudible efforts? A pile of grief and abuse.
Albero's detractors have attacked him with claims that run from the amusingly absurd to the borderline psychotic. Somehow Albero is taking food from the mouths of poor people by asking people to volunteer their time to the Salvation Army (otherwise the Salvation Army would be paying the homeless to ring bells according to the Albero haters). Albero is doing it merely for the attention. Given that he (in effect) owns his own press, this claim is simply bizarre. Albero could have easily rung the bell for an hour and then ran his own picture time after time throughout the season. I have even read comments that claim Joe is evil for giving his time.
The bottom line is simple. We should be applauding people like the Salvation Army, Mike Lewis and Jim Perdue. We should also be applauding the hard work of people like Joe Albero and the hundreds of folk who gave their time to help others. To the detractors I can only hope you find the cure for what ails you.
This post originally appeared in Delmarva Dealings
My Ideas For The Downtown Plaza & Surrounding Area.
I have reached out in the past and asked readers to share their opinion as to what they think might work for the Downtown Plaza. The response was minimal. However, let's try it again.
Here's what "I" would do and let's see how many Politicians follow my lead?
First of all, you need a MAGNET business to move in there. I'm talking something like, STARBUCKS. Then you need someplace like a Seacrets down there. You need a Barber Shop, old school. How about all of the Recruiting Offices for the Armed Forces. In other words, don't bank on groups of businesses like Antiques. When these businesses die off, they all fail and we've already experienced that. A complete mix of businesses that compliment one and other, not compete with one and other. You want agreements with contracts so they can't open another one within 10 miles from this location. If you want it to work, that's what you're going to have to do.
Now, there are things that must change down there right away. Take out ALL of the brick and flower beds, ponds that don't work anyway and create diagonal parking in front of every location on BOTH sides. NO METERS whatsoever! If you have to use the parking behind the Plaza, have each store validate your parking at no cost. I agree with something Anne Taylor said. We need to have retail on the bottom floors of these buildings, not lawyers, real estate agents and doctors. They should be on the second floor, should they choose to stay and residential on 2nd and 3rd floors.
Once things begin to start hopping down there, a bus service should be made available from the college to the plaza. This would be for several purposes. To supply transportation for employees, shopping in general and or night life. You don't have to have all alcohol establishments to survive. I had a business in Crofton called Happy Days Cafe. Black & white checkered floors, black and white striped awnings inside over the ice cream parlor area, a deli inside, 3, 7 ft pool tables and TV's everywhere. Very reasonable food prices and the place was always steady with business for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. The idea was to recreate the old Arnolds from the Show Happy Days. I had a 1950's style decor and it was very inexpensive to put together. I even had the 1950's style tables and seats, it was really cool. AAAAAAAAH! LOL
You just have to look at the market you have and then cater to it. The college should be a huge draw. You put an ice cream parlor down there where you have inside and outside seating, maybe even another Rita's and watch what happens. It's a home run, I'd even invest into one, seriously.
There's a daytime lunch crowd, big deal. The numbers you take in at lunch really account for next to nothing but maybe breaking even with your Staff, power and supplies, that's it. You MUST bring in an evening crowd to make it work. I know the business, I'm telling you, it's a must. You don't want to compete so much that you put the other Downtown businesses out of business. It would be better to make them a part of your group and support one and other like the old days when America was so great. You know, like when Macy's didn't have something so you sent them to Woolworths instead.
The other thing you need is support from the City. Long term support. Giving away free taxes is a bunch of crap. Only the property owners make out on that deal. Look how GREAT the Mayor's pie in the sky Art District worked. Lots of free press, not ONE person taking advantage of it. Why, because you'd have to BUY the property and own it. Then open your art store and make everything there in order to get a tax credit. Politicians are some pretty stupid people, believe me. They love patting themselves on the back with stupid ideas like this and then go off to another convention next year and come back with yet another stupid one.
The City needs to make a contract with WBOC & WMDT and run constant year round commercials that hit you in the face each and every day. Go Here, come to Riverfest, the Salisbury Zoo, the Ward Museum, the Downtown Plaza, you know the drill.
My earlier article about the Atlantic Hotel needs to take a page from this particular article as well as the Town of Berlin and Ocean City. Communities supporting their own.
Do YOU realize through the Cable Company if you run random ads on TV you should be able to purchase them for around $3.00 an ad! I know, many of you are going to say that's a bunch of crap but it's true. You sign a regular contract with these people and you can buy filler spaces day and night for about $3.00 per additional ad not on your regular schedule.
I used to buy an ESPN Package and run 30 second ads on Redskins Games for around $75.00 an ad. Now granted, that was a deal, should someone drop out of advertising for that particular game but I jumped on it every opportunity they allowed. Television commercials are NOT as bad as some would believe. If the City/County joined forces and bought scheduled ads to market the City & County, if you became a part of this group they could tack you onto their ads and reasonably market these areas and build instant business.
Now, there's other things you have to watch out for. When you get a group of businesses together like this you must have proper security. The SPD would have to police this area and let criminals know if they mess with anyone, they're going down. Any sign of hanging out and the wrong crowd selling drugs and so forth, everyone has to come together and get rid of them instantly. Believe it or not, that can destroy everyone very fast.
You don't want grocery store/pharmacy kind of businesses because let's face it, they won't be able to compete and they'll only have 5 to 9 pm kind of traffic. They'll also take up a ton of parking for short term and get frustrated when they can't find a spot.
Then think about what compliments the daytime businesses throughout the Downtown area. Perhaps a UPS or FedEx Kinko's store? There are thousands of people reading this Blog daily. I'm sure you can come up with many more ideas and make it work. IMHO, I don't believe the current administration ever thought of coming to YOU and asking what YOU want. They go to places like Rockville and come back saying, we want that kind of Library. However, it's not what the Downtown needs. Again, I'm back to the wants verses needs thing again. However, it works.
The Downtown Plaza can work. Pulling ALL of the property owners together would be a good start as well. They must be a part of the discussion because without them we can come up with all of the greatest ideas on earth but if they don't agree, it's useless. Forcing some of the property owners to do something and clearly show they want to sell or rent their space is another problem. Anyhow, good healthy discussion on this post can't hurt anyone. So let's see where this takes us and we'll see just how much the Downtown Plaza means to Salisbury Citizens.
REMINDER
While 95% of you have complied with no more foul language, a few have popped in and have been rejected. This message is a reminder as to why you're not seeing your comment posted.
I'll add, the comments that did come through weren't very harsh at all but a deal is a deal and we're sticking to it. Thanks for understanding and working so well with the new rules. There's a chance some of those making the comments I've mentioned didn't read the original Post and we'll have to do this from time to time.
I'll add, the comments that did come through weren't very harsh at all but a deal is a deal and we're sticking to it. Thanks for understanding and working so well with the new rules. There's a chance some of those making the comments I've mentioned didn't read the original Post and we'll have to do this from time to time.
A Second Class Action Lawsuit Against Perdue Emerges
Perdue sells whole chickens, as well as cut-up chickens and prepared chicken products. Perdue whole chickens are sold with “giblets,” the other products are not. Perdue therefore has an enormous quantity of extra giblet parts to dispose of, because whole chickens are only a part of its business.
Unknown to Plaintiff and Class, however, Perdue has a secret practice of disposing of additional giblet parts by inserting them (e.g., more than one heart, liver, gizzard, neck per bird) into Perdue whole chicken sold to retail customers. By improperly inserting these giblet parts into Perdue chicken, Perdue disposes of its extra giblets by essentially having Plaintiff and Class “pay” the disposal costs Perdue itself would incur if it wanted to properly dispose of them. Further, by this improper method, Perdue incorporates the additional giblet parts in the price per-pound of Perdue whole chickens sold to retail customers.
Perdue claims the only complaints they have received was that there was not enough giblets in their chickens.
GO HERE to see the actual lawsuit that was filed.
Unknown to Plaintiff and Class, however, Perdue has a secret practice of disposing of additional giblet parts by inserting them (e.g., more than one heart, liver, gizzard, neck per bird) into Perdue whole chicken sold to retail customers. By improperly inserting these giblet parts into Perdue chicken, Perdue disposes of its extra giblets by essentially having Plaintiff and Class “pay” the disposal costs Perdue itself would incur if it wanted to properly dispose of them. Further, by this improper method, Perdue incorporates the additional giblet parts in the price per-pound of Perdue whole chickens sold to retail customers.
Perdue claims the only complaints they have received was that there was not enough giblets in their chickens.
GO HERE to see the actual lawsuit that was filed.
The Atlantic Hotel In Berlin Has Closed
The Daily Times has an excellent article in today's paper about the Atlantic Hotel closing in berlin HERE.
This is a shame as my Wife and I spent many wonderful and memorable evenings dining at their restaurant and hanging out during their Fiddlers Conventions there year after year.
One of the claims from a former employee was that they had changed it too much in recent years and the cost to dine there was simply too much. I beg to differ. Granted, it was more expensive than Burger King but let me assure you, the food was always fantastic and I had never once heard of anyone having a bad meal there, unless things have changed?
One of the key problems, (in my opinion) we see all too often on the Eastern Shore is, you have to REMIND people that you're even there. If you're off the beat and path, you have to go out and get that business. You have to have a mailing list of everyone that patronized there and send them specials and or ways to encourage them to come back. Especially during tough economic times.
Berlin is one of the coolest little Towns on the Eastern Shore and Hollywood even thought so by shooting at least two movies in that Town. Nevertheless, they talk about reopening some day but they're not sure when. I told you Folks, put on that seat belt because times are only going to get tougher. This will be a big loss for Berlin and one can only hope the Owners pull it back together and bring that charm back to those who truly enjoy it.
Great Question
"Do you know anything about the Main Street Medical on Mt. Hermon Road
They are closed up tighter than a tick
I went yesterday and there is nothing on the door and the phone just advises of the hours
What are we supposed to do if we have prescriptions that are due to expire – and I realize that they are not like the traditional medical doctors but aren’t they required to allow us to get our records?"
Does anyone know what's going on there?
They are closed up tighter than a tick
I went yesterday and there is nothing on the door and the phone just advises of the hours
What are we supposed to do if we have prescriptions that are due to expire – and I realize that they are not like the traditional medical doctors but aren’t they required to allow us to get our records?"
Does anyone know what's going on there?
Bids For White House Fence Repairs
Government solicits bids for White House Fence repairs:
Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House in DC: One is from Chicago , another is from Virginia and the third, is from Alabama . All three go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Virginia contractor takes out a tape measure and does some
measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Alabama contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to
the White House official and whispers, "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the
other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"
The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Alabama to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official. And that, my friends, is how government contracting works!
Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at the White House in DC: One is from Chicago , another is from Virginia and the third, is from Alabama . All three go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The Virginia contractor takes out a tape measure and does some
measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Alabama contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."
The Chicago contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to
the White House official and whispers, "$2,700."
The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the
other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?"
The Chicago contractor whispers back, "$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Alabama to fix the fence."
"Done!" replies the government official. And that, my friends, is how government contracting works!
New British Submarine
Britain launches massive sub that can hear a ship from across the Atlantic.
She is four years late and a massive 900 million over budget. But when the Royal Navy's super-sub HMS Astute finally arrived, she made for an awesome sight.
More complex than the space shuttle, and able to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing, the 7,400-ton monster is the largest and deadliest
hunter-killer submarine ever built.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall cracked a bottle of beer brewed by the sub's crew on her bow to officially name the 'boat', in Navy jargon, before she was gingerly wheeled out of her shed at the stately speed of one metre per minute.
The specifications for Britain 's biggest submarine make for mind- boggling reading, but it was the sheer size of the black behemoth which made its mark on the 10,000 dockyard workers, schoolchildren, VIPs and Navy personnel invited to the ceremony in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
The Astute submarine under construction at Barrow
As long as a football pitch, at 318 ft, and as wide as four double-decker buses, HMS Astute is a third longer than any sub which has gone before.
Her nuclear-powered engine will propel her through the water at more than 20 knots, yet the UK 's first stealth sub makes less noise than a baby dolphin, making her as good as undetectable by enemy ships.
Astute's sonar is so advanced that if she was lying in the English Channel she would be able to detect ships leaving New York harbour 3,000 nautical miles away (although the details of how she can do this are classified).
The nuclear reactor will never need refueling, and with an ability to make oxygen and drinking water out of sea water, the sub could stay underwater for its entire 25-year life span were it not for the needs of the crew.
Once she goes into operation in 2009, Astute will carry a 98-man crew and stay at sea for 12 weeks on a routine patrol.
The massive bow is slowly moved into position.
She will carry 38 Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a range of 1,240 miles, meaning Astute could attack targets in North Africa with pinpoint accuracy while sitting off the coast of Plymouth.
Spearfish torpedoes will also be on board for attacking ships and other subs. But Astute will not carry nuclear weapons. The UK 'sTrident missiles are launched from the Vanguard class of submarines.
The Navy's submarine chief Captain Mike Davis-Marks said: 'The Astute class of submarines will quite simply be unbeatable worldwide for many years to come.
'Astute will have a capability that will keep us right at the top of the premiership of the world's navies the Manchester United of submarine nations. With our proud heritage, Britain deserves nothing less.'
Astute is the first of four vessels to be built by BAE Systems at a total cost of 3.85 billion, or 960 million each.
She is four years late and a massive 900 million over budget. But when the Royal Navy's super-sub HMS Astute finally arrived, she made for an awesome sight.
More complex than the space shuttle, and able to circumnavigate the globe without surfacing, the 7,400-ton monster is the largest and deadliest
hunter-killer submarine ever built.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall cracked a bottle of beer brewed by the sub's crew on her bow to officially name the 'boat', in Navy jargon, before she was gingerly wheeled out of her shed at the stately speed of one metre per minute.
The specifications for Britain 's biggest submarine make for mind- boggling reading, but it was the sheer size of the black behemoth which made its mark on the 10,000 dockyard workers, schoolchildren, VIPs and Navy personnel invited to the ceremony in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
The Astute submarine under construction at Barrow
As long as a football pitch, at 318 ft, and as wide as four double-decker buses, HMS Astute is a third longer than any sub which has gone before.
Her nuclear-powered engine will propel her through the water at more than 20 knots, yet the UK 's first stealth sub makes less noise than a baby dolphin, making her as good as undetectable by enemy ships.
Astute's sonar is so advanced that if she was lying in the English Channel she would be able to detect ships leaving New York harbour 3,000 nautical miles away (although the details of how she can do this are classified).
The nuclear reactor will never need refueling, and with an ability to make oxygen and drinking water out of sea water, the sub could stay underwater for its entire 25-year life span were it not for the needs of the crew.
Once she goes into operation in 2009, Astute will carry a 98-man crew and stay at sea for 12 weeks on a routine patrol.
The massive bow is slowly moved into position.
She will carry 38 Tomahawk cruise missiles, with a range of 1,240 miles, meaning Astute could attack targets in North Africa with pinpoint accuracy while sitting off the coast of Plymouth.
Spearfish torpedoes will also be on board for attacking ships and other subs. But Astute will not carry nuclear weapons. The UK 'sTrident missiles are launched from the Vanguard class of submarines.
The Navy's submarine chief Captain Mike Davis-Marks said: 'The Astute class of submarines will quite simply be unbeatable worldwide for many years to come.
'Astute will have a capability that will keep us right at the top of the premiership of the world's navies the Manchester United of submarine nations. With our proud heritage, Britain deserves nothing less.'
Astute is the first of four vessels to be built by BAE Systems at a total cost of 3.85 billion, or 960 million each.
City Bistro Calls It Quits On The Downtown Plaza
First it was Feldman's, then 9-2-5 and now the City Bistro called it quits at the end of the year. Businesses just can't survive on the Downtown Plaza and the City Bistro will certainly be missed.
Mayor Tilghman talked the talk but never walked the walk on the Downtown Plaza and while she boasts about me, me, me, I, I, I, opened up the Plaza to traffic once again, aren't I so wonderful, she failed to anything other than that. Well, she did spend taxpayers money on studies but NOTHING was ever done to revitalize the Plaza and businesses are failing because of it.
Is it fair for me to blame the Mayor for the downfall of every business on the Plaza, I think so. Look at it this way. If I were Mayor and I ran around telling everyone what wonderful things I did for that particular area and businesses were dropping like dead flies, wouldn't all of you be after me for boasting about things that just weren't true? The answer is, YES. Mayor Tilghman is a HUGE failure to the City of Salisbury and while she made all these promises to people investing major money believing support was on the way, she got you, she suckered you in and then she dropped you like a hot potato and guess what, she couldn't care less. Yeah, some great business person and better yet, what a great Mayor. She's out of there because she SUCKS as a Mayor and deserved to run again so people could have proven to her just how they feel by giving her NOTHING for votes.
I mentioned a couple of months ago that 9-2-5 was closing their doors because the young lady who owned the Shop was scared to death of some of the Customers coming through her door. So much so she started taking in her German Shepard every day. I learned last night that someone who lives on the Plaza was almost mugged a few days ago and if someone hadn't come around the corner the muggers would have been successful.
There is a new Deli supposed to be opening in the old Fireball Deli location but from the looks of traffic down there, well, let's just say things are going to be tough. Hopefully once people read this Post they'll be running to the Owner of that building and securing a lease on that restaurant and reopening with more marketing finances and get people down there. Of course they'll have to serve some really good food too.
Here's yet another challenge for Jim Ireton and Gary Comegys. What will YOU do to revitalize the Downtown Plaza. Heck, Gary should be loaded with ideas since he's been on the Council so long and has seen what those studies told them they should be doing. Nevertheless, I want to hear confident answers, not pie in the sky political talk. Everyone should be preparing to ask tons of questions and let's hear what these people are made of. Force them to PROVE to you they are the person for the job. Enough is Enough! People have invested big money on that Plaza and it's been nothing but a disappointment. I'm sorry to see the City Bistro go.
Quote of the Day
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.
~Milton Friedman
~Milton Friedman
WICOMICO RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO APPEAL TAX ASSESSMENTS
Yesterday, SBYnews informed the public about how Wicomico experienced a 5% drop in property values in one month alone. It shouldn't come as a surprise for many of Wicomico residents as the real estate meltdown continues.
Please be advised that Wicomico County's residents were slated for a new 3-year Phased-In Market Value assessment method. Most of Wicomico residents were issued appraisals based on what the real estate market values were trading at during their peaks, before, the housing melt-down. Thus, to the detriment of many Wicomico County residents the appeal process broke down as many have inadvertently waived their right to an appeal by the State's newly implemented assessment procedures.
In order to take corrective action, one will be required to call into the Wicomico County Assessment Office and request an application for a re-appraisal in order to correct the Assessment defect.
In one Wicomico County neighborhood alone, Ole Town off of Pemberton Drive, one resident has reported a reduction by as much as $24,000.00 in their real property tax assessment. However, The real estate tax assessment on my own home increased 12.2% from 2008 - 2009 and 10.9% from 2009 - 2010 or a total of 24.41% over a two year period. This is a tremendous error for not only myself, but for a mulititude of taxpayers based on the newly implemented State Phased-In Value Assessment method.
The number to call to request a re-appraisal
Wicomico County Assessment Office
201 Baptist Street
Salisbury, Maryland 21801-4962
410-713-3560
Please be advised that Wicomico County's residents were slated for a new 3-year Phased-In Market Value assessment method. Most of Wicomico residents were issued appraisals based on what the real estate market values were trading at during their peaks, before, the housing melt-down. Thus, to the detriment of many Wicomico County residents the appeal process broke down as many have inadvertently waived their right to an appeal by the State's newly implemented assessment procedures.
In order to take corrective action, one will be required to call into the Wicomico County Assessment Office and request an application for a re-appraisal in order to correct the Assessment defect.
In one Wicomico County neighborhood alone, Ole Town off of Pemberton Drive, one resident has reported a reduction by as much as $24,000.00 in their real property tax assessment. However, The real estate tax assessment on my own home increased 12.2% from 2008 - 2009 and 10.9% from 2009 - 2010 or a total of 24.41% over a two year period. This is a tremendous error for not only myself, but for a mulititude of taxpayers based on the newly implemented State Phased-In Value Assessment method.
The number to call to request a re-appraisal
Wicomico County Assessment Office
201 Baptist Street
Salisbury, Maryland 21801-4962
410-713-3560
SHERIFF JOE IS AT IT AGAIN!
Oh, there's MUCH more to know about Sheriff Joe!
Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on stray animals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay.
The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.
The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Teresa and I adopted a Weimaraner from a Maricopa County shelter two years ago. He was neutered, and current on all shots, in great health, and even had a microchip inserted the day we got him. Cost us $78.
The prisoners get the benefit of about $0.28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.
I have long wondered when the rest of the country would take a look at the way he runs the jail system, and copy some of his ideas. He has a huge farm, donated to the county years ago, where inmates can work, and they grow most of their own fresh vegetables and food, doing all the work and harvesting by hand.
He has a pretty good sized hog farm, which provides meat, and fertilizer. It fertilizes the Christmas tree nursery, where prisoners work, and you can buy a living Christmas tree for $6 - $8 for the Holidays, and plant it later. We have six trees in our yard from the Prison.
Yup, he was reelected last year with 83% of the vote.
Now he's in trouble with the ACLU again. He painted all his buses and vehicles with a mural, that has a special hotline phone number painted on it, where you can call and report suspected illegal aliens. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement wasn't doing enough in his eyes, so he had 40 deputies trained specifically for enforcing immigration laws, started up his hotline, and bought 4 new buses just for hauling folks back to the border. He's kind of a 'Git-R Dun' kind of Sheriff.
TO THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH JOE ARPAIO
HE IS THE MARICOPA ARIZONA COUNTY SHERIFF
AND HE KEEPS GETTING ELECTED OVER AND OVER
THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY:
Sheriff Joe Arpaio (In Arizona ) who created the ' Tent City Jail':
He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.
He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights Cut off all but 'G' movies.
He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.
Then He Started Chain Gangs For Women So He Wouldn't Get
Sued For Discrimination.
He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.
When asked why the weather channel He Replied, So They Will Know How Hot It's Gonna Be While They Are Working
ON My Chain Gangs.
He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.
When the inmates complained, he told them, 'This Isn't The Ritz/Carlton......If You Don't Like It, Don't Come Back.'
More On The Arizona Sheriff:
With Temperatures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports:
About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued
Pink Boxer Shorts.
On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached
138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.
Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.
'It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace,' Said James Zanzot, An Inmate Who Has Lived In The TENTS for 1 year. 'It's Inhumane.'
Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: 'It's 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear,
But They Didn't Commit Any Crimes,So Shut Your Mouths!'
Way To Go, Sheriff!
Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it's time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves.
Lower Shore Young Republicans Meeting
The Lower Shore Young Republicans will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday January 8th. The meeting will be held at the Green Turtle in Salisbury at 7:00 pm. Our club elections will be held that night, so if you or anyone you know are interested in running please attend. We also will be discussing our rescheduled canned food drive for the Salisbury Christian Shelter, as well as, our trip to
Washington D.C and Annapolis coming up this February. Again, the meeting will be this Thursday at 7:00 p.m, located at the Green Turtle on the restaurant side. Look forward to seeing you then.
Respectfully,
Mark A. Biehl
President
Lower Shore Young Republicans
Washington D.C and Annapolis coming up this February. Again, the meeting will be this Thursday at 7:00 p.m, located at the Green Turtle on the restaurant side. Look forward to seeing you then.
Respectfully,
Mark A. Biehl
President
Lower Shore Young Republicans
Anne Coulter Banned Forever from NBC!!!
Ultra Conservative Author and Columnist Anne Coulter was cut from the Today's Show today, and was replaced by gossip columnist Periz Hilton, who recently offered $1000. to anyone who would throw a pie in Anne Coulter's beautiful face.
To read more...
Delmarva Classic Need Your Help
This is an e-mail I was hoping not to have to write, but alas, I must.
The Wi-Hi Wrestling Team DESPERATELY needs your help. Last season, after a 13th year of record attendance, we made the decision to move the Delmarva Classic Wrestling Tournament to the Civic Center. We had more teams interested in attending than ever before, and this would allow us to also offer a JV tournament for those JV wrestlers who get few opportunities to wrestle each year. The tournament will be next Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16-17.
With the Civic Center comes a rental fee - $3,000 a day for the two days, and $1,000 in mandatory WY&CC staffing. The Civic Center is barred by the County Council from giving community groups discounts as they have in the past. So we have to pay the entire $7,000. I don't blame the Civic Center - they are just administering a policy given to them by the County. Arguing over whether it's fair or not doesn't help me make the rent, to be blunt. It is there, and must be paid.
The team had planned on doing that by offering sponsorships - $300 per weight class (there are 14) would get a corporate logo on every t-shirt, every program sold, and every bracket for that weight class. Also, the mat that weight class is wrestled on would have signage as well. This looked like a great idea last spring, it really did.
Well, the response has been underwhelming to say the least. Of the 6 of us actively soliciting sponsorships, we have secured one. Not one each, one. We need 14. And, to make matters worse, I've had 4 teams (and their fees) pull out due to travel restrictions put on them by their counties, so instead of 21 teams, I now have 17.
If you know ANYONE who owns a business that you think might be willing to help the Wrestling team, PLEASE let me know. I’ll pass on a sponsorship packet you can present to them, or arrange for someone from the team to make contact.
We’re looking at losing more than $3,000 if we don’t secure these sponsorships, and I have to have a definitive list by next Tuesday – just 8 days from now.
If you know ANYONE who can be of help, LET US KNOW!
Sincerely,
Bill Duck
Tournament Director
delmarvaclassic@verizon.net
The Wi-Hi Wrestling Team DESPERATELY needs your help. Last season, after a 13th year of record attendance, we made the decision to move the Delmarva Classic Wrestling Tournament to the Civic Center. We had more teams interested in attending than ever before, and this would allow us to also offer a JV tournament for those JV wrestlers who get few opportunities to wrestle each year. The tournament will be next Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16-17.
With the Civic Center comes a rental fee - $3,000 a day for the two days, and $1,000 in mandatory WY&CC staffing. The Civic Center is barred by the County Council from giving community groups discounts as they have in the past. So we have to pay the entire $7,000. I don't blame the Civic Center - they are just administering a policy given to them by the County. Arguing over whether it's fair or not doesn't help me make the rent, to be blunt. It is there, and must be paid.
The team had planned on doing that by offering sponsorships - $300 per weight class (there are 14) would get a corporate logo on every t-shirt, every program sold, and every bracket for that weight class. Also, the mat that weight class is wrestled on would have signage as well. This looked like a great idea last spring, it really did.
Well, the response has been underwhelming to say the least. Of the 6 of us actively soliciting sponsorships, we have secured one. Not one each, one. We need 14. And, to make matters worse, I've had 4 teams (and their fees) pull out due to travel restrictions put on them by their counties, so instead of 21 teams, I now have 17.
If you know ANYONE who owns a business that you think might be willing to help the Wrestling team, PLEASE let me know. I’ll pass on a sponsorship packet you can present to them, or arrange for someone from the team to make contact.
We’re looking at losing more than $3,000 if we don’t secure these sponsorships, and I have to have a definitive list by next Tuesday – just 8 days from now.
If you know ANYONE who can be of help, LET US KNOW!
Sincerely,
Bill Duck
Tournament Director
delmarvaclassic@verizon.net
Together We Can Solve This
So far we have figured out that he lives in a halfway house of sorts in the Camden area. He used to work at Giant but allegedly got fired due to yelling at a customer and was most recently seen at Giant about a week ago talking to people at the front counter. He was also seen two days ago on a bike on Camden Avenue with a group of kids.
Anyone with any information please contact the Salisbury Police Department or post information about this persons name here on comments. You can obviously remain anonymous. The person that updated us with this information remembered his name possibly as "Devon". So we're getting closer, we just need a little more help and we can get this behind us. Thanks for all your help Folks.