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Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Comments On Salisbury News

It's only 7:30 PM and we're already at 208 comments for the day. Actually, we've been experiencing a ton of comments all week, proving more people are getting involved.

Yesterday we had 298 comments and Monday we had 177 comments. That's almost 700 comments in less than three days, unbelievable! Other Blogs tend to get anywhere from 10 comments a week to around 50 comments in an entire week. So obviously Salisbury News has people talking, participating and visiting in much larger volumes. Then, of course, there's all the rejected comments. One day I'll count them all and see what it comes to but you could say there are about 100 comments a day you don't want to see, trust me on that one.

The cool part is, you're participating and getting involved. You can easily stay anonymous and no one will know who you are. The more we get people involved, the better this Blog gets and that equates to a better Salisbury. Keep them coming Folks!

GREAT BREAKING NEWS!!!!!

In just 36 hours since word went out on SBYNews.com and in today's The Daily Times, we have commitments for ALL 14 weight classes, plus an additional $1,000 from the U.S. Navy Recruiting Office in Ocean City, who will be on-site for the weekend.

Those businesses and groups who stepped up to the plate include:

Common Grounds, a Fair Trade Coffee House opening in March at Mill Pond Village across from Toys-R-Us. They sponsored an incredible FOUR weight classes! Go drink some coffee in March!

Delmarva Wrestling Club, under the direction of Homer King, will sponsor a weight class.

Harvard Manufacturing has committed to sponsoring two weight classes.

Atlantic Lighting & Sign has committed to sponsoring two weight classes.

Delmarva Auto Glass will sponsor a weight class, as will Tapman's Refrigeration, Capital Choice Financial Group, Fraternal Order of Police Wicomico Lodge 111 and the Wicomico High School Faculty and Staff.

I can't tell you how much this will help local high school wrestling. We're bringing in 17 teams from across two states, including 7 state-ranked wrestlers from MD and another 5 from Delaware. There have been 6 wrestlers who've won states the year they didn't win the Delmarva Classic - that's how tough this tournament can be!

I appreciate all the individuals, organizations and businesses that have come together to help high school wrestling on the Lower Eastern Shore. I do want to thank Wicomico County Tourism and the staff at the Civic Center - they are doing all they can to help, and are making this event's logistics a lot easier to manage. Thy will be one of the reasons this event will be so successful this year.

And thanks to SBYNews.com and The Daily Times for getting the word out. This would have not been possible without the interest and help of Joe Albero and Daily Times' Sports Editor Shawn Yonker.

Join us at the Civic Center starting at 2:30 on Friday, Jan 16th and again starting at 9:30 Saturday Januray 17th. Finals should begin at 6 p.m. Saturday. Varsity and junior varsity wrestling will occur through Friday afternoon and evening and just about all day Saturday. Admission is $10 per day or $15 for the weekend.

-Bill Duck
delmarvaclassic@verizon.net

Editors Note: I told you Folks, it's ALL about Networking with others and together we can ALL make great things happen. This Eastern Shore WILL become the greatest place on earth if we all work together. Congratulations Bill.

BREAKING NEWS: Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Release

Scherick Macell Forde

Charles Bernard Byrd


Incident: Possession of a Handgun
Date of Incident: 7 January 2009
Location: U.S. 13 N/B at Parker Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspects:
1. Scherick Macell Forde, 27, Hartsville, SC
2. Charles Bernard Byrd, 28, Hartsville, SC

Narrative: On 7 January2009
at 10:15 AM, a deputy from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team stopped a Chevrolet Uplander operated by Scherick Ford for exceeding the posted speed limit. Upon making contact with Ford and his passenger, Charles Byrd, the deputy discovered clear indicators of criminal activity. During the course of the traffic stop, the deputy developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During that search, the deputy located a revolver and two semi-automatic handguns inside the passenger compartment. All three handguns were loaded. Both Forde and Byrd were placed under arrest.

Further investigation revealed that one of the semi-automatic handguns was reported stolen during a burglary in South Carolina. The deputy also discovered that both Forde and Byrd were prohibited from possessing firearms due to previous criminal convictions.

Forde and Byrd were transported to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. Disposition from the Commissioner is unavailable.

Charges:
Wear / Carry a handgun on person
Wear/ Carry/ Transport a handgun in a vehicle
Possession of a regulated firearm by a prohibited person
Possession of a regulated firearm by a convicted felon
Possession of a Stolen Handgun

BREAKING NEWS: 2 Indicted In City Hall Corruption Probe

Baltimore City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton and prominent developer Ronald H. Lipscomb were indicted this afternoon as part of a state prosecutor's nearly three-year investigation into City Hall corruption

GO HERE to see the full Baltimore Sun article.

Lynn Cathcart wanted a road named after her. Mike Dunn didn't recuse himself on the Westwood Industrial Park Project and annexation until I personally ousted his Father being the property owner. Mayor Tilghman's Husband had his name all over the Fruitland Wal-Mart Deed shortly before Wal-Mart came in and bought it. Then there's that $14,000,000.00 TIF with the old Mall. Multiple Developer reimbursements. You have to wonder if something like this Breaking News isn't coming to a Town near you?

A Comment Worthy Of A Post About Locking In Gas Prices

"I "locked-in" at under $1.75. Knew gas prices were too low! Between petrofix.com and gusbuddy.com not so worried about gas prices anymore!"

CHANGE IN MEETING TIME FOR WORK SESSION

"The January 20, 2009 City Council work session has been changed from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m.

The work session will be held in Conference Room 305 of the Government Office Building (125 N. Division Street)."

Our guess is, so Shanie can go to the Inaugural Ball?

Mayor Barrie Tilghman Takes A Page From Wayne Gilchrest


A local Mother contacted me yesterday reaching out for help with her Son in School. I'll not get into the details at this time but the problem was serious enough that I guided her in a specific direction and she hit an immediate brick wall. So, I sent her off to another, then another, then another and it just want on and on.

One of the brick walls she hit was at the Mayor's Office. I suggested she call the Mayor and share her situation in the hopes the Mayor wouldn't forget where she came from but wouldn't you know it, the Mayor told this woman she was instead going to have a Council Member contact her instead.

Here she has 103 days left in Office and she's already rejecting very concerned Citizens and refusing to even hear her story/problem. Does the name Wayne Gilchrest come to mind when you hear this? Louise Smith can't tie her own shoes. Comegys, I won't even go there. Shanie, well, unless she can meet at the local Lodge with some quarters for the slot machines, the end result is a given. So I sent her to Debbie Campbell and the ball is now rolling.

Perhaps it would be smart for the Mayor to just step down now, since she's passing everything off to everyone else anyway. Besides, she's preparing for her case against me on the 21st and I'm sure that's taking up all her time anyway. Thanks for being there Barrie. I guess you get what you pay for, right? I have to wonder though, what if this was a Developer's Child? Hmmmmmmmm!

You've Been Blogged!

Dr. Jim Burns/Main Street MedCenter

Let’s put this rumor to bed. Jim’s office was closed for two days for him and his staff to undergo orientation with PRMC. He is selling the practice to PRMC, but he’s remaining on in the same role that he now has – Immediate Medical Care and Occupational Health.

At some point his office will move to the new Peninsula Orthopaedic Center Building located off of Route 50 and Tilghman Road. He will practice there and will be able to treat all of us as he has done so well in the past.

So if you get any questions at all about closing – kill the rumors!!

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On January 2, 2009 at approximately 6:14 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department Community Action Team executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence on the one hundred (100) block of Delaware Ave. During the execution of the search and seizure warrant the officers recovered quantities of suspected “crack”/cocaine and suspected Marijuana.

ARRESTED: Keith Antonio Jackson, 30 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of cocaine
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/Paraphernalia (3 counts)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200800046814

On January 4, 2009 at approximately 2:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department responded to a residence on the four hundred (400) block of Jefferson St. for the report of a domestic assault. Upon arrival, officers met with a female victim who advised that she and her eleven (11) year old son had been assaulted during a domestic argument by the below listed suspect. The victim’s son was assaulted as he attempted to intervene between the suspect and his mother. The suspect was located a short distance from the residence.

ARRESTED: Andre Carllarel Scott, 42 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault (2 counts)
Reckless endangerment
Theft (3 counts)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900000403

On January 4, 2009 at approximately 7:29 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the area of the Market St. Inn on Market St. for the report of a disorderly suspect. Upon arrival the officers met with the below listed suspect who was acting in a disorderly manner in front of the restaurant. Repeated attempts by the officers to have the suspect quiet and leave the area failed resulting in the suspect’s arrest.

ARRESTED: Gary Deon Stanley, 56 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Disorderly conduct
Failure to obey a lawful order

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200800000431

On January 5, 2009 at approximately 11:56 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect following the investigation of an internal theft from a business. On November 6 of 2008, it was reported to the Salisbury Police that a number of thefts had occurred from All About Tan on S. Salisbury Boulevard. An investigation of the thefts led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for the below suspect, charging her with the thefts.

ARRESTED: Angela Katherine Morales, 39 years of age Princess Anne, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft Scheme (over $ 500)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 2008000411191

On January 5, 2009 at approximately 1:50 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department responded to the Sears Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers were advised that store employees had observed the below listed suspect attempt to take property from the store without making any attempts at payment. The suspect was apprehended, and the property was returned to the store.

ARRESTED: Kristi Marie Johnson, 21 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking
CC # 200900000517

A Touching Local Story About A Dog Named Sox


"I am an 8 month old lab/beagle mix and my Daddy is in the military and is being transferred out of the USA and I can’t go with him. I have a microchip, all my shots, I am house and kennel trained. I love to play ball and tug of war. I am free to a good home and come with my kennel, leash and toys. Please help me find a good home by calling Cory at 501-425-9851. Call today, my Daddy leaves on January 16th."

I told my friend that my guess is that Sox won't last one hour on this Blog. Let's see what happens.

Pittsville Fire Department Chapman Voted OUT Monday Night

2nd Assistant Chief "Paramedic" Richard Chapman was officially voted out of office Monday night during Pittsville Volunteer Fire Department's annual officer elections.

Although Mr. Chapman is still listed as active membership within the department I feel this is a great start to correcting problems that should have never occured.

You can view all of Pittsville Volunteer Fire Department's Officers by clicking http://pittsvillefire.com/members.html

Boy Stops Pit Bull Attack With Jujitsu Choke Hold

Drew Heredia, 9, said he and a friend were walking a small dog Dec. 30 when a pit bull attacked them. Heredia said he jumped on the pit bull and applied a choke hold that he learned while taking Brazilian jujitsu classes.

Official Story

Video of story

The Interview With God

This is well worth seeing. GO HERE.

Salisbury Gears Up To Pollute Chesapeake Bay





If you couldn't picture in your mind just how HUGE the pipes will be stored on Waverly Drive right now across from the Laundromat and behind Goodwill, look what this Mayor and Comegys have done! These pipes will serve as run off pipes directed at running right down to the Wicomico River with absolutely NO FILTRATION whatsoever and run directly into the Chesapeake Bay.

Where's Mr. Pretl now? Come on Mr. Environmentalist, what say you now? Where's Norm Conway? Where's Frank Kratovil? You can literally drive a small car through these pipes! All the motor oil from vehicles, trash, you name it. It's all getting run off through these pipes in the near future in such a volume they had to use this size pipe with no filtration.

The next time I hear our Congressman complaining about Farmers killing the Chesapeake Bay I'm going to urge these same Farmers to save this article and throw it right back in their face! I wonder what kind of spin the Daily Times will put on this reality?

New Seat

On a Northwest Airlines flight from Atlanta , GA , a well attired middle-aged woman found herself sitting next to a man wearing a kippa
("yarmulka" in Yiddish). She called the attendant over to complain about her seating.

"What seems to be the problem, Madam?" asked the attendant. "You've sat me next to a Jew!! I can't possibly sit next to this strange
man. Please find me another seat!"

"Madam, I will see what I can do to accommodate," the attendant replied, "but the flight is virtually full today and I don't know if there is
another seat available."
The woman shoots a snooty look at the snubbed Jewish man beside her (not to mention the surrounding passengers).

A few minutes later the attendant returned and said, "Madam, the economy and club sections are full, however, we do have one seat in First class."
Before the lady had a chance to respond, the attendant continued, "It is only on exceptions that we make this kind of upgrade, and I had to ask
permission from the captain. But, given the circumstances, the captain felt that no one should be forced to sit next to an unpleasant person...."

The flight attendant turned to the Jewish man sitting next to her, and said: "So if you'd like to get your things, Sir, I have a comfortable seat for
you in First class..."
At this point, the surrounding passengers stood up and gave a standing ovation while the Jewish man walked up to the front of the plane.

The lady then said indignantly, "The Captain must have made a mistake.."
To which the attendant replied, "No Ma'am.. Captain Cohen never makes a mistake."

The Fountain's Presents


Singles Mingle

1/23/09

The First Single’s Mingle of the

New Year!

Ages 40-60’s

7pm at The Fountains in Salisbury

$20.00 RSVP or $25.00 at door

DJ, Dancing, Speed Dating,


Hors d’ oeuvres, Cash Bar & other fun Ice Breakers

A relaxing, no pressure evening with other area singles

Please call 410-749-5445 for more information

Remember Those Winds The Other Day



Believe it or not, I'm still doing catch up work since the Holidays. I've been so backlogged I'm having a difficult time catching up. Nevertheless, I snapped this picture of a local neighbors Farm showing just how far this thing traveled because of the force of the winds recently. We have those Eagle Gas Tankers traveling Spring Hill Road multiple times a day and for once I'm going to say I'm grateful for the telephone/utility polls on the side of the road. Unbelievable!

Trap Pond






"Joe,

Here's a few photos I thought I would share. They are from Trap Pond's Nature trail. The trails are an excellent way to enjoy the outside and get some exercise. The bike trail is 5 miles long and easy for any level rider/walker.

There are streams and creaks and benches to sit down and enjoy the scenery. Most of all this great park is free until I believe March. Then its 3$ for DE residents and 6$ for MD residents.

Oh and please don't forget the Frisbee Golf Course. The cheapest golf around, not to mention the most fun method of golfing. In either activity a family can get out and do something inexpensive and most importantly together. I am out there every week and just love the solitude. Many people don't even know about the treasure they have in their own back yards.

Cliff"

Thanks Cliff. I'm sure many people will appreciate knowing this information and it should also serve as a reminder of something to do when others have some free time.

FOP Lodge 111 & Atlantic Lighting Come To The Rescue

The Delmarva Classic Wrestling Tournament ran into some issues recently in which they came to us to reach out to others in hope of some financial help. FOP Lodge 111 and Atlantic Lighting read the articles here and will each sponsor a weight class for the Delmarva Classic.

Now Folks, they're still shy of their goal so if anyone is interested in making a donation to keep this Tournament going they would greatly appreciate any and all support.

The Tournament Director is Bill Duck and you can reach him at, delmarvaclassic@verizon.net. As always, we appreciate your support and wish these kids the best of luck.

Wasn't Gas Just $1.41 Yesterday? Oh, That's Right, Kratovil Was Sworn In Yesterday

If you look at the top right hand side of the Blog you'll see gas prices jumped up a minimum of $ .14 cents per gallon overnight!!!! Whatupwidat? It was $1.41 yesterday and it's now $1.55 a gallon to $1.61 a gallon for regular unleaded. Did I miss something somewhere? Kratovil was sworn into Office yesterday, right?????

Classified Ads

We skipped a week last week but we're back this week with some new ads. If you're interested in selling items on our FREE Classified Ads, send an e-mail with your items, phone number and e-mail address. Don't forget to put the price of each item. alberobutzo@wmconnect.com

The Disintegration of Democracy


Tuesdays events on Capital Hill were yet another sickening display of America's crumbling Democracy.

Senior Statesman and former Illinois Attorney General, Roland Burris was turned away from the floor of the Senate today because 'his papers were not in order'.

He was told by the Seargent at Arms that he would not be seated and he would not be allowed access to the floor. Because his state certifications were not signed.
Why were'nt they signed? Because the state of Illinois refuses to do anything that there Governor is telling them to do these days.
Ever since his arrest the other week for trying to sell Obama's empty Senate seat, the state has begged him to step down. Even Obama suggested that he step down. But Blogo won't budge.
Now the state is trying to impeach him, however all of this is a process and it doesn't happen over night.
Blogovich was arrested not convicted.
Until the time of his trial and conviction he is innocent until proven guilty, and he is still the Gov. of Ill.
State law dictates that the Gov and only the Gov has the right and capacity to appoint someone to a vacant Senate seat until an election can be held.
Whether we like this guy or not, believe he is telling the truth or not.
If this man is not allowed to be seated we are going to chip yet another piece of this ever cracking rock of Democracy away.

This isn't looking good on the Democrats either.
1) The man has a clean record ( I haven't done any deep searching, only a cursory)
2) The man is a member of their party.
3) The man is an African American, and he at this point in time will be the only African American in the Senate. (I'm not talking 'Affirmative Action', I'm talking he's totally qualified and it's making them look like a bunch of racist a**es!) ((Can we still say ass?))
Anyway, the real oddity in all of this drama is Diane Fienstien?!?!
The Super Liberal Senior Senator from California decided that she was not going to support the rest of her commrades.
"Does the governor have the power, under law, to make the appointment? And the answer is yes," said Feinstein, who other than being a Super Liberal Senior Senator happens to also be the Chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, which judges the credentials of senators!
Yes, I believe Tuesday was a sad day for Democracy; not that the Gov. trying to sell the senate seat wasn't an equally pathetic day, but it is still America, and he is still innocent until proven guilty.
If you want to read more go to msnbc

Husband Down!

A husband and wife are shopping in their local Wal-Mart.

The husband picks up a case of Budweiser and puts it in their cart.

'What do you think you're doing?' asks the wife.

They're on sale, only $10 for 24 cans, he replies.

Put them back, we can't afford them, demands the wife, and so they carry on shopping. A few aisles further on along the woman picks up a $20 jar of face cream and puts it in the basket.

What do you think you're doing? asks the husband.

Its my face cream. It makes me look beautiful replies the wife.

Her husband retorts:

'So does 24 cans of Budweiser and its half the price.'

On the PA system:

'Cleanup needed on aisle 25, we have a husband down!'

BARRIE PLANNING TO SQUANDER BAIL-OUT BUCKS


With many homeowners facing foreclosure, Salisbury now wants to waste federal (HUD) money to redo the decrepit “Bricks” apartments as rental units. A recent cost estimate for 10 small apartments was about $2 Million, and that can be regarded as at least 15% lower than the final amount after the normal overruns and change orders. There may be even fewer than 10 units, so the cost per unit could substantially exceed the cost of a small home. What a grossly stupid waste of taxpayer funding.

A couple years ago, the City ceased trying to make the former owner of the building repair it, when the owner gave the property to the City. The thought of spending money on residential units in that area is ridiculous. Why did the former owner opt to take the easy way out that the City allowed to happen?

Because the units would be rent-controlled “affordable” housing, we can expect that sooner rather than later the City will be called upon to pay operating and maintenance funding for the building, too.

According to the director of the Salisbury Neighborhood Housing Service (not a City agency), they had 30 cases of homeowners facing foreclosure in December alone, and a total of about 150 last year. Where do you think those HUD funds should be going?

P. S. If somebody knows the federal official to contact to say “NO WAY” to this, please post his/her e-mail and/or telephone number.

The Daily Times has their own article on this story HERE. Isn't it interesting the different kind of thinking and articles the Daily Times produces verses Salisbury News! Some wonder why Salisbury News is a necessity, now you know why. One sells her shannanigans and the other exposes them. Guess who's, who!

An Amazing Aircraft

In 1968 (1967?) an SR-71 made an emergency landing at Grand Forks AFB and was "parked" between two B-52 hangers close to the N/S road that paralled the base runway. The aircraft was completely visible to anyone using the road. Immediately after landing, GFAFB security established machine gun "nests" close to the plane. The two man crew could not exit the plane until a C-130 arrived from Edwards AFB with the ground support equipment and aircraft technicians to evacuate the crew and "fix" whatever the problem(s) were. Of course, everyone on the base came to see the 71 and security had to control traffic. After the "fixes" were accomplished (two days?), the 71 exited the base heading north. A few minutes later it returned at a very low altitude at tremendous speed in a fly by. It was awesome and was probably witnessed by about everyone on the base.

Eye candy for people who like airplanes

Grab your beverage and relax for a few minutes of awesome beauty. The SR-71 was the creation of Kelly Johnson, Lockheed, Eisenhower and the Air Force. It was envisioned in the '50s, first flew in the early '60s, retired in the '80s, briefly brought back in the '90s.

In all, 13 units of the single seat A-12 were built, and 32 of the Pilot + Recon two seat SR-71 units were built. Five A-12 were lost, one is stored. Twelve two seaters were lost. The remaining 27 are on display around the USA . The closest is at Atwater , the old Castle AFB museum at Merced with 50 other classic warplanes. You probably have a better opportunity of viewing the one in San Diego . Ask me and I'll tell you where the others are. NY, OR, OH, D C, etc. I can find most answers to most questions. Just ask. Start

with the 2000+ mph, the 80,000 feet + altitude. More if you wish.

So enjoy. One more thing. The author of the captions to the picture in this video made one misstatement, due to youth. The U-2 Recon aircraft was created in 1955, flew operationally in 1956. Kelly thought the USSR would shoot it down in 18 months. Lucky us, it flew until Gary Powers was downed on 1 May 1960.

But Kelly Johnson already had the go-ahead from Ike for the A-12. It first flew in 1962, JFK kept the manufacture of it active. No one told LBJ, 'cause everyone knew he would spill the secret. He wasn't told til the week after JFK left us. And sure enough, LBJ gave out the secret in a matter of months.

Anyhow, the most interesting, most exciting five years of my life were spent in the program, as a KC-135 refueling pilot. Where the Blackbird went, we went. You will see several refuelings in the following.

Enjoy.

Click here to view the slideshow: http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/SR-71/index.htm

GO HERE for even more information.

The Window Through Which We Look

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean", she said.

"She doesn't know how to wash >>> correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this."

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

And so it is with life.

What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

Soccer Tryouts

The Upper 90 Soccer Academy will be holding an open tryout for their U13 Boys Premier Team this Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:00 at the outdoor fields at Crown Sports Center.

The team will be playing in the MASL Spring League and in various tournaments throughout the Mid-Atlantic area. Any player born on or after August 1, 1996 is encouraged to come out.

For more information, please call 410-430-1549 or email upper90@comcast.net

REDNECK SEAFOOD DINNER

REDNECK SEAFOOD DINNER


NOW THAT'S FUNNY, I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE

Is 90 enough?

We are seven days and counting from the 2009 General Assembly session from beginning. More importantly, it is also seven days from my birthday. Beginning next Wednesday, the delegates and state senators from the 24 local governments will convene on Annapolis and try to accomplish a year’s worth of business in 90 days...doesn’t that seem asinine at this point, especially with all of the challenges they will face when they walk through the door. In addition, they will spend the first chunk of the session not really tackling anything.

This is another quirk in our state that I believe should be changed. I have not written about it before now, but I think it’s time for our leaders in Annapolis to consider changing how they meet. Instead of meeting one time a year for three months, they should extend the session…greatly. By greatly extending the session, I mean by holding the session throughout most of the year.

I know that this requires a lot of our elected leaders who take great interest in voting for which new symbol they should add to the list each year, instead of important issues like early voting, slot machines and tax hikes under a Republican governor. If they seriously look at the last five years, there were three special sessions in addition to one regular session being extended by a couple of days. Most of the issues involved in the extra time needed evolved around the budget.

If the sessions lasted throughout the year, we citizens would have more influence on budget issues, by contacting our representatives, instead of leaving it with the Board of Public Works. In addition, other issues would be examined in a timelier manner. This is opposed to how things are currently being done, issues dying or being rushed through the chamber as the clock ticks to midnight.

One example of the clock being the enemy was the situation involving the county hospital system here in Prince George’s County, where a last minute deal collapsed as 12 bells were ringing. This situation was not rectified through the chamber until the next assembly session, one year later. If the county did not come up with the funds to keep the hospitals operating that year, it was going to be an ugly situation for the Greater Washington/Baltimore region.

The constitution will be looked at next year. One of the items that should seriously be examined is having our elected representatives in Annapolis on the job a lot longer than 90 days.

THANK YOU

"I wished to write you and tell you, quite simply,

THANK YOU.

I've had one business and one local organization write to me today, and it may end up leading to 3 sponsorships. That's $900 I normally wouldn't have received. Thanks again to you and to your readers.

-Bill Duck"



Bill, we're very pleased to see that local people and local businesses have shown such great interest in the Delmarva Classic Wrestling Tournament. I believe the Economic Impactyou have brought into Wicomico County by bringing so many thousands of people to Wicomico County should be very grateful for all you provide. Thousands of people come from all over the Country for this event, stay in Hotels and eat lots of food, providing probably close to a million extra tax dollars to our community for just this event.



While not everyone is into wrestling, others need to recognize just what these sporting events do for the tax base in Wicomico County. Softball Tournaments, Dog Shows, Wrestling, you name it. Without ALL of you, residents of Wicomico County would have their taxes raised, without any question.



We're in tough times and I have been preaching for weeks, we must stick together, support one and other and network to make ends meet for everyone. If Salisbury News can help, well, that's just downright cool!



Let's just hope the people in the County Tourism and Civic Center appreciate your pulling this back together again and giving it that last breath effort to once again make it a success in tough times. My hat is tipped to you Sir!

Officers At WCDC Being Ripped Off

I had to bring this Post back up because the comments just keep coming in, months later.

If you check the county's web site under employment and click on corrections you will find the following information. According to the job listing non certified officers start at 28,000 and certified at 30,000. This is far below the stating pay of surrounding counties and the state system.

All that aside, within one year the non certified officer has to successfully complete the entrance level correctional academy. After completing the academy the officer is certified to work as a correctional officer in the state of Maryland. Going by the job listing the newly certified officer should receive a 2,000 dollar pay raise. All other agency's reward their employees with a much deserved pay raise. Not so at WCDC. WCDC officers have to wait another full year to receive their pay raise. This is in direct violation of their advertised job listing. No where is this written down or told to the officers of WCDC.

Now in contrast to the Sheriffs Department, their officers receive an automatic pay raise upon completion of the police academy.

WCDC has a hard enough time attracting qualified applicants and even harder time retaining good officers. When will the powers in charge wake up and make the changes needed to retain good officers. I know that the general public wants to house and feed inmates as cheaply as possible. Also out of site is also out of mind. Everyday officers at WCDC are doing overtime. 10 to 12 officers everyday. In the past six months 15 officers have left the employ of WCDC. Only 7 have been hired with 2 new officers included that started last week.

Now if I have any of these facts wrong, please correct me. I demand that the administration of WCDC respond to these allegations because they are not responding to the officers when they ask these very questions. The only answer ever given is "I'll get back to you", but nobody ever does.

If the command staff who claim to back the officers will help with problems such as these instead of worrying who has the best parking spot or watching their computer screens(remember Major Moore, red goes on black) would support the line officers, more officers would stay.

It costs more to replace an officer than it does to retain in the long run. The main idea seems to be that its cheaper to pay overtime than it is to pay benefits. The truth is that sick leave rises because officers are being burned out. The warden has been heard to say"If they don't like it they can leave". Guess what 3D, they must not like it for they are leaving faster than you can hire them.