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Monday, January 19, 2009

Salisbury News Is Set Up & Ready To Go In Washington


This photo just in from our roaming Inside Reporter in Washington, D.C.. We should have photos coming in throughout the day tomorrow as we have someone "In The Know" in Washington.

Local developer, Hard Rock In Partnership To Secure Slots License

A loyal reader just sent this in........

Local developer, Hard Rock in partnership to secure slots license
By Gadi Dechter | gadi.dechter@baltsun.com
8:28 PM EST, January 19, 2009
A politically connected Baltimore developer has teamed up with Hard Rock International to bid on one of five Maryland slot-machine licenses, the Orlando-based restaurant and casino operator announced Monday.

Hard Rock, which runs more than 120 cafe restaurants and several hotels and casinos around the world, has signed an exclusivity agreement with Baltimore's Banks Contracting Co. Inc., owned by Kenneth R. Banks, who is also treasurer of the state Democratic Party.

GO HERE to read more.

Wow! An IOU for a tax refund! Do you think we're next?

Check this out.

http://www.comcast.net/data/fan/html/popup.html?v=1004889917&pl=1003900584.xml&plc=1003900584&launchpoint=Cover&cid=fancover&attr=default_headline&config=/config/common/fan/default.xml

What are the chances that we're in line for the same treatment? What's this? The Federal Govt. giveth (stimulus checks) and the State taketh away? I've known people who have intentionally overpaid state and federal taxes so that they would have a phat refund due them at the end of the year and I've always said "why not put it in the bank where it would gain interest?" Why let the govt. use your money for free? I'll bet the people who have done that in California in the past will think twice before they do it again.

Kids Going To School Tomorrow? I Think NOT

"My children will not be attending school tomorrow. I feel we have made the right decision after days of mauling it over.

The decision came after speaking to a teacher "completely off the record" in the drug store after school Friday. After small talk, I said something along the lines of "have a nice long weekend" and added that my kids may not be there Tuesday either because I felt a little uncomfortable sending them and letting them watch the inauguration without family . . . just in case something was to happen.

She responded that she did not agree with the school holding the inauguration in the cafeteria for all to watch at the same time, and this school was the only school in Worcester County to do this. I asked why?, because of the principal's wishes to do this? She said no, because the school was primary black students. She sarcastically asked if the any schools had televised an inauguration before, which of course, I knew the answer was "no."

We agreed on the fact that parents should've been invited to watch with their children and not dis-invited. We also agreed that the schools are taking a huge risk by televising such a momentous occasion with a chance of it being very disastrous (someone could be crazy enough to take a shot at Obama, etc). After reliving the conversation that we had and hashing it over with my husband, we agreed that if my children were to watch, I'd rather it be with us.

It doesn't matter who we voted for, it's the fact that all day tomorrow, Obama is going to be shoved down my children's throat. . . and why? Because he's black? Because he's promised change? Or just because he's our next president? ... when all the other inaugurations were never televised at school.

I believe that the school (instead of sending home a note stating the 'optional' dress code for Tuesday) should have sent home a permission slip, asking if their child is allowed to watch this event."

Bush Commutes Agents' Sentences


WASHINGTON — President Bush on Monday commuted the sentences of two former border patrol agents who had been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for shooting and seriously wounding a Mexican drug dealer in Texas in 2005.

With a day left in his presidency, Mr. Bush exercised his constitutional power to grant clemency — for the last time, according to a senior White House official — in a case that has touched off fierce debate in the Southwest. The two former agents, Ignacio Ramos and Jose Alonso Compean, had attracted considerable support among advocates of tougher border security, who argued that the agents were just doing their jobs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/20/washington/20sentence.html?hp

John Cannon Says The County Council Meeting Is On For Tomorrow


"While tomorrow is a monumental event for history, it's business as usual for the County Council." Mr. Cannon went on to say that my call was the only call he had received concerning the County Council holding a meeting on the Presidential Inauguration Day.

Mr. Cannon went on to remind everyone that the meeting will be re-recorded on PAC 14, unlike the City Council's Work Session. He also mentioned that tomorrow is not a Special Council Meeting. It's not like we're having a meeting on the West Side Park or anything like that. He then said, IF there was something like that on the agenda he could clearly see every one's concern.

So the County Council Meeting will be on at 10:00 AM Tuesday morning.

This just came in.......

"Besides holding a meeting when a sizeable number of Wicomico County citizens want to watch the Inauguration, the County Council is saving the best for last – to be discussed in another closed session, scheduled to start at 1:15 – "Land Acquisition (West Metro Core Park and Youth and Civic Center)."

It seems that the cash strapped county is still trying to buy that land near Hebron for a park. The owner wanted $13,000 per acre, and the County has gotten it appraised, but apparently won’t disclose the estimated value to the public.

And the County Exec. still wants to also buy land on Glen Avenue opposite the Civic Center."

The Wicomico River And Downtown Revitalization Go Hand In Hand


Press Conference Not Adequately Covered By Daily Times


--Salisbury-- A press conference about filtration systems for stormwater drains and Ireton's plan, "The Wicomico River Project" found coverage in yesterday's edition of the Daily Times that was inadequate at best.

Ireton, who has a long history of working to improve Salisbury neighborhoods, stated: "What I want citizens to know is that, as Mayor, I will do everything in my power to live and lead a "Vision" for the Wicomico that does the following:

The Wicomico becomes the backbone of our efforts to revitalize downtown
The Wicomico is the catalyst for the continued revitalization of connected neighborhoods
The Wicomico becomes the touchstone of our renewed effort to re-claim the sense of "space" that has been lost in this community
The cleanup of the Wicomico spurs the sense of ownership by the city citizens and children
The Wicomico becomes the foundation of our own local effort in the green revolution
Mr. Ireton has been a strong supporter of the efforts to alleviate the frequent flooding of the neighborhoods of Monticello and North Pinehurst Avenues with the re-routing of storm water, but the remediation should not come at the expense of the entire Wicomico River watershed when simple and cost effective methods of filtration exist. Ireton had this to say early this morning:


"I've seen Camden flooding and have walked through much of that area, and know the history of why the flooding happened. I simply asked that we do something to filter the runoff from hundreds of acres in the Waverly and Newtown storm drains that dump into the Wicomico River. These kinds of decisions send a bad message to the community. The city, under Tilghman/Comegys, is the Wicomico's worst polluter, and has no moral grounds to tell anybody what they can do on the river, without first cleaning up their own messes. I have a plan to begin the cleanup of the Wicomico, no other candidate for mayor does."


Under Ireton's leadership, there will be no need to pit neighbors against neighbors--there is room to immediately alleviate the flooding problems within an environmentally responsible framework.

Daily Times covers Ireton Press Conference, Slants it for Comegys

While Jim Ireton's Saturday press conference was devoid of televised media coverage (WMDT & WBOC), it was covered by me and a reporter from the Daily Times. Today I decided to search for anything the Daily Times might have run.

The Article

The article starts off with a pretty clear and telling title "Mayoral candidate criticizes stormwater upgrade". OK, cool.

It goes on for about 160 words, including one quote which was only two words long, explaining some of the points Ireton made during the press conference (though the reporter didn't actually stick around for it).

Then comes the kicker: An abrupt shift in topic and tone as the author completely switches direction and sounds off for Gary Comegys complete with a much lengthier quote than the one attributed to Jim Ireton. So an article supposedly about Ireton turns out to merely be a setup to plug Comegys?

We all know the Daily Times has been a henchman for the Barrie/Gary crew, unfortunately. I guess they don't feel the people of Salisbury need or deserve equal, unbiased news coverage? With the media bias clearly slanted against Jim Ireton, we will have an uphill battle over the next several weeks but say it with me, "Help is on the way!"

HALO Ministry Needs Your Help

"Joe,

My wife and I went over yesterday afternoon and delivered two large trash bags of blankets and sheets to them yesterday. We basically emptied our attic and closets of suff we no longer use. Amazing what you have when your searching for it. Anyway, to answer a few of the questions posted on this thread. Yes they will take clothes, shoes etc. for kids and adults alike. As of yesterday the shelter for the women and kids had 38 guest that they are feeding and keeping warm. This doesn't include the shelter they house the men in. What people need to realize its not just "street people" but folks that are down on their luck that cant afford the basics of life for one reason or another. My wife and i are going to start taking over fresh baked goods for the kids. Its tough enough for them not to be able to stay in their own home, we're just trying to make it feel like home. The lady that I met, Ms. Savage, was a very sweet woman who was working her butt off scrubbing pots and pans when I got there. She did ask if I could mention one thing, She wwasn't even sure how to put it. HALO will be getting their first electric bill for the season. She said it would be a doozie because of the amount of heat, cooking , water runnig etc. Can we help as a community? It really does us all good when we forget about focusing on ourselves and help others that are FAR worse off then we are. What do you think Joe? Can you put out the Cry for help for them? The Bible says, when you've done unto the least of these, you've done it unto Me.
Rick P."

WHO CALLED A SALISBURY COUNCIL MEETING FOR TUESDAY MORNING?

It’s for real folks – some genius has scheduled a work session of the Salisbury City Council on very short notice for 9 AM to Noon on the United States Presidential Inauguration Day, January 20. The meeting will clearly conflict with the main events – the swearing-in ceremony (which starts at 11:30) and inaugural address and of course the earlier events on Tuesday morning. The major networks begin their coverage at 10 AM or earlier.

This is insulting to both those who would like to watch the inaugural proceedings and also to President Obama as well.

Louise Smith should exercise real leadership for a change and cancel the work session.

But, don’t hold your breath.

Time For A Little Plumbing Help

"Joe,

I grew up in Salisbury and now live in Florida, but my mom still lives in Salisbury. She had something really bad happen to the pipes in our house (I would go into detail but I don’t understand it, so I’ll leave it at that) and she needs to contact a plumbing service to fix things. She can’t use the water at all (toilet, shower, anything) until it’s fixed. I read your blog quite frequently so I can stay “in the know” with Salisbury, and I was wondering if you could recommend a good, reputable plumbing service for my mother. She has never had to use one (at least in the past decade) so she doesn’t know where to start. I figure that since you seem to know the good and the bad of what’s going on in town, you might happen to know a company she can trust."

Here's your opportunity to put a plug out there for FREE for your company. However, I'd prefer personal experiences and why the company you recommend is the best. Thanks Everyone, Joe

Muir Boda, The Next Louise Smith!


Here's your very next Louise Smith Folks! At the last City Council Meeting Muir Boda was seen huddling up with Gary Comegys, Shanie Shields and Louise Smith. There is absolutely NO QUESTION he is ONE of the Mayor's Picks to replace Debbie Campbell on the City Council. He has aligned himself with the Anti Albero Bloggers who personally attack my Wife, our Grandson and our Family. Mr. Boda claims to be a Church going man, yet he is connected with those very same people putting up Church Signs against me personally. I provided photos of such a week or so ago.

The following two paragraphs are quotes directly from Muir Boda to me in a letter he sent to me.

"I do not have anything against Debbie, I think she has been an excellent representative on the City Council. I am, as you and many of the citizens of Salisbury are, disgusted with the way our city has been run into the ground. Honestly, if Terry, Debbie, and I were on the council together we would be the majority."

"I will not support Gary Comegys for mayor for a whole host of reasons. I will not support Barrie Tilghman if she runs for re-election, which I doubt she is if Gary is running. I still hold much resentment for the way Colonel Dykes was treated before and after his death by her and the people she put in place. Also, I am not a Louise Smith patsy or crony."

Again, Muir said, "Honestly, if Terry, Debbie, and I were on the council together we would be the majority." The funny part is, the Idiot is running for Debbie's seat, Dee, Dee, Deeee! He has aligned himself with the very people he claims ran the City into the ground.

Muir Boda, YOU'VE BEEN BLOGGED! Let me guess, the Daily Times will now endorse Muir Boda over Debbie Campbell. What a shocker! I'm sure they'll announce it in about two weeks.

Hail King Obama: President For Life


CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Hail King Obama: President for life
Move underway to repeal Constitution's term limits

As Inauguration Day approaches and Barack Obama prepares to assume his first term as president, some in Congress are hoping to make it possible for the Democrat to not only seek a second term in office, but a third and fourth as well.

The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary is considering a bill that would repeal the Constitution's 22nd Amendment prohibiting a president from being elected to more than two terms in office.

Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y., earlier this month introduced the bill, H. J. Res. 5, which, according to the bill's language, proposes "an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the twenty-second article of amendment, thereby removing the limitation on the number of terms an individual may serve as President."

GO HERE to read more.

Seacrets Hosts Fundraiser For Brooke Mulford March 7th

Tilghman v Albero

"Joe:

The trial date has been re-scheduled, the new date is Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 9:00 a.m."


This just came in from my Attorneys. I truly can't wait, can you?

Catoctin Zookeeper Attacked By Jaguar


Catoctin Zookeeper Attacked By Jaguar
THURMONT, Md. (AP) ―

Authorities in Frederick County says a zookeeper is hospitalized in critical condition after she was attacked by a 300-pound male jaguar at the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo.

County Animal Control director Harold Domer says the woman was inside the jaguar enclosure Sunday and hadn't secured the area. Domer says the woman suffered several bite wounds. She was flown to Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

GO HERE to read the entire article.

The Daily Times Covers For The BOE

Lower Shore schools take advantage of inauguration's learning opportunities
January 19, 2009

Buzz up! Many schools on the Lower Shore have planned special instructional activities for students so they can participate in the historic Presidential Inauguration on Tuesday.

Wicomico County Superintendent John Fredericksen said some parents have requested school be canceled that day so their children could see the event in person. But school officials said they have better idea.

"We determined that the best seats in the house are right here in school," Fredericksen said.

"some parents have requested school be canceled that day" is what the Superintendent missed. Some people have selective hearing. Hey, I know, maybe it's me? Maybe I'm the one with selective hearing, right? I mean, we've only had about a thousand comments referencing this subject, hence the Daily Times doing yet another follow up article from yesterday. This is just too comical.

THEY'RE BACK IN STOCK!







Get Em While They Got Em!
The Wicomico Humane Society finally has some inventory ready for adoption.
Salisbury News is very pleased to deliver these photos in the hope that they will all find loving homes in the next few days. Remember, it is our goal to make sure the Humane Society becomes a "No Kill" Center. Please help us keep that goal alive.
Call the Humane Society Tuesday @ 410-749-7603. Remember, they're closed Sunday's and Monday's.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On January 13, 2009 at approximately 6:04 pm, Members of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Sears Department Store at the Centre at Salisbury for the report of two (2) shoplifters. Upon arrival, the officers met with store security who advised that the below listed suspects had been observed by store personnel attempting to take property from the store without making payment. The property was recovered and returned to the store.

ARRESTED #1: Juvenile, 17 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #2: Juvenile, 17 years of age Willards, Maryland

CHARGES (both): Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Both released to parents CC # 200900001454

On January 13, 2009 at approximately 9:55 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the one thousand (1000) block of E. Church St. for the report of a fight. Upon arrival, officers met with occupants of an apartment house on E. Church St. who advised the officers that the below listed suspect, who was known to the residents, had entered the apartment house without permission. Once inside of the apartment house, the suspect became involved in a verbal altercation with one of the occupants and assaulted the occupant. No medical attention was needed.

ARRESTED: George Alfred Williams, 36 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Fourth degree burglary
Second degree assault

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900001480

On January 13, 2009 at approximately 2:12 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department arrested the below listed suspect on an arrest warrant charging the suspect with the distribution of fake “crack”/cocaine to an undercover police officer. The suspect was identified following the transaction which took place on December 12, 2008.

ARRESTED: Amos Alexander Moore, 24 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of fake CDS with the intent to Distribute (2 counts)
Distribution of fake CDS (2 counts)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800045216

On January 13, 2009 at approximately 4:30 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by the below listed suspect for traffic violations on E. Vine Street. During the traffic stop, a K-9 provided by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department checked the vehicle and gave a positive indication for the presence of controlled dangerous substances. The vehicle was checked and a quantity of suspected heroin was found. The suspect was arrested, and following his arrest was found to be in possession of a quantity of illegal prescription medication.

ARRESTED: Larry James Ennis, 42 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of heroin
Possession of methadone
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900001448

On January 14, 2009 at approximately 11:25 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to the Royal Farm Store on N. Salisbury Blvd. for the report of an internal theft. Upon arrival, the officers were advised by store management that an investigation had revealed that the below listed suspect, an employee, had take U.S. Currency from the business while working.

ARRESTED: Jacqueline Williams, 53 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (over $ 500)
Theft scheme (over $ 500)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900001539

On January 14, 2009 at approximately 10:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a business on Clemwood St. for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the officers met with a female victim who advised that she had been approached by the below listed suspect. The victim continued that the suspect made an inappropriate comment to the victim then grabbed the victim by the arm and took property from the victim. The Officers located the suspect, who was found by the officers to still be in possession of the stolen property. The property was recovered and returned to the victim.

ARRESTED: Isaac Alberto Hernandez, 43 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Second degree assault
Theft (under $ 100)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900001605

On January 14, 2009 at approximately 1:00 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to the Circuit City store for the report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival the officers were advised by store personnel that the below listed suspect had been observed by employees taking property from the store without making payment. The suspect was found to still be in possession of the property, which was recovered and returned to the store. After placement into the police vehicle for transport the suspect became combative and broke a rear window in the vehicle by kicking. The suspect was then removed from that vehicle and became more combative, assaulting one (1) of the transporting officers before being placed in a second patrol vehicle.

ARRESTED: Tyrome Lamont Heath, 37 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (under $ 100) (3 counts)
Obstructing and hindering an investigation (2 cts)
Failing to obey a lawful order
Disorderly conduct
Malicious destruction of property (over $ 500)
Resisting arrest

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900001549

On January 15, 2009 at approximately 6:55 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department received a call to respond to Bradley’s Market on Lake St. for the report of a theft. Upon arrival the officers were advised that store employees had caught the below listed suspect taking Keno tickets and playing the Keno game without paying for the tickets.

ARRESTED: Melinda Ann Gie-Johnson, 43 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Theft (under $500) (4 counts)
Theft (over $ 500) (2 counts)
Theft scheme (over $ 500)

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900001691

Note To Mr. Pick:


John, That pesky Joe Albero came into town this weekend and took some more pictures. Can you get someone, ANYONE from Public Works to fix this D*&n sidewalk before the Daily Times picks up on one of the old Salisbury News articles!

Reply:

Mayor, you told me in the past you didn't give a d&*n about Albero and you said to leave it just as it sits. As usual, I would expect the Daily Times to be calling about this as they now follow Salisbury News and they'll certainly be on top of this one since Albero has so many readers now. We're going to have to give up bottled water for two months if we get on this right away. The choice is up to you. I don't want to hear it when you don't have bottled water and you're subjected to drinking the City's tap water. Are you sure about this? I truly don't have time to add another project to my list. I'm already buried cchecking every one's phone records to see who's calling Albero in the first place.

Reply:

We are NOT going to give up our bottled water! How much do we have in Dog Park Donations?

Market Street Inn Hosts Brooke Mulford Day









From the time they opened their doors till late into the evening, if you didn't have Reservations you just weren't getting in. That's how packed it was. People were even asking if they could get carry out food and they had to turn them away. This was yet another successful event where 5 former Baltimore Orioles Players came from as far away as PA. just to be there and sign autographs and of course enjoy some of the fabulous food and beer the Market Street Inn serves. Chris Bitters and Sherman were there as well from the Shorebirds.

Brooke and the Mulford Family have touched many hearts here in Salisbury and the local support has been quite overwhelming. I received a very kind message from the Family thanking everyone for their support. The thing you'd hear most was, I'd give it all up just for a cure. Brooke will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers until we get just that, a cure.

Something Fishy Going On At Sears

Hey Joe,

"I remember you talking about Sam's Club and their new credit rules, well I guess you can add Sears to the list. Let me explain:

Last night while using my vacuum cleaner, the thing went and stopped working. While thumbing through my Friday's Daily Times, I and saw Sear was offering a door buster on a new vacuum cleaner for $99.99, nearly 50% off the regular retail. Well I got to the Salisbury location and saw the vacuum cleaner. I gave the quick one over and had the associate ring it up for me. The total came to $105.99 and I gave her my Sears card. She punched in the card and she got a "Call Credit Center for approval" prompt. Well considering I just paid off the $8,000 balance last month, I was kinda wondering what was going on. Since I have a Credit limit of $14,000 I knew it wasn't because I was over my limit. The associate talked to the person and she then handed the phone to me. The Credit rep asked some security questions which I passed, and she then told me my card was expired. I looked down to the card and the expiration date is 02/09. I told her no it wasn't. She said they sent me a new card and I need to activate that card. I told her I never got the new card, but it shouldn't matter since my card isn't expired, and considering I just used it 2 days ago, I should know. She said she could activate the new card now, and I refused. I'm not activating a card I hadn't yet received. She said without activating the new card, I couldn't make a purchase unless I had another way to pay for it. I told her "If I use another card will i get the no interest for 6 months?" She said no, and told me to call them from a courtesy phone in the store because her phone line was getting backed up talking to me. I asked "When was the card sent?" She said "I can't release that information". Well I stormed my way across the building to Sears well hidden courtesy phone. I spoke to the Credit rep on the phone and she said "If the card isn't expired then they can allow me to make the purchase." She continued "you don't even need the card, all they have to do is look up your account." She confirmed I had $14,000 in open credit on the card. She then asked to speak to the sales rep, and I informed her that the phone was nowhere near the sales rep. I asked if I could go back and see if the sales rep could call her direct, and she said no since when you call there are 4 different call centers and the calls are routed at random. So I hung up the phone and was going to leave. I walked by the sales rep who asked "Are you gonna buy it?, and i told here "Yes.........When Sears can connect their head to their A$$"

I have a few clues or theories as what happen. 1) Since the item was a door buster, Sears probably wanted you in the store, but not to buy any of the door busters. 2) Sears didn't want me to use my Sears card so I could get a interest free purchase. 3) Sears just doesn't know what it's doing. If Sears continues to act in this manner, then my guess is Circuit City won't be the only major store closing it's doors in Salisbury."

Martin Luther King Day

Though Martin Luther King Day is now recognized in all 50 states it certainly got off to a rocky start.

MLK Holiday Timeline

1968


Martin Luther King, Jr. assassinated; Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., introduces legislation for federal holiday to commemorate King

1973
Illinois is first state to adopt MLK Day as a state holiday

1983
Congress passes, President Reagan signs, legislation creating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

1986
Federal MLK holiday goes into effect

1987
Arizona governor Evan Mecham rescinds MLK Day as his first act in office, setting off a boycott of the state.

1989
State MLK holiday adopted in 44 states

1991
The NFL moves the 1993 Super Bowl site from Phoenix, Ariz., to Pasadena, Calif., because of the MLK Day boycott.

1992
Arizona citizens vote to enact MLK Day. The Super Bowl is held in Tempe, Ariz. in 1996.

1993
For the first time, MLK Day is held in some format sometimes under a different name, and not always as a paid state holiday in all fifty states.

1999
New Hampshire becomes the last state to adopt MLK Day as a paid state holiday, replacing its optional Civil Rights Day.

2000
Utah becomes the last state to recognize MLK Day by name, renaming its Human Rights Day state holiday.

South Carolina becomes the last state to make MLK Day a paid holiday for all state employees. Until now, employees could choose between celebrating it or one of three Confederate-related holidays.

WICOMICO COUNTY: Martin Luther King Banquet at the Wicomico Civic Center tonight at 6:30PM. Tickets are $35.00 and tickets can be obtained by calling Mr. Marion Barkley at 410-742-2482 There were still tickets yesterday, however they will be wrapping it up today and tickets can not be obtained at the door to my knowledge.

Salisbury City Council Work Session

SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
- - - - - - - - - - -
JANUARY 20, 2009
CONFERENCE ROOM 305
GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING
9:30 a.m. Mid-year financial report – Pam Oland
10:05 a.m. Proposed City financial policies – John Pick/Pam Oland
10:40 a.m. Follow-up on Operational Review of Internal Services-Finance Department
recommendations РJohn Pick/Lor̩ Chambers/Pam Oland
(Copy of GFOA’s final report was provided to Council on December 24, 2008.)
.
11:15 a.m. PAC-14 citizens group proposal
11:55 a.m. General discussion/upcoming agendas
12:00 p.m. Adjourn
Notice how this meeting will be held during the Inauguration. I wonder how many Citizens will be available to sit in on this meeting? Especially when it comes to important issues such as financial reports.Man, this Mayor is SLICK!

Don't You Park For Free In My City!




Memo from Barrie Tilghman to Mr. Pick. John, please contact Public Works and order me some signs to place in the parking lots at the old Fire Station, No Parking and No Parking Between Signs.

It seems that pesky Joe Albero has found a way to park for FREE in the City and until we place those signs there we can't do anything to him. Then there's those low life peons at the Library who also figured out they could park there and not pay for the parking in town and we simply can't afford it any longer. I DRIVE A CONVERTIBLE VOLVO NOW JOHN!

Oh, don't forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done and tell Doug Church the Chief doesn't see Joe Albero around the City very often any more so he can go back to parking in those metered parking spaces for free again. Also, tell Doug my shoe size is a woman's 11 and I believe we're the same size. Check on that for me, will you John.

Oh, John, don't forget to check the change in the Dog Park Donation Jar and get me a Pepsi like a good boy.

The Mayor of Oz.

Outdoor Wire Names Obama "Gun Salesman of the Year"­

In recognition of the unprece­dented demand for firearms by nervous consumers, The Outdoor Wire, the nation’s largest daily electronic news service for the outdoor industry, has named President-elect Barack Obama its “Gun Salesman of the Year”. With the selection, Outdoor Wire publisher Jim Shepherd says it is time the firearms industry recognizes the fact that without President-elect Obama’s frightening consumers into action, the firearms industry might be suffering the same sort of business slumps that have befallen the automotive and housing industries.

“It’s credit where credit is due,” says Shepherd, “Mr. Obama has consistently voted against individual rights to firearms, appointed a re-tread Clinton administration full of gun banners, and made it plain to anti-gun groups that despite what he might say to the contrary, he’s on their side.” That history, along with the unquestioned support of anti-gun organizations, Shepherd says, has spooked consumers into a buying frenzy for firearms that could be outlawed in another Assault Weapons Ban.

“Manufacturers are months behind on orders for semi-automatic pistols, AR-style rifles, and anything with so-called ‘high-capacity magazines’,” Shepherd says, “buyers we’ve surveyed across the country seem to have a single explanation for their rush to purchase firearms – Obama.”

“The buying panic is not limited to people you might be described as aficionados or even ‘gun nuts’. Recently, I was in a gun store when a gentleman came and said he’d never wanted to own a gun before, but wanted to get one while he still could.”

Since the November Presidential election, firearms sales have been at unprecedented levels. For December 2008 the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) recorded a twenty-four percent increase in background checks for 2008 (1,523,426) over December 2007 (1,230,525).

This follows a forty-two percent (42%) increase in November 2008, the highest number of NICS checks in the system’s history. Those FBI background checks are required under federal law for all individuals purchasing firearms from federally licensed firearms retailers. In other words, gun sales have never been better.
Sales are so good that on Tuesday, January 6, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued a notice to all federal firearms licensees that “an unprecedented increase in demand for ATF Form 4473” had run supplies low enough that dealers were temporarily given permission to photocopy the form until supplies caught up with demand. Completion of a form 4473 is required whenever a federal firearms licensee sells a fire­arm.­

As a journalist with more than two decades of national newsgathering experience, Shepherd says he’s never seen anything approaching what he calls the “Obama effect”. In fact, Shepherd says, gun and ammunition sales are at such frantic levels that they have surpassed the panic-buying of Y2K or anything during the Clinton years when the first Assault Weapons Ban was passed. This time, he says, concerned consumers are buying guns and ammunition in anticipation of Obama Administration actions to prohibit certain types of firearms.

“In 1999, the fear was that computers would shut down, crippling the world,” Shepherd says, “Those fears were unfounded. I don’t think the fears of an Obama administration banning guns are unfounded. His record speaks for itself. He’s never failed to support an anti-gun measure, despite saying he supports the Second Amendment.”

According to Shepherd, moves to prohibit firearms sales would drastically impact a billion-dollar industry that is not only healthy, but pours more than one hundred fifty million dollars annually into conservation programs through an eleven percent tax collected on guns and ammo.

“The Pittman-Robertson Act provides the vast majority of funding for wildlife agencies at the federal, state and local levels,” says Shepherd, “and that money comes directly from the tax levied against gun owners. Damaging the firearms industry won’t just put workers in the gun business out of work, it will severely impact wildlife and conservation efforts nationally. That damage could take decades to repair – if it can be undone.”

Choosing President-elect Obama as the Gun Salesman of the Year, says Shepherd, is a lot like a good-news, bad-news joke. “His election has driven gun sales into the stratosphere,” Shepherd says, “but his opposition to guns and gun ownership may be the biggest threat the industry has ever faced. If he puts scoring political points with anti-gun groups ahead of economic realities, he will be deliberately putting thousands of people out of work. I don’t see that as an economic stimulus plan with much of a future.”

“Today, however, the facts are indisputable,” Shepherd says, “Barack Obama has spurred gun sales in a time when the entire economy seems to be tanking. If that doesn’t make him the gun salesman of the year – if not the decade – I don’t know what would.”­

My Hat Is Tipped To Mr. Tom Stevenson & Co.





You know, one of the hardest working individuals working in the City of Salisbury IMO is Mr. Tom Stevenson. This is a man who has a very difficult job with Code & Compliance and the way I see it is, not many of the people he deals with on a daily basis are happy with that department. He leads a group of individuals that are just outstanding people who really care about Salisbury.

The photos above are images of the overpass on Rt. 13 that used to be infested with graffiti, broken bottles and trash everywhere. I have been down there many times over the years taking pictures and when you are subjected to making contact with a Railroad Company asking them to come in and clean up property like this, it's almost impossible to get them to comply. Folks, this area was by far the worst anywhere in the City and perhaps the entire Eastern Shore, seriously.

Obviously the Staff at Code & Compliance were able to convince the RR Company to actually come out there and clean things up. I would certainly have to add the Salisbury Police Department had to also have their hands in cleaning up this area as a large majority of the homeless lived under that overpass and spent years trashing it.

When I see the Mayor regularly giving out proclamations every couple of weeks, the one group you rarely see up there is the Staff from Code & Compliance. Anyone who had ever seen this location in the past, (that includes the Mayor) has to admit, what a huge difference this makes.

So Tom & Co., my hat is tipped to all of you for a fine job well done. It hasn't gone unnoticed.

SBYnews Makes Spectacular Landing Into Ocean City

Folks, this is a must see video. If you think US Air had a good pilot. . . .wait till you see Sbynews when we arrived at our local resort.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp81QyrmfA8

Sunday On The Downtown Plaza



It was January 15th, 2007 in THIS ARTICLE where I first mentioned Mike Dunn and Gary Comegys discussing how they needed to tackle the trash issue on the Plaza. See the pictures above, that was just yesterday on the Plaza. How's it working for you Gary?

I welcome you to go to the top left corner of this Blog and type in two words in the search box. "Trash Plaza. That's all you'll need to see just how many years I go back with this issue proving the Mayor couldn't care less about how bad the problem is and it will also show you how long the Daily Times has ignored the problem, yet now claims the Mayor is the hero of the Downtown Plaza as one of her major accomplishments to the City. IDIOTS!

Gary made promisses as simple as getting on PAC 14 and saying, we do need to resolve this issue. As long as it sounds good and the Daily Times doesn't print anything, the people should believe us. Well, start using that search box tool here on Salisbury News and type in anything you like and see what pops up. Try graffiti too, that one should blow you away.

Heck, my articles on trash on the Plaza actually go back to December 7, 2006. The Mayor and Comegys have ignored it this whole time and now thast Salisbury News has grown bigger than the Daily Times, uh oh, we better do something about this.

They're all talk and no action. I have another Post that will go up today once again proving to everyone they have done NOTHING to maintain the City and again, this is why the Mayor is so desperate to get rid of me any way she possibly can. All this stuff is coming back to bite them and like I said earlier, just type in whatever key words you think might be of interest to you and watch all the stories that come up and how they have done absolutely NOTHING to fix them.

Many joked around with me for years taking pictures of all the trash in the City. Guess what Anti Albero Bloggers, look how it's working for me now! I am proving the Mayor and Comegys couldn't care less. I'm proving they'll even get on PAC 14 and flat out LIE to the public. They know how to play the game of politics and tell you everything you want to hear and in the mean time they're lying through their teeth. They don't care about the City. They're NOT going to change a thing. ALL they care about is making Landlords & Developers happy. They have too many friends on the Plaza to MAKE them take their trash to the Dump!

This Blog has become so big, now they have to react every time I put up an article. Hence the Waverly Drive Post last week showing the size of the pipes and then the Mayor calling a Press Conference. This has been going on for a while now. While the Daily Times runs out of news and Reporters, they simply go back to articles that got great responses here on Salisbury News, now that the Mayor isn't going to run and they recycle articles. What they forgot about was the search box at the top of the Blog showing I have been talking about the same things they're just now mentioning for at least 2 years now. If you REALLY want to have some fun, every time the Daily Times puts up an article, take one of the key words and put it into the same search box and see how long ago Salisbury News brought up that same subject. Oh, this is going to be some great fun! Remember, GARY = Barrie.

Need I Say More?

Just In Case Chief Webster Was Unaware


This is a trash can along the River Walk near the Ramada. My guess is this is one of two things. Either they're hiring all Mexicans to remodel the Ramada or the local drunks are very good at cleaning up their mess and throwing their trash into this small dumpster. Either way, I'd bet you could catch these open container drinkers, oh, let's take a wild guess and say between 3:00 to 5:00 on Friday evenings? Look out Mayor, there's a weekly Party going on in Salisbury you haven't been invited to. Do you speak Spanish?

An Oldie But A Goodie

The IRS decides to audit Grandpa, and summons him to the IRS office.

The IRS auditor was not surprised when Grandpa showed up with his attorney.

The auditor said, 'Well, sir, you have an extravagant lifestyle and no full-time employment, Which you explain by saying that you win money gambling. I'm not sure the IRS finds that believable.'

I'm a great gambler, and I can prove it,' says Grandpa. 'How about a demonstration?'

The auditor thinks for a moment and said, 'Okay. Go ahead.'

Grandpa says, 'I'll bet you a thousand dollars that I can bite my own eye.'

The auditor thinks a moment and says, 'It's a bet.'

Grandpa removes his glass eye and bites it. The auditor's jaw drops.

Grandpa says, 'Now, I'll bet you two thousand dollars that I can bite my other eye.'

Now the auditor can tell Grandpa isn't blind, so he takes the bet.

Grandpa removes his dentures and bites his good eye. The stunned auditor now realizes he has wagered and lost three grand, with Grandpa's attorney as a witness. He starts to get nervous.

'Want to go double or nothing?' Grandpa asks 'I'll bet you six thousand dollars that I can stand on one side of your desk, and pee into that wastebasket on the other side, and never get a drop anywhere in between.'

The auditor, twice burned, is cautious now, but he looks carefully and decides there's no way this old guy could possibly manage that stunt, so he agrees again.

Grandpa stands beside the desk and unzips his pants, but although he strains mightily, he can't make the stream reach the wastebasket on the other side, so he pretty much urinates all over the auditor's desk.

The auditor leaps with joy, realizing that he has just turned a major loss into a huge win.

But Grandpa's own attorney moans and puts his head in his hands.

'Are you okay?' the auditor asks.

'Not really,' says the attorney. 'This morning, when Grandpa told me he'd been summoned for an audit, he bet me twenty-five thousand dollars that he could come in here and pee all over your desk and that you'd be happy about it!'

Let Me Slow Down A Little Bit For The Daily Times

Salisbury News Article
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Unemployment Comes To Salisbury

There's a 20,106 square foot building going up in the Westwood Business Park here in Salisbury. It will be The eastern shore regional unemployment call center.

I thought I'd give everyone the heads up before each and every one of you find yourselves in line. That is, unless you work for a municipality.


IN THIS SUNDAY'S DAILY TIMES

Unemployment call center to be built
By Deborah Gates • Staff Writer • January 18, 2009

SALISBURY -- A 20,000 square-foot call center for screening unemployment insurance claims is breaking ground -- at an undisclosed Wicomico County location -- and construction can't come fast enough, says the director at the cramped Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations' regional office where the workload has reached record proportions.

GO HERE to read more.

I'm sorry Folks, are we going to fast for all of you?????????????

I'll tell you what. Just pick a topic or a key word from a Daily Times Article and put it into the search box at the top left corner of the Blog and see if we've already touched on the subject. Chances are, we're months ahead of these guys! Do tell me, why are you PAYING them for news that's so old?