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Sunday, February 01, 2009

Pittsburgh Steelers Win The Superbowl 27-23


Campbell On Reddish



Debbie Campbell will be on Bill Reddish morning show at 7:40 on WICO 1320 AM

To volunteer to help Debbie with her campaign or donate, click here How You Can Help

FREE Tickets To Fernando Guerrero Fight This Week


We are 5 days away from the big fight at the Civic Center. That's right, it's this coming Friday Night! That being said, this week we're going to bring you FIVE different contests offering 2 FREE Tickets each and every day till they get ready to rumble!

No one knows the questions that will be asked and no one know what time of day or night they will come. So be prepared and stay tuned to Salisbury News all this week for your chance at a pair of these tickets.

Can you believe they were able to photoshop my body, darken it and put Fernando's head on it. It's amazing what they can do these days. ;-)

A Letter To The Editor

"JOE! QUESTION FOR YOU;

Olympic swimmer Micheal Phelps was recently photographed in the UK smoking pot. Also several years ago he was arrested and charged with DUI/DWI in Wicomico County. I went on the Maryland Judiciary Case Search to look at the those records. They have been removed. Has Mr. Phelps received special treatment? Just wondering."

Michael fulfilled his commitment with Wicomico County. I'm confident his record was expunged, as agreed by the Courts. As for what happened in the UK, I heard about it and my opinion would be, stupid is as stupid does.

Iraqi Football Player

Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia flies to Baghdad to watch a young Iraqi play American football and is suitably impressed and arranges for him to come over to Philly. He's signed to a one-year contract and the kid joins the Eagles for the preseason training. Ten weeks later the Eagles are down 14 to nothing against the Redskins with only 10 minutes left to play. The coach gives the young Iraqi the nod and he goes in. The kid is a sensation - scores 3TDs in 10 minutes and wins the game for Philadelphia The fans are thrilled, the players and coaches are delighted, and the media are in love with the new star.

When the player comes off the field, he phones his mother to tell her about his first day of American football. 'Hello mom, guess what?' he says. 'I played for 10 minutes today, we were 14 down , but I scored 3 touchdowns and we won. Everybody loves me, the fans, the media... 'Wonderful,' says his mother, 'Let me tell you about my day. Your father got shot in the street and robbed, your sister and I were ambushed, raped and beaten, and your brother has joined a gang of looters, and all while you were having such great time.' The young Iraqi is very upset.. 'What can I say mom, I'm so sorry.'

'Sorry? You're sorry?' says his mother, 'It's your fault we moved to Philadelphia in the first place!'

From Today's Daily Times




Examine candidates' records, views, then vote
February 1, 2009


Salisbury's election season is fast approaching and there will soon be a handful of forums and debates, all designed to inform and educate voters on their choices when electing their next mayor. I look forward to the campaign season.

Clearly, as we move forward, I'm hopeful the citizens of Salisbury will take a good look at my record -- and that of all four candidates. On close examination, I think you'll see my time as a twice-elected City Council member and current council vice president will show a solid record of accomplishment.

In my five years on the council, I've helped lead this city forward by securing a cleaner Wicomico River through the construction of the city's upgraded wastewater treatment plant; pushing for higher salaries for the men and women of the Salisbury Police Department; and getting the long-awaited new Salisbury Fire Department headquarters built to provide a safer environment for our firefighters and EMTs.

As mayor, I look forward to leading the city as together we tackle the challenges ahead.

I want you to know that I will continue to strive to make this city the best place it can be. I've lived in this city for 30 years. I've never abandoned it and I've never moved away to pursue other interests. This is my home. This is your home. Together, we can make great things happen. I invite you to visit my Web site, http://www.garycomegys.com/, and examine my record and my vision for this city.

Gary A. Comegys

Salisbury

Comegys is the Salisbury City Council vice president and a candidate for mayor. -- Editor


And, to be fair, this:

Style of city's leadership needs to change
By Bob Caldwell • February 1, 2009


I'm writing to discuss why I am running for the office of mayor of Salisbury and asking city voters to support me in the upcoming election. My specific goals for restoring Salisbury are discussed on my Web site -- http://www.electbobcaldwell.com/ -- so I will mention them but briefly.

A primary reason for my candidacy is to reverse a disturbing trend in the city's government that has made it notorious. Some officials have used character assassination of opposition and secrecy in administration to govern. If that style of leadership is not removed by its roots, the result will be inevitable and tragic.

Sir Edmund Burke warned us: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

In short, the system can't cure itself. Thus, my goals for the next four years are:

Budgetary discipline is essential.
Crime must really be reduced.
City government must become open to all.
Everyone must be heard and respected.
The City Council must be an independent body.
I have a strong belief in the viability of Salisbury and a great respect for its citizens. If enough good men (and women) do something, we can restore the city, both its public image and our quality of life.

I do not suggest that campaigns can't be hard-fought. Good ideas often emerge from rough-and-tumble debate. There is nothing wrong with strong disagreement and/or aggressive presentation of an idea. It is the American way to speak forcefully, but honorably, in support of your point of view.

All citizens are urged to be involved and even challenge the candidates. Ask questions. Demand answers. Then support the candidate who most closely represents your views. And vote in both the elections -- March 3 is the primary election and April 7, the general.

Bob Caldwell is a candidate for mayor of Salisbury.

A Commenter went on to say..........

"Gary's "accomplishments" also include so, so many things that the list is long, long, long. Too bad (for the taxpayers) that most of them were accomplishments that benefited few and lined the pockets of even fewer.

Pushed to purchase the land the new firehouse sits on for over $600,000 when it was sold by longtime owners a month before to FOBs protected under an LLC for $175,000, for a net FOB profit of $425,000 (get a kickback for that one, Gary, or will that come later?).

Voted (and continues to vote) to spend, spend, spend on unnecessary fire equipment and fire equipment accessories (the most expensive light bars available, no more safe than ones half or less the cost, just "cooler and shinier", a shiny new ladder truck in black paint, costing $1.2 million dollars, when an identical model with less than 1000 miles on it, still at the factory, would have cost $800,000.

Voted to spend over $10 million borrowed dollars (eventually costing over $30 million after the interest is paid) on a firehouse the likes of which are not seen in an affluent city of five times the population of Salisbury, when a very accommodating, attractive and completely safe structure, according to reputable professional firehouse design sources, could have been built for far less than $5 million.

Voted for the Old Mall TIF, costing the citizens over $52 million in principal and interest and over $22 million in lost tax revenue over the next thirty years. (That's over $74 million, folks). Yes, Gary, the Old Mall is gone, but if the owners had been held to the condemnation order from the City (which you could have supported), so too would it have been, but at no cost to the taxpayers. Voted for the TIF even after dozens testified in council, some of them city planning professionals, that the TIF for this project was a bad fit and an even worse investment. Both have proved to be true and the taxpayers run the risk of losing millions.

Voted to substantially increase the hourly rate of the city attorney, who last year billed the City for more than $350,000, a great deal of which was to write legislation as dictated by the mayor, defend in court that legislation when it was contested and found faulty by the courts, then rewrite the legislation to actually make it comply with the law. And remember, that every Xerox copy made by a secretary, every fax sent by an office boy, every two minute phone call billed at the "hour or part thereof", every moment the city attorney sits at a council meeting or work session is billed at the attorney's hourly rate, which is now close to what many people in the City make in a week. And this doesn't count the time the city attorney bills for when he's just thinking about a city issue.

Responsible for pushing the opening the Main Street drawbridge after its return from repair in Baltimore, but BEFORE all the safety mechanisms were installed, against the advice of contractors and bridge maintenance officials (for weeks on end, the drawbridge could have failed, been irreparably damaged, and lives and property put in jeopardy, but Comegys weighed putting the public at risk against pleasing the mayor and the mayor won out.)

Voted again and again to create the ridiculous mess on Isabella Street to please a few of Barrie's close personal friends, one of which was her campaign manager.

Vigorously supported and voted to allow the building of the "luxury" condominiums on the banks of the Wicomico River, despite great public outcry and sage advice based on traffic, environmental, zoning and other issues not to proceed. The only completed building (forty units) has a bare handful of occupants, although, through refundable deposits of perhaps $1000 from friends of the owner of the building let him say that over fifty percent of the building is sold. The other three buildings are either barely begun and have gone into receivership or have been cancelled.

Voted each and every time with Mike Dunn when he was president of the Council, NEVER ONCE even questioning what the vote was about.

Voted for each and every time for each and every issue put forth by the mayor, regardless of cost, public comment, public outcry. The one time in memory that he didn't was to make a big to-do and propose to drop the mayor's request from a 17% tax increase to a 13% increase. This without actually reading the budget request from cover to cover, as some responsible Council members did.

Voted for a double digit tax increase just after being reelected, despite his promises of better fiscal responsibility.

Supported the suppression of public information access to select members of Council. This after campaigning with the promise of government transparency.

Voted to destroy historical records and documents dating back to the beginning of the Tilghman administration. This after campaigning with the promise of government transparency.

Voted for a pension for fire volunteers, he being one of the first to reap the rewards, despite the fact that his "28 years of firefighting service" amounted to scarcely ever actually participating in a fire call or putting on turnout gear.

Defied a court order to pay child support of $120 per week for his one child after divorce from his first wife, while working at a job paying well over $50,000 per year. Found guilty of contempt of court and forced to pay arrears.

Filed for bankruptcy while a sitting member of the Council. Bought a new house in an upscale neighborhood, and a shiny new big pickup truck.

Continues to brag in public that he "attended" Salisbury State College, which, strictly speaking, is true, but neglects to mention that he dropped out after the first semester, never to return.

These are just the obvious ones. Can you think of more?"

Why Should Anyone Have To Wait



This is the scene at the N. Salisbury Wal-Mart this Saturday evening. Okay you figure that it is the night before the Superbowl and people need supplies or maybe people who shop on Sundays are doing it tonight so they can watch the game. Strange thing is, these carts weren't filled with a lot of grocery items, but larger items. Nonetheless, whatever happened to if there are more than 3 people in line we will open another register? The cashier that I talked to said the schedule was full of blank spots. This means that management knew it would be short handed on a busy shopping night. By the way, this was at 10:30 pm! I guess this shows how much they care about their customers!

More Pets Available At The Humane Society






If I didn't have so many cats, I'd be taking these guys home today! What a great way to own a pet! Take a trip this Tuesday to the Humane Society and say hello to their little friends.

Deputy Fire Chief Gordy, All Smoke & Mirrors


The vehicle you see above, well, it was in fact being towed because it simply had a flat tire! Look, some Salisbury Firefighters tend to get all in my face about my exposing things here on Salisbury News but let me assure you one thing Ladies & Gentlemen, when you're done reading this article you're going to be pissed! Not only that, you're going to start questioning if in fact many of the comments in the past on such articles wasn't Chief See, Deputy Chief Gordy and Hoppes because what I'm about to tell you is just unbelievable, but true.

That new Ladder Truck they just got. That thing is so huge, most Firefighters have absolutely NO CLUE how they're going to maneuver that thing around Salisbury, that's how big it is. Gordy and See had to purchase the biggest one made and they may have just screwed themselves and ultimately you because there's a good chance that vehicle isn't going to make it to you in a timely fashion.

Moving on, Gordy and See are flat our draining the Volunteers Bank Accounts like there's no tomorrow as well. Engine II is a 2,000 gallon tanker that was manufactured in 1997. This vehicle is in almost perfect condition yet Gordy claims due to ISO Standards they want to get rid of it and purchase another brand new 4,000 gallon tanker that will cost, (I'm told) several hundred thousand dollars. Apparently they're tag teaming with Berlin to purchase some vehicles together but I don't see where they're getting any kind of real deal.

OK, if you think that's bad, let me move on because Gordy is scared out of his pants that I'd get a hold of this information but there's lots more to share and he's NOT going to be a happy camper today!

Once the brand new Fire Trucks come in that they had ordered, (actually they're in, just not in service yet) they'll be sending TWO Fire Trucks back to Pierce to have them retrofitted with a brand new paint job to match the brand new vehicles they just got in. They'll be adding new light packages in as well as decorative rope lighting throughout. They're spending money like there's no tomorrow and the Volunteers aren't happy at all! Oh, if you think this is bad, wait till you hear this. The two vehicles they'll be sending back, they got them in April of 2006 and Gordy is trying to claim they're not up to standard and that's why they're being retrofitted! The Volunteers are being forced to spend every penny they have and See & Gordy are bleeding them completely dry.

So most would think this is enough, right? NOPE! One of Gordy's biggest fears is what I'm about to tell you right now. You remember how the City just paid out all that money to put a brand new engine in Gordy's vehicle? He just ordered another brand new vehicle for himself but he's trying to make it look as if the vehicle is actually for Hoppes. But wait a minute, didn't Hoppes just get a brand new vehicle just over a year ago? YES! He most certainly did. Gordy thinks the Citizens won't know the difference and he'll slip into that vehicle allegedly without anyone knowing. Gordy allegedly said, it's all smoke and mirrors and no one will know the car is for me.

I'm told they have so many spare vehicles behind the new Fire Station it's like a used car lot back there. Gordy and See must have everything new and the best of everything available. ALL of the other local Fire Departments around, Pittsville, Willards, Parsonsburg etc. are begging to get their hands on many of the so called surplus vehicles at bargain prices and allegedly even open the sealed bids to help some Fire Departments get in the highest bid so they can be assured they'll get those vehicles. Yet think about this Folks, why aren't these other Towns worried about ISO ratings? My bet is because Salisbury runs everything they do this way, just like the AZA and the Salisbury Zoo. They join these organizations and get accredited and the next thing you know you're walking into Council Meeting stating you HAVE to have these things or else.

It's all a load of crap and before Salisbury News came along they got away with it. NO MORE! You taxpayers must fight these guys and stop them from spending all this money! YOU need to ask these Candidates hard questions about what they're going to do about this overspending at the Zoo, the Fire Department and elsewhere.

Gordy, See, You've Been Blogged once again! My guess will be that the comments that follow, should they attack me, will be Gordy, See & Hoppes and perhaps their children. They're out of control Folks!

UPDATE!!!!!!! I forgot to add the following. I was also told that Gordy has added a $10,000.00 lighting package to the new vehicle they have ordered. They did not put this in the budget so they are making the Volunteers fork up an additional $10,000.00 for this light package. Yeah, Hoppes will be driving this vehicle for good, my butt!

Sonic Coming To Fruitland


I know everyone thought a Sonic was coming to Salisbury but the owner chose Fruitland over Salisbury, (so what else is new these days) and we can expect to see one along Rt. 13 in the very near future.

A Comment Worthy Of A Post

"I got a copy of the DT newspaper today because I asked my neighbor for a newspaper to use under the kitty litter, since I was in the process of changing it. It was the daily times today's edition, I said, hey this is today's newspaper, she said, read it in 2 minutes, nothin in it.
Thanks, so I skimmed through, stopped on the editorial page, and saw the nasty comment about the "Bloggers" and what do you think came to mind?

I have watched that newspaper for a few years, it stinks, it does not report any news except what the mare wants them to print.

They have allowed the mare to make deleterious comments about people days before the elections, (which honor and integrity says is a no no in most newspaper circles)
I have read lies by the mare printed in the paper, I have not seen any fair reporting, at all. It is awful. The person on the blog accusing, or so it sounded. certain folks for supporting the blogs.

Lord have mercy, the blogs are the only place we can get the news here, perhaps public radio, bill reddish, but that is it. Accusing the local folks of "something bad" by reading and promoting the blogs. NOT, Joe Albero has uncovered so much that the DT has hidden, and misrepresented that he should have a "citizen of the year award" perhaps share it a bit with Delmarva Dealings; of course there are other wanna be's that are mean spirited and nasty (I presume paid for by the Mayor herself, or Bubba,) those will fail, because they are filled with the same lies as the DT, you can tell from the tone they are all interconnected.

There is a new blog, I forget the name, it is great, not the same citizen advocate stuff like Joe,but good, reports the news.

So, whomever is putting people up to downing the blogs and the bloggers, is not only ill advised and obviously does not want to hear the truth, just wants to continue the lies and bigotry that has crowned this administration for many years.
We are about to be freed from the mare and perhaps even the newspaper. Thank you Bloggers. Thank you so very much."

FIVE RULES FOR MEN TO FOLLOW TO A HAPPY LIFE

1. It's important to have a woman, who helps at home, who cooks from time to time, cleans up and has a job.

2. It's important to have a woman, who can make you laugh.

3. It's important to have a woman, who you can trust and who doesn't lie to you.

4. It's important to have a woman, who is good in bed and who likes to be with you.

5. It's very, very important that these four women do not know each other.

3rd Annual CAT COUNTRY Cruise To The Caribbean

(Salisbury, MD) -- Ready to beat the winter blues? 97.5 & 105.9 CAT COUNTRY has the solution…the 3rd Annual CAT COUNTRY Cruise to the Caribbean!

February 6-13, 2010, CAT COUNTRY On-Air Personalities, along with representatives of Dream Vacations of Millsboro, will take listeners on an eight day, seven night cruise on board the Carnival Liberty to visit the Eastern Caribbean. The cruise will travel from Miami, FL on Saturday, February 6th to visit several exotic ports of call, including San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas/St. John, US Virgin Islands; and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. The cruise will return home to Miami on Saturday, February 13th.

While on board the Carnival Liberty, guests will enjoy a “floating city” filled with incredible food, Broadway-style shows, nightlife, family-oriented events, shopping, sightseeing and much more.

“More than 200 listeners joined us January 12-17 for the 2 nd Annual Cruise,” said CAT COUNTRY Promotions Director Brian K. Hall, “and we’re looking forward to even more listeners taking advantage of this incredible deal for our 3rd Annual Cruise. Why buy flowers and chocolate when you can give your ‘sweetheart’ a trip he or she will remember a lifetime?”

Prices for this trip to Paradise start at $579 for an inside cabin, with Ocean View and Balcony cabins available for an additional cost. “An initial deposit of just $50 per person is all it takes to get your cabin booked.” Hall said. “Why not set aside some of your tax refund for a chance to sail into Paradise?”

The public is invited to join representatives from CAT COUNTRY and Dream Vacations on Thursday, February 12th from 6:30-8:30pm for a “Cruise Information Night” at the Millsboro Civic Center, located on 322 Wilson Highway. Information on this year’s Cruise can be obtained, plus enjoy music, Caribbean-style food compliments of Catering by Chef Stewart of Flannery’s, photos from this year’s Cruise will be on display, and free prize drawings will be held.

For more information on the 3rd Annual CAT COUNTRY Cruise to the Caribbean call Dream Vacations of Millsboro at 302-933-0955 or toll-free at 800-806-TRIP.

97.5 & 105.9 CAT COUNTRY is a Delmarva Broadcasting Company station.

Maryland General Assembly Weekly Update

As of this morning there were 409 House Bills and 408 Senate Bills introduced to date.

Of those I've read 320. This week the Bills I've highlighted and provided links to are the ones that appear to me to effect the average Joe Blow taxpayer the most.

One Senate Bill of particular interest, SB-89, is the imposition of fines and penalties to farmers who may have inadvertently violated the Agriculture Preservation easements that they relinquished to their great State. A fine of $2,500 per violation up to $50,000 may be in order.

One Bill that SBYnews has previously chastised from the get-go and may have contributed to its eventual repeal is HB-78 . HB 78 sponsorship will benefit gasoline users by repealing the provisions in another bill that prohibits gas stations from selling their fuel below cost. I call it price fixing to the highest degree. SBYnews has shed light on this subject in many of its commentaries throughout the past year.

And then there is our struggling economy whereby our State touts that it is being squeezed when along comes such pork barrel spending bills like $500,000 of our hard earned money to construct a facility to benefit our citizens SOUTH OF THE BORDER. That's right folks . . .get this. . . . . HB-107 proposes to expend $500,000 for the construction of the Latino Economic Development Corporation facility. Moreover, their is $175,000 in grant money being proposed to construct a Pathway's facility located in HOLLYWOOD - HB-276.

And there are others like $500,000 - HB-125 - of grant money being proposed to buy a generator for the Owens Mills Jewish Community Center. I'd like to know why we didn't have a legislator sponsor legislation to equip our Wicomico Youth and Civic Center with the new generator that is currently being installed.

I think most of SBY readers might find amusing when they read about a new fertilizer surcharge being proposed - HB-136 - called SPECIALTY FERTILIZER SURCHARGE. Not even the excrement goes untaxed in our great State.

And then there are more anti-renewable energy bills - SB-220 . This one actually prohibits State funds from being used to purchase Ethanol Derived from Corn. I wonder which poultry lobby funneled persuasion into this renown anti-renewable energy bill?

And finally of local interest, HB-227, will increase the borrowing limit of Somerset County's Liquor Control Board. Although I am a strong advocate of Page Elmore, I beg to differ with him on this as he has previously sponsored House Bills during the previous sessions to increase Worcester and Wicomico's borrowing limits also. And we all know what happened in Wicomico regarding mischief in the County's Liquor business.