Tower 16 Called Out To Garage Fire

OK, this is where I have issues with the Salisbury Fire Department. Tower 16 was just called out to a garage fire in Johnson Street. Come on guys, a Ladder Truck? At this rate you'll be replacing that thing in 4 years after running to car accidents and whatever else you can make excuses for. Will WaWa be next?

Don't Forget To Rate Salisbury News

GO HERE to rate Salisbury News on the Maryland Blognetnews.

GO HERE to rate Salisbury News on the Delmarva Blognetnews.

Remember, the ratings are at the bottom right hand corner of each article. You'd almost think you were rating the article below but you're not.

WICO and Barrie Comegys

WICO and Barrie Comegys
March 12, 2009 by Cato

Much has been made over WICO-AM’s decision to allow Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman to use her half hour show as a literal campaign commercial for her chosen candidate, Salisbury Councilman Gary Comegys. Much should be made of it. Delmarva Broadcasting either showed poor judgment or …

Sorry to disappoint. Given my past, positive experience with WICO, doing a little research, and after an extensive conversation with Operations Manager Joe Edwards, I am forced to conclude that there is no grand conspiracy. Edwards, et al, (in my opinion) showed poor judgment.

A little background. Barrie Tilghman doesn’t handle opposition very well. Initially refusing to be interviewed by WICO News Director Bill Reddish (perhaps because he wasn’t kissing the right part of her anatomy), the Queen of Barrieland eventually resorted to banning ALL city personnel from appearing on Reddish’s show. We now come to WICO mistake No. 1.

WICO considers itself a community station. In fact, it is. The only two spots on the radio dial currently providing any material local news and information is WICO and WSDL (SU’s public radio news station). However, WICO has a history of providing broader local content with its frequent interviews of local officials, Congressmen and state legislators and representatives of local non-profits. While I thoroughly enjoy Don Rush’s morning newscasts and his semi-monthly Delmarva Today show, WICO has become the go to source for local news and events.

WICO wanted to feature news and interviews focusing on Salisbury city government. Good idea. Unfortunately, since Tilghman banned city personnel from appearing on Reddish’s show WICO made the mistake of rewarding her arrogance and obstinance by giving Tilghman a show of her own. Not only was Tilghman given her own show, she tapes it off-site and WICO management edits it only for time.

Like many of you, I was concerned about this when it occured last year. However, after a call to the station I was placated by the promise that Tilghman would be yanked off of the air if she announed for re-election AND that the show would NOT be used for partisan political purposes.

This brings us to mistake No. 2. WICO allowed Tilghman to do a show that was little more than a 30 minute campaign ad for the Barrie Comegys for Mayor Committee. I don’t know what a half hour in that timeslot costs, but Comegys should show it as an in-kind contribution from Delmarva Broadcasting.

In all honesty, airing this piece of tripe immediately before the primary election could have cost Bob Caldwell the second place finish in the mayoral primary. It may not have. We’ll never know. What I do know is that it should not have occured.

While I had been planning on writing a piece about this since the show aired, I didn’t have time. What motivated me was an email sent to SbyNEWS’s Joe Albero from WICO’s Joe Edwards. In part, it said:


WICO has taken a very fair and balanced approach to the mayoral candidates. Your piece ignored the fact that Bill Reddish interviewed the other candidates on his show. If anything, Caldwell and Ireton may have received more airtime than Comegys.

This may be true. I don’t know how much time Bob Caldwell, Jim Ireton, and Michael Della Penna got. However, it did force me to give Joe Edwards a call.

Edwards was very forthcoming. He readily admitted that he approved Tilghman using the show to interview Comegys. He admits that he gave Tilghman her show because he wanted to cover Salisbury government and he couldn’t get her to come on Reddish’s show or rescind her ban for all city personnel.

Where Edwards and I seriously disagree is over allowing Tilghman to “interview” Comegys. Tilghman has gone on the record - repeatedly - that she supports Comegys for mayor. I believe that Comegys should have been given two choices, either allow Reddish to do the interview or NO AIR TIME. Edwards honestly believes that he was being “fair”. I believe that allowing a campaign contributor to interview you is bending over backwards to the point of breaking (and that’s putting it kindly).

It has also been argued by some that Reddish would have been harder on Comegys than he was on the others; that Bill “has an agenda”. Unfortunately, we all do. Bill Reddish’s agenda seems to be that he’s passionate about the city he lives in. However, I know that Bill Reddish can be a pretty good interviewer. I want to hear Bill Reddish ask EVERY CANDIDATE the tough questions. Yes, this even includes my friends Debbie Campbell and Jim Ireton. I think the voters deserve it, and I love a good, tough interview.

While it’s not possible to remedy the past (there are no “do overs” in electoral politics), Edwards and WICO can make sure that there isn’t a repeat. Barrie Tilghman should not be allowed to use the airtime graciously given to her for ANY campaign purpose. If she mentions the names of any candidate, positively or negatively, the show simply should not air. Sorry Bill, but you’ll have to do an extra 30 minutes on air that day. Comegys should be interviewed by Bill Reddish (or another WICO staffer) for any on-air appearance. While Tilghman may be afraid to give Reddish a crack at her, it’s my experience that Comegys isn’t going to be frightened by Bill Reddish or any one else. Therefore it shouldn’t be a problem.

Hopefully, WICO will return to its real purpose of providing news and information to the people of Salisbury and Wicomico County. Hopefully, we won’t have a repeat of a free, 30 minute commercial for the Barrie Comegys campaign. However, while I hate to disappoint the conspiracy theorists out there, I don’t think that this is as sinister as some of you seem to.

I do encourage you to express your opinion on this matter to the management of WICO. You can call Joe Edwards at (410) 219-3500 or email him at jedwards@dbc1.com.

One word of advice. Express your opinion and not your in-depth knowledge of four letter words. While I can’t claim to know Edwards well, I have a feeling that they won’t work with him any better than they do here.

EDITORS NOTE: I have been awaiting GA Harrison to reproduce this article with links but he has been too busy. Therefore I am producing it here without links in the hopes he'll have them repaired soon.

Women Supporting Women Event At The Fountains TONIGHT!

Don't miss this party tonight Folks. Jennifer and I will be attending and expect to have a blast. It starts at 7:00 PM and ends at 2:00 AM. FERNANDO GUERRERO will be there as well as the beautiful women from WMDT! See you there!

MARYLAND STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASE

SALISBURY TROOPERS ARREST EIGHT DURING SWEEP

Eight people were taken into custody Saturday night during an enforcement sweep conducted by Troopers from the Salisbury Barrack. The sweep was a combination of a high intensity saturation patrol and a warrant sweep. This is the second of many sweeps to be conducted in Wicomico County. Despite the inclement weather, Troopers were successful and arresting eight people in an eight hour time period.

The sweep netted the following arrests:

*Outstanding Warrants:

Shafton Maurice Cuffee, AA/M, 35 YOA of Salisbury: Parole Retake warrant
Brunno Feliciano Fonseca, H/M, 22 YOA of Eden: Outstanding Bench Warrant
Russell Scott Elliott, W/M, 21 YOA of Sharptown: Outstanding Bench Warrant
Larry Lee Farlow, AA/M, 26 YOA of Hebron: Outstanding Bench Warrant
Darvell Lamar Belote, AA/M, 19 YOA of Salisbury: Outstanding Bench Warrant

*DUI

Alfred Ronald Gill, AA/M, 67 YOA of Salisbury: DUI
Mark Douglas Severe, W/M, 43 YOA of Salisbury: DUI

*One CDS arrest (no further information at this time).

Troopers will be continuing in their efforts to help clean up Wicomico County in the very near future. Sweeps will be conducted regularly in an effort to arrest criminal and traffic violators. Citizens with outstanding warrants are encouraged to turn themselves into law enforcement. Citizens are also encouraged not to drink and drive. The Maryland State Police have zero tolerance for alcohol and drug violators. The Maryland State Police in Salisbury are committed to making Wicomico County a safer place to live and work.

OPEN THREAD: Your Opinion Of The Mayors State Of The City Address?

GO HERE to see her actual speech.

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Have A Wonderful Weekend Folks, Enjoy The Video

Thanks Kim!

Main St - South Side - 1900

HISTORICAL MOMENTS BY GEORGE CHEVALLIER


MAIN ST. – SALISBURY, MD (PRIOR TO 1909)

(picture is from a postcard of 1908)



Current 224 W. Main St. Formerly 234 Main St.

226 W. Main St. 236 Main St.

(All the street numbers were changed in Oct. 1952)

(Before the dam broke in 1909 and formed East Main St., every address was Main St.

There were no street numbers.)



Residents of Main St. – around the year 1900:



On the South side only, starting at the corner of Dock St. (now Market St.) – heading east



Dorman and Smyth hardware store (later Thos. R. Young’s, now Parker Place Antiques)

Ulman’s Saloon (1st fl) and Ulman’s Grand Opera House (2nd fl) (now vacant lot)

Britt’s Butcher Shop ( owned by James F. Britton )

Charles Bethke Tailor Shop

Residence & office of dentists Dr. W. B & E. W. Smith

Vacant lot

Residence and store of Amos Woodcock, jeweler

Residence and store of Henry “Hatter” Brewington (sold hats)

Vacant lot ( later to be the Farmer’s & Merchants Bank)

Vacant lot (later to be Arcade Theater, then Read’s, now WMDT)

Salisbury National Bank

L. W. Gunby Co. (later the Fashion Shop, then Mangel’s)

Vacant lot

Dr. Louis Bell’s residence

Mr. Thomas E. Williams

Dr. Slemmon’s

2-story office building on corner (including Jim Ball’s barber shop)



On the North side only, starting at Division St.



Dr. Levin B. Collier’s Drug Store (later Read’s Drug Store)

S. Q. Johnson and Co. confectionery

Bergen notion store (on corner)( later to be White & Leonard)



St. Peter’s Street



The Peninsula Hotel (burned in 1929-rebuilt as the Salisbury National Bank)

Store of Birckhead and Carey

Store of Fowler and Timmons

R. E. Powell and Company

Lacy Thoroughood, the Fair Dealing Clothier

Cannon and Dennis, shoe merchants

J. R. T. Laws

Large clothing store of the Mankos (across from Dorman & Smyth)

Five Car Crash Impacts Friday Rush Hour

Location of Incident: I-95 northbound, just south of Route 141, New Castle, Delaware, New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: Friday, March 13, 2009, at approximately 3:41 p.m.

Resume: Patrol officers from Troop 6 investigated a five car crash yesterday afternoon that greatly impacted rush hour traffic.

A 1998 Dodge van (operated by Juan Cuzco, 35, of Silver Spring, Maryland) was northbound on I-95 in the left most center lane. The van changed lanes to the right most middle lane and struck a 2004 Honda Pilot (operated by Theresa Herman, 58, of Onley, Maryland).

A 2007 Toyota Yaris (operated by Harmanjot Kaur, 25, of Vineland, New Jersey) was traveling behind the Pilot. After witnessing the initial impact, the Toyota swerved to the left most middle lane where it struck a 2003 Honda Civic (operated by Ben Hedley, 27, of Portsmoth, Virginia). The Toyota also struck a 2006 Mazda 3 (operated by Alyssa Schoenleber, 25, of Woodbury, New Jersey), also traveling in the left most center lane.

Luckily, only one injury was reported. Aslyssa Schoenleber was transported to Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Juan Cuzco was cited with making an unsafe lane change.

Md. Regulators Ban Utility Shutoffs For Now

BALTIMORE (AP) - Utilities in Maryland have been barred from shutting off power to customers until regulators can figure out how to help struggling customers pay their bills.

The Maryland Public Service Commission ordered utilities on Wednesday to delay shutting off gas or electricity service at least until a hearing on April 7.

The commission has said that nearly 84,000 Baltimore Gas & Electric customers and nearly 43,000 Pepco customers face potential service terminations starting April 1. That's when restrictions meant to protect customers during cold weather months are no longer in effect.

The commission's order also creates a work group that will explore ways for customers to pay their delinquent bills "in a fair and realistic manner." The work group will present its findings at the April hearing.

Comments Are Back

We seemed to have slowed down last week in comments, these past few days have really done well comment wise.

Tuesday, 386 comments.
Wednesday, 251 comments.
Thursday, 274 comments.
Friday, (so far) 212 comments.

While I don't encourage anyone to use anonymous while making comments, 99% of the people on Blogger do just that. You cannot be traced back, no matter what anyone tells you. So feel free to make whatever comment you like. Just know there are no curse words allowed and you need to stay on topic. If you're here just to make a personal attack against me or someone else, there's a good chance your comment won't go through.

In the mean time, thanks for visiting and commenting.

Salisbury Police Department Press Releases

On March 11, 2009 at approximately 2:13 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police received a call to respond to a residence on the two hundred (200) block of Tilghman St. for the report of an assault. Upon arrival the officers met with a victim who advised that he had been involved in a verbal argument with the below listed suspect who was known to him. As a result of the verbal argument, the suspect struck the victim in the head with a folding chair. The victim refused medical treatment.

ARRESTED: Raymond Barry Moore, 44 years of ageSalisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
First degree assault
Second degree assault

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900008025

On March 11, 2009 at approximately 9:10 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect on an outstanding arrest warrant from an incident in October of 2008. During an investigation in October of 2008, Salisbury officers located a firearm in the suspect’s residence. Further investigation by the officers revealed that the suspect had a prior felony conviction which prohibited her possession of a handgun.

ARRESTED: Katrina Marie Cooper, 34 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Possession of a firearm with a felony conviction

DISPOSITION: Released to Central Booking CC # 200800038711

On March 11, 2009 at approximately 10:58 am, Officers of the Salisbury Police were in the area of the Salisbury Riverwalk on South Salisbury Boulevard and observed the below listed suspects with open containers of alcohol on city property. Officers met with the suspects and found that suspects # 1 and # 2 had open containers of alcohol. Suspect # 3 was found to be in possession of a quantity of suspected marijuana and a marijuana smoking device.

ARRESTED #1: Donald Vernon James, 46 years of age Mardela Springs, Maryland

ARRESTED #2: Billy Wayne Clem, 50 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES: Open container of alcohol

ARRESTED #3: Eric Laverne Baker, 32 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Possession of marijuana
Possession of CDS/paraphernalia

DISPOSITION: All subjects released to Central Booking CC # 200900008049

On March 11, 2009 at approximately 2:23 pm, Officers of the Salisbury Police arrested the below listed suspect for a robbery that occurred on March 10 of this year. On that date the suspect approached a victim at the Best Budget Inn on North Salisbury Boulevard and advised the victim that he was a government official. The suspect then took property from the victim. Officers identified the suspect and received a warrant charging the suspect with the robbery.

ARRESTED: Nicholas Lennord Lodowski, 21 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Robbery
Second degree assault
Theft (over $ 500)

DISPOSITOIN: Released to Central Booking CC # 200900007992

On March 12, 2009, Officers of the Salisbury Police Department Community Action Team conducted an undercover type operation targeting prostitution in the East Church St. to Naylor St. corridor of North Salisbury Boulevard. An undercover officer was introduced into the area, then was solicited by the below listed suspects who were placed under arrest. Below listed suspect # 5 was also found to be in possession of suspected “crack”/cocaine and wanted in the State of Delaware for additional charges.

ARRESTED #1: Christine Leigh Keyes, 42 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #2: Laurie Ann Coulbourne, 41 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #3: April Christina Figgs, 24 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

ARRESTED #4: Amber Marie Hughes, 19 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES (All): Prostitution

ARRESTED #5: Scottiah Sharrise West, 27 years of age Salisbury, Maryland

CHARGES:
Prostitution
Possession of cocaine
Possession of cds/paraphernalia
Fugitive from Delaware:
Second degree burglary
Conspiracy
Forgery (2 counts)
Theft of a firearm

DISPOSITION: All released to Central Booking
CC # 200900008150/200900008151/200900008156/200900008161/200900008154/200900008152

Put A Note On Your Calendar For P&Z Meting Next Week

1:35 PM 19 March Agenda item;

FINAL DEVELOPEMENT PLAN, PHASE I - Village at SALISBURY LAKE PRD#11

BEST COMEBACK RESPONSE OF THE YEAR

If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to undermine the policeman's credibility...

Q: "Officer -- did you see my client fleeing the scene?"
A: "No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender, running several blocks away."
Q: "Officer -- who provided this description?"
A: "The officer who responded to the scene."
Q: "A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your fellow officers?"
A: " Yes, sir. With my life."
Q: "With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your clothes in preparation for your daily duties?"
A: "Yes sir, we do!"
Q: "And do you have a locker in the room?"
A: "Yes sir, I do."
Q: "And do you have a lock on your locker?"
A: "Yes sir."
Q: "Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?"
A: "You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been known to walk through that room."

The courtroom EXPLODED with laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the stand has been nominated for this year's "Best Comeback" line -- and we think he'll win.

Wicomico Teacher Of The Year Banquet Thursday

Semi-finalists Await the 2009-2010 Wicomico Teacher of the Year Banquet Thursday, March 19

Thirty-one semi-finalists for 2009-2010 Wicomico County Teacher of the Year have met with a blue ribbon panel of judges and will find out on Thursday, March 19, who will be named the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year.

The annual Wicomico Teacher of the Year banquet, with more than 250 guests including dozens of outstanding teachers, will be held at The Commons at Salisbury University beginning at 6 p.m. March 19. The announcement of four finalists, one for each school level, and the naming of the new Wicomico Teacher of the Year will take place around 9 or 9:30 p.m. The banquet will also feature student musicians and the honoring of a new Friend of Education.

Congratulations to all of these semifinalists for 2009-2010 Wicomico County Teacher of the Year:

Primary:

Heather Charlton, Grade 2 teacher, Prince Street Elementary School

Debbie Karten, Grade 2 teacher, Westside Intermediate School

Sheila Edwards, Prekindergarten teacher, Pinehurst Elementary School

Beverly Jackson, Kindergarten teacher, Westside Primary School

Nicole Rittling, Physical Education teacher, Willards Elementary School

Terri Goldman, Special Education teacher, Delmar Elementary School

Debbie Krauss, Grade 1 teacher, Charles H. Chipman Elementary School

Brenda Tatem, Kindergarten teacher, Beaver Run Elementary School

Kerri Corron, Kindergarten teacher, West Salisbury Elementary School

Kathy Nottingham, Prekindergarten teacher, Wicomico Early Learning Center

Susan Jones, Grade 1 Reading teacher, Fruitland Primary School

Tara Parsons, Grade 2 teacher, Pemberton Elementary School


Intermediate:

Susan Cullen, Grade 3 teacher, Delmar Elementary School

Lily Green, Grade 4 Math teacher, East Salisbury Elementary School

Christy Briggs, Grade 5 Reading/Language Arts teacher, Fruitland Intermediate School

Susan Lagueux, Special Education teacher, Glen Avenue Elementary School

Alison Dunn, Grade 5 Reading teacher, North Salisbury Elementary School

Audra Phippin, Title I Math teacher, Northwestern Elementary School

Ginger Rizzi, Music teacher, Pemberton Elementary School

Bertha Whittington, Special Education teacher, Pinehurst Elementary School

Elaine Tilghman, Physical Education teacher, Prince Street Elementary School

Jennifer Fenzel, Grade 5 Math teacher, Westside Intermediate School

Linda Lane, Grade 4 Math teacher, Pittsville Elementary and Middle School


Middle:


Kimberly Reddish, English teacher, Mardela Middle and High School

Tara Elliott, RELA (Reading/English/Language Arts) teacher, Salisbury Middle School

Ken Dasher, Band Director/Music teacher, Pittsville Elementary and Middle School

Debbie Holland, Grade 6 Math teacher, Wicomico Middle School

Krista Perdue, Choral Director/Music teacher, Bennett Middle School


High:


Jane Moore, Special Education teacher, James M. Bennett High School

Laura Owens, Special Education teacher, Mardela Middle and High School

Joe Showacre, Collision Repair teacher, Parkside High School Career & Technology Education

Fatal Crash Near Georgetown - Charges Up-Graded

Update #4: Saturday, February 21, 2009- Fatal Crash Near Georgetown - Charges Up-Graded

Georgetown Sussex County – James K. Harrington, who was involved in a fatal crash on February 21, 2009, was arraigned today in Superior Court in Sussex County. Harrington’s charges had been upgraded from Vehicular Homicide 2nd and Vehicular Assault 2nd to Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide 1st, Vehicular Assault 1st and DUI. The February crash killed Henry Huff.

Troopers received a toxicology report from the Medical Examiner’s Office indicating a schedule II narcotic was involved in the crash.

Harrington posted $15,000 bail in Superior Court and was released pending a preliminary hearing.

Bake Sale Today At Sam's Club

Sam's Club (exit)

10am - till sold out

All proceeds to benefit the March of Dimes!

Hosted by The Beaver Run Elementary March for Babies team!

Come out and enjoy excellent treats for an awesome cause!

Statistics

The Global Facts ...

At Any Given Moment:

79,000,000 people are engaged in intercourse right now.

58,000,000 are kissing.

37,000,000 are relaxing after having sex.

1 lonely bugger is reading e-mails.




You hang in there sunshine!