By Scott Ott, Examiner Columnist
2/24/09 8:01 AM
CNBC reporter Rick Santelli, whose passionate rant about the Obama housing rescue plan, and call for a "Chicago Tea Party" became a viral internet video, was arrested today by armed officers from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) covert special forces division.
Held without bail at an undisclosed "brownfield site", Santelli faces several counts of reckless endangerment of wildlife habitat after he threatened to rally capitalists to dump "derivative securities" into Lake Michigan as a way of re-enacting the Boston Tea-Party protest of 1773.
"Mr. Santelli is certainly entitled to his wacky economic opinions," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, "But if he had gone to the EPA website, clicked the regulations link, downloaded the document, printed it out and read it...he would have realized that dumping toxic assets into a lake is expressly forbidden. Read the document, Mr. Santelli. Read it."
GO HERE to red more!
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Police Seek Publics’ Help In Identifying Purse Theft Suspects
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Police Seek Publics’ Help in Identifying Purse Theft Suspects
Location of Incident: Shop Rite, 1300 Rocky Run Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware, New Castle County
Date and Time of Occurrence: Saturday, March 14, 2009, at approximately 4:00 p.m.
Suspect(s): A white female and a white male, both in their 20’s to early 30’s, both were wearing hooded sweatshirts
Resume: State Troopers are seeking the publics’ help in identifying two theft suspects who stole a purse Saturday afternoon from a Wilmington area grocery store.
This investigation revealed a 48-year-old female victim was patroning a Shop Rite store on Concord Pike. While the victim was distracted and selecting merchandise from display, a male and a female suspect took her purse from her shopping cart. After the theft, the suspects fled the store and tried to use the victim’s ATM card at a Concord Avenue convenience store in Wilmington.
Anyone who may recognize the suspects in the picture attached below is asked to call investigators at 302-761-6677 ext. 305.
Congratulations Pocomoke Tattler!
It has been a long time coming and certainly well deserved. The Pocomoke Tattler is now the #1 Blog in the State of Maryland this week. While I cannot explain how you go from #1 to #7 in one week, it doesn't matter. I have stated for quite some time that I would enjoy seeing other Blogs that work extremely hard at their craft take over for a while, we enjoyed the 10 straight weeks of 2009 in the top spot. It's time for others to get some recognition.
I will say it was yet another surprise that Salisbury News has now jumped into the #1 spot on Delmarva. While we no longer get a feed on the Delaware Blognetnews, we were ranked the #2 Blog in the State of Delaware as well and they don't even put our Posts up on their main page. Interesting!
To Billy & Stephanie Burke, CONGRATULATIONS! You beat out this tough Italian Bronx Boy and my hat is tipped to ALL of those Bloggers in the top 10.
I'll Be Back! LOL
I will say it was yet another surprise that Salisbury News has now jumped into the #1 spot on Delmarva. While we no longer get a feed on the Delaware Blognetnews, we were ranked the #2 Blog in the State of Delaware as well and they don't even put our Posts up on their main page. Interesting!
To Billy & Stephanie Burke, CONGRATULATIONS! You beat out this tough Italian Bronx Boy and my hat is tipped to ALL of those Bloggers in the top 10.
I'll Be Back! LOL
Where is personal responsibility?
Reading the post regarding a locally owned pet store is a perfect example of the lack of personal responsibility in todays society. You go to a pet store, stick your finger in a cage and you just might get bit! It would be absurd to think otherwise.
You have a young, inexperienced employee in charge, who thinks he is being attacked by individuals. Calls his boss, his boss thinks he is being attacked. As the boss, he is legally responsible for his employee and the well being of ALL of his customers, he comes in sees some people pretty upset, clearly can't get a handle on the situation so he calls 911.
So you attack the business owner on 20 other counts?
The individual that got bit has "no money" or insurance but is going to buy an animal?
I have been to that store on several occasions, I have friends that have purchased animals from that store. There have been no complaints. They have been in business for a long time, that speaks volumes.
Clearly by the one sided post there were upset people on both sides. The owner was not there when it happened and walked into a major disturbance. He did the right thing for everyone and should be commended not crucified. By their own account this could have been far worse had he not called 911!
Where is the personal responsibility of those "victim(s)" involved? Why are they not held accountable? Oh thats right, we aren't responsible for our own actions. Call the lawyer, we hit the lottery!
Benefit For Ms. Seig, A Salisbury School Teacher
Kidspace Benefit for Judy Sieg. An inspirational teacher who truly is making a difference has been diagnosed with Keratoconus, a condition resulting in significant visual impairment. A new surgery, not covered by insurance is the best solution..
Today Kidspace is hosting an open house and benefit for Judy, from 11 am to 5 pm. Kidspace is a new intereatctive children's center located at 800 South Salisbury, Blvd, Suite F (next to the World Gym and across the street from Giant) 410.742.8999. Adults are free, children are $10 with all profits from door and raffles benefiting Ms. Seig.
Children will explore all Kidspace fun activities, enjoy special activities, snacks, give-aways, music and so much more. Please come by and discover what kidspace is all about and be a part of helping a teacher who serves our community.
Information taken directly from Kidspace flyer.
thank you.
Which States Are The Worst For Personal Freedom
Which states are worst for personal freedom?
New Hampshire, South Dakota, Colorado rank best
By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
New York
A new study indicates the states with the most freedom are South Dakota, New Hampshire and Colorado, while Americans see the most complete government control of their personal lives in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, California and Maryland.
"On personal freedom alone, Alaska is the clear winner, while Maryland brings up the rear. As for freedom in the different regions of the country, the Mountain and West North Central regions are the freest overall while the Middle Atlantic lags far behind on both economic and personal freedom," said the study, Freedom in the 50 States: Index of Personal and Economic Freedom.
The study was conducted by Jason Sorens of the University of Buffalo and William P. Ruger of Texas State and release through the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
The researchers say their work "presents the first-ever comprehensive ranking of the American states on their public policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres."
(Story continues here) and see where Maryland ranks.
New Hampshire, South Dakota, Colorado rank best
By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
New York
A new study indicates the states with the most freedom are South Dakota, New Hampshire and Colorado, while Americans see the most complete government control of their personal lives in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, California and Maryland.
"On personal freedom alone, Alaska is the clear winner, while Maryland brings up the rear. As for freedom in the different regions of the country, the Mountain and West North Central regions are the freest overall while the Middle Atlantic lags far behind on both economic and personal freedom," said the study, Freedom in the 50 States: Index of Personal and Economic Freedom.
The study was conducted by Jason Sorens of the University of Buffalo and William P. Ruger of Texas State and release through the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
The researchers say their work "presents the first-ever comprehensive ranking of the American states on their public policies affecting individual freedoms in the economic, social, and personal spheres."
(Story continues here) and see where Maryland ranks.
Salisbury Super Pet Fiasco
A few days ago, my husband's daughter went into Salisbury Super Pet.
The store had a sign that said, "Friendly Rat With Cage, was $79.99, Now $29.99."
My stepdaughter put her hand by the side of the cage, and the rat came up and bit her! It was a nasty bite which bled quite a bit. She called my husband, who came to the scene. He took pictures of the sign and the rat, as well as pictures of the bite (which was treated at the PRMC ER), and asked to speak to the manager. He was informed that he was speaking to an assistant manager. When asked what his name was, he replied, "Ryan." When my husband asked, "What's your last name?" the kid answered, "Ryan," refusing to give his last name. My husband then picked up a business card showing the last name and asked how to pronounce it. The kid picked up the phone, called owner Dennis Traum, telling him that something was going on and that he was giving him a "heads up" about it. Mr. Traum arrived, and before my husband, who was being very calm and rational, could even finish explaining that the
rat had bitten his daughter, Mr. Traum ordered him to leave. Mr. Traum called 911 and told them he was going to "have to get physical with this guy."
So, my husband and his daughter were waiting outside when two police cars arrived. They explained what had happened; Mr. Traum came out of the store, and even though it was he who had called 911, the police ordered him back inside the store. After all, his 911 call had included a threat against my husband. The rat has since been picked up by an animal health agency and destroyed. Mr. Traum has banned my
husband from entering the store ever again. Small loss; "Friendly Rat," indeed!
I've heard many bad things about this store in the past, such as their allegedly selling sick animals and I know better than to believe everything I hear 100%. But this is a story I do believe 100%. I've seen the pictures, and having dealt with Mr. Traum in the past, I have found him to be a very unpleasant individual. I know that I would never give this store any of my hard-earned money.
Pan Am/Delta Pilot Involved In Shooting
Plantation, FL -- Last week police were called to investigate an attempted armed robbery:
The 71-year-old retired Marine who opened fire on two robbers at a Plantation, FL, Subway shop late Wednesday, killing one and critically wounding the other, is described as John Lovell, a former helicopter pilot for two presidents. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, and he works out everyday. Mr. Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night..
According to Plantation police, two masked gunmen came into the Subway at 1949 N.. Pine Rd. Just after 11 p.m. There was a lone diner,
Mr. Lovell, who was finishing his meal.. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Mr. Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money, but then Mr. Lovell pulled his handgun and opened fire. He shot one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.
When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop, K-9 units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business.. They also found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop according to Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department.
Both men were taken to the Broward General Medical Center , where one, Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. The other, 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition
A longtime friend of Lovell was not surprised to hear what happened. The friend said, ''He'd give you the shirt off his back, but he'd be mad as hell if someone tried to take the shirt off your back.''
Mr. Lovell was a pilot in the Marine Corps, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta.
He is not expected to be charged authorities said. ''He was in fear for his life,'' Detective Rettig said, "These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots."
Something tells me this old Marine wasn't 'in fear for his life', even though his life was definitely at risk. The only thing he could be charged with is participating in an unfair fight. One 71 - year young Marine against two punks. Two head shots and one center body mass shot, outstanding shooting! That'll teach them not to get between a Marine and his meal.
Don't you just love a story with a happy ending?
Florida law allows eligible citizens to carry a concealed weapon. Every state should.
EDITORS NOTE: I have not checked the credibility of this story. I simply found it interesting.
The 71-year-old retired Marine who opened fire on two robbers at a Plantation, FL, Subway shop late Wednesday, killing one and critically wounding the other, is described as John Lovell, a former helicopter pilot for two presidents. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke, and he works out everyday. Mr. Lovell was a man of action Wednesday night..
According to Plantation police, two masked gunmen came into the Subway at 1949 N.. Pine Rd. Just after 11 p.m. There was a lone diner,
Mr. Lovell, who was finishing his meal.. After robbing the cashier, the two men attempted to shove Mr. Lovell into a bathroom and rob him as well. They got his money, but then Mr. Lovell pulled his handgun and opened fire. He shot one of the thieves in the head and chest and the other in the head.
When police arrived, they found one of the men in the shop, K-9 units found the other in the bushes of a nearby business.. They also found cash strewn around the front of the sandwich shop according to Detective Robert Rettig of the Plantation Police Department.
Both men were taken to the Broward General Medical Center , where one, Donicio Arrindell, 22, of North Lauderdale died. The other, 21-year-old Frederick Gadson of Fort Lauderdale is in critical but stable condition
A longtime friend of Lovell was not surprised to hear what happened. The friend said, ''He'd give you the shirt off his back, but he'd be mad as hell if someone tried to take the shirt off your back.''
Mr. Lovell was a pilot in the Marine Corps, flying former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. He later worked as a pilot for Pan Am and Delta.
He is not expected to be charged authorities said. ''He was in fear for his life,'' Detective Rettig said, "These criminals ought to realize that most men in their 70's have military backgrounds and aren't intimidated by idiots."
Something tells me this old Marine wasn't 'in fear for his life', even though his life was definitely at risk. The only thing he could be charged with is participating in an unfair fight. One 71 - year young Marine against two punks. Two head shots and one center body mass shot, outstanding shooting! That'll teach them not to get between a Marine and his meal.
Don't you just love a story with a happy ending?
Florida law allows eligible citizens to carry a concealed weapon. Every state should.
EDITORS NOTE: I have not checked the credibility of this story. I simply found it interesting.
From The Mouths Of The Famous
1. After many years, I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two are a law firm, and three or more are a legislature. (John Adams)
2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. (Mark Twain)
3. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. (Winston Churchill)
4. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. (George Bernard Shaw)
5. A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay with your money. (anonymous)
6. Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. (James Bovard, Civil Libertarian)
7. Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries. (Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University)
8. Giving money and power to politicians is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. (P. J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian)
9. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases. If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. (Ronald Reagan, in 1986)
10. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. (Will Rogers)
11. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while Congress is in session. (Mark Twain, in 1866)
12. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! (P. J. O'Rourke)
13. There is no distinctly native criminal group in America other than our politicians. (Mark Twain)
14. The inherent vice of capitalism is an unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is an equal sharing of the misery. (Winston Churchill)
15. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. (Mark Twain)
16. What this country needs is more unemployed politicians. (Edward Langley, Artist, 1928-1995)
17. A government big enough to give you everything you want ... is strong enough to take everything you have. (Thomas Jefferson
2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed; if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. (Mark Twain)
3. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. (Winston Churchill)
4. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. (George Bernard Shaw)
5. A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay with your money. (anonymous)
6. Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. (James Bovard, Civil Libertarian)
7. Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries. (Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University)
8. Giving money and power to politicians is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. (P. J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian)
9. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases. If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it. (Ronald Reagan, in 1986)
10. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. (Will Rogers)
11. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while Congress is in session. (Mark Twain, in 1866)
12. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free! (P. J. O'Rourke)
13. There is no distinctly native criminal group in America other than our politicians. (Mark Twain)
14. The inherent vice of capitalism is an unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is an equal sharing of the misery. (Winston Churchill)
15. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. (Mark Twain)
16. What this country needs is more unemployed politicians. (Edward Langley, Artist, 1928-1995)
17. A government big enough to give you everything you want ... is strong enough to take everything you have. (Thomas Jefferson
THE CLASS REUNION
Every ten years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.
I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.
It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.
The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.
The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.
No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.
The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.
They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.
They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.
At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.
It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.
By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.
And now I can't wait; they've set the date;
Our BIG 60 is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.
Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.
I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.
I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.
It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.
The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.
The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.
No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.
The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.
They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.
They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.
At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.
It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.
By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.
And now I can't wait; they've set the date;
Our BIG 60 is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.
Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.
I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.
MISSING PERSONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Location: Trappe Rd Worcester County, Md
Missing Persons: Jessica Elizabeth Gears, 8 Years old, 4’5, 55lbs, Long Brown hair
Amy Elizabeth Gears, 34 Years old, 5’4, 170
Narrative: The Maryland State Police is requesting the assistance in locating the above listed missing persons. The Mother and Daughter were last seen on Trappe Rd in Berlin, MD on 3/11/09 at approximately 6:30 pm. Both are possible in a Burgundy 1995 Saturn SLI bearing Maryland registration GHN522. If anyone has information please contact the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack at 410-641-3101.
Missing Persons: Jessica Elizabeth Gears, 8 Years old, 4’5, 55lbs, Long Brown hair
Amy Elizabeth Gears, 34 Years old, 5’4, 170
Narrative: The Maryland State Police is requesting the assistance in locating the above listed missing persons. The Mother and Daughter were last seen on Trappe Rd in Berlin, MD on 3/11/09 at approximately 6:30 pm. Both are possible in a Burgundy 1995 Saturn SLI bearing Maryland registration GHN522. If anyone has information please contact the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack at 410-641-3101.
An Interesting Comment Worthy Of A Post
Joe I found this interesting comment on one of the other blogs and I find it interesting how this individual can get away with openly bashing and attacking certain city council members. This is disgusting and something should be done about it.
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"Chief David See to retire From Salisbury Fire Department."
4 Comments - Show Original Post
Collapse comments
Anonymous said...
Amen!! For all those that give him hell...remember...you're NOT doing his job. Why in the heck would ANYONE want to be Fire Chief?! Especially in this town where few apparently give a rat's patoot (giving the rodent family its due) regarding the crap he has to put up with and the responsibilities that accompany the position?!
Like the man or not, it's a tough job w/ way too many political implications and "bosses". One person should answer to one person...not a group of people who truly are not educated regarding the fire service and the demands of the job. Those who would choose to educate themselves and not strictly pay attention to "blogs", would find that all the department heads of the City have difficult jobs especially during difficult financial times..
The "legislative" branch should be doing just that...legislating. They need to leave the executive branch to its job, which (in part)is managing the department heads.
I have no issue w/ the legislators asking questions, but, anymore, it appears to be w/ malicious intent. If I am wrong, then I certainly offer my apologies here and now. However, these department heads cant seem to be able to turn around in their offices without someone bearing down on them. If they're doing such a poor job, then their boss should be handling the discipline necessary. If that boss isnt doing his/her job, then that individual needs to be dealt with in-turn.
I'd love to see some of the people who are questioning every move made attempt to step into the roles of Chief or Director and attempt to handle the job themselves in a more appropriate manner.
Put the safety of nearly 100,000 people in their hands and let them feel the pressure and see how they react. Dealing w/ the finances of these same 100,000 folks is one thing and I personally appreciate the fact that there are folks interested in watching after where my tax dollars go (wish more were coming back to me! LOL), but I'm not so sure that some appreciate the responsibility that accompanies the title of "Dept. Head". Throw unfunded federal mandates ( such as NFPA) and the like into the pot and it quickly becomes quite the "challenge" to run a department when you dont seem to appear to have the full support of those who in essence, seem to be "micromanaging". If you want to be fire chief and feel you can do the job better (or any other dept. head), then go to the schools, get the training and required education, crawl down the dark hallways with us at least ONCE, deal with the sick and dying, watch the children live in poverty and drugs, watch your friends get hurt (sometimes bad), view the emotional stress that comes with the territory (which we all know and have to accept in order to complete our careers (vol or paid...makes no difference)), and THEN, and ONLY THEN, can some of these folks TRULY understand what the Chief (and his staff) deals with!
I rambled and I'm sorry...but these are FACTS...Can we (SFD) do better??? I'm sure that we probably can, and maybe should...but we do the best we can for the most part. We make mistakes and we live with the ramifications of those mistakes. If you're an officer, you have a target on your back...earned or not. That comes w/ the territory as well and how you handle that bullseye makes you a good one or not.
I get hammered pretty hard on that "other site" (lol) and while it's owned by someone I dont necessarily agree w/ on a regular basis, I respect his right to free speech and to his own opinion and would defend that right to the end as that is part of what makes America wonderful.
To those who bash the Chief behind his back but are friendly to his face (as some appear to be doing about a few of us), I openly call you "COWARD". Be the man you apparently make yourself out to be in private, IN PUBLIC. Lay your training and experience down on the table in open forum against any of those you continually bash and let's compare! Bring your "A" game when you do!!
I certainly havent always agreed w/ Chief See...but when I havent, he's heard it to his face...sometimes in the wrong forum and I often wonder how I've managed to keep my job sometimes, let alone my rank. But I've done it to his face and I feel he appreciated that for what it was...someone disagreeing w/ him like a man rather than a coward. I assure you, as would anyone who knows me, I understand my role in the department...I have a boss to whom I answer and I respect him as well. I also have responsibilites at home, which include much more than "myself". I wonder to what extent those that say the officers are gutless and butt kissers and scared would go at their own jobs...Exactly what are each of them willing to "lose" in order to "stand up" to their boss?? Hmmmm....
Call me a butt kisser if you like, but I buy into the overall program and feel that there truly are only a few who dont. I openly admit I dont agree with some things, but I am NOT Chief. I do not have the final say...but what I DO HAVE, as does each member of the Department, is a say in the goings-on. Which is WAY more than we used to have!! Obviously, there are going to be differences of opinions and thought processes. Sometimes the "grunts" dont see the entire picture and sometimes "management" doesnt listen to what they need to...that's going to happen in any organization.
There is much talent at all levels in the SFD...those that cant stand to be a part of it should go be part of something else. Those that stay will continue to be part of an extraordinary organization doing an awful lot in very trying and difficult situations.
I am proud to serve with each of them, volunteer and career.
The SFD took a "back seat" for many years and now that it has moved to the forefront, which was inevitable, it appears to be taking some heat from naysayers. If you're in the Department and wish to continue to gripe, DO SO!! But do it like adults and do it openly and with class. "Anonymous" commentary attacking people is cowardly, at best. I can certainly offer worse explicatives (Im good at that! LOL!).
If you're outside the Department, come visit us and see us in action. Visit ANY firehouse and see what YOUR money does and how it works for YOU! Educate yourselves BEFORE you take only one side of a story as the "whole truth".
You may find that there truly is "more to it"...
I wish Chief See well in his retirement. With the current climate, it's a wonder he's made it this long.
Cap, I appreciate the space you've allowed me in my ranting and apologize for getting on your "soapbox"!!
Jim Gladwell
Asst. Chief
A Shift
Salisbury Fire Department
March 12, 2009 5:55 PM
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"Chief David See to retire From Salisbury Fire Department."
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Anonymous said...
Amen!! For all those that give him hell...remember...you're NOT doing his job. Why in the heck would ANYONE want to be Fire Chief?! Especially in this town where few apparently give a rat's patoot (giving the rodent family its due) regarding the crap he has to put up with and the responsibilities that accompany the position?!
Like the man or not, it's a tough job w/ way too many political implications and "bosses". One person should answer to one person...not a group of people who truly are not educated regarding the fire service and the demands of the job. Those who would choose to educate themselves and not strictly pay attention to "blogs", would find that all the department heads of the City have difficult jobs especially during difficult financial times..
The "legislative" branch should be doing just that...legislating. They need to leave the executive branch to its job, which (in part)is managing the department heads.
I have no issue w/ the legislators asking questions, but, anymore, it appears to be w/ malicious intent. If I am wrong, then I certainly offer my apologies here and now. However, these department heads cant seem to be able to turn around in their offices without someone bearing down on them. If they're doing such a poor job, then their boss should be handling the discipline necessary. If that boss isnt doing his/her job, then that individual needs to be dealt with in-turn.
I'd love to see some of the people who are questioning every move made attempt to step into the roles of Chief or Director and attempt to handle the job themselves in a more appropriate manner.
Put the safety of nearly 100,000 people in their hands and let them feel the pressure and see how they react. Dealing w/ the finances of these same 100,000 folks is one thing and I personally appreciate the fact that there are folks interested in watching after where my tax dollars go (wish more were coming back to me! LOL), but I'm not so sure that some appreciate the responsibility that accompanies the title of "Dept. Head". Throw unfunded federal mandates ( such as NFPA) and the like into the pot and it quickly becomes quite the "challenge" to run a department when you dont seem to appear to have the full support of those who in essence, seem to be "micromanaging". If you want to be fire chief and feel you can do the job better (or any other dept. head), then go to the schools, get the training and required education, crawl down the dark hallways with us at least ONCE, deal with the sick and dying, watch the children live in poverty and drugs, watch your friends get hurt (sometimes bad), view the emotional stress that comes with the territory (which we all know and have to accept in order to complete our careers (vol or paid...makes no difference)), and THEN, and ONLY THEN, can some of these folks TRULY understand what the Chief (and his staff) deals with!
I rambled and I'm sorry...but these are FACTS...Can we (SFD) do better??? I'm sure that we probably can, and maybe should...but we do the best we can for the most part. We make mistakes and we live with the ramifications of those mistakes. If you're an officer, you have a target on your back...earned or not. That comes w/ the territory as well and how you handle that bullseye makes you a good one or not.
I get hammered pretty hard on that "other site" (lol) and while it's owned by someone I dont necessarily agree w/ on a regular basis, I respect his right to free speech and to his own opinion and would defend that right to the end as that is part of what makes America wonderful.
To those who bash the Chief behind his back but are friendly to his face (as some appear to be doing about a few of us), I openly call you "COWARD". Be the man you apparently make yourself out to be in private, IN PUBLIC. Lay your training and experience down on the table in open forum against any of those you continually bash and let's compare! Bring your "A" game when you do!!
I certainly havent always agreed w/ Chief See...but when I havent, he's heard it to his face...sometimes in the wrong forum and I often wonder how I've managed to keep my job sometimes, let alone my rank. But I've done it to his face and I feel he appreciated that for what it was...someone disagreeing w/ him like a man rather than a coward. I assure you, as would anyone who knows me, I understand my role in the department...I have a boss to whom I answer and I respect him as well. I also have responsibilites at home, which include much more than "myself". I wonder to what extent those that say the officers are gutless and butt kissers and scared would go at their own jobs...Exactly what are each of them willing to "lose" in order to "stand up" to their boss?? Hmmmm....
Call me a butt kisser if you like, but I buy into the overall program and feel that there truly are only a few who dont. I openly admit I dont agree with some things, but I am NOT Chief. I do not have the final say...but what I DO HAVE, as does each member of the Department, is a say in the goings-on. Which is WAY more than we used to have!! Obviously, there are going to be differences of opinions and thought processes. Sometimes the "grunts" dont see the entire picture and sometimes "management" doesnt listen to what they need to...that's going to happen in any organization.
There is much talent at all levels in the SFD...those that cant stand to be a part of it should go be part of something else. Those that stay will continue to be part of an extraordinary organization doing an awful lot in very trying and difficult situations.
I am proud to serve with each of them, volunteer and career.
The SFD took a "back seat" for many years and now that it has moved to the forefront, which was inevitable, it appears to be taking some heat from naysayers. If you're in the Department and wish to continue to gripe, DO SO!! But do it like adults and do it openly and with class. "Anonymous" commentary attacking people is cowardly, at best. I can certainly offer worse explicatives (Im good at that! LOL!).
If you're outside the Department, come visit us and see us in action. Visit ANY firehouse and see what YOUR money does and how it works for YOU! Educate yourselves BEFORE you take only one side of a story as the "whole truth".
You may find that there truly is "more to it"...
I wish Chief See well in his retirement. With the current climate, it's a wonder he's made it this long.
Cap, I appreciate the space you've allowed me in my ranting and apologize for getting on your "soapbox"!!
Jim Gladwell
Asst. Chief
A Shift
Salisbury Fire Department
March 12, 2009 5:55 PM