Fruitland Police Department Press Release

Incident: Burglary

Location: Nentego Drive, Fruitland, Md.

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 between the hours of 8:45 a.m. and 4:10 p.m.

Narrative: Fruitland police responded to a Nentego Drive residence in response to a reported house burglary. The home owner returned to the residence to find that jewelry boxes which were normally closed had been opened and 68 pieces of men’s and women’s jewelry was missing. Further examination by the owner revealed that a Nintendo Wii game console, a Dell laptop computer, two Kodak digital cameras, and a Rossi stainless steel framed .357 revolver were also missing. Total value of the property missing is approximately $57,000.00.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is requested to contact the Fruitland Police department at 410-548-2804.

Today's Speech From County Executive Rick Pollitt

WELCOME, FARMERS, BUSINESS-PEOPLE, TRADESMEN, NEIGHBORS, AND CITIZENS OF WICOMICO COUNTY. CONGRATULATIONS ON A MOVING DEMONSTRATION OF PEACEFUL DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. REGARDLESS OF OUR POSITIONS ON THE ISSUES, WE ACKNOWLEDGE WITH GRATITUDE AND HUMILITY THE FACT THAT WE CAN MEET IN SUCH A FASHION AND EXPRESS OURSELVES LOUDLY OR SOFTLY AS FREE AMERICANS.

THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT WE AMERICANS TREASURE ABOVE ALL ELSE. WE TREASURE OUR FREEDOM, WE TREASURE OUR FAMILIES AND WE TREASURE OUR HOMES. NOTHING STIRS OUR HEARTS MORE THAN THREATS, WHETHER REAL OR PERCEIVED, AGAINST EITHER OF THESE CORE ELEMENTS OF OUR BEING.

THE LEGISLATION CURRENTLY BEFORE THE COUNTY COUNCIL HAS BEEN DEBATED AT LENGTH AND FEELINGS ARE STRONG ON ALL SIDES. SELDOM IN THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY DO WE SEE SUCH EMOTION AS HAS BEEN INSPIRED BY THIS EFFORT.

FOR ME, I BELIEVE THE GOALS OF EACH OF US ARE THE SAME. I THINK WE ALL WANT TO PROTECT THE RURAL CHARACTER OF WICOMICO COUNTY AND ENCOURAGE A CLIMATE WHERE FARMING, ESPECIALLY, CAN CONTINUE TO FLOURISH AS OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

AS ALWAYS, THE CHALLENGE IS NOT TO DECIDE WHERE WE WANT TO GO BUT HOW WE’RE GOING TO GET THERE. IN PRESERVING OUR TRADITIONAL WAY OF LIFE WE CANNOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE PURCHASED THEIR LAND, PAID TAXES ON IT AND HAVE A REASONABLE EXPECTATION THAT IF AND WHEN THE TIME COMES TO PART WITH THEIR LAND, THEY WILL REALIZE THE FULL VALUE OF THEIR INVESTMENT.

EVERY ONE OF US, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, IS TODAY OCCUPYING GROUND THAT AT ONE TIME IN HISTORY WAS VACANT LAND BELONGING TO SOMEONE ELSE.
WHEN WE DEVELOP OUR ESSENTIAL AND NECESSARY RULES FOR RESPONSIBLE PLANNING AND ZONING, WE CANNOT AVOID OR IGNORE THE IMPACT OUR ACTIONS MAY HAVE ON OUR CITIZENS. WHEN WE TAKE THE AUTHORITY OF GOVERNMENT TO THE VERY FRONT DOOR OF OUR HOMES WE MUST BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT WE HAVE DONE ALL HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO PROTECT THE SECURITY AND VALUE OF OUR HOMES.

I HAVE SAID ALL ALONG THAT IF OUR GOAL IS TO GENUINELY SUPPORT OUR FARMING COMMUNITY, THEN ANY PLAN TO REGULATE THAT COMMUNITY MUST PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY VALUES. YOU, CLEARLY, DO NOT BELIEVE THE CURRENT LEGISLATION WILL DO THAT OR YOU WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.

GOVERNMENT HAS AN AWESOME DEGREE OF POWER OVER US AND, THEREFORE, GOVERNMENT HAS AN AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY TO WIELD THAT POWER FAIRLY AND CAUTIOUSLY. I DON’T CLAIM TO HAVE ONE ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE BUT I HAVE CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED THAT AS LONG AS A SIZEABLE COMPONENT OF OUR COMMUNITY BELIEVES, RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT TO DIMINISH THE VALUE OF THEIR FARMS AND THEIR HOMES, OUR WORK IS NOT COMPLETE.

I HAVE SPOKEN AT LENGTH WITH PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES OF THIS ISSUE AND I FIRMLY BELIEVE WE’RE CLOSER TO A FAIR AND JUST RESOLUTION THAN MANY REALIZE. BUT IT STILL NEEDS WORK AND SO I ENCOURAGE ALL OF US TO TAKE WHATEVER TIME IS STILL NEEDED TO RE-DOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO FIND THAT SPECIAL PLACE OF COMMON GROUND THAT WILL BRING US TO OUR COMMON GOAL AS ONE COMMUNITY.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING AT THE CIVIC CENTER ON MONDAY AND COME PREPARED NOT JUST TO SPEAK BUT TO LISTEN AND TO LEARN.

THIS DEBATE HAS DIVIDED FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND EVEN FAMILIES. IT’S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THAT WAY. SURELY WE ARE NOT THE FIRST FARMING COMMUNITY TO FACE THE THREAT OF LOSING OUR WAY OF LIFE. THERE IS A HISTORY, I AM CERTAIN, THAT CAN SHOW US HOW OTHERS HAVE DEALT WITH THIS PROBLEM SUCCESSFULLY.

I SAY LET’S TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS RIGHT AND WHILE WE MAY NEVER WIN THE SUPPORT OF ALL OF US WE CAN DO BETTER THAN WE HAVE . WITH RESPECT FOR YOUR HEART-FELT CONVICTION AND IN THE SPIRIT OF BRINGING UNITY TO OUR COMMUNITY, I ACCEPT YOUR PETITIONS AND WILL CONSIDER THEM CAREFULLY WHEN THE LEGISLATION REACHES MY DESK.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.

Urban Salisbury Need Our Help

I am worried that the council is not aware of the support Urban Salisbury has in the community. If the council does not have consensus on moving an $11,000 budget amendment forward, than the funding for Urban Salisbury will be done and the organization will close. The city's 2008-2009 total investment in Urban Salisbury was $55K which generated a Direct Return of close to $438,000 dollars. That is an excellent rate of return. Please, if you are inclined, contact your council members below and let them know you'd like $11,000 for Urban Salisbury funded.

Thanks for your consideration and help as we move forward to to revitalize our downtown neighborhood.

Jim Ireton,
Mayor

Louise Smith
Council President
229 Canal Park Drive, #102
Salisbury, MD 21804
Home: 410-860-1717
Email: Louise Smith

Gary A. Comegys
Council Vice President
310 London Ave
Salisbury, MD 21801
Home: 410-548-1623
Email: Gary A.Comegys

Deborah S. Campbell
Councilwoman
809 Camden Ave
Salisbury, MD 21801
Home: 410-860-0893
Email: Deborah S. Campbell

Terry E. Cohen
Councilwoman
536 Druid Hill Avenue
Salisbury, MD 21801
Home: 410-845-0296
Email: Terry E. Cohen

Eugenie (Shanie) P. Shields
Councilwoman
621 Germania Circle
Salisbury, MD 21801
Home: 443-736-3306

Some May Hate Him But The Rest Of The World Seems To Like Obama

AP Poll: Americans high on Obama, direction of US
By RON FOURNIER and TREVOR TOMPSON,
Associated Press Writers
Thu Apr 23, 9:07 am ET

WASHINGTON - For the first time in years, more Americans than not say the
country is headed in the right direction, a sign that Barack Obama has used the
first 100 days of his presidency to lift the public's mood and inspire hopes for
a brighter future.

Intensely worried about their personal finances and medical expenses, Americans
nonetheless appear realistic about the time Obama might need to turn things
around, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll. It shows most Americans
consider their new president to be a strong, ethical and empathetic leader who
is working to change Washington.

Nobody knows how long the honeymoon will last, but Obama has clearly transformed
the yes-we-can spirit of his candidacy into a tool of governance. His ability to
inspire confidence - Obama's second book is titled "The Audacity of Hope" - has
thus far buffered the president against the harsh political realities of two
wars, a global economic meltdown and countless domestic challenges.

"He presents a very positive outlook," said Cheryl Wetherington, 35, an
independent voter who runs a chocolate shop in Gardner, Kan. "He's very
well-spoken and very vocal about what direction should be taken."

But other AP-GfK findings could signal trouble for Obama as he approaches his
100th day in office, April 29:

- While there is evidence that people feel more optimistic about the economy, 65
percent said it's difficult for them and their families to get ahead. More than
one-third know of a family member who recently lost a job.

- More than 90 percent of Americans consider the economy an important issue, the
highest ever in AP polling.

- Nearly 80 percent believe that the rising federal debt will hurt future
generations, and Obama is getting mixed reviews at best for his handling of the
issue.

And yet, the percentage of Americans saying the country is headed in the right
direction rose to 48 percent, up from 40 percent in February. Forty-four percent
say the nation is on the wrong track.

Not since January 2004, shortly after the capture of former Iraqi dictator
Saddam Hussein, has an AP survey found more "right direction" than "wrong
direction" respondents.

So far, Obama has defied the odds by producing a sustained trend toward
optimism. It began with his election.

But he is aware that his political prospects are directly linked to such
numbers. If at the end of his term the public is no more assured that Washington
is competent and accountable and that the nation is at least on the right track,
his re-election prospects will be doubtful.

"I will be held accountable," Obama said a few weeks into his presidency. "You
know, I've got four years. ... If I don't have this done in three years, then
there's going to be a one-term proposition."

The AP-GfK poll suggests that 64 percent of the public approves of Obama's job
performance, down just slightly from 67 percent in February. President George W.
Bush's approval ratings hovered in the high 50s after his first 100 days in
office.

But Obama also has become a somewhat polarizing figure, with just 24 percent of
Republicans approving of his performance - down from 33 percent in February.
Obama campaigned on a promise - just as Bush had - to end the party-first
mind-set that breeds gridlock in Washington.

Obama is not the first president who sought to tap the deep well of American
optimism - the never-say-die spirit that Americans like to see in themselves.

Even as he briefly closed the nation's banks, Franklin Delano Roosevelt spoke in
the first days of his presidency of the "confidence and courage" needed to fix
the U.S. economy. "Together we cannot fail," he declared.

"When Obama came in," said D.T. Brown, 39, a Mount Vernon, Ill., radio show host
who voted against Obama, "it was just a breath of fresh air."

Others said their newfound optimism had nothing to do with Obama, but rather
with an era of personal responsibility they believe has come with the economic
meltdown.

"I think people are beginning to turn in that direction and realize that there's
not always going to be somebody to catch them when things fall down," said
Dwight Hageman, 66, a retired welder from Newberg, Ore., who voted against
Obama.

The AP-GfK Poll was conducted April 16-20 by GfK Roper Public Affairs and Media.
It involved telephone interviews on landline and cell phones with 1,000 adults
nationwide. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Local Farmers And Land Owners Parade Downtown Salisbury

Click on images to enlarge.

Wicomico County Farmers and property owners, (like myself) were Downtown this morning to express our disbelief and anger towards a new Bill proposal that would take our rights away to do whatever we want with our INVESTMENT.

I say, if the County wants to BUY back our land so they can do with it what they so choose, SHOW ME THE MONEY! Until then, stay out of our business/investments.

Our Government is out of control and must be stopped. Some Farmers and property owners may need to sell off an acre of land, maybe 4 acres or whatever to pay for health care. I don't care what the excuse or situation is, Wicomico County needs to stay out of our businesses and investments or they'll find themselves in a pickle with lawsuits.

The way I see things going in America, it may be time to sell ALL of my properties before they change the rules again. It's just not worth the risk any more. Mark Twain said, "Buy land, they're not making it any more." I personally felt it was a far better investment than the Stock Market and now they're figuring ways to take even more from hard working Americans who lived the American Dream. Our Families have served our Country to protect our rights and this time they have gone too far.

I told ALL of you many months ago that this Government was going to suck all of us dry until we ALL had nothing left, then take even more until we're all in such debt we ALL hit rock bottom. Open your eyes Folks because that time has come.

Oppose Bill 2009-5 and let us live in America once again. Quit taking what we have left. Wicomico County has NO investment of their own in this Bill and certainly NO investment in our land! GO HERE for more details.

Yard Sales Anyone

Get your yard sale in today before 3pm to get in tomorrow posting.

It's free.

It's gonna be a beautiful weekend.

Send it to atlanticjw@aol.com

Car Wrecks Into Home On Riverside Drive

There was an accident on Riverside Drive and Shad Point Rd this morning. The car that actually hit the house, was witnessed passing a vehicle on Riverside Drive, he was passing on a double yellow line.

Another vehicle was heading north on Riverside turning onto Shad Point Road, the blue vehicle hit her vehicle landed in the house. Thank God nobody was injured.

Something needs to be done on this section of Riverside Drive, the speed limit is 35 mph. Vehicles travel 60 - 70 mph, and continually pass on a double yellow line. The vehicle that hit the house was driving without insurance, I did overhear the police officer say that he had around 15 citations to write.

Lets hope when this driver goes to court, all the time spent by this officer will have been worth it and the judge puts him away. Oh did I mention that another vehicle was apparently following this vehicle and when the accident happened he stopped, the wrecked vehicle driver took a cooler out of his vehicle and put it in his buddy's vehicle, which immediately left the scene.

Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Press Releases

Incident: Possession of Cocaine
Date of Incident: 21 April 2009
Location: Salisbury Blvd. at Isabella Street, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: Tammy E. Johnson, 41, Newark, MD

Narrative: On 21 April 2009 at 10:40 PM, a deputy from the WCSO stopped to speak with an individual who was attempted to flag down traffic at the intersection of Salisbury Blvd and Isabella Street in Salisbury. Upon making contact with the individual, later identified as Tammy Johnson, the deputy became suspicious she may be in the possession of CDS due to her demeanor. Upon searching Johnson, the deputy located a device that was used as a crack pipe in her purse. The device still had the remnants of crack cocaine in it.
Johnson was arrested and transported to the Central Booking Unit where she was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Johnson was released on Personal recognizance by the Commissioner.

Charges:

Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Incident: Possession of Cocaine
Date of Incident: 22 April 2009
Location: 600 Block of Naylor Mill Road, Salisbury, MD
Suspect: 1. Reginald W. Jones, 35, Salisbury, MD
2. Carlton L. Johnson, 54, Salisbury, MD

Narrative: On 22 April 2009 at 8:30 AM, a deputy from the WCSO stopped a vehicle operated by Reginald Jones in the 600 block of Naylor Mill Road. During the traffic stop, both Jones and his passenger, Carlton Johnson exited the vehicle while the deputy searched it. During the search, the deputy located what the deputy recognized as cocaine inside a plastic baggie behind the driver’s seat. Both Jones and Johnson were placed under arrest.
Both were transported to the Central Booking Unit where they were processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, both were detained by the Commissioner in the Detention Center. The bond for Jones was $5,000.00 while the bond for Johnson was $10,000.00.

Charges: Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Incident: Assault
Date of Incident: 22 April 2009
Location: 34300 block of Old Ocean City Road, Pittsville, MD
Suspect: George Ruark, 26, Pittsville, MD

Narrative: On 22 April 2009 at 7:38 PM, deputies from the WCSO responded to a residence in the 34300 block of Old Ocean City Road for a reported assault in progress. Upon their arrival, the deputies located a victim suffering from a broken nose and a facial laceration. The victim identified the assailant as a cohabitant, George Ruark. The deputies located Ruark at an adjacent residence and placed him under arrest.
Ruark was transported to the Central Booking Unit where he was processed and taken in front of the District Court Commissioner. After an initial appearance, Ruark was detained by the Commissioner in lieu of $25,000.00 bond.

Charges: Assault

LOOK CLOSELY AT URBANDALE'S WEBSITE FOLKS

It’s at: www.urbandale.org

It must be a modern and well run town that Salisbury might want to emulate. By the way, at the foot of the home page there’s a "Breaking News" link to the "City Manager Finalist Candidates" that connects to a page with a synopsis of each candidate – with a link to his/her complete resume (no FOIA request needed). That’s a model in "transparency" that Salisbury should adopt ASAP.

We should also consider the form of government there – as is the case in most cities of the size range of Salisbury and Urbandale, the City Manager has much of the administrative authority. Here’s a list (from the City Charter) of the duties and functions that Mr. Pick would have if he were to be selected for that position – don’t miss the last two items:

1. To employ, reclassify and suspend or remove all department heads and employees, subject to civil service provisions (Chapter 400 of the Code of Iowa), the Veteran’s Preference Law (Chapter 35C of the Code of Iowa), or as otherwise provided for by the Code of Iowa or this Code of Ordinances, and subject to Council approval, fix the compensation to be paid such employees. The City Manager may authorize any administrative officer who is subject to the Manager’s supervision to employ, reclassify or suspend or remove subordinates in that officer’s department, office or agency.

2. To see that all ordinances, resolutions, contracts, Mayor or Council directives, or laws of the State which are subject to enforcement by the Manager or officers subject to the Manager’s direction and supervision are faithfully executed.

3. To attend all meetings of the Council, unless excused by a majority of the Council. The City Manager shall have the right to participate in the meetings but shall not have the right to vote.

4. To keep the Mayor and Council fully advised as to the financial conditions and future needs of the City and to make such recommendations to the Mayor and Council concerning the affairs of the City as the Manager may deem necessary.

5. To direct and supervise the administration of all departments, offices and agencies of the City, except as otherwise provided in this Code of Ordinances or the Code of Iowa.

6. To cooperate with any administrative agency or utility board of trustees.

7. To prepare and submit to the Mayor and Council the annual budget and capital program.

8. To conduct the business affairs of the City, including financial and personnel affairs, by modern and efficient methods and to cause accurate records to be maintained.

9. To make such other reports as the Mayor and Council may require concerning City affairs under the Manager’s direction and supervision.

10. To submit to the Mayor and Council, and make available to the public, a complete report on the finances and administrative activities of the City at the end of the fiscal year.

11. To perform such other duties as the Mayor and Council may request or delegate.

12. To appoint the Chief of Police.

13. To appoint the Fire Chief.

PS - These duties, etc., are much the same as those that were proposed by Salisbury's most recent Charter Review Committee and adopted by the City Council, but defeated after Barrie Tilghman and her cohorts organized to defeat them.

Want A New Place To Go For Lunch Today

Anthony's has finally opened for business on the Downtown Plaza. Stop in and support a local business. They're located at 212 Main Street and their number is 410-677-DELI. Tell them Salisbury News sent you.

Sean Hannity Offers to be Waterboarded for Charity!

from HuffPo

This is, I believe, a "golden moment" in the history of televised media. Sean Hannity had actor Charles Grodin on his show last night, and the two men actually had some genuinely good natured sparring with each other over the news of the week. Hannity asked Grodin if he'd ever accept a book from Hugo Chavez or listen to a speech by a "brutal thug murdering dictator like Daniel Ortega." Grodin's respective ripostes were "I'd hand him my book!" and "I'd listen to anybody. I'm listening to you." Grodin then went on to ask Hannity if he was wearing mascara and if he had any plans to marry Ann Coulter. But that's not the fun part! This is the fun part:

GRODIN: You're for torture?
HANNITY: I am for enhanced interrogation.
GRODIN: You don't believe it's torture? Have you ever been waterboarded?
HANNITY: No, but Ollie North has.
GRODIN: Would you consent to be waterboarded? We can waterboard you?
HANNITY: Sure.
GRODIN: Are you busy on Sunday?
HANNITY: I'll do it for charity. I'll let you do it. I'll do it for the troops' families.

Obviously, this has to happen. For the troops, I mean! Not merely for my amusement! And, look, if Sean Hannity agrees to this, then props to him. That takes real guts. I mean, you don't see me letting people waterboard me, for anything. Mainly because waterboarding is crazy, terrifying and sadistic! But the salient point is this: In a world gone mad, can you really afford to NOT give money to the troops, if it means that Sean Hannity gets waterboarded by the star of the Great Muppet Caper? We truly are the change we've been waiting for.

Watch the Interview

The Curious Case Of Hugo Chávez And The Island Off New Jersey

Ceremony transferring Petty's Island from Venezuela's Citgo to Trenton scrubbed

Thursday, April 23, 2009
BY BRIAN T. MURRAY AND JOSH MARGOLIN
Star-Ledger Staff

Venezuela president Hugo Chávez cast his shadow over what was to be a ceremonial transfer yesterday of Petty's Island to New Jersey for use as a wildlife preserve.

Citgo Petroleum, the Venezuelan-owned oil firm that owns the island in the Delaware River, offered to give the island to New Jersey years ago and struck the final deal with the state in January. Citgo officials had scheduled an exchange yesterday of the final papers with Gov. Jon Corzine for the 392-acre island, sending out e-mail alerts about the event.

GO HERE to read more.

JOHN PICK’S RESUME – YOU BE THE JUDGE

Here, direct from Urbandale, Iowa, is the part of the resume they got from Mr. Pick that discusses his “Significant Accomplishments” as Salisbury’s City Administrator. Let’s look at some of them as described by him.

For starters, he says that he “supervised creation and implementation” of Salisbury’s “new annexation process,” suggesting that he was instrumental in that. The City hired someone named Jakubiak, who made a donation to the place where Mike Dunn works, to do the “creation” and the Council did the “implementation.”

Why does Mr. Pick not disclose that it took major property tax increases and much greater assessed values to achieve the “improved General Fund fund balance” along with letting much of the City infrastructure deteriorate badly and borrowed debt? And does it matter that one of the “two Tax Incentive Financing Districts” has gone belly up?

Then there’s the waste water treatment plant upgrade – better to not even mention that fiasco -- or the crime rate to mention some of Salisbury’s special features.

Folks in Urbandale would be wise to review the archives of Sbynews rather than the Daily Times.

Dave Suiter "On The Road Again"

Joe and Denny,

If you ever get this far west, make sure you are on your bike. Route 199 from Redding west to 101 is a ride you will never forget. Sweepers and switch backs. The only thing you must be VERY careful of is stones in the road fallen from above. I nipped one and stopped to see if there was any damage. NO!! Happy me!! There are ZERO Bars on the cell!! Can you imagine cutting a tire 75 miles from anything or anyone with no phone???

BTW Joe, I enjoy your posts concerning city goings on. I hope so much Jim makes the differance many of us have hoped for.

Dave

Hi Folks,
Left Sacramento ealry this AM. Fellow biker recommended ride to Redding and go west on 199 through Shasta Nat Forrest instead of 101 from Sacramento. Better scenery and better ride.

199 was a great ride on a motorcycle plus the scenary was great. Coming down out of the mountains on 199 with temps about 80. Saw FOG on horizon. Got to 101 north of Eureka and temp was down to 54. FOG!! Went north towards Crescent,Ca and had patches of sun but still chilly.

Pics;
Old Sacramento down by train museum
THE SIGN!!!!!!!!!
Trinity River along 199 in Shasta National Forest with Mt. Shasta in background
First look at Pacific
Along 101 north of Trinidad

Well,I made it folks. From America the Beautiful, Spacious Skys (I have had beautiful days), Amber Waves of Grain (did not think I would see this as it is early spring but north of Sacramento there were fields of what looked like golden wheat), Purple mountains majesty (in UTAH), Upon the fruited plains (all across western USA) and Sea to shineing Sea.

It has been a great journey. Now heading north to Portland, OR and east Indy to see old friends on the way home.

Time to wrap up this trip and head home. Miss my Honey more each day. Thanks for going along with me (I've enjoyed your comments on SBYNEWS) and special thanks to Joe. I'm not sure of my route home but I'm sure I'll have more pics to send.

Take Care and Thanks,
Dave

HOW MUCH DOES/WILL SALISBURY'S "TOP BRASS" MAKE?

Here is the high-low data on pay grades from the proposed Salisbury City Budget.

For John Pick's pay grade -- the highest (18) -- the top is $123,000 so he must get at least $100,000, probably somewhat more.

Chief Webster must be near or above $100,000 too. Oland has the same grade (16) but must be a lot less, especially with all the hired help they need to do the books.

And Lore Chambers is getting nearly $10,000 raise this year to grade 15 under Barrie's budget -- she would be at the same level as that for the new Fire Chief!!!

But the rank & file would get no COLA or step increase -- go figure!

Micro Brewery Opens In Delmar

The Evolution Craft Brewing Company in Delmar has finally swung their doors and are open for business. With four different kind of brews you can even stop in and purchase a tasting glass for $5.00, (as seen in one of the photos above) and take a taste of the four different beer on tap. Yes, for $5.00 you can try all four.

Once you choose your favorite brew you can then purchase a half gallon Growler of beer for $12.00, (tasting glass included with Growler purchase) and every time you bring it back for a re-fill after your initial fee, the price drops all the way down to $7.00 per half gallon re-fill. They are also selling their brew in kegs, for those Party Animals at SU.

This facility is a Brewery and not a Bar. Besides purchasing to go beer you can also taste their beer at Fagers Island, both Bull on the Beach locations and ALL Maryland Philips Seafood locations.

Considering they just swung their doors it will only be a matter of time before you start seeing their beer everywhere. Of course they'll have it available at all of their restaurant locations like the Red Roost.

"Solicitors welcome on Sunday's between the hours of 12 am to 6 am." I like their style and you'll love their BEER! Stop by, say hello and get a taste of some of the finest beer on the Eastern Shore.

Hickup! That was a fun assignment.

A Wise Man Once Said......

BIKER STORY Receives New York Times Best

A biker is riding by the zoo, when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents. The biker jumps off his bike, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.

Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.

A New York Times reporter has watched the whole event. The reporter addressing the biker says, 'Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I saw a man do in my whole life.'

The biker replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really, the lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.'

The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist from the New York Times, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page... So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation do you have?''

The biker replies, 'I'm a U.S. Marine and a Republican.'

The journalist leaves.

The following morning the biker buys The New York Times to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on front page:

U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH

The Living Cartoon

Folks, this is well worth taking the time to watch.

Massive Protest At The GOB This Morning

If you'd like to see and or participate in a massive protest, come to the GOB this morning and watch your local Farmers and Business Owners take over Downtown Salisbury.

The protest will start at 9:00 AM. There will be Tractors everywhere as well as business equipment. The Farmers are letting the County Council know LOUD AND CLEAR, they're not taking it any more. This is OUR land and you're NOT going to tell us what we can and can't do with it any more.

OPPOSE Bill 2009-5

It provides NO just compensation to landowners!

A Thing Of Beauty

Clay Balls

A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them in HIS!

Through The Looking Glass

Our teleprompter POTUS is beginning to show some of his true colors, that those of us knew who and refrained from the intoxication of kool aid from General Electric's Obama network and the rest of the nearly bankrupt main stream media.

A brief history of what we know, knew or could ponder from the crumbs we gathered from Fox news, talk radio and the net, (and should have paid attention to), prior to his election as POTUS #44.

#1 The son of a radical White Mother named "Stanley".

#2 The son of either a Black Muslim from Kenya (or potentially a well known Black radical Commie friend of his radical Grandparents): Frank Marshal Davis, (who wrote an auto biographical book about an affair with a young white girl when he lived in Hawaii).

#3 Born in either Hawaii, (likely IMHO), or Mombassa, (as his Black Granny and Kenyan relatives claim). "Hard telling'; not knowing' ", would be nice to see an original birth certificate, (which we may see some day), thanks to Capitalism since the records do exist, (if ya read the rest of this list and think a wee bit).

#4 A Muslim for the first ten years of his life, (given his claimed Father's Muslim name as Islam requires), and becoming an Indonesian citizen to obtain public and Muslim education while living' in Indonesia with radical Mommy.

#5 Moved back to live with his radical White Granny n' Grandpa to Hawaii, and learned his formative Hard Left hate n' blame America philosophy from Commie: Frank Marshal Davis, (read Barry's own auto biography if ya don't believe me).

#6 Attended Occidental college in Los Angeles, CA: lived with Pakistani Muslims while in college.

#7 Attended Columbia in NYC, again lived with Pakistani Muslims and traveled to Pakistan at a time when US Citizens using US passports were prohibited by law from travel to Pakistan.

Question: Did Barry use a Kenyan passport, a British passport, or an Indonesian passport for his 1981 travel? If the US media functioned we would have known the answer prior to 11/4/2009. Some day we shall know, (thanks to Capitalism).

#8 Attended Harvard and was elected to the head of the Harvard Law Review. First indication of superior political skills.

#9 Listened to Jeremiah the bull frog tapes for inspiration while at Harvard, (in Barry's own book), which inspired the young lad to accept Jesus from the bull frog's inspirational work), and move to Chicago to build a career.

#10 Got a job at the Law Firm where Bernadine Dohrn worked, (his second connection to Chicago's radical Hyde Park power base), and sued firms like Bank of America to force the Bank to loan based on racial profiles Nanny Government required instead of economics.

#11 Represented and trained ACORN in radical aspects of "community organization".

#12 Got political start from William Ayers in his Hyde Park home, (Bernidine Dorhn's husband). Barry ran for office eventually won and represented Hyde Park's radicals in the State Legislature.

#13 Attended Jeremiah the bull frog's radical Christian hate and blame America church, where he was married and baptized his two daughters. (God Damn America).

#14 Worked closely with Syrian born Tony Rezko, (a convicted felon now serving' time for political money deals), who was Barry's largest financial backer, and even provided the funding (directly from Saddam's oil for food $), for Michelle's Hyde Park mansion.

#15 Remained a timid back bench State pol who voted "present" more often then not, (that is why Nasty Nancy and Horrible Harry are sooooo happy with all their new power).

#16 Got big break from the disqualification of his political opponents on legal technical issues, (typical dim wit Democrat Chicago political machine stuff), and benefited from Jack Ryan's exposed marital problems, and entry of Alan Keyes as a horrible Republican Senatorial opponent.

#17 Became the most Liberal Senator out of 100 Liberal Senators in his short Senate career. Was a very large earmark porker, (Michelle's high paying' job a direct result of his porkin' the tax payer). Received huge campaign dollars from Fannie and Freddie and AIG, and even hired Rohm Emanuel, (big beneficiary of Fannie's dim wit money bazaar), as his chief of staff.

Based on that background: it is hardly very shocking that our teleprompter POTUS released CIA interrogation methods for pure political purposes of the Country he learned to hate of Islamo Fascists (one of who hacked off the head of WSJ reporter Daniel Pearl), so our Ilsamo enemies could have a good road map for their future attacks.

Barry claims he would rather appeal to the 'morals' of Hugo Chavez, Vald Putin, and Ahmadinejad and accept the destruction of the 73 story 1018 foot tall Library Tower in LA in Mid 2002 and associated casualties with the "Second Wave" as planned by Hambali of Jerneh Islamiyah and his Guraaba Cell with shoe bombs then water board KSM and stop the attack as the Bush Cheney administration did.

Jimmy Carter must be real proud of Barry's relative moralism, (the last POTUS to practice this philosophy), and the potential destruction it will bring our Country.

Barry's back bench decision to have Eric Holder potentially criminalize past legal decisions of Justice that correctly interpreted "torture" to be the use of electric drills and hot pokers on eyeballs, and chopin' off body extremities for some real pain. (Not a bit of carefully administered), water over the nose of a Islamo Fascist that executed the deaths of 3,000 Americans and was planing the "Second Wave" to take many more.

Those on the Hard Left must really be happy that they can extract revenge for differences of opinion.

Ya really think the CIA will take risks to save us from future attacks now that they know the Jimmy Carter second term and assault against the military and the majority in our Country is underway?

I hope this Republic survives the next 3 years 9 months.

A Comment Worthy Of Attention And A Post

"Jeez, you people are really impatient! Jim has been mayor for 2 full days, and you already want proclamations? The fact that the budget is online 24 hours after he became mayor is huge--give the guy credit! I want to draw attention again to the fact that Mayor Tighlman has cut health insurance for Debbie Campbell's family, and Terry Cohen's family--they have kids and to cut their health insurance while putting an $8,000 raise for Lore Chambers is outrageous, to say the least! The citizens need to speak up about this. It is vindictive and is very revealing of the former mayor's low class. The council must restore this money, or it will be on THEIR heads if one of the kids gets sick and cannot get proper care."

This is true. Under the Mayor's proposed Budget she wants to cut out Health Insurance, (out of spite) from Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen. While I don't believe this is legal through the Charter, Barrie did it anyway. I told you she's a bully in the playground. Hopefully Mr. Ireton can stop this.

ALL YOU CAN EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER

ALL YOU CAN EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER
(Includes: salad, bread, spaghetti, drink, and dessert)


Friday, April 24, 2009

5:00 - 8:00

Adults $7.00
Children $3.00
(12 yrs and younger)

Carryout Available

SNETHEN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Double Mill Community Hall
Route 54 Delmar-Mardela Road

Our sauce and desserts are all homemade!!!!

ONLY A MOTHER WOULD KNOW.....

Cup of Tea.

One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me.

I was maybe 2 1/2 years old. Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a gift and it was one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I came down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watched him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know.. :)

"Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?"

WORCESTER TO CUT . . . .WICOMICO TO STUDY

Today's Daily Times featured article - JOB CUTS WEIGHED TO TRIM BUDGET - concerning Worcester county's 89 percent drop in building permits should also resonate with Wicomico officials.

On almost every street corner in Wicomico people are talking about the dramatic decline in, both, residential and commercial construction.

I've got news for Worcester County officials - Wicomico has been hit just as hard if not worse.
As Rick Santelli would say . . . . 'hey officials I hope you all are listening'

FACTS

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION REPORTS

2005 Residential Home Permits - 296
2006 Residential Home Permits - 215
2007 Residential Home Permits - 131
2008 Residential Home Permits - 101

Total Construction Cost 2005 - $68,026,408.00
Total Construction Cost 2008 - $37,497,796.00

Profound Statements

1. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm and three or more is a congress.
-- 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. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself.
-- Mark Twain

4. 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

5. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.
-- George Bernard Shaw

6. A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money.
-- G. Gordon Liddy

7. Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
-- James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)

8. Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries.
-- Douglas Casey, Georgetown University

9. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
-- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian

10. Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
-- Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)

11. 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 (1986)

12. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
-- Will Rogers

13. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free!
-- P.J. O'Rourke

14. In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
-- Voltaire (1764)

15. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you!
-- Pericles (430 B.C.)

16. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
-- Mark Twain (1866)

17. Talk is cheap...except when Congress does it.
-- Anonymous

18. The government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end and no responsibility at the other.
-- Ronald Reagan

19. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings. The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
-- Winston Churchill

20. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.
-- Mark Twain

21. The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

22. There is no distinctly native American criminal class...save Congress.
-- Mark Twain

23. What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
-- Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)

24. A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-- Thomas Jefferson

Education Awards & Recognitions Night

Congratulations to the Students, Teachers and Schools Honored at the April 21 Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night

The spring Wicomico County Board of Education Awards & Recognitions Night was held April 21, 2009 at Salisbury Middle School.

The Board recognized teachers, students, community partners, schools and departments for the following achievements.

Recognition for Athletic Achievement

Coach Barbara McCool, Girls Head Basketball Coach at Mardela High School, outstanding career achievement of reaching the milestone of 600 Varsity wins in the state of Maryland. McCool was recently recognized by the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association as the “District VIII Athletic Director of the Year.” McCool received a Governor’s Citation and House Resolution in her honor.

2009-2010 Wicomico Teacher of the Year

Susan L. Cullen, 3rd grade teacher at Delmar Elementary School, announced March 19 as Wicomico Teacher of the Year. She will represent Wicomico at the Maryland Teacher of the Year Gala. Cullen received a Governor’s Citation and House Resolution in her honor.

Maryland Elementary School Counselor of the Year

Tana Ellis, school counselor at Prince Street Elementary School, recognized by the Maryland School Counselors Association as the Elementary School Counselor of the Year for the state of Maryland. Ellis received a Governor’s Citation and House Resolution in her honor.

2009 Maryland Music Teacher of the Year

James Gary Hammer, band director at Bennett Middle School, for receiving the prestigious Maryland Music Educators Association ‘Award for Excellence’ as the Outstanding Career Music Teacher for 2009. Hammer received a Governor’s Citation and House Resolution in his honor.

WMDT’S “Teachers Who Make A Difference” Award

GO HERE to see the rest of this article.

Destination Imagination Help

Westside Intermediate Destination Imagination Teams

Have you ever wondered what education would be like if a child’s imagination drove the curriculum? For the past three years, a team of six creative elementary students from Westside Intermediate School in Wicomico County, Maryland have shown parents and teachers that this is not only possible, but it’s education at its best! We are writing to you to help our team achieve an amazing goal. First, let us tell you a bit about what they’ve done.

Now in 5th grade, this team has traveled through time and space to learn the properties of light, the scientific method and the ways animals live and communicate. In their minds they have ventured to Stonehenge, Norway and the deserts of the Southwest. They have written scripts, sewn costumes, created Viking ships and mountains out of cardboard, and built stage sets with shower curtains and chicken wire. They have learned to speak publicly, to act, and to perform. All of this occurred on a shoestring budget where trash and recyclables are the preferred medium. Most importantly, the kids have realized that almost anything can be achieved with their imaginations, creative problem solving and teamwork.

This has all been possible through an international program called Destination Imagination. Each year teams of children from around the world apply creativity, critical thinking and their particular talents to solve one of five team challenges. Volunteer adult team managers guide and facilitate team efforts, but never tell the kids what to do. The teams compete at the regional, state and global levels. At each competition, the teams are appraised and the top two winning teams proceed to the next level.

This year, through extremely hard work over the last seven months, after school and on weekends, our fabulous team--called the Translating Rams--successfully participated in the regional and state competitions, placing first in Maryland for their challenge. Now the team has the honor and privilege of the attending the global competition in Knoxville, TN on May 20-23, 2009.

In order for the team to go to Tennessee, it must raise $6,000. We are looking for any help that will assist us in reaching this goal. We welcome your sponsorship through business or individual donations. All contributions are tax deductible.

We thank you so much for your support and thank you for believing in the value of teaching tomorrow’s leaders to think outside of the box.

Sincerely,

Amy K. Liebman
Co-Team Manger
Translating Rams

Please send your donation to:
Westside Intermediate School
c/o Destination Imagination
8000 Quantico Road
Hebron, MD 21830

Arby's Robbed Last Night At Gunpoint

The Arby's on business Rt. 50 was robbed at gunpoint last night. There's been no Press Release put out but I'm sure we'll have more details on this matter later today.

Old Fashioned Turkey Dinner

Where: Main Street - Crisfield MD
Tickets: Contact Church Member or be purchased at the door.

Joe I have a few tickets (10) that can be purchased from me.
This is always a wonderful family event. Thought you Could get the word out for me. Thanks!

410-845-8887 Jen Landon

Don't Miss This Show!

Bluegrass Music’s Entertainers of the Year

DAILEY & VINCENT

And Their Band

2008 IBMA

Entertainers of the Year

Vocal Group of the Year

Emerging Artist of the Year

Male Vocalist of the Year

Gospel Recorded Perfomance

Hosted by

The Menno’lite

Quartet

$20.00

In Advance

$25.00

At the Door

Tickets on sale at:

Earle Teat Music

Delmar, Del

How Sweet It Is

Eden, Md

Harris Ace Hardware

Princess Anne, Md

Harris Ace Hardware

Pocomoke City, Md

Kite Koop & Bookstore

Chincoteague, Va

Tickets by Phone

410-726-4534

www.daileyvincent.com

Saturday April 25, 2009 7:00pm

Washington High School Auditorium

RT 13S, Princess Anne, Md.

Proceeds from this concert support a community youth ministry sponsored by Holly Grove Mennonite and Rehobeth Presbyterian Churches

DelDot Signalization Project Update

Signalization Project on Route 13 and Townsend Boulevard Rescheduled for Thursday, April 23

Dover -- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that the existing signal at the intersection of Route 13 and Townsend Boulevard in Dover will go dark on Thursday, April 23 from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. to convert the signal to a new box span. The work hours are adjusted to accommodate heavy traffic conditions. There will be straight through movement on Route 13 southbound and northbound only. During this time, the side streets at the intersection will have right turns only.

The contractor for this project is Byers Electric Construction, LLC and DelDOT's Traffic Signal Construction Section.